RU2817539C2 - Cartridge and aerosol generating device containing such cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking accessories.

SUBSTANCE: apparatus for generating an aerosol comprises a cartridge, a main body connected to the cartridge; a battery located in the main body and configured to supply power to the evaporator of the cartridge; a processor located in the main housing and configured to control power supplied to the cartridge from the battery. Aerosol generation cartridge contains: housing; a reservoir located in the housing and configured to store the aerosol-generating substance; an evaporator located in the housing and configured to generate vibrations for spraying the aerosol-generating substance to an aerosol state; a liquid supply member configured to absorb the aerosol-generating substance stored in the reservoir and supply the absorbed aerosol-generating substance to the evaporator; a printed circuit board located in the housing and electrically connected to the evaporator; and resistor located on printed circuit board and made with possibility of interference suppression in signal supplied to evaporator, wherein the resistor is connected in parallel to the evaporator and eliminates noise in the voltage signal supplied to the evaporator.

EFFECT: preventing unintentional voltage supply to the sprayer through the electrical connection between the resistor and the sprayer to form a feedback circuit.

13 cl, 10 dwg

Description

Technical field

One or more embodiments of the invention relate to a cartridge and an aerosol generating device containing such a cartridge, in particular, to a cartridge containing a printed circuit board with a resistor for suppressing noise generated when voltage is applied to an oscillator, and to an aerosol generating device comprising cartridge.

Prior Art

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for technologies that use other methods instead of delivering an aerosol from the combustion of a conventional cigarette. For example, research has been conducted on producing a flavor aerosol by generating an aerosol from a liquid or solid aerosol-generating agent, or generating vapor from a liquid aerosol-generating agent and then passing the generated vapor through a solid aromatic medium.

The essence of the invention

Technical problem

Typically, aerosol generating devices employ a heater to heat a liquid or solid aerosol-generating substance, causing the substance to generate an aerosol. To ensure the best tasting aerosol, it is important to heat the aerosol-generating agent to the appropriate temperature. However, in an aerosol generating device containing a heater, it is possible that the aerosol generating substance is unintentionally heated to a high temperature, causing the user to experience a burnt taste when smoking.

To eliminate this disadvantage of aerosol generating devices containing a heater, a device for generating an aerosol using ultrasonic vibrations has been proposed. An ultrasonic vibration aerosol generating apparatus can reduce the viscosity of a liquid aerosol generating agent by heat generated by applying an alternating voltage to an vibration source, and generate an aerosol by converting the aerosol generating substance into fine particles through ultrasonic vibrations generated by the vibration source.

The advantage of an aerosol generating device using ultrasonic vibrations is that it can generate an aerosol at a lower temperature of the aerosol generating substance (for example, approximately 100 to 160°C) compared to an aerosol generating device containing a heater, but the vibration source may fail due to interference that arise when an alternating voltage is applied to the source of oscillations.

For example, if interference in the voltage signal applied to the oscillation source causes the voltage at the oscillator to exceed a predetermined voltage, the temperature of the oscillation source may rise above the Curie temperature, resulting in possible failure of the oscillation source and uneven aerosol generation.

To overcome the above-disclosed disadvantages, the present invention provides a cartridge containing a printed circuit board with a resistor for suppressing noise generated by applying voltage to an oscillation source, and an aerosol generating device containing such a cartridge.

The technical problems solved by the present invention are not limited to the above description, and other technical problems can be solved using the embodiments disclosed below.

Technical solution

In one embodiment of the invention, the cartridge comprises a housing, a reservoir for storing an aerosol-generating substance located in the housing, an evaporator located in the housing and configured to generate vibrations to atomize the aerosol-generating substance into an aerosol, a liquid supply element configured to absorb the aerosol-generating substance, stored in the reservoir, and supplying the absorbed aerosol-generating substance to the evaporator, and a resistor located in the housing and configured to suppress interference in the signal supplied to the evaporator.

In one embodiment of the invention, the aerosol generating apparatus may comprise a cartridge, a main body coupled to the cartridge, a battery located in the main body and configured to supply power to a cartridge vaporizer, and a processor located in the main body and configured to control the power. supplied to the cartridge from the battery.

Beneficial effects of the invention

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the cartridge and the aerosol generating device containing such cartridge, by converting the aerosol generating substance into fine particles through ultrasonic vibrations generated by the vibration source, can generate an aerosol at a relatively low temperature compared to the aerosol generating device containing a heater , which improves the user's smoking experience.

In addition, in one or more embodiments of the invention, the cartridge and the aerosol generating device containing such a cartridge, by suppressing noise generated by applying voltage to the vibration source, can prevent failure of the vibration source, which ensures stable operation of the cartridge and the generation device. aerosol.

The beneficial effects present in one or more embodiments of the invention are not limited to those disclosed above, and effects not mentioned herein will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the present description and the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device for generating an aerosol in one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cartridge in one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge in one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the cartridge along line A-A' shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the cartridge along line B-B' shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the electrical connection between the vibration source and the cartridge circuit board;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the electrical connection between the vibration source and the cartridge circuit board shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of electrical connections between the cartridge oscillation source and a resistor mounted on the printed circuit board shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a graph of the voltage applied to the cartridge oscillation source over time in one embodiment of the invention.

Principle of the invention

General terms used to describe various embodiments of the invention and widely used today are chosen in view of the function of the structural elements used in various embodiments of the present invention. However, the meanings of terms may be changed according to intent, legal precedent, new technology, etc. In addition, in some cases a term not commonly used may be used. The meaning of such terms is disclosed in the relevant part of the description of the present invention. Therefore, the terms used in various embodiments of the present invention should be understood according to the meanings and explanations given in the description of the present invention.

In addition, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the word “contain” and its forms such as “contains” or “containing” will be understood to include the specified elements as part of something, and not to exclude any other elements. In this case, the terms “block”, “part” and “module” disclosed in the description mean devices that perform at least one function and/or operation and are implemented in hardware, software, or both.

Expressions used herein, such as “at least one of,” when they precede a list of items, define the entire list of items and do not define individual items of the list. For example, the expression “at least one of a, b and c” should be understood to include only a, only b, only c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b and c.

The term "aerosol" as used herein means a gaseous mixture of vaporized particles of an aerosol-generating substance and air.

The term "aerosol generating device" as disclosed herein means a device that generates an aerosol using an aerosol-generating substance such that the user can inhale the aerosol through the mouth directly into the lungs.

The term "puff" as disclosed herein means inhalation by the user, and inhalation means a situation in which the aerosol is drawn into the mouth, nasal cavity or lungs of the user through the mouth or nose of the user.

The present invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments of the present invention are shown in such a way that one skilled in the art can easily understand the present description of the invention.

In FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus in one embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 1000 may include an evaporator 400, a battery 510, a sensor 520, a user interface 530, a memory 540, and a processor 550. However, the design of the aerosol generating device 1000 is not limited to those shown in FIG. 1. When considering the design of the aerosol generating device 1000, one skilled in the art will appreciate that some of the components shown in FIG. 1, or the use of new components.

In one embodiment of the invention, the aerosol generating device 1000 has only a main body, in which case the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 are located in the main body.

In another embodiment of the invention, the aerosol generating device 1000 has a main body and a cartridge, in which case the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 are separately located in the main body and the cartridge. It is possible that at least some components of the aerosol generating device 1000 are located in both the main body and the cartridge.

The operation of each of the components will now be described without regard to their location within a particular volume of the aerosol generating device 1000.

The vaporizer 400 is powered by the battery 510 under the control of the processor 550. The vaporizer 400 is powered by the battery 510 under the control of the processor 550. The vaporizer 400 may be powered by the battery 510 and vaporize an aerosol generating agent stored in the aerosol generating device 1000.

An evaporator 400 may be located in the main body of the aerosol generating device 1000. It is possible that the aerosol generating device 1000 includes a main body and a cartridge, and the evaporator 400 is located in the cartridge. When the vaporizer 400 is housed in the cartridge, the vaporizer 400 may be powered by a battery 510 housed in the housing and/or cartridge. In addition, when the vaporizer 400 is separately located in the main body and cartridge, power-requiring components of the vaporizer 400 may be powered by a battery 510 located in the main body and/or cartridge.

The vaporizer 400 generates an aerosol from an aerosol-generating agent within the cartridge. An aerosol can be a gaseous mixture of evaporated particles of an aerosol-generating substance and air. Therefore, the aerosol generated by the evaporator 400 is a gaseous mixture of evaporated particles of the aerosol-generating substance and air. For example, the vaporizer 400 performs the function of generating an aerosol by converting the aerosol-generating substance within the cartridge 20 into a gaseous state. In addition, the evaporator 400 generates an aerosol by releasing the aerosol-generating substance in a liquid and/or solid state in the form of fine particles.

For example, the evaporator 400 generates an aerosol from an aerosol-generating substance using an ultrasonic vibration method. The ultrasonic vibration method is understood as a method of generating an aerosol by evaporating an aerosol-generating substance using ultrasonic vibrations created by a vibration source.

The evaporator 400, although not shown in FIG. 1 may further comprise a heater capable of heating the aerosol-generating substance by generating heat. The aerosol-generating substance can be heated by a heater, thereby generating an aerosol.

The heater may be made from any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, a suitable electroresistive material may be a metal or metal alloy, including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel or nichrome, as well as other metals or alloys. In addition, the heater can be made in the form of a metal wire, a metal plate on which an electrically conductive track is placed, or a ceramic heating element, as well as in other options.

In one embodiment of the invention, the heater may be contained in a cartridge. The cartridge may include a heater 130, a liquid supply element, and a liquid storage container. The aerosol-generating substance located in the liquid storage container can be moved to the liquid supply member, and the heater can heat the aerosol-generating substance absorbed by the liquid supply member, thereby generating an aerosol. For example, the heater may comprise a material such as nichrome and may be wound around the fluid supply element or placed adjacent to the fluid supply element.

In another embodiment of the invention, the aerosol generating device 1000 may include a receiving space housing an aerosol generating article. The heater 130 may heat the aerosol generating article inserted into the receiving space of the aerosol generating device 1000. Since the aerosol generating article is located in the receiving space of the aerosol generating device 1000, the heater may be located inside and/or outside the aerosol generating article. Therefore, the heater can promote aerosol generation by heating the aerosol-generating substance in the aerosol-generating article.

However, the heater may be an induction heater. In particular, the heater may be an electrically conductive coil for inductively heating the aerosol generating article, and the aerosol generating article or cartridge may include a sensing element heated by the induction heater.

The battery 510 supplies power to operate the aerosol generating device 1000. In other words, as a result of power being supplied from the battery 510, the heater may become hot. In addition, battery 510 may provide power to operate other components of aerosol generating device 1000, such as sensor 520, user interface 530, memory 540, and processor 550. Battery 510 may be a rechargeable or disposable battery.

For example, battery 510 may be a lithium ion battery, a nickel battery (eg, nickel metal hydride or nickel cadmium), or a lithium battery (eg, lithium cobalt, lithium phosphate, lithium titanium, or lithium polymer). However, the type of battery 510 that can be used in the aerosol generating device 1000 is not limited to the above description. Optionally, battery 510 may be an alkaline or manganese battery.

The aerosol generating device 1000 may include at least one sensor 520. Operational result information received by the at least one sensor 520 is transmitted to a processor 550, and the processor 550 may control the aerosol generating device 1000 to perform various functions, such as Controls heater operation, limits smoke, detects whether an aerosol-generating product (or cartridge) is inserted, and displays notifications.

For example, at least one sensor 520 may include a puff sensor. The puff sensor can detect that the user is taking a puff based on changes in any of the following parameters: temperature, flow, voltage, and pressure. The puff sensor may determine the start time and end time of the puff, and the processor 550 may determine the puff duration and non-puff time according to the detected puff start time and end time.

Additionally, at least one sensor 520 may be a user command sensor. The user command sensor may be a device capable of receiving a user command, such as a switch, button, or touch sensor. For example, the touch sensor may be a capacitive sensor capable of detecting a user's command by detecting a change in capacitance when the user touches a particular part made of metal. Processor 550 can determine whether a user command has occurred by comparing before and after capacitance values obtained from the capacitance sensor. When the capacitance value before and after the capacitance change exceeds a predetermined threshold, the processor 550 may determine that a user command has occurred.

Additionally, at least one sensor 520 may be a motion sensor. Using the motion sensor, information about the movement of the aerosol generating device 1000, such as inclination, moving speed, and acceleration of the aerosol generating device 1000, can be obtained. For example, the motion sensor may determine whether the aerosol generating device 1000 is moving, whether the aerosol generating device 1000 is tilted at an angle that is within a certain range for a puff, and whether the aerosol generating device 1000 is tilted between puffs at an angle different from the angle that took place during the tightening. The motion sensor may obtain information about the movement of the aerosol generating device 1000 using various methods known in the art. For example, the motion sensor may include an acceleration sensor for measuring accelerations in three directions, that is, in the X, Y and Z directions, and a gyroscopic sensor for measuring angular velocity in three directions.

In addition, at least one sensor 520 may include a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor can detect an approaching object or the presence of an object nearby, or the distance to an object using the force of an electromagnetic field, infrared rays, or the like, without mechanical contact with the object, thereby determining whether the user has picked up the aerosol generating device 1000.

Additionally, at least one sensor 520 may be an image sensor. The image sensor may include, for example, a camera for obtaining an image of an object. The image sensor can recognize an object from the image captured by the camera. The processor 550 may analyze the image obtained by the image sensor to determine whether the user intends to use the aerosol generating device 1000. For example, when a user brings the aerosol generating device 1000 to his lips for the purpose of using the aerosol generating device 1000, the image sensor may obtain an image of the lips. In this case, the processor 550 may analyze the image and determine that the user is about to use the aerosol generating device 1000. Therefore, the aerosol generating device 1000 may turn on the power to the evaporator or heater in advance.

In addition, the at least one sensor 520 may include a consumables disconnect sensor capable of detecting the installation or removal of consumables (e.g., cartridges, cigarettes, etc.) of the aerosol generating device 1000. For example, the consumables disconnect sensor may determine from an image obtained by the image sensor that the consumables are in contact with the aerosol generating device 1000 or that the consumables are disconnected. In addition, the consumable disconnect sensor may also be an inductance sensor detecting a change in the inductance value of the coil, which can communicate with the consumable marker, or a capacitance sensor detecting a change in the capacitance value of the capacitor, which can communicate with the consumable marker.

Additionally, at least one sensor 520 may be a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may sense the temperature to which the heater (or aerosol generating agent) of the vaporizer 400 is heated. The aerosol generating device 1000 may include a separate temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heater, or the heater itself serves as a temperature sensor without the need for a separate temperature sensor. It is possible that the heater serves as a temperature sensor, and at the same time, the aerosol generating device 1000 may further comprise a separate temperature sensor. Here, this temperature sensor installed in addition to the heater can detect the temperature of internal components of the aerosol generating device 1000, such as a circuit board, battery, etc.

In addition, the at least one sensor 520 may include various sensors for obtaining information about the environment of the aerosol generating device 1000. For example, at least one sensor 520 may include a temperature sensor for measuring ambient temperature, a humidity sensor for measuring ambient humidity, and an atmospheric pressure sensor for measuring ambient pressure.

The types of sensors 520 that may be provided in the aerosol generating device 1000 are not limited to those described above; Other types of sensors can also be used. For example, the aerosol generating device 1000 may include a fingerprint sensor for obtaining information about the user's fingerprints for user authentication and security purposes, an iris recognition sensor for analyzing the iris pattern of the pupil, a vein recognition sensor for determining the amount of infrared absorption of reduced hemoglobin in the veins by palm image, a facial recognition sensor that recognizes characteristic facial features such as eyes, nose, mouth and facial contours in two or three dimensions, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor.

The aerosol generating device 1000 may selectively include only some of the various sensors 520 mentioned above as examples. In other words, the aerosol generating device 1000 may combine and use information obtained from at least one of the sensors described above.

The user interface 530 may provide the user with information about the status of the aerosol generating device 1000. The user interface 530 may include various interface devices, such as a display or light emitter for outputting visual information, a motor for outputting tactile information, a speaker for outputting audio information, input/output interface devices (e.g., a button or touch screen) for receiving user input, or output information to the user, terminals for carrying out data transfer or charging the battery, and communication interface modules for performing wireless communication (for example, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), etc.) with external devices.

However, only a few of the user interfaces 530 from the examples above may be implemented in the aerosol generating device 1000.

Memory 540, as a hardware component configured to store various pieces of data processed by aerosol generating device 1000, may store data that is being processed or to be processed by processor 550. Memory 540 can be various types of memory: random access memory (RAM), for example, Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), etc.; read-only memory (ROM); electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc.

The memory 540 may store the operating time of the aerosol generating device 1000, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature characteristic, data regarding the user's smoking habits, etc.

The processor 550 may generally control the operation of the aerosol generating device 1000. The processor 550 may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates or as a combination of a general purpose microprocessor and memory that stores the program executed by the microprocessor. One skilled in the art will appreciate that processor 550 may be implemented using other types of hardware.

Processor 550 analyzes performance information received by at least one sensor 520 and controls subsequent processes.

The processor 550 may control power supplied to the evaporator 400 such that operation of the evaporator 400 begins or ends based on the operation result information received by the at least one sensor 520. Additionally, based on the operation result information received by the at least one sensor 520, the processor 550 may control the power supplied to the evaporator 400 and the time for which the power is supplied such that the evaporator 400 is heated to a predetermined temperature or its temperature is maintained at a desired level. For example, processor 550 may control the current or voltage supplied to the oscillation source such that the evaporator oscillator 400 may generate oscillations at a specific frequency.

In one embodiment, the processor 550 may start the vaporizer 400 upon receipt of a user command by the aerosol generating device 1000. In addition, processor 550 may trigger the vaporizer upon detecting a puff taken by a user using a puff sensor. In this case, the processor 550 may turn off power to the vaporizer 400 when the number of puffs calculated from the puff sensor signals reaches a predetermined value.

The processor 550 may control the user interface 530 based on performance information received by at least one sensor 520. For example, when the number of puffs counted from the puff sensor signals reaches a predetermined value, the processor 550 may notify the user using a light emitter and/or a motor and/or dynamics that the aerosol generating device 1000 will soon be turned off.

The aerosol generating device 1000, although not shown in FIG. 1, together with an additional stand, can form a system for generating an aerosol. For example, the cradle can be used to charge the battery 510 of the aerosol generating device 1000. For example, while the aerosol generating device 1000 is located in the receiving space of the stand, the aerosol generating device 1000 may be powered by a battery of the stand, which allows the battery 510 of the aerosol generating device 1000 to be charged.

In FIG. 2 shows a diagram of an aerosol generating device in one embodiment of the invention.

At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 shown in FIG. 2 may be identical or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 shown in FIG. 1, so duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

According to FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 1000 includes a cartridge 10 where the aerosol-generating substance is stored, and a main body 20 containing components that enable the operation of the cartridge 10.

The cartridge 10 containing the aerosol-generating agent may be coupled to the main body 20. For example, the cartridge 10 may be coupled to the main body 20 by at least a portion of the cartridge 10 inserted into the main body 20. In another example, the cartridge 10 may be coupled to the main body 20, at least a portion of the main body 20 inserted into the cartridge 10.

The cartridge 10 and the main body 20 may be connected to each other by at least one of the following methods: latch, screw connection, magnetic force, or interference fit, but the method of connecting the cartridge 10 and the main body 20 is not limited to these examples.

In one embodiment, the cartridge 10 may include a housing 100, a mouthpiece 160, a reservoir 200, a liquid delivery element 300, an evaporator 400, and a circuit board 500.

The housing 100, together with the mouthpiece 160, may define the external shape of the cartridge 10, and components for operating the cartridge 10 may be located within the housing 100. In one embodiment, the housing 100 may be rectangular in shape, but the shape of the housing 100 is not limited to this embodiment. In one embodiment, the housing 100 may be in the shape of a polygonal column (eg, triangular, pentagonal) or cylinder.

The mouthpiece 160 is located on the body 100 and may have an outlet 160e for exiting the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating substance. In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 160 may be located on a portion of the cartridge 10, and the opposite portion of the cartridge 10 may be coupled to the main body 20. The aerosol from the cartridge 10 may be delivered to the user when the user's mouth contacts the mouthpiece 160 and inhales.

When inhaled or puffed by the user, a pressure difference may occur between the environment of the cartridge 10 and the interior of the cartridge 10. Therefore, the aerosol generated inside the cartridge 10 may exit the cartridge 10 through the outlet 160e. Thus, the user can receive an aerosol exiting the cartridge 10 through the outlet 160e when the user's mouth contacts the mouthpiece 160 and inhales.

The reservoir 200 may be located in the interior of the housing 100 and contain an aerosol-generating substance. In the present description of the invention, the expression "the reservoir contains an aerosol-generating substance" means that the reservoir 200 can only serve as a container for directly storing the aerosol-generating substance or contain an element impregnated with an aerosol-generating substance (containing an aerosol-generating substance), such as a sponge, cotton, fabric or porous ceramic structure.

The reservoir 200 may contain the aerosol-generating substance in any state, such as liquid, solid, gas, gel, etc.

In one embodiment of the invention, the aerosol-generating substance may be a liquid composition. The liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance that includes a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

For example, the liquid formulation may contain one of the following components: water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, spices, flavorings and vitamin mixtures, or a mixture of these components. Spices may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit-flavored ingredients, as well as other spices.

Flavoring agents may be ingredients capable of causing a user to experience different aromas or tastes. Vitamin mixtures may be a mixture of at least one of vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as other vitamins. In addition, the liquid composition may contain an aerosol-generating agent such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

For example, the liquid composition may contain a solution of glycerin and propylene glycol in any mass ratio, to which nicotine salts are added. The liquid formulation may contain two or more types of nicotine salts. Nicotine salts can be formed by adding suitable acids to nicotine, including organic or inorganic acids. The nicotine may be naturally sourced nicotine or synthetic nicotine and may be at a suitable weight concentration relative to the total weight of the liquid formulation.

The nicotine salting acid may be suitably selected based on the absorption rate of nicotine in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 1000, flavoring agent, solubility, etc. For example, the nicotine salting acid may be one of the following: , selected from the group consisting of 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, sugar acid, malonic acid and malic acid, or a mixture of the two or more acids selected from this group, as well as other acids.

The vaporizer 400 may be located within the housing 100 and may change the state of the aerosol generating agent stored in the cartridge 10 to generate an aerosol.

For example, an aerosol-generating agent stored or disposed in the reservoir 200 may be supplied from the reservoir 200 to the evaporator 400 by the liquid supply element 300, and the evaporator 400 may generate an aerosol by evaporating the aerosol-generating agent obtained from the liquid supply element 300. Currently, the liquid supply element 300 may be a wick containing at least one of the following materials: cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber and porous ceramic, but the implementation of the liquid supply element 300 is not limited to these embodiments.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the evaporator 400 of the aerosol generating device 1000 can change the state of the aerosol-generating substance using an ultrasonic vibration method, thereby evaporating the aerosol-generating substance using ultrasonic vibrations.

For example, evaporator 400 may include an oscillation source that generates short-period oscillations. For example, the vibrations generated by the vibration source may be ultrasonic. The frequency of ultrasonic vibrations can range from approximately 100 kHz to 3.5 MHz, but is not limited to this range.

The aerosol-generating substance supplied to the evaporator 400 from the reservoir 200 through short-period oscillations generated by the oscillation source may be vaporized and/or particulate and atomized into an aerosol.

The vibration source may comprise, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic, and the piezoelectric ceramic may, by generating electrical voltage when a physical force (pressure) is applied to it, and generating vibration (mechanical force) when an electrical voltage is applied to it, act as a functional material capable of converting electrical voltage into mechanical force and vice versa. That is, when an electrical voltage is applied to an oscillating source, short-period oscillations (mechanical force) can be generated, and the generated oscillations break down the aerosol-generating substance into small particles, which are thereby atomized into an aerosol.

The vibration source may be electrically coupled to other components of the aerosol generating device 1000 via an electrical coupling member.

In one embodiment of the invention, the vibration source may be electrically coupled to at least one of batteries 510 (e.g., battery 510 in FIG. 1), processor 550 (e.g., processor 550 in FIG. 1), and control circuitry of device 1000 to generate aerosol through a circuit board 500 located within the housing 100 of the cartridge 10. For example, the vibration source may be electrically coupled to the circuit board 500 located within the cartridge 10 through a first electrical connection member, and the circuit board 500 may be electrically coupled to a battery 510, a processor 550 and/or other control circuits located in the main body 20 through the second electrical connection element. That is, the vibration source may be electrically coupled to components located in the main body 20 through the circuit board 500.

In another embodiment (not shown), the oscillation source may be directly connected to at least one battery 510 and processor 550 located in the main body 20 and the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device 1000, without requiring a printed circuit board 500 to make the connection. .

The vibration source may generate ultrasonic vibrations by receiving current or voltage from the battery 510 located in the main body 20 through the electrical connection member. In addition, the vibration source may be electrically coupled to the processor 550 located in the main body 20 through an electrical connection member, and the processor 550 may control the operation of the vibration source.

The electrical connection element may be, for example, a spring contact, a wire, a cable, a field programmable circuit board, or a C-clamp, but the design of the electrical connection element is not limited to these examples.

In another embodiment (not shown), the evaporator 400 may be implemented with a mesh or plate receiving portion that absorbs the aerosol-generating agent, does not require a liquid supply element 300, maintains the aerosol-generating agent in a state optimal for dispersion into an aerosol, and transmits vibrations to the aerosol-forming substance, which allows the generation of an aerosol.

The aerosol generated by the vaporizer 400 may exit the cartridge 10 through the outlet 150 and be delivered to the user.

In one embodiment, the outlet 150 may be located within the cartridge 10 and may be connected or communicated with the vaporizer 400 and the outlet 160e of the mouthpiece 160. Therefore, the aerosol generated in the vaporizer 400 can pass through the outlet 150 and exit the cartridge 10 or devices 1000 for generating an aerosol through outlet 160e. The aerosol may be provided to the user by contacting the user's mouth with the mouthpiece 160 and inhaling the aerosol exiting the outlet 160e.

For example, the outlet passage 150 may be arranged such that the outlet passage 150 is surrounded by a reservoir 200 within the housing 100. However, the design of the outlet passage 150 is not limited to this example.

Although not shown in the drawing, the cartridge 10 may include at least one air inlet passage (hereinafter referred to as "outside air") outside the cartridge 10 or aerosol generating device 1000 for introducing air into the housing 100.

Outside air may pass through at least one air inlet passage into a space within the cartridge 10, wherein an aerosol is generated in the outlet port 150 or evaporator 400. The introduced outside air may be mixed with evaporated particles generated from the aerosol-generating substance and, as a result, may be generated. aerosol.

In one embodiment, the cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 10 and/or the main body 20 of the aerosol generating device 1000 may be circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, or other polygonal in shape. However, the cross-sectional shape of the cartridge 10 and/or the main body 20 is not limited to these options, and the aerosol generating device 1000 may not be elongated in a straight line in the longitudinal direction.

In another embodiment of the invention, the aerosol generating device 1000 may have a curved, streamlined shape to facilitate the user's holding of the aerosol generating device 1000, or may have a portion curved at a desired angle. The cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 1000 may be variable in the longitudinal direction.

In FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cartridge in one embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge in one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the cartridge along line A-A' shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the cartridge along line B-B' shown in FIG. 3.

The cartridge 10 in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3-6 may be a cartridge 10 of the aerosol generating device 1000 shown in FIG. 2, so repetitive descriptions will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the cartridge 10 in one embodiment of the invention may include a housing 100, an outlet 150, a mouthpiece 160, a reservoir 200, a liquid supply element 300, an evaporator 400, and a circuit board 500. The components of the cartridge 10 in one of The embodiments of the invention are not limited to these examples, and in another embodiment, any structural element (eg, mouthpiece 160) may be added or omitted.

The housing 100 may define the outer shape of the cartridge 10 and an internal volume in which components of the cartridge 10 may be located. Although the housing 100 of the cartridge 10 is depicted in the drawings in the form of a square column, variations in the shape of the housing 100 are not limited to this example. In another embodiment (not shown), the housing 100 may have a cylindrical or polygonal column shape (eg, triangular, pentagonal), generally different from a square column shape.

In one embodiment, the housing 100 may include a first housing 110 and a second housing 120 coupled to a portion of the first housing 110. The first housing 110 and the second housing 120 may protect components of the cartridge 10 located in the internal volume formed by connecting the first housing 110 and second building 120.

For example, the first housing 110 (the "upper housing") is connected to the upper end (for example, in the Z-axis direction) of the second housing 120 (the "lower housing"), thereby defining between the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 an internal volume in which be located components of the cartridge 10, but the embodiments of the invention are not limited to this example.

In the present description of the invention, the expression "upper end" may refer to the end portion in the "+z" direction in FIG. 3-6, and the expression "bottom end" may refer to the end portion in the "-z" direction in FIG. 3-6, and further these expressions will be used in the indicated meaning.

A mouthpiece 160 that can be inserted into the user's mouth may be coupled to the body 100. For example, the mouthpiece 160 may be coupled to a portion (e.g., an upper end portion) of the first body 110, and an anti-mouthpiece portion of the first body 110 may be coupled to a second body 110. body 120.

In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 160 may be releasably coupled to the housing 100, but in other embodiments, the mouthpiece 160 may be integral with the housing 100.

The mouthpiece 160 may have at least one outlet 160e for exiting the aerosol generated within the cartridge 10 from the cartridge 10. The user can contact the mouthpiece 160 with his mouth and inhale the aerosol that exits out through the outlet 160e of the mouthpiece 160.

The reservoir 200 may be located in the interior of the first housing 110, and the aerosol-generating agent may be stored in the reservoir 200. For example, the liquid aerosol-generating agent may be stored in the reservoir 200, but embodiments of the invention are not limited to this example.

The liquid supply element 300 may be located between the reservoir 200 and the evaporator 400, and the aerosol-generating agent stored in the reservoir 200 may be supplied to the evaporator 400 through the liquid supply element 300.

In one embodiment, the liquid supply element 300 may receive aerosol-generating agent from the reservoir 200 and supply the resulting aerosol-generating agent to the evaporator 400. For example, the liquid supply element 300 may absorb aerosol-generating agent moving from the reservoir 200 to the liquid supply element 300, and the absorbed aerosol-generating substance may move along the liquid supply element 300 and enter the evaporator 400.

In one embodiment of the invention, fluid supply element 300 may comprise multiple fluid supply elements. For example, fluid supply element 300 may include a first fluid supply element 310 and a second fluid supply element 320.

The first liquid supply element 310 may be located adjacent the reservoir 200 and configured to receive liquid aerosol-generating agent from the reservoir 200. For example, the first liquid supply element 310 may receive the aerosol-generating agent from the reservoir 200 by absorbing at least some of the aerosol-generating agent from the reservoir 200.

For example, an aerosol-generating agent stored in the reservoir 200 may exit the reservoir 200 through a liquid supply opening (not shown) provided in the portion of the reservoir 200 facing the first liquid supply member 310, but embodiments of the invention are not limited to this example.

The second liquid supply element 320 may be positioned between the first liquid supply element 310 and the evaporator 400 and supply aerosol from the first liquid supply element 310 to the evaporator 400. For example, the second liquid supply element 320 may be located at the lower end (i.e. end portion in the "-z" direction of the first liquid supply member 310, and the aerosol-generating substance absorbed by the first liquid supply member 310 can be supplied to the evaporator 400.

In one embodiment, a portion of the second liquid supply member 320 may contact a lower end of the first liquid supply member 310, and an opposite portion of the second liquid supply member 320 may contact the upper end of the evaporator 400.

That is, the evaporator 400, the second liquid supply member 320, and the first liquid supply member 310 may be sequentially arranged in the longitudinal direction (in the “+z” direction) of the cartridge 10 or housing 100. In other words, the second liquid supply member 320 and the first liquid supply element 310 may be stacked sequentially on evaporator 400.

At least a portion of the aerosol-generating agent supplied from the reservoir 200 to the first liquid supply element 310 may be transferred to a second liquid supply element 320 in contact with the first liquid supply element 310. Next, the aerosol-generating substance moved to the second liquid supply element 320 can be moved along the second liquid supply element 320 and supplied to the evaporator 400 in contact with the second liquid supply element 320.

Although in the drawings, fluid supply element 300 includes two fluid supply elements, in various embodiments of the invention, fluid supply element 300 may include one, three, or more fluid supply elements.

The evaporator 400 may evaporate the liquid aerosol-generating agent supplied by the liquid supply element 300 to generate an aerosol.

For example, the evaporator 400 may include a vibration source that generates ultrasonic vibrations. The frequency of the ultrasonic vibrations generated by the vibration source may be from about 100 kHz to 10 MHz, for example from about 100 kHz to 3.5 MHz. When the vibration source generates ultrasonic vibrations in the frequency band described above, the vibration source may vibrate in the longitudinal direction (for example, in the +z and -z directions) of the cartridge 10 or housing 100. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited to this solution , and the source of oscillation can oscillate in other directions (for example, “+z” and “-z”, “+x” and “-x”, “+y” and “-y”).

When using the ultrasonic vibration method, the evaporator 400 can generate an aerosol at a relatively low temperature compared to the heating method in which the aerosol-generating substance is evaporated by heating. For example, in the case of heating the aerosol-generating substance with a heater, the aerosol-generating substance may be heated to a temperature of 200° C. or higher, causing the user to experience a burnt taste in the aerosol.

The cartridge 10 in one embodiment of the invention can generate an aerosol by atomizing the aerosol-generating substance using an ultrasonic vibration method at a temperature of about 100 to 160° C., which is lower than when heating the aerosol-generating substance with a heater. Therefore, the cartridge 10 can minimize the burnt taste in the aerosol, thereby improving the smoking experience of the user.

In the present description of the invention, the expression “smoking feeling” may mean the sensation that a user experiences while smoking.

The evaporator 400 may be electrically coupled to an external power source (eg, a battery 510 located within the main body 20 of FIG. 2) via a printed circuit board 500 and generate ultrasonic vibrations using energy supplied from the external power source. For example, the vaporizer 400 may be electrically coupled to a circuit board 500 located within the cartridge 10, and the circuit board 500 may be electrically coupled to a power supply located outside the cartridge 10, allowing the vaporizer 400 to be powered by an external power source.

In one embodiment, the evaporator 400 may be electrically coupled to the circuit board 500 through a first conductor 410 and a second conductor 420.

In one embodiment, the first conductor 410 may comprise a material (e.g., metal) that is electrically conductive and may be located at the upper end of the evaporator 400, thereby electrically connecting the evaporator 400 to the circuit board 500.

For example, a portion of the first conductor 410 (e.g., a top portion) may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the evaporator 400 and contact the evaporator 400, and another portion (e.g., a bottom portion) of the first conductor 410 may be in contact with the circuit board 500. Therefore, the evaporator 400 and the circuit board 500 can be electrically connected to each other.

For example, an opening 410h may be provided in the first conductor 410 such that at least a portion of the evaporator 400 comes into contact with the environment outside the first conductor 410. The portion of the evaporator 400 that comes into contact with the environment outside the first conductor 410 through the opening 410h of the first conductor 410 may contact the second liquid supply member 320, thereby receiving an aerosol-generating agent from the second liquid supply member 320.

In one embodiment, the second conductor 420 may comprise electrically conductive material and may be located at the lower end of the evaporator 400 or between the evaporator 400 and the circuit board 500, thereby electrically connecting the evaporator 400 to the circuit board 500. For example, one end of the second conductor 420 may contact the lower end of the evaporator 400, and the other end of the second conductor 420 may contact a portion of the circuit board 500 facing the evaporator 400, thereby electrically connecting the evaporator 400 to the circuit board 500.

In one embodiment, the second conductor 420 may comprise an electrically conductive material that is resilient to not only electrically connect the evaporator 400 to the circuit board 500, but also provide an elastic support for the evaporator 400. For example, the second conductor 420 may be a spring of electrically conductive material. material, but the design of the second conductor 420 is not limited to this example.

The cartridge 10 in one embodiment of the invention may further include an elastic support 430 located between the evaporator 400 and the printed circuit board 500, which also allows supporting the second conductor 420. The elastic support 430 may contain, for example, an elastic material and may be configured to surround an external the peripheral surface of the second conductor 420 to provide elastic support for the second conductor 420. However, the implementation of the cartridge 10 is not limited to this example, and in other embodiments of the invention, the elastic support 430 may be omitted.

In one embodiment, the circuit board 500 may be located within the second housing 120 and electrically coupled to the evaporator 400 through a first conductor 410 and a second conductor 420, and also electrically coupled to an external power source (such as battery 510 in FIG. 2) with using an electrical connection element (not shown).

The electrical connection element may be, for example, a spring contact, a wire, a cable, a field programmable circuit board, or a C-clamp, but the design of the electrical connection element is not limited to these examples.

In one embodiment, the second housing 120 may include a plurality of through holes 121, 122, and 123 (hereinafter referred to as first through hole 121, second through hole 122, and third through hole 123) for moving fluid between the interior of the second housing 120 and the exterior. environment of the cartridge 10. An electrical connection element may be located in a plurality of through holes 121, 122, and 123, thereby electrically connecting a circuit board 500 located inside the cartridge 10 to a power source located outside the cartridge 10.

That is, the circuit board 500 may be electrically coupled to the evaporator 400 via the first conductor 410 and also electrically coupled to a power source outside the cartridge 10 via an electrical connection member. As a result, the evaporator 400 can be powered from an external power source through the circuit board 500.

The printed circuit board 500 may include a resistor R for suppressing noise (or “spoiler signal”) generated during operation of the cartridge 10. Thus, the resistor R, by suppressing noise, can prevent failure of the evaporator 400. The noise suppression effect of the resistor R is disclosed below.

The aerosol atomized by ultrasonic vibrations generated in the vaporizer 400 may exit the cartridge 10 through the outlet 150 and be delivered to the user. For example, the outlet port 150 may communicate the interior volume of the housing 100 with the outlet port 160e of the mouthpiece 160. Thus, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 400 may exit through the outlet port 150 from the cartridge 10 through the outlet port 160e.

In one embodiment, the outlet 150 may be located within the housing 100, and at least a portion of the outlet 150 may be surrounded by a reservoir 200, but embodiments of the invention are not limited to this example.

The cartridge 10, in one embodiment, may further include a sealing element 130 to prevent leakage from the reservoir 200 into the outlet 150.

When the reservoir 200 surrounds the outlet 150, leakage from the reservoir 200 into the outlet 150 is possible, resulting in a deterioration in the user's smoking experience.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the cartridge 10 can prevent leakage from the reservoir 200 into the outlet 150 by the sealing member 130, thereby preventing a deterioration in the user's smoking experience.

In one embodiment, the sealing element 130 may be located within the outlet passage 150 to prevent leakage into the outlet passage 150. For example, the sealing element 130 may be in close contact with the inner wall of the outlet passage 150 by sealing against the outlet passage 150, but The embodiments of the invention are not limited to this example.

In addition, the sealing member 130 may be hollow, which prevents leakage from the reservoir 200 into the outlet 150 without impeding the movement of the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 400.

In another embodiment, the sealing element 130 may absorb ultrasonic vibrations generated by the vaporizer 400 by containing an elastic material (e.g., rubber), and as a result minimize the transmission of ultrasonic vibrations generated by the vaporizer 400 to the user through the body 100 of the cartridge 10.

In another embodiment, the sealing element 130 may be located at the upper end of the liquid supply element 300, and when pressure is applied to the liquid supply element 300 towards the evaporator 400, contact between the liquid supply element 300 and the evaporator 400 can be maintained. For example, The sealing member 130 may apply pressure to the first liquid supply member 310 and/or the second liquid supply member 320 in the -z direction to maintain contact between the second liquid supply member 320 and the evaporator 400.

The cartridge 10 in one embodiment of the invention may further include an element 140 for preventing droplets bouncing off the vaporizer 400 from entering the mouthpiece, and a first support element 141 for fixing or supporting the element 140.

In the process of atomizing the aerosol-generating agent using ultrasonic vibrations generated in the evaporator 400, part of the aerosol-generating agent may not be atomized, resulting in the formation of droplets. As a result of the ultrasonic vibrations generated in the evaporator 400, these droplets can bounce and exit the cartridge 10 through the outlet 160e.

An element 140 may be located adjacent to the outlet 150 to restrict the movement or flow of droplets bounced toward the outlet 160e of the mouthpiece 160.

For example, element 140 may include a material (eg, felt material) capable of absorbing droplets bouncing off evaporator 400 to limit the movement or flow of droplets to outlet 160e, but embodiments of the invention are not limited to this example.

If droplets bouncing off the vaporizer 400 exit the cartridge 10 through the outlet 160e and are inhaled by the user, the user may feel uncomfortable and the overall smoking experience may deteriorate.

In this regard, the cartridge 10 in one embodiment of the invention may include an element 140 that prevents unsprayed droplets from bouncing off the vaporizer 400 towards the outlet 160e and thereby minimizes the deterioration of the user's smoking experience associated with spattering of the droplets. As used herein, “droplet splashing” may mean that droplets that are not atomized in the evaporator 400 bounce off it.

The first support member 141 may receive at least a portion of the member 140 and support or fix the position of the housing portion of the member 140 relative to the first housing 110. For example, the first support member 141 may support or fix the member 140 in a portion (e.g., top) of the first housing 110 adjacent to the mouthpiece 160, but the embodiments of the invention are not limited to this example.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first support element 141 may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the element 140 for the purpose of receiving the element 140. Since the first support element 141, accommodating the element 140, is connected to the first housing 110, the element 140 may also be attached to the first housing 110.

The first support member 141 housing the member 140 may be coupled to the first housing 110 through an interference fit, but methods for connecting the first housing 110 to the first support member 141 are not limited to this example. In another example, the first housing 110 and the first support member 141 may be connected by at least one of the following methods: latches, screw connection, or magnetic force.

The first support element 141 may comprise a material (eg rubber) having a certain rigidity and water resistance. Thus, the first support member 141 may not only secure the member 140 in the first housing 110, but also prevent leakage of the aerosol-generating agent from the reservoir 200. For example, the first support member 141 may prevent the leakage of the aerosol-generating agent by blocking the portion of the reservoir 200 facing the mouthpiece 160.

The cartridge 10 in one embodiment of the invention may further include a second support member 330 for the purpose of retaining the liquid supply member 300 and/or the evaporator 400 within the first housing 110.

The second support member 330 may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the first liquid supply member 310, the second liquid supply member 320, and/or the evaporator 400, thereby accommodating the first liquid supply member 310, the second liquid supply member 320 liquids and/or evaporator 400.

In one embodiment, the second support member 330 may be coupled to a lower portion (e.g., the end portion in the "-z" direction) of the first housing 110. As a result, the first fluid supply member 310, the second fluid supply member 320, and/or the evaporator 400 may be supported or secured to the bottom of the first housing 110.

The second support member 330 may be coupled to the first housing 110 through an interference fit, but methods for connecting the first housing 110 to the second support member 330 are not limited to this example. In another example, the first housing 110 and the second support member 330 may be connected by at least one of the following methods: latches, screw connection, or magnetic force.

In one embodiment, the second support member 330 may comprise a material (eg, rubber) that is rigid and waterproof. Thus, the second support member 330 can not only fix the liquid supply member 300 and the evaporator 400 in the first housing 110, but also prevent leakage of the aerosol-generating agent from the reservoir 200. For example, the second support member 330 can prevent the leakage of the aerosol-generating agent by blocking a portion of the tank 200 adjacent to the liquid supply element 300 or the evaporator 400.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7-9, the structure of the electrical connection between the evaporator 400 and the circuit board 500, as well as the electrical connection between the resistor R mounted on the circuit board 500 and the evaporator 400, will be disclosed.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the electrical connection between the vibration source and the cartridge circuit board, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the electrical connection between the vibration source and the cartridge circuit board shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a diagram of electrical connections between the cartridge oscillation source and a resistor mounted on the printed circuit board shown in FIG. 7.

In FIG. 7 and 8 show, for ease of description, some of the components of the cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 3-6 (eg, evaporator 400, first conductor 410, second conductor 420, and circuit board 500), but the components of the cartridge 10 are not limited to the embodiment shown.

As shown in FIG. 7, 8 and 9, the cartridge in one embodiment of the invention (for example, cartridge 10 in FIGS. 3-6) may include an evaporator 400, a circuit board 500, a first conductor 410, and a second conductor 420. The first conductor 410 and the second conductor 420 electrically connect the evaporator 400 to the printed circuit board 500.

The printed circuit board 500 may include a first surface facing the evaporator 400 and a second surface opposite the first. A plurality of electrical contacts may be located on the first and second surfaces of the circuit board 500 to electrically connect the circuit board 500 to the evaporator 400 and/or an external power source (eg, battery 510 in FIG. 2).

In one embodiment, a first electrical contact 501 and a second electrical contact 502, located separately from the first electrical contact 501, may be located on a first surface of the circuit board 500.

A portion (e.g., a top portion) of the first conductor 410 may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the evaporator 400 and contact the evaporator 400, and another portion (e.g., a bottom portion) of the first conductor 410 may contact the first electrical contact 501 of the printed circuit board 500. The evaporator 400 and the first electrical contact 501 can be electrically connected due to the location and design of the first conductor 410 disclosed above.

A second conductor 420 may be located between the evaporator 400 and the circuit board 500. For example, one end (e.g., the end portion in the "+z" direction) of the second conductor 420 may contact a portion of the evaporator 400 facing the circuit board 500, and the opposite end ( for example, the "-z" direction end portion of the second conductor 420 may contact a second electrical contact 502 of the circuit board 500. The evaporator 400 and the second electrical contact 502 may be electrically connected by the arrangement and design of the second conductor 420 disclosed above.

In one embodiment, the evaporator 400 may include a first electrode 401 (a "top electrode") located on a portion of the evaporator 400 opposite the circuit board 500 and a second electrode 402 (a "bottom electrode") located on a portion of the evaporator 400 facing the circuit board 500. printed circuit board 500.

The first electrode 401 and/or the second electrode 402 may contain a highly conductive material and electrically connect the evaporator 400 to the first conductor 410 and/or the second conductor 420. The first electrode 401 and/or the second electrode 402 may contain any of the following metals: silver (Ag), copper (Cu), gold (Au), aluminum (Al), tungsten (W), iron (Fe), platinum (Pt) or lead (Pb), as well as other metals.

In the figures, the first electrode 401 is located along the edge of the evaporator 400, and the second electrode 402 is located in the center of the evaporator 400 on the side of the printed circuit board 500. However, the location and design of the first electrode 401 and/or the second electrode 402 are not limited to the illustrated embodiments of the invention. In another embodiment, the first electrode 401 may be located on only part of the edge of the evaporator 400, or the second electrode 402 may be located to the side rather than in the center of the evaporator 400.

In one embodiment, a portion of the first conductor 410 may be positioned to surround and contact the outer peripheral surface of the evaporator 400 on which the first electrode 401 is located. In another example, the first electrode 401 may be located on the top surface of the evaporator 400, and the inner wall of the upper end of the first conductor 410 protruding inwardly may contact the first electrode 401. Alternatively, another portion of the first conductor 410 may contact the first electrical contact 501 printed circuit board 500. As a result, the evaporator 400 can be electrically connected to the first electrical contact 501.

In addition, one end of the second conductor 420 may contact the second electrode 402 of the evaporator 400, and the other end of the second conductor 420 may contact the second electrical contact 502 of the circuit board 500, thereby electrically connecting the evaporator 400 to the second electrical contact 502.

That is, according to this embodiment, the cartridge 10 electrically connects the evaporator 400 to the circuit board 500 through a first conductor 410 in contact with the first electrode 401 of the evaporator 400 and the first electrical contact 501 of the circuit board 500, and a second conductor 420 in contact with a second electrode 402 of the evaporator 400 and a second electrical contact 502 of the circuit board 500.

In one embodiment, a third electrical contact 501-1 and a fourth electrical contact 502-1 may be located on a second surface of the circuit board 500 opposite the first surface of the circuit board 500.

In one embodiment, the third electrical contact 501-1 may be positioned opposite the first electrical contact 501 located on the first surface of the printed circuit board 500 and may be electrically coupled to the first electrical contact 501 via the first conductive junction V1.

For example, the third electrical contact 501-1 may be placed at a position that overlaps with the position of the first electrical contact 501 as viewed from the first surface of the circuit board 500, and the first conductive junction V1 may be located between the first electrical contact 501 and the third electrical contact 501 -1, thereby connecting the first electrical contact 501 to the third electrical contact 501-1.

The first conductive junction V1 may extend through the first and second surfaces of the circuit board 500, thereby electrically connecting the first electrical contact 501 to the third electrical contact 501-1.

In one embodiment, a fourth electrical contact 502-1 may be positioned opposite a second electrical contact 502 located on a first surface of the printed circuit board 500 and may be electrically coupled to the second electrical contact 501 via a second conductive junction V2.

For example, the fourth electrical contact 502-1 may be placed in a position that overlaps with the position of the second electrical contact 502 as viewed from the first surface of the printed circuit board 500, and the second conductive junction V2 may be located between the second electrical contact 502 and the fourth electrical contact 502 -1, thereby connecting the second electrical contact 502 to the fourth electrical contact 502-1.

A second conductive junction V2 may extend through the first and second surfaces of the circuit board 500, thereby electrically connecting the second electrical contact 502 to the fourth electrical contact 502-1.

The third electrical contact 501-1 may be placed in a position corresponding to the first through hole (eg, the first through hole 121 in FIG. 5) of the second housing (eg, the second housing 120 in FIG. 5), and may be electrically coupled to an external source. power through an electrical connection element located inside the first through hole. For example, the third electrical contact 501-1 may be electrically coupled to a battery (eg, battery 510 in FIG. 2) of the main body (eg, main body 20 in FIG. 2) through an electrical connection member located inside the first through hole.

Further, the fourth electrical contact 502-1 may be placed in a position corresponding to a second through hole (for example, a second through hole 122 in FIG. 5) of the second housing 120, and may be electrically coupled to an external power supply through an electrical connection member located inside second through hole. For example, the fourth electrical contact 502-1 may be electrically connected to the main body battery through an electrical connection member located inside the second through hole.

The printed circuit board 500 of the cartridge 10 in one embodiment of the invention may be a means for electrically connecting the evaporator 400 to an external power source (for example, a battery of the main body) through a structure in which the first electrical contact 501 and the second electrical contact 502 are located on the first surface of the printed circuit board 500. boards 500, and a third electrical contact 501-1 and a fourth electrical contact 502-1, electrically connected to the first electrical contact 501 and the second electrical contact 502, respectively, are located on the second surface of the circuit board 500.

Since the first electrical contact 501 and the second electrical contact 502 of the circuit board 500 are electrically connected to the evaporator 400, and the third electrical contact 501-1 and the fourth electrical contact 502-1 of the circuit board 500 are electrically connected to the battery of the main body, between the evaporator 400 and the external power supply an electrical circuit can be formed.

Through an electrical circuit formed between the evaporator 400 and the external power supply, the evaporator 400 can be powered by the external power source to atomize the aerosol-generating agent into an aerosol. For example, power from an external source may be supplied to the vaporizer 400 through a circuit board 500 located within the cartridge, and the vaporizer 400 may generate an aerosol by generating ultrasonic vibrations from the power received.

In one embodiment, the circuit board 500 may further include a fifth electrical contact 503 located on a first surface of the circuit board 500 and a sixth electrical contact 503-1 located on a portion of the second surface of the circuit board 500 opposite the fifth electrical contact 503.

The fifth electrical contact 503 may be positioned opposite the sixth electrical contact 503-1 or in a position that overlaps with the position of the sixth electrical contact 503-1 when viewed from the first surface of the circuit board 500, and the third conductive junction V3 may be located between the fifth electrical contact 503 and a sixth electrical contact 503-1, thereby electrically connecting the fifth electrical contact 503 to the sixth electrical contact 503-1.

In this example, since the fifth electrical contact 503 may be electrically coupled to the first conductor 410, the evaporator 400 may be electrically coupled to the first electrical contact 501.

The sixth electrical contact 503-1 may be placed at a position corresponding to a third through hole (for example, a third through hole 123 in FIG. 5) of the second body 120, and may be electrically coupled to an external power source (for example, a main body battery) through the element electrical connection located inside the third through hole.

In the cartridge according to this embodiment, since two electrical contacts (the first electrical terminal 501 and the fifth electrical terminal 503) located on the first surface of the circuit board 500 are electrically connected to the first conductor 410, the evaporator 400 can be electrically connected to the circuit board 500, if the first conductor 410 contacts any of the two electrical contacts.

Because the evaporator 400 can be electrically coupled to the circuit board 500 provided that the first conductor 410 is in contact with any of the following contacts: the first electrical terminal 501 and the fifth electrical terminal 503, the electrical connection between the evaporator 400 and the circuit board 500 is maintained regardless of the orientation of the circuit board 500.

The contacts of the printed circuit board 500, from the first electrical contact 501 to the sixth electrical contact 503-1, can be configured, for example, as pads or tinned tracks, as well as in other embodiments.

A resistor R may be located on the circuit board 500. The resistor R may suppress or filter noise that occurs when power is applied from an external power supply to the evaporator 400 or noise that occurs in a circuit on the circuit board 500.

In one embodiment, a resistor R may be installed in a portion of the circuit board 500 to suppress noise generated during operation of the aerosol generating device (or power-up), thereby stabilizing the voltage supplied to the evaporator 400.

When the vaporizer 400 begins to receive power, or while the vaporizer 400 is receiving power, noise may occur in the electrical circuit between the vaporizer 400 and the external power source. For example, a voltage greater than a predetermined value may be applied to the evaporator 400 due to interference in the voltage signal applied to the evaporator 400. As a result, the temperature of the evaporator 400 may suddenly increase (e.g., rise above the Curie temperature), causing the evaporator 400 to output out of service.

In this regard, in one embodiment of the invention, the cartridge can suppress or filter noise that occurs in the electrical circuit between the evaporator 400 and an external power source through the use of a resistor R installed on the printed circuit board 500. As a result, stable operation of the cartridge or device is possible to generate aerosol.

In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 9, resistor R may suppress or filter noise present in the voltage signal supplied to evaporator 400 by providing a feedback circuit electrically connected in parallel with evaporator 400.

In one embodiment, resistor R may be electrically coupled to first electrical terminal 501 (or fifth electrical terminal 503) and second electrical terminal 502 may be in parallel with evaporator 400. For example, resistor R may be electrically coupled to first conductive junction V1 (or a third conductive junction V3) and a second conductive junction V2 on the circuit board 500, but the embodiments of the invention are not limited to this example.

Resistor R can provide a stable voltage to the evaporator 400 by suppressing noise present in the voltage signal supplied to the evaporator 400 by forming a feedback loop. As a result, failure of the vaporizer 400 caused by interference can be prevented, thereby ensuring stable operation of the cartridge or aerosol generating apparatus.

In one embodiment of the invention, the circuit board 500 may be located within the cartridge adjacent to the evaporator 400, and a resistor R may be located or mounted on a first surface of the circuit board 500 facing the evaporator 400. Otherwise, if the resistor R is located on the second surface circuit board 500 or on a main body (eg, main body 20 in FIG. 2) instead of the cartridge 10, the electrical length of the feedback circuit may be increased. When the electrical length of the feedback loop increases, additional noise may occur during the feedback process of the voltage supplied to the evaporator 400, and thus the noise may affect the voltage signal supplied to the evaporator 400 despite the feedback loop.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, the circuit board 500 is located in the cartridge at a predetermined distance from the evaporator 400, and the resistor R, forming a feedback circuit, is located on the first surface of the circuit board 500 adjacent to the evaporator 400, so that the electrical length of the feedback circuit the connection is not excessively great. As a result, additional noise can be prevented from occurring during the voltage feedback process supplied to the evaporator 400, and thus a stable voltage signal can be supplied to the evaporator 400.

As used herein, the term “predetermined distance,” when referring to the distance between the circuit board 500 and the evaporator 400, may mean a distance sufficient to prevent interference from occurring during the voltage feedback process.

In one embodiment, the circuit board 500 on which the resistor R is mounted may be located within the cartridge rather than within the main body so that a stable voltage can be supplied to the evaporator 400. As a result, failure of the evaporator 400 can be prevented, as well as stable operation of the cartridge and the aerosol generating device.

The resistor R can be mounted on the first surface of the circuit board in 500 different ways. For example, resistor R may be electrically coupled to circuit board 500 by a surface mount method in which resistor R extends from a first surface of circuit board 500, or by a method in which at least a portion of resistor R is embedded into circuit board 500 from its first surface.

In one embodiment of the invention, resistor R may have a resistance value of between approximately 0.8 and 1.2 megohms to suppress noise present in the voltage signal supplied to evaporator 400. However, the value of resistor R may be changed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention .

FIG. 10 is a graph of the voltage applied to the cartridge oscillation source over time in one embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 10 shows the time variation of the voltage signal supplied to the evaporator 400 when a resistor R is installed on the circuit board 500 in the cartridge, according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7 and 8.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the cartridge in one embodiment of the invention, noise present in the voltage signal supplied to the evaporator can be suppressed or filtered because the circuit board is located inside the cartridge and a resistor is mounted on the circuit board (for example, resistor R in FIG. 7 and 8) connected in parallel with the evaporator (for example, evaporator 400 in FIGS. 7 and 8).

Since the resistor suppresses noise generated during the process of applying voltage to the evaporator, only components corresponding to the resonant frequency can remain in the voltage signal supplied to the evaporator, and thus a stable voltage can be supplied to the evaporator.

That is, the cartridge and the aerosol generating device containing such a cartridge can prevent excessive voltage from being supplied to the oscillation source by using a resistor that is mounted on a printed circuit board located adjacent to the evaporator and suppresses noise generated during operation of the cartridge or aerosol generating device. aerosol generation. As a result, in the cartridge and the aerosol generating apparatus containing such a cartridge in the embodiments disclosed above, failure of the evaporator can be prevented and thus stable operation can be achieved.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and content can be made to the present embodiments without departing from the characteristics disclosed above. The methods disclosed herein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not as limiting. The protected scope of the invention shall be determined by the appended claims, and all differences in the protected scope equivalent to those disclosed in the claims will be interpreted as being included within the protected scope as defined by the claims.

Claims (36)

1. A cartridge for generating an aerosol, containing: frame; a reservoir located in the housing and configured to store an aerosol-generating substance; an evaporator located in the housing and configured to generate oscillations for spraying an aerosol-generating substance to an aerosol state; a liquid supply member configured to absorb an aerosol-generating substance stored in the reservoir and supplying the absorbed aerosol-generating substance to the evaporator; a printed circuit board located in the housing and electrically connected to the evaporator; And a resistor located on a printed circuit board and configured to suppress interference in the signal supplied to the evaporator, while The resistor is connected in parallel with the evaporator and eliminates interference in the voltage signal supplied to the evaporator. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, in which the printed circuit board is located at a given distance from the evaporator. 3. The cartridge according to claim 1, in which the resistor is located on the section of the printed circuit board facing the evaporator. 4. Cartridge according to claim 1, additionally containing: a first electrical contact located on a first surface of the printed circuit board facing the evaporator; a second electrical contact located separate from the first electrical contact on a first surface of the circuit board. 5. The cartridge of claim 4, wherein the resistor forms a feedback circuit by being electrically connected to the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. 6. Cartridge according to claim 4, additionally containing: a first conductor electrically connecting the evaporator and the first electrical contact; a second conductor electrically connecting the evaporator and a second electrical contact. 7. Cartridge according to claim 6, in which: a first portion of the first conductor is positioned to surround at least a portion of the evaporator; a second portion of the first conductor extends from the first portion to a first surface of the circuit board, thereby coming into contact with the first electrical contact. 8. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein a second conductor is located between the evaporator and the printed circuit board, with one end of the second conductor in contact with a portion of the evaporator facing the printed circuit board, and the other end of the second conductor in contact with the second electrical contact. 9. The cartridge according to claim 8, in which the second conductor is a spring made of electrically conductive material. 10. Cartridge according to claim 4, additionally containing: a third electrical contact located on a second surface of the printed circuit board opposite the first surface of the printed circuit board and configured to receive power from an external power source; a fourth electrical contact located separate from the third electrical contact on a second surface of the printed circuit board and configured to receive power from an external power source. 11. Cartridge according to claim 10, in which: the first electrical contact is electrically connected to the third electrical contact through the first conductive junction; the second electrical contact is electrically coupled to the fourth electrical contact via a second conductive junction. 12. Cartridge according to claim 1, additionally containing: a mouthpiece containing an outlet for releasing an aerosol; an exhaust port connecting the evaporator and the outlet so that the aerosol sprayed by the evaporator moves along the outlet to the outlet. 13. A device for generating an aerosol, containing: cartridge according to claim 1; a main body connected to the cartridge; a battery located in the main body and configured to supply power to the cartridge evaporator; a processor located in the main body and configured to control power supplied to the cartridge from the battery.

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