CN115701916A

CN115701916A - Multi-cartridge and aerosol-generating device comprising same

Info

Publication number: CN115701916A
Application number: CN202280004890.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张容准
Original assignee: KT&G Corp
Current assignee: KT&G Corp
Priority date: 2021-04-02
Filing date: 2022-03-25
Publication date: 2023-02-14
Also published as: EP4144238A1; WO2022211382A1; JP7508751B2; KR20220137241A; JP2023529327A; KR102593730B1; EP4144238A4; US20230263218A1

Abstract

A multi-cartomiser and an aerosol-generating device comprising the same are provided. Aerosol-generating devices according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may include: a first reservoir chamber storing a first liquid composition; a second reservoir storing a second liquid composition different from the first liquid composition; and a vaporization element that generates an aerosol by vaporizing at least one of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition.

Description

Multi-cartridge and aerosol-generating device comprising same

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a multi-cartridge and an aerosol-generating device comprising the same. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a multi-cartridge capable of storing and supplying a plurality of liquid compositions having different compositions and an aerosol-generating device comprising the same.

Background

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for alternative products that overcome the disadvantages of existing cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for devices that generate aerosol by electrically heating a cigarette (e.g., cigarette-type electronic cigarettes), and thus, research into electrically heated aerosol-generating devices is being actively conducted.

More recently, a hybrid aerosol-generating device has been proposed which uses both a cartridge and a cigarette containing a liquid composition comprising an aerosol former. In the proposed aerosol-generating device, an aerosol is formed when the liquid composition in the cartridge is vaporised, the formed aerosol passing through the cigarette and being inhaled through the mouth of the user.

However, in the proposed aerosol-generating device, the amount of aerosol actually presented due to the removal capacity of the cigarette is significantly less than the aerosol formed in the cartridge. In addition, when a flavoring agent is added to the liquid composition, the specific gravity of the aerosol former is reduced, thereby further reducing the amount of atomization. In addition, the amount of the flavoring agent added to the liquid composition is also limited, and there is a problem that it is difficult to improve the flavor expression.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

A technical problem to be solved by some embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a multi-cartridge capable of storing and supplying a plurality of liquid compositions having different compositions and an aerosol-generating device comprising the same.

Another technical problem to be solved by some embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a method capable of adjusting the degree of vaporization of a plurality of liquid compositions stored in a multi-cartridge.

A further technical problem to be solved by some embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide an aerosol-generating device capable of providing a user-customized smoking experience by using multiple cartridges.

The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described technical problems, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following descriptions.

Means for solving the problems

To address the above technical problem, an aerosol-generating device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may include: a first reservoir chamber storing a first liquid composition; a second reservoir storing a second liquid composition different from the first liquid composition; and a vaporization element that generates an aerosol by vaporizing at least one of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating device may further comprise a housing forming a receiving space for receiving an aerosol-generating article; an airflow path is formed at the aerosol-generating device such that the aerosol generated passes through an aerosol-generating article contained in the receiving space, the first liquid composition may comprise an aerosol former and the second liquid composition may comprise a flavourant.

In some embodiments, the vaporization element can vaporize the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition simultaneously within a vaporization space.

In some embodiments, the vaporization element may include: a first vaporizing element that vaporizes the first liquid composition to produce a first aerosol, and a second vaporizing element that vaporizes the second liquid composition to produce a second aerosol; an airflow path may be formed at the aerosol-generating device such that the first aerosol and the second aerosol mix.

In some embodiments, the first reservoir may be disposed in a first cartridge, the second reservoir may be disposed in a second cartridge, and the aerosol-generating device may further comprise a cartridge holder on which the first cartridge and the second cartridge are mounted.

In some embodiments, the degree of vaporization of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition may be adjusted based on user input.

In some embodiments, the vaporization element may include: a first vaporizing element that vaporizes the first liquid composition to produce a first aerosol, and a second vaporizing element that vaporizes the second liquid composition to produce a second aerosol; the aerosol-generating device may further comprise a control portion that adjusts the degree of vaporization of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition by controlling the power supplied to the first vaporizing element and the second vaporizing element.

In some embodiments, the first liquid composition may be delivered to the vaporization element through a first delivery path, and the degree of vaporization of the first liquid composition may be adjusted according to the degree of openness of the first delivery path.

In order to solve the above technical problem, a multi-cartridge according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may include: a first reservoir chamber storing a first liquid composition; a second reservoir storing a second liquid composition different from the first liquid composition; and a vaporization element for vaporizing at least one of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure described above, a multi-cartridge that stores and supplies multiple liquid compositions having different compositions may be provided. For example, a multi-cartridge may be provided that supplies a first liquid composition comprising an aerosol-former and a second liquid composition comprising a flavoring agent. The multi-cartridges can increase the specific gravity of the aerosol former and the flavoring agent simultaneously, thereby increasing both the amount of atomization and the flavor performance.

Further, by adjusting the degree of openness of a path through which the liquid composition is delivered or adjusting the power supplied to the vaporizing element, the degree of vaporization of each liquid composition can be accurately adjusted.

Furthermore, the degree of vaporisation of the liquid composition is adjusted by the user, and thus a customised smoking experience can be provided for the user. For example, a user may freely adjust the degree of vaporization of each flavoring agent in a multiple cartridge storing different flavoring agents, thereby enjoying a customized smoking experience.

The effects of the technical idea according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described effects, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a multiple cartridge according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a multiple cartridge according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a multiple cartridge according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 and 5 are schematic diagrams for explaining a vaporization degree adjusting method of a multi-cartridge according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of providing a user-customized smoking experience using a multi-cartridge according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7-9 illustrate various types of aerosol-generating devices to which multiple cartridges according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the present disclosure and methods of accomplishing the same may be understood by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments. However, the technical idea of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below, and may be realized in various forms different from each other, and the present embodiment is only for making the present disclosure sufficiently disclosed so that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs can fully understand the scope of the present disclosure, and the technical idea of the present disclosure is defined by the scope of the claims of the present disclosure.

In adding reference numerals to components of all drawings, it should be noted that the same reference numerals refer to the same components even though the components are shown in different drawings. In the description of the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of related known art configurations and functions may be omitted when it is considered that the gist of the present disclosure is obscured.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the present specification may be used with meanings commonly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Furthermore, terms commonly used in dictionaries have a definition and are not interpreted abnormally or excessively without explicit special definition. The terminology used in the following embodiments is for the purpose of describing the embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. In the following embodiments, singular nouns also include plural nouns unless otherwise specified.

Further, in describing the components of the present disclosure, terms such as first, second, a, B, (a), (B), etc. may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component, and the nature, order, sequence, or the like of the related components are not limited by the terms. It should be understood that if a component is described as being "connected," "coupled," or "linked" to another component, it can mean that the component is not only directly "connected," "coupled," or "linked" to the other component, but also indirectly "connected," "coupled," or "linked" via a third component.

The terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this disclosure, specify the presence of stated components, steps, operations, and/or elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations, and/or elements.

Before describing various embodiments of the present disclosure, some terms used in the following embodiments will be clarified.

In the following examples, "aerosol former" may refer to a material capable of contributing to the easy formation of an aerosol (aerosol). For example, examples of the aerosol former may include glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but are not limited thereto. In the art, aerosol-forming agents may be used interchangeably with terms such as humectants, humectants and the like.

In the following embodiments, "aerosol-forming substrate" may refer to a material capable of forming an aerosol. The aerosol may comprise a volatile compound. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid or a liquid.

For example, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a solid material based on a tobacco raw material, e.g. reconstituted tobacco, cut filler, reconstituted tobacco, etc. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a liquid composition based on nicotine, tobacco extract and/or various flavourings. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the examples listed above. The aerosol-forming substrate may also comprise an aerosol former to stably form an aerosol.

In the following embodiments, an "aerosol-generating device" may refer to a device that generates an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate in order to generate an aerosol that may be inhaled directly into the lungs of a user through the mouth of the user. As for some examples of aerosol-generating devices, reference may be made to fig. 7 to 9.

In the following embodiments, an "aerosol-generating article" may refer to an article capable of generating an aerosol. An aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate. As a representative example of an aerosol-generating article, a cigarette may be exemplified, although the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to this example.

In the following embodiments, "suction (puff)" refers to inhalation (inhalation) by a user, and inhalation refers to a condition of being inhaled into an oral cavity, a nasal cavity, or a lung of a user through a mouth or a nose of the user.

In the following embodiments, "longitudinal direction" may refer to a direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis of an aerosol-generating article.

In the following embodiments, "multi cartridge" may be a term conceptually referring to cartridges and/or cartridge systems capable of storing and supplying multiple liquid compositions. For example, the multiple cartridges may each include cartridges in the form of a single structure storing multiple liquid compositions, a cartridge system including multiple cartridges storing at least one liquid composition. As for various examples of the multi-cartridge, reference may be made to fig. 1 to 3.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a multiple cartridge having the function of storing and supplying multiple liquid compositions (or aerosols formed therefrom) having different compositions from one another may be provided. Here, the difference in the composition of the liquid composition may include not only the case where the composition components are different but also the case where the composition ratio is different. The multi-cartridges described above may be applied to liquid or hybrid aerosol-generating devices (e.g., 100-1, 100-2, 100-3 of fig. 7-9) to increase the performance of scents, the amount of atomization, etc., and to provide a customized smoking experience for a user, as will be described below.

The methods for achieving the above-described multiple cartridges may be varied. For example, the multiple cartridges may be implemented in a form in which a plurality of liquid compositions are stored in a cartridge in the form of a single structure, or may be implemented in a form in which a plurality of cartridges are mounted on a cartridge holder (e.g., 33 of fig. 3). Hereinafter, various implementation (realization) examples of the multi-cartridge will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, but for convenience of description, the liquid composition is simply referred to as "liquid".

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a multiple cartridge 10 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 1, the multi-cartridge 10 according to the present embodiment may have a structure in which a plurality of liquids L1, L2 are vaporized together in a vaporization space.

Specifically, as shown, the multiple cartridge 10 may include a plurality of

reservoir chambers

11, 12, a wicking element 14, a vaporization element 15, and an airflow tube 13. However, fig. 1 only shows components related to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains may appreciate that other general components may be included in addition to those shown in FIG. 1.

Furthermore, some of the components shown in fig. 1 may not be essential components of the multiple cartridge 10. For example, the multiple cartridge 10 may be implemented with some components omitted from those shown in fig. 1. As a more specific example, the multiple cartridge 10 may be implemented in a form that omits the wicking element 14, the vaporization element 14, the airflow tube 13, and the like.

In addition, although the case where the multiple cartridge 10 has two reservoirs 11, 12 (or the number of liquids) is illustrated in fig. 1 as an example, the number of reservoirs (or liquids) may be three or more, as a matter of course. However, hereinafter, for the sake of easy understanding, the description is continued assuming that the number of reservoir chambers (or liquids) is two unless otherwise noted. The various components of the multiple cartridge 10 will now be described.

In a plurality of

stock solution chambeies

11, 12, first stock solution chamber 11 can store first liquid L1, and second stock solution chamber 12 can store second liquid L2. In other words, the first reservoir 11 and the second reservoir 12 may have reservoir spaces separated from each other to store liquids L1, L2 of different types from each other. For example, the first reservoir chamber 21 and the second reservoir chamber 22 may be formed by separating a predetermined reservoir space by a partition wall. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As described above, the first liquid L1 may have a different composition from the second liquid L2. However, the detailed composition of each liquid L1, L2 may differ according to the embodiment.

In some embodiments, the first liquid L1 may include an aerosol former and the second liquid L2 may include a flavoring agent. In this case, as the first liquid L1 is vaporized, the amount of atomization increases, and at the same time, as the second liquid L2 is vaporized, the flavor expression property may also increase. In other words, the specific weight of the aerosol former can be increased by the first liquid L1, and independently of this, the specific weight of the flavoring agent can also be increased by the second liquid L2, so that both the amount of atomization and the flavor expression can be increased.

Also, in some embodiments, the first liquid L1 may include a first flavoring agent, and the second liquid L2 may include a second flavoring agent different from the first flavoring agent. In this case, the appearance of the first flavor agent increases as the first liquid L1 is vaporized, and the appearance of the second flavor agent may also increase as the second liquid L2 is vaporized. In other words, the specific gravity of the first flavor can be increased by the first liquid L1, and independently thereof, the specific gravity of the second flavor can also be increased by the second liquid L2, so that the expressiveness of the first flavor and the second flavor can be simultaneously increased.

Also, in some embodiments, the first liquid L1 may include a flavoring agent and an aerosol forming agent, and the second liquid L2 may also include a flavoring agent and an aerosol forming agent. At this time, the flavoring agent contained in the first liquid L1 and the flavoring agent contained in the second liquid L2 may be the same or different. Even in this case, the amount of fogging and the flavor expression can be increased at the same time.

Next, the wicking element 14 can absorb the plurality of liquids L1, L2 stored in the

respective reservoir chambers

11, 12 and convey them to the vaporizing element 15. For example, the wicking element 14 may be implemented by a material capable of smoothly absorbing a liquid substance, such as cotton (cotton), silica (silica), a bead aggregate, a porous body (e.g., porous ceramic), and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The wicking element 14 can be realized by any material (or shape) as long as it can absorb the liquids L1, L2. The wicking element 14 may be replaced by other types of liquid delivery devices known in the art.

Next, the vaporizing element 15 may generate an aerosol by vaporizing the liquid L1, L2 transported by the wicking element 14. As shown, the vaporization element 15 may be implemented by a heating element (e.g., a heating coil) that vaporizes the liquids L1, L2 by heating, although the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the vaporizing element 15 may be implemented as a vibrating element that vaporizes the liquid by vibration. Further, hereinafter, for ease of understanding, it is assumed that the vaporization element 15 is implemented as a heating element to continue the description.

In fig. 1, it is illustrated that a plurality of liquids L1, L2 are vaporized together by one vaporization element 15, but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the vaporization element 15 may be constituted by a first vaporization element for vaporizing the first liquid L1 and a second vaporization element for vaporizing the second liquid L2. For example, the vaporization member 15 may be constituted by a first heating member for heating a portion (for example, a left portion) where the wicking member 14 mainly absorbs and transports the first liquid L1, and a second heating member for heating a portion (for example, a right portion) where the wicking member 14 mainly absorbs and transports the second liquid L2. In this case, the vaporization degree (or the supply degree) of the liquids L1, L2 can be independently adjusted by the electric power supplied to each vaporization element.

Next, the gas flow tube 13 may refer to a structure for gas transport such as aerosol a, air, or the like formed (generated) by the vaporization element 15. Although the air flow duct 13 is illustrated in fig. 1 as being located at the center of the multiple cartridge 10, this may be freely deformed according to the design of the air flow path.

Thus far, a multi-cartridge 10 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure has been described with reference to fig. 1. Hereinafter, a multi-cartridge 20 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to fig. 2. However, for the sake of clarity of the present disclosure, the description of the contents overlapping with the foregoing embodiments will be omitted.

As shown in fig. 2, the multiple cartridge 20 according to the present embodiment may have a structure in which a plurality of liquids L1, L2 are vaporized independently of each other to form an aerosol and the formed aerosols are mixed.

Specifically, as shown, the multiple cartridge 20 may include a plurality of

reservoir chambers

21, 22, a plurality of wicking

elements

24, 26, a plurality of

vaporization elements

25, 27, and an air flow tube 23.

Reservoirs

21, 22 may correspond to

reservoirs

11, 12 of the previous embodiments. Therefore, the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, among the plurality of wicking elements, the first wicking element 24 may absorb the first liquid L1 from the first liquid storage chamber 21 and deliver it to the first vaporizing element 25. In addition, the second wicking element 26 may absorb the second liquid L2 from the second reservoir 22 and deliver it to the second vaporizing element 27.

Next, among the plurality of

vaporization elements

25, 27, the first vaporization element 25 may vaporize the first liquid L1 to generate a first aerosol, and the second vaporization element 27 may vaporize the second liquid L2 to generate a second aerosol. The generated first aerosol and second aerosol may meet and mix in a predetermined mixing space and move through the air flow tube 23. Alternatively, the first aerosol and the second aerosol may be mixed in the gas flow tube 23.

Next, the gas flow tube 23 may correspond to the gas flow tube 13 of the foregoing embodiment. Therefore, the description thereof will be omitted.

Thus far, a multi-cartridge 20 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure has been described with reference to fig. 2. Hereinafter, a multi-cartridge 30 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to fig. 3.

As shown in fig. 3, the multiple cartridge 30 according to the present embodiment may have a structure in which a plurality of

liquids

31, 32 are mounted. To this end, the multiple cartridge 30 may be configured to include a plurality of

cartridges

31, 32 and a cartridge holder 33.

Each

cartridge

31, 32 may correspond to a single cartridge or multiple cartridges (e.g., 10, 20) as described above. The

respective cartridges

31, 32 may have only a storage function of the liquids L1, L2, or may also have a vaporization function of the liquids L1, L2. The

individual cartridges

31, 32 may be mounted on the cartridge holder 33 or removed from the cartridge holder 33. To exclude repeated explanations, further explanations of the

cartridges

31, 32 will be omitted.

Next, the cartridge holder 33 may be a structure to which the plurality of

cartridges

31 and 32 are attached. The cartridge holder 33 may have only a mounting function of the plurality of

cartridges

31, 32, or may also have a function of adjusting the supply degree or vaporization degree of the liquids L1, L2 stored in the

cartridges

31, 32. The method of adjusting the degree of vaporization of the liquids L1, L2 will be described in detail later with reference to fig. 4 and 5.

Thus far, a multi-cartridge 30 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure has been described with reference to fig. 3. Hereinafter, various methods of adjusting the degree of vaporization (or the degree of supply) of the liquid (e.g., L1) stored in the above-described

multiple cartridges

10, 20, 30 will be described with reference to fig. 4 and the subsequent drawings.

Fig. 4 and 5 are schematic diagrams for explaining a vaporization degree adjusting method of the multi-cartridge 40 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, in fig. 4 and 5, components such as a wicking element (e.g., 14), a vaporization element (e.g., 15), an air flow tube (e.g., 13), and the like are omitted for ease of understanding. Further, the multiple cartridge 40 as illustrated in fig. 4 and 5 may correspond to the

multiple cartridges

10, 20, 30 described above with reference to fig. 1 to 3, and the direction and thickness of the arrows shown in fig. 4 and 5 represent the conveying (transfer) direction and amount of liquid, respectively. Further, fig. 4 and 5 illustrate a case where the conveying amount of the second liquid L2 is adjusted to be larger than the conveying amount of the first liquid L1.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the first liquid L1 stored in the first reservoir chamber 41 may be conveyed through the first conveyance path 43, and the second liquid L2 stored in the second reservoir chamber 42 may be conveyed through the second conveyance path 44. For example, the first liquid L1 may be transported through the first transport path 43 to a wicking element (e.g., 14) or a vaporization element (e.g., 15).

In this case, the multi-cartridge 40 can control the vaporization degree of the liquids L1, L2 by the regulating

members

45, 46, 47, 48 that regulate the opening degree of the liquid conveying paths 43, 44. Specifically, the multiple cartridge 40 may include

first adjustment members

45, 47 for adjusting the degree of openness of the first conveyance path 43 and

second adjustment members

46, 48 for adjusting the degree of openness of the second conveyance path 44. Also, the supply degree (e.g., supply speed, supply amount) of the liquids L1, L2 can be adjusted by adjusting the opening degree of each of the conveying paths 43, 44 by each of the adjusting

members

45, 46, 47, 48. As a result, the vaporization degree of each of the liquids L1 and L2 can be adjusted. For example, when the first regulation member 45 closes the first transfer path 43, the vaporization of the first liquid L1 may be stopped, and when the first regulation member 45 fully opens the first transfer path 43, the vaporization of the first liquid L1 may be accelerated.

On the other hand, the method of implementing the

adjustment members

45, 46, 47, 48 may be various.

As an example, as shown in fig. 4, the regulating

members

45, 46 are implemented as structural bodies arranged perpendicular to the liquid conveying paths 43, 44 to open or close the liquid conveying paths 43, 44.

As another example, as shown in fig. 5, the

adjustment members

47, 48 may be implemented as a rotating plate formed with a plurality of

holes

481, 482 different in size from each other. The rotating plate 48 can adjust the supply degree of the liquids L1, L2 through the plurality of

holes

481, 482. For example, when the first hole 481 having a relatively small size is located on the second liquid transfer path 44 by rotation, the supply amount of the second liquid L2 may be relatively decreased, and when the second hole 482 having a relatively large size is located on the second liquid transfer path 44 by rotation, the supply amount of the second liquid L2 may be relatively increased. Of course, when the portion where no hole (e.g., 481, 482) is formed is located on the second liquid conveying path 44 by rotation, the supply of the second liquid L2 may be stopped.

However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples, and the

adjustment members

45, 46, 47, 48 may be implemented based on various shapes of valve structure bodies known in the art.

On the other hand, according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure, the degree of vaporization of the liquids L1, L2 is adjusted by the power supplied to the vaporization elements (e.g., 25, 27). For example, the vaporization degree of the first liquid L1 can be adjusted by adjusting the power supplied to a first vaporization element (e.g., 25) that vaporizes the first liquid L1. This is because, as the electric power supplied to the first vaporizing element (e.g., 25) increases, the vaporization amount (or vaporization speed) of the first liquid L1 also increases. The power supplied to the vaporization elements (e.g., 25, 27) may be controlled by a control portion (e.g., 120 of fig. 7).

Thus far, a method of adjusting the degree of vaporization of the liquids L1, L2 in the multiple cartridge 40 has been described with reference to fig. 4 and 5. According to the above description, the degree of vaporization of the liquids L1, L2 can be accurately and easily adjusted by adjusting the degree of opening of the liquid conveying paths 43, 44 by the adjusting

members

45, 46, 47, 48, or by adjusting the outputs supplied to the vaporizing elements (e.g., 25, 27).

Hereinafter, a method of providing a user-customized smoking experience using the above-described multi-cartridge 40 will be described with reference to fig. 6. In particular, fig. 6 illustrates an example in which the multi-cartridge is composed of three cartridges (51, 52, 53; or reservoir chambers) and the respective cartridges 51, 52, 53 store liquids L1, L2, L3 different from each other. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to fig. 6.

As described above, when the degree of vaporization of the respective liquids L1, L2, L3 is adjusted, a customized smoking experience can be provided to the user. In particular, when implemented in a manner that adjusts the degree of vaporization of the respective liquids L1, L2, L3 based on user input, the type and amount of the components contained in the aerosol (e.g., A1, A2) are varied in accordance with the user input, such that a customized smoking experience may be provided. In other words, the user can adjust the degree of vaporization of the respective liquids L1, L2, L3 to provide a customized smoking experience according to his or her own preference. For example, the control portion (e.g., 120 in fig. 7) adjusts the degree of vaporization of the respective liquids L1, L2, L3 based on the received user input to enable generation of a user-customized aerosol (e.g., A1, A2). However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As a specific example, as shown, a user can adjust to vaporize the first liquid L1 and the second liquid L2 in the same ratio to generate a customized aerosol A1 having a uniform combination of the components of the first liquid L1 and the second liquid L2. For example, a user may generate an aerosol in which the ingredients of the first flavoring agent and the ingredients of the second flavoring agent are uniformly combined.

Alternatively, the user can adjust the vaporization of the first liquid L1, the second liquid L2, and the third liquid L3 in different ratios to generate the customized aerosol A2 in which the components of the first liquid L1, the second liquid L2, and the third liquid L3 are combined in different ratios. For example, a user may generate an aerosol in which the ingredients of the first flavoring agent, the second flavoring agent, and the third flavoring agent are combined in different proportions.

In some embodiments, multiple cartridges may be configured as illustrated in fig. 3. In this case, the user may mount the cartridge with the preferred liquid in the cartridge holder (e.g., 33) to enjoy a customized smoking experience by varying the degree of vaporization of the liquid. In addition, the user may enjoy various smoking experiences by changing the cartridges mounted on the cartridge holder (e.g., 33).

Furthermore, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a control portion (e.g., 120 of fig. 7) of an aerosol-generating device (e.g., 100-1 of fig. 7) employing multiple cartridges may provide various convenient functions for customizing a smoking experience.

For example, the control section (e.g., 120 of fig. 7) may provide a function of storing and loading (load) liquid combination information. Here, the combined information may include information about the type and vaporization degree of the liquid. In this example, when forming an aerosol having characteristics preferred by the user, the user stores a combination including the type of liquid and the degree of vaporization, and then loads the stored information to receive the preferred aerosol again.

As another example, the control portion (e.g., 120 of fig. 7) may provide a history storage function of the liquid composition information. Further, the control portion may store or recommend a combination of liquids repeatedly used by the user or a combination of liquids continuously used by the user individually to the user.

As another example, the control portion (e.g., 120 of fig. 7) may provide an automatic liquid combining function. As a more specific example, the control portion may randomly combine a plurality of liquids (e.g., randomly determine and combine the type and the vaporization degree of the liquid) and provide it to the user (e.g., randomly combine the type and the vaporization degree of the liquid at each aspiration and provide it to the user). Alternatively, when the base liquid is designated by the user, the control section may randomly combine the other liquid with the base liquid and provide it to the user. Alternatively, the control unit may specify the base liquid based on the liquid combination history (for example, specify a liquid with a high frequency of use, a liquid with a short interval of use, a liquid used recently, or the like as the base liquid), and randomly combine the other liquids with the specified base liquid and provide the combined liquid to the user. Alternatively, the control portion may combine and provide the liquid to the user in a recipe that the user has not experienced based on the liquid combination history (e.g., combine the liquids in proportions that did not exist in the previous history). Alternatively, the control portion may be provided by changing the combination of the liquids based on the degree of depletion of the liquid (for example, reducing the degree of vaporization of a liquid with high depletion or a faster depletion rate or increasing the degree of vaporization of a liquid with low depletion or a slower depletion rate).

Thus far, a method of providing a user-customized smoking experience using a multi-cartridge (e.g., 40) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure has been described with reference to fig. 6. Hereinafter, various types of aerosol-generating devices 100-1, 100-2, 100-3 to which the above-described multi-cartridges (e.g., 10, 20, 30, 40) may be applied (or which include the above-described multi-cartridges) will be explained with reference to fig. 7 to 9.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating an aerosol-generating device 100-1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 7, the aerosol-generating device 100-1 may include a housing, a mouthpiece 110, a vaporizer 1, a battery 130, and a control 120. However, fig. 7 only shows components related to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains may appreciate that other general components may be included in addition to those shown in FIG. 7. For example, the aerosol-generating device 100-1 may also include an input module (e.g., buttons, a touchable display screen, etc.) for receiving input from a user, instructions, etc., and an output module (e.g., LEDs, a display, a vibrating motor, etc.) for outputting device status, smoking information, etc. Next, each component of the aerosol-generating device 100-1 will be explained.

The housing may form the entire appearance of the aerosol-generating device 100-1. Preferably, the outer shell may be implemented by a material capable of protecting the internal components.

Second, the mouthpiece 110 may be located at one end of the aerosol-generating device 100-1 to make contact with the mouth of the user. A user may inhale the aerosol generated from the vaporizer 1 by drawing on the mouthpiece 110.

Next, the vaporizer 1 may generate an aerosol by vaporizing the liquid composition. The vaporizer 1 may be an assembly corresponding to the above-described multiple cartridge (e.g., 10, 20, 30, 40), or may be an assembly including the above-described multiple cartridge (e.g., 10, 20, 30, 40). To exclude repetitive descriptions, further description of the vaporizer 1 will be omitted.

Second, the battery 130 may supply power for operation of the aerosol-generating device 100-1. For example, the battery 130 may supply power so that the vaporizer 1 can generate aerosol, and may also supply power necessary for the operation of the control portion 120.

Furthermore, the battery 130 may supply power required for the operation of electrical components provided in the aerosol-generating device 100-1, such as a display (not shown), a sensor (not shown), and a motor (not shown).

Next, the control unit 120 may control the overall operation of the aerosol-generating device 100-1. For example, the control section 120 may control the operation of the vaporizer 1 and the battery 130, and may also control the operation of other components included in the aerosol-generating device 100-1. The control portion 120 may control the electric power supplied by the battery 130, the vaporization speed of the vaporizer 1, and the like. Further, the control portion 120 may determine whether the aerosol-generating device 100-1 is in an operable state by confirming the state of each component of the aerosol-generating device 100-1.

The control section 120 may be implemented by at least one processor (processor). The processor may be implemented by an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored. It should be noted that the control unit 120 may be implemented by other hardware as long as it is understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains.

In the following, other types of aerosol-generating devices 100-2, 100-3 will be explained with reference to fig. 8 and 9. However, for the sake of clarity of the present disclosure, the description of the contents overlapping with the foregoing embodiments will be omitted.

Fig. 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams for illustrating aerosol-generating devices 100-2, 100-3 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, figure 8 and subsequent figures are illustrated with the aerosol-generating article 150 received (inserted) in the device 100-2, 100-3.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the aerosol-generating device 100-2, 100-3 according to the present embodiment may further comprise a heater section 140 for heating the aerosol-generating article 150. Furthermore, the aerosol-generating devices 100-2, 100-3 may be formed with an airflow path such that aerosol generated at the vaporizer 1 is delivered to a user through the aerosol-generating article 150.

In fig. 8 it is illustrated that the heater section 140 (or aerosol-generating article 150) and the vaporizer 1 are arranged side by side, and in fig. 9 it is illustrated that the heater section 140 (or aerosol-generating article 150) and the vaporizer 1 are arranged in a row. However, the internal structure of the aerosol-generating devices 100-2, 100-3 is not limited to the examples of fig. 8 and 9, but the arrangement of the components may be freely changed.

The heater section 140 may heat the aerosol-generating article 150 contained in the containment space. The receiving space may be formed by the housing of the aerosol-generating device 100-2, 100-3. In particular, when the aerosol-generating article 150 is received in the receiving space of the aerosol-generating device 100-2, 100-3, the heater section 140 heats the aerosol-generating article 150 by power supplied from the battery 130.

The operation method and/or implementation form of the heater part 140 may be various.

For example, the heater part 140 may operate in a resistance heating manner. For example, the heater section 140 may include an electrically insulating substrate (e.g., a substrate formed of polyimide) and electrically conductive tracks (tracks), and may further include a resistive heating element that generates heat when a current flows in the electrically conductive tracks.

As another example, the heater part 140 may operate in an induction heating manner. For example, the heater part 140 may include an induction coil and a heating element (i.e., a heat-sensitive body) inductively heated by the induction coil. The heat sensitive body (susceptor) may be located outside or inside the aerosol-generating article 150.

However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples, as long as the aerosol-generating article 150 can be heated to a desired temperature, the heater section 140 may operate in any manner. Here, the desired temperature may be preset in the aerosol-generating device 100-2, 100-3 (e.g. in case a temperature profile is pre-stored), or may be set by the user to the desired temperature.

The aerosol-generating article 150 may have a similar structure to a conventional combustion cigarette. For example, the aerosol-generating article 150 may be divided into an aerosol-forming substrate portion comprising an aerosol-forming substrate (e.g. aerosol former, nicotine-generating substrate, etc.) and a filter portion comprising a filter material. At least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate portion is inserted into the interior of the aerosol-generating device 100-2, 100-3, while the filter mouth may be exposed to the exterior of the aerosol-generating device 100-2, 100-3, but is not limited thereto. The user can smoke while holding the filter portion.

Thus far, various types of aerosol-generating devices 100-1, 100-2, 100-3 to which multiple cartridges (e.g., 10, 20, 30, 40) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied have been illustrated with reference to fig. 7-9.

Even if it is described above that all the components constituting the embodiments of the present disclosure are combined as a single unit or combined to operate as a single unit, the technical idea of the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments. That is, within the scope of the objects of the present disclosure, one or more components among these components may be selectively combined to operate as one or more units.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains that the embodiments may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present disclosure. It should therefore be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative and non-restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure should be determined by the appended claims, and all explanations of the technical spirit within the equivalent scope should fall within the scope of the technical idea defined by the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device, comprising:

a first reservoir chamber storing a first liquid composition;

a second reservoir storing a second liquid composition different from the first liquid composition; and

a vaporization element that generates an aerosol by vaporizing at least one of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition.

2. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a housing forming a receiving space for receiving an aerosol-generating article;

an air flow path is formed at the aerosol-generating device such that the generated aerosol passes through an aerosol-generating article contained in the containment space,

the first liquid composition comprises an aerosol-former,

the second liquid composition comprises a flavoring agent.

3. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1,

the first liquid composition comprises a flavoring agent and an aerosol-forming agent,

the second liquid composition comprises a flavoring agent and an aerosol-forming agent.

4. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1,

the vaporization element simultaneously vaporizes the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition within a vaporization space.

5. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1,

the vaporization element includes:

a first vaporizing element for vaporizing the first liquid composition to produce a first aerosol, an

A second vaporizing element that vaporizes a second liquid composition to generate a second aerosol;

an airflow path is formed at the aerosol-generating device such that the first aerosol and the second aerosol mix.

6. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1,

the first liquid storage cavity is arranged in the first cartridge,

the second liquid storage cavity is arranged in the second cartridge,

the aerosol-generating device further comprises a cartridge holder on which the first cartridge and the second cartridge are mounted.

7. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1,

the degree of vaporization of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition is adjusted based on user input.

8. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1,

the vaporization element includes:

the aerosol-generating device further comprises a control portion that adjusts a degree of vaporization of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition by controlling power supplied to the first vaporizing element and the second vaporizing element.

9. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1,

the first liquid composition is delivered to the vaporization element through a first delivery path,

the degree of vaporization of the first liquid composition is adjusted according to the degree of openness of the first conveyance path.

10. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 9, further comprising:

a rotating plate disposed on the first conveying path and formed with a plurality of holes having different sizes from each other;

the rotating plate is configured to adjust the degree of openness of the first conveying path by rotating to position at least one of the plurality of holes on the first conveying path.

11. A multi-cartridge, comprising:

a first reservoir chamber storing a first liquid composition;

a vaporizing element for vaporizing at least one of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition.