Aerosol generating device

Abstract

An aerosol generating device includes an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol, a passage through which air to be supplied to the aerosol generator or aerosol generated from the aerosol generator flows, and a sensor arranged in the passage to close at least a portion of the passage and configured to generate a signal upon being at least partially deformed by a flow of air or aerosol in the passage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aerosol generating device comprising:
 an aerosol generator configured to generate aerosol;   a passage through which air to be supplied to the aerosol generator or aerosol generated from the aerosol generator flows; and   a sensor arranged in the passage to close at least a portion of the passage and configured to generate a signal upon being at least partially deformed by a flow of air or aerosol in the passage.   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises:
 a deformation portion capable of being deformed by the flow of air or aerosol flowing through the passage; and   a resistance portion arranged at the deformation portion and having electrical resistance that changes as the resistance portion is deformed together with the deformation portion.   
     
     
         3 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 2 , wherein the deformation portion is deformed by the flow of air or aerosol flowing through the passage, thereby opening the passage, and when the deformation portion is restored, the passage is closed. 
     
     
         4 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises:
 a plurality of deformation portions deformed by the flow of air or aerosol flowing through the passage; and   a resistance portion arranged at at least one of the plurality of deformation portions and having electrical resistance that changes as the resistance portion is deformed together with the at least one of the plurality of deformation portions.   
     
     
         5 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises:
 a terminal positioned on a wall of the passage; and   a deformation portion deformed by the flow of air or aerosol flowing through the passage and electrically connected to or electrically separated from the terminal.   
     
     
         6 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises:
 a mesh portion arranged in the passage, having a plurality of holes through which air or aerosol passes, and deformed by the flow of air or aerosol; and   a resistance portion arranged at the mesh portion and having electrical resistance that changes as the resistance portion is deformed together with the mesh portion.   
     
     
         7 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises:
 a mesh portion comprising an electrically conductive material and arranged in the passage; and   a deformation portion configured to be deformed by the flow of air or aerosol to be electrically connected to or electrically separated from the mesh portion.   
     
     
         8 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 7 , wherein the deformation portion is configured to be electrically connected to the mesh portion to generate an electrical signal. 
     
     
         9 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 7 , wherein the sensor further comprises a detector for detecting electrical resistance of the deformation portion, wherein the electrical resistance of the deformation portion detected by the detector changes as the deformation portion is electrically connected to the mesh portion. 
     
     
         10 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises:
 a deformation portion arranged at one area of the passage and configured to be deformed by the flow of air or aerosol;   a terminal arranged in another area of the passage; and   a connection terminal arranged at the deformation portion and configured to be electrically connected to or electrically separated from the terminal upon deformation of the deformation portion.   
     
     
         11 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises:
 a moving portion arranged to be movable in the passage by the flow of air or aerosol in the passage; and   a signal generating portion connected to the moving portion and configured to be deformed by movement of the moving portion to generate a signal.   
     
     
         12 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol generator comprises a generation chamber in which an aerosol is generated,
 the aerosol generating device further comprises a mouthpiece for discharging the aerosol to the outside,   one end of the passage is connected to the generation chamber and the other end of the passage is connected to the mouthpiece, and   at least a portion of the sensor is deformed by the flow of air or aerosol, thereby opening the passage, and when the flow of air or aerosol in the passage stops, the at least a portion of the sensor closes the passage to block droplets from flowing into the generation chamber.   
     
     
         13 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol generator comprises a generation chamber in which an aerosol is generated, and
 one end of the passage is connected to the generation chamber and the other end of the passage is connected to the outside, such that external air is delivered to the generation chamber through the passage.   
     
     
         14 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol generator comprises a heater for heating an aerosol generating material,
 the aerosol generating device further comprises a controller for controlling operation of the heater, and   the controller detects that an inhalation action has occurred, based on the signal generated by the sensor, and initiates the operation of the heater when the inhalation action has occurred.   
     
     
         15 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol generator comprises a heater for heating an aerosol generating material,
 the aerosol generating device further comprises a controller for controlling operation of the heater, based on a predetermined temperature profile, and   the controller changes, based on the signal generated by the sensor, the predetermined temperature profile to control the operation of the heater.