CN118119315A - Aerosol generating device - Google Patents

Aerosol generating device Download PDF

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Publication number
CN118119315A
CN118119315A CN202280069019.4A CN202280069019A CN118119315A CN 118119315 A CN118119315 A CN 118119315A CN 202280069019 A CN202280069019 A CN 202280069019A CN 118119315 A CN118119315 A CN 118119315A
Authority
CN
China
Prior art keywords
aerosol
light
light guide
generating device
chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
CN202280069019.4A
Other languages
Chinese (zh)
Inventor
曺炳盛
李宗燮
朴相珪
郑禹锡
韩大男
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
KT&G Corp
Original Assignee
KT&G Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from KR1020220042165A external-priority patent/KR20230056555A/en
Application filed by KT&G Corp filed Critical KT&G Corp
Priority claimed from PCT/KR2022/015895 external-priority patent/WO2023068776A1/en
Publication of CN118119315A publication Critical patent/CN118119315A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Abstract

An aerosol-generating device is provided. The aerosol-generating device comprises: a body including an optical sensor; and a cartridge coupled to the body and including a light guide having a polyhedral shape and a chamber for storing a liquid aerosol-generating substance, wherein the optical sensor is disposed adjacent to the light guide and facing the light guide when the cartridge is coupled to the body, and wherein the light guide is disposed at or adjacent to a lower end of the chamber such that at least one surface of the plurality of surfaces of the light guide is exposed to an interior of the chamber.

Description

Aerosol generating device
Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device.
Background
An aerosol-generating device is a device that extracts certain components from a medium or substance by generating an aerosol. The medium may comprise a multicomponent material. The substance contained in the medium may be a multi-component flavouring substance. For example, the substance contained in the medium may include a nicotine component, an herbal component, and/or a coffee component. Recently, various researches have been conducted on aerosol generating devices.
Disclosure of Invention
Technical problem
The present disclosure is directed to solving the above-described problems and other problems.
It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device that is capable of accurately determining the presence or absence of a liquid aerosol-generating substance in a cartridge.
It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device that is capable of adjusting or controlling the power supplied to a heater based on the presence or absence of a liquid aerosol-generating substance.
Technical proposal
According to one aspect of the subject matter described in the present application, an aerosol-generating device comprises: a body including an optical sensor; and a cartridge coupled to the body and including a light guide having a polyhedral shape and a chamber for storing a liquid aerosol-generating substance, wherein the optical sensor is disposed adjacent to the light guide and facing the light guide when the cartridge is coupled to the body, and wherein the light guide is disposed at or adjacent to a lower end of the chamber such that at least one surface of the plurality of surfaces of the light guide is exposed to an interior of the chamber.
Advantageous effects
According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the presence or absence of a liquid aerosol-generating substance in a cartridge may be accurately determined.
According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the power supplied to the heater may be regulated or controlled based on the presence or absence of the liquid aerosol-generating substance.
Additional areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and thus it is to be understood that the detailed description and specific embodiments (e.g., preferred embodiments of the present disclosure) are provided for illustration only.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an aerosol-generating device.
Fig. 2 and 3 are diagrams referenced to describe an example of an aerosol-generating device.
Fig. 4 to 6 are diagrams referenced to describe examples of bars.
Fig. 7 to 9 are diagrams showing examples of the structure of the aerosol-generating device.
Fig. 10 and 11 are diagrams referenced to describe an example of an aerosol-generating device.
Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the aerosol-generating device.
Detailed Description
The description will now be given in detail according to exemplary embodiments disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. For purposes of brief description with reference to the drawings, the same or equivalent parts are provided with the same or similar reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.
In the following description, suffixes such as "module" and "unit" may be used to refer to elements or components. Such suffixes are used herein merely for ease of description of the specification and are not themselves intended to be given any particular meaning or function.
In the present disclosure, what is well known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art is generally omitted for brevity. The drawings are to aid in easy understanding of the technical concept of the present disclosure, and it should be understood that the concept of the present disclosure is not limited by the drawings. The conception of the present disclosure should be construed as extending to any modifications, equivalents, and alternatives other than the drawings.
It will be understood that, although the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. On the other hand, when one component is referred to as being "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another component, there are no intervening components present.
As used herein, the singular shall also include the plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
Referring to fig. 1, the aerosol-generating device 10 may comprise a communication interface 11, an input/output interface 12, an aerosol-generating module 13, a memory 14, a sensor module 15, a battery 16 and/or a controller 17.
In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 10 may be composed of only the body 100. In this case, the components included in the aerosol-generating device 10 may be provided in the main body 100. In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 10 may be comprised of a cartridge 200 containing an aerosol-generating substance and a body 100. In this case, the components included in the aerosol-generating device 10 may be provided in at least one of the body 100 and the cartridge 200.
The communication interface 11 may include at least one communication module for communicating with external devices and/or networks. For example, the communication interface 11 may include a communication module for wired communication, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB). For example, the communication interface 11 may comprise a communication module for wireless communication, such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), zigBee, or Near Field Communication (NFC).
Input/output interface 12 may include input devices for receiving commands from a user and/or output devices 122 for outputting information to a user. For example, the input device may include a touch pad, physical buttons, a microphone, and the like. For example, the output device 122 may include a display device (e.g., a display or a Light Emitting Diode (LED)) for outputting visual information, an audio device (e.g., a speaker or buzzer) for outputting audible information, a motor (e.g., a haptic effect) for outputting haptic information, and the like
The input/output interface 12 may transmit data corresponding to commands entered by a user through the input device to another component (or other component) of the aerosol-generating device 10. The input/output interface 12 may output information corresponding to data received from another component (or other component) of the aerosol-generating device 10 via the output device 122.
The aerosol-generating module 13 may generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating substance. Here, the aerosol-generating substance may be a substance in a liquid, solid or gel state that can generate an aerosol, or a combination of two or more aerosol-generating substances.
In one embodiment, the liquid aerosol-generating substance may be a liquid comprising a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component. In another embodiment, the liquid aerosol-generating substance may be a liquid comprising a non-tobacco material. For example, the liquid aerosol-generating substance may comprise water, solvents, nicotine, plant extracts, flavors, flavoring agents, vitamin mixtures, and the like.
The solid aerosol-generating substance may comprise a solid material based on a tobacco raw material, such as reconstituted tobacco sheet, shredded tobacco or particulate tobacco. In addition, the solid aerosol-generating substance may comprise a solid material having a taste controlling agent and a flavouring material. For example, the taste control agent may include calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium oxide, and the like. For example, the flavoring material may comprise natural materials such as herbal granules, or may comprise materials comprising aromatic components, such as silica, zeolite or dextrin.
In addition, the aerosol-generating substance may also comprise an aerosol-former, such as glycerol or propylene glycol.
The aerosol-generating module 13 may comprise at least one heater.
The aerosol-generating module 13 may comprise a resistive heater. For example, the resistive heater may include at least one conductive track. The resistive heater may be heated by an electrical current flowing through the conductive track. Here, the aerosol-generating substance may be heated by a heated resistive heater.
The conductive track may comprise a resistive material. In one example, the conductive track may be formed from a metallic material. In another example, the conductive track may be formed of a ceramic material, carbon, a metal alloy, or a composite of a ceramic material and a metal.
The resistive heater may include conductive tracks formed in any of a variety of shapes. For example, the conductive track may have any one of a tubular shape, a plate shape, a needle shape, a rod shape, and a coil shape.
The aerosol-generating module 13 may comprise a heater using an induction heating method, i.e. an induction heater. For example, the induction heater may comprise an electrically conductive coil. An induction heater can generate an alternating magnetic field whose direction is periodically changed by adjusting the current flowing through a conductive coil. In this case, when an alternating magnetic field is applied to the magnetic body, energy loss may occur in the magnetic body due to eddy current loss and hysteresis loss, and the lost energy may be released as thermal energy. Thus, the aerosol-generating substance located adjacent to the magnetic body may be heated. Here, an object that generates heat due to a magnetic field may be referred to as a susceptor.
At the same time, the aerosol-generating module 13 may generate ultrasonic vibrations to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substance.
The aerosol-generating module 13 may be referred to as a cartomizer, atomizer or evaporator.
When the aerosol-generating device 10 is constituted by a cartridge 200 containing an aerosol-generating substance and a body 100, the aerosol-generating module 13 may be provided in at least one of the body 100 and the cartridge 200.
The memory 14 may store therein a program for processing and controlling each signal in the controller 17. The memory 14 may store therein data processed by the controller 17 and data to be processed by the controller 17.
For example, the memory 14 may store therein applications designed to perform various tasks that may be handled by the controller 17. For example, the memory 14 may selectively provide some of the stored applications in response to a request from the controller 17.
For example, the memory 14 may store therein data regarding the operating time of the aerosol-generating device 10, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, the number of charges of the battery 16, the number of discharges of the battery 16, at least one temperature profile, the inhalation pattern of the user, and the charge/discharge. Here, "inhalation" may refer to inhalation by a user, and "inhalation" may refer to the act of bringing air or other substances into the user's mouth, nasal cavity, or lungs through the user's mouth or nose.
For example, reference light amount information for determining the presence or absence of a liquid aerosol-generating substance may be stored in the memory 14.
The memory 14 may include at least one of volatile memory (e.g., dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), static Random Access Memory (SRAM), and Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM)), nonvolatile memory (e.g., flash memory), a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), and a Solid State Drive (SSD).
The memory 14 may be provided in at least one of the body 100 and the cartridge 200. The memory 14 may be provided in each of the body 100 and the cartridge 200. For example, the memory of the main body 100 may store information about components provided in the main body 100, i.e., information about the full capacity of the battery 16. For example, the memory of the body 100 may store cartridge information received from the cartridge 200 previously or currently coupled to the body 100, and the memory of the cartridge 200 may store cartridge information including cartridge identification information (ID information), cartridge type, and the like.
The sensor module 15 may include at least one sensor.
For example, the sensor module 15 may include a sensor for sensing suction (hereinafter referred to as a "suction sensor"). Here, the suction sensor may be implemented as a proximity sensor, such as an IR sensor, a pressure sensor, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic field sensor, or the like.
For example, the sensor module 15 may include a sensor (hereinafter referred to as "temperature sensor") for sensing the temperature of the heater included in the aerosol-generating module 13 and the temperature of the aerosol-generating substance.
In this case, the heater included in the aerosol-generating module 13 may be used as a temperature sensor. For example, the resistive material of the heater may be a material having a Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR). The sensor module 15 may measure the resistance of the heater according to the temperature change, thereby sensing the temperature of the heater.
For example, when a wand can be inserted into the body 100 of the aerosol-generating device 10, the sensor module 15 may include a sensor for sensing insertion of the wand (hereinafter referred to as a "wand detection sensor" 152).
For example, when the aerosol-generating device 10 comprises a cartridge 200, the sensor module 15 may comprise a sensor for sensing the mounting/removal (or attachment/detachment) of the cartridge 200 to/from the body 100 and the position of the cartridge 200 (hereinafter referred to as "cartridge detection sensor").
In this case, the stick detection sensor 152 and/or the cartridge detection sensor may be implemented as an inductance-based sensor, a capacitance sensor, a resistance sensor, or a hall IC using the hall effect. In some embodiments, the cartridge detection sensor may include a connection terminal. The connection terminal may be provided in the body 100. When the cartridge 200 is coupled to the body 100, the connection terminal may be electrically connected to an electrode provided in the cartridge 200.
For example, the sensor module 15 may include a voltage sensor for sensing a voltage applied to a component (e.g., the battery 16) disposed in the aerosol-generating device 10 and/or a current sensor for sensing a current.
For example, the sensor module 15 may comprise at least one sensor (hereinafter referred to as "motion sensor" 154) for sensing movement of the aerosol-generating device 10. Here, the motion sensor 154 may be implemented as at least one of a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor. The motion sensor 154 may be disposed in at least one of the body 100 and the cartridge 200.
For example, the sensor module 15 may include at least one optical sensor 155 for measuring the amount of light. The optical sensor 155 may detect the amount of reflected light (intensity of light) reflected from at least one surface exposed to the chamber C1 storing the liquid aerosol-generating substance.
The optical sensor 155 may emit light to at least one surface exposed to the chamber C1, and may receive reflected light of the emitted light reflected from the at least one surface to output a signal corresponding to the received reflected light. The optical sensor 155 may output a signal corresponding to the amount of the received reflected light.
The battery 16 may provide power for operation of the aerosol-generating device 10 under the control of the controller 17. The battery 16 may supply power to other components provided in the aerosol-generating device 10. For example, the battery 16 may supply power to a communication module included in the communication interface 11, an output device included in the input/output interface 12, and a heater included in the aerosol-generating module 13.
The battery 16 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 16 may be a lithium ion battery or a lithium polymer (Li polymer) battery, but is not limited thereto. For example, when the battery 16 is rechargeable, the charge rate (C-rate) of the battery 16 may be 10C, and the discharge rate (C-rate) thereof may be 10C to 20C. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Further, for stable use, the battery 16 may be designed to retain 80% or more of its original capacity over 2000 full charge and discharge cycles.
The aerosol-generating device 10 may further comprise a battery Protection Circuit Module (PCM), which is a circuit for protecting the battery 16. A battery Protection Circuit Module (PCM) may be disposed adjacent to an upper surface of the battery cell 16. For example, in order to prevent overcharge and overdischarge of the battery 16, a battery Protection Circuit Module (PCM) may cut off an electrical path to the battery 16 when a short circuit occurs in a circuit connected to the battery 16, when an overvoltage is applied to the battery 16, or when an excessive current flows through the battery 16.
The aerosol-generating device 10 may further comprise a charging terminal to which power supplied from the outside is input. For example, the charging terminal may be provided at one side of the body 100 of the aerosol-generating device 10. The aerosol-generating device 10 may use the power supplied through the charging terminal to charge the battery 16. In this case, the charging terminal may be configured as a wired terminal for USB communication, pogo pin, or the like.
The aerosol-generating device 10 may wirelessly receive power supplied from the outside through the communication interface 11. For example, the aerosol-generating device 10 may receive power wirelessly using an antenna included in a communication module for wireless communication. For example, the aerosol-generating device 10 may use wirelessly supplied power to charge the battery 16.
The controller 17 may control the overall operation of the aerosol-generating device 10. The controller 17 may be connected to each of the components provided in the aerosol-generating device 10. The controller 17 may send and/or receive signals to and/or from each of the components, thereby controlling the overall operation of each of the components.
The controller 17 may include at least one processor. The controller 17 may control the overall operation of the aerosol-generating device 10 by a processor included therein. Here, the processor may be a general-purpose processor such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU). In the alternative, the processor may be a special purpose device, such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or any other hardware-based processor.
The controller 17 may perform any of a number of functions of the aerosol-generating device 10. For example, the controller 17 may perform any one of a plurality of functions (e.g., a warm-up function, a heating function, a charging function, and a cleaning function) of the aerosol-generating device 10 according to a state of each of the components provided in the aerosol-generating device 10, a user command received through the input/output interface 12, and the like.
The controller 17 may control the operation of each of the components provided in the aerosol-generating device 10 based on data stored in the memory 14. For example, the controller 17 may control such that a predetermined power is supplied from the battery 16 to the aerosol-generating module 13 for a predetermined time based on data (e.g., temperature distribution and inhalation pattern of the user) stored in the memory 14.
The controller 17 may determine the occurrence or non-occurrence of suction through a suction sensor included in the sensor module 15. For example, the controller 17 may check for temperature changes, flow changes, pressure changes and voltage changes in the aerosol-generating device 10 based on the values sensed by the puff sensor. For example, the controller 17 may determine whether suction has occurred or not according to an inspection result based on a value sensed by the suction sensor.
The controller 17 may control the operation of each of the components provided in the aerosol-generating device 10 in accordance with the number of occurrences or non-occurrences of suction and/or suction. For example, the controller 17 may control the temperature of the heater to be changed or maintained based on the temperature profile stored in the memory 14.
The controller 17 may control such that the power supply to the heater is interrupted according to a predetermined condition. For example, the controller 17 may control such that the power supply to the heater is cut off when the stick is removed, when the cartridge 200 is removed from the main body 100, when the number of times of suction reaches a predetermined maximum number of times of suction, when suction is not sensed for a predetermined time or longer, or when the remaining capacity of the battery 16 is less than a predetermined value.
The controller 17 may calculate a remaining capacity (hereinafter referred to as "remaining capacity") with respect to the full capacity of the battery 16. For example, the controller 17 may calculate the remaining amount of the battery 16 based on a value sensed by a voltage sensor and/or a current sensor included in the sensor module 15.
The controller 17 may control such that the heater is supplied with power using at least one of a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) method and a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) method.
For example, the controller 17 may control such that a current pulse having a predetermined frequency and a predetermined duty ratio is supplied to the heater using a PWM method. In this case, the controller 17 can control the power supplied to the heater by adjusting the frequency and the duty ratio of the current pulses.
For example, the controller 17 may determine the target temperature to be controlled based on the temperature distribution. In this case, the controller 17 may control the power supplied to the heater using a PID method, which is a feedback control method using a difference between the temperature of the heater and the target temperature, a value obtained by integrating the difference with respect to time, and a value obtained by differentiating the difference with respect to time.
For example, the controller 17 may control the power supplied to the heater based on the temperature distribution. The controller 17 may control the length of a heating section for heating the heater, the amount of electricity supplied to the heater in the heating section, and the like. The controller 17 may control the power supplied to the heater based on the target temperature of the heater.
Although the PWM method and the PID method are described as exemplary methods of controlling power supply to the heater, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Other various control methods, such as a Proportional Integral (PI) method and a Proportional Derivative (PD) method, may also be used.
The controller 17 may determine the temperature of the heater and may adjust the amount of power supplied to the heater according to the temperature of the heater. For example, the controller 17 may determine the temperature of the heater by checking the resistance value of the heater, the current flowing through the heater, and/or the voltage applied to the heater.
Meanwhile, the controller 17 may control such that power is supplied to the heater according to a predetermined condition. For example, when a cleaning function for cleaning a space into which a rod is inserted is selected according to a command input by a user through the input/output interface 12, the controller 17 may control such that a predetermined power is supplied to the heater.
Fig. 2 to 3 are diagrams for explaining an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Referring to fig. 2, the aerosol-generating device 10 according to this embodiment may comprise a body 100 supporting a cartridge 200 and a cartridge 200 containing an aerosol-generating substance.
In one embodiment, the cartridge 200 may be configured to be removably attached to the body 100. In another embodiment, the cartridge 200 may be integrally formed with the body 100. For example, at least a portion of the cartridge 200 may be inserted into an interior space defined by the housing 101 of the body 100, thereby allowing the cartridge 200 to be mounted to the body 100.
The main body 100 may have a structure allowing external or external air to be introduced thereinto with the cartridge 200 inserted. Here, the external air introduced into the main body 100 may pass through the cartridge 200 to flow into the mouth of the user.
The controller 17 may determine the installation/removal of the cartridge 200 by a cartridge detection sensor included in the sensor module 15. For example, the cartridge detection sensor may transmit a pulsed current through one terminal connected to the cartridge 200. In this case, the cartridge detection sensor may detect connection or disconnection of the cartridge 200 based on whether or not the pulse current is received through the other terminal.
The cartridge 200 may comprise a heater 210 to heat the aerosol-generating substance and/or a storage portion 220 to store the aerosol-generating substance. For example, a liquid delivery element impregnated with (containing) an aerosol-generating substance may be provided in the storage portion 220. The conductive track of the heater 210 may have a structure wound around the liquid transport element. When the liquid delivery element is heated by the heater 210, an aerosol may be generated. Here, the liquid transport element may be a core such as cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers or porous ceramics.
The cartridge 200 may include an insertion space 230 configured to allow the rod 20 to be inserted therein. For example, the cartridge 200 may include an insertion space defined by an inner wall (not shown) extending in a circumferential direction along the direction in which the rod 20 is inserted. Here, the inside of the inner wall may be vertically opened to define an insertion space. The rod 20 may be inserted into the insertion space 230 defined by the inner wall.
The insertion space into which the rod 20 is inserted may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the portion of the rod 20 inserted into the insertion space. For example, when the rod 20 has a cylindrical shape, the insertion space may be formed in a cylindrical shape.
When the rod 20 is inserted into the insertion space, the outer circumferential surface of the rod 20 may be surrounded by the inner wall to be in contact with the inner wall.
Rod 20 may resemble a typical combustible cigarette. For example, the rod 20 may be divided into a first portion comprising aerosol-generating substance and a second portion comprising a filter or the like. Alternatively, the second portion of the rod 20 may also comprise an aerosol-generating substance. For example, an aerosol-generating substance made in the form of particles or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.
The entire first portion may be inserted into the insertion space 230, and the second portion may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion may be inserted into the insertion space 230, or portions of the first portion and the second portion may be inserted into the insertion space 230. The user may inhale the aerosol while holding the second portion in his or her mouth. When outside air passes through the first portion, an aerosol may be generated, and the generated aerosol may pass through the second portion to be delivered into the mouth of the user.
The user may inhale the aerosol while holding one end of the wand 20 in his or her mouth. The aerosol generated by the heater 210 may pass through the wand 20 to be delivered into the mouth of a user. Here, the material included in the rod 20 may be added to the aerosol while passing through the rod 20, and the aerosol of the added material may be inhaled into the mouth of the user through one end of the rod 20.
The controller 17 may monitor the number of puffs based on the value sensed by the puff sensor when the stick 20 is inserted.
When the inserted wand 20 is removed, the controller 17 may initialize the current number of puffs stored in the memory 14.
Referring to fig. 3, the aerosol-generating device 10 according to this embodiment may comprise a body 100 supporting a cartridge 200 and a cartridge 200 containing an aerosol-generating substance. The body 100 may be configured such that the rod 20 may be inserted into the insertion space 130.
The aerosol-generating device 10 may comprise a first heater configured to heat the aerosol-generating substance stored in the cartridge 200. For example, when a user draws on one end of the rod 20 with his or her mouth, the aerosol generated by the first heater may pass through the rod 20. Here, a flavoring may be added to the aerosol as it passes through the rod 20. The flavoured aerosol may be drawn into the mouth of the user through one end of the wand 20.
In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 10 may comprise a first heater configured to heat the aerosol-generating substance stored in the cartridge 200 and a second heater configured to heat the rod 20 inserted into the body 100. For example, the aerosol-generating device 10 may generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating substance stored in the cartridge 200 and the rod 20 by means of the first and second heaters, respectively.
Fig. 4 to 6 are diagrams for explaining a stick according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Overlapping descriptions in fig. 4 to 6 will be omitted.
Referring to fig. 4, a rod 20 according to this embodiment may include a tobacco rod 21 and a filter rod 22. The first portion described above with reference to fig. 2 may comprise a tobacco rod 21. The second portion described above with reference to fig. 2 may include a filter rod 22.
The filter rod 22 in fig. 4 is shown as a single segment, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod 22 may comprise a plurality of sections. For example, the filter rod 22 may include a first section for cooling the aerosol and a second section for filtering a predetermined component included in the aerosol. Further, the filter rod 22 may also include at least one section that performs another function when desired.
The diameter of the rod 20 may be in the range of 5mm to 9mm, and the length of the rod 20 may be about 48mm. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the length of the tobacco rod 21 may be about 12mm, the length of the first section of the filter rod 22 may be about 10mm, the length of the second section of the filter rod 22 may be about 14mm, and the length of the third section of the filter rod 22 may be about 12mm. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
The rod 20 may be wrapped by at least one wrapper 24. The wrapper 24 may have at least one hole through which external air is introduced or internal gas is discharged. In one example, the rod 20 may be wrapped by a wrapper 24. In another example, the rod 20 may be wrapped in an overlapping manner by two or more wrappers 24. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be wrapped by a first wrapper 241. For example, the filter rod 22 may be wrapped by wrappers 242, 243, and 244. The tobacco rod 21 and the filter rod 22, which are wrapped by respective wrappers, may be coupled to each other. The entire rod 20 may be repacked by the third wrapper 243. When the filter rod 22 is made up of multiple sections, each of the sections may be wrapped by a separate wrapper (242, 243, 244). Furthermore, the entire rod 20, in which the sections respectively wrapped by the individual wrappers are coupled to each other, may be repacked by another wrapper.
The first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242 may be made of a common filter wrap paper. For example, the first and second wrappers 241, 242 may be porous or non-porous wrappers. Further, the first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242 may be made of paper having oil resistance and/or an aluminum laminate packaging material.
The third wrapper 243 may be made of hard wrap paper. For example, the basis weight of the third wrap 243 may be in the range of 88g/m 2 to 96g/m 2. For example, the basis weight of the third wrap 243 may be in the range of 90g/m 2 to 94g/m 2. Further, the thickness of the third wrapper 243 may be in the range of 120 μm to 130 μm. For example, the thickness of the third wrap 243 may be 125 μm.
The fourth wrapper 244 may be made of oil resistant hard wrapping paper. For example, the basis weight of the fourth wrapper 244 may be in the range of 88g/m 2 to 96g/m 2. For example, the basis weight of the fourth wrapper 244 may be in the range of 90g/m 2 to 94g/m 2. Further, the thickness of the fourth wrapper 244 may be in the range of 120 μm to 130 μm. For example, the thickness of the fourth wrap 244 may be 125 μm.
The fifth wrapper 245 may be made of sterile paper (MFW). Here, the aseptic paper (MFW) may refer to paper specifically designed to have improved tensile strength, water resistance, smoothness, etc., as compared to plain paper. For example, the basis weight of the fifth wrapper 245 may be in the range of 57g/m 2 to 63g/m 2. For example, the basis weight of the fifth wrapper 245 may be 60g/m 2. Further, the thickness of the fifth wrapper 245 may be in the range of 64 μm to 70 μm. For example, the thickness of the fifth wrapper 245 may be 67 μm.
A predetermined material may be added to the fifth wrapper 245. Here, an example of the predetermined material may be silicone, but is not limited thereto. For example, silicone may have characteristics such as heat resistance, oxidation resistance, resistance to various chemicals, water resistance, electrical insulation, and the like, which are small in change with temperature. However, any material having the above properties may be applied to the fifth wrapper 245 or coated on the fifth wrapper 245, except for silicone.
The fifth wrapper 245 may prevent combustion of the rod 20. For example, when the tobacco rod 21 is heated by the heater 110, there may be a possibility of the rod 20 burning. In detail, when the temperature rises above the ignition point of any of the materials included in the tobacco rod 21, the rod 20 may burn. However, since the fifth wrapper 245 includes a non-combustible material, combustion of the rod 20 may be prevented.
In addition, the fifth wrapper 245 may prevent the body 100 from being contaminated by the material generated in the rod 20. Liquid material may be generated in the wand 20 by suction from the user. For example, when the aerosol generated in the rod 20 is cooled by the outside air, a liquid (e.g., moisture, etc.) may be generated. When the rod 20 is wrapped by the fifth wrapper 245, the liquid generated in the rod 20 can be prevented from leaking out of the rod 20.
The tobacco rod 21 may include an aerosol-generating substance. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may include, but is not limited to, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. In addition, the tobacco rod 21 may contain other additives such as flavoring agents, humectants, and/or organic acids. In addition, a flavoring liquid such as menthol or a humectant may be added to the tobacco rod 21 by spraying onto the tobacco rod 21.
The tobacco rod 21 may be manufactured in various ways. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be formed as a sheet. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be formed as a strand. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be formed as cut tobacco obtained by finely cutting a tobacco sheet. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be surrounded by a thermally conductive material. For example, the heat conductive material may be a metal foil such as an aluminum foil, but is not limited thereto. For example, the thermally conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 may evenly distribute the heat transferred to the tobacco rod 21, thereby increasing the conductivity of the heat applied to the tobacco rod 21. As a result, the taste of tobacco can be improved. The thermally conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 may act as a susceptor that is heated by an induction heater. Although not shown in the figures, the tobacco rod 21 may include additional susceptors in addition to the thermally conductive material surrounding the exterior of the tobacco rod 21.
The filter rod 22 may be a cellulose acetate filter. Further, the filter rod 22 is not limited to a specific shape. For example, the filter rod 22 may be a cylindrical rod. For example, the filter rod 22 may be a tubular rod including a hollow portion therein. For example, the filter rod 22 may be a recess-type rod. When the filter rod 22 is made up of a plurality of sections, at least one of the plurality of sections may have a different shape than the other sections.
The first section of the filter rod 22 may be a cellulose acetate filter. For example, the first section may be a tubular structure including a hollow therein. The first section may prevent the interior material of the tobacco rod 21 from being pushed back when inserted into the heater 110 and may provide the effect of cooling the aerosol. The diameter of the hollow portion included in the first section may be appropriately determined or selected in the range of 2mm to 4.5mm, but is not limited thereto.
The length of the first section may be appropriately determined in the range of 4mm to 30mm, but is not limited thereto. For example, the length of the first section may be 10mm, but is not limited thereto.
The second section of the filter rod 22 cools the aerosol generated when the heater 110 heats the tobacco rod 21. Thus, the user can inhale the aerosol cooled to an appropriate temperature.
The length or diameter of the second section may be determined differently depending on the shape of the rod 20. For example, the length of the second section may be suitably selected in the range of 7mm to 20 mm. More preferably, the length of the second section may be about 14mm, but is not limited thereto.
The second section may be made by braiding polymer fibers. In this case, the seasoning liquid may be applied to the fiber made of the polymer. Alternatively, the second section may be made by braiding together individual fibers coated with a flavoring liquid and fibers made of a polymer. Alternatively, the second section may be made of a curled polymeric sheet.
For example, the polymer may be made of a material selected from the group consisting of Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), cellulose Acetate (CA), and aluminum foil.
When the second section is made of woven polymer fibers or crimped polymer sheets, the second section may comprise a single channel or multiple channels extending in the longitudinal direction. Here, a "channel" may refer to a channel through which a gas (e.g., air or aerosol) passes.
For example, the second section made of crimped polymer sheet may be made of a material having a thickness between 5 μm and 300 μm (i.e. between 10 μm and 250 μm). Furthermore, the total surface area of the second section may be between 300mm 2/mm and 1000mm 2/mm. Furthermore, the aerosol-cooling element may be made of a material having a specific surface area between 10mm 2/mg and 100mm 2/mg.
Meanwhile, the second section may include a line containing volatile flavor components. Here, the volatile flavor component may be menthol, but is not limited thereto. For example, the thread may be filled with a sufficient amount of menthol to provide at least 1.5mg of menthol to the second segment.
The third section of the filter rod 22 may be a cellulose acetate filter. The length of the third section may be suitably selected in the range 4mm to 20 mm. For example, the length of the third section may be about 12mm, but is not limited thereto.
The filter rod 22 may be manufactured to create a flavor. In one example, the flavoring may be sprayed onto the filter rod 22. In another example, individual fibers coated with a flavoring may be inserted into the filter rod 22.
Furthermore, the filter rod 22 may comprise at least one capsule 23. Here, the capsule 23 may perform a function of generating a flavor. The capsule 23 may also perform the function of generating an aerosol. For example, the capsule 23 may have a structure in which a liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. The capsule 23 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.
Referring to fig. 5, the rod 30 according to this embodiment may further include a front end plug 33. The front plug 33 is disposed on the opposite side of the filter rod 32 from the tobacco rod 31. The front plug 33 can prevent the tobacco rod 31 from being separated to the outside. The front plug 33 may prevent liquefied aerosol from flowing from the tobacco rod 31 into the aerosol-generating device 10 during smoking.
The filter rod 32 may include a first section 321 and a second section 322. The first section 321 may correspond to the first section of the filter rod 22 of fig. 4. The second section 322 may correspond to the third section of the filter rod 22 of fig. 4.
The diameter and overall length of rod 30 may correspond to the diameter and overall length of rod 20 of fig. 4. For example, the front end plug 33 may be about 7mm in length, the tobacco rod 31 may be about 15mm in length, the first section 321 may be about 12mm in length, and the second section 322 may be about 14mm in length. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
The rod 30 may be wrapped by at least one wrapper 35. The wrapper 35 may have at least one hole through which external air is introduced or internal gas is discharged. For example, the front end plug 33 may be wrapped by a first wrapper 351, the tobacco rod 31 may be wrapped by a second wrapper 352, the first section 321 may be wrapped by a third wrapper 353, and the second section 322 may be wrapped by a fourth wrapper 354. The entire rod 30 may then be repacked by a fifth wrapper 355.
Further, the fifth wrapper 355 may have at least one perforation 36. For example, perforations 36 may be formed in the area surrounding tobacco rod 31, but are not limited thereto. For example, perforations 36 may be used to transfer heat generated by heater 210 of fig. 2 to the interior of tobacco rod 31.
Further, the second section 322 may include at least one capsule 34. Here, the capsule 34 may perform a function of generating a flavor. The capsule 34 may also perform the function of generating an aerosol. For example, the capsule 34 may have a structure in which a liquid film containing a flavoring material therein is wrapped. The capsule 34 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.
The first wrapper 351 may be made by coupling a metal foil, such as aluminum foil, to a common filter wrapper. For example, the total thickness of the first wrap 351 may be in the range of 45 μm to 55 μm. For example, the total thickness of the first wrap 351 may be 50.3 μm. Further, the thickness of the metal foil of the first wrapper 351 may be in the range of 6 μm to 7 μm. For example, the thickness of the metal foil of the first wrapper 351 may be 6.3 μm. Further, the basis weight of the first wrapper 351 may be in the range of 50g/m 2 to 55g/m 2. For example, the basis weight of the first wrapper 351 may be 53g/m 2.
The second wrapper 352 and the third wrapper 353 may be made of conventional filter wrap paper. For example, the second wrapper 352 and the third wrapper 353 may be porous or non-porous wrappers.
For example, the porosity of the second wrapper 352 may be 35000CU, but is not limited thereto. Further, the thickness of the second wrapper 352 may be in the range of 70 μm to 80 μm. For example, the thickness of the second wrap 352 may be 78 μm. Further, the basis weight of the second wrapper 352 may be in the range of 20g/m 2 to 25g/m 2. For example, the basis weight of the second wrapper 352 may be 23.5g/m 2.
For example, the porosity of the third wrapper 353 may be 24000CU, but is not limited thereto. Further, the thickness of the third wrapper 353 may be in the range of 60 μm to 70 μm. For example, the thickness of the third wrapper 353 may be 68 μm. Further, the basis weight of the third wrapper 353 may be in the range of 20g/m 2 to 25g/m 2. For example, the basis weight of the third wrapper 353 may be 21g/m 2.
The fourth wrapper 354 may be made of PLA laminate paper. Here, the PLA laminated paper may refer to a three-ply paper consisting of a paper ply, a PLA layer and a paper ply. For example, the thickness of the fourth wrap 354 may be in the range of 100 μm to 120 μm. For example, the thickness of the fourth wrap 354 may be 110 μm. Further, the basis weight of the fourth wrapper 354 may be in the range of 80g/m 2 to 100g/m 2. For example, the basis weight of the fourth wrapper 354 may be 88g/m 2.
Fifth wrapper 355 may be made of sterile paper (MFW). Here, the aseptic paper (MFW) may refer to paper specifically designed to have improved tensile strength, water resistance, smoothness, etc., as compared to plain paper. For example, the basis weight of the fifth wrapper 355 may be in the range of 57g/m 2 to 63g/m 2. For example, the basis weight of the fifth wrapper 355 may be 60g/m 2. Further, the thickness of the fifth wrapper 355 may be in the range of 64 μm to 70 μm. For example, the thickness of the fifth wrapper 355 may be 67 μm.
A predetermined material may be added to the fifth wrapper 355. Here, an example of the predetermined material may be silicone, but is not limited thereto. For example, silicone has characteristics such as heat resistance, oxidation resistance, resistance to various chemicals, water repellency, electrical insulation, and the like, which are small in change with temperature. However, any material having the above characteristics may be applied (or coated) onto fifth wrapper 355, other than silicone.
The front plug 33 may be made of cellulose acetate. In one example, the front plug 33 may be made by adding a plasticizer (e.g., glyceryl triacetate) to the cellulose acetate tow. The single denier (denier) of the filaments constituting the cellulose acetate tow may be in the range of 1.0 to 10.0. For example, the single denier of the filaments constituting the cellulose acetate tow may be in the range of 4.0 to 6.0. For example, the filament of the front end plug 33 may have a single denier of 5.0. Further, the cross section of the filament of the front end plug 33 may be Y-shaped. The total titer of the front-end plug 33 may be in the range of 20000 to 30000. For example, the total titer of the front-end plug 33 may be in the range of 25000 to 30000. For example, the total titer of the front end plug 33 may be 28000.
Furthermore, the front end plug 33 may include at least one channel when desired. The shape of the cross section of the passage of the front-end plug 33 may be formed in various ways.
The tobacco rod 31 may correspond to the tobacco rod 21 described above with reference to fig. 4. Therefore, a detailed description of the tobacco rod 31 will be omitted.
The first section 321 may be made of cellulose acetate. For example, the first section may be a tubular structure including a hollow portion therein. The first section 321 may be made by adding a plasticizer (e.g., glyceryl triacetate) to the cellulose acetate tow. For example, the single denier and the total denier of the first section 321 may be the same as the single denier and the total denier of the front end plug 33.
The second section 322 may be made of cellulose acetate. The filament of second section 322 may have a single denier in the range of 1.0 to 10.0. For example, the denier per filament of the filaments of second section 322 may be in the range of 8.0 to 10.0. For example, the denier per filament of the filaments of second section 322 may be 9.0. Furthermore, the cross-section of the filaments of second section 322 may be Y-shaped. The total titer of the second section 322 may be in the range of 20000 to 30000. For example, the total denier of second section 322 may be 25000.
Referring to fig. 6, the wand 40 may include a media portion 410. The rod 40 may include a cooling portion 420. The wand 40 may include a filter portion 430. The cooling portion 420 may be disposed between the media portion 410 and the filter portion 430. The wand 40 may include a wrap 440. Wrap 440 may wrap media portion 410. The wrap 440 may wrap the cooling portion 420. The wrap 440 may wrap the filter portion 430. The rod 40 may have a cylindrical shape.
The media portion 410 may include media 411. The media portion 410 may include a first media cover 413. The media portion 410 may include a second media cover 415. The media 411 may be disposed between a first media cover 413 and a second media cover 415. The first medium cover 413 may be disposed at one end of the rod 40. The media portion 410 may have a length of 24 mm.
The medium 411 may comprise a multi-component substance. The substance contained in the medium may be a multi-component flavouring substance. The medium 411 may be composed of a plurality of particles. Each particle of the plurality of particles may have a size of 0.4mm to 1.12 mm. These particles may comprise about 70% of the volume of the medium 411. The length L2 of the medium 411 may be 10mm. The first dielectric cover 413 may be made of an acetate material. The second dielectric cap 415 may be made of an acetate material. The first medium cover 413 may be made of a paper material. The second media cover 415 may be made of a paper material. At least one of the first media cover 413 and the second media cover 415 may be made of a paper material to be crumpled with pleats, and a plurality of gaps may be formed between the pleats to allow air to flow therethrough. Each of the gaps may be smaller than each of the particles of the medium 411. The length L1 of the first medium cover 413 may be shorter than the length L2 of the medium 411. The length L3 of the second media cover 415 may be shorter than the length L2 of the media 411. The length L1 of the first medium cover 413 may be 7mm and the length L2 of the second medium cover 415 may be 7mm.
Thus, each of the particles of the medium 411 can be prevented from being separated from the medium portion 410 and the rod 40.
The cooling portion 420 may have a cylindrical shape. The cooling portion 420 may have a hollow shape. The cooling portion 420 may be disposed between the media portion 410 and the filter portion 430. The cooling portion 420 may be disposed between the second media cover 415 and the filter portion 430. The cooling portion 420 may be formed in the shape of a tube surrounding the cooling path 424 formed therein. The cooling portion 420 may be thicker than the wrap 440. The cooling portion 420 may be made of a thicker paper material than the paper material of the wrapper 440. The length L4 of the cooling portion 420 may be equal to or approximately the length L2 of the medium 411. The length L4, which is the length of the cooling portion 420 and the cooling path 424, may be 10mm. When the rod 40 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 10, at least a portion of the cooling portion 420 may be exposed to the exterior of the aerosol-generating device 10.
Thus, the cooling portion 420 can support the medium portion 410 and the filter portion 430, and rigidity of the rod 40 can be achieved. Further, the cooling portion 420 may support the wrap 440 between the media portion 410 and the filter portion 430, and may provide a portion to which the wrap 440 adheres. Further, the heated air and aerosol may be cooled as they pass through the cooling path 424 in the cooling portion 420.
The filter portion 430 may be configured as a filter made of acetate material. The filter portion 430 may be provided at the other end of the rod 40. When the rod 40 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 10, the filter portion 430 may be exposed to the outside of the aerosol-generating device 10. The user may inhale air while holding the filter part 430 in his or her mouth. The length L5 of the filter portion 430 may be 14mm.
The wrap 440 may wrap or surround the media portion 410, the cooling portion 420, and the filter portion 430. The wrap 440 may define the appearance of the stick 40. The wrapper 440 may be made of a paper material. The adhesive portion 441 may be formed along one edge of the wrapper 440. The wrap 440 may surround the medium part 410, the cooling part 420, and the filter part 430, and an adhesive part 441 formed along one edge of the wrap 440 and the other edge of the wrap 440 may be adhered to each other. Wrap 440 may surround media portion 410, cooling portion 420, and filter portion 430, but may not cover one end and the other end of rod 40.
Thus, the wrap 440 may secure the media portion 410, the cooling portion 420, and the filter portion 430, and may prevent these components from separating from the rod 40.
The first film 443 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the first medium cover 413. The first film 443 may be disposed between the wrapper 440 and the first medium cover 413, or may be disposed outside the wrapper 440. The first membrane 443 may surround the first medium cover 413. The first film 443 may be made of a metal material. The first film 443 may be made of an aluminum material. The first film 443 may be in close contact with the wrapper 440 or coated on the wrapper 440.
The second film 445 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the second medium cover 415. The second film 445 may be disposed between the wrapper 440 and the second media cover 415 or may be disposed outside the wrapper 440. The second film 445 may be made of a metal material. The second film 445 may be made of an aluminum material. The second film 445 may be in intimate contact with the wrapper 440 or coated on the wrapper 440.
Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a structure of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and fig. 8 to 11 are diagrams for explaining the aerosol-generating device.
Here, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" may be determined based on the direction of air and/or aerosol flowing into the mouth or lungs of the user as the user draws on the wand to inhale the aerosol. For example, in fig. 4 and 5, since the aerosol generated in the tobacco rod 21, 31 is guided to the filter rod 22, 32, it can be described that the tobacco rod 21, 31 is located at the upstream side with respect to the filter rod 22, 32, and the filter rod 22, 32 is located at the downstream side with respect to the tobacco rod 21, 31. "upstream" and "downstream" may be determined based on the relative positions between the components.
Here, the direction of the aerosol-generating device 10 may be defined based on an orthogonal coordinate system as shown in the drawings. In an orthogonal coordinate system, the x-axis direction may be defined as the left-right direction of the aerosol-generating device 10. Here, based on the origin, the +x axis direction may be a right direction, and the-x axis direction may be a left direction. The y-axis direction may be defined as the up-down direction of the aerosol-generating device 10. Here, based on the origin, the +y-axis direction may be an upward direction, and the-y-axis direction may be a downward direction. The z-axis direction may be defined as the front-to-back direction of the aerosol-generating device 10. Here, based on the origin, the +z-axis direction may be a forward direction, and the-z-axis direction may be a backward direction.
Referring to fig. 7 to 9, the aerosol-generating device 10 may comprise a body 100 and a cartridge 200. The aerosol-generating device 10 may comprise a heater 210, an optical sensor 155, a light guide 250, a light guide connection 260, a battery 16 and/or a controller 17.
The cartridge 200 may be detachably attached to the main body 100. The cartridge 200 may have a chamber C1 disposed therein.
The cartridge 200 may include an outer wall and an inner wall. The chamber C1 may be defined by a space between the outer wall and the inner wall. The chamber C1 may store a liquid aerosol-generating substance therein. The liquid aerosol-generating substance in the chamber C1 may be heated by the heater 210.
The heater 210 may be electrically connected to the battery 16 and/or the controller 17. The heater 210 may be disposed adjacent to the chamber C1, and may heat the wick impregnated with the liquid aerosol-generating substance in the chamber C1. The heater 210 may heat the liquid aerosol-generating substance in the wick.
The cartridge 200 or the body 100 may include the insertion space 130, 230. One end of the insertion space 130, 230 may be open to define an opening. The insertion space 130, 230 may be exposed to the outside through the opening. The opening may be defined as one end of the insertion space 130, 230. The insertion space 130, 230 may extend vertically in an elongated manner. The insertion space 130, 230 may be defined as a space surrounded by an inner wall extending vertically in an elongated manner. The rod 40 may be inserted into the insertion space 130, 230.
The cartridge 200 may be disposed in contact with the main body 100. The cartridge 200 may be coupled to the body 100 or separated from the body 100. One side wall and the lower wall of the outer wall of the cartridge 200 may be in contact with the main body 100. The insertion space 130, 230 may be formed adjacent to one sidewall of the outer wall of the cartridge 200 that contacts the main body 100.
The cartridge 200 may include a light guide 250. The light guide 250 may have a polyhedral shape (polyhedral shape). The light guide 250 may include a plurality of outer surfaces defining a polyhedron.
The light guide 250 may be disposed at the lower end of the chamber C1 or adjacent to the lower end of the chamber C1. In the light guide 250, at least one surface among the plurality of surfaces defining the polyhedron may be exposed to the inside of the chamber C1. The liquid aerosol-generating substance contained in the chamber C1 and/or the air in the chamber C1 may be in contact with at least one surface exposed to the interior of the chamber C1.
For example, referring to fig. 7, the light guide 250 may be disposed at one side of the lower surface of the cartridge 200. At least one surface among the surfaces defining the polyhedron of the light guide 250 may be exposed from the lower surface of the cartridge 200 to the inside of the chamber C1.
For example, referring to fig. 8, the light guide 250 may be disposed adjacent to the lower end of one side surface of the cartridge 200. At least one surface among the surfaces defining the polyhedron of the light guide 250 may be exposed to the inside of the chamber C1 from one side surface of the cartridge 200.
For example, referring to fig. 9, the light guide 250 may be disposed at a corner formed by a lower surface and one side surface of the cartridge 200. At least one surface among the surfaces defining the polyhedron of the light guide 250 may be exposed to the inside of the chamber C1 from the corner of the cartridge 200.
The body 100 may include an optical sensor 155. The optical sensor 155 may be disposed adjacent to the light guide 250 when the cartridge 200 is coupled to the body 100.
The optical sensor 155 may be disposed to face the light guide 250. The light emitting part 1551 and the light receiving part 1552 of the optical sensor 155 may be disposed to face the light guide 250. In a state in which the cartridge 200 is coupled to the main body 100, the light emitting part 1551 of the optical sensor 155 may emit light through the light guide 250 toward at least one surface exposed to the inside of the chamber C1 among the plurality of surfaces of the light guide 250. In a state in which the cartridge 200 is coupled to the main body 100, the light receiving part 1552 of the optical sensor 155 may receive reflected light reflected from at least one surface exposed to the inside of the chamber C1 among the plurality of surfaces of the light guide 250 through the light guide 250.
The light emitting part 1551 and the light receiving part 1552 of the optical sensor 155 may be disposed adjacent to each other. The optical sensor 155 may be configured in the form of one module including a light emitting part 1551 and a light receiving part 1552. For example, referring to fig. 7 and 8, the light emitting part 1551 and the light receiving part 1552 may be disposed side by side to face one surface exposed to the outside of the cartridge 200 among the plurality of surfaces of the light guide 250.
The light emitting part 1551 and the light receiving part 1552 of the optical sensor 155 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other. The light emitting part 1551 and the light receiving part 1552 of the optical sensor 155 may be disposed at different positions of the cartridge 200. For example, referring to fig. 9, the light emitting part 1551 may be disposed adjacent to a lower end of one side surface of the cartridge 200 or disposed adjacent to one side of the lower surface of the cartridge 200. The light receiving part 1552 may be disposed adjacent to one side of the lower surface of the barrel 200 or adjacent to the lower end of one side surface of the barrel 200. The light emitting part 1551 may be disposed to face one surface of the plurality of surfaces of the light guide 250, which is exposed to the outside of the cartridge 200, and the light receiving part 1552 may be disposed to face the other surface of the plurality of surfaces of the light guide 250, which is exposed to the outside of the cartridge 200. For example, the direction in which the light emitting part 1551 faces and the direction in which the light receiving part 1552 faces may be perpendicular to each other.
The body 100 or the cartridge 200 may include a light guide connection portion 260. The light guide connection portion 260 may be made of an optical fiber. In a state in which the cartridge 200 is coupled to the main body 100, one end of the light guide connection portion 260 may be disposed adjacent to the light emitting part 1551 and the light receiving part 1552 of the optical sensor 155, and the other end thereof may be disposed adjacent to the light guide 250.
In a state in which the cartridge 200 is coupled to the main body 100, light emitted by the light emitting part 1551 of the optical sensor 155 may be propagated or scattered to the light guide 250 through the inside of the light guide connection part 260, and the light may be incident on at least one surface exposed to the inside of the chamber C1 through the inside of the light guide 250 among the plurality of surfaces of the light guide 250.
In a state in which the cartridge 200 is coupled to the main body 100, reflected light reflected from at least one surface exposed to the inside of the chamber C1 among the plurality of surfaces of the light guide 250 may propagate (spread) to the light guide 250 through the inside of the light guide 250 and may be incident on the light receiving part 1552 of the optical sensor 155 through the inside of the light guide connection part 260. In fig. 7, a structure in which a cross section of the light guide connection portion 260 has a linear shape is shown. However, the shape of the light guide connection portion 260 is not limited thereto, and any other shape capable of connecting the optical sensor 155 and the light guide connection portion 260 is also available. Even when the optical sensor 155 is not disposed adjacent to the light guide 250, or even when the direction in which the optical sensor 155 faces is not the direction in which the light guide 250 is disposed, light can propagate between the optical sensor 155 and the light guide 250 through the light guide connection portion 260.
The controller 17 may activate the optical sensor 155 to receive the signal output by the optical sensor 155. The signal output by the optical sensor 155 may be an analog signal or a digital signal.
The controller 17 may determine the amount of light (intensity of light) of the light received by the optical sensor 155 based on the signal received from the optical sensor 155, and may determine whether the liquid aerosol-generating substance in the chamber C1 is exhausted based on the amount of light of the received light. The determination by the controller 17 as to the presence or absence of liquid will be described in detail with reference to fig. 12.
Based on the liquid aerosol-generating substance being depleted, the controller 17 may output the guidance information via the output device 122. The controller 17 may output information regarding depletion of the liquid aerosol-generating substance and/or replacement of the cartridge 200.
The battery 16 may supply power to the heater 210 under the control of the controller 17.
Fig. 10 and 11 are diagrams for explaining an aerosol-generating device. Fig. 10 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the light guide in which the liquid aerosol-generating substance is present in the chamber, and fig. 11 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the light guide in which the liquid aerosol-generating substance is not present in the chamber.
Referring to fig. 10 and 11, the light emitting part 1551 of the optical sensor 155 may include at least one light source for generating light. For example, the light emitting part 1551 may include a Light Emitting Diode (LED), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), a Laser Diode (LD), etc. as a light source. In this case, the plurality of light sources included in the light emitting part 1551 may be arranged in a predetermined pattern.
The light emitting part 1551 may emit light in a predetermined direction. For example, the light emitting part 1551 may include a first light collecting part (not shown) that collects light generated by the light source toward the object. Here, the first light collecting part may be configured as an imaging lens, a Diffractive Optical Element (DOE), or the like.
The light receiving part 1552 may include a photodiode responsive to light. The light receiving part 1552 may output an electrical signal corresponding to light incident on the photodiode.
The light receiving part 1552 may include a second light collecting part (not shown) that collects light reflected from an object (hereinafter referred to as "reflected light"). For example, the reflected light collected by the second light collecting part may be transmitted to a photodiode included in the light receiving part 1552. In this case, the second light collecting part may include a lens for receiving the reflected light incident from the predetermined direction.
The light receiving part 1552 may further include a filter (not shown) selectively transmitting light of a predetermined wavelength region. For example, the filter may be an infrared high pass filter configured to selectively pass infrared light having wavelengths of 780nm to 1000 nm.
The light emitting part 1551 may emit light toward the light guide 250. The light emitting part 1551 may emit light toward the inside of the chamber C1. The emitted light may propagate inside the light guide 250 to be reflected or refracted from at least one surface exposed to the inside of the chamber C1 among the plurality of surfaces of the light guide 250.
The light receiving part 1552 may receive the reflected light. Among the light emitted by the light emitting part 1551, the light receiving part 1552 may receive reflected light reflected from at least one surface exposed to the inside of the chamber C1. The light receiving part 1552 may output an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of reflected light incident on the photodiode.
Referring to fig. 10, a surface exposed to the inside of the chamber C1 among the plurality of outer surfaces of the light guide 250 may include a first surface 251 and a second surface 252.
The first surface 251 may be disposed in a direction inclined with respect to the lower surface of the chamber C1 while forming a predetermined angle with the lower surface of the chamber C1. The first surface 251 may be exposed to the inside of the chamber C1. The second surface 252 may have one end in contact with one end of the first surface 251, and may be disposed in a direction inclined with respect to the lower surface of the chamber C1 while forming a predetermined angle with the lower surface of the chamber C1. The second surface 252 may be exposed to the interior of the chamber C1.
Regarding the front-rear direction (the direction perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis) of the aerosol-generating device 10, a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the light guide 250 may define a polygon. For example, the cross-section of the light guide 250 may define a pentagon. For example, the cross-section of the light guide 250 may define an N-sided polygon.
The light guide 250 may be made of a transparent or translucent material capable of transmitting light. For example, the light guide 250 may be made of a transparent or translucent plastic or glass material. For example, the light guide 250 may include a liquid or gas therein through which light is transmitted. The refractive index n1 of the light guide 250 may be smaller than the refractive index n3 of the liquid aerosol-generating substance. The refractive index n1 of the light guide 250 may be greater than the refractive index n2 of air.
The refractive index n3 of the liquid aerosol-generating substance may be about 1.40 or greater. For example, the liquid aerosol-generating substance may comprise at least one of propylene glycol (refractive index of about 1.44) or glycerin (refractive index of 1.47).
The light emitting part 1551 may be disposed to face the first surface 251 of the light guide 250. The light 901 emitted by the light emitting part 1551 may propagate through the inside of the light guide 250 and may be incident on the first surface 251. A portion of the emitted light 901 may reflect from the first surface 251 and a portion thereof may be refracted 902B from the first surface 251. Among the emitted light 901, light 902A reflected from the first surface 251 may be incident on the second surface 252. A portion of light 902A incident on the second surface 252 may reflect from the second surface 252 and a portion thereof may be refracted 903B from the second surface 252. The light 903A reflected from the second surface 252 may propagate through the inside of the light guide 250 and may be incident on the light receiving part 1552.
Since the refractive index n1 of the light guide 250 is smaller than the refractive index n3 of the liquid aerosol-generating substance a, when the liquid aerosol-generating substance a is present in the chamber C1, a portion of the light 901 and 902A incident on the first surface 251 and the second surface 252, respectively, may be refracted to propagate into the liquid aerosol-generating substance a, and only the remaining portion may be reflected.
Referring to fig. 11, in a state in which the liquid aerosol-generating substance a is depleted in the chamber C1, the first surface 251 and the second surface 252 of the light guide 250 may be in contact with the air B in the chamber C1. The light 1001 emitted by the light emitting portion 1551 may propagate through the inside of the light guide 250 and may be incident on the first surface 251. When the first angle formed by the light 1001 incident on the first surface 251 and the first surface 251 is X (unit: degree), the first angle X may satisfy the following equation 1.
[ Formula 1]
X<90-arcsin(n2/n1)
Here, n1 represents the refractive index of the light guide 250, and n2 represents the refractive index of air B.
Since the refractive index n1 of the light guide 250 is greater than the refractive index n2 of the air B, when the emitted light 1001 is incident on the first surface 251 at the first angle X satisfying the above formula 1, the incident light 1001 may be totally reflected (total reflection) without being refracted by the first surface 251.
Further, when the second angle formed by the light 1002 reflected from the first surface 251 and incident on the second surface 252 and the second surface 252 is Y, the second angle Y may satisfy the following equation 2.
[ Formula 2]
Y<90-arcsin(n2/n1)
When the light 1002 incident on the second surface 252 is incident on the second surface 252 at the second angle Y satisfying the above-described formula 2, the incident light 1002 may be totally reflected (total reflection) without being refracted by the second surface 252.
Light 1001 emitted by the light emitting portion 1551 and incident on the first surface 251 may be totally reflected from the first surface 251, and light 1002 reflected from the first surface 251 and incident on the second surface 252 may be totally reflected from the second surface 252 to be incident on the light receiving portion 1552.
In this case, the light quantity of the light 1003 incident on the light receiving portion 1552 under the condition that total reflection occurs on both the first surface 251 and the second surface 252 (the state in which the liquid aerosol-generating substance a in the chamber C1 is exhausted or absent) may be larger than the light quantity of the light 903A incident on the light receiving portion 1552 under the condition that the incident light is partially reflected from the first surface 251 and the second surface 252 (the state in which the liquid aerosol-generating substance a in the chamber C1 is not exhausted or present). The light quantity of the light 1003 incident through the light receiving part 1552 may be set as the reference light quantity under the condition that total reflection occurs on both the first surface 251 and the second surface 252. Information about the set reference light amount may be stored in the memory 14 in advance.
Meanwhile, the refractive index n1 of the light guide 250 may be greater than the refractive index n3 of the liquid aerosol-generating substance. The refractive index n1 of the light guide 250 may be greater than the refractive index n2 of air.
Referring back to fig. 10, the light 901 emitted by the light emitting part 1551 may propagate through the inside of the light guide 250 and may be incident on the first surface 251. The first angle X formed by the light 901 incident on the first surface 251 and the first surface 251 may satisfy the following equation 3.
[ Formula 3]
X>90-arcsin(n3/n1)
Here, n1 represents the refractive index of the light guide 250, and n3 represents the refractive index of the liquid aerosol-generating substance a.
Although the refractive index n1 of the light guide 250 is greater than the refractive index n3 of the liquid aerosol-generating substance a, when the emitted light 901 is incident on the first surface 251 at the first angle X satisfying the above formula 3, the incident light 901 may not be totally reflected from the first surface 251. A portion of the incident light 901 may be reflected from the first surface 251 and the remaining portion may be refracted from the first surface 251.
Further, when the second angle formed by the light 902 reflected from the first surface 251 and incident on the second surface 252 and the second surface 252 is Y, the second angle Y may satisfy the following equation 4.
[ Equation 4]
Y>90-arcsin(n3/n1)
When the light 902A incident on the second surface 252 is incident on the second surface 252 at the second angle Y satisfying the above-described formula 4, the incident light 902A may not be totally reflected from the second surface 252. A portion of the incident light 902A may be reflected from the second surface 252 and the remaining portion may be refracted from the second surface 252.
When the refractive index n1 of the light guide 250 is greater than the refractive index n3 of the liquid aerosol-generating substance and the refractive index n2 of air, the first angle X and the second angle Y may satisfy all of the formulas from the formula 1 to the formula 4. Accordingly, the first angle X and the second angle Y may satisfy the following equation 5.
[ Equation 5]
90-arcsin(n3/n1)<X<90-arcsin(n2/n1)
90-arcsin(n3/n1)<Y<90-arcsin(n2/n1)
In this case, the light amount of the light 1003 incident on the light receiving portion 1552 when the liquid aerosol-generating substance a in the chamber C1 is exhausted may be larger than the light amount of the light 903A incident on the light receiving portion 1552 when the liquid aerosol-generating substance a in the chamber C1 is not exhausted. The light quantity of the light 1003 incident through the light receiving portion 1552 may be set as the reference light quantity under the condition that total reflection occurs on both the first surface 251 and the second surface 252 (the state in which the liquid aerosol-generating substance a in the chamber C1 is depleted). Information about the set reference light amount may be stored in the memory 14 in advance.
Fig. 12 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the aerosol-generating device.
Referring to fig. 12, in operation S1210, the aerosol-generating device 10 may detect insertion of the rod 40. The rod detection sensor 152 of the aerosol-generating device 10 may output a signal corresponding to the rod 40 inserted into the insertion space 130, 230.
Based on the signal received from the rod detection sensor 152, the aerosol-generating device 10 may detect that the rod 40 is inserted into the insertion space 130, 230.
In operation S1220, the aerosol-generating device 10 may receive a measurement signal from the motion sensor 154 after detecting the insertion of the rod 40. The aerosol-generating device 10 may comprise at least one motion sensor 154 configured to detect movement of the body 100 and/or the cartridge 200 of the aerosol-generating device 10. The motion sensor 154 may be implemented as at least one of a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor. The motion sensor 154 may be disposed in at least one of the body 100 and the cartridge 200.
In operation S1230, the aerosol-generating device 10 may calculate the angle of the chamber C1. The angle of the chamber C1 may be defined as an angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the chamber C1 and a vertical line in a direction perpendicular to the ground (or ground plane). The motion sensor 154 may measure movement information including a movement state, a posture, and an inclination of the aerosol-generating device 10, and may output a signal corresponding to the measured information. The aerosol-generating device 10 may calculate the angle of the chamber C1 based on the signals received from the motion sensor 154.
In operation S1240, the aerosol-generating device 10 may compare the calculated angle of the chamber C1 with a reference angle. The aerosol-generating device 10 may determine whether the calculated angle is less than or equal to the reference angle.
In operation S1250, the aerosol-generating device 10 may output an alarm through the output device 122 based on the calculated angle exceeding the reference angle. For example, the aerosol-generating device 10 may output information indicative of a determination that the presence or absence of the liquid aerosol-generating substance for use in the chamber C1 is not available due to the tilted chamber C1 via the output device 122. For example, since the chamber C1 is inclined, the aerosol-generating device 10 may output information that the guiding means is aligned with a direction perpendicular to the ground through the output means 122.
After outputting the alarm, the aerosol-generating device 10 may again receive the measurement signal from the motion sensor 154 (operation S1220).
In operation S1260, the aerosol-generating device 10 may activate the optical sensor 155 based on the calculated angle being less than or equal to the reference angle. The aerosol-generating device 10 may transmit an activation signal to the optical sensor 155 to activate the optical sensor 155. The aerosol-generating device 10 may monitor the signal received from the activated optical sensor 155. For example, the aerosol-generating device 10 may receive a signal from the activated optical sensor 155 within a predetermined time from a point in time at which the angle of the chamber C1 is calculated.
Although the liquid aerosol-generating substance is present in the chamber C1 in a state in which the chamber C1 is inclined with respect to the ground, the liquid aerosol-generating substance may not be located in the vicinity of the light guide 250. Since the aerosol-generating device 10 determines the presence or absence of the liquid aerosol-generating substance only when the chamber C1 is disposed at an angle less than or equal to a predetermined angle to the direction perpendicular to the ground, the aerosol-generating device 10 can accurately determine the presence and absence of the liquid aerosol-generating substance.
In operation S1270, the aerosol-generating device 10 may determine whether the liquid aerosol-generating substance in the chamber C1 is depleted based on the signal received from the activated optical sensor 155.
Based on the signal received from the activated optical sensor 155, the aerosol-generating device 10 may compare the amount of reflected light incident on the light receiving portion 1552 of the optical sensor 155 with a reference amount of light. For example, the reference light amount may be set to the light amount of the light 1003 incident through the light receiving portion 1552, or a light amount smaller than the corresponding light amount by a certain level under the condition that the light emitted by the light emitting portion 1551 of the light guide 250 toward the first surface 251 is totally reflected from both the first surface 251 and the second surface 252.
When the amount of reflected light is greater than or equal to the reference amount of light, the aerosol-generating device 10 may determine that the liquid aerosol-generating substance in the chamber C1 is depleted. As the liquid aerosol-generating substance is depleted in the chamber C1, the first surface 251 and the second surface 252 may be in contact with air in the chamber C1. In this case, since total reflection occurs on the first surface 251 and the second surface 252 of the light guide 250, the amount of reflected light may be greater than or equal to the reference light amount.
When the amount of reflected light is less than the reference amount of light, the aerosol-generating device 10 may determine that the liquid aerosol-generating substance in the chamber C1 is not depleted. When the liquid aerosol-generating substance in the chamber C1 is not depleted, the first surface 251 and the second surface 252 may be in contact with the liquid aerosol-generating substance in the chamber C1. In this case, since total reflection does not occur on the first surface 251 and the second surface 252 of the light guide 250, the amount of reflected light may be smaller than the reference light amount.
The aerosol-generating device 10 may control the power supplied to the heater 210 based on whether the liquid aerosol-generating substance is depleted.
In operation S1280, the aerosol-generating device 10 may control to cut off the power supply to the heater 210 based on the depletion of the liquid aerosol-generating substance in the chamber C1.
In operation S1290, the aerosol-generating device 10 may control the power supply to the heater 210 based on the liquid aerosol-generating substance in the chamber C1 not being depleted.
Meanwhile, the aerosol-generating device 10 may calculate the angle and movement of the chamber C1 based on the signal received from the motion sensor 154 in operation S1230, and may compare the angle of the chamber C1 with a reference angle to compare a value corresponding to the movement of the chamber C1 with the reference movement in operation S1240. In operation S1260, the aerosol-generating device 10 may activate the optical sensor 155 based on the angle being less than or equal to the reference angle and the value corresponding to the movement being less than or equal to the reference movement. The aerosol-generating device 10 may determine whether the liquid aerosol-generating substance in the chamber C1 is depleted based on the signal received from the activated optical sensor 155.
Since the aerosol-generating device 10 determines the presence or absence of the liquid aerosol-generating substance based on the signal of the optical sensor 155, the presence or absence of the liquid aerosol-generating substance can be accurately determined only when the angle and extent of movement are both less than or equal to the predetermined level, taking into account the angle and extent of movement of the chamber C1.
As described above, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the presence or absence of the liquid aerosol-generating substance in the cartridge can be accurately determined.
According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the power supplied to the heater may be regulated or controlled based on the presence or absence of the liquid aerosol-generating substance.
Referring to fig. 1-12, an aerosol-generating device 10 according to one aspect of the present disclosure may comprise: a main body 100 including an optical sensor 155; and a cartridge 200 coupled to the body and including a light guide 250 having a polyhedral shape and a chamber C1 for storing a liquid aerosol-generating substance. The optical sensor 155 may be disposed adjacent to the light guide 250 and facing the light guide 250 when the cartridge 200 is coupled to the body 100. The light guide 250 may be disposed at the lower end of the chamber C1 or adjacent to the lower end of the chamber C1 such that at least one surface among the plurality of surfaces of the light guide 250 is exposed to the inside of the chamber C1.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the light guide 250 may be disposed toward one side of the lower surface of the cartridge 200, and at least one surface of the light guide 250 may be exposed from the lower surface of the cartridge 200 to the inside of the chamber C1.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the light guide 250 may be disposed adjacent to a lower end of one side surface of the cartridge 200, and at least one surface of the light guide 250 may be exposed to the inside of the chamber C1 from the one side surface of the cartridge 200.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the light guide 250 may be disposed at a corner formed by the lower surface and one side surface of the cartridge 200, and at least one surface of the light guide 250 may be exposed from the corner of the cartridge 200 to the inside of the chamber C1.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the optical sensor 155 may include: a light emitting part 1551 configured to emit light toward the light guide 250; and a light receiving part 1552 configured to receive light reflected from at least one surface exposed to the inside of the chamber C1 and propagated (scattered) through the light guide 250 by the emitted light.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, at least one surface of the light guide 250 exposed to the interior of the chamber C1 may include: a first surface 251; and a second surface 252 adjacent to the first surface 251. The emitted light may be reflected or refracted from the first surface 251 and the second surface 252. Light reflected from the first surface 251 and the second surface 252 among the emitted light may propagate through the light guide 250 to be incident on the light receiving part 1552.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the refractive index n1 of the light guide 250 may be smaller than the refractive index n3 of the liquid aerosol-generating substance and larger than the refractive index n2 of air.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an angle X formed between light emitted by the light emitting part 1551 and incident on at least one surface exposed to the inside of the chamber C1 and at least one surface of the light guide 250 may satisfy the formula: x < 90-arcsin (n 2/n 1).
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device 10 may further comprise a light guide connection portion 260 comprising an optical fiber. When the cartridge 200 is coupled to the main body 100, one end of the light guide connection part 260 may be connected to the light emitting part 1551, and the other end of the light guide connection part 260 may be disposed adjacent to the light guide 250.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device 10 may further comprise a controller 17. The controller 17 may be configured to: receiving a signal corresponding to the received light amount from the optical sensor 155; and determining that the liquid aerosol-generating substance in the chamber C1 has been exhausted based on the amount of light received being greater than or equal to the reference amount of light.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device 10 may further comprise: a motion sensor 154; and an output device 122. The controller 17 may be configured to: based on the signals received from the motion sensor 154, an angle of the chamber C1 with respect to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane is determined; outputting an alarm by the output means 122 based on the angle exceeding the reference angle; and activating the optical sensor 155 based on the angle being less than or equal to the reference angle to determine whether the liquid aerosol-generating substance in the chamber C1 has been depleted based on the signal received from the optical sensor 155.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device 10 may further comprise: an elongated insertion space 130, 230; and a stick detection sensor 152 configured to output a signal corresponding to the stick 40 inserted into the insertion space 130, 230. The controller 17 may be configured to: detecting insertion of the stick 40 into the insertion space 130, 230 based on the signal received from the stick detection sensor 152; and activates the optical sensor 155 based on detecting insertion of the rod 40 to determine whether the liquid aerosol-generating substance in the chamber C1 has been exhausted based on the signal received from the optical sensor 155.
Certain embodiments of the above disclosure or other embodiments are not mutually exclusive or different from each other. Any or all of the elements of the above disclosed embodiments may be combined with one another or with one another in configuration or function.
For example, the configuration "a" described in one embodiment of the present disclosure and the drawing and the configuration "B" described in another embodiment of the present disclosure and the drawing may be combined with each other. That is, although the combination between the configurations is not directly described, the combination is possible except the case where the combination is not described.
While embodiments have been described with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (12)

1. An aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device comprising:
a body including an optical sensor; and
A cartridge configured to be coupled to the body and comprising a light guide having a polyhedral shape and a chamber configured to store a liquid aerosol-generating substance,
Wherein the optical sensor is disposed adjacent to and facing the light guide when the cartridge is coupled to the body, and
Wherein the light guide is disposed at or adjacent to the lower end of the chamber such that at least one surface of the plurality of surfaces of the light guide is exposed to the interior of the chamber.
2. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the light guide is arranged towards a side of the lower surface of the cartridge, and
Wherein the at least one surface of the light guide is exposed from a lower surface of the barrel to an interior of the chamber.
3. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the light guide is arranged adjacent to a lower end of one side surface of the cartridge, and
Wherein the at least one surface of the light guide is exposed from the one side surface of the barrel to the interior of the chamber.
4. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the light guide is provided at a corner formed by a lower surface and one side surface of the cartridge, and
Wherein the at least one surface of the light guide is exposed from the corner of the barrel to the interior of the chamber.
5. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor comprises:
a light emitting portion configured to emit light to the light guide; and
A light receiving portion configured to receive light of the emitted light reflected from the at least one surface exposed to the inside of the chamber and propagating through the light guide.
6. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one surface of the light guide exposed to the interior of the chamber comprises:
A first surface; and
A second surface, the second surface being adjacent to the first surface,
Wherein the emitted light is reflected or refracted from the first and second surfaces, an
Wherein light reflected from the first surface and the second surface among the emitted light propagates through the light guide to be incident on the light receiving section.
7. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, wherein the refractive index n1 of the light guide is smaller than the refractive index n3 of the liquid aerosol-generating substance and larger than the refractive index n2 of air.
8. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 7, wherein the angle X formed by the light emitted between the light-emitting parts and incident on the at least one surface of the light guide exposed to the interior of the chamber and the at least one surface of the light guide satisfies the formula: x < 90-arcsin (n 2/n 1).
9. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, further comprising a light guide connection portion comprising an optical fiber,
Wherein one end of the light guide connection portion is connected to the light emitting portion and the other end of the light guide connection portion is disposed adjacent to the light guide when the cartridge is coupled to the main body.
10. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to:
Receiving a signal corresponding to the amount of received light from the optical sensor; and
Determining that the liquid aerosol-generating substance in the chamber has been depleted based on the amount of light received being greater than or equal to a reference amount of light.
11. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 10, the aerosol-generating device further comprising:
A motion sensor; and
The output device is provided with a plurality of output devices,
Wherein the controller is further configured to:
Determining an angle of the chamber relative to a direction perpendicular to a horizontal plane based on a signal received from the motion sensor;
outputting an alarm by the output device based on the angle exceeding a reference angle; and
The optical sensor is activated based on the angle being less than or equal to the reference angle to determine whether the liquid aerosol-generating substance in the chamber has been depleted based on a signal received from the optical sensor.
12. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 10, the aerosol-generating device further comprising:
An elongated insertion space; and
A stick detection sensor configured to output a signal corresponding to a stick inserted into the insertion space,
Wherein the controller is further configured to:
detecting insertion of the stick into the insertion space based on a signal received from the stick detection sensor; and
Based on detecting the insertion of the rod, the optical sensor is activated to determine whether the liquid aerosol-generating substance in the chamber has been depleted based on a signal received from the optical sensor.
CN202280069019.4A 2021-10-20 2022-10-18 Aerosol generating device Pending CN118119315A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR10-2021-0140327 2021-10-20
KR10-2022-0042165 2022-04-05
KR1020220042165A KR20230056555A (en) 2021-10-20 2022-04-05 Aerosol generating device
PCT/KR2022/015895 WO2023068776A1 (en) 2021-10-20 2022-10-18 Aerosol generating device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CN118119315A true CN118119315A (en) 2024-05-31

Family

ID=91212384

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CN202280069019.4A Pending CN118119315A (en) 2021-10-20 2022-10-18 Aerosol generating device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CN (1) CN118119315A (en)

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