WO2025188037A1 - Aerosol-generating article and aerosol-generating system - Google Patents

Abstract

The aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises an aerosol-generating material which is exposed to microwaves to be heated, and a first capsule which is exposed to microwaves to be crushed, the first capsule including: a first core comprising a first material and a first microwave reaction material; and a first shell surrounding the first core.

Description

Aerosol-generating articles and aerosol-generating systems

The embodiments relate to aerosol generating articles and aerosol generating systems, and more particularly, to aerosol generating articles and aerosol generating systems capable of generating an aerosol by being heated by a dielectric heating method.

Recently, there has been a growing demand for alternative methods that overcome the shortcomings of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is a growing demand for systems that generate aerosol by heating cigarettes (or "aerosol-generating articles") using an aerosol-generating device, rather than by burning the cigarette itself.

Conventional aerosol generating systems heat the aerosol generating article by having a heating element of an electrical resistance heating type or an induction heating type surrounding the outside of the aerosol generating article or inserted into the inside of the aerosol generating article.

Conventional aerosol generating systems can heat areas of the aerosol generating device closer to the heating element to a relatively high temperature, while areas further from the heating element can be heated to a relatively low temperature. As the aerosol generating device is heated unevenly, the active ingredients (e.g., nicotine and/or aerosol generating agent) in areas heated to a relatively low temperature may not be fully released and may remain in the aerosol generating device. Furthermore, the amount of active ingredients delivered to the user may not be uniform throughout the entire heating zone, resulting in an inconsistent taste experience.

Furthermore, since the aerosol-generating article in conventional aerosol-generating systems is heated through heat conduction from the heating element, a certain preheating time may be required to heat the aerosol-generating article. Furthermore, aerosol generated early in the heating period, when the temperature of the aerosol-generating article has not yet sufficiently risen, may not contain sufficient active ingredients.

Meanwhile, since flavoring substances that add flavor to aerosols have high volatility, capsules are utilized to prevent the loss of flavoring substances. Capsules typically contain a core containing the flavoring substance and a shell surrounding the core. The capsules are embedded in an aerosol-generating product, and upon use, the user crushes the capsule by applying pressure to the embedded portion. The flavoring substances released as the capsules are crushed can add flavor to the aerosol. However, users may experience difficulty crushing the capsules depending on factors such as the thickness, strength, softness, and viscosity of the shell.

The problems to be solved through the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the attached drawings.

An aerosol generating article according to one embodiment comprises an aerosol generating material that is heated by exposure to microwaves and a first capsule that is shattered by exposure to microwaves, wherein the first capsule may comprise a first core comprising a first material and a first microwave responsive material and a first shell surrounding the first core.

An aerosol generating system according to another embodiment includes an aerosol generating article, and an aerosol generating device for receiving the aerosol generating article, wherein the aerosol generating device may include a heater assembly for generating microwaves for heating the aerosol generating article.

The aerosol-generating article according to the embodiments can deliver most of the active ingredient contained in the aerosol-generating article because the entire area is heated uniformly. Furthermore, because the aerosol-generating article can be heated uniformly, the amount of active ingredient in the aerosol delivered to the user is uniform throughout the entire heating zone, providing a consistent quality of taste.

Additionally, the capsules of the aerosol generating article according to the embodiment can be easily crushed without user intervention.

The aerosol generating system according to the embodiments can shorten the time required for preheating, and the aerosol generated at the beginning of the heating section can also contain a sufficient amount of active ingredient.

The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an example of the structure of a first capsule included in an aerosol generating article according to one embodiment.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating article according to one embodiment.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating article according to another embodiment.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating article according to another embodiment.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

Figure 6 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

Fig. 7 is an internal block diagram of the dielectric heating unit of Fig. 6.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to one embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of Fig. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a heater assembly according to another embodiment.

An aerosol generating article according to one embodiment comprises an aerosol generating material that is heated by exposure to microwaves and a first capsule that is shattered by exposure to microwaves, wherein the first capsule may comprise a first core comprising a first material and a first microwave responsive material and a first shell surrounding the first core.

The first substance may include at least one selected from the group consisting of flavoring substances, nicotine, caffeine, and cannabinoids.

The above microwave may have a frequency of 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz.

The first core may include 20 wt% to 50 wt% of the first microwave-responsive material based on the total weight of the first core.

The first microwave reactive material may include at least one selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol.

The first shell may include an inner shell containing a lipid-soluble substance and an outer shell surrounding the inner shell and containing a water-soluble substance.

The inner shell may comprise a fat-soluble wax.

The outer shell may comprise one or more water-soluble polymers selected from the group consisting of gelatin, agar, carrageenan, gellan gum, pectin, starch, and alginate.

The first shell may have a thickness of 5 μm to 50 μm.

The aerosol generating article may include an aerosol generating rod comprising the aerosol generating material and the first capsule, and a filter rod disposed downstream of the aerosol generating rod.

The aerosol generating article may further comprise a second capsule that is shattered upon exposure to the microwaves, wherein the second capsule may comprise a second core comprising a second material and a second microwave-responsive material and a second shell surrounding the second core.

The first capsule and the second capsule can be broken at different times by exposure to the microwave.

The first capsule is positioned upstream of the second capsule and can be exposed to the microwaves to be broken before the second capsule.

An aerosol generating system according to another embodiment includes an aerosol generating article, and an aerosol generating device for receiving the aerosol generating article, wherein the aerosol generating device may include a heater assembly for generating microwaves for heating the aerosol generating article.

The heater assembly includes a resonator that generates the microwave, and the resonator includes a plurality of plates spaced apart from each other along the circumference of the aerosol generating article, and the microwave can be resonated by the plurality of plates.

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or similar components are given the same reference numbers and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The suffixes "module" and "part" used for components in the following description are given or used interchangeably only for the convenience of writing specifications, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves.

In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure.

Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, when an expression such as "at least one" precedes an array of elements, it modifies the entire array of elements, not just each element individually. For example, the expression "at least one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c.

Throughout the specification, an "aerosol generating device" may be a device that generates an aerosol using an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol that is directly inhalable into the user's lungs through the user's mouth.

Throughout the specification, "aerosol-generating article" means an article used in smoking. For example, an aerosol-generating article may be a combustible cigarette, which is used by ignition and combustion, or a heated cigarette, which is used by heating by an aerosol-generating device.

Throughout the specification, an "aerosol generating system" may include an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article. For example, the aerosol generating system may be a system that heats an aerosol generating article with an aerosol generating device and delivers the generated aerosol to a user.

Throughout the specification, "puff" refers to inhalation by the user. Inhalation may refer to drawing an aerosol into the user's oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs through the user's mouth or nose.

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an example of the structure of a first capsule included in an aerosol generating article according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the first capsule (16-1) may include a first core (16-1c) and a first shell (16-1s) surrounding the first core (16-1c). The first core (16-1c) may include a first material. When the first shell (16-1s) is fractured, the first material contained in the first core (16-1c) may be released.

The first substance may include at least one selected from the group consisting of a flavoring substance, nicotine, caffeine, and a cannabinoid.

A flavoring agent can add flavor to an aerosol generated by an aerosol generating article (10 of FIGS. 2 to 4). The flavoring agent can include a natural flavoring agent and/or a synthetic flavoring agent. For example, the synthetic flavoring agent can include one or more selected from the group consisting of esters, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, phenols, ethers, lactones, hydrocarbons, nitrogen-containing compounds, sulfur-containing compounds, and acids.

In addition, the natural flavoring substances include, for example, one or more selected from the group consisting of star anise, basil, calamus, caraway, pepper, cascarilla, ginger, sage, clary sage, clove, coriander, eucalyptus, fennel, pimento, juniper, fenugreek, laurel, mace, almond, anise, artemisia, apricot, strawberry, fig, ylang-ylang, wintergreen, plum, elder, chamomile, galangal, quince, guava, cranberry, prickly ash, sandalwood, perilla, jasmine, ginseng, cinnamon, star fruit, soybean paste, spearmint, apple mint, peppermint, geranium, thyme, tansy, tangerine, tuberose, peppermint, passion fruit, vanilla, rose, coffee, cypress, pine, mango, beeswax, musk, maple, melon, peach, lavender, and rosemary. May contain oil.

The term "cannabinoid" refers to any one of a class of naturally occurring compounds found in some species of the cannabis plant, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. Naturally occurring cannabinoid compounds in the cannabis plant include cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The term "cannabinoid" is used to describe both naturally occurring cannabinoids and synthetically produced cannabinoids.

The first capsule (16-1) can be broken by exposure to microwaves. The first core (16-1c) can include a first microwave-responsive material so that the first capsule (16-1) can be broken when exposed to microwaves. The first microwave-responsive material can be heated by exposure to microwaves. Heat generated by the first microwave-responsive material can be transferred to the first shell (16-1s), thereby breaking the first capsule (16-1). The first microwave-responsive material can act as a dielectric. Charges in the dielectric can vibrate or rotate due to microwave resonance, and heat can be generated in the dielectric by frictional heat generated in the process of the charges vibrating or rotating, thereby breaking the first capsule (16-1).

A typical capsule is crushed under pressure applied by the user's finger. In contrast, the first capsule (16-1) can be crushed by microwaves generated from the heater assembly of the aerosol generating device described below, and therefore, no user intervention is required to crush the first capsule (16-1).

The first microwave reactive material may include, but is not limited to, one or more selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol.

The first core (16-1c) may include a first microwave-responsive material in an amount of about 20 wt% to about 50 wt% based on the total weight of the first core (16-1c). When the first core (16-1c) includes less than about 20 wt% of the first microwave-responsive material based on the total weight of the first core (16-1c), the first capsule (16-1) may not be broken even when exposed to microwaves having a frequency of 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz. In addition, when the first core (16-1c) includes more than about 50 wt% of the first microwave-responsive material based on the total weight of the first core (16-1c), the suitability for manufacturing the capsule may be reduced. For example, the first core (16-1c) may include about 20 wt% to about 40 wt%, or about 25 wt% to about 35 wt%, of the first microwave reactive material based on the total weight of the first core (16-1c).

The first shell (16-1s) may surround the first core (16-1c). The first shell (16-1s) is illustrated as being spherical, but is not limited thereto, and the cross-section of the first shell (16-1s) may be locally elliptical or partially deformed circular.

The first shell (16-1s) may include multiple layers. For example, the first shell (16-1s) may include an inner shell (16-1si) and an outer shell (16-1so) surrounding the inner shell (16-1si).

The inner shell (16-1si) may include a fat-soluble substance. The fat-soluble substance may refer to a hydrophobic substance that dissolves in a non-polar solvent such as benzene. Since the inner shell (16-1si) includes a fat-soluble substance, the first core (16-1c) may include a water-soluble substance.

When the shell and core of a capsule contain materials of the same properties (e.g., both contain water-soluble materials or both contain fat-soluble materials), they may be mixed due to the same properties, and thus the shell may not stably retain the material of the core. In the case of conventional capsules, since the shell is generally formed of a single layer of a water-soluble material, there was a technical limitation that the core must contain a fat-soluble material. In contrast, the first capsule (16-1) of the aerosol generating article according to one embodiment can stably retain a water-soluble material (e.g., a first microwave-responsive material) in the first core (16-1c) since the inner shell (16-1si) in direct contact with the first core (16-1c) contains a fat-soluble material.

The inner shell (16-1si) may include a fat-soluble wax. For example, the inner shell (16-1si) may include one or more vegetable waxes selected from the group consisting of carnauba wax, candelilla wax, castor wax, ouricury wax, cocoa butter, and shea butter. The inner shell (16-1si) may also include one or more animal waxes selected from the group consisting of shellac wax and beeswax.

The melting point of the inner shell (16-1si) may be from about 38°C to about 95°C. When the melting point of the inner shell (16-1si) is within the above-mentioned range, the capsule can be manufactured smoothly, and can be appropriately melted or broken by heating the first microwave reactant.

The inner shell (16-1si) may have a hardness of about 9 PU (penetration units) to about 156 PU in a needle penetration test according to the ASTM D1321 international standard. When the hardness of the inner shell (16-1si) is within the above-mentioned range, the first capsule (16-1) can be smoothly crushed when exposed to microwaves, while being prevented from being crushed by unintended impact. For example, the inner shell (16-1si) may have a hardness of about 15 PU to about 96 PU, or a hardness of about 20 PU to about 75 PU.

The inner shell (16-1si) may further include oils such as medium-chain triglycerides in addition to waxes as in the examples described above. By controlling the ratio of oils included in the inner shell (16-1si), the melting point and hardness of the inner shell (16-1si) can be controlled. Accordingly, by controlling the ratio of waxes and oils included in the inner shell (16-1si), it is possible to control the crushing characteristics of the first capsule (16-1). For example, the oils included in the inner shell (16-1si) may be about 1 wt% to about 80 wt%, or about 10 wt% to about 50 wt%, based on the total weight of the inner shell (16-1si).

The outer shell (16-1so) may include a water-soluble material. The outer shell (16-1so) may be located at the outermost portion of the first capsule (16-1). The outer shell (16-1so) may include a material having elasticity and/or flexibility to prevent the first capsule (16-1) from being unintentionally crushed.

For example, the outer shell (16-1so) may include one or more water-soluble polymers selected from the group consisting of gelatin, agar, carrageenan, gellan gum, pectin, starch, and alginate. In addition, the outer shell (16-1so) may include at least one of starch derivatives such as dextrin, maltodextrin, and cyclodextrin, cellulose derivatives such as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), methyl cellulose (MC), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol, and polyol.

The first shell (16-1s) may have a thickness of about 5 μm to about 50 μm. The thickness of the first shell (16-1s) may mean the sum of the thickness of the inner shell (16-1si) and the thickness of the outer shell (16-1so). When the thickness of the first shell (16-1s) is in the aforementioned range, it can be easily broken by exposure to microwaves and can have mechanical strength that can prevent breaking even by unintended impact. In addition, the drying time of the first shell (16-1s) can be shortened during the manufacturing process of the first capsule (16-1). For example, the first shell (16-1s) may have a thickness of about 10 μm to about 50 μm, about 15 μm to about 50 μm, about 10 μm to about 40 μm, or about 20 μm to about 40 μm.

The inner shell (16-1si) may have a thickness of about 1.5 μm to about 20 μm. When the thickness of the inner shell (16-1si) is in the above-described range, the materials included in the first core (16-1c) can be stably retained, and manufacturing efficiency can be improved. For example, the inner shell (16-1si) may have a thickness of about 2.5 μm to about 20 μm, about 4 μm to about 20 μm, about 2.5 μm to about 16 μm, or about 5 μm to about 16 μm.

The outer shell (16-1so) may have a thickness of about 3.5 μm to about 30 μm. When the thickness of the outer shell (16-1so) is in the above-described range, the first shell (16-1s) may be easily applied to an aerosol generating article based on its excellent elasticity, flexibility, and mechanical strength, and may be easily broken by exposure to microwaves. For example, the outer shell (16-1so) may have a thickness of about 7.5 μm to about 30 μm, about 9 μm to about 30 μm, about 7.5 μm to about 24 μm, or about 15 μm to about 24 μm.

Experimental Example: Measurement of capsule quality according to shell thickness

A plurality of first capsules having the same structure as the first capsule (16-1) illustrated in Fig. 1 were manufactured by varying the thickness of the first shell, and the capsule manufacturing suitability, stick manufacturing suitability, and capsule crushing performance of the manufactured first capsules were evaluated. The results of the evaluation are shown in Table 1 below.

Capsule manufacturing suitability is an evaluation item regarding the suitability of capsules for manufacturing. Capsule manufacturing suitability comprehensively assesses whether the capsules dry easily during the manufacturing process, whether they are easily formed without problems such as collapse or breakage due to insufficient mechanical strength, and whether the capsules maintain their shape after manufacturing.

Capsule manufacturing suitability was evaluated based on the following criteria.

- O: Capsules are easy to manufacture and can maintain their shape.

- △: Capsules are not easy to manufacture or the capsules do not maintain their shape.

- X: Capsule cannot be manufactured

Stick manufacturing suitability is an evaluation item regarding the manufacturing suitability of an aerosol-generating article containing a capsule. Stick manufacturing suitability comprehensively evaluates whether the capsule can be easily inserted into an aerosol-generating article and whether the capsule maintains its shape without being crushed during application.

The stick manufacturing suitability was evaluated based on the criteria below.

- O: Capsules can be easily applied to aerosol-generating products.

- △: During the process of applying the capsule to an aerosol-generating product, the shape of the capsule is deformed or easily broken.

- X: Capsules cannot be applied to aerosol generating items.

Capsule crushing performance is an evaluation of whether capsules are properly crushed when exposed to microwaves. Capsule crushing performance comprehensively assesses whether capsules are crushed at the appropriate time and whether they are crushed smoothly to sufficiently release the material contained within the capsule core. Glycerin was used as the microwave-responsive material contained within the capsule core.

Capsule crushing performance was evaluated based on the criteria below.

- O: Easily shattered by exposure to microwaves at a frequency of 2.45 GHz

- △: Not easily shattered when exposed to microwaves with a frequency of 2.45 GHz.

- X: Not shattered by exposure to microwaves at a frequency of 2.45 GHz

Thickness of the first shell (μm) 5 10 20 30 40 50 80 100 Capsule manufacturing suitability △ O O O O O △ X Stick manufacturing aptitude X △ O O O O O - Capsule crushing performance - △ O O O △ X -

As shown in Table 1, when the thickness of the first shell is 80 μm or more, it was confirmed that the drying time of the capsule during the manufacturing process was too long or the capsule was not dried, making the manufacturing of the capsule unsuitable. In addition, when the thickness of the first shell is 10 μm or less, the mechanical strength of the first shell was insufficient, so the first capsule could not maintain its shape, and the capsule was easily crushed during the process of applying the capsule to the aerosol generating article, resulting in poor suitability for stick manufacturing. When the thickness of the first shell exceeded 50 μm, it was confirmed that the first capsule was difficult to crush even when exposed to microwaves. When the first shell had a thickness of about 10 μm to about 50 μm, it was confirmed that it had excellent quality in all items. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating article according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the aerosol generating article (10) may include an aerosol generating rod (11) and a filter rod (12). The filter rod (12) may be positioned downstream of the aerosol generating rod (11).

"Upstream" and "downstream" can be determined based on the direction in which air flows when a user inhales aerosol using an aerosol generating article (10). For example, when a user inhales aerosol using an aerosol generating article (10) as illustrated in FIG. 2, air moves from the aerosol generating rod (11) toward the filter rod (12), so the aerosol generating rod (11) is positioned "upstream" of the filter rod (12). Meanwhile, those skilled in the art will readily understand that "upstream" and "downstream" can be relative depending on the relationship between components.

The aerosol generating rod (11) may contain tobacco material. The aerosol generating rod (11) may be heated to generate an aerosol containing nicotine. The tobacco material may take the form of, but is not limited to, tobacco strands, tobacco particles, tobacco sheets, tobacco beads, tobacco granules, tobacco powder, or tobacco extract.

For example, the aerosol generating rod (11) may include a plurality of tobacco strands, and the plurality of tobacco strands may include a sheet-shaped cut filler. The sheet-shaped cut filler may be manufactured by cutting a sheet-shaped cut filler. The sheet-shaped cut filler may be manufactured by the following process. Tobacco raw materials are ground to manufacture a slurry containing an aerosol generating material (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, etc.), a flavoring liquid, a binder (e.g., guar gum, xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, etc.), water, etc. Natural pulp or cellulose may be added to the slurry, and one or more binders may be mixed and used. The slurry may be cast to form a sheet, and then dried to manufacture a sheet-shaped cut filler. The manufactured sheet-shaped cut filler may be cut, crimped, or chopped to manufacture a sheet-shaped cut filler. The tobacco raw materials may be tobacco leaves, tobacco stems, and/or tobacco fines generated during tobacco processing. Additionally, the sheet may contain other additives such as wood cellulose fibers.

Additionally, the aerosol generating rod (11) may include tobacco charcoal produced by blending and processing various types of tobacco leaves and then cutting them. Additionally, the aerosol generating rod (11) may include a mixture of plate-shaped leaf charcoal and tobacco charcoal.

As another example, the aerosol generating rod (11) may comprise a plurality of tobacco granules. The tobacco granules may be particles having a diameter of about 100 μm to about 2,000 μm. The tobacco granules may be manufactured by extruding a mixture of tobacco leaf powder, a pH adjuster, and a solvent.

A plurality of tobacco granules may be disposed between the filter material. The filter material may, for example, comprise a bundle of cellulose acetate fiber strands. The plurality of tobacco granules may be disposed in a uniformly dispersed form between the plurality of cellulose fibers. As another example, the filter material may comprise a crimped paper sheet. The crimped paper sheet may be disposed in a wound state within the aerosol generating rod (11). The crimped paper sheet may be wound around an axis extending along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating rod (11). A plurality of tobacco granules may be dispersed and disposed within the wound paper sheet.

The tobacco material may include an aerosol-generating agent. For example, the aerosol-generating agent may include, but is not limited to, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. The tobacco material may also contain other additives, such as flavorings, humectants, and/or organic acids. Furthermore, flavorings, such as menthol or humectants, may be added to the tobacco material by spraying them onto the tobacco material.

The aerosol generating rod (11) may include plant materials other than tobacco material. For example, the aerosol generating rod (11) may include herbal materials. The aerosol generating rod (11) may also include a sheet including the herbal material. The herbal material may include, but is not limited to, at least one of rooibos leaves, mint, lemongrass, cinnamon, clover leaves, rose petals, and corn silk. The sheet including the herbal material may be impregnated with the aerosol generating material.

Additionally, the aerosol generating rod (11) may include an aerosol generating substrate impregnated with a liquid aerosol generating composition. The aerosol generating substrate may include a crimped sheet, and the liquid aerosol generating composition may be included in the aerosol generating rod (11) in a state impregnated in the crimped sheet. Additionally, other additives such as flavoring agents, humectants, and/or organic acids and flavoring liquids may be included in the aerosol generating rod (11) in a state absorbed by the crimped sheet.

The aerosol generating substrate may be placed inside the aerosol generating rod (11) in a wound state. The wound aerosol generating substrate may be wound around an axis extending along the length of the aerosol generating article (10), but is not limited thereto.

The crimped sheet may be a sheet composed of a polymeric material. For example, the polymeric material may include at least one of paper, cellulose acetate, lyocell, and polylactic acid. For example, the crimped sheet may be a paper sheet that does not emit an off-flavor due to heat even when heated to a high temperature.

The liquid aerosol-generating composition may include nicotine. The nicotine may include freebase nicotine and/or a nicotine salt. Freebase nicotine may refer to neutral nicotine without protons. For example, when a strong base, such as ammonia, is added to a positively charged nicotine salt, the strong base is converted into a cation, and the nicotine salt may become freebase nicotine, which is in a neutral state.

Additionally, the liquid aerosol-generating composition may include an aerosol-generating agent. The aerosol-generating agent may be any of the aerosol-generating agents described above in relation to aerosol-generating agents contained in tobacco materials.

The liquid aerosol-generating composition may be impregnated in an amount of from about 0.05 g to about 1.0 g per 1 g of the aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the liquid aerosol-generating composition may be impregnated in an amount of from about 0.1 g to about 0.8 g per 1 g of the aerosol-generating substrate.

The aerosol generating material contained in the aerosol generating rod (11) can be heated by exposure to microwaves. Here, the aerosol generating material can act as a dielectric. The charges of the dielectric can vibrate or rotate due to microwave resonance, and the frictional heat generated in the process of the charges vibrating or rotating can generate heat in the dielectric, thereby heating the aerosol generating rod (11).

The aerosol generating rod (11) may include a first capsule (16-1). For example, the aerosol generating rod (11) may include a plurality of tobacco strands, and the first capsule (16-1) may be surrounded by the plurality of tobacco strands. As another example, the aerosol generating rod (11) may include a crimped sheet impregnated with a liquid aerosol generating composition, and the first capsule (16-1) may be surrounded by the crimped sheet.

The filter rod (12) may be composed of a plurality of segments. The filter rod (12) may include a first segment (12-1) for cooling the aerosol and a second segment (12-2) for filtering a predetermined component contained in the aerosol. Although the filter rod (12) is illustrated in FIG. 2 to include two segments, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the filter rod (12) may include a single segment. In addition, the filter rod (12) may further include at least one segment that performs another function.

The filter rod (12) can filter out some components contained in the aerosol passing through the filter rod (12). The filter rod (12) can include a filter material. For example, the filter rod (12) can be a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod (12) can be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to cellulose acetate tow.

There is no limitation on the shape of the filter rod (12). For example, the filter rod (12) may be a cylindrical rod or a tubular rod having a hollow portion therein. In addition, the filter rod (12) may be a recessed rod. When the filter rod (12) is composed of a plurality of segments, at least one of the segments may be manufactured in a different shape.

The filter rod (12) may be manufactured to generate a flavor. As an example, a flavoring agent may be sprayed onto the filter rod (12), or a separate fiber coated with a flavoring agent may be inserted into the interior of the filter rod (12).

The filter rod (12) may include a first segment (12-1) for cooling the aerosol. The first segment (12-1) may include a polymeric material or a biodegradable polymeric material. For example, the first segment (12-1) may include polylactic acid, but is not limited thereto. As another example, the first segment (12-1) may include a hollow cellulose acetate tube or a paper tube.

At least one hole (12-1h) may be formed on the outer surface of the first segment (12-1). The at least one hole (12-1h) may be formed along the circumferential direction of the first segment (12-1) to form one or more rows. The at least one hole (12-1h) may allow external air to be introduced into the interior of the first segment (12-1). The external air introduced into the interior of the first segment (12-1) may be mixed with the high-temperature aerosol generated by the aerosol generating rod (11).

The aerosol generating article (10) may include a wrapper (14) surrounding one of the aerosol generating rod (11) and the filter rod (12). The aerosol generating article (10) may also include a wrapper (14) surrounding both the aerosol generating rod (11) and the filter rod (12). The wrapper (14) may be located at the outermost portion of the aerosol generating article (10). The wrapper (14) may be a single wrapper, but may also be a combination of multiple wrappers.

The aerosol generating article (10) may be wrapped in layers by two or more wrappers (14). For example, the aerosol generating rod (11) may be wrapped by a first wrapper (14-1), the first segment (12-1) of the filter rod (12) may be wrapped by a second wrapper (14-2), and the second segment (12-2) of the filter rod (12) may be wrapped by a third wrapper (14-3). In addition, the entire aerosol generating article (10) may be repackaged by a fourth wrapper (14-4).

The first wrapper (14-1) may surround the aerosol generating rod (11). The first wrapper (14-1) may be a combination of paper and metal foil, such as aluminum foil. For example, the first wrapper (14-1) may be a laminated sheet in which paper and metal foil are laminated. The first wrapper (14-1) may be a laminated sheet in which paper is arranged on one side of the metal foil, or may be a laminated sheet in which paper is arranged on both sides of the metal foil.

The paper of the first wrapper (14-1) may contain a grease-resistant material. For example, the paper of the first wrapper (14-1) may contain polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) or silicone. The paper of the first wrapper (14-1) may have its surface coated with polyvinyl alcohol or silicone.

The second wrapper (14-2) can surround the first segment (12-1) of the filter rod (12). The second wrapper (14-2) can include a paper roll. The paper roll of the second wrapper (14-2) can be a porous roll or a non-porous roll. At least one perforation (15) can be formed in the second wrapper (14-2). For example, the second wrapper (14-2) wraps the first segment (12-1) in which at least one hole (12-1h) is formed, and at least one perforation (15) formed in the second wrapper (14-2) can be formed at a position corresponding to at least one hole (12-1h) formed in the first segment (12-1).

The third wrapper (14-3) can surround the second segment (12-2) of the filter rod (12). The third wrapper (14-3) can include hard paper having a greater thickness and basis weight than general paper paper. For example, the thickness of the hard paper can be about 70 um to about 150 um, and the basis weight can be about 50 g/m ² to about 100 g/m ² . In addition, the hard paper can include an oil-resistant material. For example, the hard paper can include a surface treatment with an oil-resistant material such as polyvinyl alcohol or silicone.

The fourth wrapper (14-4) can collectively wrap the aerosol generating rod (11) wrapped by the first wrapper (14-1), the first segment (12-1) of the filter rod (12) wrapped by the second wrapper (14-2), and the second segment (12-2) of the filter rod (12) wrapped by the third wrapper (14-3). The fourth wrapper (14-4) can prevent the exterior of the aerosol generating article (10) from being contaminated by the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article. Liquid substances can be generated within the aerosol generating article (10) by the user's puff. For example, liquid substances (e.g., moisture, etc.) can be generated by cooling the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article (10) by the outside air. As the fourth wrapper (14-4) wraps the outer surface of the aerosol generating article (10), the generated liquid substances can be prevented from leaking out of the aerosol generating article (10).

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating article according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, the aerosol generating article (10) may include a shear plug (13), an aerosol generating rod (11), a filter rod (12), and a wrapper (14). The aerosol generating rod (11), the filter rod (12), and the wrapper (14) of the aerosol generating article (10) of FIG. 3 may be applied in the same manner as the aerosol generating rod (11), the filter rod (12), and the wrapper (14) of the aerosol generating article (10) of FIG. 2.

A shear plug (13) may be positioned upstream of the aerosol generating rod (11). The shear plug (13) may be positioned on one side of the aerosol generating rod (11) opposite to the filter rod (12). The shear plug (13) may prevent the aerosol generating rod (11) from escaping to the outside. In addition, the shear plug (13) may prevent liquefied aerosol from the aerosol generating rod (11) from moving to the aerosol generating device during smoking.

The shear plug (13) may include cellulose acetate. For example, the shear plug (13) may be a cellulose acetate tube including a hollow portion.

The shear plug (13) may be wrapped by a fifth wrapper (14-5). The fifth wrapper (14-5) may be a combination of paper and metal foil, such as aluminum foil. For example, the fifth wrapper (14-5) may be a laminated sheet in which paper and metal foil are laminated. The fifth wrapper (14-5) may be a laminated sheet in which paper is placed on one side of the metal foil, or a laminated sheet in which paper is placed on both sides of the metal foil.

Additionally, the shear plug (13) may be wrapped in an overlapping manner by two or more wrappers (14). For example, the shear plug (13) may be wrapped by a fifth wrapper (14-5), the aerosol generating rod (11) may be wrapped by a first wrapper (14-1), the first segment (12-1) of the filter rod (12) may be wrapped by a second wrapper (14-2), and the second segment (12-2) of the filter rod (12) may be wrapped by a third wrapper (14-3). In addition, the entire aerosol generating article (10) may be repackaged by a fourth wrapper (14-4).

The shear plug (13) may be heated to generate an aerosol. The shear plug (13) may include an aerosol-generating material. The shear plug (13) may also include other additives, such as a humectant and/or an organic acid, and may include a flavoring agent, such as menthol. For example, 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. The aerosol-generating material may include the same material as the first microwave-responsive material. The aerosol-generating material may be heated by exposure to microwaves, thereby generating an aerosol.

The shear plug (13) may include an aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating substrate may be impregnated with an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating substrate may include a crimped sheet, and the aerosol-generating material may be included in the shear plug (13) in a state impregnated in the crimped sheet. Additionally, other additives, such as flavoring agents, humectants, and/or organic acids, may be included in the shear plug (13) in a state impregnated in the crimped sheet.

The aerosol generating substrate may be placed inside the shear plug (13) in a rolled state. The rolled aerosol generating substrate may be rolled around an axis extending along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article (10), but is not limited thereto.

The crimped sheet may be a sheet composed of a polymeric material. For example, the polymeric material may include at least one of paper, cellulose acetate, lyocell, and polylactic acid. For example, the crimped sheet may be a paper sheet that does not emit an off-flavor due to heat even when heated to a high temperature.

The shear plug (13) may have a length of about 7 mm to about 20 mm, and the aerosol generating rod (11) may have a length of about 7 mm to about 20 mm. However, the lengths are not necessarily limited to these numerical ranges, and the lengths of the shear plug (13) and the aerosol generating rod (11) may be appropriately changed.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating article according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, the aerosol generating article (10) may include an aerosol generating rod (11), a filter rod (12), and a wrapper (14). The aerosol generating rod (11), the filter rod (12), and the wrapper (14) of the aerosol generating article (10) of FIG. 4 may be applied in the same manner as the aerosol generating rod (11), the filter rod (12), and the wrapper (14) of the aerosol generating article (10) of FIG. 2.

The aerosol generating article (10) may include a first capsule (16-1) and a second capsule (16-2). The second capsule (16-2) may have the same shape and size as the first capsule (16-1), but is not limited thereto.

The second capsule (16-2) may include a second core and a second shell surrounding the second core. The second core may include a second material. When the second shell is fractured, the second material contained in the second core may be released.

The second capsule (16-2) can be shredded by exposure to microwaves. The second core can include a second microwave-responsive material so that it can be shredded by exposure to microwaves. The second microwave-responsive material is heated by exposure to microwaves, which can shred the second capsule. The second microwave-responsive material can act as a dielectric. The charges of the dielectric can vibrate or rotate due to microwave resonance, and the frictional heat generated during the vibration or rotation of the charges can generate heat in the dielectric, which can shred the second capsule.

The second capsule (16-2) may be applied in the same manner as the first capsule (16-1). In addition, the second core, second material, second shell, and second microwave-responsive material included in the second capsule (16-2) may each include the same material as the first core, first material, first shell, and first microwave-responsive material included in the first capsule (16-1), or may include different materials.

For example, the second core, the second shell, and the second microwave-responsive material may be the same as the first core, the first shell, and the first microwave-responsive material, respectively, while the second material and the first material may be different. As another example, the first capsule (16-1) and the second capsule (16-2) may include the same components as the first microwave-responsive material and the second microwave-responsive material, while the remaining components are different. As another example, the second core, the second material, the second shell, and the second microwave-responsive material may include the same material as the first core, the first material, the first shell, and the first microwave-responsive material, respectively, while the content of the microwave-responsive material included in each core may be different.

The first capsule (16-1) and the second capsule (16-2) may be crushed at different times. For example, the first capsule (16-1) may be crushed at the beginning of the heating section, and the second capsule (16-2) may be crushed at the end of the heating section. Here, the “heating section” may refer to a time period from the time when the heater assembly of the aerosol generating device described later starts heating to the time when the heating ends. In addition, a time period corresponding to the beginning of the entire heating section, for example, a time period corresponding to about half of the heating section, may correspond to the “beginning of the heating section,” and the remaining time period may correspond to the “end of the heating section.”

Since the first capsule (16-1) and the second capsule (16-2) are crushed at different times, the first substance and the second substance can be released at different times. Since the first substance and the second substance are released at different times, the problem of active substances (e.g., flavoring substances, nicotine, etc.) being depleted in the latter half of the heating period can be prevented.

For example, when the first material and the second material contain different flavoring substances, aerosols having different flavors can be provided depending on the timing of crushing of each capsule. For example, when the first capsule (16-1) is crushed in the early part of the heating section and the second capsule (16-2) is crushed in the late part of the heating section, an aerosol with the flavor of the first material added can be provided in the early part of the heating section, and an aerosol with the flavor of the second material added can be provided in the late part of the heating section.

The first capsule (16-1) is positioned upstream compared to the second capsule (16-2) and can be crushed before the second capsule (16-2). Since the capsule positioned upstream is crushed before the capsule positioned downstream, the problem of flavors being mixed in the aerosol can be prevented.

For example, if the second capsule (16-2) placed downstream is crushed in the early stage of the heating section and the first capsule (16-1) placed upstream is crushed in the latter stage of the heating section, the first substance released in the latter stage of the heating section may pass through the second capsule (16-2) together with the aerosol. Therefore, a problem of mixing of the first substance and the second substance may occur.

In contrast, if the first capsule (16-1) placed upstream is crushed in the early stage of the heating section and the second capsule (16-2) placed downstream is crushed in the latter stage of the heating section, the second substance released in the latter stage of the heating section does not pass through the first capsule (16-1), thereby preventing the problem of the first substance and the second substance being mixed with each other.

The first microwave-responsive material and the second microwave-responsive material may comprise different materials. For example, the first microwave-responsive material may comprise glycerin, and the second microwave-responsive material may comprise propylene glycol. Accordingly, the first and second microwave-responsive materials may be heated by microwaves at different rates, resulting in the first capsule (16-1) and the second capsule (16-2) being broken at different times.

The first shell and the second shell may each contain the same material as the microwave-responsive material, but may have different contents. For example, the first microwave-responsive material and the second microwave-responsive material may contain glycerin, and the first core may contain about 35 wt% to about 40 wt% of glycerin based on the total weight of the first core, and the second core may contain about 20 wt% to about 25 wt% of glycerin based on the total weight of the second core. Accordingly, the first core having a higher content of the microwave-responsive material may be more sensitive to microwaves than the second core having a lower content of the microwave-responsive material, and as a result, the first capsule (16-1) may be crushed earlier than the second capsule (16-2).

Although FIGS. 2 to 4 illustrate examples of aerosol-generating articles (10) having a rod shape, the embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the aerosol-generating article may have a sheet shape. An aerosol-generating article in the form of a sheet may have a circular cross-section when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may also have a polygonal shape, including a triangle, rectangle, square, or pentagon.

The sheet-form aerosol-generating article may comprise a sheet of an aerosol-generating substrate and a first capsule disposed on the sheet of the aerosol-generating substrate. The sheet-form aerosol-generating article may have a thickness of about 1 mm to about 20 mm. For example, the sheet-form aerosol-generating article may have a thickness of about 5 mm to about 15 mm. The diameter of the first capsule included in the sheet-form aerosol-generating article may be smaller than the thickness of the sheet-form aerosol-generating article. For example, the sheet-form aerosol-generating article may have a thickness of about 5 mm to about 10 mm, and the diameter of the first capsule may be about 1 mm to about 3.5 mm.

The sheet of the aerosol-generating substrate may be a solid material containing an aerosol-generating substance. The first capsule may be positioned within the solid material containing the aerosol-generating substance. The solid material containing the aerosol-generating substance may comprise tobacco material. For example, the solid material containing the aerosol-generating substance may be a monolithic tobacco solid material.

For example, a sheet-shaped aerosol-generating article can be manufactured according to a manufacturing method comprising the steps of preparing a tobacco composition comprising tobacco powder, a binder, and an aerosol-generating agent, inserting the tobacco composition into a sheet-shaped frame, inserting a first capsule into the tobacco composition inserted into the sheet-shaped frame, and drying the tobacco composition with the first capsule inserted.

The sheet of the aerosol-generating substrate may have a porous structure comprising a plurality of pores. For example, the sheet of the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise porous tobacco solids. For example, the sheet of the aerosol-generating substrate may have a specific surface area of 200 m ² /g to 1000 m ² /g. Additionally, the sheet of the aerosol-generating substrate may have a specific surface area of 300 m ² /g to 800 m ² /g.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, an aerosol generating device (100) according to one embodiment may include a housing (110) capable of accommodating an aerosol generating article (10) and a heater assembly (200) for heating the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the housing (110).

The housing (110) can form the overall appearance of the aerosol generating device (100), and components of the aerosol generating device (100) can be arranged in the internal space (or 'mounting space') of the housing (110). For example, a heater assembly (200), a battery, a processor, and/or a sensor can be arranged in the internal space of the housing (110), but the components arranged in the internal space are not limited thereto.

An insertion hole (110h) may be formed in one area of the housing (110), and at least one area of the aerosol generating article (10) may be inserted into the interior of the housing (110) through the insertion hole (110h). For example, the insertion hole (110h) may be formed in one area of the upper surface (e.g., the surface facing the z direction) of the housing (110), but the position at which the insertion hole (110h) is formed is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the insertion hole (110h) may be formed in one area of the side surface (e.g., the surface facing the x direction) of the housing (110).

The heater assembly (200) is arranged in the interior space of the housing (110) and can heat an aerosol generating article (10) inserted or accommodated in the interior of the housing (110) through the insertion port (110h). For example, the heater assembly (200) can be arranged to surround at least one area of the aerosol generating article (10) inserted or accommodated in the interior of the housing (110) and heat the aerosol generating article (10).

According to one embodiment, the heater assembly (200) can heat the aerosol generating article (10) by dielectric heating. In the present disclosure, the term "dielectric heating" refers to a method of heating a dielectric, which is a heated object, by utilizing microwaves and/or the resonance of an electric field (or magnetic field) of microwaves. Microwaves are an energy source for heating the heated object and are generated by high-frequency power. Therefore, hereinafter, microwaves may be used interchangeably with microwave power.

The charges or ions of the dielectric contained within the aerosol generating article (10) can vibrate or rotate due to microwave resonance within the heater assembly (200), and the frictional heat generated in the process of the charges or ions vibrating or rotating generates heat in the dielectric, thereby heating the aerosol generating article (10).

An aerosol may be generated from the aerosol generating article (10) as the aerosol generating article (10) is heated by the heater assembly (200). In the present disclosure, 'aerosol' may mean gas particles generated by mixing vapor and air generated as the aerosol generating article (10) is heated.

The aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article (10) can pass through the aerosol generating article (10) or be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device (100) through the empty space between the aerosol generating article (10) and the insertion port (110h). The user can smoke by bringing the mouth into contact with an area of the aerosol generating article (10) exposed to the outside of the housing (110) and inhaling the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device (100).

An aerosol generating device (100) according to one embodiment may further include a cover (111) movably arranged in the housing (110) to open or close the insertion port (110h). For example, the cover (111) may be slidably coupled to the upper surface of the housing (110) and may expose the insertion port (110h) to the outside of the aerosol generating device (100), or may cover the insertion port (110h) so that the insertion port (110h) is not exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device (100).

In one example, the cover (111) may be configured such that the insertion port (110h) is exposed to the exterior of the aerosol generating device (100) in the first position (or 'open position'). When the aerosol generating device (100) is exposed to the exterior, the aerosol generating article (10) may be inserted into the interior of the housing (110) through the insertion port (110h).

In another example, the cover (111) can prevent the insertion port (110h) from being exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device (100) by covering the insertion port (110h) in the second position (or 'closed position'). In this case, the cover (111) can prevent external foreign substances from entering the interior of the heater assembly (200) through the insertion port (110h) when the aerosol generating device (100) is not in use.

According to another embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes a heater assembly (200) for heating an aerosol generating article (10) and an aerosol generating substance in a liquid or gel state, and may also include a cartridge (or 'vaporizer') for heating the aerosol generating substance. The aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substance may travel to the aerosol generating article (10) along an airflow passage connecting the cartridge and the aerosol generating article (10), be mixed with the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article (10), and then pass through the aerosol generating article (10) and be delivered to a user.

Figure 6 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the aerosol generating device (100) may include an input unit (102), an output unit (103), a sensor unit (104), a communication unit (105), a memory (106), a battery (107), an interface unit (108), a power conversion unit (109), and a dielectric heating unit (200). However, the internal configuration of the aerosol generating device (100) is not limited to that shown in FIG. 6. Depending on the design of the aerosol generating device (100), some of the configurations shown in FIG. 6 may be omitted, or new configurations may be added.

The input unit (102) can receive user input. For example, the input unit (102) can be provided as a single pressure-sensitive push button. As another example, the input unit (102) can be a touch panel including at least one touch sensor. The input unit (102) can transmit an input signal to the processor (101). The processor (101) can supply power to the dielectric heating unit (200) based on the user input or control the output unit (103) to output a user notification.

The output unit (103) can output information about the status of the aerosol generating device (100). The output unit (103) can output the charge/discharge status of the battery (107), the heating status of the dielectric heating unit (200), the insertion status of the aerosol generating article (10), and error information of the aerosol generating device (100). For this purpose, the output unit (103) can include a display, a haptic motor, and an audio output unit.

The sensor unit (104) can detect the status of the aerosol generating device (100) or the surrounding status of the aerosol generating device (100) and transmit the detected information to the processor (101). Based on the detected information, the processor (101) can control the aerosol generating device (100) so that various functions such as heating control of the dielectric heating unit (200), smoking restriction, determining whether an aerosol generating article (10) is inserted, and displaying a notification are performed.

The sensor unit (104) may include a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, and an insertion detection sensor.

The temperature sensor can detect the temperature inside the dielectric heating unit (200) in a non-contact manner, or can directly obtain the temperature of the resonator by contacting the dielectric heating unit (200). In some embodiments, the temperature sensor can also detect the temperature of the aerosol generating article (10). In addition, the temperature sensor can be positioned adjacent to the battery (107) to obtain the temperature of the battery (107). The processor (101) can control the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit (200) based on the temperature information of the temperature sensor.

The puff sensor can detect the user's puff. The puff sensor can detect the user's puff based on at least one of temperature change, flow change, power change, and pressure change. The processor (101) can control the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit (200) based on the puff information of the puff sensor. For example, the processor (101) can count the number of puffs and cut off the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit (200) when the number of puffs reaches a preset maximum number of puffs. As another example, the processor (101) can cut off the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit (200) when no puffs are detected for a preset period of time.

The insertion detection sensor may be positioned inside or adjacent to the receiving space (220h in FIG. 9) to detect insertion and removal of an aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the insertion port (110h). For example, the insertion detection sensor may include an inductive sensor and/or a capacitance sensor. The processor (101) may supply power to the dielectric heating unit (200) when an aerosol generating article (10) is inserted into the insertion port (110h).

Depending on the embodiment, the sensor unit (104) may additionally include a reuse detection sensor, a motion detection sensor, a humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a cover removal detection sensor, a location sensor (GPS), and a proximity sensor. Since the function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred from its name, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

The communication unit (105) may include at least one communication module for communicating with an external electronic device. The processor (101) may control the communication unit (105) to transmit information about the aerosol generating device (100) to the external electronic device. Alternatively, the processor (101) may receive information from the external electronic device through the communication unit (105) and control components included in the aerosol generating device (100). For example, information transmitted between the communication unit (105) and the external electronic device may include user authentication information, firmware update information, and user smoking pattern information.

The memory (106) is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device (100), and can store data processed by the processor (101) and data to be processed. For example, the memory (106) can store data on the operating time of the aerosol generating device (100), the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

The battery (107) can supply power to the dielectric heating element (200) so that the aerosol generating article (10) can be heated. The battery (107) can also supply power necessary for the operation of other components provided within the aerosol generating device (100). The battery (107) can be a rechargeable battery or a detachable battery.

The interface unit (108) may include a connection terminal that can be physically connected to an external electronic device. The connection terminal may include at least one or a combination of an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector). The interface unit (108) may transmit and receive information to and from an external electronic device or charge power through the connection terminal.

The power conversion unit (109) can convert direct current power supplied from the battery (107) into alternating current power. In addition, the power conversion unit (109) can provide the converted alternating current power to the dielectric heating unit (200). The power conversion unit (109) can be an inverter including at least one switching element, and the processor (101) can control the ON/OFF of the switching element included in the power conversion unit (109) to convert the direct current power into alternating current power. The power conversion unit (109) can be configured as a full bridge or a half bridge.

The dielectric heating unit (200) can heat the aerosol generating article (10) using a dielectric heating method. The dielectric heating unit (200) may have a configuration corresponding to the heater assembly (200) of FIG. 5.

The dielectric heating unit (200) can heat the aerosol generating article (10) using microwaves and/or an electric field of microwaves (hereinafter, referred to as microwaves or microwave power when no distinction is necessary). The heating method of the dielectric heating unit (200) may be a method of heating the object to be heated by forming microwaves within a resonant structure, rather than a method of radiating microwaves using an antenna. The resonant structure will be described later with reference to FIG. 8 and below.

The dielectric heating unit (200) can output high-frequency microwaves to the resonance unit (220 in FIG. 7). The microwaves may be of power in the ISM (Industrial Scientific and Medical equipment) band permitted for heating, but are not limited thereto. The resonance unit (220) can be designed taking into account the wavelength of the microwaves so that the microwaves can resonate within the resonance unit (220).

The aerosol generating article (10) is inserted into the resonator (220), and the dielectric material within the aerosol generating article (10) can be heated by the resonator (220). For example, the aerosol generating article (10) can include a polar substance, and molecules within the polar substance can be polarized within the resonator (220). The molecules can vibrate or rotate due to the polarization phenomenon, and the aerosol generating article (10) can be heated by frictional heat generated during this process. The dielectric heating unit (200) will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 7.

The processor (101) can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device (100). The processor (101) may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable on the microprocessor. It may also be implemented as other types of hardware.

The processor (101) can control the direct current power supplied from the battery (107) to the power conversion unit (109) and/or the alternating current power supplied from the power conversion unit (109) to the dielectric heating unit (200) according to the power required by the dielectric heating unit (200). In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device (100) includes a converter that boosts or lowers the direct current power, and the processor (101) can control the converter to adjust the magnitude of the direct current power. In addition, the processor (101) can control the alternating current power supplied to the dielectric heating unit (200) by adjusting the switching frequency and duty ratio of the switching element included in the power conversion unit (109).

The processor (101) can control the heating temperature of the aerosol generating article (10) by controlling the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit (200) and the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit (200). Therefore, the oscillation unit (210), the isolation unit (240), the power monitoring unit (250), and the matching unit (260) of FIG. 7 described below may be part of the processor (101).

The processor (101) can control the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit (200) based on the temperature profile information stored in the memory (106). In other words, the temperature profile includes information about the target temperature of the dielectric heating unit (200) over time, and the processor (101) can control the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit (200) over time.

The processor (101) can adjust the frequency of the microwave so that the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit (200) is constant. The processor (101) can track in real time the change in the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit (200) according to the heating of the object to be heated, and control the dielectric heating unit (200) so that the microwave frequency according to the changed resonant frequency is output. In other words, the processor (101) can change the microwave frequency in real time regardless of the pre-stored temperature profile.

Fig. 7 is an internal block diagram of the dielectric heating unit of Fig. 6.

Referring to FIG. 7, the dielectric heating unit (200) may include a generator (210), an isolation unit (240), a power monitoring unit (250), a matching unit (260), a microwave output unit (230), and a resonance unit (220). However, the internal configuration of the dielectric heating unit (200) is not limited to that shown in FIG. 7. Depending on the design of the dielectric heating unit (200), some of the configurations shown in FIG. 7 may be omitted, or new configurations may be added.

The oscillator (210) can receive AC power from the power converter (109) and generate high-frequency microwave power. According to an embodiment, the power converter (109) may be a component included in the oscillator (210). The microwave power may be selected from the 915 MHz, 2.45 GHz, and 5.8 GHz frequency bands included in the ISM bands.

The oscillator (210) includes a solid-state-based RF generator, which can be used to generate microwave power. The solid-state-based RF generator can be implemented using a semiconductor. When the oscillator (210) is implemented using a semiconductor, the dielectric heating unit (200) can be miniaturized, and the device lifespan can be extended.

The oscillator (210) can output microwave power toward the resonator (220). The oscillator (210) includes a power amplifier that increases or decreases microwave power, and the power amplifier can adjust the magnitude of the microwave power under the control of the processor (101). For example, the power amplifier can decrease or increase the amplitude of the microwave. By adjusting the amplitude of the microwave, the microwave power can be adjusted.

The processor (101) can adjust the magnitude of the microwave power output from the generator (210) based on a pre-stored temperature profile. For example, the temperature profile includes target temperature information according to the preheating section and the smoking section, and the generator (210) can supply microwave power at a first power in the preheating section and supply microwave power at a second power lower than the first power in the smoking section.

The isolation unit (240) can block the microwave power input from the resonance unit (220) toward the oscillation unit (210). Most of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit (210) is absorbed by the heated object, but depending on the heating pattern of the heated object, some of the microwave power may be reflected by the heated object and transmitted back toward the oscillation unit (210). This is because the impedance viewed from the oscillation unit (210) toward the resonance unit (220) changes according to the exhaustion of polar molecules due to the heating of the heated object. The meaning of 'the impedance viewed from the oscillation unit (210) toward the resonance unit (220) changes' may be the same as the meaning of 'the resonant frequency of the resonance unit (220) changes'. If the microwave power reflected from the resonator (220) is input to the oscillation unit (210), the oscillation unit (210) may malfunction and the expected output performance may not be achieved. The isolation unit (240) can absorb the microwave power reflected from the resonator (220) by directing it in a predetermined direction, rather than returning it to the oscillation unit (210). For this purpose, the isolation unit (240) may include a circulator and a dummy load.

The power monitoring unit (250) can monitor the microwave power output from the oscillator unit (210) and the reflected microwave power reflected from the resonator unit (220). The power monitoring unit (250) can transmit information about the microwave power and the reflected microwave power to the matching unit (260).

The matching unit (260) can match the impedance of the resonance unit (220) viewed from the oscillation unit (210) and the impedance of the resonance unit (220) viewed from the oscillation unit (210) so that the reflected microwave power is minimized. Impedance matching may have the same meaning as matching the frequency of the oscillation unit (210) with the resonance frequency of the resonance unit (220). Therefore, the matching unit (260) can vary the frequency of the oscillation unit (210) in order to match the impedance. In other words, the matching unit (260) can adjust the frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit (210) so that the reflected microwave power is minimized. The impedance matching of the matching unit (260) can be performed in real time regardless of the temperature profile.

Meanwhile, the above-described oscillator (210), isolation unit (240), power monitoring unit (250), and matching unit (260) are separate components distinct from the microwave output unit (230) and resonance unit (220) described later, and can be implemented as a microwave source in the form of a chip. In addition, according to an embodiment, the above-described oscillator (210), isolation unit (240), power monitoring unit (250), and matching unit (260) can also be implemented as a part of the processor (101).

The microwave output unit (230) is a configuration for inputting microwave power into the resonance unit (220), and may be a configuration corresponding to the coupler of FIG. 7 or lower. The microwave output unit (230) may be implemented in the form of an SMA, SMB, MCX, or MMCX connector. The microwave output unit (230) connects a chip-type microwave source and the resonance unit (220) to each other, and can transmit microwave power generated from the microwave source to the resonance unit (220).

The resonant section (220) can heat a heated object by forming microwaves within a resonant structure. The resonant section (220) includes a receiving space in which an aerosol generating article (10) is received, and the aerosol generating article (10) can be dielectrically heated by exposure to microwaves. For example, the aerosol generating article (10) can include a polar substance, and molecules within the polar substance can be polarized by microwaves within the resonant section (220). The molecules can vibrate or rotate due to the polarization phenomenon, and the aerosol generating article (10) can be heated by frictional heat generated during this process.

The resonant portion (220) includes at least one internal conductor so that microwaves can resonate, and microwaves can resonate inside the resonant portion (220) depending on the arrangement, thickness, and length of the internal conductor.

The resonator (220) can be designed considering the wavelength of the microwave so that the microwave can resonate within the resonator (220). In order for the microwave to resonate within the resonator (220), a short end with a closed cross-section and an open end with at least one area of the cross-section open in the direction opposite the closed end are required. In addition, the length between the closed end and the open end must be set to an integer multiple of 1/4 of the microwave wavelength. The resonator (220) of the present disclosure selects a length of 1/4 of the microwave wavelength for device miniaturization. In other words, the length between the closed end and the open end of the resonator (220) can be set to a length of 1/4 of the microwave wavelength.

The resonant portion (220) may include a dielectric receiving space. The dielectric receiving space has a configuration distinct from the receiving space of the aerosol generating article (10), and a material capable of changing the overall resonant frequency of the resonant portion (220) and miniaturizing the resonant portion (220) is disposed therein. In one embodiment, a dielectric with low microwave absorption may be received in the dielectric receiving space. This is to prevent the phenomenon in which energy that should be transmitted to the heated object is transmitted to the dielectric and the dielectric itself is heated. The microwave absorption may be expressed by the loss tangent, which is the ratio of the real part to the imaginary part of the complex dielectric constant. In one embodiment, the dielectric receiving space (226) may receive a dielectric with a loss tangent less than a preset size, and the preset size may be 1/100. For example, the dielectric may be at least one of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and aluminum oxide, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to one embodiment.

Referring to Fig. 8, a heater assembly (200) according to one embodiment may include a generator (210) and a resonator (220). The aerosol generating article (10) illustrated in Fig. 8 may refer to the aerosol generating article (10) illustrated in Fig. 2. Fig. 8 may be an embodiment of the heater assembly (200) and dielectric heating element (200) described above, and any redundant description thereof will be omitted below.

The oscillator (210) can generate microwaves of a specified frequency band as power is supplied. The microwaves generated by the oscillator (210) can be transmitted to the resonator (220) through a coupler (not shown).

The resonating portion (220) may include a receiving space (220h) for receiving at least one area of the aerosol generating article (10), and may heat the aerosol generating article (10) by a dielectric heating method by resonating microwaves generated from the oscillating portion (210). For example, the charges of the aerosol generating material included in the aerosol generating article (10) may vibrate or rotate due to the resonance of the microwaves, and the frictional heat generated when the charges vibrate or rotate may generate heat in the aerosol generating material, thereby heating the aerosol generating article (10).

According to one embodiment, the resonator (220) may be formed of a material having a low microwave absorption rate to prevent microwaves generated in the oscillation unit (210) from being absorbed by the resonator (220).

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 9, the specific structure of the resonant part (220) of the heater assembly (200) will be examined.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of Fig. 8. Fig. 9 shows a cross-section of the heater assembly (200) of Fig. 8 taken in the A-A' direction.

Referring to FIG. 9, a heater assembly (200) according to one embodiment may include an oscillator (210), a resonator (220), and a coupler (230). The components of the heater assembly (200) may be identical or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly (200) of FIG. 8, and any redundant description thereof will be omitted below.

The oscillator (210) can generate microwaves of a specified frequency band when an AC voltage is applied, and the microwaves generated in the oscillator (210) can be transmitted to the resonator (220) through the coupler (230).

According to one embodiment, the oscillating unit (210) may be fixed to the resonating unit (220) to prevent separation from the resonating unit (220) during use of the aerosol generating device. In one example, the oscillating unit (210) may be fixed on the resonating unit (220) by being supported by a bracket (220b) protruding along the x direction in one area of the resonating unit (220). In another example, the oscillating unit (210) may be fixed on the resonating unit (220) by being attached to one area of the resonating unit (220) without the bracket (220b).

Although the drawing only shows an embodiment in which the oscillating unit (210) is fixed to an area facing the x direction of the resonating unit (220), the position of the oscillating unit (210) is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. In another embodiment, the oscillating unit (210) may be fixed to another area facing the -z direction of the resonating unit (220).

The resonator (220) is arranged to surround at least one area of an aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the interior of the aerosol generating device, and can heat the aerosol generating article (10) through microwaves generated from the oscillating section (210). For example, dielectric materials included in the aerosol generating article (10) can generate heat by an electric field generated inside the resonator (220) by microwaves, and the aerosol generating article (10) can be heated by heat generated from the dielectric (i.e., the aerosol generating material).

According to one embodiment, the resonant portion (220) may include an outer conductor (221), a first inner conductor (223), and a second inner conductor (225).

The outer conductor (221) can form the overall appearance of the resonant portion (220), and can be formed in a hollow shape with an empty interior so that components of the resonant portion (220) can be placed inside the outer conductor (221). The outer conductor (221) can include a receiving space (220h) in which an aerosol generating article (10) can be received, and the aerosol generating article (10) can be inserted into the interior of the outer conductor (221) through the receiving space (220h).

According to one embodiment, the outer conductor (221) may include a first surface (221a), a second surface (221b) arranged to face the first surface (221a), and a side surface (221c) surrounding a space between the first surface (221a) and the second surface (221b). At least some of the components of the resonant portion (220) (e.g., the first inner conductor (223), the second inner conductor (225)) may be arranged in the inner space of the resonant portion (220) formed by the first surface (221a), the second surface (221b), and the side surface (221c).

The first inner conductor (223) is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the first surface (221a) of the outer conductor (221) in a direction toward the inner space of the outer conductor (221), and an electric field can be generated inside the first inner conductor (223) as microwaves generated from the oscillating unit (210) are transmitted. According to an embodiment, the first inner conductor (223) may also be referred to as a 'first resonator' that generates an electric field through resonance of microwaves.

According to one embodiment, a region of the first inner conductor (223) may be in contact with a coupler (230) connected to the oscillating unit (210), and an electric field may be generated inside the first inner conductor (223) as microwaves transmitted through the coupler (230) resonate. For example, the coupler (230) may be arranged to penetrate the outer conductor (221) and have one end in contact with the oscillating unit (210) and the other end in contact with a region of the first inner conductor (223), and as microwaves generated in the oscillating unit (210) are transmitted to the first inner conductor (223) through the coupler (230), an electric field may be generated inside the first inner conductor (223).

The second inner conductor (225) may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the second surface (221b) of the outer conductor (221) in a direction toward the inner space of the outer conductor (221). The second inner conductor (225) may be arranged in the inner space of the outer conductor (221) at a predetermined distance from the first inner conductor (223), and a gap (227) may be formed between the first inner conductor (223) and the second inner conductor (225).

The second inner conductor (225) may be inductively coupled with the first inner conductor (223), and accordingly, as an electric field is generated inside the first inner conductor (223), an induced electric field may also be generated inside the second inner conductor (225). In the present disclosure, 'inductive coupling' may mean a coupling relationship in which energy can be magnetically transferred by mutual inductance between two conductors.

For example, as microwaves generated from the oscillating unit (210) are transmitted to the first internal conductor (223), an electric field may be generated inside the first internal conductor (223) by resonance, and an induced electric field may be generated inside the second internal conductor (225) inductively coupled with the first internal conductor (223). According to an embodiment, the second internal conductor (225) may also be referred to as a 'second resonator' that generates an electric field through resonance of microwaves.

According to one embodiment, the resonator (220) may include a closed end (short end) whose cross-section is closed to have a length (λ/4) that is 1/4 of the wavelength (λ) of the microwave, and an open end (open end) whose cross-section is located opposite to the closed end and in which at least one area is open.

In one example, the resonant portion (220) may include a closure portion (224) positioned inside the first inner conductor (223) and closing a cross-section of the first inner conductor (223), and as the cross-section of the first inner conductor (223) is closed by the closure portion (224), a closed end may be formed in a first region (2231) of the first inner conductor (223) where the closure portion (224) is disposed. Since the closure portion (224) does not exist in a second region (2232) spaced apart from the first region (2231) of the first inner conductor (223), the cross-section of the second region (2232) may be open, and as a result, an open end may be formed in the second region (2232) of the first inner conductor (223). That is, when viewed on the xz plane, the first internal conductor (223) is formed in an overall “ㄷ” shape and may include closed ends and open ends, and due to the structure of the first internal conductor (223) described above, the first internal conductor (223) may operate as a resonator having a wavelength of 1/4 of a microwave.

In another example, an accommodation space (220h) may be formed in an area of the second inner conductor (225) facing the closed end, so that a cross-section of the second inner conductor (225) may be opened, and as a result, when the resonant section (220) is viewed as a whole, a closed end is formed in the first area (2231) of the first inner conductor (223), and an open end is formed in one end of the second inner conductor (225) facing the closed end, so that a resonance of 1/4 wavelength length may be formed within the resonant section (220).

According to the resonance structure of the resonant portion (220) described above, an electric field may not be transmitted to an external region of the resonant portion (220) where no conductors such as the first internal conductor (223) and the second internal conductor (225) exist. Therefore, the heater assembly (200) can prevent the electric field from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly (200) without a separate shielding member for shielding the electric field.

The aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the inner space of the outer conductor (221) through the receiving space (220h) may be surrounded by the first inner conductor (223) and the second inner conductor (225) and heated by a dielectric heating method. For example, a part of the aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the inner space of the outer conductor (221) may be disposed inside the first inner conductor (223) and the second inner conductor (225), and another part may be disposed outside the first inner conductor (223) and the second inner conductor (225). The aerosol generating article (10) may be heated by the dielectric contained in the aerosol generating article (10) being heated by an electric field generated inside and outside the first inner conductor (223) and/or the second inner conductor (225).

According to one embodiment, when the aerosol generating article (10) is inserted into the resonator (220) through the receiving space (220h), the aerosol generating rod (11) of the aerosol generating article (10) can be positioned corresponding to the gap (227) between the first internal conductor (223) and the second internal conductor (225).

A resonance peak is formed at the end of the first internal conductor (223) operating as a first resonator and the end of the second internal conductor (225) operating as a second resonator, so that a stronger electric field can be generated compared to other regions, and as a result, the strongest electric field can be generated in the gap (227) between the first internal conductor (223) and the second internal conductor (225) among the internal regions of the resonator (220). In the heater assembly (200) according to one embodiment, the heating efficiency (or 'dielectric heating efficiency') of the heater assembly (200) can be improved by arranging the aerosol generating rod (11) including a dielectric that generates heat by an electric field at a position corresponding to the gap (227) where the electric field is strongest.

According to one embodiment, the resonant portion (220) may further include a dielectric accommodation space (226) for accommodating a dielectric. The dielectric accommodation space (226) may be formed in a space between the outer conductor (221) and the first inner conductor (223) and the second inner conductor (225), and a dielectric having low microwave absorption may be accommodated in the dielectric accommodation space (226). For example, the dielectric may be at least one of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and aluminum oxide, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

A heater assembly (200) according to one embodiment can generate an electric field similar to a resonant section (220) that does not include a dielectric while reducing the overall size of the resonant section (220) by arranging a dielectric inside a dielectric receiving space (226). That is, the heater assembly (200) according to one embodiment can reduce the size of the resonant section (220) through the dielectric arranged inside the dielectric receiving space (226), thereby reducing the mounting space of the resonant section (220) within the aerosol generating device, and as a result, the aerosol generating device can be miniaturized.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a heater assembly according to another embodiment.

The heater assembly (300) according to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 10 may include a resonant portion (320) that generates microwave resonance and a coupler (311) that supplies microwaves to the resonant portion (320). The aerosol generating article (10) illustrated in Fig. 10 may refer to the aerosol generating article (10) illustrated in Fig. 2.

The resonance unit (320) may include a case (321), a plurality of plates (323a, 323b), and a connecting portion (322) connecting the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) and the case (321).

The coupler (311) can supply microwaves to at least one of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) to generate microwave resonance in the resonator (320).

The resonant portion (320) can surround at least a portion of an aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the interior of the aerosol generating device (100). The coupler (311) can supply microwaves generated from a generator (not shown) to the resonant portion (320). When microwaves are supplied to the resonant portion (320), microwave resonance occurs in the resonant portion (320), and the resonant portion (320) can heat the aerosol generating article (10). For example, dielectrics included in the aerosol generating article (10) can generate heat by an electric field generated inside the resonant portion (220) by microwaves, and the aerosol generating article (10) can be heated by the heat generated from the dielectrics.

The case (321) of the resonant section (320) functions as an ‘outer conductor.’ Since the case (321) is formed in a hollow shape with an empty interior, components of the resonant section (320) can be placed inside the case (321).

The case (321) may include a receiving space (320h) in which an aerosol generating article (10) can be received, and an opening (321a) into which the aerosol generating article (10) can be inserted. The opening (321a) is connected to the receiving space (320h). Since the opening (321a) is open toward the outside of the case (321), the receiving space (320h) is connected to the outside through the opening (321a). Accordingly, the aerosol generating article (10) can be inserted into the receiving space (320h) of the case (321) through the opening (321a) of the case (321).

Although the case (321) illustrated in the drawing has a square cross-sectional shape, the shape of the case (321) can be modified into various shapes. For example, the case (321) can be modified to have various cross-sectional shapes such as a rectangle, an ellipse, or a circle. The case (321) can be extended in one direction.

Inside the case (321), a plurality of plates (323a, 323b) that can function as ‘internal conductors’ of the resonant section (320) can be arranged.

A plurality of plates (323a, 323b) may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the circumference of the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the accommodation space (320h). The plurality of plates (323a, 323b) may include a first plate (323a) arranged to surround one area of the aerosol generating article (10) and a second plate (323b) arranged to surround another area of the aerosol generating article (10).

A plurality of plates (323a, 323b) can be connected to a case (321) by a connecting portion (322). In addition, one end of a first plate (323a) and one end of a second plate (323b) of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) can be connected to each other by the connecting portion (322). Accordingly, a closed end can be formed at one end of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) by the connecting portion (322).

The other end (323af) of the first plate (323a) and the other end (323bf) of the second plate (323b) of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) can be opened by being spaced apart from each other. Since the other ends of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) are spaced apart from each other, an open end can be formed at the other ends of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b).

A resonator assembly can be completed by connecting a plurality of plates (323a, 323b) and a connecting portion (322) to each other. The shape of a cross-section cut along the longitudinal direction of the resonator assembly can include a ‘horseshoe shape.’

A plurality of plates (323a, 323b) extend in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article (10). At least a portion of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) may be curved to protrude outward from the longitudinal center of the aerosol generating article (10).

For example, when the aerosol generating article (10) is manufactured in a cylindrical shape, the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) may be formed to be curved in the circumferential direction along the outer surface of the aerosol generating article (10). The radius of curvature of the cross-sections of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) may be the same as the radius of curvature of the aerosol generating article (10). The radius of curvature of the cross-sections of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) may be modified in various ways. For example, the radius of curvature of the cross-sections of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) may be larger or smaller than the radius of curvature of the aerosol generating article (10).

According to the structure in which a plurality of plates (323a, 323b) are formed to be curved in the circumferential direction along the outer surface of the aerosol generating article (10), a more uniform electric field is formed in the resonance section (320), so that the heater assembly (300) can uniformly heat the aerosol generating article (10).

The open ends of the other ends of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) may be positioned so as to face the opening (321a) of the case (321). The opening (321a) of the case (321) may be positioned so as to be spaced apart from the other ends of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b).

The open ends of the other ends of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) can be aligned with respect to the opening (321a) of the case (321). Therefore, when the aerosol generating article (10) is inserted through the opening (321a) of the case (321) and positioned in the receiving space (320h), a portion of the aerosol generating article (10) positioned in the receiving space (320h) can be surrounded by the plurality of plates (323a, 323b).

A plurality of plates (323a, 323b) are arranged in two opposite positions with respect to the longitudinal center of the aerosol generating article (10). The embodiments are not limited by the number of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b), and the number of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) may be, for example, three, or four or more.

A plurality of plates (323a, 323b) can be arranged symmetrically with respect to each other with respect to the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article (10), i.e., the direction in which the aerosol generating article (10) extends.

At least one of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) may be in contact with a coupler (311) connected to a oscillator (not shown). Specifically, at least a portion of the first plate (323a) may be in contact with the coupler (311). As the microwave transmitted to the first plate (323a) through the coupler (311) resonates within the plurality of plates (323a, 323b), an electric field may be generated within the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) and the connection portion (322).

A coupler (311) may penetrate the case (321) so that one end of the coupler (311) may contact a oscillating portion (not shown) and the other end of the coupler (311) may contact a region of a first plate (323a). As microwaves generated in the oscillating portion (not shown) are transmitted to a plurality of plates (323a, 323b) and a connecting portion (322) through the coupler (311), an electric field may be generated inside an assembly of a plurality of plates (323a, 323b) and a connecting portion (322).

In addition, according to the structure of the resonance part (320) of the heater assembly (300), a triple resonance mode can be formed in the resonance part (320). A resonance of the TEM mode (transverse electric & magnetic mode) of microwaves is formed between the plurality of plates (323a, 323b). In addition, a resonance of a TEM mode different from the resonance formed between the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) is formed between the first plate (323a) and the upper plate of the case (321), and between the second plate (323b) and the lower plate of the case (321), respectively.

As triple resonance occurs in the resonance section (320) of the heater assembly (300), the aerosol generating article (10) can be heated more effectively and uniformly.

The resonator (320) according to the embodiment described above may include a closed end (short end) whose cross-section is closed to have a length (λ/4) that is 1/4 of the wavelength (λ) of the microwave, and an open end (open end) located in the opposite direction to the closed end and having at least one area of the cross-section open.

In Fig. 10, one end of the resonance unit (320) corresponding to the left area forms a closed end by a structure in which one end of a plurality of plates (323a, 323b) and a connection unit (322) are connected to the case (321). In Fig. 10, the other end of the resonance unit (320) corresponding to the right area forms an open end by having the opening (321a) of the case (321) open to the outside. By this structure of the resonance unit (320), the resonance unit (320) can operate as a resonator having a wavelength of 1/4 of a microwave.

According to the resonance structure of the resonant portion (320) described above, an electric field may not be transmitted to an external region of the resonant portion (320). Therefore, the heater assembly (300) can prevent an electric field from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly (300) even without a separate shielding member for shielding the electric field.

The aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the receiving space (320h) of the case (321) may be surrounded by the first plate (323a) and the second plate (323b) and heated by a dielectric heating method. For example, a part of the aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the receiving space (320h) of the case (321) including the medium (e.g., the aerosol generating rod (11)) may be placed in the space between the first plate (323a) and the second plate (323b). The aerosol generating article (10) may be heated by the dielectric contained in the aerosol generating article (10) generating heat by the electric field generated in the space between the first plate (323a) and the second plate (323b).

When the aerosol generating article (10) is inserted into the resonator (320) through the receiving space (320h), the aerosol generating rod (11) of the aerosol generating article (10) can be positioned between a plurality of plates (323a, 323b).

The length (L4) of the aerosol generating rod (11) can be formed longer than the length (L1) of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b). Accordingly, the front end (11f) of the aerosol generating rod (11) in contact with the filter rod (12) is positioned at a position that protrudes more than the other end (323af) of the first plate (323a) and the other end (323bf) of the second plate (323b) in the direction toward the opening (321a) of the case (321).

A resonance peak is formed at the other end of a plurality of plates (323a, 323b) that operate as resonators, so that a stronger electric field can be generated compared to other areas. When an aerosol generating article (10) is inserted into the heater assembly (300), an aerosol generating rod (11) containing a dielectric capable of generating heat by an electric field is arranged to correspond to the area where the electric field is strongest, thereby improving the heating efficiency (or ‘dielectric heating efficiency’) of the heater assembly (300).

In addition, in the case of the aerosol generating article (10) according to FIG. 3, the length of the shear plug (13) and the aerosol generating rod (11) may be formed to be longer than the length (L1) of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b). That is, the length from the upstream end of the aerosol generating article (10) to the downstream end of the aerosol generating rod (11) may be formed to be longer than the length (L1) of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b).

Referring to FIG. 10, the length (L1) of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) may be set to be smaller than the length (L1+L2) of the internal space of the case (321). Accordingly, the other ends of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) may be positioned further inside the case (321) than the opening (321a). That is, the other ends of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b) may be positioned at a distance of L2 from the rear end of the opening (321a).

The length from the rear end of the opening (321a) where the opening (321a) is connected to the case (321) to the front end of the opening (321a) where the opening (321a) is opened may be L3. The total length of the case (321) along the longitudinal direction of the case (321) may be L. The total length L of the case (321) may be determined by the sum of the length (L1) of the plurality of plates (323a, 323b), the length (L2) of the rear end of the opening (321a) separated from the plurality of plates (323a, 323b), and the length (L3) of the opening (321a) protruding from the case (321).

In order to prevent leakage of microwaves, the front end of the opening (321a) where the opening (321a) is opened is positioned to protrude from the case (321) by a length of L3. By protruding from the case (321), the opening (321a) of the case (321) can function to prevent microwaves inside the case (321) of the resonator (320) from leaking to the outside of the case (321).

The resonant portion (320) may further include a dielectric receiving space (327) for receiving a dielectric. The dielectric receiving space (327) may be formed in an empty space between the case (321) and the plurality of plates (323a, 323b). A dielectric with low microwave absorption may be received in the dielectric receiving space (327).

By arranging a dielectric inside the dielectric receiving space (327), the overall size of the resonant section (320) of the heater assembly (300) can be reduced while generating an electric field at the same level as that generated in a resonant section that does not include a dielectric. That is, by reducing the size of the resonant section (320) through the dielectric arranged inside the dielectric receiving space (327), the mounting space of the resonant section (320) within the aerosol generating device can be reduced, and as a result, the aerosol generating device can be miniaturized.

An aerosol generating system according to one embodiment may include an aerosol generating article (10) and an aerosol generating device (100). For example, an aerosol generating system according to one embodiment may include the aerosol generating article (10) of FIGS. 2 to 4 described above and the aerosol generating device (100) illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 10.

Conventional aerosol generating systems heat the aerosol generating article by surrounding the exterior of the article with a heating element or by inserting the heating element into the article. In this case, the area of the aerosol generating article close to the heating element can be heated to a relatively high temperature, while the area of the aerosol generating article relatively far from the heating element can be heated to a relatively low temperature.

For example, in the case of an aerosol generating system in which the heating element surrounds the exterior of the aerosol generating article, only the exterior region of the aerosol generating article may be intensively heated, and the interior region of the aerosol generating article may not be sufficiently heated. As another example, in the case of an aerosol generating system in which the heating element is inserted into the interior of the aerosol generating article, only the interior region of the aerosol generating article may be intensively heated, and the exterior region of the aerosol generating article may not be sufficiently heated.

As the aerosol-generating article is heated unevenly, active ingredients (e.g., nicotine and/or aerosol-generating agent) located in areas of the aerosol-generating article that are heated to relatively low temperatures may not be fully released and may remain inside the aerosol-generating article.

Additionally, as the aerosol generating product is heated unevenly, the amount of active ingredient in the aerosol delivered to the user may not be uniform throughout the entire heating section, and the taste may not be consistent.

Furthermore, in conventional aerosol generation systems, the temperature of the aerosol-generating article increases as heat energy is transferred from the high-temperature heating element. Therefore, a certain amount of preheating time may be required to heat the aerosol-generating article. Furthermore, aerosol generated early in the heating period, when the temperature of the aerosol-generating article has not yet sufficiently increased, may not contain sufficient nicotine or aerosol-generating substances.

Here, the term "heating period" may refer to the time period from when the heater assembly of the aerosol generating device begins heating to when the heating ends. Additionally, a time period corresponding to the initial portion of the entire heating period, for example, a time period corresponding to about half of the heating period may be referred to as the "beginning of the heating period," and the remaining time period may be referred to as the "second half of the heating period."

In the case of the aerosol generating system according to one embodiment, a dielectric heating method is applied so that the aerosol generating material, which is a dielectric dispersed in the medium of the aerosol generating article (10) (e.g., the aerosol generating rod (11) of FIGS. 2 and 4, or the shear plug (13) and the aerosol generating rod (11) of FIG. 3), is heated, thereby preventing problems caused by uneven heating of the aerosol generating article (10).

For example, an aerosol generating system according to one embodiment can uniformly heat an aerosol generating article (10), thereby providing a uniform amount of an active ingredient (e.g., nicotine and/or an aerosol generating agent) of an aerosol delivered to a user throughout the entire heating section, thereby providing a consistent quality of taste. In addition, since the entire area of the aerosol generating article (10) is uniformly heated, a majority of the nicotine and/or aerosol generating agent included in the aerosol generating article (10) can be transferred.

In addition, since the process of transferring heat energy from the heating element to the aerosol generating article (10) can be omitted, the time required for preheating can be shortened. In addition, the aerosol generated at the beginning of the heating section of the aerosol generating article (10) by the aerosol generating device can also contain a sufficient amount of nicotine and an aerosol generating substance.

Any or all of the embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct. Any or all of the embodiments of the present disclosure described above may have their respective components or functions combined or used together.

For example, it means that a configuration A described in a particular embodiment and/or drawing can be combined with a configuration B described in another embodiment and/or drawing. That is, even if a combination between configurations is not directly described, it means that a combination is possible, except in cases where a combination is described as impossible.

The above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in any respect and should be considered illustrative only. The scope of the present invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (15)

An aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating material that is heated by exposure to microwaves and a first capsule that is shattered by exposure to the microwaves, The above first capsule, a first core comprising a first material and a first microwave-responsive material; and An aerosol generating article comprising a first shell surrounding the first core. In the first paragraph, An aerosol generating article, wherein the first material comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of flavoring substances, nicotine, caffeine, and cannabinoids. In the first paragraph, An aerosol generating article wherein the microwave has a frequency of 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz. In the first paragraph, An aerosol generating article, wherein the first core comprises 20 to 50 wt% of the first microwave reactive material based on the total weight of the first core. In the first paragraph, An aerosol generating article, wherein the first microwave reactive material comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. In the first paragraph, An aerosol generating article, wherein the first shell comprises an inner shell containing a lipid-soluble substance and an outer shell surrounding the inner shell and containing a water-soluble substance. In paragraph 6, An aerosol generating article, wherein the inner shell comprises a fat-soluble wax. In paragraph 6, An aerosol generating article, wherein the outer shell comprises at least one water-soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of gelatin, agar, carrageenan, gellan gum, pectin, starch, and alginate. In the first paragraph, An aerosol generating article, wherein the first shell has a thickness of 5 μm to 50 μm. In the first paragraph, An aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating rod comprising the aerosol generating material and the first capsule, and a filter rod disposed downstream of the aerosol generating rod. In the first paragraph, The aerosol generating article further comprises a second capsule that is shattered upon exposure to the microwave; An aerosol generating article, wherein the second capsule comprises a second core containing a second material and a second microwave-responsive material and a second shell surrounding the second core. In Article 11, An aerosol generating article wherein the first capsule and the second capsule are exposed to the microwave and shattered at different times. In Article 11, An aerosol generating article wherein the first capsule is positioned upstream of the second capsule and is exposed to the microwave and shattered before the second capsule. Aerosol generating articles according to paragraph 1; and An aerosol generating device in which the aerosol generating article is accommodated; An aerosol generating system, wherein the aerosol generating device comprises a heater assembly that generates microwaves for heating the aerosol generating article. In Article 14, The above heater assembly includes a resonator that generates the microwave, The above resonance part includes a plurality of plates spaced apart from each other along the circumference of the aerosol generating article, An aerosol generating system in which the microwaves are resonated by the plurality of plates.