KR20210127579A - Cartridge and aerosol generating device comprising thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A cartridge according to an embodiment can be coupled to a body so as to be replaceable, and includes: a mouthpiece having a discharge hole; a liquid storage unit containing an aerosol generating material; and a vibration receiving unit receiving vibration generated from a vibrator of the body when combined with the body, to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material.

Description

CARTRIDGE AND AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE COMPRISING THEREOF

Embodiments relate to a cartridge and an aerosol generating device including the same, and more particularly, to a cartridge capable of generating an aerosol using ultrasonic waves and an aerosol generating device including the same.

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for an alternative method that overcomes the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is a growing need for a method in which an aerosol is generated as an aerosol generating material is heated rather than a method in which an aerosol is generated by burning a cigarette. Accordingly, research into a heated cigarette or a heated aerosol generating device is being actively conducted.

Embodiments provide a cartridge capable of generating an aerosol in a state in which the aerosol generating material does not directly contact the vibrator generating ultrasonic waves, and an aerosol generating device including the same.

The problems to be solved through the embodiments are not limited to the above-described problems, and the problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs from the present specification and the accompanying drawings. will be.

As a technical means for achieving the above-described technical problem, the cartridge according to an embodiment may be replaceably coupled to the body, and a mouthpiece having a discharge hole, a liquid storage unit for accommodating the aerosol generating material, and the body and When combined, it may include a vibration receiving unit for receiving the vibration generated from the vibrator of the main body to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material.

An aerosol-generating device according to another embodiment comprises a body comprising a vibrator for generating vibrations and a cartridge replaceably coupled to the body, the cartridge comprising a mouthpiece having an outlet hole, a liquid storage containing an aerosol-generating material When the unit and the cartridge are combined with the main body, it may include a vibration receiving unit that receives vibration generated from the vibrator and generates an aerosol from the aerosol generating material.

The aerosol generating device according to the embodiments may be used by replacing only the cartridge by separately configuring the main body including the vibrator for generating ultrasonic waves and the cartridge in which the aerosol generating material is stored. Accordingly, the user can use the aerosol-generating device in a state where the aerosol-generating material does not directly contact the vibrator, and thus the lifespan of the vibrator can be extended.

In addition, since the aerosol can be generated in a non-heating manner using the vibrator, the harmfulness in the process of generating the aerosol can be reduced.

The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the above-described effects, and the effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the present specification and accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the main body and the cartridge of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment are separated.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the main body and the cartridge of the aerosol generating device are combined in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 .
5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the main body and the cartridge in the embodiment shown in FIG.
6 is a perspective view illustrating the vibration receiving unit shown in FIG. 5 .
7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion in which an aerosol is generated in an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.
8 is a perspective view illustrating the mesh structure shown in FIG. 7 .
9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion in which an aerosol is generated in an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

Terms used in the embodiments are selected as currently widely used general terms as possible while considering functions in the present invention, but may vary depending on intentions or precedents of those of ordinary skill in the art, emergence of new technologies, and the like. In addition, in a specific case, there is a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the term used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention, rather than the name of a simple term.

When a part "includes" a certain element throughout the specification, this means that other elements may be further included, rather than excluding other elements, 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, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily carry out the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

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

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

Referring to FIG. 1 , an aerosol generating device 10000 may include a battery 11000 , an atomizer 12000 , a sensor 13000 , a user interface 14000 , a memory 15000 , and a processor 16000 . However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1 . According to the design of the aerosol generating device 10000, it can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment that some of the hardware components shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted or new components may be further added. .

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10000 may consist of only the body, and in this case, the hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 10000 are located in the body. In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10000 may be composed of a main body and a cartridge, and hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 10000 may be divided into the main body and the cartridge. Alternatively, at least some of the hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 10000 may be located in each of the main body and the cartridge.

Hereinafter, the operation of each component will be described without limiting the space in which each component included in the aerosol generating device 10000 is located.

The battery 11000 supplies power used to operate the aerosol generating device 10000 . That is, the battery 11000 may supply power so that the atomizer 12000 may atomize the aerosol generating material. In addition, the battery 11000 may supply power required for the operation of other hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 10000, that is, the sensor 13000, the user interface 14000, the memory 15000, and the processor 16000. can The battery 11000 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.

For example, battery 11000 may be 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, lithium titanate battery, lithium-ion battery or lithium-polymer battery). However, the type of the battery 11000 that can be used in the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited by the above description. If necessary, the battery 11000 may include an alkaline battery or a manganese battery.

The atomizer 12000 receives power from the battery 11000 under the control of the processor 16000 . The atomizer 12000 may receive power from the battery 11000 to atomize the aerosol generating material stored in the aerosol generating device 10000 .

The atomizer 12000 may be located in the body of the aerosol generating device 10000 . Alternatively, when the aerosol generating device 10000 is composed of a main body and a cartridge, the atomizer 12000 may be located in the cartridge or divided into the main body and the cartridge. When the atomizer 12000 is located in the cartridge, the atomizer 12000 may receive power from the battery 11000 located in at least one of the main body and the cartridge. In addition, when the atomizer 12000 is divided into the main body and the cartridge, the parts requiring power supply in the atomizer 12000 may receive power from the battery 11000 located in at least one of the main body and the cartridge. .

The atomizer 12000 generates an aerosol from the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge. Aerosol means a suspension in which liquid and/or solid fine particles are dispersed in a gas. Therefore, the aerosol generated from the atomizer 12000 may mean a state in which the vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating material and air are mixed. For example, the atomizer 12000 may convert a phase of an aerosol generating material into a gas phase through vaporization and/or sublimation. In addition, the atomizer 12000 may generate an aerosol by discharging the aerosol-generating material in a liquid and/or solid phase into fine particles.

For example, the atomizer 12000 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. 2 , the atomizer 12000 may optionally include a heater capable of heating the aerosol generating material by generating heat. The aerosol generating material may be heated by the heater, resulting in the generation of an aerosol.

The heater may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials include 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 including, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater may be implemented as a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate on which an electrically conductive track is disposed, a ceramic heating element, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

For example, in one embodiment, the heater may be a component included in the cartridge 2000 . Also, the cartridge 2000 may include a liquid delivery means 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 heat the aerosol-generating material absorbed in the liquid delivery means to generate an aerosol. For example, the heater may be wound around the liquid delivery means or disposed adjacent to the liquid delivery means.

In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 10000 may include a accommodating space capable of accommodating a cigarette, and the heater may heat a cigarette inserted into the accommodating space of the aerosol-generating device 10000 . As the cigarette is accommodated in the receiving space of the aerosol generating device 10000, the heater may be located inside and/or outside the cigarette. Thereby, the heater can 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 in an induction heating manner, and the cigarette or cartridge may include a susceptor capable of being heated by the induction heating heater.

The aerosol generating device 10000 may include at least one sensor 13000 . The result sensed by the at least one sensor 13000 is transmitted to the processor 16000, and according to the sensing result, the processor 16000 controls the operation of the atomizer 12000, restricts smoking, inserts a cartridge (or cigarette). The aerosol generating device 10000 may be controlled so that various functions such as no determination and notification display are performed.

For example, the at least one sensor 13000 may include a puff detection sensor. The puff detection sensor may detect the user's puff based on at least one of a change in a flow rate of an externally introduced airflow, a change in pressure, and detection of a sound. The puff detection sensor may detect a start timing and an end timing of the user's puff, and the processor 16000 may determine a puff period and a non-puff period according to the detected start timing and end timing of the puff. can be judged

Also, the at least one sensor 13000 may include a user input sensor. The user input sensor may be a sensor capable of receiving a user input, such as a switch, a physical button, or a touch sensor. For example, the touch sensor may be a capacitive sensor that can detect a user's input by detecting a change in capacitance and generating a change in capacitance when the user touches a predetermined area formed of a metal material. have. The processor 16000 may determine whether a user 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 change of capacitance exceeds the preset threshold, the processor 16000 may determine that the user's input has occurred.

Also, the at least one sensor 13000 may include a motion sensor. Information about the motion of the aerosol generating device 10000, such as the inclination, movement speed, and acceleration of the aerosol generating device 10000, may be acquired through the motion sensor. For example, the motion sensor may include a state in which the aerosol generating device 10000 is moving, a stationary state of the aerosol generating device 10000, a state in which the aerosol generating device 10000 is tilted at an angle within a predetermined range for puff, and each puff action. In between, information regarding a state in which the aerosol generating device 10000 is tilted at an angle different from that during the puff operation may be measured. The motion sensor may measure motion information of the aerosol generating device 10000 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, the at least one sensor 13000 may include a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or distance of an approaching object or an object existing in the vicinity without mechanical contact using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays, etc., through which the user approaches the aerosol generating device 10000 It can be detected whether

Also, the at least one sensor 13000 may include an image sensor. The image sensor may include, for example, a camera for acquiring an image of the object. The image sensor may recognize an object based on an image acquired by the camera. The processor 16000 may analyze the image acquired through the image sensor to determine whether the user is in a situation for using the aerosol generating device 10000 . For example, when the user approaches the aerosol generating device 10000 near the lips to use the aerosol generating device 10000, the image sensor may acquire an image of the lips. The processor 16000 may analyze the acquired image and, if it is determined as the lips, determine that the user is in a situation to use the aerosol generating device 10000 . Through this, the aerosol generating device 10000 may operate the atomizer 12000 in advance or preheat the heater.

In addition, the at least one sensor 13000 may include a consumable detachment sensor capable of detecting installation or removal of consumables (eg, cartridges, cigarettes, etc.) that can be used in the aerosol generating device 10000 . For example, the consumables detachment sensor may detect whether the consumables are in contact with the aerosol generating device 10000 or determine whether the consumables are detached by the image sensor. In addition, the consumable detachment sensor may be an inductance sensor that detects a change in the inductance value of the coil that can interact with the marker of the consumable, or a capacitance sensor that detects a change in the capacitance value of the capacitor that can interact with the marker of the consumable.

Also, the at least one sensor 13000 may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may detect a temperature at which a heater (or an aerosol generating material) of the atomizer 12000 is heated. The aerosol generating device 10000 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater, or the heater itself may serve as a temperature sensor instead of a separate temperature sensor. Alternatively, a separate temperature sensor may be further included in the aerosol generating device 10000 while the heater functions as a temperature sensor. In addition, the temperature sensor may sense the temperature of internal components such as a printed circuit board (PCB) and a battery of the aerosol generating device 10000 as well as the heater.

In addition, the at least one sensor 13000 may include various sensors that measure information on the surrounding environment of the aerosol generating device 10000 . For example, the at least one sensor 13000 may include a temperature sensor that can measure the temperature of the surrounding environment, a humidity sensor that measures the humidity of the surrounding environment, and an atmospheric pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the surrounding environment.

The sensor 13000 that may be provided in the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited to the above-described type, and may further include various sensors. For example, the aerosol generating device 10000 includes a fingerprint sensor capable of obtaining fingerprint information from a user's finger for user authentication and security, an iris recognition sensor that analyzes the iris pattern of the pupil, and an intravenous intravenous It may include a vein recognition sensor that detects the amount of infrared absorption of reduced hemoglobin, a facial recognition sensor that recognizes feature points such as eyes, nose, mouth, and facial contours in a 2D or 3D method, and a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) sensor, etc. .

In the aerosol generating device 10000, only some of the examples of the various sensors 13000 exemplified above may be selected and implemented. In other words, the aerosol generating device 10000 may combine and utilize information sensed by at least one of the above-described sensors.

The user interface 14000 may provide information about the state of the aerosol generating device 10000 to the user. The user interface 14000 includes a display or lamp for outputting visual information, a motor for outputting tactile information, a speaker for outputting sound information, and input/output (I/O) for receiving information input from a user or outputting information to the user. ) Interfacing means (eg, button or touch screen) and terminals for data communication or receiving charging power, wireless communication with external devices (eg, WI-FI, WI-FI Direct, Bluetooth, NFC) (Near-Field Communication, etc.) may include various interfacing means, such as a communication interfacing module for performing.

However, in the aerosol generating device 10000, only some of the various examples of the user interface 14000 exemplified above may be selected and implemented.

The memory 15000 is hardware for storing various data processed in the aerosol generating device 10000 , and the memory 15000 may store data processed by the processor 16000 and data to be processed. The memory 15000 includes various types of random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and the like. It can be implemented in types.

The memory 15000 may store the operating time of the aerosol generating device 10000, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data on the user's smoking pattern.

The processor 16000 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 10000 . The processor 16000 may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. In addition, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that the present embodiment may be implemented in other types of hardware.

The processor 16000 analyzes a result sensed by the at least one sensor 13000 and controls processes to be subsequently performed.

The processor 16000 may control the power supplied to the atomizer 12000 to start or end the operation of the atomizer 12000 based on a result sensed by the at least one sensor 13000 . In addition, the processor 16000 determines the amount of power supplied to the atomizer 12000 so that the atomizer 12000 can generate an appropriate amount of aerosol based on the result sensed by the at least one sensor 13000 and You can control the time the power is supplied. For example, the processor 16000 may control the current supplied to the vibrator so that the vibrator of the atomizer 12000 vibrates at a predetermined frequency.

In an embodiment, the processor 16000 may start the operation of the atomizer 12000 after receiving a user input for the aerosol generating device 10000 . In addition, the processor 16000 may start the operation of the atomizer 12000 after detecting the user's puff using the puff detection sensor. Also, after counting the number of puffs using the puff detection sensor, the processor 16000 may stop supplying power to the atomizer 12000 when the number of puffs reaches a preset number.

The processor 16000 may control the user interface 14000 based on a result sensed by the at least one sensor 13000 . For example, when the number of puffs reaches a preset number after counting the number of puffs using the puff detection sensor, the processor 16000 provides the aerosol generating device 10000 to the user using at least one of a lamp, a motor, and a speaker. ) may be announced soon.

Meanwhile, although not shown in FIG. 1 , the aerosol generating device 10000 may constitute an aerosol generating system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating device 10000 . For example, the aerosol generating device 10000 may receive power from the battery of the cradle and charge the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating device 10000 while being accommodated in the receiving space inside the cradle.

An embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium containing instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module 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 modulated data signals, such as program modules, or other transport mechanisms, and includes any information delivery media.

2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

The aerosol generating device 10000 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes a cartridge 2000 holding an aerosol generating material, and a body 1000 supporting the cartridge 2000 .

The cartridge 2000 may be coupled to the body 1000 in a state in which the aerosol generating material is accommodated therein. For example, a portion of the cartridge 2000 may be inserted into the main body 1000 , or a portion of the main body 1000 may be inserted into the cartridge 2000 , such that the cartridge 2000 may be mounted on the main body 1000 . At this time, the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 may maintain a coupled state by a snap-fit method, a screw coupling method, a magnetic coupling method, an interference fit method, etc., but the body 1000 and the cartridge (2000) is not limited by the above.

The cartridge 2000 may include a mouthpiece 2100 . The mouthpiece 2100 may be formed in the opposite direction to the portion coupled to the body 1000 and is a portion inserted into the user's oral cavity. The mouthpiece 2100 may include a discharge hole 2110 for discharging the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge 2000 to the outside.

The cartridge 2000 may hold an aerosol generating material having any one state, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, or a gel state, for example. The aerosol generating material may comprise a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid comprising a tobacco-containing material comprising a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid comprising a non-tobacco material.

The liquid composition may include, for example, any one component of water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a fragrance, a flavoring agent, and a vitamin mixture, or a mixture of these components. The fragrance may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavoring ingredients, and the like. Flavoring agents may include ingredients that can provide a user with a variety of flavors or flavors. 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 include aerosol formers such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

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

The acid for the formation of the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected in consideration of the blood nicotine absorption rate, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 10000, flavor or flavor, 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 malic acid alone or It may be a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.

Cartridge 2000 may include a liquid reservoir 2200 containing an aerosol generating material therein. The liquid storage unit 2200 'accommodates the aerosol-generating material' therein means that the liquid storage unit 2200 performs a function of simply containing the aerosol-generating material, such as the use of a container, and the liquid storage unit ( 2200) means to include an element impregnating (containing) an aerosol generating material, such as, for example, a sponge, cotton, cloth, or a porous ceramic structure.

The aerosol generating device 10000 may include an atomizer that converts the phase of the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge 2000 to generate an aerosol.

For example, the atomizer of the aerosol generating device 10000 may convert the phase of the aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method of atomizing the aerosol generating material with ultrasonic vibration. The atomizer includes a vibrator 1300 that generates ultrasonic vibrations, a liquid delivery means 2400 that absorbs an aerosol-generating material and maintains it in an optimal state for conversion into an aerosol, and transmits ultrasonic vibrations to the aerosol-generating material of the liquid delivery means It may include a vibration receiving unit 2300 for generating an aerosol.

The vibrator 1300 may generate vibration of a short period. The vibration generated by the vibrator 1300 may be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency of the ultrasonic vibration may be, for example, 100 kHz to 3.5 MHz. By the short-period vibration generated from the vibrator 1300 , the aerosol-generating material may be vaporized and/or atomized into an aerosol.

The vibrator 1300 may include, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic, and the piezoelectric ceramic generates electricity (voltage) by a physical force (pressure), and conversely generates vibration (mechanical force) when electricity is applied. It is a functional material that can be converted to each other. Therefore, vibration (physical force) is generated by the electricity applied to the vibrator 1300 , and such small physical vibrations can split the aerosol-generating material into small particles and atomize the aerosol-generating material.

The vibrator 1300 may be in electrical contact with a circuit by a pogo pin or a C-clip. Accordingly, the vibrator 1300 may be vibrated by receiving a current from a pogo pin or a C-clip. However, the type of element connected to supply current to the vibrator 1300 is not limited by the above description.

The vibration receiving unit 2300 may receive vibration generated from the vibrator 1300 and perform a function of converting the aerosol generating material transmitted from the liquid storage unit 2200 into an aerosol.

The liquid transfer unit 2400 may transfer the liquid composition of the liquid storage unit 2200 to the vibration receiving unit 2300 . For example, the liquid delivery means 2400 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 also has a mesh shape that performs both the function of absorbing the aerosol-generating material and maintaining it in an optimal state for conversion into an aerosol without using a separate liquid delivery means, and the function of generating an aerosol by transmitting vibration to the aerosol-generating material (mesh shape) or plate shape (plate shape) may be implemented as a vibration receiving part.

In addition, in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the vibrator 1300 of the atomizer is disposed in the main body 1000, the vibration receiving unit 2300 and the liquid delivery means 2400 are disposed in the cartridge 2000, but this It is not limited. For example, the cartridge 2000 may include a vibrator 1300 , a vibration receiving unit 2300 , and a liquid delivery means 2400 , and when a portion of the cartridge 2000 is inserted into the main body 1000 , the main body 1000 . ) may provide power to the cartridge 2000 through a terminal (not shown), or may supply a signal related to the operation of the cartridge 2000 to the cartridge 2000, through which the operation of the vibrator 1300 can be controlled. have.

The liquid storage unit 2200 of the cartridge 2000 may include a transparent material at least in part so that the aerosol-generating material accommodated in the cartridge 2000 can be visually confirmed from the outside. The mouthpiece 2100 and the liquid storage unit 2200 may be entirely made of transparent plastic or glass, and only a portion of the liquid storage unit 2200 may be made of a transparent material.

The cartridge 2000 of the aerosol generating device 10000 may include an aerosol discharge passage 2500 and an airflow passage 2600 .

The aerosol discharge passage 2500 may be formed in the liquid storage unit 2200 to be in fluid communication with the discharge hole 2110 of the mouthpiece 2100 . Therefore, the aerosol generated from the atomizer may move along the aerosol discharge passage 2500, and may be delivered to the user through the discharge hole 2110 of the mouthpiece 2100.

The airflow passage 2600 is a passage through which external air can be introduced into the aerosol generating device 10000 . External air introduced through the airflow passage 2600 may be introduced into the aerosol discharge passage 2500 or may be introduced into a space in which an aerosol is generated. This may mix with vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating material to produce an aerosol.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the airflow passage 2600 may be formed to surround the outside of the aerosol discharge passage 2500 . Therefore, the shape of the aerosol discharge passage 2500 and the air flow passage 2600 may be a double tube type in which the aerosol discharge passage 2500 is disposed on the inside and the air flow passage 2600 is disposed on the outside of the aerosol discharge passage 2500. Through this, external air may be introduced in the direction opposite to the direction in which the aerosol moves in the aerosol discharge passage 2500 .

Meanwhile, the configuration of the airflow passage 2600 is not limited by the above description. For example, the airflow passage may be a space formed between the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 when the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 are coupled and in fluid communication with the atomizer.

In the aerosol generating device 10000 according to the above-described embodiment, the cross-sectional shape in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 is approximately circular, oval, square, rectangular, or polygonal cross-section of various shapes. It may be in shape. However, the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited by the above-described bar. For example, the aerosol generating device 10000 is not necessarily limited to a structure extending in a straight line when extending in the longitudinal direction, for example, it is curved in a streamline shape or bent at a predetermined angle in a specific area for a user to easily hold it by hand. It may extend long, and the cross-sectional shape at this time may change along the longitudinal direction.

3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the main body and the cartridge of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment are separated, and FIG. 4 is a state in which the main body and the cartridge of the aerosol generating device are combined in the embodiment shown in FIG. It is a cross section.

Although omitted below, the contents described with respect to the aerosol generating device 10000 in FIGS. 1 and 2 may also be applied to the aerosol generating device described below.

3 and 4 , the aerosol generating device 1000 includes a body 100 and a cartridge 200 that may be replaceably coupled to the body 100 .

The main body 100 may include a battery 110 , a processor 120 , and a vibrator 130 capable of generating vibration under the control of the processor 120 . In addition, the cartridge 200 may include a mouthpiece 210 , a liquid reservoir 220 , a vibration receiver 230 , a liquid delivery member 240 , an aerosol discharge passage 250 , and an airflow passage 260 . have.

The vibration receiving unit 230 of the cartridge 200 may receive the vibration generated by the vibrator 130 when the cartridge 200 is coupled to the main body 100 . The vibration receiving unit 230 may generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material by the vibration transmitted from the vibrator 130 . In addition, as will be described later, when other components are stacked on the vibration receiving unit 230 , the vibration receiving unit 230 may transmit vibration to the other components.

3 and 4 , the cartridge 200 may be closed by the vibration receiving part 230 . In addition, the vibration receiving unit 230 may have a shape exposed to the outside of the cartridge (200). Accordingly, when the cartridge 200 is coupled to the main body 100 , the vibration receiving part 230 of the cartridge 200 may contact the vibrator 130 of the main body 100 . Vibration generated in the vibrator 130 by the contact between the vibrator 130 and the vibration receiving unit 230 is transmitted to the vibration receiving unit 230 , and an aerosol may be generated inside the cartridge 200 .

Because the cartridge 200 is closed by the vibration receiver 230 , the vibrator 130 of the body 100 does not directly contact the aerosol generating material. Therefore, the vibrator 130 of the main body 100 can be used continuously, and the user can replace only the cartridge 200 after the use of the aerosol generating material in the liquid storage unit 220 is finished.

The liquid transfer member 240 may be disposed to be stacked on the vibration receiving unit 230 . Accordingly, the liquid transfer member 240 may transfer the aerosol generating material accommodated in the liquid storage unit 220 to the vibration receiving unit 230 .

The aerosol discharge passage 250 may have one side disposed toward the vibration receiving unit 230 and the other side connected to the discharge hole 211 of the mouthpiece 210 . The aerosol generated by the vibration receiving unit 230 may move through the aerosol discharge passage 250 , and may be discharged to the outside through the discharge hole 211 .

The aerosol discharge passage 250 may have a reduced cross-sectional area from one side toward the vibration receiving unit 230 toward the other side connected to the discharge hole 211 . Through this, the aerosol moving through the aerosol discharge passage 250 may increase in speed from the vibration receiving unit 230 toward the discharge hole 211 . Accordingly, the user may inhale the aerosol relatively quickly even at the beginning of use of the aerosol generating device 1000 .

The airflow passage 260 may be formed to surround the outside of the aerosol discharge passage 250 as described above. For example, the airflow passage 260 may be in fluid communication with the aerosol discharge passage 250 at a portion adjacent to one end of the aerosol discharge passage 250 , so that external air may be introduced into the aerosol discharge passage 250 . .

5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the main body and the cartridge in the embodiment shown in FIG.

A process in which an aerosol is generated will be described with reference to FIG. 5 . Since the liquid transfer member 240 is stacked on the vibration receiver 230 , the aerosol generating material of the liquid storage unit 220 may be delivered to the vibration receiver 230 by the liquid transfer member 240 . The vibration receiving unit 230 may be in contact with the vibrator 130 of the main body 100 to receive the vibration of the vibrator 130 . Accordingly, the vibration receiving unit 230 may generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material by the vibration transmitted from the vibrator 130 . The aerosol generated by the vibration receiving unit 230 may be mixed with the external air introduced from the airflow passage 260 to move along the aerosol discharge passage 250 . Finally, as described above, the aerosol may be delivered to the user through the discharge hole 211 of the mouthpiece 210 .

6 is a perspective view illustrating the vibration receiving unit shown in FIG. 5 .

Referring to FIG. 6 , the vibration receiving part 230 may include a concave part 231 and a peripheral part 232 .

The concave portion 231 is a portion in contact with the vibrator 130 of the main body 100 in the vibration receiving portion 230 when the cartridge 200 is coupled to the main body 100 . In this case, in order to increase the contact area between the concave portion 231 and the vibrator 130 , the concave portion 231 may include a flat surface contacting the vibrator 130 of the main body 100 .

The peripheral portion 232 may extend in a radial direction along the circumference of the concave portion 231 so that the vibration receiving portion 230 closes one side of the cartridge 200 .

Referring back to FIG. 5 , the members forming the outer appearance of the cartridge 200 support the peripheral portion 232 on both sides. In addition, the cartridge 200 may further include a sealing member 221 disposed along the outer periphery of the peripheral portion 232 of the vibration receiving portion (230). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent leakage of liquid from the cartridge 200 by the sealing member 221 .

In addition, the vibration receiving unit 230 may include at least one of stainless steel and aluminum. In this case, the vibration receiving unit 230 may have a thickness of 0.03 to 0.2 mm, preferably 0.05 to 0.15 mm. Since the vibration accommodating part 230 is made of a metal having elasticity and has a very thin thickness, vibrations generated in the vibrator 130 of the main body 100 may be transmitted to the vibration accommodating part 230 .

7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion in which an aerosol is generated in an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the cartridge 200 is stacked on the vibration receiving unit 230 and may include a mesh structure 241 having a plurality of holes.

Comparing the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 , the cartridge 200 includes a mesh structure 241 instead of the liquid delivery member 240 . The mesh structure 241 may receive the vibration of the vibration accommodating part 230 and vibrate together with the vibration accommodating part 230 . Accordingly, the vibration receiving unit 230 and the mesh structure 241 may vibrate together to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material.

8 is a perspective view illustrating the mesh structure shown in FIG. 7 .

Referring to FIG. 8 , the mesh structure 241 may include a flat plate 241p and a plurality of holes 241h formed on the plate 241p. The plurality of holes 241h may have a fine size, for example, may be micro holes having a micro size.

Referring back to FIG. 7 , in order for the aerosol to flow into the aerosol discharge passage 250 , it must pass through the plurality of holes 241h of the mesh structure 241 . Therefore, the aerosol can be discharged as particles having a fine size.

9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion in which an aerosol is generated in an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the cartridge 200 includes a liquid delivery member 240 and a mesh structure 241 . Similarly, the mesh structure 241 may receive the vibration of the vibration accommodating part 230 and vibrate together with the vibration accommodating part 230 . At this time, the aerosol generating material may be delivered to the vibration receiving unit 230 by the liquid transmitting member 240 , and the vibration receiving unit 230 and the mesh structure 241 vibrate together to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material. can

A person of ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment will understand that it can be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential characteristics of the above description. Therefore, the disclosed methods are to be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the present invention.

100: body
110: battery
120: processor
130: vibrator
200: cartridge
210: mouthpiece
211: exhaust hole
220: liquid storage unit
221: sealing member
230: vibration receiving unit
231: concave
232: circumference
240: liquid delivery member
241: mesh structure
250: aerosol discharge passage
260: air flow passage

Claims (15)

As a cartridge replaceably coupled to the main body,
a mouthpiece having a discharge hole;
a liquid reservoir containing the aerosol generating material; and
When combined with the main body, the vibration receiving unit for receiving the vibration generated from the vibrator of the main body to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material; containing, a cartridge. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a liquid transfer member stacked on the vibration receiving unit and transferring the aerosol generating material accommodated in the liquid storage unit to the vibration receiving unit,
and the vibration receiver generates an aerosol from the aerosol generating material delivered by the liquid delivery member. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a mesh structure laminated on the vibration receiving part and having a plurality of holes,
wherein the mesh structure generates an aerosol from the aerosol generating material by vibrating together with the vibration receiving portion. 3. The method of claim 2,
Further comprising a mesh structure laminated on the liquid delivery member and having a plurality of holes,
wherein the mesh structure vibrates with the vibration receiver to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material delivered by the liquid delivery member. 5. The method of claim 3 or 4,
The mesh structure is in the shape of a flat plate of metal, cartridge. According to claim 1,
The vibration receiving unit,
recesses; and
and a perimeter extending radially along the perimeter of the recess. 7. The method of claim 6,
and the concave portion is in contact with the vibrator of the main body when the cartridge is engaged with the main body. 8. The method of claim 7,
and the concave portion includes a flat surface of the body that is in contact with the vibrator. 7. The method of claim 6,
and a sealing member disposed along the periphery of the perimeter. According to claim 1,
The vibration receiving portion comprises at least one of stainless steel and aluminum, cartridge. 11. The method of claim 10,
The vibration receiving portion is of a thickness of 0.03 to 0.2mm, cartridge. According to claim 1,
The cartridge further comprises an aerosol discharge passage through which one side is disposed toward the vibration receiving unit and the other side is connected to the discharge hole of the mouthpiece, and the aerosol generated in the vibration receiving unit moves. 13. The method of claim 12,
The aerosol discharge passage is a cartridge, the cross-sectional area decreases from the one side toward the other side. 13. The method of claim 12,
The cartridge is formed to surround the outside of the aerosol discharge passage and is in fluid communication with the aerosol discharge passage, further comprising an airflow passage through which external air is introduced. a body including a vibrator for generating vibration; and
Including a cartridge replaceably coupled to the main body;
The cartridge is
a mouthpiece having a discharge hole;
a liquid reservoir containing the aerosol generating material; and
When the cartridge is coupled to the main body, the vibration receiving unit receives the vibration generated from the vibrator to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material; including, aerosol generating device.

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