JP2024509044A - Aerosol-generating articles and aerosol-generating systems - Google Patents

Abstract

The aerosol generator according to various embodiments includes a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, a length from the first end to the second end, and a length in the longitudinal direction. a media rod and a filter rod aligned along the media rod, the media rod including a media portion containing a media and one or more airflow paths formed through the longitudinal direction. [Selection diagram] Figure 3A

Description

Hereinafter, embodiments relate to an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating system.

Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative products that overcome the shortcomings of traditional cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for devices that generate aerosol by electrically heating cigarette sticks (e.g. cigarette-type electronic cigarettes). Therefore, research is actively being conducted on electrically heated aerosol generators and cigarette sticks (or aerosol-generating articles) applied thereto. For example, Published Patent Publication No. 10-2017-0132823 discloses a non-combustion flavor inhaler, a flavor smoking source unit, and a vapor unit.

An object of one embodiment is to provide an aerosol-generating article that includes a medium rod including a plurality of airflow paths, thereby allowing smooth flow of airflow and aerosol generated by heating.

An object of one embodiment is to provide an aerosol generation system with increased heating efficiency by arranging a plurality of heating bodies to disperse the heat source.

The aerosol-generating article according to various embodiments includes a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a length from the first end to the second end in the longitudinal direction. The device may include a media rod and a filter rod aligned along the media rod, and the media rod may include a media section that accommodates a media and one or more airflow paths formed through the longitudinal direction.

In one embodiment, the airflow path includes a main airflow path formed through the center of the medium section, and one or more sub-airflow paths formed around the main airflow path in parallel with the main airflow path. It can include a path.

In one embodiment, the sub airflow path may have a narrower cross-sectional area than the main airflow path.

In one embodiment, the medium rod may further include a wrapper surrounding the medium portion of the medium rod, and a side airflow path formed in the longitudinal direction between the medium portion and the wrapper.

In one embodiment, a cross section in a direction perpendicular to the length of the medium portion may be any one of a circle, an ellipse, a convex polygon, and a concave polygon.

In one embodiment, the device further includes a fogging rod containing an aerosol-forming substrate, said fogging rod being disposed at an upstream end of said media rod.

In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating article further includes a soft capsule housed within at least one of the media rod, the filter rod, and the fume rod, the soft capsule being made of a thermally decomposable material. can become.

The aerosol generation system according to various embodiments includes a medium rod and a filter rod, the medium rod including a medium section that accommodates a medium, a main airflow path formed longitudinally through the center of the medium section, and an aerosol-generating article including one or more sub-airflow paths formed around the main airflow path in parallel with the main airflow path; and a housing, and an elongated type formed inside the housing and accommodating the aerosol-generating article. and an aerosol generating device including a heating section that heats the aerosol generating article housed in the elongated cavity.

In one embodiment, the heating unit may include a first heating element of an internal heating type and a second heating element of an external heating type.

In one embodiment, each of the first heating element and the second heating element may have one of a direct heating type, an induction heating type, and a hot air heating type structure.

In one embodiment, the maximum heating temperature of the first heating element may be lower than the maximum heating temperature of the second heating element.

In one embodiment, the aerosol formed by the heating of the heating unit may be moved downstream of the aerosol-generating article through the main airflow path and the sub-airflow path.

In one embodiment, the medium rod is formed in the longitudinal direction between a medium sheet that wraps an outer surface of the medium section, a wrapper that wraps the medium sheet of the medium rod, and the medium sheet and the wrapper. The device further includes a side airflow path, and the aerosol formed by the heating of the heating section is moved to the downstream side of the aerosol-generating article via the main airflow path, the sub airflow path, and the side airflow path. can.

In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating article further includes a fogging rod that houses an aerosol-forming substrate and is disposed at an upstream end of the media rod, the fogging rod configured to absorb the heating of the aerosol-generating device. can be heated to form an aerosol.

In one embodiment, the heating portion may be configured to protrude at one end of the elongated cavity.

In one embodiment, the heating unit may include a heating unit that generates heat and a hot air unit that radiates hot air heated by the heating unit.

The aerosol-generating article according to one embodiment includes a medium rod including a plurality of airflow paths, so that the airflow and aerosol generated by heating can smoothly flow.

The aerosol generation system according to one embodiment can increase heating efficiency by arranging a plurality of heating bodies to disperse the heat source.

The effects of the aerosol generation device and aerosol generation system according to one embodiment are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

It is a block diagram of an aerosol generation device concerning an embodiment. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to various embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to various embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article according to various embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article according to various embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article according to various embodiments. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an aerosol generation device according to various embodiments. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an aerosol generation device according to various embodiments. FIG. It is a figure which shows roughly the aerosol generation device containing the heating part based on other embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an aerosol generation system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an aerosol generation system according to an embodiment.

The terms used in the embodiments were selected from common terms that are currently widely used as much as possible while considering the functions of the present invention, but this may be due to the intention of those skilled in the art, precedents, or new technology. It varies depending on the appearance of etc. Furthermore, in certain cases, there may be terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and their meanings will be described in detail in the description of the relevant invention in such cases. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention are not just names, but must be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of the present invention.

Throughout the specification, when any part is said to "include" any component, this does not exclude other components unless there is a statement to the contrary; It means that it further includes. In addition, terms such as "unit" and "module" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and this may be realized by hardware or software, or It can be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

As used herein, when an expression such as "at least one" precedes an arrayed element, it modifies the entire element rather than each element in the array. For example, the expression "at least one of a, b, and c" includes a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c. must be interpreted.

In the following embodiments, an "aerosol-generating article" refers to an article containing a medium through which the aerosol passes and the medium is transferred. A typical example of an aerosol-generating article is a cigarette, but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In the following embodiments, "upstream" or "upstream direction" refers to the direction away from the user's (smoker's) mouth, and "downstream" or "downstream direction" refers to the direction away from the user's (smoker's) mouth. It means the direction approaching from. The terms upstream and downstream are used to describe the relative positions of the elements that make up the aerosol-generating article.

In the following embodiments, "puff" refers to inhalation by the user, and inhalation refers to the situation of inhalation into the user's oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs through the user's mouth or nose. means.

In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates aerosol by electrically heating an aerosol generating article housed in an internal space.

The aerosol generator includes a heater. In one embodiment, the heater may be an electrically resistive heater. For example, a heater includes an electrically conductive track, and when current flows through the electrically conductive track, the heater heats up.

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 depending on the shape of the heating element, the interior or exterior of the aerosol-generating article is heated.

A cigarette includes a tobacco rod and a filter rod. Tobacco rods may be manufactured in sheets or strands. The tobacco sheet may be made of shredded tobacco. The tobacco rod may also be wrapped in a thermally conductive material. For example, the thermally conductive material may be a metal wheel such as aluminum foil, but is not limited thereto.

The filter rod may be an acetyl cellulose filter. A filter rod can be composed of at least one or more segments. For example, the filter rod may include a first segment that cools the aerosol and a second segment that filters predetermined components contained within the aerosol.

In other embodiments, the aerosol generation device may be a device that generates an aerosol using a cartridge that holds an aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol generation device can include a cartridge that holds an aerosol-forming substrate and a body that supports the cartridge. The cartridge is removably coupled to the main body, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be integrally formed or assembled with the main body, and may be fixed so that it cannot be attached or detached by the user. The cartridge may be attached to the main body with the aerosol-forming substrate housed therein. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the aerosol-forming base material may be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the main body.

The cartridge may hold an aerosol-forming substrate having any one of a variety of states, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gas state, a gel state, and the like. The aerosol-forming substrate may include a liquid phase composition. For example, the liquid phase composition may be a liquid containing tobacco-containing materials, including volatile tobacco flavor components, or may be a liquid containing non-tobacco materials.

The cartridge functions to generate an aerosol by converting the phase of the aerosol-forming base material inside the cartridge into a gas phase by being activated by an electric signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body. Aerosol refers to a gas mixture of vaporized particles and air generated from an aerosol-forming substrate.

In a further embodiment, the aerosol generating device heats the liquid phase composition to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol can be passed through a cigarette and transmitted to a user. That is, the aerosol generated from the liquid phase composition travels along an airflow path of the aerosol generator, and the airflow path may be configured such that the aerosol is transmitted through the cigarette to the user.

In further embodiments, the aerosol generation device may be a device that uses ultrasonic vibration techniques to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate. Here, the ultrasonic vibration method refers to a method in which an aerosol is generated by atomizing an aerosol-forming base material using ultrasonic vibrations generated by a vibrator.

The aerosol generator may include a vibrator, through which short period vibrations can be generated to atomize the aerosol-forming substrate. The vibrations generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibrations, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibrations may be from about 100 Hz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generator may further include a wick that absorbs the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the core may be placed so as to surround at least one area of the vibrator or may be placed in contact with at least one area of the vibrator.

When a voltage (e.g., AC voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations are generated from the vibrator, and the heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator are absorbed by the core. The aerosol can be transmitted to the substrate forming the aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate absorbed by the core is converted into a gas phase by the heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations transferred from the transducer, resulting in the production of an aerosol.

For example, the viscosity of the aerosol-forming base material absorbed by the core is reduced by the heat generated by the vibrator, and the aerosol-forming base material, whose viscosity has been reduced, is turned into fine particles by the ultrasonic vibrations generated by the vibrator. The aerosol may be generated, but is not limited thereto.

In a further embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating article contained in the aerosol generating device using an induction heating method.

The aerosol generator may include a susceptor and a coil. In one embodiment, the coil may apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. A magnetic field can be formed inside the coil by supplying power to the coil from the aerosol generator. In one embodiment, the susceptor may be a magnetic material that generates heat due to an external magnetic field. When the susceptor is located inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied, it generates heat and heats the aerosol-generating article. Also, optionally, the susceptor may be disposed within the aerosol generating article.

In further embodiments, the aerosol generator may further include a cradle.

The aerosol generator can constitute a system with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may charge a battery of an aerosol generator. Alternatively, the heater may be heated while the cradle and the aerosol generator are combined.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. The present disclosure may be implemented in a form that can be realized with the aerosol generator of the various embodiments described above, or embodied in various different forms, but is not limited to the embodiments described herein. .

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generator 100 according to one embodiment.

Aerosol generation device 100 includes a control section 110, a detection section 120, an output section 130, a battery 140, a heater 150, a user input section 160, a memory 170, and a communication section 180. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generator 100 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1. In other words, those who have ordinary knowledge in the technical field regarding this embodiment understand that, depending on the design of the aerosol generator 100, some of the configurations shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted or new configurations may be added. If you are a person, you can understand this.

The detection unit 120 detects the state of the aerosol generation device 100 or the state around the aerosol generation device 100, and transmits the detected information to the control unit 110. Based on the detected information, the control unit 110 performs various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater 150, restricting smoking, determining whether or not an aerosol-generating article (for example, an aerosol-generating article, cartridge, etc.) is inserted, and displaying notifications. The aerosol generating device 100 can be controlled so that various functions are executed.

The detection unit 120 includes at least one of a temperature sensor 122, an insertion detection sensor 124, and a puff sensor 126, but is not limited thereto.

Temperature sensor 122 detects the temperature heated by heater 150 (or the aerosol forming substrate). The aerosol generator 100 may include a separate temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heater 150, or the heater 150 itself may function as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, temperature sensor 122 may be placed around battery 140 to monitor the temperature of battery 140.

Insertion detection sensor 124 can detect insertion and/or removal of an aerosol-generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 124 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. A signal change due to the removal can be detected.

Puff sensor 126 can detect a user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow path or channel. For example, puff sensor 126 may detect a user's puff based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

In addition to the sensors 122 to 126 described above, the detection unit 120 includes an on/humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (for example, GPS), and a proximity sensor. The image forming apparatus may further include at least one of a sensor and an RGB sensor (illuminance sensor). Since the function of the angle sensor can be intuitively inferred by those skilled in the art from its name, a detailed explanation may be omitted.

The output unit 130 outputs information regarding the state of the aerosol generator 100 and provides the information to the user. The output unit 130 includes at least one of a display unit 132, a haptic unit 134, and an audio output unit 136, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 132 and the touch pad have a layered structure and include a touch screen, the display unit 132 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display unit 132 can visually provide information regarding the aerosol generator 100 to the user. For example, information regarding the aerosol generating device 100 may include the charging/discharging state of the battery 140 of the aerosol generating device 100, the preheating state of the heater 150, the insertion/removal state of an aerosol generating article, or the state where the use of the aerosol generating device 100 is restricted ( For example, the display unit 132 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 132 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting display panel (OLED), or the like. Further, the display section 132 may be in the form of an LED light emitting element.

The haptic unit 134 can convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulation or an electrical stimulation, and can provide information regarding the aerosol generating device 100 to the user in a tactile manner. For example, haptic portion 134 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The acoustic output unit 136 can audibly provide information regarding the aerosol generator 100 to the user. For example, the audio output unit 136 can convert an electrical signal into an audio signal and output it to the outside.

Battery 140 supplies the power used to operate aerosol generator 100. Battery 140 may provide power so that heater 150 can heat up. Further, the battery 140 supplies power necessary for operation of different components (for example, the detection section 120, the output section 130, the user input section 160, the memory 170, and the communication section 180) provided in the aerosol generation device 100. Battery 140 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 140 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The heater 150 is supplied with power from the battery 140 and heats the aerosol forming substrate. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generator 100 may further include a power conversion circuit (for example, a DC/DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 140 and supplies the power to the heater 150. Furthermore, when the aerosol generator 100 generates aerosol using an induction heating method, the aerosol generator 100 may further include a DC/AC converter that converts the DC power of the battery 140 to AC power.

The control unit 110, the detection unit 120, the output unit 130, the user input unit 160, the memory 170, and the communication unit 180 can perform their functions by being supplied with power from the battery 140. Although not shown in FIG. 1, it may further include a power conversion circuit, such as an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, which converts the power of the battery 140 and supplies it to each component.

In one embodiment, heater 150 may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials include metals including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. Alternatively, it may be a metal alloy, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater 150 may be implemented as a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate having electrically conductive tracks, a ceramic heating element, etc., but is not limited thereto.

In other embodiments, the heater 150 may be an induction heating type heater. For example, heater 150 may include a susceptor that generates heat via a magnetic field applied by a coil to heat the aerosol-forming substrate.

In one embodiment, heater 150 may include multiple heaters. For example, heater 150 may include a first heater for heating the aerosol-generating article and a second heater for heating the liquid phase.

The user input unit 160 receives information input from a user and outputs information to the user. For example, the user input unit 160 may be a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (contact capacitive type, pressure type resistive film type, infrared detection type, surface ultrasonic conduction type, integral type). Examples include, but are not limited to, a tension measuring method, a piezo effect method, etc.), a jog wheel, and a jog switch. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generation device 100 further includes a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and can communicate with other devices via the connection interface such as the USB interface. It can be connected to an external device to send and receive information and charge the battery 140.

The memory 170 may serve as hardware for storing various data processed within the aerosol generation device 100, and may store data processed by the control unit 110 and data to be processed. The memory 170 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, an SD or an XD memory, etc.), or a RAM (random). access memory) SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) at least one of a memory), a PROM (programmable read-only memory), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. may include two types of storage media. The memory 170 may store data regarding the operating time of the aerosol generating device 100, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, the user's smoking pattern, and the like.

Communication unit 180 includes at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 180 includes a short-range communication unit 182 and a wireless communication unit 184.

The short-range wireless communication unit 182 includes a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication unit, and a near field communication unit. unit), WLAN ( Wi-Fi) communication department, Zigbee (registered trademark) communication department, infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication department, WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication department, UWB (ultra wideband) communication department, Ant+ communication department, etc. Including, but not limited to.

The wireless communication unit 184 includes, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (eg, LAN or WAN) communication unit, and the like. The wireless communication unit 184 may use subscriber information (eg, an International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)) to identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 100 within the communication network.

The control unit 110 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generator 100. In one embodiment, the controller 110 may include at least one processor. A processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, and may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory that stores a program that can be executed by the microprocessor. Moreover, those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which this embodiment belongs will understand that the present invention can be implemented using other forms of hardware.

The control unit 110 can control the temperature of the heater 150 by controlling supply of power from the battery 140 to the heater 150. For example, the control unit 110 can control power supply by controlling switching of a switching element between the battery 140 and the heater 150. As a different example, the direct heating circuit may control the power supply to the heater 150 in response to a control command from the controller 110.

The control unit 110 analyzes the results detected by the detection unit 120 and controls the processing to be executed thereafter. For example, the control unit 110 may control the power supplied to the heater 150 so that the operation of the heater 150 starts or ends based on the result detected by the detection unit 120. For example, the control unit 110 may control the amount of power and power supplied to the heater 150 so that the heater 150 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintains an appropriate temperature based on the result detected by the detection unit 120. You can control the amount of time it is delivered.

The control unit 110 can control the output unit 130 based on the result detected by the detection unit 120. For example, when the number of puffs counted via the puff sensor 126 reaches a preset number, the control unit 110 causes the user to It is possible to give notice that the aerosol generator 100 will end soon.

In one embodiment, the control unit 110 can control the power supply time and/or the power supply amount to the heater 150 according to the state of the aerosol-generating article detected by the detection unit 120. For example, when the aerosol-generating article is in an overhumidified state, the control unit 110 can control the power supply time to the induction coil to increase the preheating time compared to when the aerosol-generating article is in a normal state. .

An embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a storage medium that includes computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, that are executed by a computer. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, separable and non-separable media. Further, computer readable recording media can include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media can include volatile and non-volatile, discrete and It may also include all non-separable media. Communication media include any information-carrying media, typically including computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in a modulated data signal, such as program modules, or other transmission mechanisms.

2A and 2B are schematic perspective views of aerosol-generating articles 2 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, an aerosol-generating article 2 according to one embodiment has a first end 2a, a second end 2b, and a length extending from the first end 2a toward the second end 2b. including. For example, referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the first end 2a is the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article 2, and the second end 2b is the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article 2.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the aerosol generating article 2 according to one embodiment further includes a media rod 21 and a filter rod 22. As shown in FIG. In one embodiment, media rod 21 and filter rod 22 may be aligned along the longitudinal direction.

In one embodiment, the media rod 21 may be arranged upstream of the filter rod 22.

In one embodiment, medium rod 21 may include a medium. The medium according to one embodiment comprises a solid substance based on tobacco materials such as sheet tobacco, cut tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, and a liquid phase composition based on nicotine, tobacco extract and/or various flavoring agents. , but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may also contain substances such as vitamins, taurine, caffeine, and GABA. The media rod 21 may also contain other additives such as flavoring agents, humectants, and/or organic acids. Further, a scented liquid such as menthol or a humectant may be added to the medium rod 21 by spraying it onto the medium rod 21 .

In one embodiment, filter rod 22 may be, but is not limited to, an acetylcellulose filter or a paper filter. There are no restrictions on the shape of the filter rod 22. For example, the filter rod 22 may be a cylindrical rod or a tube-type rod having a hollow space inside. Further, the filter rod 22 may be a recess type rod. If filter rod 22 is comprised of multiple segments, at least one of the multiple segments may be manufactured in other shapes.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the aerosol generating article 2 according to one embodiment further includes a fog rod 23. Referring to FIG. In one embodiment, the atomization rod 23 may be placed at the upstream end of the media rod 21. In one embodiment, the fume rod 23 may include an aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate includes, 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. The media rod 21 may also contain other additives such as flavoring agents, humectants, and/or organic acids. Further, a scented liquid such as menthol or a humectant may be added to the medium rod 21 by spraying it onto the medium rod 21 .

The aerosol-generating article 2 according to one embodiment may be packaged with at least one wrapper 24. The wrapper 24 may have at least one hole through which outside air can flow in or internal gas can flow out. As an example, aerosol generating article 2 may be packaged by one wrapper 24. As a different example, the aerosol-generating article 2 may be redundantly wrapped by two or more wrappers 24. For example, the first wrapper 241 may wrap the medium rod 21, and the wrappers 242, 243, and 244 may wrap the filter rod 22. The entire aerosol-generating article 2 may then be repackaged by a single wrapper 245. If the filter rod 22 is comprised of multiple segments, each segment may be wrapped by a wrapper 242, 243, 244.

The aerosol generating article 2 according to one embodiment includes at least one capsule C or C2. Capsule C or C2 according to one embodiment may perform the function of generating a flavor or may perform the function of generating an aerosol. For example, capsule C or C2 has a structure in which a liquid containing a fragrance is wrapped in a film. Such a soft capsule C or C2 may be housed inside at least one of the medium rod 21, the filter rod 22, and the atomizing rod 23. The soft capsule C or C2 according to one embodiment may be made of a thermally decomposable material. When the soft capsule C or C2 is made of a thermally decomposable material, the aerosol generated by heating with the aerosol generator moves from the upstream side to the downstream side of the aerosol generating article 2, so that the thermal sensation is different from that of the soft capsule. By being transmitted to C or C2, the soft capsule C or C2 is decomposed, and the substance contained inside the capsule can be transferred together with the aerosol. In one embodiment, the soft capsule C or C2 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

3A-3C are schematic cross-sectional views of aerosol-generating articles 2 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C, the medium rod 21 of the aerosol-generating article 2 according to one embodiment includes a medium portion 211 and an airflow path 212. The airflow path 212 according to one embodiment forms a longitudinal path in the space between the media in the compressed medium portion 211, so that the medium smoothly moves by the aerosol from the upstream side to the downstream side of the aerosol-generating article 2. It is for the purpose of

According to one embodiment, the media portion 211 may include a media, which includes solid materials based on tobacco materials, such as sheet tobacco, shredded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, and nicotine, tobacco extracts, and/or various flavoring agents. The base liquid phase composition may include, but is not necessarily limited to, substances such as vitamins, taurine, caffeine, GABA, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the airflow path 212 according to one embodiment may be formed to pass through the medium portion 211 in the longitudinal direction. In one embodiment, media rod 21 includes one or more airflow paths 212.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the airflow path 212 according to one embodiment includes a main airflow path 212a formed to pass through the center of the cross section of the medium part 211, and a direction parallel to the main airflow path around the main airflow path 212a. It includes a sub airflow path 212b formed in. Media rod 21 may include one or more sub-airflow paths 212b. Still referring to FIG. 3B, the sub-airflow path 212b may have a narrower cross-sectional area than the main airflow path 212a, according to one embodiment. The sub airflow path 212b according to other embodiments may have the same cross-sectional area as the main airflow path 212a or a larger cross-sectional area.

Referring to FIG. 3C, the airflow path 212 according to one embodiment further includes a side airflow path 212c. In one embodiment, the media rod 21 may include a wrapper 24 that encloses the media portion 211. Here, a space may be formed between the medium part 211 and the wrapper 24, which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. The space separated in this manner can function as a side airflow path 212c according to one embodiment.

In one embodiment, the cross section of the medium portion 211 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 3C) may be any one of a circle, an ellipse, a convex polygon, and a concave polygon. For example, referring to FIG. 3C, the cross section of the medium portion 211 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction may be in the shape of a star, which is one of concave polygons.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 3C, if the cross section of the medium part 211 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is not circular, the medium rod 21 may further include a medium sheet 213 that serves to maintain the shape of the medium part 211. If the cross section of the medium part 211 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is not circular, a plurality of side airflow paths 212c are formed between the medium part 211 and the wrapper 24. In order to allow the airflow path 212 to smoothly transfer the compressed medium of the medium section 211 by aerosol, the medium sheet 213 that wraps around the side surface of the medium section 211 is preferably formed of a permeable material.

In one embodiment, when the medium part 211 has a polygonal shape as shown in FIG. The amount of medium that is thrown away without being heated can be reduced.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams schematically showing aerosol generators 3 according to various embodiments.

When referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the aerosol generator 3 includes a housing 31, an elongated cavity 32, a heating section 33, a battery 34, and a control section 35.

Housing 31, according to one embodiment, at least partially encloses aerosol-generating article 2 and is configured to accommodate various electronic/mechanical components.

The elongated cavity 32 according to one embodiment can at least partially contain the aerosol-generating article 2 . The aerosol-generating article 2 housed in the elongated cavity 32 is heated by the heating section 33 to generate aerosol, and the generated aerosol is inhaled through the user's mouth.

The heating unit 33 according to one embodiment heats the aerosol-generating article 2 housed in the elongated cavity 32 . In one embodiment, heating portion 33 may include one or more heating elements (eg, 331, 332 in FIG. 4B). For example, the heating unit 33 includes a first heating element 331 that is an internal heating type that heats the inside of the medium, that is, the center part, when the aerosol generating article 2 is housed in the elongated cavity 32, and a first heating element 331 that heats the inside of the medium, that is, the center part, and the outside of the medium, that is, , includes a second heating element 332 which is an externally heated type that heats the outer shell. For example, the first heating element 331 and the second heating element 332 may be any one of a direct heating type, an induction heating type, and a hot air heating type heating element. Preferably, the first heating element 331 may be a blade-type, pin-type, needle-type heating element, or a hot air blow type heating element, and the second heating element 332 is a contact (direct) heating element. The heating element may be a heating type or an induction heating type, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

With continued reference to FIG. 4B, the maximum heating temperature of the first heating element 331 may be lower than the maximum heating temperature of the second heating element 332, according to one embodiment. The first heating element 331 is an internally heated heating element, and if the temperature is too high, the medium in direct contact with it will burn, and the user will feel a burnt taste. Therefore, by setting the maximum heating temperature of the second heating element 332, which is an external heating type heating element, to be lower than the maximum heating temperature of the first heating element 331, it is possible to more evenly heat the medium inside the aerosol-generating article 2. It can be done.

Battery 34 (eg, battery 140 in FIG. 1) according to one embodiment provides the power used to operate aerosol generator 3. For example, the battery 34 supplies power to the heating section 33 so that the medium section 211 in the aerosol-generating article 2 or the aerosol-forming substrate is heated, and the control section 35 (for example, the control section 110 in FIG. 1) operates. It can supply the necessary power to Further, the battery 34 can supply the power necessary for operating the display, sensor, motor, etc. installed in the aerosol generator 3.

The control unit 35 (for example, the control unit 110 in FIG. 1) according to one embodiment controls the operation of the aerosol generator 3 in general. For example, the control unit 35 may control the power supplied from the battery 34 to the heating unit 33. Further, the control unit 35 controls the operation of not only the heating unit 33 and the battery 34 but also other components included in the aerosol generation device 3. Further, the control unit 35 may check the status of each component of the aerosol generator 3 and determine whether the aerosol generator 3 is in an operable state.

Control unit 35 includes at least one processor. A processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that can be executed by the microprocessor. Furthermore, those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which this embodiment belongs can understand that the present invention is implemented using another form of hardware.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an aerosol generating device 3 including a heating section 33 according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the heating unit 33 included in the aerosol generator 3 according to one embodiment is formed to protrude at one end of an elongated cavity (for example, the elongated cavity 32 shown in FIG. 4A). may be done. Here, the heating unit 33 includes a heating unit 33a that substantially generates heat, and a hot air unit 33b that radiates air heated by the heating unit 33a to the outside of the heating unit. According to such a structure of the heating section 33, when the aerosol generating article 2 is accommodated in the elongated cavity 32 of the aerosol generating device 3, the medium and/or the aerosol forming substrate can be heated more efficiently. .

6A and 6B are diagrams schematically illustrating an aerosol generation system according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the aerosol generation system according to one embodiment includes a medium rod 21 and a filter rod 22, and the medium rod 21 includes a medium portion 211 that accommodates a medium, and a center of the medium portion 211. an aerosol-generating article 2 including a main airflow path 212a formed in the longitudinal direction through the main airflow path 212a, and one or more sub-airflow paths 212b formed around the main airflow path 212a in parallel with the main airflow path 212a; A heating unit 33 that heats a housing (for example, the housing 31 shown in FIG. 4A), an elongated cavity (for example, the elongated cavity 32 shown in FIG. 4A), and an aerosol-generating article 2 housed in the elongated cavity. The aerosol generator 3 includes an aerosol generator 3.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the medium accommodated in the medium section 211 of the aerosol-generating article 2 is heated by the heating section 33 to be aerosolized, and moves toward the filter rod 22. Here, the aerosolized medium can move downstream along the main airflow path 212a and the sub airflow path 212b that are formed in the longitudinal direction between the medium portions 211. Here, although the heating section 33 is shown as a single unit in FIG. 6A, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the heating section 33 of the aerosol generating device 3 may include one or more heating elements (e.g. 331, 332 in FIG. 4B), e.g. It includes a first heating element 331 of an internal heating type that heats the inside of the medium, that is, the center part, and a second heating element 332 of an external heating type that heats the outside of the medium, that is, the outer shell part. . In one embodiment, the first heating element 331 and the second heating element 332 may be any one of a direct heating type, an induction heating type, and a hot air heating type heating element.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 6A, the media rod 21 includes a media sheet (e.g., media sheet 213 in FIG. 3C) surrounding the outer surface of the media portion 211, a wrapper (e.g., the wrapper in FIG. 3C) surrounding the media sheet of the media rod 21, 24) and a side airflow path 212c formed longitudinally between the media sheet 213 and the wrapper 24, wherein the aerosolized medium is passed through the side airflow path along with the main airflow path 212a and the sub-airflow path 212b. 212c.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the aerosol generating article 2 of the aerosol generating system may further include a fog rod 23. A fume rod 23 according to one embodiment houses an aerosol-forming substrate and may be located at the upstream end of the media rod 21. When such an aerosol generating article 2 is accommodated in the elongated cavity 32 of the aerosol generating device 3, the heating section 33 heats only the smoke rod 23 or heats the medium rod 21 and the smoke rod 23 together. A richer aerosol may be formed and transferred to the user's mouth.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various technical modifications and variations can be applied based on. For example, the described techniques may be performed in a different order than described, and/or components of the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. may be combined or combined in a different form than described, or Substitutions and substitutions may be made with components or equivalents to achieve appropriate results.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims are also within the scope of the claims described below.

Claims (15)

An aerosol-generating article,
A medium rod having a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a length from the first end to the second end, aligned along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article. and a filter rod;
The medium rod is
a medium section that accommodates a medium;
one or more airflow paths formed through the longitudinal direction;
including;
The airflow path includes a main airflow path formed by penetrating the center of the medium portion;
one or more sub-airflow paths formed around the main airflow path and parallel to the main airflow path;
aerosol-generating articles, including; The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the sub airflow path has a narrower cross-sectional area than the main airflow path. The medium rod is
a wrapper that wraps the medium portion of the medium rod;
a side airflow path formed in the longitudinal direction between the medium portion and the wrapper;
The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, further comprising: The aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein a cross section of the medium portion in a direction perpendicular to the length thereof is any one of a circle, an ellipse, a convex polygon, and a concave polygon. further comprising a fume rod containing an aerosol-forming substrate;
The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the fume rod is located at an upstream end of the media rod. The aerosol-generating article further includes a soft capsule housed within at least one of the media rod, the filter rod, and the fume rod;
6. The aerosol-generating article of claim 5, wherein the soft capsule is comprised of a thermally decomposable material. An aerosol generation system,
The medium rod includes a medium section that accommodates a medium, a main airflow path formed in the longitudinal direction passing through the center of the medium section, and a main airflow path around the main airflow path. an aerosol-generating article comprising one or more sub-airflow paths formed parallel to the path;
an aerosol generating device including a housing, an elongated cavity formed inside the housing and accommodating the aerosol-generating article, and a heating section that heats the aerosol-generating article housed in the elongated cavity;
Aerosol generation systems, including: The heating section is
a first heating element that is internally heated;
a second heating element that is externally heated;
The aerosol generation system according to claim 7, comprising: The aerosol generation system according to claim 8, wherein each of the first heating element and the second heating element has one of a direct heating type, an induction heating type, and a hot air heating type structure. The aerosol generation system according to claim 8, wherein the maximum heating temperature of the first heating element is lower than the maximum heating temperature of the second heating element. The aerosol generation system according to claim 7, wherein the aerosol formed by the heating of the heating section is moved downstream of the aerosol generation article via the main airflow path and the sub airflow path. The medium rod is
further comprising a medium sheet surrounding an outer surface of the medium section, a wrapper surrounding the medium sheet of the medium rod, and a side airflow path formed in the longitudinal direction between the medium sheet and the wrapper;
The aerosol generator according to claim 7, wherein the aerosol formed by the heating of the heating section is moved to the downstream side of the aerosol-generating article via the main airflow path, the sub-airflow path, and the side airflow path. system. The aerosol-generating article further includes a fume rod containing an aerosol-forming substrate and disposed at an upstream end of the media rod;
The aerosol generation system according to claim 7, wherein the atomization rod is heated by the heating section of the aerosol generation device to form an aerosol. The aerosol generation system according to claim 7, wherein the heating portion is configured to protrude at one end of the elongated cavity. The heating section is
a heating unit that generates heat;
a hot air unit that radiates hot air heated by the heating unit;
The aerosol generation system according to claim 14, comprising: