Cigarette-type electronic-cigarette device enabling adjustment of light absorption wavelengths

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cigarette-type electronic-cigarette device enabling the adjustment of light absorption wavelengths. The cigarette-type electronic-cigarette device according to the present invention comprises: a cylindrical heating body having an insertion hole through which a cigarette is inserted; a plurality of plasmon resonance-inducing materials which have a multimetal particle or high-entropy alloy (HEA) structure in which metal nanoparticles having different light absorption wavelengths are mixed together and prepared into a single metal particle and which are attached to the outer circumferential surface of the heating body; a housing which covers the heating body; and a light source which is mounted on the inner surface of the housing and emits light toward the plasmon resonance-inducing materials to generate heat by a plasmon resonance phenomenon.

Description

A cigarette-type electronic cigarette device with adjustable light absorption wavelength

[0001] The present invention relates to a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device capable of controlling a light absorption wavelength, and is capable of controlling a light absorption wavelength in response to light sources of various wavelength bands by using multimetallic particles or high-entropy alloy (HEA) particles, and is capable of improving heat absorption efficiency by using a heating body made of a metal material with good thermal conductivity and an improved surface area through surface treatment.

[0002] Smoking tobacco, made primarily from tobacco leaves, produces over 4,000 harmful substances, including tar and carbon monoxide. These harmful substances, released through tobacco combustion, can cause lung cancer and other health problems not only for smokers but also for passive smokers, leading to a growing social demand for smoking cessation.

[0003] Recently, interest in smoking cessation aids, which are less harmful than cigarettes while simultaneously satisfying smokers' cravings, has steadily increased. This has led to the development of various technologies. Among these, active development is underway on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), which vaporize nicotine solution and deliver it to the user.

[0004] In particular, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), a representative example of such electronic nicotine delivery systems, have been developed and commercialized, and demand for them is growing explosively. E-cigarettes vaporize nicotine solutions into vapor, giving users (smokers) the sensation of smoking when they inhale the vapor. Various flavors can be added to the nicotine solution to suit the user's preference.

[0005] These e-cigarettes do not contain tar or other harmful substances found in conventional cigarette smoke, which are harmful to the human body. This allows users to enjoy the satisfaction of smoking while minimizing the harm caused by smoking.

[0006] General electronic cigarettes are divided into cigarette type, liquid type, and hybrid type, among which cigarette type is a method of heating a solid stick-shaped cigarette, and this cigarette-type electronic cigarette has the advantage of being able to experience a taste similar to that of a conventional cigarette by inhaling the vapor formed by heating the solid stick inserted into the heating body through a heating means.

[0007] Meanwhile, for heating means, resistance heating methods using coils using Kanthal wire or Nichrome wire or metal paste of porous ceramics were mainly used.

[0008] However, this heating method incurs significant energy loss during the heat conversion process, resulting in high power consumption and the inconvenience of requiring frequent battery recharging. To address this, high-capacity batteries are required, but this increases manufacturing costs and increases the size of the product.

[0009] To address these issues, an attempt has been made to utilize plasmonic heating as the heating medium. Plasmonic heating involves irradiating gold particles with light or laser, and utilizing the photothermal conversion phenomenon resulting from the plasmon resonance of gold exposed to the light or laser.

[0010] However, this heating method based on plasmon resonance has the problem of causing cost inefficiency due to the use of expensive gold, and the light absorption wavelength band is limited to the range of 500 to 550 nm, which is the light absorption wavelength band of gold, so that the light absorption efficiency decreases in the case of a light source outside this wavelength band.

[0011] Accordingly, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device capable of controlling the light absorption wavelength, which can overcome the above-mentioned conventional problems.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device capable of controlling the light absorption wavelength in response to light sources of various wavelength bands by using multimetal particles or high-entropy alloy (HEA) particles, thereby reducing manufacturing costs, simplifying the manufacturing process, and improving thermal efficiency.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device capable of controlling the light absorption wavelength, which can drastically reduce the amount of gold used and implement comparable (similar) performance, by creating a single metal particle by mixing at least two metal nanoparticles selected from metal nanoparticles having different light absorption wavelengths to induce a plasmon resonance, thereby drastically reducing the amount of gold used.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device capable of controlling light absorption wavelength and improving heat absorption efficiency by using a heating body made of a metal material having good thermal conductivity and an improved surface area through surface treatment.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving some of the above-described technical problems, a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device according to the present invention comprises: a cylindrical heating body having an insertion hole for inserting a cigarette therein; a plasmon resonance-inducing material having a multi-metal particle or high entropy alloy (HEA) structure in which metal nanoparticles having different light absorption wavelengths are mixed with each other to form a single metal particle, and which is attached in multiple numbers to an outer peripheral surface of the heating body; a housing having a structure for surrounding the heating body; and a light source mounted on an inner surface of the housing for irradiating light toward the plasmon resonance-inducing material to generate heat by a plasmon resonance phenomenon.

[0016] The above plasmon resonance inducing material may be a multi-metal particle or a high-entropy alloy particle manufactured so that the peak wavelength band of the light absorption spectrum is controlled through at least one of controlling the type of metal nanoparticles having different light absorption wavelengths, controlling the mixing ratio, and controlling the size.

[0017] The above plasmon resonance inducing material can be manufactured so that the peak wavelength band of the light absorption spectrum is controlled so as to include the wavelength range of the band with the highest energy in the light irradiated from the light source.

[0018] The metal nanoparticles having different light absorption wavelengths may be at least two metal nanoparticles selected from gold (Au), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), and palladium (Pd).

[0019] The above plasmon resonance inducing material may be a multi-metal particle or a high-entropy alloy particle manufactured by vaporizing and then condensing a plurality of electrode materials using a multi-electrode atmospheric pressure plasma method.

[0020] The above plasmon resonance inducing material can be attached to the outer surface of the heating body using the thermophoresis phenomenon.

[0021] The above heating body may be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy that has undergone electrochemical surface treatment.

[0022] The above heating body may be made of anodized aluminum or aluminum alloy.

[0023] The above heating body may have a structure dyed with a dark colored dye including gray or black on the outer surface.

[0024] The housing has a plurality of inner surfaces for mounting the light source, and the housing may have a plurality of inner surfaces having a polygonal cross-sectional structure.

[0025] The light source may be mounted on at least one inner surface among the plurality of inner surfaces of the housing, and the inner surface on which the light source is not mounted may have a structure in which a light reflector is attached or a light reflective material is coated.

[0026] A heat conducting plate for heat conduction may be further provided between the inner surface of the housing equipped with the light source and the light source.

[0027] The above heat-conducting plate may have a structure extending to the heating body so that heat generated from the light source is conducted to the heating body.

[0028] According to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving some of the above-described technical problems, a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device according to the present invention comprises: a cylindrical heating body made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, into which a cigarette is inserted and which has been subjected to electrochemical surface treatment to increase a surface area; a plasmon resonance inducing material attached in multiple numbers to an outer peripheral surface of the heating body; a housing having a structure surrounding the heating body; and a light source mounted on an inner surface of the housing for irradiating light toward the plasmon resonance inducing material to generate heat by a plasmon resonance phenomenon.

[0029] The above heating body may have a structure dyed with a dark colored dye including gray or black on the outer surface.

[0030] A heat-conducting plate for heat conduction is provided between the inner surface of the housing equipped with the light source and the light source, and the heat-conducting plate may have a structure extending to the heating body so that heat generated from the light source is conducted to the heating body.

[0031] According to the present invention, it is possible to control the light absorption wavelength in response to light sources of various wavelength bands by using multi-metal particles or high-entropy alloy (HEA) particles, and to reduce manufacturing costs, simplify the manufacturing process, and improve thermal efficiency. In addition, when a plasmon resonance inducing material is formed into a single metal particle by mixing at least two metal nanoparticles selected from metal nanoparticles having different light absorption wavelengths, when it contains gold, there is an advantage in that the amount of gold used can be drastically reduced and comparable (similar) performance can be realized by mixing other metal elements together with the gold. In addition, there is an advantage in that the attachment of more plasmon resonance materials is possible and the heat absorption efficiency can be improved by using a heating body made of a metal material with good thermal conductivity and an improved surface area through surface treatment.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 1,

[0034] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of Figure 1,

[0035] Fig. 4 is a drawing for explaining a state in which the surface area is expanded by surface treatment of the heating body of Fig. 1.

[0036] Fig. 5 is a drawing for explaining the dyeing principle of the heating body of Fig. 4.

[0037] Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a plasmon resonance inducing material.

[0038] Figure 7 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating the manufacturing process of a plasmon resonance inducing material attached to the heating body of Figure 1.

[0039] Figure 8 is a conceptual diagram of a plasmon resonance inducing material manufactured by Figure 7.

[0040] Figure 9 is a graph showing the optical wavelength band of the LED light source constituting the light source of Figure 1.

[0041] Figures 10 and 11 are optical absorption spectrum graphs showing examples of controlling the peak wavelength band of the optical absorption spectrum of a plasmon resonance inducing material produced by mixing metal nanoparticles with different optical absorption wavelengths.

[0042] Figure 12 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of attaching the plasmon resonance inducing material to a heating body using the thermophoresis phenomenon.

[0043] Figure 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operating state of the cigarette-type electronic cigarette device of Figure 1.

[0044] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, with no other intention than to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of FIG. 1.

[0046] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a light source (110), a housing (120), a heating element (140) into which a cigarette (or stick) is inserted, and a plasmon resonance inducing material (150). It may further include components such as a rechargeable battery for power supply and a controller for operation control, and may further include components well known to those skilled in the art as necessary for the operation of the cigarette-type electronic cigarette device.

[0047] The light source (110) may include various light sources well known to those skilled in the art, and may include, for example, a laser or LED light source. The light source (110) may use a light source having a wide range of wavelength bands as needed. As a specific example, the light wavelength band of the light source provided in the light source (110) may have a range of 300 to 2500 nm, and may include some ultraviolet wavelength bands, visible wavelength bands, and near-infrared wavelength bands. In this case, the light source (110) may include an ultraviolet light source, a visible light source, or a near-infrared laser light source. In addition, the light source (110) may be selected as a light source having an appropriate range of light wavelength bands (for example, a wavelength range of 400 to 780 nm) within the range of 300 to 2500 nm as needed, and a light source having a wavelength band that is harmless to the human body may be used.

[0048] The above light source (110) may be provided in multiple numbers and is mounted on the inner surface of the housing (120) having a structure surrounding the heating body (140) to irradiate light toward the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) so that heat is generated by the plasmon resonance phenomenon. When the inner surface of the housing (120) has a polygonal cross-section structure, for example, a hexagonal or octagonal cross-section structure, the light source (110) may be mounted on the inner surface of all six or eight sides of the housing (120), or the light source may be mounted on only some of the inner surfaces (one side or three or four sides), and the like.

[0049] The housing (120) has a structure that surrounds the heating body (140). The housing (120) may have a structure spaced apart from the outer surface of the heating body (140) by a certain interval, and the inner surface on which the light source (110) is mounted may have a polygonal structure. If the inner surface of the housing (120) has a circular cross-section, the inner surface on which the light source (110) is mounted has a curved surface, so that the light source (110) has a small area in contact with the inner surface of the housing (120), resulting in an unstable mounting state. Therefore, in order to ensure mounting stability, the housing (120) may have a structure having a plurality of flat inner surfaces with a polygonal cross-section, for example, six or eight inner surfaces with a hexagonal or octagonal cross-section. In this case, since the light source (110) can be mounted on the flat inner surface of the housing (120), a sturdy and stable mounting is possible. Here, it is clear that the polygonal cross-sectional structure of the inner surface of the housing (120) can have various angular structures, such as triangular or quadrangular, in addition to hexagonal or octagonal, as needed.

[0050] The outer surface of the above housing (120) may have a polygonal cross-sectional structure, the same as the inner surface, a circular cross-sectional structure, or an elliptical cross-sectional structure.

[0051] As previously described, the light source (110) may be mounted on at least one inner surface of the housing (120) and configured to irradiate light toward the surface of the heating body (140). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the light source (110) may be mounted on one inner surface of the housing (110), the light source (110) may be mounted on each of a plurality of inner surfaces, or the light source (110) may be mounted on only some inner surfaces (three or four surfaces), and the like. In addition, one light source (110) may be mounted per inner surface, or a plurality of light sources (110) may be mounted in the longitudinal direction of the inner surface.

[0052] And, among the inner surfaces of the housing (120), the inner surface where the light source (110) is not mounted may have a structure in which a light reflector (125) is attached or a light reflective material is coated. When the light reflector (125) is attached or a light reflective material is coated, sufficient light can be secured by the reflected light even when the number of the light sources (110) is small, and the light can reach the heating body (140) part that the light from the light source (110) cannot directly reach, thereby enabling heat generation due to the plasmon resonance phenomenon. In Fig. 3, direct light directly irradiated from the light source (110) is indicated by a straight line, and reflected light is indicated by a dotted line.

[0053] Meanwhile, a heat conduction plate (115) for heat conduction may be further provided between the inner surface of the housing (120) in which the light source (110) is mounted and the light source (110). The heat conduction plate (115) may have a structure extending to the heating body (140) so that the heat generated from the light source (110) is conducted to the heating body (140). In general, in the case of an LED used as the light source (110), approximately 20% of the supplied energy is converted into light energy and approximately 80% is converted into heat energy. In this case, if there is no heat management system, the inner surface of the housing (120) in which the light source (110) is mounted has a high temperature of approximately 150 to 200 degrees. When such thermal energy is transferred to the heating body (140) using a heat conduction plate (115) having various heat conduction materials including copper (Cu) with high thermal conductivity, the heating body (140) can be heated using the phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance, and at the same time, additional heating of the heating body (140) can be achieved using the heat conduction using the heat conduction plate (115), thereby improving energy efficiency. In addition, it is also possible to heat the heating body (140) using the phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance, and use the heat conduction using the heat conduction plate (115) as preservation heat to preserve the heat of the heating body (140).

[0054] The width, length, and number of the heat-conducting plates (115) can be determined in various ways as needed, and one heat-conducting plate (115) may have a structure in which it is connected to all of the plurality of light sources (110), or a structure in which the plurality of heat-conducting plates (115) are connected to the heating body (114) in a one-to-one manner with each of the plurality of light sources (110).

[0055] The above cigarette (130), also called a stick, generates an aerosol when heat is applied while inserted into the heating element (140). Since the above cigarette (130) is well known to those skilled in the art, further description thereof will be omitted.

[0056] The above heating body (140) has a cylindrical structure having an insertion hole (142) for inserting a cigarette (or stick) into the interior.

[0057] In general, the heating body into which the cigarette (130) is inserted must have strong corrosion resistance and corrosion prevention as a heating body whose temperature changes between 20 and 300 degrees in a short period of time. Accordingly, in the past, SUS material with strong corrosion resistance and corrosion prevention was used as the heating body. However, when the heating body is composed of such SUS material, the thermal conductivity is relatively low, and when a technology utilizing the surface plasmon resonance phenomenon, as in the case of the present invention, is used, the efficiency is reduced. Therefore, in order to utilize the surface plasmon resonance technology, a heating body made of a material having higher thermal conductivity than SUS is required.

[0058] Accordingly, in the present invention, since a technology utilizing the surface plasmon resonance phenomenon is used, a material having strong corrosion resistance and corrosion prevention properties as well as relatively high thermal conductivity is required for the heating body (140), and as described below, it has become possible to implement a heating body having a material suitable for the implementation of the present invention.

[0059] The above heating body (140) can be implemented using aluminum or an aluminum alloy that has been surface-treated.

[0060] Aluminum is known to have relatively higher thermal conductivity than SUS, and when surface-treated, it is known to have excellent corrosion resistance, corrosion prevention, and durability. Accordingly, when the heating body (140) is formed using surface-treated aluminum or an aluminum alloy as a material, it is possible to realize a heating body (140) that has excellent thermal conductivity, high durability, corrosion resistance, and corrosion prevention.

[0061] The above surface treatment may include electrochemical surface treatment or surface treatment using plasma. For example, the material may be anodized aluminum or aluminum alloy. Anodizing is a surface treatment that creates an anodizing film on the surface of aluminum. When aluminum is used as an anode and electrolytic treatment is performed, oxygen and the aluminum surface combine to create an oxide film that is highly durable, corrosion-resistant, and anti-corrosion.

[0062] In addition, when performing surface treatment such as anodizing in implementing the above heating body (140), the surface area becomes relatively wider compared to when no surface treatment is performed, and it has the advantage of being dyeable. This is explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0063] Fig. 4 is a drawing for explaining a state in which the surface area is expanded by surface treatment of the heating body of Fig. 1, and Fig. 5 is a drawing for explaining the dyeing principle of the heating body of Fig. 4.

[0064] As shown in (a) of Fig. 4, in the case of a heating body (140) before surface treatment, when the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) is attached to the surface of the heating body (140), the surface area is relatively narrow, so a relatively small amount of the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) is attached.

[0065] However, as shown in (b) of FIG. 4, if the heating body (140) is implemented with a material that has undergone surface treatment such as anodizing, a film (142) is formed through the surface treatment, and the surface area becomes relatively larger due to the distribution of numerous pores, etc. than before the surface treatment. Therefore, when attaching the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) to the surface of the heating body (140), it is possible to attach a much larger amount, so there is an advantage in that rapid heating of the heating body (140) is possible and thermal efficiency can be increased.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 5, the heating body (140) may have a structure dyed with a dark-colored dye including gray or black on the outer surface.

[0067] As shown in (a) of Fig. 5, in the case of the heating body (140) before surface treatment, it is difficult to maintain the color when the surface of the heating body (140) is dyed.

[0068] However, as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 5, in the case of a surface-treated heating body (140), dyeing with a dark-colored dye, including gray or black, is possible due to the presence of pores formed in the film (142), and can be maintained almost permanently. In general, a coloring process is known in which a color dye or pigment is absorbed into the pores formed on the surface after anodizing to impart color. By utilizing this, the color to be dyed can be controlled depending on the type, concentration, temperature, etc. of the dye, and it is possible to dye the surface of the heating body (140) using a dark-colored dye (145), such as gray or black.

[0069] When performing dark-colored dyeing as described above, when light is irradiated to the heating body (140), the light is not reflected and the absorption efficiency is increased, thereby increasing the energy conversion efficiency by the plasmon resonance inducing material (150).

[0070] The above plasmon resonance inducing material (150) has a multi-metal particle or high entropy alloy (HEA) structure in which metal nanoparticles having different light absorption wavelengths are mixed to form a single metal particle, and is attached in multiple numbers to the outer surface of the heating body (140) to generate heat by the plasmon resonance phenomenon, thereby heating the heating body (140). That is, based on the surface plasmon resonance phenomenon, the material absorbs light from the light source (110) to generate heat, thereby heating the heating body (140).

[0071] The above plasmon resonance inducing material (150) has a multi-metal particle or high entropy alloy (HEA) structure in which metal nanoparticles with different light absorption wavelengths are mixed with each other to form a single metal particle, and has a configuration in which multiple particles are attached to the heating plate (140).

[0072] The above plasmon resonance inducing material (150) can cause a photothermal phenomenon when the wavelength band of the light of the light source (110) and the light absorption wavelength band of the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) overlap. Accordingly, it is necessary to adjust the light absorption wavelength band of the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) so that the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) overlaps with the wavelength band of the light being irradiated.

[0073] Conventional technology has used expensive gold (Au) as a plasmon resonance inducing material, and the light absorption wavelength band is limited to the range of 500 to 550 nm, which is the light absorption wavelength band of gold (Au), so the range of use of the light source is limited, and there was a problem that the manufacturing cost was excessive due to the use of expensive gold (Au).

[0074] To solve this problem, we tried to use multiple metals, mixing them in a random manner, or dividing the area into parts and arranging the metals by type. However, when mixing multiple nano metals at once in a random manner, the metals absorb only the wavelengths of light that are suitable for them and reflect light of other wavelengths, which causes a problem of low energy efficiency. In addition, when dividing the area and arranging the metals by type, there were problems of difficulty in process and quality control, and increased costs.

[0075] Fig. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of a plasmon resonance inducing material, and is a diagram for explanation using metal particles of gold (Au), silver (Ag), and copper (Cu) having different light absorption wavelength bands. Fig. 6 (a) shows a method of arranging various metals by mixing them in a random manner, and Fig. 6 (b) shows a method of arranging metals by dividing the area into parts and distinguishing them by type.

[0076] In general, for metal particles applied to the surface plasmon resonance phenomenon, the peak wavelength band of light that can be absorbed is determined for each metal. For example, gold (Au) is known to have a peak wavelength band of 532 nm, silver (Ag) is known to have a peak wavelength band of 430 nm, copper (Cu) is known to have a peak wavelength band of 580 nm, and platinum (Pt) is known to have a peak wavelength band of 260 nm.

[0077] As shown in (a) of Fig. 6, when these various metals of gold (Au), silver (Ag), and copper (Cu) are randomly mixed and placed to be attached to the heating plate (140), each metal absorbs only the wavelength of light suitable for itself and reflects light of other wavelengths, so there arises a problem of which wavelength band of light should be irradiated, and the problem of reduced light absorption efficiency arises. In addition, there is a problem of difficulty in targeting and transmitting energy of a wavelength suitable for each metal.

[0078] As illustrated in (b) of FIG. 3, in the case of dividing the regions into parts and arranging the metals by type, that is, dividing the heating plate (140) into a gold (Au) metal particle arrangement region, a silver (Ag) metal particle arrangement region, and a copper (Cu) metal particle arrangement region and arranging the respective metal particles, since light of different wavelength bands must be irradiated to each region, there is a problem that multiple light sources of different wavelength bands must be provided, and there is difficulty in the process of arranging the metal particles by dividing them by region. In addition, when irradiating light, since the heat generation efficiency is different for each region, there is also a problem that a temperature imbalance occurs for each region.

[0079] To solve these problems, in the present invention, the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) is configured to have a structure of a multi-metal particle or a high entropy alloy (HEA) in which metal nanoparticles having different light absorption wavelengths are mixed with each other to be manufactured into a single metal particle. At this time, it is possible to control the peak wavelength band of the light absorption spectrum by at least one of controlling the type of metal nanoparticles having different light absorption wavelengths, controlling the mixing ratio, and controlling the size.

[0080] Specifically, the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) can be manufactured so that the peak wavelength band of the light absorption spectrum is controlled through at least one of controlling the type of metal nanoparticles with different light absorption wavelengths, controlling the mixing ratio, and controlling the size, so that the wavelength range in which the energy of the light irradiated from the light source (110) is the highest is included.

[0081] Here, the metal nanoparticles having different light absorption wavelengths may be at least two metal nanoparticles selected from gold (Au), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), and palladium (Pd).

[0082] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a manufacturing process of a plasmon resonance inducing material (150) according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 illustrates a conceptual diagram of a plasmon resonance inducing material manufactured by FIG. 7.

[0083] The main characteristic of the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) used in the present invention is that metal nanoparticles having different light absorption wavelengths are mixed with each other to form a single metal particle, a multimetal particle or a high entropy alloy (HEA), and this is attached to the heating body (140) as the plasmon resonance inducing material (150).

[0084] As illustrated in Fig. 7, the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) can be manufactured by vaporizing the electrode material using a multi-electrode atmospheric pressure plasma method (spark discharge method) and then condensing it.

[0085] For example, when manufacturing multi-metal particles or high entropy alloys (HEA) using four metal electrodes (metal 1, metal 2, metal 3, and metal 4), when a high voltage is applied between the electrodes, a high-temperature spark channel is created, vaporizing the four metal electrode materials to produce four types of metal nanoparticles. Then, when an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen (N2)) is flowed in a certain direction to a target location, the four types of vaporized metal nanoparticles are rapidly cooled by the inert gas, and metal nanoparticles with different light absorption wavelengths are mixed with each other due to a condensation effect or agglomeration phenomenon, so that a single metal particle, multi-metal particles or high entropy alloy (HEA), is produced, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Figure 8 shows a conceptual diagram of gold (Au), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) particles manufactured into multimetallic particles or high entropy alloy (HEA) particles, which are single metal particles.

[0086] In this state, additionally, for multi-metal particles or high entropy alloys (HEA) manufactured using a multi-electrode atmospheric pressure plasma method (spark discharge method), it is possible to control the size, shape and crystal characteristics of multi-metal particles or high entropy alloys (HEA) by additionally providing a heating furnace to sinter the multi-metal particles or high entropy alloys (HEA).

[0087] Here, by controlling the voltage intensity for spark discharge, controlling the type of metal of the metal electrode, controlling the flow rate or temperature of the inert gas, etc., it is possible to control the type of metal nanoparticles constituting the multimetal particles or high entropy alloy (HEA), control the mixing ratio, and control the size of the particles, and through this, control of the peak wavelength band of the light absorption spectrum of the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) generated can be achieved.

[0088] In addition, the multimetal particles or high entropy alloy (HEA) particles generally have higher residual entropy than single metals, so they have superior mechanical properties such as hardness, ductility, and corrosion resistance, and can have a wide-banded light absorption wavelength due to the interband transfer (IBT) phenomenon, so they can have excellent photothermal conversion performance.

[0089] Fig. 9 is a graph showing the optical wavelength band of the LED light source constituting the light source of Fig. 1, and Figs. 10 and 11 are graphs showing examples of controlling the peak wavelength band of the optical absorption spectrum of a plasmon resonance inducing material generated by mixing metal nanoparticles having different optical absorption wavelengths.

[0090] In general, it is known that gold (Au) has a wavelength band of 520 to 540 nm, copper (Cu) has a wavelength band of 550 to 600 nm, and iron (Fe) has a wavelength band of 700 to 770 nm in terms of light absorption wavelength. In this case, according to the prior art, each metal absorbs only the wavelength of light suitable for itself and reflects light of other wavelengths, so there is a problem of which wavelength band of light should be irradiated, and the problem of a decrease in light absorption efficiency occurs. In addition, there is a problem of difficulty in targeting and transmitting energy of a wavelength suitable for each metal.

[0091] In the case of the present invention, as an example of implementation, by using multimetal particles or high entropy alloy (HEA) particles created by mixing metal nanoparticles of gold (Au), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) into a single metal particle, it is possible to control the light absorption peak wavelength band to a wavelength band of 550 to 650 nm.

[0092] As illustrated in Fig. 9, the band with the highest energy of the LED light source constituting the light source (110) is 550 to 650 nm, and it can be seen that the light wavelength band overall is 400 to 780 nm. When the light source (110) has such a wavelength band, the types of metal nanoparticles for manufacturing the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) are selected from metal nanoparticles such as gold (Au), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu), and by mixing them and controlling the mixing ratio and the size of the metal nanoparticles, multi-metal particles or high entropy alloy (HEA) particles are created with a single metal particle so that the light absorption peak wavelength band falls within 550 to 650 nm, so that the maximum amount of light can be absorbed without energy loss, thereby improving the light absorption efficiency.

[0093] Specifically, since the band with the highest energy of the LED light source constituting the light source (110) is 550 to 650 nm, it is possible to adjust or change the light absorption peak wavelength band to approximately 550 to 650 nm and the average wavelength to approximately 600 nm. In addition, since the entire light irradiation wavelength band of the LED light source has an optical wavelength band of 400 to 780 nm, it is possible to adjust or change the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) so that the overall optical absorption wavelength band falls within the range of 400 to 780 nm while the optical absorption peak wavelength band falls within the range of approximately 550 to 650 nm.

[0094] To this end, in the case of gold (Au) with a light absorption wavelength band of 520 to 540 nm, the mixing ratio is made relatively small or the particle size is made relatively small, in the case of copper (Cu) with a light absorption wavelength band of 550 to 600 nm, the mixing ratio is made relatively large or the particle size is made relatively large, and in the case of iron (Fe) with a light absorption wavelength band of 700 to 770 nm, the mixing ratio or particle size is adjusted compared to gold (Au) or copper (Cu), etc., so that the overall light absorption wavelength band falls within the range of 400 to 780 nm, and the light absorption peak wavelength band is approximately 550 to 650 nm, so that the average wavelength is approximately 600 nm. It is possible to adjust or change this.

[0095] Figure 10 is a graph showing the light absorption spectrum when multimetal particles or high entropy alloy (HEA) particles are created by combining gold (Au) and iron (Fe) into a single metal particle.

[0096] As illustrated in Fig. 10, when gold (Au) and iron (Fe) are combined to form multimetal particles or high entropy alloy (HEA) particles as a single metal particle, it is possible to control the peak wavelength band of light absorption to a wavelength band of 600 to 700 nm.

[0097] In the case of gold (Au), the wavelength range is 520 to 540 nm, and in the case of iron (Fe), the wavelength range is 700 to 770 nm. However, in the case of the present invention, when gold (Au) and iron (Fe) are combined to form multimetal particles or high entropy alloy (HEA) particles as a single metal particle, the peak wavelength range of light absorption can be adjusted or changed to 600 to 700 nm. That is, when the types of metals are selected as gold (Au) and iron (Fe), the peak wavelength range of light absorption can be adjusted or changed to 600 to 700 nm by adjusting the mixing ratio or particle size.

[0098] Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 9, it is possible to absorb energy in the band of 600 to 700 nm, which is the highest energy band of the LED light source constituting the light source (110), so that energy loss can be minimized and maximum light can be absorbed, thereby improving light absorption efficiency.

[0099] Figure 11 is a graph showing the light absorption spectrum when multimetal particles or high entropy alloy (HEA) particles are created by combining gold (Au) and palladium (Pd) into a single metal particle.

[0100] As illustrated in Fig. 11, when multimetal particles or high entropy alloy (HEA) particles are created by combining gold (Au) and palladium (Pd) into a single metal particle, it is possible to control the light absorption peak wavelength band to a wavelength band of 900 to 1000 nm.

[0101] Accordingly, when the wavelength band with the highest energy of the light source constituting the light source (110) is 900 to 1000 nm, as shown in FIG. 11, by combining gold (Au) and palladium (Pd) into a single metal particle to create multi-metal particles or high entropy alloy (HEA) particles, and implementing this as a plasmon resonance inducing material (150), the energy loss of the light source can be minimized and the maximum amount of light can be absorbed, thereby improving the light absorption efficiency.

[0102] As in the present invention, when the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) is formed by mixing at least two metal nanoparticles selected from among metal nanoparticles having different light absorption wavelengths to form a single metal particle with a larger surface area, when it contains gold, there is an advantage in that the amount of gold used can be drastically reduced and comparable (similar) performance can be implemented as other metal elements are mixed together with the gold. In addition, the photothermal conversion performance of the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) is superior as the size (e.g., particle diameter in the case of particles) or the light absorption area that absorbs light increases. Since mixing at least two metal particles to form a single multi-metal particle or high-entropy alloy particle with a larger surface area can improve the photothermal conversion performance.

[0103] Meanwhile, the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) can be attached to the heating body (140) through the thermophoresis phenomenon.

[0104] Figure 12 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of attaching the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) to the heating body (140) using the thermophoresis phenomenon.

[0105] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) of the multi-metal particles or high entropy alloy (HEA) structure generated using the multi-electrode atmospheric pressure plasma method (spark discharge method) described above can cool the temperature of the heating body (140) and attach the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) to the heating body (140) through the thermophoretic effect caused by the temperature difference.

[0106] Thermophoresis is a phenomenon in which particles in a relatively high temperature environment move to a low temperature environment. When metal particles are injected into a cooled surface, it is possible to attach the metal particles to the heating body (140) by the thermophoresis phenomenon due to the temperature difference. At this time, it has already been explained that surface treatment of the heating body (140) is performed to increase the adhesive force and surface area for the heating body (140). In addition, it is possible to increase the adhesive force by reducing the size of each particle of the plasmon resonance inducing material (150). Afterwards, it is possible to maintain the state in which the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) is attached to the heating body (140) through a sintering process.

[0107] In addition, it is possible to attach the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) to the heating body (140) through various attachment methods well known to those skilled in the art.

[0108] Figure 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation of the cigarette-type electronic cigarette device of Figure 1.

[0109] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the cigarette-type electronic cigarette device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention detects when a cigarette (130) is inserted into the insertion hole (142) of the heating body (140), supplies power to the light source (110), and irradiates light from the light source (110) toward the heating plate (140). When the light is irradiated, the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) attached to the heating body (140) vibrates and is heated, thereby generating heat, and the heating body (140) is heated by the heat. Direct light irradiated from the light source (110) and reflected light reflected through the light reflecting plate (125) or the coating layer (125) of the light reflecting material on the inner surface of the housing (120) where the light source (110) is not mounted are irradiated to the plasmon resonance inducing material (150) attached to the heating body (140), thereby heating the heating body (140) by the heat generated in the plasmon resonance inducing material (150). In addition, it is also possible to facilitate heating and heat preservation of the heating body (140) by transferring the heat generated from the light source (110) to the heating body (140) by the heat conducting plate (115).

[0110] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to control the light absorption wavelength in response to light sources of various wavelength bands by using multimetal particles or high-entropy alloy (HEA) particles, and to reduce manufacturing costs, simplify the manufacturing process, and improve thermal efficiency. In addition, when a plasmon resonance inducing material is formed into a single metal particle by mixing at least two metal nanoparticles selected from among metal nanoparticles with different light absorption wavelengths, when it contains gold, there is an advantage in that the amount of gold used can be drastically reduced and comparable (similar) performance can be realized by mixing other metal elements together with the gold. In addition, there is an advantage in that the attachment of more plasmon resonance materials is possible and the heat absorption efficiency can be improved by using a heating body made of a metal material with good thermal conductivity and an improved surface area through surface treatment.

[0111] The description of the above embodiments, with reference to the drawings, is merely an example for a more thorough understanding of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the fundamental principles of the present invention.

Claims

1. In a cigarette-type electronic cigarette device: A cylindrical heating body having an insertion hole for inserting a cigarette into the inside; A multi-metal particle or high entropy alloy (HEA) structure in which metal nanoparticles having different light absorption wavelengths are mixed to form a single metal particle, and a plasmon resonance inducing material attached in multiple numbers to the outer surface of the heating body; A housing having a structure that surrounds the above heating body; A cigarette-type electronic cigarette device characterized by having a light source mounted on the inner surface of the housing and irradiating light toward the plasmon resonance inducing material to generate heat by the plasmon resonance phenomenon.

2. In claim 1, A cigarette-type electronic cigarette device characterized in that the above plasmon resonance inducing material is a multi-metal particle or a high-entropy alloy particle manufactured so that the peak wavelength band of the light absorption spectrum is controlled through at least one of controlling the type of metal nanoparticles having different light absorption wavelengths, controlling the mixing ratio, and controlling the size.

3. In claim 2, A cigarette-type electronic cigarette device characterized in that the above plasmon resonance inducing material is manufactured so that the peak wavelength band of the light absorption spectrum is controlled so as to include the wavelength range of the band with the highest energy in the light irradiated from the light source.

4. In claim 3, A cigarette-type electronic cigarette device characterized in that the metal nanoparticles having different light absorption wavelengths are at least two metal nanoparticles selected from gold (Au), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), and palladium (Pd).

5. In claim 1, A cigarette-type electronic cigarette device characterized in that the above plasmon resonance inducing material is a multi-metal particle or a high-entropy alloy particle manufactured by vaporizing and then condensing a plurality of electrode materials using a multi-electrode atmospheric pressure plasma method.

6. In claim 1, A cigarette-type electronic cigarette device characterized in that the above plasmon resonance inducing material is attached to the outer surface of the heating body using the thermophoresis phenomenon.

7. In claim 1, A cigarette-type electronic cigarette device characterized in that the heating body is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy subjected to electrochemical surface treatment.

8. In claim 7, A cigarette-type electronic cigarette device characterized in that the above heating body is made of anodized aluminum or aluminum alloy.

9. In claim 7, A cigarette-type electronic cigarette device characterized in that the heating element has a structure dyed with a dark-colored dye including gray or black on the outer surface.

10. In claim 1, A cigarette-type electronic cigarette device characterized in that the housing has a plurality of inner surfaces for mounting the light source, and the housing has a plurality of inner surfaces having a polygonal cross-sectional structure.

11. In claim 10, A cigarette-type electronic cigarette device characterized in that the light source is mounted on at least one inner surface among a plurality of inner surfaces of the housing, and the inner surface on which the light source is not mounted has a structure in which a light reflector is attached or a light-reflective material is coated.

12. In claim 11, A cigarette-type electronic cigarette device characterized in that a heat-conducting plate for heat conduction is further provided between the inner surface of the housing equipped with the light source and the light source.

13. In claim 12, A cigarette-type electronic cigarette device characterized in that the heat-conducting plate has a structure extending to the heating body so that heat generated from the light source is conducted to the heating body.

14. In the electronic cigarette device: A cylindrical heating body made of aluminum or aluminum alloy into which a cigarette is inserted and electrochemically surface-treated to increase the surface area; A plasmon resonance inducing material attached in multiple numbers to the outer surface of the above heating body; A housing having a structure that surrounds the above heating body; A cigarette-type electronic cigarette device characterized by having a light source mounted on the inner surface of the housing and irradiating light toward the plasmon resonance inducing material to generate heat by the plasmon resonance phenomenon.

15. In claim 14, A cigarette-type electronic cigarette device characterized in that the heating element has a structure dyed with a dark-colored dye including gray or black on the outer surface.

16. In claim 14, A cigarette-type electronic cigarette device characterized in that a heat-conducting plate for heat conduction is provided between the inner surface of the housing equipped with the light source and the light source, and the heat-conducting plate has a structure extending to the heating body so that heat generated from the light source is conducted to the heating body.

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