Aerosol generating device

Abstract

FIELD: aerosol generation systems.SUBSTANCE: device comprises an oscillatory unit configured to generate microwaves, a resonator unit configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article and to heat the aerosol generating article by resonance of microwaves, a power control unit configured to measure the reflected microwave power reflected from the resonator unit and supplied to the oscillatory unit, and a processor configured to control the output signal of the oscillatory unit based on the reflected microwave power measured by the power control unit, in which the resonator unit comprises a first internal conductor in the form of a hollow cylinder surrounding a part of the aerosol generating article, and a second internal conductor located at a certain distance from the first internal conductor and having the form of a hollow cylinder surrounding another part of the aerosol generating article.EFFECT: providing the ability to heat an article to generate an aerosol by a dielectric heating method using microwave resonance.10 cl, 9 dwg

Description

Field of technology

[0001] One or more embodiments of the invention relate to an aerosol generating device for heating an aerosol generating article by a dielectric heating method, in particular to an aerosol generating device that can monitor in real time a change in resonant frequency in accordance with the consumption of a dielectric material contained in the aerosol generating article. Prior Art

[0002] Recently, there has been a growing demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is a growing demand for a system that generates aerosol by heating a cigarette (or an aerosol-generating device) using an aerosol-generating device instead of burning cigarettes.

[0003] Currently known aerosol generating devices heat aerosol-generating materials using resistance heating, induction heating, or ultrasonic heating. However, compared with aerosol generating devices using dielectric heating, the preheating rate of these devices is slow, and the aerosol-generating materials in these devices are heated unevenly.

[0004] In addition, some known aerosol generating devices use a dielectric heating method, which is simply a microwave radiation method using antennas. Therefore, the power transfer efficiency of known aerosol generating devices is very low. Description Technical Problem

[0005] In one or more embodiments of the invention, to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages, an aerosol generating device is provided that allows heating an aerosol generating article by a dielectric heating method using microwave resonance.

[0006] The technical problems solved by the invention are not limited to the above description, and other technical problems can be solved by the embodiments of the invention described below.Technical solution

[0007] In one embodiment of the invention, the aerosol generating device comprises an oscillatory unit configured to generate microwaves, a resonator unit configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article and heat the aerosol generating article by microwave resonance, a power control unit configured to measure reflected microwave power reflected from the resonator unit and supplied to the oscillatory unit, and a processor configured to control the output signal of the oscillatory unit based on the reflected microwave power measured by the power control unit. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0008] Since the aerosol generating device according to one or more embodiments of the invention heats the dielectric material using microwave resonance, the power transfer efficiency can be significantly improved.

[0009] In addition, since the aerosol generating device monitors the microwave resonance frequency in real time and matches the output frequency of the oscillating unit to the resonance frequency, the power transmission efficiency can be greatly improved and the smoking taste can be evenly enjoyed even in the late stages of heating.

[0010] Moreover, since the aerosol generating device heats the aerosol generating article through microwave resonance, it can evenly heat the aerosol generating article over the entire area.

[0011] In addition, since the aerosol generating device heats the aerosol generating article through microwave resonance, it is possible to quickly heat the aerosol generating article.

[0012] In addition, when the aerosol generating device heats the aerosol generating product through microwave resonance, the power consumption can be greatly reduced.

[0013] The effects of the invention are not limited to those described above, and a number of additional effects are included in the description. Description of the drawings

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 shows an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 3 is an internal block diagram of the dielectric heating unit shown in FIG. 2.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a heating unit according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of the heating unit according to FIG. 4.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a heating unit according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 7 is an internal block diagram illustrating a method for controlling the output signal of an oscillatory unit, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method for monitoring a resonant frequency using the output microwave power of an oscillating unit and the reflected microwave power of a resonator unit.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a method for operating an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the invention. The best mode for carrying out the invention

[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, the device for generating an aerosol comprises an oscillatory unit configured to generate microwaves, a resonator unit configured to accommodate an article for generating an aerosol and to heat the article for generating an aerosol by microwave resonance, a power control unit configured to measure reflected microwave power reflected from the resonator unit and entering the oscillatory unit, and a processor configured to control the output signal of the oscillatory unit based on the reflected microwave power measured by the power control unit.

[0024] In the resonator unit, the resonant frequency of the microwaves can change as the microwaves heat the dielectric material in the aerosol generating product and consume the material.

[0025] The resonant frequency of the resonator unit may increase as the dielectric material in the aerosol generating product is consumed.

[0026] The power monitoring unit may be further configured to measure the reflected microwave power corresponding to the change in the resonant frequency.

[0027] The processor may be further configured to control the output signal of the oscillating unit such that the reflected microwaves measured by the power control unit fall within a predetermined reference power range.

[0028] The processor may be further configured to maintain the output frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillatory unit within a predetermined reference frequency range, and adjust the output frequency of the microwave power so that the reflected microwave power falls within the reference power range.

[0029] The processor may be further configured to maintain the output frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillatory unit in a reference frequency range of approximately 2.4 to 2.5 GHz.

[0030] The processor may be further configured to match the output frequency with the resonant frequency of the resonator unit by adjusting the output frequency of the microwave power by any of the frequencies selected from the reference frequency range.

[0031] The processor may be further configured to adjust the amount of microwave power output from the oscillatory unit and independently control the amount of microwave power and the output frequency of the microwave power in accordance with a predetermined power profile.

[0032] The resonator unit may comprise a first inner conductor in the form of a hollow cylinder surrounding a portion of the aerosol generating article, and a second inner conductor located at a certain distance from the first inner conductor, in the form of a hollow cylinder and surrounding another portion of the aerosol generating article, and microwaves can resonate between the first inner conductor and the second inner conductor.

[0033] The resonator unit may comprise a first plate surrounding a portion of the aerosol generating article, and a second plate located at a certain distance from the first plate in the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article and surrounding another portion of the aerosol generating article, and microwaves can resonate between the first plate and the second plate. Principle of the invention

[0034] Hereinafter, the embodiments described in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar components will be assigned the same reference symbols regardless of the designations in the drawings, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0035] The suffixes "module" and "block" used in this description are assigned or used interchangeably solely for the convenience of description and have no separate meaning or role in themselves.

[0036] Furthermore, when describing the embodiments claimed in this specification, a detailed description of known technologies may be omitted if it is determined that they may distort the essence of the embodiments described herein. In addition, the accompanying drawings are provided only to facilitate understanding of the embodiments described in this specification, and the essence of the present invention is not limited by the drawings. It should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes that correspond to the essence and scope of the present description are included in the protected scope of the invention.

[0037] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," and the like, may be used to describe various components, but components are not limited to these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0038] When a component is referred to as "connected" or "linked" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or linked to the other component, or there may be intermediate components between them. Conversely, when a component is referred to as "directly connected" or "directly linked" to another component, it should be understood that there are no intermediate components between them.

[0039] The singular also implies the plural, unless the context indicates otherwise.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 100 according to one embodiment of the invention may comprise a housing 110 for accommodating an aerosol generating article 10 and a heating unit 200 for heating the aerosol generating article 10 accommodated in the housing 110.

[0042] The housing 110 may form the overall appearance of the aerosol generating device 100, and the components of the aerosol generating device 100 may be located in the internal space (or mounting space) of the housing 110. For example, the heating unit 200, the battery, the processor and / or the sensor may be located in the internal space of the housing 110, but the components located in the internal space are not limited to this list.

[0043] An insertion opening 110h may be formed in a portion of the housing 110, and at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 10 may be inserted into the housing 110 through the insertion opening 110h. For example, the insertion opening 110h may be formed in a portion of the upper surface (for example, the surface in the z-direction) of the housing 110, but the position of the insertion opening 110h is not limited to this embodiment. In another embodiment of the invention, the insertion opening 110h may be formed in a portion of the side surface (for example, the surface in the x-direction) of the housing 110.

[0044] The heating unit 200 may be located in the interior of the housing 110 and heat the aerosol-generating article 10 inserted into the housing 110 or accommodated therein through the insertion opening 110h. For example, the heating unit 200 may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article 10 inserted into the housing 110 or accommodated therein, and thus heat the aerosol-generating article 10.

[0045] In one embodiment of the invention, the heating unit 200 can heat the article 10 to generate an aerosol using a dielectric heating method. In the present description, the "dielectric heating method" refers to a method of heating a dielectric material, which is an object to be heated, using microwave resonance and / or an electric field (including a magnetic field) of microwaves. Microwaves are energy sources used to heat the heating object and are generated by high-frequency power, therefore, the term "microwaves" can be considered synonymous with the term "microwave power" hereinafter.

[0046] The charges or ions in the dielectric material included in the aerosol generating article 10 may vibrate or rotate under the action of microwave resonance in the heating unit 200, and the frictional heat generated by the vibration or rotation of the charges or ions may cause the dielectric material to generate heat, as a result of which the aerosol generating article 10 may be heated.

[0047] When the aerosol-generating article 10 is heated by the heating unit 200, an aerosol can be generated from the aerosol-generating article 10. In this description, the "aerosol" may refer to gaseous particles formed from a mixture of steam and air when the aerosol-generating article 10 is heated.

[0048] The aerosol generated by the aerosol generating article 10 can pass through the aerosol generating article 10 or exit the aerosol generating device 100 through the empty space between the aerosol generating article 10 and the insertion opening 110h. The user can place his mouth on the part of the aerosol generating article 10 open to the outside from the housing 110 and inhale the aerosol emitted from the aerosol generating device 100, thereby smoking.

[0049] The aerosol generating device 100 according to one embodiment of the invention may further comprise a cover 111 disposed on the housing 110 in a movable manner to open or close the insertion opening 110h. For example, the cover 111 may be slidably connected to the upper surface of the housing 110 and may open the insertion opening 110h into the environment outside the aerosol generating device 100 or close the insertion opening 110h to prevent it from opening into the environment outside the aerosol generating device 100.

[0050] In one embodiment of the invention, the lid 111 may allow the opening 110h to be opened for insertion into the environment from the outside of the aerosol generating device 100 in the first position (or "open position"). When the aerosol generating device 100 is opened to the environment from the outside, the aerosol generating article 10 can be inserted into the housing 110 through the opening 110h for insertion.

[0051] In another embodiment of the invention, the cover 111 covers the insertion opening 110h in the second position (or "closed position") to prevent the insertion opening 110h from opening into the environment outside the aerosol generating device 100. In this case, the cover 111 can prevent external foreign materials from entering the heating unit 200 through the insertion opening 110h when the aerosol generating device 100 is not in use.

[0052] In FIG. 1, only an aerosol generating device 100 for heating an article 10 to generate an aerosol in a solid state is shown, but the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to this embodiment.

[0053] An aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the invention can generate an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in a liquid or gel state by a heating unit 200, rather than by heating an aerosol generating article 10 in a solid state.

[0054] An aerosol generating device according to another embodiment may comprise a heating unit 200 that heats an aerosol generating article 10, and a cartridge (or "evaporator") that contains an aerosol generating material in a liquid or gel state and heats it. After moving to the aerosol generating article 10 through an air flow path connecting the cartridge and the aerosol generating article 10, the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material can be mixed with the aerosol produced by the aerosol generating article 10, and then delivered to the user through the aerosol generating article 10.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 100 may include an input unit 102, an output unit 103, a sensor unit 104, a communication unit 105, a memory 106, a battery 107, an interface unit 108, a power converter 109 and a dielectric heating unit 200.

[0057] The input unit 102 can receive user commands. For example, the input unit 102 can be a single push button. In another example, the input unit 102 can be a touch panel containing at least one touch sensor. The input unit 102 can transmit an input signal to the processor 101. The processor 101 can supply power to the dielectric heating unit 200 based on the user command or control the output unit 103 to output a notification to the user.

[0058] The output unit 103 can output information about the state of the aerosol generating device 100. The output unit 103 can output data about the charge / discharge state of the battery 107, the heating state of the dielectric heating unit 200, the insertion state of the aerosol generating article 10, and error information of the aerosol generating device 100. For this purpose, the output unit 103 may include a display, a tactile motor, and a sound output device.

[0059] The sensor unit 104 can detect the state of the aerosol generating device 100 and the state of the environment around the aerosol generating device 100, and transmit the received information to the processor 101. Based on the received information, the processor 101 can control the aerosol generating device 100 to perform various functions, such as controlling the heating of the dielectric heating unit 200, restricting smoking, determining the introduction of the aerosol generating article 10, and displaying a notification.

[0060] The sensor unit 104 may include a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, and an insertion recognition sensor.

[0061] The temperature sensor may detect the internal temperature of the dielectric heating block 200 in a non-contact manner or may contact the dielectric heating block 200 to directly detect the temperature of the resonator. In one embodiment of the invention, the temperature sensor may also detect the temperature of the aerosol-generating article 10. Furthermore, the temperature sensor may be located near the battery 107 and measure its temperature. The processor 101 may control the power supplied to the dielectric heating block 200 based on the temperature information received from the temperature sensor.

[0062] The puff sensor can detect a user's puff. The puff sensor can detect a user's puff based on changes in temperature and / or flow rate and / or power and / or pressure. The processor 101 can control the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 based on the puff information received from the puff sensor. For example, the processor 101 can count the number of puffs, and when the number of puffs reaches a predetermined maximum number of puffs, the processor 101 can block the power supply to the dielectric heating unit 200. In another example, the processor 101 can block the power supply to the dielectric heating unit 200 if no puffs are detected for a certain period of time.

[0063] The insertion recognition sensor may be located inside or near the placement space (220h in FIG. 4) and, thus, can recognize the insertion and removal of the aerosol generating article 10 placed in the insertion opening 110h. For example, the insertion recognition sensor may be an inductive sensor and / or a capacitive sensor. When the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the insertion opening 110h, the processor 101 may supply power to the dielectric heating unit 200.

[0064] In one embodiment of the invention, the sensor unit 104 may further comprise a reuse recognition sensor, a motion recognition sensor, a humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a lid detachment recognition sensor, a location sensor (global positioning system (GPS)), a proximity sensor, and the like. Since the purpose of each sensor may be intuitively clear from its name, a detailed description of this purpose may be omitted in this document.

[0065] Communication unit 105 may comprise at least one communication module for communicating with an external electronic device. Processor 101 may control communication unit 105 and transmit information about aerosol generating device 100 to the external electronic device. Alternatively, processor 101 may receive information from the external electronic device via communication unit 105 and control components included in aerosol generating device 100. For example, information exchanged between communication unit 105 and the external electronic device may include user authentication information, microcode update information, and user smoking information.

[0066] Memory 106 may be a hardware component storing various types of data processed in the aerosol generating device 100, and may store data to be processed and data processed by the processor 101. For example, memory 106 may store the operating time of the aerosol generating device 100, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, data on the user's smoking habits, and the like.

[0067] Battery 107 can supply power to dielectric heating unit 200 to heat article 10 to generate an aerosol. Furthermore, battery 107 can supply power necessary for operating other components included in aerosol generating device 100. Battery 110 can be a rechargeable battery or a disposable detachable battery.

[0068] The interface unit 108 may include a connection terminal that can be physically connected to an external electronic device. The connection terminal may be a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connector and / or a USB connector and / or a secure digital card (SD) connector and / or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone jack), or a combination thereof. The interface unit 108 may exchange information with the external electronic device via the connection terminal or a charger.

[0069] Power converter 109 can convert DC power from battery 107 into AC power. In addition, power converter 109 can supply the converted AC power to dielectric heating unit 200. Power converter 109 can be an inverter comprising at least one switching device, and processor 101 can control the on / off switching of the switching device included in power converter 109 and convert DC power into AC power. Power converter 109 can be implemented as a full or half bridge.

[0070] The dielectric heating unit 200 can heat the article 10 to generate an aerosol by a dielectric heating method. The dielectric heating unit 200 may correspond to the heating unit 200 in FIG. 1.

[0071] The dielectric heating unit 200 can use microwaves and / or an electric field of microwaves (hereinafter, if classification is not required, microwaves or microwave power) to heat the article 10 to generate an aerosol. The heating method of the dielectric heating unit 200 can be heating the heating object by generating microwaves in a resonant structure, rather than emitting microwaves using an antenna. The resonant structure is described below with reference to FIG. 4 and subsequent figures.

[0072] The dielectric heating unit 200 can output high-frequency microwaves to the resonator unit (220 in FIG. 3). The microwaves may be power in the frequency range for industrial, scientific, and medical equipment permitted for heating, but one or more embodiments are not limited to this. The resonator unit 220 can be designed taking into account the wavelength of the microwaves to facilitate resonance of the microwaves within the resonator unit 220.

[0073] The aerosol generating article 10 can be inserted into the resonator unit 220, and the dielectric material of the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by the resonator unit 220. For example, the aerosol generating article 10 can contain a polar substance, and the molecules of the polar substance can be polarized in the resonator unit 220. The molecules can vibrate or rotate under the action of polarization, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by frictional heat generated by vibration or rotation. The dielectric heating unit 200 is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

[0074] Processor 101 controls all operations of aerosol generating device 100. Processor 101 may be implemented as an array of multiple logic elements or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and memory storing a program executed by the microprocessor. Furthermore, processor 101 may be implemented as other hardware components.

[0075] The processor 101 can control the direct current power supplied from the battery 107 to the power converter 109 and / or the alternating current power supplied from the power converter 109 to the dielectric heating unit 200, depending on the power required for the dielectric heating unit 200. In one embodiment of the invention, the aerosol generating device 100 can comprise a converter that increases or decreases the direct current power, and the processor 101 can control the converter to adjust the amount of direct current power. In addition, the processor 101 can adjust the switching frequency and the efficiency of the switching device included in the power converter 109, thereby controlling the alternating current power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200.

[0076] The processor 101 can control the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit 200 and the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200, thereby adjusting the heating temperature of the article 10 for generating an aerosol. Thus, the oscillating unit 210, the insulating unit 240, the power control unit 250, and the matching unit 260 in FIG. 3, described below, may represent some components of the processor 101.

[0077] The processor 101 can control the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit 200 based on the temperature profile information stored in the memory 106. In other words, the temperature profile may contain information about the target temperature of the dielectric heating unit 200 over time, and the processor 101 can control the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit 200 over time.

[0078] The processor 101 can adjust the microwave frequency so that the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200 is uniform. The processor 101 can monitor the change in the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200 in real time as the heating object heats up and control the dielectric heating unit 200 to output the microwave frequency according to the change in the resonant frequency. In other words, the processor 101 can adjust the microwave frequency in real time, regardless of the preset temperature profile.

[0079] FIG. 3 is an internal block diagram of the dielectric heating unit shown in FIG. 2.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 3, the dielectric heating unit 200 may include an oscillating unit 210, an insulating unit 240, a power control unit 250, a matching unit 260, a microwave output unit 230, and a resonator unit 220.

[0081] The oscillating unit 210 can receive AC power from the power converter 109 and generate high-frequency microwave power. In one embodiment of the invention, the power converter 109 can be included in the oscillating unit 210. The microwave power can be selected from frequency ranges such as 915 MHz, 2.45 GHz, and 5.8 GHz, which are included in the frequency range for industrial, scientific, and medical equipment.

[0082] Oscillator unit 210 may contain a solid-state radio frequency generator and generate microwave power using it. The solid-state radio frequency generator may be implemented as a semiconductor. If oscillator unit 210 is implemented as a semiconductor, the size of dielectric heating unit 200 can be reduced and the service life of the device can be extended.

[0083] Oscillator unit 210 can output microwave power to resonator unit 220. Oscillator unit 210 may include a power amplifier that increases or decreases microwave power, and the power amplifier can adjust the microwave power under the control of processor 101. For example, the power amplifier can decrease or increase the microwave amplitude. By adjusting the microwave amplitude, the microwave power can also be adjusted.

[0084] The processor 101 can adjust the amount of microwave power output by the oscillating unit 210 based on a pre-stored temperature profile. For example, the temperature profile may contain target temperature information for the preheating stage and the smoking stage, and the oscillating unit 210 can output microwave power at a first power level during the preheating stage and output microwave power at a second power level during the smoking stage, wherein the second power level is lower than the first power level.

[0085] The insulator unit 240 can block the microwave power supplied to the oscillation unit 210 from the resonator unit 220. Most of the microwave power supplied from the oscillation unit 210 is absorbed by the heated object, but depending on the heating characteristics of the heated object, a part of the microwave power can be reflected from the heated object and transmitted back to the oscillation unit 210. This occurs due to the change in the impedance measured from the oscillation unit 210 to the resonator unit 220 as polar molecules are consumed during the heating of the heated object. The expression "the impedance from the oscillation unit 210 to the resonator unit 220 changes" can correspond to the expression "the resonant frequency of the resonator unit 220 changes."When microwave power reflected from resonator unit 220 is applied to oscillator unit 210, not only may the oscillator unit 210 malfunction, but the expected output characteristics may also fail to be achieved. Isolation unit 240 may not redirect microwave power reflected from resonator unit 220 to oscillator unit 210, but instead direct the microwave power in a specific direction for absorption. For this purpose, isolation unit 240 may comprise a circulator and an absorbing load.

[0086] The power control unit 250 can control the microwave power output from the oscillator unit 210 and the reflected microwave power reflected from the resonator unit 220, respectively. The power control unit 250 can transmit information about the microwave power and the reflected microwave power to the matching unit 260.

[0087] Accordingly, the matching unit 260 can match the impedance measured from the oscillation unit 210 to the resonator unit 220 with the impedance measured from the resonator unit 220 to the oscillation unit 210 to minimize the reflected microwave power. Impedance matching may mean that the frequency of the oscillation unit 210 matches the resonant frequency of the resonator unit 220. Therefore, the matching unit 260 can change the frequency of the oscillation unit 210 to match the impedance. In other words, the matching unit 260 can adjust the frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 to minimize the reflected microwave power. Impedance matching by the matching unit 260 can be performed in real time, regardless of the temperature profile.

[0088] The oscillating unit 210, the isolating unit 240, the power control unit 250, and the matching unit 260 described above may differ from the microwave output unit 230 and the resonator unit 220 described below, and may be implemented as microwave sources in the form of microcircuits. In one embodiment of the invention, the oscillating unit 210, the isolating unit 240, the power control unit 250, and the matching unit 260 may be implemented as certain components of the processor 101.

[0089] The microwave output unit 230 may be a component configured to supply microwave power to the resonator unit 220, and may correspond to the connector shown in FIG. 3 and subsequent figures. The microwave output unit 230 may be implemented in the form of subminiature connectors of version A (SMA), subminiature connectors of version B (SMB), microcoaxial connectors (MCX), and microminiature coaxial connectors (MMCX). The microwave output unit 230 may connect the resonator unit 220 to a microwave source in the form of a microcircuit and supply microwave power generated by the microwave source to the resonator unit 220.

[0090] The resonator unit 220 can generate microwaves in a resonant structure, thereby heating the heating object. The resonator unit 220 may include a housing space in which the aerosol generating article 10 is placed, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be exposed to microwaves and dielectric heating. For example, the aerosol generating article 10 may contain a polar substance, and the molecules of the polar substance can be polarized by microwaves inside the resonator unit 220. The molecules can vibrate or rotate due to the polarization, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by frictional heat generated by the vibration or rotation.

[0091] The resonator unit 220 may include at least one internal conductor for microwave resonance, and depending on the location, thickness, length, etc. of the internal conductor, microwaves can resonate inside the resonator unit 220.

[0092] The resonator unit 220 can be designed taking into account the microwave wavelength to facilitate microwave resonance within the resonator unit 220. For microwave resonance within the resonator unit 220, a closed end / short end with a closed cross-section and an open end with at least one open portion on the opposite side are required. In addition, the length of the section between the closed end / short end and the open end should be set to an integer multiple of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength. The resonator unit 220 selects a length equal to 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength to minimize the device size. In other words, the length of the section between the closed end / short end and the open end of the resonator unit 220 can be set to 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength.

[0093] The resonator unit 220 may comprise a space for accommodating dielectrics. The space for accommodating dielectrics is separated from the space for accommodating the aerosol-generating article 10 and comprises a material that can reduce the size of the resonator unit 220 by changing the overall resonant frequency of the resonator unit 220. In one embodiment of the invention, dielectric materials with low microwave absorption may be placed in the space for accommodating dielectrics. Such placement is intended to prevent the transfer of energy, which should be supplied to the heated object, to the dielectric materials and the subsequent generation of heat by the dielectric materials. Microwave absorption can be expressed as the loss tangent, which is the ratio of the real part of the complex permittivity to its imaginary part.In one embodiment of the invention, dielectric materials with a loss tangent equal to or lower than a specified value may be placed in the dielectric accommodation space 227, wherein the specified value may be 1 / 100. For example, the dielectric material may be quartz and / or tetrafluoroethylene and / or aluminum oxide or a combination thereof, but one or more embodiments of the invention are not limited to this.

[0094] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a heating unit according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 4, the heating unit 200 in one embodiment of the invention may include an oscillatory unit 210 and a resonator unit 220. In FIG. 4, one embodiment of the heating unit 200 and the dielectric heating unit 200 described above may be shown, and repeated description is omitted.

[0096] The oscillating unit 210 can generate microwaves in a predetermined frequency range when power is supplied. The microwaves generated by the oscillating unit 210 can be transmitted to the resonator unit 220 via a connector (not shown in the figure).

[0097] The resonator unit 220 may comprise a space 220h for accommodating at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article 10 and resonate the microwaves generated by the oscillating unit 210, thereby heating the aerosol-generating article 10 by dielectric heating. For example, the charges of the glycerin included in the aerosol-generating article 10 may vibrate or rotate under the action of microwaves, and the frictional heat generated by such vibration or rotation may cause heat to be released in the glycerin, resulting in the aerosol-generating article 10 being heated.

[0098] In one embodiment of the invention, the resonator unit 220 may comprise a material with a low level of microwave absorption to prevent the microwaves generated by the oscillating unit 210 from being absorbed in the resonator unit 220.

[0099] Hereinafter, the detailed structure of the resonator unit 220 of the heating unit 200 is described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0100] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the heating unit of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the heating unit 200 of FIG. 4 taken along line A-A'.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 5, the heating unit 200 in one embodiment of the invention may include an oscillating unit 210, a resonator unit 220, and a connector 230. The components of the heating unit 200 may be the same or similar to at least one of the components of the heating unit 200 in FIG. 4, and repeated description will be omitted.

[0102] The oscillating unit 210 can generate microwaves in a predetermined frequency range when an AC voltage is supplied, and the microwaves generated by the oscillating unit 210 can be input to the resonator unit 220 through the connector 230.

[0103] In one embodiment of the invention, the oscillating unit 210 can be secured to the resonator unit 220 to prevent separation from the resonator unit 220 during use of the aerosol generating device. In one embodiment of the invention, the oscillating unit 210 can be supported by brackets 220b protruding along the x-direction on a portion of the resonator unit 220 and thus secured to the resonator unit 220. In another embodiment of the invention, the oscillating unit 210 can be secured to a portion of the resonator unit 220 without brackets 220b.

[0104] In the drawing, the oscillating unit 210 is fixed to the part of the resonator unit 220 facing in the x-direction, but the position of the oscillating unit 210 is not limited to this embodiment. In another embodiment of the invention, the oscillating unit 210 may be fixed to another part of the resonator unit 220 facing in the -z-direction.

[0105] The resonator unit 220 may be arranged so as to surround at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 10 inserted into the aerosol generating device, and may heat the aerosol generating article 10 using microwaves generated by the oscillating unit 210. For example, the dielectric materials included in the aerosol generating article 10 may generate heat under the action of an electric field generated in the resonator unit 220 under the action of microwaves, and the aerosol generating article 10 may be heated by the heat generated by the dielectric materials.

[0106] In one embodiment of the invention, the aerosol generating article 10 may comprise a tobacco rod 11 and a filter rod 12.

[0107] The tobacco rod 11 may contain an aerosol generating material and may be formed in the form of a sheet, strand, or pipe tobacco consisting of small pieces cut from a tobacco leaf. For example, the aerosol generating material may contain at least one of the following components: glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, as well as other components. In addition, the tobacco rod 11 may contain other additives, in particular, flavorings, a humectant, and / or an organic acid. In addition, the tobacco rod 11 may contain a flavored liquid, in particular, menthol or a humectant, injected into the tobacco rod 11.

[0108] The filter rod 12 may comprise a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod 12 may have any shape. For example, the filter rod 12 may be in the shape of a hollow cylinder or a hollow tube. Furthermore, the filter rod 12 may comprise a rod with a recess. If the filter rod 12 comprises a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape.

[0109] At least part (for example, glycerin) of the aerosol generating material included in the aerosol generating article 10 may be a dielectric material with polarity in an electric field, and at least part of the aerosol generating material can generate heat when the dielectric heating method is performed, thereby heating the aerosol generating article 10.

[0110] In one embodiment of the invention, the resonator unit 220 may comprise an outer conductor 221, a first inner conductor 223 and a second inner conductor 225.

[0111] The outer conductor 221 may form the overall appearance of the resonator unit 220 and have a hollow space inside; thus, the components of the resonator unit 220 can be located inside the outer conductor 221. The outer conductor 221 may have a space 220h for accommodating the aerosol generating article 10, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be inserted into the outer conductor 221 through the accommodating space 220h.

[0112] In one embodiment of the invention, the outer conductor 221 may comprise a first surface 221a, a second surface 221b facing the first surface 221a, and side surfaces 221c surrounding the empty space between the first surface 221a and the second surface 221b. At least a portion (for example, the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225) of the components of the resonator unit 220 may be located in the inner space of the resonator unit 220 formed by the first surface 221a, the second surface 221b, and the side surfaces 221c.

[0113] The first inner conductor 223 may have the shape of a hollow cylinder oriented in the direction of the inner space of the outer conductor 221 from the first surface 221a of the outer conductor 221.

[0114] In one embodiment of the invention, a portion of the first inner conductor 223 may come into contact with a connector 230 connected to the oscillating unit 210, and microwaves generated by the oscillating unit 210 may be transmitted to the first inner conductor 223 through the connector 230. For example, the connector 230 may penetrate the outer conductor 221 and may be arranged so that one end of the connector 230 comes into contact with the oscillating unit 210, and the other end comes into contact with a portion of the first inner conductor 223, and microwaves generated by the oscillating unit 210 may be transmitted to the first inner conductor 223 through the connector 230.

[0115] In this case, the connector 230 may be arranged so as not to come into contact with the outer conductor 221, but to penetrate it for transmitting microwaves, but the arrangement of the connector 230 is not limited to this option, provided that the possibility of transmitting microwaves generated by the oscillating unit 210 to the first inner conductor 223 is maintained.

[0116] The first region formed between the outer conductor 221 and the first inner conductor 223 can function as a "first resonator" that generates an electric field through microwave resonance. The first region can refer to the space formed by the first surface 221a and the side surfaces 221c of the outer conductor 221 and the first inner conductor 223, and within the first region, an electric field can be generated by resonance of microwaves passing through the connector 230.

[0117] The second inner conductor 225 may have the shape of a hollow cylinder oriented in the direction of the inner space of the outer conductor 221 from the second surface 221b of the outer conductor 221. The second inner conductor 225 may be located at a certain distance from the first inner conductor 223 in the inner space of the outer conductor 221, and a gap may be provided between the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225.

[0118] The second region formed between the outer conductor 221 and the second inner conductor 225 can function as a "second resonator" that generates an electric field through microwave resonance. The second inner conductor 225 can be connected to the first inner conductor 223 (for example, via capacitive coupling), and when an electric field is generated in the first region under the action of the above-mentioned coupling, an induced electric field can also be generated in the second region. In the present description, "capacitive coupling" may refer to coupling in which energy can be transferred due to the capacitance between two conductors.

[0119] For example, when microwaves generated by the oscillating unit 210 are supplied to the first internal conductor 223, an electric field can be generated in the first region under the action of resonance, and an induced electric field can be generated in the second region formed by the second internal conductor 225 connected to the outer conductor 221 and the first internal conductor 223.

[0120] In one embodiment of the invention, the first portion and the second portion of the resonator unit 220 can operate as resonators with a length equal to a quarter of the length λ of the microwave.

[0121] In one embodiment of the invention, one end of the first region (for example, the end in the -z direction) can be formed as a closed end / short end, since the cross-section of the first region is covered by the first surface 221a of the outer conductor 221, and the other end of the first region (for example, the end in the z direction) can be formed as an open end, since the first surface 221a is absent, leaving the cross-section open. In another example, one end of the second region (for example, the end in the -z direction) can be formed as an open end, since the cross-section is open, and the other end of the second region (for example, the end in the z direction) can be formed as a closed end / short end, since the cross-section of the second region is covered by the second surface 221b of the outer conductor 221.

[0122] In other words, in the xz plane, both the first region and the second region may include a closed end / short end and an open end, and may generally have a shape of “[”, and based on the above-described structure, both the first region and the second region can serve as a resonator with a length equal to a quarter of the microwave wavelength.

[0123] In one embodiment of the invention, the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 have the same length relative to the z-axis, and thus the first region and the second region can be arranged symmetrically; however, one or more embodiments of the invention are not limited to this.

[0124] The aerosol generating article 10, introduced into the inner space of the outer conductor 221 through the accommodation space 220h, can be surrounded by the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 and can be heated by a dielectric heating method.

[0125] At least a portion of the electric field generated in the first region and / or the second region as a result of microwave resonance can propagate to the inside of the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 through the gap 226 between the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225, and the aerosol generating article 10 surrounded by the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 can be heated under the action of the propagating electric field. For example, dielectric materials included in the aerosol generating article 10 can generate heat under the action of the electric field propagating through the gap 226, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by the heat generated by the dielectric materials.

[0126] The heating unit 200 according to one embodiment of the invention may be designed such that both the diameter of the first inner conductor 223 and the diameter of the second inner conductor 225 may be less than a predetermined value, which prevents the leakage of the electric field propagating in the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 out of the heating unit 200 or the resonator unit 220.

[0127] In the present description, the “set value” may be understood to mean the diameter value at which the electric field begins to spread to the outer side of the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225. For example, if the diameter of the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 has a set value or higher, a part of the electric field entering the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 may leak out of the resonator unit 220.

[0128] In contrast, the heating unit 200 according to one embodiment of the invention can prevent the electric field from spreading outward from the resonator unit 220 according to a structure in which the diameters of the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 are less than a predetermined value, thereby preventing the electric field from leaking outward from the heating unit 200 or the resonator unit 220 without a separate blocking element.

[0129] In one embodiment of the invention, when the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the resonator unit 220 through the receiving space 220h, the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol generating article 10 may be located in a position corresponding to the gap 226 between the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225.

[0130] Since the electric field generated in the first region and the electric field generated in the second region are input into the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 through the gap 226, the strongest electric field can be generated in the peripheral region of the gap 226 in the inner region of the resonator unit 220.

[0131] In the heating unit 200 according to one embodiment of the invention, the tobacco rod 11 containing dielectric materials that generate heat under the action of an electric field is located in a position corresponding to the gap 226 where the strength of the electric field is greatest, which makes it possible to increase the heating efficiency (or “dielectric heating efficiency”) of the heating unit 200.

[0132] In one embodiment of the invention, the resonator unit 220 may further comprise a closing unit 224, which is located inside the first inner conductor 223, closes the cross-section of the first inner conductor 223, and limits the flow direction of the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating article 10. For example, the closing unit 224 may block the flow of the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating article 10 in the -z direction by closing the cross-section of the first inner conductor 223.

[0133] When the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating article 10 or the droplets generated by liquefying the aerosol flow in the -z direction and enter other components of the aerosol generating device (for example, the aerosol generating device 100 in FIG. 1), malfunctions or damage to the components of the aerosol generating device may occur. In contrast, the heating unit 200 according to one embodiment of the invention restricts the flow direction of the aerosol by means of the closing unit 224, thereby preventing malfunctions or damage to the components of the aerosol generating device due to the action of the aerosol or droplets.

[0134] In one embodiment of the invention, the resonator unit 220 may further comprise a dielectric accommodation space 227 for accommodating dielectric materials. The dielectric accommodation space 227 may be an empty space between the outer conductor 221, the first inner conductor 223, and the second inner conductor 225, and dielectric materials with a low level of microwave absorption may be accommodated in the dielectric accommodation space 227. For example, the dielectric material may be quartz and / or tetrafluoroethylene and / or aluminum oxide, or a combination thereof, but one or more embodiments of the invention are not limited to this.

[0135] In the heating unit 200 according to one embodiment of the invention, dielectric materials can be located in the space 227 for accommodating dielectrics, and thus an electric field similar to the resonator unit 220 without dielectric materials can be generated while reducing the overall size of the resonator unit 220. That is, in the heating unit 200 according to one embodiment of the invention, the size of the resonator unit 220 can be reduced by using dielectric materials located in the space 227 for accommodating dielectrics in order to reduce the installation space required for the resonator unit 220 in the aerosol generating device, which makes it possible to reduce the size of the aerosol generating device.

[0136] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a schematic diagram of a heating unit according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0137] The heating unit 300 shown in the embodiment of the invention in FIG. 6 may include a resonator unit 320 that generates microwave resonance and a connector 311 that supplies microwaves to the resonator unit 320.

[0138] The resonator unit 320 may comprise a housing 321, a plurality of plates 323a and 323b, and a connecting portion 322 connecting the housing 321 to the plates 323a and 323b.

[0139] The connector 311 may supply microwaves to at least one of the plates 323a and 323b to generate microwave resonance in the resonator unit 320.

[0140] The resonator unit 320 may surround at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article 10 inserted into the aerosol-generating device. The connector 311 may supply microwaves generated by an oscillating unit (not shown in the figure) to the resonator unit 320. When the microwaves are supplied to the resonator unit 320, a microwave resonance occurs in the resonator unit 320, as a result of which the resonator unit 320 can heat the aerosol-generating article 10. For example, dielectric materials included in the aerosol-generating article 10 can generate heat under the action of an electric field generated in the resonator unit 220 under the action of microwaves, and the aerosol-generating article 10 can be heated by the heat generated by the dielectric materials.

[0141] The housing 321 of the resonator unit 320 functions as an "outer conductor." Since the housing 321 is hollow, the components of the resonator unit 320 can be located inside the housing 321.

[0142] The housing 321 may comprise a space 320h for accommodating the aerosol generating article 10, and an opening 321a through which the aerosol generating article 10 can be inserted. The opening 321a is connected to the accommodating space 320h. Since the opening 321a is open outward from the housing 321, the accommodating space 320h is connected to the external space through the opening 321a. Thus, the aerosol generating article 10 can be inserted into the accommodating space 320h of the housing 321 through the opening 321a of the housing 321.

[0143] The housing 321 in the drawing is square, but other shapes are also possible. For example, the structure of the housing 321 can have various cross-sectional shapes, such as a rectangle, oval, or circle. The housing 321 can be oriented in any direction.

[0144] a plurality of plates 323a and 323b, which perform the function of “internal conductors” of the resonator unit 320, may be located inside the housing 321.

[0145] Plates 323a and 323b may be arranged at a certain distance from each other along the circumference of the aerosol-generating article 10 located in the accommodation space 320h. Plates 323a and 323b may comprise a first plate 323a arranged to surround a portion of the aerosol-generating article 10, and a second plate 323b arranged to surround another portion of the aerosol-generating article 10.

[0146] The plates 323a and 323b can be connected to the body 321 via the connecting portion 322. In addition, one end of the first plate 323a of the plates 323a and 323b can be connected to one end of the second plate 323b via the connecting portion 322. Therefore, closed ends / short ends can be formed at one end of each of the plates 323a and 323 via the connecting portion 322.

[0147] The other end 323af of the first plate 323a of the plates 323a and 323b and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b may be at a certain distance from each other and thus open. Since the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b are at a certain distance from each other, open ends may be formed at the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b.

[0148] Once the plates 323a and 323b are connected to the connecting portion 322, the resonator assembly can be completed. The cross-sectional shape of the resonator assembly in the longitudinal direction can be horseshoe-shaped.

[0149] Plates 323a and 323b are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 10. At least a portion of the plates 323a and 323b may be curved so as to protrude outward from the center of the aerosol generating article 10 in its longitudinal direction.

[0150] For example, if the aerosol generating article 10 has a cylindrical shape, the plates 323a and 323b may be curved in the circumferential direction along the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating article 10. The cross-sectional radius of curvature of the plates 323a and 323b may coincide with the curvature radius of the aerosol generating article 10. The cross-sectional radius of curvature of the plates 323a and 323b may be varied in various ways. For example, the cross-sectional radius of curvature of the plates 323a and 323b may be larger or smaller than that of the aerosol generating article 10.

[0151] According to the structure in which the plates 323a and 323b are curved in the circumferential direction along the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating article 10, a more uniform electric field can be formed in the resonator unit 320, and thus the heating unit 300 can uniformly heat the aerosol generating article 10.

[0152] The open ends at the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b may face the opening 321a of the housing 321. The opening 321a of the housing 321 may be located at some distance from the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b.

[0153] The open ends at the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b can be aligned with the opening 321a of the housing 321. Therefore, when the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted through the opening 321a of the housing 321 and placed in the accommodation space 320h, the part of the aerosol generating article 10 located in the space 320h can be surrounded by the plates 323a and 323b.

[0154] At least a portion of the plates 323a and 323b may be curved so as to protrude outward from the center of the article 10 to generate an aerosol in its longitudinal direction. One or more embodiments of the invention are not limited to the number of plates 323a and 323b, and the number of plates 323a and 323b may be, for example, three or at least four.

[0155] The plates 323a and 323b may be arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 10, that is, the central axis in the elongation direction of the aerosol generating article 10.

[0156] At least one of the plates 323a and 323b can contact the connector 311 connected to the oscillating unit (not shown in the figure). More specifically, at least a portion of the first plate 323a can contact the connector 311. When microwaves are input to the first plate 323a through the connector 311, microwave resonance is generated between the plates 323a and 323b. In addition, microwave resonance is generated not only between the first plate 323a and the upper side plate of the housing 321, but also between the second plate 323b and the lower side plate of the housing 321. Therefore, between the plates 323a and 323b and the connecting portion 322, between the first plate 323a and the upper side plate of the housing 321 and between the second plate 323b and the lower side plate of the housing 321, corresponding electric fields can be generated.

[0157] When the connector 311 is inserted into the housing 321, one end of the connector 311 can come into contact with the oscillating unit (not shown in the figure), and the other end thereof can come into contact with a portion of the first plate 323a. When microwaves generated by the oscillating unit (not shown in the figure) are supplied to the plates 323a and 323b and the connecting portion 322 through the connector 311, an electric field can be generated inside the assembly of the plates 323a and 323b and the connecting portion 322.

[0158] Furthermore, according to the structure of the resonator unit 320 of the heating unit 300, a triple resonance mode can be formed in the resonator unit 320. A resonance of the transverse electric and magnetic (TEM) mode of microwaves is formed between the plates 323a and 323b. In addition, the resonance of the TEM mode, which is different from the resonance between the plates 323a and 323b, occurs not only between the first plate 323a and the upper side plate of the housing 321, but also between the second plate 323b and the lower side plate of the housing 321. Since the resonator unit 320 in FIG. 6 can resonate in the TEM mode using the plates 323a and 323b, the resonator unit 320 in FIG. 6 can have a smaller size than the resonator unit 220 in FIG. 5, which can resonate only in transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes.

[0159] Since triple resonance occurs in the resonator unit 320 of the heating unit 300, the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated more efficiently and uniformly.

[0160] The resonator unit 320 according to one embodiment of the invention may comprise a closed end / short end in which the cross-section is closed and has a length equal to a quarter (λ / 4) of the length (λ) of the microwave, and an open end in which at least part of the cross-section is open.

[0161] The region at one end of the resonator unit 320, which corresponds to the region on the left in FIG. 6, forms a closed end / short end due to the structure in which the connecting portion 322 and the ends of the plates 323a and 323b are connected to the housing 321. The region at the other end of the resonator unit 320, which corresponds to the region on the right in FIG. 6, forms an open end, since the opening 321a of the housing 321 is open to the outside. With the above-described structure of the resonator unit 320, the resonator unit 320 can function as a resonator with a length of a quarter of the wavelength of microwaves.

[0162] According to the above-described resonant structure of the resonator unit 320, the electric field may not spread to the outer region of the resonator unit 320. Therefore, the heating unit 300 can prevent the electric field from leaking outward from the heating unit 300 without a separate blocking element for blocking the electric field.

[0163] The aerosol generating article 10 placed in the space 320h for receiving the housing 321 can be surrounded by the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b and thus heated by a dielectric heating method. For example, a part containing a carrier of the aerosol generating article 10 inserted into the space 320h for receiving the housing 321 can be located in the space between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b. Since the dielectric materials included in the aerosol generating article 10 generate heat under the action of an electric field formed in the space between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b, the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated.

[0164] In addition, secondary heating of the article 10 for generating an aerosol may occur under the action of an electric field resulting from resonant modes between the first plate 323a and the upper side plate of the housing 321 and between the second plate 323b and the lower side plate of the housing 321.

[0165] When the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the resonator unit 320 through the receiving space 320h, the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol generating article 10 may be disposed between the plates 323a and 323b.

[0166] The length L4 of the tobacco rod 11 may be greater than the length L1 of the plates 323a and 323b. Therefore, the front end 11f of the tobacco rod 11, which comes into contact with the filter rod 12, protrudes more in the direction of the opening 321a of the housing 321 than the other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b.

[0167] Resonant peaks are formed at the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b, which function as resonators, allowing a stronger electric field to be generated at these ends than in other regions. When the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the heating unit 300, the tobacco rod 11, which contains dielectric materials capable of generating heat under the action of an electric field, is positioned in the region where the electric field strength is greatest, thereby improving the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heating unit 300.

[0168] As shown in FIG. 6, the length L1 of the plates 323a and 323b may be shorter than the length L1+L2 of the inner space of the housing 321. Therefore, the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b may be located on the inner side of the housing 321 with respect to the opening 321a. In other words, the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b may be spaced from the rear end of the opening 321a by a length L2.

[0169] The length from the rear end of the opening 321a, where the opening 321a is connected to the body 321, to the front end of the opening 321a, where the opening 321a is open, may be L3. The total length of the body 321 in the longitudinal direction of the body 321 may be L. The total length L of the body 321 may be determined by the sum of the length L1 of the plates 323a and 323b, the length L2 between the plates 323a and 323b and the rear end of the opening 321a, and the length L3 at which the opening 321a protrudes from the body 321.

[0170] To prevent microwave leakage, the front portion of the opening 321a, when the opening 321a is open, protrudes from the housing 321 by a length L3. Since the opening 321a of the housing 321 protrudes from the housing 321, the opening 321a can prevent microwave leakage from the housing 321 of the resonator unit 320 to the environment outside the housing 321.

[0171] The resonator unit 320 may further comprise a dielectric housing space 327 for housing dielectric materials. The dielectric housing space 327 may be formed in the empty space between the housing 321 and the plates 323a and 323b. Dielectric materials with low microwave absorption may be housed in the dielectric housing space 327.

[0172] Because the dielectric materials are located in the dielectric accommodating space, the heating unit 300 can generate an electric field that is similar to the electric field generated by the resonator unit without the dielectric materials, while reducing the overall size of the resonator unit 320. In other words, the installation space for the resonator unit 320 in the aerosol generating device can be reduced by reducing the size of the resonator unit 320 by using dielectric materials located in the dielectric accommodating space 327, which makes it possible to reduce the size of the aerosol generating device.

[0173] FIG. 7 is an internal block diagram illustrating a method for controlling the output signal of an oscillatory unit, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0174] More precisely, FIG. 7 shows only the components for controlling the output of the oscillating unit 210 among the components of the aerosol generating device 100 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The output signal of the oscillating unit 210 may relate to the magnitude and frequency of microwave power; thus, the description already given with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 will be omitted.

[0175] As shown in FIG. 7, the aerosol generating device 100 may include an oscillating unit 210, a power control unit 250, a resonator unit 220, and a processor 101.

[0176] The oscillating unit 210 can output microwaves with a predetermined output frequency and a predetermined power under the control of the processor 101.

[0177] The oscillating unit 210 may include at least one switching device, and the processor 101 may change the microwave output frequency by adjusting the on / off of the switching device. For example, the processor 101 may control the oscillating unit 210 to output microwaves with an output frequency selected from a range of 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz or a range of 5.7 GHz to 5.9 GHz.

[0178] Furthermore, the oscillating unit 210 may comprise a power amplifier, and the power amplifier may increase or decrease the amplitude of the microwaves and thus adjust the amount of microwave output power under the control of the processor 101. For example, the processor 101 may control the oscillating unit 210 and output microwaves with at least one power value selected from a range of 3 to 20 W.

[0179] The microwaves output by the oscillating unit 210 can be input to the resonator unit 220.

[0180] The resonator unit 220 can accommodate the aerosol-generating article 10 and resonate microwaves supplied from the oscillating unit 210, thereby heating the aerosol-generating article 10. The internal structure of the resonator unit 220 can be similar to FIG. 4-6.

[0181] The power monitoring unit 250 may be configured to monitor the change in the resonant frequency of the resonator unit 220 in real time.

[0182] More specifically, as the dielectric materials in the aerosol generating article 10 are heated by microwaves and consumed, the impedance of the resonator unit 220 may change. If the oscillation unit 210 is set to a fixed output signal, even if the impedance of the resonator unit 220 changes, the first impedance Zeq1 from the oscillation unit 210 to the resonator unit 220 may not match the second impedance Zeq2 from the resonator unit 220 to the oscillation unit 210. In other words, the first impedance Zeq1 may not match the second impedance Zeq2. Furthermore, since impedance matching is related to the maximum power transmission conditions, the maximum power transmission conditions may not be met. Accordingly, the power supplied from the oscillatory unit 210 may not be fully transmitted to the resonator unit 220, and some of the power may be reflected from the resonator unit 220 and fed back to the oscillatory unit 210.

[0183] To compare the first impedance Zeq1 with the second impedance Zeq2, the power control unit 250 may measure the reflected microwave power reflected from the resonator unit 220 and supplied to the oscillation unit 210. In one embodiment of the invention, the power control unit 250 may further measure the output microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 and supplied to the resonator unit 220. Hereinafter, the output microwave power may be referred to as the first power P1, and the reflected microwave power as the second power P2. The first power P1 and the second power P2 may express the magnitude of the power.

[0184] The power control unit 250 may provide the processor 101 with information about the first power P1 and / or the second power P2.

[0185] The processor 101 can match the first impedance Zeq1 with the second impedance Zeq2 based on the first power P1 and / or the second power P2 information received from the power control unit 250. Impedance matching can be achieved by adjusting the output frequency of the oscillating unit 210. This is because impedance is a frequency-related parameter.

[0186] The processor 101 may adjust the output frequency of the oscillating unit 210 such that the second power P2 measured by the power monitoring unit 250 is within the reference power range. In one embodiment, the processor 101 may adjust the output frequency of the oscillating unit 210 such that the difference between the first power P1 and the second power P2 is within a predetermined reference power range, wherein the difference is measured by the power monitoring unit 250. For example, the reference power range may be from 0 to 1 W, and other options are also possible.

[0187] The processor 101 may control the oscillating unit 210 such that the output frequency of the oscillating unit 210 is within a predetermined frequency range, and the second power P2 is within a reference power range. In one embodiment of the invention, the processor 101 may control the oscillating unit 210 such that the difference between the first power P1 and the second power P2 is within a predetermined range. For example, the reference frequency range may be from 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz or from 5.7 GHz to 5.9 GHz, but is not limited to this option.

[0188] The output frequency adjustment by the processor 101 described above can be performed in real time. In other words, the processor 101 can adjust the output frequency of the oscillating unit 210 independently of the power adjustment of the oscillating unit 210 described below.

[0189] The processor 101 may adjust the amount of microwave power output from the oscillating unit 210 in accordance with a predetermined temperature profile and / or power profile, regardless of the adjustment of the output frequency of the oscillating unit 210.

[0190] The temperature profile may contain information about the set temperature of the aerosol generating article 10 over time. Furthermore, the power profile may contain information about the set power of the oscillating unit 210 over time. In other words, the temperature and power profiles may, respectively, contain information about the set temperature and set power for the preheating section and the smoking section.

[0191] The processor 101 can control the oscillating unit 210 and output microwave power at a first power level in the preheating section. Furthermore, the processor 101 can control the oscillating unit 210 and output microwave power at a second power level in the smoking section after the preheating section, wherein the second power level is lower than the first power level. Furthermore, the processor 101 can gradually increase the microwave power in the smoking section.

[0192] The processor 101 can match the output frequency of the oscillating unit 210 with the resonant frequency of the resonator unit 220 in real time, thereby adjusting the microwave power output of the oscillating unit 210 according to a predetermined profile. Since the output frequency of the oscillating unit 210 matches the resonant frequency of the resonator unit 220, the power transmission efficiency can be significantly increased and the aerosol-generating article 10 can be uniformly heated.

[0193] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method for monitoring a resonant frequency using the output microwave power of an oscillatory unit and the reflected microwave power of a resonator unit.

[0194] As shown in FIG. 8, the processor 101 can detect a mismatch between the first impedance Zeq1 and the second impedance Zeq2 based on the difference between the first power P1 and / or the second power P2 and adjust the output frequency of the oscillatory unit 210 according to the impedances. After adjustment, the output frequency can correspond to the resonant frequency of the resonator unit 220. The matching specified in the description implies not only complete matching, but also matching in the case where the output frequency is within the range defined by the upper and lower limits of the resonant frequency. Such a range is configured to take into account the losses in the internal components of the dielectric heating unit 200. For example, the matching refers to the case where the output frequency is in the range from the resonant frequency -α to the resonant frequency +α, where α can be 10 kHz.However, one or more embodiments of the invention are not limited to the above.

[0195] In FIG. 8, the x-axis represents the frequency, and the y-axis represents the amount of power transmitted to the resonator unit 220 according to the frequency. FIG. 8 shows a graph 810 illustrating a state in which the output frequency f1 of the oscillating unit 210 corresponds to the resonant frequency f2 of the resonator unit 220, and a graph 820 illustrating a state in which the resonant frequency of the resonator unit 220 is changed to the value f2', and the output frequency f1 of the oscillating unit 210 coincides with the changed resonant frequency f2' of the resonator unit 220.

[0196] In FIG. 8, the output frequency f1 of the oscillation unit 210 may correspond to the resonant frequency f2 of the resonator unit 220. For example, when receiving a user input initiating heating of the device, the processor 101 may maintain the output frequency of the oscillation unit 210 and select, as the output frequency, the frequency Fa at which the second power P2 reflected from the resonator unit 220 and supplied to the oscillation unit 210 will be minimal. In one embodiment of the invention, the processor 101 may select, as the output frequency, the frequency Fa at which the difference between the first power P1 transmitted from the oscillation unit 210 to the resonator unit 220 and the second power P2 reflected from the resonator unit 220 and supplied to the oscillation unit 210 will be minimal. Since the output frequency f1 of the oscillatory unit 210 corresponds to the resonant frequency f2 of the resonator unit 220, the maximum power Pa can be transmitted to the resonator unit 220.The resonator unit 220 may utilize the power supplied from the oscillatory unit 210 to thereby heat the article 10 to generate an aerosol.

[0197] As the dielectric material in the aerosol generating article 10 is heated by microwaves and consumed, the impedance of the resonator assembly 220 may change, and the resonant frequency f2 may change accordingly. In one embodiment of the invention, the resonant frequency f2 of the resonator assembly 220 may be increased to f2' in accordance with a decrease in the content of the dielectric material in the aerosol generating article 10. If the oscillatory unit 210 is controlled with a fixed output frequency, despite the increase in the resonant frequency of the resonator unit 220 to f2', the maximum power Pa' may not be transmitted to the resonator unit 220, and the power equal to Pb and less than Pa' may enter the resonator unit 220. In other words, the resonator unit 220 may consume power in the amount of Pb, and the remaining power may be reflected and output to the oscillatory unit 210.

[0198] The processor 101 can match the output frequency f1 of the oscillatory unit 210 with the changed resonant frequency f2', adjusting the output frequency f1 so that the maximum power is supplied to the resonator unit 220. For this, the processor 101 can receive information about the first power P1 supplied from the oscillatory unit 210 to the resonator unit 220 from the power control unit 250. In addition, the processor 101 can receive information about the second power P2 reflected from the resonator unit 220 and supplied to the oscillatory unit 210. The processor 101 can receive information about the second power P2 from the power control unit 250, corresponding to the change in the resonant frequency of the resonator unit 220 in real time.

[0199] The processor 101 can control the oscillating unit 210 such that the second power P2, measured by the power control unit 250, is within the reference power range. In one embodiment, the processor 101 can control the output signal of the oscillating unit 210 such that the difference between the first power P1 and the second power P2 is within a predetermined reference power range, wherein the difference is measured by the power control unit 250. For example, the reference power range can be from 0 to 1 W, and other options are also possible.

[0200] The processor 101 may control the oscillating unit 210 to maintain the frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillating unit 210 within a predetermined reference frequency range Fre and to ensure that the second power P2 matches the reference power range. In one embodiment of the invention, the processor 101 may adjust the output frequency of the microwave power such that the difference between the first power P1 and the second power P2 is within the reference power range. For example, the reference frequency range Fre may be from 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz or from 5.7 GHz to 5.9 GHz, and other options are also possible.

[0201] The processor 101 can set the microwave power output frequency to any frequency in the reference frequency range Fre so that the difference between the first power P1 and the second power P2 is within the reference power range, thereby ensuring that the output frequency corresponds to the resonant frequency. In other words, the processor 101 can adjust the output frequency of the oscillator unit 210 in the range from Fa to Fb, which corresponds to the resonant frequency of the resonator unit 220. The above-described adjustment of the microwave power output frequency can be performed regardless of the microwave power value.

[0202] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a method for operating an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0203] As shown in FIG. 9, in step S910, the oscillating unit 210 can generate microwaves.

[0204] The oscillating unit 210 may contain a solid-state radio frequency generating device and generate microwaves using it.

[0205] The oscillating unit 210 can output microwaves with a predetermined output frequency and a predetermined power under the control of the processor 101.

[0206] The oscillating unit 210 may include at least one switching device, and the processor 101 may change the microwave output frequency by adjusting the on / off of the switching device. For example, the processor 101 may control the oscillating unit 210 to output microwaves with an output frequency selected from a range of 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz or a range of 5.7 GHz to 5.9 GHz.

[0207] In step S920, the aerosol generating article 10 may be placed in the resonator unit, and the resonator unit may resonate microwaves, thereby heating the aerosol generating article 10.

[0208] As shown in FIG. 5, the resonator unit 220 may include a first inner conductor 223 in the form of a hollow cylinder surrounding a part of the article 10 for generating an aerosol, and a second inner conductor 225 located at a certain distance from the first inner conductor 223, having the form of a hollow cylinder and surrounding another part of the article 10 for generating an aerosol. Microwaves can resonate between the outer conductor 221 and the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 through the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225, and the electric field corresponding to the microwave resonance can heat the article 10 for generating an aerosol.

[0209] As shown in FIG. 6, the resonator unit 220 may include a first plate 323a surrounding a portion of the aerosol generating article 10, and a second plate 323b located at a certain distance from the first plate 323a in the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article 10 and surrounding another portion of the aerosol generating article 10. Microwaves can resonate (the so-called triple resonance structure) between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b, between the housing 321 and the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b due to the presence of the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b, and the electric field in accordance with the microwave resonance can heat the aerosol generating article 10.

[0210] In step S930, the power control unit 250 may measure the first power P1 output from the oscillation unit 210 and supplied to the resonator unit 220, and the second power P2 reflected by the resonator unit 220 and supplied to the oscillation unit 210. In one embodiment of the invention, the power control unit 250 may measure only the second power P2 and continue to perform the subsequent steps.

[0211] The resonant frequency of the resonator unit 220 may change as the dielectric material in the article 10 is heated by microwaves to generate an aerosol and the material is consumed. When the resonant frequency of the resonator unit 220 changes, the maximum power of the resonator unit 210 may not be supplied to the resonator unit 220, and the power control unit 250 is configured to recognize the frequency mismatch based on the second power P2 or the difference between the first power P1 and the second power P2, and transmit information about the first power P1 and / or the second power P2 to the processor 101.

[0212] In step S940, the processor 101 may control the output signal of the oscillating unit 210 based on the first power P1 and the second power P2 measured by the power control unit 250. In one embodiment of the invention, the processor 101 may control the output signal of the oscillating unit 210 based only on the second power P2 measured by the power control unit 250.

[0213] The processor 101 can adjust the output frequency of the oscillating unit 210 such that the second power P2 measured by the power control unit 250 is within the reference power range. In one embodiment, the processor 101 can control the output signal of the oscillating unit 210 such that the difference between the first power P1 and the second power P2 is within the specified reference power range, wherein the difference is measured by the power control unit 250. In this case, the output signal of the oscillating unit 210 can relate to the output frequency of the microwave power.

[0214] The processor 101 may control the oscillating unit 210 to maintain the output frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillating unit 210 within a predetermined reference frequency range and to ensure that the second power P2 complies with the reference power range. In one embodiment of the invention, the processor 101 may adjust the output frequency of the microwave power such that the difference between the first power P1 and the second power P2 is within the reference power range.

[0215] The processor 101 can adjust the output frequency of the microwave power using any frequency in the reference frequency range, thereby ensuring that the output frequency matches the resonant frequency.

[0216] The processor 101 can control the microwave power output regardless of the microwave power output frequency.

[0217] Any embodiments of the present invention or other embodiments of the invention described above are not mutually exclusive or different from each other. Any of the embodiments of the invention or other embodiments of the invention described in this description can be combined with each other in both configuration and functionality.

[0218] For example, configuration A from a certain embodiment of the invention and / or drawing may be combined with configuration B from another embodiment of the invention and / or drawing. This means that even if the combination of components is not explicitly described, such combinations are still possible unless otherwise specified.

[0219] The foregoing detailed description is not intended to be limiting in any way, but is merely illustrative. The scope of the present invention is determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications that come within the equivalent scope of this description are included within its protected scope.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device comprising: an oscillating unit capable of generating microwaves; a resonator unit configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article and to heat the aerosol generating article by microwave resonance; a power monitoring unit configured to measure the reflected microwave power reflected from the resonator unit and supplied to the oscillatory unit; and a processor configured to control the output signal of the oscillatory unit based on the reflected microwave power measured by the power control unit, in which the resonator unit comprises a first internal conductor in the form of a hollow cylinder surrounding a portion of the aerosol generating article, and a second internal conductor located at a certain distance from the first internal conductor and having the form of a hollow cylinder surrounding another portion of the aerosol generating article.

2. An aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein in the resonator unit the resonant frequency of the microwaves changes as the microwaves heat the dielectric material in the aerosol generating article and consume this material.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein the resonant frequency of the resonator unit increases as the dielectric material in the aerosol generating article is consumed.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein the power control unit is further configured to measure the reflected microwave power corresponding to the change in the resonant frequency.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to control the output signal of the oscillatory unit such that the reflected microwave power measured by the power control unit falls within a predetermined reference power range.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to maintain the output frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillatory unit within a predetermined reference frequency range and to adjust the output frequency of the microwave power such that the reflected microwave power falls within the reference power range.

7. The aerosol generating device of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to maintain the output frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillatory unit within a reference frequency range of approximately 2.4 to 2.5 GHz.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to match the output frequency with the resonant frequency of the resonator unit by adjusting the output frequency of the microwave power by any of the frequencies selected from the reference frequency range.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to adjust the amount of microwave power output from the oscillatory unit and independently control the amount of microwave power and the output frequency of the microwave power in accordance with a given power profile.

10. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein microwaves resonate between the first inner conductor and the second inner conductor.

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