KR102688196B1 - Aerosol generating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The embodiment relates to an aerosol generating device, and in particular, to an aerosol generating device that adjusts the intake pressure by varying the ratio or cross-sectional area ratio between the diameter of the external air inlet passage and the pipe diameter of the connecting passage that communicates with the atomization space and contacts the inflow passage. will be.
An aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment includes a cartridge that accommodates an aerosol-forming substrate and has a discharge path for discharging aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate, and a plurality of connecting passages communicating with different portions of the discharge path, and the cartridge is inserted. A main body device having a separate insertion space and an inlet passage communicating with the insertion space and the outside, the lower end of the cartridge being insertable into the insertion space at each of at least a plurality of rotation angles in one plane, the inlet passage is in communication with any one of the plurality of connection passages, the connection passage not in communication with the inflow passage is closed by the bottom of the insertion space, and the cross-sectional areas of the plurality of connection passages are different from each other.

Description

Aerosol generating device {AEROSOL GENERATING APPARATUS}

The embodiment relates to an aerosol generating device, and in particular, to an aerosol generating device that adjusts the intake pressure by varying the ratio or cross-sectional area ratio between the diameter of the external air inlet passage and the pipe diameter of the connecting passage that communicates with the atomization space and contacts the inflow passage. will be.

In general, an electronic cigarette refers to an electronic device made to inhale a solution containing nicotine filled in a replaceable cartridge into an aerosol or gaseous state (atomized state).

Such electronic cigarettes can satisfy the desire to smoke in place of regular cigarettes, and do not contain harmful ingredients such as tar, thereby reducing the harmful effects on the human body caused by cigarettes. At the same time, they do not cause the indirect damage of smoking. Due to its advantages, the number of users is increasing explosively. In other words, electronic cigarettes allow smoking indoors and have the same effect as smoking cigarettes while preventing the damage caused by cigarettes that cause various diseases.

In particular, in recent years, electronic cigarettes have been released that allow users to enjoy a variety of flavors by adding other flavors, such as fruit, to the taste of cigarettes.

In these electronic cigarettes, when an atomizer containing liquid nicotine is connected to the battery unit, the heating element of the atomizer generates heat and creates a haze that vaporizes the liquid nicotine.

In electronic cigarettes according to the prior art, the air inlet hole through which air flows into the space where fog or aerosol is generated by the atomizer (atomization space) is always maintained at a constant diameter, so there are problems such as the inability to control the amount of air inflow or suction pressure. occurred.

The embodiment allows selection of a plurality of diameter ratios or a plurality of cross-sectional area ratios between the pipe diameter of the external air inlet passage related to the suction pressure or air inflow amount, which is a sensual element, and the pipe diameter of the connecting passage that communicates with the atomization space and touches the inflow passage. The purpose is to provide an aerosol generating device that can vary the suction pressure or air inflow amount.

An aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment includes a cartridge that accommodates an aerosol-forming substrate and has a discharge path for discharging aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate, and a plurality of connecting passages communicating with different portions of the discharge path, and the cartridge is inserted. A main body device having a separate insertion space and an inlet passage communicating with the insertion space and the outside, the lower end of the cartridge being insertable into the insertion space at each of at least a plurality of rotation angles in one plane, the inlet passage is in communication with any one of the plurality of connection passages, the connection passage not in communication with the inflow passage is closed by the bottom of the insertion space, and the cross-sectional areas of the plurality of connection passages are different from each other.

Additionally, it is preferable that the shape of the lower end of the cartridge and the shape of the insertion space are the same or proportional to each other.

Additionally, it is preferable that the cartridge is not rotated when the cartridge is inserted and coupled to the insertion space.

Additionally, it is preferable that the cross-sectional area of the inflow passage is larger than the cross-sectional area of the connection passage with the smallest cross-sectional area among the plurality of connection passages.

Additionally, it is preferable that the central axis of the through hole of the inlet passage facing the connecting passage is the same or parallel to the central axis of the connecting passage facing the through hole.

In addition, it is preferable that the discharge path is equipped with an atomizer to form an atomization passage that generates an aerosol by applying heat energy to the aerosol-forming substrate.

In addition, it is desirable to receive power while the cartridge is inserted into the main device and apply it to the heating element of the atomizer.

The embodiment allows selection from among a plurality of diameter ratios or a plurality of cross-sectional area ratios between the diameter of the external air inflow passage related to the suction pressure or air inflow amount, which is a sensual element, when combining the detachable cartridge, and the diameter of the connection passage, It has the effect of maintaining the selected diameter ratio or cross-sectional area ratio until the combined cartridge is separated and changed in position, and has the effect of making it easy to clean the inlet passage of the main body of the aerosol generating device when the cartridge is separated.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
Figure 2 is partial vertical cross-sectional views of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view between the main device and the cartridge of an aerosol-generating device according to another embodiment.
4 are partial vertical cross-sectional views of an aerosol-generating device according to another embodiment.
Figure 5 is a control configuration diagram of the aerosol generating device of Figure 1.

Hereinafter, embodiments are described in detail through the drawings. However, this is not intended to be limiting to specific embodiments, and the described embodiments should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives of the embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numbers may be used for similar components.

In this document, expressions such as “have,” “may have,” “includes,” or “may include” refer to the presence of the corresponding feature (e.g., a numerical value, function, operation, or component such as a part). , and does not rule out the existence of additional features.

In this document, expressions such as “A or B,” “at least one of A or/and B,” or “one or more of A or/and B” may include all possible combinations of the items listed together. . For example, “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, or “at least one of A or B” (1) includes at least one A, (2) includes at least one B, or (3) it may refer to all cases including both at least one A and at least one B.

As used herein, expressions such as "first", "second", "first", or "second" may describe various elements in any order and/or importance, and may refer to one element as another. It is only used to distinguish from components and does not limit the components. For example, a first user device and a second user device may represent different user devices regardless of order or importance. For example, a first component may be renamed a second component without departing from the scope of rights described in this document, and similarly, the second component may also be renamed the first component.

A component (e.g., a first component) is “(operatively or communicatively) coupled with/to” another component (e.g., a second component). When referred to as “connected to,” it should be understood that any component may be directly connected to the other component or may be connected through another component (eg, a third component). On the other hand, when a component (e.g., a first component) is said to be “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another component (e.g., a second component), It may be understood that no other component (e.g., a third component) exists between other components.

The expression “configured to” used in this document may mean, for example, “suitable for,” “having the capacity to,” or “having the capacity to.” It can be used interchangeably with ", "designed to," "adapted to," "made to," or "capable of." The term “configured (or set) to” may not necessarily mean “specifically designed to” in hardware. Instead, in some contexts, the expression “a device configured to” may mean that the device is “capable of” working with other devices or components.

Terms used in this document are merely used to describe specific embodiments and may not be intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. Singular expressions may include plural expressions, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field described in this document. Among the terms used in this document, terms defined in general dictionaries may be interpreted to have the same or similar meaning as the meaning they have in the context of related technology, and unless clearly defined in this document, they may be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal sense. It is not interpreted. In some cases, even terms defined in this document cannot be interpreted to exclude embodiments of this document.

In an embodiment, the aerosol-forming base material may be a liquid or gel-like material, for example, nicotine, chemical solution, VG, PG, flavoring agent, health food (red ginseng, bellflower extract), etc.

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment, and Figure 2 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1.

The aerosol generating device has a receiving space for accommodating an aerosol-forming substrate in a liquid or gel state, receives power from the main device 200, atomizes the aerosol-forming substrate in the atomization passage 130, and generates an aerosol, and generates an aerosol for the user. A cartridge 100 having an discharge passage 120 for discharging the aerosol generated with the air (airflow) flowing in from the inlet passage 214 of the main device 200 by suction, and the cartridge 100 and the detachable It is configured to include a main body device 200 that is connected to and supplies power to the cartridge 100, and has an inlet passage 214 that communicates with the atomization passage 130 of the cartridge 100.

The cartridge 100 has a hollow discharge passage 120 formed with an opening 122 at the top to communicate with the outside, and is in communication with the discharge passage 120, and aerosol is generated by supplying heat energy to the aerosol-forming substrate. The atomizing passage 130 and first and second connecting passages 142 that communicate with each of the different parts of the atomizing passage 130 and communicate with the external or inlet passage 214 and have different pipe diameters, cross-sectional areas, or volumes. It consists of a case 110 provided with , 144). A suction auxiliary part such as a mouthpiece (not shown), a filter, or a cigarette is inserted into the opening 122 of the discharge passage 120 so that the user can inhale.

Additionally, the cartridge 100 is provided with an atomizer (not shown) within the atomization passage 130 or in contact with the atomization passage 130 to atomize the aerosol-forming substrate. The atomizer is provided with a heating element, and is in contact with or supplied to the aerosol-forming base material in the receiving space, and supplies heat energy to the aerosol-forming base material by the heating operation of the heating element to atomize the aerosol-forming base material and generate an aerosol.

In FIG. 1, with the central axis of the discharge passage 120 as the center, the first connection passage 142 is formed in the case 110 on a different side from the second connection passage 144. The first connection passage 142 has a connector 142a exposed to the outside on the lower side of the case 110 to communicate with the outside, and the second connection passage 144 is connected to the bottom of the case 110 to communicate with the outside. A connector 144a exposed to the outside is provided on the side. The connector 142a and the connector 144a are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance, and the vertical cross-sectional area of the connector 142a and the vertical cross-sectional area (or pipe diameter) of the connector 144a are different from each other. In this embodiment, the vertical cross-sectional area of the connector 142a is different. Since the cross-sectional area is larger than the vertical cross-sectional area of the connector 144a, the amount of air inflow passing through becomes relatively larger.

The main body device 200 includes a main body case 210 inside which a receiving space is formed to accommodate the control devices of FIG. 2 . The main body case 210 of the main body device 200 is inserted and coupled to the lower end where the lower side of the cartridge 100 is formed, an insertion space 212 that is separated and removed, and a side other than the side where the insertion space 212 is formed. It is formed in and has a first through hole 214a, which is an air inlet for communication with the outside, and a second through hole 214b, which is an air outlet for communication with the insertion space 212, and has a hollow interior. It is provided with a formed inlet passage 214. In this embodiment, the inlet passage 214 has a bend in an 'L' shape.

The shape (or structure) of the lower part of the case 110 and the shape (or structure) of the insertion space 212 are the same, and the lower part of the case 110 can be inserted into or separated from the insertion space 212. The cross-sectional area of the lower end of 110 and the cross-sectional area of the insertion space 212 are determined.

When the lower end of the case 110 is inserted into the insertion space 212, the case 110 may be inserted into the insertion space 212 at each of the horizontal plane or at least a plurality of rotation angles on the horizontal plane. Here, the rotation angle corresponds to the relative angle between the case 110 and the insertion space 212, and the horizontal plane is a plane parallel to the lower side of the case 110 and the bottom surface 212a of the insertion space 212, and the case ( The extension line (imaginary line) in the direction in which the lower end of 110) is inserted (combined) into the insertion space 212 corresponds to the perpendicular line of the horizontal plane.

In this embodiment, the cross section of the lower end of the case 110 and the cross section of the insertion space 212 are rectangular rather than square. In this case, two rotation angles are possible. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when the rotation angle is 0° (coupled state at the first rotation angle - first coupled state), the lower end of the case 110 can be inserted into the insertion space 212, and the case ( When 110) is rotated 180° in the horizontal plane (coupled state at the second rotation angle - second coupled state), the lower end of the case 110 can be inserted into the insertion space 212.

In the coupled state at the first rotation angle as shown in (a) of FIG. 2, the second through hole 214b of the inlet passage 214 meets or faces the connector 142a of the first connection passage 142. It connects. At this time, the connector 144a of the second connection passage 144 is closed by the bottom surface 212a of the insertion space 212. The airflow path in this state consists of an inlet passage 214, a first connection passage 142, an atomization passage 130, and an discharge passage 120. The blue arrows in Figures 2 (a) and (b) indicate the direction of aerosol discharge.

In the coupled state at the second rotation angle as shown in (b) of FIG. 2, the second through hole 214b of the inlet passage 214 meets or faces the connector 144a of the second connection passage 144. It connects. At this time, the connector 142a of the first connection passage 142 is closed by the bottom surface 212a of the insertion space 212. The airflow path in this state consists of an inlet passage 214, a second connection passage 144, an atomization passage 130, and an discharge passage 120.

In order to ensure that the air inflow amount in the first combined state is greater than the air inflow amount in the second combined state, the opposing area between the second through hole 214b and the connector 142a (area through which air can commonly flow) It must be larger than the opposing area between the second through hole 214b and the connector 144a. For this purpose, the cross-sectional area of the second through-hole 214b is made larger than that of the connector 144a, and in the first coupled state, the central axis of the second through-hole 214b and the central axis of the connector 142a are the same. or must be parallel, and in the second coupled state, the central axis of the second through-hole (214b) and the central axis of the connector (144a) must be the same or parallel.

When the cartridge 100 and the main device 200 are coupled, the cartridge 100 is prevented from rotating in the horizontal plane, so that the amount of air inflow in each coupled state is maintained constant. In order for the user to change the amount of air inflow, the cartridge 100 can be separated from the main device 200, rotated, and then coupled to the main device 200 again.

In this embodiment, discharge passage 120 may also be referred to as a discharge path including atomization passage 130.

As described above, a plurality of diameter ratios or a plurality of cross-sectional area ratios can be selected between the pipe diameter of the external air inlet passage related to the suction pressure or air inflow amount, which is a sensual element, and the pipe diameter of the connecting passage that communicates with the atomization space and is in contact with the inflow passage. do.

Figure 3 is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view between the main device and the cartridge of an aerosol-generating device according to another embodiment.

In (a) of FIG. 3, the cartridge case 310 and the main device case 410 are combined, and the cross-sectional shape of the lower part of the cartridge case 310 and the insertion space 412 of the main device case 410 are shown. A case where the cross-sectional shape of is oval is shown. In this case as well, the case 310 can be inserted into the insertion space 412 at two rotation angles in the horizontal plane.

In Figure 3 (a), the cartridge case 310 is a discharge passage (not shown), an atomization passage 330 communicating with the discharge passage, and a first atomization passage 330 that communicates with different parts of the atomization passage 330, respectively. It is provided with a connection passage 342 and a second connection passage 344. Each of the first connection passage 342 and the second connection passage 344 is formed to pass through vertices of ellipses in opposite directions in the cross section of the cartridge case 310.

In Figure 3 (a), the main device case 410 is provided with an inlet passage 414 that communicates with the outside and the insertion space 412, and the inlet passage 414 is an ellipse in the cross section of the insertion space 412. It is formed to penetrate the vertex of .

In (b) of FIG. 3, the cartridge case 510 and the main device case 610 are combined, and the cross-sectional shape of the lower part of the cartridge case 510 and the insertion space 612 of the main device case 610 are shown. A case where the cross-sectional shape of is square is shown. In this case as well, the case 610 can be inserted into the insertion space 612 at four rotation angles in the horizontal plane.

In Figure 3 (b), the cartridge case 310 is a discharge passage (not shown), an atomization passage 530 communicating with the discharge passage, and a first atomization passage 530 that communicates with different parts of the atomization passage 530, respectively. to fourth connection passages 542, 544, 546, and 548. Each of the first to fourth connection passages 542, 544, 546, and 548 is formed to penetrate different sides of the cartridge case 510.

In Figure 3 (b), the main device case 410 is provided with an inlet passage 614 that communicates with the outside and the insertion space 612, and the inlet passage 614 penetrates the side of the insertion space 612. is formed

4 are partial vertical cross-sectional views of an aerosol-generating device according to another embodiment.

The cartridge case 710 of the aerosol generating device includes a discharge passage 720, an atomization passage 730 in communication with the discharge passage 720, and a first connection passage communicating in different parts of the atomization passage 730, respectively ( 732) and a second connection passage 734. In this embodiment, the central axis of the atomizing passage 730, the central axis of the first connecting passage 732, and the central axis of the second connecting passage 734 are coincident or parallel to each other.

The main device case 810 of the aerosol generating device includes an insertion space 812 into which the cartridge case 710 is inserted, and an inflow passage 814 that communicates the insertion space 812 with the outside. In this embodiment, the inlet passage 814 is straight with no bends.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the central axis of the first connection passage 732 facing the inlet passage 814 and the central axis of the inlet passage 814 are the same or parallel to each other.

Figure 5 is a control configuration diagram of the aerosol generating device of Figure 1.

The aerosol generating device includes a cartridge 100 and a main device 200.

The cartridge 100 is provided in the atomizer with first and second power terminals 101a and 101b for receiving power from the main device 200, and has first and second power terminals 101a and 101b. ) It is configured to include a heating element 170 that is electrically connected to the.

The main body device 200 receives power from the input unit 220, the display unit 225, the power supply unit 230, and the power supply unit 230, and operates the first and second power terminals according to a control signal from the processor 290. A power supply unit 240 that supplies or blocks power to 203a) and 203b, and a suction sensor 250 mounted on the inlet passage 214 to detect whether the user inhales and applies a suction detection signal to the processor 290. , and a processor 290 that controls the power supply unit 240 by controlling the above-described components and performs an aerosol generating function by the heating operation of the heating element 170.

The cartridge 100 and the main device 200 are separable, and when the liquid cartridge 100 is separated, the inlet passage 214 and insertion space 212 of the main device 200 are easily cleaned. there is.

As described above, it is not limited to the specific preferred embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made by anyone skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the claims. Of course, such changes fall within the scope of the claims.

100: cartridge 200: main device

Claims (7)

A cartridge that accommodates an aerosol-forming substrate and has a discharge path for discharging aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate, and a plurality of connecting passages communicating with different portions of the discharge path;
A main body device having an insertion space into which a cartridge is inserted and separated, and an inlet passage communicating the insertion space with the outside,
The lower end of the cartridge can be inserted into the insertion space at each of at least a plurality of rotation angles in one plane, and the inlet passage is in communication with any one of the plurality of connection passages, and the connection passage is not in communication with the inflow passage. is closed by the bottom of the insertion space,
An aerosol generating device, characterized in that the cross-sectional areas of the plurality of connecting passages are different from each other. According to claim 1,
An aerosol generating device characterized in that the shape of the lower end of the cartridge and the shape of the insertion space are the same. According to claim 2,
An aerosol generating device wherein the cartridge does not rotate when the cartridge is inserted and coupled to the insertion space. According to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An aerosol generating device, wherein the cross-sectional area of the inlet passage is larger than the cross-sectional area of the connection passage with the smallest cross-sectional area among the plurality of connection passages. According to claim 4,
An aerosol generating device, wherein the central axis of the through hole of the inlet passage facing the connecting passage is the same or parallel to the central axis of the connecting passage facing the through hole. According to claim 4,
An atomizer is installed in the discharge path to form an atomization passage that generates an aerosol by applying heat energy to the aerosol-forming substrate. According to claim 6,
An aerosol generating device characterized in that the cartridge receives power while inserted and coupled to the main device and applies it to the heating element of the atomizer.

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