KR20220064664A - Aerosol generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol generating device comprises: a storage unit which stores an aerosol generating material and is formed with a discharge hole through which the aerosol generating material is discharged; an aerosol generating chamber which accommodates the aerosol generating material discharged from the discharge hole; and a rotating unit which pulverizes the aerosol generating material accommodated in the aerosol generating chamber to generate an aerosol while rotating, and generates airflow for discharging the generated aerosol to the outside of the aerosol generating device.

Description

Aerosol generating device {AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE}

The embodiments relate to an aerosol-generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol-generating device that pulverizes an aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol, and generates an airflow that delivers the generated aerosol to a user.

There is an increasing demand for an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol in a non-combustible manner by replacing the method of generating an aerosol by burning a cigarette. An aerosol-generating device is, for example, a device that performs the function of generating and supplying an aerosol to a user in a non-combustible manner from an aerosol-generating material, or generating an aerosol having a flavor by passing a vapor generated from an aerosol-generating material through a fragrance medium am.

In addition, research on an aerosol-generating device capable of imparting a refreshing feeling to a user without heating the aerosol-generating material is being conducted.

The most representative method of generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material is to heat the aerosol-generating material. However, by generating an aerosol by various methods other than the method of heating the aerosol-generating material, research is being conducted on an aerosol generating method that can solve the user's desire to smoke and provide a refreshing or differentiated feeling of smoking. An example of such a method is a method of generating an aerosol by pulverizing an aerosol-generating material in a liquid state, and delivering the generated aerosol to a user.

Embodiments provide an aerosol-generating device that pulverizes an aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol, and generates an airflow that delivers the generated aerosol to a user.

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 according to an embodiment stores an aerosol-generating material, and includes a storage unit having a discharge hole through which the aerosol-generating material is discharged, an aerosol-generating chamber in which the aerosol-generating material discharged from the discharge hole is accommodated, and rotated to be accommodated in the aerosol-generating chamber. and a rotating part that pulverizes the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol, and generates an airflow for discharging the generated aerosol to the outside of the aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol generating device according to the embodiments may provide an aerosol with a refreshing feel to the user by generating an aerosol by pulverizing an aerosol generating material and generating an air flow that delivers the generated aerosol to the user.

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

1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
2 is a view showing an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a view showing another aspect of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 2 .
FIG. 4 is a view showing a rotating part of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 2 .
5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an aspect of a manner in which the rotating unit shown in FIG. 4 generates an aerosol.
FIG. 6A is a view illustrating an aerosol generating chamber and a rotating part of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 2 .
6B is a view illustrating an aerosol generating chamber and a rotating part of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.
7A is a view showing an atomization unit of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 2 .
7B is a diagram illustrating an atomization unit of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a view showing an aerosol generating chamber of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 2 .
9A is a view illustrating a vibrating unit and an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 2 .
9B is a view illustrating a vibrating unit and an airflow passage of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

Although general terms currently widely used have been selected for the description of the embodiments, the terms may vary depending on the intention or precedent of a person skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong, the emergence of new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, there are also terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, when interpreting the terms used for the description of the embodiments, it should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the content throughout the present specification, rather than simply limiting it to the name of the term.

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", "...module", etc. described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software. can

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.

As used herein, terms including an ordinal number such as 'first' or 'second' may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by the terms. The above terms may be used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

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 in this case, changes may be applied and implemented without departing from the scope of the present specification.

In the present specification, the aerosol generating device refers to a device for supplying an aerosol capable of providing a smoking satisfaction to a user, but is not limited thereto. For example, an aerosol generating device may refer to a device comprising a medicament inhaler or humidifier.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily implement them. However, the present invention may be embodied 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 block diagram of an aerosol generating device;

Referring to FIG. 1 , the aerosol generating device 100 may include a battery 110 , a processor 120 , an atomizer 130 , a user interface 140 , a sensor 150 , and a memory 160 . However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1 . According to the design of the aerosol generating device 100, some of the hardware components shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted or new components may be further added to those of ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment It can be understood .

As an example, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a body, in which case hardware elements included in the aerosol generating device 100 are located in the body.

As another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a main body and a cartridge, and hardware elements included in the aerosol generating device 100 may be located separately from the main body and the cartridge. Alternatively, at least some of the hardware elements included in the aerosol generating device 100 may be located in each of the main body and the cartridge.

Hereinafter, the operation of each element will be described without limiting the space in which each element included in the aerosol generating device 100 is located.

The battery 110 supplies power used to operate the aerosol generating device 100 . That is, the battery 110 may supply power so that the atomizer 130 may atomize the aerosol generating material. In addition, the battery 110 may supply power required for the operation of other hardware elements included in the aerosol generating device 100 , that is, the sensor 150 , the user interface 140 , the memory 160 , and the processor 120 . there is. The battery 110 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.

For example, battery 110 may be a nickel-based battery (eg, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery), or a lithium-based battery (eg, a lithium-cobalt battery, a lithium-phosphate battery, lithium titanate battery, lithium-ion battery or lithium-polymer battery). However, the type of the battery 110 that can be used in the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited by the above description. If necessary, the battery 110 may include an alkaline battery or a manganese battery.

The atomizer 130 receives power from the battery 110 under the control of the processor 120 . The atomizer 130 may receive power from the battery 110 to atomize the aerosol generating material stored in the aerosol generating device 100 .

The atomizer 130 may be located in the body of the aerosol generating device 100 . Alternatively, when the aerosol generating device 100 includes a main body and a cartridge, the atomizer 130 may be located in the cartridge or divided into the main body and the cartridge. When the atomizer 130 is located in the cartridge, the atomizer 130 may receive power from the battery 110 located in at least one of the main body and the cartridge. In addition, when the atomizer 130 is divided into the main body and the cartridge, the parts requiring power supply in the atomizer 130 may receive power from the battery 110 located in at least one of the main body and the cartridge.

The atomizer 130 generates an aerosol from the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge. Aerosol means a suspension in which liquid and/or solid fine particles are dispersed in a gas. Therefore, the aerosol generated from the atomizer 130 may mean a state in which the vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating material and air are mixed. For example, the atomizer 130 may convert a phase of the aerosol generating material into a gas phase through vaporization and/or sublimation. In addition, the atomizer 130 may generate an aerosol by discharging the aerosol-generating material in a liquid and/or solid phase into fine particles.

For example, the atomizer 130 may generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method. The ultrasonic vibration method may refer to a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing an aerosol generating material with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

The aerosol generating device 100 may include at least one sensor 150 . The result sensed by the at least one sensor 150 is transmitted to the processor 120, and according to the sensing result, the processor 120 controls the operation of the atomizer 130, restricts smoking, inserts a cartridge (or cigarette) The aerosol generating device 100 may be controlled so that various functions such as no determination and notification display are performed.

For example, the at least one sensor 150 may include a puff detection sensor. The puff detection sensor may detect the user's puff based on at least one of a change in flow rate of an externally introduced airflow, a change in pressure, and detection of a sound. The puff detection sensor may detect a start timing and an end timing of the user's puff, and the processor 120 may detect a puff period and a non-puff period according to the detected start timing and end timing of the puff. can be judged

Also, the at least one sensor 150 may include a user input sensor. The user input sensor may be a sensor capable of receiving a user's input, such as a switch, a physical button, or a touch sensor. For example, the touch sensor may be a capacitive sensor capable of detecting a user's input by detecting a change in capacitance and generating a change in capacitance when the user touches a predetermined area formed of a metal material. there is. The processor 120 may determine whether a user input has occurred by comparing values before and after the change in capacitance received from the capacitive sensor. When the value before and after the change of capacitance exceeds the preset threshold, the processor 120 may determine that the user's input has occurred.

Also, the at least one sensor 150 may include a motion sensor. Information regarding the movement of the aerosol generating device 100 such as inclination, moving speed, and acceleration of the aerosol generating device 100 may be acquired through the motion sensor. For example, the motion sensor may detect a state in which the aerosol generating device 100 is moving, a stationary state of the aerosol generating device 100, a state in which the aerosol generating device 100 is tilted at an angle within a predetermined range for puff, and each puff operation. In between, information regarding a state in which the aerosol generating device 100 is tilted at an angle different from that during the puff operation may be measured. The motion sensor may measure motion information of the aerosol generating device 100 using various methods known in the art. For example, the motion sensor may include an acceleration sensor capable of measuring acceleration in three directions, an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis, and a gyro sensor capable of measuring angular velocity in three directions.

Also, the at least one sensor 150 may include a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or distance of an approaching object or an object existing in the vicinity without mechanical contact using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays, etc., through which the user approaches the aerosol generating device 100 It can be detected whether

Also, the at least one sensor 150 may include an image sensor. The image sensor may include, for example, a camera for acquiring an image of the object. The image sensor may recognize an object based on an image acquired by the camera. The processor 120 may analyze the image acquired through the image sensor to determine whether the user is in a situation for using the aerosol generating device 100 . For example, when the user approaches the aerosol generating device 100 to the vicinity of the lips to use the aerosol generating device 100, the image sensor may acquire an image of the lips. The processor 120 may analyze the acquired image and, when it is determined as the lips, determine that the user is in a situation for using the aerosol generating device 100 . Through this, the aerosol generating device 100 may operate the atomizer 130 in advance or preheat the heater.

In addition, the at least one sensor 150 may include a consumable detachment sensor capable of detecting installation or removal of consumables (eg, cartridge, cigarette, etc.) that can be used in the aerosol generating device 100 . For example, the consumables detachment sensor may detect whether the consumables are in contact with the aerosol generating device 100 or determine whether the consumables are detached by the image sensor. In addition, the consumable detachment sensor may be an inductance sensor that detects a change in the inductance value of the coil that may interact with the marker of the consumable, or a capacitance sensor that detects a change in the capacitance value of the capacitor that may interact with the marker of the consumable.

Also, the at least one sensor 150 may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may detect the temperature at which the heater (or the aerosol generating material) of the atomizer 130 is heated. The aerosol generating device 100 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater, or the heater itself may serve as a temperature sensor instead of a separate temperature sensor. Alternatively, a separate temperature sensor may be further included in the aerosol generating device 100 while the heater functions as a temperature sensor. In addition, the temperature sensor may sense the temperature of internal components such as a printed circuit board (PCB) and a battery of the aerosol generating device 100 as well as the heater.

In addition, the at least one sensor 150 may include various sensors that measure information on the surrounding environment of the aerosol generating device 100 . For example, the at least one sensor 150 may include a temperature sensor that can measure the temperature of the surrounding environment, a humidity sensor that measures the humidity of the surrounding environment, and an atmospheric pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the surrounding environment.

The sensor 150 that may be provided in the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to the above-described type, and may further include various sensors. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a fingerprint sensor capable of acquiring fingerprint information from a user's finger for user authentication and security, an iris recognition sensor that analyzes the iris pattern of the pupil, and intravenous It may include a vein recognition sensor that detects the amount of infrared absorption of reduced hemoglobin, a facial recognition sensor that recognizes feature points such as eyes, nose, mouth, and facial contour in a 2D or 3D method, and a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) sensor, etc. .

In the aerosol generating device 100, only some of the examples of the various sensors 150 exemplified above may be selected and implemented. In other words, the aerosol generating device 100 may combine and utilize information sensed by at least one of the above-described sensors.

The user interface 140 may provide information about the state of the aerosol generating device 100 to the user. The user interface 140 includes a display or lamp for outputting visual information, a motor for outputting tactile information, a speaker for outputting sound information, and input/output (I/O) for receiving information input from a user or outputting information to the user. ) Interfacing means (eg, button or touch screen) and terminals for data communication or receiving charging power, wireless communication with external devices (eg, WI-FI, WI-FI Direct, Bluetooth, NFC) (Near-Field Communication, etc.) may include various interfacing means such as a communication interfacing module for performing.

However, in the aerosol generating device 100, only some of the various examples of the user interface 140 exemplified above may be selected and implemented.

The memory 160 is hardware for storing various data processed in the aerosol generating device 100 , and the memory 160 may store data processed by the processor 120 and data to be processed. The memory 160 includes a variety of random access memory (RAM) such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and the like. It can be implemented in types.

The memory 160 may store the operating time of the aerosol generating device 100 , the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data on the user's smoking pattern.

The processor 120 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 100 . The processor 120 may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. In addition, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that the processor 120 may be implemented with other types of hardware.

The processor 120 analyzes a result sensed by the at least one sensor 150 and controls processes to be subsequently performed.

The processor 120 may control the power supplied to the atomizer 130 to start or end the operation of the atomizer 130 based on the result sensed by the at least one sensor 150 . In addition, the processor 120, based on the result sensed by the at least one sensor 150, the amount of power supplied to the atomizer 130 so that the atomizer 130 can generate an appropriate amount of aerosol and You can control the time the power is supplied. For example, the processor 120 may control the current or voltage supplied to the vibrator so that the vibrator of the atomizer 130 vibrates at a predetermined frequency.

In an embodiment, the processor 120 may start the operation of the atomizer 130 after receiving a user input for the aerosol generating device 100 . In addition, the processor 120 may start the operation of the atomizer 130 after detecting the user's puff using the puff detection sensor. In addition, the processor 120 may stop supplying power to the atomizer 130 when the number of puffs reaches a preset number after counting the number of puffs using the puff detection sensor.

The processor 120 may control the user interface 140 based on a result sensed by the at least one sensor 150 . For example, when the number of puffs reaches a preset number after counting the number of puffs using the puff detection sensor, the processor 120 provides the aerosol generating device 100 to the user using at least one of a lamp, a motor, and a speaker. ) can be foreshadowed soon.

Meanwhile, although not shown in FIG. 1 , the aerosol generating device 100 may be included in the aerosol generating system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 110 of the aerosol generating device 100 . For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may receive power from the battery of the cradle to charge the battery 110 of the aerosol generating device 100 while being accommodated in the receiving space inside the cradle.

An embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module to be executed by a computer. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. In addition, computer-readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Communication media typically includes computer readable instructions, data structures, other data in modulated data signals, such as program modules, or other transport mechanisms, and includes any information delivery media.

2 is a view showing an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2 , an aerosol generating device 200 according to another embodiment includes a storage unit 210 , an aerosol generating chamber 220 , a rotation unit 230 , an atomization unit 240 , a discharge passage 250 , a vibrating unit 260 , a battery 270 , and a processor 280 .

Since the battery 270 and the processor 280 of FIG. 2 may be substantially the same as the battery 110 and the processor 120 of FIG. 1 , respectively, overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

Meanwhile, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 200 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 2 . According to the design of the aerosol generating device 200, some of the hardware components shown in FIG. 2 may be omitted or a new configuration may be further added to those of ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment It can be understood . For example, the aerosol generating device 200 may selectively include any one of the atomizing unit 240 and the vibrating unit 260 .

The storage unit 210 may store the aerosol generating material 211 . For example, the storage unit 210 may store the aerosol-generating material 211 by accommodating the aerosol-generating material 211 therein. In this specification, the storage unit 210 'stores the aerosol-generating material 211' therein means that the storage unit 210 simply contains the aerosol-generating material 211, such as the use of a container. It means to perform and to include an element impregnating (containing) the aerosol generating material 211, such as a sponge, cotton, cloth, or a porous ceramic structure, in the interior of the storage unit 210 .

The storage unit 210 may hold the aerosol-generating material 211 having any one state, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gas state, or a gel state, for example.

As an example, the aerosol generating material 211 may include a liquid composition. In this case, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid containing a non-tobacco material.

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

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

The acid for the formation of the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected in consideration of the blood nicotine absorption rate, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 100 , flavor or flavor, solubility, and the like. For example, acids for the formation of nicotine salts include benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid , citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid or malic acid alone or It may be a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.

The storage unit 210 may include at least a part of the transparent material so that the aerosol generating material 211 accommodated in the storage unit 210 can be visually confirmed from the outside. The entire storage unit 210 may be made of a material such as transparent plastic or glass, and only a portion of the storage unit 210 may be made of a transparent material.

The storage unit 210 may include a discharge hole 212 . The discharge hole 212 may be a passage through which the aerosol generating material 211 of the storage unit 210 is discharged to the outside of the storage unit 210 and moves to the aerosol generating chamber 220 . For example, the discharge hole 212 may be formed on one side of the storage unit 210 facing the aerosol generating chamber (220). In this case, the aerosol generating material 211 passes through the discharge hole 212 in a direction from the storage unit 210 toward the aerosol generating chamber 220 (eg, -z direction in FIG. 2 ) to the aerosol generating chamber 220 . ) can be reached.

The discharge sensor 213 may be disposed adjacent to the discharge hole 212 . The discharge sensor 213 may detect the amount of the aerosol generating material 211 discharged from the discharge hole 212 . For example, the discharge sensor 213 may detect a flow rate of the aerosol-generating material 211 passing through the discharge hole 212 , and transmit the sensed flow rate of the aerosol-generating material 211 to the processor 280 . The processor 280 calculates the amount of the aerosol-generating material 211 discharged from the discharge hole 212 through the flow rate of the aerosol-generating material 211 detected by the discharge sensor 213 and the cross-sectional area of the discharge hole 212 . can

The aerosol generating chamber 220 may receive the aerosol generating material 211 moved from the storage unit 210 . The aerosol generating chamber 220 may be a space in which an aerosol is generated from the aerosol generating material 211 .

The valve 221 may control the amount of the aerosol generating material 211 supplied into the aerosol generating chamber 220 . For example, the valve 221 may be disposed to cover the discharge hole 212 to close the discharge hole 212, thereby preventing the aerosol generating material 211 of the storage unit 210 from being discharged to the outside. . Also, the valve 221 may open the discharge hole 212 so that the aerosol generating material 211 of the storage unit 210 is discharged into the aerosol generating chamber 220 .

The airflow passage 222 may communicate the aerosol generating chamber 220 and the outside of the aerosol generating device 200 . As air from the outside of the aerosol generating device 100 is introduced into the aerosol generating chamber 220 along the air flow passage 222 , an air flow may be generated in the aerosol generating chamber 220 .

In addition, a sieve (not shown) for preventing the aerosol generating material 211 from being discharged to the outside of the airflow passage 222 may be disposed in the airflow passageway 222 . The sieve may include a material that allows particles in a gaseous state to pass through, but does not pass particles in a liquid state that are larger in size than particles in a gaseous state. For example, the material of the sieve may be, but is not limited to, ePTFE Membrane (Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Membrane).

The rotating unit 230 may rotate to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material 211 and generate an airflow for discharging the generated aerosol to the outside of the aerosol generating device 200 .

The rotating unit 230 may include a central shaft 231 , a grinding blade 232 , and a driving unit 233 .

The central shaft 231 may provide a center of rotation of the rotating part 230 . For example, the central shaft 231 passes through the bottom surface 220a of the aerosol generating chamber 220 , so that one end of the central shaft 231 may be disposed inside the aerosol generating chamber 220 . Here, the bottom surface 220a may refer to one surface of the aerosol generating chamber 220 facing the storage unit 210, and the expression may be used in the same manner unless otherwise noted below.

The pulverizing blade 232 may generate an aerosol by pulverizing the aerosol generating material 211 contained in the aerosol generating chamber 220 . The grinding blade 232 is coupled to the central shaft 231, so that it can rotate together along the direction in which the central shaft 231 rotates.

In addition, the grinding blade 232 may rotate to generate an airflow for discharging the aerosol generated inside the aerosol generating chamber 220 to the outside of the aerosol generating device 200 . For example, the airflow generated by the grinding blade 232 moves along the direction (eg, z-direction in FIG. 2 ) toward the storage unit 210 in the aerosol generating chamber 220 , thereby converting the aerosol into the aerosol generating device ( 200) can be discharged to the outside.

The driving unit 233 may provide power to rotate the central shaft 231 . For example, the driving unit 233 may be a motor that receives power from the battery 270 and rotates the central shaft 231 , but is not limited thereto.

The atomization unit 240 may reduce the size of particles of the aerosol generated by the rotation unit 230 . A plurality of perforations may be formed in at least one region of the atomization unit 240 . Accordingly, the atomization unit 240 may pass the aerosol smaller than the size of the perforations and reduce the size of the particles of the aerosol by colliding with the aerosol larger than the size of the perforations.

For example, the atomization unit 240 is disposed between the rotating unit 230 and the storage unit 210 inside the aerosol generating chamber 220 and moving by the airflow generated by the rotating unit 230 of the particles of the aerosol. size can be reduced.

The discharge passage 250 may be connected to the aerosol generating chamber 220 to communicate the aerosol generating chamber 220 and the outside of the aerosol generating device 200 . Accordingly, the aerosol generated inside the aerosol generating chamber 220 may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 200 along the discharge passage (250). For example, the discharge passage 250 may be surrounded by the storage unit 210 by passing through the inside of the storage unit 210 .

The puff sensor 251 may be disposed inside the discharge passage 250 to detect the inhalation of the user of the aerosol generating device 200 . For example, the puff sensor 251 may sense the user's inhalation by measuring the user's inhalation pressure of the aerosol generating device 200 .

When the user's suction is detected by the puff sensor 251 , the processor 280 may supply power from the battery 270 to the driving unit 233 to rotate the rotating unit 230 . Accordingly, an aerosol may be generated inside the aerosol generating chamber 220 . In other words, the user may allow the aerosol generating device 200 to naturally generate an aerosol by inhaling without the need to perform a separate operation.

The vibrating unit 260 may reduce the size of particles of the aerosol passing through the discharge passage 250 by vibrating. The vibrating unit 260 may generate vibrations of a short period in response to an externally applied signal.

For example, the vibration generated by the vibrating unit 260 may be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency of the ultrasonic vibration may be, for example, 100 kHz to 3.5 MHz. The aerosol may be pulverized into small-diameter particles by the short-period vibration generated from the vibrating unit 260 to be atomized.

The vibrator 260 may include, for example, piezoelectric ceramics. Piezoelectric ceramics are functional materials that can convert electricity and mechanical force to each other by generating electricity (voltage) by a physical force (pressure) and conversely generating vibration (mechanical force) when electricity is applied. Therefore, vibration (physical force) is generated by the electricity applied to the vibrating unit 260 , and the small physical vibration may pulverize the aerosol into particles having a small diameter to atomize the aerosol.

Meanwhile, the same reference numerals for the components of the embodiments shown in FIG. 2 may mean substantially the same components hereinafter, and the components for one embodiment may be applied substantially the same to other embodiments. there is.

FIG. 3 is a view showing another aspect of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 2 . More specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates an open state of the valve 221 in the aerosol generating device 200 of FIG. 2 .

Referring to FIG. 3 , when the valve 221 is opened, the aerosol generating material 211 of the storage unit 210 may move into the aerosol generating chamber 220 through the discharge hole 212 . The aerosol generating material 211 that has moved to the aerosol generating chamber 220 may be located on the bottom surface 220a of the aerosol generating chamber 220 .

If the amount of the aerosol-generating material 211 located on the bottom surface 220a of the aerosol-generating chamber 220 is excessive, the rotating part 230 may not be smoothly rotated by being submerged in the aerosol-generating material 211 . Accordingly, the aerosol generating device 200 needs to adjust the amount of the aerosol generating material 211 accommodated in the aerosol generating chamber 220 so that the rotating part 230 rotates smoothly.

The aerosol generating device 200 may include a capacity sensor 231a that detects the amount of the aerosol generating material 211 contained in the aerosol generating chamber 220 . For example, the capacitive sensor 231a may be disposed inside the aerosol generating chamber 220 to surround the central axis 231 .

As an example, the capacitive sensor 231a may detect the amount of the aerosol-generating material 211 by measuring a change in the amount of charge caused by the aerosol-generating material 211 . In this case, the capacitive sensor 231a may include a metal material (not shown) surrounding the central axis 231 .

When the aerosol-generating material 211 approaches the capacitive sensor 231a in a state in which the processor 280 flows a current through the capacitive sensor 231a, the permittivity of a component included in the aerosol-generating material 211 (permittivity, ε) ), the amount of charge of the capacitive sensor 231a may change. Specifically, since the dielectric constant of water (H ₂ O) is about 80 times greater than that of air, when the aerosol generating material 211 approaches the capacitive sensor 231a, the amount of charge of the capacitive sensor 231a may decrease. there is.

The processor 280 may open or close the valve 221 based on the change in the amount of charge of the capacitive sensor 231a. For example, the processor 280 determines the change in the amount of charge of the capacitive sensor 231a when the level of the aerosol generating material 211 accommodated in the aerosol generating chamber 220 corresponds to the height of the capacitive sensor 231a as a threshold value. can be set to Accordingly, when the value of the change in the amount of charge detected by the capacitive sensor 231a exceeds the threshold value, the processor 280 closes the valve 221 , and when the change in the amount of charge detected by the capacitive sensor 231a is less than the threshold value , the processor 280 may open the valve 221 .

Here, the height of the capacity sensor 231a or the level of the aerosol generating material 211 may mean a length extending from the bottom surface 220a of the aerosol generating chamber 220 toward the storage unit 210, and the expression may be used in the same manner in the following.

As another example, the capacity sensor 231a may detect the amount of the aerosol generating material 211 by measuring a change value of the temperature of the capacitive sensor 231a by the aerosol generating material 211 . In this case, the capacitive sensor 231a may include a metal material (not shown) surrounding the central axis 231 .

Specifically, when the processor 280 flows a current to the capacitive sensor 231a, heat is generated in the capacitive sensor 231a due to the electrical resistance of the capacitive sensor 231a, and the temperature of the capacitive sensor 231a rises. can In addition, when the aerosol-generating material 211 and the capacity sensor 231a come into contact, the heat capacity to which heat is transferred by the aerosol-generating material 211 increases, so that the temperature change value of the capacity sensor 231a becomes the aerosol It may be reduced compared to the case where there is no contact with the product material 211 . In other words, the temperature change value of the capacitive sensor 231a may be inversely proportional to the amount of the aerosol generating material 211 .

The processor 280 may open or close the valve 221 based on the temperature change value of the capacity sensor 231a. For example, the processor 280 may set the temperature change value of the capacity sensor 231a when the level of the aerosol generating material 211 accommodated in the aerosol generating chamber 220 corresponds to the height of the capacity sensor 231a as a threshold value. can be set to Accordingly, if the temperature change value detected by the capacity sensor 231a is less than the threshold value, the processor 280 closes the valve 221, and if the temperature change value detected by the capacity sensor 231a is greater than the threshold value, The processor 280 may open the valve 221 .

In addition, the processor 280 may open or close the valve 221 based on the amount of the aerosol generating material 211 measured by the discharge sensor 213 . For example, the processor 280 may set the amount of the aerosol generating material 211 in which the rotating unit 230 can smoothly rotate as a threshold value. Accordingly, the processor 280 may close the valve 221 when the amount of the aerosol generating material 211 sensed by the discharge sensor 213 exceeds the threshold value.

In addition, for smooth aerosol generation inside the aerosol generating chamber 220, the processor 280 moves the grinding blade 232 in a direction toward the bottom surface 220a of the aerosol generating chamber 220, or the processor 280 ) may move the grinding blade 232 away from the bottom surface 220a of the aerosol generating chamber 220 .

As an example, when the amount of the aerosol generating material inside the aerosol generating chamber 220 is excessive, the processor 280 moves the central shaft 231 in a direction toward the storage unit 210 to make the grinding blade 232 move. It is possible to prevent immersion in the aerosol generating material. Here, when the amount of the aerosol-generating material is excessive, it may mean that the level of the amount of the aerosol-generating material exceeds the height of the capacity sensor 231a, but is not limited thereto.

As another example, as the amount of the aerosol generating material inside the aerosol generating chamber 220 is consumed, the processor 280 moves the central axis 231 in a direction toward the bottom surface 220a of the aerosol generating chamber 220 . can do it

As described above, the aerosol generating device 200 according to another embodiment adjusts the amount of the aerosol generating material 211 accommodated in the aerosol generating chamber 220 or moves the grinding blade 232 to rotate the rotating part 230 ), by ensuring the smooth rotation of the aerosol can be smoothly supplied to the user.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a rotating part of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 2 , and FIG. 5 is a view schematically showing an aspect of a method in which the rotating part shown in FIG. 4 generates an aerosol.

The grinding blade 232 rotates together with the central shaft 231 according to the rotation of the central shaft 231, thereby removing the aerosol 211a from the aerosol generating material 211 located on the bottom surface 220a of the aerosol generating chamber 220. can create

As an example, the pulverizing blade 232 may rotate to generate the aerosol 211a by pulverizing the aerosol generating material 211 in a liquid state. In this case, the faster the rotation speed of the grinding blade 232, the smaller the size of the particles of the generated aerosol (211a).

As another example, the grinding blade 232 may rotate and collide with the aerosol generating material 211 in a liquid state, thereby making the aerosol generating material 211 bounce off the bottom surface 220a of the aerosol generating chamber 220 . The protruding aerosol generating material 211 moves in the direction from the aerosol generating chamber 220 toward the storage 210 by the airflow and collides with the grinding blade 232 again, thereby generating the aerosol 211a. .

The grinding blade 232 has a central axis so as to form an inclination with the direction (eg, the z direction of FIGS. 4 and/or 5) from the aerosol generating chamber 220 to the storage 210 to smoothly generate the aerosol 211a. (231).

When the grinding blade 232 is obliquely coupled to the central shaft 231 , the aerosol generating material 211 may be pushed up along the surface of the grinding blade 232 by the rotation of the grinding blade 232 . A part of the aerosol generating material 211 pushed up may be separated from the grinding blade 232 again by the pushing force of the grinding blade 232 to become the aerosol 211a. Accordingly, the amount of aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device 200 is increased than when the grinding blade 232 is coupled to the central shaft 231 in parallel with the direction from the aerosol generating chamber 220 to the storage unit 210 . can do.

As described above, in the aerosol generating device 200 according to another embodiment, the grinding blade 232 is coupled to the central axis 231 to form an inclination with the direction from the aerosol generating chamber 220 to the storage unit 210 . , it is possible to smoothly generate the aerosol (211a).

FIG. 6A is a view illustrating an aerosol generating chamber and a rotating part of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 2 .

Referring to FIG. 6A , the grinding blade 232 may rotate to generate an airflow that moves in the direction toward the storage unit 210 in the aerosol generating chamber 220 . The airflow generated by the grinding blade 232 may move the aerosol generated by the grinding blade 232 .

The atomization unit 240 may reduce the size of aerosol particles generated by the grinding blade 232 . A plurality of perforations 240a may be formed in at least one region of the atomization unit 240 . Aerosol larger than the size of the plurality of perforations 240a is crushed by colliding with the atomization unit 240 to reduce the size, and only aerosol smaller than the size of the plurality of perforations 240a can pass through the atomization unit 240 there is.

6B is a view illustrating an aerosol generating chamber and a rotating part of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

The aerosol generating device 200 of FIG. 6B may be a device in which the structure of the rotating part 230 is changed from the aerosol generating device 200 of FIG. 6A , and thus overlapping description will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 6B , the aerosol generating device 200 according to another embodiment may include a first rotating unit 234 and a second rotating unit 235 .

The first rotation unit 234 may be coupled to the central shaft 231, and may pulverize the aerosol generating material 211 by rotating about the central shaft 231 to generate an aerosol. In addition, the second rotation unit 235 may be coupled to the central shaft 231 , and may generate an airflow by rotating according to the rotation of the central shaft 231 .

For example, the first rotating part 234 is disposed on the central axis 231 so as to be close to the bottom surface 220a of the aerosol generating chamber 220 with respect to the central axis 231 , and the second rotating part 235 is atomized. It may be disposed on the central axis 231 so as to be close to the portion 240 .

As described above, the aerosol generating device 200 according to another embodiment includes a first rotating unit 234 for pulverizing the aerosol generating material 211 and a second rotating unit 235 for generating an airflow, thereby giving the user The aerosol can be delivered smoothly.

Meanwhile, although the atomizing unit 240 is illustrated as being spaced apart from the grinding blade 232 in FIGS. 6A and/or 6B , the atomizing unit 240 may be arranged to rotate together with the grinding blade 232 . For example, the atomization unit 240 may be coupled to one end of the central shaft 231 adjacent to the bottom surface 220a of the aerosol generating chamber 220 and the other end of the central shaft 231 opposite. Accordingly, as the atomization unit 240 rotates together with the central shaft 231 , the atomization unit 240 can effectively reduce the size of aerosol particles generated by the grinding blade 232 .

7A is a view showing the atomization unit of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 2 , and FIG. 7B is a view showing the atomization unit of the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

The atomization unit 240 may include a plurality of perforations 240a through which the aerosol passes. As an example, the atomization unit 240 may have a form in which a plurality of perforations 240a are evenly distributed in all areas. As another example, the atomization unit 240 may have a form in which a plurality of perforations 240a are disposed in a central region of the atomization unit 240 and the perforations 240a are not formed in an area other than the central region. .

The size of the perforations 240a of the atomization unit 240 may be changed according to the size of the particles of the aerosol to be provided to the user. For example, the size of the plurality of perforations 240a may be 0.5 μm or less. Preferably, the size of the plurality of perforations 240a may be 0.2 μm to 0.5 μm, but is not limited thereto.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an aerosol generating chamber of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 2 .

Referring to FIG. 8 , the aerosol inside the aerosol generating chamber 220 may reach one end 250a of the discharge passage 250 along the airflow of the rotating part 230 . Here, one end 250a of the discharge passage 250 means a portion of the discharge passage 250 to which the aerosol generating chamber 220 and the discharge passage 250 are connected.

The cross-sectional area of the aerosol generating chamber 220 may decrease toward the discharge passage 250 . For example, the cross-sectional area of the aerosol generating chamber 220 may decrease toward the discharge passage 250 to have a minimum cross-sectional area at one end 250a of the discharge passage 250 .

By reducing the cross-sectional area of the aerosol generating chamber 220 , the airflow generated by the rotating unit 230 may naturally guide the aerosol inside the aerosol generating chamber 220 to the discharge passage 250 .

For example, when the cross-sectional area of the aerosol generating chamber 220 is constant, the aerosol in a region not located in a direction parallel to the discharge passage 250 may not be smoothly discharged into the discharge passage 250 .

On the other hand, if the cross-sectional area of the aerosol generating chamber 220 decreases toward the discharge passage 250 , a path of the air flow moving from the inside of the aerosol generating chamber 220 to the discharge passage 250 may be formed. Accordingly, the airflow generated by the rotating unit 230 does not contact the aerosol in a region not located in a direction parallel to the discharge passage 250 with the inner wall 220b of the aerosol generation chamber 220, and the discharge passage 250 naturally ) can be moved to

In addition, as the cross-sectional area of the aerosol generating chamber 220 is reduced, a portion of the aerosol generating chamber 220 adjacent to one end 250a of the discharge passage 250 may perform a function such as a nozzle. Accordingly, the particle size of the aerosol may be reduced while moving from the inside of the aerosol generating chamber 220 to one end 250a of the discharge passage 250 .

As described above, by decreasing the cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the aerosol generating chamber 220 toward the discharge passage 250 , the aerosol generating chamber 220 may naturally guide the aerosol therein to the discharge passage 250 . . In addition, the aerosol generating chamber 220 may reduce the size of particles of the aerosol moving to the discharge passage 250 to provide a high quality aerosol to the user.

9A is a view illustrating a vibrating unit and an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 2 . More specifically, FIG. 9A is a diagram exemplarily showing that the vibrating unit 260 of the aerosol generating device 200 reduces the size of particles of the aerosol.

Referring to FIG. 9A , the vibrating unit 260 may be disposed to contact at least a portion of the discharge passage 250 , thereby transmitting vibration to the aerosol passing through the discharge passage 250 to atomize the aerosol.

For example, the vibrating unit 260 may be disposed to surround the outer surface of the discharge passage 250 to vibrate the discharge passage 250 . The vibrating unit 260 vibrates the discharge passage 250 , and the aerosol may receive vibration from the discharge passage 250 while passing through the vibrating discharge passage 250 . Accordingly, the particle size of the aerosol that has received the vibration decreases as it moves along the discharge passage 250 and may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 200 .

Meanwhile, in FIG. 9A , the vibrating unit 260 is illustrated as being disposed to surround the outer surface of the discharge passage 250 , but the present invention is not limited thereto. Vibration can be transmitted to the aerosol passing through passageway 250 .

9B is a view illustrating a vibrating unit and an airflow passage of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. The aerosol generating device 200 of FIG. 9B may be an aerosol generating device in which the structure of the vibrating unit 260 is changed in the aerosol generating device 200 shown in FIG. 9A , and repeated descriptions will be omitted below.

Referring to FIG. 9B , the vibrating unit 260 is disposed inside the discharge passage 250 , and the vibrating unit 260 may include at least one through hole (not shown) through which the aerosol passes. Since the aerosol passes through the through-hole and receives vibration from the vibrating unit 260 , the size of the particles of the aerosol passing through the through-hole may be reduced than the particle size of the aerosol before passing through the through-hole. The aerosol atomized through the through hole may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 200 through the discharge passage 250 .

For example, one region of the vibrating unit 260 in which the through hole is formed may have a mesh shape, and the other region of the vibrating unit 260 may have a plate shape surrounding the mesh-shaped region. In other words, the shape of the vibrating part 260 of FIG. 9B may be substantially the same as that of the atomizing part 240 shown in FIG. 7B .

As described above, the aerosol generating device 200 according to another embodiment includes the vibrating unit 260, thereby atomizing the aerosol to provide a user with a high-quality aerosol having a finer aerosol particle size.

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 present invention is indicated in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the present invention.

100: aerosol generating device 110: battery
120: processor 130: atomizer
140: user interface 150: sensor
160: memory 200: aerosol generating device
210: storage unit 211a: aerosol
212: discharge hole 213: discharge sensor
220: aerosol generating chamber 220b: inner wall of the aerosol generating chamber
221: valve 222: airflow passage
230: rotating part 231: central axis
231a: capacity sensor 232: grinding blade
230: rotating part 231: central axis
232: grinding blade 233: driving unit
234: first rotating part 235: second rotating part
240: atomization unit 250: discharge passage
250a: one end of the discharge passage 251: puff sensor
260: vibration unit 270: battery
280: processor

Claims (15)

An aerosol generating device comprising:
a storage unit storing an aerosol-generating material and comprising a discharge hole through which the aerosol-generating material is discharged;
an aerosol generating chamber in which the aerosol generating material discharged from the discharge hole is accommodated; and
An aerosol-generating device comprising a; a rotating part that pulverizes the aerosol-generating material accommodated in the aerosol-generating chamber by rotating to generate an aerosol, and generates an airflow for discharging the generated aerosol to the outside of the aerosol-generating device. According to claim 1,
The aerosol generating device further comprising; a valve for opening or closing the discharge hole of the storage unit. 3. The method of claim 2,
a discharge sensor for detecting an amount of the aerosol-generating material discharged from the discharge hole; and
The aerosol generating device further comprising a; controlling the valve based on the amount of the aerosol generating material sensed by the discharge sensor to open or close the discharge hole. 3. The method of claim 2,
a capacity sensor for sensing an amount of the aerosol-generating material contained within the aerosol-generating chamber; and
The aerosol-generating device further comprising: a processor to control the valve to open or close the outlet hole based on the amount of the aerosol-generating material sensed from the capacitive sensor. According to claim 1,
a puff sensor that detects the user's inhalation; and
When the user's inhalation is detected from the puff sensor, a processor that rotates the rotating unit; Containing, an aerosol generating device. According to claim 1,
The rotating part,
central axis; and
A pulverizing blade coupled to the central axis and rotating with the central axis to crush the aerosol generating material accommodated in the aerosol generating chamber; including, an aerosol generating device. 7. The method of claim 6,
The grinding blade is coupled to the central axis so as to form an inclination with respect to a direction from the aerosol generating chamber toward the reservoir, the aerosol generating device. According to claim 1,
The rotating part,
An aerosol generating device that generates an airflow that moves in a direction toward the reservoir in the aerosol generating chamber so that the aerosol generated by the rotating unit is discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device. According to claim 1,
The aerosol generating device further comprising; an atomization unit disposed inside the aerosol generating chamber and reducing the size of aerosol particles moving by the airflow generated by the rotating unit. 10. The method of claim 9,
A plurality of perforations through which the aerosol generated by the rotating unit passes is formed in at least one region of the atomization unit, an aerosol generating device. According to claim 1,
and an airflow passage communicating the aerosol-generating chamber with an exterior of the aerosol-generating device. According to claim 1,
The aerosol generating device further comprising a discharge passage through which the aerosol moved by the airflow generated by the rotating unit is discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device. 13. The method of claim 12,
and a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the aerosol-generating chamber decreases toward the exhaust passage. 14. The method of claim 13,
The aerosol generating device further comprising a; vibrating unit for reducing the size of the particles of the aerosol passing through the discharge passage by vibrating. According to claim 1,
The rotating part,
a first rotating part for pulverizing the aerosol-generating material accommodated in the aerosol-generating chamber by rotating it to generate an aerosol; and
Containing, an aerosol generating device comprising a;

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