EP4329528A1

EP4329528A1 - Aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer

Info

Publication number: EP4329528A1
Application number: EP23809954.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tae Hun Kim; Ju Eon Park; Sung Wook Yoon; Hyung Jin Jung; Jung Ho Han
Original assignee: KT&G Corp
Current assignee: KT&G Corp
Priority date: 2022-06-17
Filing date: 2023-05-17
Publication date: 2024-03-06
Also published as: WO2023243880A1

Abstract

An aerosol generating device includes a vaporizer configured to generate aerosol from an aerosol generating material, a medium accommodating portion in which a medium through which the aerosol generated by the vaporizer passes is accommodated, a path through which the aerosol generated by the vaporizer flows, and a chamber located between the path and the medium accommodating portion, having an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the path, and configured to deliver the aerosol supplied from the path to the medium accommodating portion.

Description

AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE COMPRISING A VAPORIZER

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer having an increased amount of aerosol delivered to a user.

Recently, the demand for alternative methods for overcoming the shortcomings of general cigarettes has increased.

For example, there is an increasing demand for a system for generating aerosols by heating a cigarette or an aerosol generating material by using an aerosol generating device, rather than by burning cigarettes. Accordingly, research on a heating-type aerosol generating device has been actively conducted.

An aerosol generating device may include a vaporizer capable of generating aerosol, and the vaporizer may include a reservoir in which an aerosol generating material is stored, and an aerosol generating means for aerosolizing the aerosol generating material.

The aerosol generating device should sufficiently deliver the aerosol generated by the vaporizer to a user. However, the conventional aerosol generating device has a problem in that the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating means may not be sufficiently delivered to the user.

In detail, the aerosol may not be sufficiently delivered to a user according to a shape, a size, and an arrangement of a space in which the generated aerosol is delivered to the user.

Accordingly, in order to solve this problem, a technique for improving an aerosol delivery structure of an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer is required.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer in which the amount of aerosol delivered to a user may increase.

Also, various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer in which aerosol may be prevented from being liquefied and leaking out or contaminating elements.

Also, various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer in which aerosol may be smoothly delivered to a user by preventing a vortex from being formed in an aerosol air flow.

Technical aspects, features and advantages to be achieved with respect to the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described problems, and embodiments that are not mentioned in the present disclosure will be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings.

An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes a vaporizer configured to generate aerosol from an aerosol generating material, a medium accommodating portion in which a medium through which the aerosol generated by the vaporizer passes is accommodated, a path through which the aerosol generated by the vaporizer flows, and a chamber located between the path and the medium accommodating portion, having an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the path, and configured to deliver the aerosol supplied from the path to the medium accommodating portion, wherein a direction in which the path extends crosses a direction in which the medium accommodating portion extends.

An aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may increase the amount of aerosol delivered to a user.

Also, an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may prevent aerosol from being liquefied and leaking out or contaminating elements.

Also, an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may efficiently deliver aerosol to a user by preventing a vortex from being formed in an aerosol air flow.

The effects according to one or more embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer, according to an embodiment.

Regarding the terms in the various embodiments, the general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of a new technology, and the like.

In addition, in certain cases, terms which can be arbitrarily selected by the applicant in particular cases. In such a case, the meaning of the terms will be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the present disclosure.

Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements.

In addition, the terms "-er", "-or", and "module" described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

As used herein, when an expression such as "at least any one" precedes arranged elements, it modifies all elements rather than each arranged element.

For example, the expression "at least any one of a, b, and c" should be construed to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

In an embodiment, an aerosol generating device comprising vaporizer may be a device that generates aerosols by electrically heating a cigarette accommodated in an interior space thereof.

The aerosol generating device comprising vaporizer may include a heater.

For example, the heater may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track.

The heater may include a tube-shaped heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of a cigarette according to the shape of a heating element.

A medium may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod.

The tobacco rod may be formed of sheets, strands, and tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod may be surrounded by a heat conductive material.

For example, the heat conductive material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil.

The filter rod may include a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod may include at least one segment. For example, the filter rod may include a first segment configured to cool aerosols, and a second segment configured to filter a certain component in aerosols.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device comprising vaporizer may be a device that generates aerosols by using a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material.

The aerosol generating device comprising vaporizer may include a cartridge that contains an aerosol generating material, and a main body that supports the cartridge.

The cartridge may be detachably coupled to the main body, but is not limited thereto.

The cartridge may be integrally formed or assembled with the main body, and may also be fixed to the main body so as not to be detached from the main body by a user.

The cartridge may be mounted on the main body while accommodating an aerosol generating material therein.

However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. An aerosol generating material may also be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the main body.

The cartridge may contain an aerosol generating material in any one of various states, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, a gel state, or the like.

The aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition.

For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material.

The cartridge may be operated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body to perform a function of generating aerosols by converting the phase of an aerosol generating material inside the cartridge into a gaseous phase.

The aerosols may refer to a gas in which vaporized particles generated from an aerosol generating material are mixed with air.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may generate aerosols by heating a liquid composition, and generated aerosols may be delivered to a user through a cigarette.

That is, the aerosols generated from the liquid composition may move along an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device, and the airflow passage may be configured to allow aerosols to be delivered to a user by passing through a cigarette.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols from an aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method.

At this time, the ultrasonic vibration method may mean a method of generating aerosols by converting an aerosol generating material into aerosols with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

The aerosol generating device may include a vibrator, and generate a short-period vibration through the vibrator to convert an aerosol generating material into aerosols.

The vibration generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibration may be in a frequency band of about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating device may further include a wick that absorbs an aerosol generating material.

For example, the wick may be arranged to surround at least one area of the vibrator, or may be arranged to contact at least one area of the vibrator.

As a voltage (for example, an alternating voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations may be generated from the vibrator, and the heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator may be transmitted to the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick.

The aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick may be converted into a gaseous phase by heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the vibrator, and as a result, aerosols may be generated.

For example, the viscosity of the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick may be lowered by the heat generated by the vibrator, and as the aerosol generating material having a lowered viscosity is granulated by the ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator, aerosols may be generated, but is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates aerosols by heating an aerosol generating article accommodated in the aerosol generating device in an induction heating method.

The aerosol generating device may include a susceptor and a coil.

In an embodiment, the coil may apply a magnetic field to the susceptor.

As power is supplied to the coil from the aerosol generating device, a magnetic field may be formed inside the coil.

In an embodiment, the susceptor may be a magnetic body that generates heat by an external magnetic field.

As the susceptor is positioned inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied to the susceptor, the susceptor generates heat to heat an aerosol generating article.

In addition, optionally, the susceptor may be positioned within the aerosol generating article.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a cradle. The aerosol generating device may configure a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may charge a battery of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the heater may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device are coupled to each other.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the present disclosure.

The present disclosure may be implemented in a form that can be implemented in the aerosol generating devices of the various embodiments described above or may be implemented in various different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 7 are views for describing an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Elements related to the present embodiment are included in an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 7. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that other elements in addition to the elements illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 may be further included in the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10

Before the description with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, directions are defined as follows to aid understanding.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, with respect to a medium accommodating portion 12 of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10, a direction toward a chamber 14 may be referred to as a downward direction and the opposite direction may be referred to as an upward direction.

From another point of view, a direction in which a medium 20 moves when the medium 20 is inserted into the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may be referred to as a downward direction, and a direction in which the medium 20 moves when the medium 20 is separated from the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may be an upward direction.

From another point of view, a direction in which an airflow flows through the medium 20 when the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 is used may be referred to as an upward direction, and the opposite direction may be referred to as a downward direction.

The aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 comprises a vaporizer 11, the medium accommodating portion 12, a path 13, and the chamber 14. The medium 20 may be inserted into the medium accommodating portion 12 located in an inner space of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10.

The vaporizer 11 is an element for generating aerosol from an aerosol generating material.

The medium accommodating portion 12 is an element in which the medium 20 through which the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 11 may pass is accommodated.

The path 13 is an element through which the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 11 flows.

The chamber 14 is located between the path and the medium accommodating portion 12. The chamber 14 is an element for delivering the aerosol supplied from the path 13 to the medium accommodating portion 12. An inner diameter of the chamber 14 may be greater than an inner diameter of the path 13.

In FIG. 1, the vaporizer 11 and the medium accommodating portion 12 are arranged in parallel in a direction in which the medium accommodating portion 12 extends, and the path 13 and the chamber 14 are located between the vaporizer 11 and the medium accommodating portion 12.

However, an internal structure of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1. In another example, the vaporizer 11 and the medium accommodating portion 12 may be aligned with each other in the direction in which the medium accommodating portion 12 extends, and the path 13 and the chamber 14 may be located therebetween.

The internal structure of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 is not limited to that described in the present disclosure, and an arrangement of the vaporizer 11, the medium accommodating portion 12, the path 13, and the chamber 14 may be changed according to a design.

The vaporizer 11 may be in fluid communication with the path 13, the path 13 may be in fluid communication with the chamber 14, and the chamber 14 may be in fluid communication with the medium accommodating portion 12.

Referring to FIG. 1, air may be introduced from the outside into the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 (as marked by an arrow). The air introduced into the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may pass through the vaporizer 11, may pass through an aerosol generating means 112 and the path 13 to the chamber 14, and may be delivered to the medium 20 accommodated in the medium accommodating portion 12.

Accordingly, a flow of air may be formed from an air inlet through which air is introduced from the outside of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 to the medium 20 through the vaporizer 11, the path 13, and the chamber 14. When the medium 20 is inserted into the medium accommodating portion 12, a user may hold a part of the medium 20 by the mouth and inhale to generate a flow of air as in the above.

The aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may generate aerosol by operating the vaporizer 11. The aerosol generated by the vaporizer 11 may pass through the path 13, the chamber 14, and the medium 20 accommodated in the medium accommodating portion 12 together with air introduced from the outside of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 and flowing through the medium accommodating portion 12, and may be delivered to the user.

The vaporizer 11 may include, but is not limited to a reservoir 111 in which an aerosol generating material is stored and the aerosol generating means 112 for aerosolizing the aerosol generating material. For example, the reservoir 111 and the aerosol generating means 112 may be included, as independent modules, in the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10.

The vaporizer 11 may be referred to as, but not limited to, a cartomizer or an atomizer.

The reservoir 111 may store the aerosol generating material therein. The aerosol generating material may have any of various states such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, or a gel state.

The aerosol generating material may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material.

For example, the aerosol generating material may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material. The reservoir 111 may be formed to be attachable/detachable to/from the vaporizer 11, or may be integrally formed with the vaporizer 11.

For example, the aerosol generating material may include water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, spices, flavorings, or vitamin mixtures. The spices may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit-flavored ingredients, but are not limited thereto. The flavorings may include ingredients capable of providing various flavors or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixtures may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto. Also, the aerosol generating material may include an aerosol forming substance, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The aerosol generating means 112 may include a material delivery element (not shown) and a vaporization element (not shown). The material delivery element is an element for absorbing the aerosol generating material stored in the reservoir 111, and the vaporization element is an element for aerosolizing the aerosol generating material absorbed by the material delivery element.

The material delivery element may absorb the aerosol generating material stored in the reservoir 111 and may deliver the aerosol generating material to the vaporization element. For example, the material delivery element may be a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

The vaporization element is an element for heating the aerosol generating means 112 delivered by the material delivery element. For example, the vaporization element may be a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the vaporization element may include a conductive filament such as nichrome wire and may be positioned as being wound around the material delivery element. The vaporization element may be heated by current supply and may transfer heat to a liquid composition in contact with the vaporization element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, aerosol may be generated.

For example, the vaporization element may be a heater (not shown) for heating the material delivery element. The heater may heat the material delivery element to aerosolize the aerosol generating material and generate aerosol.

The heater may be heated by power supplied from a battery. Accordingly, the heated heater may heat the material delivery element to increase a temperature of the aerosol generating material.

The heater may be an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater may include an electrically conductive track, and the wick may be heated when current flows through the electrically conductive track.

However, the heater is not limited to the example described above and may include any other heaters which may be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 or may be set by the user.

For example, the aerosol generating means 112 may include a tube-type vaporization element, a plate-type vaporization element, a needle-type vaporization element, or a rod-type vaporization element, and may heat the inside or the outside of the reservoir 111, according to a shape of the vaporization element.

In another example, the vaporization element may include a vibrator (not shown). The vibrator may generate vibration with a short period to atomize the aerosol generating material. The vibration generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibration and a frequency band of the ultrasonic vibration may range from about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

As a voltage (e.g., an alternating current (AC) voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and/or ultrasonic vibration may be generated from the vibrator, and the heat and/or the ultrasonic vibration generated from the vibrator may be transferred to the aerosol generating material absorbed by the material delivery element. A phase of the aerosol generating material absorbed by the material delivery element may be converted into a gaseous phase by the heat and/or the ultrasonic vibration delivered from the vibrator, and as a result, aerosol may be generated.

For example, a viscosity of the aerosol generating material absorbed by the material delivery element may be lowered due to the heat generated from the vibrator, and the aerosol generating material whose viscosity is lowered may be converted into fine particles due to the ultrasonic vibration generated from the vibrator to generate aerosol, but are not limited thereto.

Also, a plurality of aerosol generating means 112 may be located in the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10. In this case, the plurality of aerosol generating means 112 may be inserted into the reservoir 111 or may be located outside the reservoir 111. Also, some of the plurality of aerosol generating means 112 may be inserted into the reservoir 111 and the others may be located outside the reservoir 111.

A shape of the vaporizer 11 is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 1, and may include various shapes.

The vaporizer 11 may generate aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material stored in the reservoir 111 through the aerosol generating means 112.

The aerosol generated by the vaporizer 11 may pass through the path 13, the chamber 14, and the medium 20 inserted into the medium accommodating portion 12, and may be delivered to the user. In other words, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 11 may move through the path 13 of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10. The path 13 functions to deliver the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 11 to the chamber 14 so that the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 11 passes through the chamber 14, the medium accommodating portion 12, and the medium 20 to the user.

In a conventional aerosol generating device, when an inner diameter of a flow path connected to the medium accommodating portion 12 and configured to directly supply aerosol to the medium 20 is excessively smaller than an inner diameter of the medium accommodating portion 12, the aerosol may not smoothly enter an end of the medium 20. In this case, a flow rate of aerosol delivered to the medium 20 may not be sufficient, and when the user inhales the aerosol, the amount of aerosol delivered to the user through the medium 20 per unit time may not be sufficient.

In detail, as the inner diameter of the flow path (in particular, the inner diameter of the flow path adjacent to the medium accommodating portion 12) decreases, pressure of aerosol flowing through the flow path increases. Accordingly, when the aerosol enters the end of the medium 20, the aerosol may not be uniformly supplied to the entire area of the end of the medium 20 and may be concentrated only on a certain portion corresponding to the center of the medium 20.

Referring to FIG. 1, the chamber 14 may be located between the path 13 and the medium accommodating portion 12. Because an inner diameter D2 of the chamber 14 is greater than an inner diameter D1 of the path 13, the inner diameter of the chamber 14 is greater than the inner diameter of the path 13.

In the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer according to an embodiment, a size of the chamber 14 for supplying aerosol to the medium 20 is increased to have a sufficiently large inner diameter corresponding to a size of the end of the medium 20. Accordingly, the aerosol may be smoothly and sufficiently supplied to the entire area of the end of the medium 20.

Because the chamber 14 has an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the path 13, when aerosol having high pressure and flow rate in the path 13 reaches the chamber 14 through the path 13, the pressure and the flow rate of the aerosol may be reduced in the chamber 14 having the increased inner diameter. Accordingly, because the chamber 14 reduces the pressure and the flow rate of the aerosol received from the path 13, the chamber 14 may buffer the aerosol at an upstream side of the end of the medium 20.

Referring to FIG. 1, a portion of the chamber 14 which communicates with the path 13 and is open to receive aerosol may be referred to as a chamber inlet 141, and a portion of the chamber 14 which communicates with the medium accommodating portion 12 and is open to deliver aerosol may be referred to as a chamber outlet 142.

Because the chamber 14 is an element for directly delivering aerosol to the medium 20 in the medium accommodating portion 12, when the inner diameter D2 of the chamber 14 is increased, the amount of aerosol supplied to the user per unit time may be increased.

As the inner diameter D2 of the chamber 14 is closer to an inner diameter D3 of the medium accommodating portion 12, a larger amount of aerosol may be delivered to the medium 20.

When aerosol flows from the path 13 to the chamber 14, the pressure of the aerosol may be adjusted in the chamber 14 and then the aerosol may be supplied to the medium 20.

The aerosol reaching the chamber 14 may enter the medium 20 while being compressed in the chamber 14. That is, when the aerosol reaches the chamber 14, the aerosol may be accumulated in the chamber 14 as the pressure of the aerosol decreases in the chamber 14 having an inner diameter greater than that of the path 13. The aerosol accommodated in the chamber 14 may spread over the entire area in the chamber 14 to form uniform pressure corresponding to the entire area of the end of the medium 20. Accordingly, the aerosol may be uniformly supplied to the entire area of the end of the medium 20.

An inner diameter of the chamber 14 may be equal to or greater than 70% of an inner diameter of the medium accommodating portion 12, and in this case, a cross-sectional area of a flow path of the chamber 14 may be equal to or greater than 49% of a cross-sectional area of a flow path of the medium accommodating portion 12. Preferably, an inner diameter of the chamber 14 may be equal to or greater than 90% of an inner diameter of the medium accommodating portion 12, and in this case, a cross-sectional area of a flow path of the chamber 14 may be equal to or greater than 81% of a cross-sectional area of a flow path of the medium accommodating portion 12.

Because the medium 20 should be located in the medium accommodating portion 12, the chamber 14 needs to be formed so that the medium 20 does not fall into the chamber 14. In detail, when a diameter of the chamber 14 is constant regardless of a portion, and an inner diameter of the chamber 14 is less than an inner diameter of the medium 20, a top surface of the chamber 14 may support the medium 20 so that the medium 20 accommodated in the medium accommodating portion 12 does not fall into the chamber 14. When a diameter of the chamber 14 varies according to a portion, and an inner diameter of the chamber outlet 142 formed on an upper portion of the chamber 14 is less than an inner diameter of the medium 20, even though an inner diameter of a portion of the chamber 14 other than the chamber outlet 142 is greater than the inner diameter of the medium 20, a top surface of the chamber 14 may support the medium 20 so that the medium 20 accommodated in the medium accommodating portion 12 does not fall into the chamber 14.

Referring to FIG. 1, a direction in which the path 13 extends may cross a direction in which the medium accommodating portion 12 extends. A certain angle α may be formed between the direction in which the path 13 extends and the direction in which the medium accommodating portion 12 extends. For example, the certain angle α may range from 70° to 120°, and may be preferably about 90°

When the certain angle α is formed between the direction in which the path 13 extends and the direction in which the medium accommodating portion 12 extends, a traveling direction of an aerosol airflow along the path 13 may be changed by an angle close to the certain angle α

A lower end of the medium accommodating portion 12 may communicate with the chamber 14, and an upper end of the medium accommodating portion 12 may communicate with the outside of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10. The aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may include a medium insertion port that is open at a position adjacent to the upper end of the medium accommodating portion 12.

The medium 20 may pass through the medium insertion port and may be inserted into and accommodated in the medium accommodating portion 12.

When the medium 20 is inserted into and accommodated in the medium accommodating portion 12 in the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10, at least a part of the medium 20 may protrude outward from the medium insertion port and may be exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10. The user may inhale aerosol through the medium 20 exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10.

The aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may further include other elements in addition to the vaporizer 11, the medium accommodating portion 12, the path 13, and the chamber 14. For example, the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting haptic information. Also, the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may include at least one sensor(a puff detection sensor, a temperature detection sensor, or a medium insertion detection sensor).

Also, the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may be formed as a structure in which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged even when the medium 20 is inserted.

Examples of the medium 20 of FIG. 1 will be described.

The medium 20 is an element that allows aerosol to pass therethrough, is located in the medium accommodating portion 12, and is provided separately from the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10.

A diameter of the medium 20 may range from 5 mm to 9 mm, and a length of the medium 20 may be about 48 mm, but are not limited thereto.

The medium 20 may be packaged by at least one wrapper. At least one hole through which external air is introduced or internal air is discharged may be formed in the wrapper. For example, the medium 20 may be packaged by one wrapper. In another example, the medium 20 may be doubly packaged by two or more wrappers.

The medium 20 may include an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but it is not limited thereto. Also, the medium 20 may include other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic acid. Also, a flavored liquid such as menthol or a moisturizer may be added to the medium 20.

The medium 20 may be similar to a general combustive medium. For example, the medium 20 may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter, etc. Alternatively, an aerosol generating material may also be included in the second portion of the medium 20. For example, an aerosol generating material made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.

The first portion of the medium 20 may be completely inserted into the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10, and the second portion of the medium 20 may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a part of the first portion of the medium 20 may be inserted into the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10, or a part of the first portion and a part of the second portion may be inserted. The user may inhale aerosol while holding the second portion by the mouth of the user. In this case, aerosol is generated when external air passes through the first portion, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion and is delivered to the user's mouth.

For example, external air may be introduced through at least one air inlet formed in the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10. For example, opening and closing of the air inlet and/or a size of the air inlet formed in the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount and the quality of smoking may be adjusted by the user. In another example, external air may be introduced into the medium 20 through at least one hole formed in a surface of the medium 20.

An aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. To avoid a repeated description, in FIGS. 2 to 6, the same description as that made for the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer with reference to FIG. 1 will be omitted.

FIG. 2 is a view for describing an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer, according to another embodiment.

In the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer according to an embodiment of FIG. 1, the certain angle α may be formed between a direction in which the path 13 extends and a direction in which the medium accommodating portion 12 extends. The certain angle α may be close to a right angle.

External air introduced into the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may pass through the vaporizer 11, may pass through the path 13 together with aerosol, and may be introduced into the chamber 14. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, when the angle α formed between the direction in which the path 13 extends and the direction in which the medium accommodating portion 12 extends is close to a right angle, a cross-section of an inner side opposite to an airflow introduced into the chamber inlet 141 may also be close to a right angle, and a flow direction of a part of the airflow may be rapidly changed on an inner side opposite to the chamber inlet 141 to form a vortex.

When the vortex of the airflow is generated on the inner side opposite to the chamber inlet 141, an overall flow of air in the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may be disturbed, the user's inhalation of aerosol may be disturbed, the amount of aerosol directed to the medium accommodating portion 12 may be reduced, and the user's suction pressure required to operate the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may be increased.

In order to prevent a function of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 from deteriorating as the airflow containing the aerosol forms the vortex in the chamber 14, in the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 according to an embodiment of FIG. 2, a chamber inclined surface 143 inclined at a certain angle may be formed on the inner side opposite to the chamber inlet 141 in the chamber 14.

The chamber inclined surface 143 may enable a flow direction of the airflow passing through the inside of the chamber 14 to be gradually changed without being suddenly changed on the inner side opposite to the chamber inlet 141. According to this structure, because the airflow in the chamber 14 is prevented from forming a vortex, the airflow in the chamber 14 may be guided to the medium accommodating portion 12 through the chamber outlet 142 without being stagnant.

Accordingly, through the structure in which the chamber 14 includes the chamber inclined surface 143 formed in the chamber 14, a phenomenon where aerosol remains in the chamber without being inhaled and interferes with the user's aerosol inhalation may be minimized.

FIG. 3 is a view for describing an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer, according to another embodiment. To avoid a repeated description, the same description as that made for the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer with reference to FIG. 2 will be omitted.

As described with reference to FIG. 1, the certain angle α may be formed between a direction in which the path 13 extends and a direction in which the medium accommodating portion 12 extends, and the certain angle α may be close to a right angle.

As shown in FIG. 1, when a cross-section of a side opposite to an airflow introduced into the chamber inlet 141 is close to a right angle, a flow direction of a part of the airflow may be rapidly changed on an inner side opposite to the chamber inlet 141 to form a vortex.

In order to prevent a function of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 from deteriorating as the part of the airflow containing the aerosol forms the vortex in the chamber 14, the chamber 14 of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 according to an embodiment of FIG. 3 may include a chamber curved surface 144 formed on the inner side opposite to the chamber inlet 141.

The chamber curved surface 144 may enable a flow direction of the airflow passing through the inside of the chamber 14 to be gradually changed without being suddenly changed on the inner side opposite to the chamber inlet 141. According to this structure, because the airflow in the chamber 14 is prevented from forming a vortex, the airflow in the chamber 14 may be guided to the medium accommodating portion 12 through the chamber outlet 142 without being stagnant.

Accordingly, through the structure in which the chamber 14 includes the chamber curved surface 144 formed in the chamber 14, a phenomenon where aerosol remains in the chamber without being inhaled and interferes with the user's aerosol inhalation may be minimized.

FIG. 4 is a view for describing an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer, according to another embodiment.

In the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer according to an embodiment of FIG. 1, the certain angle α may be formed between a direction in which the path 13 extends and a direction in which the medium accommodating portion 12 extends, and the certain angle α may be close to a right angle.

External air introduced into the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may pass through the vaporizer 11, may pass through the path 13 together with aerosol, and may be introduced into the chamber 14. In this case, the aerosol in the air passing through the chamber 14 may be partially liquefied in the chamber 14.

The liquefied aerosol may remain in the path 13 and/or the chamber 14, thereby disturbing a flow of the air in the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 and disturbing the user's aerosol inhalation.

In order to prevent a function of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 from deteriorating as the aerosol is liquefied and remains in the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10, the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 according to an embodiment of FIG. 4 may include a chamber lower space 145 formed opposite to the chamber outlet 142 in the chamber 14.

When the angle α formed between the direction in which the path 13 extends and the direction in which the medium accommodating portion 12 extends is close to a right angle, the chamber inlet 141 may be located between the chamber outlet 142 and the chamber lower space 145 in the direction in which the medium accommodating portion extends.

From another point of view, the chamber lower space 145 may be located below the chamber outlet 142 in the direction in which the medium accommodating portion extends, and may be located at a position lower than the chamber inlet 141.

In general, because the user using the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 uses the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 in a state where the medium 20 and the medium accommodating portion 12 are located over the chamber 14, the aerosol liquefied in the chamber 14 may flow down into the chamber lower space 145 by gravity while the user uses the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10.

Through this structure, while the user uses the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10, the liquefied aerosol may remain and be accumulated in the chamber lower space 145.

When the medium 20 is separated from the medium accommodating portion 12, the outside of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 and the inside of the chamber 14 may communicate with each other. Accordingly, after the user finishes using the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10, the user may overturn the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10, to discharge the liquefied aerosol accumulated in the chamber lower space 145 to the outside of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10.

In another example, the user may disassemble a part of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10, to discharge the liquefied aerosol accumulated in the chamber lower space 145 to the outside of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10.

FIG. 5 is a view for describing an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer, according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the inner diameter D2 of the chamber 14 may be similar or equal to the inner diameter D3 of the medium accommodating portion 12.

As an inner diameter of the chamber 14 increases, the amount of aerosol delivered to the user through the medium 20 per unit time increases when the user inhales the aerosol. Accordingly, through this structure, the amount of aerosol delivered to the user may be maximized.

As described with reference to FIG. 1, when an inner diameter of the chamber 14 and/or the chamber outlet 142 is less than an inner diameter of the medium 20, a top surface of the chamber 14 may support the medium 20 so that the medium 20 does not fall into the chamber 14.

However, when the inner diameter D2 of the chamber 14 is equal to the inner diameter D3 of the medium accommodating portion 12, a top surface of the chamber 14 may not support the medium 20, and thus, the medium 20 may fall into the chamber 14.

To solve this problem, according to the present embodiment, the medium accommodating portion 12 may include a protrusion 121 protruding from an inner surface of the medium accommodating portion 12 to support the medium 20.

In detail, the protrusion 121 may protrude from a lowermost end of the inner surface of the medium accommodating portion 12 toward the center of the medium accommodating portion 12. One or more protrusions 121 may be formed.

Because the protrusion 121 may block an airflow in the chamber 14 toward the medium 20 and may disturb delivery of aerosol, the number of protrusions 121 may be minimized to the extent that the medium 20 may be supported.

A cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 121 may be changed into various shapes to support the medium 20 such as a quadrangular shape or a triangular shape.

According to the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer according to the embodiment, the amount of aerosol supplied through the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may be maximized and the medium 20 may be stably supported in the medium accommodating portion 12.

FIG. 6 is a view for describing an aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

The aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 according to an embodiment of FIG. 6 may further include an expansion chamber 15 located between the chamber 14 and the medium accommodating portion 12.

In detail, a lower portion of the expansion chamber 15 may communicate with the chamber outlet 142, and an upper portion of the expansion chamber 15 may communicate with a lower end of the medium accommodating portion 12.

In this case, an inner diameter D4 of the expansion chamber 15 may be greater than the inner diameter D2 of the chamber 14.

The inner diameter D4 of the expansion chamber 15 may be similar or equal to the inner diameter D3 of the medium accommodating portion 12. An inner diameter of the expansion chamber 15 may be similar or equal to an inner diameter of the medium accommodating portion 12.

The expansion chamber 15 may enable an inner diameter of a space through which an airflow including aerosol passes to be expanded once more and be greater than an inner diameter of the chamber 14 at the lower end of the medium accommodating portion 12.

As an inner diameter of a space through which an airflow delivered to the medium accommodating portion 12 passes increases, the amount of aerosol delivered to the user through the medium 20 per unit time increases when the user inhales the aerosol. Accordingly, through this structure, the amount of aerosol delivered to the user may be maximized.

According to the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 according to the present embodiment of FIG. 6, because the inner diameter D2 of the chamber 14 is less than the inner diameter D3 of the medium accommodating portion 12, a space in the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may be more efficiently used.

Because the inner diameter D4 of the expansion chamber 15 that is a space through which an airflow delivered to the medium accommodating portion 12 passes is similar or equal to the inner diameter D3 of the medium accommodating portion 12, the amount of aerosol introduced into the medium accommodating portion 12 may be maximized and the amount of aerosol supplied to the user per unit time may be increased.

Accordingly, through this structure, an inner space of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may be efficiently used and the amount of aerosol supplied to the user per unit time may be increased.

However, when the inner diameter D4 of the expansion chamber 15 is equal to the inner diameter D3 of the medium accommodating portion 12, the medium 20 may fall into the expansion chamber 15.

To solve this problem, like in an embodiment of FIG. 5, the medium accommodating portion 12 may include the protrusion 121 that protrudes from an inner surface toward the center of the medium accommodating portion 12 to support the medium 20. To avoid a repeated description, the same description as that made for the protrusion 121 with reference to FIG. 5 will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10, according to another embodiment. The aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

The aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may include the vaporizer 11, a controller 30, a battery 40, a sensing unit 50, an output unit 60, a communication unit 70, a memory 80, and a user input unit 90.

However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 is not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 7.

That is, according to the design of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that some of the components shown in FIG. 7 may be omitted or new components may be added.

The sensing unit 50 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 and a state around the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10, and transmit sensed information to the controller 30.

Based on the sensed information, the controller 30 may control the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 to perform various functions, such as controlling an operation of the vaporizer 11, limiting smoking, determining whether an aerosol generating article (e.g., a cigarette, a cartridge, or the like) is inserted, displaying a notification, or the like.

The sensing unit 50 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 51, an insertion detection sensor 52, and a puff sensor 53, but is not limited thereto.

The temperature sensor 51 may sense a temperature at which the vaporizer 11 (or an aerosol generating material) is heated.

The aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the vaporizer 11, or the vaporizer 11 may serve as a temperature sensor.

Alternatively, the temperature sensor 51 may also be arranged around the battery 40 to monitor the temperature of the battery 40.

The insertion detection sensor 52 may sense insertion and/or removal of an aerosol generating article.

For example, the insertion detection sensor 52 may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and may sense a signal change according to the insertion and/or removal of an aerosol generating article.

The puff sensor 53 may sense a user's puff on the basis of various physical changes in an airflow passage or an airflow channel.

For example, the puff sensor 53 may sense a user's puff on the basis of any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

The sensing unit 50 may include, in addition to the temperature sensor 51, the insertion detection sensor 52, and the puff sensor 53 described above, at least one of a temperature/humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a location sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)), a proximity sensor, and a red-green-blue (RGB) sensor (illuminance sensor).

Because a function of each of sensors may be intuitively inferred by one of ordinary skill in the art from the name of the sensor, a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

The output unit 60 may output information on a state of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 and provide the information to a user.

The output unit 60 may include at least one of a display unit 61, a haptic unit 62, and a sound output unit 63, but is not limited thereto.

When the display unit 61 and a touch pad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 61 may also be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display unit 61 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 to the user.

For example, information about the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may mean various pieces of information, such as a charging/discharging state of the battery 40 of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10, a preheating state of the vaporizer 11, an insertion/removal state of an aerosol generating article, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 is restricted (e.g., sensing of an abnormal object), or the like, and the display unit 61 may output the information to the outside.

The display unit 61 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, or the like.

In addition, the display unit 61 may be in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) light-emitting device.

The haptic unit 62 may tactilely provide information about the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 to the user by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus.

For example, the haptic unit 62 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound output unit 63 may audibly provide information about the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 to the user.

For example, the sound output unit 63 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output the same to the outside.

The battery 40 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10.

The battery 40 may supply power such that the vaporizer 11 may be heated.

In addition, the battery 40 may supply power required for operations of other components (e.g., the sensing unit 50, the output unit 60, the user input unit 90, the memory 80, and the communication unit 70) in the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10.

The battery 40 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.

For example, the battery 40 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The vaporizer 11 may receive power from the battery 40 to heat an aerosol generating material.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 7, the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a direct current (DC)/DC converter) that converts power of the battery 40 and supplies the same to the vaporizer 11.

In addition, when the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 generates aerosols in an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may further include a DC/alternating current (AC) that converts DC power of the battery 40 into AC power.

The controller 30, the sensing unit 50, the output unit 60, the user input unit 90, the memory 80, and the communication unit 70 may each receive power from the battery 40 to perform a function.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 7, the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may further include a power conversion circuit that converts power of the battery 40 to supply the power to respective components, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit, or a voltage regulator circuit.

In an embodiment, the vaporizer 11 may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material.

For example, the suitable electrically resistive material may be a metal or a metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

In addition, the vaporizer 11 may be implemented by a metal wire, a metal plate on which an electrically conductive track is arranged, a ceramic heating element, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the vaporizer 11 may be a heater of an induction heating type.

For example, the vaporizer 11 may include a susceptor that heats an aerosol generating material by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil.

The user input unit 90 may receive information input from the user or may output information to the user.

For example, the user input unit 90 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (a contact capacitive method, a pressure resistance film method, an infrared sensing method, a surface ultrasonic conduction method, an integral tension measurement method, a piezo effect method, or the like), a jog wheel, a jog switch, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

In addition, although not illustrated in FIG. 7, the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 may further include a connection interface, such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may connect to other external devices through the connection interface, such as the USB interface, to transmit and receive information, or to charge the battery 40.

The memory 80 is a hardware component that stores various types of data processed in the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10, and may store data processed and data to be processed by the controller 30.

The memory 80 may include at least one type of storage medium from among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card-type memory (for example, secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD) memory, etc.), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk.

The memory 80 may store an operation time of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, data on a user's smoking pattern, etc.

The communication unit 70 may include at least one component for communication with another electronic device.

For example, the communication unit 70 may include a short-range wireless communication unit 71 and a wireless communication unit 72.

The short-range wireless communication unit 71 may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

The wireless communication unit 72 may include a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN)) communication unit, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

The wireless communication unit 72 may also identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 within a communication network by using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

The controller 30 may control general operations of the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10.

In an embodiment, the controller 30 may include at least one processor.

The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored.

It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The controller 30 may control the temperature of the vaporizer 11 by controlling supply of power of the battery 40 to the vaporizer 11.

For example, the controller 30 may control power supply by controlling switching of a switching element between the battery 40 and the vaporizer 11.

In another example, a direct heating circuit may also control power supply to the vaporizer 11 according to a control command of the controller 30.

The controller 30 may analyze a result sensed by the sensing unit 50 and control subsequent processes to be performed.

For example, the controller 30 may control power supplied to the vaporizer 11 to start or end an operation of the vaporizer 11 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 50.

As another example, the controller 30 may control, based on a result sensed by the sensing unit 50, an amount of power supplied to the vaporizer 11 and the time the power is supplied, such that the vaporizer 11 may be heated to a certain temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

The controller 30 may control the output unit 60 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 50.

For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 53 reaches a preset number, the controller 30 may notify the user that the aerosol generating device comprising a vaporizer 10 will soon be terminated through at least one of the display unit 61, the haptic unit 62, and the sound output unit 63.

One embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a computer-readable recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module executable by the computer.

The computer-readable recording medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media.

In addition, the computer-readable recording medium may include both a computer storage medium and a communication medium.

The computer storage medium includes all of volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media implemented by any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.

The communication medium typically includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in modulated data signals such as program modules, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information transfer media.

The descriptions of the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and equivalents thereof may be made. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to those described in the claims will be construed as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

An aerosol generating device including a vaporizer comprising:

a vaporizer configured to generate aerosol from an aerosol generating material;

a medium accommodating portion in which a medium through which the aerosol generated by the vaporizer passes is accommodated;

a path through which the aerosol generated by the vaporizer flows; and

a chamber located between the path and the medium accommodating portion, having an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the path, and configured to deliver the aerosol supplied from the path to the medium accommodating portion,

wherein a direction in which the path extends crosses a direction in which the medium accommodating portion extends.
The aerosol generating device including a vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of the chamber is equal to or greater than 70% of an inner diameter of the medium accommodating portion.
The aerosol generating device including a vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the chamber comprises:

a chamber inlet through which the aerosol is received from the path; and

a chamber inclined surface formed opposite to the chamber inlet.
The aerosol generating device including a vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the chamber comprises:

a chamber inlet through which the aerosol is received from the path; and

a chamber curved surface formed opposite to the chamber inlet.
The aerosol generating device including a vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the chamber comprises:

a chamber inlet through which the aerosol is received from the path;

a chamber outlet through which the aerosol is delivered to the medium accommodating portion; and

a chamber lower space formed opposite to the chamber outlet,

wherein the chamber inlet is located between the chamber outlet and the chamber lower space in the direction in which the medium accommodating portion extends.
The aerosol generating device includinga vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the chamber comprises a chamber inlet through which the aerosol is received from the path,

wherein at least a part of an inner surface of the chamber inlet is connected to an inner surface of the path in the direction in which the path extends.
The aerosol generating device including a vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the chamber comprises a chamber outlet through which the aerosol is delivered to the medium accommodating portion,

wherein an inner diameter of the chamber outlet is less than an inner diameter of the medium.
The aerosol generating device including a vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the chamber comprises a chamber outlet through which the aerosol is delivered to the medium accommodating portion,

wherein the medium accommodating portion comprises a protrusion protruding from an inner surface of the medium accommodating portion to support the medium.
The aerosol generating device including a vaporizer of claim 1, further comprising an expansion chamber located between the chamber and the medium accommodating portion,

wherein the chamber comprises a chamber outlet through which the aerosol is delivered to the expansion chamber,

wherein an inner diameter of the expansion chamber is greater than an inner diameter of the chamber outlet.
The aerosol generating device including a vaporizer of claim 1, further comprising a medium insertion port through which the medium is inserted,

wherein, when the medium is accommodated in the medium accommodating portion, at least a part of the medium protrudes outward from the medium insertion port.