KR102395183B1 - Aerosol generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol generating device is disclosed. The aerosol generating device includes a heater configured to generate an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material, an air inlet through which external air is introduced, and an outlet through which external air and the aerosol are mixed and discharged; a first air flow passage, a portion of the first air flow passage It is formed in, and may include an opening/closing part that allows the passage of the air flow in the direction toward the outlet and blocks the passage of the air flow in the direction toward the air inlet.

Description

Aerosol generating device {AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE}

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device.

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for a smoking method that replaces conventional cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for a method of generating an aerosol as the aerosol-generating material in the cigarette is heated rather than a method of burning a cigarette to produce an aerosol. Accordingly, research into a heated cigarette or a heated aerosol generating device is being actively conducted.

In a device for generating an aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating material having flowability, droplets generated as the aerosol is cooled may flow into internal components of the device including a sensor and the like. Since the introduced droplet may cause malfunction of the internal components or damage the internal components, it is necessary to prevent the inflow of the droplet.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to provide an aerosol-generating device capable of preventing a droplet from flowing back into the internal components of the aerosol-generating device. The technical task to be achieved by the present embodiment is not limited to the technical task as described above, and other technical tasks may be inferred from the following embodiments.

As a technical means for achieving the above-described technical problem, an aerosol generating device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a heater for generating an aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material; a first air flow passage including an air inlet through which external air is introduced and an outlet through which the external air and the aerosol are mixed and discharged; and an opening/closing part formed in a portion of the first airflow passageway to allow passage of the airflow in a direction toward the outlet and block passage of the airflow in a direction toward the air inlet.

The opening/closing unit may include at least two blades, and allow or block passage of an airflow by bending or coupling the at least two blades to each other.

The at least two blades are bent in a direction toward the outlet when a flow of the external air equal to or greater than a predetermined flow rate toward the outlet occurs, thereby allowing the passage of the airflow in the direction toward the outlet.

The at least two blades may be bent concavely from one end fixed to the first airflow passage toward the outlet.

The at least two blades may block the passage of the airflow in the direction toward the air inlet by coupling with each other to form the same plane when the flow of the external air greater than or equal to a predetermined flow rate toward the outlet does not occur.

The aerosol generating device comprises: a second airflow passage in fluid communication with the outlet; a pressure sensor disposed at one end of the second airflow passageway and sensing the discharge of the aerosol through the outlet by measuring a change in flow rate or pressure of the second airflow passageway; and a droplet guide unit for guiding the droplets generated from the aerosol to the outside of the second airflow passage.

The aerosol generating device may further include a droplet receiving unit for receiving the droplet induced by the droplet inducing unit.

The droplet guide portion may include: a partition wall that forms a predetermined inclination with a portion of a sidewall of the second airflow passage and protrudes inwardly from a portion of the sidewall; and an induction path for guiding the droplet flowing along the partition wall to the droplet receiving unit.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent malfunction or damage of internal components of the aerosol-generating device by blocking the droplets generated as the aerosol is cooled from flowing back or falling into the interior of the aerosol-generating device.

The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the above-described effects, and the effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the present specification and accompanying drawings.

1 to 3 are block diagrams showing the configuration of an aerosol generating device according to various embodiments.
4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.
6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.
7A and 7B are partial enlarged views of a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 ;

The terms used in the embodiments are selected as currently widely used general terms as possible while considering functions in the present invention, which may vary depending on the intention or precedent of a person skilled in the art, the emergence of new technology, and the like. In addition, in a specific case, there is a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the term used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention, rather than the name of a simple term.

In the entire specification, when a part "includes" a certain element, this means that other elements may be further included, rather than excluding other elements, unless otherwise stated. In addition, terms such as "...unit" and "...module" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which is implemented as hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software. can be

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily implement them. However, the present invention may be embodied in several different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

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

1 to 3 are block diagrams showing the configuration of an aerosol generating device according to various embodiments.

1 and 2 , the aerosol generating device 1 includes a battery 11 , a control unit 12 , a heater 13 and a vaporizer 14 , and a cigarette 2 can be inserted thereinto includes space. Referring to FIG. 3 , the aerosol generating device 1 does not include a heater 13 for heating the cigarette 2 and an inner space into which the cigarette 2 can be inserted, the battery 11 , the control unit 12 ) and vaporizer 14 .

The aerosol generating device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 shows the components related to the present embodiments. Therefore, it can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiments that other general-purpose components other than those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 may be further included in the aerosol generating device 1 . there is. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting tactile information. In addition, the aerosol generating device 1 may comprise at least one sensor.

In addition, although it is shown that the heater 13 is included in the aerosol generating device 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2 , if necessary, the heater 13 may be omitted.

1 , the battery 11 , the control unit 12 , the vaporizer 14 , and the heater 13 are shown arranged in a line. 2 shows the vaporizer 14 and the heater 13 arranged in parallel. Meanwhile, in FIG. 3 , the battery 11 , the control unit 12 , and the vaporizer 14 are illustrated as being arranged in a line. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 . In other words, depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 1 , the arrangement of the battery 11 , the control unit 12 , the heater 13 and the vaporizer 14 may be changed.

1 and 2 , when a cigarette 2 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1 , the aerosol-generating device 1 operates the heater 13 and/or the vaporizer 14 to release the aerosol can cause The aerosol generated by the heater 13 and/or vaporizer 14 passes through the cigarette 2 and is delivered to the user.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment of FIG. 3 , the aerosol generating device 1 may operate the vaporizer 14 to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14 is delivered to the user.

The battery 11 supplies the power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1 . For example, the battery 11 may supply electric power so that the heater 13 or the vaporizer 14 can be heated, and may supply electric power required for the control unit 12 to operate. In addition, the battery 11 may supply power required to operate a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. installed in the aerosol generating device 1 . The battery 11 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 11 may be a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) battery, a lithium titanate battery, and a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The control unit 12 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1 . Specifically, the control unit 12 controls the operation of the battery 11 , the heater 13 and the vaporizer 14 , as well as other components included in the aerosol generating device 1 . Also, the control unit 12 may determine whether the aerosol generating device 1 is in an operable state by checking the state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 .

The control unit 12 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. In addition, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that the present embodiment may be implemented in other types of hardware.

The heater 13 may be heated by electric power supplied from the battery 11 . For example, if the cigarette 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1 , the heater 13 may be located outside the cigarette 2 . Thus, the heated heater 13 can raise the temperature of the aerosol generating material in the cigarette 2 .

The heater 13 may be an electrically resistive heater. For example, the heater 13 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 13 may be heated as current flows through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater 13 is not limited to the above-described example, and may be applicable without limitation as long as it can be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be preset in the aerosol generating device 1 or may be set to a desired temperature by the user.

Meanwhile, as another example, the heater 13 may be an induction heating type heater. Specifically, the heater 13 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating the cigarette 2 in an induction heating manner, and the cigarette 2 may include a susceptor capable of being heated by an induction heating heater. .

For example, the heater 13 may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, which can be heated inside or outside the cigarette 2 depending on the shape of the heating element. can be heated

The vaporizer 14 is operated by an electric signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the control unit 12, and converts the phase of the aerosol generating material accommodated therein into a gas phase to generate an aerosol. The generated aerosol may be passed through the cigarette 2 to the user, or may be delivered directly to the user. The aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14 may travel along the airflow passage of the aerosol generating device 1 . The airflow path may be configured such that the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14 is delivered to the user through the cigarette 2 , or directly to the user without passing through the cigarette 2 .

Vaporizer 14 may include a liquid reservoir, liquid delivery means and a heater. Here, the heater means a separate heating element separated from the heater 13 for heating the cigarette 2 . The liquid reservoir, liquid delivery means and heater may be included in the aerosol generating device 1 as independent modules. A detailed description of the configuration of the vaporizer 14 will be described later with reference to other drawings.

On the other hand, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14 moves along the airflow passage in the aerosol generating device 1 toward the outlet. The aerosol discharged from the outlet may be inhaled by the user. However, a part of the generated aerosol is cooled while moving along the airflow passage, and the cooled aerosol may be liquefied again and changed into droplets.

These droplets may flow backwards (or fall) along the airflow passage and may be introduced into the components inside the aerosol generating device 1, and the components into which the droplets have been introduced may cause malfunction or even damage in severe cases. Accordingly, there is a need for a means to prevent damage to internal components by droplets.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, an aerosol generating device provided with means for preventing damage to internal components by droplets according to various embodiments of the present invention will be described.

4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. For example, FIG. 4 may be a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIG. 4 , the aerosol generating device 1 includes a liquid reservoir 141 , a liquid delivery means 142 and a heater 143 . The liquid reservoir 141 , the liquid delivery means 142 and the heater 143 may form part of the vaporizer 14 .

The liquid reservoir 141 contains the aerosol generating material. That the liquid reservoir 'accommodates the aerosol generating material' therein means that the liquid reservoir performs a function of simply containing the aerosol generating material, such as for use in a container, and that the liquid reservoir performs a function of simply containing the aerosol generating material in the interior of the liquid reservoir, for example a sponge. , cotton, cloth, or elements impregnated with (containing) an aerosol generating material such as a porous ceramic structure.

The liquid storage unit 141 includes an outer wall and an empty space surrounded by the outer wall, and an aerosol generating material may be accommodated in the empty space. The liquid storage unit 141 may have a shape that surrounds and encloses the first airflow passage 150 through which the airflow may pass. At this time, the liquid storage unit 141 may extend in the longitudinal direction along the first airflow passage 150 .

The aerosol generating material accommodated in the liquid reservoir 141 may include a liquid composition. The liquid composition may be a liquid comprising a tobacco-containing material comprising a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid comprising a non-tobacco material.

The liquid composition may include, for example, any one component of water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a fragrance, a flavoring agent, and a vitamin mixture, or a mixture of these components. The fragrance may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavoring ingredients, and the like. Flavoring agents may include ingredients capable of providing a user with a variety of flavors or flavors. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. Liquid compositions may also include aerosol formers such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

For example, the liquid composition may include a solution of glycerin and propylene glycol in any weight ratio to which a nicotine salt has been added. The liquid composition may include two or more nicotine salts. Nicotine salts can be formed by adding to nicotine a suitable acid, including organic or inorganic acids. Nicotine is either naturally occurring nicotine or synthetic nicotine, and may have any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

The acid for the formation of the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected in consideration of the blood nicotine absorption rate, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 1 , flavor or flavor, solubility, and the like. For example, acids for the formation of nicotine salts include benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid , citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid or malic acid alone or the above It may be a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.

The liquid delivery means 142 can absorb the aerosol generating material and keep it optimal for conversion to an aerosol. The liquid delivery means 142 may absorb the aerosol generating material from the liquid reservoir 141 and deliver it to the heater 143 . For example, the liquid delivery means may include, but is not limited to, at least one of cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, and porous ceramics. Meanwhile, in FIG. 4 , the liquid delivery means 142 is shown as an elongate shape extending along one axis, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may have various shapes.

The heater 143 heats the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol. The heater 143 may include a metal material such as copper, nickel, or tungsten in order to heat the aerosol generating material transferred to the liquid delivery means by generating heat by electrical resistance. For example, the heater 143 may be implemented as a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heating element, etc., and may be implemented as a conductive filament using a material such as a nichrome wire, or to the liquid delivery means 142 . It may be wound or disposed adjacent to the liquid delivery means 142 .

In some embodiments, the liquid delivery means 142 and the heater 143 are not implemented as separate components, respectively, but have a function of absorbing the aerosol-generating material and maintaining the aerosol-generating material in an optimal state for conversion into an aerosol. It may be implemented as a heating element having a mesh shape or a plate shape that performs all functions of generating an aerosol by heating.

Meanwhile, the first airflow passage 150 included in the aerosol generating device 1 may be formed to pass through the cigarette 2 and the vaporizer in a line. The first airflow passage 150 includes an air inlet 152 and an outlet 154 . Outside air may be introduced into the aerosol generating device 1 through an air inlet 152 . For example, the air inlet 152 may be a hole formed in the surface of the aerosol generating device 1 or a gap formed between the components of the aerosol generating device 1, but is not limited thereto.

The outside air may be introduced into the vaporizer along the first airflow passage 150 , and may be mixed with the aerosol generated by the heater 143 . The airflow in which the aerosol and external air are mixed may flow along the first airflow passage 150 and be discharged through the outlet 154 . The airflow discharged through the outlet 154 may pass through the cigarette 2 and be inhaled by the user.

In addition, the aerosol generating device 1 includes an opening/closing unit 160 formed in a portion of the first airflow passage 150 . For example, the opening/closing unit 160 may be formed at a portion through which external air flows into the vaporizer.

The opening/closing unit 160 permits or blocks the passage of the air flow in the first air flow passage 150 . The opening/closing portion 160 permits the passage of the airflow in the direction toward the outlet 154 , while blocking the passage of the airflow in the direction toward the air inlet 152 . In other words, the opening/closing unit 160 opens a portion of the first airflow passage 150 to allow the flow of airflow from the air inlet 152 to the outlet 154 , and opens a portion of the first airflow passage 150 . Close to block the flow of airflow from the outlet 154 to the air inlet 152 .

For example, the opening/closing unit 160 may generate and discharge an aerosol by opening the first airflow passage 150 when inhalation occurs by the user. On the other hand, when inhalation by the user does not occur, the opening/closing unit 160 closes the first airflow passage 150, so that some aerosol not inhaled by the user further enters the interior of the aerosol generating device 1 can be blocked Accordingly, the droplet generated in the first airflow passage 150 between the outlet 154 and the opening/closing unit 160 may be prevented from flowing backward (or falling). In addition, by blocking the backflow of the aerosol passing through the opening/closing unit 160 , it is also possible to prevent additional droplets from being generated inside the aerosol generating device 1 .

In an embodiment, the opening/closing unit 160 may include at least two wings 162 and 164 . The wings 162 , 164 may allow or block the passage of airflow by bending or engaging with each other.

The wings 162 and 164 are bent in the direction toward the outlet 154 when a flow of external air equal to or greater than a predetermined flow rate toward the outlet 154 occurs, allowing the passage of the airflow in the direction toward the outlet 154 . can do. On the other hand, the wings 162 and 164 are coupled to each other so as to form the same plane when the flow of external air above a predetermined flow rate toward the outlet 154 does not occur in the direction toward the air inlet 152 (shown arrows). can block the passage of airflow in the reverse direction of

On the other hand, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a pressure sensor 180 for sensing airflow flow from the outlet 154 to the mouthpiece (not shown) and a second airflow passage 170 in fluid communication with the outlet 154 . can

The pressure sensor 180 may be disposed at one end of the second airflow passage 170 . The pressure sensor 180 detects the discharge of the aerosol through the outlet 154 by measuring a change in the flow rate or pressure of the second airflow passage 170 . When the user inhales the aerosol, the aerosol generated in the aerosol generating device 1 flows out of the aerosol generating device 1 through the first airflow passage 150 . At this time, external air may also flow to the vaporizer of the aerosol generating device 1 through the first airflow passage 150 .

As the generated aerosol and external air flow inside the aerosol generating device 1 through the first air flow path 150 and then flow out of the aerosol generating device 1, the flow rate of the first air flow path 150 Alternatively, a change in pressure may occur. Accordingly, the flow rate or pressure of the second airflow passage 170 in fluid communication with the outlet 154 of the first airflow passage 150 may also change.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a droplet inducing unit 190 and a droplet receiving unit 200 . The droplet guide unit 190 guides the droplets generated from the aerosol to the outside of the second airflow passage 170 . The droplet receiving unit 200 receives the droplet guided by the droplet inducing unit 190 .

For example, the droplet guide unit 190 may include a partition wall 192 and a guide path 194 . The partition wall 192 may form a predetermined inclination with a portion of the sidewall of the second airflow passage 170 and may extend and protrude from a portion of the sidewall toward the inside.

The partition wall 192 blocks the droplets flowing from the second airflow passage 170 toward the pressure sensor 180 , thereby preventing the droplets from flowing into the pressure sensor 180 . The length of the partition wall 192 and the predetermined inclination between the partition wall 192 and a portion of the side wall of the second airflow passage 170 are suitable for preventing the inflow of droplets without interfering with the flow of airflow toward the mouthpiece. It can be of any length and slope.

The induction path 194 may guide the droplets flowing along the partition wall 192 to the droplet receiving unit 200 . The droplet guided by the induction path 194 may reach the droplet accommodating part 200 and be accommodated in the droplet accommodating part 200 . The received droplets may evaporate over time to be removed from the droplet receiving unit 200 .

In addition, the droplet inducing unit 190 induces not only droplets but also aerosols that can potentially change into droplets to the droplet receiving unit 200, so that droplets are generated near the pressure sensor 180 and are in contact with the pressure sensor 180. it can be prevented

5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. For example, FIG. 5 may be a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 2 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , the aerosol generating device 1 includes a liquid reservoir 141 , a liquid delivery means 142 and a heater 143 . In addition, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a pressure sensor 180 , a droplet inducing unit 190 , and a droplet receiving unit 200 . Each of these components of the aerosol-generating device 1 has the same configuration and function as each component of the aerosol-generating device 1 described with reference to FIG. Applicable descriptions will be omitted.

The first airflow passage 150 may be formed such that a part thereof transversely traverses the aerosol generating device 1 , unlike that shown in FIG. 4 . A portion of the first airflow passage 150 may be formed to transversely cross a lower portion of the vaporizer (eg, a lower portion of the heater 143 ).

The first airflow passage 150 includes an air inlet (not shown) through which external air is introduced, and an outlet 154 through which external air and aerosol are mixed and discharged. Here, the air inlet is omitted, but may be formed in an upper portion of the aerosol generating device (1). For example, the air inlet may be a through hole or a gap formed around the insertion hole into which the cigarette 2 is inserted, but is not limited thereto.

External air may be introduced into the vaporizer through the opening/closing unit 160 along the first airflow passage 150 . The outside air may be mixed with the aerosol generated by the heater 143 and flow along the first airflow passage 150 and discharged through the outlet 154 . The airflow discharged through the outlet 154 may pass through the cigarette 2 and be inhaled by the user.

In addition, the aerosol generating device 1 includes an opening/closing unit 160 formed in a portion of the first airflow passage 150 . For example, the opening/closing unit 160 may be formed at a portion through which external air flows into the vaporizer. The opening/closing unit 160 is different from the opening/closing unit 160 described with reference to FIG. 4 in the arrangement structure, but the configuration and effect are the same, so the description that is equally applicable to the opening/closing unit 160 of this embodiment among the above descriptions will be omitted.

The opening/closing unit 160 may prevent the droplets generated in the first airflow passage 150 between the outlet 154 and the opening/closing unit 160 from flowing in the lateral direction and flowing out to the outside of the vaporizer. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the spilled droplets from falling and from entering the other components of the aerosol generating device 1 present at the bottom of the vaporizer.

6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. For example, FIG. 6 may be a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 3 .

Referring to FIG. 6 , the aerosol generating device 1 includes a liquid reservoir 141 , a liquid delivery means 142 and a heater 143 . In addition, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a pressure sensor 180 , a droplet inducing unit 190 , and a droplet receiving unit 200 . Each of these components of the aerosol-generating device 1 has the same configuration and function as the respective components of the aerosol-generating device 1 described with reference to FIG. Applicable descriptions will be omitted.

The first airflow passage 150 included in the aerosol generating device 1 may be configured to pass through the vaporizer and comprises an air inlet 152 and an outlet 154 . External air introduced through the air inlet 152 may be introduced into the vaporizer along the first airflow passage 150 and may be mixed with the aerosol generated by the heater 143 . The airflow in which the aerosol and external air are mixed may flow along the first airflow passage 150 and be discharged through the outlet 154 . In this embodiment, the outlet 154 may constitute a mouthpiece portion of the aerosol generating device 1 , and the user may directly inhale the aerosol discharged through the outlet 154 .

In addition, the aerosol generating device 1 includes an opening/closing unit 160 formed in a portion of the first airflow passage 150 . For example, the opening/closing unit 160 may be formed at a portion through which external air flows into the vaporizer. As described above, the opening/closing unit 160 allows the passage of the airflow in the direction toward the outlet 154 and blocks the passage of the airflow in the direction toward the air inlet 152, so that the droplet flows backward (or falls) and the aerosol It can be prevented from flowing into the inside of the generating device (1).

The aerosol generating device 1 may include a pressure sensor 180 that senses airflow flow to the outlet 154 and a second airflow passage 170 in fluid communication with the outlet 154 . In one embodiment, the second airflow passage 170 may be formed to extend from a portion of the first airflow passage 150 to be in fluid communication with the first airflow passage 150 as well.

The pressure sensor 180 may be disposed at one end of the second airflow passage 170 . The pressure sensor 180 detects the discharge of the aerosol through the outlet 154 by measuring a change in the flow rate or pressure of the second airflow passage 170 .

The droplet inducing unit 190 is configured to prevent droplets generated from the aerosol flowing along the first airflow passage 150 from flowing into the second airflow passage 170 and not contacting the pressure sensor 180, the second airflow passage 170 . Guide the droplet to the outside of The droplet receiving unit 200 receives the droplet guided by the droplet inducing unit 190 .

7A and 7B are partially enlarged views of a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 ; For convenience, FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the opening/closing unit 160 including two wings 162 and 164, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 7A , the two wings 162 and 164 are bent in the direction (shown arrow direction) toward the outlet 154 when a flow of external air equal to or greater than a predetermined flow rate toward the outlet 154 occurs. , let the air flow through.

One end (162a, 164a) of each of the wings (162, 164) may be fixed to a portion of the inner wall (150w) of the first airflow passage (150). Each of the wings 162 and 164 may be curved concavely toward the outlet 154 . Accordingly, as the other ends 162b and 164b of each of the wings 162 and 164 are spread apart from each other, the first airflow passage 150 may be opened.

In addition, each of the wings 162 and 164 bent in a concave shape guides the droplet 70 flowing backward (or falling) along the first airflow passage 150 to the inner wall 150w of the first airflow passage 150, It is possible to prevent the droplet 70 from passing through the gap between the wings (162, 164).

Referring to FIG. 7B , the two wings 162 and 164 are coupled to each other to form a substantially coplanar plane when the flow of external air above a predetermined flow rate toward the outlet 154 does not occur, thereby blocking the airflow. .

The other ends 162b and 164b of the wings 162 and 164 are coupled to each other to close the first airflow passage 150 , thereby preventing the droplet 70 from flowing backward (or falling). The other ends (162b, 164b) may be provided with a coupling structure so that the coupled state is maintained while the flow of external air above a predetermined flow rate toward the outlet 154 does not occur. For example, the other ends 162b and 164b may be formed to have a shape corresponding to each other and be custom-coupled.

A person of ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment will understand that it can be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential characteristics of the above description. Therefore, the disclosed methods are to be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the present invention is indicated in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the present invention.

1: aerosol generating device 2: cigarette
11: battery 12: control
13: heater 14: vaporizer
70: droplet 141: liquid reservoir
142: liquid delivery means 143: heater
150: first airflow passageway 152: air inlet
154: outlet 160: opening and closing part
170: second air flow passage 180: pressure sensor
190: droplet guide 192: partition wall
194: taxiway 200: droplet receiving unit
162, 164: wings

Claims (8)

a heater that heats the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol;
a first air flow passage including an air inlet through which external air is introduced and an outlet through which the external air and the aerosol are mixed and discharged;
an opening/closing unit formed in a portion of the first airflow passageway to allow passage of the airflow in a direction toward the outlet and block passage of the airflow in a direction toward the air inlet;
a second airflow passageway in fluid communication with the first airflow passageway;
a pressure sensor disposed at one end of the second airflow passage and sensing the flow of the airflow by measuring a change in the flow rate or pressure of the second airflow passage; and
a droplet inducing part connected to the second airflow passageway to guide the droplets generated from the aerosol to the outside of the second airflow passageway; and
The opening/closing unit opens the first airflow passage when the user's inhalation occurs, and closes the first airflow passage when the user's inhalation does not occur. According to claim 1,
The opening and closing part,
An aerosol-generating device comprising at least two vanes, wherein the at least two vanes permit or block passage of an airflow by flexing or engaging with each other. 3. The method of claim 2,
the at least two wings,
When the flow of the external air equal to or greater than a predetermined flow rate toward the outlet occurs, the aerosol generating device permits passage of the airflow in the direction toward the outlet by bending in the direction toward the outlet. 4. The method of claim 3,
the at least two wings,
An aerosol generating device that is curved concavely from one end fixed to the first airflow passage toward the outlet. 3. The method of claim 2,
the at least two wings,
When the flow of the external air above a predetermined flow rate toward the outlet does not occur, the aerosol generating device blocks the passage of the air stream in the direction toward the air inlet by combining them to form the same plane. According to claim 1,
the second airflow passage is in fluid communication with the outlet;
wherein the pressure sensor senses the discharge of the aerosol through the outlet. 7. The method of claim 6,
The aerosol generating device, further comprising a droplet receiving section for receiving the droplet guided by the droplet guide section. 8. The method of claim 7,
The droplet induction unit,
a partition wall formed at a predetermined inclination with a portion of the sidewall of the second airflow passage and extending inwardly from a portion of the sidewall; and
Including a; induction path for guiding the droplet flowing along the partition to the droplet receiving unit.

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