WO2024063247A1

WO2024063247A1 - Aerosol-generating device and aerosol-generating article

Info

Publication number: WO2024063247A1
Application number: PCT/KR2023/007583
Authority: WO
Inventors: 장철호; 고경민; 배형진; 서장원; 정종성; 정진철
Original assignee: 주식회사 케이티앤지
Priority date: 2022-09-23
Filing date: 2023-06-02
Publication date: 2024-03-28
Also published as: KR20240041493A

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device according to various embodiments may comprise: a housing comprising an open end and an elongated cavity configured to communicate with the open end so as to contain an aerosol-generating article; a stick holder disposed in the elongated cavity so as to capture the aerosol-generating article and to rotate the aerosol-generating article around the longitudinal center axis thereof; and a light-emitting element for emitting light such that a medium segment included in the aerosol-generating article is heated.

Description

Aerosol-generating devices and aerosol-generating articles

The following examples relate to aerosol-generating devices and aerosol-generating articles.

Recently, demand for alternative products that overcome the disadvantages of traditional cigarettes is increasing. For example, demand for devices that generate aerosol by electrically heating cigarette sticks (e.g. cigarette-type electronic cigarettes) is increasing. Accordingly, research on electrically heated aerosol generating devices and cigarette sticks (or aerosol generating articles) applied thereto is actively underway. For example, Patent Publication No. 10-2017-0132823 discloses a non-combustible flavor aspirator, a flavor source unit, and an atomization unit.

An object according to one embodiment is to provide an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article in which heat loss is reduced through heating by a laser heating source.

An object according to one embodiment is to provide an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article that generate a uniform amount of aerosol during use.

An aerosol-generating device according to various embodiments, comprising: a housing comprising an open end and an elongated cavity in communication with the open end to receive an aerosol-generating article, the housing disposed within the elongated cavity, and capturing the aerosol-generating article; It may include a stick holder that rotates the aerosol-generating article about its longitudinal central axis, and a light irradiation element that radiates light to heat the medium segment included in the aerosol-generating article.

In one embodiment, the light irradiation element is disposed in line with the elongated cavity and is disposed adjacent to the reflector, a light source for emitting light, a reflector for directing light from the light source to the media segment, It may include an angle adjuster that adjusts the angle of light reflected by the reflector so that the light reaches the medium segment evenly.

In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating article further comprises a first segment disposed on an upstream side of the medium segment and a second segment disposed on a downstream side of the medium segment, wherein the medium segment comprises: the first segment It includes a first medium end in contact with the second medium end and a second medium end in contact with the second segment, wherein the angle adjusting part allows the light reflected from the reflector to be continuously irradiated from the first medium end to the second medium end. can do.

In one embodiment, the stick holder is disposed adjacent the open end of the housing and a first holder disposed on a bottom surface of the elongate cavity to capture the first segment of the aerosol-generating article to release the aerosol. and a second holder that captures the second segment of the generated article.

In one embodiment, the device further includes a rotation element, wherein the rotation element can rotate the stick holder based on a central axis in the depth direction of the elongated cavity.

In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating device further includes an input button coupled to the rotating element, wherein actuation of the input button activates the rotating element to rotate the rotating element.

In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device further includes a puff sensor connected to the rotating element and detecting a user's puff, and operation of the puff sensor may activate the rotating element to rotate the rotating element. .

In one embodiment, the elongated cavity includes an inner wall surface facing the aerosol-generating article, and at least a portion of the inner wall surface can be comprised of a material capable of transmitting light.

In one embodiment, the medium segment includes a medium, and the medium may be exposed to the outside of the aerosol-generating article.

An aerosol-generating article according to various embodiments, comprising: a first end face, a second end face opposite the first end face, a side face formed between the first end face and the second end face, and a media segment; , comprising a first segment, a second segment and a wrapper, wherein the first segment is disposed on an upstream side of the medium segment, the second segment is disposed on a downstream side of the medium segment, and the wrapper is located on the medium segment. It may cover side surfaces corresponding to the first segment and the second segment, excluding.

In one embodiment, the media segment includes a hollow tube, and the aerosol formed by heating the media segment can travel through the hollow tube toward the second end surface.

In one embodiment, the media segments may be filled with folded or rolled leaflet media.

In one embodiment, the medium segment includes a medium, and the medium may be exposed to the outside.

An aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment can reduce heat loss through heating by a laser heating source.

An aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment can generate a uniform amount of aerosol during use.

The effects of the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating article according to one embodiment are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

2A is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of an aerosol-generating device in a state in which an aerosol-generating article is inserted according to one embodiment.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to one embodiment.

Figure 4A is an internal perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

Figure 4b is an enlarged view of area A of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of Figure 4a.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

The terms used in the embodiments are general terms that are currently widely used as much as possible while considering the function in the present invention, but this may vary depending on the intention or precedent of a person working in the art, the emergence of new technology, etc. In addition, in certain cases, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the relevant invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention, rather than simply the name of the term.

When it is said that a part "includes" a certain element throughout the specification, this means that, unless specifically stated to the contrary, it does not exclude other elements but may further include other elements. Additionally, 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.

As used herein, when an expression such as “at least any one” precedes arranged elements, it modifies all of the arranged elements rather than each arranged element. For example, the expression “at least one of a, b, and c” should be interpreted as including a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c. do.

In the following embodiments, “aerosol-generating article” may refer to an article that accommodates a medium and an aerosol passes through the article and the medium is transferred. A representative example of an aerosol-generating article may include a cigarette, but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In the following embodiments, "upstream" or "upstream direction" means a direction away from the user's (smoker's) mouth, and "downstream" or "downstream direction" means a direction closer to the user's mouth. It can mean. The terms upstream and downstream may be used to describe the relative positions of elements that make up an aerosol-generating article.

In the following embodiments, “puff” refers to the user's inhalation, and inhalation refers to the situation of pulling the puff into the user's oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs through the user's mouth or nose.

In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol by electrically heating an aerosol-generating article accommodated in an internal space.

The aerosol-generating device may include a heater. In one embodiment, the heater may be an electrically resistive heater. For example, a heater may include an electrically conductive track, and a current flowing through the electrically conductive track may cause the heater to heat.

The heater may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element and, depending on the shape of the heating element, may heat the interior or exterior of the aerosol-generating article.

Aerosol-generating articles may include tobacco rods and filter rods. Tobacco rods can be made from sheets, strands, or tobacco sheets can be made from cut fillers. Additionally, the tobacco rod may be surrounded by a heat-conducting material. For example, the heat-conducting material may be a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but is not limited thereto.

The filter rod may be a cellulose acetate filter. A filter rod may consist of at least one segment. For example, a filter rod may include a first segment that cools the aerosol and a second segment that filters certain components contained within the aerosol.

In another embodiment, an aerosol-generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol using a cartridge containing an aerosol-generating material.

An aerosol-generating device may include a cartridge containing aerosol-generating material and a body supporting the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably coupled to the main body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be formed or assembled integrally with the main body, and may be fixed so as not to be detached or detached by the user. The cartridge may be mounted on the main body while containing the aerosol-generating material therein. However, it is not limited to this, and an aerosol-generating material may be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the main body.

The cartridge may contain an aerosol-generating material in any one of various states, such as liquid state, solid state, gas state, and gel state. Aerosol-generating materials may include liquid compositions. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing tobacco-containing substances, including volatile tobacco flavor components, or may be a liquid containing non-tobacco substances.

The cartridge is operated by an electric signal or wireless signal transmitted from the main body, thereby converting the phase of the aerosol-generating material inside the cartridge into a gas phase to generate an aerosol. Aerosol may refer to a gas in a mixed state of vaporized particles generated from an aerosol-generating material and air.

In another embodiment, an aerosol generating device may heat a liquid composition to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol may pass through a cigarette and be delivered to a user. That is, the aerosol generated from the liquid composition can move along the airflow passage of the aerosol generating device, and the airflow passage can be configured to allow the aerosol to pass through the cigarette and be delivered to the user.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol from an aerosol generating material using an ultrasonic vibration method. At this time, the ultrasonic vibration method may refer to a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing the aerosol-generating material with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

The aerosol generating device may include a vibrator, and may generate short-period vibration through the vibrator to atomize the aerosol-generating material. The vibration generated from the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibration may be from about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating device may further include a wick that absorbs the aerosol generating material. For example, the wick may be arranged to surround at least one area of the vibrator or may be arranged to contact at least one area of the vibrator.

As a voltage (e.g., alternating voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and/or ultrasonic vibration may be generated from the vibrator, and the heat and/or ultrasonic vibration generated from the vibrator may be transmitted to the aerosol-generating material absorbed by the wick. . The aerosol-generating material absorbed into the wick may be converted into a gas phase by heat and/or ultrasonic vibration transmitted from the vibrator, and as a result, an aerosol may be generated.

For example, the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material absorbed into the wick may be lowered by the heat generated from the vibrator, and the aerosol-generating material with the lowered viscosity may be converted into fine particles by ultrasonic vibration generated from the vibrator, thereby creating an aerosol. , but is not limited to this.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating article accommodated in the aerosol generating device using induction heating.

The aerosol-generating device may include a susceptor and a coil. In one embodiment, the coil may apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. As power is supplied to the coil from the aerosol generating device, a magnetic field may be formed inside the coil. In one embodiment, the susceptor may be a magnetic material that generates heat by an external magnetic field. As the susceptor is located inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied, the aerosol-generating article may be heated by generating heat. Additionally, optionally, the susceptor may be located within the aerosol-generating article.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a cradle.

The aerosol generating device can form a system with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle can charge the battery of an aerosol-generating device. Alternatively, the heater may be heated while the cradle and the aerosol generating device are combined.

Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. The present disclosure may be implemented in a form that can be implemented in the aerosol generating devices of the various embodiments described above, or may be implemented in a variety of different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

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

Figure 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment.

The aerosol generating device 100 includes a control unit 110, a sensing unit 120, an output unit 130, a battery 140, a heater 150, a user input unit 160, a memory 170, and a communication unit 180. It can be included. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1. That is, those skilled in the art can understand that, depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 100, some of the configurations shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted or new configurations may be added. there is.

The sensing unit 120 may detect the state of the aerosol generating device 100 or the state surrounding the aerosol generating device 100 and transmit the sensed information to the control unit 110. Based on the sensed information, the control unit 110 performs various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater 150, restricting smoking, determining whether to insert an aerosol-generating article (e.g., an aerosol-generating article, cartridge, etc.), displaying a notification, etc. The aerosol generating device 100 can be controlled to perform the operation.

The sensing unit 120 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 122, an insertion detection sensor 124, and a puff sensor 126, but is not limited thereto.

The temperature sensor 122 may detect the temperature at which the heater 150 (or an aerosol-generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 100 may include a separate temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heater 150, or the heater 150 itself may serve as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 122 may be disposed around the battery 140 to monitor the temperature of the battery 140.

Insertion detection sensor 124 may detect insertion and/or removal of an aerosol-generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 124 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, where the aerosol-generating article is inserted and/or Signal changes can be detected as it is removed.

The puff sensor 126 may detect the user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor 126 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 122 to 126 described above, the sensing unit 120 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 130 may output information about the status of the aerosol generating device 100 and provide it to the user. The output unit 130 may include at least one of a display unit 132, a haptic unit 134, and an audio output unit 136, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 132 and the touch pad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 132 can be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display unit 132 can visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 100 to the user. For example, information about the aerosol-generating device 100 may include the charging/discharging state of the battery 140 of the aerosol-generating device 100, the preheating state of the heater 150, the insertion/removal state of the aerosol-generating article, or the aerosol generation. It may refer to various information such as a state in which the use of the device 100 is restricted (e.g., abnormal item detection), and the display unit 132 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 132 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) or an organic light emitting display panel (OLED). Additionally, the display unit 132 may be in the form of an LED light-emitting device.

The haptic unit 134 may convert electrical signals into mechanical stimulation or electrical stimulation to provide tactile information about the aerosol generating device 100 to the user. For example, the haptic unit 134 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound output unit 136 can provide information about the aerosol generating device 100 audibly to the user. For example, the audio output unit 136 may convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

The battery 140 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 100. The battery 140 may supply power so that the heater 150 can be heated. In addition, the battery 140 may be connected to other components provided in the aerosol generating device 100 (e.g., sensing unit 120, output unit 130, user input unit 160, memory 170, and communication unit 180). It can supply the power required for operation. Battery 140 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 140 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The heater 150 may receive power from the battery 140 to heat the aerosol-generating material. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a power conversion circuit (eg, DC/DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 140 and supplies it to the heater 150. Additionally, when the aerosol generating device 100 generates an aerosol by induction heating, the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a DC/AC converter that converts direct current power of the battery 140 into alternating current power.

The control unit 110, sensing unit 120, output unit 130, user input unit 160, memory 170, and communication unit 180 may perform their functions by receiving power from the battery 140. Although not shown in FIG. 1, it may further include a power conversion circuit that converts the power of the battery 140 and supplies it to each component, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit.

In one embodiment, heater 150 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 150 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 150 may be an induction heating type heater. For example, the heater 150 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 150 may include a plurality of heaters. For example, the heater 150 may include a first heater for heating the aerosol-generating article and a second heater for heating the liquid phase.

The user input unit 160 may receive information input from the user or output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 160 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. 1, the aerosol generating device 100 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 or received or the battery 140 can be charged.

The memory 170 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device 100, and can store data processed by the control unit 110 and data to be processed. The memory 170 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory, etc.), or 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 170 may store the operation time of the aerosol generating device 100, 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 180 may include at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 180 may include a short-range communication unit 182 and a wireless communication unit 184.

The short-range wireless communication unit 182 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 184 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 184 may identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 100 within the communication network using subscriber information (eg, International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

The control unit 110 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 100. In one embodiment, the control unit 110 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 110 can control the temperature of the heater 150 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 140 to the heater 150. For example, the control unit 110 may control power supply by controlling the switching of the switching element between the battery 140 and the heater 150. In another example, the heating direct circuit may control power supply to the heater 150 according to a control command from the control unit 110.

The control unit 110 can analyze the results sensed by the sensing unit 120 and control subsequent processes. For example, the control unit 110 may control the power supplied to the heater 150 to start or end the operation of the heater 150 based on the result detected by the sensing unit 120. For another example, based on the results detected by the sensing unit 120, the control unit 110 adjusts the power supplied to the heater 150 so that the heater 150 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 110 may control the output unit 130 based on the results detected by the sensing unit 120. For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 126 reaches a preset number, the control unit 110 operates at least one of the display unit 132, the haptic unit 134, and the sound output unit 136. Through this, it is possible to notify the user that the aerosol generating device 100 will soon be terminated.

In one embodiment, the control unit 110 may control the power supply time and/or power supply amount to the heater 150 according to the state of the aerosol-generating article detected by the sensing unit 120. For example, when the aerosol-generating article is in an overly humid state, the controller 110 may control the power supply time to the induction coil to increase the preheating time compared to when the aerosol-generating article is in a normal state.

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.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an aerosol-generating device 200 (e.g., aerosol-generating device 100 of FIG. 1) according to one embodiment. Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of the aerosol-generating device 200 in a state in which the aerosol-generating article 300 according to one embodiment is inserted.

2A and 2B, the aerosol generating device according to one embodiment includes a housing 210, a stick holder 220, a rotating element 226, a light irradiation element 230, an input button 240, and a battery ( 260) and a control unit 270.

The housing 210 according to one embodiment may include one end, the other end formed on the opposite side of the one end, an open end 212, and an elongated cavity 214. In one embodiment, the housing 210 may accommodate various mechanical/electronic components of the aerosol-generating device 200 in the internal space of the housing 210. In one embodiment, the housing 210 may be made of a sturdy material (eg, plastic, metal, carbon plate, synthetic resin, etc.).

The open end 212 according to one embodiment may be disposed on either one end or the other end and communicate with the elongated cavity 214. The elongated cavity 214 according to one embodiment is a cavity formed by extending from the open end 212 of the housing 210 to the inside of the housing 210, and may include a space in which an aerosol-generating article is accommodated. You can.

In one embodiment, elongated cavity 214 may include an inner wall surface 214a and a bottom surface 214b. The inner wall surface 214a according to one embodiment corresponds to the inner wall surface of the elongated cavity 214 and may correspond to the side of the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the elongated cavity 214. The bottom surface 214b according to one embodiment corresponds to the end surface of the elongated cavity 214 and may correspond to the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the elongated cavity 214. there is.

In one embodiment, elongated cavity 214 may include a light transmissive element 216. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the inner wall surface 214a of the elongated cavity 214 may be composed of a material that can transmit light. In one embodiment, the light transmitting element 216 may be disposed corresponding to the direction in which the light irradiating element 230 is disposed with respect to the elongated cavity 214. The light transmitting element 216 according to one embodiment is disposed to correspond to the direction in which the light irradiating element 230 is disposed, so that the light originating from the light irradiating element 230 is radiated into the elongated cavity 214. You can.

In one embodiment, the stick holder 220 may include a first holder 222 and a second holder 224.

In one embodiment, the first holder 222 may be disposed on the bottom surface 214b of the elongated cavity 214. In one embodiment, first holder 222 may capture one end (e.g., first segment 320 of FIG. 3) of an aerosol-generating article (e.g., aerosol-generating article 300 of FIG. 3). . In one embodiment, the first holder 222 may include a holding portion 2221, a shaft 2222, and a perforation 2223. In one embodiment, the holding portion 2221 may correspond to a portion where one end of the aerosol-generating article 300 is accommodated. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the holding portion 2221 may be the same as the inner diameter of the aerosol-generating article 300. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the holding portion 2221 may be larger than the inner diameter of the aerosol-generating article 300. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the holding portion 2221 may be smaller than the inner diameter of the aerosol-generating article 300. In one embodiment, the shaft 2222 is disposed to connect the holding part 2221 and the bottom surface 214b of the elongated cavity 214 so that the holding part 2221 can stably receive the aerosol-generating article 300. can help you do that. In one embodiment, shaft 2222 may be formed of a single, continuous material with holding portion 2221. In one embodiment, the shaft 2222 is a different part from the holding part 2221 and may be coupled to the holding part 2221. In one embodiment, the perforation 2223 may be formed to penetrate the wall of the holding portion 2221 disposed parallel to the bottom surface 214b of the elongated cavity 214. In one embodiment, the airflow introduced into the aerosol-generating device 200 may move into the aerosol-generating article 300 through the perforation 2223 (see arrow F1 in FIG. 2B).

In one embodiment, second holder 224 may be positioned adjacent open end 212 of housing 210. In one embodiment, the second holder 224 may capture a middle portion of the aerosol-generating article 300 (e.g., second segment 330 of FIG. 3). In one embodiment, the second holder 224 may include a gear. In one embodiment, the second holder 224 is positioned to surround the entrance of the elongated cavity 214 and can rotate about the central longitudinal axis of the elongated cavity 214 . In one embodiment, the second holder 224 may be formed to protrude toward a central longitudinal axis beyond the interior wall 214a of the elongated cavity 214 to capture the aerosol-generating article 300. In one embodiment, the second holder 224 may include perforations (not shown) to facilitate the introduction of airflow. In one embodiment, the perforation of the second holder 224 may be formed parallel to the perforation 2243 of the first holder 222.

In one embodiment, rotation element 226 may rotate stick holder 220 about a central depth axis of elongate cavity 214 . In one embodiment, rotating element 226 may include motor 2261 and gear 2262. The motor 2261 according to one embodiment may include an energy source that actively creates rotational movement. The motor 2261 according to one embodiment may include a servo motor. If the rotation element 226 includes a servo motor, the user can rotate the stick holder 220 by a desired angle. The gear 2262 according to one embodiment may be disposed in combination with the motor shaft of the motor 2261. The gear 2262 according to one embodiment may be driven in mesh with the gear of the second holder 224. For example, the gear 2262 according to an embodiment may be a driving gear connected to the motor 2261, and the gear of the second holder 224 according to an embodiment may be a pinion gear. there is. In one embodiment, the rotation direction of the stick holder 220 may be determined depending on the rotation direction of the rotation element 226. The rotation direction of the stick holder 220 according to one embodiment may be opposite to the rotation direction of the rotation element 226. The rotation direction of the stick holder 220 according to one embodiment may be the same as the rotation direction of the rotation element 226. The rotation direction of the aerosol-generating article 300 according to one embodiment (eg, see arrow D1 in FIG. 2B) may be the same as the rotation direction of the stick holder 220.

In one embodiment, the light irradiation element 230 may irradiate light toward the aerosol-generating article 300 to heat the medium included in the aerosol-generating article 300 (e.g., medium segment 310 in FIG. 3). there is. The light irradiation element 230 according to one embodiment may be arranged in parallel with the elongated cavity 214 . The light irradiation element 230 according to one embodiment may be arranged side by side with the elongated cavity 214 . The light irradiation element 230 according to one embodiment may include a light source unit 232, a reflection unit 234, an angle adjustment unit 236, and an enlargement unit 238. In one embodiment, the light source unit 232 may emit light. For example, the light source unit 232 may include a laser emitter. In one embodiment, the reflection unit 234 may reflect the light emitted from the light source unit 232 at an appropriate angle and direct it toward the aerosol-generating article 300. For example, the reflector 234 may include quartz, glass, or a high-gloss metal material, but is not necessarily limited thereto. In one embodiment, the angle adjusting unit 236 changes the angle of the reflecting unit 234 so that light is evenly irradiated to the medium segment (e.g., the medium segment 310 of FIG. 3) of the aerosol-generating article 300. (e.g., see arrow D2 in FIG. 2B). In one embodiment, the angle adjusting unit 236 may be disposed adjacent to the reflecting unit 234. In one embodiment, the angle adjusting unit 236 may include a motor 236a, a first gear 236b, and a second gear 236c. In one embodiment, the enlargement part 238 may be disposed between the light source part 232 and the reflection part 234. The enlargement unit 238 according to one embodiment may amplify the intensity, brightness, frequency, and/or wavelength of light emitted from the light source unit 232. The light irradiation element 230 according to one embodiment will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

In one embodiment, the input button 240 (eg, the user input unit 160 of FIG. 1) may be disposed at one end of the housing 210. In one embodiment, the input button 240 may protrude out of the housing 210. In one embodiment, input button 240 may be coupled with rotation element 226. In one embodiment, rotation element 226 may be activated by operation of input button 240. For example, the stick holder 220 may rotate by operating the input button 240. In one embodiment, the angle at which the rotation element 226 rotates upon a single operation of the input button 240 may vary depending on the user's preferences, habits, and/or preset values of the aerosol-generating device. In one embodiment, the angle at which the rotation element 226 rotates upon a single actuation of the input button 240 may be customized.

In one embodiment, battery 260 may supply power used to operate aerosol-generating device 200. The battery 260 may supply power so that the

motors

2261 and 236a can be activated. Additionally, the battery 260 may supply power necessary for the operation of other components (eg, the light source unit 232 and the input button 240) provided within the aerosol generating device 200. Battery 260 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 260 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the control unit 270 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 200. In one embodiment, the control unit 270 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.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an aerosol-generating article 300 according to one embodiment.

In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating article 300 may be received in the elongated cavity 214 of the aerosol-generating device 200 to generate an aerosol. In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating article 300 includes a first end face 300a, a second end face 300b formed on an opposite side of the first end face 300a, a first end face 300a, and a second end face 300a. It may include a side surface 300c formed between the end surfaces 300b. In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating article 300 includes a medium segment 310, a first segment 320 disposed on the upstream side of the medium segment 310, and a second segment disposed on the downstream side of the medium segment 310. It may include (330), a wrapper (340), and a filter segment (350).

In one embodiment, media segment 310 may include a first media end 310a and a second media end 310b. The first medium end 310a according to one embodiment may be an end in contact with the first segment 320. The second medium end 310b according to one embodiment may be an end in contact with the second segment 330. The medium segment 310 according to one embodiment may include a medium. For example, the medium may include, but is not necessarily limited to, solid substances based on tobacco raw materials such as leaf tobacco, cut tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, and liquid compositions based on nicotine, tobacco extract, and or various flavoring agents. no. For example, the medium segment according to one embodiment may be configured to be filled by folding or rolling the platelet medium. In one embodiment, media segment 310 may include a hollow tube 312. In one embodiment, the aerosol generated as the media segment 310 is heated may travel toward the first end surface 300a through a hollow tube 312 formed in the center of the media segment 310. there is. For example, the aerosol can be smoothly delivered to the user's mouth through a hollow tube 312 formed in the center of the media segment 310. In one embodiment, media segment 310 may be exposed to the exterior of aerosol-generating article 300. For example, the wrapper 340 may be peeled off around the medium segment 310.

In one embodiment, the first segment 320 may prevent the medium of the medium segment 310 from falling off. For example, first segment 320 may include a shear plug. The shear plug may be located on one side opposite the second segment 330. In one embodiment, the shear plug may prevent the medium from escaping and prevent liquefied aerosol from the medium segment from flowing into the aerosol-generating device during smoking. In one embodiment, the shear plug may be made of cellulose acetate. For example, the shear plug 23 may be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (eg, triacetin) to cellulose acetate tow. In one embodiment, the cross-section of the filament constituting the shear plug may be Y-shaped. In one embodiment, the shear plug may include at least one channel, and the cross-sectional shape of the channel may be manufactured in various ways.

In one embodiment, the second segment 330 may be disposed against the downstream side of the media segment 310. The second segment 330 according to one embodiment may include a branch pipe therein. In one embodiment, the second segment 330 may cool the aerosol generated in the medium segment 310.

In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating article 300 may be packaged by at least one wrapper 340. At least one hole may be formed in the wrapper 340 according to an embodiment through which external air flows in or internal gas flows out. For example, the first segment 320 and the filter segment 350 are wrapped by the first wrapper 341, and the first segment 320, the second segment 330 and the second segment 330 are wrapped by the second wrapper 342. Filter segment 350 may be repackaged. For example, the wrapper 340 may cover the side surface 300c corresponding to the first segment 320, the second segment 330, and the filter segment 350 excluding the medium segment 310.

In one embodiment, the filter segment 350 is shown as a single segment in FIG. 3, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter segment 350 may be composed of a plurality of segments. For example, the filter segment 350 may include a segment that cools the aerosol and a segment that filters certain components contained in the aerosol. Additionally, if necessary, the filter segment 350 may further include at least one segment that performs another function. Filter segment 350 may be a cellulose acetate filter. Meanwhile, the shape of the filter segment 350 is not limited. For example, the filter segment 350 may be a cylindrical rod or a tubular rod with a hollow interior. Additionally, the filter segment 350 may be a recess type rod.

Figure 4a is an internal perspective view of the aerosol generating device 200 according to one embodiment. FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of area A of the aerosol generating device 200 according to an embodiment of FIG. 4A.

4A and 4B, the aerosol-generating article 300 is firmly held in an elongated cavity (e.g., the elongated cavity 214 in FIG. 2A) without being shaken by the first holder 222 and the second holder 224. ) can be placed inside. In one embodiment, light emitted from the light source unit 232 may travel in a straight line. In one embodiment, light emitted from the light source 232 may be bent by the reflector 234 and directed toward the medium segment 310 of the aerosol-generating article 300. Since the light emitted from the light source unit 232 has condensed light energy and/or heat energy, it can heat the medium 311 exposed to the outside of the medium segment 310. In one embodiment, the heated position of the medium segment 310 may be different depending on the angle at which the reflection unit 234 is disposed with respect to the light source unit 232. In one embodiment, the angle of the reflection unit 234 with respect to the light source unit 232 may be adjusted by the angle adjustment unit 236. In one embodiment, the angle of the reflector 234 may rotate with respect to an axis in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article 300 (eg, Z direction). For example, the angle of the reflector 234 may rotate in the direction of arrow D2 and in the direction opposite to arrow D2 in FIG. 2B. As the reflector 234 according to one embodiment rotates, the light emitted from the light source unit 232 travels from the end of the first medium (e.g., the first medium end 310a of FIG. 3) to the end of the second medium (e.g., It can be continuously irradiated up to the second medium end (310b) in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, the area of the heating region 313 heated by one continuous irradiation of light may vary depending on the length (l1) of the medium segment and the width (l2) of the irradiated light. In one embodiment, the area of the heating area 313 heated by one continuous irradiation of light may be calculated as the product of the length (l1) of the medium segment and the width (l2) of the irradiated light.

In one embodiment, the aerosol generated as a result of heating of the media segment 310 by the light irradiation element 230 is generated through a hollow tube formed in the center of the media segment 310 (e.g., the hollow tube of FIG. 3 ). It can move toward the second end surface 300b through the pipe 312).

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an aerosol generating device 500 (e.g., the aerosol generating device 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B) according to an embodiment.

In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 500 may include a puff sensor 550. In one embodiment, the puff sensor 550 (eg, the sensing unit 120 of FIG. 1) may be disposed at one end of the housing 510. In one embodiment, the puff sensor 550 may detect the user's puff inside the housing 510. In one embodiment, puff sensor 550 may be connected to rotation element 526. In one embodiment, rotation element 526 may be activated when puff sensor 550 detects a user's puff. For example, the stick holder, particularly the second holder 524, may rotate by the operation of the puff sensor 550. In one embodiment, the angle at which the rotation element 526 rotates during one operation of the puff sensor 550 may vary depending on the user's preferences, habits, and/or preset values of the aerosol generating device. In one embodiment, the angle at which rotation element 526 rotates upon one actuation of input button 240 may be customized. In one embodiment, the puff sensor 550 may replace the input button 240 of the aerosol generating device 200 according to one embodiment.

Although the embodiments have been described with limited drawings as described above, those skilled in the art can apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above. For example, the described techniques are performed in a different order than the described method, and/or components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or other components are used. Alternatively, appropriate results may be achieved even if substituted or substituted by an equivalent.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents of the claims also fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

In the aerosol generating device,

a housing comprising an open end and an elongated cavity in communication with the open end to receive an aerosol-generating article;

a stick holder disposed within the elongated cavity, the stick holder configured to capture the aerosol-generating article and rotate the aerosol-generating article about its longitudinal axis; and

a light irradiation element that irradiates light to heat a medium segment included in the aerosol-generating article;

Including,

Aerosol generating device.
According to claim 1,

The light irradiation element is arranged in parallel with the elongated cavity,

A light source unit that emits light;

a reflection unit that directs light emitted from the light source unit to the medium segment; and

An angle adjuster disposed adjacent to the reflector and adjusting the angle of light reflected from the reflector so that the light evenly reaches the medium segment;

Including,

Aerosol generating device.
According to claim 2,

The aerosol-generating article further comprises a first segment disposed on an upstream side of the medium segment and a second segment disposed on a downstream side of the medium segment,

The medium segment includes a first medium end abutting the first segment and a second medium end abutting the second segment,

The angle adjusting unit causes the light reflected from the reflecting unit to be continuously irradiated from the end of the first medium to the end of the second medium,

Aerosol generating device.
According to claim 3,

The stick holder is,

a first holder disposed on a bottom surface of the elongated cavity to capture the first segment of the aerosol-generating article; and

a second holder disposed adjacent the open end of the housing to capture the second segment of the aerosol-generating article;

Including,

Aerosol generating device.
According to claim 4,

Contains more rotation elements,

The rotation element rotates the stick holder about a central axis in the depth direction of the elongated cavity.

Aerosol generating device.
According to claim 5,

The aerosol-generating device further includes an input button connected to the rotating element,

Operation of the input button activates the rotation element to rotate the rotation element,

Aerosol generating device.
According to claim 5,

The aerosol generating device further includes a puff sensor connected to the rotating element and detecting a user's puff,

Operation of the puff sensor activates the rotation element to rotate the rotation element,

Aerosol generating device.
According to claim 1,

The elongated cavity includes an inner wall surface facing the aerosol-generating article, and at least a portion of the inner wall surface is comprised of a material capable of transmitting light.

Aerosol generating device.
According to claim 1,

The medium segment includes a medium,

The medium is exposed to the outside of the aerosol-generating article,

Aerosol generating device.
In aerosol-generating articles,

a first end face, a second end face opposite the first end face, a side face formed between the first end face and the second end face, a media segment, a first segment, a second segment and a wrapper. Contains,

The first segment is disposed on the upstream side of the medium segment, and the second segment is disposed on the downstream side of the medium segment,

The wrapper surrounds side surfaces corresponding to the first segment and the second segment excluding the medium segment,

Aerosol-generating articles.
According to claim 10,

The media segment includes a hollow tube, and the aerosol formed by heating the media segment moves through the hollow tube toward the second end face.

Aerosol-generating articles.
The method of claim 10 or 11,

The medium segment is filled by folding or rolling the platelet medium,

Aerosol-generating articles.
According to claim 10,

The medium segment includes a medium, and the medium is exposed to the outside,

Aerosol-generating articles.