KR20220125641A - Aerosol generatign device with wireless charging - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an aerosol generator capable of charging a battery of a holder inserted into a cradle through wireless charging or using a coil for induction heating for wireless charging while implementing a heater in an induction heating manner.

Description

Wireless Rechargeable Aerosol Generator {AEROSOL GENERATIGN DEVICE WITH WIRELESS CHARGING}

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device capable of wireless charging.

Inhalation of an aerosol in the air, i.e. by inhaling an aerosol, inhalation of a favorite substance, such as smoking, commonly referred to as smoking, can be achieved. In the past, cigarettes in the form of cigarettes were almost the only means of inhaling these preference substances, but recently, electronic cigarettes are also positioned as another means. The e-cigarette is completely different from the conventional cigarette-type cigarette, which generates smoke by burning, because heat or ultrasonic waves are applied to the cartridge containing the inhaled material in liquid form to vaporize the inhaled material into vapor to generate an aerosol, It has the advantage that it can prevent the generation of various harmful substances that may be generated by combustion, in particular.

In addition, according to the demands of consumers who prefer conventional cigarettes in the form of cigarettes, a filter part of a conventional cigarette and an electronic cigarette (stick) having the shape of a cigarette part are also proposed, and such a stick is an aerosol-forming substrate contained in the stick. It is heated with an electronic heater to vaporize to form an aerosol, and has a configuration in which the user inhales the aerosol through the filter unit of the stick having a configuration equivalent to that of a conventional cigarette. As an aerosol forming device for generating an aerosol by heating a stick in this way, a type divided into a holder and a cradle has been commercialized. A cradle containing a large-capacity battery capable of charging the low-capacity battery of the holder is provided with an insertion space for inserting the holder, and the holder and the cradle are provided with corresponding contact-type terminals to insert the holder into the insertion space of the cradle. After charging, power from the battery of the holder is applied to the heater to heat the stick inserted into the chamber of the holder to generate an aerosol. As the heater of the holder, a resistance heating type heater has been applied.

However, the terminals formed to correspond to the holder and the cradle for charging can be a problem when exposed to moisture or moisture, and exposing the terminals is not good for the aesthetics of the design, and when the heater of the holder is heated, it can be a problem. There is a problem in that the temperature of the holder held in the user's hand is excessively increased due to heat transfer.

The present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art, to provide a specific configuration for charging the battery of the holder inserted in the cradle through wireless charging.

In addition, the present invention is to implement a heater in an induction heating method, but to provide a configuration using a coil for induction heating for wireless charging.

Provided is an aerosol generator that charges the battery of the holder inserted in the cradle through wireless charging, or implements a heater in an induction heating method, and uses a coil for induction heating for wireless charging.

1 schematically shows the configuration of a holder and a cradle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 schematically shows the configuration of a holder and a cradle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
3 shows a block diagram for wireless charging that can be applied to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

First, Figure 1 schematically shows the configuration of a holder and a cradle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The aerosol generating device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is divided into a holder and a cradle, and the holder is provided with a chamber capable of inserting a stick. When the stick is inserted into the chamber and the aerosol-forming substrate of the stick is heated with the heater of the holder, an aerosol is generated and the user can inhale the aerosol through the filter unit provided at the top of the stick. Such a stick has a shape similar to that of a conventional cigarette cigarette.

The holder has a small capacity battery, a control board, and a heater as shown in the cross-sectional view, and the cross-sectional view shows a state in which the stick is inserted into the chamber. The figure shows that the heater of the holder is constituted by an induction coil and a susceptor that can be inserted into a stick. That is, the susceptor is inductively heated by the induction coil, and the inductively heated susceptor heats the aerosol-forming substrate inside the stick to form an aerosol. The susceptor may be configured in a blade or bongchim type as shown in the figure, or may be formed in a trident shape.

Alternatively, the susceptor may be provided in the form of a pipe that forms a chamber wall surface of the holder in addition to the type inserted into the stick as shown in the drawing. That is, the pipe itself is provided as a susceptor, and the pipe is inductively heated by an induction coil provided with a gap therebetween, and the pipe is in contact with the outer surface of the stick inserted into the chamber to heat the stick to heat the aerosol-forming substrate provided inside the stick. It may generate an aerosol.

Alternatively, it may be provided only in the shape of a pipe forming the chamber wall surface of the holder, without a susceptor of a type to be inserted into the stick shown in the drawings. That is, the pipe itself is provided as a susceptor, and the pipe is inductively heated by an induction coil provided with a gap therebetween, and the pipe is in contact with the outer surface of the stick inserted into the chamber to heat the stick to heat the aerosol-forming substrate provided inside the stick. It may generate an aerosol.

Alternatively, the induction coil is not provided in the holder, but may be provided as a resistance heating type heater. The resistance heating type heater may be configured as a blade or bongchim type having a shape indicated by a 'susceptor' in the drawing, or may be formed in a trident shape. Alternatively, it may be provided in the shape of a pipe forming the wall surface of the chamber. In either case, the resistance heating type heater has a hot wire pattern, and the hot wire pattern heats up by the applied power, and the aerosol-forming substrate of the stick is heated by this heat to generate an aerosol.

Meanwhile, the holder is inserted into the insertion space of the cradle and wirelessly charged by the TX coil provided in the cradle and the RX coil provided around the battery of the holder. The cradle is provided with a large-capacity battery and a control board for controlling the charging of the holder (refer to the cross-sectional view). In order for the user to charge the small-capacity battery of the holder to use the holder, the holder is inserted into the insertion space provided in the cradle to wirelessly charging is performed. The lower part of the insertion space of the cradle has a TX coil (TX antenna) wound in a cylindrical shape on the outside of the wall of the insertion space to surround the insertion space, and when the holder is completely inserted into the insertion space, the position of the corresponding holder of the TX coil An RX coil (RX antenna) is provided on the inside of the holder wall.

The TX coil is provided by being wound in a cylindrical shape outside the wall surface of the insertion space to enclose a predetermined height of the insertion space, and when the holder is completely inserted into the insertion space, the To enclose the battery, it is provided wrapped in a cylindrical shape like the TX coil. Since both the TX coil and the RX coil are provided in a cylindrical shape, charging can be achieved easily by simply inserting the cylindrical holder into the insertion space. That is, since both the TX coil and the RX coil are wound in a cylindrical shape in a shape corresponding to each other by a height corresponding to a part of the holder height along the length direction of the holder, charging is performed no matter where it is inserted along the circumferential direction of the holder. no problem

After inserting the holder, charging can be started by pressing a button provided separately, the insertion of the holder can be detected by an appropriate sensor such as an optical sensor or a pressure sensor in the cradle, and charging starts when the insertion of the holder is detected can be configured to do so. If you start charging with only a separate button, there may be a problem in entering the charging mode even if the button is pressed incorrectly. configurable. Alternatively, it may be configured such that pressing the button only initiates charging mode when insertion of the holder is detected.

Alternatively, it is also possible to start the charging mode only when insertion of the holder is sensed by the above-described sensor, without a physical button that could otherwise be pressed erroneously.

In addition, according to the first embodiment, the holder must be inserted so that the part where the battery is located goes down. If you want to insert so that the top, which is the side, is inserted, it can be configured so that it is inserted only up to a certain height of the upper part of the insertion space and is not inserted any more. That is, if the shape of the outer surface of the holder is slightly increased from the lower part (battery part) to the upper part (chamber part), and the inner surface shape of the cradle insertion space is also formed correspondingly, in order to completely insert the holder into the insertion space, only the drawing It will have to be inserted with the lower part (battery part) shown in the figure facing down.

2 schematically shows the configuration of a holder and a cradle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The holder and the cradle shown in FIG. 2 also have the same configuration as the first embodiment, but the direction in which the holder is inserted and charged is opposite to that of the first embodiment. This will be described in more detail as follows.

The aerosol generating device according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention is also divided into a holder and a cradle, and the holder is provided with a chamber capable of inserting a stick. As shown in FIG. 1 , when the stick is inserted into the chamber and the aerosol-forming substrate of the stick is heated with the heater of the holder, an aerosol is generated and the user can inhale the aerosol through the filter unit provided at the top of the stick. Such a stick has a shape similar to that of a conventional cigarette cigarette.

The holder includes a small capacity battery, a control board, and a heater as shown in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 1 and 2 , and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 shows a state in which the stick is inserted into the chamber. The figure shows that the heater of the holder is constituted by an induction coil and a susceptor that can be inserted into the stick as in FIG. 1 . That is, the susceptor is inductively heated by the induction coil, and the inductively heated susceptor heats the aerosol-forming substrate inside the stick to form an aerosol. The susceptor may be configured in a blade or bongchim type as shown in the figure, or may be formed in a trident shape.

Alternatively, the susceptor may be provided in the form of a pipe forming a chamber wall surface of the holder in addition to the type inserted into the stick as shown in FIG. 1 . That is, the pipe itself is provided as a susceptor, and the pipe is inductively heated by an induction coil provided with a gap therebetween, and the pipe is in contact with the outer surface of the stick inserted into the chamber to heat the stick to heat the aerosol-forming substrate provided inside the stick. It may generate an aerosol.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , without a susceptor of a type to be inserted into a stick, it may be provided only in the shape of a pipe forming the wall surface of the chamber of the holder. That is, the pipe itself is provided as a susceptor, and the pipe is inductively heated by an induction coil provided with a gap therebetween, and the pipe is in contact with the outer surface of the stick inserted into the chamber to heat the stick to heat the aerosol-forming substrate provided inside the stick. It may generate an aerosol.

Meanwhile, the holder is inserted into the insertion space of the cradle, and the TX coil provided in the cradle and the induction coil of the holder function as the RX coil, so that wireless charging is performed. The cradle is provided with a large-capacity battery and a control board for controlling the charging of the holder (refer to the cross-sectional view). In order for the user to charge the small-capacity battery of the holder to use the holder, the holder is inserted into the insertion space provided in the cradle to wirelessly charging is performed. The lower part of the insertion space of the cradle has a TX coil (TX antenna) wound in a cylindrical shape on the outside of the wall of the insertion space to surround the insertion space, and when the holder is completely inserted into the insertion space, the position of the corresponding holder of the TX coil The induction coil is located on the inside of the holder wall.

The TX coil is provided by being wound in a cylindrical shape on the outside of the wall of the insertion space to enclose a predetermined height of the insertion space. It is provided wrapped in a cylindrical shape like the one. Since both the TX coil and the induction coil are provided in a cylindrical shape, charging can be achieved easily by simply inserting the cylindrical holder into the insertion space. That is, since both the TX coil and the induction coil are wound in a cylindrical shape in a shape corresponding to each other by a height corresponding to a part of the holder height along the length direction of the holder, charging is performed no matter where it is inserted along the circumferential direction of the holder. no problem

After inserting the holder, charging can be started by pressing a button provided separately, the insertion of the holder can be detected by an appropriate sensor such as an optical sensor or a pressure sensor in the cradle, and charging starts when the insertion of the holder is detected can be configured to do so. If you start charging with only a separate button, there may be a problem in entering the charging mode even if the button is pressed incorrectly. configurable. Alternatively, it may be configured such that pressing the button only initiates charging mode when insertion of the holder is detected.

Alternatively, it is also possible to start the charging mode only when insertion of the holder is sensed by the above-described sensor, without a physical button that could otherwise be pressed erroneously.

In addition, as opposed to the first embodiment, according to the second embodiment, the holder must be inserted so that the part where the battery is located faces upward. When inserting the holder so that the upper end, which is the side with the hole on the chamber side, is inserted, it can be inserted only up to a certain height of the upper part of the insertion space and is not inserted any more. That is, if the shape of the outer surface of the holder is slightly increased from the upper part (chamber part) to the lower part (battery part), and the inner surface shape of the cradle's insertion space is also formed correspondingly, to fully insert the holder into the insertion space, only the The upper part (chamber part) of the holder shown in 2 will have to be inserted so that it faces downward.

When the holder has a configuration in which the upper part (chamber part) is inserted into the insertion space of the cradle so that the upper part (chamber part) faces downward, the end of the lower part (battery part) of the holder closes the insertion space according to the insertion of the holder. The insertion space opening/closing structure may not be required. That is, when inserting the holder into the cradle with the upper part (chamber part) facing upward as shown in FIG. 1, the chamber is opened to the outside when the holder is inserted into the cradle. However, in the case of the second embodiment, the insertion space is closed by inserting the holder, and the chamber is completely accommodated in the insertion space, so this opening/closing structure is not required.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, a cradle cover may be formed on the cradle to remove contaminants or foreign substances that may exist in the chamber of the holder while the upper part (chamber portion) of the holder is fully inserted into the cradle to face downward. may be In this case, the user usually holds the cradle in the direction shown in FIG. 2 , and when the cradle cover is opened, contaminants or foreign substances that may be in the chamber of the holder are easily removed by gravity.

The second embodiment is characterized in that the induction coil functions as an RX coil during wireless charging, and functions as a TX coil during induction heating. That is, when the holder is inserted into the insertion space of the cradle to conduct wireless charging, the induction coil functions as an RX coil and is used to charge the holder's small capacity battery. When the aerosol-forming substrate is to be heated in the stick, the induction coil functions as a TX coil to apply an induced magnetic field to the susceptor having the aforementioned pipe shape and/or a shape that can be inserted into the stick.

3 shows a block diagram for wireless charging that can be applied to the second embodiment. The induction coil (induction heater coil) provided in the holder is basically connected to the induction heater TX resonance block and is mainly used for heating operation. When the holder device is inserted into the cradle for charging purposes, the sensor detects it and controls the switch block. The induction heater coil terminal is connected to the wireless charging RX resonance block terminal and the battery starts charging. The above scenarios can be controlled according to each function in the wireless charging and microcomputer control part.

As described above, the present invention includes a chamber that provides a space for inserting a stick, a heater for heating a stick that can be inserted into the chamber, a circuit, and a battery, and includes a wireless charging receiver (eg, RX coil or RX It provides an aerosol generating device (holder) comprising an antenna), wherein the insertion space that can accommodate such a holder includes a wireless charging supply unit corresponding to a wireless charging receiving unit (eg, RX coil or RX antenna), and a circuit; Includes a cradle including a power supply unit capable of receiving power from a large-capacity battery or an external power source. Such a cradle could alternatively be called an e-cigarette auxiliary charger.

On the other hand, it is preferable that the coils of the wireless charging receiving unit and the supply unit are wound in a vertical stack like the longitudinal direction of the holder.

It is preferable to heat the stick by induction heating method.

Alternatively, the induction coil for induction heating may function as a wireless charging receiver to receive wireless power.

It is alternatively possible to include a switching circuit capable of switching between a mode when heating the stick and a mode when receiving power wirelessly.

Alternatively, it is preferable to include a switching circuit that detects when the holder is inserted into the cradle, switches to the charging mode when inserted, and enters the heating mode or heating standby mode when removed.

Alternatively, it is also possible to configure the cradle to start supplying power wirelessly when a preset inductance value is recognized.

Alternatively, it is possible to make the frequency used for induction heating the same as the frequency used for wireless charging.

In addition, it is possible to use different frequencies during induction heating and wireless charging.

Claims (10)

A holder including a chamber into which at least a portion of a cigarette-shaped e-cigarette stick is inserted and accommodated, a heater capable of heating the stick inserted into the chamber, a small capacity battery and a control board;
A cradle comprising an insertion space for charging and/or storage of the holder, and a control board for controlling the charging of a large-capacity battery and the holder;
An RX coil wound in a cylindrical shape in a holder and provided;
A TX coil wound in a cylindrical shape on the outside of the wall of the insertion space to surround the insertion space at a position corresponding to the RX coil of the holder while the holder is fully inserted into the insertion space of the cradle for charging and/or storage. An aerosol generating device capable of wireless charging, characterized in that. According to claim 1,
The RX coil is an aerosol generator capable of wireless charging, characterized in that it is provided around the small capacity battery of the holder. 3. The method of claim 2,
An aerosol generating device capable of wireless charging, characterized in that both the TX coil and the RX coil are wound in a cylindrical shape in a shape corresponding to each other by a height corresponding to a part of the height of the holder along the longitudinal direction of the holder. 4. The method of claim 3,
A sensor for detecting the insertion of the holder into the cradle is additionally provided,
An aerosol generating device capable of wireless charging, characterized in that charging is started by detecting the insertion of the holder. 4. The method of claim 3,
A wireless chargeable aerosol generator, characterized in that a separate button to start charging is provided. 6. The method of claim 5,
A sensor for detecting the insertion of the holder into the cradle is additionally provided,
An aerosol generating device capable of wireless charging, characterized in that the charging mode is started only when insertion of the holder is detected even if the user presses the button, or pressing the button is configured to start in the charging mode only when insertion of the holder is detected . According to claim 1,
The holder is an aerosol generating device capable of wireless charging, characterized in that it comprises an induction coil around the chamber. 8. The method of claim 7,
The induction coil of the holder,
In case of wireless charging by inserting the holder into the insertion space of the cradle, it functions as an RX coil and is used to charge the small capacity battery of the holder.
When the holder is separated from the insertion space of the cradle and the stick is accommodated in the chamber to heat the aerosol-forming substrate in the stick, it functions as a TX coil and applies an induced magnetic field to the susceptor provided inside or outside the stick to activate the susceptor. An aerosol generating device capable of wireless charging, characterized in that it is used for heating. 9. The method of claim 8,
An aerosol generator capable of wireless charging, comprising a switching circuit capable of switching between a mode for heating the stick and a mode for receiving power wirelessly. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The shape of the outer surface of the holder is formed to increase from the top to the bottom or to grow from the bottom to the top, so that the corresponding insertion space is configured so that the holder can be completely inserted only when the holder is inserted in the desired direction. Rechargeable aerosol generator.

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