AEROSOL GENERATOR AND AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generator and an aerosol generating device including the aerosol generator, and more particularly, to an aerosol generator including a structure that may change the properties of an aerosol generating material and an aerosol generating device including the aerosol generator.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, the demand for alternative methods for overcoming the shortcomings of general cigarettes has increased.

For example, there is 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.

Accordingly, research into a heating-type aerosol generating device has been actively conducted.

In an aerosol generating device, it may be required to remove foreign substances, such as contaminants and impurities included in the stored aerosol generating material. Also, the flow rate or the properties, such as flavor, viscosity, and pH of an aerosol generating material, may be required to be changed.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

An aerosol generating device may include a storage for storing an aerosol generating material and a generation portion for aerosolizing the aerosol generating material. However, it is difficult to remove foreign substances from an aerosol generating material and to change the properties or flow rate of the aerosol generating material.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides an aerosol generator that may remove foreign substances from an aerosol generating material, and an aerosol generating device including the aerosol generator.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides an aerosol generator that may change the properties of an aerosol generating material by adding a certain material to the aerosol generating material, and an aerosol generating device including the aerosol generator.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides an aerosol generator that may decrease a flash point and/or an ignition point of an aerosol generating material, and an aerosol generating device including the aerosol generator.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides an aerosol generator that may reduce manufacturing costs required to change the properties of an aerosol generating material, and an aerosol generating device including the aerosol generator.

Objects to be achieved by the embodiments are not limited to the objects described above, and objects not described above may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong from the specification and the attached drawings.

Solution to Problem

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device includes an aerosol generator, which includes a storage configured to store an aerosol generating material, a transfer portion configured to perform at least one of a function of receiving the aerosol generating material from the storage and filtering out foreign substances from the aerosol generating material, and a function of adding, to the aerosol generating material, an additive material that changes properties of the aerosol generating material, and a generation portion configured to receive the aerosol generating material from the transfer portion and generate an aerosol, and a coupling portion coupled to the aerosol generator, and the aerosol generating device may transfer an aerosol generated by the aerosol generator to the outside.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above description and may include all matters that may be inferred by those skilled in the art throughout the present disclosure.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to embodiments, an aerosol generator and an aerosol generating device including the aerosol generator may remove foreign substances from an aerosol generating material by including a transfer portion, which filters out the foreign substances from the aerosol generating material, between a storage and a generation portion.

According to embodiments, an aerosol generator and an aerosol generating device including the aerosol generator may change the properties of an aerosol generating material by including a transfer portion that adds an additive material, which changes the properties of the aerosol generating material, between a storage and a generation portion.

According to embodiments, an aerosol generator and an aerosol generating device including the aerosol generator may increase a flash point and/or an ignition point of an aerosol generating material by separating a material that may decrease the flash point and/or ignition point of the aerosol generating material from the aerosol generating material.

According to embodiments, an aerosol generator and an aerosol generating device including the aerosol generator may reduce manufacturing costs required to change the properties of an aerosol generating material by including a configuration in which at least one of a storage, a transfer portion, and a generation portion included in the aerosol generator may be replaced with another component.

Effects obtained by the technical idea of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects which are not described may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the descriptions below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an aerosol generating device including an aerosol generator and a main body, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the aerosol generator and the main body of the aerosol generating device illustrated in FIG. 1 are disassembled.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an aerosol generator according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a granular activated carbon of a transfer portion according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a carbon block of a transfer portion according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a mesh structure of a transfer portion according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a fiber structure of a transfer portion according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a ceramic structure of a transfer portion according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates enlarged views of examples in which an additive material is included in a transfer portion.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the disassembled configuration of the aerosol generator of FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device including an aerosol generator, a main body, and a medium, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an example of a medium according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating an example of a medium according to another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Regarding the terms 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, terms which can be arbitrarily selected by the applicant in particular cases. In such a case, the meaning of the terms 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, hen an expression such as “at least any one” precedes arranged elements, it modifies all elements rather than each arranged element.

For example, the expression “at least any one of a, b, and c” should be construed to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

In an embodiment, an aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols by electrically heating a cigarette accommodated in an interior space thereof.

The aerosol generating device may include a heater.

In an embodiment, the heater may be an electro-resistive heater.

For example, the heater may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track.

The heater may include a tube-shaped heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of a cigarette according to the shape of a heating element.

A cigarette may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod.

The tobacco rod may be formed of sheets, strands, and tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet.

Also, the tobacco rod 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.

The filter rod may include a cellulose acetate filter.

The filter rod may include at least one segment.

For example, the filter rod may include a first segment configured to cool aerosols, and a second segment configured to filter a certain component in aerosols.

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

The aerosol generating device may include a cartridge that contains an aerosol generating material, and a main body that supports the cartridge.

The cartridge may be detachably coupled to the main body, but is not limited thereto.

The cartridge may be integrally formed or assembled with the main body, and may also be fixed to the main body so as not to be detached from the main body by a user.

The cartridge may be mounted on the main body while accommodating an aerosol generating material therein.

However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. An aerosol generating material may also 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 a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, a gel state, or the like.

The aerosol generating material may include 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 cartridge may be operated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body to perform a function of generating aerosols by converting the phase of an aerosol generating material inside the cartridge into a gaseous phase.

The aerosols may refer to a gas in which vaporized particles generated from an aerosol generating material are mixed with air.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may generate aerosols by heating a liquid composition, and generated aerosols may be delivered to a user through a cigarette.

That is, the aerosols generated from the liquid composition may move along an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device, and the airflow passage may be configured to allow aerosols to be delivered to a user by passing through a cigarette.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols from an aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method.

At this time, the ultrasonic vibration method may mean a method of generating aerosols by converting an aerosol generating material into aerosols with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

The aerosol generating device may include a vibrator, and generate a short-period vibration through the vibrator to convert an aerosol generating material into aerosols.

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

The aerosol generating device may configure a system together with a separate cradle.

For example, the cradle may charge a battery of the aerosol generating device.

Alternatively, the heater may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device are coupled to each other.

In an embodiment, an aerosol generating device may generate aerosols by heating a medium accommodated in the aerosol generating device, according to an induction heating method.

The induction heating method may be a method by which heat is generated from a magnetic substance by applying an alternating magnetic field.

When an alternating magnetic field is applied to the magnetic substance, energy may be lost in the magnetic substance because of eddy currents and hysteresis loss.

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 the magnetic substance is, the more heat energy may be emitted from the magnetic substance.

The aerosol generating device of an induction heating type may include a susceptor and a coil.

As an example, The susceptor may be arranged adjacent to the medium outside the medium.

As another example, the susceptor may be positioned within the medium.

As power is supplied to the coil, the coil may generate a magnetic field and apply the magnetic field to the susceptor.

In one embodiment, the susceptor may include a magnetic substance that emits heat when an external magnetic field is applied.

As another example, the susceptor may include non-magnetic metal.

When the magnetic field is applied to the susceptor arranged inside the coil, the susceptor may emit heat and heat the medium.

On the other hand, A direction in which a certain component extends indicates a direction in which a length of the component extends.

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 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 various 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.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device 1 including an aerosol generator 10 and a main body 20, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 1 according to the embodiment may include the aerosol generator 10 and the main body 20.

The aerosol generator 10 may be detachably coupled to the main body 20. The aerosol generator 10 may be referred to as a cartridge.

The aerosol generator 10 may include a storage 11, a transfer portion 12, and a generation portion 13.

An aerosol generating material may be stored in the storage 11. The aerosol generating material stored in the storage 11 may be provided to the transfer portion 12 included in the aerosol generator 10.

The transfer portion 12 may filter out foreign substances from the aerosol generating material. For example, the transfer portion 12 may perform a function of filtering out foreign substances of a certain size or larger from the aerosol generating material.

In addition, the transfer portion 12 may perform a function of adding a certain material to the aerosol generating material. For example, the transfer portion 12 may add a flavoring material to the aerosol generating material.

The transfer portion 12 may perform a dual function of filtering out a certain material from an aerosol generating material and adding a certain material to an aerosol generating material. That is, the transfer portion 12 may perform at least one of a function of filtering out a certain material from an aerosol generating material and a function of adding a certain material to an aerosol generating material.

The transfer portion 12 may be arranged between the storage 11 and the generation portion 13.

For example, the transfer portion 12 may be arranged inside the storage 11 and may be in contact with the generation portion 13. In another example, a fluid passage through which an aerosol generating material flows may be formed between the storage 11 and the generation portion 13, and the transfer portion 12 may be arranged in the fluid passage between the storage 11 and the generation portion 13.

The transfer portion 12 may include a sealing portion (not illustrated). The scaling portion may function to prevent an aerosol generating material stored in the storage 11 from leaking to the outside of the aerosol generator 10, or to prevent the aerosol generating material from leaking to the main body 20. The sealing portion may be between the storage 11 and the transfer portion 12. For example, the sealing portion may be coupled to the storage 11 in a forced fit method but is not limited thereto. The scaling portion may include an elastic material, such as rubber.

The sealing portion may be between the storage 11 and the transfer portion 12. The scaling portion may be arranged at an edge of the transfer portion 12. The scaling portion may be formed integrally with the transfer portion 12.

In another example, the sealing portion may be between the transfer portion 12 and the generation portion 13.

The generation portion 13 may receive an aerosol generating material from the transfer portion 12. The generation portion 13 may generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating material.

In the present disclosure, an “aerosol” may refer to vapor obtained by aerosolizing an aerosol generating material.

The generation portion 13 may include a heater and a wick. An aerosol generating material transferred to the generation portion 13 may be absorbed into the wick and heated by the heater.

The heater may heat the aerosol generating material absorbed by the wick. The heater may be wrapped around the wick. For example, the heater may heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick by using the power supplied from a battery of the main body 20.

The heater may include a metal material that generates heat through electrical resistance. For example, the heater may include stainless steel to prevent corrosion due to the aerosol generating material absorbed by the wick but the metal material of the heater is not limited thereto. In another example, the heater may include a metal material, such as copper, nickel, or tungsten.

The wick may be inside the generation portion 13 to absorb the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 11.

According to one embodiment, the wick may include a cotton material. However, the material of the wick is not limited to the embodiment described above and may also include another material (for example, glass or ceramic) depending on embodiments.

In another example, the generation portion 13 may include a vibrator. The vibrator may generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method. The generation portion 13 may generate an aerosol by atomizing an aerosol generating material with ultrasonic vibration generated by the vibrator.

The generation portion 13 may generate short-cycle vibration by using the vibrator to atomize an aerosol generating material. The vibration generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibration, and a frequency bandwidth of the ultrasonic vibration may be about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The generation portion 13 may further include a wick. For example, the wick may surround at least one region of the vibrator or may be in contact with at least one region of the vibrator.

As a voltage (for example, an AC voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and/or ultrasonic vibration may be generated by the vibrator, and the heat and/or ultrasonic vibration generated by the vibrator may be transferred to the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick. The aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick may be changed to a gas phase by the heat and/or ultrasonic vibration transferred 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 reduced by the heat generated by the vibrator, and the aerosol generating material with the viscosity reduced due to the ultrasonic vibration generated by the vibrator may be changed to fine particles, and thereby, an aerosol may be generated, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generator 10 may include an opening 14. an aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material may be discharged to the outside through the opening 14. The generation portion 13 may communicate with the outside through the opening 14. A user may inhale an aerosol generated by the generation portion 13 through the opening 14.

The aerosol generator 10 may be detachably coupled to the main body 20. The main body 20 may support the aerosol generator 10. Components for operating the aerosol generating device 1 may be inside the main body 20.

Those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs will understand that other components in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 2 may be further included in the aerosol generating device 1.

Hereinafter, a coupling relationship between the aerosol generator 10 and the main body 20 is described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the aerosol generator 10 and the main body 20 of the aerosol generating device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 are disassembled.

Referring to FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment may include the aerosol generator 10 and the main body 20. Components of the aerosol generating device 1 may be the same as or similar to the components of the aerosol generating device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, and hereinafter, descriptions of the components previously given with reference to FIG. 1 are omitted from the following descriptions.

The main body 20 may include a coupling portion 21, an air inlet 22, an airflow passage 23, a controller 24, and a battery 25.

The aerosol generator 10 may be detachably coupled to the coupling portion 21. The coupling portion 21 may include a component for detachably coupling the aerosol generator 10 to the coupling portion 21. The aerosol generator 10 may include a component for being detachably coupled to the coupling portion 21 at a position corresponding to the coupling portion 21. The aerosol generator 10 may be coupled to the main body 20 by being coupled to the coupling portion 21 and may be separated from the main body 20 by being separated from the coupling portion 21.

When the aerosol generator 10 is coupled to the main body 20, the generation portion 13 of the aerosol generator 10 may be on at least a portion of the coupling portion 21.

The air inlet 22 may be formed in the main body 20 to introduce external air into the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the air inlet 22 may be formed on one side of the main body 20 as illustrated in FIG. 2 but it may be formed in various positions to introduce external air into the aerosol generating device 1.

In another example, unlike the structure illustrated in FIG. 2, the air inlet 22 may be formed in the aerosol generator 10. In this case, an airflow passage, which is described below, may also be formed in the aerosol generator 10.

One region of the airflow passage 23 may be formed in a space between the main body 20 and the aerosol generator 10. The airflow passage 23 may form a flow path through which external air introduced through the air inlet 22 flows inside the aerosol generating device 1. The airflow passage 23 may be arranged between the air inlet 22 and the generation portion 13 to such that the air inlet 22 communicates with the generation portion 13. That is, the air introduced into the aerosol generating device 1 through the air inlet 22 may reach the generation portion 13 along the airflow passage 23.

As the pressure in a space where the generation portion 13 is placed decreases due to a user's inhalation action through the opening 14, the external air introduced through the air inlet 22 of the main body 20 may move to the generation portion 13 through the airflow passage 23. An aerosol aerosolized from an aerosol generating material by the generation portion 13 may be mixed with the air introduced through the airflow passage 23 and discharged to the outside through the opening 14.

With the above configuration, the aerosol generating device 1 may transfer the aerosol generated by the aerosol generator 10 to the outside.

FIG. 2 illustrates that the controller 24 and the battery 15 are arranged in a row inside the main body 20. In addition, an internal structure of the main body 20 is not limited to the structure illustrated in FIG. 2. In other words, the arrangement of the coupling portion 21, the air inlet 22, the airflow passage 23, the controller 24, and the battery 25 may be changed depending on the design of the main body 20.

The controller 24 generally controls an operation of the aerosol generating device 1. Specifically, the controller 24 controls operations of the aerosol generator 10 and the battery 15 as well as other components included in the aerosol generating device 1. Also, the controller 24 may check states of components of the aerosol generating device 1 and determine whether the aerosol generating device 1 is in an operable state.

The controller 24 includes one or more processors. The processor may include an array of multiple logic gates or may include a combination of a general-purpose micro-processor and a memory storing a program that may be executed by the general-purpose microprocessor. Also, those skilled in the art to which the present embodiment belongs may understand that the processor may include another type of hardware.

The battery 25 supplies power for operating the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the battery 25 may supply power to the generation portion 13 such that the generation portion 13 may generate an aerosol, and may supply power necessary for the controller 24 to operate.

The aerosol generating device 1 may further include other components. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a display capable of display visual information and/or a motor that outputs tactile information. Also, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a puff detection sensor, a temperature detection sensor, a cigarette insertion detection sensor, and so on. Also, the aerosol generating device 1 may have a structure that causes external air to be introduced into the aerosol generating device 1 or causes internal gas to be discharged.

The battery 25 may supply power required to operate a display, a sensor, a motor, and so on installed in the aerosol generating device 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the aerosol generator 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, the aerosol generator 10 according to one embodiment may include the storage 11, the transfer portion 12, the generation portion 13, and the opening 14. Components of the aerosol generator 10 may be the same as or similar to the components of the aerosol generator 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and hereinafter, descriptions of the components previously given with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are omitted from the following descriptions.

An aerosol generating material stored in the storage 11 of the aerosol generator 10 may include a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may include a liquid composition including a non-tobacco material.

According to one embodiment, the liquid composition may include any one of water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, a flavoring material, and a vitamin mixture, or a mixture thereof. The flavoring material may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit flavoring ingredients but is not limited thereto. The flavoring material may include ingredients that may provide various flavors or savors to a user. A vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E but is not limited thereto. A liquid composition may also include aerosol formers, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

For example, the liquid composition may include a solution of glycerin and propylene glycol of a certain weight ratio to which nicotine salt is added. The liquid composition may also include two or more nicotine salts. The nicotine salt may be formed by adding a suitable acid, which includes an organic or inorganic acid, to nicotine. The nicotine may be naturally generated nicotine or synthetic nicotine and may have a concentration of a certain suitable weight with respect to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

The acid for forming the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected by considering an absorption rate of nicotine in the blood, an operation temperature of an aerosol generating device, flavor or savor, solubility, and so on. For example, the acid for forming the nicotine salt may be a single acid selected from a group including benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid, and malic acid, or may be a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group but is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating material stored in the storage 11 may be moved in one direction toward the generation portion 13. In this case, the transfer portion 12 may be between the storage 11 and the generation portion 13. The transfer portion 12 may change at least some of the ingredients of the aerosol generating material in the storage 11 before the aerosol generating material is transferred to the generation portion 13.

For example, the transfer portion 12 may be a porous material of a certain size or less, and prevent foreign substances included in the aerosol generating material from being transferred to the generation portion 13 by filtering out the foreign substances of a certain size or larger from the aerosol generating material.

The transfer portion 12 is a porous material of a certain size or less and filters out foreign substances of a certain size or larger from the aerosol generating material, and thus, a high-quality aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material may be provided to a user.

In another example, the transfer portion 12 may include an additive material that may change the properties of an aerosol generating material and may add the additive material to the aerosol generating material.

For example, the transfer portion 12 may include a flavoring material, and the transfer portion 12 may perform a function of providing flavor to an aerosol generating material by adding the flavoring material to the aerosol generating material. In a process in which the transfer portion 12 transfers an aerosol generating material to the generation portion 13, a flavoring material included in the transfer portion 12 may be mixed with the aerosol generating material, the flavoring material may be dissolved in the aerosol generating material, or the flavoring material reacts with the aerosol generating material, and thereby, the flavoring material may provide flavor to the aerosol generating material.

In another example, the transfer portion 12 may include a viscous material that adjusts the viscosity of an aerosol generating material. The transfer portion 12 may perform a function of changing the viscosity of an aerosol generating material by adding a viscous material to the aerosol generating material.

In another example, the transfer portion 12 may include an acidity control material that controls the acidity of a liquid (a hydrogen ion concentration index pH that indicates how many hydrogen ions are present, which is a measure of acidity or basicity). The transfer portion 12 may perform a function of changing the acidity of an aerosol generating material by adding an acidity material to the aerosol generating material.

In another example, the transfer portion 120 may include various materials (for example, a tobacco-containing materials, a non-tobacco material, a plant extract, a vitamin mixture, an aerosol former, nicotine, a mixture thereof, and so on) that may be included in the aerosol generating materials described above, and may perform a function of changing the properties of an aerosol generating material.

By including the transfer portion 12, the aerosol generator 10 may change the properties of an aerosol generating material immediately before the aerosol generating material is aerosolized without interrupting that the aerosol generating material is transferred from the storage 11 to the generation portion 13.

The transfer portion 12 may perform the functions of the transfer portion 12 described above in a complex manner. For example, the transfer portion 12 may filter out foreign substances of a certain size or larger from the aerosol generating material while adding a flavoring material to the aerosol generating material.

The transfer portion 12 may include a flavoring material and add the flavoring material to an aerosol generating material. Therefore, an aerosol generating material without flavor may be flavored by the transfer portion 12. That is, when the aerosol generator 10 include the transfer portion 12, there is no need to add flavor to an aerosol generating material in advance, and the flavor may be added immediately before an aerosol is provided to a user.

When various additive materials that may be included in an aerosol generating material are dissolved in or mixed with the aerosol generating material, a flash point and/or an ignition point of the aerosol generating material may decrease. However, when the flash point and/or ignition point of the aerosol generating material is lower than or equal to a certain temperature, transfer costs of the aerosol generating material may increase. For example, a certain region may require an explosion-proof design, such as installation of bulkheads and individual packaging, to transport liquid with a flash point and/or an ignition point lower than or equal to a certain temperature on an aircraft. In this case, there may be a risk that the cost of transporting an aerosol generating material excessively increases due to the explosion-proof design, resulting in a significant reduction in profitability of the aerosol generator 10 or a significant increase in cost of providing the aerosol generator 10 to a user.

According to embodiments, a certain material, which may decrease a flash point and/or an ignition point of an aerosol generating material when dissolved in the aerosol generating material, is included in the transfer portion 12 which is handled separately from the storage 11 rather than being dissolved in or mixed with the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 11. Thus, a flash point and/or an ignition point of the aerosol generating material may increase to a certain temperature or higher, and transportation costs of the aerosol generating material may be reduced, resulting in increase in profitability of the aerosol generator 10.

In another example, by changing a thickness of the transfer portion 12, the speed at which an aerosol generating material is transferred to the generation portion 13 may be adjusted, and the concentration of an aerosol generating material within an aerosol may be adjusted. For example, the speed at which the aerosol generating material is transferred to the generation portion 13 may be reduced when the thickness of the transfer portion 12 is relatively thick more than when the thickness of the transfer portion 12 is relatively thin, and a user may obtain a lower concentration of the aerosol generating material under the same condition. Manufacturers may distribute the transfer portions 12 having various thicknesses, and users may select the transfer portion 12 having a thickness that may achieve the desired concentration of an aerosol material.

FIGS. 4 to 8 are schematic views illustrating detailed embodiments of the transfer portion 12 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views illustrating the transfer portion 12 having a carbon structure.

The transfer portion 12 may have a carbon structure including activated carbon that prevents foreign substances included in an aerosol generating material from being transferred to the generation portion 13 by filtering out the foreign substances of a certain size or larger from the aerosol generating material.

The carbon structure may include a material containing carbon and may be used to remove foreign substances. Specifically, the carbon structure may be activated carbon. The activated carbon is a porous material, such as charcoal, of which main ingredient is carbon, and has a large surface area and has strong adsorption properties. The activated carbon may be formed from specially heat-treated wood, coconut or coal. The activated carbon is a porous material including countless microscopic pores, and when aerosol generating materials pass through the activated carbon, foreign substances in the aerosol generating materials may be filtered out.

Referring to FIG. 4, the carbon structure included in the transfer portion 12 may include a plurality of granular activated carbons 121a.

Granules refer to small particles having a size of a sand grain, and the plurality of granular activated carbons 121a are granules of the activated carbon. At least some of the plurality of granular activated carbons 121a may be formed in a pillar shape, a rod shape, or so on.

In addition, when an aerosol generating material passes through the transfer portion 12, the aerosol generating material passes through the plurality of granular activated carbons 121a through the shortest and easiest path among internal paths of the plurality of granular activated carbons 121a. Due to such properties, a kind of tunnel is formed inside the transfer portion 12 for an aerosol generating material to pass therethrough, and the aerosol generating material passing through the transfer portion 12 rarely comes into contact with the entire transfer portion 12.

For example, a path may be greatly reduced by appropriately designing tunnels inside the plurality of granular activated carbons 121a, and the amount of aerosol passing through the transfer portion 12 may be adjusted by lengthening or shortening the tunnels.

In another example, flavor may be added near the tunnels formed inside the plurality of granular activated carbons 121a such that an additive material is effectively added to an aerosol generating material. The plurality of granular activated carbons 121a may each be formed in a rod shape.

Referring to FIG. 5, a carbon structure of the transfer portion 12 may include a plurality of carbon blocks 121b made of a solid material containing carbon. The plurality of carbon blocks 121b may each be formed by clumping carbon powder together. The carbon powder may be formed by decomposing activated carbon.

An aerosol generating material may pass through the dense carbon powder constituting each of the plurality of carbon blocks 121b, and in this process, a foreign substance of the aerosol generating material may be adsorbed to each of the plurality of carbon blocks 121b. When the carbon powder is coated with an additive material such as a flavoring material, the plurality of carbon blocks 121b may also provide flavor to aerosol generating materials.

Referring to FIG. 6, the transfer portion 12 may include a mesh structure 122 that is porous and prevents foreign substances included in an aerosol generating material from being transferred to the generation portion 13 by filtering out the foreign substances having a certain size or larger from the aerosol generating material.

The mesh structure 122 may include capillary fibers. The mesh structure 122 may be formed by welding a mat of capillary fibers. The mesh structure 122 may be formed of a woven or non-woven material. The fibers of a woven or non-woven material may be parallel to each other, twisted, or entangled, or may be a combination of any or all of these types of fibers. The mesh structure 122 may include a single material or multiple materials. The material may be a metallic, non-metallic, natural, or synthetic material, or may be a natural and synthetic material. For example, fibers of the mesh structure 122 may be formed of cellulose fibers or stainless steel.

Because the mesh structure 122 that is porous may not cause a foreign substance of a certain size or larger to pass therethrough, the foreign substance of a certain size or larger included in an aerosol generating material passing through the transfer portion 12 may be removed.

Referring to FIG. 7, the transfer portion 12 may include a fiber structure 123 formed of a porous fiber material which prevents foreign substances included in an aerosol generating material from being transferred to the generation portion 13 by filtering out the foreign substances of a certain size or larger from the aerosol generating material.

For example, the fiber structure 123 may be a cotton structure formed of a cotton material. The fiber structure 123 that is porous is not limited to the cotton structure and may include various fiber materials that may pass fluid therethrough, such as cotton.

Because the fiber structure 123 that is porous may not cause a foreign substance of a certain size or larger to pass therethrough, the foreign substance of a certain size or larger included in an aerosol generating material passing through the transfer portion 12 may be removed.

Referring to FIG. 8, the transfer portion 12 may include a ceramic structure 124 that is porous and prevents foreign substances included in an aerosol generating material from being transferred to the generation portion 13 by filtering out the foreign substances of a certain size or larger from the aerosol generating material.

The ceramic structure 124 is a structure formed by firing porous ceramic powder at a high temperature, and may remove foreign substances through fine pores (air holes having a diameter of 0.5 to 1 μm). Because the ceramic structure 124 that is porous may not cause a foreign substance of a certain size or larger to pass therethrough, the foreign substance of a certain size or larger included in an aerosol generating material passing through the transfer portion 12 may be removed.

Embodiments of the transfer portion 12 described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8 may be applied alone or in combination.

FIG. 9 illustrates enlarged views of examples in which an additive material is added to the transfer portion 12. FIG. 9 illustrates enlarged portions of the transfer portion 12.

The transfer portion 12 may be composed of several grains (granules), and the several grains may be coated with additive materials.

FIG. 9(a) illustrates an example of grains forming a structure included in the transfer portion 12. The grains illustrated in FIG. 9(a) are not coated with additive materials. Therefore, an additive material is not added to an aerosol generating material passing through the transfer portion 12 including only the grains of FIG. 9(a).

FIG. 9(b) illustrates an example of a state in which the grains forming the structure included in the transfer portion 12 are coated with an additive material. Examples of the coating material of the grains in FIG. 9(b) may include a flavoring material described above, a viscous material, an acidity control material, nicotine, vitamin, and an aerosol former.

The aerosol generating material stored in the storage 11 may be moved to the generation portion 13 by passing through the transfer portion 12, and when the aerosol generating material passes through the transfer portion 12, an additive material applied to the grains in (b) may be dissolved in or mixed with the aerosol generating material to be added to the aerosol generating material.

After an aerosol generating material of a certain volume or more passes through the transfer portion 12, the additive material may be removed from the grains, and the grains may have the same or similar form as illustrated in (a). In this case, all the additive materials are used up in the transfer portion 12. Accordingly, a user may replace the transfer portion and/or aerosol generator with another transfer portion and/or aerosol generator.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the disassembled configuration of the aerosol generator 10 of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 10, the aerosol generator 10 according to one embodiment may include the aerosol storage 11, the transfer portion 12, the generation portion 13, and the opening 14. Components of the aerosol generator 10 may be the same as or similar to the components of the aerosol generator 10 illustrated in FIG. 3, and hereinafter, descriptions of the components previously given with reference to FIG. 3 are omitted from the following descriptions.

At least one of the storage 11, the transfer portion 12, and the generation portion 13 included in the aerosol generator 10 may be detachably coupled to the other components.

For example, the transfer portion 12 may be detachably coupled to at least one of the storage 11 and the generation portion 13.

The transfer portion 12 may continuously perform a function of filtering out foreign substances even when all the aerosol generating material of a certain amount stored in the storage 11 is exhausted after passing through the transfer portion 12 and the generation portion 13.

In another example, even when all the aerosol generating material of a certain amount stored in the storage 11 is exhausted after passing through the transfer portion 12 and the generation portion 13, the transfer portion 12 may still contain an additive material. That is, the transfer portion 12 may be still available to perform a function of adding an additive material to an aerosol generating material.

In this case, replacing the aerosol generator 10 including the transfer portion 12 because of the depleted aerosol generating material may be a waste of resources.

Also, even when all the aerosol generating materials in the storage 11 are exhausted, the generation portion 13 may be still available to perform the function of generating an aerosol.

When at least one of the storage 11, the transfer portion 12, and the generation portion 13 included in the aerosol generator 10 is detachable from others, the components may be replaced selectively and separately, and thus, waste of resources may be prevented.

For example, if the transfer portion 12 is detachable from the aerosol generator 10, when an aerosol generating material in the storage 11 is exhausted, a user may replace other components without replacing the transfer portion 12.

In contrast to this, when an additive material in the transfer portion 12 is exhausted, a user may replace only the transfer portion 12 without replacing the other components of the aerosol generator 10.

To this end, a manufacturer of the aerosol generator 10 may manufacture and distribute the aerosol generator 10 without the transfer portion 12, and may manufacture and distribute the transfer portion 12 separately.

In general, when a manufacturer wants to change the properties of an aerosol generating material, the manufacturer has to change a manufacturing line therefor or build new manufacturing facility, which requires significant costs.

When the transfer portion 12 is manufactured to be detachable from the aerosol generator 10, a user may change the properties of an aerosol generating material by replacing only the transfer portion 12. For example, by replacing the previously used transfer portion with another transfer portion including another additive material, a user may change various properties of an aerosol generating material, such as the type of flavor of an aerosol, the concentration of flavor, the amount of atomization, or the concentration of nicotine.

In addition, when the transfer portion 12 is separated from the aerosol generator 10, an aerosol generating material in the storage 11 may be leaked to the outside. To prevent this, a blocking portion (not illustrated) that prevents the transfer of fluid may be formed between the storage 11 and the transfer portion 12. The blocking portion may include a blocking plate or a blocking valve structure. The blocking portion may be moved between a blocking position and an open position.

For example, the blocking portion may be moved between the blocking position and the open position by a user's separate operation. In this case, the user may move the blocking portion to the blocking position by performing a separate operation and then separate the transfer portion 12 from the aerosol generator 10, and may couple the transfer portion 12 to the aerosol generator 10 and then move the blocking portion to the open position by performing a separate operation.

For example, the blocking portion may be automatically moved to the blocking position when the transfer portion 12 is separated from the aerosol generator 10 and may be automatically moved to the open position when the transfer portion 12 is coupled to the aerosol generator 10.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a manufacturer may change the properties of an aerosol generating material provided to a user by simply changing an additive material of the transfer portion 12, and thus, the same purpose may be achieved at a lower manufacturing facility cost compared to the method that requires a complete redesign of the aerosol generator 10, manufacturing costs of the aerosol generator 10 may be reduced, and the aerosol generator 10 may be provided to a user at a more economical price.

In another example, when the storage 11 is detachable from the aerosol generator 10, a user may continuously use the transfer portion 12 and the generation portion 13 and only replace the storage 11.

In another example, when the generation portion 13 is detachable from the aerosol generator 10, a user may continuously use the storage 11 and the transfer portion 12 and only replace the generation portion 13.

In addition, as described above, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a component that may output information to the outside, such as a display, and may include a component that may control the other components, such as a controller.

A controller of the main body 20 may calculate whether a replacement cycle of the transfer portion 12 expires.

For example, when the aerosol generating device 1 is used for a certain time after the transfer portion 12 is first coupled to the aerosol generator 10, the controller may determine that a replacement cycle of the transfer portion 12 has expired.

In another example, when a specific number of puffs have been detected by a puff sensor of the aerosol generating device 1 after the transfer portion 12 is first coupled to the aerosol generator 10, the controller may determine that the replacement cycle of the transfer portion 12 has expired.

In another example, in an embodiment in which the storage 11 is separable and replaceable, when it is detected that the storage 11 has been replaced a certain number of times after the transfer portion 12 is first coupled to the aerosol generator 10, the controller may determine that a replacement cycle of the transfer portion 12 has expired.

When the replacement cycle of the transfer portion 12 expires, the controller may output information on replacement of the transfer portion to the outside. For example, when a replacement cycle of the transfer portion 12 expires, the aerosol generating device 1 may display, on a display, a text message indicating that the transfer portion 12 needs to be replaced.

In another example, the controller may include a speaker, and when a replacement cycle of the transfer portion 12 expires, the controller may output, to the speaker, a voice message indicating that the transfer portion 12 needs to be replaced.

In another example, the controller may include a vibration motor, and when a replacement cycle of the transfer portion 12 expires, the controller may vibrate the vibration motor to notify a user, through the sense of touch, that the transfer portion 12 needs to be replaced.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device 1 including an aerosol generator 10, a main body 20, and a medium 30, according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 11, the aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment may include the aerosol generator 10, the main body 20, and the medium 30. Components of the aerosol generating device 1 may be the same as or similar to the components of the aerosol generating device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and hereinafter, descriptions of the components previously given with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are omitted from the following descriptions.

According to one embodiment, the medium 30 (e.g., cigarette) may be accommodated in the aerosol generator 10. The aerosol generator 10 may include an accommodation portion for accommodating the medium 30, and an aerosol generated inside the aerosol generator 10 may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 by passing through the medium 30 accommodated in the accommodation portion. In this case, a user may come into contact with the medium 30 with his mouth and inhale the aerosol through the medium 30. Detailed descriptions of the medium 30 according to one embodiment are described below with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views illustrating examples of a medium according to another embodiment. Examples of the medium are described below with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

Referring to FIG. 12, a medium 3 includes a tobacco rod 31 and a filter rod 32. A first portion of the medium 3 includes the tobacco rod 31, and a second portion of the medium 3 includes the filter rod 32.

FIG. 12 illustrates that the filter rod 32 includes a single segment, but the filter rod 32 is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod 32 may include a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod 32 may include a first segment that cools an aerosol and a second segment that filters a preset component included in the aerosol. Also, as necessary, the filter rod 32 may further include at least one segment that performs other functions.

A diameter of the medium 3 is in the range of 5 mm to 9 mm, and a length of the medium 3 may be about 48 mm but are not limited thereto. For example, a length of the medium 3 may be about 12 mm, a length of a first segment of the filter rod 32 may be about 10 mm, a length of a second segment of the filter rod 32 may be about 14 mm, and a length of a third segment of the filter rod 32 may be about 12 mm but are not limited thereto.

The medium 3 may be wrapped by at least one wrapper 34. The wrapper 34 may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the medium 3 may be wrapped by one wrapper 34. In another example, the medium 3 may be wrapped by two or more wrappers 34 in an overlapping manner. For example, the tobacco rod 31 may be wrapped by a first wrapper 341, and the filter rod 32 may be wrapped by wrappers 342, 343, and 344. Also, the medium 3 may be entirely re-wrapped by a single wrapper 34. When the filter rod 320 includes a plurality of segments, respective segments may be wrapped by the wrappers 342, 343, and 344.

The first wrapper 341 and the second wrapper 342 may be made of general filter wrapping paper. For example, the first wrapper 341 and the second wrapper 342 may be porous wrapping paper or non-porous wrapping paper. Also, the first wrapper 341 and the second wrapper 342 may be made of an oil-resistant paper sheet and/or an aluminum laminated packaging material.

The third wrapper 343 may be made of hard wrapping paper. For example, a basis weight of the third wrapper 343 may be in a range of 88 g/m² to 96 g/m², preferably, in a range of 90 g/m² to 94 g/m². Also, a thickness of the third wrapper 343 may be in a range of 120 μm to 130 μm, preferably, 125 μm.

The fourth wrapper 344 may be made of an oil-resistant hard wrapping paper. For example, a basis weight of the fourth wrapper 344 may be in a range of about 88 g/m² to about 96 g/m², preferably, in a range of 90 g/m² to 94 g/m². Also, a thickness of the fourth wrapper 344 may be in a range of 120 μm to 130 μm, preferably, 125 μm.

The fifth wrapper 345 may be made of a sterile paper (MFW). Here, the sterile paper (MFW) refers to a paper specially manufactured to have an enhanced tensile strength, water resistance, smoothness, and so on, compared to ordinary paper. For example, a basis weight of the fifth wrapper 345 may be in a range of 57 g/m² to 63 g/m², preferably, 60 g/m². Also, a thickness of the fifth wrapper 345 may be in a range of 64 μm to 70 μm, preferably, 67 μm.

A preset material may be internally added to the fifth wrapper 345. Here, an example of the preset material may include silicon but is not limited thereto. For example, silicon has properties, such as heat resistance with little change with temperature, oxidation resistance that does not oxidize, resistance to various chemicals, water repellency, or electrical insulation. However, any material having the properties described above other than silicon may be applied (or coated) to the fifth wrapper 345 without limitation.

The fifth wrapper 345 may prevent the medium 3 from burning. In particular, when the temperature increases above an ignition point of any one of materials included in the tobacco rod 31, the medium 3 may burn. Even in this case, the medium 3 may be prevented from burning because the fifth wrapper 345 includes an incombustible material.

Also, the fifth wrapper 345 may prevent the aerosol generating device 1 from being contaminated by materials generated from the medium 3. Liquid substances may be generated inside the medium 3 by a user's puff. For example, the liquid substances (for example, moisture and so on) may be generated as the aerosol generated in the medium 3 is cooled due to external air. As the fifth wrapper 345 wraps the medium 3, liquid substances generated inside the medium 3 may be prevented from leaking out of the medium 3.

The tobacco rod 31 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 is not limited thereto. Also, the tobacco rod 31 may include other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic acid. Also, the tobacco rod 31 may include a flavored liquid, such as menthol or a moisturizer, which is injected to the tobacco rod 31.

The tobacco rod 31 may be manufactured in various forms. For example, the tobacco rod 31 may be formed as a sheet or a strand. Also, the tobacco rod 31 may be formed as a pipe tobacco, which is formed of tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod 31 may be surrounded by a heat conductive material. For example, the heat conductive material may be a metal foil such as aluminum foil but is not limited thereto. For example, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 31 may uniformly distribute heat transmitted to the tobacco rod 31, and thus, the heat conductivity applied to the tobacco rod may be increased and taste of the tobacco may be improved.

The filter rod 32 may include a cellulose acetate filter. Shapes of the filter rod 32 are not limited. For example, the filter rod 32 may include a cylinder-type rod or a tube-type rod having a hollow inside. Also, the filter rod 32 may include a recess-type rod. When the filter rod 32 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 32 may be a cellulose acetate filter. For example, the first segment may be a tube-shaped structure including a hollow therein. A diameter of a hollow included in the first segment may be appropriately employed in a range of 2 mm to 4.5 mm but is not limited thereto.

A length of the first segment may be appropriately employed in a range of 4 mm to 30 mmm but is not limited thereto. The length of the first segment may be preferably 10 mm but is not limited thereto.

Hardness of the first segment may be adjusted by adjusting the content of a plasticizer during making of the first segment. Also, the first segment may be made by inserting a structure, such as a film or a tube, made of the same or different material into the inside (for example, a hollow) thereof.

A length or a diameter of the second segment may be variously determined according to a shape of the medium 3. For example, the length of the second segment may be appropriately employed in a range of 7 mm to 20 mm. The length of the second segment may be preferably about 14 mm but is not limited thereto.

The second segment may be made by weaving polymer fibers. In this case, flavoring liquid may be applied to fibers made of polymer. Alternatively, the second segment may be made by weaving a separate fiber coated with flavoring liquid and a fiber made of a polymer together. Alternatively, the second segment may be made by a crimped polymer sheet.

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

As the second segment is made by a woven polymer fiber or a crimped polymer sheet, the second segment may include one or more longitudinally extending channels. Here, the channels may indicate passages through which gases (for example, air or aerosol) pass.

For example, a second segment composed of the crimped polymer sheet may be made of a material having a thickness between about 5 μm and about 300 μm, for example, a thickness 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. Also, an aerosol cooling element may be made of a material having a specific surface area between about 10 mm²/mg to about 100 mm²/mg.

In addition, the second segment may include a thread including a volatile flavor component. Here, the volatile flavor component may be menthol but is not limited thereto. For example, the thread may include sufficient menthol to provide at least 1.5 mg of menthol to the second segment.

The third segment of filter rod 32 may be a cellulose acetate filter. A length of the third segment may be appropriately employed in a range of 4 mm to 20 mm. For example, the length of the third segment may be about 12 mm but is not limited thereto.

In the process of making the third segment, flavor may be generated by spraying flavoring liquid on the third segment. Alternatively, a separate fiber coated with flavoring liquid may be inserted into the third segment. The aerosol generated in the tobacco rod 41 may be cooled as the aerosol passes through the second segment of the filter rod 32, and the cooled aerosol may be delivered to a user through the third segment. Accordingly, when a flavor element is added to the third segment, there may be an effect of enhancing the persistence of the flavor delivered to a user.

Also, the filter rod 32 may include at least one capsule 33. Here, the capsule 33 may also perform a function of generating flavor or perform a function of generating an aerosol. For example, the capsule 33 may have a configuration in which a liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. For example, the capsule 33 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape but is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 13, a medium 4 according to an embodiment may further include a front-end plug 43. The front-end plug 43 may be located on one side of the tobacco rod 41 which is opposite to the filter rod 42. The front-end plug 43 may prevent the tobacco rod 41 from being detached outwards and prevent the liquefied aerosol from flowing from the tobacco rod 41 into the aerosol generating device (1 of FIGS. 1 to 3), during smoking.

The filter rod 42 may include a first segment 421 and second segment 422. Here, the first segment 421 may correspond to a first segment of a filter rod 42 of FIG. 12, and the second segment 422 may correspond to a third segment of a filter rod 42 of FIG. 4.

The diameter and total length of the medium 4 may correspond to the diameter and total length of the medium 3 of FIG. 12. For example, the length of the front-end plug 43 may be about 7 mm, the length of the tobacco rod 41 may be about 15 mm, the length of the first segment 421 may be about 12 mm, and the length of the second segment 422 may be about 14 mm but are not limited thereto.

The medium 4 may be wrapped via at least one wrapper 45. The wrapper 45 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 43 may be wrapped via a first wrapper 451, and the tobacco rod 41 may be wrapped via a second wrapper 452, and the first segment 421 may be wrapped via a third wrapper 453, and the second segment 422 may be wrapped via a fourth wrapper 454. Also, the entire medium 4 may be wrapped via a fifth wrapper 455.

Also, the fifth wrapper 455 may have at least one hole 46. For example, the hole 46 may be formed in an area surrounding the tobacco rod 41 but is not limited thereto.

Also, the second segment 422 may include at least one capsule 44. Here, the capsule 44 may generate a flavor or an aerosol. For example, the capsule 44 may have a configuration in which a liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. For example, the capsule 44 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape but is not limited thereto.

The first wrapper 451 may be made by coupling a metal foil, such as an aluminum foil, coupled to a general filter wrapping paper. For example, the total thickness of the first wrapper 451 may be in a range of 45 um to 55 um and may be preferably 50.3 um. Also, a thickness of the metal foil of the first wrapper 451 may be in a range of 6 um to 7 um, preferably 6.3 um. Also, a basis weight of the first wrapper 451 may be in a range of 50 g/m² to 55 g/m² and may be preferably 53 g/m².

The second wrapper 452 and the third wrapper 453 may be made of general filter wrapping paper. For example, the second wrapper 452 and the third wrapper 453 may be porous wrapping paper or non-porous wrapping paper.

For example, porosity of the second wrapper 452 may be 35000 CU but is not limited thereto. Also, a thickness of the second wrapper 452 may be in a range of 70 um to 80 um, preferably 78 um. Also, the basis weight of the second wrapper 452 may be in a range of 20 g/m² to 25 g/m² and may be preferably 23.5 g/m².

For example, porosity of the third wrapper 453 may be 24000 CU but is not limited thereto. Also, a thickness of the third wrapper 453 may be in a range of 60 um to 70 um, preferably 68 um. Also, a basis weight of the third wrapper 453 may be in a range of 20 g/m² to 25 g/m² and may be preferably 21 g/m².

The fourth wrapper 454 may be made of PLA laminated paper. Here, the PLA laminated paper means three layers of paper including a paper layer, a PLA layer, and another paper layer. For example, a thickness of the fourth wrapper 454 may be in a range of 100 um to 120 um, preferably 110 um. Also, a basis weight of the fourth wrapper 454 may be in a range of 80 g/m² to 100 g/m² and may be preferably 88 g/m².

The fifth wrapper 455 may be made of sterile paper (MFW). Here, the sterile paper (MFW) may indicate paper specially made to increase tensile strength, a degree of water resistance, a degree of smoothness, and so on compared to general paper. For example, a basis weight of the fifth wrapper 455 may be in a range of 57 g/m² to 63 g/m² and may be preferably 60 g/m². Also, a thickness of the fifth wrapper 455 may be in a range of 64 um to 70 um, preferably 67 um.

A preset material may be internally added to the fifth wrapper 455. Here, for example, the preset material may be silicon but is not limited thereto. For example, silicon has properties, such as heat resistance with little change with temperature, oxidation resistance that does not oxidize, resistance to various chemicals, water repellency, or electrical insulation. However, any material having the properties described above other than silicon may be applied (or coated) to the fifth wrapper 455 without limitation.

A front-end plug 43 may be made of cellulose acetate. For example, the front-end plug 43 may be made by adding a plasticizer (for example, triacetin) to cellulose acetate tow. A mono denier of a filament constituting the cellulose acetate tow may be in a range of 1.0 to 10.0, preferably in a range of 4.0 to 6.0. More preferably, a mono denier of a filament of the front-end plug 43 may be 5.0. Also, a cross section of the filament constituting the front-end plug 43 may be Y-shaped. The total denier of the front-end plug 43 may be in a range of 20000 to 30000, preferably in a range of 25000 to 30000. More preferably, the total denier of the front-end plug 43 may be 28000.

Also, as necessary, the front-end plug 43 may include at least one channel, and a cross-sectional shape of the channel may be various.

A tobacco rod 41 may correspond to the tobacco rod 31 described above with reference to FIG. 12. Accordingly, detailed descriptions of the tobacco rod 41 are omitted below.

The first segment 421 may be made of cellulose acetate. For example, the first segment 421 may have a tube-shaped structure including a hollow therein. The first segment 421 may be made by adding a plasticizer (for example, triacetin) to cellulose acetate tow. For example, a mono denier and the total denier of the first segment 421 may be the same as the mono denier and the total denier of the front-end plug 43.

The second segment 422 may be made of cellulose acetate. A mono denier of a filament constituting the second segment 422 may be in a range of 1.0 to 10.0, preferably in a range of 8.0 to 10.0. More preferably, the mono denier of the filament of the second segment 422 may be 9.0. Also, a cross section of the filament of the second segment 422 may be Y-shaped. The total denier of the second segment 422 may be in a range of 20000 to 30000, preferably 25000.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

The aerosol generating device 1 may include a controller 1000, a sensing unit 2000, an output unit 3000, a battery 4000, a heater 5000, a user input unit 6000, a memory 7000, and a communication unit 8000.

However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 14.

That is, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that some of the components shown in FIG. 14 may be omitted or new components may be added.

The sensing unit 2000 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device 1 and a state around the aerosol generating device 1, and transmit sensed information to the controller 1000.

Based on the sensed information, the controller 1000 may control the aerosol generating device 1 to perform various functions, such as controlling an operation of the heater 5000, limiting smoking, determining whether a medium (e.g., a cigarette, a cartridge, or the like) is inserted, displaying a notification, or the like.

The sensing unit 2000 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 2100, an insertion detection sensor 2200 and a puff sensor 2300, but is not limited thereto.

The temperature sensor 2100 may sense a temperature at which the heater 5000 (or an aerosol generating material) is heated.

The aerosol generating device 1 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater 5000, or the heater 5000 may serve as a temperature sensor.

Alternatively, the temperature sensor 2100 may also be arranged around the battery 4000 to monitor the temperature of the battery 4000.

The insertion detection sensor 2200 may sense insertion and/or removal of a medium.

For example, the insertion detection sensor 2200 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 a medium.

The puff sensor 2300 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 2300 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 2000 may include, in addition to the temperature sensor 2100, the insertion detection sensor 2200, and the puff sensor 2300 described above, 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 3000 may output information on a state of the aerosol generating device 1 and provide the information to a user.

The output unit 3000 may include at least one of a display unit 3100, a haptic unit 3200, and a sound output unit 3300, but is not limited thereto.

When the display unit 3100 and a touch pad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 3100 may also be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display unit 3100 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user.

For example, information about the aerosol generating device 1 may mean various pieces of information, such as a charging/discharging state of the battery 4000 of the aerosol generating device 1, a preheating state of the heater 5000, an insertion/removal state of a medium, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generating device 1 is restricted (e.g., sensing of an abnormal object), or the like, and the display unit 3100 may output the information to the outside.

The display unit 3100 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 3100 may be in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) light-emitting device.

The haptic unit 3200 may tactilely provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus.

For example, the haptic unit 3200 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound output unit 3300 may audibly provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user.

For example, the sound output unit 3300 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output the same to the outside.

The battery 4000 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1.

The battery 4000 may supply power such that the heater 5000 may be heated.

In addition, the battery 4000 may supply power required for operations of other components (e.g., the sensing unit 2000, the output unit 3000, the user input unit 6000, the memory 7000, and the communication unit 8000) in the aerosol generating device 1.

The battery 4000 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.

For example, the battery 4000 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The heater 5000 may receive power from the battery 4000 to heat an aerosol generating material.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 14, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a direct current (DC)/DC converter) that converts power of the battery 4000 and supplies the same to the heater 5000.

In addition, when the aerosol generating device 1 generates aerosols in an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a DC/alternating current (AC) that converts DC power of the battery 4000 into AC power.

The controller 1000, the sensing unit 2000, the output unit 3000, the user input unit 6000, the memory 7000, and the communication unit 8000 may each receive power from the battery 4000 to perform a function.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 14, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit that converts power of the battery 4000 to supply the power to respective components, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit, or a voltage regulator circuit.

In an embodiment, the heater 5000 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 5000 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 5000 may be a heater of an induction heating type.

For example, the heater 5000 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 6000 may receive information input from the user or may output information to the user.

For example, the user input unit 6000 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. 14, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a connection interface, such as a universal serial bus (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 4000.

The memory 7000 is a hardware component that stores various types of data processed in the aerosol generating device 1, and may store data processed and data to be processed by the controller 1000.

The memory 7000 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 7000 may store an operation time of the aerosol generating device 1, 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 8000 may include at least one component for communication with another electronic device.

For example, the communication unit 8000 may include a short-range wireless communication unit 8100 and a wireless communication unit 8200.

The short-range wireless communication unit 8100 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 8200 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 8200 may also identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 1 within a communication network by using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

The controller 1000 may control general operations of the aerosol generating device 1.

In an embodiment, the controller 1000 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 1000 may control the temperature of the heater 5000 by controlling supply of power of the battery 4000 to the heater 5000.

For example, the controller 1000 may control power supply by controlling switching of a switching element between the battery 4000 and the heater 5000.

In another example, a direct heating circuit may also control power supply to the heater 5000 according to a control command of the controller 1000.

The controller 1000 may analyze a result sensed by the sensing unit 2000 and control subsequent processes to be performed.

For example, the controller 1000 may control power supplied to the heater 5000 to start or end an operation of the heater 5000 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 2000.

As another example, the controller 1000 may control, based on a result sensed by the sensing unit 2000, an amount of power supplied to the heater 5000 and the time the power is supplied, such that the heater 5000 may be heated to a certain temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

The controller 1000 may control the output unit 3000 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 2000.

For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 2300 reaches a preset number, the controller 1000 may notify the user that the aerosol generating device 1 will soon be terminated through at least one of the display unit 3100, the haptic unit 3200, and the sound output unit 3300.

One embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a computer-readable recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module executable by the computer.

The computer-readable recording medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media.

In addition, the computer-readable recording medium may include both a computer storage medium and a communication medium.

The computer storage medium includes all of volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media implemented by any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.

The communication medium typically includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in modulated data signals such as program modules, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information transfer media.

The descriptions of the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and equivalents thereof may be made.

Therefore, the scope of the disclosure should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to those described in the claims will be construed as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiments may understand that various changes in form and details may 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.