AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

Abstract

An aerosol generating device may include a storage for storing an aerosol generating material, a generator for generating an aerosol from the aerosol generating material, an inlet for fluid-connecting the storage to the generator, and a vibrating unit for generating vibrations to deliver the same to the inlet.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0028751, filed on Mar. 3, 2023, and 10-2023-0063278, filed on May 16, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device capable of removing bubbles generated during an aerosol generation process.

2. Description of the Related Art

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

In the field of aerosol generating devices using liquid-state aerosol generating materials, studies on the supply of liquids are being actively conducted.

SUMMARY

A cartridge of an aerosol generating device generally includes a storage storing a liquid material (hereinafter, the liquid material may be used interchangeably with “aerosol generating material” and is shortly referred to as “liquid”), and a generator configured to generate an aerosol from a liquid. The liquid stored in the storage may be transferred to the generator, and the liquid may be converted into an aerosol by the generator.

In a structure in which the liquid is transferred from the storage to the generator, bubbles may be generated in an inlet that fluid-connects the storage to the generator. The formation of bubbles may impede the smooth liquid supply to the generator, and thus, the amount of atomization may decrease.

Provided is an aerosol generating device improved to remove bubbles generated in an inlet.

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

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments of the disclosure.

An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment may include a storage for storing an aerosol generating material, a generator for generating an aerosol from the aerosol generating material, an inlet for fluid-connecting the storage to the generator, and a vibrating unit for generating vibrations to deliver the same to the inlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrams showing examples of an aerosol generating device;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a cartridge;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of a cartridge for explaining a vibrating unit applicable to the cartridge of an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge of an aerosol generating device, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a coupling operation of a cartridge of an aerosol generating device, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view showing a main body of an aerosol generating device and a cartridge separated from the main body, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view showing the main body of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 10A and the cartridge coupled to the main body;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment; and

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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 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 disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the 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 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. The vibration generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibration may be in a frequency band of about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating device may further include a wick that absorbs an 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 (for example, an alternating voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations may be generated from the vibrator, and the heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator may be transmitted to the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick. The aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick may be converted into a gaseous phase by the heat and/or the ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the vibrator, and as a result, an aerosol may be generated.

For example, the viscosity of the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick may be lowered by the heat generated by the vibrator, and as the aerosol generating material having a lowered viscosity is granulated by the ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator, an aerosol may be generated, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates aerosols by heating an aerosol generating article accommodated in the aerosol generating device in an induction heating method.

The aerosol generating device may include a susceptor and a coil. In an 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 an embodiment, the susceptor may be a magnetic body that generates heat by an external magnetic field. As the susceptor is positioned inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied to the susceptor, the susceptor generates heat to heat an aerosol generating article. In addition, optionally, the susceptor may be positioned within the aerosol generating article.

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.

Hereinafter, the disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the disclosure. The 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 disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrams showing examples of an aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a battery 11, a controller 12, a heater 13, and a vaporizer 14.

The aerosol generating device 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 may include a housing including an accommodation space in which an aerosol generating article 2 is accommodated. The aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 1 and accommodated in the accommodation space of the housing accordingly. Also, FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the aerosol generating device 1 includes the heater 13, but as necessary, the heater 13 may be omitted.

In the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 3, there is no space where the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted, and accordingly, the heater 13 for heating the aerosol generating article 2 is not arranged.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show components of the aerosol generating device 1, which are related to the present embodiment. Therefore, other components than the components shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 may be further included in the aerosol generating device 1.

FIG. 1 shows that the battery 11, the controller 12, the vaporizer 14, and the heater 13 are arranged in series. Also, FIG. 2 shows that the vaporizer 14 and the heater 13 are arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to the structures shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1, the battery 11, the controller 12, the vaporizer 14, and the heater 13 may be differently arranged.

The battery 11 may supply power used for the aerosol generating device 1 to operate. For example, the battery 11 may supply power to heat the heater 13 or the vaporizer 14 and supply power used for the controller 12 to operate. Also, the battery 11 may supply power required for operations of a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. mounted in the aerosol generating device 1.

The controller 12 may generally control operations of the aerosol generating device 1. In detail, the controller 12 may control not only operations of the battery 11, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14, but also operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device 1. Also, the controller 12 may check a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 to determine whether or not the aerosol generating device 1 is able to operate.

The controller 12 may include at least one processor. A processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or can be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor can be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The heater 13 may be heated by the power supplied from the battery 11. For example, when the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the heater 13 may be located outside the aerosol generating article 2. Thus, the heated heater 13 may increase a temperature of an aerosol generating material in the aerosol generating article 2.

The heater 13 may include an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater 13 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 13 may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater 13 is not limited to the example described above and may include all heaters which may be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device 1 or may be set by a user.

As another example, the heater 13 may include an induction heater. In detail, the heater 13 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating an aerosol generating article in an induction heating method, and the aerosol generating article may include a susceptor which may be heated by the induction heater.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the heater 13 is positioned outside the aerosol generating article 2, but the position of the heater 13 is not limited thereto. For example, the heater 13 may include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element, and may heat the inside or the outside of the aerosol generating article 2, according to the shape of the heating element.

Also, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a plurality of heaters 13. Here, the plurality of heaters 13 may be inserted into the aerosol generating article 2 or may be arranged outside the aerosol generating article 2. Also, some of the plurality of heaters 13 may be inserted into the aerosol generating article 2 and the others may be arranged outside the aerosol generating article 2. In addition, the shape of the heater 13 is not limited to the shapes shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and may include various shapes.

The vaporizer 14 is a component that stores and vaporizes an aerosol generating material and generates a vaporized aerosol.

The vaporizer 14 may include a liquid storage, a liquid delivery element, and a vaporizing element, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid storage, the liquid delivery element, and the atomizing element may be included in the aerosol generating device 1 as independent modules.

The liquid storage may store the aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage may be formed to be detachable from the vaporizer 14 or may be formed integrally with the vaporizer 14.

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

The liquid delivery element may receive the aerosol generating material from the liquid storage and absorb the aerosol generating material. For example, the liquid delivery element may be a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

The liquid delivery element may have an elongated shape. For example, the liquid delivery element may have a pillar shape extending in a direction. In detail, the liquid delivery element may have a poly-prism shape, such as a cylindrical shape, rectangular pillar shape, a triangular pillar shape, but the shape is not limited thereto. The liquid delivery element may have a shape that is substantially a rod or a needle.

The aerosol generating material absorbed into a portion of the liquid delivery element may move to another portion of the liquid delivery element according to a capillary phenomenon. Accordingly, the liquid delivery element may deliver the aerosol generating material to the atomizing element.

The atomizing element may generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material absorbed into the liquid delivery element. For example, the atomizing element may be a heating element configured to heat the aerosol generating material by generating heat. When the aerosol generating material contacting the heating element is heated by the heating element, the aerosol may be generated from the aerosol generating material.

The heating element may be a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, or the like, but is not limited thereto. The heating element may include a resistor having a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR).

The heating element may include a conductive filament, such as nichrome wire, and may be heated by a current supply. In addition, the heating element may include a susceptor material heated by an induced magnetic field and may be heated by an induced magnetic field generated from an induction coil arranged separately from the heating element.

As another example, the atomizing element may be an ultrasonic vibrator configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating material according to ultrasonic vibration method. The ultrasonic vibration method may refer to a method of generating aerosols by vaporizing an aerosol generating material with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

A method in which the atomizing element generates an aerosol is not limited thereto, and may include various methods of generating aerosols from an aerosol generating material.

The atomizing element may be arranged in the liquid delivery element through not only structural connections, such as being wound around the liquid delivery element, but also through a permanent or reversible attachment to the liquid delivery element, for example, spreading, spraying, deposition, plating, immersion, painting, printing, three-dimensional printing, the utilization of instruments. Also, the heating element may be arranged in the liquid delivery element by, for example, sintering the atomizing element together during the manufacture of the liquid delivery element.

However, the arrangement of the atomizing element is not limited thereto and may include various ways in which the atomizing element is arranged in the liquid delivery element while maintaining functions of the atomizing element.

The aerosol generated by the atomizing element may move along an airflow passage. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the aerosol moving along the airflow passage may pass through the aerosol generating article 2 and be delivered to a user. Referring to FIG. 3, the aerosol moving along the airflow passage may be delivered to the user through a mouthpiece 18.

The vaporizer 14 may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but it is not limited thereto.

The vaporizer 14 may be a cartridge that may be inserted into or detachably coupled to the main body of the aerosol generating device 1 or the aerosol generating device 1. When the aerosol generating material stored in the vaporizer 14 is exhausted, the aerosol generating material may be newly added, or the vaporizer 14 may be replaced with another vaporizer in which an aerosol generating material is stored.

Hereinafter, the component corresponding to the vaporizer 14 is referred to as a cartridge, and the cartridge and the aerosol generating device are described in detail.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a cartridge.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cartridge 100 may include a storage 110, a generator 120, a connecting portion 130, and an inlet 135.

The storage 110 may store an aerosol generating material. The storage 110 may be the same as the liquid storage included in the vaporizer 14 of FIGS. 1 to 3.

The generator 120 may generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material. In detail, when the aerosol generating material is provided to the generator 120 from the storage 110, the aerosol generating material may be converted into an aerosol by the generator 120.

The aerosol refers to a gas, such as air, in which suspended substances including liquid and/or solid fine particles are scattered. Therefore, the aerosol generated from the generator 120 may refer to a state in which vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating material are mixed with air.

The generator 120 may convert the phase of the aerosol generating material into a gaseous phase through vaporization and/or sublimation. That is, the generator 120 may generate an aerosol by finely granulating an aerosol generating material in any one of a liquid state, a solid state, and a gel state, or a combination thereof.

Although not specifically shown in FIG. 4, the generator 120 may include the liquid delivery element and the atomizing element included in the vaporizer 14 of FIGS. 1 to 3. The generator 120 may include a generating space 125 in which the liquid delivery element and the atomizing element are arranged.

The connecting portion 130 may be arranged between the storage 110 and the generator 120 and coupled to the storage 110 and the generator 120. The storage 110 may be connected to the generator 120 by the connecting portion 130. The connecting portion 130 may seal at least a portion of the storage 110 and/or the generator 120 to prevent the unintentional leakage of the aerosol generating material or the aerosol from the storage 110 and/or the generator 120.

The connecting portion 130 may be a component included in the storage 110. For example, the connecting portion 130 may be a bottom wall of the storage 110 arranged under the storage 110 (e.g., in a-z direction). In this case, the storage 110 may be coupled and connected to the generator 120 without a separate connecting portion 130.

The connecting portion 130 may be a component included in the generator 120. For example, the connecting portion 130 may be an upper wall of the generator 120 that is arranged above the generator 120 (e.g., in a +z direction). In this case, the storage 110 may be coupled and connected to the generator 120 without a separate connecting portion 130.

The connecting portion 130 may include the inlet 135 that fluid-connects the storage 110 to the generator 120. The aerosol generating material may move from the storage 110 to the generator 120 through the inlet 135. The inlet 135 may have various shapes, for example, a hole, a passage, or the like, through which the aerosol generating material may move, and a plurality of inlets 135 may be arranged.

The storage 110 and the generator 120 may each include an opening arranged at a location corresponding to the inlet 135. When the connecting portion 130 is the bottom wall of the storage 110, the inlet 135 may be an opening 110h of the storage 110. Likewise, when the connecting portion 130 is the upper wall of the generator 120, the inlet 135 may be an opening 120h of the generator. That is, even without a separate connecting portion 130, the opening 110h of the storage and the opening 120h of the inlet may each be the inlet 135.

Hereinafter, unless otherwise specifically stated, the connecting portion 130 may be described as a component included in the storage 110 or the generator 120. In addition, the inlet 135 may refer to all openings and passages which fluid-connect the storage 110 and the generator 120 and allow the aerosol generating material to move from the storage 110 to the generator 120.

The cartridge 100 may further include a case (not shown). The case may form the exterior of the cartridge 100 and accommodate and protect components of the cartridge 100. In the case, the storage 110, the generator 120, the connecting portion 130, and the like may be accommodated, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

The cartridge 100 may further include an airflow path (not shown). The airflow path may function as a movement path of air and/or aerosols. External air may be introduced to the inside of the cartridge and reach the generator 120 through a portion of the airflow path. The air reaching the generator 120 may be mixed with vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating material. The mixed aerosol may move along another portion of the airflow path and to the outside of the cartridge 100 from the generator 120.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, bubbles generated in the inlet 135 and a vibrating unit for removing the bubbles are described.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of a cartridge for explaining a vibrating unit applicable to the cartridge of the aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include the cartridge 100, the storage 110, the generator 120, the inlet 135, and the vibrating unit 140. In this case, the storage 110, the generator 120, the inlet 135, and the vibrating unit 140 may be components included in the cartridge 100.

At least one of the components of the cartridge 100 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the cartridge 100 shown in FIG. 4B, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

As described above, the liquid delivery element and the atomizing element may be arranged in the generating space 125. During an atomization operation of the cartridge 100, the aerosol generating material moving from the storage 110 through the inlet 135 may be atomized inside the generating space 125, such that the aerosol may be generated.

Referring to FIG. 5A, during the atomization of the aerosol generating material by the atomizing element, bubbles may be, in some cases, generated in the generating space 125 because of the atomized gas. An example in which bubbles are generated in the generating space 125 may be a case where the aerosol atomized by the atomizing element has not been completely inhaled by the user. Other examples may include a case where the atomizing element operates with high power during atomization, resulting in the great amount of atomization, a case where the user tilts the cartridge, and the like. The bubbles generated in the generating space 125 may move to the inlet 135.

In some cases, bubbles may also be generated in the inlet 135. When the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 110 moves to the generating space 125 through the inlet 135, a pressure difference may be made between the storage 110 and the generating space 125. Part of the external air introduced to the generating space 125 may flow backward in a movement direction of the aerosol generating material to compensate for the pressure difference. As a result, part of the external air may move to the inlet 135, and thus, bubbles may be unintentionally generated in the inlet 135. However, the reason the bubbles are generated is not limited to the above cases.

The bubbles in the inlet 135 may narrow or close the inlet 135, thus impeding the introduction of the aerosol generating material into the generating space 125 from the storage 110. When the introduction of the aerosol generating material is hindered by the bubbles, the aerosol generating material may not be smoothly transferred to the liquid delivery element of the generating space 125.

This may cause the carbonization of the liquid delivery element by the atomizing element during the atomization. The term ‘carbonization’ may refer to a state in which a component turns black because of a high temperature. When the liquid delivery element is carbonized, harmful substances may be generated and delivered to the user, and the user may experience discomfort, such as a burnt taste, while inhaling the aerosol.

In addition, the amount of aerosol generating material to be atomized by the atomizing element is temporarily reduced, and thus, the amount of atomization may be less than that when no bubbles are generated during the atomization operation. Accordingly, a component for preventing the inlet 135 from being blocked by bubbles is required.

To overcome the above problem, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include the vibrating unit 140. The vibrating unit 140 may generate vibrations to deliver the same to the inlet 135.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the vibrations generated by the vibrating unit 140 may generate the cartridge 100. When the cartridge 100 vibrates, the vibrations are delivered to the inlet 135, and thus, the bubbles in the inlet 135 may be removed. Thus, the aerosol generating material may actively move through the inlet 135.

The arrangement of the vibrating unit 140 is not limited to a specific location. Because the vibrating unit 140 needs to help remove the bubbles in the inlet 135, the closer the vibrating unit 140 is to the inlet 135, the better the vibrating unit 140 removes the bubbles. Similarly, when the vibrating unit 140 is arranged outside the cartridge, positioning the vibrating unit 140 around the cartridge 100 may enhance the transfer of vibration power to the cartridge 100.

The vibrating unit 140 may be arranged on an outer surface of the cartridge 100. In this case, the outer surface of the cartridge 100 may refer to not only the outer surface of the case of the cartridge 100 but also the outer surface of a structure in which the storage 110, the generator 120, and the connecting portion 130 are coupled. FIGS. 5A and 5B show that the vibrating unit 140 is arranged on the side surface of the connecting portion 130, but the arrangement of the vibrating unit 140 is not limited thereto.

The vibrating unit 140 may include various components capable of generating vibrations and mechanically or electrically generate vibration. For example, the vibrating unit 140 may include an actuator, such as a motor, a piezoelectric element, or a switch.

The vibrating unit 140 may be arranged to vibrate in a vertical direction of the cartridge 100 (e.g., the lengthwise direction of the cartridge and the z-axis direction of FIGS. 5A and 5B). Such a vibration direction may be effective in removing the bubbles in the inlet 135. However, the vibration direction of the vibrating unit is not limited to the example above. The vibration direction of the vibrating unit 140 may include all directions, and the vibrating unit 140 may be arranged regardless of the vibration direction.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge, illustrating a vibrating unit arranged at a different location from the vibrating unit of FIG. 5A.

Referring to FIG. 6, the vibrating unit 140 may be located inside the cartridge 100. In this case, the interior of the cartridge 100 may denote not only the interior of the case of the cartridge 100 but the interior of the structure in which the storage 110, the generator 120, and the connecting portion 130 are coupled.

For example, the vibrating unit 140 may be arranged on a surface (e.g., a lower surface) of the connecting portion 130. To put it another way, the inlet 135 may be arranged on a surface (e.g., a lower surface) of the storage 110, and the vibrating unit 140 may be arranged adjacent to the inlet 135 on the surface of the storage 110. In this case, the vibrating unit 140 may be arranged at a location where the movement of the aerosol generating material through the inlet 135 is not hindered.

However, the arrangement of the vibrating unit 140 is not limited to the structure above. When the size of the inlet 135 is great enough to allow the smooth penetration of the aerosol generating material even when the vibrating unit is arranged in the inlet 135, the vibrating unit may be located in the inlet 135.

When the vibrating unit 140 is arranged inside the cartridge 100, in particular, when the vibrating unit 140 is arranged adjacent to the inlet 135, the efficiency of bubble removal by the vibrating unit 140 may be improved.

FIGS. 7A and 7B respectively are cross-sectional views of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

The aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 7A may be the same as that of FIG. 3. The aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 7B may be the same as that of FIG. 2. Hereinafter, when FIGS. 7A and 7B are described, reference is made to the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIGS. 2 and 3.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the aerosol generating device 1 may include the cartridge 100 and the main body 200. In this case, at least one of the components of the cartridge 100 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the cartridge 100 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

The main body 200 may refer to the remaining components of the aerosol generating device 1 except for the cartridge 100. That is, the main body 200 may include the battery 11, the controller 12, and the heater 13 of FIGS. 1 to 3.

The main body 200 may form a portion of the exterior of the aerosol generating device 1 and accommodate and protect the components of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the battery 11 and the controller 12 may be accommodated inside the main body 200, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

As coupled to a portion of the main body 200, the cartridge 100 may form the exterior of the aerosol generating device 1 together with the main body 200. The cartridge 100 may be coupled to the main body 200 and function as a component of the aerosol generating device 1.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the main body 200 may include a housing 201, an accommodation space 202, a heater 203, and an airflow path 204.

The housing 201 may form the exterior of the main body 200 and include the accommodation space 202 in which the aerosol generating article 2 is accommodated. In the accommodation space 202, the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the aerosol generating device 1 may be accommodated.

The heater 203 may heat the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodation space 202 to generate an aerosol, and may be the same as or similar to the heater 13 of FIG. 2.

The airflow path 204 may be connected to the airflow path of the cartridge and deliver the aerosol generated by the generator 120 to the accommodation space 202.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the vibrating unit 140 may be arranged outside the cartridge. For example, as a component included in the cartridge 100, the vibrating unit 140 may be arranged outside the cartridge 100 and transmit vibrations thereto. As another example, as a component included in the main body 200, the vibrating unit 140 may be arranged on a portion of the main body 200 that is adjacent to the cartridge 100, and may transmit vibrations to the cartridge 100.

The main body 200 may include a support 210 for supporting the cartridge 100. The support 210 may refer to a portion of the main body that is in contact with the cartridge 100 and restricts the movement of the cartridge 100 in one direction. For example, the support 210 may support a lower portion of the cartridge 100 in the z-axis direction. In this case, the vibrating unit 140 is arranged on the support 210 and transmit vibrations to the lower portion of the cartridge 100.

The main body 200 may include a groove 220 in which the vibrating unit 140 arranged outside the cartridge 100 may be accommodated. The groove 220 may be formed at a location adjacent to the cartridge 100. For example, the groove 220 may be formed in the support 210. The vibrating unit 140 arranged in the groove 220 may deliver vibrations to the cartridge 100 without impeding the coupling of the main body 200 to the cartridge 100.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a coupling operation of a cartridge of an aerosol generating device, according to another embodiment.

At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 8 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 7B, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 8, a main body 200 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may include an extension 230 extending towards the cartridge 100 to form a mounting space 235 for accommodating the cartridge 100.

The extension 230 may extend while facing the support (e.g., the support 220 of FIG. 7B). The mounting space 235 of the cartridge 100 may be formed between the extension 230 and the support 210. While the aerosol generating device 1 is disassembled into the main body 200 and the cartridge 100, the mounting space 235 located in the main body 200 may be exposed. When the cartridge 100 is coupled to the main body 200, the cartridge 100 may be accommodated between the extension 230 and the support 210 and thus close the mounting space 235.

The vibrating unit 140 may be located in the extension 230, and thus, when the cartridge is accommodated in the mounting space 235, the vibrating unit 140 may deliver vibrations to an upper portion of the cartridge 100. In this case, the vibrating unit 140 may be arranged in a groove (e.g., the groove 220 of FIG. 7B) formed in the extension 230.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 9 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 7B, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 9, a cartridge 100 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may be detachably coupled to one side of the main body 200. In this case, the cartridge 100 may be electrically connected to the main body 200 and receive power from a battery, and the power supply may be controlled by a controller.

The main body 200 may include a coupling member 240 for the coupling with the cartridge 100 and/or for maintaining or releasing the coupling state. For example, the coupling member 240 may include a fastening member engaging with a fastening groove of the cartridge 100 for the direct coupling with the cartridge 100, and a movement member for moving the fastening member for coupling and separation. However, the coupling member is not limited to the above example.

As the coupling member 240 is arranged between the main body 200 and the cartridge 100, a clearance may be formed in a portion near the coupling member 240. For example, because the coupling member 240 protrudes from the main body 200 towards the cartridge 100, the surrounding portion of the protruding coupling member 240 may be left empty. In this case, the vibrating unit 140 may be arranged in the surrounding portion of the coupling member 240.

The vibrating unit 140 arranged adjacent to the coupling member 240 may be located in the empty space that does not interfere with the coupling of the main body 200 to the cartridge 100 and may be arranged adjacent to the cartridge 100.

FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view showing a main body of an aerosol generating device and a cartridge separated from the main body, according to another embodiment. FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view showing the main body of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 10A and the cartridge coupled to the main body.

At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIGS. 10A and 10B may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 9, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, a cartridge 100 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may approach from a side surface (e.g., in an x-axis direction) of the main body 200 and be coupled to the main body 200. However, the coupling direction of the cartridge 100 is not limited thereto.

When the size of the space where the vibrating unit 140 is arranged is greater than the size of the vibrating unit 140 when the cartridge 100 is coupled to the main body 200, the vibrating unit 140 may fail to contact the cartridge 100. In this case, the vibrations generated by the vibrating unit 140 may be delivered to the cartridge 100 through other components of the main body 200. When there are numerous components that the vibrations have to pass through during the vibration transmission, vibration energy may be greatly lost before the vibrations reach the cartridge 100.

Accordingly, when the vibrating unit 140 does not directly contact the cartridge 100, there is a need for a component that is directly connected to the vibrating unit 140 and the cartridge 100 without hindering the coupling of the cartridge 100 to the main body 200 and transmits the vibrations with an insignificant loss of vibration energy.

The aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may include a compression pad 150. The compression pad 150 may refer to a pad compressed when pressure is applied. The compression pad 150 may be coupled to the vibrating unit 140 and deliver the vibration, which is generated by the vibrating unit 140, to other components contacting the compression pad 150 without any loss of vibration energy. For example, when the cartridge 100 is coupled to the main body 200, the compression pad 150 may be in contact with the cartridge 100 and deliver the vibrations of the vibrating unit 140 to the cartridge 100.

The expression ‘without loss of vibration energy’ may indicate not only the preservation of vibration energy during the vibration transmission through the compression pad 150 but also the insignificant reduction in vibration energy. In this case, the compression pad may include various members that may be easily compressed and lose a small amount of vibration energy during the vibration transmission.

Referring to FIG. 10A, the cartridge 100 is separated from the main body 200, and the compression pad 150 has not yet been compressed. Referring to FIG. 10B, the cartridge 100 is coupled to the main body 200, and the compression pad 150 is compressed direction by the cartridge in the +x.

When there is no compression pad 150, the vibrating unit 140 may not directly contact the cartridge 100, but because the vibrating unit 140 may be connected to the cartridge 100 with the compression pad 150 therebetween, the vibrations may be easily transmitted from the vibrating unit 140 to the cartridge 100.

In addition, the compression pad may be used not only when the vibrating unit 140 is arranged near the coupling member 240, but also when the vibrating unit 140 is located in a groove (e.g., the groove 220 of FIG. 7B) and does not make direct contact with the cartridge 100.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 11 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 9, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 11, a main body 200 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may include a sealing portion 205 arranged in a portion in which the generator 120 of the cartridge 100 is connected to the airflow path 204 of the main body 200.

The portion, in which the generator 120 of the cartridge is connected to the airflow path 204 of the main body 200, may be sealed by the sealing portion 205. The sealing portion 205 may prevent the aerosol from leaking into another space, instead of the airflow path 204, while the aerosol is moving from the generator 120 to the airflow path 204 of the main body 200.

In this case, because of the size of the sealing portion 205, a space may be formed between the main body 200 and the cartridge 100. The vibrating unit 140 may be arranged in the periphery of the sealing portion 205. The vibrating unit 140 arranged adjacent to the sealing portion 205 may be located in the empty space that does not interfere with the coupling of the main body 200 to the cartridge 100, and be arranged adjacent to the cartridge 100.

The vibrations of the vibrating unit 140 may affect a sealing structure that prevents liquid and gas leaks. For example, as the sealing portion 205 is shaken by the vibration, the coupling of the airflow path 204 to the generator 120 and the sealing portion 205 may weaken. Accordingly, liquid and gas leaks may occur.

The aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may include an elastic member 160. The elastic member 160 may connect the main body 200 and the cartridge 100. The elastic member 160 may absorb vibrations and thus may prevent any weakening of the coupling in the sealing structure, and as the elastic member 160 connects the cartridge 100 to the main body 200 including the vibrating unit 140, stable vibrations in the cartridge 100 may be ensured.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 12 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 9, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 12, a cartridge 100 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may be rotatably coupled to the main body 200 within a preset range. The rotatable coupling may include various manners. For example, as a linking member connected to the cartridge 100 rotates around a rotation axis included in the main body 200, the cartridge 100 may rotate relative to the main body 200.

A vibrating unit (not shown) may rotate the cartridge 100 relative to the main body 200 within the preset range. In this case, the term ‘preset range’ may be a range of an angle at which the cartridge 100 rotates around the y axis.

It is advisable to prevent damage to the components of the main body 200 caused by pressure resulting from the rotation of the cartridge 100 relative to the main body 200. The elastic member 160 for protecting components by absorbing pressure by vibrations may be arranged between the main body 200 and the cartridge 100. The elastic member 160 may support the cartridge 100 in the z-axis direction that is the direction of the vibrations by the rotation of the cartridge 100.

As the cartridge rotates relative to the main body within the preset range, the cartridge 100 may vibrate in a vertical direction (e.g., a lengthwise direction of the cartridge and the z-axis direction of FIG. 12). Through the vibrations in the vertical direction of the cartridge 100, bubbles in the inlet 135 may be effectively removed.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a generator 310, a vibrating unit 320, a controller 330, a sensing unit 340, a memory 350, and a user interface 360.

The generator 310 and the vibrating unit 320 of FIG. 13 may be the same as the generator 120 and the vibrating unit 140 of FIGS. 5A to 12, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

The controller 330 may control the operation of the vibrating unit 320. The controller 330 may control the vibrating unit 320 in various vibration-related aspects, e.g., generation of vibrations, intensities thereof, and the like.

The controller may generate vibrations by controlling the vibrating unit in a certain circumstance to provide a satisfactory smoking sensation to the user. For example, the controller 330 may control the vibrating unit 320 to make the vibrating unit 320 generate vibrations after the preheating of the generator 310 is completed. Accordingly, before the user starts smoking, the bubbles in the inlet 135 are removed, and thus, the amount of atomization may be secured.

In this case, as an example of a method of determining ‘after the completion of preheating,’ when the temperature of the generator 310 is increased to a preset temperature, a temperature sensor of the sensing unit 340 may generate a signal, and the controller 330 may determine, based on the signal, that the preheating of the generator 310 is completed. Also, when power is supplied to the generator 310 for a preset period of time, the controller 330 may determine that the preheating of the generator 310 is completed.

As another example, the controller 330 may control the vibrating unit 320 such that the vibrating unit 320 may generate vibrations with each preset puff. Accordingly, while the user smokes, the bubbles in the inlet 135 are removed, and thus, the amount of atomization may be secured. In this case, a puff detection sensor of the sensing unit 340 detects a user's puff and then generates a signal, and the controller 330 may use the signal to count the number of puffs.

As another example, the controller 330 may control the vibrating unit 320 such that the vibrating unit 320 may generate vibrations after smoking ends. Accordingly, the bubbles generated in the inlet 135 during one smoking session are ultimately removed, and a next smoking session may be prepared. In this case, the criteria for determining the ‘completion of smoking’ may include the number of puffs, the operation time of the generator, and the like, but are not limited thereto.

The user may manually control the operation of the vibrating unit 320. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may further include a switch (not shown). The switch may be a component that is exposed on the outer side of the aerosol generating device 1 to allow the user's manipulation and included in the user interface 360.

The user may drive the controller 330 to control the operation of the vibrating unit 320 by manipulating the switch electrically connected to the controller 330. Accordingly, when the user considers that the amount of atomization is reduced while smoking, the user may manipulate the switch to generate vibrations and remove the bubbles generated in the inlet 135. In this case, the user may manipulate the switch to adjust the intensity of vibrations.

The reduction in the atomization amount may include various reasons; for example, bubbles generated in the inlet 135 may hinder the movement of aerosol generating material or the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 110 is completely consumed, resulting in the lack of aerosol generating material entering the generator 310.

When the formation of bubbles is attributed to the reduction in the atomization amount, the problem may be overcome by using vibrations generated by the vibrating unit, but when the exhaustion of the aerosol generating material results in the decrease in the atomization amount, the problem may still remain even when vibrations are generated by the vibrating unit.

To distinguish the two situations, the aerosol generating device 1 may use the sensing unit 340 to detect whether the aerosol generating material exists in the generator 310. The sensing unit 340 may generate a signal according a change in the amount of aerosol generating material existing in the generator 310.

For example, the sensing unit 340 may generate a signal with a size linearly changing according to the change in the amount of aerosol generating material existing in the generator 310. In addition, the sensing unit 340 may generate a signal when the aerosol generating material existing in the generator 310 is reduced to a specific value or less. In this case, the “specific value” refers to a reference value used to determine that the aerosol generating material does not exist in the generator 310 and may be a value that is set in advance in the memory 350.

As an example of a specific method of detecting the existence of the aerosol generating material, the sensing unit 340 may generate a signal based on a temperature of the atomizing element of the generator 310. When the generator 310 is heated to a high temperature because the aerosol generating material is exhausted, the controller 330 may detect the existence of the aerosol generating material based on the signal from the sensing unit 340.

As another example, the existence of aerosol generating material may be detected using the sensing unit 340 including a fixed resistor arranged in parallel with the atomizing element. In this case, the resistance value of the fixed resistor does not change according to the temperature of the atomizing element, and the fixed resistor may be arranged to only detect the existence of aerosol generating material.

Depending on whether the aerosol generating material absorbed into the liquid delivery element of the generator 310 exists, the temperature of the atomizing element in the liquid delivery element may change. In this case, when the atomizing element includes a resistor with a TCR, the intensity of resistance of the resistor may change according to the change in the temperature of the atomizing element. Therefore, the voltage difference in both ends of the resistor may vary according to the change in the temperature of the atomizing element.

Using the sensing unit 340 that generates a signal based on the voltage difference in the ends of the resistor or ends of the fixed resistor of the atomizing element, the controller 330 may determine the existence of aerosol generating material in the generator 310.

In detail, by referencing a lookup table stored in the memory 350, the controller 330 may analyze a result value corresponding to the voltage difference in the ends of the resistor and determine whether the aerosol generating material exists.

The method of detecting the existence of the aerosol generating material is not limited to the above examples and may include various methods of detecting the existence of the aerosol generating material in the generator 310.

When the existence of the aerosol generating material in the generator 310 is determined by the controller 330, the controller 330 may transmit, to the generator 310, a signal including the result value regarding the existence of the aerosol generating material.

In addition, the controller 330 may control other components of the aerosol generating device 1 based on the result regarding the existence of aerosol generating material.

For example, the controller 330 may control the atomization operation of the generator 310, based on the signal generated in the sensing unit 340. When determining that no aerosol generating material exists in the generator 310, the controller 330 may control the generator 310 to stop the atomization by the generator 310. As a result, the smoking may stop.

Also, the controller 330 may use the user interface 360 to transmit, to the user, a notification signal indicating that the aerosol generating material is exhausted. To this end, the user may recognize that the reason the atomization decreases is the exhaustion of the aerosol generating material and then may replace the storage 110.

The memory 350 is a hardware component that stores various types of data processed by the aerosol generating device 1, and may store data processed and data to be processed by the controller 330. For example, preset data, etc. may be stored in the memory 350. In detail, in the memory 350, data (the above-described “look-up table”) associated with the existence of aerosol generating material in the generator may be stored.

The user interface 360 may provide the user with information regarding the state of the aerosol generating device 1. The user interface 360 may include various interface media, for example, a display or a lamp for outputting visual information, a motor for outputting tactile information, a speaker for outputting sound information, terminals for data communication with input/output (I/O) interfacing media (e.g., a button, a touch screen, or the like), which receive information from the user or output information to the user, or for receiving charging power, a communication interfacing module for wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, Near-Field Communication (NFC), etc.) with an external device, and the like.

In the aerosol generating device 1, only some of the examples of the various user interfaces 360 described above may be selected and implemented.

The aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a feedback generator (not shown) that vibrates the aerosol generating device 1 to provide the user with feedback regarding the use of the aerosol generating device 1. The feedback generator may include various components, e.g., a motor, which generate vibration. The feedback generator may be included in the user interface 360.

The feedback generator may remove the bubbles in the inlet 135 instead of the vibrating unit 320, in addition to providing feedback to the user.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 1400 according to another embodiment.

The aerosol generating device 1400 may include a controller 1410, a sensing unit 1420, an output unit 1430, a battery 1440, a heater 1450, a user input unit 1460, a memory 1470, and a communication unit 1480. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1400 is not limited to those shown in FIG. 14. That is, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1400, 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 1420 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device 1400 and a state around the aerosol generating device 1400, and transmit sensed information to the controller 1410. Based on the sensed information, the controller 1410 may control the aerosol generating device 1400 to perform various functions, such as controlling an operation of the heater 1450, limiting smoking, determining whether an aerosol generating article (e.g., a cigarette, a cartridge, or the like) is inserted, displaying a notification, or the like.

The sensing unit 1420 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 1422, an insertion detection sensor, and a puff sensor 1426, but is not limited thereto.

The temperature sensor 1422 may sense a temperature at which the heater 1450 (or an aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 1400 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater 1450, or the heater 1450 may serve as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 1422 may also be arranged around the battery 1440 to monitor the temperature of the battery 1440.

The insertion detection sensor 1424 may sense insertion and/or removal of an aerosol generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 1424 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 an aerosol generating article.

The puff sensor 1426 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 1426 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 1420 may further include, in addition to the aforementioned sensors 1422 to 1426, 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 (an 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 1430 may output information on a state of the aerosol generating device 1400 and provide the information to a user. The output unit 1430 may include at least one of a display unit 1432, a haptic unit 1434, and a sound output unit 1436, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 1432 and a touch pad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 1432 may also be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display unit 1432 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 1400 to the user. For example, information about the aerosol generating device 1400 may mean various pieces of information, such as a charging/discharging state of the battery 1440 of the aerosol generating device 1400, a preheating state of the heater 1450, an insertion/removal state of an aerosol generating article, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generating device 1400 is restricted (e.g., sensing of an abnormal object), or the like, and the display unit 1432 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 1432 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 1432 may be in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) light-emitting device.

The haptic unit 1434 may tactilely provide information about the aerosol generating device 1400 to the user by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus. For example, the haptic unit 1434 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound output unit 1436 may audibly provide information about the aerosol generating device 1400 to the user. For example, the sound output unit 1436 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output the same to the outside.

The battery 1440 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1400. The battery 1440 may supply power such that the heater 1450 may be heated. In addition, the battery 1440 may supply power required for operations of other components (e.g., the sensing unit 1420, the output unit 1430, the user input unit 1460, the memory 1470, and the communication unit 1480) in the aerosol generating device 1400. The battery 1440 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 1440 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The heater 1450 may receive power from the battery 1440 to heat an aerosol generating material. Although not shown in FIG. 14, the aerosol generating device 1400 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a direct current (DC)/DC converter) that converts power of the battery 1440 and supplies the same to the heater 1450. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 1400 generates aerosols in an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 1400 may further include a DC/alternating current (AC) converter that converts DC power of the battery 1440 into AC power.

The controller 1410, the sensing unit 1420, the output unit 1430, the user input unit 1460, the memory 1470, and the communication unit 1480 may each receive power from the battery 1440 to perform a function. Although not shown in FIG. 14, the aerosol generating device 1400 may further include a power conversion circuit that converts power of the battery 1440 to supply the power to respective components, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit, or a voltage regulator circuit.

In an embodiment, the heater 1450 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 1450 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 1450 may be a heater of an induction heating type. For example, the heater 1450 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 1460 may receive information input from the user or may output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 1460 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 shown in FIG. 14, the aerosol generating device 1400 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 1440.

The memory 1470 is a hardware component that stores various types of data processed in the aerosol generating device 1400, and may store data processed and data to be processed by the controller 1410. The memory 1470 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 1470 may store an operation time of the aerosol generating device 1400, 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 1480 may include at least one component for communication with another electronic device. For example, the communication unit 1480 may include a short-range wireless communication unit 1482 and a wireless communication unit 1484.

The short-range wireless communication unit 1482 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 1484 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 1484 may also identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 1400 within a communication network by using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

The controller 1410 may control general operations of the aerosol generating device 1400. In an embodiment, the controller 1410 may include at least one processor. A processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or can be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in 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 1410 may control the temperature of the heater 1450 by controlling the supply of power of the battery 1440 to the heater 1450. For example, the controller 1410 may control power supply by controlling switching of a switching element between the battery 1440 and the heater 1450. In another example, a direct heating circuit may also control power supply to the heater 1450 according to a control command of the controller 1410.

The controller 1410 may analyze a result sensed by the sensing unit 1420 and control subsequent processes to be performed. For example, the controller 1410 may control power supplied to the heater 1450 to start or end an operation of the heater 1450 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 1420. As another example, the controller 1410 may control, based on a result sensed by the sensing unit 1420, the amount of power supplied to the heater 1450 and the time when the power is supplied, such that the heater 1450 may be heated to a certain temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

The controller 1410 may control the output unit 1430 on the basis of the result sensed by the sensing unit 1420. For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 1426 reaches a preset number, the controller 1410 may notify the user that the aerosol generating device 1400 will soon be terminated through at least one of the display unit 1432, the haptic unit 1434, and the sound output unit 1436.

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.

In an aerosol generating device according to the one or more embodiments, an aerosol generating material may be effectively transferred by removing bubbles.

In the aerosol generating device according to the one or more embodiments, the amount of atomization of the aerosol generating material may increase.

The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the above-described description, and other effects may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the embodiments to be described hereinafter.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device comprising:

a storage configured to store an aerosol generating material;

a generator configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material;

an inlet fluid-connecting the storage to the generator; and

a vibrating unit configured to generate vibrations to transmit the vibrations to the inlet.

2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the inlet is arranged on at least one surface of the storage, and

the vibrating unit is arranged adjacent to the inlet on the at least one surface of the storage.

3. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising a connecting portion interposed between the storage and the generator and comprising the inlet,

wherein the vibrating unit is arranged on the connecting portion.

4. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising a cartridge configured to accommodate the storage, the inlet, and the generator,

wherein the vibrating unit is arranged on an outer surface of the cartridge.

5. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising:

a cartridge configured to accommodate the storage, the inlet, and the generator; and

a main body comprising the vibrating unit,

wherein the vibrating unit is arranged adjacent to the cartridge.

6. The aerosol generating device of claim 5, wherein the main body further comprises a support configured to support the cartridge, and

the vibrating unit is arranged on the support.

7. The aerosol generating device of claim 5, wherein the main body further comprises a mounting space extending towards the cartridge to accommodate the cartridge, and

the vibrating unit is arranged in the mounting space.

8. The aerosol generating device of claim 5, wherein the cartridge is detachably coupled to the main body,

the main body further comprises a coupling member protruding towards the cartridge for coupling with the cartridge, and

the vibrating unit is arranged adjacent to the coupling member.

9. The aerosol generating device of claim 5, wherein the cartridge is detachably coupled to the main body, and

the aerosol generating device further comprises a compression pad coupled to the vibrating unit, contacting the cartridge when the cartridge is coupled to the main body, and configured to deliver vibrations from the vibrating unit to the cartridge.

10. The aerosol generating device of claim 5, wherein the cartridge is detachably coupled to the main body, and

the aerosol generating device further comprises at least one elastic member connecting the main body to the cartridge.

11. The aerosol generating device of claim 5, wherein the cartridge is rotatably coupled to the main body within a preset range.

12. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to control an operation of the vibrating unit,

wherein the controller is further configured to control the vibrating unit such that the vibrating unit is configured to generate vibrations after preheating of the generator is completed.

13. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to control an operation of the vibrating unit,

wherein the controller is further configured to control the vibrating unit such that the vibrating unit is configured to generate vibrations with each preset puff.

14. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensing unit configured to generate a signal according to a change in an amount of the aerosol generating material existing in the generator; and

a controller configured to control an operation of the generator,

wherein the controller is further configured to control an operation of the generator, based on the signal generated by the sensing unit.

15. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising a feedback generator configured to vibrate the aerosol generating device by generating vibrations to provide feedback to a user.