Aerosol-generating device

Abstract

Disclosed is an aerosol-generating device. An aerosol-generating device according to various embodiments of the present invention may comprise: a body including an insertion space which is open such that at least a portion of a stick can be inserted therein; an infrared radiation element formed in at least a partial area of the insertion space so as to be in contact with or close to at least a portion of the stick; a heating body which is formed to be in contact with or close to at least a portion of the infrared radiation element and conducts heat to the infrared radiation element; and a control unit for applying power to the heating body.

Description

Aerosol generator

[0001] Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an aerosol generating device capable of heating a stick more efficiently.

[0002] Aerosol forming devices typically form aerosols by heating a stick in a resistive or inductive manner.

[0003] Recently, methods utilizing infrared wavelengths have been developed to enhance heat transfer efficiency in sticks. For example, by directly applying power to infrared radiating materials, such as carbon nanotubes, infrared radiation is emitted, which then heats the stick.

[0004] However, these infrared radiators have a problem in that they have high conductivity, so when power is directly applied, heat is generated momentarily, making it difficult to control heat generation.

[0005] The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and the purpose is to heat the infrared radiator by heat conduction through contact or an adjacent heating body without applying a separate power source to the infrared radiator, and to cause infrared rays to be emitted from the heated infrared radiator.

[0006] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0007] An aerosol generating device according to various embodiments of the present invention may include a body including an insertion space opened so that at least a portion of a stick can be inserted; an infrared radiator formed in at least a portion of the insertion space so as to be in contact with or in proximity to at least a portion of the stick; a heating element formed so as to be in contact with or in proximity to at least a portion of the infrared radiator and to conduct heat to the infrared radiator; and a control unit that applies power to the heating element.

[0008] In some embodiments, the infrared emitter may be heated only through the heater.

[0009] In some embodiments, the infrared emitter may be formed to surround the stick, and the heating element may be formed to surround the infrared emitter.

[0010] In some embodiments, the stick is cylindrical, and the infrared radiator and the heater are implemented in a tube shape including a hollow portion, and the infrared radiator may have a larger diameter than the stick, and the heater may have a larger diameter than the infrared radiator, based on the center of the stick.

[0011] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device may further include a coating layer that surrounds the stick on the inside, contacts the infrared emitter on the outside, and has a transparency greater than a predetermined level.

[0012] In some embodiments, the aerosol generator may further include an adhesive layer that surrounds the infrared emitter on the inside, contacts the heater on the outside, and bonds the infrared emitter and the heater.

[0013] In some embodiments, at least one of the infrared emitter and the heater may be configured as a detachable module that is detachable from the aerosol generating device.

[0014] In some embodiments, the control unit can check the temperature of at least one of the stick, the infrared radiator, and the heater, and control power applied to the heater based on the checked temperature.

[0015] In some embodiments, the control unit may increase the amount of current applied to the heating element when the identified temperature is below a preset first threshold value.

[0016] In some embodiments, the control unit reduces the amount of current applied to the heating element when the identified temperature is greater than or equal to the preset second threshold value, wherein the second threshold value may be set to a value higher than the first threshold value.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the infrared radiator is heated by heat conduction through an adjacent heating element without applying a separate power source to the infrared radiator, so there is an advantage in that heat generation can be controlled by radiating infrared rays more stably.

[0018] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a stick heating structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating an aerosol generating device including a stick heating structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the stick heating structure of Figure 4.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating temperature feedback control according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or similar components are given the same reference numbers and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0027] The suffixes "module" and "part" used for components in the following description are given or used interchangeably only for the convenience of writing specifications, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves.

[0028] In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0029] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0030] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0031] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0032] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate an aerosol generating device (1) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device (1) according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of a power source (11), a control unit (12), a sensor (13), an infrared radiator (100), and a heater (200). At least one of the power source (11), the control unit (12), the sensor (13), the infrared radiator (100), and the heater (200) may be disposed inside a body (10) of the aerosol generating device (1). The body (10) may provide a space opened upwardly so that a stick (S), which is an aerosol generating article, may be inserted. The space opened upwardly may be referred to as an insertion space. The insertion space may be formed by being recessed toward the interior of the body (10) by a predetermined depth so that at least a portion of the stick (S) can be inserted. The depth of the insertion space may correspond to the length of a region of the stick (S) containing an aerosol generating material and / or medium. The lower end of the stick (S) is inserted into the inside of the body (10), and the upper end of the stick (S) can protrude outside the body (10). The user can inhale air by putting the upper end of the stick (S) exposed to the outside in his / her mouth.

[0034] At least one of the infrared radiator (100) and the heater (200) can heat the stick (S). The infrared radiator (100) and the heater (200) can extend upward in a space where the stick (S) is inserted. For example, the stick (S) may be cylindrical, and the infrared radiator (100) and the heater (200) may be in the form of a tube having a hollow space therein. The infrared radiator (100) and the heater (200) may be arranged around the periphery of the insertion space. The infrared radiator (100) may be formed in at least a portion of the insertion space so as to be in contact with or close to at least a portion of the stick (S).

[0035] The infrared radiator (100) can heat the stick (S) by emitting infrared waves. According to various embodiments, the infrared radiator (100) may be formed of, but is not limited to, a carbon-based material such as a carbon nanotube, a ceramic, or other metals having high emissivity and heat resistance. The infrared radiator (100) can heat the stick by emitting infrared waves into the inside of the tobacco stick and vibrating the medium of the stick composition. The infrared radiator (100) may have a thickness of 1 mm or less, but is not limited thereto.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the infrared radiator (100) can be heated only by the heater (200). That is, the infrared radiator (100) itself is not supplied with a separate power source, and can be supplied with a heat source only through the heater (200). To this end, the infrared radiator (100) can be formed to be in direct physical contact with or adjacent to the heater (200) without a separate power connection. The infrared radiator (100) can be heated through direct contact with the heater (200) or through a predetermined intermediary layer. The heat generated from the heater (200) can heat the infrared radiator (100) to a predetermined temperature (e.g., 150 to 400 degrees) through thermal conduction.

[0037] The heating body (200) may include an electrical resistance heater and / or an induction heating heater.

[0038] For example, referring to FIG. 1, the heater (200) may be a resistive heater. For example, the heater (200) may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater (200) may be heated as current flows through the electrically conductive track. The heater (200) may be electrically connected to a power source (11). The heater (200) may receive current from the power source (11) and directly generate heat. The heater (200) may be a hollow heater that is arranged to surround at least a portion of a stick (S) inserted into an insertion space to heat the outside of the inserted stick (S), or may be a heater in the shape of a needle, rod, tube, or the like that may be inserted into the inside of the stick (S) inserted into the insertion space to heat the inside. The heater (200) may be implemented in a form having a metal having a predetermined thermal conductivity, a heating film (e.g., a polyimide film), or a separate power source that can generate heat on its own, but is not limited thereto.

[0039] For example, referring to FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device (1) may include an induction coil (201) surrounding a heating body (200). The induction coil (201) may heat the heating body (200). The heating body (200) may be implemented as a ferromagnetic material. The heating body (200) is a susceptor, and the heating body (200) may be heated by a magnetic field generated by an AC current flowing through the induction coil (201). The magnetic field may penetrate the heating body (200) and generate an eddy current within the heating body (200). The current may generate heat in the heating body (200).

[0040] Meanwhile, a susceptor may be included inside the stick (S), and the susceptor inside the stick (S) may be heated by a magnetic field generated by an AC current flowing through the induction coil (201).

[0041] In the past, a separate power source was directly applied to the infrared radiator (100) to radiate infrared rays. However, if power is directly applied to an infrared radiator with high conductivity, such as a carbon nanotube, phenomena such as heat spots may occur, making it difficult to control heat generation. If the stick (S) is heated externally using only the heater (200) or the stick (S) is heated with infrared rays generated by applying a separate power source to the infrared radiator (100), a defect may occur in the internal configuration of the aerosol generator (1) due to the rapid heating phenomenon. In addition, the paper of the stick (S) may be burned due to the high temperature, resulting in an unpleasant odor.

[0042] In order to facilitate heat generation control of the infrared radiator (100), in the embodiment of the present invention, the infrared radiator (100) and the stick (S) are first heated through heat conduction from an adjacent heating body (200). The heating body (200) heated by power supply heats the infrared radiator (100) through heat conduction. The heat conducted to the infrared radiator (100) is then transferred to the stick (S). As a result, both the stick (S) and the infrared radiator (100) are heated through heat conduction. In this way, heating can proceed more gradually and stably than directly applying a separate power source to the infrared radiator (100) due to the characteristics of the material of the infrared radiator (100).

[0043] The stick (S) begins to be heated by the heater (200) and as a predetermined time elapses, the infrared radiator (100) heated to a predetermined temperature begins to emit infrared rays. The infrared rays emitted from the heater (200) secondarily heat the stick (S). Due to stable heating, the emitted infrared waves penetrate deep into the inside of the stick (S), thereby efficiently heating the tobacco medium contained in the stick (S). In this case, as the temperature around the stick (S) rises by the heater (200), the heating by infrared radiation or the heat conduction process to the infrared radiator can be more efficiently performed.

[0044] The power source (11) can supply power to operate the components of the aerosol generator (1). The power source (11) can be referred to as a battery. The power source (11) can supply power to at least one of the control unit (12), the sensor (13), and the heater (200). The power source (11) can supply power to the induction coil (201).

[0045] The control unit (12) can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator (1). The control unit can be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The control unit (12) can include at least one processor. The control unit (12) can control the operation of at least one of the power supply (11), the sensor (13), and the heater (200). The control unit (12) can control the operation of the induction coil (201). The control unit (12) can control the operation of the display, motor, etc. installed in the aerosol generator (1). The control unit (12) can check the status of each component of the aerosol generator (1) to determine whether the aerosol generator (1) is in an operable state.

[0046] The control unit (12) can analyze the results detected by the sensor (13) and control the processes to be performed thereafter. For example, the control unit (12) can control the power supplied to the heating body (200) so that the operation of the heating body (200) is started or ended based on the results detected by the sensor (13). For example, the control unit (12) can control the amount of power supplied to the heating body (200) and the time for which the power is supplied so that the heating body (200) can be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature based on the results detected by the sensor (13).

[0047] The sensor (13) may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, an insertion detection sensor, and an acceleration sensor. For example, the sensor (13) may sense at least one of the temperature of the stick (S), the temperature of the infrared radiator (100), the temperature of the heater (200), the temperature of the power source (11), and the temperature inside and outside the body (10). For example, the sensor (13) may sense the user's puff. For example, the sensor (13) may sense whether the stick (S) is inserted into the insertion space. For example, the sensor (13) may sense the movement of the aerosol generating device (1).

[0048] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a stick heating structure (20) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] The stick heating structure (20) may refer to a structure including at least one configuration of a stick (S), an infrared radiator (100), a heating body (200), and a body (10) adjacent thereto among the configurations of an aerosol generating device (1).

[0050] In a stick heating structure (20) according to one embodiment, the infrared radiator (100) may be positioned to be in direct contact with at least a portion of the stick (S) inserted into the insertion space. In addition, the infrared radiator (100) may be positioned to be in direct contact with at least a portion of the heating body (200). The infrared radiator (100) and the heating body (200) may be positioned sequentially from the center of the stick (S) toward the outside.

[0051] In the stick heating structure (20) of FIG. 3, the stick (S), the infrared radiator (100), and the heater (200) can be in contact without a gap. The infrared radiator (100) receives a heat source only through the heater (200) without a separate power connection. The infrared radiator (100) acts as an intermediate layer between the stick (S) and the heater (200) in contact without a gap, and can transfer the heat generated by the heater (200) to the stick (S) through heat conduction. In addition, infrared rays are emitted from the infrared radiator (100) that is heated to a certain extent, and the emitted infrared rays additionally heat the stick (S).

[0052] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating an aerosol generating device (1) including a stick heating structure (20) according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Refer to FIG. 5 for an explanation of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the stick heating structure (20) as viewed from direction A of FIG. 4.

[0053] The stick heating structure (20) may include components having different diameters based on the midpoint (C) of the stick (S). The components may include at least a portion of a coating layer (50), an infrared radiator (100), an adhesive layer (150), a heating body (200), and an area of ​​a body (10). The coating layer (50), the infrared radiator (100), the adhesive layer (150), and the heating body (200) may be formed to have increasingly larger diameters in an outward direction of the stick (S). For example, based on the midpoint (C) of the stick (S), the infrared radiator (100) may have a larger diameter than the stick (S), and the heating body (200) may have a larger diameter than the infrared radiator (100).

[0054] According to one embodiment, a coating layer (50) may be formed between the stick (S) and the infrared radiator (100). This coating layer (50) has the function of increasing the durability of the infrared radiator (100) and enabling more stable heating of the stick (S). The coating layer (50) may wrap the stick (S) on the inside and come into contact with the infrared radiator (100) on the outside.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the coating layer (50) may be composed of a material having a certain transparency or higher so as not to interfere with the infrared radiation. For example, the coating layer (50) may be composed of a material such as quartz, sapphire, ceramic, alumina, etc., but is not limited thereto. The coating layer (50) may be implemented in a manner in which it comes into contact with the stick (S) and the infrared radiator (100) at least in part. The coating layer (50) may be implemented in a thin film form that is coated on the infrared radiator (100).

[0056] According to one embodiment, an adhesive layer (150) may be formed between the infrared radiator (100) and the heater (200) to adhere the infrared radiator (100) and the heater (200). The adhesive layer (150) may wrap the infrared radiator (100) on the inside and come into contact with the heater (200) on the outside.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the adhesive layer (150) may be formed to have a relatively thin thickness for heat conduction. For example, the adhesive layer (150) may be formed in a thin film form or may be coated with a material for adhesion. The adhesive layer (150) may also be implemented in a manner that makes contact with at least a portion of the infrared radiator (100) and the heater (200).

[0058] Meanwhile, the coating layer (50) and the adhesive layer (150) are described as being included in the case where the heating body (200) is implemented as an electric resistance heater in FIG. 4, but are not limited thereto and may also be applied to the case where the heating body (200) is implemented as an induction heating heater as in FIG. 2. In this case, an induction coil (201) may be additionally formed from the inside of the body (10) to the outside of the heating body (200).

[0059] As described above, through the structures of FIGS. 4 and 5, heating by heat conduction and infrared radiation can be achieved more effectively. The thicknesses of each component disclosed in FIGS. 4 and 5 are arbitrarily illustrated for convenience of explanation, and the thicknesses of these components can be implemented in various ways.

[0060] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment, at least one of the infrared radiator (100) and the heater (200) may be configured as a detachable module, for example, a detachable stick heating structure, and may be implemented to be detachable from the aerosol generator (1). According to various embodiments, the detachable stick heating structure may further include at least one of the coating layer (50) and the adhesive layer (150) mentioned in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0061] According to various embodiments, the detachable, detachable stick heating structure may be designed to be replaceable without disassembling it with a separate tool. To this end, the components included in the detachable stick heating structure may be implemented so as not to be electrically or physically connected to the components within the aerosol forming device (1).

[0062] According to various embodiments, the detachable stick heating structure may include a frame that physically supports at least one of the coating layer (50), the infrared radiator (100), the adhesive layer (150), and the heating body (200). In addition, at least a portion of the frame may be open to communicate with the insertion space of the aerosol generating device (1).

[0063] As described above, since the stick heating structure is composed of separate modules, unnecessary internal configuration for fixing the stick heating structure or cumbersome cleaning process due to stick residue can be omitted.

[0064] Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating temperature feedback control according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. At least some of the steps in Fig. 6 may be omitted or their order may be changed, and each step may be performed by the aerosol generator (1) or the control unit (12).

[0065] The control unit (12) can control the heating body (200) (S11). For example, the control unit (12) can control the power applied to the heating body (200) by controlling the amount of current transmitted from the power source (11) to the heating body (200).

[0066] The control unit (12) can check the temperature of the stick heating structure (20) (S13). According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can collect temperature data for at least one of the stick (S), the infrared radiator (100), the heating body (200), or any area within the aerosol generator (1) through the sensor (13).

[0067] The control unit (12) can control the power applied to the heating body (200) based on the collected temperature data (S15).

[0068] For example, if the temperature of the infrared radiator (100) at any point in time has not reached an appropriate temperature for emitting infrared rays, the control unit (12) may increase the amount of current applied from the power source (11) to the heating element (200) or the induction coil (201). The appropriate temperature for emitting infrared rays may be preset as, for example, a first threshold value. The first threshold value may be stored in memory in advance according to the material properties of the infrared radiator (100), etc.

[0069] For example, when the infrared ray emitted from the infrared radiator (100) is excessive, the control unit (12) can reduce the amount of current applied to the heating body (200). The temperature value when the infrared ray is excessively emitted can be experimentally preset as a second threshold value. When the temperature of the infrared radiator (100) is determined to be higher than the second threshold value at any point in time, the control unit (12) can reduce the amount of current applied to the heating body (200) or the induction coil (201). This second threshold value can be set to a value higher than the first threshold value.

[0070] Meanwhile, the first and second threshold values ​​as described above are not limited to the temperature of the infrared radiator (100), and may also be set as the temperature of the stick (S) and the heater (200).

[0071] Fig. 7 is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating device (1) according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0072] Referring to Fig. 7, the upper case (40) can be detachably coupled to the body (10). The upper case (40) can be coupled to the upper side of the body (10). The upper case (40) can cover the upper periphery of the body (10). The upper case (40) can have an insertion port (44). A stick (S) can be inserted into the insertion port (44). The upper case (40) can include a cap (45) for opening and closing the insertion port (44). The cap (45) can slide laterally to open and close the insertion port (44).

[0073] The upper case (40) may include an upper case wing (42). The upper case wing (42) may extend downward from both sides of the upper case body. The upper case wing (42) may be referred to as an upper case grip (42).

[0074] The body (10) may include a body wing (16). The body wing (16) may extend upward from an edge of the upper portion of the body (10). The body wings (16) may be formed as a pair facing each other with the upper portion of the body (10) as the center. The body wings (16) may be formed at a position that is misaligned with the upper case wing (42).

[0075] When the upper case (40) is coupled to the body (10), the upper case (40) can form the upper exterior of the aerosol generating device (1). When the upper case (40) is coupled to the body (10), the body wing (16) can cover the side portion of the upper case (40) exposed between the upper case wings (42). When the upper case (40) is coupled to the body (10), the upper case wing (42) can cover the outer wall of the body (10).

[0076] Any or all of the embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct. Any or all of the embodiments of the present disclosure described above may have their respective components or functions combined or used together.

[0077] For example, it means that a configuration A described in a particular embodiment and / or drawing can be combined with a configuration B described in another embodiment and / or drawing. That is, even if a combination between configurations is not directly described, it means that a combination is possible, except in cases where a combination is described as impossible.

[0078] The above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in any respect and should be considered illustrative only. The scope of the present invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A body including an insertion space opened so that at least a portion of a stick can be inserted; An infrared radiator formed in at least a portion of the insertion space so as to be in contact with or in proximity to at least a portion of the stick; A heating element formed to contact or be in proximity to at least a portion of the infrared radiator and to conduct heat to the infrared radiator; and An aerosol generating device comprising a control unit for applying power to the heating body.

2. In paragraph 1, An aerosol generating device wherein the infrared radiator is heated only through the heating element.

3. In paragraph 2, An aerosol generating device wherein the infrared radiator is formed to surround the stick, and the heating body is formed to surround the infrared radiator.

4. In paragraph 3, The above stick is cylindrical, and the infrared radiator and the heater are implemented in the form of a tube including a hollow portion. An aerosol generating device, wherein the infrared radiator has a larger diameter than the stick, and the heating element has a larger diameter than the infrared radiator, based on the center of the stick.

5. In paragraph 1, An aerosol generating device further comprising a coating layer that wraps the stick on the inside, contacts the infrared radiator on the outside, and has a transparency greater than a predetermined level.

6. In paragraph 1, An aerosol generating device further comprising an adhesive layer that surrounds the infrared radiator on the inside, contacts the heating body on the outside, and bonds the infrared radiator and the heating body.

7. In paragraph 1, An aerosol generating device, wherein at least one of the infrared radiator and the heater is configured as a detachable module so as to be detachable from the aerosol generating device.

8. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, An aerosol generating device that checks the temperature of at least one of the above stick, the infrared radiator and the heater, and controls power applied to the heater based on the checked temperature.

9. In paragraph 8, The above control unit, An aerosol generating device that increases the amount of current applied to the heating body when the confirmed temperature is below a preset first threshold value.

10. In paragraph 9, The control unit reduces the amount of current applied to the heating body when the confirmed temperature is higher than the preset second threshold value, An aerosol generating device, wherein the second threshold value is a higher value than the first threshold value.

Images