KR20220033297A - Aerosol generating device including gas purification function and gas purification device - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol generating device including a gas purification function comprises: an aerosol generating unit including a supply passage for generating and supplying an aerosol and an exhaust passage through which a gas discharged from the mouth of the human body passes; and a gas purification unit including a main body having an inlet for receiving the gas of the exhaust passage and an outlet for discharging the gas to the outside, a light irradiating unit disposed inside the main body and irradiating light, and a metal plate disposed in a flow path of the gas inside the main body and configured to absorb at least a portion of the light irradiated from the light irradiating unit to generate negative ions.

Description

Aerosol generating device and gas purification device including gas purification function

The embodiments relate to an aerosol-generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol-generating device and a gas purification device including a gas purification function.

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for an alternative method that overcomes the shortcomings of common cigarettes and smoking articles. For example, there is an increasing demand for a method of generating an aerosol as the aerosol-generating material in the cigarette is heated, rather than a method of generating the aerosol by burning the cigarette. Accordingly, studies on smoking articles or devices that operate in various ways are being actively conducted.

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.

In the process of repeating the action of the user putting the aerosol outlet in his/her mouth, the surface of the outlet may be contaminated, and as soon as the user takes his/her mouth off the aerosol outlet, the temperature of the atomizer decreases and the amount of atomization may change. In addition, the gas discharged to the outside after the user inhales the aerosol may contain pollutants or odors.

Accordingly, an object to be solved in the embodiments is to provide an aerosol generating device and a gas purification device that can be used cleanly and include a gas purification function.

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

The aerosol generating device including a gas purification function according to an embodiment is an aerosol generating unit including a supply passage for generating and supplying an aerosol and an exhaust passage through which the gas discharged from the oral cavity of the human body passes and receiving the gas of the exhaust passage A main body having an inlet and an outlet for discharging gas to the outside, a light irradiator disposed inside the body and irradiating light, and an anion by absorbing at least a portion of the light irradiated from the light irradiator and disposed in the flow path of the gas inside the body and a gas purification unit including a metal plate for generating

A gas purification device according to another embodiment includes a main body having an inlet through which gas discharged from the oral cavity of the human body is introduced and an outlet through which gas is discharged to the outside on one side and the other side, a light irradiating unit disposed inside the main body and irradiating light; and a metal plate disposed in the flow path of the gas inside the body and generating negative ions by absorbing at least a portion of the light irradiated from the light irradiator.

Means of solving the problem are not limited to the above, and may include all matters that can be inferred by a person skilled in the art throughout the present specification.

According to the aerosol-generating device including the gas purification function according to the embodiments, the user can perform the operation of inhaling the aerosol and the operation of exhaling the aerosol in the state of mouth, so that the convenient and clean use of the aerosol-generating device is possible, Through the gas purification function, the user can purify the pollutants contained in the gas exhaled after inhaling the aerosol and discharge clean gas.

The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the above, and may include all effects that can be inferred from the configuration to be described later.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an operating state of an aerosol generating device including a gas purification function according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating another operating state of the aerosol generating device including a gas purification function according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .
3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a gas purification function of the aerosol generating device including the gas purification function according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 .
4 is another conceptual diagram for explaining the gas purification function of the aerosol generating device including the gas purification function according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 .
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the separation state of the aerosol generating device including the gas purification function according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .
6 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the gas purification apparatus according to another embodiment.

Terms used in the embodiments are selected as currently widely used general terms as possible in consideration of functions in the present disclosure, 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 terms used in the present disclosure should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the contents of the present disclosure, rather than the simple name of the term.

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

Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present embodiments. In the present disclosure, the singular also includes the plural unless otherwise specified.

In the entire specification, when a part "includes" a certain element, 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 is implemented as hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software. can be

In addition, the aerosol-generating device herein may be a device that generates an aerosol using an aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol that can be directly inhaled into the user's lungs through the user's mouth.

In addition, as used herein, the term “puff” refers to the user's inhalation, and the inhalation may refer to a situation in which the user is drawn into the user's oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs through the user's mouth or nose.

Also, as used herein, terms including an ordinal number such as “first” or “second” may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

Throughout the specification, "aerosol-generating article" means an article used for smoking. For example, the aerosol-generating article may be a regular combustion cigarette used in a manner that is ignited and combusted, or it may be a heated cigarette used in a manner that is heated by an aerosol-generating device. As another example, the aerosol-generating article may be an article that is used in such a way that the liquid contained in the cartridge is heated.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can easily implement them. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in several different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

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

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an operating state of an aerosol generating device including a gas purification function according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an aerosol generating device including a gas purification function according to the embodiment shown in FIG. It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another operating state of

Referring to FIG. 1 , an aerosol generating device including a gas purification function according to an embodiment includes an aerosol generating unit 100 and a gas purification unit 200 . The aerosol generating unit 100 and the gas purification unit 200 may be separated and connected by a connection part 202 .

The aerosol generating unit 100 may supply an aerosol to a user and supply the gas discharged by the user to the gas purification unit 200, and a heater 132 or an atomizer that operates in a manner using electricity, an induction magnetic field or ultrasonic waves, etc. 130 may be used to heat and vaporize or atomize an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a reservoir 133 and an atomizer 130 for accommodating an aerosol generating material are installed inside the aerosol generating unit 100 . The aerosol-generating material may be, for example, a material in a liquid state or a gel state. The aerosol generating material 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 storage tank 133 .

The storage tank 133 may perform a function of supplying an aerosol-generating material to the atomizer 130 while retaining the aerosol-generating material 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 be 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. In addition, 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 130, 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 and malic acid alone or the above 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 when propylene glycol and glycerin are atomized, an aerosol may be generated. 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. 1 , an atomizer 130 for generating an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material at a lower side of the storage tank 133 in the inside of the aerosol generating unit 100 is installed.

The aerosol generating unit 100 has a power source 190 for supplying power to the atomizer 130 and a controller 180 implemented by a control chip or a control circuit board for controlling the operation of the atomizer 130 is installed. .

The power source 190 supplies the power required to operate the aerosol generating device including the gas purification function. The power source 190 may be electrically connected to the atomizer 130 to supply power to the atomizer 130 . The power source 190 may also supply power necessary for the operation of other hardware components of the aerosol generating device.

As will be described later, the power source 190 may supply power required for the operation of the aerosol generating unit 100 as well as the gas purification unit 200 . In addition, a separate power source 290 is installed in the gas purification unit 200 so that the power source 190 of the aerosol generating unit 100 supplies power required for the operation of the aerosol generating unit 100, and the gas purification unit ( The power source 290 of the 200 may supply power required for the operation of the gas purification unit 200 .

The power sources 190 and 290 may be rechargeable batteries or disposable batteries. For example, the power sources 190 and 290 may be lithium polymer batteries, but are not limited thereto.

The controller 180 is hardware that controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device including the gas purification function. The controller 180 is electrically connected to the atomizer 130 and the power source 190 to control the power supplied to the atomizer 130 . As will be described later, the controller 180 is installed only in the aerosol generating unit 100 to control the operation of the gas purification unit 200 , or a separate controller 280 is installed in the gas purification unit 200 to the aerosol generating unit The controller 180 of 100 may control the operation of the aerosol generating unit 100 and the controller 280 of the gas purification unit 200 may control the operation of the gas purification unit 200 .

The controllers 180 and 280 may include a plurality of controllers. Controllers 180 and 280 may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates. The controllers 180 and 280 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 controllers 180 and 280 may be implemented with other types of hardware.

Atomizer 130 has a wick 131 that absorbs and maintains an aerosol-generating material from the storage tank 133, and is wound around the wick 131, in contact with the wick 131, or disposed adjacent to the wick 131 to generate aerosol and a heater 132 that heats the material to generate an aerosol. An aerosol generating chamber 130c is formed around the heater 132 to create an atmosphere for generating an aerosol.

The aerosol generating unit 100 may include an air hole 130a for introducing air outside the aerosol generating device into the aerosol generating chamber 130c when the user performs an inhalation operation. Air introduced into the aerosol generating chamber 130c through the air hole 130a is mixed with the vaporized particles generated in the atomizer 130 to generate an aerosol.

The atomizer 130 performs a function of generating an aerosol by converting the phase of the aerosol generating material into a gas phase. The aerosol may refer to a gas in a state in which vaporized particles generated from an aerosol-generating material and air are mixed.

The heater 132 includes a connection terminal 132t electrically connected to the power supply terminal of the power source 190 .

The heater 132 may be an electrically resistive heating element that generates heat by electricity supplied from the power source 190 . The atomizer 130 includes an electrically resistive heating element, but embodiments are not limited by the configuration of the atomizer 130 . The atomizer 130 may generate an aerosol by, for example, an ultrasonic method of atomizing a liquid aerosol-generating material using an ultrasonic vibrator, or by heating and vaporizing a liquid aerosol-generating material by an induction heating method. .

The reservoir 133 includes a supply passage 110 extending through the reservoir 133 to deliver the aerosol. The supply passage 110 is formed by a supply pipe 110p extending along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device and penetrating the reservoir 133 . A mouthpiece 110m for discharging the aerosol passing through the supply passage 110 to the outside may be installed at the upper portion of the aerosol generating unit 100 .

Embodiments are not limited by the method of forming the supply passage 110 by installing the supply pipe 110p, and the supply passage may be formed in various ways. For example, when the outer case of the aerosol generating unit 100 is manufactured by the injection molding method, the supply passage 110 may be formed in a manner of forming a flow path in a portion of the outer case.

1 and 2 , the supply passage 110 is formed to pass through the reservoir 133 , but embodiments are not limited by the location of the supply passage 110 . For example, the supply passage 110 may be formed outside the storage tank 133 .

The supply passage 110 may extend along a central axis in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating unit 100 while maintaining a constant width. As another example, the supply passage 110 may have a width that is changed along the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating unit 100 , and the size and shape of the supply passage 110 may be changed as needed.

The supply passage 110 provides a flow passage through which the aerosol generated by atomizing the aerosol generating material passes. The supply passage 110 may form part of an airflow path through which the aerosol generated by the atomizer 130 passes. The airflow path may be a path including the aerosol generating chamber 130c, the supply path 110, and the mouthpiece 110m of the atomizer 130 where the aerosol is generated. The aerosol generated by atomizing the aerosol generating material in the aerosol generating chamber 130c may flow to the mouthpiece 110m of the aerosol generating unit 100 along the supply passage 110 .

The heater 132 may be heated by power supplied from the power source 190 . For example, when the user starts a suction operation of sucking air through the supply passage 110 , the heater 132 may perform a heating operation.

A separate suction detection sensor (puff sensor) may be installed in the supply passage 110 to detect the user's suction motion. The Perth 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 supply passage 110 to generate a signal by sensing a change in fluid pressure or flow rate due to the flow of a fluid including aerosol flowing through the supply passage 110 , that is, air.

The aerosol generating chamber 130c delivers the aerosol generated by the heater 132 to the supply passage 110 . Therefore, the aerosol supplied from the aerosol generating chamber 130c may be discharged into the oral cavity of the user's body after passing through the supply passage 110 .

The exhaust passage 120 is directly connected to the supply passage 110 . The exhaust passage 120 is formed by an exhaust pipe 120p having one end connected to the supply end and the other end open to the outside of the aerosol generating unit 100 . The supply passage 110 may be provided with a supply valve 111 that operates to open or close the supply passage 110 . In addition, an exhaust valve 121 that operates to open or close the exhaust passage 120 may be installed in the exhaust passage 120 .

Embodiments are not limited by the method of forming the exhaust passage 120 by installing the exhaust pipe 120p, and the exhaust passage 120 may be formed in various ways. For example, when the outer case of the aerosol generating unit 100 is manufactured by injection molding, the exhaust passage 120 may be formed in a manner of forming a flow path in a portion of the case.

In FIG. 1 , the supply valve 111 and the exhaust valve 121 are respectively installed to rotate on the inner wall surfaces of the supply passage 110 and the exhaust passage 120 . Therefore, when the user sucks air through the mouthpiece 110m, the supply valve 111 rotates upward by the pressure according to the flow of air formed in the supply passage 110, and as shown in FIG. The supply passage 110 can be opened by moving to the illustrated position. At this time, the exhaust valve 121 installed in the exhaust passage 120 may rotate to a position shown by a solid line in FIG. 1 to maintain the exhaust passage 120 in a closed state.

Accordingly, while the aerosol is supplied to the human body through the supply passage 110 , the exhaust valve 121 opens the supply passage 110 and the exhaust valve 121 closes the exhaust passage 120 is maintained.

In order to implement this operation, each of the supply valve 111 and the exhaust valve 121 can be automatically operated by the pressure of air by the flow of air formed in the supply passage 110 and the exhaust passage 120 . there is.

The supply valve 111 allows only the flow of the aerosol generated in the atomizer 130 and flowing through the supply passage 110 and supplied to the oral cavity of the human body, and the exhaust valve 121 exhausts the gas discharged from the oral cavity of the human body. Only flow that exits through passageway 120 may be allowed.

Embodiments are not limited by the configuration of the supply valve 111 and the exhaust valve 121 shown in FIG. 1 , and the automatically operating supply valve 111 and the exhaust valve 121 may be modified in various forms. there is. That is, each of the supply valve 111 and the exhaust valve 121 may be transformed into a form to allow only the flow of air in one direction and block the flow of air in the opposite direction. For example, the supply valve 111 and the exhaust valve 121 may be implemented as a single valve structure or a structure in which a plurality of valves overlap.

Also, the embodiments are not limited to an example in which the supply valve 111 and the exhaust valve 121 are mechanically and automatically operated by air pressure, and the supply valve 111 and the exhaust valve 121 are operated by an electrical signal. It can operate automatically to open or close the supply passage 110 and the exhaust passage 120 or to adjust the open area.

2 is a cross-sectional view showing another operating state of the aerosol generating device including a gas purification function according to the embodiment shown in FIG. It shows the operating state in which the gas discharged from the oral cavity of a human body flows when performing an operation|movement.

When the user performs an exhalation operation, the supply valve 111 rotates to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 while gas is discharged from the oral cavity of the human body to automatically close the supply passage 110 and the exhaust valve 121 ) rotates to a position shown by a solid line in FIG. 2 to automatically open the exhaust passage 120 .

By closing the supply passage 110 in communication with the atomizer 130 by the supply valve 111 , the atomizer 130 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 132 and the aerosol generating chamber 130c of the atomizer 130 rapidly decreases when the user performs an exhalation operation.

After the user finishes exhaling the breath, when the mouthpiece 110m is opened and the mouthpiece 110m is closed and the user breathes in and drinks again, the exhaust valve 121 and the supply valve 111 return to the state shown in FIG. is changed

Since the supply valve 111 closes the supply passage 110 to block the contact between the atomizer 130 and the outside air even while the user is exhaling the breath, the high temperature atmosphere of the atomizer 130 is maintained as it is. can be Therefore, when the user performs the breathing and drinking operation again, the heater 132 reacts immediately to execute the heating operation, so that a high-quality aerosol can be generated and supplied to the user.

In addition, since the user can keep the mouthpiece 110m in the mouth in all situations when performing the operation of inhaling the aerosol and performing the operation of exhaling the aerosol, an aerosol generating device including a gas purification function is provided. More convenient to use and cleaner to use.

In addition, the aerosol generating unit 100 is disposed in the exhaust passage 120 and based on a signal generated from the detector 122 and the detector 122 for detecting the gas passing through the exhaust passage 120, health related to the health of the human body. It may include an information generator capable of generating information. The information generator may be implemented by the controller 180 or may be some component of the controller 180 . 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 .

Health information related to the user's human health generated by the information generator of the controller 180 may be transmitted to the outside through the information transmitter of the aerosol generating device including the gas purification function. In addition, the aerosol generating device including a gas purification function may transmit health information to an external device capable of communication through wireless communication or wired communication method.

The health information generated by the information generator may include, for example, information about the lung function of the user's body, or information about 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, and the external device 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.

The detector 122 may include a flow sensor that detects a flow rate of the gas discharged through the exhaust passage 120 . When the sensor 122 includes a flow sensor, the information generator of the controller 180 may generate information about 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 120 , the information generator of the controller 180 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 122 , for example, the detector 122 is discharged to the outside through the gas flowing toward the user through the supply passage 110 or the exhaust passage 120 . It may include a flow sensor or a pressure sensor for detecting the flow rate of the gas.

Embodiments are also not limited by the example of the detector 122 , for example, the detector 122 is an air pollution detection sensor that detects a state of contamination of gas passing through the supply passage 110 or the exhaust passage 120 . can be 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 122 may be a biosensor that detects a component of the 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.

When the detector 122 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 user exhaled breath (exhalation) or microorganisms, viruses Various health information related to diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, type 1 diabetes, halitosis, and infectious diseases can be generated by monitoring the presence or number of individuals.

Hereinafter, the gas purification unit 200 of the aerosol generating device including a gas purification function will be described with reference to FIG. 1 . The gas purification unit 200 is a device that receives the gas discharged from the aerosol generating unit 100 and performs a function of purifying the gas and discharging it to the outside.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the gas purification unit 200 has a body formed with an inlet 210 receiving gas from the exhaust passage 120 of the aerosol generating unit 100 and an outlet 220 discharging the gas to the outside. (201). In addition, the gas purification unit 200 includes a light irradiation unit 230 disposed inside the body 201 and irradiating light, and at least a portion of the light irradiated from the light irradiation unit 230 and disposed in the flow path of the gas inside the body. and a metal plate 240 that absorbs to generate negative ions.

As described above, the gas discharged again after inhaling the aerosol by the user passes through the exhaust passage 120 of the aerosol generating unit and flows into the inlet 210 of the gas purification unit 200 .

The gas purification unit 200 includes a first shutoff valve 211 and a second shutoff valve 221 that are installed to rotate on inner wall surfaces of each of the inlet 210 and the outlet 220 formed in the main body 201 . may include

The first shutoff valve 211 opens the inlet 210 to allow gas to flow into the inlet 210 or closes the inlet 210 to block the inflow of gas through the inlet 210 . The second shut-off valve 221 opens the discharge unit 220 so that the discharge unit 220 discharges gas or closes the discharge unit 220 to block the discharge of gas through the discharge unit 220 . Therefore, when the user exhausts the gas through the mouthpiece 110m, the first shutoff valve 211 and the second shutoff valve 221 rotate to positions shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 to the inlet of the gas purification unit 200 . 210 and the discharge unit 220 may be maintained in an open state.

Like the supply valve 111 and the exhaust valve 121 of the aerosol-generating unit described above, the first shut-off valve 211 and the second shut-off valve 221 allow the gas delivered from the aerosol-generating unit to pass through the gas purification unit 200 . It can be operated automatically by the pressure of the air by the flow of air forming while passing through it.

Also, the embodiments are not limited to examples in which the first shutoff valve 211 and the second shutoff valve 221 are mechanically and automatically operated by air pressure, and the first shutoff valve 211 and the second shutoff valve ( 221 may be automatically operated by an electric signal to open or close the inlet 210 and the outlet 220 or to adjust the open area.

When the user performs the operation of inhaling the aerosol through the mouthpiece 110m, the first shutoff valve 211 and the second shutoff valve 221 rotate to the positions shown by the solid line in FIG. ) of the inlet 210 and the outlet 220 may be closed.

3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a gas purification function of the aerosol generating device including the gas purification function according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 .

Referring to FIG. 3, the light irradiation unit 230 irradiates light P toward the metal plate 240, and the metal plate 240 that absorbs the light P emits electrons e by the photoelectric effect, The emitted electrons (e) combine with nitrogen or oxygen molecules in the air to generate negatively charged anions (a).

In particular, many of the fine particles contained in the gas emitted by the user may have a positive charge, and the fine particles having a positive charge are electrically coupled to the anion (a) generated by the metal plate 240, thereby exhibiting a positive charge. can be effectively removed.

The light P irradiated from the light irradiator 230 may include ultraviolet rays. For the emission of electrons (e) by the photoelectric effect, light (P) having a frequency greater than or equal to the limit frequency must be irradiated to the metal. (a) can be created. For example, the light irradiation unit 230 may include a UV lamp. A UV lamp is a lamp that emits ultraviolet light by putting mercury and argon gas inside a quartz tube in a transparent vacuum state, and applying power to a tungsten electrode. The embodiments are not limited by the implementation method of the light irradiation unit 230, and the light irradiation unit 230 may be variously modified to radiate ultraviolet rays having a wavelength range shorter than that of visible light.

In addition, since ultraviolet rays have a sterilizing effect, they can also perform a function of sterilizing bacteria, viruses, etc. contained in the exhausted gas. At this time, the light irradiator 230 is disposed in a position adjacent to the inlet 210 in the interior of the body 201 of the gas purification unit 200 and the gas introduced into the interior of the body 201 through the inlet 210 . can be irradiated with ultraviolet light.

Considering the smooth electron (e) emission of the metal plate 240 and the maximization of the sterilization function for bacteria, viruses, etc., the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the light irradiation unit 230 include ultraviolet C (UVC) having a wavelength of 100 to 280 nm. can do.

The light irradiator 230 may irradiate the light P by the power supplied from the power source, and the power source may be the power source 190 installed in the aerosol generating unit 100 described above. In addition, the light irradiation unit 230 may receive power from a separate power source 290 included in the gas purification unit 200 itself.

In addition, the light irradiation unit 230 may be controlled to operate only when gas is supplied from the aerosol generating unit 100 , that is, when gas is discharged from the oral cavity of the human body and supplied to the gas purification unit 200 . Control of this operation may be performed by the controller 180 installed in the aerosol generating unit 100 , or may be performed by a separate controller 280 included in the gas purification unit 200 .

The metal plate 240 is positioned inside the body 201 to absorb at least a portion of the light P irradiated from the light irradiation unit 230 . The metal plate 240 may include a metal capable of absorbing light P and emitting electrons e bound to the metal plate 240 . The metal may be a metal having a relatively low limit energy required for the emission of electrons (e) in order to increase the amount of anion (a) generated. The metal may be, for example, a metal selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum, silver, copper, stainless steel and titanium, or an alloy of two or more kinds.

Since the metal plate 240 continuously loses electrons (e) due to the photoelectric effect by the light (P) irradiated from the light irradiation unit 230, as the number or period of use of the metal plate 240 increases, the negative ions of the metal plate 240 (a) The generation performance may be reduced. Therefore, when the gas purification unit 200 is used, the metal plate 240 may be periodically replaced.

In addition, a plurality of metal plates 240 may be included in the body 201 . For example, two metal plates 240 are included so that each metal plate 240 may be installed to face each other, and the two metal plates 240 facing each other secure an area to which the light P can be irradiated. At the same time, it may be arranged to face each other with a gas flow path interposed therebetween for the smooth discharge of gas.

In addition, a voltage regulator (not shown) for applying a variable voltage between the two metal plates 240 facing each other may be further included. The voltage regulator can apply a variable voltage to the metal plate 240 by closing the circuit for applying a voltage to the metal plate 240 or freely adjusting the magnitude or polarity of the voltage applied to the metal plate 240, and by adjusting the variable voltage A potential difference may be applied to the two metal plates 240 . Electrons (e) emitted by the discharge effect by the two metal plates 240 having a potential difference move to the opposite metal plate 240 to form a current, which results in continuous electron (e) emission and negative ions (a) it is possible to create

The fine particles having a positive charge combined with the negative ions (a) generated inside the body 201 are separated from the gas flow path from the inlet 210 to the outlet 220 by electrical attraction or repulsion. As a result, the fine particles are prevented from being discharged to the outside through the discharge unit 220, so that the gas purification function can be performed. At this time, since the fine particles that are not discharged to the outside accumulate inside the body 201 , it may be necessary to periodically clean the inside of the body 201 .

The gas purification unit 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may further include a filter 260 disposed in the gas flow path and filtering fine particles included in the gas.

1 and 2 , the filter 260 may be located downstream of the gas flow path inside the body 201, and may finally filter other foreign substances including fine particles collected by negative ions. A metal mesh filter may be used for the filter 260 , a HEPA filter may be used to remove fine particles, or activated carbon may be used for deodorization and purification. Since the filter 260 is detachably installed in the gas purification unit 200 , the filter 260 is separated from the gas purification unit 200 to wash foreign substances accumulated in the gas purification unit 200 and then purify the gas. The filter 260 may be reassembled in the unit 200 and used or replaced with a new filter.

Since the surface of the filter 260 is treated with an antibacterial material, the filter 260 may remove bacteria contained in the gas discharged from the user's oral cavity. As the antibacterial material for surface treatment of the filter 260 , for example, various types of artificial synthetic materials such as penicillin-based, polymyxin-based, and tetracycline-based materials may be used, or natural antibacterial materials may be used. The natural antibacterial substance may be, for example, any one or more natural antibacterial substances of phytoncide, natural palm oil, and natural fatty acids.

4 is another conceptual diagram for explaining the gas purification function of the aerosol generating device including the gas purification function according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 .

Referring to FIG. 4 , since the filter 260 has electrical conductivity, an electric field E is formed between the metal plate 240 and the filter 260 . Accordingly, the negative ions (a) generated inside the gas purification unit 200 may move toward the filter 260 by the action of the electric field (E). The electric field E formed to move the negative ion (a) to the filter 260 may be formed by, for example, charging the filter to a (+) pole and a metal plate to a (-) pole, and an anion (a) and ( The negative ions (a) may move toward the filter 260 by an electrical attraction acting between the filter and the +) polarity. The anion (a) more easily reaches the filter 260 by the electric field (E), thereby minimizing the adsorption of the anion (a) or the fine particles bonded to the anion (a) to parts other than the filter 260 can do.

The electric field E formed between the filter 260 and the metal plate 240 allows the fine particles combined with the negative ions a accumulated in the filter 260 to be uniformly accumulated throughout the filter 260 .

As described above, the filter 260 may be located downstream of the gas flow path, and may be installed adjacent to the gas outlet 220 . Therefore, the flow of gas is concentrated in the portion of the filter 260 that is relatively close to the discharge unit 220 and the fine particles are aggregated, and the fine particles are not accumulated in the portion that is relatively far from the discharge unit 220 .

When the fine particles are agglomerated in various regions inside the gas purification unit 200 , the agglomerated fine particles may interfere with gas discharge by the discharge unit 220 . However, the electric field E formed between the filter 260 and the metal plate 240 may electrically attract the negative ions a to uniformly accumulate fine particles throughout the filter 260 .

The gas purification unit 200 includes an electric field forming unit (not shown) electrically connected to the filter 260 and the metal plate 240 to form an electric field E between the filter 260 and the metal plate 240 . can do. For example, a voltage regulator for applying a variable voltage may be used in the electric field forming unit, but embodiments are not limited by this configuration.

In addition, the gas purification unit 200 may further include a metal mesh film 250 disposed on the upstream side of the gas flow path inside the body 201 . In this case, the filter 260 has electrical conductivity and is disposed on the downstream side of the gas flow path inside the body 201 , and the metal plate 240 may be disposed between the metal mesh membrane 250 and the filter 260 , , an electric field E is formed between the filter 260 and the metal mesh film 250 to move the negative ions a generated inside the gas purification unit 200 to the filter 260 . The filter 260 having electrical conductivity may use the same type of metal mesh filter as the metal mesh film 250 spaced apart with the metal plate 240 interposed therebetween. The metal mesh layer 250 may be specifically positioned in a gas flow path between the light irradiator 230 and the metal plate 240 . At this time, in order to improve the ratio of the light P reaching the metal plate 240 from the light irradiation unit 230, the metal mesh film 250 having a relatively large hole size compared to the hole size of the metal mesh filter 260 may be used. can

By forming an electric field E between the filter 260 and the metal mesh film 250 , the negative ions a may be moved to the filter 260 . For example, the filter 260 may be charged with a (+) pole and the metal mesh film 250 with a (-) pole to form an electric field E between the filter 260 and the metal mesh film 250 , , the negative ions (a) may move toward the filter (260) by an electrical attraction acting between the negative ions (a) and the filter 260 having a (+) pole.

The distance between the filter 260 and the metal mesh film 250 is set longer than the distance between the filter 260 and the metal plate 240 . Such an arrangement structure of the filter 260, the metal mesh membrane 250, and the metal plate 240 facilitates accelerating the negative ions (a) generated inside the gas purification unit 200, and the accelerated negative ions (a) The silver collides with the filter 260 and sterilizes the filter 260 .

Here, in order to form an electric field E between the filter 260 and the metal mesh film 250 , the gas purification unit 200 includes an electric field forming unit electrically connected to the filter 260 and the metal mesh film 250 ( not shown), and the electric field forming unit may include, for example, a voltage regulator for applying a variable voltage, but embodiments are not limited by the configuration of the electric field forming unit.

In addition, as a modified example from the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the filter 260 has electrical conductivity and may be electrically grounded, and a metal mesh membrane is disposed between the filter 260 and the metal plate 240 , and the metal mesh membrane A negative (-) high voltage may be applied to the At this time, a discharge is generated between the metal mesh film and the filter 260 , and some of the fine particles included in the gas are charged by a negative electric field to have a negative charge. The fine particles having a negative charge may further increase the removal efficiency of the fine particles having a positive charge together with the anion (a) generated in the metal plate 240 . The gas purification unit 200 may further include a high voltage generator (not shown) for generating a high voltage to apply a high voltage to the metal mesh film.

The metal mesh membrane may perform a function of primarily filtering foreign substances of a relatively large size included in the gas discharged from the user's oral cavity. In addition, the metal mesh membrane reduces the flow rate of the gas introduced through the inlet 210 and uniformly distributes the gas into the body 201 of the gas purification unit 200 to improve the gas purification function. .

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the separation state of the aerosol generating device including the gas purification function according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , the aerosol generating unit 100 and the gas purification unit 200 may be separated and connected by a connection part 202 , and the aerosol generating unit 100 and the gas purification unit 200 may be connected as described above. , can operate by including separate controllers 180 and 280 and power sources 190 and 290, respectively.

The connection part 202 may be installed in the aerosol generating unit 100 and/or the gas purification unit 200, and a flange fastening structure or spline capable of interference fit to implement a one-touch coupling. ) A fastening structure or a bayonet mount structure may be applied to the connection part 202 . In addition, a screw coupling structure using a screw thread may be applied to the connection part 202 .

Here, the inlet 210 of the gas purification unit 200 may be connected to the inside of the exhaust passage 120 of the aerosol generating unit 100 . At this time, the inlet 210 of the gas purification unit 200 may have a cylindrical shape extending to the outside of the body 201 of the gas purification unit 200, the exhaust passage 120 of the aerosol generating unit 100 It can be inserted inside.

When the user uses the aerosol generating unit 100 and the gas purification unit 200 separately, the user bites the aerosol generating unit 100 with their mouth and inhales the aerosol from the aerosol generating unit 100, after which the gas purification unit ( 200) can be taken in the mouth and discharged to the gas purification unit 200 .

When the user uses the aerosol generating unit 100 and the gas purification unit 200 in a combined state, the user inhales the aerosol from the aerosol generating unit 100 and then inserts the inlet 210 of the gas purification unit 200 into the mouth. When the gas is discharged in a door state, the gas discharged by the user may be purified by the gas purification unit 200 and discharged from the gas purification unit 200 through the discharge unit 220 .

6 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the gas purification apparatus according to an embodiment.

The gas purification device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 may include a configuration similar to the separated gas purification unit 200 of the aerosol generating device including the gas purification device shown in FIG. 5 above.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the gas purification apparatus 200 according to an embodiment includes a body 201 , a first shutoff valve 211 , a second shutoff valve 221 , a light irradiation unit 230 , a metal plate 240 , It includes a metal mesh membrane 250, a filter 260, a controller 280, and a power source 290, and the above-described items in the gas purification unit 200 part of FIG. 5 may be equally applied and will be duplicated below. The description will be omitted.

The gas purifying device may purify the gas discharged from the oral cavity of the user's body. The gas discharged from the oral cavity of the human body may be, for example, a gas discharged after the user inhales the aerosol using a separate aerosol generating device.

The aerosol generating device in which the user inhales the aerosol may be an aerosol generating unit separated from the gas purification unit 200 in the aerosol generating device according to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 as described above. , the embodiments are not limited thereto.

The aerosol-generating device may be an aerosol-generating device using a heated cigarette known in the art to which the embodiments relate. That is, the aerosol generating device may generate an aerosol by heating the cigarette in a non-combustible manner.

As another example, when the user inhales the aerosol generated from a general combustion cigarette and then when the user exhausts the gas, the gas purification device according to the above-described embodiments is put in the mouth and the gas is discharged, the purified by the gas purification device Gas may be discharged to the outside.

A person of ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment will understand that it can be implemented in a modified form within a range that does not deviate from the essential characteristics of the above description. Therefore, the disclosed methods are to be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the invention is indicated in the claims rather than in the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the invention.

100: aerosol generating unit 110: supply passage
110p: supply pipe 110m: mouthpiece
111: supply valve
120: exhaust passage 120p: exhaust pipe
121: exhaust valve 122: detector
130: atomizer 130a: air hole
130c: aerosol generating chamber 131: wick
132: heater 132t: connection terminal
133: reservoir 180: controller
190: power source
200: gas purification unit 201: body
202: connection 210: inlet
211: first shut-off valve 220: discharge unit
221: second shut-off valve 230: light irradiation unit
240: metal plate 250: metal mesh film
260: filter
280: controller 290: power source
e: electron a: negative ion
P: light E: electric field

Claims (14)

an aerosol generating unit including a supply passage for generating and supplying an aerosol and an exhaust passage through which the gas discharged from the oral cavity of the human body passes; and
A main body having an inlet for receiving the gas of the exhaust passage and an outlet for discharging the gas to the outside, a light irradiator disposed inside the main body and irradiating light, and a gas flow path disposed inside the main body, the light An aerosol-generating device comprising a gas purification function, including; a gas purification unit including a metal plate that absorbs at least a portion of the light irradiated from the irradiation unit to generate negative ions. According to claim 1,
and the aerosol generating unit further comprises a supply valve for opening or closing the supply passage and an exhaust valve for opening or closing the exhaust passage. According to claim 1,
The light irradiated from the light irradiation unit is an aerosol generating device including a gas purification function, including ultraviolet rays. According to claim 1,
The gas purification unit is disposed in the flow path of the gas inside the body and further comprises a filter for filtering the fine particles contained in the gas, an aerosol generating device including a gas purification function. 5. The method of claim 4,
The filter has electrical conductivity,
An electric field for moving negative ions to the filter is formed between the metal plate and the filter, and an aerosol generating device including a gas purification function. 5. The method of claim 4,
the filter is electrically conductive and is disposed downstream of the gas flow path inside the body;
Further comprising a metal mesh membrane disposed on the upstream side of the gas flow path inside the body,
The metal plate is disposed between the metal mesh membrane and the filter,
An aerosol generating device comprising a gas purification function to form an electric field between the filter and the metal mesh membrane to move the negative ions to the filter. According to claim 1,
and the gas purification unit is detachably connected to the aerosol-generating unit. a body having an inlet through which gas discharged from the oral cavity of the human body is introduced and an outlet through which the gas is discharged to the outside on one side and the other side;
a light irradiation unit disposed inside the body and irradiating light; and
A gas purification device comprising a; a metal plate disposed in the flow path of the gas inside the body and absorbing at least a portion of the light irradiated from the light irradiator to generate negative ions. 9. The method of claim 8,
The gas purification apparatus further comprising a first shutoff valve that opens the inlet to allow gas to flow into the inlet or closes the inlet to block the inflow of gas through the inlet. 9. The method of claim 8,
and a second shut-off valve for opening the discharge unit so that the discharge unit discharges gas, or closing the discharge unit to block the discharge of gas through the discharge unit. 9. The method of claim 8,
The light irradiated from the light irradiation unit includes ultraviolet rays, a gas purification device. 9. The method of claim 8,
Further comprising a filter disposed in the flow path of the gas inside the body and filtering the fine particles contained in the gas, the gas purification device. 13. The method of claim 12,
The filter has electrical conductivity,
An electric field for moving negative ions to the filter is formed between the metal plate and the filter, and an aerosol generating device including a gas purification function. 13. The method of claim 12,
the filter is electrically conductive and is disposed downstream of the gas flow path inside the body;
Further comprising a metal mesh membrane disposed on the upstream side of the gas flow path inside the body,
The metal plate is disposed between the metal mesh membrane and the filter,
A gas purification device for forming an electric field between the filter and the metal mesh membrane so that negative ions move to the filter.

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