KR102523579B1 - Aerosol generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating substance includes a main body, a cartridge detachably connected to the main body and holding an aerosol-generating substance, and electrodes disposed on one side and the other side of the cartridge; , an ultrasonic vibrator generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material by vibrating, and the electrode may be deposited on the ultrasonic vibrator.

Description

Aerosol generating device {Aerosol generating device}

Embodiments relate to a cartridge and an aerosol generating device including the cartridge, and more particularly, to include an ultrasonic vibrator generating an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material by vibration, and electrodes of the ultrasonic vibrator are deposited on both sides of the ultrasonic vibrator. , an aerosol-generating device at least partially disposed on the same side.

There is an increasing demand for an aerosol generating device that generates aerosol in a non-combustion method, replacing the method of generating an aerosol by burning a cigarette. An aerosol-generating device is, for example, a device that generates an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in a non-combustible manner and supplies it to a user, or generates a flavored aerosol by passing vapor generated from an aerosol-generating material through a flavoring medium. am.

In an aerosol-generating device, an ultrasonic vibrator may be used as a heating element to heat or atomize the aerosol-generating article. The ultrasonic vibrator may generate an aerosol by generating vibration when power is applied without directly generating heat to break the aerosol-generating material into small particles and atomize them.

The ultrasonic vibrator includes an electrode connected to a power supply. In general, electrodes are disposed on the surface of the ultrasonic transducer. An arrangement structure of electrodes for easily connecting the ultrasonic vibrator to the power supply is required.

In the aerosol generating device according to the embodiments, an ultrasonic vibrator is disposed in a cartridge and an electrode of the ultrasonic vibrator is deposited, thereby providing a stable aerosol generating device having excellent corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance.

The aerosol generating device according to the embodiments provides an aerosol generating device in which electrodes having different polarities of the ultrasonic vibrator are disposed on the same surface to be easily connected to a power supply device, so that the aerosol generating device is easily detachable and replaceable.

The problems to be solved through the embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the accompanying drawings to which the embodiments belong. will be.

An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment for solving the above problems is a main body, a cartridge detachably connected to the main body and holding an aerosol generating material, and electrodes disposed on one side and the other side of the cartridge. and an ultrasonic vibrator generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material by vibrating, and the electrode may be deposited on the ultrasonic vibrator.

An aerosol generating device according to another embodiment for solving the above problems includes: a main body, a cartridge detachably connected to the main body and holding an aerosol generating material, disposed in the cartridge, and vibrating to release an aerosol from the aerosol generating material. An ultrasonic vibrator to generate, a first electrode deposited on one surface of the ultrasonic vibrator, and a second electrode deposited on the other surface of the ultrasonic vibrator, wherein at least a portion of the first electrode is connected to the second electrode and the ultrasonic transducer It may include a second electrode disposed on the same side of.

The aerosol generating device according to the embodiments has excellent stability because the electrode of the ultrasonic vibrator for atomizing the aerosol is deposited on the ultrasonic vibrator so that it is not corroded or worn even if the aerosol generating material is in contact with the aerosol generating material for a long time or the number of times of use increases.

In addition, in the aerosol generating device according to the embodiments, electrodes having different polarities of the ultrasonic vibrator are disposed on the same surface, so that it is easy to connect to a power supply device, has a simple internal structure, and is easy to attach and detach.

The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .
3 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a cartridge of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 3;
FIG. 5 is a V-V′ cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 .
6A and 6B are perspective views of an ultrasonic vibrator of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
7A is a perspective view of an ultrasonic vibrator of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.
7B is a rear perspective view of an ultrasonic vibrator of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.
8 is a schematic side view of the ultrasonic vibrator shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.
9A is a perspective view of an ultrasonic vibrator of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.
9B is a schematic side view of an ultrasonic vibrator of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.
10 is an enlarged view of a part of the cartridge shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating the ultrasonic transducer and the fixing member shown in FIG. 10 .

General terms that are currently widely used have been selected for description of the embodiments, but terms may vary according to the intention of a person skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong or a precedent, the emergence of a new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, there are also terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, their meanings will be described in detail in the description of the relevant invention. Therefore, when interpreting the terms used for the description of the embodiments, it should not be limited simply to the names of the terms, but should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the contents throughout the present specification.

When it is said that a certain part "includes" a certain component throughout the specification, it means that it may further include other components without excluding other components unless otherwise stated. In addition, terms such as “…unit” and “…module” described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the embodiments will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the embodiments. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and are not limited to the embodiments described herein.

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

1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an aerosol generating device 10 may include a battery 11, an atomizer 12, a sensor 13, a user interface 14, a memory 15, and a processor 16. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1 . Depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 10, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that some of the hardware configurations shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted or new configurations may be further added. .

As an example, the aerosol generating device 10 may include a body, in which case hardware elements included in the aerosol generating device 10 are located in the body.

As another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10 may include a main body and a cartridge, and hardware elements included in the aerosol generating device 10 may be separately located in the main body and the cartridge. Alternatively, at least some of the hardware elements included in the aerosol generating device 10 may be located in the main body and the cartridge, respectively.

Hereinafter, the operation of each element will be described without limiting the space where each element included in the aerosol generating device 10 is located.

The battery 11 supplies power used to operate the aerosol generating device 10 . That is, the battery 11 may supply power so that the atomizer 12 can atomize the aerosol generating material. In addition, the battery 11 may supply power necessary for the operation of other hardware elements provided in the aerosol generating device 10, that is, the sensor 13, the user interface 14, the memory 15, and the processor 16. there is. The battery 11 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.

For example, the battery 11 may include a nickel-based battery (eg, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery), or a lithium-based battery (eg, a lithium-cobalt battery, a lithium-phosphate battery, and a lithium-based battery). titanate battery, lithium-ion battery or lithium-polymer battery). However, the type of battery 11 that can be used in the aerosol generating device 10 is not limited as described above. If necessary, the battery 11 may include an alkaline battery or a manganese battery.

The atomizer 12 receives power from the battery 11 under the control of the processor 16 . The atomizer 12 may atomize the aerosol generating material stored in the aerosol generating device 10 by receiving power from the battery 11 .

The atomizer 12 may be located in the body of the aerosol generating device 10 . Alternatively, when the aerosol generating device 10 includes a main body and a cartridge, the atomizer 12 may be located in the cartridge or may be located separately in the main body and the cartridge. When the atomizer 12 is located in the cartridge, the atomizer 12 may receive power from the battery 11 located in at least one of the main body and the cartridge. In addition, when the atomizer 12 is divided into the main body and the cartridge, parts requiring power supply in the atomizer 12 may be supplied with power from the battery 11 located in at least one of the main body and the cartridge.

The atomizer 12 generates an aerosol from an aerosol generating material inside the cartridge. Aerosol means a suspension in which liquid and/or solid fine particles are dispersed in a gas. Accordingly, the aerosol generated from the atomizer 12 may refer to a state in which vaporized particles generated from an aerosol generating material and air are mixed. For example, the atomizer 12 may convert a phase of the aerosol-generating material into a gaseous phase through vaporization and/or sublimation. The atomizer 12 may also generate an aerosol by pulverizing and discharging liquid and/or solid aerosol-generating substances into fine particles.

For example, the atomizer 12 may generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method. The ultrasonic vibration method may refer to a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing an aerosol generating material with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

Although not shown in FIG. 1 , the atomizer 12 may optionally include a heater capable of heating the aerosol generating material by generating heat. The aerosol-generating material may be heated by a heater, resulting in the creation of an aerosol.

The heater may be formed from any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials are titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. It may be a metal or metal alloy containing, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater may be implemented as a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate on which an electrically conductive track is disposed, a ceramic heating element, etc., but is not limited thereto.

For example, in one embodiment the heater may be part of the cartridge 200 . Also, the cartridge 200 may include a liquid delivery unit and a liquid storage unit, which will be described later. The aerosol-generating material contained in the liquid reservoir may move to the liquid delivery means, and the heater may generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating material absorbed in the liquid delivery means. For example, a heater may be wound around the liquid delivery means or disposed adjacent to the liquid delivery means.

As another example, the aerosol generating device 10 may include an accommodation space capable of accommodating cigarettes, and the heater may heat the cigarette inserted into the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device 10 . As the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device 10, the heater may be located inside and/or outside the cigarette. As such, the heater may heat the aerosol-generating material in the cigarette to generate an aerosol.

Meanwhile, the heater may be an induction heating type heater. The heater may include an electrically conductive coil for heating the cigarette or cartridge by induction heating, and the cigarette or cartridge may include a susceptor capable of being heated by the induction heater.

The aerosol generating device 10 may include at least one sensor 13 . The result sensed by at least one sensor 13 is transmitted to the processor 16, and according to the sensing result, the processor 16 controls the operation of the atomizer 12, restricts smoking, inserts a cartridge (or cigarette) The aerosol generating device 10 may be controlled so that various functions such as non-judgment and notification display are performed.

For example, at least one sensor 13 may include a puff detection sensor. The puff detection sensor may detect a user's puff based on at least one of a change in flow of air flowing in from the outside, a change in pressure, and detection of sound. The puff detection sensor may detect the start timing and end timing of the user's puff, and the processor 16 may determine a puff period and a non-puff period according to the detected start timing and end timing of the puff. can judge

Also, at least one sensor 13 may include a user input sensor. The user input sensor may be a sensor capable of receiving a user's input, such as a switch, a physical button, or a touch sensor. For example, the touch sensor may be a capacitive sensor capable of detecting a user's input by generating a change in capacitance when the user touches a predetermined area formed of a metal material and detecting the change in capacitance. there is. The processor 16 may determine whether a user's input has occurred by comparing values before and after the change in capacitance received from the capacitive sensor. When the value before and after the capacitance change exceeds a preset threshold, the processor 16 may determine that the user's input has occurred.

Also, at least one sensor 13 may include a motion sensor. Information about the movement of the aerosol generating device 10, such as an inclination, moving speed and acceleration of the aerosol generating device 10, may be acquired through the motion sensor. For example, the motion sensor may be used to detect a moving state of the aerosol generating device 10, a stationary state of the aerosol generating device 10, a state in which the aerosol generating device 10 is tilted at an angle within a predetermined range for a puff, and each puff action. Information about the tilted state of the aerosol generating device 10 may be measured at an angle different from that during the puff operation. The motion sensor may measure motion information of the aerosol generating device 10 using various methods known in the art. For example, the motion sensor may include an acceleration sensor capable of measuring acceleration in three directions, an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis, and a gyro sensor capable of measuring angular velocity in three directions.

Also, at least one sensor 13 may include a proximity sensor. Proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or distance of an approaching object or an object existing nearby without mechanical contact by using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays, through which a user approaches the aerosol generating device 10 It can be detected whether or not

Also, at least one sensor 13 may include an image sensor. The image sensor may include, for example, a camera for obtaining an image of an object. The image sensor may recognize an object based on an image acquired by a camera. The processor 16 may analyze the image obtained via the image sensor to determine whether the user is in a situation to use the aerosol-generating device 10 . For example, when the user brings the aerosol generating device 10 close to the lips to use the aerosol generating device 10, the image sensor may acquire an image of the lips. The processor 16 may analyze the obtained image to determine that the user is in a situation to use the aerosol generating device 10 when the lips are determined. Through this, the aerosol generating device 10 may operate the atomizer 12 in advance or preheat the heater.

In addition, the at least one sensor 13 may include a consumables desorption sensor capable of detecting attachment or detachment of consumables (eg, cartridges, cigarettes, etc.) that may be used in the aerosol generating device 10 . For example, the consumables detachment sensor may detect whether consumables are in contact with the aerosol generating device 10 or determine whether consumables are detached by an image sensor. In addition, the consumable detachment sensor may be an inductance sensor that detects a change in inductance value of a coil that can interact with a marker of consumables, or a capacitance sensor that detects a change in capacitance value of a capacitor that can interact with markers of consumables.

Also, at least one sensor 13 may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may detect the temperature at which the heater (or aerosol generating material) of the atomizer 12 is heated. The aerosol generating device 10 may include a separate temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heater, or the heater itself may serve as the temperature sensor instead of including the separate temperature sensor. Alternatively, a separate temperature sensor may be further included in the aerosol generating device 10 while the heater serves as the temperature sensor. In addition, the temperature sensor may detect the temperature of not only the heater but also internal components such as a printed circuit board (PCB) of the aerosol generating device 10, a battery, and the like.

Also, the at least one sensor 13 may include various sensors that measure information about the surrounding environment of the aerosol generating device 10 . For example, the at least one sensor 13 may include a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the surrounding environment, a humidity sensor for measuring the humidity of the surrounding environment, and an atmospheric pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the surrounding environment.

The sensor 13 that may be provided in the aerosol generating device 10 is not limited to the above-described type, and may further include various sensors. For example, the aerosol generating device 10 may include a fingerprint sensor capable of obtaining fingerprint information from a user's finger for user authentication and security, an iris recognition sensor that analyzes an iris pattern of a pupil, and a vein injection from an image of a palm. It may include a vein recognition sensor that detects the amount of infrared absorption of reduced hemoglobin, a face recognition sensor that recognizes feature points such as eyes, nose, mouth, and facial contours in a 2D or 3D manner, and a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) sensor. .

In the aerosol generating device 10, only some of the examples of the various sensors 13 exemplified above may be selected and implemented. In other words, the aerosol generating device 10 may combine and utilize information sensed by at least one of the sensors described above.

User interface 14 may provide information about the status of aerosol-generating device 10 to a user. The user interface 14 includes a display or lamp that outputs visual information, a motor that outputs tactile information, a speaker that outputs sound information, and an input/output (I/O) that receives information input from a user or outputs information to a user. ) Terminals for data communication with interfacing means (e.g., buttons or touch screens) or receiving charging power, wireless communication with external devices (e.g., WI-FI, WI-FI Direct, Bluetooth, NFC (Near-Field Communication), etc.) may include various interfacing means such as a communication interfacing module.

However, only some of the various examples of the user interface 14 illustrated above may be selected and implemented in the aerosol generating device 10 .

The memory 15 is hardware that stores various data processed in the aerosol generating device 10, and the memory 15 may store data processed by the processor 16 and data to be processed. The memory 15 may be a random access memory (RAM) such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), and an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). It can be implemented in different types.

The memory 15 may store the operation time of the aerosol generating device 10, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data on a user's smoking pattern.

Processor 16 controls the overall operation of aerosol-generating device 10 . The processor 16 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 programs executable by the microprocessor are stored. In addition, those skilled in the art can understand that the processor 16 may be implemented in other types of hardware.

Processor 16 analyzes the result sensed by at least one sensor 13 and controls subsequent processes to be performed.

The processor 16 may control power supplied to the atomizer 12 so that the operation of the atomizer 12 starts or ends based on a result sensed by the at least one sensor 13 . In addition, the processor 16 determines the amount and power of power supplied to the atomizer 12 so that the atomizer 12 can generate an appropriate amount of aerosol based on the result sensed by the at least one sensor 13. You can control the feeding time. For example, the processor 16 may control the current or voltage supplied to the vibrator of the atomizer 12 so that the vibrator vibrates at a predetermined frequency.

In one embodiment, processor 16 may initiate operation of atomizer 12 after receiving user input to aerosol-generating device 10 . In addition, the processor 16 may start the operation of the atomizer 12 after detecting a user's puff using a puff sensor. In addition, the processor 16 may count the number of puffs using the puff detection sensor and then stop supplying power to the atomizer 12 when the number of puffs reaches a preset number.

The processor 16 may control the user interface 14 based on a result sensed by the at least one sensor 13 . For example, when the number of puffs reaches a preset number after counting the number of puffs using a puff sensor, the processor 16 provides the user with an aerosol generating device 10 using at least one of a lamp, a motor, and a speaker. ) can be foretold that it will end soon.

Meanwhile, although not shown in FIG. 1 , the aerosol generating device 10 may be included in the aerosol generating system along with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 11 of the aerosol generating device 10 . For example, the aerosol generating device 10 may charge the battery 11 of the aerosol generating device 10 by receiving power from the battery of the cradle while being accommodated in the accommodation space inside the cradle.

An embodiment may be implemented in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as program modules 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, removable and non-removable media. Also, computer readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Communication media typically includes computer readable instructions, data structures, other data in a modulated data signal such as program modules, or other transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media.

2 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

The aerosol generating device 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes a cartridge 200 holding an aerosol generating material and a main body 100 supporting the cartridge 200 .

Cartridge 200 may include a mouthpiece 201 . The mouthpiece 201 may be formed in the opposite direction to a portion coupled to the main body 100, and is a portion inserted into the user's oral cavity. The mouthpiece 201 may include a discharge hole 202 through which aerosol generated from an aerosol generating material inside the cartridge 200 is discharged to the outside.

The cartridge 200 may hold the aerosol generating material in any one state, such as, for example, a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, or a gel state. Aerosol generating materials may include liquid compositions. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid containing a non-tobacco material.

The liquid composition may include, for example, any one of water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, fragrance, flavoring agent, and vitamin mixture, or a mixture of these ingredients. Fragrance may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavor components, etc., but is not limited thereto. Flavoring agents can include ingredients that can provide a variety of flavors or flavors to the user. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. Liquid compositions may also contain aerosol formers such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

For example, a liquid composition may comprise a solution of glycerin and propylene glycol in any weight ratio to which a nicotine salt has been added. A liquid composition may also include two or more nicotine salts. Nicotine salts can be formed by adding a suitable acid, including organic or inorganic acids, to nicotine. The nicotine can be either naturally occurring nicotine or synthetic nicotine in any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

The acid for forming the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected in consideration of the absorption rate of nicotine in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 10, flavor or taste, solubility, and the like. For example, acids for the formation of nicotine salts include benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid , citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid, or a single acid selected from the group consisting of malic acid or the above It may be a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.

The cartridge 200 may include a cartridge body 203 containing an aerosol generating substance therein. The fact that the cartridge body 203 'accommodates the aerosol-generating material' therein means that the cartridge body 203 simply performs a function of containing the aerosol-generating material like a container, and that the cartridge body 203 It means including an element that impregnates (contains) an aerosol-generating material such as a sponge, cotton, cloth, or porous ceramic structure inside.

The aerosol generating device 10 may include an atomizer 12 generating an aerosol by converting a phase of an aerosol generating material inside the cartridge 200 .

For example, the atomizer 12 of the aerosol-generating device 10 may transform the phase of the aerosol-generating material by using ultrasonic vibrations to atomize the aerosol-generating material with ultrasonic vibrations. The atomizer 12 includes an ultrasonic vibrator 300 that generates ultrasonic vibrations, a liquid delivery unit 205 that absorbs an aerosol-generating material and maintains it in an optimal state for converting it into an aerosol, and an aerosol-generating material of the liquid delivery unit. It may include a vibration receiving unit 204 that transmits ultrasonic vibration to generate an aerosol.

The vibration receiving unit 204 may perform a function of receiving vibration generated from the ultrasonic vibrator 300 and converting an aerosol generating material transmitted from the cartridge body 203 into aerosol.

The liquid delivery unit 205 may deliver the liquid composition of the cartridge body 203 to the vibration receiving unit 204 . For example, the liquid delivery unit 205 may be a wick including at least one of cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, and porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

The atomizer 12 also has both a function of absorbing the aerosol-generating material and maintaining it in an optimal state for converting it into an aerosol without using a separate liquid delivery means, and a function of generating an aerosol by transmitting vibration to the aerosol-generating material. It may be implemented as a mesh shape or plate shape vibration receiving unit.

In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic vibrator 300 of the atomizer 12 is disposed on the main body 100, and the vibration receiving unit 204 and the liquid delivery means 205 are disposed on the cartridge 200. However, it is not limited thereto. For example, the cartridge 200 may include an ultrasonic vibrator 300, a vibration receiving unit 204, and a liquid delivery unit 205, and when a portion of the cartridge 200 is inserted into the main body 100, the main body ( 100) may supply power to the cartridge 200 or a signal related to the operation of the cartridge 200 to the cartridge 200 through a terminal (not shown), through which the operation of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 is controlled. can

At least a part of the cartridge body 203 of the cartridge 200 may include a transparent material so that the aerosol-generating substance accommodated inside the cartridge 200 can be visually confirmed from the outside. The entirety of the mouthpiece 201 and the cartridge body 203 may be made of a material such as transparent plastic or glass, and only a portion of the cartridge body 203 may be made of a transparent material.

The cartridge 200 of the aerosol generating device 10 may include an aerosol discharge passageway 206 and an airflow passageway 207 .

The aerosol discharge passage 206 may be formed inside the cartridge body 203 and in fluid communication with the discharge hole 202 of the mouthpiece 201 . Therefore, the aerosol generated in the atomizer 12 can move along the aerosol discharge passage 206 and can be delivered to the user through the discharge hole 202 of the mouthpiece 201.

The air flow passage 207 is a passage through which external air can be introduced into the aerosol generating device 10 . External air introduced through the air flow passage 207 may flow into the aerosol discharge passage 206 or into a space where aerosol is generated. Accordingly, an aerosol may be created by mixing with the vaporized particles generated from the aerosol-generating material.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the airflow passage 207 may be formed to surround the outside of the aerosol discharge passage 206 . Therefore, the shape of the aerosol discharge passage 206 and the air flow passage 207 may be a double tube shape in which the aerosol discharge passage 206 is disposed inside and the air flow passage 207 is disposed outside the aerosol discharge passage 206. Through this, outside air may flow in the direction opposite to the direction in which the aerosol moves in the aerosol discharge passage 206 .

On the other hand, the structure of the air flow passage 207 is not limited by the above. For example, the airflow passage may be a space formed between the main body 100 and the cartridge 200 when the main body 100 and the cartridge 200 are coupled and in fluid communication with the atomizer 12 .

In the aerosol generating device 10 according to the above-described embodiment, the cross-sectional shape in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the main body 100 and the cartridge 200 is approximately circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, or various polygonal cross-sections. can be a shape. However, the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 10 is not limited by the above, and the aerosol generating device 10 is not necessarily limited to a structure extending in a straight line when extending in the longitudinal direction. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 10 may be curved in a streamlined shape to make it easier for a user to hold by hand, or may be bent at a predetermined angle in a specific area and extended long. can change according to

3 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3 , an aerosol generating device 10 according to an embodiment may include a cartridge 200 holding an aerosol generating material and a main body 100 supporting the cartridge 200 .

The cartridge 200 may be coupled to the main body 100 while accommodating the aerosol generating material therein. For example, a portion of the cartridge 200 may be inserted into the main body 100 or a portion of the main body 100 may be inserted into the cartridge 200 so that the cartridge 200 may be mounted on the main body 100 . At this time, the main body 100 and the cartridge 200 may maintain a coupled state by a snap-fit method, a screw coupling method, a magnetic coupling method, an interference fit method, or the like, but the main body 100 and the cartridge The coupling method of 200 is not limited by the above.

The cartridge 200 may be detachably connected to the main body 100 . As shown in FIG. 3 , when the cartridge 200 is mounted on the main body 100 , a portion of the cartridge 200 may be accommodated inside the main body 100 . The cartridge 200 may receive power from the main body 100 when mounted on the main body 100 . The user may use the cartridge 200 by attaching it to the main body 100, or may separate and replace the cartridge 200. Although not shown in FIG. 3 , the main body 100 may include a power supply device such as the battery shown in FIG. 2 , an atomizer, and a sensor, and may include a general configuration of the aerosol generating device 10 .

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cartridge of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V' of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 4 , a cartridge 200 may include a mouthpiece and a cartridge body 203 . The user may inhale the aerosol discharged through the discharge hole 202 of the mouthpiece 201 . The cartridge body 203 may include an ultrasonic vibrator 300 that accommodates an aerosol generating material therein and atomizes the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the cartridge 200 may include an ultrasonic vibrator 300 that generates an aerosol by atomizing an aerosol generating material. The ultrasonic vibrator 300 may correspond to the ultrasonic vibrator 300 described with reference to FIG. 2 .

The ultrasonic vibrator 300 may be disposed under the cartridge body 203 . By vibrating, the ultrasonic vibrator 300 vaporizes or converts the aerosol-generating material into particles to generate an aerosol. When power is applied to the ultrasonic vibrator 300, it vibrates itself to generate an aerosol, or it can generate an aerosol by receiving vibration from another component and vibrating.

The ultrasonic vibrator 300 may generate vibration of a short period. The vibration generated from the ultrasonic vibrator 300 may be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency of the ultrasonic vibration may be, for example, 100 kHz to 3.5 MHz. Due to the short period of vibration generated from the ultrasonic vibrator 300, the aerosol-generating material may be vaporized and/or made into particles to be atomized into an aerosol.

The ultrasonic vibrator 300 may include, for example, piezoelectric ceramics, which generate electricity (voltage) by physical force (pressure) and, conversely, vibrate (mechanical force) when electricity is applied. It is a functional material that can mutually convert electricity and mechanical power by generating it. Accordingly, vibration (physical force) is generated by electricity applied to the ultrasonic vibrator 300, and such small physical vibration can break the aerosol-generating material into small particles and atomize it into an aerosol.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the cartridge 200 may include a liquid storage unit 208 accommodating the aerosol generating material and a transfer unit 209 transferring the aerosol generating material to the ultrasonic vibrator 300 . The conveying part 209 is connected to the inside of the liquid storage part 208 and may be an element impregnating (containing) an aerosol generating material such as a sponge, cotton, cloth, or a porous ceramic structure, for example. The transfer unit 209 may correspond to the liquid transfer unit 205 described with reference to FIG. 2 .

The arrow shown in FIG. 10 schematically shows the moving path of the aerosol generating material. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 10, the aerosol generating material accommodated in the liquid storage unit 208 passes through the transport unit 209 to the ultrasonic vibrator ( 300). The aerosol-generating material may be transferred to one surface 301 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 and atomized by the ultrasonic vibrator 300 to be aerosolized. The generated aerosol may move along the aerosol discharge passage 206 and be delivered to the user through the discharge hole 202 .

One surface 301 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 of the present disclosure refers to either a front surface or a rear surface of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 . In the description of the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings, one side 301 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 is defined as a front facing the direction toward the aerosol discharge passage 206 through which aerosol is discharged, and the other side of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 ( 303) is defined as a rear surface opposite to one surface 301 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 and described. One surface 301 and the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 are not necessarily limited to the front and rear surfaces of the ultrasonic vibrator 300, respectively, and may be changed according to the arrangement structure of the cartridge 200. In other words, one side 301 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 may be the back side and the other side 303 may be the front side according to appropriate structural changes.

6A and 6B are perspective views of an ultrasonic vibrator of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 6A is a plan perspective view of the ultrasonic vibrator 300, and FIG. 6B is a rear perspective view of the ultrasonic vibrator 300.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B , electrodes used as terminals for applying electrical energy are provided to one side 301 and the other side 303 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 of the aerosol generating device 10 according to an embodiment. can include The electrode may receive power from a battery to drive the ultrasonic vibrator 300 . The electrodes formed on one side 301 and the other side 303 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 may be classified into an anode (+ pole) and a cathode (-pole). Therefore, the anode and cathode must be electrically insulated from each other. In addition, the positive electrode and the negative electrode may be electrically connected to the power supply, respectively, so that power may be applied.

In general, the electrode of the ultrasonic transducer 300 is formed using a silver baking method in which a silver (Ag) paste layer is applied to both surfaces of the ultrasonic transducer 300 through a method such as screen printing, and then heat-treated and attached.

However, since the heating unit of the aerosol generating device 10 is continuously exposed to the liquid aerosol generating material, the silver electrode may wear out as the time and number of times of use increase due to the reaction with the liquid phase. In particular, the silver electrode may be easily worn due to cavitation and erosion occurring in the process of vibrating the ultrasonic vibrator 300 . When the electrode is worn, the performance of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 is significantly reduced, so that desired functions may not be performed smoothly. In addition, the method of forming an electrode using silver paste is very sensitive to process variables such as heat treatment temperature and process pressure and temperature.

Electrodes of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 used in the aerosol generating device 10 according to the embodiments may be deposited on one surface 301 and the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 by a deposition process. The deposition process may be a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process, or an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. For example, materials such as TiN, DLC, TiCN, TiAlN, TiAlCN, AlTiN, AlCrN, CrN, CrCN, ZrN, ZrCN, etc. are decomposed into atoms by heating and particle collision, and then ionized again to the surface of the ultrasonic transducer 300. deposited on it to form an electrode. The deposition process may be performed at 700 °C or less.

The electrode of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 used in the aerosol generating device 10 according to the embodiments may have a microhardness of about 200 Hv to about 9000 Hv, and a friction coefficient of about 0.01 to about 0.8. In addition, the electrode may have a thickness of about 0.5 μm to about 5 μm. An electrode having a thickness of about 0.5 μm to about 5 μm may be sufficient to seal the ultrasonic vibrator 300 without causing defects due to physical force caused by vibration. Compared to the above-described silver electrode, the deposited electrode has excellent durability and corrosion resistance even though it does not include a separate protective film layer, so that the life of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 can be extended and stability can be improved.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B , a first electrode 310 may be formed on one surface 301 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300, and a second electrode 320 may be disposed on the other surface 303. Since the first electrode 310 and the second electrode 320 are formed on one surface 301 and the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 facing each other, they are electrically insulated from each other.

7A is a perspective view of an ultrasonic vibrator of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a rear perspective view of an ultrasonic vibrator of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

7A and 7B, in the ultrasonic vibrator 300 of the aerosol generating device 10 according to another embodiment, the first electrode 310 is disposed on one side 301 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300, and the side ( 302) and may be disposed on a part of the other surface 303. Referring to FIG. 7B , the first electrode 310 may be disposed on a part of the other side 303 after extending to the side 302 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 . Although the ultrasonic vibrator 300 shown in the drawings has a disk shape, it is not limited thereto and may have various shapes as needed.

As shown in FIG. 7B , the first electrode 310 may be formed on a part of the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300, and the second electrode 320 may be formed on the remaining part. In addition, the first electrode 310 and the second electrode 320 on the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 are formed apart from each other by a predetermined interval, so that they can be electrically insulated from each other.

The shape of the first electrode 310 and the shape of the second electrode 320 on the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 may correspond to each other at the boundary portion spaced apart from each other. For example, when the shape of the first electrode 310 formed on the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 is curved, the second electrode at the boundary spaced apart from the first electrode 310 by a predetermined distance ( 320) may also have a curved shape. Since the shapes of the first electrode 310 and the second electrode 320 correspond to each other at the boundary, the surface area of the electrode formed on the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic transducer 300 can be maximized.

8 is a schematic side view of the ultrasonic vibrator shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

Since the first electrode 310 and the second electrode 320 are electrodes of different polarities, voltages of different polarities must be applied from the outside. In the case of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 used in the aerosol generating device 10 according to an embodiment, the first electrode 310 and the second electrode 320 are formed on opposite surfaces of the ultrasonic vibrator 300. Therefore, in order to electrically connect a power supply device such as a battery and the ultrasonic transducer 300, both sides of the ultrasonic transducer 300 and the power supply device must be electrically connected.

Referring to FIG. 8 , in the case of the aerosol generating device 10 according to the embodiments, since the first electrode 310 and the second electrode 320 are formed on the same surface of the ultrasonic vibrator 300, the power supply and It has the advantage of easy connection. The fact that the electrodes are formed on the same surface of the ultrasonic transducer 300 means that the first electrode 310 and the second electrode 320 are formed on either one surface 301 or the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic transducer 300. This means that everything is placed.

8, when the first electrode 310 and the second electrode 320 are formed on the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300, the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 and the battery Since the connection structure of (11) is simple, it can be easily connected to the power supply. For example, since both the first electrode 310 and the second electrode 320 are disposed on the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300, a power supply device is placed under the ultrasonic vibrator 300 to simplify simple Due to the structure, the ultrasonic vibrator 300 and the power supply device may be electrically connected.

Therefore, since separate lead wires or internal structures for connecting the front and rear surfaces of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 to the power supply are not required, it is structurally simple, easy to manufacture, and can reduce manufacturing costs. In addition, since the cartridge 200 can be easily attached and detached due to a simple structure, damage to the device can be prevented during attachment and detachment.

In addition, when the aerosol-generating material contacts one surface 301 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300, the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 is electrically connected to the power supply, so that the liquid aerosol-generating material and the power supply By structurally spacing them, it is possible to have an advantageous effect in terms of stability.

9A is a perspective view of an ultrasonic vibrator of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a schematic side view of an ultrasonic vibrator of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B , the aerosol generating device 10 according to another embodiment may further include an insulator 330 to electrically insulate the first electrode 310 and the second electrode 320. there is. The insulator 330 is an object that does not transmit electricity due to its very high resistance to electricity, and may be disposed between the first electrode 310 and the second electrode 320 .

Specifically, the insulator 330 extends from at least a portion of the side surface 302 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 to the other surface 303, and may be disposed on the second electrode 320 on the other surface 303. The first electrode 310 may extend from one surface 301 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 to at least a portion of the side surface 302 and deposit on the other surface 303 where the insulator 330 is located. In other words, the first electrode 310 is deposited only on the portion where the insulator 330 is located. Therefore, the area where the insulator 330 is formed on the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic transducer 300 is equal to or larger than the area where the first electrode 310 is deposited on the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic transducer 300. can

As shown in FIG. 9A , an insulator 330 may be disposed between the first electrode 310 and the second electrode 320 on the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 . Accordingly, the first electrode 310 and the second electrode 320 may be electrically insulated by the insulator 330 .

The surface area of the first electrode 310 and the second electrode 320 formed on the other surface 303 is secured to the maximum in order to ensure ease of connection with the power supply and to increase the capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer 300. Needs to be.

While the first electrode 310 and the second electrode 320 are electrically insulated by the insulator 330 , the surface areas of the first electrode 310 and the second electrode 320 can be maximized. When the area of the insulator 330 formed on the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic transducer 300 is equal to the area of the first electrode 310 deposited on the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic transducer 300, the first The electrode 310 and the second electrode 320 can be electrically insulated while maximizing their surface area. Accordingly, the capacitance of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 is increased so that aerosol can be efficiently generated.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a part of the cartridge shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the ultrasonic vibrator and the fixing member shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the aerosol generating device 10 according to the embodiments may include a fixing member 400 fixing the ultrasonic vibrator 300 inside the cartridge 200 . At least a part of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 may be inserted into the fixing member 400 and fixed inside the cartridge 200 .

The fixing member 400 may include a hollow 410 and an insertion portion 420 . The hollow 410 is located in the center of the fixing member 400 and may extend in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, by the hollow 410, the fixing member 400 may have a ring shape in which a through hole is formed in the center.

The ultrasonic vibrator 300 may be electrically connected to a circuit through a pogo pin or a C-clip. Accordingly, the ultrasonic vibrator 300 may generate vibration by receiving current or voltage from a pogo pin or a C-clip. However, the type of element connected to supply current or voltage to the ultrasonic vibrator 300 is not limited by the above description.

The hollow 410 may communicate the cartridge 200 and the body 100. Therefore, in the aerosol generating device 10 according to the embodiments, the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 may be electrically connected to the power supply device. The ultrasonic vibrator 300 may be electrically connected to the power supply device through the hollow 410 . The aforementioned pogo pin and C-clip may be connected to the ultrasonic vibrator through the hollow 410 . In addition, at least a portion of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 is exposed by the hollow 410 and contacts an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol.

The insertion portion 420 may be recessed in a direction crossing the hollow 410 . At least a part of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 is inserted into the insertion part 420 . Accordingly, a portion of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 is inserted into the insertion portion 420 and the remaining portion is exposed through the hollow 410 .

Referring to FIG. 11 , the length X of the portion where the first electrode 310 is deposited on the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 may be longer than the length Y of the insertion portion 420. . Therefore, even when the ultrasonic vibrator 300 is inserted into the fixing member 400, the first electrode 310 may be exposed to the other surface 303 of the ultrasonic vibrator 300. The first electrode 310 is exposed to the other surface of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 and can be electrically connected to the power supply.

Referring also to FIG. 11 , the hollow diameter (A) is smaller than the diameter (B) of the ultrasonic vibrator. Accordingly, in a state in which the ultrasonic vibrator 300 is inserted into the fixing member 400, a portion of the ultrasonic vibrator 300 may be exposed as much as the diameter A of the hollow.

Those skilled in the art related to the present embodiment will be able to understand that it may be implemented in a modified form within a range that does not deviate from the essential characteristics of the above description. Therefore, the disclosed methods are to be considered in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the equivalent range should be construed as being included in the present invention.

10: aerosol generating device
100: body
200: cartridge
300: ultrasonic vibrator
301: one side of the ultrasonic vibrator
303: the other side of the ultrasonic vibrator
310: first electrode
320: second electrode
330: insulator
400: fixed member
410: hollow
420: insertion part

Claims (12)

main body;
a cartridge detachably connected to the main body and holding an aerosol generating material; and
an ultrasonic vibrator disposed in the cartridge and generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material by vibrating;
a first electrode extending from one surface of the ultrasonic vibrator to at least a part of a side surface and disposed on at least a part of the other surface; and
A second electrode disposed on the other surface of the ultrasonic vibrator, spaced apart from the first electrode and electrically insulated from each other; aerosol generating device comprising a. According to claim 1,
The thickness of the electrode is 0.5㎛ to 5㎛ aerosol generating device. delete delete According to claim 1,
The aerosol generating device wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed on the other surface of the ultrasonic vibrator so that a battery is electrically connected to the other surface of the ultrasonic vibrator. According to claim 1,
The ultrasonic vibrator includes an insulator extending from at least a part of the side surface to the other surface and disposed on the second electrode on the other surface,
The aerosol generating device of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is electrically insulated from the second electrode by being disposed at a portion where the insulator is located. According to claim 6,
The aerosol generating device of claim 1 , wherein an area of a portion where the insulator is formed on the other surface of the ultrasonic vibrator is equal to or wider than an area where the first electrode is disposed on the other surface of the ultrasonic vibrator. According to claim 1,
The cartridge includes a fixing member fixing the ultrasonic vibrator inside the cartridge,
The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the fixing member includes a hollow extending in a longitudinal direction and an insertion portion recessed in a direction crossing the hollow and into which at least a part of the ultrasonic vibrator is inserted. According to claim 8,
An aerosol generating device wherein a length of a portion where the first electrode is deposited on the other surface is longer than a length of the insertion portion. According to claim 8,
The aerosol generating device of claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the hollow is smaller than a diameter of the ultrasonic vibrator. main body;
a cartridge detachably connected to the main body and holding an aerosol generating material;
an ultrasonic vibrator disposed in the cartridge and generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material by vibrating;
a first electrode extending from one surface of the ultrasonic vibrator to at least a part of a side surface and disposed on a part of the other surface; and
A second electrode disposed on the other surface of the ultrasonic vibrator and spaced apart from the first electrode;
wherein at least a portion of the first electrode is disposed coplanar with the second electrode.
delete

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