WO2024025125A1

WO2024025125A1 - Aerosol generating device

Info

Publication number: WO2024025125A1
Application number: PCT/KR2023/007594
Authority: WO
Inventors: 정용미; 신준원; 김문원
Original assignee: 주식회사 케이티앤지
Priority date: 2022-07-26
Filing date: 2023-06-02
Publication date: 2024-02-01
Also published as: KR20240014849A

Abstract

An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment may comprise: a first storage unit for storing a first liquid containing nicotine; a second storage unit for storing a second liquid capable of forming an inhalable composition by reacting with the first liquid; a reaction unit in which the first liquid can be atomized; and a surface wave generating unit capable of transmitting surface acoustic waves to the reaction unit, wherein atomization of the first liquid may be controlled by the surface acoustic waves.

Description

aerosol generating device

The present invention relates to aerosol generating devices.

Recently, demand for alternative products that overcome the disadvantages of traditional cigarettes is increasing. For example, an inhaler is a device used to inhale a composition such as a drug or other liquid or gas through the oral or nasal cavity during the inhalation process. This device has a container containing an inhalable composition, and the composition can be inhaled by a user by being sprayed from the container through a thin tube and finally into the oral cavity or nasal cavity through an inhalation port.

As an example of prior art, European Patent No. 0017578 (registration date March 19, 1980) describes an inhaler.

The above-mentioned background technology is possessed or acquired by the inventor in the process of deriving the disclosure of the present application, and cannot necessarily be said to be known technology disclosed to the general public before the present application.

An object according to one embodiment is to provide an aerosol generating device capable of uniformly controlling the generation of nicotine salt vapor.

The purpose of one embodiment is to provide an aerosol generating device capable of atomizing a low concentration nicotine solution.

An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes a first storage unit that stores a first liquid containing nicotine, a second storage unit that stores a second liquid that can react with the first liquid to form an inhalable composition, It includes a reaction unit capable of atomizing the first liquid phase, and a surface wave generator capable of transmitting surface acoustic waves to the reaction unit, and atomization of the first liquid phase can be controlled by the surface acoustic waves.

The nicotine content contained in the first liquid may be 1% or less.

In a first state in which the user does not inhale the aerosol generating device, the first liquid may not be atomized, and in a second state in which the user inhales the aerosol generating device, the first liquid may be atomized.

The first liquid phase atomized in the second state may be moved in a direction toward the second storage unit and react with the second liquid phase of the second storage unit to form an inhalable composition.

The aerosol generating device according to one embodiment further includes an inhalation unit through which a user can inhale the composition, and the second storage unit may be disposed between the reaction unit and the inhalation unit.

The aerosol generating device according to one embodiment may further include a first connection unit capable of transferring the first liquid phase from the first storage unit to the reaction unit.

The surface wave generator may transmit surface acoustic waves to the reaction unit by operating in the second state.

The aerosol generating device according to one embodiment may further include a second connection unit capable of transferring the second liquid phase from the second storage unit to the reaction unit.

The first liquid phase and the second liquid phase may be atomized simultaneously in the reaction unit.

The reaction unit may include a first reaction unit that atomizes the first liquid phase and a second reaction unit that can atomize the second liquid phase.

The surface wave generating unit may include a first surface wave generating element capable of transmitting surface acoustic waves to the first reaction unit and a second surface wave generating element capable of transmitting surface acoustic waves to the second reacting unit.

The first surface wave generating element and the second surface wave generating element may be controlled independently.

Aerosol generating device.

The first liquid phase, the second liquid phase, or all of them may be transferred to the reaction unit through capillary action.

The aerosol generating device according to one embodiment can uniformly control the generation of nicotine salt vapor.

An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment can atomize a low concentration nicotine solution.

1 is a block diagram showing the relationship between components of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of components of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of components of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Figures 4a and 4b are schematic diagrams showing the arrangement of components of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The following description is one of several aspects of the embodiments, and the following description forms part of a detailed description of the embodiments. In describing one embodiment, detailed descriptions of well-known functions or configurations will be omitted to make the gist of the present invention clear.

However, since various changes may be made to the embodiments, the scope of the patent application is not limited or limited by these embodiments. It should be understood that all changes, equivalents or substitutions to the embodiments are included in the scope of rights.

In addition, terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted in their usual or dictionary meaning, and the inventor may appropriately define the concept of terms in order to explain his or her invention in the best way. Based on the principle that there is, it must be interpreted with a meaning and concept that corresponds to the technical idea of the invention according to an embodiment.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but are not intended to indicate the presence of one or more other features. It should be understood that this does not exclude in advance the possibility of the existence or addition of elements, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the embodiments belong. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related technology, and unless clearly defined in this application, be interpreted as having an ideal or excessively formal meaning. It doesn't work. Terms such as “~unit” and “~module” used in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software, or as a combination of hardware and software.

In addition, when describing with reference to the accompanying drawings, identical components will be assigned the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions thereof will be omitted. In describing the embodiments, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known technologies may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the embodiments, the detailed descriptions are omitted.

Additionally, in describing the components of the embodiment, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, sequence, or order of the component is not limited by the term. When a component is described as being "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, that component may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but there is no need for another component between each component. It should be understood that may be “connected,” “combined,” or “connected.”

Components included in one embodiment and components including common functions will be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless stated to the contrary, the description given in one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, and detailed description will be omitted to the extent of overlap.

1 is a block diagram showing the relationship between components of an aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment.

Referring to Figure 1, an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment includes a storage unit 200 that stores a liquid that can form an inhalable composition, and a surface wave generator that can generate surface acoustic waves that atomize the liquid. (400) and may include a reaction section (300) in which the atomized liquid may react to form an inhalable composition.

The storage unit 200 may include a first storage unit 210 and a second storage unit 220. The first storage unit 210 may store a first liquid L1 containing nicotine. The second storage unit 220 may store a second liquid phase (L2) that can react with the first liquid phase to form an inhalable composition. A composition that can be inhaled by a user may be in the form of nicotine salt. The second liquid stored in the second storage unit 220 may be a solution containing organic acid. The organic acid contained in the second liquid phase may react with the nicotine in the first liquid phase to produce nicotine salt, a form of inhalable nicotine.

The first liquid phase and the second liquid phase may each react in an atomized state. The first liquid phase and the second liquid phase can be atomized by themselves or by applying a surface acoustic wave.

Nicotine content percentage contained in the first liquid may be below a preset value. This may be due to the fact that the first liquid phase can be atomized into nicotine vapor only when surface acoustic waves are applied to the first liquid phase. In other words, the first liquid phase may be maintained in a non-atomized state when surface acoustic waves are not applied. For example, the first liquid may be a solution containing 1% or less of nicotine.

The surface wave generator 400 can generate surface acoustic waves that can atomize the liquid phase. Surface acoustic waves are acoustic waves that propagate along the surface of an elastic substrate, and can be generated from electrical signals as a result of the piezoelectric effect. The surface acoustic waves generated by the surface wave generator 400 can atomize the first liquid phase or both the first liquid phase and the second liquid phase. Surface acoustic waves generated by the surface wave generator 400 may be transmitted to the reaction unit 300.

The surface wave generator 400 may be designed to operate and generate surface acoustic waves only when the user inhales the aerosol generating device. For example, the surface wave generator 400 may include a respiration sensor (not shown). The respiration sensor mounted on the surface wave generator 400 can sense when the user inhales the aerosol generating device, thereby generating an electrical control signal to operate the surface wave generator only when inhaling.

The first liquid phase stored in the first storage unit 210 and the second liquid phase stored in the second storage unit 220 may be transferred to the reaction unit 300 through a connection unit (not shown). At this time, the second liquid stored in the second storage unit 220 may or may not be delivered to the reaction unit 300 depending on the embodiment of the aerosol generating device 1. Each liquid phase delivered to the reaction unit can be atomized by a surface-generated wave transmitted from the surface wave generator.

In the reaction unit 300, the first liquid phase or the first liquid phase and the second liquid phase may be atomized, and each atomized liquid phase may react with each other to form an inhalable composition (eg, the nicotine salt described above). That is, the 'reaction' herein may include not only the reaction in which each liquid phase is atomized, but also the reaction in which the atomized liquid phases interact to form a composition. The reaction unit 300 contains the first liquid phase (L1) delivered from the first storage unit 210 or the first liquid phase (L1) delivered from the first storage unit 210 and the first liquid phase (L1) delivered from the second storage unit 220. It may contain part of the second liquid phase (L2). The reaction unit 300 may include a substrate element formed so that surface acoustic waves can be easily transmitted.

The atomized first liquid phase and the second liquid phase may react with each other to form an inhalable composition (n). As described above, the inhalable composition (n) may be formed in the form of nicotine salt.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of components of the aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment.

Referring to Figure 2, the aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment may include a housing 100, a storage unit 200, a reaction unit 300, a surface wave generator 400, and a connection unit 500. there is. The storage unit 200, the reaction unit 300, the surface wave generator 400, and the connection unit 500 may form an inhalable composition while accommodated in the housing 100. The storage unit 200 may include a first storage unit 210 for storing the first liquid phase and a second storage unit 220 for storing the second liquid phase. The first liquid phase and the second liquid phase may be a nicotine solution with a concentration of 1% or less and an organic acid solution with a preset concentration, respectively.

The connection part 500 may include a first connection part 510 and a second connection part 520. The first connection unit 510 can transfer the first liquid stored in the first storage unit 210 to the reaction unit 300 by connecting the first storage unit 210 and the reaction unit 300. The second connection unit 520 can transfer the second liquid stored in the second storage unit 220 to the reaction unit 300 by connecting the second storage unit 220 and the reaction unit 300.

The first connection part 510 and the second connection part 520 may be formed in the form of a microchannel to finely supply each liquid phase to the reaction unit 300. The first connection part 510 and the second connection part 520 can move each liquid phase to the reaction unit 300 through capillary action.

The reaction unit 300 may include a substrate element so that surface acoustic waves can be easily transmitted. The reaction unit 300 may include at least one substrate element. Each liquid supplied to the reaction unit 300 from the first connection part 510 and the second connection part 520 may exist in a form applied to the surface of the substrate.

The surface wave generator 400 may generate surface acoustic waves (S) and transmit the generated surface acoustic waves (S) to the reaction unit 300. On the reaction unit 300 that receives the surface acoustic waves, atomization of the first liquid phase and the second liquid phase applied on the substrate of the reaction unit 300 may occur. The atomized first liquid phase and the second liquid phase may react with each other to form an inhalable composition. However, Figure 2 only shows the connection and operating state of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment, and the physical arrangement of each component is not limited to that shown in Figure 2 and is the same below.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of components of the aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment.

Referring to Figure 3, the aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment may include a housing 100, a storage unit 200, a reaction unit 300, a surface wave generator 400, and a connection unit 500. there is. The storage unit 200, the reaction unit 300, the surface wave generator 400, and the connection unit 500 may form an inhalable composition while accommodated in the housing 100. The storage unit 200 may include a first storage unit 210 for storing the first liquid phase and a second storage unit 220 for storing the second liquid phase. The first liquid phase and the second liquid phase may be a nicotine solution with a concentration of 1% or less and an organic acid solution with a preset concentration, respectively.

The reaction unit 300 may include a first reaction unit 310, a second reaction unit 320, and a forming unit 330. The first reaction unit 310 is in communication with the first storage unit 210, and atomization of the first liquid phase may occur in the first reaction unit 310. The second reaction unit 320 is in communication with the second storage unit 220, and atomization of the second liquid phase may occur in the second reaction unit 320. In the forming unit 330, the first liquid phase atomized in the first reaction unit 310 and the second liquid phase atomized in the second reaction unit 320 react with each other to form an inhalable composition. However, the first reaction unit 310, the second reaction unit 320, and the forming unit 330 included in the reaction unit 300 are only terms referring to components that perform the respective functions described above. Each of the reaction unit 310, the second reaction unit 320, and the forming unit 330 may not be physically separated within the reaction unit 300.

The connection part 500 may include a first connection part 510 and a second connection part 520. The first connection unit 510 can transfer the first liquid stored in the first storage unit 210 to the first reaction unit 310 by connecting the first storage unit 210 and the first reaction unit 310. . The second connection unit 520 may transfer the second liquid stored in the second storage unit 220 to the second reaction unit 320 by connecting the second storage unit 220 and the second reaction unit 320. .

The first connection part 510 and the second connection part 520 may be formed in the form of a microchannel to supply a small amount of each liquid to the reaction unit. The first connection part 510 and the second connection part 520 can move each liquid phase to the reaction unit 300 through capillary action.

The surface wave generator 400 may generate surface acoustic waves (S) and transmit the generated surface acoustic waves (S) to the reaction unit 300 . The surface wave generation unit 400 may include a first surface wave generation element 410 and a second surface wave generation element 420. The first surface wave generating element 410 may transmit surface acoustic waves (S) to the first reaction unit 310 . The second surface wave generating element 420 may transmit surface acoustic waves (S) to the second reaction unit 320 . Here, the first surface wave generation element 410 and the second surface wave generation element 420 are controlled independently, so that the atomization of the first liquid phase and the second liquid phase can be separately controlled.

4A and 4B are schematic diagrams showing the arrangement of components of the aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment.

Referring to Figure 4a, the aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment includes a housing 100, a storage unit 200, a reaction unit 300, a surface wave generator 400, a connection unit 500, and a suction unit ( h) may be included. The storage unit 200, the reaction unit 300, the surface wave generator 400, and the connection unit 500 may form an inhalable composition while accommodated in the housing 100. The storage unit 200 may include a first storage unit 210 for storing the first liquid phase and a second storage unit 220 for storing the second liquid phase. The first liquid phase and the second liquid phase may be a nicotine solution with a concentration of 1% or less and an organic acid solution with a preset concentration, respectively.

The second storage unit 220 may be arranged to be spaced apart from the first storage unit 210 . The second storage unit 220 may be disposed closer to the suction unit (h) than the first storage unit 210. In other words, the second storage unit 220 may be disposed between the first storage unit 210 and the suction unit (h).

The reaction unit 300 may include a first reaction unit 310 and a forming unit 350. The first reaction unit 310 is in communication with the first storage unit 210, and atomization of the first liquid phase may occur in the first reaction unit 310. The atomized first liquid (g) may flow in a direction toward the suction unit (h) as the user inhales the aerosol generating device (v). An airflow tunnel (t) through which the atomized first liquid (g) can flow may be formed between the first storage unit 210 and the housing 100. The arrangement of the housing 100, the first storage unit 210, and the first reaction unit 310 and the shape of the airflow tunnel t due to the spaced space are not limited to those shown in FIG. 4.

The second storage unit 220 may be placed on the path through which the atomized first liquid (g) flows in the direction toward the suction unit (h). In the process of flowing the atomized first liquid (g) past the second storage unit 220, a formation portion 350 may be formed proximal to the second storage portion 220. That is, the atomized first liquid (g) passes through the second storage unit 220 and reacts with the second liquid that is impregnated in the second storage unit 220 or naturally atomized around the second storage unit, making it inhalable. Compositions (e.g., nicotine salts described above) may be formed. The entire flow path of the atomized first liquid (g) passing through the second storage unit 220 and the overlapping range of the second storage unit 220 may be included in the forming unit 350 . However, the flow path of the atomized first liquid phase (g) shown in Figure 4 represents only a portion of the flow path of the atomized first liquid phase (g) from the first reaction unit 310 toward the suction unit (h), Accordingly, it should be noted that the range of the formation portion 350 formed proximal to the second storage portion 220 may also vary.

The connection part 500 may be formed in the form of a microchannel and can continuously transfer a trace amount of the first liquid to the first reaction part 310 between the first storage part 210 and the first reaction part 310. there is.

The surface wave generator 400 may generate surface acoustic waves (S) and transmit the generated surface acoustic waves (S) to the first reaction unit (310).

Referring to Figure 4b, the arrangement form of the first storage unit 210 and the first reaction unit 310 within the housing 100 may be changed as needed. In this way, when the first storage unit 210 and the first reaction unit 310 are arranged to be spaced apart by the same distance from the inner peripheral surface of the housing, the airflow tunnel t2 due to the spaced space is connected to the first storage unit 210 and the first reaction unit 310. It may be formed to surround the first reaction unit 310.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 900 according to one embodiment.

The aerosol generating device 900 includes a control unit 910, a sensing unit 920, an output unit 930, a battery 940, a heater 950, a user input unit 960, a memory 970, and a communication unit 980. It can be included. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 900 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 6. That is, those skilled in the art can understand that, depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 900, some of the configurations shown in FIG. 6 may be omitted or new configurations may be added. there is.

The sensing unit 920 may detect the state of the aerosol generating device 900 or the state surrounding the aerosol generating device 900 and transmit the sensed information to the control unit 910. Based on the sensed information, the control unit 910 performs various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater 950, limiting smoking, determining whether to insert an aerosol-generating article (e.g., cigarette, cartridge, etc.), displaying a notification, etc. The aerosol generating device 900 can be controlled.

The sensing unit 920 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 922, an insertion detection sensor 924, and a puff sensor 926, but is not limited thereto.

The temperature sensor 922 may detect the temperature at which the heater 950 (or an aerosol-generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 900 may include a separate temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heater 950, or the heater 950 itself may serve as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 922 may be disposed around the battery 940 to monitor the temperature of the battery 940.

Insertion detection sensor 924 may detect insertion and/or removal of an aerosol-generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 924 may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, wherein the aerosol-generating article is inserted and/or Signal changes can be detected as it is removed.

The puff sensor 926 may detect the user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor 926 may detect the user's puff based on any one of temperature change, flow change, voltage change, and pressure change.

In addition to the sensors 922 to 926 described above, the sensing unit 9120 includes a temperature/humidity sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., GPS), It may further include at least one of a proximity sensor and an RGB sensor (illuminance sensor). Since the function of each sensor can be intuitively deduced by a person skilled in the art from its name, detailed descriptions may be omitted.

The output unit 930 may output information about the status of the aerosol generating device 900 and provide it to the user. The output unit 930 may include at least one of a display unit 932, a haptic unit 934, and an audio output unit 936, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 932 and the touch pad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 932 can be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display unit 932 can visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 900 to the user. For example, information about the aerosol generating device 900 may include the charging/discharging state of the battery 940 of the aerosol generating device 900, the preheating state of the heater 950, the insertion/removal state of the aerosol generating article, or the aerosol generating state. It may refer to various information such as a state in which the use of the device 900 is restricted (e.g., abnormal item detection), and the display unit 932 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 932 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) or an organic light emitting display panel (OLED). Additionally, the display unit 932 may be in the form of an LED light-emitting device.

The haptic unit 934 may convert electrical signals into mechanical or electrical stimulation to provide tactile information about the aerosol generating device 900 to the user. For example, the haptic unit 934 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound output unit 936 can provide information about the aerosol generating device 900 audibly to the user. For example, the audio output unit 936 may convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

The battery 940 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 900. The battery 940 may supply power so that the heater 950 can be heated. In addition, the battery 940 may be connected to other components provided in the aerosol generating device 900 (e.g., sensing unit 920, output unit 930, user input unit 960, memory 970, and communication unit 980). It can supply the power required for operation. The battery 940 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 940 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The heater 950 may receive power from the battery 940 to heat the aerosol-generating material. Although not shown in FIG. 6, the aerosol generating device 900 may further include a power conversion circuit (eg, DC/DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 940 and supplies it to the heater 950. Additionally, when the aerosol generating device 900 generates an aerosol by induction heating, the aerosol generating device 900 may further include a DC/AC converter that converts direct current power of the battery 940 into alternating current power.

The control unit 910, sensing unit 920, output unit 930, user input unit 960, memory 970, and communication unit 980 may perform their functions by receiving power from the battery 940. Although not shown in FIG. 6, it may further include a power conversion circuit that converts the power of the battery 940 and supplies it to each component, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit.

In one embodiment, heater 950 may be formed from any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. It may be a metal or metal alloy containing, but is not limited thereto. Additionally, the heater 130 may be implemented as a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate with electrically conductive tracks, a ceramic heating element, etc., but is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the heater 950 may be an induction heating type heater. For example, the heater 950 may include a susceptor that heats the aerosol-generating material by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by the coil.

In one embodiment, the heater 950 may include a plurality of heaters. For example, the heater 950 may include a first heater for heating a cigarette and a second heater for heating a liquid.

The user input unit 960 may receive information input from the user or output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 960 includes a key pad, a dome switch, and a touch pad (contact capacitive type, pressure resistive type, infrared detection type, surface ultrasonic conduction type, and integral type). Tension measurement method, piezo effect method, etc.), jog wheel, jog switch, etc., but are not limited thereto. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 6, the aerosol generating device 900 further includes a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and is connected to other external devices through a connection interface such as a USB interface. In this way, information can be transmitted and received or the battery 940 can be charged.

The memory 970 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device 900, and can store data processed by the control unit 910 and data to be processed. The memory 970 is a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory, etc.), and RAM. (RAM, random access memory) SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), PROM (programmable read-only memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk , and may include at least one type of storage medium among optical disks. The memory 970 may store the operating time of the aerosol generating device 900, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data on the user's smoking pattern.

The communication unit 980 may include at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 980 may include a short-range communication unit 982 and a wireless communication unit 984.

The short-range wireless communication unit 982 includes a Bluetooth communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, and an infrared (IrDA) communication unit. , infrared Data Association) communication unit, WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, Ant+ communication unit, etc., but is not limited thereto.

The wireless communication unit 984 may include, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (eg, LAN or WAN) communication unit, etc. The wireless communication unit 984 may use subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)) to identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 900 within the communication network.

The control unit 910 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 900. In one embodiment, the control unit 910 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that can be executed on the microprocessor. Additionally, those skilled in the art can understand that this embodiment may be implemented with other types of hardware.

The control unit 910 can control the temperature of the heater 950 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 940 to the heater 950. For example, the control unit 910 may control power supply by controlling the switching of the switching element between the battery 940 and the heater 950. In another example, the heating direct circuit may control power supply to the heater 950 according to a control command from the control unit 910.

The control unit 910 can analyze the results sensed by the sensing unit 920 and control subsequent processes. For example, the control unit 910 may control the power supplied to the heater 950 to start or end the operation of the heater 950 based on the result detected by the sensing unit 920. For another example, based on the results detected by the sensing unit 920, the control unit 910 adjusts the power supplied to the heater 950 so that the heater 950 can be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintain an appropriate temperature. You can control the amount and time at which power is supplied.

The control unit 910 may control the output unit 930 based on the results detected by the sensing unit 920. For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 926 reaches a preset number, the control unit 910 operates at least one of the display unit 932, the haptic unit 934, and the sound output unit 936. Through this, the user can be notified that the aerosol generating device 900 will soon be terminated.

In one embodiment, the control unit 910 may control the power supply time and/or power supply amount to the heater 950 according to the state of the aerosol-generating article detected by the sensing unit 920. For example, when the aerosol-generating article 15 is in an over-humidified state, the control unit 910 controls the power supply time to the induction coil (e.g., the induction coil 124 in FIG. 2), so that the aerosol-generating article 15 ) can increase the preheating time compared to the general case.

One embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium containing instructions executable by a computer, such as program modules executed by a computer. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. Additionally, computer-readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Communication media typically includes computer readable instructions, data structures, other data such as program modules, modulated data signals, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information delivery medium.

As described above, in the embodiments, specific details such as specific components and limited embodiments and drawings are used to explain the embodiments, but these are provided to facilitate general understanding. Additionally, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations can be made from these descriptions by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the idea of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments, and not only the claims described later, but also all things that are equivalent or equivalent to the claims will fall within the scope of the idea of the present invention.

Claims

A first storage unit storing a first liquid containing nicotine;

a second storage unit that stores a second liquid that can react with the first liquid to form an inhalable composition;

a reaction unit in which the first liquid phase can be atomized;

a surface wave generator capable of transmitting surface acoustic waves to the reaction unit;

Including,

Atomization of the first liquid phase is controlled by the surface acoustic waves,

Aerosol generating device.
According to paragraph 1,

The content of nicotine contained in the first liquid is 1% or less,

Aerosol generating device.
According to paragraph 1,

In a first state in which the user does not inhale the aerosol generating device, the first liquid is not atomized, and in a second state in which the user inhales the aerosol generating device, the first liquid is atomized.

Aerosol generating device.
According to paragraph 3,

The first liquid phase atomized in the second state is moved in a direction toward the second storage unit and reacts with the second liquid phase of the second storage unit to form an inhalable composition.

Aerosol generating device.
According to paragraph 4,

It further includes an inhalation unit through which the user can inhale the composition, and the second storage unit is disposed between the reaction unit and the inhalation unit.

Aerosol generating device.
According to paragraph 3,

Further comprising a first connection unit capable of transferring the first liquid phase from the first storage unit to the reaction unit,

Aerosol generating device.
According to clause 6,

The surface wave generator transmits surface acoustic waves to the reaction unit by operating in the second state,

Aerosol generating device.
According to clause 6,

Further comprising a second connection unit capable of transferring the second liquid phase from the second storage unit to the reaction unit,

Aerosol generating device.
According to clause 8,

The first liquid phase and the second liquid phase can be atomized simultaneously in the reaction unit,

Aerosol generating device.
According to clause 8,

The reaction unit includes a first reaction unit that atomizes the first liquid phase and a second reaction unit that can atomize the second liquid phase.

Aerosol generating device.