Aerosol generating device and aerosol generating article

Abstract

An aerosol generating device according to various embodiments includes a housing including an open end and an elongated cavity communicating with the open end for accommodating an aerosol generating article, a stick holder disposed within the elongated cavity for capturing the aerosol generating article and rotating it about a longitudinal central axis of the aerosol generating article, and a light irradiation element for irradiating light to heat a medium segment included in the aerosol generating article.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative articles that overcome the disadvantages of traditional cigarettes. For example, there has been an increasing demand for devices that generate aerosol by electrically heating a cigarette stick (e.g., cigarette-shaped electronic cigarettes). Therefore, research on electrically heated aerosol generating devices and cigarette sticks (or aerosol generating articles) applied thereto has been actively conducted. For example, Patent Publication No. 10-2017-0132823 discloses a non-combustible flavor attractor, 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 generating device and an aerosol generating article in which heat loss is reduced through heating by a laser heating source.

[0004] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article that generate a uniform amount of aerosol during use.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In an aerosol generating device according to various embodiments, a housing including an open end and an elongated cavity communicating with the open end for accommodating an aerosol generating article, a stick holder disposed in the elongated cavity for capturing the aerosol generating article and rotating it about a longitudinal central axis of the aerosol generating article, and a light irradiation element for irradiating light to heat a medium segment included in the aerosol generating article.

[0006] In one embodiment, the light irradiation element may include a light source unit that emits light and is arranged alongside the elongated cavity, a reflecting unit that directs light from the electrical light source unit toward the medium segment, and an angle adjustment unit that is arranged adjacent to the reflecting unit and adjusts the angle of the light reflected from the reflecting unit so that the light reaches the medium segment equally.

[0007] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating article further includes a first segment arranged upstream of the medium segment and a second segment arranged downstream of the medium segment, wherein the medium segment includes a first medium end in contact with the first segment and a second medium end in contact with the second segment, and the angle adjustment unit can be configured so that light reflected from the reflecting unit is continuously irradiated from the first medium end to the second medium end.

[0008] In one embodiment, the stick holder may include a first holder positioned at the bottom of the elongated cavity for capturing the first segment of the aerosol-generating article, and a second holder positioned adjacent to the open end of the housing for capturing the second segment of the aerosol-generating article.

[0009] In one embodiment, a rotating element is further included, which can rotate the stick holder with respect to the central axis in the depth direction of the elongated cavity.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generator further includes an input button connected to the rotating element, wherein the operation of the input button activates the rotating element and causes it to rotate.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generator further includes a puff sensor connected to the rotating element for detecting a user's puff, the operation of the puff sensor activating the rotating element and causing it to rotate.

[0012] In one embodiment, the elongated cavity includes an inner wall surface facing the aerosol-generating article, and at least a portion of the inner wall surface may be made of a light-transmitting material.

[0013] In one embodiment, the medium segment includes a medium, and the medium can be exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating article.

[0014] In various embodiments of an aerosol generating article, the article includes a first end face, a second end face opposite the first end face, a side face formed between the first end face and the second end face, a medium segment, a first segment, a second segment, and a flaps, wherein the first segment is positioned upstream of the medium segment, the second segment is positioned downstream of the medium segment, and the flaps can surround the side faces corresponding to the first and second segments, excluding the medium segment.

[0015] In one embodiment, the medium segment includes a hollow tube, and the aerosol formed by heating the medium segment can move toward the second end face through the hollow tube.

[0016] In one embodiment, the medium segment can be filled with folded or rolled sheet tobacco medium.

[0017] In one embodiment, the medium segment includes a medium, and the medium can be exposed to the outside. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] An aerosol generator and aerosol generating article according to one embodiment can reduce heat loss through heating by a laser heating source.

[0019] An aerosol generator and aerosol generating article according to one embodiment can generate a uniform amount of aerosol during use.

[0020] The effects of the aerosol generating device and aerosol products according to one embodiment are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2A] Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2B] Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device with an aerosol product inserted according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an aerosol product according to one embodiment. [Figure 4A] Figure 4A is an internal perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 4B] Figure 4B is an enlarged view of region A of the aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of Figure 4A. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] The terms used in the embodiments are general terms widely used at present while considering the functions in the present invention, but 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 this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the explanatory 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 "includes" any component, this does not exclude other components unless otherwise stated, but rather means that it includes other components. Furthermore, terms such as "~part" and "~module" used in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented in hardware or software, or by a combination of hardware and software.

[0024] As used herein, when an expression such as “at least one of the following” precedes an array of components, it modifies the entire component, not each of the individual components in the array. For example, the expression “at least one of a, b, and c” must be interpreted as including a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

[0025] In the following embodiments, "aerosol-generating article" means an article that contains a medium, 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 this 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 away from 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 inhalation by the user, and inhalation means drawing the substance into the user's oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs through the user's mouth or nose.

[0028] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol by electrically heating an aerosol generating article contained in an internal space.

[0029] The aerosol generator includes a heater. In one embodiment, the heater may be an electrically resistive heater. For example, the heater may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater is heated when an electric current flows through the electrically conductive track.

[0030] The heater may include tubular heating elements, plate heating elements, needle heating elements, or rod heating elements, and heats the inside or outside of the aerosol generating article depending on the shape of the heating elements.

[0031] The aerosol-generating article includes a tobacco rod and a filter rod. The tobacco rod may be manufactured in sheet form or in strand form, or the tobacco sheet may be manufactured into finely cut tobacco. The tobacco rod may also be surrounded by a heat-conducting material. For example, the heat-conducting material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil.

[0032] The filter rod may be an acetylcellulose filter. The filter rod may consist of at least one or more segments. For example, the filter rod may include a first segment for cooling the aerosol and a second segment for filtering out predetermined components contained in the aerosol.

[0033] In another embodiment, the aerosol generator may be a device that generates aerosols using a cartridge that holds an aerosol-generating substance.

[0034] The aerosol generator includes a cartridge for holding an aerosol-generating substance and a body that supports the cartridge. The cartridge may, but is not limited to, be detachably coupled to the body. The cartridge may be formed or assembled integrally with the body and fixed so that it cannot be attached or detached by the user. The cartridge may be mounted on the body with the aerosol-generating substance contained inside. However, it is not limited to this, and the aerosol-generating substance may be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the body.

[0035] The cartridge may hold an aerosol-generating substance that exists in one of several states, such as liquid, solid, gaseous, or gel. The aerosol-generating substance comprises a liquid-phase composition. For example, the liquid-phase composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance that includes volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0036] The cartridge operates via electrical or wireless signals transmitted from the main unit, converting the phase of the aerosol-generating material inside the cartridge into a gaseous phase to generate an aerosol. An aerosol refers to a gaseous state in which vaporized particles generated from the aerosol-generating material and air are mixed.

[0037] In a further embodiment, the aerosol generator can generate an aerosol by heating a liquid-phase composition, and the generated aerosol may be transmitted to the user through a cigarette. That is, the aerosol generated from the liquid-phase composition moves along an airflow passage of the aerosol generator, and the airflow passage may be configured to allow the aerosol to be transmitted to the user through a cigarette.

[0038] In a further embodiment, the aerosol generator is a device that generates aerosols from an aerosol-generating substance using an ultrasonic vibration method. Here, the ultrasonic vibration method refers to a method of generating aerosols by atomizing the aerosol-generating substance with ultrasonic vibrations generated by a transducer.

[0039] The aerosol generator includes a transducer, which generates short-period vibrations to atomize aerosol-generating substances. The vibrations generated by the transducer may be ultrasonic vibrations, and the frequency range of the ultrasonic vibrations may be approximately 100 kHz to approximately 3.5 MHz, but is not limited to this range.

[0040] The aerosol generator further includes a core that absorbs the aerosol-generating substance. For example, the core may be positioned to surround at least one region of the oscillator, or to be in contact with at least one region of the oscillator.

[0041] When a voltage (e.g., AC voltage) is applied to the transducer, heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations are generated from the transducer, and these heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to the aerosol-generating material absorbed in the core. The aerosol-generating material absorbed in the core is converted into a gaseous phase by the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the transducer, and as a result, an aerosol may be generated.

[0042] For example, the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material absorbed into the core may decrease due to the heat generated from the transducer, and the aerosol-generating material with reduced viscosity may be further broken down into fine particles by the ultrasonic vibrations generated from the transducer, thus generating an aerosol, but this is not the only possibility.

[0043] In a further embodiment, the aerosol generator may be a device that generates aerosols by heating the aerosol product contained in the aerosol generator using induction heating.

[0044] The aerosol generator includes a susceptor and a coil. In one embodiment, the coil applies a magnetic field to the susceptor. Power is supplied to the coil from the aerosol generator, forming a magnetic field inside the coil. In one embodiment, the susceptor is a magnetic material that generates heat in response to an external magnetic field. The aerosol product is heated as the susceptor, located inside the coil, generates heat when a magnetic field is applied. Alternatively, the susceptor may be selectively placed inside the aerosol product.

[0045] In a further embodiment, the aerosol generator further includes a cradle.

[0046] The aerosol generator can be configured with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may charge the aerosol generator's battery. Alternatively, the heater may be heated while the cradle and aerosol generator are coupled together.

[0047] The following description, with reference to the attached drawings, is detailed so that a person with ordinary skill in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be implemented in a form embodied in the various embodiments of aerosol generators described herein, or in a different form, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0048] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0049] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generator 100 according to one embodiment.

[0050] The aerosol generator 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 generator 100 is not limited to that shown in Figure 1. That is, a person with ordinary skill in the art according to this embodiment will understand that some of the components shown in Figure 1 may be omitted or new components may be added depending on the design of the aerosol generator 100.

[0051] The detection unit 120 detects the state of the aerosol generator 100 or the state of the area around the aerosol generator 100 and transmits the detected information to the control unit 110. Based on the detected information, the control unit 110 can control the aerosol generator 100 to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater 150, restricting smoking, determining whether or not an aerosol generating item (e.g., an aerosol generating item, cartridge, etc.) is inserted, and displaying notifications.

[0052] The detection unit 120 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the temperature sensor 122, insertion detection sensor 124, and puff sensor 126.

[0053] The temperature sensor 122 detects the temperature at which the heater 150 (or the aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generator 100 may include a separate temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the heater 150, or the heater 150 itself may act as the temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 122 may be positioned around the battery 140 to monitor the temperature of the battery 140.

[0054] The insertion detection sensor 124 detects the insertion and / or removal of an 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 change in signal due to the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol-generating article.

[0055] The puff sensor 126 detects the user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor 126 may detect the user's puff based on any one of the following: temperature changes, flow rate changes, voltage changes, and pressure changes.

[0056] In addition to the sensors 122 to 126 described above, the detection unit 120 further includes at least one of the following: a temperature / humidity sensor, a 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). The function of the angle sensor can be intuitively inferred by those skilled in the art from its name, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0057] The output unit 130 outputs information regarding the status of the aerosol generator 100 to the user. The output unit 130 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the display unit 132, the haptic unit 134, and the acoustic output unit 136. If the display unit 132 and the touchpad form a layered structure and constitute a touchscreen, the display unit 132 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0058] The display unit 132 visually provides the user with information regarding the aerosol generator 100. For example, information regarding the aerosol generator 100 can include various types of information such as the charging / discharging status of the battery 140 of the aerosol generator 100, the preheating status of the heater 150, the insertion / removal status of aerosol generating items, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generator 100 is restricted (e.g., detection of an abnormal item). The display unit 132 can output this information to the outside. The display unit 132 can be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) or an induced light-emitting display panel (OLED). Alternatively, the display unit 132 may be in the form of an LED light-emitting element.

[0059] The haptic unit 134 converts electrical signals into mechanical or electrical stimuli to provide the user with tactile information about the aerosol generator 100. For example, the haptic unit 134 includes a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulator.

[0060] The acoustic output unit 136 provides the user with auditory information regarding the aerosol generator 100. For example, the acoustic output unit 136 can convert electrical signals into acoustic signals and output them externally.

[0061] The battery 140 supplies the power used to operate the aerosol generator 100. The battery 140 also supplies power to enable the heater 150 to heat up. In addition, the battery 140 may supply the power necessary for the operation of other components provided within the aerosol generator 100 (e.g., 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, but is not limited to, a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery.

[0062] The heater 150 is powered by the battery 140 and heats the aerosol-generating material. Although not shown in Figure 1, the aerosol generator 100 further includes a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC / DC converter) that converts the power from the battery 140 and supplies it to the heater 150. Furthermore, if the aerosol generator 100 generates aerosols using an induction heating method, the aerosol generator 100 further includes a DC / AC converter that converts the DC power supply of the battery 140 into AC power supply.

[0063] The control unit 110, detection unit 120, output unit 130, user input unit 160, memory 170, and communication unit 180 can function by receiving power from the battery 140. Although not shown in Figure 1, the system further includes a power conversion circuit, such as an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, that converts the power from the battery 140 and supplies it to each component.

[0064] In one embodiment, the heater 150 can be formed from any suitable electrical-resistant material. For example, suitable electrical-resistant 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, and nichrome. The heater 150 can also be implemented as, but is not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate on which an electrical conductive track is arranged, or a ceramic heating element.

[0065] In other embodiments, the heater 150 may be an induction heating type heater. For example, the heater 150 includes a susceptor that generates heat via a magnetic field applied by a coil to heat the aerosol-generating substance.

[0066] In one embodiment, the heater 150 includes a plurality of heaters. For example, the heater 150 includes a first heater for heating an aerosol generating article and a second heater for heating the liquid phase.

[0067] The user input unit 160 can receive information input from the user and output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 160 may include, but is not limited to, a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (contact-type capacitive type, pressure-type resistive type, infrared sensing type, surface ultrasonic conduction type, integral tension measurement type, piezoelectric effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. Although not shown in Figure 1, the aerosol generator 100 also includes a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and can connect to other external devices via the USB interface to send and receive information or charge the battery 140.

[0068] Memory 170, as hardware for storing various data processed within the aerosol generator 100, can store data processed by the control unit 110 and data to be processed. Memory 170 includes at least one type of storage medium from among flash memory type, hard disk type, multimedia card micro type, card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), RAM (random access memory), SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), PROM (programmable read-only memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk. Memory 170 may also store data such as the operating time of the aerosol generator 100, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

[0069] 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.

[0070] The short-range wireless communication unit 182 includes, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth® communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee® 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, and the like.

[0071] The wireless communication unit 184 includes, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN) communication unit. The wireless communication unit 184 may also verify and authenticate the aerosol generator 100 within the communication network using subscriber information (e.g., an International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

[0072] 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 logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and memory containing a program that can be executed by the microprocessor. Further forms of hardware implementation can be understood by those ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs.

[0073] 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 a switching element between the battery 140 and the heater 150. In a different example, a direct heating circuit may control the power supply to the heater 150 in response to a control command from the control unit 110.

[0074] The control unit 110 analyzes the results detected by the detection unit 120 and controls the processing to be performed thereafter. For example, based on the results detected by the detection unit 120, 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. As another example, based on the results detected by the detection unit 120, the control unit 110 can control the amount of power supplied to the heater 150 and the duration for which power is supplied so that the heater 150 heats up to a predetermined temperature or maintains an appropriate temperature.

[0075] 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 via at least one of the display unit 132, the haptic unit 134, and the acoustic output unit 136 that the aerosol generator 100 will immediately shut down.

[0076] In one embodiment, the control unit 110 can control the power supply time and / or power supply amount to the heater 150 according to the state of the aerosol product detected by the detection unit 120. For example, if the aerosol product is in an over-humid 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 normal state.

[0077] One embodiment can also be realized in the form of a recording medium containing computer-executable instructions, such as a program module executed by a computer. Computer-readable media may be any solubility accessible by a computer, and include all volatile and non-volatile media, and isolated and non-isolated media. Computer-readable media also include all computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media include all volatile and non-volatile, isolated and non-isolated media implemented by any method or technique for storing information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically include computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, modulated data signals, other data, or other transmission mechanisms, and include any information transmission media.

[0078] Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generator 200 according to one embodiment (for example, the aerosol generator 100 in Figure 1). Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of the aerosol generator 200 with an aerosol generating article 300 according to one embodiment inserted.

[0079] Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, an aerosol generator according to one embodiment includes a housing 210, a stick holder 220, a rotating element 226, a light irradiation element 230, an input button 240, a battery 260, and a control unit 270.

[0080] In one embodiment, the housing 210 includes one end, another end formed on the opposite side of the first end, an open end 212, and an elongated cavity 214. In one embodiment, the housing 210 can accommodate various mechanical / electronic components of the aerosol generator 200 within its internal space. In one embodiment, the housing 210 may be made of a rigid material (e.g., plastic, metal, carbon plate, synthetic resin, etc.).

[0081] In one embodiment, the open end 212 is positioned on one face of either one end or the other end and communicates with the elongated cavity 214. In one embodiment, the elongated cavity 214 is a cavity formed extending inward from the open end 212 of the housing 210, and includes a space in which an aerosol-generating article is contained.

[0082] In one embodiment, the elongated cavity 214 includes an inner wall surface 214a and a bottom surface 214b. The inner wall surface 214a in one embodiment corresponds to the inner wall surface of the elongated cavity 214 and corresponds to the side surface of the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the elongated cavity 214. The bottom surface 214b in one embodiment corresponds to the end surface where the elongated cavity 214 ends and corresponds to the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the elongated cavity 214.

[0083] In one embodiment, the elongated cavity 214 includes a light-transmitting element 216. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the inner wall surface 214a of the elongated cavity 214 may be made of a light-transmitting material. In one embodiment, the light-transmitting element 216 may be positioned in a direction corresponding to the direction in which the light-irradiating element 230 is positioned relative to the elongated cavity 214. By positioning the light-transmitting element 216 according to the embodiment in a direction corresponding to the direction in which the light-irradiating element 230 is positioned, light originating from the light-irradiating element 230 can be irradiated into the interior of the elongated cavity 214.

[0084] In one embodiment, the stick holder 220 includes a first holder 222 and a second holder 224.

[0085] In one embodiment, the first holder 222 is positioned on the bottom surface 214b of the elongated cavity 214. In one embodiment, the first holder 222 may capture one end (e.g., the first segment 320 in Figure 3) of an aerosol generating article (e.g., the aerosol generating article 300 in Figure 3). In one embodiment, the first holder 222 includes a holding portion 2221, a shaft 2222, and a perforation 2223. In one embodiment, the holding portion 2221 corresponds to the portion that accommodates one end of the aerosol generating article 300. In one embodiment, the internal diameter of the holding portion 2221 may be the same as the internal diameter of the aerosol generating article 300. In one embodiment, the internal diameter of the holding portion 2221 may be larger than the internal diameter of the aerosol generating article 300. In one embodiment, the internal diameter of the holding portion 2221 may be smaller than the internal diameter of the aerosol generating article 300. In one embodiment, the shaft 2222 is positioned to connect the holding portion 2221 with the bottom surface 214b of the elongated cavity 214, so that the holding portion 2221 stably accommodates the aerosol generating article 300. In one embodiment, the shaft 2222 is formed from a single, continuous material with respect to the holding portion 2221. In one embodiment, the shaft 2222 may be coupled to the holding portion 2221 as another part. In one embodiment, the perforation 2223 may be formed to penetrate the wall of the holding portion 2221, which is positioned parallel to the bottom surface 214b of the elongated cavity 214. In one embodiment, the airflow flowing into the aerosol generating device 200 can move into the aerosol generating article 300 through the perforation 2223 (see arrow F1 in Figure 2B).

[0086] In one embodiment, the second holder 224 is positioned adjacent to the open end 212 of the housing 210. In one embodiment, the second holder 224 captures an intermediate portion of the aerosol-generating article 300 (e.g., the second segment 330 in Figure 3). In one embodiment, the second holder 224 includes a gear. In one embodiment, the second holder 224 is positioned to surround the entrance of the elongated cavity 214 and may rotate with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the elongated cavity 214. In one embodiment, the second holder 224 may be formed to protrude from the inner wall 214a of the elongated cavity 214 toward the central longitudinal axis in order to capture the aerosol-generating article 300. In one embodiment, the second holder 224 may include a perforation (not shown) to facilitate the inflow of airflow. In one embodiment, the perforation of the second holder 224 may be formed parallel to the perforation 2243 of the first holder 222.

[0087] In one embodiment, the rotating element 226 rotates the stick holder 220 with respect to the central axis in the depth direction of the elongated cavity 214. In one embodiment, the rotating element 226 includes a motor 2261 and a gear 2262. The motor 2261 according to one embodiment includes an energy source that actively generates rotational motion. The motor 2261 according to one embodiment may include a servo motor. If the rotating element 226 includes a servo motor, the user can rotate the stick holder 220 by a desired angle. The gear 2262 according to one embodiment may be arranged coupled to the motor shaft of the motor 2261. The gear 2262 according to one embodiment may be driven by meshing with a gear of the second holder 224. For example, the gear 2262 according to one embodiment may be a driving gear connected to the motor 2261, and the gear of the second holder 224 according to one embodiment may be a pinion gear. In one embodiment, the rotation direction of the stick holder 220 can be determined by the rotation direction of the rotating element 226. In one embodiment, the rotation direction of the stick holder 220 may be opposite to the rotation direction of the rotating element 226. In one embodiment, the rotation direction of the stick holder 220 may be the same as the rotation direction of the rotating element 226. In one embodiment, the rotation direction of the aerosol generating article 300 (see, for example, arrow D1 in Figure 2B) may be the same as the rotation direction of the stick holder 220.

[0088] In one embodiment, the light irradiation element 230 irradiates light toward the aerosol generating article 300, heating the medium contained in the aerosol generating article 300 (for example, the medium segment 310 in Figure 3). In one embodiment, the light irradiation element 230 may be arranged in parallel with the elongated cavity 214. In one embodiment, the light irradiation element 230 may be arranged alongside the elongated cavity 214. In one embodiment, the light irradiation element 230 includes a light source unit 232, a reflector unit 234, an angle adjustment unit 236, and an magnification unit 238. In one embodiment, the light source unit 232 emits light. For example, the light source unit 232 may include a laser emitter. In one embodiment, the reflector unit 234 can reflect light from the light source unit 232 at an appropriate angle toward the aerosol generating article 300. For example, the reflector unit 234 includes, but is not limited to, quartz, glass, or a high-gloss metal material. In one embodiment, the angle adjustment unit 236 can change the angle of the reflecting unit 234 so that light is equally irradiated onto the medium segment of the aerosol generating article 300 (for example, the medium segment 310 in Figure 3) (see, for example, arrow D2 in Figure 2B). In one embodiment, the angle adjustment unit 236 may be located adjacent to the reflecting unit 234. In one embodiment, the angle adjustment unit 236 includes a motor 236a, a first gear 236b, and a second gear 236c. In one embodiment, the magnifying unit 238 may be located between the light source unit 232 and the reflecting unit 234. The magnifying unit 238 according to one embodiment amplifies the intensity, brightness, frequency, and / or wavelength of the light emitted from the light source unit 232. The light irradiation element 230 according to one embodiment will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 4A and 4B.

[0089] In one embodiment, the input button 240 (for example, the user input section 160 in Figure 1) is located at one end of the housing 210. In one embodiment, the input button 240 may protrude from outside the housing 210. In one embodiment, the input button 240 may be connected to a rotating element 226. In one embodiment, the rotation element 226 can be activated by the operation of the input button 240. For example, the stick holder 220 may be rotated by the operation of the input button 240. In one embodiment, the angle by which the rotating element 226 rotates with a single operation of the input button 240 may vary depending on the user's preference, habit and / or a preset value of the aerosol generator. In one embodiment, the angle by which the rotating element 226 rotates with a single operation of the input button 240 may be customized.

[0090] In one embodiment, the battery 260 supplies the power used to operate the aerosol generator 200. The battery 260 can supply power to activate the motors 2261 and 236a. The battery 260 may also supply power necessary for the operation of other components within the aerosol generator 200 (e.g., the light source unit 232, the input buttons 240). The battery 260 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 260 may be, but is not limited to, a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery.

[0091] In one embodiment, the control unit 270 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generator 200. In one embodiment, the control unit 270 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and memory containing a program executed by that microprocessor. It will be understood by those ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs that it may also be implemented in other forms of hardware.

[0092] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an aerosol-generating article 300 according to one embodiment.

[0093] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating article 300 is housed in an elongated cavity 214 of an aerosol generating device 200 and can generate an aerosol. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating article 300 includes a first end face 300a, a second end face 300b formed on the opposite side of the first end face 300a, and a side face 300c formed between the first end face 300a and the second end face 300b. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating article 300 includes a medium segment 310, a first segment 320 positioned upstream of the medium segment 310, a second segment 330 positioned downstream of the medium segment 310, a trumpet 340, and a filter segment 350.

[0094] In one embodiment, the medium segment 310 includes a first medium end 310a and a second medium end 310b. In one embodiment, the first medium end 310a may be an end adjacent to the first segment 320. In one embodiment, the second medium end 310b may be an end adjacent to the second segment 330. The medium segment 310 in one embodiment includes a medium. For example, the medium includes, but is not limited to, solid materials based on tobacco raw materials, such as sheet tobacco, sheet tobacco, or reconstituted tobacco, and liquid-phase compositions based on nicotine, tobacco extracts, and / or various flavoring agents. For example, the medium segment in one embodiment may be configured so that a sheet tobacco medium is folded or rolled and filled into it. In one embodiment, the medium segment 310 includes a hollow tube 312. In one embodiment, an aerosol generated by heating the medium segment 310 can move toward the first end face 300a through the hollow tube 312 formed within the medium segment 310. For example, the aerosol can be smoothly transmitted to the user's mouth via a hollow tube 312 formed within the medium segment 310. In one embodiment, the medium segment 310 is exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating article 300. For example, the flaps 340 may be peeled off around the medium segment 310.

[0095] In one embodiment, the first segment 320 can prevent the medium from falling out of the medium segment 310. For example, the first segment 320 includes a shear plug. The shear plug may be positioned on one side facing the second segment 330. In one embodiment, the shear plug can prevent the medium from detaching to the outside and prevent the aerosol that has been liquefied from the medium segment during smoking from flowing into the aerosol generator. In one embodiment, the shear plug may be made of acetylcellulose. For example, the shear plug 23 may be made by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to acetylcellulose tow. In one embodiment, the cross-section of the filament constituting the shear plug may be Y-shaped. In one embodiment, the shear plug may include at least one channel, and the cross-sectional shape of the channel may be manufactured in various ways.

[0096] In one embodiment, the second segment 330 may be positioned in contact with the downstream side of the medium segment 310. In one embodiment, the second segment 330 may include a paper tube inside. In one embodiment, the second segment 330 cools the aerosol generated in the medium segment 310.

[0097] In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating article 300 may be packaged by at least one flaps 340. The flaps 340 according to one embodiment have at least one hole through which external air flows in and internal gas flows out. For example, the first segment 320 and the filter segment 350 may be packaged by a first flaps 341, and the first segment 320, the second segment 330, and the filter segment 350 may be repackaged by a second flaps 342. For example, the flaps 340 may surround the side surfaces 300c corresponding to the first segment 320, the second segment 330, and the filter segment 350, excluding the medium segment 310.

[0098] In one embodiment, Figure 3 shows the filter segment 350 as a single segment, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter segment 350 may consist of multiple segments. For example, the filter segment 350 may include a segment for cooling the aerosol and a segment for filtering predetermined components contained in the aerosol. Furthermore, the filter segment 350 may further include at least one segment that performs other functions, as needed. The filter segment 350 may be an acetylcellulose filter. On the other hand, there are no restrictions on the shape of the filter segment 350. For example, the filter segment 350 may be a cylindrical rod, a tubular rod with a hollow interior, or a recessed rod.

[0099] Figure 4A is an internal perspective view of an aerosol generator 200 according to one embodiment. Figure 4B is an enlarged view of region A of the aerosol generator 200 according to one embodiment of Figure 4A.

[0100] Referring to Figures 4A and 4B, the aerosol generating article 300 can be firmly positioned inside an elongated cavity (e.g., the elongated cavity 214 in Figure 2A) without being shaken by the first holder 222 and the second holder 224. In one embodiment, the light emitted from the light source 232 may have a straight-line directional property. In one embodiment, the light emitted from the light source 232 is bent by the reflector 234 toward the medium segment 310 of the aerosol generating article 300. The light emitted from the light source 232 has condensed light energy and / or thermal energy, and therefore heats the medium 311 exposed to the outside of the medium segment 310. In one embodiment, the heated positions of the medium segment 310 may differ from each other depending on the angle at which the reflector 234 is positioned relative to the light source 232. In one embodiment, the angle of the reflector 234 relative to the light source 232 may be adjusted by the angle adjustment unit 236. In one embodiment, the angle of the reflector 234 may be rotated with respect to an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (e.g., the Z direction) of the aerosol generating article 300. For example, the angle of the reflector 234 may be rotated in the direction of arrow D2 in Figure 2B and in the opposite direction of arrow D2. As the reflector 234 in one embodiment rotates, the light emitted from the light source 232 is continuously irradiated from the first medium end (e.g., the first medium end 310a in Figure 3) to the second medium end (e.g., the second medium end 310b in Figure 3). In one embodiment, the area of ​​the heating region 313 heated by a single continuous light irradiation may vary depending on the length l1 of the medium segment and the width l2 of the irradiated light. In one embodiment, the area of ​​the heating region 313 heated by a single continuous light irradiation can be calculated by the product of the length l1 of the medium segment and the width l2 of the irradiated light.

[0101] In one embodiment, the aerosol generated by heating the medium segment 310 with the light irradiation element 230 can move toward the second end face 300b through a hollow tube (for example, the hollow tube 312 in Figure 3) formed in the middle of the medium segment 310.

[0102] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of an aerosol generator 500 according to one embodiment (for example, the aerosol generator 200 shown in Figures 2A and 2B).

[0103] In one embodiment, the aerosol generator 500 includes a puff sensor 550. In one embodiment, the puff sensor 550 (e.g., the detection unit 120 in Figure 1) may be located at one end of the housing 510. In one embodiment, the puff sensor 550 may detect the user's puff inside the housing 510. In one embodiment, the puff sensor 550 may be connected to a rotating element 526. In one embodiment, when the puff sensor 550 detects the user's puff, the rotating element 526 is activated. For example, the stick holder, particularly the second holder 524, may rotate in response to the operation of the puff sensor 550. In one embodiment, the angle by which the rotating element 526 rotates with a single activation of the puff sensor 550 may vary depending on the user's preference, habit and / or a preset value of the aerosol generator. In one embodiment, the angle by which the rotating element 526 rotates with a single activation of the input button 240 can be customized. In one embodiment, the puff sensor 550 can replace the input button 240 of the aerosol generator 200 according to one embodiment.

[0104] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and a person with ordinary skill in the art can apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above. For example, the described techniques may be performed in a different order than described, and / or the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, and other components may be combined or assembled in a different manner than described, or substituted or replaced by other components or equivalents, and still achieve appropriate results.

[0105] Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is defined by equivalents to the claims, etc.

Claims

1. Aerosol generator, A housing comprising an open end and an elongated cavity communicating with the open end for accommodating an aerosol-generating article, A stick holder is placed inside the elongated cavity and captures the aerosol-generating article, rotating it with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the aerosol-generating article. A light irradiation element that heats the medium segment contained in the aerosol generating article by irradiating it with light, Includes, The light irradiation element is arranged alongside the elongated cavity, A light source that emits light, A reflecting unit that directs light from an electrical light source towards the medium segment, An angle adjustment unit is positioned adjacent to the reflective portion and adjusts the angle of light reflected from the reflective portion so that the light reaches the medium segment equally; Includes, The reflective section rotates around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article so that light emitted from the light source section is continuously irradiated along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article, in the aerosol generating device.

2. The aerosol generating article further includes a first segment positioned upstream of the medium segment and a second segment positioned downstream of the medium segment. The medium segment includes a first medium end in contact with the first segment and a second medium end in contact with the second segment. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the angle adjustment unit ensures that light reflected from the reflecting unit is continuously irradiated from the first medium end to the second medium end.

3. The aforementioned stick holder is A first holder is positioned at the bottom of the elongated cavity and captures the first segment of the aerosol-generating article, A second holder is positioned adjacent to the open end of the housing and captures the second segment of the aerosol-generating article, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 2, including the aerosol generating apparatus described in claim 2.

4. It further includes rotational elements, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the rotating element rotates the stick holder with respect to the central axis in the depth direction of the elongated cavity.

5. The aerosol generator further includes an input button connected to the rotating element, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the operation of the input button activates the rotating element and causes the rotating element to rotate.

6. The aerosol generator further includes a puff sensor connected to the rotating element for detecting the user's puff, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the operation of the puff sensor activates the rotating element and causes the rotating element to rotate.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elongated cavity includes an inner wall surface facing the aerosol generating article, and at least a portion of the inner wall surface is made of a light-transmitting material.

8. The aforementioned medium segment includes a medium, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medium is exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating article.

9. An aerosol generating article contained in the aerosol generating device described in Claim 1, It includes a first end face, a second end face opposite the first end face, a side face formed between the first end face and the second end face, a medium segment, a first segment, a second segment, and a trumpet, The first segment is located upstream of the medium segment, and the second segment is located downstream of the medium segment. The trumpet surrounds the side surfaces corresponding to the first and second segments, excluding the medium segment, and is an aerosol generating article.

10. The aerosol generating article according to claim 9, wherein the medium segment includes a hollow tube, and the aerosol formed by heating the medium segment moves toward the second end face through the hollow tube.

11. The aerosol generating article according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the medium segment is filled with folded or rolled sheet tobacco medium.

12. The aerosol generating article according to claim 9, wherein the medium segment includes a medium, and the medium is exposed to the outside.

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