KR20220107882A - Aerosol generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol generating device comprises: a liquid storing part containing an aerosol-generating substance; a vibrator atomizing the aerosol-generating substance into aerosols by generating ultrasonic vibrations; and a processor, based on a correlation between frequencies within a predetermined range including the resonant frequency of the vibrator and impedances of the vibrator that are changed by application of the frequencies within the predetermined range, determining an operating frequency for controlling the vibrator to a second temperature higher than a first temperature reached by application of a voltage at a resonant frequency, and controlling the vibrator to the second temperature by applying the voltage having the determined operating frequency to the vibrator. The aerosol generating device can control the amount or temperature of the aerosol by adjusting the frequency or magnitude of the voltage applied to the vibrator.

Description

Aerosol generating device {AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE}

To an aerosol-generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol-generating device capable of generating an aerosol using ultrasonic waves.

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for an alternative method that overcomes the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is a growing demand for methods of generating an aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating material rather than by burning a cigarette to generate an aerosol. Accordingly, research into a heating-type aerosol-generating device or an ultrasonic vibration-type aerosol-generating device is being actively conducted.

On the other hand, when using the aerosol generating device, when the amount of atomization is small, the convenience of using the aerosol generating device without environmental restrictions may be provided, and if the atomization amount is large, a visual satisfaction may be provided. Therefore, a technique for controlling the amount of atomization according to the situation is required. In addition, since satisfaction may be different depending on the temperature of the aerosol delivered to the user, a technique for controlling the temperature of the aerosol is required.

Various embodiments are directed to providing an aerosol generating device. Meanwhile, the technical problems to be achieved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems described above, and other technical problems may be inferred from the following embodiments.

An aerosol-generating device according to one aspect includes a liquid reservoir for accommodating an aerosol-generating material; a vibrator generating ultrasonic vibration to atomize the aerosol-generating material into an aerosol; and frequencies within a predetermined range including the resonant frequency of the vibrator and the first frequency reached by the application of the voltage of the resonant frequency based on the correlation between the impedances of the vibrator changed by the application of the frequencies within the predetermined range. and a processor controlling the vibrator to the second temperature by determining an operating frequency for controlling the vibrator at a second temperature higher than a temperature, and applying a voltage of the determined operating frequency to the vibrator.

An aerosol-generating device according to another aspect includes: a liquid reservoir for accommodating an aerosol-generating material; a vibrator generating ultrasonic vibration to atomize the aerosol-generating material into an aerosol; and a voltage of a first magnitude is applied to the vibrator in a flexible mode in which visible smoke is generated from the aerosol-generating device, and a second magnitude smaller than the first magnitude in a smoke-free mode in which visible smoke is not generated from the aerosol-generating device. and a processor for controlling the temperature of the vibrator in the lead-free mode to a temperature corresponding to the voltage of the second magnitude, lower than the temperature corresponding to the voltage of the first magnitude by applying a voltage of the magnitude to the vibrator have.

An aerosol-generating device according to another aspect includes: a liquid reservoir for accommodating an aerosol-generating material; a vibrator generating ultrasonic vibration to atomize the aerosol-generating material into an aerosol; and controlling the frequency of the vibrator to a first frequency in a flexible mode in which visible smoke is generated from the aerosol generating device, and a plurality of resonant frequencies of the vibrator in a smoke free mode in which visible smoke is not generated from the aerosol generating device and a processor for controlling the frequency of the vibrator to a second frequency lower than the first frequency by applying a voltage of a sub-resonant frequency having a frequency lower than the main resonance frequency at which resonance occurs the most to the vibrator. .

The aerosol generating device may control the atomization amount or temperature of the aerosol by adjusting the frequency or magnitude of the voltage applied to the vibrator. The aerosol generating device may provide convenience and satisfaction to the user by controlling the atomization amount or temperature of the aerosol.

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.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .
3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
4 is a graph illustrating an example of a relationship between the frequency of a voltage applied to the vibrator and the impedance of the vibrator.
5 is a graph showing another example of the relationship between the frequency of a voltage applied to the vibrator and the impedance of the vibrator.
6 is a view for explaining the relationship between the particle size of the aerosol and the amount of atomization.
7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the aerosol generating device of FIG. 6 is used.

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 specific 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 contents of the present specification, rather than simply limiting the term to the name.

In the entire specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, it means that other components may be further included, rather than excluding other components, unless otherwise stated. Also, terms such as “…unit” and “…module” described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

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

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

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

Referring to FIG. 1 , the aerosol generating device 100 may include a battery 110 , an atomizer 120 , a sensor 130 , a user interface 140 , a memory 150 , and a processor 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 the power used to operate the aerosol generating device 100 . That is, the battery 110 may supply power so that the atomizer 120 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 130 , the user interface 140 , the memory 150 , and the processor 160 . have. 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 120 receives power from the battery 110 under the control of the processor 160 . The atomizer 120 may receive power from the battery 110 to atomize the aerosol generating material stored in the aerosol generating device 100 .

The atomizer 120 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 120 may be located in the cartridge or divided into the main body and the cartridge. When the atomizer 120 is located in the cartridge, the atomizer 120 may receive power from the battery 110 located in at least one of the main body and the cartridge. In addition, when the atomizer 120 is divided into the main body and the cartridge, the parts requiring power supply in the atomizer 120 may receive power from the battery 110 located in at least one of the main body and the cartridge.

The atomizer 120 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 120 may mean a state in which the vaporized particles and air generated from the aerosol generating material are mixed. For example, the atomizer 120 may convert a phase of the aerosol generating material into a gas phase through vaporization and/or sublimation. In addition, the atomizer 120 may generate an aerosol by discharging the aerosol-generating material in a liquid and/or solid phase into fine particles.

For example, the atomizer 120 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.

Although not shown in FIG. 1 , the atomizer 120 may optionally include a heater capable of heating the aerosol generating material by generating heat. The aerosol generating material may be heated by the heater, resulting in the generation of an aerosol.

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

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

As another example, the aerosol-generating device 100 may include a accommodating space capable of accommodating a cigarette, and the heater may heat a cigarette inserted into the accommodating space of the aerosol-generating device 100 . As the cigarette is accommodated in the receiving space of the aerosol generating device 100, the heater may be located inside and/or outside the cigarette. Thereby, the heater can heat the aerosol generating material in the cigarette to generate an aerosol.

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

The aerosol generating device 100 may include at least one sensor 130 . The result sensed by the at least one sensor 130 is transmitted to the processor 160, and according to the sensing result, the processor 160 controls the operation of the atomizer 120, restricts smoking, inserts a cartridge (or cigarette) The aerosol generating device 100 may be controlled to perform various functions, such as no determination and notification display.

For example, the at least one sensor 130 may include a puff detection sensor. The puff detection sensor may detect the user's puff based on at least one of a change in a flow rate of an externally introduced air flow, 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 160 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 130 may include a user input sensor. The user input sensor may be a sensor capable of receiving a user input, such as a switch, a physical button, or a touch sensor. For example, the touch sensor may be a capacitive sensor that can detect a user's input by detecting a change in capacitance and generating a change in capacitance when the user touches a predetermined area formed of a metal material. have. The processor 160 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 a preset threshold, the processor 160 may determine that the user's input has occurred.

Also, the at least one sensor 130 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 include 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 inclined 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 130 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 130 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 160 may analyze the image obtained 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 near the lips to use the aerosol generating device 100 , the image sensor may acquire an image of the lips. The processor 160 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 120 in advance or preheat the heater.

In addition, the at least one sensor 130 may include a consumable detachment sensor capable of detecting installation or removal of consumables (eg, cartridges, 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 130 may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may detect the temperature at which the heater (or the aerosol generating material) of the atomizer 120 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 130 may include various sensors that measure information on the surrounding environment of the aerosol generating device 100 . For example, the at least one sensor 130 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 130 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 an intravenous intravenous It may include a vein recognition sensor that detects the amount of infrared absorption of reduced hemoglobin, a facial recognition sensor that recognizes feature points such as eyes, nose, mouth, and facial 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 130 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 the user with information about the state of the aerosol generating device 100 . 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 150 is hardware for storing various data processed in the aerosol generating device 100 , and the memory 150 may store data processed by the processor 160 and data to be processed. The memory 150 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 150 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 160 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 100 . The processor 160 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 160 may be implemented with other types of hardware.

The processor 160 analyzes a result sensed by the at least one sensor 130 and controls processes to be subsequently performed.

The processor 160 may control the power supplied to the atomizer 120 to start or end the operation of the atomizer 120 based on the result sensed by the at least one sensor 130 . In addition, the processor 160, based on the result sensed by the at least one sensor 130, the amount of power supplied to the atomizer 120 so that the atomizer 120 can generate an appropriate amount of aerosol and You can control the time the power is supplied. For example, the processor 160 may control the current or voltage supplied to the vibrator so that the vibrator of the atomizer 120 vibrates at a predetermined frequency.

In an embodiment, the processor 160 may start the operation of the atomizer 120 after receiving a user input for the aerosol generating device 100 . In addition, the processor 160 may start the operation of the atomizer 120 after detecting the user's puff using the puff detection sensor. In addition, the processor 160 may stop supplying power to the atomizer 120 when the number of puffs reaches a preset number after counting the number of puffs using the puff detection sensor.

The processor 160 may control the user interface 140 based on a result sensed by the at least one sensor 130 . For example, when the number of puffs reaches a preset number after counting the number of puffs using the puff detection sensor, the processor 160 provides the aerosol generating device 100 to the user using at least one of a lamp, a motor, and a speaker. ) may 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 and 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 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.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .

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

The cartridge 100b may be coupled to the body 100a in a state in which the aerosol generating material is accommodated therein. For example, a portion of the cartridge 100b is inserted into the main body 100a, or a portion of the main body 100a is inserted into the cartridge 100b, whereby the cartridge 100b may be mounted on the main body 100a. At this time, the main body 100a and the cartridge 100b may maintain a coupled state by a snap-fit method, a screw coupling method, a magnetic coupling method, an interference fit method, etc., but the main body 100a and the cartridge 100b The coupling method of (100b) is not limited by the above.

The cartridge 100b may include a mouthpiece 210 . The mouthpiece 210 may be formed in the opposite direction to the portion coupled to the body 100a, and is a portion inserted into the user's oral cavity. The mouthpiece 210 may include a discharge hole 211 for discharging the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge 100b to the outside.

The cartridge 100b may hold an aerosol-generating material having any one state, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, or a gel state, for example. The aerosol generating material may comprise a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid comprising a tobacco-containing material comprising a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid comprising a non-tobacco material.

The liquid composition may include, for example, any one component of water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a fragrance, a flavoring agent, and a vitamin mixture, or a mixture of these components. The fragrance may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavoring ingredients, and the like. Flavoring agents may include ingredients 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 are 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 cartridge 100b may include a liquid reservoir 220 containing an aerosol generating material therein. The liquid storage unit 220 'accommodates the aerosol-generating material' therein means that the liquid storage unit 220 performs a function of simply containing the aerosol-generating material, such as the use of a container, and the liquid storage unit ( 220) means to include an element impregnating (containing) an aerosol generating material, such as a sponge, cotton, cloth, or a porous ceramic structure, for example.

The aerosol generating device 100 may include an atomizer that converts the phase of the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge 100b to generate an aerosol.

For example, the atomizer of the aerosol generating device 100 may convert the phase of the aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method of atomizing the aerosol generating material with ultrasonic vibration. The atomizer includes a vibrator 170 that generates ultrasonic vibrations, a liquid delivery means 240 that absorbs the aerosol-generating material and maintains it in an optimal state for conversion into an aerosol, and transmits ultrasonic vibrations to the aerosol-generating material of the liquid delivery means It may include a vibration receiving unit 230 for generating an aerosol.

The vibrator 170 may generate vibration of a short period. The vibration generated by the vibrator 170 may be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency of the ultrasonic vibration may be, for example, 100 kHz to 3.5 MHz. The aerosol generating material may be vaporized and/or atomized into an aerosol by the short-period vibration generated from the vibrator 170 .

The vibrator 170 may include, for example, piezoelectric ceramic, which generates electricity (voltage) by a physical force (pressure) and conversely generates vibration (mechanical force) when electricity is applied. It is a functional material that can convert electrical and mechanical forces into one another. Therefore, vibration (physical force) is generated by the electricity applied to the vibrator 170 , and the small physical vibration can split the aerosol-generating material into small particles and atomize the aerosol-generating material.

The vibrator 170 may be electrically connected to the circuit by a pogo pin or a C-clip. Accordingly, the vibrator 170 may generate vibration by receiving a current or voltage from a pogo pin or a C-clip. However, the type of element connected to supply current or voltage to the vibrator 170 is not limited by the above description.

The vibration receiving unit 230 may perform a function of receiving the vibration generated from the vibrator 170 and converting the aerosol generating material transmitted from the liquid storage unit 220 into an aerosol.

The liquid transfer unit 240 may transfer the liquid composition of the liquid storage unit 220 to the vibration receiving unit 230 . For example, the liquid delivery means 240 may be a wick including at least one of cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, and porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

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

In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the vibrator 170 of the atomizer is disposed on the main body 100a, and the vibration receiving part 230 and the liquid delivery means 240 are disposed on the cartridge 100b, but limited thereto. it's not going to be For example, the cartridge 100b may include a vibrator 170 , a vibration receiving unit 230 and a liquid transmitting means 240 , and when a portion of the cartridge 100b is inserted into the main body 100a , the main body 100a ) may provide power to the cartridge 100b through a terminal (not shown) or supply a signal related to the operation of the cartridge 100b to the cartridge 100b, through which the operation of the vibrator 170 can be controlled .

The liquid storage unit 220 of the cartridge 100b may include a transparent material at least in part so that the aerosol-generating material accommodated in the cartridge 100b can be visually confirmed from the outside. The mouthpiece 210 and the liquid storage unit 220 may be entirely made of transparent plastic or glass, and only a portion of the liquid storage unit 220 may be made of a transparent material.

The cartridge 100b of the aerosol generating device 100 may include an aerosol discharge passageway 250 and an airflow passageway 260 .

The aerosol discharge passage 250 may be formed in the liquid storage unit 220 to be in fluid communication with the discharge hole 211 of the mouthpiece 210 . Therefore, the aerosol generated from the atomizer may move along the aerosol discharge passage 250 , and may be delivered to the user through the discharge hole 211 of the mouthpiece 210 .

The airflow passage 260 is a passage through which external air can be introduced into the aerosol generating device 100 . External air introduced through the air flow passage 260 may be introduced into the aerosol discharge passage 250 or may be introduced into a space in which an aerosol is generated. This may mix with vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating material to produce an aerosol.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the airflow passage 260 may be formed to surround the outside of the aerosol discharge passage 250 . Therefore, the shape of the aerosol discharge passage 250 and the air flow passage 260 may be in the form of a double tube in which the aerosol discharge passage 250 is disposed on the inside and the air flow passage 260 is disposed on the outside of the aerosol discharge passage 250 . Through this, external air may be introduced in the direction opposite to the direction in which the aerosol moves in the aerosol discharge passage 250 .

Meanwhile, the structure of the airflow passage 260 is not limited by the above description. For example, the airflow passage may be a space formed between the main body 100a and the cartridge 100b when the main body 100a and the cartridge 100b are coupled and in fluid communication with the atomizer.

In the aerosol generating device 100 according to the above-described embodiment, the cross-sectional shape in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the main body 100a and the cartridge 100b is approximately circular, oval, square, rectangular, or a polygonal cross-section of various shapes. may be in the shape of However, the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited as described above, and the aerosol generating device 100 is not necessarily limited to a linearly extending structure when extending in the longitudinal direction. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 100 may be curved in a streamline shape for a user to easily hold by hand, or may be bent at a predetermined angle in a specific area and extend long, and the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 100 may be in the longitudinal direction can be changed according to

3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the aerosol generating device 100 may include a liquid storage unit 220 , a vibrator 170 , and a processor 160 . The liquid storage unit 220 , the vibrator 170 , and the processor 160 of FIG. 3 may correspond to the liquid storage unit 220 , the vibrator 170 , and the processor 160 of FIGS. 1 and 2 .

The aerosol generating device 100 shown in FIG. 3 shows components related to the present embodiment. Therefore, it can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that other general-purpose components other than those shown in FIG. 3 may be further included in the aerosol generating device 100 .

The liquid reservoir 220 may contain an aerosol generating material. The liquid storage unit 220 may contain an aerosol-generating material, such as for use in a bowl, or may be impregnated with an aerosol-generating material using a sponge or the like. The aerosol generating material may be in any one state, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, or a gel state, for example. The aerosol generating material may comprise a liquid composition.

The aerosol generating device 100 may comprise a liquid delivery means (not shown). The liquid delivery means may receive and absorb the aerosol generating material from the liquid storage unit 220 . The liquid delivery means can maintain the aerosol generating material in an optimal state for conversion to an aerosol. The liquid delivery means is disposed adjacent to the vibrator 170 (or vibration receiver), and the aerosol-generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means receives ultrasonic vibrations from the vibrator 170 (or vibration receiver) and can be converted into an aerosol. have.

The vibrator 170 may generate ultrasonic vibration to atomize the aerosol generating material into an aerosol. The frequency of ultrasonic vibration may be, for example, 100 kHz to 3.5 MHz. However, the frequency of the ultrasonic vibration described above is merely an example and may be variously modified according to a change in design.

The vibrator 170 may vibrate and the temperature may rise at the same time. The vibrator 170 may convert electrical energy into kinetic energy (or vibrational energy) and thermal energy. For example, the vibrator 170 may convert a portion of electrical energy into kinetic energy to vibrate at a predetermined vibration speed and predetermined amplitude. The vibrator 170 may increase the temperature by converting the remaining part of the electrical energy into thermal energy. Electrical energy that is not converted into kinetic energy in the vibrator 170 may be converted into thermal energy. The thermal energy may include frictional heat or Joule heating.

The vibrator 170 may transfer heat to the aerosol-generating material such that the temperature of the aerosol-generating material rises. The vibrator 170 vibrates and generates heat by applying a voltage of a specific frequency, and may increase the temperature of the aerosol-generating material by transferring the vibrational energy and thermal energy to the aerosol-generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means. Accordingly, the temperature of the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means may be changed to correspond to the temperature of the vibrator 170 . For example, the temperature of the aerosol generating material may increase as the temperature of the vibrator 170 increases, and may decrease as the temperature of the vibrator 170 decreases.

The aerosol-generating material may be vibrated by the vibrator 170 to increase its temperature to a predetermined temperature for atomization into an aerosol. For example, when the aerosol-generating material is in a viscous liquid form, the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material must be decreased by increasing the temperature of the aerosol-generating material in order to generate an aerosol. By reducing the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material, the atomization time due to vibration can be shortened and the atomization amount can be increased.

The vibrator 170 may have a unique resonant frequency. The resonant frequency of the vibrator 170 may be set during design and manufacturing. That is, the resonant frequency of each vibrator 170 may be different depending on the design. The resonance frequency and resonance phenomenon will be described later with reference to FIG. 4 .

The processor 160 may be electrically connected to each component of the aerosol generating device 100 to electrically control each component. The processor 160 may vibrate the vibrator 170 by applying a voltage (or power) to the vibrator 170 . For example, the processor 160 may control the battery so that a voltage (or power) is applied to the vibrator 170 . In addition, the processor 160 may determine the frequency of the voltage to be applied to the vibrator 170 , and apply the voltage of the determined frequency to the vibrator 170 .

In an embodiment, the processor 160 may apply a voltage of an operating frequency for controlling the vibrator 170 to a specific temperature to the vibrator 170 . The processor 160 may increase the impedance of the vibrator 170 by applying the voltage of the operating frequency to the vibrator 170 , compared to the case of applying the voltage of the resonant frequency to the vibrator 170 . This will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 4 .

In another embodiment, the processor 160 may adjust the magnitude of the voltage applied to the vibrator 170 . For example, the processor 160 may adjust the peak or amplitude of the AC voltage applied to the vibrator 170 . The vibrator 170 may vibrate with an amplitude corresponding to the magnitude of the applied voltage. As the voltage applied to the vibrator 170 increases, the amplitude at which the vibrator 170 vibrates may increase, and as the voltage decreases, the amplitude at which the vibrator 170 vibrates may decrease.

Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 100 may operate in one of a smokeless mode in which visible smoke is not generated and a flexible mode in which visible smoke is generated. The aerosol generating device 100 may generate an aerosol that does not contain visible smoke in a smoke-free mode. In addition, the aerosol generating device 100 may generate an aerosol including visible smoke in the flexible mode. Depending on the amount of atomization or the degree of saturation of substances included in the aerosol, visible smoke may or may not be generated even if the aerosol is generated. Even if no visible smoke is produced (ie even in smoke-free mode), ingredients such as nicotine and flavor can be transferred. The smoke-free mode is a mode in which the amount of atomization is smaller than that of the flexible mode, and may include a case in which visible smoke is generated less than the flexible mode in addition to the case in which visible smoke is not generated. For example, the flexible mode is a basic mode or default mode for the aerosol generating device 100, and in the flexible mode, a voltage of a preset size is generated by the vibrator 170 to generate a sufficient amount of visible smoke from the aerosol generating device 100. ) can be approved.

The processor 160 may adjust the magnitude of the voltage applied to the vibrator 170 and the amplitude of the vibrator 170 so that the aerosol generating device 100 operates according to one of a smokeless mode and a flexible mode. The processor 160 may adjust the magnitude of the voltage applied to the vibrator 170 and the amplitude of the vibrator 170 so that the atomization amount of the aerosol is relatively small in the smoke-free mode, and the atomization amount of the aerosol is relatively large in the flexible mode.

When the amplitude of the vibrator 170 is increased by increasing the magnitude of the voltage applied by the processor 160 to the vibrator 170, the interval at which the vibrator 170 vibrates increases, so the amount of aerosol atomized from the aerosol generating material increases. will do Conversely, when the processor 160 reduces the magnitude of the voltage applied to the vibrator 170 to reduce the amplitude of the vibrator 170, the interval at which the vibrator 170 vibrates decreases, so the amount of aerosol atomized from the aerosol generating material this will decrease Accordingly, the processor 160 may reduce the magnitude of the voltage applied to the vibrator and the amplitude of the vibrator than in the soft mode so that the aerosol generating device 100 operates in the smoke-free mode. In this case, the aerosol generating device 100 may operate in a smoke-free mode by reducing the amount of atomization. The aerosol generating device 100 may provide convenience in which the user can use the aerosol generating device 100 without being constrained by a place or environment by operating in a smoke-free mode.

In another embodiment, the processor 160 may control the temperature of the vibrator 170 by adjusting the magnitude of the voltage applied to the vibrator 170 . The vibrator 170 is controlled to a temperature corresponding to the magnitude of the voltage applied for ultrasonic vibration, and by vibrating at the controlled temperature, the aerosol-generating material may be atomized. As the magnitude of the voltage applied to the vibrator 170 increases, a large amount of power is supplied to the vibrator 170 , and accordingly, a large amount of heat may be generated in the vibrator 170 . On the other hand, since the temperature of the aerosol-generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means changes to correspond to the temperature of the vibrator 170 and the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material increases as the temperature of the aerosol-generating material decreases, the aerosol generated by the liquid delivery means The viscosity of the material may increase as the temperature of the vibrator 170 decreases. Accordingly, the processor 160 may control the temperature of the aerosol-generating material by controlling the temperature of the vibrator 170 , and may adjust the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material by controlling the temperature of the aerosol-generating material.

When the temperature of the vibrator 170 is increased by increasing the magnitude of the voltage applied by the processor 160 to the vibrator 170 , the viscosity of the aerosol generating material may decrease. As the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material decreases, the aerosol-generating material is more easily split into particles, so that a greater amount of aerosol can be generated per unit time than when the aerosol-generating material has a high viscosity. Accordingly, the processor 160 may increase the atomization amount of the aerosol by reducing the viscosity of the aerosol generating material. Conversely, when the temperature of the vibrator 170 is decreased by reducing the magnitude of the voltage applied to the vibrator 170 by the processor 160, the viscosity of the aerosol generating material may increase. The processor 160 may decrease the amount of atomization of the aerosol by increasing the viscosity of the aerosol generating material.

The processor 160 may apply a voltage of the first magnitude to the vibrator in the flexible mode. Since the temperature of the vibrator 170 changes to correspond to the magnitude of the applied voltage, the processor 160 may control the temperature of the vibrator 170 to a temperature corresponding to the voltage of the first magnitude. The first size may be a size set to generate a sufficient amount of aerosol from the aerosol generating device. For example, the processor 160 may determine the first size so that the consumption of the aerosol generating material per unit time exceeds a predetermined value. The consumption of the aerosol-generating material may correspond to a mass or volume of the aerosol-generating material that decreases with atomization. The predetermined value is the mass of aerosol-generating material that decreases during the unit time the puff lasts, which may correspond to, for example, 1 μg per unit time per second or 2 μg per puff lasting 2 seconds. However, the predetermined value may be changed based on the output of the battery, the performance of the vibrator 170, the characteristics of the aerosol generating material, and the like.

The processor 160 may apply a voltage of a second magnitude smaller than the first magnitude to the vibrator 170 in the lead-free mode. The processor 160 applies a voltage of the second magnitude to the vibrator 170 to lower the temperature of the vibrator 170 in the lead-free mode to a temperature corresponding to the voltage of the second magnitude, which is lower than the temperature corresponding to the voltage of the first magnitude. can be controlled The vibrator 170 is controlled to a lower temperature than in the flexible mode in which the voltage of the first magnitude is applied as the voltage of the second magnitude is applied in the smoke-free mode, thereby atomizing the aerosol-generating material with increased viscosity than in the flexible mode. have. In smoke-free mode, the amount of atomization may be reduced compared to in soft mode as the aerosol-generating material with increased viscosity is atomized. The second size may be a size set so that the aerosol is generated from the aerosol generating device but no visible smoke is generated. For example, the processor 160 may determine the second size so that the consumption of the aerosol generating material per unit time is less than or equal to a predetermined value. The predetermined value may correspond to, for example, 1 μg per second of unit time or 2 μg per puff lasting 2 seconds. However, the predetermined value may be changed based on the output of the battery, the performance of the vibrator 170, the characteristics of the aerosol generating material, and the like.

In addition, the processor 160 may adjust the particle size of the atomized aerosol by adjusting the viscosity of the aerosol generating material. In a state where the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material is relatively high, the atomized aerosol may contain relatively large particles (eg, more than 2 μm and 10 μm or less), and the aerosol atomized in a state where the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material is relatively low is relatively large. Small particles (eg, 0.2 μm or more and 2 μm or less) may be included. The processor 160 may control the amount of atomization by adjusting the particle size of the aerosol to be atomized by controlling the viscosity of the aerosol generating material. This will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 .

4 is a graph illustrating an example of a relationship between the frequency of a voltage applied to the vibrator and the impedance of the vibrator.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the horizontal axis of the graph 410 indicates the frequency of a voltage applied to the vibrator, and the vertical axis indicates the impedance (Z _total ) of the vibrator. The frequency of the part where the impedance appears the lowest corresponds to the resonant frequency (f _reso ) of the vibrator.

Resonant frequency is a frequency at which resonance occurs. Resonance refers to a phenomenon in which the vibration system receives an external force having the same frequency as its natural frequency, so that the amplitude remarkably increases or the impedance remarkably decreases. Resonance is a phenomenon that occurs in all vibrations such as mechanical vibration and electrical vibration. In general, when a force capable of vibrating a vibrating system is applied from the outside, if the natural frequency of the vibrating system and the frequency of the external force are the same, the vibration becomes severe and the amplitude increases.

In the same principle, when a plurality of vibrating bodies spaced apart within a predetermined distance vibrate at the same frequency, the plurality of vibrating bodies resonate with each other, and in this case, impedance between the plurality of vibrating bodies is reduced.

Referring to the graph 410 of FIG. 4 , frequencies within a predetermined range including the resonant frequency f _reso of the vibrator and a correlation between impedances of the vibrator changed by the application of the frequencies are illustrated. The impedance of the vibrator may be changed according to the frequency of the applied voltage based on the correlation between the frequency and the impedance. When a voltage having a resonant frequency f _reso is applied to the vibrator, the impedance of the vibrator may be minimized. As the difference between the frequency of the voltage applied to the vibrator and the resonant frequency f _reso increases, the impedance of the vibrator may increase. Accordingly, the vibrator is controlled to a temperature corresponding to the changed impedance, and the aerosol generating material may be atomized by vibrating at the controlled temperature. When the voltage of the resonant frequency (f _reso ) is applied, the kinetic energy of the vibrator is maximized and the thermal energy is minimized, and the temperature of the vibrator may rise less than when voltages of other frequencies are applied. As described above, it is common to apply a voltage of a resonant frequency to the vibrator in order to minimize the impedance of the vibrator, but the aerosol generating device controls the temperature of the vibrator by applying a voltage of a frequency out of the resonance frequency to the vibrator. can

In an embodiment, the vibrator may be controlled to the first temperature by application of a voltage of the resonant frequency f _reso . For example, the first temperature may correspond to a temperature when a voltage is applied to the vibrator in a default state of the aerosol generating device. The processor may determine an operating frequency f _x , which is a frequency of a voltage applied to the vibrator to control the vibrator to a second temperature higher than the first temperature. The second temperature is a target temperature of the vibrator, and may correspond to a temperature of the vibrator to be reached by adjusting the frequency. The second temperature may be set in consideration of the atomization amount or the temperature of the aerosol. The operating frequency (f _x ) is a frequency of a voltage applied to the vibrator to generate an aerosol by generating ultrasonic vibrations in the vibrator.

When the vibrator receives the voltage of the operating frequency (f _x ), the impedance may be increased compared to the case where the voltage of the resonance frequency (f _reso ) is applied. Since a large amount of heat is generated as the impedance of the vibrator increases, the temperature of the vibrator may also increase compared to the case where a voltage of the resonant frequency f _reso is applied. Accordingly, the processor may control the vibrator to a second temperature higher than the first temperature by applying a voltage of the operating frequency f _x to the vibrator.

Since the aerosol generating material is vibrated by the vibrator, heat energy may be transferred from the vibrator as the temperature of the vibrator increases. The vibrator may transfer heat generated at the second temperature from the liquid reservoir to the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means. Since the temperature of the aerosol-generating material changes to correspond to the temperature of the vibrator, the absorbed aerosol-generating material may receive heat from the vibrator of the second temperature and reach a temperature corresponding to the second temperature.

The viscosity of the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means may decrease with increasing temperature. Thus, the vibrator can atomize the aerosol-generating material having a reduced viscosity as controlled at the second temperature than when controlled at the first temperature. As the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material decreases, the aerosol-generating material is more easily split into particles, so that a greater amount of aerosol can be generated per unit time than when the aerosol-generating material has a high viscosity. On the other hand, the size of the aerosol particles atomized from the aerosol-generating material with reduced viscosity may have a diameter or a longest measured length of 0.2 μm or more and 2 μm or less. Since the vibrator atomizes the aerosol-generating material whose viscosity is reduced as it is controlled at the second temperature, a larger amount of aerosol can be generated per unit time than when the vibrator is controlled at the first temperature. For example, the second temperature may be set so that the consumption of the aerosol generating material per second unit time is 1.4 μg or more. However, the consumption amount of the aerosol-generating material is merely an example and may be changed based on the output of the battery, the performance of the vibrator, and the characteristics of the aerosol-generating material.

Meanwhile, as the vibrator is controlled at the second temperature, impedance may increase compared to the case where the vibrator is controlled at the first temperature. As the impedance increases, the vibration energy of the vibrator decreases and the thermal energy increases. Therefore, although the temperature of the vibrator increases, the frequency may decrease due to the decrease in vibration energy. The amount of aerosol generated per unit time can be affected by both an increase in the thermal energy of the vibrator and a decrease in the vibration energy. Accordingly, when the vibrator is controlled at the second temperature, the processor may determine the second temperature to increase the total atomization amount compared to the case where the vibrator is controlled at the first temperature despite a decrease in vibration energy. The amount of aerosol generated for a unit time by the temperature of the vibrator increased to correspond to the increased impedance of the vibrator increases by a first value, and the amount of aerosol generated for a unit time by the vibration energy decreased to correspond to the increased impedance is a second value. When decreasing by the value, the processor may determine the second temperature such that the first value exceeds the second value. For example, the processor compares the consumption of the aerosol-generating material for a unit time, so that when the vibrator is controlled at the second temperature, the consumption of the aerosol-generating material per unit time is greater than when the vibrator is controlled at the first temperature. 2 The temperature can be determined.

In another embodiment, the processor may apply a voltage of the operating frequency f _x different from the resonant frequency f _reso by a predetermined value to the vibrator. The predetermined value may be, for example, 1% to 5%. When the resonance frequency (f _reso ) is 3 MHz, the processor may apply a voltage of 2.96 MHz, which is a frequency (f _x ) different from 3 MHz by 1.33%, to the vibrator. The predetermined value may be variously set according to a design based on the value of the resonance frequency, the performance of the battery, the performance of the vibrator, or the characteristics of the aerosol generating material. The above-described resonance frequency (3 MHz), predetermined values (1% to 5%), and frequency (2.96 MHz) are merely exemplary values for description and may be variously modified and implemented. Meanwhile, at the operating frequency f _x , the temperature of the vibrator is higher than at the resonant frequency f _reso , but the vibration energy is low, so the frequency may be low. Therefore, the predetermined value for determining the operating frequency (f _x ) is a value at which an aerosol can be most easily generated in consideration of the temperature rise and frequency decrease of the vibrator, and can be experimentally, empirically or mathematically determined within 1% to 5%. can

The temperature of the aerosol atomized from the aerosol-generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means may be changed to correspond to the temperature of the absorbed aerosol-generating material. Accordingly, a feeling of warmth can be imparted to the aerosol atomized from the aerosol-generating material whose temperature is increased as the vibrator is controlled to the second temperature. The aerosol to which a sense of warmth is imparted may be discharged to the outside through the discharge hole ( 211 in FIG. 2 ). The discharge hole may form a hole through which the aerosol passes so that the aerosol can be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device may include a temperature sensor, and the temperature detecting sensor may detect a temperature of the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device. For example, the temperature sensor may sense the temperature of the aerosol at the outlet hole.

The processor may determine the second temperature such that the temperature of the aerosol in the outlet hole reaches the target temperature. The target temperature of the aerosol is the temperature determined to maximize the user's satisfaction when the aerosol is delivered to the user. have. For example, the processor may determine the second temperature such that the temperature of the aerosol at the outlet hole is 45° C. or higher. The processor may determine the second temperature so that a feeling of warmth is given to the aerosol discharged to the outside, but does not exceed a temperature sufficient to decrease the user's satisfaction. For example, the processor may determine the second temperature such that the temperature of the aerosol at the outlet hole is 45°C or higher and 65°C or lower. The vibrator may transfer heat at the second temperature to the aerosol-generating material absorbed by the liquid transfer means such that the temperature of the aerosol in the discharge hole is a target temperature (eg, 45° C. or higher). As such, the aerosol generating device may impart a sense of warmth to the aerosol delivered to the user and provide the user with a satisfactory smoking experience.

In another embodiment, the processor may adjust the magnitude of the voltage by applying a voltage of the operating frequency f _x to the vibrator. The processor may control the magnitude of the voltage to provide a warm feeling to the aerosol and to operate the aerosol generating device in a smoke-free mode. Controlling the temperature of the vibrator to the second temperature increases the amount of atomization, and decreasing the magnitude of the voltage decreases the amount of atomization. That is, both the temperature of the vibrator and the magnitude of the voltage may affect the atomization amount. Therefore, in order to control the vibrator to the second temperature by applying the operating frequency (f _x ) to the vibrator and at the same time reduce the total atomization amount, the decrease in the atomization amount due to the decrease in the voltage compared to the increase in the atomization amount due to the temperature increase of the vibrator The magnitude of the voltage should be set low enough to be larger.

The processor may determine the magnitude of the voltage applied to the vibrator so that the consumption of the aerosol generating material per unit time is less than or equal to a predetermined value in the smoke-free mode. A predetermined value for the consumption of aerosol-generating material in smoke-free mode may be, for example, 1 μg per second of unit time. However, the predetermined value may be changed based on the output of the battery, the performance of the vibrator, the characteristics of the aerosol generating material, and the like. In the smoke-free mode, the vibrator vibrates with an amplitude corresponding to the determined magnitude of the voltage to atomize the aerosol-generating material in an amount less than or equal to a predetermined value for a unit time.

In this case, the processor decreases the voltage to decrease the amplitude of the vibrator, and increases the temperature of the vibrator by applying a voltage of the operating frequency (f _x ), as a result, the atomization amount of the aerosol can be decreased but the temperature can be increased. Therefore, since the aerosol generating device can provide a feeling of warmth to the aerosol while operating in a smokeless mode, it is possible to provide the user with the convenience of using the aerosol generating device without environmental restrictions and at the same time provide a feeling of satisfaction according to the warmth.

5 is a graph showing another example of the relationship between the frequency of a voltage applied to the vibrator and the impedance of the vibrator.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the horizontal axis of the graph 510 represents the frequency of a voltage applied to the vibrator, the vertical axis represents the impedance Z _total of the vibrator, and a plurality of resonant frequencies of the vibrator are shown. The frequency of the portion having the lowest impedance corresponds to the main resonant frequency (f _m ) of the vibrator, and other frequencies at which resonance occurs correspond to the sub-resonant frequency (f _s ) of the vibrator.

The frequency of the vibrator may be changed based on the frequency of the applied voltage. For example, the vibrator may vibrate with the largest frequency at the main resonant frequency f _m , and may vibrate at a frequency lower than the main resonant frequency f _m with a lower frequency than at the main resonant frequency f _m . The vibrator may atomize the aerosol-generating material into an aerosol by vibrating at a frequency based on the frequency of the applied voltage.

The processor may control the frequency of the vibrator to the first frequency in the flexible mode. The first frequency may be a value set to generate a sufficient amount of aerosol from the aerosol generating device. For example, the processor may determine the first frequency so that the consumption of the aerosol generating material per unit time exceeds a predetermined value. The predetermined value may correspond to, for example, 1 μg per second of unit time. However, the predetermined value may be changed based on the output of the battery, the performance of the vibrator, the characteristics of the aerosol generating material, and the like. The processor may control the vibrator to vibrate at the first frequency by applying a voltage of a frequency between the main resonant frequency (f _m ) or the main resonance frequency (f _m ) and the sub-resonant frequency (f _s ) to the vibrator in the flexible mode. .

The processor may apply a voltage of a sub-resonant frequency (f _s ) having a frequency lower than a main resonance frequency (f _m ) at which resonance occurs the most among a plurality of resonance frequencies of the vibrator in the lead-free mode to the vibrator. The processor may control the frequency of the vibrator to a second frequency lower than the first frequency by applying the sub-resonant frequency f _s to the vibrator. That is, the processor may reduce the frequency of the vibrator than in the flexible mode by applying a voltage of the sub-resonant frequency (f _s ) to the vibrator in the lead-free mode.

The impedance at the sub-resonant frequency (f _s ) is only slightly higher than at the main resonant frequency (f _m ), and appears relatively lower than at other frequencies. On the other hand, the frequency difference between the sub-resonant frequency (f _s ) and the main resonant frequency (f _m ) appears rather large. Accordingly, at the sub-resonant frequency f _s , the effect of heat generation or kinetic energy reduction due to the increase in impedance is relatively small, and the frequency difference of the vibrator is relatively large.

The frequency of the vibrator and the particle size of the atomized aerosol may have an inverse correlation. For example, the higher the frequency, the greater the number of vibrations per unit time, so the number of splitting the aerosol-generating material into particles increases, and the already split particles may be repeatedly split more frequently. Conversely, the lower the frequency, the less the number of splitting the aerosol-generating material into particles, and the case where the already split particles are repeatedly split more rarely occurs.

Accordingly, the particle size of the atomized aerosol may increase as the frequency of the vibrator decreases. The vibrator may vibrate at the second frequency in the smoke-free mode to generate an aerosol having a larger particle size than in the soft mode vibrates at the first frequency. In smoke-free mode, the amount of atomization can be reduced as aerosols with relatively large particle sizes are generated. In this case, the aerosol-generating device may operate in smoke-free mode. The relationship between the particle size of the aerosol and the amount of atomization will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 . The particle size of the aerosol may be greater than 2 µm and less than or equal to 10 µm in the lead-free mode, and the diameter or longest measured length may be greater than or equal to 0.2 µm and less than or equal to 2 µm in the flexible mode. However, the numerical value for the particle size of the aerosol is only an example, and may appear differently depending on the characteristics of the aerosol generating material, the performance of the vibrator, the output of the battery, and the like.

6 is a view for explaining the relationship between the particle size of the aerosol and the amount of atomization.

Referring to FIG. 6 , it is shown that the particle size of the aerosol 610 is small and the atomization amount is relatively large in (a) of FIG. 6 , and the particle size of the aerosol 620 is large in FIG. Less is shown. The particle size of the aerosol may mean an average size of particles included in the aerosol. Here, the particle size may mean the mass or volume of the particle.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 , when the viscosity of the aerosol generating material is low or the frequency of the vibrator is high, the particle size of the atomized aerosol may be reduced. In addition, when the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material is high or the frequency of the vibrator is low, the particle size of the atomized aerosol may be increased.

When the amount of the aerosol generating material to be atomized (or the mass of the aerosol) is the same, the atomization amount may be different depending on the particle size of the aerosol. In FIG. 6 or less, the atomization amount may mean the volume of the aerosol or the volume of visible smoke, not the mass of the aerosol. That is, even if the amount of atomized (or vaporized) aerosol-generating material is the same, the amount of smoke that can be visually confirmed may be different according to the amount of atomization.

When the total mass of the aerosol is the same, the total number of particles constituting the aerosol increases as the particle size of the aerosol decreases. Since the particles constituting the aerosol diffuse in the air, the greater the number of diffusing particles, the larger the volume of the aerosol or visible smoke. Also, the diffusion rate increases as the mass of the particle decreases. Therefore, the smaller the particle size of the aerosol, the greater the number of particles to be diffused and the diffusion rate of the particles also increases, so the atomization amount may increase.

Conversely, the larger the particle size of the aerosol, the smaller the total number of particles constituting the aerosol. Therefore, as the particle size of the aerosol increases, the number of diffused particles decreases, and as the mass increases, the diffusion rate of the particles also decreases, so that the atomization amount may be decreased. As shown in (a) of Figure 6, the processor can increase the atomization amount by adjusting the particle size of the aerosol 620 small. In this case, the aerosol generating device 100 may operate in a flexible mode. As shown in (b) of Figure 6, the processor can reduce the amount of atomization by greatly adjusting the particle size of the aerosol (620). In this case, the aerosol generating device 100 may operate in a smoke-free mode.

7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the aerosol generating device of FIG. 6 is used.

Referring to FIG. 7, an example in which the aerosol generating device 100 shown in FIG. 6 (a) is used is shown in (a) of FIG. 7, and in (b) of FIG. An example in which the illustrated aerosol generating device 100 is used is shown.

As the amount of atomization of the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating device changes, the volume of aerosol or visible smoke emitted from a user using the aerosol-generating device may change. Referring to FIG. 7 (a), when the atomization amount of the aerosol 610 generated from the aerosol generating device 100 is increased as in FIG. 6 (a), the volume of the aerosol 710 discharged from the user is also increased. can be In this case, the aerosol-generating device may operate in a flexible mode. Conversely, referring to FIG. 7 (b), when the atomization amount of the aerosol 620 generated from the aerosol generating device 100 is reduced as in FIG. 6 (b), the volume of the aerosol 720 discharged from the user It can also be reduced. In this case, the aerosol-generating device may operate in smoke-free mode.

Meanwhile, even if the particle size of the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating device is different but the volume is the same, the amount or volume of the aerosol discharged from the user may be different. For example, when the particle size of the aerosol is relatively large, the amount or volume of the aerosol discharged from the user may be reduced compared to the case where the particle size is small. Therefore, as in (b) of Figure 7, the processor can reduce the amount of atomization by greatly adjusting the particle size of the aerosol (720). In this case, the aerosol-generating device may operate in smoke-free mode.

Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device may include a user interface (not shown), and the user interface may correspond to the user interface of FIG. 1 . The user interface may receive user input.

In one embodiment, the user interface may include a button. For example, one of the flexible mode or the smokeless mode may be selected according to the number of times one button is pressed or the input time for continuously pressing one button. Alternatively, the user interface may include a plurality of buttons corresponding to each of the flexible mode and the lead-free mode.

In another embodiment, the user interface may include a switch. For example, a flexible mode or a lead-free mode may be selected as the switch is operated left and right or up and down.

In another embodiment, the user interface may include a display. For example, the display may display icons corresponding to each of the flexible mode and the lead-free mode. The display may be operated by being a touch screen or electrically connected to a separate input means.

However, the above-described user interface and user input method are merely examples, and the type of the user interface and the method of receiving the user's input may be variously modified.

The aerosol-generating device may operate in a flexible mode or a smoke-free mode in response to a user input received through the user interface. In this case, the aerosol generating device may operate in a flexible mode as in FIG. 6(a) or in a smoke-free mode as in FIG. 6(b). When the aerosol 720 discharged from the user increases as shown in (a) of FIG. 7 , it is possible to provide a visual satisfaction to the user. When the aerosol 720 discharged from the user decreases as shown in (b) of FIG. 7 , the aerosol-generating device may provide the user with convenience to use the aerosol-generating device without being constrained by a place or environment.

An embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module executed by a computer. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. 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.

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 an equivalent scope should be construed as being included in the present invention.

100: aerosol generating device 100a: body
100b: cartridge 110: battery
120: atomizer 130: sensor
140: user interface 150: memory
160: Processor 170: Oscillator
210: mouthpiece 211: exhaust hole
220: liquid storage unit 230: vibration receiving unit
240: liquid delivery means 250: aerosol discharge passageway
260: air flow passage 410, 510: graph
510: graph 610, 620: aerosol
710, 720: aerosol

Claims (15)

An aerosol generating device comprising:
a liquid reservoir containing the aerosol generating material;
a vibrator generating ultrasonic vibration to atomize the aerosol-generating material into an aerosol; and
A first temperature reached by application of a voltage of the resonant frequency based on a correlation between frequencies within a predetermined range including the resonant frequency of the vibrator and impedances of the vibrator changed by application of frequencies within the predetermined range and a processor for determining an operating frequency for controlling the vibrator to a higher second temperature and controlling the vibrator to the second temperature by applying a voltage of the determined operating frequency to the vibrator. The method of claim 1,
The vibrator,
Transferring the heat generated at the second temperature to the absorbed aerosol-generating material so that the temperature of the aerosol-generating material moved from the liquid storage unit and absorbed in the liquid delivery means reaches a temperature corresponding to the second temperature, aerosol generating device. 3. The method of claim 2,
the viscosity of the absorbed aerosol-generating material decreases as the temperature of the absorbed aerosol-generating material increases,
The vibrator,
Atomizing the aerosol-generating material having a reduced viscosity than when controlled at the first temperature as it is controlled at the second temperature,
generating a greater amount of aerosol per unit time from the reduced viscosity aerosol-generating material than when controlled at the first temperature. 4. The method of claim 3,
The vibrator,
As the second temperature is controlled, the impedance increases compared to the case where the first temperature is controlled,
The processor is
Due to the temperature of the vibrator rising to correspond to the increased impedance, the amount of aerosol generated for a unit time increases by a first value, and the amount of aerosol generated for a unit time by the vibration energy decreased to correspond to the increased impedance If it decreases by this second value,
determining the second temperature such that the first value exceeds the second value. 4. The method of claim 3,
The particle size of the aerosol atomized from the reduced-viscosity aerosol-generating material is 0.2 μm or more and 2 μm or less. 3. The method of claim 2,
The processor is
determining the second temperature so that the aerosol whose temperature changes to correspond to the temperature of the absorbed aerosol-generating material is 45° C. or higher in the discharge hole for discharging the aerosol to the outside,
The vibrator,
and transferring the heat to the absorbed aerosol-generating material such that the temperature of the aerosol in the outlet hole is 45° C. or higher. 7. The method of claim 6,
The vibrator,
It vibrates with an amplitude corresponding to the magnitude of the applied voltage,
The processor is
The magnitude of the voltage applied to the vibrator and the vibrator than in the smoke mode in which visible smoke is generated from the aerosol-generating device so that the aerosol-generating device operates in a smokeless mode in which visible smoke is not generated an aerosol-generating device that reduces the amplitude of 8. The method of claim 7,
The processor is
determining the magnitude of the voltage applied to the vibrator so that the consumption of the aerosol generating material per unit time in the smoke-free mode is less than or equal to a predetermined value;
The vibrator,
An aerosol generating device which atomizes the aerosol generating material in an amount less than the predetermined value for a unit time by vibrating with an amplitude corresponding to the determined magnitude of the voltage. An aerosol generating device comprising:
a liquid reservoir containing the aerosol generating material;
a vibrator generating ultrasonic vibration to atomize the aerosol-generating material into an aerosol; and
A voltage of a first magnitude is applied to the vibrator in a flexible mode in which visible smoke is generated from the aerosol-generating device, and a second magnitude smaller than the first magnitude in a smoke-free mode in which visible smoke is not generated from the aerosol-generating device. by applying a voltage of generating device. 10. The method of claim 9,
The viscosity of the aerosol-generating material moved from the liquid storage unit and absorbed by the liquid delivery means increases as the temperature of the vibrator decreases,
The vibrator,
As the voltage of the second magnitude is applied in the smoke-free mode, the aerosol-generating device that atomizes an aerosol-generating material having an increased viscosity than in the flexible mode to which the voltage of the first magnitude is applied. 10. The method of claim 9,
The processor is
and determining the second size so that the consumption of the aerosol-generating material per unit time in the smoke-free mode is less than or equal to a predetermined value. An aerosol generating device comprising:
a liquid reservoir containing the aerosol generating material;
a vibrator generating ultrasonic vibration to atomize the aerosol-generating material into an aerosol; and
In a flexible mode in which visible smoke is generated from the aerosol generating device, the vibration frequency of the vibrator is controlled to a first frequency, and in a smokeless mode in which visible smoke is not generated from the aerosol generating device, a plurality of resonant frequencies of the vibrator A processor for controlling the frequency of the vibrator to a second frequency lower than the first frequency by applying to the vibrator a voltage of a sub-resonant frequency having a frequency lower than the main resonance frequency at which resonance occurs the most, aerosol generation Device. 13. The method of claim 12,
The particle size of the atomized aerosol increases as the frequency decreases,
The vibrator,
generating an aerosol having a larger particle size than in the flexible mode vibrating at the first frequency by vibrating at the second frequency in the smoke-free mode. 14. The method of claim 13,
The particle size of the aerosol is,
In the smoke-free mode, it is more than 2㎛ 10㎛, and in the flexible mode, 0.2㎛ or more and 2㎛ or less, an aerosol generating device. 13. The method of claim 12,
The processor is
In the flexible mode, a voltage of the main resonant frequency or a voltage between the main resonant frequency and the sub-resonant frequency is applied to the vibrator, an aerosol generating device.

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