Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/60—Devices with integrated user interfaces
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
  • A24D1/00—Cigars; Cigarettes
  • A24D1/20—Cigarettes specially adapted for simulated smoking devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/30—Devices using two or more structurally separated inhalable precursors, e.g. using two liquid precursors in two cartridges
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/90—Arrangements or methods specially adapted for charging batteries thereof

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device and an operation method thereof.
• An aerosol-generating device is a device that extracts certain components from a medium or a substance by forming an aerosol.
• the medium may contain a multicomponent substance.
• the substance contained in the medium may be a multicomponent flavoring substance.
• the substance contained in the medium may include a nicotine component, an herbal component, and/or a coffee component. Recently, various research on aerosol-generating devices has been conducted.
• An aerosol-generating device for accomplishing the above and other objects may include a heater configured to heat an aerosol-generating substance, a battery configured to supply power to the heater, at least one sensor configured to output a signal corresponding to movement of the aerosol-generating device, an output device including at least one light source, and a controller.
• the controller may determine the type of user input based on a signal received from the at least one sensor in a charging mode of charging the battery. When the determined type is a first type, the controller may output light corresponding to the amount of power stored in the battery through the output device. When the determined type is a second type, the controller may update settings related to the output device.
• An operation method of an aerosol-generating device for accomplishing the above and other objects may include determining the type of user input based on a signal corresponding to movement of the aerosol-generating device, output from at least one sensor in a charging mode of charging a battery, outputting light corresponding to the amount of power stored in the battery through an output device including at least one light source when the determined type is a first type, and updating settings related to the output device when the determined type is a second type.
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
• FIGS. 2 to 4 are views for explaining an aerosol-generating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure
• FIGS. 5 to 7 are views for explaining a stick according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation method of the aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIGS. 10 to 16 are views for explaining the operation of the aerosol-generating device.
• FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation method of the aerosol-generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• an aerosol-generating device 10 may include a communication interface 11, an input/output interface 12, an aerosol-generating module 13, a memory 14, a sensor module 15, a battery 16, and/or a controller 17.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may be composed only of a main body. In this case, components included in the aerosol-generating device 10 may be located in the main body. In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 10 may be composed of a cartridge, which contains an aerosol-generating substance, and a main body. In this case, the components included in the aerosol-generating device 10 may be located in at least one of the main body or the cartridge.
• the communication interface 11 may include at least one communication module for communication with an external device and/or a network.
• the communication interface 11 may include a communication module for wired communication, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB).
• the communication interface 11 may include a communication module for wireless communication, such as Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), ZigBee, or nearfield communication (NFC).
• Wi-Fi Wireless Fidelity
• BLE Bluetooth Low Energy
• ZigBee ZigBee
• NFC nearfield communication
• the input/output interface 12 may include an input device (not shown) for receiving a command from a user and/or an output device (not shown) for outputting information to the user.
• the input device may include a touch panel, a physical button, a microphone, or the like.
• the output device may include a display device for outputting visual information, such as a display or a light-emitting diode (LED), an audio device for outputting auditory information, such as a speaker or a buzzer, a motor for outputting tactile information such as haptic effect, or the like.
• the input/output interface 12 may transmit data corresponding to a command input by the user through the input device to another component (or other components) of the aerosol-generating device 100.
• the input/output interface 12 may output information corresponding to data received from another component (or other components) of the aerosol-generating device 10 through the output device.
• the aerosol-generating module 13 may generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating substance.
• the aerosol-generating substance may be a substance in a liquid state, a solid state, or a gel state, which is capable of generating an aerosol, or a combination of two or more aerosol-generating substances.
• the liquid aerosol-generating substance may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component.
• the liquid aerosol-generating substance may be a liquid including a non-tobacco material.
• the liquid aerosol-generating substance may include water, solvents, nicotine, plant extracts, flavorings, flavoring agents, vitamin mixtures, etc.
• the solid aerosol-generating substance may include a solid material based on a tobacco raw material such as a reconstituted tobacco sheet, shredded tobacco, or granulated tobacco.
• the solid aerosol-generating substance may include a solid material having a taste control agent and a flavoring material.
• the taste control agent may include calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium oxide, etc.
• the flavoring material may include a natural material such as herbal granules, or may include a material such as silica, zeolite, or dextrin, which includes an aroma ingredient.
• the aerosol-generating substance may further include an aerosol-forming agent such as glycerin or propylene glycol.
• the aerosol-generating module 13 may include at least one heater (not shown).
• the aerosol-generating module 13 may include an electro-resistive heater.
• the electro-resistive heater may include at least one electrically conductive track.
• the electro-resistive heater may be heated as current flows through the electrically conductive track.
• the aerosol-generating substance may be heated by the heated electro-resistive heater.
• the electrically conductive track may include an electro-resistive material.
• the electrically conductive track may be formed of a metal material.
• the electrically conductive track may be formed of a ceramic material, carbon, a metal alloy, or a composite of a ceramic material and metal.
• the electro-resistive heater may include an electrically conductive track that is formed in any of various shapes.
• the electrically conductive track may be formed in any one of a tubular shape, a plate shape, a needle shape, a rod shape, and a coil shape.
• the aerosol-generating module 13 may include a heater that uses an induction-heating method.
• the induction heater may include an electrically conductive coil.
• the induction heater may generate an alternating magnetic field, which periodically changes in direction, by adjusting the current flowing through the electrically conductive coil.
• energy loss may occur in the magnetic body due to eddy current loss and hysteresis loss.
• the lost energy may be released as thermal energy.
• the aerosol-generating substance located adjacent to the magnetic body may be heated.
• an object that generates heat due to the magnetic field may be referred to as a susceptor.
• the aerosol-generating module 13 may generate ultrasonic vibrations to thereby generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substance.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may be referred to as a cartomizer, an atomizer, or a vaporizer.
• the memory 14 may store programs for processing and controlling each signal in the controller 17.
• the memory 14 may store processed data and data to be processed.
• the memory 14 may store applications designed for the purpose of performing various tasks that can be processed by the controller 17.
• the memory 14 may selectively provide some of the stored applications in response to the request from the controller 17.
• the memory 14 may store data on the operation time of the aerosol-generating device 100, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, the number of uses of battery 16, at least one temperature profile, the user's inhalation pattern, and data about charging/discharging.
• puff means inhalation by the user.
• inhalation means the user's act of taking air or other substances into the user's oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs through the user's mouth or nose.
• the memory 14 may include at least one of volatile memory (e.g. dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), or synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM)), nonvolatile memory (e.g. flash memory), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid-state drive (SSD).
• volatile memory e.g. dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), or synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM)
• nonvolatile memory e.g. flash memory
• HDD hard disk drive
• SSD solid-state drive
• the sensor module 15 may include at least one sensor.
• the sensor module 15 may include a sensor for sensing a puff (hereinafter referred to as a "puff sensor").
• the puff sensor may be implemented as a proximity sensor such as an IR sensor, a pressure sensor, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic field sensor, or the like.
• the sensor module 15 may include a sensor for sensing a puff (hereinafter referred to as a "puff sensor").
• the puff sensor may be implemented by a pressure sensor, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic field sensor, or the like.
• the sensor module 15 may include a sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater included in the aerosol-generating module 13 and the temperature of the aerosol-generating substance (hereinafter referred to as a "temperature sensor").
• the heater included in the aerosol-generating module 13 may also serve as the temperature sensor.
• the electro-resistive material of the heater may be a material having a predetermined temperature coefficient of resistance.
• the sensor module 15 may measure the resistance of the heater, which varies according to the temperature, to thereby sense the temperature of the heater.
• the sensor module 15 may include a sensor for sensing insertion of the stick (hereinafter referred to as a "stick detection sensor").
• the sensor module 15 may include a sensor for sensing mounting/demounting of the cartridge and the position of the cartridge (hereinafter referred to as a "cartridge detection sensor").
• the stick detection sensor and/or the cartridge detection sensor may be implemented as an inductance-based sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistance sensor, or a Hall sensor (or Hall IC) using a Hall effect.
• the sensor module 15 may include a voltage sensor for sensing a voltage applied to a component (e.g. the battery 16) provided in the aerosol-generating device 10 and/or a current sensor for sensing a current.
• a voltage sensor for sensing a voltage applied to a component (e.g. the battery 16) provided in the aerosol-generating device 10
• a current sensor for sensing a current.
• the battery 16 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.
• the battery 16 may be a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery or a lithium polymer (Li-polymer) battery.
• the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
• the charging rate (C-rate) of the battery 16 may be 10C
• the discharging rate (C-rate) thereof may be 10C to 20C.
• the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
• the battery 16 may be manufactured such that 80% or more of the total capacity may be ensured even when charging/discharging is performed 2000 times.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may further include a battery protection circuit module (PCM) (not shown), which is a circuit for protecting the battery 16.
• PCM battery protection circuit module
• the battery protection circuit module (PCM) may be disposed adjacent to the upper surface of the battery 16. For example, in order to prevent overcharging and overdischarging of the battery 16, the battery protection circuit module (PCM) may cut off the electrical path to the battery 16 when a short circuit occurs in a circuit connected to the battery 16, when an overvoltage is applied to the battery 16, or when an overcurrent flows through the battery 16.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may further include a charging terminal to which electric power supplied from the outside is input.
• the charging terminal may be formed at one side of the main body of the aerosol-generating device 100.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may charge the battery 16 using electric power supplied through the charging terminal.
• the charging terminal may be configured as a wired terminal for USB communication, a pogo pin, or the like.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may further include a power terminal (not shown) to which electric power supplied from the outside is input.
• a power line may be connected to the power terminal, which is disposed at one side of the main body of the aerosol-generating device 100.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may use the electric power supplied through the power line connected to the power terminal to charge the battery 16.
• the power terminal may be a wired terminal for USB communication.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may wirelessly receive electric power supplied from the outside through the communication interface 11.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may wirelessly receive electric power using an antenna included in the communication module for wireless communication.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may charge the battery 16 using the wirelessly supplied electric power.
• the controller 17 may control the overall operation of the aerosol-generating device 100.
• the controller 17 may be connected to each of the components provided in the aerosol-generating device 100.
• the controller 17 may transmit and/or receive a signal to and/or from each of the components, thereby controlling the overall operation of each of the components.
• the controller 17 may include at least one processor.
• the controller 17 may control the overall operation of the aerosol-generating device 10 using the processor included therein.
• the processor may be a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU).
• the processor may be a dedicated device such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or may be any of other hardware-based processors.
• the controller 17 may perform any one of a plurality of functions of the aerosol-generating device 100.
• the controller 17 may perform any one of a plurality of functions of the aerosol-generating device 10 (e.g. a preheating function, a heating function, a charging function, and a cleaning function) according to the state of each of the components provided in the aerosol-generating device 10 and the user's command received through the input/output interface 12.
• the controller 17 may control the operation of each of the components provided in the aerosol-generating device 10 based on data stored in the memory 14. For example, the controller 17 may control the supply of a predetermined amount of electric power from the battery 16 to the aerosol-generating module 13 for a predetermined time based on the data on the temperature profile, the user's inhalation pattern, which is stored in the memory 14.
• the controller 17 may determine the occurrence or non-occurrence of a puff using the puff sensor included in the sensor module 15. For example, the controller 17 may check a temperature change, a flow change, a pressure change, and a voltage change in the aerosol-generating device 10 based on the values sensed by the puff sensor. The controller 17 may determine the occurrence or non-occurrence of a puff based on the value sensed by the puff sensor.
• the controller 17 may control the operation of each of the components provided in the aerosol-generating device 10 according to the occurrence or non-occurrence of a puff and/or the number of puffs. For example, the controller 17 may perform control such that the temperature of the heater is changed or maintained based on the temperature profile stored in the memory 14.
• the controller 17 may perform control such that the supply of electric power to the heater is interrupted according to a predetermined condition. For example, the controller 17 may perform control such that the supply of electric power to the heater is interrupted when the stick is removed, when the cartridge is demounted, when the number of puffs reaches the predetermined maximum number of puffs, when a puff is not sensed during a predetermined period of time or longer, or when the remaining capacity of the battery 16 is less than a predetermined value.
• the controller 17 may calculate the remaining capacity with respect to the full charge capacity of the battery 16. For example, the controller 17 may calculate the remaining capacity of the battery 16 based on the values sensed by the voltage sensor and/or the current sensor included in the sensor module 15.
• the controller 17 may perform control such that electric power is supplied to the heater using at least one of a pulse width modulation (PWM) method or a proportional-integral-differential (PID) method.
• PWM pulse width modulation
• PID proportional-integral-differential
• the controller 17 may perform control such that a current pulse having a predetermined frequency and a predetermined duty ratio is supplied to the heater using the PWM method.
• the controller 17 may control the amount of electric power supplied to the heater by adjusting the frequency and the duty ratio of the current pulse.
• the controller 17 may determine a target temperature to be controlled based on the temperature profile.
• the controller 17 may control the amount of electric power supplied to the heater using the PID method, which is a feedback control method using a difference value between the temperature of the heater and the target temperature, a value obtained by integrating the difference value with respect to time, and a value obtained by differentiating the difference value with respect to time.
• the PWM method and the PID method are described as examples of methods of controlling the supply of electric power to the heater, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and may employ any of various control methods, such as a proportional-integral (PI) method or a proportional-differential (PD) method.
• PI proportional-integral
• PD proportional-differential
• the controller 17 may perform control such that electric power is supplied to the heater according to a predetermined condition. For example, when a cleaning function for cleaning the space into which the stick is inserted is selected in response to a command input by the user through the input/output interface 12, the controller 17 may perform control such that a predetermined amount of electric power is supplied to the heater.
• FIGS. 2 to 4 are views for explaining an aerosol-generating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may include a main body 100 and/or a cartridge 200.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may include a main body 100, which is formed such that a stick 20 can be inserted into the inner space formed by a housing 101.
• the stick 20 may be similar to a general combustive cigarette.
• the stick 20 may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter and the like.
• an aerosol generating material may be included in the second portion of the stick 20.
• a flavoring substance made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.
• the entire first portion is inserted into the insertion space of the aerosol-generating device 10, and the second portion may be exposed to the outside.
• the aerosol may be generated by passing external air through the first portion, and the generated aerosol may be delivered to the user's mouth through the second portion.
• the main body 100 may be structured such that external air is introduced into the main body 100 in the state in which the stick 20 is inserted thereinto. In this case, the external air introduced into the main body 100 may flow into the mouth of the user via the stick 20.
• the heater may be disposed in the main body 100 at a position corresponding to the position at which the stick 20 is inserted into the main body 100.
• the heater is an electrically conductive heater 110 including a needle-shaped electrically conductive track, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
• the heater may heat the interior and/or exterior of the stick 20 using the electric power supplied from the battery 16.
• An aerosol may be generated from the heated stick 20.
• the user may hold one end of the stick 20 in the mouth to inhale the aerosol containing a tobacco material.
• the controller 17 may perform control such that electric power is supplied to the heater in the state in which the stick 20 is not inserted into the main body according to a predetermined condition. For example, when a cleaning function for cleaning the space into which the stick 20 is inserted is selected in response to a command input by the user through the input/output interface 12, the controller 17 may perform control such that a predetermined amount of electric power is supplied to the heater.
• the controller 17 may monitor the number of puffs based on the value sensed by the puff sensor from the point in time at which the stick 20 was inserted into the main body.
• the controller 17 may initialize the current number of puffs stored in the memory 14.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may include a main body 100 and a cartridge 200.
• the main body 100 may support the cartridge 200, and the cartridge 200 may contain an aerosol-generating substance.
• the cartridge 200 may be configured so as to be detachably mounted to the main body 100.
• the cartridge 200 may be integrally configured with the main body 100.
• the cartridge 200 may be mounted to the main body 100 in a manner such that at least a portion of the cartridge 200 is inserted into the insertion space formed by a housing 101 of the main body 100.
• the main body 100 may be formed to have a structure in which external air can be introduced into the main body 100 in the state in which the cartridge 200 is inserted thereinto.
• the external air introduced into the main body 100 may flow into the user's mouth via the cartridge 200.
• the controller 17 may determine whether the cartridge 200 is in a mounted state or a detached state using a cartridge detection sensor included in the sensor module 15.
• the cartridge detection sensor may transmit a pulse current through a first terminal connected with the cartridge 200.
• the controller 17 may determine whether the cartridge 200 is in a connected state, based on whether the pulse current is received through a second terminal.
• the cartridge 200 may include a heater 210 configured to heat the aerosol-generating substance and/or a reservoir 220 configured to contain the aerosol-generating substance.
• a liquid delivery element impregnated with (containing) the aerosol-generating substance may be disposed inside the reservoir 220.
• the electrically conductive track of the heater 210 may be formed in a structure that is wound around the liquid delivery element. In this case, when the liquid delivery element is heated by the heater 210, an aerosol may be generated.
• the liquid delivery element may include a wick made of, for example, cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic.
• the cartridge 200 may include an insertion space 230 configured to allow the stick 20 to be inserted.
• the cartridge 200 may include the insertion space formed by an inner wall extending in a circumferential direction along a direction in which the stick 20 is inserted.
• the insertion space may be formed by opening the inner side of the inner wall up and down.
• the stick 20 may be inserted into the insertion space formed by the inner wall.
• the insertion space into which the stick 20 is inserted may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of a portion of the stick 20 inserted into the insertion space.
• the insertion space may be formed in a cylindrical shape.
• the outer surface of the stick 20 may be surrounded by the inner wall and contact the inner wall.
• a portion of the stick 20 may be inserted into the insertion space, the remaining portion of the stick 20 may be exposed to the outside.
• the user may inhale the aerosol while biting one end of the stick 20 with the mouth.
• the aerosol generated by the heater 210 may pass through the stick 20 and be delivered to the user's mouth.
• the material contained in the stick 20 may be added to the aerosol.
• the material-infused aerosol may be inhaled into the user's oral cavity through the one end of the stick 20.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may include a main body 100 supporting the cartridge 200 and a cartridge 200 containing an aerosol-generating substance.
• the main body 100 may be formed so as to allow the stick 20 to be inserted into an insertion space 1300 therein.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may include a first heater for heating the aerosol-generating substance stored in the cartridge 200. For example, when the user holds one end of the stick 20 in the mouth to inhale the aerosol, the aerosol generated by the first heater may pass through the stick 20. At this time, while the aerosol passes through the stick 20, a flavor may be added to the aerosol. The aerosol containing the flavor may be drawn into the user's oral cavity through one end of the stick 20.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may include a first heater for heating the aerosol-generating substance stored in the cartridge 200 and a second heater for heating the stick 20 inserted into the main body 100.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating substance stored in the cartridge 200 and the stick 20 using the first heater and the second heater, respectively.
• FIGS. 5 to 7 are views for explaining a stick according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
• the stick 20 may include a tobacco rod 21 and a filter rod 22.
• the first portion described above with reference to FIG. 2 may include the tobacco rod.
• the second portion described above with reference to FIG. 2 may include the filter rod 22.
• FIG. 5 illustrates that the filter rod 22 includes a single segment.
• the filter rod 22 is not limited thereto.
• the filter rod 22 may include a plurality of segments.
• the filter rod 22 may include a first segment configured to cool an aerosol and a second segment configured to filter a certain component included in the aerosol.
• the filter rod 22 may further include at least one segment configured to perform other functions.
• a diameter of the stick 20 may be within a range of 5 mm to 9 mm, and a length of the stick 20 may be about 48 mm, but embodiments are not limited thereto.
• a length of the tobacco rod 21 may be about 12 mm
• a length of a first segment of the filter rod 22 may be about 10 mm
• a length of a second segment of the filter rod 22 may be about 14 mm
• a length of a third segment of the filter rod 22 may be about 12 mm, but embodiments are not limited thereto.
• the stick 20 may be wrapped using at least one wrapper 24.
• the wrapper 24 may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged.
• the stick 20 may be wrapped using one wrapper 24.
• the stick 20 may be double-wrapped using at least two wrappers 24.
• the tobacco rod 21 may be wrapped using a first wrapper 241.
• the filter rod 22 may be wrapped using wrappers 242, 243, 244.
• the tobacco rod 21 and the filter rod 22 wrapped by wrappers may be combined.
• the stick 20 may be re-wrapped by a single wrapper 245.
• each segment may be wrapped using wrappers 242, 243, 244.
• the entirety of stick 20 composed of a plurality of segments wrapped by wrappers may be re-wrapped by another wrapper
• the first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242 may be formed of general filter wrapping paper.
• the first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242 may be porous wrapping paper or non-porous wrapping paper.
• the first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242 may be made of an oil-resistant paper sheet and an aluminum laminate packaging material.
• the third wrapper 243 may be made of a hard wrapping paper.
• a basis weight of the third wrapper 243 may be within a range of 88 g/m2 to 96 g/m2.
• the basis weight of the third wrapper 243 may be within a range of 90 g/m2 to 94 g/m2.
• a total thickness of the third wrapper 243 may be within a range of 1200 ⁇ m to 1300 ⁇ m.
• the total thickness of the third wrapper 243 may be 125 ⁇ m.
• the fourth wrapper 244 may be made of an oil-resistant hard wrapping paper.
• a basis weight of the fourth wrapper 244 may be within a range of about 88 g/m2 to about 96 g/m2.
• the basis weight of the fourth wrapper 244 may be within a range of 90 g/m2 to 94 g/m2.
• a total thickness of the fourth wrapper 244 may be within a range of 1200 ⁇ m to 1300 ⁇ m.
• the total thickness of the fourth wrapper 244 may be 125 ⁇ m.
• the fifth wrapper 245 may be made of a sterilized paper (MFW).
• MFW refers to a paper specially manufactured to have enhanced tensile strength, water resistance, smoothness, and the like, compared to ordinary paper.
• a basis weight of the fifth wrapper 245 may be within a range of 57 g/m2 to 63 g/m2.
• a basis weight of the fifth wrapper 245 may be about 60 g/m2.
• the total thickness of the fifth wrapper 245 may be within a range of 64 ⁇ m to 70 ⁇ m.
• the total thickness of the fifth wrapper 245 may be 67 ⁇ m.
• a predetermined material may be included in the fifth wrapper 245.
• an example of the predetermined material may be, but is not limited to, silicon.
• silicon exhibits characteristics like heat resistance with little change due to the temperature, oxidation resistance, resistances to various chemicals, water repellency, electrical insulation, etc.
• any material other than silicon may be applied to (or coated on) the fifth wrapper 245 without limitation as long as the material has the above-mentioned characteristics.
• the fifth wrapper 245 may prevent the stick 20 from being burned.
• the tobacco rod 21 is heated by the heater 110, there is a possibility that the stick 20 is burned.
• the temperature is raised to a temperature above the ignition point of any one of materials included in the tobacco rod 21, the stick 20 may be burned. Even in this case, since the fifth wrapper 245 include a non-combustible material, the burning of the stick 20 may be prevented.
• the fifth wrapper 245 may prevent the aerosol generating device 100 from being contaminated by substances formed by the stick 20.
• liquid substances may be formed in the stick 20.
• liquid materials e.g., moisture, etc.
• the fifth wrapper 245 wraps the stick 20, the liquid materials formed in the stick 20 may be prevented from being leaked out of the stick 20.
• the tobacco rod 21 may include an aerosol generating material.
• the aerosol generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but it is not limited thereto.
• the tobacco rod 21 may include other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic acid.
• the tobacco rod 21 may include a flavored liquid, such as menthol or a moisturizer, which is injected to the tobacco rod 21.
• the tobacco rod 21 may be manufactured in various forms.
• the tobacco rod 21 may be formed as a sheet or a strand.
• the tobacco rod 21 may be formed as a pipe tobacco, which is formed of tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet.
• the tobacco rod 21 may be surrounded by a heat conductive material.
• the heat-conducting material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil.
• the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 may uniformly distribute heat transmitted to the tobacco rod 21, and thus, the heat conductivity applied to the tobacco rod may be increased and taste of the tobacco may be improved.
• the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 may function as a susceptor heated by the induction heater.
• the tobacco rod 21 may further include an additional susceptor, in addition to the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21.
• the filter rod 22 may include a cellulose acetate filter. Shapes of the filter rod 22 are not limited.
• the filter rod 22 may include a cylinder-type rod or a tube-type rod having a hollow inside.
• the filter rod 22 may include a recess-type rod. When the filter rod 22 includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape.
• the first segment of the filter rod 22 may be a cellulous acetate filter.
• the first segment may be a tube-type structure having a hollow inside.
• the first segment may prevent an internal material of the tobacco rod 21 from being pushed back when the heater 110 is inserted into the tobacco rod 21 and may also provide a cooling effect to aerosol.
• a diameter of the hollow included in the first segment may be an appropriate diameter within a range of 2 mm to 4.5 mm but is not limited thereto.
• the length of the first segment may be an appropriate length within a range of 4 mm to 30 mm but is not limited thereto.
• the length of the first segment may be 10 mm but is not limited thereto.
• the second segment of the filter rod 22 cools the aerosol which is generated when the heater 110 heats the tobacco rod 21. Therefore, the user may puff the aerosol which is cooled at an appropriate temperature.
• the length or diameter of the second segment may be variously determined according to the shape of the stick 20.
• the length of the second segment may be an appropriate length within a range of 7 mm to 20 mm.
• the length of the second segment may be about 14 mm but is not limited thereto.
• the second segment may be manufactured by weaving a polymer fiber.
• a flavoring liquid may also be applied to the fiber formed of the polymer.
• the second segment may be manufactured by weaving together an additional fiber coated with a flavoring liquid and a fiber formed of a polymer.
• the second segment may be formed by a crimped polymer sheet.
• a polymer may be formed of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), cellulous acetate (CA), and aluminum coil.
• PE polyethylene
• PP polypropylene
• PVC polyvinyl chloride
• PET polyethylene terephthalate
• PLA polylactic acid
• CA cellulous acetate
• aluminum coil aluminum coil
• the second segment may include a single channel or a plurality of channels extending in a longitudinal direction.
• a channel refers to a passage through which a gas (e.g., air or aerosol) passes.
• the second segment formed of the crimped polymer sheet may be formed from a material having a thickness between about 5 ⁇ m and about 300 ⁇ m, for example, between about 10 ⁇ m and about 250 ⁇ m.
• a total surface area of the second segment may be between about 300 mm2/mm and about 1000 mm2/mm.
• an aerosol cooling element may be formed from a material having a specific surface area between about 10 mm2/mg and about 100 mm2/mg.
• the second segment may include a thread including a volatile flavor component.
• the volatile flavor component may be menthol but is not limited thereto.
• the thread may be filled with a sufficient amount of menthol to provide the second segment with menthol of 1.5 mg or more.
• the third segment of the filter rod 22 may be a cellulous acetate filter.
• the length of the third segment may be an appropriate length within a range of 4 mm to 20 mm.
• the length of the third segment may be about 12 mm but is not limited thereto.
• the filter rod 22 may be manufactured to generate flavors.
• a flavoring liquid may be injected onto the filter rod 22.
• an additional fiber coated with a flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter rod 22.
• the filter rod 22 may include at least one capsule 23.
• the capsule 23 may generate a flavor.
• the capsule 23 may generate an aerosol.
• the capsule 23 may have a configuration in which a liquid including a flavoring material is wrapped with a film.
• the capsule 23 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape but is not limited thereto.
• a stick 30 may further include a front-end plug 33.
• the front-end plug 33 may be located on a side of a tobacco rod 31, the side not facing a filter rod 32.
• the front-end plug 33 may prevent the tobacco rod 31 from being detached and prevent liquefied aerosol from flowing into the aerosol generating device 10 from the tobacco rod 31, during smoking.
• the filter rod 32 may include a first segment 321 and a second segment 322.
• the first segment 321 may correspond to the first segment of the filter rod 22 of FIG. 4.
• the segment 322 may correspond to the third segment of the filter rod 22 of FIG. 4.
• a diameter and a total length of the stick 30 may correspond to the diameter and a total length of the stick 20 of FIG. 4.
• a length of the front-end plug 33 may be about 7 mm
• a length of the tobacco rod 31 may be about 15 mm
• a length of the first segment 321 may be about 12 mm
• a length of the second segment 322 may be about 14 mm, but embodiments are not limited thereto.
• the stick 30 may be wrapped using at least one wrapper 35.
• the wrapper 35 may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged.
• the front-end plug 33 may be wrapped using a first wrapper 351
• the tobacco rod 31 may be wrapped using a second wrapper 352
• the first segment 321 may be wrapped using a third wrapper 353
• the second segment 322 may be wrapped using a fourth wrapper 354.
• the entire stick 30 may be re-wrapped using a fifth wrapper 355.
• the fifth wrapper 355 may have at least one perforation 36 formed therein.
• the perforation 36 may be formed in an area of the fifth wrapper 355 surrounding the tobacco rod 31 but is not limited thereto.
• the perforation 36 may transfer heat formed by the heater 210 illustrated in FIG. 3 into the tobacco rod 31.
• the second segment 322 may include at least one capsule 34.
• the capsule 34 may generate a flavor.
• the capsule 34 may generate an aerosol.
• the capsule 34 may have a configuration in which a liquid including a flavoring material is wrapped with a film.
• the capsule 34 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape but is not limited thereto.
• the first wrapper 351 may be formed by combining general filter wrapping paper with a metal foil such as an aluminum coil.
• a total thickness of the first wrapper 351 may be within a range of 45 ⁇ m to 55 ⁇ m.
• the total thickness of the first wrapper 351 may be 50.3 ⁇ m.
• a thickness of the metal coil of the first wrapper 351 may be within a range 6 ⁇ m to 7 ⁇ m.
• the thickness of the metal coil of the first wrapper 351 may be 6.3 ⁇ m.
• a basis weight of the first wrapper 351 may be within a range of 50 g/m2 to 55 g/m2.
• the basis weight of the first wrapper 351 may be 53 g/m2.
• the second wrapper 352 and the third wrapper 353 may be formed of general filter wrapping paper.
• the second wrapper 352 and the third wrapper 353 may be porous wrapping paper or non-porous wrapping paper.
• porosity of the second wrapper 352 may be 35000 CU but is not limited thereto.
• a thickness of the second wrapper 352 may be within a range of 70 ⁇ m to 80 ⁇ m.
• the thickness of the second wrapper 352 may be 78 ⁇ m.
• a basis weight of the second wrapper 352 may be within a range of 20 g/m2 to 25 g/m2.
• the basis weight of the second wrapper 352 may be 23.5 g/m2.
• porosity of the third wrapper 353 may be 24000 CU but is not limited thereto.
• a thickness of the third wrapper 353 may be in a range of about 60 ⁇ m to about 70 ⁇ m.
• the thickness of the third wrapper 353 may be 68 ⁇ m.
• a basis weight of the third wrapper 353 may be in a range of about 20 g/m2 to about 25 g/m2.
• the basis weight of the third wrapper 353 may be 21 g/m2.
• the fourth wrapper 354 may be formed of PLA laminated paper.
• the PLA laminated paper refers to three-layer paper including a paper layer, a PLA layer, and a paper layer.
• a thickness of the fourth wrapper 353 may be in a range of 100 ⁇ m to 1200 ⁇ m.
• the thickness of the fourth wrapper 353 may be 110 ⁇ m.
• a basis weight of the fourth wrapper 354 may be in a range of 80 g/m2 to 100 g/m2.
• the basis weight of the fourth wrapper 354 may be 88 g/m2.
• the fifth wrapper 355 may be formed of sterilized paper (MFW).
• the sterilized paper (MFW) refers to paper which is particularly manufactured to improve tensile strength, water resistance, smoothness, and the like more than ordinary paper.
• a basis weight of the fifth wrapper 355 may be in a range of 57 g/m2 to 63 g/m2.
• the basis weight of the fifth wrapper 355 may be 60 g/m2.
• a thickness of the fifth wrapper 355 may be in a range of 64 ⁇ m to 70 ⁇ m.
• the thickness of the fifth wrapper 355 may be 67 ⁇ m.
• the fifth wrapper 355 may include a preset material added thereto.
• An example of the material may include silicon, but it is not limited thereto. Silicon has characteristics such as heat resistance robust to temperature conditions, oxidation resistance, resistance to various chemicals, water repellency to water, and electrical insulation, etc. Besides silicon, any other materials having characteristics as described above may be applied to (or coated on) the fifth wrapper 355 without limitation.
• the front-end plug 33 may be formed of cellulous acetate.
• the front-end plug 33 may be formed by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to cellulous acetate tow.
• a plasticizer e.g., triacetin
• Mono-denier of filaments constituting the cellulous acetate tow may be in a range of 1.0 to 10.0.
• the mono-denier of filaments constituting the cellulous acetate tow may be within a range of 4.0 to 6.0.
• the mono-denier of the filaments of the front-end plug 33 may be 5.0.
• a cross-section of the filaments constituting the front-end plug 33 may be a Y shape.
• Total denier of the front-end plug 33 may be in a range of 20000 to 30000.
• the total denier of the front-end plug 33 may be within a range of 25000 to 30000.
• the total denier of the front-end plug 33 may be 28000.
• the front-end plug 33 may include at least one channel.
• a cross-sectional shape of the channel may be manufactured in various shapes.
• the tobacco rod 31 may correspond to the tobacco rod 21 described above with reference to FIG. 4. Therefore, hereinafter, the detailed description of the tobacco rod 31 will be omitted.
• the first segment 321 may be formed of cellulous acetate.
• the first segment 321 may be a tube-type structure having a hollow inside.
• the first segment 321 may be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to cellulous acetate tow.
• a plasticizer e.g., triacetin
• mono-denier and total denier of the first segment 321 may be the same as the mono-denier and total denier of the front-end plug 33.
• the second segment 322 may be formed of cellulous acetate.
• Mono denier of filaments constituting the second segment 322 may be in a range of 1.0 to 10.0.
• the mono denier of the filaments of the second segment 322 may be within a range of about 8.0 to about 10.0.
• the mono denier of the filaments of the second segment 322 may be 9.0.
• a cross-section of the filaments of the second segment 322 may be a Y shape.
• Total denier of the second segment 322 may be in a range of 20000 to 30000.
• the total denier of the second segment 322 may be 25000.
• the aforementioned stick 40 may include a medium portion 410.
• the stick 40 may include a cooling portion 420.
• the stick 40 may include a filter portion 430.
• the cooling portion 420 may be disposed between the medium portion 410 and the filter portion 430.
• the stick 40 may include a wrapper 440.
• the wrapper 440 may wrap the medium portion 410.
• the wrapper 440 may wrap the cooling portion 420.
• the wrapper 440 may wrap the filter portion 430.
• the stick 40 may have a cylindrical shape.
• the medium portion 410 may include a medium 411.
• the medium portion 410 may include a first medium cover 413.
• the medium portion 410 may include a second medium cover 415.
• the medium 411 may be disposed between the first medium cover 413 and the second medium cover 415.
• the first medium cover 413 may be disposed at one end of the stick 40.
• the medium portion 410 may have a length of 24 mm.
• the medium 411 may contain a multicomponent substance.
• the substance contained in the medium may be a multicomponent flavoring substance.
• the medium 411 may be composed of a plurality of granules. Each of the plurality of granules may have a size of 0.4 mm to 1.12 mm. The granules may account for approximately 70% of the volume of the medium 411.
• the length L2 of the medium 411 may be 10 mm.
• the first medium cover 413 may be made of an acetate material.
• the second medium cover 415 may be made of an acetate material.
• the first medium cover 413 may be made of a paper material.
• the second medium cover 415 may be made of a paper material.
• At least one of the first medium cover 413 or the second medium cover 415 may be made of a paper material, and may be crumpled so as to be wrinkled, and a plurality of gaps may be formed between the wrinkles so that air flows therethrough. Each of the gaps may be smaller than each of the granules of the medium 411.
• the length L1 of the first medium cover 413 may be shorter than the length L2 of the medium 411.
• the length L3 of the second medium cover 415 may be shorter than the length L2 of the medium 411.
• the length L1 of the first medium cover 413 may be 7 mm.
• the length L2 of the second medium cover 415 may be 7 mm.
• each of the granules of the medium 411 may be prevented from being separated from the medium portion 410 and the stick 40.
• the filter portion 430 may be composed of a filter made of an acetate material.
• the filter portion 430 may be disposed at the other end of the stick 40. When the stick 40 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device, the filter portion 430 may be exposed to the outside of the aerosol-generating device. The user may inhale air in the state of holding the filter portion 430 in the mouth.
• the length L5 of the filter portion 430 may be 14 mm.
• the wrapper 440 may wrap or surround the medium portion 410, the cooling portion 420, and the filter portion 430.
• the wrapper 440 may form the external appearance of the stick 40.
• the wrapper 440 may be made of a paper material.
• An adhesive portion 441 may be formed along one edge of the wrapper 440.
• the wrapper 440 may surround the medium portion 410, the cooling portion 420, and the filter portion 430, and the adhesive portion 441 formed along one edge of the wrapper 440 and the other edge thereof may be adhered to each other.
• the wrapper 440 may surround the medium portion 410, the cooling portion 420, and the filter portion 430, but may not cover one end or the other end of the stick 40.
• a first thin film 443 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the first medium cover 413.
• the first thin film 443 may be disposed between the wrapper 440 and the first medium cover 413, or may be disposed outside the wrapper 440.
• the first thin film 443 may surround the first medium cover 413.
• the first thin film 443 may be made of a metal material.
• the first thin film 443 may be made of an aluminum material.
• the first thin film 443 may be in close contact with the wrapper 440 or may be coated thereon.
• FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• the directions of the aerosol-generating device 10 may be defined based on the orthogonal coordinate system.
• the x-axis direction may be defined as the leftward-rightward direction of the aerosol-generating device.
• the +x-axis direction may be the rightward direction
• the -x-axis direction may be the leftward direction.
• the y-axis direction may be defined as the forward-backward direction of the aerosol-generating device 10.
• the +y-axis direction may be the forward direction
• the -y-axis direction may be the backward direction.
• the z-axis direction may be defined as the upward-downward direction of the aerosol-generating device 10.
• the +z-axis direction may be the upward direction
• the -z-axis direction may be the downward direction.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may include at least one of a body 100, a cartridge 200, or a cap 300.
• the body 100, the cartridge 200, and/or the cap 300 may constitute the housing of the aerosol-generating device 10.
• the body 100 may include at least one of a lower body 1100 or an upper body 1200.
• the lower body 1100 may accommodate various components necessary for power supply or control, such as a battery or a controller.
• the lower body 1100 may form the external appearance of the aerosol-generating device.
• the upper body 1200 may be disposed on the lower body 1100.
• the cartridge 200 may be coupled to the upper body 1200.
• the body 100 may be referred to as a main body 100.
• a sensor 1500 may be disposed in the body 100.
• the sensor 1500 may be disposed in the lower body 1100.
• the sensor 1500 may output a signal corresponding to movement of the aerosol-generating device 10.
• the sensor 1500 may be implemented as at least one of a gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor.
• the sensor 1500 may be referred to as a motion sensor.
• the upper body 1200 may include at least one of a mount 1300 or a column 1400.
• the mount 1300 may be disposed on the lower body 1100.
• the mount 1300 may provide a space 1340 into which the lower portion of the cartridge 200 is inserted.
• the mount 1300 may have an open upper side, and may define therein the space 1340.
• the mount 1300 may surround the lower portion of the cartridge 200 inserted into the space 1340.
• the mount 1300 may fix the cartridge 200.
• the mount 1300 may support the lower portion of the cartridge 200.
• the column 1400 may be disposed on the lower body 1100.
• the column 1400 may have an elongated shape.
• the column 1400 may extend upwards from one side of the mount 1300.
• the column 1400 may face one side wall of the cartridge 200.
• the column 1400 may be disposed parallel to the cartridge 200.
• the column 1400 may have a shape that covers the side wall of the cartridge 200.
• the column 1400 may support the side wall of the cartridge 200.
• An output device 1600 may be mounted in the column 14000.
• the output device 1600 may include at least one light source.
• the light source may be a light-emitting diode (LED).
• the output device 1600 may be mounted so as to face the side portion of the cartridge 200.
• the output device 1600 may output light to the cartridge 200.
• the output device 1600 may variously change the color of light.
• the output device 1600 may variously change the brightness of light.
• the output device 1600 may be disposed so as to face the outer side of an insertion space 2140. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the path of the light output from the output device 1600 from being blocked by the stick 20 inserted into the insertion space 2140.
• the cartridge 200 may be detachably coupled to the body 100.
• the cartridge 200 may provide space for storing liquid therein.
• the cartridge 200 may have the insertion space 2140 formed therein.
• One end of the insertion space 2140 may be open to form an opening.
• the insertion space 2140 may be exposed to the outside through the opening.
• the opening may be defined as one end of the insertion space 2140.
• the cartridge 200 may include at least one of a first container 2100 or a second container 2200.
• the second container 2200 may be coupled to the first container 210.
• the first container 2100 may be coupled to the upper side of the second container 2200.
• the first container 2100 may provide space for storing liquid therein.
• the first container 2100 may have an open upper side, and may have formed therein the insertion space 2140, which is elongated in the vertical direction.
• a stick 40 may be inserted into the insertion space 2140.
• One side wall of the first container 2100 may face the column 1400.
• the column 1400 may cover the side wall of the first container 210.
• the first container 2100 may be disposed on the mount 1300.
• the second container 2200 may be coupled to the lower side of the first container 210.
• the second container 2200 may provide space for mounting a wick and a heater therein.
• the second container 2200 may be inserted into the space 1340 provided by the mount 1300.
• the space 1340 in the mount 1300 may be referred to as a cartridge accommodation space 1340.
• the mount 1300 may surround the second container 2200.
• the second container 2200 may be coupled to the mount 1300.
• the cap 300 may be detachably coupled to the body 100.
• the cap 300 may cover the cartridge 200.
• the cap 300 may cover at least a portion of the body 100.
• the cap 300 may protect the cartridge 200 and/or at least a portion of the body 100 from the outside. A user may separate the cap 300 from the body 100 in order to replace the cartridge 200.
• the cap 300 may have an insertion hole 3040 formed therein.
• the insertion hole 3040 may be formed at a position corresponding to the insertion space 2140.
• the insertion hole 3040 may communicate with one end or the upper end of the insertion space 2140.
• a door 3100 may open and close the insertion space 214.
• the door 3100 may open and close an opening that exposes the insertion space 2140 to the outside.
• the door 3100 may be pivotably mounted.
• the door 3100 may be pivoted to open and close the insertion space 2140.
• the cap 300 may have a cap inlet 3040a formed therein.
• One side of the cap 300 may be open to form the cap inlet 3040a.
• the side wall 3010 of the cap 300 may be open to form the cap inlet 3040a.
• the cap inlet 3040a may communicate with the outside. Air may be introduced into the aerosol-generating device through the cap inlet 3040a.
• One side of the cartridge 200 may be open to form a cartridge inlet 2240.
• the outer wall of the second container 2200 may be open to form the cartridge inlet 2240.
• the cartridge inlet 2240 may communicate with the insertion space 2140.
• Air may be introduced into the aerosol-generating device through the cap inlet 3040a.
• the air introduced through the cap inlet 3040a may flow into the cartridge inlet 2240.
• the air may flow into the cartridge 200 through the cartridge inlet 2240.
• the air that has passed through the cartridge inlet 2240 may then flow toward the insertion space 2140.
• the air may pass through the stick 40 together with the aerosol generated by the heater.
• a portion of the side wall 3010 of the cap 300 may be formed of a material through which light passes.
• the cap 300 may include a diffusion sheet.
• the diffusion sheet may be included in at least a portion of the cap 300.
• the diffusion sheet may be disposed along the periphery of at least a portion of the side wall 3010 of the cap 300.
• the diffusion sheet may face or surround at least a portion of the first container 2100.
• the diffusion sheet may be disposed outside the first container 210.
• the diffusion sheet may be disposed between the side wall 3010 of the cap 300 and the first container 210.
• the diffusion sheet may serve to diffuse light.
• the diffusion sheet may make at least a portion of the surface of the cap 300 hazy.
• the diffusion sheet may receive light from the output device 1600, and may diffuse the light toward the outside of the cap 300.
• the diffusion sheet may diffuse the external light introduced into the cap 300 from the outside of the cap 300.
• the output device 1600 radiates light, the light radiated from the output device 1600 may diffuse to the outside of the cap 300.
• FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation method of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may determine whether the mode of the aerosol-generating device 10 is a charging mode in operation S910.
• the charging mode may be a mode in which the battery 16 is charged using power supplied from the outside.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may set the mode thereof to the charging mode when a power line for supplying power is connected to a charging terminal disposed on one side of the main body 100.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may determine the type of user input in operation S920.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may receive user input through the motion sensor 1500, which outputs a signal corresponding to movement of the aerosol-generating device 10.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may receive tap input, which is performed by tapping the aerosol-generating device 10, based on a signal from the acceleration sensor and/or the gyro sensor.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may determine the direction in which the aerosol-generating device 10 is oriented through the motion sensor 1500.
• the direction in which the aerosol-generating device 10 is oriented may be a direction in which the upper end of the aerosol-generating device 10, e.g. the insertion hole 3040 in the cap 300, is oriented.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may determine the type of user input based on the direction in which the aerosol-generating device 10 is oriented. For example, when predetermined input is received through the motion sensor 1500 in the state in which the aerosol-generating device 10 is oriented in a predetermined reference direction, the aerosol-generating device 10 may determine the type of the received predetermined input to be a first type. When predetermined input is received through the motion sensor 1500 in the state in which the aerosol-generating device 10 is oriented in a direction different from the predetermined reference direction, the aerosol-generating device 10 may determine the type of the received predetermined input to be a second type.
• the state in which the aerosol-generating device 10 is oriented in the predetermined reference direction is described as being a state in which the upper end of the aerosol-generating device 10 is oriented in the upward direction and the lower end thereof is oriented in the downward direction.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may output light corresponding to the amount of power stored in the battery 16 through the output device 1600 in operations S930 and S940.
• the user may perform predetermined input into the aerosol-generating device 10 through tap input 1010 by tapping the body 100 a predetermined number of times (e.g. two times).
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may receive the tap input 1010 through the motion sensor 1500 in the state of being oriented in the predetermined reference direction.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may determine the type of tap input 1010, which is received in the state in which the aerosol-generating device 10 is oriented in the predetermined reference direction, to be the first type.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may output light corresponding to the amount of power stored in the battery 16 through the output device 1600.
• the light output from the output device 1600 may travel toward the outer side of the insertion space 2140.
• the light output from the output device 1600 may sequentially pass through the first container 2100 and the side wall 3010 of the cap 300, and then may diffuse to the outside of the cap 300.
• the inside 1110 of the first container 2100 may become visible from the outside. Accordingly, the user may intuitively check the state inside the first container 2100. In addition, the user may accurately check the volume 1115 of the liquid stored in the first container 2100 in a dark environment.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may change the color of the light output from the output device 1600 depending on the amount of power stored in the battery 16. For example, when the amount of power stored in the battery 16 is 70% or more of the maximum amount of power, the aerosol-generating device 10 may output white light through the output device 1600. For example, when the amount of power stored in the battery 16 is 50% or more and less than 70% of the maximum amount of power, the aerosol-generating device 10 may output blue light through the output device 1600. For example, when the amount of power stored in the battery 16 is 30% or more and less than 50% of the maximum amount of power, the aerosol-generating device 10 may output orange light through the output device 1600. For example, when the amount of power stored in the battery 16 is less than 30% of the maximum amount of power, the aerosol-generating device 10 may output red light through the output device 1600.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may change the number of blinks of the light output from the output device 1600 depending on the amount of power stored in the battery 16. For example, when the amount of power stored in the battery 16 is 70% or more of the maximum amount of power, the aerosol-generating device 10 may blink the light once through the output device 1600. For example, when the amount of power stored in the battery 16 is 50% or more and less than 70% of the maximum amount of power, the aerosol-generating device 10 may blink the light twice through the output device 1600. For example, when the amount of power stored in the battery 16 is 30% or more and less than 50% of the maximum amount of power, the aerosol-generating device 10 may blink the light three times through the output device 1600. For example, when the amount of power stored in the battery 16 is less than 30% of the maximum amount of power, the aerosol-generating device 10 may blink the light four times through the output device 1600.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may update settings related to the output device 1600 in operations S950 and S960. For example, upon receiving the second-type user input, the aerosol-generating device 10 may change settings related to the color, brightness, and number of blinks of the light output from the output device 1600. In this case, the settings related to the output device 1600, which are to be updated, may be determined depending on the direction in which the aerosol-generating device 10 is oriented.
• the user may perform predetermined input into the aerosol-generating device 10 through tap input 1310 by tapping the body 100 a predetermined number of times (e.g. two times).
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may receive the tap input 1310 through the motion sensor 1500 in the state in which the upper end thereof is oriented in the leftward direction.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may determine the type of tap input 1310, which is received in the state in which the upper end of the aerosol-generating device 10 is oriented in the leftward direction, to be the second type.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may update the setting corresponding to the leftward direction, among the settings related to the output device 1600, in response to the tap input 1310 received in the state in which the upper end thereof is oriented in the leftward direction.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may change the setting related to the brightness of the orange light in response to the tap input 1310 received in the state in which the upper end thereof is oriented in the leftward direction. For example, upon receiving the tap input 1310 in the state in which the brightness of the orange light is set to level 1, the aerosol-generating device 10 may change the brightness of the orange light to level 2. For example, upon receiving the tap input 1310 in the state in which the brightness of the orange light is set to level 2, the aerosol-generating device 10 may change the brightness of the orange light to level 3.
• the user may perform predetermined input into the aerosol-generating device 10 through tap input 1510 by tapping the body 100 a predetermined number of times (e.g. two times).
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may receive the tap input 1510 through the motion sensor 1500 in the state in which the upper end thereof is oriented in the rightward direction.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may determine the type of tap input 1510, which is received in the state in which the upper end of the aerosol-generating device 10 is oriented in the rightward direction, to be the second type.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may update the setting corresponding to the rightward direction, among the settings related to the output device 1600, in response to the tap input 1510 received in the state in which the upper end thereof is oriented in the rightward direction.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may change the setting related to the brightness of the blue light in response to the tap input 1510 received in the state in which the upper end thereof is oriented in the rightward direction. For example, upon receiving the tap input 1510 in the state in which the brightness of the blue light is set to level 1, the aerosol-generating device 10 may change the brightness of the blue light to level 2.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may update the settings related to the output device 1600 in response to a signal received from an external device through the communication interface 11.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may change the settings related to the color, brightness, and number of blinks of the light output from the output device 1600 in response to a signal received from an external device communicated therewith via Bluetooth.
• FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation method of an aerosol-generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. A detailed description of the same content as that described with reference to FIGs. 9 to 16 will be omitted.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may set the mode thereof to the charging mode in operation S1701.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may set the mode thereof to the charging mode when a power line for supplying power is connected to a charging terminal disposed on one side of the main body 100.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may output light corresponding to the amount of power stored in the battery 16 through the output device 1600 in operation S1702.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may determine the type of user input corresponding to movement of the aerosol-generating device 10 in operation S1703.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may output light corresponding to the amount of power stored in the battery 16 through the output device 1600 in operations S1704 and S1705.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may update the settings related to the output device 1600 in operations S1706 and S1707.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may output light corresponding to the update through the output device 1600 in operation S1708. For example, when the brightness of the orange light is set to level 2 in response to the tap input 1310 received in the state in which the upper end of the aerosol-generating device 10 is oriented in the leftward direction, the aerosol-generating device 10 may output the orange light with the brightness of level 2 through the output device 1600.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may determine whether the charging mode is released in operation S1709. For example, the aerosol-generating device 10 may release the charging mode when the power line for supplying power is separated from the charging terminal disposed on one side of the main body 100.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may output light corresponding to the amount of power stored in the battery 16 through the output device 1600 in response to the release of the charging mode in operation S1710.
• an aerosol-generating device 10 in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure may include a heater configured to heat an aerosol-generating substance, a battery 16 configured to supply power to the heater, at least one sensor 1500 configured to output a signal corresponding to movement of the aerosol-generating device 10, an output device 1600 including at least one light source, and a controller 17.
• the controller 17 may determine the type of user input based on a signal received from the at least one sensor 1500 in a charging mode of charging the battery 16. When the determined type is a first type, the controller 17 may output light corresponding to the amount of power stored in the battery 16 through the output device 1600. When the determined type is a second type, the controller 17 may update settings related to the output device 1600.
• the controller 17 may determine the type of the user input to be the first type.
• the controller 17 may determine the type of the user input to be the second type.
• the controller 17 may change a setting related to a color corresponding to the first direction.
• the controller 17 may change a setting related to a color corresponding to the second direction.
• the controller 17 may output light having a first color through the output device 1600.
• the controller 17 may output light having a second color through the output device 1600.
• the controller 17 may output light corresponding to the update through the output device 1600.
• the controller 17 may output light corresponding to the amount of power stored in the battery 16 through the output device 1600 during a predetermined time period in response to activation or deactivation of the charging mode.
• the controller 17 may deactivate the at least one sensor 1500 in response to deactivation of the charging mode.
• the user input may be tap input performed by tapping the aerosol-generating device 10.
• An operation method of an aerosol-generating device 10 in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure may include determining the type of user input based on a signal corresponding to movement of the aerosol-generating device 10, output from at least one sensor 1500 in a charging mode of charging a battery 16, outputting light corresponding to the amount of power stored in the battery 16 through an output device 1600 including at least one light source when the determined type is a first type, and updating settings related to the output device 1600 when the determined type is a second type.
• the determining the type of user input may include determining the type of the user input to be the first type upon receiving the user input through the at least one sensor 1500 in the state in which the aerosol-generating device 10 is oriented in a predetermined reference direction, and determining the type of the user input to be the second type upon receiving the user input through the at least one sensor 1500 in the state in which the aerosol-generating device 10 is oriented in a direction different from the reference direction.
• the updating settings related to the output device 1600 may include changing, upon receiving the user input through the at least one sensor 1500 in the state in which the aerosol-generating device 10 is oriented in a first direction different from the reference direction, a setting related to a color corresponding to the first direction, and changing, upon receiving the user input through the at least one sensor 1500 in the state in which the aerosol-generating device 10 is oriented in a second direction different from the reference direction, a setting related to a color corresponding to the second direction.
• the outputting light corresponding to the amount of power stored in the battery 16 may include outputting light having a first color through the output device 1600 when the amount of power stored in the battery 16 is less than a first amount of power, and outputting light having a second color through the output device 1600 when the amount of power stored in the battery 16 is equal to or greater than the first amount of power.
• the method may further include outputting, based on an update performed in the updating settings related to the output device 1600, light corresponding to the update through the output device 1600.
• the method may further include outputting light corresponding to the amount of power stored in the battery 16 through the output device 1600 during a predetermined time period in response to activation or deactivation of the charging mode.
• the method may further include deactivating the at least one sensor 1500 in response to deactivation of the charging mode.
• a configuration "A” described in one embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings and a configuration "B” described in another embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings may be combined with each other. Namely, although the combination between the configurations is not directly described, the combination is possible except in the case where it is described that the combination is impossible

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• 2022
  • 2022-10-19 JP JP2024520781A patent/JP2024537158A/ja active Pending
  • 2022-10-19 WO PCT/KR2022/015923 patent/WO2023068791A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2022-10-19 EP EP22884013.8A patent/EP4418949A1/en active Pending

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