KR20220025523A - Aerosol generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, an aerosol generating device includes: an intake valve for opening or closing an intake passage for supplying an aerosol to an oral cavity of a human body; an exhaust valve for opening or closing an exhaust passage for discharging gas discharged from the oral cavity of the human body to the outside; a detector disposed in at least one of the intake passage and the exhaust passage for generating a signal related to a characteristic of the gas passing through the intake passage or the exhaust passage; and an information generator which generates health information related to the health of the human body based on the signal generated by the detector. The present invention provides the aerosol generating device capable of maintaining cleanliness.

Description

Aerosol generating device

The embodiments relate to an aerosol-generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol-generating device that is convenient to use and has improved aerosol-generating performance.

In recent years, there is an increasing demand for technology to replace a method of supplying an aerosol by burning a conventional cigarette. For example, generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material in a liquid or solid state, or generating a vapor from an aerosol-generating material in a liquid state and passing the generated vapor through a solid fragrance medium to supply an aerosol having a flavor Research on such methods is in progress.

The user of the aerosol generating device performs an action of inhaling the aerosol while opening the aerosol outlet of the aerosol generating device with the mouth, and exhaling the breath while opening the mouth at the aerosol outlet. However, the moment the user takes his or her mouth off the aerosol outlet, the temperature of the atomizer decreases and the amount of atomization may change.

Embodiments provide an aerosol generating device that is convenient to use and has improved aerosol generating performance.

Embodiments also provide an aerosol generating device capable of maintaining cleanliness.

Embodiments also provide an aerosol-generating device that generates an aerosol of high quality, abundant atomization.

An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes an intake valve for opening or closing an intake passage for supplying an aerosol to the oral cavity of the human body, an exhaust valve for opening or closing an exhaust passage for discharging gas discharged from the oral cavity of the human body to the outside; , a detector disposed in at least one of the intake passage and the exhaust passage to generate a signal related to the characteristics of the gas passing through the intake passage or the exhaust passage, and information for generating health information related to human health based on the signal generated by the detector Includes generator.

According to the aerosol generating device according to the embodiments as described above, since the intake passage and the exhaust passage are automatically opened and closed in connection with the user's inhalation action or exhalation action, when the user performs the operation of inhaling the aerosol and breathing It is convenient to keep the aerosol generating device in the mouth when performing the exhaling action, and it is possible to use a cleaner aerosol generating device.

In addition, since the atomizer is not exposed to external air when the user performs an exhalation operation, the cooling phenomenon in which the temperature of the atomizer rapidly decreases can be minimized, thereby generating an abundant amount of aerosol.

In addition, since the aerosol generating device generates health information related to the health of the human body in relation to an aerosol inhalation action or an exhalation action, various functions can be provided to consumers.

1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an operating state of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
2 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view showing another operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG.
4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating some components of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .
5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.
6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating some components of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 .

Terms used in the embodiments are selected as currently widely used general terms as possible while considering the functions in the present embodiments, but this may vary depending on the intention or precedent of a person skilled in the art, the emergence of new technology, etc. . 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 embodiments. Therefore, the terms used in the present embodiments should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall contents of the present embodiments, rather than the simple name of the term.

In the entire specification, when a part "includes" or "includes" a certain component, it means that other components may be further provided, rather than excluding other components, unless specifically stated to the contrary. 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 may be implemented as a combination of hardware and software.

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

Throughout the specification, an 'embodiment' is an arbitrary division for easily describing the invention in the present specification, and each of the embodiments is not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, configurations disclosed in one embodiment may be applied and implemented in other embodiments, and may be changed and applied and implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the present specification.

Meanwhile, the terminology used in this specification is for describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present embodiments. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase.

Throughout the specification, the 'longitudinal direction' of a component may be a direction in which the component extends along one axis of the component, wherein one axis of the component extends longer than the other axis transverse to the one axis. It can mean the direction

1 is a perspective view schematically showing an operating state of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .

The aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a device performing a function of supplying an aerosol to a user, and an aerosol generating material using a heater or an atomizer that operates in a manner using electricity, an induced magnetic field, or ultrasonic waves It is a device that generates an aerosol by heating and vaporizing or atomizing.

The aerosol generating device 5 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes an intake valve 10 that opens or closes an intake passage 11 that supplies aerosol to the oral cavity of the human body, and gas discharged from the oral cavity of the human body. An exhaust valve 20 for opening or closing the exhaust passage 21 that discharges to the outside, a detector 30 disposed in the exhaust passage 21 to detect gas passing through the exhaust passage 21, and a detector ( 30) includes an information generator capable of generating health information 2d related to human health based on the signal generated in FIG. The information generator may be implemented by the controller 70 or be some component of the controller 70 . Although not shown in the drawings, a detector may be disposed in the intake passage 11 , or a detector may be disposed only in the intake passage 11 .

According to the aerosol generating device as described above, health information related to the health of the user of the aerosol generating device generated by the information generator of the controller 70 is transmitted to the outside through the information transmitter 81 of the aerosol generating device 5. can be transmitted as In addition, the aerosol generating device may transmit health information to the external device 2 that can communicate through wireless communication or wired communication.

The health information generated by the information generator may include, for example, information on the lung function of the user's body, or information on the composition of chemical components or biomaterials contained in the gas exhaled by the user. The information on the composition of the biomaterial may include, for example, information on viruses or bacteria contained in the gas, for example, the concentration or the number of individuals. The information on the chemical composition may include, for example, information on the amount of carbon dioxide contained in the gas exhaled by the user.

The embodiments are not limited by the type of the external device 2 , and the external device 2 may be, for example, a portable phone, a portable terminal, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a wearable device such as a smart watch or a Bluetooth earphone.

1 , an aerosol-generating device 5 is electrically connected to an aerosol-generating assembly 7 and an aerosol-generating assembly 7 or an aerosol-generating assembly 7 or an aerosol-generating assembly 7 that supplies power to the aerosol-generating assembly 7 . and a body (8) comprising a controller (70) in communication with the elements of the generating assembly (7).

During use of the aerosol-generating device 5 , the aerosol-generating assembly 7 and the body 8 can remain coupled and after use of the aerosol-generating device 5 , the aerosol-generating assembly 7 and the body 8 are connected to each other. can be separated.

The power source 90 of the body 8 supplies the power required for the aerosol generating device 5 to operate. The power source 90 may be electrically connected to the atomizer 40 to supply power to the atomizer 40 . The power source 90 may also supply power necessary for the operation of other hardware components of the aerosol generating device 5 . The power source 90 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the power source 90 may be a lithium polymer battery, but is not limited thereto.

The controller 70 is hardware that controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 5 . The controller 70 is electrically connected to the atomizer 40 and the power source 90 to control the power supplied to the atomizer 40 .

The controller 70 may include a plurality of controllers. The controller 70 may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates. The controller 70 may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microcontroller and a memory in which a program executable in the microcontroller is stored. Also, the controller 70 may be implemented with other types of hardware.

The aerosol generating assembly 7 comprises a case 3 capable of receiving an atomizer 40 therein. The case 3 is provided with an indicator 81d on the outer surface for conveying information to the user, and a lamp 81c for conveying a notice related to the operating state of the aerosol generating device to the user. The indicator 81d and the lamp 81c are an example of the information transmitter 81 that notifies the user of various types of notifications or delivers information, and the information transmitter 81 is a speaker or vibration generator. It may include more elements such as

In addition, the case 3 may be operated by a user and may include an input device that detects the user's operation and generates a user input signal. The input device may be implemented by an input button or switch mounted on the case 3 or a touch panel mounted on the indicator 81d.

A body case 4 is detachably coupled to a lower portion of the case 3 . The body case 4 may accommodate the controller 70 and the power source 90 therein.

A screw coupling structure using a screw thread may be applied between the case 3 and the body case 4 . Between the case 3 and the body case 4, a flange fastening structure, a spline fastening structure, a bayonet mount structure, etc. This can be applied.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the overall shape of the aerosol generating device 5 completed by combining the case 3 and the body case 4 has a cylindrical shape elongated in the axial direction, but the embodiments are It is not limited by the shape of the case 3 and the body case 4 as described above. For example, the case 3 and the body case 4 may be deformed into various shapes, such as a cylindrical shape elongated in the axial direction, a cylinder having an elliptical cross section, a flat cylinder, a cube, and a cuboid.

Referring to FIG. 2 , a reservoir 3s and an atomizer 40 for accommodating the material 43 for generating an aerosol are installed inside the case 3 of the aerosol generating assembly 7 .

The case 3 includes a reservoir 3s for accommodating the material 43 for generating an aerosol therein. The material 43 for generating an aerosol may be, for example, a material in a liquid state or a gel state. The aerosol generating material 43 may be maintained in a state impregnated by an absorbent material such as a liquid sponge or cotton or a porous material such as ceramics in the interior of the storage tank 3s.

The storage tank 3s may perform a function of supplying the material for generating an aerosol 43 to the atomizer 40 while retaining the material 43 for generating an aerosol therein.

The aerosol-generating material may be a liquid material and may include, for example, tobacco-containing material or non-tobacco material comprising a volatile tobacco flavor component.

The aerosol generating material may include at least one of nicotine, propylene glycol (PG), and glycerin, or a mixture thereof. The nicotine may be nicotine contained in a tobacco material obtained by molding or reconstituting tobacco leaves. The nicotine may also be naturally occurring nicotine or synthetic nicotine. For example, the nicotine may include one of free base nicotine, a nicotine salt, or a combination thereof.

The aerosol generating material may comprise nicotine or a nicotine salt. Nicotine salts can be formed by adding to nicotine a suitable acid, including organic or inorganic acids. Nicotine is either naturally occurring nicotine or synthetic nicotine, which may have a concentration of any suitable weight relative to the total solution weight of the liquid aerosol generating material.

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 atomizer, 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 acids selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.

Propylene glycol and glycerin contained in the liquid aerosol generating material are aerosol formers, and an aerosol may be generated when propylene glycol and glycerin are atomized. For example, the liquid aerosol generating material may comprise a solution of glycerin and propylene glycol in any weight ratio to which nicotine has been added.

The liquid aerosol generating material may also include, for example, any one component of water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, fragrance, flavoring agent, and 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 capable of providing 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.

Referring to FIG. 2 , an atomizer 40 for generating an aerosol by heating the material 43 for generating an aerosol at the lower side of the storage tank 3s in the interior of the case 3 is installed.

The main body case 3 is provided with a power source 90 for supplying power to the atomizer 40 and a controller 70 implemented by a control chip or a control circuit board for controlling the operation of the atomizer 40 .

The atomizer 40 is a wick 41 that absorbs and holds the material for generating aerosol 43 from the reservoir 3s, and is wound around the wick 41 or in contact with the wick 41 or adjacent to the wick 41 . and a heater 42 disposed to heat the material 43 for generating an aerosol to generate an aerosol. An aerosol generating chamber 40c for creating an atmosphere for generating an aerosol is formed around the heater 42 .

The case 3 may include an air hole 40a for introducing air from the outside of the aerosol generating device 5 into the aerosol generating chamber 40c when the user performs an inhalation operation. Air introduced into the aerosol generating chamber 40c through the air hole 40a is mixed with the vaporized particles generated in the atomizer 40 to generate an aerosol.

The atomizer 40 performs a function of generating an aerosol by converting the phase of the aerosol generating material into a gas phase. The aerosol may mean a gas in a state in which vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating material and air are mixed.

The heater 42 includes a connection terminal 42t electrically connected to the power supply terminal 90t of the power source 90 .

The heater 42 may be an electrically resistive heating element that generates heat by electricity supplied from the power source 90 . The atomizer 40 includes an electrically resistive heating element, but embodiments are not limited by the configuration of the atomizer 40 . The atomizer 40 generates an aerosol by, for example, an ultrasonic method of atomizing a liquid aerosol generating material using an ultrasonic vibrator, or heating and vaporizing a liquid aerosol generating material by an induction heating method. may be

The reservoir 3s includes an intake passage 11 extending along the extension direction of the reservoir 3s to deliver the aerosol. The intake passage 11 is formed by an intake tube 11p passing through the reservoir 3s along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 5 . A mouthpiece 3m for discharging the aerosol passing through the intake passage 11 to the outside is installed on the upper portion of the case 3 of the aerosol generating assembly 7 .

Embodiments are not limited by the method of forming the intake passage 11 by installing the intake pipe 11p, and the intake passage 11 may be formed in various ways. For example, when the case 3 of the aerosol generating assembly 7 is manufactured by an injection molding method, the intake passage 11 may be formed in a manner of forming a flow path in a portion of the case 3 .

1 and 2 , the intake passage 11 is formed to pass through the reservoir 3s, but embodiments are not limited by the position of the intake passage 11 . For example, the intake passage 11 may be formed outside the storage tank 3s.

The intake passage 11 maintains a constant width and may extend along a central axis in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 5 . As another example, the intake passage 11 may have a width that is changed along a central axis in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 5 , and the size and shape of the intake passage 11 may be changed as necessary.

The intake passage 11 provides a flow passage through which the aerosol generated by atomizing the material for generating an aerosol passes. The intake passage 11 may form part of an airflow path through which the aerosol generated in the atomizer passes. The airflow path may be a path including the aerosol generating chamber 40c of the atomizer 40 in which the aerosol is generated, the intake passage 11 and the mouthpiece 3m. The aerosol generated by atomizing the material for generating an aerosol in the aerosol generating chamber 40c may flow to the mouthpiece 3m of the aerosol generating device 5 along the intake passage 11 .

The heater 42 may be heated by power supplied from the power source 90 . For example, when the user starts a suction operation of sucking air through the mouthpiece 3m, the heater 42 may perform a heating operation.

A separate suction detection sensor (puff sensor) may be installed in the intake passage 11 to detect the user's suction motion. The puff sensor may perform a function of detecting an aerosol flow phenomenon that occurs in association with a user's aerosol inhalation action. The puff sensor, for example, is connected to the intake passage 11 to generate a signal by detecting a change in fluid pressure or flow rate due to the flow of a fluid including aerosol flowing through the intake passage 11 , that is, air.

The aerosol generating chamber 40c delivers the aerosol generated by the heater 42 to the intake passage 11 of the reservoir 3s. Therefore, the aerosol supplied from the aerosol generating chamber 40c may be discharged into the oral cavity of the user's body after passing through the intake passage 11 of the reservoir 3s.

An exhaust passage 21 is directly connected to the intake passage 11 . The exhaust passage 21 is formed by an exhaust pipe 21p having one end connected to the intake pipe 11p and the other end open to the outside of the aerosol generating device 5 . The intake passage 11 is provided with an intake valve 10 that operates to open or close the intake passage 11 . The exhaust passage 21 is provided with an exhaust valve 20 that operates to open or close the exhaust passage 21 .

Embodiments are not limited by the method of forming the exhaust passage 21 by installing the exhaust pipe 21p, and the exhaust passage 21 may be formed in various ways. For example, when the case 3 of the aerosol generating assembly 7 is manufactured by an injection molding method, the exhaust passage 21 may be formed in a manner of forming a flow path in a portion of the case 3 .

In FIG. 2 , each of the intake valve 10 and the exhaust valve 20 is installed to rotate on the inner wall surfaces of the intake passage 11 and the exhaust passage 21 . Therefore, when the user sucks air through the mouthpiece 3m, the intake valve 10 rotates upward by the pressure caused by the flow of air formed in the intake passage 11, and as shown in FIG. The intake passage 11 can be opened by moving to the illustrated position. At this time, the exhaust valve 20 installed in the exhaust passage 21 may rotate to a position shown by a solid line in FIG. 2 to maintain the exhaust passage 21 in a closed state.

Accordingly, while the aerosol is supplied to the human body through the intake passage 11 , the intake valve 10 opens the intake passage 11 and the exhaust valve 20 closes the exhaust passage 21 is maintained.

In order to implement this operation, each of the intake valve 10 and the exhaust valve 20 can be automatically operated by the pressure of air by the flow of air formed inside the intake passage 11 and the exhaust passage 21 . there is.

The intake valve 10 allows only the flow of the aerosol generated in the atomizer 40 and flowing through the intake passage 11 and supplied to the oral cavity of the human body, and the exhaust valve 20 is the exhaust passage for the gas discharged from the oral cavity of the human body. (21) can only allow outflows to the outside.

The embodiments are not limited by the configuration of the intake valve 10 and the exhaust valve 20 shown in FIG. 2 , and the automatically operating intake valve 10 and exhaust valve 20 may be modified in various forms. there is. That is, each of the intake valve 10 and the exhaust valve 20 may be deformed in shape to allow only the flow of air in one direction and block the flow of air in the opposite direction. For example, the intake valve 10 and the exhaust valve 20 may be implemented as a single valve structure or a structure in which a plurality of valves overlap.

In addition, the embodiments are not limited to an example in which the intake valve 10 and the exhaust valve 20 are mechanically and automatically operated by air pressure, and the intake valve 10 and the exhaust valve 20 are operated by electric signals. It can operate automatically to open or close the intake passage 11 and exhaust passage 21 or to adjust the open area.

3 is a cross-sectional view showing another operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. It shows the operating state in which the gas discharged from the oral cavity flows.

When the user performs an exhalation operation, the intake valve 10 rotates to a position shown by a solid line in FIG. 3 while gas is discharged from the oral cavity of the human body to automatically close the intake passage 11 and the exhaust valve 20 ) rotates to a position shown by a solid line in FIG. 3 to automatically open the exhaust passage 21 .

Since the intake passage 11 communicating with the atomizer 40 is closed by the intake valve 10 , the atomizer 40 may not be exposed to external air while gas is discharged from the oral cavity of the human body. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the cooling phenomenon in which the temperature of the air of the heater 42 and the aerosol generating chamber 40c of the atomizer 40 rapidly decreases when the user performs an exhalation operation.

When the user starts breathing in again with the mouthpiece 3m closed after ending the exhalation operation, the exhaust valve 20 and the intake valve 10 return to the state shown in FIG. is changed

Even while the user is exhaling, the intake valve 10 closes the intake passage 11 to block the contact between the atomizer 40 and the outside air, so the high-temperature atmosphere of the atomizer 40 is maintained as it is. can be Therefore, when the user performs the re-breathing operation, the heater 42 reacts immediately to perform the heating operation, whereby a high-quality and abundant amount of aerosol can be generated and supplied to the user.

In addition, since the user can keep the mouthpiece (3m) in the mouth in all situations when performing the action of inhaling the aerosol and performing the action of exhaling the aerosol, the aerosol generating device 5 can be made more convenient can be used and the aerosol generating device 5 can be used cleaner.

In the aerosol generating device 5 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , a detector 30 for generating a signal related to the characteristics of the gas passing through the exhaust passage 21 is installed in the exhaust passage 21 .

The detector 30 may include a flow sensor that detects a flow rate of the gas discharged through the exhaust passage 21 . When the sensor 30 includes a flow sensor, the information generator of the controller 70 may generate information on the user's lung capacity based on the detection signal of the flow sensor. Since the detection signal of the flow sensor indicates the flow rate of the gas discharged by the user through the exhaust passage 21 , the information generator of the controller 70 may generate vital capacity information based on the flow rate of the gas discharged by the user.

Embodiments are not limited by the installation position or number of the detector 30, for example, the detector 30 detects the flow rate of gas flowing toward the user through the intake passage or gas discharged to the outside through the exhaust passage It may include a flow sensor or a pressure sensor.

Embodiments are also not limited by the example of the detector 30 , and for example, the detector 30 may be an air pollution detection sensor that detects a pollution state of gas passing through an intake passage or an exhaust passage. The air pollution detection sensor may detect, for example, at least one of turbidity (turbidity) of the gas and a composition ratio of components included in the gas.

The air pollution detection sensor may include an optical sensor assembly including a light emitting element emitting infrared or infrared laser light and a light receiving element receiving light in order to detect gas turbidity.

The air pollution detection sensor may be a sensor for detecting the concentration of a specific gas or fine dust, such as a specific component included in the gas, for example, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or the like.

Also, the detector 30 may be a biosensor that detects a component of a biomaterial included in the gas. The biosensor may be any one of an enzyme-based sensor, an immune sensor, a DNA/nucleic acid sensor, and a cell-based sensor, or a combination thereof.

If the detector 30 is an air pollution detection sensor or biosensor, it monitors changes in the concentration of exhaled gas components such as moisture, acetone, toluene, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and nitrogen monoxide contained in the breath (exhalation) exhaled by the breathing user, or By monitoring the presence or number of viruses, etc., various health information related to diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, type 1 diabetes, bad breath, and infectious diseases can be generated.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating some components of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 . The controller 70 shown in FIG. 4 shown in FIG. 4 may be implemented by any one of a circuit board, a semiconductor chip attached to the circuit board, or software mounted on the semiconductor chip or the circuit board, or a combination thereof.

The controller 70 controls the atomizer 40 to control the generation amount (atomization amount) or temperature of the aerosol, etc., and the signal from the temperature sensor 30t for sensing the temperature associated with the atomizer and the user A sensor receiver 74 that receives a signal generated by the puff sensor and a signal generated by the detector 30 that detects a change in pressure or speed of air generated when an aerosol is inhaled, and information that provides information to a user or notifies a notification A display controller 75 for controlling the transmitter 81, and a user input receiver 76 for receiving a user input signal from a user input device 95 such as a button or switch or a touch screen for detecting a user's input operation; Input/output controller 73 that exchanges data with the storage 78 storing health information such as temperature profile or user information or vital capacity information for controlling the operating temperature of the atomizer, and the sensor 30 It includes an information generator 72 for generating health information based on the received signal, and a communication controller 77 for controlling a communication operation with the external device 2 .

The controller 70 as described above may start the operation of the atomizer or stop the operation of the atomizer by sensing the user's suction operation. Also, the information generator 72 of the controller 70 may generate health information related to human health based on the signal generated by the sensor 30 . The health information may include information on lung capacity or muscle strength information of a lung operation related to respiration. The health information generated by the information generator 72 may be delivered to the user through the information transmitter 81 or the external device 2 .

In order for the information generator 72 to generate spirometry information, between the size of the general spirometry of users during the manufacture of the aerosol generating device and the flow rate of the gas flowing through the exhaust passage 21 when the user performs an exhalation operation A formula for correlation may be prepared in advance, or a table (table) indicating the relationship between vital capacity and gas flow rate may be prepared in advance and stored in the controller 70 or the storage 78 built in the aerosol generating device. The information generator of the controller 70 may generate the lung capacity information of the user based on the signal of the sensor 30 using a pre-prepared calculation formula or table.

The controller 70 may acquire information about the user's aerosol inhalation action or the user's exhalation motion based on the signal of the puff sensor or the detector 30, taking into account the characteristics of the aerosol inhalation action or exhaling action It is possible to control the operation of the atomizer. For example, when it is determined that the user's aerosol inhalation action is an action of inhaling the aerosol at a high speed based on the signal of the detector 30 , the controller 70 increases the power supplied to the heater of the atomizer 40 . Thus, it is possible to increase the amount of aerosol generated by the atomizer 40 (atomization amount).

The aerosol generating device may use the puff sensor or the detector 30 to detect the user's inhalation action or discharge action, and compare it with pre-stored data to perform user authentication. User authentication may be age authentication.

The controller 70 generates suction data based on a signal generated by the puff sensor or detector 30 sensing the user's suction or discharge motion, and as a result of comparing the suction data with the age-specific suction data, the current user is an adult. Activate the device only when it is determined that Therefore, when it is determined that the person is not an adult, that is, a minor, for example, when it is determined that the person is under the age of 19, the operation of the atomizer 40 may be deactivated to prohibit use.

Also, the controller 70 may activate the device only when it is determined that the inhalation data is a normal person by comparing the suction data with the normal person's suction data. Therefore, although it is an adult, when it is determined based on the inhalation data, when it is determined that there is a problem in lung health or poor lung capacity, the device may be prohibited from being used by inactivating the operation of the atomizer 40 and the like. Here, the term 'normal' refers to an ordinary adult who does not have a specific disease or disorder related to breathing, such as lung disease.

Reservoir 78 stores information for operation of the aerosol generating device. The storage 78 may store data on lung capacity by age, inhalation data by age, and discharge data by age into a database. The storage 78 may also store user authentication information.

For example, age-specific inhalation data may be calculated using a Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), a forced vital capacity for 1 second, a forced vital capacity prediction model for 6 seconds, and the like. Forced vital capacity in one second, forced vital capacity in one second, etc. is a measurement method of the lung function test method, and is made by measuring the volume and flow rate of air inhaled and exhaled by the subject over time.

For example, by tabulating the correlation between forced lung capacity and age, it is possible to construct inhalation data for each age. In addition, in order to construct more accurate age-specific inhalation data, if necessary, variables such as height and weight may be reflected to generate age-specific inhalation data.

Age may be calculated by comparing the inhalation data generated based on the signal of the puff sensor or the detector 30 with the inhalation data for each age through the following Equation 1 representing the forced lung capacity.

*Equation 1

Forced vital capacity (FVC) = -4.8434 -0.00008633*age^2(years) + 0.05292*height(cm) + 0.01095*weight(kg)

Here, when excluding variables related to height and weight, it can be further simplified as in Equation 2 below.

*Equation 2

Forced vital capacity (FVC) = -4.8434 -0.00008633*age^2(years)

Although the above-described embodiment has been described as calculating the age-specific inhalation data using the forced lung capacity model, the embodiments are not limited thereto, and various age-specific predictive models may be used.

The controller 70 may compare the first suction data obtained from the puff sensor or detector 30 with the second suction data previously stored in the storage 78 , and perform user authentication according to the comparison result.

The controller 70 performs age authentication when the first inhalation data or the second inhalation data is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, and activates the device when it is determined that the age authentication is successful. Here, the first threshold value may be inhalation data corresponding to the age of 19 years old based on the age-specific inhalation data stored in the storage 78, for example, 4.86 FVC (liters). Therefore, it can be determined that adult authentication is completed only when the amount of suction detected by the puff sensor or the detector 30 is 4.86 FVC or more.

Also, when the first suction data or the second suction data is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, the controller 70 may perform normal authentication and activate the device. Here, the second threshold value may be an inhalation value serving as a reference for the lung capacity of a normal person. Therefore, even in the case of adult authentication, it is possible to prevent the use of the device if the lung function is not good. For example, even as an adult, the use of the device may be prohibited if the lung capacity is at the level of an infant or an elderly person.

Here, the controller 70 has been described as determining based on the inhalation data stored in advance in the storage 78 or by loading the inhalation data stored in advance, but the controller 70 holds the reference value of the inhalation data of adults in advance, The device may be activated or deactivated by directly determining whether the suction data obtained from the puff sensor or the detector 30 is greater than or equal to the reference value.

Also, the controller 70 may analyze the first inhalation data obtained from the puff sensor or the detector 30 to generate inhalation pattern data including an inhalation period, an inhalation intensity, and the like. The controller 70 may perform user authentication by comparing it with the inhalation pattern data previously stored in the storage 78 . Here, user authentication includes user authentication. The controller 70 may additionally or selectively perform age authentication using age-specific inhalation data and user authentication using inhalation pattern data. Therefore, even if adult authentication is completed, the device is activated only when the identity authentication of the device is completed, thereby preventing unauthorized use of the aerosol generating device by minors or users other than the person himself/herself.

The controller 70 may accumulate information about a habit related to the user's aerosol inhalation action, or a pattern of the inhalation action or the discharge action, based on the signal of the sensor 30 . Therefore, the controller 70 can generate an aerosol of a desired amount of atomization by controlling the atomizer 40 using the accumulated data such as the user's habits of inhalation or discharge operation, patterns, and the like.

The heating operation of the heater of the atomizer 40 is a main heating operation that generates heat at a temperature sufficient to vaporize the material for generating an aerosol, and generates heat in a temperature range lower than the temperature range corresponding to the main heating operation It may include a preliminary heating operation.

The controller 70 executes a preliminary heating operation when the flow rate or pressure of the gas generated by the user's aerosol inhalation action sensed by the sensor 30 is less than a predetermined standard, and the flow rate or pressure of the gas is the predetermined standard When exceeding , the main heating operation can be executed. In addition, the controller 70 may stop the operation of the atomizer 40 when the flow rate or pressure of the gas generated by the user's aerosol inhalation operation sensed by the detector 30 is smaller than a predetermined operation standard.

5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing some components of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 .

The aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 has an overall similar structure to the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 .

The aerosol-generating device comprises an aerosol-generating assembly 7 comprising an intake passage 11 and an exhaust passage 21 , a body 8 detachably connected to the aerosol-generating assembly 7 . The body 8 comprises an atomizing assembly 8a comprising an intermediate case 4a receiving the atomizer 40 and releasably connected to the case 3 of the aerosol generating assembly 7; and a control assembly 8b detachably connected to the middle case 4a of

In the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the intake valve 10 for opening or closing the intake passage 11 for supplying the aerosol to the oral cavity of the human body 10 and the gas discharged from the oral cavity of the human body to the outside An exhaust valve 20 for opening or closing the exhaust passage 21, a first sensor 32 disposed in the intake passage 11 to detect gas passing through the intake passage 11, and an exhaust passage ( Based on the signal generated from the second sensor 31 disposed in 21) and detecting gas passing through the exhaust passage 21, and the first sensor 32 and the second sensor 31, health related to the health of the human body and an information generator capable of generating information. The information generator may be implemented by the controller 70 or be some component of the controller 70 .

The first sensor 32 and the second sensor 31 may detect at least one of the flow rate and pressure of the gas passing through the intake passage 11 and the exhaust passage 21 . The exhaust passage 21 is directly connected to the intake passage 11, the first sensor 32 is disposed in the intake passage 11, and the exhaust passage 21 is based on the flow direction of the aerosol supplied to the oral cavity of the human body. It is disposed on the downstream side 11d than the position connected to the intake passage 11 .

While the aerosol is supplied to the human body through the intake passage 11 , the first sensor 32 may detect the state of the gas in the intake passage 11 . While the gas is discharged from the oral cavity of the human body, the first sensor 32 and the second sensor 31 may detect the state of the gas discharged to the outside together.

The intake valve 10 operates to open or close the intake passage 11 by being controlled by the first actuator 10m. The exhaust valve 20 operates to open or close the exhaust valve 20 by being controlled by the second actuator 20m. Each of the intake valve 10 and the exhaust valve 20 has a function of adjusting the open area of the intake passage 11 and the exhaust passage 21 in addition to the operation of opening or closing the intake passage 11 and the exhaust passage 21 . can be performed.

The first driver 10m and the second driver 20m may include, for example, an electric motor operated by electricity or a solenoid switch operated by an electric signal.

When the user sucks air through the mouthpiece 3m, the intake valve 10 controlled by the first actuator 10m rotates upward in FIG. can be opened At this time, the exhaust valve 20 installed in the exhaust passage 21 may be controlled by the second actuator 20m and rotate to a position shown by a dotted line in FIG. 5 to maintain the exhaust passage 21 in a closed state.

Accordingly, while the aerosol is supplied to the human body through the intake passage 11 , the intake valve 10 opens the intake passage 11 and the exhaust valve 20 closes the exhaust passage 21 is maintained.

The first sensor 32 detects the flow of gas flowing through the intake passage 11 and generates a signal, and the controller 70 detects the user's inhalation motion based on the signal of the first sensor 32, thereby igniting the atomizer. can start the operation of the atomizer or stop the operation of the atomizer.

The controller 70 also controls the opening and closing operations of the intake valve 10 and the exhaust valve 20 by controlling the first actuator 10m and the second actuator 20m based on the signal of the first sensor 32 . can

When the user performs an exhalation motion, the intake valve 10 controlled by the first actuator 10m rotates to a position shown by a solid line in FIG. ) automatically closes the upstream side 11u and the exhaust valve 20 controlled by the second actuator 20m rotates to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 5 to automatically open the exhaust passage 21 .

The upstream side 11u of the intake passage 11 in communication with the atomizer 40 is automatically closed by the intake valve 10, so that while gas is discharged from the oral cavity of the human body, the atomizer 40 is provided with external air may not be exposed to Therefore, it is possible to minimize the cooling phenomenon in which the temperature of the air of the heater 42 and the aerosol generating chamber 40c of the atomizer 40 rapidly decreases when the user performs an exhalation operation.

When the user performs an exhalation operation, the gas discharged from the oral cavity of the human body passes through the downstream side 11d of the intake passage 11 and the exhaust passage 21 in sequence and is discharged to the outside. While the flow in which the gas discharged from the oral cavity of the human body is discharged to the outside is formed, the first sensor 32 and the second sensor 31 may detect the state of the gas discharged to the outside together.

The information generator of the controller 70 may generate health information related to the breathing operation exhaled by the user based on the signals of the first sensor 32 and the second sensor 31 . The health information may include information on lung capacity or muscle strength information of a lung operation related to respiration. The health information generated by the information generator may be delivered to the user through an information transmitter or an external device.

When the first sensor 32 and the second sensor 31 include a flow sensor, the information generator may generate vital capacity information.

When the first sensor 32 and the second sensor 31 include a pressure sensor, the first sensor 32 and the second sensor 31 may detect the pressure of the exhaust gas generated by the breathing operation exhaled by the user. Therefore, the information generator can generate muscle strength information of the pulmonary motion related to respiration. The muscle strength information of the lung motion is related to the gas pressure caused by the breathing motion exhaled by the user, and may be, for example, information related to the state of a muscle that moves the diaphragm.

When the user starts breathing in again with the mouthpiece 3m closed after ending the exhalation operation, the exhaust valve 20 and the intake valve 10 are again shown by dotted lines in FIG. change to state

Even while the user is exhaling, the intake valve 10 closes the intake passage 11 to block the contact between the atomizer 40 and the outside air, so the high temperature atmosphere of the atomizer 40 is maintained as it is. can be Therefore, when the user performs the re-breathing operation, the heater 42 reacts immediately to perform the heating operation, whereby a high-quality and abundant amount of aerosol can be generated and supplied to the user.

A flavor element 67 through which the aerosol passes may be inserted into the intake passage 11 . The flavor element 67 performs a function of adding flavor to the aerosol while passing the aerosol generated by the atomizer 40 .

Also, the intake passage 11 may be provided with a heater 68 at a corresponding position of the flavor element 67 . Heater 68 may be controlled by atomization controller 71 of FIG. 6 to heat flavor element 67 by generating heat. The flavor element 67 may be heated by the heater 68 so that the flavor element 67 may generate a fragrance and a fragrance generated by the flavor element 67 may be imparted to the aerosol as the aerosol passes through the flavor element 67 . there is.

The flavor element 67 may be inserted into the intake passage 11 by a user. The flavor element 67 may be completely inserted into the interior of the intake passage 11 . In addition, a plurality of flavor elements 67 may be prepared in advance to have various flavors, and a user may select from among the plurality of flavor elements 67 and insert the flavor elements 67 into the intake passage 11 . The flavor component 67 may be discharged from the aerosol generating device after use.

5, the flavor element 67 is disposed on the downstream side 11d than the position where the exhaust passage 21 is connected to the intake passage 11 based on the flow direction of the aerosol supplied to the oral cavity of the human body, but embodiments It is not limited by the arrangement position, size, or shape of the flavor element 67 as described above. For example, the flavor element 67 may be disposed on the upstream side 11u than the position where the exhaust passage 21 is connected to the intake passage 11 based on the flow direction of the aerosol.

The user may inhale the aerosol that has passed through the flavor element 67 using the mouthpiece 3m. At this time, the aerosol that has passed through the flavor element 67 may contain the flavor emitted from the flavor element 67 .

The external shape of the flavor element 67 and the internal shape of the intake passage 11 may be formed to correspond to each other. For example, when the flavor element 67 has a cylindrical shape, the shape of the interior of the intake passage 11 may be cylindrical to accommodate the flavor element 67 . However, the shapes of the flavor element 67 and the intake passage 11 are not limited thereto and may be changed as needed.

The flavor element 67 may impart a flavor to the aerosol passing through the mouthpiece 3m for inhalation by the user. The aerosol may then entrain the flavor released from the flavor element 67 . The term 'entrainment' means that a flavor component is attached to a liquid droplet contained in an aerosol or that a flavor component is included in an air component included in the aerosol.

The flavor component 67 may include a flavoring agent such as, for example, tobacco, aroma, or nicotine content. The fragrance may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit flavoring ingredients.

For example, flavor component 67 may be a cigarette comprising granules. In this case, the granules of the flavor element 67 may include nicotine content. When the granules of the flavor element 67 contain nicotine content, the aerosol generating material may not contain nicotine content. That is, the aerosol generating material may include only an aerosol former such as propylene glycol and glycerin.

By passing the aerosol delivered from the atomizer 40 through the flavor element 67 installed in the intake passage 11, characteristics such as components and flavor of the aerosol can be variously modified, so that an aerosol of various flavors can be provided to the user there is.

The description of the configuration and effects of the above-described embodiments is merely exemplary, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true technical protection scope of the invention should be defined by the appended claims.

2: external device 30: sensor
3m: mouthpiece 30t: temperature sensor
3s: reservoir 40a: air hole
3: Case 40: Atomizer
4: body case 40c: aerosol generating chamber
5: aerosol generating device 41: wick
7: aerosol generating assembly 42t: connection terminal
8: body 42: heater
10: intake valve 43: substance for generating an aerosol
11: intake passage 67: flavor element
11p: intake pipe 68: heater
20: exhaust valve 70: controller
21: exhaust passage 90: power source
21p: exhaust pipe

Claims (15)

an intake valve for opening or closing an intake passage for supplying an aerosol to the oral cavity of the human body;
an exhaust valve for opening or closing an exhaust passage for discharging gas discharged from the oral cavity of the human body;
a sensor disposed in at least one of the intake passage and the exhaust passage to generate a signal related to a characteristic of the gas passing through the intake passage or the exhaust passage; and
An aerosol generating device comprising a; an information generator for generating health information related to the health of the human body based on the signal generated by the sensor. According to claim 1,
The health information generated by the information generator includes information on lung function of the human body, an aerosol generating device. 3. The method of claim 2,
The detector includes a flow sensor disposed in the exhaust passage to detect a flow rate of gas discharged to the outside, and the health information includes vital capacity information. 3. The method of claim 2,
The detector includes a pressure sensor disposed in at least one of the intake passage or the exhaust passage to detect gas pressure, and the health information includes muscle strength information of a lung action related to respiration. According to claim 1,
Further comprising an information transmitter for transmitting the health information to the outside, an aerosol generating device. According to claim 1,
The exhaust passage is connected to the intake valve, and while the aerosol is supplied to the human body through the intake passage, the intake valve opens the intake passage and the exhaust valve closes the exhaust passage, and gas from the oral cavity of the human body an aerosol generating device, wherein the intake valve closes the intake passage and the exhaust valve opens the exhaust passage during exhaust. 7. The method of claim 6,
The detector comprises a first sensor disposed in the intake passage to sense at least one of a flow rate and pressure of a gas, and a second sensor disposed in the exhaust passage to sense at least one of a flow rate and pressure of a gas. generating device. 8. The method of claim 7,
The exhaust passage is directly connected to the intake passage, and the first sensor is disposed on a downstream side of a position where the exhaust passage is connected to the intake passage based on the flow direction of the aerosol supplied to the oral cavity of the human body,
While the aerosol is supplied to the human body through the intake passage, the first sensor detects the state of the gas in the intake passage, and while the gas is discharged from the oral cavity of the human body, the first sensor and the second sensor are together to the outside An aerosol generating device that detects the state of the emitted gas. According to claim 1,
Wherein the detector detects a contamination state of the gas, an aerosol generating device. 10. The method of claim 9,
The detector is an aerosol generating device for detecting at least one of the turbidity of the gas and the composition ratio of the components contained in the gas. 10. The method of claim 9,
The detector is a biosensor for detecting a component of the biomaterial contained in the gas, an aerosol generating device. According to claim 1,
An aerosol generating device further comprising: a reservoir accommodating a material for generating an aerosol; an atomizer configured to generate an aerosol from the material for generating an aerosol to deliver the aerosol to the intake passage; . 13. The method of claim 12,
The controller controls the atomizer based on a change in the flow rate of the aerosol delivered to the human body through the intake passage sensed by the sensor to control the atomization amount, the aerosol generating device. According to claim 1,
a first actuator and a second actuator for controlling each of the intake valve and the exhaust valve, and controlling the opening area and opening/closing operation of the intake valve and the exhaust valve by controlling the first actuator and the second actuator An aerosol generating device, further comprising a controller. According to claim 1,
An aerosol generating device, further comprising a communication controller capable of communicating with an external device, and transmitting the health information generated by the information generator to the external device.

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