WO2020055094A1

WO2020055094A1 - Vaporizer and aerosol generating apparatus including same

Info

Publication number: WO2020055094A1
Application number: PCT/KR2019/011712
Authority: WO
Inventors: 정은미; 고동균; 양지훈; 정순환; 박인수
Original assignee: 주식회사 케이티앤지
Priority date: 2018-09-13
Filing date: 2019-09-10
Publication date: 2020-03-19
Also published as: KR102368029B1; KR20200030910A

Abstract

A vaporizer comprises: a liquid storage portion for storing and supplying a liquid composition; a wick portion coupled to the liquid storage portion to absorb the liquid composition supplied from the liquid storage portion; a valve portion arranged between the liquid storage portion and the wick portion and including a plurality of sealing blocks that move between a first position, at which the sealing blocks are in contact with each other to block movement of the liquid composition, and a second position at which the sealing blocks are spaced apart from each other to allow movement of the liquid composition; and a heating portion for heating the liquid composition absorbed into the wick portion, wherein the valve portion can block or allow the supply of the liquid composition from the liquid storage portion to the wick portion through passages that are closed or opened according to the movement of the sealing blocks.

Description

Vaporizer and aerosol-generating device comprising same

Embodiments relate to a vaporizer and an aerosol-generating device having the same, and more particularly, to a vaporizer comprising a valve part that tightly seals and selectively supplies a liquid composition of a liquid storage part and an aerosol-generating device comprising the same. .

In recent years, there is an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of common cigarettes. For example, the demand for aerosol-generating methods is increasing as the aerosol-generating material in the cigarette is heated, rather than a method of burning the cigarette to produce an aerosol. Accordingly, research into a heated cigarette or a heated aerosol generating device has been actively conducted.

The aerosol-generating device may include a vaporizer capable of generating an aerosol. The vaporizer may be referred to as, for example, a cartomizer or atomizer, but is not limited thereto. The vaporizer has a liquid reservoir and the liquid composition of the liquid reservoir is absorbed by the wick and heated by the heating. The heating unit may generate an aerosol by heating the liquid composition.

When the user uses the aerosol-generating device, the liquid composition can be provided from the liquid reservoir to the wick. The liquid composition needs to be tightly sealed in the liquid storage portion or in a path through which the liquid composition flows, and needs to be selectively provided to the wick according to the user's use.

If the liquid composition is not tightly sealed in the liquid reservoir or in the path through which the liquid composition flows, leakage may occur where the liquid composition flows out of the aerosol-generating device or other components in the aerosol-generating device. The spilled liquid composition can be spilled out of the vaporizer and delivered to the user. In addition, when the liquid composition is spilled to a component in the aerosol-generating device, it may be inhaled to the user in a liquid state rather than in an aerosol state.

If such leakage occurs repeatedly, the components of the aerosol-generating device may be contaminated, thereby deteriorating the performance of the aerosol-generating device and making the aerosol-generating device impossible to operate. In addition, when the liquid composition is spilled through the airflow inlet of the aerosol-generating device, the user of the aerosol-generating device may feel uncomfortable due to the spilled liquid composition.

Embodiments provide a vaporizer comprising a valve portion comprising a plurality of sealing blocks and an aerosol generating device having the same.

In addition, embodiments are a sensor for detecting a user's smoking; And a control unit for controlling the valve unit and the heating unit.

The technical problems to be achieved by the embodiments are not limited to the technical problems as described above, and other technical problems may be inferred from the following embodiments.

A vaporizer according to an embodiment includes a liquid storage unit for storing and supplying a liquid composition; A wick portion coupled to the liquid storage portion to absorb the liquid composition supplied from the liquid storage portion; A plurality of sealing blocks disposed between the liquid reservoir and the wick and moving between a first position in contact with each other to block movement of the liquid composition and a second position spaced apart from each other to allow the movement of the liquid composition Valve part; And a heating unit for heating the liquid composition absorbed by the wick portion, wherein the valve portion blocks the liquid composition from being supplied to the wick portion through a passage that is closed or opened according to the movement of the plurality of sealing blocks, or Can accept

The valve portion further includes a plurality of elastic structures to which the sealing blocks are mounted, and the elastic structures can provide elastic force to maintain the sealing blocks in the first position or the second position.

The valve unit further includes a driving unit for pressing the sealing blocks disposed at the edge among the plurality of sealing blocks, and the driving unit can open or close the passage by pressing the sealing blocks in a direction opposite to the direction in which the elastic force of the elastic structure acts. have.

The vaporizer further includes an intermediate portion disposed between the sealing block and the driving portion, and the driving portion can pressurize the sealing blocks through the intermediate portion.

The elastic structure may have an annular shape including a polygon.

The vaporizer further includes a wick portion coupled to one side of the wick portion, and the liquid composition absorbed by the wick portion may be moved to the wick portion and heated by the heating portion.

The heating unit may have a coil or filament shape to surround the wick.

The sealing block may be a material having elasticity.

The aerosol-generating device according to another embodiment may include a vaporizer.

The aerosol-generating device includes a sensor for detecting a user's smoking and transmitting a signal; And a control unit receiving a signal from the sensor and controlling a valve unit and a heating unit of the vaporizer.

When the sensor detects the user's smoking, the control unit may transmit an electrical signal to the valve unit to open the passage.

The vaporizer according to the embodiment includes a valve portion including a plurality of sealing blocks moving between a first position in contact with each other to block the movement of the liquid composition and a second position spaced apart from each other to allow the movement of the liquid composition. .

The vaporizer includes a valve portion including a plurality of sealing blocks, and the plurality of sealing blocks are in contact with each other, so that the liquid composition can be tightly sealed and stored in the liquid storage unit. In addition, when the sealing block moves to a second position spaced apart from each other, the liquid composition may be supplied from the liquid storage portion to the wick portion through the valve portion.

By controlling the amount of the liquid composition supplied to the wick portion, leaks that may occur beyond the limit of the absorption capacity of the liquid composition in the wick portion can be prevented. In addition, the aerosol-generating device according to the embodiment may further include a sensor for detecting smoking of the user, so that the liquid composition may be selectively supplied according to the smoking of the user.

When leakage of the liquid composition is prevented, various problems that leakage of the liquid composition may cause to the user of the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating device, for example, problems such as poor performance and poor operation of the aerosol-generating device can be prevented. have. In addition, as the liquid composition is selectively supplied according to the user's smoking, the aerosol generating device can be used more efficiently.

1 is an exploded view of components of a vaporizer according to an embodiment.

2 is a cross-sectional view of the vaporizer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

3A is a view showing a valve portion of a vaporizer according to an embodiment when the passage is closed.

3B is a view showing the valve portion of the vaporizer according to the embodiment when the passage is opened.

4 is a cross-sectional view showing a vaporizer according to an embodiment when the passage is opened.

5 is a view showing an example in which a cigarette is inserted into the aerosol-generating device including the vaporizer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the flow of a signal inside the aerosol-generating device when smoking using the aerosol-generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

The vaporizer includes a liquid storage unit for storing and supplying a liquid composition; A wick portion coupled to the liquid storage portion to absorb the liquid composition supplied from the liquid storage portion; A plurality of sealing blocks disposed between the liquid reservoir and the wick and moving between a first position in contact with each other to block movement of the liquid composition and a second position spaced apart from each other to allow the movement of the liquid composition Valve part; And a heating unit for heating the liquid composition absorbed by the wick portion, wherein the valve portion blocks the liquid composition from being supplied to the wick portion through a passage that is closed or opened according to the movement of the plurality of sealing blocks, or Can accept

The terminology used in the embodiments has been selected from general terms that are currently widely used as possible while considering functions in the present invention, but this may vary according to the intention or precedent of a person skilled in the art or the appearance of new technologies. In addition, in certain cases, some terms are arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, their meanings will be described in detail in the description of the applicable invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the contents of the present invention, not simply the names of the terms.

When a part of the specification “includes” or “includes” a certain component, this means that other components may be further included rather than excluding other components unless specifically stated to the contrary. In addition, "…" Wealth "," ... The term "module" means a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

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 to which the present invention pertains may easily practice. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

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

1 is an exploded view of components of a vaporizer 100 according to an embodiment. The vaporizer 100 is a liquid storage unit 110 for storing and supplying a liquid composition, a wick unit 130 coupled to the liquid storage unit 110 to absorb the liquid composition supplied from the liquid storage unit 110, and liquid storage It is disposed between the portion 110 and the wick portion 130, a plurality of moving between the first position in contact with each other to block the movement of the liquid composition and the second position spaced apart from each other to allow the movement of the liquid composition It includes a valve unit 120 including two sealing blocks 1201, and a heating unit 140 for heating the liquid composition absorbed by the wick unit 130.

The valve unit 120 may block or allow the liquid composition from being supplied from the liquid storage unit 110 to the wick unit 130 through a passage that is closed or opened according to the movement of the plurality of sealing blocks 1201.

In addition, the vaporizer 100 according to the embodiment may further include a wick part 150 coupled to one side of the weak part 130. The liquid composition absorbed by the wick portion 130 moves to the wick portion 150 and is heated by the heating portion 140, whereby an aerosol may be generated.

2 is a cross-sectional view of the vaporizer 100 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Each component of the vaporizer 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The liquid storage unit 110 may have a shape for storing the liquid composition. The liquid storage 110 may be, for example, prismatic including a cylindrical shape, or may be spherical. In addition, the liquid storage unit 110 may be formed on one surface of the liquid storage unit 110, an outlet 1101 to provide the stored liquid composition to the wick unit 130. The liquid composition may flow in the direction of the valve unit 120 through the outlet 1101 molded on one surface of the liquid storage unit 110.

The liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance containing a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid containing a non-cigarette substance. For example, the liquid composition may include water, solvent, ethanol, plant extracts, flavoring agents, flavoring agents, or vitamin mixtures. The fragrance may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavor ingredients, and the like, but is not limited thereto. Flavoring agents may include ingredients that can provide a variety of flavors or flavors to the user. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the liquid composition may include aerosol formers such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

3A and 3B showing the valve part 120 of the vaporizer 100, the valve part 120 can be known in more detail. The valve unit 120 that seals the outlet 1101 of the liquid storage unit 110 may be disposed between the liquid storage unit 110 and the wick unit 130. The outlet 1101 of the liquid storage unit 110 may be sealed through the valve unit 120 to prevent the liquid composition from flowing out of the liquid storage unit 110.

The valve unit 120 may be disposed between the liquid storage unit 110 and the wick unit 130. The valve unit 120 includes a plurality of sealing blocks 1201, and the plurality of sealing blocks 1201 are spaced apart from each other to allow movement of the first composition and the first position in contact with each other to block the movement of the liquid composition. It can move between 2 positions.

The sealing block 1201 is a material having elasticity, and may be, for example, rubber, but is not limited thereto. When the sealing blocks 1201 move to the first position and contact each other, the passage between the sealing blocks 1201 may be closed. As the sealing block 1201 is a material having elasticity, flow between the sealing blocks 1201 may be in close contact, so that the flow of the liquid composition can be prevented. The outlet 1101 of the liquid storage unit 110 may be sealed through the sealing block 1201, so that the liquid composition may be blocked from being supplied from the liquid storage unit 110 to the wick unit 130.

When the sealing block 1201 moves to a second position and is spaced apart from each other, a passage formed between the sealing blocks 1201 may be opened. When the passage between the sealing blocks 1201 is opened, the liquid composition stored in the liquid storage 110 may be provided to the wick 130 through the passage, so supply of the liquid composition may be permitted.

The valve unit 120 may further include a plurality of elastic structures 1202 to which the sealing blocks 1201 are respectively mounted. The elastic structure 1202 may provide an elastic force that maintains the sealing block 1201 in a first position or a second position.

The elastic structure 1202 and the sealing block 1201 may be combined with each other to seal the liquid storage unit 110, and the portion where the sealing block 1201 is mounted is located at the outlet 1101 of the liquid storage unit 110. It may be disposed in a position corresponding to. Therefore, if the sealing block 1201 is subjected to an elastic force so as to be maintained at a first position in contact with each other by the elastic structure 1202, the outlet 1101 of the liquid storage unit 110 is sealed by the sealing block 1201. The flow of the composition may be blocked.

Each of the elastic structures 1202 may be connected to each other. The plurality of sealing blocks 1201 may be mounted on the plurality of elastic structures 1202, respectively. The sealing block 1201 may be mounted on the elastic structure 1202 and held in the first position or the second position. Each of the elastic structures 1202 may include a material having elasticity, so that the elastic structures 1202 can provide elastic force to maintain the sealing block 1201 in the first position or the second position.

Referring to Figure 3a showing the valve portion 120 of the vaporizer 100 according to the embodiment when the passage is closed, the sealing block 1201 is provided with elastic force by the elastic structure 1202 of the liquid composition It can be held in a first position in contact with each other to block movement.

The plurality of elastic structures 1202 are located on the same plane and may be connected to each other. At this time, the plurality of elastic structures 1202 may be arranged side by side to neighbor each other. At this time, the sealing block 1201 may be mounted on the connecting portion between each elastic structure 1202, and may also be mounted on the edge portion of the elastic structure 1202.

The plurality of sealing blocks 1201 may also be arranged side by side to be adjacent to each other like the elastic structure 1202 and may be located on the same plane. The sealing blocks 1201 arranged side by side so as to be adjacent to each other can be provided with an elastic force by the elastic structure 1202, so that they can be in close contact with each other.

In the first position blocking the movement of the liquid composition, the sealing blocks 1201 are arranged side by side and can be in close contact with each other. Accordingly, a passage formed between the sealing blocks 1201 is blocked by the sealing blocks 1201, and the liquid composition stored in the liquid storage unit 110 is sealed in the liquid storage unit 110.

Referring to Figure 3b showing the valve portion 120 of the vaporizer 100 according to the embodiment when the passage is opened, the sealing block 1201 is provided with elastic force by the elastic structure 1202 of the liquid composition It can be maintained in a second position spaced apart from each other to allow movement.

The plurality of elastic structures 1202 may be positioned on the same plane and connected to each other. The elastic structure 1202 may have an annular shape including a polygon and may include a material having elastic force. The plurality of elastic structures 1202 may be arranged side by side to be adjacent to each other, and the elastic structures 1202 may be maintained such that a cavity is formed inside the annular shape. The sealing block 1201 may be mounted on the connecting portion between each elastic structure 1202, and may also be mounted on the edge portion of the elastic structure 1202.

The plurality of sealing blocks 1201 may be mounted on the elastic structure 1202 and arranged side by side. When the elastic structure 1202 has an annular shape and is maintained such that a cavity is formed inside the annular shape, the sealing block 1201 receives elastic force by the elastic structure 1202 and the passage formed between the sealing blocks 1201 is opened. Can be.

In the second position, which blocks the movement of the liquid composition, the sealing blocks 1201 are arranged side by side and can be spaced apart from each other. Accordingly, the passage formed between the sealing blocks 1201 is opened, and the liquid composition stored in the liquid storage unit 110 may be supplied to the wick unit 130 through the passages between the sealing blocks 1201.

The valve unit 120 may further include a driving unit 1203 that presses the sealing blocks 1201 disposed at the edges among the plurality of sealing blocks 1201. The driving unit 1203 may open or close the passage of the valve unit 120 by pressing the sealing blocks 1201 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the elastic force of the elastic structure 1202 acts.

The sealing block 1201 may be mounted on a connecting portion between each elastic structure 1202, and may also be mounted on an edge portion of the elastic structure 1202. At this time, the valve unit 120 may further include a driving unit 1203 that presses the sealing blocks 1201 disposed at the edges.

The driving unit 1203 may press the valve unit 120 to press the sealing block 1201 to move to the first position or the second position. The driving unit 1203 may be pressed in a direction opposite to the direction in which the elastic force of the elastic structure 1202 acts. For example, the elastic force of the elastic structure 1202 maintains the sealing block 1201 in the first position. If working, the drive unit 1203 may press the sealing block 1201 to move to the second position. In addition, if the elastic force of the elastic structure 1202 acts to maintain the sealing block 1201 in the second position, the driving unit 1203 may press the sealing block 1201 to move to the first position.

The sealing block 1201 held in the first position or the second position according to the elastic force of the elastic structure 1202 may move to the second position or the first position according to the pressure of the driving unit 1203. When the driving unit 1203 presses the sealing block 1201 maintained in the first position and moves it to the second position, the passage of the valve unit 120 is opened, so that the liquid composition from the liquid storage unit 110 to the wick 130 Can be supplied.

When the driving unit 1203 presses the sealing block 1201 maintained in the second position to move to the first position, the passage of the valve unit 120 is closed, so that the liquid composition is wicked 130 from the liquid storage unit 110. It can cut off the supply.

The vaporizer 100 may further include an intermediate portion 1204 disposed between the sealing block 1201 and the driving unit 1203. The driving unit 1203 may press the sealing blocks 1201 disposed at the edges through the intermediate unit 1204.

The driving unit 1203 may be connected to the sealing blocks 1201 disposed at the edges through the intermediate unit 1204. The intermediate portion 1204 may be located between the driving portion 1203 and the sealing block 1201 disposed at the edge. The intermediate portion 1204 may be connected to a fixed portion of one portion of the valve valve coupled with the liquid storage portion 110. The driving unit 1203 can press the sealing block 1201 through the intermediate unit 1204 and press the entire sealing block 1201 with an equal force.

When the sealing block 1201 moves to the first position or the second position as the driving unit 1203 evenly presses the sealing block 1201 through the intermediary unit 1204, it can be more effectively contacted or spaced from each other. . In addition, it is possible to prevent damage to the sealing block 1201 or the elastic structure 1202 on which the sealing block 1201 is mounted by reducing the shock that may occur in the sealing block 1201.

The wick part 130 may be coupled to one side of the valve part 120, and may absorb a liquid composition flowing through the valve part 120 from the liquid storage part 110. The wick unit 130 may be formed of a material capable of constantly discharging a predetermined amount after absorbing the liquid composition. For example, the wick portion 130 may be formed of at least one of cotton, silica wick, stainless steel mesh and glass fiber, but is not limited to the above-described material. The wick part 130 may be a shape that is coupled to one side of the valve part 120 and surrounds one surface of the valve part 120, and may be a prismatic shape including a cylindrical shape, but the wick part 130 may have a shape. Is not limited thereby.

The vaporizer 100 may include a heating unit 140 for heating the liquid composition absorbed by the wick unit 130. The liquid composition absorbed by the wick 130 may be heated by the heating 140 to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generated in the vaporizer 100 may be delivered to a user and inhaled.

The vaporizer 100 may further include a wick 150 coupled to one side of the wick 130. The wick 150 may be provided with a liquid composition from the wick 130 absorbing the liquid composition from the liquid storage 110. The liquid composition may flow through the wick portion 130 to the wick portion 150, thereby preventing the rapid flow of the liquid composition to the wick portion 150. The liquid composition absorbed by the wick 130 may be moved to the wick 150 and heated by the heating 140. The shape of the wick 150 may be prismatic or cylindrical, but is not limited thereto.

The heating part 140 may generate an aerosol by heating the liquid composition absorbed by the wick part 130 and the wick part 150. The heating unit 140 is located on one side of the wick unit 130 and may be in a shape surrounding the wick unit 150 in contact with one surface of the wick unit 130. The heating unit 140 may have a coil or filament shape, for example, and may be formed to surround the central portion of the wick unit 150. The material of the heating unit 140 may include at least one of nichrome, kanthal, tantalum, stainless, tungsten, nickel, and titanium, but is not limited thereto.

The flow of the liquid composition in the vaporizer 100 can be seen in detail with reference to FIG. 4, which is a diagram schematically showing the vaporizer 100 according to the embodiment when the passage is opened.

The liquid composition may be stored in the liquid storage unit 110 and optionally provided to the wick unit 130. When the liquid composition is stored in the liquid storage unit 110, the liquid composition in the liquid storage unit 110 is transferred to the wick unit 130 by the valve unit 120 that seals the outlet 1101 of the liquid storage unit 110. Supply may be cut off.

The valve unit 120 may selectively provide the liquid composition stored in the liquid storage unit 110 to the wick unit 130. The valve unit 120 may be disposed between the liquid storage unit 110 and the wick unit 130. The valve unit 120 includes a plurality of sealing blocks 1201, and the plurality of sealing blocks 1201 are spaced apart from each other to allow movement of the first composition and the first position in contact with each other to block the movement of the liquid composition. It can move between 2 positions.

When the sealing blocks 1201 move to the first position and contact each other, the passage between the sealing blocks 1201 may be closed. The sealing blocks 1201 can be in close contact with each other, so that the flow of the liquid composition can be prevented. The outlet 1101 of the liquid storage unit 110 may be sealed through the sealing block 1201, so that the liquid composition may be blocked from being supplied from the liquid storage unit 110 to the wick unit 130.

The liquid composition that has passed through the valve unit 120 may be absorbed by the wick unit 130 by flowing to the wick unit 130 coupled to one side of the valve unit 120. At this time, the wick portion 130 may absorb the liquid composition that has passed through the valve portion 120 and discharge the absorbed liquid composition again.

The liquid composition may be released from the wick portion 130 and absorbed by the wick portion 150 coupled to one side of the wick portion 130. At this time, the liquid composition is constantly discharged from the wick 130 to prevent the rapid flow of the liquid composition in the vaporizer 100. As the rapid flow is prevented, leakage of the liquid composition out of the vaporizer 100 may also be prevented.

The liquid composition absorbed by the wick portion 130 and the wick portion 150 may be heated by the heating portion 140 located between the wick portion 130 and the wick portion 150. As the heating unit 140 heats the liquid composition, an aerosol may be generated in the vaporizer 100. The aerosol generated in the vaporizer 100 may be discharged from the vaporizer 100 and sucked by the user.

The vaporizer 100 may further include an airflow path 250 that is connected to the vaporizer 100 and discharges an aerosol in the vaporizer 100.

5 is a view showing an example in which a cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating apparatus 200 including the vaporizer 100 according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the aerosol-generating device 200 may include a battery 230, a control unit 220, a sensor 210, a heater 240, and a vaporizer 100. In addition, the aerosol-generating device 200 may have an air inlet 205 through which external air can be introduced, and a cigarette may be inserted into the inner space of the aerosol-generating device 200.

It can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment that other general-purpose components in addition to those shown in FIG. 5 may be further included in the aerosol-generating device 200.

In addition, although the heater 240 is illustrated in the aerosol generating device 200 in FIG. 5, the heater 240 may be omitted, if necessary. Depending on the design of the aerosol-generating device 200, the arrangement of the battery 230, the control unit 220, the sensor 210, the vaporizer 100, and the heater 240 may be changed.

The sensor 210 of the aerosol-generating device 200 may detect smoking of the user. The sensor 210 detects, for example, a drop in pressure in the aerosol-generating device 200 due to a user's smoking, a temperature change in the aerosol-generating device 200, or air flow in the aerosol-generating device 200 to detect the user's Smoking can be detected. The sensor 210 may be a puff detection sensor 210, a temperature detection sensor 210, etc., but the operating principle and type of the sensor 210 are not limited thereto.

The sensor 210 is illustrated in FIG. 5 as being included inside the aerosol-generating device 200, but may be mounted on an outer surface of the aerosol-generating device 200 or a case coupled with the outer surface.

The control unit 220 controls the operation of the aerosol generating device 200. Specifically, the control unit 220 controls the operation of the batteries 230, the heater 240, and the vaporizer 100, as well as other components included in the aerosol-generating device 200.

The control unit 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 in which programs executable on the microprocessor are stored. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment pertains may understand that it may be implemented in other types of hardware.

The control unit 220 may check the state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device 200 to determine whether the aerosol generating device 200 is in an operable state. In addition, by controlling the operation of the valve unit 120 and the heating unit 140 in the vaporizer 100, the control unit 220 may generate an aerosol in the vaporizer 100.

The vaporizer 100 may generate an aerosol by heating the liquid composition, and the aerosol generated in the vaporizer 100 may be delivered to a user through a cigarette. The aerosol-generating device 200 may include an airflow pass 250 through which the aerosol generated in the vaporizer 100 flows.

The aerosol combined with external air and generated inside the vaporizer 100 may move along the airflow path 250 of the aerosol-generating device 200, and the airflow path 250 is an aerosol generated by the vaporizer 100. It can be configured to pass through the cigarette to be delivered to the user.

The vaporizer 100 may include a liquid storage unit 110, a valve unit 120, a wick unit 130, and a heating unit 140, but is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid storage unit 110, the valve unit 120, the wick unit 130, and the heating unit 140 may be included in the aerosol generating device 200 as independent modules.

If the liquid composition is heated in the vaporizer 100 of the aerosol-generating device 200 to learn in detail about the process of generating the aerosol, the user's smoking by the sensor 210, that is, the use of the aerosol-generating device 200 Upon detection, the control unit 220 of the aerosol generating device 200 may transmit an electrical signal to the vaporizer 100. The electrical signal of the control unit 220 is transmitted to the vaporizer 100 and the sealing block 1201 of the valve unit 120 of the vaporizer 100 may move to the first position or the second position.

At this time, when the sealing block 1201 of the valve unit 120 moves to a second position spaced apart from each other to allow the liquid composition to move, the passage formed between the sealing blocks 1201 is opened and stored in the liquid storage unit 110. The liquid composition that has been made may be supplied from the liquid storage unit 110 to the weak unit 130.

In addition, according to the electrical signal of the control unit 220, the heating unit 140 of the vaporizer 100 is operated to increase the temperature of the heating unit 140. When the heating part 140 heats the liquid composition absorbed by the wick part 130 and the wick part 150, an aerosol may be generated in the vaporizer 100. At this time, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 100 may be delivered to the user through the airflow path 250 connected from the vaporizer 100 to the outside of the aerosol-generating device 200. Alternatively, when a cigarette is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 200, the aerosol that has passed through the airflow path 250 may further pass through the cigarette and be delivered to the user.

When the user stops using the aerosol-generating device 200, the passage of the valve unit 120 of the vaporizer 100 may be closed again. When the sealing block 1201 of the valve unit 120 moves to a first position in contact with each other to block the movement of the liquid composition, the passage formed between the sealing blocks 1201 is closed, so that the liquid composition is transferred to the liquid storage unit 110. Is sealed.

The control unit 220 may stop the operation of the heating unit 140 in the vaporizer 100 to lower the temperature of the heating unit 140. Accordingly, aerosol generation in the vaporizer 100 can be prevented and power consumption of the aerosol generating device 200 can be prevented from being wasted.

The heater 240 may be heated by electric power supplied from the battery 230. For example, when the cigarette is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 200, the heater 240 may be located inside the cigarette. Thus, the heated heater 240 can increase the temperature of the aerosol-generating material in the cigarette.

The heater 240 may be an electric resistive heater 240. For example, the heater 240 may include an electrically conductive track, and as the current flows through the electrically conductive track, the heater 240 may be heated. However, the heater 240 is not limited to the above-described example, and may be applied without limitation as long as it can be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be previously set in the aerosol-generating device 200, or may be set to a desired temperature by the user.

Meanwhile, as another example, the heater 240 may be an induction heating heater 240. Specifically, the heater 240 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating the cigarette in an induction heating method, and the cigarette may include a susceptor capable of being heated by the induction heating method 240.

Meanwhile, the aerosol-generating device 200 may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery 230, the control unit 220, and the heater 240. For example, the aerosol generating apparatus 200 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and / or a motor for outputting tactile information. In addition, the aerosol-generating device 200 may be manufactured in a structure in which external air may be introduced or internal gas may be discharged even when a cigarette is inserted.

The aerosol-generating device 200 may constitute a system with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 230 of the aerosol-generating device 200. Alternatively, the heater 240 may be heated while the cradle and the aerosol-generating device 200 are combined.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the flow of signals inside the aerosol-generating device 200 when smoking using the aerosol-generating device 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

When a user smokes, that is, when the user uses the aerosol-generating device 200, the sensor 210 of the aerosol-generating device 200 may detect a user's smoking and transmit a signal to the control unit 220. The control unit 220 receiving the signal from the sensor 210, the valve unit 120 of the electrical signal controlling the valve unit 120 and the heating unit 140 of the vaporizer 100 through the vaporizer 100 And the heating unit 140.

The valve unit 120 and the heating unit 140 may be operated to generate aerosols in the vaporizer 100 through electrical signals transmitted from the control unit 220. The valve unit 120 may move the positions of the sealing blocks 1201 to open or close the passage formed between the sealing blocks 1201. When the passage is opened, the liquid composition stored in the liquid storage 110 through the passage may pass through the valve 120 to be transferred to the weak 130.

The temperature of the heating unit 140 receiving the electrical signal may be increased to heat the liquid composition. When the passage of the valve unit 120 is opened, the liquid composition may be absorbed from the liquid storage unit 110 to the wick unit 130 through the valve unit 120.

The liquid composition absorbed by the wick portion 130 may be discharged from the wick portion 130 and absorbed into the wick portion 150. The liquid composition absorbed by the wick portion 130 and the wick portion 150 may be heated by the heating portion 140 so that an aerosol may be generated in the vaporizer 100. The aerosol generated in the vaporizer 100 may be delivered to the user through the airflow pass 250.

The vaporizer 100 according to the embodiment may include a valve unit 120 capable of sealing and storing the liquid composition in the liquid storage unit 110 as well as selectively transmitting the liquid composition. The vaporizer 100 includes the above-described valve unit 120 to prevent leakage of the liquid composition from the vaporizer 100 and to generate an aerosol within the vaporizer 100.

In addition, the aerosol generating apparatus 200 including the vaporizer 100 according to the embodiment detects a user's smoking through the sensor 210 and controls the vaporizer 100 through the control unit 220 to control the aerosol generating apparatus ( 200) to effectively create an aerosol and provide it to the user. Through this, more efficient operation of the aerosol-generating device 200 is possible.

Those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment will understand that it may be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential characteristics of the above-described substrate. Therefore, the disclosed methods should be considered in terms of explanation, not limitation. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the equivalent range should be interpreted as being included in the present invention.

Claims

A liquid storage unit for storing and supplying the liquid composition;

A wick portion coupled to the liquid storage portion to absorb the liquid composition supplied from the liquid storage portion;

A plurality of seals disposed between the liquid storage portion and the wick portion and moving between a first position contacting each other to block the movement of the liquid composition and a second position spaced apart from each other to allow the movement of the liquid composition. A valve part including a block; And

Includes; heating unit for heating the liquid composition absorbed by the wick portion;

The valve portion is a vaporizer that blocks or allows the liquid composition to be supplied from the liquid storage portion to the wick portion through a passage that is closed or opened according to the movement of the plurality of sealing blocks.
According to claim 1,

The valve portion further includes a plurality of elastic structures to which the sealing blocks are mounted, and the elastic structures provide elastic force to maintain the sealing blocks in the first position or the second position.
According to claim 2,

The valve unit further includes a driving unit for urging the sealing blocks disposed at an edge among the plurality of sealing blocks,

The driving unit is a vaporizer to open or close the passage by pressing the sealing blocks in a direction opposite to the direction in which the elastic force of the elastic structure acts.
The method of claim 3,

The vaporizer further includes an intermediate portion disposed between the sealing block and the driving portion, and the driving portion presses the sealing blocks through the intermediate portion.
According to claim 2,

The elastic structure has an annular shape including a polygon, a vaporizer.
According to claim 1,

The vaporizer further includes a wick portion coupled to one side of the wick portion,

The liquid composition absorbed by the wick is moved to the wick and heated by the heating unit.
The method of claim 6,

The heating unit has a coil or filament shape to surround the wick, vaporizer.
According to claim 1,

The sealing block is an elastic material, a vaporizer
An aerosol-generating device comprising the vaporizer according to claim 1.
The method of claim 9,

The aerosol-generating device includes a sensor for detecting a user's smoking and transmitting a signal; And

And a control unit for receiving a signal from the sensor and controlling the valve unit and the heating unit.
The method of claim 10,

When the sensor detects the user's smoking, the control unit transmits an electrical signal to the valve unit to open the passage, the aerosol generating device.