WO2020009490A1

WO2020009490A1 - Aerosol generation device

Info

Publication number: WO2020009490A1
Application number: PCT/KR2019/008188
Authority: WO
Inventors: 장용준; 고경민; 서장원; 정민석; 정종성; 장철호; 정진철
Original assignee: 주식회사 케이티앤지
Priority date: 2018-07-05
Filing date: 2019-07-04
Publication date: 2020-01-09
Also published as: KR102389830B1; KR20200005081A

Abstract

Disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention is an aerosol generation device comprising: a case into which a cigarette can be inserted, and which has a sliding hole extending in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette; and a heater assembly provided in the case so as to be slidable along the sliding hole, and capable of sliding between a first position at which the heater assembly is separated from the cigarette and a second position at which the heater assembly is inserted into the cigarette.

Description

Aerosol generating device

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device which can be stably inserted into the cigarette.

In recent years there is a growing demand for alternative ways to overcome the shortcomings of common cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for how aerosols are produced as the aerosol generating material in the cigarette is heated, rather than burning the cigarette to produce aerosols. Accordingly, studies on heated cigarette or heated aerosol generating devices are actively progressing.

Generally, in the case of an aerosol-generating device in which a heater is inserted into a cigarette to heat the aerosol material contained in the cigarette, the heater is fixed in place inside the device, and the user pushes the cigarette directly into the device. The heater is inserted into the cigarette. In this case, the cigarette may be damaged by the friction or pressure with the internal structure of the device depending on the manner in which the user pushes the cigarette and the magnitude of the force.

The background art described above is technical information possessed by the inventors for the derivation of the embodiments of the present invention or acquired in the derivation process, and may be referred to as a publicly known technology disclosed to the general public before the application of the embodiments of the present invention. none.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an aerosol generating device that can minimize the damage of cigarettes.

Embodiments also provide an aerosol generating device capable of preventing residue of cigarettes from remaining in the device.

In addition, the embodiments provide an aerosol generating device capable of efficiently heating the cigarette by improving the adhesion between the cigarette and the heater.

One embodiment of the present invention is inserted into the case, the case having a sliding hole extending along the longitudinal direction of the cigarette, and installed in the case to be slidable along the sliding hole, the first position and the cigarette separated from the cigarette Disclosed is an aerosol-generating device comprising a heater assembly slidable between a second position inserted in a.

In the present embodiment, it further comprises a cigarette support that is installed inside the case to support the cigarette, the cigarette support portion is to enter and exit the heater assembly into the cigarette support portion when the heater assembly slides from the first position to the second position. Permissible through holes may be included.

In the present embodiment, the heater assembly, when the heater assembly is disposed in the second position, the heater body is inserted into the cigarette to heat the cigarette, and supports the heater body, the first position and the second position according to the user's operation Including a heater support that is installed on the case so as to be slidable between, a portion of the heater support may be exposed to the outside of the case may be a user operable projection.

In the present embodiment, the case further includes a hinge hole, the heater assembly is elastically supporting the heater support, but when the heater support is disposed in the first position is compressed and the heater in the direction from the first position to the second position A first elastic member pressurizing the support portion, a third position installed in the hinge hole so as to be rotatable about a rotating shaft installed in the hinge hole, the third position fixing the heater support portion in the first position, the first position and the first position of the heater support portion A hinge button rotatable between a fourth position allowing a sliding movement between the two positions and exposed to the outside of the case when disposed in the third position and operable by the user, and installed in the hinge hole to elastically support the hinge button When the hinge button is disposed in the fourth position, the second elastic member may be compressed to press the hinge button in a direction from the fourth position to the third position. .

In the present embodiment, when the user presses the hinge button to rotate the hinge button from the third position to the fourth position, the first elastic member may expand to move the heater support from the first position to the second position. have.

In the present embodiment, when the user stops pressing the hinge button while the hinge button is disposed in the fourth position, the second elastic member may expand to rotate the hinge button from the fourth position to the third position. have.

In this embodiment, when the heater assembly is disposed in the second position, the user can operate the protrusion to slide the heater assembly from the second position to the first position, and the heater assembly slides from the second position to the first position. The heater support may press the hinge button to rotate the hinge button from the third position to the fourth position.

In this embodiment, when the heater support reaches the position beyond the rotation radius of the hinge button while the heater assembly is sliding from the second position to the first position, the hinge button is moved in the fourth position by the expansion of the second elastic member. Can be rotated to a third position.

Other aspects, features, and advantages other than those described above will become apparent from the following drawings, claims, and detailed description of the invention.

According to the aerosol generating device according to the embodiments of the present invention as described above, since the heater can be inserted into the cigarette in a state where the cigarette is fixed at a certain position, the aerosol generating device that can minimize the damage of the cigarette when the heater is inserted Can provide.

In addition, since the embodiments can stably insert the heater into the cigarette fixed at a certain position using a mechanical structure can improve the adhesion between the cigarette and the heater can provide an aerosol generating device that can efficiently heat the cigarette. .

In addition, embodiments can prevent the user from separating the cigarette from the cigarette support in the state where the cigarette and the heater is separated, it is possible to prevent the residue of the cigarette remaining inside the cigarette support when separating the cigarette.

Of course, the scope of the embodiments of the present invention is not limited by these effects.

Embodiments of the present invention can be easily understood by the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which reference numerals refer to structural elements.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an aerosol generating device.

2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a holder.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cradle.

4A and 4B show examples of cradles.

5 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a holder is inserted into a cradle.

6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the holder is tilted in a state where the holder is inserted into the cradle.

7 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating an operation of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating another operation of the aerosol generating device illustrated in FIG. 7.

9 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating an operation of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating another operation of the aerosol generating device illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating still another operation of the aerosol generating device illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating still another operation of the aerosol generating device illustrated in FIG. 9.

The aerosol-generating device is installed in the case so that the cigarette can be inserted, the case having a sliding hole extending along the longitudinal direction of the cigarette and slidable along the sliding hole, the first position separated from the cigarette and inserted into the cigarette It may include a heater assembly slidable between two positions.

The terminology used in the embodiments was selected as widely used as possible terms in consideration of functions in the present invention, but may vary according to the intention or precedent of a person skilled in the art, the emergence of new technologies, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, there is also a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, in which case the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the contents throughout the present invention, rather than the names of the simple terms.

When any part of the specification is to "include" any component, this means that it may further include other components, except to exclude other components unless otherwise stated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described embodiments of the present invention;

Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 1 (hereinafter referred to as a holder) includes a battery 110, a controller 120, and a heater 130. In addition, the holder 1 includes an inner space formed by the case 140. A cigarette may be inserted into the inner space of the holder 1.

The holder 1 shown in FIG. 1 shows only the components related to this embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the general purpose components other than the components shown in FIG. 1 may be further included in the holder 1.

When the cigarette is inserted into the holder 1, the holder 1 heats the heater 130. The aerosol generating material in the cigarette is raised in temperature by the heated heater 130, thereby producing an aerosol. The resulting aerosol is delivered to the user through the filter of the cigarette. However, even when the cigarette is not inserted into the holder 1, for example, in order to clean the heater 130, the holder 1 may heat the heater 130.

The case 140 may be moved between the first position and the second position. For example, when the case 140 is in the first position, the user can insert a cigarette into the holder 1 to inhale the aerosol. On the other hand, when the case 140 is in the second position, the user can remove (separate) the cigarette from the holder (1). As the user pushes or pulls the case 140, the case 140 may be moved between the first position and the second position. In addition, the case 140 may be completely separated from the holder 1 by a user's manipulation.

In addition, the diameter of the hole formed by the end 141 of the case 140 may be made smaller than the diameter of the space formed by the case 140 and the heater 130, in this case is inserted into the holder (1) Can serve as a guide to cigarettes.

The battery 110 supplies the power used to operate the holder 1. For example, the battery 110 may supply power so that the heater 130 may be heated, and may supply power necessary for the control unit 120 to operate. In addition, the battery 110 may supply power required to operate a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. installed in the holder 1.

The battery 110 may be a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO 4) battery, but is not limited to the example described above. For example, the battery 110 may correspond to a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO 2) battery, a lithium titanate battery, or the like.

Whether the battery 110 is fully charged or completely discharged may be determined by how much the power stored in the battery 110 is compared with the total capacity of the battery 110. For example, when the power stored in the battery 110 is 95% or more of the total capacity, it may be determined that the battery 110 is fully charged. In addition, when the power stored in the battery 110 is 10% or less of the total capacity, it may be determined that the battery 110 is completely discharged. However, the criterion for determining whether the battery 110 is fully charged or completely discharged is not limited to the above-described example.

The heater 130 is heated by the power supplied from the battery 110. When the cigarette is inserted into the holder 1, the heater 130 is located inside the cigarette. Thus, the heated heater 130 may raise the temperature of the aerosol generating material in the cigarette.

The heater 130 may be manufactured in a shape that can be easily inserted into the interior of the cigarette. For example, the heater 130 may have a blade shape or a shape in which a cylinder and a cone are combined, but is not limited thereto. In addition, only a part of the heater 130 may be heated. For example, only the first portion of the heater 130 may be heated, and the second portion may not be heated. Here, the first portion may be a portion where the tobacco rod is located when the cigarette is inserted into the holder 1. In addition, the heater 130 may be heated to a different temperature for each part. For example, the first portion and the second portion described above may be heated to different temperatures.

The heater 130 may be an electric resistance heater. For example, the heater 130 may be fabricated such that an electrically conductive track is disposed on a substrate formed of an electrically insulating material. Here, the substrate may be made of a ceramic material, and the electrically conductive track may be made of tungsten, but is not limited thereto.

Holder 1 may be provided with a separate temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor may not be provided in the holder 1, and the heater 130 may serve as the temperature sensor. Alternatively, the heater 130 of the holder 1 may serve as a temperature sensor, and at the same time, a separate temperature sensor may be further included in the holder 1. In order for the heater 130 to function as a temperature sensor, the heater 130 may include at least one electrically conductive track for heat generation and temperature sensing. In addition, the heater 130 may separately include a second electrically conductive track for temperature sensing in addition to the first electrically conductive track for heat generation.

For example, if the voltage across the electrically conductive track and the current flowing through the electrically conductive track are measured, the resistance R can be determined. At this time, the temperature T of the electrically conductive track may be determined by Equation 1 below.

In Equation 1, R denotes a current resistance value of the electrically conductive track, R ₀ denotes a resistance value at a temperature T ₀ (eg, 0 ° C.), and α denotes a resistance temperature coefficient of the electrically conductive track. it means. The conductive material (eg metal) has a unique resistance temperature coefficient, so α may be predetermined according to the conductive material constituting the electrically conductive track. Therefore, when the resistance R of the electrically conductive track is determined, the temperature T of the electrically conductive track can be calculated by Equation 1 above.

The electrically conductive track comprises an electrically resistive material. As one example, the electrically conductive track can be made of a metallic material. As another example, the electrically conductive track can be made of an electrically conductive ceramic material, carbon, a metal alloy or a composite of ceramic material and metal.

In addition, the holder 1 may include both an electrically conductive track and a temperature sensing sensor which serve as a temperature sensing sensor.

The controller 120 controls the overall operation of the holder 1. Specifically, the controller 120 controls the operation of not only the battery 110 and the heater 130, but also other components included in the holder 1. In addition, the controller 120 may determine whether the holder 1 is in an operable state by checking a state of each of the components of the holder 1.

The controller 120 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that may be executed on the microprocessor. In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present embodiment may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

For example, the controller 120 may control the operation of the heater 130. The controller 120 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 130 and the time at which power is supplied so that the heater 130 may be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintain an appropriate temperature. In addition, the controller 120 may check the state of the battery 110 (for example, the remaining amount of the battery 110) and generate a notification signal if necessary.

In addition, the controller 120 may check the presence or absence of the puff and the strength of the puff, and count the number of puffs. In addition, the controller 120 may continuously check the time that the holder 1 is operating. In addition, the controller 120 determines whether the cradle 2 to be described later is coupled with the holder 1, and controls the operation of the holder 1 according to the coupling or detachment of the cradle 2 and the holder 1. Can be.

Meanwhile, the holder 1 may further include general components in addition to the battery 110, the controller 120, and the heater 130.

For example, the holder 1 may include a display capable of outputting visual information or a motor for outputting tactile information. As an example, when a display is included in the holder 1, the controller 120 may display information about the state of the holder 1 (for example, whether the holder may be used), a heater (eg, a user) through the display. Information on the battery 110 (eg, preheating start, preheating progress, preheating completion, etc.), information related to the battery 110 (eg, remaining capacity of the battery 110, availability, etc.), holder 1 Information related to the resetting of the holder (for example, reset timing, reset progress, reset completion, etc.), information related to cleaning of the holder 1 (for example, cleaning timing, cleaning necessity, cleaning progress, cleaning completion, etc.), Information related to the charging of the holder 1 (e.g., charging required, charging progressed, charging completed, etc.), information related to the puff (e.g., puff count, puff end notice, etc.) or safety related information (e.g. For example, the use time elapsed) can be delivered. As another example, when a motor is included in the holder 1, the controller 120 may generate the vibration signal using the motor, thereby transferring the above-described information to the user.

In addition, the holder 1 may comprise a terminal coupled with at least one input device (eg a button) and / or the cradle 2 through which the user can control the function of the holder 1. For example, the user can execute various functions using the input device of the holder 1. Multiple functions of the holder 1 by adjusting the number of times the user presses the input device (for example, once, twice, etc.) or the time for holding the input device (for example, 0.1 seconds, 0.2 seconds, etc.) You can execute any of these functions. As the user operates the input device, the holder 1 has a function of preheating the heater 130, a function of adjusting the temperature of the heater 130, a function of cleaning a space where a cigarette is inserted, and a holder 1 of the holder 1. A function of checking whether it is in an operable state, a function of displaying a residual amount (available power) of the battery 110, a reset function of the holder 1, and the like may be performed. However, the function of the holder 1 is not limited to the examples described above.

For example, the holder 1 may clean the space where the cigarette is inserted by controlling the heater 130 as follows. For example, the holder 1 can clean the space where the cigarette is inserted by heating the heater 130 to a sufficiently high temperature. Here, a sufficiently high temperature means a temperature suitable for cleaning the space where the cigarette is inserted. For example, the holder 1 may heat the heater 130 to the highest of a temperature range in which an aerosol can be generated in the inserted cigarette and a temperature range in which the heater 130 is preheated, but is not limited thereto. .

In addition, the holder 1 may maintain the temperature of the heater 130 at a sufficiently high temperature for a predetermined time period. Here, the predetermined time period means a time period sufficient to clean the space where the cigarette is inserted. For example, the holder 1 may maintain the temperature of the heated heater 130 for an appropriate time of 10 seconds to 10 minutes, but is not limited thereto. Preferably, the holder 1 may maintain the temperature of the heated heater 130 for a suitable time period selected within the range of 20 seconds to 1 minute. Also, preferably, the holder 1 may maintain the temperature of the heated heater 130 for a suitable time period selected within the range of 20 seconds to 1 minute 30 seconds.

As the holder 1 heats the heater 130 to a sufficiently high temperature and also maintains the temperature of the heated heater 130 for a predetermined time period, the surface of the heater 130 and / or the space into which the cigarette is inserted The effect of cleaning may be generated by volatilizing the substance deposited on the substrate.

In addition, the holder 1 may comprise a puff sensor, a temperature sensor and / or a cigarette insertion sensor. For example, the puff sensor may be implemented by a general pressure sensor. Alternatively, the holder 1 may detect a puff by a change in resistance of an electrically conductive track included in the heater 130 without a separate puff detection sensor. The electrically conductive track here comprises an electrically conductive track for heat generation and / or an electrically conductive track for temperature sensing. Alternatively, the holder 1 may further include a puff detecting sensor separately from detecting the puff using an electrically conductive track included in the heater 130.

The cigarette insertion sensor may be implemented by a general capacitive sensor or a resistance sensor. In addition, the holder 1 may be manufactured in a structure in which external air may be introduced / exhausted even when a cigarette is inserted.

2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a holder.

As shown in FIG. 2, the holder 1 may be manufactured in a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. The case 140 of the holder 1 may be moved or separated by a user's operation, and a cigarette may be inserted into the end 141 of the case 140. In addition, the holder 1 may include a button 155 for allowing a user to control the holder 1. In addition, if necessary, the holder 1 may further include a display on which an image is output.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cradle.

Referring to FIG. 3, the cradle 2 includes a battery 210 and a controller 220. The cradle 2 also includes an interior space 215 into which the holder 1 can be inserted. Depending on the design of the cradle 2, the cradle 2 may or may not include a separate lid. As an example, the holder 1 may be inserted into and fixed to the cradle 2 even if the cradle 2 does not include a separate lid. As another example, the holder 1 may be fixed to the cradle 2 as the lid of the cradle 2 is closed after the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2.

The cradle 2 shown in FIG. 3 shows only the components related to this embodiment. Accordingly, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the general purpose components other than the components shown in FIG. 3 may be further included in the cradle 2.

The battery 210 supplies the power used to operate the cradle 2. In addition, the battery 210 may supply power for charging the battery 110 of the holder 1. For example, when the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2 so that the terminal of the holder 1 and the terminal of the cradle 2 are coupled, the battery 210 of the cradle 2 is the battery of the holder 1. Power may be supplied to 110.

In addition, when the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are coupled, the battery 210 may supply power used to operate the holder 1. For example, when the terminal of the holder 1 and the terminal of the cradle 2 are coupled, regardless of whether the battery 110 of the holder 1 is discharged, the holder 1 is a battery of the cradle 2 ( The operation may be performed by using the power supplied by the 210.

For example, the battery 210 may be a lithium ion battery, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the capacity of the battery 210 may be larger than that of the battery 110.

The controller 220 generally controls the operation of the cradle 2. The controller 220 may control the operation of all the components of the cradle 2. In addition, the controller 220 may determine whether the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are coupled, and control the operation of the cradle 2 according to the coupling or detachment of the cradle 2 and the holder 1.

For example, when the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are coupled, the controller 220 supplies power of the battery 210 to the holder 1 to charge the battery 110 or to heat the heater 130. You can. Therefore, even when the remaining amount of the battery 110 is small, the user can continuously smoke by combining the holder 1 and the cradle 2.

The controller 220 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that may be executed on the microprocessor. In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present embodiment may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

Meanwhile, the cradle 2 may further include general components in addition to the battery 210 and the controller 220. For example, the cradle 2 may include a display capable of outputting visual information. For example, if the cradle 2 includes a display, the controller 220 generates a signal to be displayed on the display, thereby providing the user with a battery 210 (eg, remaining capacity of the battery 210, available for use). Information related to whether the cradle 2 is reset (e.g., reset timing, reset progress, reset completion, etc.), cleaning of the holder 1 (e.g., cleaning timing, cleaning needs, cleaning) Information related to progress, cleaning completion, etc., and information related to charging of the cradle 2 (for example, charging needs, charging progress, charging completion, etc.) may be transmitted.

In addition, the cradle 2 may include at least one input device (e.g., a button) that allows a user to control the function of the cradle 2, a terminal coupled with the holder 1, and / or a charge of the battery 210. It may include an interface for (eg, USB port, etc.).

For example, the user can execute various functions using the input device of the cradle 2. By adjusting the number of times the user presses the input device or the time the user presses the input device, it is possible to execute a desired function among the plurality of functions of the cradle 2. As the user operates the input device, the cradle 2 has the function of preheating the heater 130 of the holder 1, the function of adjusting the temperature of the heater 130 of the holder 1, within the holder 1. A function of cleaning the space where the cigarette is inserted, a function of checking whether the cradle 2 is in an operable state, a function of displaying the remaining amount (power available) of the battery 210 of the cradle 2, and a reset of the cradle 2 Functions and the like can be performed. However, the function of the cradle 2 is not limited to the examples described above.

4A and 4B show examples of cradles.

4A shows an example of a cradle 2 without a lid. For example, one side of the cradle 2 may have a space 215 into which the holder 1 may be inserted. Even if the cradle 2 does not include a separate securing means such as a lid, the holder 1 can be inserted into and secured to the cradle 2. In addition, the cradle 2 may include a button 240 that allows a user to control the cradle 2. In addition, if necessary, the cradle 2 may further include a display on which an image is output.

4b shows an example of a cradle 2 with a lid. For example, the holder 1 may be inserted into the interior space 215 of the cradle 2, and the holder 1 may be fixed to the cradle 2 as the lid 250 is closed.

Referring to FIG. 5, an example in which the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2 is illustrated. Since the space 215 into which the holder 1 is to be inserted exists on one side of the cradle 2, the inserted holder 1 may not be exposed to the outside by the other sides of the cradle 2. Thus, the cradle 2 may not include another configuration (eg a lid) for not exposing the holder 1 to the outside.

The cradle 2 may include at least one

fastening member

271, 272 to increase the fastening strength with the holder 1. In addition, the holder 1 may also include at least one binding member 181. Here, the binding

members

181, 271, and 272 may be magnets, but are not limited thereto. In FIG. 5, for convenience of description, although the holder 1 includes one fastening member 181 and the cradle 2 includes two

fastening members

271 and 272, the fastening member The number of (181, 271, 272) is not limited to this.

The holder 1 may include a binding member 181 in a first position, and the cradle 2 may include binding

members

271 and 272 in a second position and a third position, respectively. In this case, the first position and the third position may be positions facing each other when the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2.

As the

fastening members

181, 271, 272 are included in the holder 1 and the cradle 2, even if the holder 1 is inserted into one side of the cradle 2, the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are secured. The binding can be stronger. In other words, as the holder 1 and the cradle 2 further include the

fastening members

181, 271, and 272 in addition to the terminals, the holder 1 and the cradle 2 may be more strongly bound. Thus, even if the cradle 2 does not have a separate configuration (eg a lid), the inserted holder 1 may not be easily separated from the cradle 2.

In addition, when it is determined that the holder 1 is completely inserted into the cradle 2 by the terminals and / or the binding

members

181, 271, and 272, the controller 220 uses the power of the battery 210 to control the holder. The battery 110 of (1) can be charged.

Referring to FIG. 6, the holder 1 is tilted inside the cradle 2. Here, tilt means that the holder 1 is inclined at an angle with the holder 1 inserted in the cradle 2.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the holder 1 is fully inserted into the cradle 2, the user cannot smoke. In other words, when the holder 1 is fully inserted into the cradle 2, no cigarette can be inserted into the holder 1. Thus, the user cannot smoke while the holder 1 is fully inserted into the cradle 2.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the holder 1 is tilted, the end 141 of the holder 1 is exposed to the outside. Accordingly, the user may insert a cigarette into the end 141 and inhale (smoke) the generated aerosol. The tilt angle [theta] can be secured at a sufficient angle so that when the cigarette is inserted into the distal end 141 of the holder 1, the cigarette is not bent or damaged.

For example, the holder 1 may be tilted at a minimum angle greater than or greater than the entire cigarette insertion hole included in the distal end 141 is exposed to the outside. For example, the range of the tilt angle θ may be greater than 0 ° and less than 180 °, and preferably, greater than or equal to 5 ° and less than or equal to 90 °. More preferably, the tilt angle θ is in a range of 5 ° to 20 °, 5 ° to 30 °, 5 ° to 40 °, 5 ° to 50 °, or 5 ° to 60 °. Can be. More preferably, the tilt angle θ can be 10 degrees.

In addition, even when the holder 1 is tilted, the terminal of the holder 1 and the terminal of the cradle 2 are coupled to each other. Accordingly, the heater 130 of the holder 1 may be heated by the power supplied by the battery 210 of the cradle 2. Thus, even when the remaining amount of battery 110 in holder 1 is low or absent, holder 1 may generate aerosol using battery 210 of cradle 2.

6 shows an example in which the holder 1 comprises one fastening member 182 and the cradle 2 includes two

fastening members

273, 274. For example, the positions of each of the binding

members

182, 273, and 274 are as described above with reference to FIG. 5. If the binding

members

182, 273, and 274 are magnets, the magnet strength of the binding member 274 may be greater than the magnet strength of the binding member 273. Therefore, even when the holder 1 is tilted, by the binding member 182 and the binding member 274, the holder 1 may not be completely separated from the cradle 2.

In addition, when it is determined that the holder 1 is tilted by the terminals and / or the binding

members

182, 273, and 274, the controller 220 uses the power of the battery 210 to control the heater of the holder 1. The 130 may be heated or the battery 110 may be charged.

7 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing an operation of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing another operation of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 7.

7 and 8, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a heater assembly 130 and a case 140.

The case 140 may be provided with a sliding hole 140h into which the cigarette 50 may be inserted and extending along the longitudinal direction of the cigarette 50. Other features of the case 140 have been described in detail with reference to FIG. 1. Hereinafter, specific features of the case 140 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12.

The heater assembly 130 is installed in the case 140 to be slidable along the sliding hole 140h, the first position (see FIG. 7) separated from the cigarette 50, and the second inserted into the cigarette 50. It may be slidable between positions (FIG. 8 position). Here, the heater assembly 130 includes the heater 130 described with reference to FIG. 1 and other components of the heater 130 connected to the heater 130 when the heater 130 is installed in the case 140. In concept, the components are substantially the same as the heater 130 shown in FIG. 1. However, hereinafter, in order to specifically describe the coupling relationship between the heater 130 and the case 140, the heater assembly 130 will be represented.

In detail, the heater assembly 130 includes a heater body 131 which is inserted into the cigarette 50 to heat the cigarette 50 when the heater assembly 130 is disposed in the second position (see FIG. 8), and the heater body. And a heater support part 132 installed on the case 140 to support the 131 and to be slidable between the first position (see FIG. 7) and the second position (see FIG. 8) according to a user's operation. A portion of the heater support 132 may be a protrusion 133 exposed to the outside of the case 140 and operable by a user.

In addition, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a cigarette support unit 150 installed inside the case 140 to support the cigarette 50, and the cigarette support unit 150 may be provided by the heater assembly 130. When sliding from the first position (see FIG. 7) to the second position (see FIG. 8) may include a through hole 150h allowing the heater assembly 130 to enter and exit the cigarette support 150.

According to this structure, the user may operate the protrusion 133 to slide the heater assembly 130 to be inserted into the cigarette 50 or to be separated from the cigarette 50. That is, the user pushes the cigarette 50 to the cigarette support 150 to stably seat the cigarette support 150, the cigarette 50 through the through-hole 150h at a constant speed Can be inserted into Of course, the force for pressing the protrusion 133 may be different for each user, but because the protrusion 133 and the sliding hole 140h provide a predetermined friction force to each other, even if the user presses the protrusion 133 is different from each other. The speed at which the heater assembly 130 approaches the cigarette 50 side can be adjusted appropriately. That is, according to the structure as described above, the heater body 131 compared to the case in which the user inserts the cigarette 50 into the cigarette support 150 in a different manner and force in a state that the heater body 131 is fixed in place. Damage to the cigarette 50 as it is inserted into the cigarette 50 can be minimized.

In addition, conventionally, as the user grips the cigarette 50 directly while the heater assembly 130 is inserted into the cigarette 50 and separates the cigarette 50 from the cigarette support 150, the surface of the heater assembly 130. And there was a problem that the residue of the cigarette 50 remains on the inner side of the cigarette support 150. However, as described above, according to the structure in which the coupling and detachment with the cigarette 50 is performed by sliding the heater assembly 130, before the user performs the operation of removing the cigarette 50 from the cigarette support 150. The heater assembly 130 is separated from the cigarette 50, where the remainder of the cigarette 50 remains in the cigarette 50 as it is, and after that the user grabs the cigarette 50 directly and the cigarette from the cigarette support 150. Even when the 50 is separated, a phenomenon in which the residue of the cigarette 50 remains on the inner surface of the cigarette support 150 may be prevented.

9 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing an operation of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing another operation of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is FIG. FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing still another operation of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG.

9 to 12, the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes all the components of the case 140 and the heater assembly 130 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. However, in addition, the case 140 further includes a hinge hole 140hb, and the heater assembly 230 elastically supports the heater support 232, but the heater support 232 is positioned at a first position (see FIG. 9). The first elastic member 234 and the rotating shaft installed in the hinge hole 140hb to compress the heater support 232 in the direction from the first position (see FIG. 9) to the second position (see FIG. 10). A third position (see FIG. 9) installed in the hinge hole 140hb so as to be rotatable about 236, and fixing the heater support 232 to the first position (see FIG. 9), and the heater support 232. Between a first position (see FIG. 9) and a fourth position (see FIG. 10) to allow sliding movement between the second position (see FIG. 10) When it is rotatable and disposed in the third position (see FIG. 9), the hinge button 235 exposed to the outside of the case 140 and operable by the user and the hinge hole 140hb are installed to the hinge button 235. Elastic support, but if the hinge button 235 is disposed in the fourth position (see FIG. 10), the hinge button 235 is compressed in a direction from the fourth position (see FIG. 10) to the third position (see FIG. 9). It may further include a second elastic member 237 for pressing the.

If the user presses the hinge button 235 (see arrow) as shown in FIG. 9, the hinge button 235 is moved from the third position (see FIG. 9) to the fourth position (see FIG. 10), that is, clockwise. In this case, the first elastic member 234 may expand to move the heater support 232 from the first position (see FIG. 9) to the second position (see FIG. 10).

In addition, when the user stops pressing the hinge button 235 while the hinge button 235 is disposed at the fourth position (see FIG. 10), the second elastic member 237 expands to the hinge button 235. ) May be rotated from the fourth position (see FIG. 10) to the third position (see FIG. 11, but disregarding the direction in which the heater support 232 moves). That is, when the user stops pressing the hinge button 235 in a state where the hinge button 235 is disposed in the fourth position (see FIG. 10), the hinge button 235 of the second elastic member 237 It can be returned to its original position by the restoring force.

In this state, that is, when the heater assembly 230 is disposed in the second position as shown in FIG. 10, the user presses the protrusion 233 to the left along the sliding hole 140ha as shown in FIG. 11. Thereby sliding the heater assembly 230 from the second position (see FIG. 10) to the first position (see FIG. 11). In this case, that is, when the heater assembly 230 is slid from the second position (see FIG. 10) to the first position (see FIG. 11), the heater support 232 presses the hinge button 235 to release the hinge button 235. It may be rotated from the third position (see the solid line in FIG. 11) to the fourth position (see the dotted line in FIG. 11), ie clockwise (arrow direction).

In this state, while the heater assembly 230 is sliding from the second position (see FIG. 10) to the first position (see FIGS. 11 and 12), the heater support 232 exceeds the rotation radius of the hinge button 235. When reaching the position (the position of the heater support 232 shown by the dotted line in FIG. 12, that is, the position of the heater support 232 in FIG. 9), the hinge button 235 is shown in FIG. 12. The expansion of the 237 rotates from the fourth position (see FIG. 10) to the third position (see FIG. 12) so that the heater support 232 is again moved from the first position (see FIG. 9) to the second position (see FIG. 10). The heater support part 232 can be fixed to a 1st position (the position of the heater support part 232 shown with the dotted line of FIG. 12) so that it may not slide to ().

According to this structure, the user can slide the heater assembly 230 and insert it into the cigarette 50 through a simple operation of pressing the hinge button 235, and the heater assembly 230 is again used by using the protrusion 233. It can be separated from the cigarette (50). That is, the user does not need to apply force directly to the heater assembly 230 in order to insert the heater assembly 230 into the cigarette 50, and the heater assembly 230 may be removed when the user presses the hinge button 235. 1 Since the elastic member 234 is slid toward the cigarette 50 by the restoring force, the heater assembly 230 may be inserted into the cigarette 50 at a constant speed. Then, after smoking, the user can easily detach the heater assembly 230 from the cigarette 50 by operating the protrusion 233, and the user may move the heater assembly 230 until the user operates the hinge button 235 again. It may be fixed in a position separated from the cigarette (50).

According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12, the

heater bodies

131 and 231 may be inserted into the cigarette 50 while the cigarette 50 is fixed at a predetermined position. Damage of the cigarette 50 can be minimized when the 131 and 231 are inserted.

In addition, embodiments of the

heater body

131, 231 to the cigarette 50 fixed in a certain position by using a mechanical structure such as the

projections

133, 233 and the hinge button 235 that can be easily operated by the user Since it can be stably inserted, the adhesion between the cigarette 50 and the

heater bodies

131 and 231 can be improved, thereby efficiently heating the cigarette 50.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be embodied in a modified form without departing from the essential characteristics of the above-described substrate. Therefore, the disclosed methods should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

Claims

A case having a cigarette insertable therein and having a sliding hole extending along the length of the cigarette; And

And a heater assembly installed in the case so as to slide along the sliding hole, the heater assembly being slidable between a first position separated from the cigarette and a second position inserted into the cigarette.
According to claim 1,

Installed in the case further includes a cigarette support for supporting the cigarette,

And the cigarette support portion includes a through hole to allow the heater assembly to enter and exit the cigarette support portion when the heater assembly slides from the first position to the second position.
According to claim 1,

The heater assembly,

A heater body inserted into the cigarette to heat the cigarette when the heater assembly is disposed in the second position;

And a heater support part which supports the heater body and is installed in the case so as to be slidable between the first position and the second position according to a user's operation.

Part of the heater support is exposed to the outside of the case is aerosol generating device, the user can operate.
The method of claim 3, wherein

The case further includes a hinge hole,

The heater assembly,

A first elastic member elastically supporting the heater support, wherein the heater support is compressed to press the heater support in a direction from the first position to the second position when the heater support is disposed in the first position;

A third position that is installed in the hinge hole to be rotatable about a rotational axis installed in the hinge hole, the third position fixing the heater support to the first position, and between the first position and the second position of the heater support; A hinge button rotatable between a fourth position allowing a sliding movement of the user and exposed to the outside of the case when disposed in the third position and operable by a user;

A second elasticity installed in the hinge hole to elastically support the hinge button, and compressing the hinge button in a direction from the fourth position toward the third position when the hinge button is disposed at the fourth position; An aerosol generating device further comprising a member.
The method of claim 4, wherein

When the user presses the hinge button to rotate the hinge button from the third position to the fourth position,

And the first elastic member expands to move the heater support from the first position to the second position.
The method of claim 5,

When the user stops pressing the hinge button in the state that the hinge button is disposed in the fourth position,

And the second elastic member expands to rotate the hinge button from the fourth position to the third position.
The method of claim 4, wherein

When the heater assembly is disposed in the second position, the user may operate the protrusion to slide the heater assembly from the second position to the first position,

And the heater support portion presses the hinge button to rotate the hinge button from the third position to the fourth position when the heater assembly is slid from the second position to the first position.
The method of claim 7, wherein

When the heater assembly reaches the position beyond the rotation radius of the hinge button while the heater assembly is sliding from the second position to the first position, the hinge button is expanded by the second elastic member. And rotate the rotor support from the position to the third position to secure the heater support to the first position.