KR20230120683A - Aerosol generating article and aerosol generating system - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol generating device according to various embodiments includes a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, a length from the first end toward the second end, a medium rod and a filter rod aligned along the longitudinal direction. It includes, wherein the medium rod, the medium unit for receiving the medium; It may include one or more air flow paths formed penetrating the longitudinal direction.

Description

Aerosol generating article and aerosol generating system {AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE AND AEROSOL GENERATING SYSTEM}

The following embodiments relate to aerosol-generating articles and aerosol-generating systems.

In recent years, demand for alternative products that overcome the disadvantages of traditional cigarettes is increasing. For example, there is an increasing demand for devices that generate aerosols by electrically heating a cigarette stick (e.g. cigarette-type electronic cigarettes). Accordingly, research on an electrically heated aerosol generating device and a cigarette stick (or aerosol generating article) applied thereto is being actively conducted. For example, Patent Publication No. 10-2017-0132823 discloses a non-combustion type flavor inhaler, a taste source unit, and an atomization unit.

An object according to one embodiment is to provide an aerosol-generating article capable of smoothly flowing airflow and aerosol generated by heating by including a medium rod including a plurality of airflow paths.

An object according to an embodiment is to provide an aerosol generating system with increased heating efficiency by dispersing a heat source by arranging a plurality of heating elements.

An aerosol-generating article according to various embodiments includes a first end, a second end opposite to the first end and a length from the first end to the second end, a medium rod and a filter rod aligned along the longitudinal direction. It includes, wherein the medium rod, the medium unit for receiving the medium; It may include one or more air flow paths formed penetrating the longitudinal direction.

In one embodiment, the air flow path, the main air flow path formed through the center of the medium portion; and one or more sub airflow paths formed parallel to the main airflow path, around the main airflow path.

In one embodiment, the sub airflow path may have a smaller cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the main airflow path.

In one embodiment, the medium rod may include a wrapper surrounding the medium portion of the medium rod; And it may further include a side air flow path formed in the longitudinal direction between the medium unit and the wrapper.

In one embodiment, a cross section in a direction perpendicular to the length of the medium part may be any one of a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a convex polygonal shape, and a concave polygonal shape.

In one embodiment, it may further include an atomizing rod accommodating an aerosol-forming substrate, and the atomizing rod may be disposed at an upstream end of the medium rod.

In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating article further includes a soft capsule accommodated inside at least one of the medium rod, the filter rod, and the atomizing rod, and the soft capsule may be made of a material capable of thermal decomposition.

An aerosol generating system according to various embodiments includes a medium rod and a filter rod, wherein the medium rod includes a medium portion accommodating a medium, a main airflow path passing through the center of the medium portion and formed in the longitudinal direction, and the an aerosol-generating article comprising one or more sub-airflow passes formed in a periphery of and parallel to the main airflow pass; and a housing, an elongated cavity formed inside the housing to receive the aerosol-generating article, and a heating portion to heat the aerosol-generating article accommodated in the elongated cavity.

In one embodiment, the heating unit may include a first heating element of an internal heating type; and an externally heated second heating element.

In one embodiment, each of the first heating element and the second heating element may be any one of a direct heating type, an induction heating type, and a hot air heating type heating element.

In one embodiment, the maximum heating temperature of the first heating element may be lower than the maximum heating temperature of the second heating element.

In one embodiment, the aerosol formed by heating of the heating unit may be moved to a downstream side of the aerosol-generating article through the main air flow path and the sub air flow path.

In one embodiment, the medium rod may further include a medium sheet surrounding an outer surface of the medium unit, a wrapper surrounding the medium sheet of the medium rod, and a side air flow path formed between the medium sheet and the wrapper in the longitudinal direction. The aerosol formed by heating of the heating unit may be moved to a downstream side of the aerosol-generating article through the main airflow path, the sub airflow path, and the side airflow path.

In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating article further comprises an atomizing rod accommodating an aerosol-forming substrate and disposed at an upstream end of the medium rod, wherein the atomizing rod is controlled by the heating unit of the aerosol-generating device. It can be heated to form an aerosol.

In one embodiment, the heating unit may be configured to protrude from one end of the elongated cavity.

In one embodiment, the heating unit may include a heating unit generating heat; and a hot air unit discharging hot air heated by the heating unit.

An aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment includes a medium rod including a plurality of airflow paths, so that airflow generated by heating and aerosol flow smoothly.

The aerosol generating system according to an embodiment may increase heating efficiency by distributing a heat source by arranging a plurality of heating bodies.

Effects of the aerosol generating device and aerosol generating system according to an embodiment are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
2A and 2B are schematic perspective views of an aerosol-generating article according to various embodiments.
3A-3C are schematic cross-sectional views of aerosol-generating articles according to various embodiments.
4A and 4B are diagrams schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device according to various embodiments.
5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device including a heating unit according to another embodiment.
6A and 6B are diagrams schematically illustrating an aerosol generating system according to an embodiment.

The terms used in the embodiments have been selected from general terms that are currently widely used as much as possible while considering the functions in the present invention, but they may vary according to the intention of a person skilled in the art or precedent, the emergence of new technologies, and the like. In addition, in a specific case, there is also a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the term used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention, not simply the name of the term.

When it is said that a certain part "includes" a certain component throughout the specification, it means that it may further include other components without excluding other components unless otherwise stated. In addition, terms such as “~unit” and “~module” described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

As used herein, when an expression such as "at least one of" precedes an array of components, it modifies the entire array rather than individual components. For example, the expression "at least one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted as including a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c. do.

In the following embodiments, an “aerosol-generating article” may refer to an article containing a medium, through which an aerosol passes and the medium is transferred. A representative example of an aerosol-generating article would be a cigarette, but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In the following embodiments, "upstream" or "upstream direction" means a direction away from the user's (smoker's) mouth, and "downstream" or "downstream" means a direction closer to the user's mouth can mean The terms upstream and downstream may be used to describe the relative positioning of elements that make up an aerosol-generating article.

In the following embodiments, “puff” refers to a user's inhalation, and inhalation refers to a situation in which the user's mouth or nose is pulled into the user's oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs.

In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol by electrically heating a cigarette accommodated in an internal space.

The aerosol-generating device may include a heater. In one embodiment, the heater may be an electrical resistive heater. For example, the heater may include electrically conductive tracks, and when current flows through the electrically conductive tracks, the heater may be heated.

The heater may include a tubular heating element, a plate heating element, a needle heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of the cigarette depending on the shape of the heating element.

A cigarette may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod. Tobacco rods can be made into sheets, can be made into strands, and tobacco sheets can be made into chopped cut filler. Additionally, the tobacco rod may be surrounded by a heat conducting material. For example, the thermal conduction material may be a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but is not limited thereto.

The filter rod may be a cellulose acetate filter. A filter rod may be composed of at least one or more segments. For example, a filter rod may include a first segment that cools the aerosol and a second segment that filters certain components contained within the aerosol.

In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol using a cartridge containing an aerosol-forming substrate.

An aerosol-generating device may include a cartridge holding an aerosol-forming substrate and a body supporting the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably coupled to the main body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be integrally formed or assembled with the main body, and may be fixed so as not to be detached by the user. The cartridge may be mounted to the main body with the aerosol-forming substrate housed therein. However, it is not limited thereto, and the aerosol-forming substrate may be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the main body.

The cartridge may hold an aerosol-forming substrate having any one of various states such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, a gel state, and the like. The aerosol-forming substrate may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid containing a non-tobacco material.

The cartridge may perform a function of generating an aerosol by converting the phase of the aerosol-forming substrate inside the cartridge into a gas phase by being operated by an electric signal or a radio signal transmitted from the main body. Aerosol may refer to a mixture of vaporized particles and air generated from an aerosol-forming substrate.

In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating device may generate an aerosol by heating the liquid composition, and the aerosol may pass through the cigarette and be delivered to the user. That is, the aerosol generated from the liquid composition can move along the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, and the air flow passage can be configured such that the aerosol can pass through the cigarette and be delivered to the user.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate using an ultrasonic vibration method. In this case, the ultrasonic vibration method may refer to a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing an aerosol-forming substrate with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

The aerosol generating device may include a vibrator, and may atomize the aerosol-forming substrate by generating vibration of a short period through the vibrator. The vibration generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibration may be about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz frequency band, but is not limited thereto.

The aerosol-generating device may further include a wick that absorbs the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the wick may be disposed to surround at least one region of the vibrator or to contact at least one region of the vibrator.

As a voltage (eg, AC voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and/or ultrasonic vibration may be generated from the vibrator, and the heat and/or ultrasonic vibration generated from the vibrator may be transmitted to the aerosol-forming substrate absorbed by the wick. . The aerosol-forming substrate absorbed by the wick may be converted into a gas phase by heat and/or ultrasonic vibration transmitted from the vibrator, and as a result, aerosol may be generated.

For example, the viscosity of the aerosol-forming substrate absorbed by the wick may be lowered by heat generated from the vibrator, and the aerosol-forming substrate whose viscosity is lowered by ultrasonic vibration generated from the vibrator may be finely divided, thereby generating an aerosol. , but is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating article accommodated in the aerosol generating device using an induction heating method.

An aerosol-generating device may include a susceptor and a coil. In one embodiment, the coil may apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. As power is supplied to the coil from the aerosol-generating device, a magnetic field may be formed inside the coil. In one embodiment, the susceptor may be a magnetic material that generates heat by an external magnetic field. As the susceptor is positioned inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied, the aerosol-generating article may be heated by generating heat. Also, optionally, the susceptor may be located within the aerosol-generating article.

In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating device may further include a cradle.

The aerosol generating device may constitute a system with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may charge the battery of the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively, the heater may be heated in a state in which the cradle and the aerosol generating device are coupled.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily carry it out. The present disclosure may be implemented in a form embodied in the aerosol generating devices of various embodiments described above or implemented in various different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

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

1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment.

The aerosol generating device 100 includes a control unit 110, a sensing unit 120, an output unit 130, a battery 140, a heater 150, a user input unit 160, a memory 170, and a communication unit 180. can include However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1 . That is, those skilled in the art can understand that some of the components shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted or new components may be further added depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 100. there is.

The sensing unit 120 may detect a state of the aerosol generating device 100 or a state around the aerosol generating device 100 and transmit the detected information to the controller 110 . Based on the detected information, the controller 110 performs various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater 150, restricting smoking, determining whether an aerosol-generating article (eg, an aerosol-generating article, cartridge, etc.) is inserted, displaying a notification, and the like, based on the detected information. It is possible to control the aerosol-generating device 100 to be performed.

The sensing unit 120 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 122, an insertion detection sensor 124, and a puff sensor 126, but is not limited thereto.

The temperature sensor 122 may detect the temperature at which the heater 150 (or the aerosol-forming substrate) is heated. The aerosol generating device 100 may include a separate temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heater 150, or the heater 150 itself may serve as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 122 may be disposed around the battery 140 to monitor the temperature of the battery 140 .

Insertion detection sensor 124 may detect insertion and/or removal of an aerosol-generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 124 can include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, wherein the aerosol-generating article is inserted and/or The signal change as it is removed can be detected.

The puff sensor 126 may detect a user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow path or airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor 126 may detect a user's puff based on any one of temperature change, flow change, voltage change, and pressure change.

In addition to the sensors 122 to 126 described above, the sensing unit 120 includes a temperature/humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (eg, GPS), It may further include at least one of a proximity sensor and an RGB sensor (illuminance sensor). Since a person skilled in the art can intuitively infer the function of each sensor from its name, a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

The output unit 130 may output and provide information about the state of the aerosol generating device 100 to the user. The output unit 130 may include at least one of a display unit 132, a haptic unit 134, and a sound output unit 136, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 132 and the touch pad form a layer structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 132 may be used as an input device as well as an output device.

The display unit 132 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 100 to the user. For example, the information on the aerosol generating device 100 may include a charging/discharging state of the battery 140 of the aerosol generating device 100, a preheating state of the heater 150, an insertion/removal state of an aerosol generating article, or an aerosol generating state. This may refer to various information such as a state in which use of the device 100 is restricted (eg, detection of an abnormal item), and the display unit 132 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 132 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) or an organic light emitting display panel (OLED). Also, the display unit 132 may be in the form of an LED light emitting device.

The haptic unit 134 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus to tactilely provide information about the aerosol generating device 100 to the user. For example, the haptic unit 134 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound output unit 136 may provide information about the aerosol generating device 100 to the user audibly. For example, the sound output unit 136 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output it to the outside.

The battery 140 may supply power used for the operation of the aerosol generating device 100. The battery 140 may supply power so that the heater 150 can be heated. In addition, the battery 140 includes other components provided in the aerosol generating device 100 (eg, the sensing unit 120, the output unit 130, the user input unit 160, the memory 170, and the communication unit 180) can supply the power required for operation. The battery 140 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 140 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The heater 150 may receive power from the battery 140 to heat the aerosol-forming substrate. Although not shown in FIG. 1 , the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a power conversion circuit (eg, a DC/DC converter) that converts power of the battery 140 and supplies it to the heater 150 . In addition, when the aerosol generating device 100 generates aerosol using an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a DC/AC converter for converting DC power of the battery 140 into AC power.

The control unit 110, the sensing unit 120, the output unit 130, the user input unit 160, the memory 170, and the communication unit 180 may receive power from the battery 140 to perform functions. Although not shown in FIG. 1 , a power conversion circuit that converts power of the battery 140 and supplies it to respective components, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit may be further included.

In one embodiment, heater 150 may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials are 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 containing, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater 150 may be implemented as a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate on which an electrically conductive track is disposed, a ceramic heating element, etc., but is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the heater 150 may be an induction heating type heater. For example, the heater 150 may include a susceptor that heats the aerosol-forming substrate by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil.

In one embodiment, the heater 150 may include a plurality of heaters. For example, heater 150 may include a first heater for heating the aerosol-generating article and a second heater for heating the liquid phase.

The user input unit 160 may receive information input from the user or output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 160 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (contact capacitance method, pressure resistive film method, infrared sensing method, surface ultrasonic conduction method, integral type tension measurement method, piezo effect method, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like, but are not limited thereto. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 100 further includes a connection interface such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface and is connected to other external devices through the connection interface such as a USB interface. Thus, information may be transmitted/received or the battery 140 may be charged.

The memory 170 is hardware that stores various data processed in the aerosol generating device 100, and may store data processed by the controller 110 and data to be processed. The memory 170 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (eg SD or XD memory, etc.), RAM (RAM, random access memory) SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (ROM, read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), PROM (programmable read-only memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk , an optical disk, and at least one type of storage medium. The memory 170 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 communication unit 180 may include at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 180 may include a short range communication unit 182 and a wireless communication unit 184 .

The short-range wireless communication unit 182 includes a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, and an infrared (IrDA) communication unit. , Infrared Data Association (WFD) communication unit, WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, UWB (ultra-wideband) communication unit, Ant + communication unit, etc. may be included, but is not limited thereto.

The wireless communication unit 184 may include, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (eg, LAN or WAN) communication unit, and the like. The wireless communication unit 184 may identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 100 within the communication network using subscriber information (eg, International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

The controller 110 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 100. In one embodiment, the controller 110 may include at least one processor. The processor 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 programs executable by the microprocessor are stored. In addition, those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which this embodiment belongs can understand that it may be implemented in other types of hardware.

The controller 110 may control the temperature of the heater 150 by controlling supply of power from the battery 140 to the heater 150 . For example, the controller 110 may control power supply by controlling switching of a switching element between the battery 140 and the heater 150 . In another example, the direct heating circuit may control power supply to the heater 150 according to a control command of the controller 110 .

The control unit 110 may analyze a result detected by the sensing unit 120 and control processes to be performed thereafter. For example, the controller 110 may control power supplied to the heater 150 to start or end the operation of the heater 150 based on a result detected by the sensing unit 120 . For another example, the control unit 110 controls the amount of power supplied to the heater 150 so that the heater 150 can be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature based on the result detected by the sensing unit 120 . You can control the amount and time the power is supplied.

The controller 110 may control the output unit 130 based on a result detected by the sensing unit 120 . For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 126 reaches a preset number of times, the controller 110 activates at least one of the display unit 132, the haptic unit 134, and the sound output unit 136. Through this, it is possible to notify the user that the aerosol generating device 100 will soon end.

In one embodiment, the controller 110 may control power supply time and/or power supply amount to the heater 150 according to the state of the aerosol-generating article detected by the sensing unit 120 . For example, when the aerosol-generating article is in an excessively humid state, the controller 110 may increase the preheating time compared to the case where the aerosol-generating article is in a normal state by controlling the power supply time to the induction coil.

An embodiment may be implemented in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as program modules 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. Also, 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 a modulated data signal such as program modules, or other transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media.

2A and 2B are schematic perspective views of an aerosol-generating article 2 according to various embodiments.

Referring to Figures 2a and 2b, an aerosol-generating article 2 according to an embodiment comprises a first end 2a, a second end 2b and a second end 2b from the first end 2a. It may include a heading length. For example, referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B , the first end 2a can be the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article 2 and the second end 2b is the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article 2 . may be the end.

Referring to FIG. 2A , the aerosol-generating article 2 according to an embodiment may further include a medium rod 21 and a filter rod 22. In one embodiment, the media rod 21 and the filter rod 22 may be aligned along the length direction.

In one embodiment, the medium rod 21 may be disposed upstream of the filter rod 22 .

In one embodiment, the media rod 21 may contain a media. The medium according to an embodiment may include a solid material based on tobacco raw materials such as leaf tobacco, cut filler, and reconstituted tobacco, and a liquid composition based on nicotine, tobacco extract, and/or various flavoring agents, but is not necessarily limited thereto. It does not, and may contain substances such as vitamins, taurine, caffeine, and GABA. In addition, the media rod 21 may contain other additive substances such as flavoring agents, humectants and/or organic acids. In addition, a flavoring liquid such as menthol or a moisturizer can be added to the medium rod 21 by spraying it to the medium rod 21 .

In one embodiment, the filter rod 22 may be a cellulose acetate filter or a paper filter, but is not limited thereto. The shape of the filter rod 22 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 22 may be a cylindrical rod or a tubular rod having a hollow inside. Also, the filter rod 22 may be a recess type rod. If the filter rod 22 is composed of a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may be manufactured in a different shape.

Referring to FIG. 2B , the aerosol-generating article 2 according to an embodiment may further include an atomizing rod 23 . In one embodiment, the atomizing rod 23 may be disposed at an upstream end of the medium rod 21 . In one embodiment, the atomizing rod 23 may include an aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate may include, but is not limited to, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. In addition, the media rod 21 may contain other additive substances such as flavoring agents, humectants and/or organic acids. In addition, a flavoring liquid such as menthol or a moisturizer can be added to the medium rod 21 by spraying it to the medium rod 21 .

The aerosol-generating article 2 according to one embodiment may be wrapped by at least one wrapper 24 . At least one hole through which external air is introduced or internal gas is discharged may be formed in the wrapper 24 . As an example, the aerosol-generating article 2 may be wrapped by a single wrapper 24 . As another example, the aerosol-generating article 2 may be overlappingly wrapped by two or more wrappers 24 . For example, the medium rod 21 may be wrapped by the first wrapper 241 and the filter rod 22 may be wrapped by the wrappers 242 , 243 , and 244 . And, the entire aerosol-generating article 2 can be re-wrapped by a single wrapper 245 . If the filter rod 22 is composed of a plurality of segments, each segment may be wrapped by wrappers 242 , 243 , and 244 .

The aerosol-generating article 2 according to an embodiment may include at least one capsule C or C2. The capsule (C or C2) according to an embodiment may perform a function of generating a flavor or a function of generating an aerosol. For example, the capsule C or C2 may have a structure in which a liquid containing a perfume is wrapped in a film. Such soft capsules (C or C2) may be accommodated in at least one of the medium rod 21, the filter rod 22, and the atomizing rod 23. The soft capsule (C or C2) according to an embodiment may be made of a thermally decomposable material. When the soft capsule (C or C2) is made of a material capable of thermal decomposition, as the aerosol generated by being heated by the aerosol generating device moves from the upstream side to the downstream side of the aerosol-generating article 2, the soft capsule (C or C2) has a heat sensation. ), the soft capsule (C or C2) is decomposed and the material contained inside the capsule can be transferred together with the aerosol. In one embodiment, the soft capsule (C or C2) may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

3A-3C are schematic cross-sectional views of an aerosol-generating article 2 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C , the medium rod 21 of the aerosol-generating article 2 according to an embodiment may include a medium part 211 and an air flow path 212 . The airflow path 212 according to an embodiment forms a longitudinal path in the space between the mediums of the compressed medium unit 211, so that the medium is more smoothly aerosolized on the upstream side of the aerosol-generating article 2. This is so that it can be implemented on the downstream side.

The medium unit 211 according to an embodiment may include a medium, and the medium is based on solid materials based on tobacco raw materials such as leaf tobacco, cut filler, and reconstituted tobacco, and nicotine, tobacco extracts, and/or various flavors. It may include a liquid composition to, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may include substances such as vitamins, taurine, caffeine, and GABA.

Referring to FIG. 3A , an air flow path 212 according to an exemplary embodiment may be formed to pass through the medium part 211 in a longitudinal direction. In one embodiment, the media rod 21 may include one or more airflow paths 212 .

Referring to Figure 3b, the air flow path 212 according to an embodiment, the main air flow path 212a formed to pass through the center of the cross section of the medium portion 211 and the main air flow around the main air flow path (212a) A sub-airflow path 212b formed in a direction parallel to the path may be included. The medium rod 21 may include one or more sub-airflow paths 212b. Referring continuously to FIG. 3B , the sub airflow path 212b according to an embodiment may have a smaller cross-sectional area than the main airflow path 212a. The sub-airflow path 212b according to another embodiment may have a cross-sectional area equal to or larger than that of the main airflow path 212a.

Referring to FIG. 3C , the airflow path 212 according to an embodiment may further include a side airflow path 212c. In one embodiment, the medium rod 21 may include a wrapper 24 surrounding the medium part 211 . At this time, a space spaced apart in the longitudinal direction may be formed between the medium part 211 and the wrapper 24 . The space spaced apart in this way may function as a side airflow path 212c according to an embodiment.

In one embodiment, the cross section of the medium part 211 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the medium part 211 (see FIG. 3C ) may be any one of a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a convex polygon, and a concave polygon. For example, referring to FIG. 3C , a cross section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the medium part 211 may have a star shape, which is one of concave polygons.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 3C , when the cross section of the medium portion 211 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is not circular, the medium rod 21 is helpful in maintaining the shape of the medium portion 211. A medium sheet 213 may be further included. When the cross section of the medium part 211 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is not circular, a plurality of side airflow paths 212c may be formed between the medium part 211 and the wrapper 24 . Since the air flow path 212 is to allow the compressed medium of the medium part 211 to more smoothly move by aerosol, the medium sheet 213 surrounding the side surface of the medium part 211 is formed of a permeable material. it is desirable to be

In one embodiment, when the medium unit 211 has a polygonal shape as shown in FIG. 3C, when the medium unit 211 is heated by the central heating unit, it is not sufficiently heated by reducing the amount of medium outside the medium unit 211. It can reduce the amount of medium that is discarded without being able to do it.

4A and 4B are diagrams schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device 3 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B , the aerosol generating device 3 may include a housing 31, an elongated cavity 32, a heating unit 33, a battery 34 and a control unit 35. .

The housing 31 according to one embodiment may be configured to at least partially house the aerosol-generating article 2 and to house various electronic/mechanical components.

The elongated cavity 32 according to one embodiment can at least partially contain the aerosol-generating article 2 . The aerosol-generating article 2 accommodated in the elongated cavity 32 may generate an aerosol as it is heated by the heating unit 33, and the generated aerosol may be inhaled through a user's mouth.

The heating unit 33 according to an embodiment may heat the aerosol-generating article 2 accommodated in the elongated cavity 32 . In one embodiment, the heating unit 33 may include one or more heating elements (eg, 331 and 332 of FIG. 4B ). For example, the heating unit 33 includes a first heating element 331 of an internal heating type that heats the inside of the medium, that is, the center when the aerosol-generating article 2 is accommodated in the elongated cavity 32 and the outside of the medium. , that is, an external heating type second heating element 332 that heats the outer portion. For example, the first heating element 331 and the second heating element 332 may be any one of a direct heating type, an induction heating type, and a hot air heating type heating element. Preferably, the first heating element 331 may be a blade-type, pin-type, needle-type heating element or a hot air blow type heating element, and the second heating element 332 may contact (directly) It may be a heating type or induction heating type heating element, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 4B , the maximum heating temperature of the first heating element 331 according to an embodiment may be lower than the maximum heating temperature of the second heating element 332 . The first heating element 331 is an internally heated heating element, and when the temperature is too high, the medium in direct contact with it is burned, so that the user can feel the burnt taste. Therefore, by setting the maximum heating temperature of the second heating element 332, which is an externally heated heating element, to be lower than the maximum heating temperature of the first heating element 331, more even heating of the medium inside the aerosol-generating article 2 can be achieved. can make it possible

The battery 34 (eg, the battery 140 of FIG. 1 ) according to an embodiment supplies power used for the operation of the aerosol generating device 3 . For example, the battery 34 may supply power to the heating unit 33 so that the medium unit 211 or the aerosol-forming substrate inside the aerosol-generating article 2 may be heated, and the control unit 35 (eg: The control unit 110 of FIG. 1 may supply power required for operation. In addition, the battery 34 may supply power necessary for the display, sensor, motor, etc. installed in the aerosol generating device 3 to operate.

The controller 35 (eg, the controller 110 of FIG. 1 ) according to an embodiment controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 3 . For example, the controller 35 may control power supplied from the battery 34 to the heating unit 33 . In addition, the control unit 35 controls the operation of the heating unit 33 and the battery 34 as well as other components included in the aerosol generating device 3. In addition, the control unit 35 may determine whether or not the aerosol generating device 3 is in an operable state by checking the state of each component of the aerosol generating device 3 .

The controller 35 includes at least one processor. The processor 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 programs executable by the microprocessor are stored. Also, those having ordinary knowledge in the art to which this embodiment belongs can understand that it may be implemented in other types of hardware.

5 is a diagram schematically showing an aerosol generating device 3 including a heating unit 33 according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the heating unit 33 included in the aerosol generating device 3 according to an embodiment is formed to protrude from one end of an elongated cavity (eg, the elongated cavity 32 of FIG. 4A). It can be. At this time, the heating unit 33 may include a heating unit 33a that substantially generates heat and a hot air unit 33b that dissipates air heated by the heating unit 33a to the outside of the heating unit. With this structure of the heating unit 33, when the aerosol-generating article 2 is accommodated in the elongated cavity 32 of the aerosol-generating device 3, the medium and/or the aerosol-forming substrate is more efficiently heated. can do.

6A and 6B are diagrams schematically illustrating an aerosol generating system according to an embodiment.

6A and 6B, the aerosol generating system according to an embodiment includes a medium rod 21 and a filter rod 22, and the medium rod 21 is a medium unit 211 accommodating a medium. ), a main air flow path 212a passing through the center of the medium part 211 and formed in the longitudinal direction, and one formed parallel to the main air flow path 212a around the main air flow path 212a. an aerosol-generating article 2 and a housing (eg housing 31 in FIG. 4A ), elongated cavity (eg elongated cavity 32 in FIG. 4A ), elongate comprising the above sub-airflow path 212b and an aerosol-generating device 3 including a heating unit 33 for heating the aerosol-generating article 2 accommodated in the cavity.

Referring to FIG. 6A , the media accommodated in the medium portion 211 of the aerosol-generating article 2 may be aerosolized and moved toward the filter rod 22 as they are heated by the heating portion 33 . At this time, the aerosolized medium may move downstream along the main air flow path 212a and the sub air flow path 212b formed in the longitudinal direction between the medium parts 211. At this time, although the heating unit 33 is shown as a single unit in FIG. 6A, it is not limited thereto. For example, the heating unit 33 of the aerosol generating device 3 may include one or more heating elements (eg, 331 and 332 in FIG. 4B ), and for example, the heating unit 33 generates an aerosol. When the article 2 is accommodated in the elongated cavity 32, a first heating element 331 of an internal heating type that heats the inside of the medium, that is, the center, and a second heating type that is of an external heating type that heats the outside of the medium, that is, the outer portion element 332. In one embodiment, the first heating element 331 and the second heating element 332 may be any one of a direct heating type, an induction heating type, and a hot air heating type heating element.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 6A , the medium rod 21 includes a medium sheet (eg, the medium sheet 213 of FIG. 3C ) surrounding the outer surface of the medium portion 211 and the medium sheet of the medium rod 21 . It may further include a wrapping wrapper (eg, the wrapper 24 of FIG. 3c) and a side air flow path 212c formed in the longitudinal direction between the medium sheet 213 and the wrapper 24, and the aerosolized medium It can move downstream along the side airflow path 212c together with the main airflow path 212a and the sub airflow path 212b.

Referring to FIG. 6B , the aerosol-generating article 2 of the aerosol-generating system may further include an atomizing rod 23 . The atomizing rod 23 according to an embodiment accommodates the aerosol-forming substrate and may be disposed at an upstream end of the medium rod 21 . When such an aerosol-generating article 2 is accommodated in the elongated cavity 32 of the aerosol-generating device 3, the heating unit 33 only heats the atomizing rod 23, or the medium rod 21 and the atomizing rod. By heating (23) together, a richer aerosol can be formed and transferred to the user's mouth.

As described above, although the embodiments have been described with limited drawings, those skilled in the art can apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above. For example, the described techniques may be performed in an order different from the method described, and/or components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. may be combined or combined in a different form than the method described, or other components may be used. Or even if it is replaced or substituted by equivalents, appropriate results can be achieved.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents of the claims are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (15)

In the aerosol-generating article,
A first end, a second end opposite to the first end and a length from the first end to the second end, a medium rod and a filter rod aligned along the length direction,
The medium load,
a medium unit for accommodating a medium;
one or more air flow paths formed penetrating the longitudinal direction;
including,
The air flow path may include a main air flow path formed through the center of the medium unit; And one or more sub-airflow paths formed in parallel with the main airflow path in the periphery of the main airflow path.
Aerosol-generating articles.
According to claim 1,
The sub-airflow path has a cross-sectional area narrower than the cross-sectional area of the main airflow path,
Aerosol-generating articles.
According to claim 1,
The medium load,
a wrapper surrounding the medium part of the medium rod; and
a side air flow path formed between the medium unit and the wrapper in the longitudinal direction;
Including more,
Aerosol-generating articles.
According to claim 1,
The cross section in the direction perpendicular to the length of the medium part is any one of circular, elliptical, convex polygon and concave polygon,
Aerosol-generating articles.
According to claim 1,
further comprising an atomizing rod containing an aerosol-forming substrate;
The atomizing rod is disposed at the upstream end of the medium rod,
Aerosol-generating articles.
According to claim 5,
The aerosol-generating article further comprises a soft capsule accommodated inside at least one of the medium rod, the filter rod, and the atomizing rod;
The soft capsule is made of a material capable of thermal decomposition,
Aerosol-generating articles.
In the aerosol generating system,
It includes a medium rod and a filter rod, wherein the medium rod includes a medium portion accommodating a medium, a main air flow path passing through the center of the medium portion and formed in a longitudinal direction, and a main air flow path and a main air flow path around the main air flow path. an aerosol-generating article comprising one or more sub-airflow passes formed in parallel; and
an aerosol-generating device comprising a housing, an elongated cavity formed inside the housing to receive the aerosol-generating article, and a heating portion to heat the aerosol-generating article accommodated in the elongated cavity;
including,
Aerosol Generating System.
According to claim 7,
the heating part,
a first heating element that is internally heated; and
a second heating element that is externally heated;
including,
Aerosol Generating System.
According to claim 8,
Each of the first heating element and the second heating element,
Any one of direct heating, induction heating, and hot air heating structures,
Aerosol Generating System.
According to claim 8,
The maximum heating temperature of the first heating element is lower than the maximum heating temperature of the second heating element,
Aerosol Generating System.
According to claim 7,
The aerosol formed by the heating of the heating unit is moved downstream of the aerosol-generating article through the main air flow pass and the sub air flow pass.
Aerosol Generating System.
According to claim 7,
The medium load,
Further comprising a media sheet surrounding an outer surface of the media unit, a wrapper surrounding the media sheet of the media rod, and a side air flow path formed between the media sheet and the wrapper in the longitudinal direction,
The aerosol formed by the heating of the heating unit is moved to the downstream side of the aerosol-generating article through the main air flow pass, the sub air flow pass, and the side air flow pass.
Aerosol Generating System.
According to claim 7,
the aerosol-generating article further comprises an atomizing rod accommodating an aerosol-forming substrate and disposed at an upstream end of the media rod;
The atomizing rod is heated by the heating unit of the aerosol generating device to form an aerosol.
Aerosol Generating System.
According to claim 7,
The heating part is configured to protrude from one end of the elongated cavity,
Aerosol Generating System.
15. The method of claim 14,
the heating part,
a heating unit that generates heat; and
a hot air unit discharging hot air heated by the heating unit;
including,
Aerosol Generating System.