WO2024035072A1

WO2024035072A1 - Aerosol generating device

Info

Publication number: WO2024035072A1
Application number: PCT/KR2023/011671
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dong Sung Kim; Hun Il Lim; Young Bum Kwon; Yong Hwan Kim
Original assignee: Kt&G Corporation
Priority date: 2022-08-12
Filing date: 2023-08-08
Publication date: 2024-02-15
Also published as: EP4346462A1

Abstract

One or more embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device including a main body, a separation member detachably coupled to the main body, an accommodation hole penetrating the separation member and configured to accommodate an external device electrically connected to the aerosol generating device, and a separation guide hole connected to the accommodation hole and extending in a direction different from a direction in which the accommodation hole extends so that a separation tool for separating the separation member from the main body is inserted into the separation guide hole.

Description

AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

One or more embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device. More particularly, one or more embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device in which a separation guide hole for separating a separation member of the aerosol generating device from a main body is not visible from the outside, allowing easy separation of the separation member while improving the general appearance of the aerosol generating device.

Recently, the demand for alternative methods for overcoming the shortcomings of general cigarettes has increased. For example, there is an increasing demand for a system for generating aerosols by heating a cigarette or an aerosol generating material by using an aerosol generating device, rather than by burning cigarettes.

Components such as a heater and a user interface (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) interface), which form an aerosol generating device, need to be replaced or repaired according to the repeated use of the aerosol generating device. To this end, there is a need to first separate a separation member that is detachably coupled to a main body of the aerosol generating device.

According to one or more embodiments, the disassemblability of a separation member is secured through an aerosol generating device in which a separation guide hole for separating the separation member from a main body is not externally viewed, and the overall aesthetics of the aerosol generating device is enhanced.

The technical problems of the disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned description, and other technical problems that are not stated herein may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments of the disclosure pertain, from the present specification and the attached drawings.

According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes a main body, a separation member detachably coupled to the main body, an accommodation hole penetrating the separation member and configured to accommodate an external device electrically connected to the aerosol generating device, and a separation guide hole connected to the accommodation hole and extending in a direction different from a direction in which the accommodation hole extends so that a separation tool for separating the separation member from the main body is inserted into the separation guide hole.

The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned description and may include all matters that may be inferred by one of ordinary skill in the art from the specification.

An aerosol generating device may provide a structure in which a separation member may be easily separated from a main body without damaging overall appearance of the aerosol generating device.

Effects of the embodiments are not limited to those stated above, and effects that are not described herein may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates the exterior of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 viewed in a y-axis direction.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a structure in which a separation guide hole is arranged to be exposed to the outside of a separation member.

FIG. 4 illustrates a separation member of an aerosol generating device, viewed in a first direction, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates the separation member of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 4, viewed in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

FIG. 6 illustrates a configuration in which a separation member of an aerosol generating device is coupled to a main body.

FIG. 7 is an x-y plane cross-sectional view illustrating a separation tool inserted into the generating device shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 8 to 11 illustrate examples in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device.

FIGS. 12 to 14 illustrate examples of the cigarette.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

The separation guide hole may extend in a direction crossing the direction in which the accommodation hole extends.

The separation guide hole may be formed in a region in which the separation member meets an extension line of a long axis of a cross-section of the accommodation hole.

The separation member may include a coupling portion coupled to the main body and a barrier located between the separation guide hole and the coupling portion.

Each of a first distance from the separation guide hole to the barrier and a second distance from the separation guide hole to the coupling portion may have a length ratio of 1:3 to 1:15.

An open end portion of the separation guide hole may have a length of 0. 3 mm to 3 mm in the direction in which the accommodation hole extends.

The aerosol generating device may further include a protective member located inside the accommodation hole and surrounding at least a portion of a side surface of the accommodation hole, wherein the protective member blocks a portion of the open end portion of the separation guide hole.

The accommodation hole may be configured to accommodate an interface terminal configured to receive power from the external device.

With respect to the terms used to describe in the various embodiments, the general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of a new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, a term which is not commonly used can be selected. In such a case, the meaning of the term will be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms "-er", "-or", and "module" described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

As used herein, expressions such as "at least one of," when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. For example, the expression, "at least one of a, b, and c," should be understood as including only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, and all of a, b, and c.

It will be understood that although the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These components are only used to distinguish one component from another.

Throughout the specification, the term "aerosol generating device" may refer to a device for generating an aerosol by using an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol that is inhalable directly through the user's mouth into the user's lungs.

Throughout the specification, the term "cigarette" refers to a product used for smoking. For example, the cigarette may be a combustive cigarette that may be ignited and combusted, or a heating-type cigarette that is heated by an aerosol generating device.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the present disclosure. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

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

FIG. 1 illustrates an exterior of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 illustrates the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 that is viewed in a y-axis direction.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment may include a main body 110, a separation member 120 detachably coupled to the main body 110, and an accommodation hole 121.

The main body 110 may form a general exterior of the aerosol generating device 100, and in the main body 110, components of the aerosol generating device 100 may be arranged. For example, an accommodation space, in which a cigarette may be inserted, a heater for heating a cigarette, and a user interface (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) interface) for electrically connecting the aerosol generating device 100 to an external device may be arranged in the main body 110, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

The separation member 120 may be detachably coupled to a portion of the main body 110 and may protect the components of the aerosol generating device 100 which are arranged in the main body 110. For example, while allowing an accommodation hole 121, into which an external device electrically connected to the aerosol generating device 100 is inserted, to be exposed to the outside, the separation member 120 may protect other components (e.g., a processor, a memory, etc.) of the aerosol generating device 100, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment may be arranged in such a way that a separation guide hole (not illustrated) for separating or disassembling the separation member 120 from the main body 110 may not be externally exposed, and this arrangement may help secure the aesthetics of the aerosol generating device 100 while allowing the easy separation of the separation member 120 of the aerosol generating device 100.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a structure in which a separation guide hole is arranged to be exposed to the outside of a separation member. FIG. 3 illustrates an aerosol generating device 101 in which a separation guide hole 122a for separating a separation member 120a from a main body 110a is externally exposed.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the separation guide hole 122a for separating the separation member 120a from the main body 110a is exposed on the outside of the aerosol generating device 101, the aesthetics of the aerosol generating device 101 degrades because of the separation guide hole 122a, and a gap between the main body 110a and the separation member 120a may be generated due to tolerance.

On the contrary, as a separation guide hole is not externally exposed in an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. 1) according to an embodiment, both the aesthetic impression and disassemblability of the aerosol generating device may be secured, and detailed descriptions thereof are provided in detail.

FIG. 4 illustrates a separation member of an aerosol generating device that is viewed in a first direction, according to an embodiment, and FIG. 5 illustrates the separation member of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 4 which is viewed in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the separation member 120 of the aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment may include an accommodation hole 121, a separation guide hole 122, a barrier 123, and a coupling portion 124.

The accommodation hole 121 may penetrate the separation member 120 and accommodate an external device electrically connected to the aerosol generating device 100. When the separation member 120 is coupled to the main body 110, the accommodation hole 121 may be dented in a direction towards the main body 110. When the separation member 120 is coupled to the main body 110, the accommodation hole 121 may be exposed on the outside of the aerosol generating device 100. The external device may be a terminal of a charger for charging a battery included in the aerosol generating device 100, and the charger may be of a USB type, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

The separation guide hole 122 may be in communication with the accommodation hole 121 and extend in a direction different from a direction in which the accommodation hole 121 extends. The direction, in which the accommodation hole 121 extends, may refer to the direction in which an empty space extends. For example, the separation guide hole 122 may extend in a direction crossing the direction in which the accommodation hole 121 extends.

In the separation guide hole 122, a separation tool for separating the separation member 120 may be inserted in a state in which the separation member 120 is coupled to the main body 110. For example, a user may insert the separation tool (e.g., a driver) into the separation guide hole 122 to separate the separation member 120 from the main body 110 according to the principle of the lever.

In this case, as the separation guide hole 122 extends in the direction that is different from the direction in which the accommodation hole 121 extends, when the separation member 120 is viewed in the direction in which the accommodation hole 121 extends, the separation guide hole 122 may be covered; accordingly, the disassemblability of the separation member 120 may be maintained, and the general aesthetics of the aerosol generating device 100 may not degrade.

The separation guide hole 122 may be formed in an area in which the separation member 120 meets an extension line of a long axis L of a cross-section of the accommodation hole 121. Here, the cross-section of the accommodation hole 121 may refer to a cross-section in the direction crossing the direction in which the accommodation hole 121 extends. Also, the long axis L may be an axis having a maximum length in the cross-section of the accommodation hole 121. As the separation guide hole 122 is formed in the area in which the separation member 120 meets the extension line of the long axis L of the cross-section of the accommodation hole 121, the hiding power of the separation guide hole 122 may be improved. Also, because an operating range of the separation tool inserted into the separation guide hole 122 may be increased, the disassemblability of the separation member 120 may be improved.

The separation member 120 may include the coupling portion 124 coupled to the main body 110 and also the barrier 123 arranged between the separation guide hole 122 and the coupling portion 124.

The coupling portion 124 may be coupled to the main body 110 in at least one of a snap-fit manner, a magnetic coupling manner, a magnetic coupling method, and an interference-fit manner, but a coupling manner in which the coupling portion 124 is coupled to the main body 110 is not limited to the above example.

The barrier 123 may have a shape protruding in the direction in which the accommodation hole 121 extends. The barrier 123 may prevent external impurities from penetrating the inside of the main body 110 through the separation guide hole 122. The barrier 123 may also prevent a separation tool D, which is inserted in a direction in which the separation guide hole 122 extends, from being further inserted. Accordingly, the barrier 123 may contact an end portion of the separation tool D and correspond to a point of action in the principle of the lever using the separation tool D as a lever. As the barrier 123 is arranged between the separation guide hole 122 and the coupling portion 124, a force generated by the separation tool D may be effectively transmitted towards the coupling portion 124.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment is viewed in a direction towards the accommodation hole 121 of the separation member 120, the separation guide hole 122 is not externally exposed, and thus, the aesthetics of the aerosol generating device 100 may not degrade by the separation guide hole 122.

Also, when the aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment includes the separation guide hole 122 while maintaining the aesthetics thereof, the separation member 120 may be detached from the main body 110 without any damage when needed.

In addition, as the separation member 120 may be easily separated from the main body 110, the user may easily replace the components of the aerosol generating device 100, and thus, the convenience of the maintenance and/or repair may be improved.

FIG. 7 is an x-y plane cross-sectional view illustrating that a separation tool is inserted into the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 7, the separation tool D may be inserted into the separation guide hole 122. The separation guide hole 122 may extend in the direction crossing the direction in which the accommodation hole 121 extends. The separation tool D (e.g., the driver) may be inserted in the area in which the separation guide hole 122 extends, and as the separation tool D inserted into the separation guide hole 122 is pressed in a direction of an arrow of FIG. 7, the separation member 120 may be separated from the main body 110 according to the principle of the lever.

A first distance d1 from the separation guide hole 122 to the barrier 123 and a second distance d2 from the separation guide hole 122 to the coupling portion 124 may each have a length ratio of about 1:3 to about 1:15. As each of the first distance d1 and the second distance d2 has the above length ratio, the separation member 120 may be easily separated from the main body 110 by using the separation tool D. Also, each of the first distance d1 and the second distance d2 may have the length ratio of about 1:5 to about 1:12.

An open end portion of the separation guide hole 122 may have a length from about 0.3 mm to about 3 mm in the direction in which the accommodation hole 121 extends. Here, the open end portion may refer to an entrance of the separation guide hole 122 into which the separation tool D is inserted. Also, the separation guide hole 122 may have a length from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm in the direction towards the main body 110.

The aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment may include a protective member 131 arranged inside the accommodation hole 121 and surrounding at least a portion of a side surface of the accommodation hole 121. The protective member 131 may protect a component accommodated in the accommodation hole 121 exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100.

The protective member 131 may block a portion of the open end portion of the separation guide hole 122. As the protective member 131 blocks a portion of the separation guide hole 122, the protective member 131 may contact the separation tool D inserted into the separation guide hole 122. A portion in which the protective member 131 contacts the separation tool D may correspond to a supporting point in the principle of the lever in which the separation tool D is used as a lever.

The accommodation hole 121 may accommodate an interface terminal 130 receiving power from the external device. The aerosol generating device may be electrically connected to the external device through the interface terminal 130. In addition, the interface terminal 130 may be connected to the external device and receive/transmit information from/to the external device.

The interface terminal 130 may include a USB terminal. The USB terminal may be, for example, a micro USB 5-pin terminal, a USB C-type terminal, a USB B-type terminal, or a USB A-type terminal, but is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, examples of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment are described.

FIGS. 8 to 10 illustrate examples in which a cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIG. 8, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a battery 140, a controller 150, and a heater 160. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the aerosol generating device 100 further includes a vaporizer 170. Also, a cigarette 200 may be inserted into an internal space of the aerosol generating device 100.

FIGS. 8 to 10 illustrate the aerosol generating device 100 includes the components related to the present embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that other general-purpose components may be further included in the aerosol generating device 100, in addition to the components illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10.

Also, FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate that the heater 160 is included in the aerosol generating device 100, but according to necessity, the heater 160 may be omitted.

FIG. 8 illustrates that the battery 140, the controller 150, and the heater 160 are arranged in series. Also, FIG. 9 illustrates that the battery 140, the controller 150, the vaporizer 170, and the heater 160 are arranged in series. In addition, FIG. 10 illustrates that the vaporizer 170 and the heater 160 are arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to the structures illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10. In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 100, the battery 140, the controller 150, the heater 160, and the vaporizer 170 may be differently arranged.

When the cigarette 200 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, the aerosol generating device 100 may operate the heater 160 and/or the vaporizer 170 to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generated by the heater 160 and/or the vaporizer 170 may be delivered to a user by passing through the cigarette 200.

According to necessity, even when the cigarette 200 is not inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, the aerosol generating device 100 may heat the heater 160.

The battery 140 supplies power to be used for the aerosol generating device 100 to operate. For example, the battery 140 may supply power to heat the heater 160 or the vaporizer 170 and may supply power for operating the controller 150. Also, the battery 140 may supply power for operations of a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. mounted in the aerosol generating device 100.

The controller 150 generally controls operations of the aerosol generating device 100. In detail, the controller 150 may control not only operations of the battery 140, the heater 160, and the vaporizer 170, but also operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device 100. Also, the controller 150 may check a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device 100 to determine whether or not the aerosol generating device 100 is able to operate.

The controller 150 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor can be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The heater 160 may be heated by the power supplied from the battery 140. For example, when the cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, the heater 160 may be located outside the cigarette. Thus, the heated heater 160 may increase a temperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette.

The heater 160 may include an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater 160 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 160 may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater 160 is not limited to the example described above and may include all heaters which may be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device 100 or may be set as a temperature desired by a user.

As another example, the heater 160 may include an induction heater. In detail, the heater 160 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating a cigarette in an induction heating method, and the cigarette may include a susceptor that may be heated by the induction heater.

For example, the heater 160 may include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element, and may heat the inside or the outside of the cigarette 200, according to the shape of the heating element.

Also, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a plurality of heaters 160. Here, the plurality of heaters 160 may be inserted into the cigarette 200 or may be arranged outside the cigarette 200. Also, some of the plurality of heaters 160 may be inserted into the cigarette 200 and the others may be arranged outside the cigarette 200. In addition, the shape of the heater 160 is not limited to the shapes illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10 and may include various shapes.

The vaporizer 170 may generate an aerosol by heating a liquid composition, and the generated aerosol may pass through the cigarette 200 to be delivered to a user. In other words, the aerosol generated via the vaporizer 170 may move along an air flow passage of the aerosol generating device 100, and the air flow passage may be configured such that the aerosol generated via the vaporizer 170 may pass through the cigarette to be delivered to the user.

For example, the vaporizer 170 may include a liquid storage, a liquid delivery element, and a heating element, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid storage, the liquid delivery element, and the heating element may be included in the aerosol generating device 100 as independent modules.

The liquid storage may store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage may be formed to be detachable from the vaporizer 170 or may be formed integrally with the vaporizer 170.

For example, the liquid composition may include water, a solvent, ethanol, plant extract, spices, flavorings, or a vitamin mixture. The spices may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit-flavored ingredients, but are not limited thereto. The flavorings may include ingredients capable of providing various flavors or tastes to a user. Vitamin mixtures may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto. Also, the liquid composition may include an aerosol forming substance, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The liquid delivery element may deliver the liquid composition of the liquid storage to the heating element. For example, the liquid delivery element may be a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition delivered by the liquid delivery element. For example, the heating element may be a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heating element may include a conductive filament such as nichrome wire and may be positioned as being wound around the liquid delivery element. The heating element may be heated by a current supply and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol may be generated.

For example, the vaporizer 170 may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but it is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating device 100 may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery 140, the controller 150, the heater 160, and the vaporizer 170. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting haptic information. Also, the aerosol generating device 100 may include at least one sensor (a puff detecting sensor, a temperature detecting sensor, a cigarette insertion detecting sensor, etc.). Also, the aerosol generating device 100 may be formed as a structure that, even when the cigarette 200 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, may introduce external air or discharge internal air.

Although not illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, the aerosol generating device 100 and an additional cradle may form together a system. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 140 of the aerosol generating device 100. Alternatively, the heater 160 may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device 100 are coupled to each other.

The cigarette 200 may be similar to a general combustive cigarette. For example, the cigarette 200 may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter, etc. Alternatively, the second portion of the cigarette 200 may also include an aerosol generating material. For example, an aerosol generating material made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.

The entire first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, and the second portion may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, or the entire first portion and a portion of the second portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 100. The user may inhale an aerosol while holding the second portion by the mouth of the user. In this case, the aerosol is generated by the external air passing through the first portion, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion and is delivered to the user's mouth.

For example, the external air may be introduced through at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the opening and closing of the air passage and/or the size of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 100 may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount and the quality of smoking may be adjusted by the user. As another example, the external air may flow into the cigarette 200 through at least one hole formed in a surface of the cigarette 200.

FIG. 11 illustrates another example of the aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIG. 11, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a heater 160, a coil 161, a battery 140, and a controller 150. However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto, and other general-purpose components than the components illustrated in FIG. 11 may be further included in the aerosol generating device 100.

The aerosol generating device 100 may generate aerosols by heating an aerosol generating article accommodated in the aerosol generating device 100, according to an induction heating method. The induction heating method may indicate a method by which a magnetic substance is heated by applying an alternating magnetic field, of which a direction periodically changes, wherein the magnetic substance is heated by an external magnetic field.

When an alternating magnetic field is applied to the magnetic substance, energy may be lost in the magnetic substance because of eddy current loss and hysteresis loss, and the lost energy may be emitted from the magnetic substance as heat energy. The greater an amplitude or a frequency of an alternating magnetic field applied to a magnetic substance is, the more heat energy may be emitted from the magnetic substance. The heat energy may be emitted from the magnetic substance as the aerosol generating device 100 applies the alternating magnetic field to the magnetic substance, and the heat energy emitted from the magnetic substance may be transferred to the cigarette.

The magnetic substance heated by the external magnetic field may be a susceptor. The susceptor may be included in the aerosol generating device 100 in the form of pieces, flakes, or strips. For example, at least some portions of the heater 160 inside the aerosol generating device100 may include a susceptor material.

At least part of the susceptor material may include a ferromagnetic substance. For example, the susceptor material may include metal or carbon. The susceptor material may include at least one of ferrite, ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum (Al). Also, the susceptor material may include at least one of ceramic, such as graphite, molybdenum (Mo), silicon carbide, niobium (Nb), nickel (Ni) alloy, a metal film, or zirconia, transition metal, such as Ni or cobalt (Co), and metalloid, such as boron (B) or phosphorus (P).

The aerosol generating device 100 may accommodate the aerosol generating article. In the aerosol generating device 100, a space for accommodating the aerosol generating article may be formed. In the space for accommodating the aerosol generating article, the heater 160 may be arranged. For example, the heater 160 may include an accommodation space for accommodating the aerosol generating article, the accommodation space having a cylindrical shape. Therefore, when the aerosol generating article is accommodated in the aerosol generating device 100, the aerosol generating article may be accommodated in the accommodation space of the heater 160.

The heater 160 may surround at least a portion of the external side surface of the aerosol generating article accommodated in the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the heater 160 may surround a tobacco medium included in the aerosol generating article. Accordingly, heat may be effectively transferred from the heater 160 to the tobacco medium.

The heater 160 may heat the aerosol generating article accommodated in the aerosol generating device 100. As described above, the heater 160 may heat the aerosol generating article in the induction heating method. The heater 160 may include the susceptor material heated by the external magnetic field, and the aerosol generating device 100 may apply the alternating magnetic field to the heater 160.

The coil 161 may be included in the aerosol generating device 100. The coil 161 may apply the alternating magnetic field to the heater 160. When power is supplied from the aerosol generating device 100 to the coil 161, a magnetic field may be generated in the coil 161. When an alternating current is applied to the coil 161, a direction of the magnetic field formed in the coil 161 may gradually change. When the heater 160 is exposed to the alternating magnetic field having a periodically changing direction as the heater 160 is in the coil 161, the heater 160 may emit heat, and the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodation space of the heater 160 may be heated.

The coil 161 may be wound along the external side surface of the heater 160. Also, the coil 161 may be wound along an inner surface of an external housing of the aerosol generating device 100. The heater 160 may be arranged in an internal space formed as the coil 161 is wound. When power is supplied to the coil 161, the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil 161 may be applied to the heater 160.

The coil 161 may extend in a lengthwise direction of the aerosol generating device 100. The coil 161 may extend to an appropriate length in the lengthwise direction. For example, the coil 161 may extend to a length corresponding to the length of the heater 160 or a length that is greater than the length of the heater 160.

The coil 161 may be arranged at a location appropriate to apply the alternating magnetic field to the heater 160. For example, the coil 161 may be arranged at a location corresponding to the heater 160. Because of the size and arrangement of the coil 161, the efficiency of applying the alternating magnetic field of the coil 161 to the heater 160 may be improved.

When the amplitude or frequency of the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil 161 changes, the degree to which the heater 160 heats the aerosol generating article may also change. Because the amplitude or the frequency of the magnetic field generated by the coil 161 may change according to power supplied to the coil 161, the aerosol generating device 100 may control the heating of the aerosol generating article by adjusting the power supplied to the coil 161. For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may control the amplitude and frequency of the alternating current applied to the coil 161.

As an example, the coil 161 may be realized as a solenoid. The coil 161 may be a solenoid wound along the inner surface of the external housing of the aerosol generating device 100, and the heater 160 and the aerosol generating article may be arranged in an internal space of the solenoid. Materials of a conducting wire forming the solenoid may include copper (Cu). However, the materials are not limited thereto. The materials of the conducting wire forming the solenoid may include any one of silver (Ag), gold (Au), Al, tungsten (W), zinc (Zn), and Ni, or an alloy including at least one of the above-listed materials.

The battery 140 may supply power to the aerosol generating device 100. The battery 140 may supply power to the coil 161. The battery 140 may include a battery for supplying a direct current to the aerosol generating device 100 and a converter for converting the direct current supplied from the battery into an alternating current supplied to the coil 161.

The battery 140 may supply the direct current to the aerosol generating device 100. The battery 140 may be a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄)battery, but is not limited thereto. For example, the battery may be a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) battery, a lithium titanate battery, a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, or the like.

The converter may include a low-pass filter that filters the direct current supplied from the battery and outputs the alternating current supplied to the coil 161. The converter may further include an amplifier for amplifying the direct current supplied from the battery. For example, the converter may be realized using a low-pass filter forming a load network of a class-D amplifier.

The controller 150 may control the power supplied to the coil 161. The controller 150 may control the battery 140 to adjust the power supplied to the coil 161. For example, the controller 150 may control the temperature, at which the heater 160 heats the aerosol generating article, to remain constant according to a temperature of the heater 160.

Hereinafter, examples of the cigarette are described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate examples of the cigarette.

Referring to FIG. 12, the cigarette 200 may include a tobacco rod 210 and a filter rod 220. The cigarette 200 may be a heating-type cigarette that is not burned but is heated by an aerosol generating device including a heater.

FIG. 12 illustrates that the filter rod 220 includes a single segment. However, the filter rod 220 is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod 220 may include a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod 220 may include a segment configured to cool an aerosol and a segment configured to filter a certain component included in the aerosol. Also, as necessary, the filter rod 220 may further include at least one segment configured to perform other functions.

The diameter of the cigarette 200 may be within the range of about 5 mm to about 9 mm and the length of the cigarette 200 may be about 48 mm. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the length of the tobacco rod 210 may be about 12 mm, the length of the first segment of the filter rod 220 may be about 10 mm, the length of the second segment of the filter rod 220 may be about 14 mm, and the length of the third segment of the filter rod 220 may be about 12 mm. However, disclosure is not limited thereto.

The cigarette 200 may be packaged using at least one wrapper 240. The wrapper 240 may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the cigarette 200 may be packaged by one wrapper 240. As another example, the cigarette 200 may be doubly packaged by two or more wrappers 240. For example, the tobacco rod 210 may be packaged by a first wrapper 241, and the filter rod 220 may be packaged by

wrappers

242, 243, and 244. The entire cigarette 200 may be repackaged by a fifth wrapper 245. When the filter rod 220 is composed of a plurality of segments, each segment may be packaged by

separate wrappers

242, 243, and 244.

The first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242 may each include general filter wrapping paper. For example, the first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242 may each include porous wrapping paper or non-porous wrapping paper. In addition, the first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242 may each include paper having oil resistance and/or an aluminum laminate packaging material.

The third wrapper 243 may include hard wrapping paper. For example, the basis weight of the third wrapper 243 may be in the range of about 88 g/m² to about 96 g/m², specifically, in the range of about 90 g/m² to about 94 g/m². In addition, the thickness of the third wrapper 243 may be in the range of about 120 um to about 130 um, specifically, 125 um.

The fourth wrapper 244 may include oil-resistant hard wrapping paper. For example, the basis weight of the fourth wrapper 244 may be in the range of about 88 g/m² to about 96 g/m², specifically, in the range of about 90 g/m² to about 94 g/m². In addition, the thickness of the fourth wrapper 244 may be in the range of about 120 um to about 130 um, specifically 125 um.

The fifth wrapper 245 may include sterile paper (MFW). Here, the MFW refers to paper specially prepared so that tensile strength, water resistance, smoothness, etc. thereof are further improved compared to those of general paper. For example, the basis weight of the fifth wrapper 245 may be in the range of about 57 g/m² to about 63 g/m², specifically, 60 g/m². In addition, the thickness of the fifth wrapper 245 may be in the range of about 64 um to about 70 um, specifically, 67 um.

A certain material may be internally added to the fifth wrapper 245. Here, an example of the certain material may include silicon, but is not limited thereto. For example, silicon has characteristics, such as heat resistance with little change with temperature, resistance to oxidation, resistance to various chemicals, water repellency against water, or electrical insulation. However, even though the certain material is not silicon, any material having the characteristics described above may be applied to (or coated on) the fifth wrapper 245 without limitation.

The fifth wrapper 245 may prevent the cigarette 200 from burning. For example, when the tobacco rod 210 is heated by the heater, there is a possibility that the cigarette 200 is burned. Specifically, when the temperature rises above the ignition point of any one of the materials included in the tobacco rod 210, the cigarette 200 may be burned. Even in this case, because the fifth wrapper 245 includes a non-combustible material, a burning phenomenon of the cigarette 200 may be prevented.

In addition, the fifth wrapper 245 may prevent the aerosol generating device from being contaminated by substances generated in the cigarette 200. By a user's puff, liquid substances may be generated in the cigarette 200. For example, as an aerosol generated in the cigarette 200 is cooled by the outside air, liquid substances (e.g., moisture, etc.) may be generated. As the fifth wrapper 245 wraps the cigarette 200, the liquid substances generated in the cigarette 200 may be prevented from leaking out of the cigarette 200.

The tobacco rod 210 may include an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but it is not limited thereto. Also, the tobacco rod 210 may include other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic acid. Also, the tobacco rod 210 may include a flavored liquid, such as menthol or a moisturizer, which is injected to the tobacco rod 210.

The tobacco rod 210 may be manufactured in various forms. For example, the tobacco rod 210 may be formed as a sheet or a strand. Also, the tobacco rod 210 may be formed as a pipe tobacco, which is formed of tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod 210 may be surrounded by a heat conductive material. For example, the heat conductive material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil. For example, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 210 may uniformly distribute heat transmitted to the tobacco rod 210, and thus, the heat conductivity applied to the tobacco rod 210 may be increased and the taste of the tobacco may be improved. Also, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 210 may function as a susceptor heated by the induction heater. Here, although not illustrated in the drawings, the tobacco rod 210 may further include an additional susceptor, in addition to the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 210.

The filter rod 220 may include a cellulose acetate filter. Shapes of the filter rod 220 are not limited. For example, the filter rod 220 may include a cylinder-type rod or a tube-type rod having a hollow inside. Also, the filter rod 220 may include a recess-type rod. When the filter rod 220 includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape.

The first segment of the filter rod 220 may include a cellulose acetate filter. For example, the first segment may include a tube-shaped structure including a hollow therein. When the heater is inserted by the first segment, the inner material of the tobacco rod 210 may be prevented from being pushed back, and a cooling effect of the aerosol may occur. The diameter of the hollow included in the first segment may be an appropriate diameter within the range of about 2 mm to about 4.5 mm, but is not limited thereto.

The length of the first segment may be an appropriate length within the range of about 4 mm to about 30 mm, but is not limited thereto. Specifically, the length of the first segment may be 10 mm, but is not limited thereto.

The hardness of the first segment may be adjusted by adjusting the content of a plasticizer in the manufacture of the first segment. In addition, the first segment may be manufactured by inserting a structure, such as a film or a tube including the same material or different materials, inside the first segment (e.g., into the hollow).

The second segment of the filter rod 220 cools the aerosol generated as the heater heats the tobacco rod 210. Thus, a user may inhale the aerosol cooled to a suitable temperature.

The length or diameter of the second segment may be variously determined according to the shape of the cigarette 200. For example, the length of the second segment may be appropriately determined within the range of about 7 mm to about 20 mm. Specifically, the length of the second segment may be about 14 mm, but is not limited thereto.

The second segment may be fabricated by weaving polymer fibers. In this case, a flavored liquid may be applied to fibers made of polymer. Alternatively, the second segment may be fabricated by weaving a fiber to which a flavored liquid is applied and a fiber made of a polymer together. Alternatively, the second segment may be formed by a crimped polymer sheet.

For example, the polymer may include a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), cellulose acetate (CA), and an aluminum foil.

As the second segment is formed by a woven polymer fiber or crimped polymer sheet, the second segment may include a single channel or a plurality of channels extending in a longitudinal direction thereof. Here, the channel refers to a passage through which a gas (e.g., air or aerosol) passes.

For example, the second segment formed by the crimped polymer sheet may be formed from a material having a thickness between about 5 μm and about 300 μm, such as between about 10 μm and about 250 μm. Also, the total surface area of the second segment may be between about 300 mm²/mm and about 1000 mm²/mm. Furthermore, an aerosol cooling element may be formed from a material having a specific surface area between about 10 mm²/mg and about 100 mm²/mg.

The second segment may include a thread containing a volatile flavor ingredient. Here, the volatile flavor ingredient may be menthol, but is not limited thereto. For example, the thread may be filled with a sufficient amount of menthol to provide 1.5 mg or more of menthol to the second segment.

The third segment of the filter rod 220 may include a cellulose acetate filter. The length of the third segment may be appropriately determined within the range of about 4 mm to about 20 mm. For example, the length of the third segment may be about 12 mm, but is not limited thereto.

The third segment may be fabricated such that flavor is generated by spraying a flavored liquid on the third segment in the process of fabricating the third segment. Alternatively, a separate fiber to which a flavored liquid is applied may be inserted into the third segment. The aerosol generated by the tobacco rod 210 is cooled as the aerosol passes through the second segment of the filter rod 220, and the cooled aerosol is delivered to a user through the third segment. Accordingly, when a flavoring element is added to the third segment, an effect of enhancing the durability of a flavor delivered to the user may occur.

Also, the filter rod 220 may include at least one capsule 230. Here, the capsule 230 may generate a flavor or an aerosol. For example, the capsule 230 may have a configuration in which a liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. For example, the capsule 230 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 13, a cigarette 300 may further include a front-end plug 330. The front-end plug 330 may be located on one side of a tobacco rod 310 which is opposite to a filter rod 320. The front-end plug 330 may prevent the tobacco rod 310 from being detached outwards and prevent the liquefied aerosol from flowing from the tobacco rod 310 into the aerosol generating device, during smoking.

The filter rod 320 may include a first segment 321 and a second segment 322. Here, the first segment 321 may correspond to the first segment of the filter rod 220 of FIG. 12, and the second segment 322 may correspond to the third segment of the filter rod 220 of FIG. 12.

The diameter and total length of the cigarette 300 may correspond to the diameter and total length of the cigarette 200 of FIG. 12. For example, the length of the front-end plug 330 may be about 7 mm, the length of the tobacco rod 310 may be about 15 mm, the length of the first segment 321 may be about 12 mm, and the length of the second segment 322 may be about 14 mm, but the lengths are not limited thereto.

The cigarette 300 may be packaged via at least one wrapper 350. The wrapper 350 may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the front-end plug 330 may be packaged via a first wrapper 351, the filter rod 310 may be packaged via a second wrapper 352, the first segment 321 may be packaged via a third wrapper 353, and the second segment 322 may be packaged via a fourth wrapper 354. Also, the entire cigarette 300 may be packaged via a fifth wrapper 355.

Also, the fifth wrapper 355 may have at least one hole 360. For example, the hole 360 may be formed in an area surrounding the tobacco rod 310, but is not limited thereto. The hole 360 may be configured to transmit the heat, which is generated by the heater of the aerosol generating device, to the inside of the tobacco rod 310.

Also, the second segment 322 may include at least one capsule 340. Here, the capsule 340 may generate a flavor or an aerosol. For example, the capsule 340 may have a configuration in which a liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. The capsule 340 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

The first wrapper 351 may include general filter wrapping paper to which a metal foil, such as an aluminum foil, is coupled. For example, the total thickness of the first wrapper 351 may be in the range of about 45 um to about 55 um, specifically 50.3 um. In addition, the thickness of the metal foil of the first wrapper 351 may be in the range of about 6 um to about 7 um, specifically 6.3 um. In addition, the basis weight of the first wrapper 351 may be in the range of about 50 g/m² to about 55 g/m², specifically 53 g/m².

The second wrapper 352 and the third wrapper 353 may each include general filter wrapping paper. For example, the second wrapper 352 and the third wrapper 353 may each include porous wrapping paper or non-porous wrapping paper.

For example, the porosity of the second wrapper 352 may be 35,000 CU, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the thickness of the second wrapper 352 may be in the range of about 70 um to about 80 um, specifically 78 um. In addition, the basis weight of the second wrapper 352 may be in the range of about 20 g/m² to about 25 g/m², specifically, 23.5 g/m².

For example, the porosity of the third wrapper 353 may be 24,000 CU, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the thickness of the third wrapper 353 may be in the range of about 60 um to about 70 um, specifically 68 um. In addition, the basis weight of the third wrapper 353 may be in the range of about 20 g/m² to about 25 g/m², specifically 21 g/m².

The fourth wrapper 354 may include PLA laminated paper. Here, the PLA laminated paper refers to a three-ply paper including a paper layer, a PLA layer, and a paper layer. For example, the thickness of the fourth wrapper 354 may be in the range of about 100 um to about 120 um, specifically 110 um. In addition, the basis weight of the fourth wrapper 354 may be in the range of about 80 g/m² to about 100 g/m², specifically 88g/m².

The fifth wrapper 355 may include MFW. Here, the MFW refers to paper specially prepared so that tensile strength, water resistance, smoothness, etc. thereof are further improved compared to those of general paper. For example, the basis weight of the fifth wrapper 355 may be in the range of about 57 g/m² to about 63 g/m², specifically 60 g/m². In addition, the thickness of the fifth wrapper 355 may be in the range of about 64 um to about 70 um, specifically 67 um.

A certain material may be internally added to the fifth wrapper 355. Here, an example of the certain material may include silicon, but is not limited thereto. For example, silicon has characteristics, such as heat resistance with little change with temperature, resistance to oxidation, resistance to various chemicals, water repellency against water, or electrical insulation. However, even though the certain material is not silicon, any material having the characteristics described above may be applied to (or coated on) the fifth wrapper 355 without limitation.

The front-end plug 330 may include cellulose acetate. As an example, the front-end plug 330 may be fabricated by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to a cellulose acetate tow. The mono denier of a filament constituting the cellulose acetate tow may be in the range of about 1.0 to about 10.0, specifically in the range of about 4.0 to about 6.0. More specifically, the mono denier of the filament of the front-end plug 330 may be 5.0. In addition, the cross-section of the filament constituting the front-end plug 330 may have a Y-shape. The total denier of the front-end plug 330 may be in the range of about 20,000 to about 30,000, specifically in the range of about 25,000 to about 30,000. More specifically, the total denier of the front-end plug 330 may be 28,000.

In addition, if necessary, the front-end plug 330 may include at least one channel, and the cross-section of the channel may have various shapes.

The tobacco rod 310 may correspond to the tobacco rod 210 described above with reference to FIG. 12. Therefore, a detailed description of the tobacco rod 310 is omitted below.

The first segment 321 may include cellulose acetate. For example, the first segment may include a tube-shaped structure including a hollow therein. The first segment 321 may be fabricated by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to the cellulose acetate tow. For example, the mono denier and total denier of the first segment 321 may be the same as the mono denier and total denier of the front-end plug 330.

The second segment 322 may include cellulose acetate. The mono denier of a filament constituting the second segment 322 may be in the range of about 1.0 to about 10.0, specifically in the range of about 8.0 to about 10.0. More specifically, the mono denier of the filament of the second segment 322 may be 9.0. In addition, the cross-section of the filament of the second segment 322 may have a Y-shape. The total denier of the second segment 322 may be in the range of about 20,000 to about 30,000, specifically 25,000.

FIG. 14 illustrates another example of a cigarette.

Referring to FIG. 14, a cigarette 400 may include an aerosol generating rod 410, a tobacco rod 420, a cooling rod 430, and a filter rod 440. In detail, the aerosol generating rod 410, the tobacco rod 420, the cooling rod 430, and the filter rod 440 may include an aerosol generating material, tobacco granules, a cooling material, and a filter material, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 14, the aerosol generating rod 410, the tobacco rod 420, the cooling rod 430, and the filter rod 440 may be sequentially aligned along a lengthwise direction of the cigarette 400. Here, the lengthwise direction of the cigarette 400 may be a direction in which the length of the cigarette 400 extends. For example, the lengthwise direction of the cigarette 400 may be a direction from the aerosol generating rod 410 towards the filter rod 440. Accordingly, an aerosol generated from at least one of the aerosol generating rod 410 and the tobacco rod 420 may sequentially pass through the aerosol generating rod 410, the tobacco rod 420, the cooling rod 430, and the filter rod 440 and form an air current, and thus, a smoker may inhale the aerosol from the filter rod 440.

The aerosol generating rod 410 may include the aerosol generating material. Also, the aerosol generating rod 410 may include other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic acid, and further include a flavored liquid, such as menthol or a moisturizer. Here, the aerosol generating material may include, for example, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol.

The aerosol generating rod 410 may include an aerosol generating substrate impregnated with the aerosol generating material. Examples of the aerosol generating substrate may include a crimped sheet, and the aerosol generating material may be included in the aerosol generating rod 410 while impregnated in the crimped sheet. Also, while absorbed into the crimped sheet, other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic acid, and a flavored liquid may be included in the aerosol generating rod 410.

The crimped sheet may be a sheet including a polymer material. For example, the polymer material may include at least one of paper, cellulose acetate, lyocell, and polylactic acid. For example, the crimped sheet may be a paper sheet that, even when heated to a high temperature, does not produce a heat-induced odor. However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating rod 410 may extend from an end of the cigarette 400 to a point from about 7 mm to about 20 mm, and the tobacco rod 420 may extend from a point, at which the aerosol generating rod 410 ends, to a point from about 7 mm to about 20 mm. However, one or more embodiments are not limited to the numerical ranges stated above, and the length to which each of the aerosol generating rod 410 and the tobacco rod 420 extends may be appropriately adjusted within a range that may be easily modified by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The tobacco rod 420 may include a plurality of tobacco granules. The tobacco granules may be buried between filter materials. The filter material may include, for example, a fiber bundle in which cellulose acetate fiber strands are aggregated. The tobacco granules may be uniformly distributed between cellulose fibers.

As another example, the filter material may include a paper sheet. The paper sheet may be located inside the tobacco rod 420 while rolled. The central axis of the rolled paper sheet may be parallel to the lengthwise direction of the cigarette 400. The tobacco granules may be uniformly distributed in the rolled paper sheet.

The cooling rod 430 may cool the air current passing through the aerosol generating rod 410 and the tobacco rod 420. The cooling rod 430 may be formed of a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material and have a cooling function. For example, the cooling rod 430 may be formed of PLA fibers, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. Alternatively, the cooling rod 430 may include a cellulose acetate filter including therein a plurality of holes. However, the cooling rod 430 is not limited thereto, and any material having an aerosol cooling function may be used. For example, the cooling rod 430 may be tube filter or a paper tube including a hollow.

The filter rod 440 may include a filter material. For example, the filter rod 440 may include a cellulose acetate filter. Shapes of the filter rod 440 are not limited. For example, the filter rod 440 may include a cylinder-type rod or a tube-type rod having a hollow inside. Also, the filter rod 440 may include a recess-type rod. When the filter rod 440 includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape.

The filter rod 440 may generate flavors. For example, a flavored liquid may be injected onto the filter rod 440, or an additional fiber coated with the flavored liquid may be inserted into the filter rod 440.

Also, the filter rod 440 may include at least one capsule. Here, the capsule may generate a flavor or an aerosol. For example, the capsule may have a configuration in which a liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. For example, the capsule may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

The cigarette 400 may include a wrapper 450 surrounding at least a portion of the aerosol generating rod 410 to the filter rod 440. Also, the cigarette 400 may include the wrapper 450 surrounding all of the aerosol generating rod 410 to the filter rod 440. The wrapper 450 may be located on the outermost side of the cigarette 400, and the wrapper 450 may be a single wrapper, but may be a combination of wrappers.

An aerosol generating device 1500 may include a controller 1510, a sensing unit 1520, an output unit 1530, a battery 1540, a heater 1550, a user input unit 1560, a memory 1570, and a communication unit 1580. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1500 is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 15. That is, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1500, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that some of the components shown in FIG. 15 may be omitted or new components may be added.

The sensing unit 1520 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device 1500 and a state around the aerosol generating device 1500, and transmit sensed information to the controller 1510. Based on the sensed information, the controller 1510 may control the aerosol generating device 1500 to perform various functions, such as controlling an operation of the heater 1550, limiting smoking, determining whether an aerosol generating article (e.g., a cigarette, a cartridge, or the like) is inserted, displaying a notification, and the like.

The sensing unit 1520 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 1522, an insertion detection sensor 1524, and a puff sensor 1526, but is not limited thereto.

The temperature sensor 1522 may sense a temperature at which the heater 1550 (or an aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 1500 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater 1550, or the heater 1550 may serve as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 1522 may also be arranged around the battery 1540 to monitor the temperature of the battery 1540.

The insertion detection sensor 1524 may sense insertion and/or removal of an aerosol generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 1524 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, and may sense a signal change according to the insertion and/or removal of the aerosol generating article.

The puff sensor 1526 may sense a user's puff on the basis of various physical changes in an airflow passage or an airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor 1526 may sense a user's puff on the basis of any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

The sensing unit 1520 may further include, in addition to the aforementioned sensors 1522 to 1526, at least one of a temperature/humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a location sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)), a proximity sensor, and a red-green-blue (RGB) sensor (illuminance sensor). Because a function of each of sensors may be intuitively inferred by one of ordinary skill in the art from the name of the sensor, a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

The output unit 1530 may output information on a state of the aerosol generating device 1500 and provide the information to the user. The output unit 1530 may include at least one of a display unit 1532, a haptic unit 1534, and a sound output unit 1536, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 1532 and a touch pad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 1532 may also be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display unit 1532 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 1500 to the user. For example, information about the aerosol generating device 1500 may mean various pieces of information, such as a charging/discharging state of the battery 1540 of the aerosol generating device 1500, a preheating state of the heater 1550, an insertion/removal state of an aerosol generating article, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generating device 1500 is restricted (e.g., sensing of an abnormal object), or the like, and the display unit 1532 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 1532 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, or the like. In addition, the display unit 1532 may be in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) light-emitting device.

The haptic unit 1534 may tactilely provide information about the aerosol generating device 1500 to the user by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus. For example, the haptic unit 1534 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound output unit 1536 may audibly provide information about the aerosol generating device 1500 to the user. For example, the sound output unit 1536 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output the same to the outside.

The battery 1540 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1500. The battery 1540 may supply power such that the heater 1550 may be heated. In addition, the battery 1540 may supply power required for operations of other components (e.g., the sensing unit 1520, the output unit 1530, the user input unit 1560, the memory 1570, and the communication unit 1580) in the aerosol generating device 1500. The battery 1540 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 1540 may be a LiPoly battery, but is not limited thereto.

The heater 1550 may receive power from the battery 1540 to heat an aerosol generating material. Although not illustrated in FIG. 15, the aerosol generating device 1500 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a direct current (DC)/DC converter) that converts power of the battery 1540 and supplies the same to the heater 1550. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 1500 generates aerosols in an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 1500 may further include a DC/alternating current (AC) that converts DC power of the battery 1540 into AC power.

The controller 1510, the sensing unit 1520, the output unit 1530, the user input unit 1560, the memory 1570, and the communication unit 1580 may each receive power from the battery 1540 to perform a function. Although not illustrated in FIG. 15, the aerosol generating device 1500 may further include a power conversion circuit that converts power of the battery 1540 to supply the power to respective components, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit, or a voltage regulator circuit.

In an embodiment, the heater 1550 may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, the suitable electrically resistive material may be a metal or a metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater 1550 may be implemented by a metal wire, a metal plate on which an electrically conductive track is arranged, a ceramic heating element, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the heater 1550 may be a heater of an induction heating type. For example, the heater 1550 may include a susceptor that heats an aerosol generating material by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil.

The user input unit 1560 may receive information input from the user or may output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 1560 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (a contact capacitive method, a pressure resistance film method, an infrared sensing method, a surface ultrasonic conduction method, an integral tension measurement method, a piezo effect method, or the like), a jog wheel, a jog switch, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, although not illustrated in FIG. 15, the aerosol generating device 1500 may further include a connection interface, such as a USB interface, and may connect to other external devices through the connection interface, such as the USB interface, to transmit and receive information, or to charge the battery 1540.

The memory 1570 is a hardware component that stores various types of data processed in the aerosol generating device 1500, and may store data processed and data to be processed by the controller 1510. The memory 1570 may include at least one type of storage medium from among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card-type memory (for example, secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD) memory, etc.), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory 1570 may store an operation time of the aerosol generating device 1500, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, data on a user's smoking pattern, etc.

The communication unit 1580 may include at least one component for communication with another electronic device. For example, the communication unit 1580 may include a short-range wireless communication unit 1582 and a wireless communication unit 1584.

The short-range wireless communication unit 1582 may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

The wireless communication unit 1584 may include a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN)) communication unit, or the like, but is not limited thereto. The wireless communication unit 1584 may also identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 1500 within a communication network by using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

The controller 1510 may control general operations of the aerosol generating device 1500. In an embodiment, the controller 1510 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The controller 1510 may control the temperature of the heater 1550 by controlling supply of power of the battery 1540 to the heater 1550. For example, the controller 1510 may control power supply by controlling switching of a switching element between the battery 1540 and the heater 1550. In another example, a direct heating circuit may also control power supply to the heater 1550 according to a control command of the controller 1510.

The controller 1510 may analyze a result sensed by the sensing unit 1520 and control subsequent processes to be performed. For example, the controller 1510 may control power supplied to the heater 1550 to start or end an operation of the heater 1550 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 1520. As another example, the controller 1510 may control, based on a result sensed by the sensing unit 1520, an amount of power supplied to the heater 1550 and the time the power is supplied, such that the heater 1550 may be heated to a certain temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

The controller 1510 may control the output unit 1530 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 1520. For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 1526 reaches a preset number, the controller 1510 may notify the user that the aerosol generating device 1500 will soon be terminated through at least one of the display unit 1532, the haptic unit 1534, and the sound output unit 1536.

Those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiments may understand that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the scope of the characteristics described above. Therefore, the disclosed methods should be considered in a descriptive point of view, not a restrictive point of view. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present disclosure.

Claims

An aerosol generating device comprising:

a main body;

a separation member detachably coupled to the main body;

an accommodation hole penetrating the separation member and configured to accommodate an external device electrically connected to the aerosol generating device; and

a separation guide hole connected to the accommodation hole and extending in a direction different from a direction in which the accommodation hole extends so that a separation tool for separating the separation member from the main body is inserted into the separation guide hole.
The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the separation guide hole extends in a direction crossing the direction in which the accommodation hole extends.
The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the separation guide hole is formed in a region in which the separation member meets an extension line of a long axis of a cross-section of the accommodation hole.
The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the separation member comprises: a coupling portion coupled to the main body; and a barrier located between the separation guide hole and the coupling portion.
The aerosol generating device of claim 4, wherein each of a first distance from the separation guide hole to the barrier and a second distance from the separation guide hole to the coupling portion has a length ratio of 1:3 to 1:15.
The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein an open end portion of the separation guide hole has a length of 0.3 mm to 3 mm in the direction in which the accommodation hole extends.
The aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising a protective member located inside the accommodation hole and surrounding at least a portion of a side surface of the accommodation hole,

wherein the protective member blocks a portion of the open end portion of the separation guide hole.
The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the accommodation hole is configured to accommodate an interface terminal configured to receive power from the external device.