KR102752201B1 - Aerosol generating module and aerosol generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol generating device according to various embodiments comprises: a housing; a mouthpiece disposed at one end of the housing; an aerosol generating unit disposed inside the housing; an airflow passage partition including an oxygen substrate; and an airflow blocking membrane disposed between the aerosol generating unit and the airflow passage partition, wherein the airflow blocking membrane can block at least a portion of a space formed between the aerosol generating unit and the airflow passage partition.

Description

{AEROSOL GENERATING MODULE AND AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE}

The following examples relate to aerosol generating devices.

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

An object of one embodiment is to provide an aerosol generating device that protects the health of a user by allowing oxygen to be delivered together with nicotine when the user smokes.

An object according to one embodiment is to provide an aerosol generating device that can act as an oxygen supply device as an auxiliary therapeutic device according to the needs of a user.

An aerosol generating device according to various embodiments comprises: a housing; a mouthpiece disposed at one end of the housing; an aerosol generating unit disposed inside the housing; an airflow passage partition including an oxygen substrate; and an airflow blocking membrane disposed between the aerosol generating unit and the airflow passage partition, wherein the airflow blocking membrane can block at least a portion of a space formed between the aerosol generating unit and the airflow passage partition.

In one embodiment, the airflow pass compartment is disposed between the aerosol generating unit and the mouthpiece and includes a first compartment formed of a cavity and a second compartment including an oxygen substrate, wherein an aerosol generated from the aerosol generating unit can flow to the mouthpiece through the airflow pass compartment.

In one embodiment, the airflow blocking membrane can be moveable between a first position blocking the first compartment and a second position blocking the second compartment.

In one embodiment, the oxygen substrate can react with at least one of carbon dioxide or water to generate gaseous oxygen.

In one embodiment, the aerosol generating unit may include a cartridge storing an aerosol forming material; and an atomization promoting unit disposed adjacent to the cartridge.

In one embodiment, the atomization promoting unit promotes atomization through vibration and may include a piezoelectric transducer and a mesh plate.

In one embodiment, the atomization promoting unit promotes atomization through heating and may include a heater.

In one embodiment, the device further comprises a control unit, wherein the control unit can control the position of the airflow blocking membrane according to two or more suction modes.

In one embodiment, the inhalation mode may include a first inhalation mode, in which an aerosol generated from the aerosol generating unit moves through the first compartment of the airflow pass compartment and is delivered to the user's mouth; and a second inhalation mode, in which an aerosol generated from the aerosol generating unit moves through the second compartment of the airflow pass compartment and is delivered to the user's mouth together with gaseous oxygen.

In one embodiment, in the first suction mode, the airflow blocking membrane can block the second compartment to allow airflow to flow into the first compartment, and in the second suction mode, the airflow blocking membrane can block the first compartment to allow airflow to flow into the second compartment.

In one embodiment, the housing includes a perforation positioned corresponding to the airflow passage compartment, and the inhalation mode further includes a third inhalation mode, wherein in the third inhalation mode, operation of the aerosol generating unit is stopped and airflow drawn into the interior of the housing through the perforation passes through the oxygen substrate to deliver oxygen to the user's mouth.

In one embodiment, the device further includes a stress detection sensor and an LED, and a user's stress index measured when a user's finger is placed on the stress detection sensor can be displayed through the color of the LED.

In one embodiment, when the stress index measured by the stress detection sensor is greater than a certain value, the airflow blocking membrane can block the first compartment to allow oxygen to be delivered to the user's wrist.

An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment can protect the health of a user by allowing oxygen to be delivered together with nicotine when the user smokes.

An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment may function as an oxygen supply device as an auxiliary therapeutic device, depending on the needs of the user.

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating unit of an aerosol generating device according to Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an airflow pass compartment of an aerosol generating device according to Figure 2.
FIGS. 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating airflow inside an aerosol generating device according to an inhalation mode according to one embodiment.

The terms used in the embodiments are selected from the most widely used general terms possible while considering the functions in the present invention, but this may vary depending on the intention of engineers working in the field, precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In addition, in certain cases, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meanings thereof will be described in detail in the description of the relevant invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the overall contents of the present invention, rather than simply the names of the terms.

When a part of the specification is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise specifically stated. In addition, terms such as "part", "module", etc. described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

As used herein, when an expression such as "at least one" precedes an array of elements, it modifies the entire array of elements rather than each individual element. For example, the expression "at least one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c.

In the embodiments below, the term "aerosol-generating article" may mean an article that receives a medium through which an aerosol passes and through which the medium is transferred. A representative example of an aerosol-generating article may be a cigarette, but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

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

In the embodiments below, a "puff" means an inhalation by the user, where inhalation means drawing air into the user's oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs through the user's mouth or nose.

In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that electrically heats a cigarette accommodated in an internal space to generate an aerosol.

The aerosol generating device may include a heater. In one embodiment, the heater may be an electrically resistive heater. For example, the heater may include electrically conductive tracks, and when current flows through the electrically conductive tracks, the heater may be heated.

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

The cigarette may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod. The tobacco rod may be made of a sheet, may be made of a strand, or may be made of chopped tobacco sheets. Additionally, the tobacco rod may be surrounded by a heat-conducting material. For example, the heat-conducting material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil.

The filter load may be a cellulose acetate filter. The filter load may be comprised of at least one segment. For example, the filter load may include a first segment that cools the aerosol and a second segment that filters a predetermined component contained within the aerosol.

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

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

The cartridge can contain an aerosol generating material in any one of a variety of states, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, a gel state, etc. The aerosol generating material can comprise a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition can be a liquid comprising a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavoring component, or it can be a liquid comprising a non-tobacco material.

The cartridge can perform the function of generating an aerosol by converting the phase of an aerosol generating substance inside the cartridge into a gas phase by operating with an electric signal or wireless signal transmitted from the main body. The aerosol can mean a gas in a mixed state of vaporized particles and air generated from the aerosol generating substance.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device can generate an aerosol by heating a liquid composition, and the generated aerosol can be delivered to a user through a cigarette. That is, the aerosol generated from the liquid composition can travel along an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device, and the airflow passage can be configured such that the aerosol can pass through the cigarette and be delivered to a user.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol from an aerosol generating material using an ultrasonic vibration method. In this case, the ultrasonic vibration method may mean a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing an aerosol generating material using ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

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

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

As voltage (e.g., alternating current) 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 substance absorbed in the wick. The aerosol-generating substance absorbed in the wick may be converted into a gaseous phase by the heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the vibrator, and as a result, an aerosol may be generated.

For example, the viscosity of an aerosol generating substance absorbed into a wick may be lowered by heat generated from a vibrator, and an aerosol may be generated by the aerosol generating substance having a lowered viscosity being broken down into fine particles by ultrasonic vibration generated from the vibrator, but is not limited thereto.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The aerosol generating device (100) may include a control unit (110), a sensing unit (120), an output unit (130), a battery (140), a heater (150), a user input unit (160), a memory (170), and a communication unit (180). However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device (100) is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 1. That is, a person having ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment will understand that some of the components illustrated in FIG. 1 may be omitted or new components may be added depending on the design of the aerosol generating device (100).

The sensing unit (120) can detect the status of the aerosol generating device (100) or the status around the aerosol generating device (100) and transmit the detected information to the control unit (110). Based on the detected information, the control unit (110) can control the aerosol generating device (100) so that various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater (150), restricting smoking, determining whether an aerosol generating item (e.g., an aerosol generating item, a cartridge, etc.) is inserted, and displaying a notification are performed.

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

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

The insertion detection sensor (124) can detect insertion and/or removal of an aerosol-generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor (124) can 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 can detect a signal change as an aerosol-generating article is inserted and/or removed.

The puff sensor (126) can detect the user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor (126) can detect the user's puff based on any one of temperature change, flow change, voltage change, and pressure change.

In addition to the sensors (122 to 126) described above, the sensing unit (120) may further include at least one of a temperature/humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., GPS), a proximity sensor, and an RGB sensor (illuminance sensor). Since the functions of each sensor can be intuitively inferred from its name by a person skilled in the art, a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

The output unit (130) can output information on the status of the aerosol generating device (100) and provide it to the user. The output unit (130) can include at least one of the display unit (132), the haptic unit (134), and the sound output unit (136), but is not limited thereto. When the display unit (132) and the touch pad form a layer structure to form a touch screen, the display unit (132) can be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

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

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

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

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

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

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

In one embodiment, the heater (150) may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials may be metals or metal alloys including, but not limited to, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, and the like. In addition, the heater (150) may be implemented as, but not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate having electrically conductive tracks arranged thereon, a ceramic heating element, and the like.

In another embodiment, the heater (150) may be an induction heating type heater. For example, the heater (150) may include a susceptor that heats the aerosol generating material by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by the coil.

In one embodiment, the heater (150) may include a plurality of heaters. For example, the heater (150) may include a first heater for heating the aerosol-generating article and a second heater for heating the liquid.

The user input unit (160) can receive information input by the user or output information to the user. For example, the user input unit (160) may include, but is not limited to, a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (contact electrostatic capacitance type, pressure resistive film type, infrared detection type, surface ultrasonic conduction type, integral tension measurement type, piezo effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device (100) further includes a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and can transmit and receive information or charge a battery (140) by connecting to another external device through a connection interface such as a USB interface.

The memory (170) is a hardware that stores various data processed in the aerosol generating device (100), and can store data processed and data to be processed in the control unit (110). The memory (170) may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, an SD or XD memory, etc.), a RAM (random access memory), a SRAM (static random access memory), a ROM (read-only memory), an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), a PROM (programmable read-only memory), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory (170) may store data on the operation time of the aerosol generating device (100), the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and a user's smoking pattern.

The communication unit (180) may include at least one component for communicating with another electronic device. For example, the communication unit (180) may include a short-range communication unit (182) and a wireless communication unit (184).

The short-range wireless communication unit (182) may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, a UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, etc.

The wireless communication unit (184) may include, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN) communication unit, etc. The wireless communication unit (184) may also identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device (100) within the communication network using subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI).

The control unit (110) can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device (100). In one embodiment, the control unit (110) can include at least one processor. The 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 storing a program that can be executed in the microprocessor. In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the present embodiment belongs that the processor can be implemented as other types of hardware.

The control unit (110) can control the temperature of the heater (150) by controlling the supply of power from the battery (140) to the heater (150). For example, the control unit (110) can control the power supply by controlling the switching of the switching element between the battery (140) and the heater (150). In another example, the heating direct circuit can control the power supply to the heater (150) according to the control command of the control unit (110).

The control unit (110) can analyze the results detected by the sensing unit (120) and control the processes to be performed thereafter. For example, the control unit (110) can control the power supplied to the heater (150) so that the operation of the heater (150) is started or ended based on the results detected by the sensing unit (120). As another example, the control unit (110) can control the amount of power supplied to the heater (150) and the time for which the power is supplied so that the heater (150) can be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintain an appropriate temperature based on the results detected by the sensing unit (120).

The control unit (110) can control the output unit (130) based on the result detected by the sensing unit (120). For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor (126) reaches a preset number, the control unit (110) can notify the user that the aerosol generating device (100) will soon be terminated through at least one of the display unit (132), the haptic unit (134), and the sound output unit (136).

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

An embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium containing computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by a computer. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. Additionally, computer-readable media can include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data in a modulated data signal, or other transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device (200) according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device (200) may include a housing (210), a mouthpiece (220), an aerosol generating unit (230), an airflow passage partition (240), an airflow blocking membrane (250), a perforation (260), a stress detection sensor (270), an LED (280), a control unit (290), and a battery (300).

In one embodiment, the housing (210) can accommodate mechanical/electronic components such as an aerosol generating unit (230), an airflow passage partition (240), and an airflow blocking membrane (250), and a mouthpiece (220) according to one embodiment is disposed at one end of the housing (210), through which aerosol generated from the aerosol generating unit (230) can be delivered to the user's mouth.

In one embodiment, the aerosol generating unit (230) generates an aerosol that is transferred to the user's mouth, and may generate the aerosol by a direct heating method, an induction heating method, and/or a vibration method.

In one embodiment, the airflow path partition (240) is a passage through which the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating unit (230) passes to be transferred to the user's mouth, and may be partitioned in a direction perpendicular to the airflow path of the aerosol. At this time, at least one partition of the airflow path partition (240) may include an oxygen substrate.

In one embodiment, the airflow blocking film (250) is disposed between the aerosol generating unit (230) and the airflow pass partition (240) to prevent the aerosol from flowing into at least one partition included in the airflow pass partition (240). The airflow blocking film (250) according to one embodiment can move in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the aerosol flows and block at least one partition of the airflow pass partition (240).

In one embodiment, the perforation (260) can be used to introduce outside air into the interior of the aerosol generating device (200) to reduce the temperature of the aerosol, or, if no aerosol is generated, to introduce outside air to deliver only the oxygen substrate to the user's mouth.

In one embodiment, the stress detection sensor (270) may be placed on the outside of the housing (210), and preferably, may be placed at a location where at least one of the user's fingers is placed when the user holds the aerosol generating device (200). The stress detection sensor (270) according to one embodiment may measure the level of stress through a biosignal of the user's finger.

In one embodiment, the LED (280) is positioned outside the housing (210) so that the stress measured by the stress detection sensor (270) can be displayed by the color of the LED light.

In one embodiment, the control unit (290) can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device (200). In one embodiment, the control unit (290) can include at least one processor. The 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 storing a program executable by the microprocessor. In one embodiment, the control unit (290) can control the position of the airflow blocking membrane (250) according to various inhalation modes of the aerosol generating device (200).

In one embodiment, the battery (300) can supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device (200). The battery (300) can be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery (300) can be, but is not limited to, a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery.

Hereinafter, the structure and operating principle of the aerosol generating device (200) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5c.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating unit (230) of an aerosol generating device according to FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 3, the aerosol generating unit (230) may include a cartridge (232) and an atomization promoting unit (234). In one embodiment, the cartridge (232) may be accommodated inside the housing (210) while containing an aerosol-forming substrate therein. The aerosol-forming substrate accommodated inside the cartridge (232) according to one embodiment may have an aerosol-generating material having any one of various states, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, and a gel state. The aerosol-generating material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavoring component, or may be a liquid including a non-tobacco material. In one embodiment, the atomization promoting unit (234) may correspond to a promoting unit that aerosolizes an aerosol-forming substrate accommodated in a cartridge (232). The atomization promoting unit (234) according to one embodiment may be arranged to be in contact with or adjacent to at least one of the outer surfaces of the cartridge (232) to promote the generation of aerosol (A). In one embodiment, the atomization promoting unit (234) is a unit that promotes atomization through vibration, and may generate vibration through a piezoelectric transducer to cause aerosol particles to be discharged from a mesh plate. In another embodiment, the atomization promoting unit (234) is a unit that promotes atomization through heating, and may aerosolize an aerosol-forming substrate inside the cartridge by heating the cartridge (232) through a heater.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an airflow passage partition (240) of an aerosol generating device (200) according to FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 4, an airflow passage partition (240) according to one embodiment may be disposed between a mouthpiece (220) and an aerosol generating unit (230). In one embodiment, an aerosol (A) generated from an aerosol generating unit (230) may flow to the mouthpiece (220) through the airflow passage partition (240), and the airflow passage partition (240) may include at least two partitions. For example, referring to FIG. 4, the airflow passage partition (240) may include a first partition (240-1) and a second partition (240-2). According to one embodiment, the first compartment (240-1) may be a space formed of a cavity, and the second compartment (240-2) may be a space including an oxygen substrate. In one embodiment, in order for the aerosol (A) generated from the aerosol generating unit (230) to flow to the mouthpiece (220) through the oxygen substrate included in the second compartment (240-2), two sides of the second compartment (240-2) perpendicular to the flow direction of the aerosol (A) may be covered with a breathable material, and preferably may be configured in a mesh form (see FIG. 4). Since the two sides of the second compartment (240-2) are covered with the breathable material, the aerosol (A) can freely penetrate the second compartment (240-2), and in the process, the aerosol (A) can transfer oxygen.

In one embodiment, the oxygen substrate included in the second compartment (240-2) of the airflow pass compartment (240) may be a substrate that generates gaseous oxygen by reacting with at least one of carbon dioxide and water. The oxygen substrate according to one embodiment may be stored in a solid or liquid form, and preferably may be stored in a solid form. For example, the oxygen substrate in a solid powder form may be composed of a metal peroxide, and the metal peroxide may include at least one of potassium peroxide, calcium hydroxide, sodium superoxide, magnesium superoxide, potassium superoxide, and calcium superoxide. The oxygen substrate according to one embodiment may generate gaseous oxygen by reacting with carbon dioxide or droplets included in exhaled breath emitted from the user's mouth, or by reacting with carbon dioxide included in air brought in from the outside or with moisture included in aerosol (A) emitted from the aerosol generating unit (230).

The airflow passage compartment (240) according to one embodiment may include an additional compartment in addition to the first compartment (240-1) and the second compartment (240-2), and the additional compartment may contain a substance that has a beneficial effect on the human body when carried together with the tobacco material.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating airflow inside an aerosol generating device (200) according to an inhalation mode according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device (200) may include two or more inhalation modes, and FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating a first inhalation mode, FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram illustrating a second inhalation mode, and FIG. 5C is a schematic diagram illustrating a third inhalation mode.

Referring to FIG. 5a which illustrates the first inhalation mode, the aerosol (A) generated from the aerosol generating unit (230) of the aerosol generating device (200) according to one embodiment may move through the first compartment (240-1) of the airflow passage compartment (240) and be delivered to the user's mouth via the mouthpiece (220) (see arrow (F1) of FIG. 5a). At this time, the airflow blocking membrane (250) may be placed at a second position to block the lower part of the second compartment (240-2) so that the aerosol (A) completely flows into the first compartment (240-1). In the first inhalation mode, the aerosol (A) generated from the aerosol generating unit (230) is delivered to the mouthpiece through the cavity of the first compartment (240-1), so that the user can inhale the medium included in the aerosol (A) by inhaling the aerosol (A).

Referring to FIG. 5b which illustrates the second inhalation mode, the aerosol (A) generated from the aerosol generating unit (230) of the aerosol generating device (200) according to one embodiment may move through the second compartment (240-2) of the airflow passage compartment (240) and be delivered to the user's mouth via the mouthpiece (220) (see arrow (F2) of FIG. 5b). At this time, the airflow blocking membrane (250) may be placed at a first position to block the lower part of the first compartment (240-1) so that the aerosol (A) completely flows into the second compartment (240-2). In the second inhalation mode, the aerosol (A) generated from the aerosol generating unit (230) passes through the second compartment (240-2) and is delivered to the mouthpiece together with oxygen gas, so that the user can inhale additional oxygen together with the medium contained in the aerosol (A) by inhaling the aerosol (A).

Referring to FIG. 5c illustrating a third inhalation mode, no aerosol is generated from the aerosol generating unit (230), and when the user inhales, outside air is drawn into the interior of the aerosol generating device (200) through the perforations (260) formed on the housing, and the drawn outside air can be moved to the mouthpiece (220) through the second compartment (240-2) of the airflow path compartment (240). The perforations (260) according to one embodiment can be arranged between a position corresponding to the aerosol generating unit (230) and a position corresponding to the airflow path compartment (240) on the housing (210). When the perforations according to one embodiment are arranged at the corresponding positions on the housing (210), the airflow drawn in from the outside can transfer oxygen of the second compartment (240-2) to the user's mouth.

At this time, the airflow blocking membrane (250) can be placed at a second position to block the lower part of the first compartment (240-1) so that the aerosol (A) can completely flow into the second compartment (240-2). In the third inhalation mode, the user can inhale only the oxygen vaporized together with the outside air. By inhaling the oxygen, the user can obtain the effect of relieving accumulated stress.

Below, a method for controlling whether or not to inhale oxygen and the amount of inhalation according to the position of the airflow blocking membrane (250) by recognizing the user's stress level through a stress detection sensor (270) is described.

In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device (200) may include a stress detection sensor (270) and an LED (280). The stress detection sensor (270) according to one embodiment may recognize the user's sweat, heartbeat, and/or blood pressure, etc., to evaluate the user's stress index. When the user's finger is positioned over the stress detection sensor (270) according to one embodiment, the user's stress index may be evaluated by detecting sweat, heartbeat, and/or blood pressure, etc. from the user's finger. The LED (280) according to one embodiment may display the stress index evaluated by the stress detection sensor (270) as the color of the light of the LED (280) to the user. For example, when the stress index is evaluated as low, the LED (280) may emit green light, when the stress index is evaluated as medium, the LED (280) may emit yellow light, and when the stress index is evaluated as high, the LED (280) may emit red light.

In one embodiment, the position of the airflow blocking film (250) may be changed according to the stress index measured by the stress detection sensor (270). For example, when the stress index is low and the LED (280) emits green light, the airflow blocking film (250) may be positioned at a first position that blocks the second compartment (240-2), so that the airflow may be transferred to the user's wrist without passing through the second compartment (240-2) containing the oxygen substrate at all. For example, when the stress index is high and the LED (280) emits red light, the airflow blocking film (250) may be positioned at a second position that blocks the first compartment (240-1), so that the airflow may pass through the second compartment (240-2) containing the oxygen substrate, and the airflow with a high oxygen content may be transferred to the user's wrist. For example, when the stress index is at an intermediate level and the LED (280) emits yellow light, the airflow blocking membrane (250) is placed between the first compartment (240-1) and the second compartment (240-2) so that the airflow passes through a part of the second compartment (240-2) containing the oxygen substrate, and the airflow containing the intermediate level of oxygen can be delivered to the user's mouth.

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

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims are also included within the scope of the claims.

Claims (14)

housing;
A mouthpiece disposed at one end of the above housing;
An aerosol generating unit disposed inside the housing;
An airflow pass compartment comprising an oxygen substrate; and
An airflow blocking membrane disposed between the aerosol generating unit and the airflow pass compartment;
Including,
The airflow blocking membrane blocks at least a portion of the space formed between the aerosol generating unit and the airflow pass partition,
The above oxygen substrate reacts with at least one of carbon dioxide and water to generate gaseous oxygen.
Aerosol generating device.
In paragraph 1,
The airflow pass compartment is arranged between the aerosol generating unit and the mouthpiece and includes a first compartment formed of a cavity and a second compartment including an oxygen substrate.
The aerosol generated from the aerosol generating unit flows through the airflow pass compartment to the mouthpiece.
Aerosol generating device.
In the second paragraph,
The above airflow blocking membrane,
moveable between a first position blocking the first compartment and a second position blocking the second compartment;
Aerosol generating device.
delete In paragraph 1,
The above aerosol generating unit is,
A cartridge storing an aerosol forming agent; and
A vapor generation promoting unit arranged adjacent to the cartridge;
Including,
Aerosol generating device.
In paragraph 5,
The above-mentioned atomization promoting unit promotes atomization through vibration,
Including a piezoelectric transducer and a mesh plate,
Aerosol generating device.
In paragraph 5,
The above-mentioned atomization promoting unit promotes atomization through heating,
including a heater,
Aerosol generating device.
In the second paragraph,
Including more control units,
The above control unit controls the position of the airflow blocking membrane according to two or more suction modes.
Aerosol generating device.
In Article 8,
The above suction mode is,
A first inhalation mode in which the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating unit moves through the first compartment of the airflow pass compartment and is delivered to the user's mouth; and
A second inhalation mode, in which the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating unit moves through the second compartment of the airflow pass compartment and is delivered to the user's mouth together with gaseous oxygen;
Including,
Aerosol generating device.
In Article 9,
In the case of the first suction mode, the airflow blocking membrane blocks the second compartment so that airflow flows into the first compartment,
In the case of the second suction mode, the airflow blocking membrane blocks the first compartment to allow airflow to flow into the second compartment.
Aerosol generating device.
In Article 9,
The above housing includes a perforation positioned corresponding to the airflow passage compartment,
The above suction mode further includes a third suction mode,
In the case of the third inhalation mode, the operation of the aerosol generating unit is stopped and the airflow that flows into the interior of the housing through the perforation passes through the oxygen material and delivers oxygen to the user's mouth.
Aerosol generating device.
In Article 11,
The above perforation is positioned between a position corresponding to the aerosol generating portion and a position corresponding to the airflow pass compartment on the housing.
Aerosol generating device.
In the second paragraph,
It further includes a stress detection sensor and LED,
When the user's finger is placed on the stress detection sensor, the user's stress index is measured and displayed through the color of the LED.
Aerosol generating device.
In Article 13,
When the stress index measured by the stress detection sensor is above a certain value, the airflow blocking membrane blocks the first compartment to allow oxygen to be delivered to the user's wrist.
Aerosol generating device.