Patent ID: 12193486

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol generating device is provided. The aerosol generating device includes: a first cartridge configured to accommodate a first material and comprising a delivery hole that is configured to deliver an aerosol generated from the first material; a second cartridge comprising a plurality of chambers that are each configured to accommodate a second material through which the aerosol delivered from the first cartridge passes and is discharged to the outside, wherein a position of the second cartridge with respect to the first cartridge is changeable so that at least one of the plurality of chambers corresponds to the delivery hole; a position sensor configured to generate a signal by detecting a position of at least one of the plurality of chambers with respect to the delivery hole; and a controller configured to identify a usage chamber, among the plurality of chambers and which is aligned to correspond to a position of the delivery hole to pass the aerosol, based on the signal of the position sensor.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device further includes a driving device configured to change a relative position of the second cartridge with respect to the first cartridge by moving at least one from among the first cartridge and the second cartridge, wherein the controller is configured to operate the driving device to change the relative position of the second cartridge with respect to the first cartridge so that the aerosol is able to pass through at least one of the plurality of chambers.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device further includes a reference sensor arranged on a movement path of the plurality of chambers between the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and configured to generate a reference position signal indicating a reference position of the second cartridge with respect to the first cartridge, wherein, based on the reference sensor generating the reference position signal, the controller is configured to convert a movement direction of any one from among the first cartridge and the second cartridge into an opposite direction.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device further includes a stopper arranged on a movement path of the plurality of chambers between the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and configured to be in contact with any one from among the first cartridge and the second cartridge to limit position movement, wherein, when any one from among the first cartridge and the second cartridge is moved in one direction by the driving device and comes into contact with the stopper, the controller is configured to control the driving device to attempt to further move the any one from among the first cartridge and the second cartridge in the one direction and then convert a movement direction of the any one from among the first cartridge and the second cartridge into an opposite direction.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device further includes a handle that is configured to be manipulated by a user so as to change relative positions of the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and is further configured to transmit force of the user to move at least one from among the first cartridge and the second cartridge.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device further includes an information generator that is configured to be controlled by the controller to output information on the usage chamber, among the plurality of chambers, which is aligned to correspond to the position of the delivery hole to pass the aerosol.

According to an embodiment, the position sensor includes: a plurality of electric resistors that are arranged at different positions between the first cartridge and the second cartridge and have different electric resistance values from each other so as to correspond to changes in relative positions of the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and a conducting wire configured to be electrically connected to the plurality of electric resistors, wherein the controller is configured to identify the position of the at least one of the plurality of chambers based on electricity flowing through at least one of the plurality of electric resistors.

According to an embodiment, the position sensor includes: a plurality of magnetic bodies that are arranged at different positions between the first cartridge and the second cartridge and have magnetism with different strengths from each other so as to correspond to changes in relative positions of the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and a magnetism sensor configured to detect the magnetism of the plurality of magnetic bodies.

According to an embodiment, when the position of the at least one of the plurality of chambers is aligned to correspond to the delivery hole, the position sensor generates a unique identification signal corresponding to the at least one of the plurality of chambers that is aligned.

According to an embodiment, the position sensor includes at least one switch that is positioned on a movement path of the plurality of chambers between the first cartridge and the second cartridge, the at least one switch configured to operate according to changes in relative positions of the first cartridge and the second cartridge to generate a position signal indicating positions of the plurality of chambers.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device further includes: a handle that is configured to be manipulated by a user so as to change relative positions of the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and a force transmission unit configured to transmit force of the user, transmitted to the handle, to any one from among the first cartridge and the second cartridge, wherein the position sensor comprises at least one switch that is connected to at least one from among the handle and the force transmission unit, and the signal of the position sensor indicates positions of the plurality of chambers according to changes in the relative positions of the first cartridge and the second cartridge.

According to an embodiment, any one from among the first cartridge and the second cartridge is rotatably coupled to the other one from among the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and the position sensor is configured to detect changes in a rotation position of the any one from among the first cartridge and the second cartridge.

According to an embodiment, any one from among the first cartridge and the second cartridge is linearly and movably coupled to the other one from among the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and the position sensor is configured to detect changes in a linear position of the any one from among the first cartridge and the second cartridge.

According to an embodiment, the controller is configured to identify that two adjacent chambers of the plurality of chambers, which are both aligned to correspond to the position of the delivery hole to pass the aerosol, are simultaneous usage chambers based on the signal of the position sensor.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device further includes a driving device configured to change a relative position of the second cartridge with respect to the first cartridge by moving at least one from among the first cartridge and the second cartridge, wherein the controller is configured to operate the driving device to change the relative position of the second cartridge with respect to the first cartridge so that the aerosol is able to simultaneously pass through the two adjacent chambers of the plurality of chambers.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

With respect to the terms used to describe the various embodiments of the present disclosure, general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the meaning of the terms can be provided according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of a new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, a term which is not commonly used can be selected. In such a case, the meaning of the term will be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used to describe the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meaning of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms “-er”, “-or”, and “module” described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

As used herein, expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. For example, the expression, “at least one of a, b, and c,” should be understood as including only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, or all of a, b, and c.

If one component or layer is mentioned to be “over,” “above,” “connected to,” or “combined with” another component or layer, the one component or layer is arranged to be over, above, connected to, or combined with the other component or layer with or without an intervening component(s) or layer(s). In contrast, if one component or layer is mentioned to be “directly over,” “directly above,” “directly connected to,” or “directly combined with” another component or layer, there is no additional components or layers between the components or layers. In the disclosure, the same reference numbers may indicate the same components.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which non-limiting example embodiments of the present disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the example embodiments set forth herein.

FIG.1is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment,FIG.2is a perspective view illustrating a separated state of some components of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIG.1, andFIG.3is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIG.1.

The aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIGS.1through3is a device for performing a function of supplying an aerosol to a user, may be a device that heats an aerosol generating material by using a heater operating using electricity, an induction magnetic field, or ultrasonic waves so as to generate an aerosol.

Referring toFIG.3, the aerosol generating device may include a first cartridge10accommodating a first material12and including a delivery hole11through which an aerosol generated from the first material12is delivered, and a second cartridge20including a plurality of chambers21for accommodating a second material22through which the aerosol delivered from the first cartridge10passes and is discharged to the outside.

The first cartridge10and the second cartridge20may be integrated with each other so as to be handled as one part and to form an aerosol generating assembly5.

Referring toFIG.1, the aerosol generating device may include a case7including an accommodation passage7afor accommodating the aerosol generating assembly5. The case7may include a display device7ffor transmitting information to a user and a display lamp7dfor transmitting a notification related to an operating state of the aerosol generating device to the user, wherein the display device7fand the display lamp7dare arranged on an outer surface of the case7. The display device7fand the display lamp7dmay be examples of information generators for performing a function of notifying various types of notifications to the user, and an information generator may be in the form of, for example, a speaker or a vibration generator.

In addition, the case7may include an input device95that may be manipulated by the user and generates a user input signal by detecting the user's manipulation.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS.1through3, the case7may have an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the aerosol generating assembly5may have a cylindrical shape that extends long in an axial direction. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the shapes of the case7and the aerosol generating assembly5as shown inFIGS.1through3. For example, the case7may have other shapes such as a cylindrical shape that extends long in the axial direction, a cylindrical shape having an elliptical cross-section, a flat cylindrical shape, a regular cube, and a rectangular parallelepiped. In addition, the aerosol generating assembly5may have other shapes such as a rectangular parallelepiped, a regular cube, and the like.

The first cartridge10and the second cartridge20may be coupled to each other so that relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20may be changed. In the embodiment shown inFIGS.1through3, the second cartridge20rotates relative to the first cartridge10so that the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20may be changed. The first cartridge10may have a cylindrical shape as a whole and include a position fixing surface10swhich is at least partially formed differently from the extension direction of the cylindrical surface.

The accommodation passage7aof the case7may be formed as a hollow cylindrical path that extends long to accommodate the aerosol generating assembly5. A position maintenance surface7smay be formed on at least a portion of the accommodation passage7ato be different from the extension direction of the cylindrical surface of an inner wall surface of the accommodation passage7aso as to have a shape corresponding to the position fixing surface10sof the first cartridge10.

When the aerosol generating assembly5is accommodated in the accommodation passage7aof the case7, the position maintenance surface7sand the position fixing surface10sare in contact with each other, and accordingly, the position of the first cartridge10with respect to the case7may be stably maintained. That is, when the second cartridge20rotates with respect to the first cartridge10, the position fixing surface10sof the first cartridge10is supported by the position maintenance surface7sso that a state in which the first cartridge10does not rotate but is fixed to the case7, may be stably maintained.

In addition, when the aerosol generating assembly5is inserted into the accommodation passage7aof the case7, the position maintenance surface7sand the position fixing surface10smay perform an alignment function of aligning the relative positions of an axial center of the aerosol generating assembly5with respect to an axial center of the accommodation passage7a. That is, the position fixing surface10sof the first cartridge10and the position maintenance surface7sof the accommodation passage7aof the aerosol generating assembly5may be required to correspond to each other so that the aerosol generating assembly5may be inserted into the accommodation passage7aof the case7.

The case7may include an electrical terminal50dthat is arranged at an end of the accommodation passage7aand supplies electricity to the first cartridge10. When the aerosol generating assembly5is aligned with respect to the accommodation passage7aso that the position fixing surface10sof the first cartridge10and the position maintenance surface7sof the accommodation passage7aof the aerosol generating assembly5correspond to each other, the electrical terminal50dmay be accurately connected to the first cartridge10.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited by the coupling structure of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20described above, and the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20may be rotatably coupled to each other by using various coupling structures. For example, the first cartridge10may rotate with respect to the second cartridge20in a state in which the position of the second cartridge20is fixedly maintained at the case7by modifying the structure of the aerosol generating assembly5shown inFIGS.1through3. Alternatively, each of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20may rotate so that the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20may be changed.

The first cartridge10may perform a function of delivering the aerosol generated by an atomizer50aembedded in the case7to the second cartridge20.

The first cartridge10may accommodate the first material12therein. The first material12may be, for example, a liquid or gel material. The first material12may be maintained in a liquid state by being impregnated within a porous material such as a sponge or cotton inside the first cartridge10.

The first material12may be a liquid material and may include, for example, a tobacco-containing material or a non-tobacco material including a volatile tobacco flavor component.

The first material12may include, for example, water, a solvent, ethanol, plant extract, spices, flavorings, or a vitamin mixture.

The spices of the first material12may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint, and various fruit-flavored ingredients, but are not limited thereto. The flavorings may include ingredients capable of providing various flavors or tastes to a user.

Vitamin mixtures of the first material12may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto.

Also, the first material12may include an aerosol forming substance, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The atomizer50aand a controller70are installed at a lower side of the accommodation passage7ainside the case7and may generate an aerosol by heating the first material12of the first cartridge10. The controller70may include a battery for supplying power to the atomizer50aand a control chip or control circuit board for controlling the operation of the atomizer50a.

The atomizer50amay include a wick52that absorbs the first material12from the first cartridge10and holds the first material12, a heater51that is wound around the wick52, is in contact with the wick52or is adjacent to the wick52to heat the first material12so as to generate an aerosol, and an aerosol generating chamber50cthat surrounds the heater51and creates an atmosphere for generating the aerosol.

The atomizer50amay perform a function of converting a phase of the aerosol generating material into a gaseous phase to generate an aerosol. The aerosol may refer to a gas in which vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating material are mixed with air.

The heater51may be an electric resistive heating element that generates heat by electricity supplied from the controller70. The atomizer50aincludes the electric resistive heating element. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited by such configuration of the atomizer50a. The atomizer50amay generate an aerosol, for example, by an ultrasonic method or by a heating method.

The first cartridge10may include the delivery hole11that extends along the extension direction of the first cartridge10to deliver the aerosol. The aerosol generating chamber50cmay deliver the aerosol generated by the heater51to the delivery hole11of the first cartridge10. Thus, the aerosol supplied from the aerosol generating chamber50cmay be delivered to the second cartridge20through the delivery hole11of the first cartridge10.

The second cartridge20may be disposed to rotate with respect to the first cartridge10and include a plurality of chambers21which are sequentially positioned along the rotation direction of the second cartridge20, and a second material22, which is accommodated in each of the plurality of chambers21and through which the aerosol passes.

The second material22may be in a solid state and may include, for example, a powder or a granule, which is a collection of small-sized particles.

The second material22may include, for example, a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may include any one component of additives such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic acid, a flavored material such as menthol or a moisturizer, plant extract, spices, flavorings, and a vitamin mixture, or a mixture of these ingredients.

The spices of the second material22may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint, and various fruit-flavored ingredients, but are not limited thereto.

The flavorings of the second material22may include ingredients capable of providing various flavors or tastes to the user.

The vitamin mixtures of the second material22may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto.

The second cartridge20may include a plurality of chambers21, which are positioned to be sequentially apart from one another along the rotation direction of the second cartridge20. The chambers21may be partitioned independently from each other by a partition wall.

As shown inFIG.2, three chambers21are installed. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this number of chambers21, and two or more chambers21may also be installed.

Referring toFIG.3, the first cartridge10may include a rotation shaft40that protrudes upward. The rotation shaft40may protrude from the first cartridge10upward, and the second cartridge20may be rotatably coupled to the rotation shaft40.

A mouthpiece26including an outlet26efor discharging the aerosol passing through the second material22of at least one of the chambers21to the outside may be coupled to an upper portion of the second cartridge20. An upper plate27for covering upper ends of the chambers21may be arranged on an upper portion of the chambers21. The upper plate27may include an upper through hole27pthrough which the aerosol passes.

A flow guide29may be coupled to the upper end of the rotation shaft40that protrudes from the upper surface of the upper plate27. The flow guide29may be positioned inside the mouthpiece26and may perform a function of inducing the flow of the aerosol passing through the second material22of the chambers21to the outlet26eof the mouthpiece26. The flow guide29may include a plurality of wings each corresponding to the chambers21.

The relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20in a state in which the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20are coupled to each other, may be changed so that at least one of the plurality of chambers21of the second cartridge20may correspond to the delivery hole11of the first cartridge10. Thus, the aerosol discharged from the delivery hole11of the first cartridge10may pass through the second material22accommodated in the chamber, among the plurality of chambers21of the second cartridge20, which corresponds to the delivery hole11. While the aerosol passes through the second material22, the characteristics of the aerosol may be changed.

The aerosol generating device may further include a driving device60that generates a driving force to move at least one of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20. Referring toFIGS.1and3, the driving device60may include a motor61that is disposed inside the case7and operates by an electrical signal, and a gear62that delivers the driving force of the motor61to the second cartridge20. A gear surface20gmay be installed outside the second cartridge20to extend along the rotation direction of the second cartridge20.

When the aerosol generating assembly5is mounted on the case7, the gear surface20gof the second cartridge20may be coupled to the gear62. When the electrical signal is applied to the motor61of the driving device60from the controller70, a shaft of the motor61may make a rotational motion, and the driving force of the motor61may be delivered to the gear surface20gof the second cartridge20through the gear62. Thus, the driving device60may perform a function of rotating the second cartridge20with respect to the first cartridge10.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited by the configuration of the driving device60shown inFIGS.1and3. For example, the driving device60may be connected to the first cartridge10and may rotate the first cartridge10. Also, the gear62of the driving device60may be replaced with various power transmission elements such as a belt, a sprocket, and the like.

Here, an operation state, in which the position of at least one of the plurality of chambers21of the second cartridge20corresponds to the position of the delivery hole11of the first cartridge10, may include both the state where the position of any one of the plurality of chambers21corresponds to the position of the delivery hole11of the first cartridge10and the state where the positions of two adjacent chambers21of the plurality of chambers21correspond to the position of the delivery hole11of the first cartridge10.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, the second cartridge20includes a mark91installed on an outer surface of the second cartridge20. The second cartridge20may include a plurality of chambers21therein, and the mark91of the second cartridge20is formed at a position corresponding to each of the chambers21.

The first cartridge10may include a mark92that may be used as a reference position with respect to the mark91of the second cartridge20at an outer surface of the first cartridge10. Thus, the mark91of the second cartridge20may coincide with the mark92of the first cartridge10so that the position of at least one of the chambers21may be aligned with the position of the delivery hole11of the first cartridge10through which the aerosol is discharged.

Also, the user may check the positions of the mark91of the second cartridge20and the mark92of the first cartridge10to identify information of a chamber through which the aerosol currently passes, among the chambers21of the second cartridge20.

A position sensor97that indicates the type of the second material22included in the chamber, among the chambers21, through which the aerosol currently passes according to the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20may be installed between the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20. The position sensor97may perform a function of generating a signal by detecting the position of at least one of the chambers21with respect to the delivery hole11.

The position sensor97may include a transmitter97aarranged in the second cartridge20and one or more receivers97bthat is disposed in the first cartridge10and detects the transmitter97a. Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited by the arrangement positions or the number of the transmitter97aand receivers97b. For example, the transmitter97amay be arranged in the first cartridge10, and the receivers97bmay be arranged in the second cartridge20.

When the position of at least one of the chambers21is aligned to correspond to the delivery hole11, the position sensor97may generate an identification signal corresponding to the aligned chamber that is different from identification signals corresponding to non-aligned chambers.

The transmitter97aand the receivers97bof the position sensor97may be implemented by one among an optical sensor such as a photocoupler, a magnetic sensor that detects magnetism by using a hall effect, an electric resistance sensor that detects changes in electric resistance, a switch that generates a signal according to a physical contact, and a combination thereof.

Referring toFIGS.1and3, a puff sensor79pmay be arranged on a path along which the aerosol flows, inside the case7. The puff sensor79pmay perform a function of detecting a flow phenomenon of the aerosol generated according to the user's aerosol inhalation operation. The puff sensor79pmay be connected to the delivery hole11, for example, to detect fluctuations in pressure of fluid, i.e., a fluid including the aerosol flowing through the delivery hole11or flow rate according to the flow of air, and generate a signal. The puff sensor79pmay be arranged in a pressure detection hole79sconnected to the delivery hole11.

When using the aerosol generating device described above, the aerosol delivered from the first cartridge10and that enters at least one of the chambers21of the second cartridge20may pass through the second material22accommodated in the at least one of the chambers21. The second material22may provide flavors to the aerosol. The aerosol that passes through the second material22and includes sufficient flavors may pass through the upper through hole2′7pof the upper plate27disposed at an upper portion of the chambers21and then may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device through the mouthpiece26.

When pre-set conditions are achieved, the controller70may operate the driving device60to perform a function of changing the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20so that the aerosol delivered from the first cartridge10may pass through at least one of the chambers21. That is, the second material22included in the chambers21of the second cartridge20has a pre-set usage time in relation to an operation of passing the aerosol, and when an actual usage time used to perform the operation of passing the aerosol through the second material22reaches the pre-set usage time, the positions of the chambers through which the aerosol passes may need to be changed.

The controller70may change the relative position of the second cartridge20with respect to the first cartridge10to perform a function of selecting another one or adjacent chambers21of the chambers21of the second cartridge20so as to pass the aerosol.

Also, the controller70may perform a function of identifying a usage chamber, among the chambers21, that is aligned to correspond to the position of the delivery hole11to be used to pass the aerosol, based on the signal of the position sensor97. Here, the ‘usage chamber’ is a name that refers to one of the chambers21, and is the term for indicating at least one of the chambers21that is aligned to correspond to the position of the delivery hole11and in use to perform a function of passing the aerosol.

Referring toFIG.2, stoppers81aand81bmay be installed between the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20so as to limit changes in the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20. The stoppers81aand81bmay be arranged on a movement path of the chambers21between the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20. The stoppers81aand81bmay perform a function of limiting a relative motion of the second cartridge20with respect to the first cartridge10. The relative motion of the second cartridge20with respect to the first cartridge10is for changing positions of the chambers21with reference to the delivery hole11. Here, the ‘movement path’ of the chambers21does not mean a physical path through which the chambers21pass, but refers to a path in a circumferential direction along which outer edges on which the stoppers81aand81bof the second cartridge20are installed, move along a path in which the chambers21move in the circumferential direction as the second cartridge20rotates.

When the second cartridge20makes a rotational motion in one direction with respect to the first cartridge10and the stoppers81aand81bare in contact with each other, the second cartridge20may no longer make a rotational motion, and the driving device60may convert the direction of the rotational motion of the second cartridge20into an opposite direction. The operation of the driving device60in relation to the stoppers81aand81bwill be described in more detail with reference toFIGS.5through7below.

FIG.4is a block diagram schematically illustrating a connection relationship between some components of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIG.1.

The controller70shown inFIG.4may be implemented by any one of a circuit board arranged inside the case7shown inFIGS.1and3, a semiconductor chip attached to the circuit board, and software installed on the semiconductor chip or circuit board, or a combination thereof.

The controller70may include an atomization controller71that controls the atomizer50ato control the generation amount or the temperature of the aerosol; a sensor receiver74that receives signals generated according to a temperature sensor79tfor detecting the temperature related to the atomizer50a, a puff sensor79pfor detecting changes in pressure or speed of air generated when the user inhales the aerosol, and the position sensor97shown inFIG.2that detects the rotation position of the second cartridge20with respect to the first cartridge10; an information controller75that controls an information generator96for providing information to the user or providing a notification; a user input receiver76that receives a user input signal from an input device95that is a user input device such as a button, a touch screen, or an input button for detecting the user's input operation; an input/output controller73that exchanges data with a storage78including information on the type of the first material of the first cartridge10or the second material of the second cartridge20, a temperature profile for controlling the operating temperature of the atomizer50a, information on the user, and/or information on the positions of the chambers21with respect to the delivery hole11according to changes in the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20; a medium determining unit72that determines a usage chamber currently in use to pass the aerosol based on the signal received from the position sensor97and the type of a medium contained in the usage chamber; and a driving controller77for controlling the operation of the driving device60.

According to embodiments, the controller70may comprise at least one processor and memory storing computer instructions. The computer instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the at least one processor to implement any number of the atomization controller71, the medium determining unit72, the input/output controller73, the sensor receiver74, the information controller75, and the user input receiver76, and perform the functions thereof.

The controller70described above may detect the user's inhalation operation, thereby initiating or stopping the operation of the atomizer50a. Also, the controller70may determine the usage chamber currently in use to pass the aerosol based on the signal applied from the position sensor97and the type of the medium contained in the usage chamber and may control the operating temperature or operating time of the atomizer50ato be suitable for the type of medium.

The controller70may determine the usage chamber currently in use to pass the aerosol based on the signal applied from the position sensor97and the type of the medium contained in the usage chamber and then may output information (e.g. a pre-set identification number of the usage chamber) on the type of the usage chamber, to the information generator96. The pre-set identification number of the usage chamber may include, for example, numbers, characters, or symbols. Also, the controller70may output information on the type of the medium contained in the usage chamber, for example, the name of the medium and/or the characteristics of the medium (e.g. information on flavors or use life) to the information generator96.

The controller70may operate the driving device60when the pre-set conditions are achieved. The pre-set conditions for changing the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20by operating the driving device60by using the controller70may include a cumulative time of heating operations of generating heat by using the heater so as to generate an aerosol or a combination of the cumulative time of heating operations of the heater and the heating temperature of the heater.

When the pre-set conditions are achieved, the controller70may first generate a notification notifying that the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20need to be changed, through the information generator96. When the user checks the notification to manipulate the input device95, the controller70may operate the driving device60based on the input signal applied from the input device95so as to change the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20.

When the pre-set conditions include the cumulative time of heating operations of the heater, the controller70may calculate the amount of current or the amount of power supplied to the heater by using the atomization controller71or may calculate the cumulative time of heating operations of the heater by summing up time when the current is supplied to the heater. For example, when the aerosol passes through the second material22included in one of the chambers21of the second cartridge20and time when flavors are provided to the aerosol is pre-set to n minutes, the controller70may determine that, when the cumulative time of heating operations of the heater reaches n minutes, the use of a chamber currently passing the aerosol needs to be ended, thereby changing the relative position of the second cartridge20to the first cartridge10and selecting a new chamber through which the aerosol from among the chambers21passes.

The heating operation of the heater may include a main heating operation of generating heat at a sufficient temperature to vaporize the first material of the first cartridge10and a pre-heating operation of generating heat in the range of temperature that is lower than temperature corresponding to the main heating operation. The heating operation of the heater included in the pre-set conditions for operating the driving device60by using the controller70may be a main heating operation.

The case where the pre-set conditions include the combination of the cumulative time of heating operations of the heater and the heating temperature of the heater may be more useful when the heating operation of the heater includes the main heating operation and the pre-heating operation. For example, when the time at which the aerosol passes through the second material22included in one of the chambers21and flavors may be provided to the aerosol is pre-set to n minutes, the controller70may count the cumulative time of heating operations of the heater only when the heating temperature of the heater reaches the temperature corresponding to the main heating operation.

The pre-set conditions for changing the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20by operating the driving device60by using the controller70may include any one of the number of puff operations determined based on the signal detected by the puff sensor79pand the cumulative time of puff operations or a combination thereof. When the intensity of the signal detected by the puff sensor79pexceeds a pre-set threshold value, the controller70may determine that a valid inhalation operation has been performed by the user and may count the number of puff operations.

When the pre-set conditions include the number of puff operations, the controller70may count the number of puff operations performed on the chamber through which the aerosol currently passes, among the chambers21of the second cartridge20, based on the signal generated by the puff sensor79p. In this case, the controller70may simply count only the number of puff operations that have occurred based on the signal of the puff sensor79p, ignoring the cumulative time of puff operations in which the user continuously performs the inhalation operation of inhaling the aerosol.

For example, when the number of puff operations, in which the aerosol passes through the second material22included in one of the chambers21of the second cartridge20and flavors may be provided to the aerosol, is pre-set to m times, the controller70may determine that, when the number of puff operations reaches m times, the use of the chamber through which the aerosol currently passes needs to be ended, thereby changing the relative position of the second cartridge20with respect to the first cartridge10and selecting a new chamber through which the aerosol passes from among the chambers21.

The controller70may determine a position changing time of the second cartridge20for selecting a new chamber considering the use environment of the aerosol generating device or the user's inhalation habit. To this end, the pre-set conditions may include the cumulative time of puff operations or a combination of the number of puff operations and the cumulative time of puff operations.

The operation when the pre-set conditions include the combination of the number of puff operations and the cumulative time of puff operations may be as follows. For example, when the number of puff operations, in which the aerosol passes through the second material22included in one of the chambers21and flavors may be provided to the aerosol, is m times and the cumulative time of puff operations is pre-set to p minutes, the controller70may determine that, when all of the condition that the number of puff operations reaches m times and the condition that the cumulative time of puff operations reaches p minutes are satisfied, the use of the chamber through which the aerosol currently passes needs to be ended. Thus, even if the number of puff operations reaches m times based on the signal of the puff sensor79p, when the cumulative time of puff operations has not reached p minutes, the controller70may maintain the position of the chamber through which the aerosol currently passes until the cumulative time of puff operations reaches p minutes, so that the number of puff operations may reach (m+x) times. Even when these operating conditions are changed and any one of the condition that the number of puff operations reaches m times and the condition that the cumulative time of puff operations reaches p minutes is satisfied, the controller70may determine that the use of the chamber through which the aerosol currently passes needs to be ended.

The pre-set condition for changing the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20by operating the driving device60by using the controller70may include a usage time determined based on an input signal generated when the input device95receives the user's input.

The case where the pre-set condition includes the usage time determined based on the input signal of the input device95, may be more useful when the user may perform a function of directly initiating the operation of the heater. For example, when the user manipulates the input device95as the user desires or the user's convenience or improving convenience, the aerosol generating device may provide a function in which the heater of the atomizer does not perform a separate pre-heating operation but the heater reacts immediately, thereby performing a main heating operation at a high speed. In this case, the pre-set condition includes the usage time determined based on the input signal of the input device95, so that, when the usage time at which the atomizer operates reaches a pre-set reference usage time by the user's manipulation, the controller70may determine to end the use of the usage chamber through which the aerosol currently passes, thereby changing the relative position of the second cartridge20with respect to the first cartridge10and selecting a new chamber through which the aerosol passes from among the chambers21.

The pre-set condition for changing the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20by operating the driving device60by using the controller70may include any one of the number of puff operations determined based on the signal detected by the puff sensor79pand the cumulative time of puff operations, or a combination thereof. When the intensity of the signal detected by the puff sensor79pexceeds a pre-set threshold value, the controller70may determine that a valid inhalation operation has been performed by the user, and may count the number of puff operations.

In the above description, characters such as m, n, p, and x to indicate time or number of times may refer to integers, real numbers, or length of time.

The pre-set condition for changing the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20by operating the driving device60with the controller70may include a selection condition that at least one of the chambers21is selected to be used, based on the input signal generated when the input device95receives the user's input.

The chambers21of the second cartridge20may include the second material22having different types of mediums or different particle sizes, and the controller70may control the display lamp7dto emit light or change an emission color, or display information on the display device7f, thereby providing information on the second material22included in the usage chamber, among the chambers21of the second cartridge20, that is aligned with the position of the delivery hole11of the first cartridge10and used to pass the aerosol to the user.

When the user manipulates the input device95to select a desired chamber to be used from among the chambers21, the controller70may determine that the selection condition that the user selects at least one of the chambers21based on the input signal input from the input device95is achieved, thereby changing the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20.

When using the aerosol generating device described above, the user rotates the second cartridge20relative to the first cartridge10before mounting the aerosol generating assembly5on the case7, thereby adjusting the rotation position of the second cartridge20so that the position of at least one of the chambers21of the second cartridge20coincides with a position corresponding to the delivery hole11of the first cartridge10. After adjusting the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20, the user may mount the aerosol generating assembly5on the case7.

It is possible to modify this operating method. That is, when the user mounts the aerosol generating assembly5on the case7without needing to adjust the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20, the driving device60embedded in the case7may automatically rotate the second cartridge20to automatically adjust the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20to an initial position for generating an aerosol. The ‘initial position’ may be a position corresponding to a position in which the position of any one of the chambers21of the second cartridge20corresponds to the position of the delivery hole11.

In a state in which the position of at least one of the chambers21of the second cartridge20corresponds to the position of the delivery hole11of the first cartridge10, the user may inhale the aerosol through the mouthpiece26.

The aerosol generating assembly5of the aerosol generating device may be handled as one device in which the first cartridge10for accommodating the first material12and the second cartridge20for accommodating the second material22are integrated with each other, and thus is convenient to carry and use.

In addition, even when the first cartridge10of the aerosol generating device is designed to accommodate a large amount of the first material12, the second cartridge20may be automatically rotated by the driving device60to select the chambers21used for supplying the aerosol, so that the effect of replacing the second cartridge including the second material22with a new second material22may be obtained without replacing the second cartridge including the second material22.

In addition, the chambers21of the second cartridge20may include different types of second materials22. For example, the chambers21may include the second material22having different particle sizes or different flavors. Even when the chambers21include different types of second materials22, the controller70may identify the usage chamber, among the chambers21, currently in use to pass the aerosol by being aligned to correspond to the delivery hole11based on a signal generated by the position sensor97. Because information on the usage chamber identified by the controller70and on the second material22included in the usage chamber may be provided to the user, the user may select one from among the chambers21to select a desired second material22, thereby freely enjoying the aerosol having various flavors.

FIG.5is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an operating state of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment,FIG.6is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating another operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIG.5, andFIG.7is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating another operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIG.5.

In the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIGS.5through7, the stoppers81aand81bmay be arranged on the movement path of the chambers21between the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20. Each of the chambers21may have a unique identification number of 1, 2, and 3. As the second cartridge20makes a rotational motion with respect to the first cartridge10maintained in a fixed position, one of the chambers21may perform a function of the usage chamber that is aligned with respect to the position of the delivery hole11of the first cartridge10and passes the aerosol.

InFIG.5, the chamber with the identification number 1 may be aligned with respect to the delivery hole11, and inFIG.6, the chamber with the identification number 2 may be aligned with respect to the delivery hole11, and inFIG.7, the chamber the chamber with the identification number 3 may be aligned with respect to the delivery hole11. When, in the state shown inFIG.7, the second cartridge20further rotates in a clockwise direction with respect to the first cartridge10, the stoppers81aand81bare in contact with each other in a limit position, so that the second cartridge20may not further rotate with respect to the first cartridge10.

The use of the stoppers81aand81bby a physical method, whereby the stoppers81aand81bare in contact with each other to limit the rotational motion of the second cartridge20, may be more advantageous when there is no encoder or origin sensor for detecting the rotation position of the motor. For example, even when the driving device for rotating the second cartridge20includes a stepping motor that operates based on a pulse signal and an origin sensor for setting a reference position of the stepping motor is not installed, the reference position of the stepping motor may be reset by using the stoppers81aand81b.

Because the controller may identify the positions of the chambers21aligned with respect to the delivery hole11based on the signal of the position sensor, in a state in which the chamber having the identification number of 3 is aligned with respect to the delivery hole11, the controller70may apply the pulse signal to the stepping motor so as to rotate the second cartridge20up to the limit position where the stoppers81aand81bcontact each other.

In order to realize this operation, the controller70may calculate the length of a pre-set pulse signal until the chamber having the identification number of 3 reaches the limit position of the stoppers81aand81bfrom the position aligned with the delivery hole11or may obtain the length of the pre-set pulse signal from data stored in the storage. The length of the pre-set pulse signal, until the chamber having the identification number of 3 reaches the limit position of the stoppers81aand81bfrom a position in which the chamber with the identification number of 3 is aligned with the delivery hole11, may be set to be greater than the length of the pulse signal for achieving an actual rotational motion until the chamber having the identification number of 3 reaches the limit position of the stoppers81aand81bfrom the position in which the chamber with the identification number of 3 is aligned with the delivery hole11.

FIG.8is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of the aerosol generating device shown inFIG.7.

When the controller70applies the pre-set pulse signal to the stepping motor at a position where the chamber with the identification number of 3 is aligned with the delivery hole11, even after the stoppers81aand81bare in contact with each other at the limit position, the stepping motor is further operated by a signal applied from the controller70and the second cartridge20may be in a stopped state after attempting to further perform the rotational motion. In this state, the controller70may convert the rotational motion of the second cartridge20into an opposite direction. Referring toFIG.8, the second cartridge20may rotate in a clockwise direction until the stoppers81aand81bare in contact with each other at the limit position, as indicated by a dotted line, and then the motion direction of the second cartridge20may be converted into a counterclockwise direction, as indicated by a solid line, so that the second cartridge20may continue to rotate.

The controller70may rotate the second cartridge20until the stoppers81aand81bare in physical contact with each other from the state where the chamber closest to the stoppers81aand81bis aligned to correspond to the delivery hole11. In order for the stoppers81aand81bto reliably contact each other, the controller70may transmit a signal to the motor so as to rotate the second cartridge20in a range of rotational angles greater than an ‘expected rotational angle’ required for the rotational motion of the second cartridge20. The ‘expected rotational angle’ of the second cartridge20required until the stoppers81aand81bcontact each other may be set according to the rotation direction of the second cartridge20based on the size of the second cartridge20(e.g. the diameter of the second cartridge20). Because the controller70may rotate the second cartridge20with the rotational angle in the range of rotational angles greater than the ‘expected rotational angel’, the stoppers81aand81bmay be reliably in physical contact with each other.

FIG.9is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating another operating state of the aerosol generating device shown inFIG.7.

InFIG.9, the second cartridge20makes a rotational motion in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the first cartridge10. After the second cartridge20continues to rotate in a counterclockwise direction and the stoppers81aand81bcontact each other as shown by the dotted line, the motion direction of the second cartridge20may be converted into a clockwise direction that is an opposite direction so that the second cartridge20may continue to rotate.

FIG.10is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an operating state of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

In the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIG.10, the second cartridge20may rotate with respect to the first cartridge10maintained in a fixed position so that the relative positions of the chambers with respect to the delivery hole may be changed. A reference sensor82that functions as an electronic stopper in relation to the relative rotational motion of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20may be installed between the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20.

The reference sensor82may be arranged on a movement path of the chambers between the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20and may perform a function of limiting the range of the rotational motion for changing the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20.

The reference sensor82may include a reference signal transmitter82aand a reference signal receiver82b. The reference sensor82may be implemented using various units such as an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a hall sensor using a magnet and a hall effect, an electrical switch that generates a signal by physical contact, and the like.

The controller70may limit the range of the rotational motion of the second cartridge20with respect to the first cartridge10based on a signal generated by the reference sensor82. For example, as shown inFIG.10, when the second cartridge20rotates in a clockwise direction with respect to the first cartridge10and the reference sensor82generates a signal, the controller70may determine that the second cartridge20reaches the limit of the clockwise rotation range and may convert the rotation direction of the second cartridge20into a counterclockwise direction. When the second cartridge20rotates in the counterclockwise direction and the reference sensor82generates a signal, the controller70may determine that the second cartridge20reaches the limit in the rotational range in the counterclockwise direction and may convert the rotation direction of the second cartridge20into the clockwise direction.

When the stoppers81aand81bor the reference sensor82having the above-described configurations is used, the second cartridge20may not continue to rotate with respect to the first cartridge10, and the rotation direction of the second cartridge20may be converted in the range within 360 degrees. Thus, even when the rotational motion of the second cartridge20with respect to the first cartridge10is repeatedly performed, because a phenomenon, that errors related to identification of the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20are accumulated, may be minimized so that the positions of the chambers21may be precisely controlled.

FIG.11is a perspective view schematically illustrating some components of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

In the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIG.11, an aerosol generating assembly5may include a first cartridge10and a second cartridge20that is rotatably coupled to the first cartridge10. A driving device60may be installed in the first cartridge10, and the driving device60may rotate the second cartridge20so that the relative positions of the second cartridge20with respect to the first cartridge10may be changed.

The first cartridge10may include a plurality of reservoirs partitioned to accommodate a plurality of first materials12, respectively, and a plurality of delivery holes11formed to correspond to the plurality of reservoirs. In the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIG.11, the first cartridge10includes two reservoirs and two delivery holes11. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited by the configuration of the first cartridge10, and the number of reservoirs and the number of delivery holes11may be variously changed.

An aerosol generated when the first material12contained in the plurality of reservoirs is vaporized, may be delivered to the second cartridge20through the plurality of delivery holes11of the first cartridge10. When the aerosol is generated in the first cartridge10, the first materials12of all reservoirs of the first cartridge10may be simultaneously vaporized. According to embodiments, the first material12may be vaporized in only one of the plurality of reservoirs, or the first material12may be vaporized in more than one of the plurality of reservoirs.

The second cartridge20may include a plurality of chambers21for accommodating the second material22through which the aerosol delivered from the first cartridge10passes and is discharged to the outside. The first cartridge10and the second cartridge20may be integrated with each other and integrally coupled to each other to be handled as one part, thereby forming the aerosol generating assembly5.

A position sensor97for generating a position signal by detecting the position of at least one of the chambers21with respect to the delivery hole11may be installed between the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20.

The position sensor97may include transmitters97aapart from each other in a rotation direction of the second cartridge20, i.e., in a circumferential direction, and a receiver97bthat is arranged in the first cartridge10and detects the transmitters97a. Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited by the arrangement positions or the number of transmitters97aand the receivers97b. For example, the transmitters97amay be arranged in the first cartridge10, and the receivers97bmay be arranged in the second cartridge20.

InFIG.11, each of transmitters97amay be arranged at a position corresponding to each of the chambers21of the second cartridge20, and additional transmitters97amay also be arranged at a position between the adjacent chambers21. The transmitters97acorresponding to each of the chambers21of the second cartridge20among the plurality of transmitters97amay generate a signal indicating that the corresponding chamber is individually aligned with the position of the delivery hole11. Also, the transmitters97aarranged between the adjacent chambers21may generate a signal indicating that adjacent chambers21are simultaneously aligned with the position of the delivery hole11and that the adjacent chambers21perform a function of a usage chamber through which the aerosol passes.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited by the arrangement positions and the number of transmitters97aof the position sensor97. For example, transmitters97amay be arranged to correspond only to each of the chambers21.

FIG.12is a latitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating an operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIG.11.

The second cartridge20may rotate by the driving device60so that the relative positions of the second cartridge20with respect to the first cartridge10may be changed. As shown inFIG.12, the rotation position of the second cartridge20with respect to the first cartridge10may be aligned so that the position of one of the chambers21of the second cartridge20may correspond to the position of one delivery hole11. In the aligned state shown inFIG.12, one of the chambers21of the second cartridge20passes the aerosol delivered from the one delivery hole11of the first cartridge10so that the function of the usage chamber for changing the characteristics of the aerosol may be performed.

FIG.13is a latitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating another operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIG.11.

The second cartridge20may rotate by the driving device so that, when the relative positions of the second cartridge20with respect to the first cartridge10is changed, as shown inFIG.13, the rotation position of the second cartridge20with respect to the first cartridge10may be aligned so that the position of the adjacent chambers21may correspond to the position of one delivery hole11.

InFIG.13, each of two adjacent chambers among the chambers21of the second cartridge20may be positioned to overlap a region corresponding to half of one delivery hole11. Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited by the alignment position of the second cartridge20. The rotation position of the second cartridge20with respect to the first cartridge10may be aligned so that the areas in which two adjacent chambers of the chambers21overlap the delivery hole11may be different from each other.

For example, when the life associated with the function of passing the aerosol through the second material22contained in one of the two adjacent chambers21reaches 20%, one of the two adjacent chambers21may overlap an area corresponding to about 80% of the delivery hole11, and the other of the two adjacent chambers21may overlap an area corresponding to about 20% of the delivery hole11.

For example, when the life associated with the function of passing the aerosol through the second material22contained in one of the two adjacent chambers21reaches 60%, one of the two adjacent chambers21may overlap an area corresponding to about 40% of the delivery hole11, and the other of the two adjacent chambers21may overlap an area corresponding to about 60% of the delivery hole11.

Also, when the life associated with the function of passing the aerosol through the second material22contained in one of the two adjacent chambers21reaches 80%, one of the two adjacent chambers21may overlap an area corresponding to about 20% of the delivery hole11, and the other of the two adjacent chambers21may overlap an area corresponding to about 80% of the delivery hole11.

The life associated with the function of passing the aerosol through the second material22contained in one of the two adjacent chambers21of the second cartridge20may be considered to determine a pre-set condition used to change the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20by using the controller, as described above.

Also, as described above, when the area in which the adjacent chambers21overlap the delivery hole11by rotating the second cartridge20considering the life of the second material22of the chambers21, the second cartridge20may be intermittently moved according to a change of time, or the second cartridge20may be continuously moved according to a change of time.

As illustrated inFIG.13, according to a method of aligning the position so that adjacent chambers among the plurality of chambers21of the second cartridge20overlaps one delivery hole11, an operation of flowing the aerosol without stopping the operation of generating an aerosol in the first cartridge and delivering the generated aerosol to the second cartridge20while the second cartridge20rotates with respect to the first cartridge10may be continuously maintained.

Also, the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20may be changed so that a chamber through which the aerosol passes may be sequentially selected from among the plurality of chambers21. When the second cartridge20rotates by selecting a chamber through which the aerosol passes from among the plurality of chambers21, the position of the previous chamber through which the aerosol currently passes may not immediately depart from the delivery hole11, and an operation of passing the aerosol through the previous chamber and a subsequent chamber simultaneously, which are subsequently aligned with the position of the delivery hole11due to the rotational motion of the second cartridge20may be performed.

According to this operating method, while the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20are changed, characteristics such as temperature, humidity and flavor of the aerosol delivered to the user do not change rapidly, so that a steady and stable supply of an aerosol is possible.

Also, when each of the plurality of chambers21of the second cartridge20includes the second material22having different characteristics, the aerosol may pass through the adjacent chambers so that the characteristics such as ingredients and flavors of the aerosol may be changed so that various types of aerosols may be provided to the user.

FIG.14is a perspective view schematically illustrating some components of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

The aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIG.14may include a first cartridge10including reservoirs10aand10bthat are partitioned independently from each other to accommodate a first material, a second cartridge20that is coupled to the first cartridge10to be movable linearly, and a driving device60that linearly moves the second cartridge20.

The first cartridge10may include passages11pand11qthrough which the aerosol generated by being vaporized from the first material accommodated in each of the reservoirs10aand10bis delivered, and a delivery hole11formed in an end of each of the passages11pand11q.

The first cartridge10may include a linear guide10tthat extends linearly around an upper portion of the delivery hole11, and the second cartridge20may include a rail201that is slidably coupled to the linear guide10t. The second cartridge20may move linearly along the extension direction of the linear guide10tof the first cartridge10. The second cartridge20may include a main body20tthat is plate-shaped and that extends long along the extension direction of the linear guide10t, and a plurality of chambers20a,20b, and20c, which are sequentially apart from each other along the extension direction of the main body20t.

In the embodiment show inFIG.14, two reservoirs10aand10bare arranged, and three chambers20a,20b, and20care arranged. However, the number of reservoirs and the number of chambers may be variously changed.

The aerosol generating device may include a driving device60for generating a driving force to move at least one of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20. The driving device60may include a motor61operated by an electrical signal, and a gear62that transmits the driving force of the motor61to the second cartridge20. A gear surface20gmay be installed at one side of the main body20tof the second cartridge20.

InFIG.14, the driving device60is shown as an electric motor for generating a rotational force for rotating the gear62. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited by the type of the driving device60. For example, the driving device60may include a permanent magnet linearly arranged, a linear motor positioned to correspond to the permanent magnet and including an electromagnet having an electric coil, or a cylinder using the pressure of a fluid.

As the second cartridge20is linearly moved, the position of any one or adjacent chambers of the chambers20a,20b, and20cof the second cartridge20may be aligned to correspond to the position of one delivery hole11. Also, the position of one group among the chambers20a,20b, and20cof the second cartridge20may be aligned to correspond to the position of one of the two delivery holes11, and simultaneously, the position of another group among the chambers20a,20b, and20cmay be aligned to correspond to the position of the other one of the two delivery holes11.

A position sensor97that generates a signal by detecting the position of at least one of the chambers20a,20b, and20cwith respect to the delivery hole11may be installed between the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20.

The position sensor97may include transmitters97athat are apart from each other along the direction of the linear motion of the second cartridge20in the second cartridge20, and receivers97bthat are arranged in the first cartridge10and detect the transmitters97a. Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited by the arrangement positions or the number of transmitters97aand receivers97b. For example, the transmitters97amay be arranged in the first cartridge10, and the receivers97bmay be arranged in the second cartridge20.

The transmitters97aand the receivers97bof the position sensor97may be implemented by an optical sensor such as a photocoupler, a magnetic sensor that detects a magnetism by using a hall effect, an electric resistance sensor that detects changes in electric resistance, a switch that generates a signal according to a physical contact, or a combination thereof.

FIG.15is a longitudinal cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. The aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIG.15is similar to the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIGS.1through3.

The aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIG.15may include a handle110that may be manually operated by the user by replacing a driving device such as a motor so as to change the relative positions of the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20.

The handle110may be connected to a handle shaft111rotatably installed in the case7, and a force transmission unit113(e.g. at least one gear) that transmits the user's force applied to the handle110may be installed in the handle shaft111. The force transmission unit113may be engaged with the gear surface20ginstalled outside the second cartridge20to extend along the rotation direction of the second cartridge20. Although not shown inFIG.15for simplicity, the case7may include mechanical elements such as bearings so as to rotatably support the handle shaft111.

A switch120that generates a position signal indicating the position of the chambers21according to changes in the relative positions of the second cartridge20with respect to the first cartridge10may be installed at a lower end of the handle shaft111to which the force transmission unit113is connected. The switch120may be an example of the position sensor.

The switch120may include a transmitter121installed at a lower end of the handle shaft111and a receiver122that is arranged inside the case7and detects a signal transmitted from the transmitter121. The installation position of the transmitter121may be variously changed, and the transmitter121may be arranged at the force transmission unit113, for example.

The switch120may be implemented by one of an optical sensor such as a photocoupler, a magnetic sensor that detects magnetism by using a hall effect, an electric resistance sensor that detects changes in electric resistance, a switch that generates a signal according to a physical contact, or a combination thereof.

Because at least part of the handle110is exposed to the outside of the case7, when the user rotates the handle110, the user's force may be transmitted to the gear surface20gthrough the force transmission unit113so that the second cartridge20may rotate.

In a state in which the position of at least one of the chambers21of the second cartridge20corresponds to the position of the delivery hole11of the first cartridge10, the user may inhale the aerosol through the mouthpiece26.

The user may manipulate the handle110to rotate the second cartridge20. While the second cartridge20rotates, the controller70may perform a function of identifying a ‘usage chamber, among the chambers21, that is aligned to correspond to the position of the delivery hole11and is in use to pass the aerosol’ based on the signal of the switch120.

The controller70may output and provide information on the usage chamber, among the chambers21of the second cartridge20, that is currently aligned with the position of the delivery hole11of the first cartridge10and that is used to pass aerosol, to the user through an information generator.

The user may manipulate the handle110to rotate the second cartridge20and simultaneously may check the information on the usage chamber output by the information generator and then may select a desired chamber to be used among the chambers21.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited by the connection structure shown inFIG.15of the handle110for moving the second cartridge20and of the second cartridge20, and the structure of the handle110that may be manually manipulated by the user. The connection structure of the handle110and the second cartridge20may be variously changed. For example, the force transmission unit113may not be installed between the handle110and the second cartridge20, and the handle110may be directly connected to the gear surface20gof the second cartridge20or the handle110may be installed on an outer surface of the second cartridge20.

When the handle110is directly connected to the second cartridge20or the handle110is installed on the second cartridge20, the switch for generating the position signal indicating the position of the chambers21according to changes in the rotation position of the second cartridge20may be installed at the handle110.

FIG.16is a perspective view schematically illustrating a coupling relationship between some components of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

The aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIG.16may include a first cartridge10and a second cartridge20that are rotatably coupled to each other so that changes in the relative positions thereof are possible. As the position of the rotation direction of the second position with respect to the first cartridge10is changed, the position of at least one of the chambers of the second cartridge20may be aligned to correspond to the position of the delivery hole11of the first cartridge10.

A position sensor150that generates a signal by detecting the position of at least one of the chambers of the second cartridge20with respect to the delivery hole11may be arranged between the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20.

The position sensor150may include a plurality of electric resistors151having electric resistance values with different dimensions and a conducting wire152that is electrically connectable to the plurality of electric resistors151. The plurality of electric resistors151may be arranged in the second cartridge20and may be apart from each other along the rotation direction of the second cartridge20with respect to the first cartridge10. The conducting wire152may extend in a circumferential direction along the rotation direction of the second cartridge20, and connection terminals153that are electrically connectable to the electric resistors151may be arranged at an end of the conducting wire152.

While the second cartridge20rotates relative to the first cartridge10, when the plurality of electric resistors151of the second cartridge20are in contact with the connection terminals153, electrical connection between the conducting wire152and the electric resistors151may be made. The surface of the conducting wire152may be coated with an electrical insulator so that electrical connection may be made only when the electric resistors151are in contact with the connection terminals153. In a state in which the conducting wire152and the electric resistors151are not electrically connected to each other through the connection terminals153, electrical current does not flow through the conducting wire152. To this end, in a state in which each of the connection terminals153and the electric resistors151are not connected to each other, an electric circuit of the conducting wire152and the connection terminal153may constitute an open circuit.

Because the plurality of electric resistors151have unique, different electric resistance values, in a state in which the electric resistors151and the conducting wire152are electrically connected to each other, the magnitude of voltage or the amount of current flowing through the conducting wire152may be different according to the electric resistors151. Thus, the controller may detect the voltage or electrical current flowing through the conducting wire152so as to identify the usage chamber, among the chambers of the second cartridge20, that is aligned with the delivery hole11of the first cartridge10and is used to pass the aerosol.

FIG.17is a longitudinal cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a coupling relationship between some components of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

An aerosol generating assembly5of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIG.17may include a first cartridge10for accommodating a first material12for generating an aerosol and a second cartridge20arranged to rotate with respect to the first cartridge10.

The second cartridge20may include a plurality of chambers21for accommodating a second material22through which the aerosol passes, and a mouthpiece26including an outlet26efor discharging the aerosol passing through the second material22to the outside.

The first cartridge10may accommodate the first material12and include a delivery hole11through which the aerosol generated from the first material12is delivered to the second cartridge20.

As in the embodiment shown inFIGS.1through3, an atomizer may be installed at the first cartridge10, or an atomizer may be installed inside a case on which the first cartridge10is mounted.

The second cartridge20may include a plurality of chambers21that are arranged to rotate with respect to the first cartridge10and are sequentially positioned along a rotation direction, a lower through hole20fwhich is positioned under the chambers21and through which the aerosol passes, and a second material22, which is accommodated in each of the chambers21and through which the aerosol passes. The chambers21may be partitioned independently from each other by partition walls22w.

Unlike in the embodiments shown inFIGS.1through3and15, the aerosol generating assembly5of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown inFIG.17may not include a rotation shaft for supporting the second cartridge20. The second cartridge20and the first cartridge10may have a cylindrical shape, and a rotation guide130for guiding the rotation motion of the second cartridge20with respect to the first cartridge10may be installed between the second cartridge20and the first cartridge10.

The rotation guide130may include a rail131that protrudes from an outer surface of the first cartridge10and extends along the circumferential direction of the first cartridge10, and a circumference groove132that extends along the circumferential direction of the second cartridge20on an inner surface of the second cartridge20, accommodates the rail131and supports the rail131while the second cartridge20performs a rotational motion.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited by the configuration of the rotation guide130shown inFIG.17, and for example, the circumference groove132may be installed in the first cartridge10, and the rail131may be installed on the second cartridge20, and may include a bearing additionally installed between the second cartridge20and the first cartridge10.

A position sensor160that detects the position of at least one of the chambers21with respect to the delivery hole11to generate a position signal may be installed between the first cartridge10and the second cartridge20.

The position sensor160may include a plurality of magnetic bodies161that are apart from each other along the rotation direction of the second cartridge20and have magnetism with different strengths, and a hall sensor162that is arranged in the first cartridge10and detects the intensity of magnetism of the plurality of magnetic bodies161. Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited by the arrangement positions or the number of magnetic bodies161and hall sensors162, and for example, the magnetic bodies161may be arranged in the first cartridge10, and the hall sensor162may be arranged in the second cartridge20.

FIG.18is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of generating an aerosol by using the aerosol generating device according to the embodiments shown inFIGS.1through17.

The method of generating an aerosol according to the embodiment shown inFIG.18may include detecting a user's inhalation operation (S100), determining that the inhalation operation has been detected to start an aerosol-supplying operation (S110), detecting a rotation position of the second cartridge with respect to the first cartridge (S120), determining whether a signal of the detected rotation position of the second cartridge is good (S130), when the signal of the rotation position is not good, adjusting the rotation position of the second cartridge (S131), when the signal of the rotation position of the second cartridge is good, determining the type of a medium currently in use to supply the aerosol (e.g. the type of a second material based on the signal of the rotation position of the second cartridge) (S140), determining at least one of a target temperature for an operation of an atomizer and a heating profile for controlling a heating operation of the atomizer based on the determined type of the medium (S150), operating the atomizer based on the target temperature or the heating profile (S160), detecting a current temperature and comparing the current temperature with the target temperature (S170), determining whether a pre-set condition is achieved (S180), when the pre-set condition is achieved, checking whether a current usage chamber is the last chamber among chambers of the second cartridge (S200), and when the current usage chamber is not the last chamber, changing relative positions of the first cartridge and the second cartridge (S190).

According to embodiments, the term ‘last chamber’ may refer to a last chamber in a positional order and/or a usage order of the chambers.

A pre-set condition for changing the relative positions of the first cartridge and the second cartridge may include a cumulative time of heating operations of generating heat by using a heater so as to generate the aerosol or a combination of the cumulative time of the heating operations of the heater and the heating temperature of the heater.

Alternatively, the pre-set condition for changing the relative positions of the first cartridge and the second cartridge may include any one of the number of puff operations determined based on a signal detected by a puff sensor and the cumulative time of the puff operations or a combination thereof.

Alternatively, the pre-set condition for changing the relative positions of the first cartridge and the second cartridge may include a usage time determined based on an input signal generated when an input device receives the user's input.

By performing changing the relative positions of the first cartridge and the second cartridge (S190), a usage chamber, among the chambers of the second cartridge, through which the aerosol currently passes may be replaced so that the position of a subsequent chamber may be changed into a position corresponding to a delivery hole of the first cartridge. The changing of the relative positions of the first cartridge and the second cartridge (S190) may be automatically performed by a driving device operated by a controller or by the user's manual manipulation.

The changing of the relative positions of the first cartridge and the second cartridge (S190) may include, when the pre-set condition is achieved, providing a notification for indicating the need to change positions of the chambers to the user, receiving an input signal generated when the user manipulates the input device, providing information on a chamber, among the chambers of the second cartridge, which is aligned with a delivery hole of the first cartridge to the user, and changing the position of at least one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge by operating the driving device based on input manipulation received from the input device.

When the relative positions of the first cartridge and the second cartridge are changed, the usage chamber may immediately depart from the position corresponding to the delivery hole, the subsequent chamber may be aligned with the delivery hole and then, the aerosol may pass through the subsequent chamber as a new usage chamber, or the usage chamber and the subsequent chamber may perform an operation of passing the aerosol temporarily together, and as time passes, only the subsequent chamber may perform the operation of passing the aerosol as the new usage chamber.

After the changing of the relative positions of the first cartridge and the second cartridge (S190), the process may return to detecting of the user's inhalation operation (S100), thereby repeatedly performing the above-described operations.

Even when the first cartridge of the aerosol generating device is designed to accommodate a large amount of the first material, the second cartridge may be automatically rotated by the driving device to select chambers used for supplying an aerosol, so that the effect of replacing the second cartridge including the second material with a new second material may be obtained without replacing the second cartridge including the second material.

In addition, because the chambers of the second cartridge may include different types of second material, the user may select one from among the chambers to select a desired second material so that the user may freely enjoy an aerosol having various flavors.

Those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiments may understand that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the scope of the characteristics of the present disclosure. The disclosed methods should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an aerosol generating device in which positions of chambers according to changes in the relative positions of a first cartridge and a second cartridge may be identified so that it may be convenient to carry and use the aerosol generating device.