AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

Abstract

An aerosol generating device includes a housing including an accommodating space for accommodating an aerosol generating article, and an inlet-side support positioned at an opening of the accommodating space and including at least one support body for supporting the aerosol generating article, and an inflow passage for receiving air from the outside of the housing, the inflow passage decreasing in width toward the inside of the accommodating space.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

One or more embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device in which air is smoothly supplied to an aerosol generating article.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, the demand for a technology for replacing a method of supplying aerosols by burning a cigarette as in the related art has increased. For example, studies have been conducted on a method of supplying aerosols having flavors by generating aerosols from an aerosol generating material in a liquid state or a solid state or generating a vapor from an aerosol generating material in a liquid state and then passing the vapor through a fragrance medium in a solid state.

Recently, an aerosol generating article capable of generating aerosols by heating an aerosol generating article has been proposed as an alternative to a method of supplying aerosols by burning a cigarette. For example, an aerosol generating device may refer to a device capable of generating aerosols by heating an aerosol generating material in a liquid state or a solid state to a certain temperature through a heater.

When an aerosol generating device is used, the smoking convenience of a user may be improved, for example, by making smoking possible without additional articles such as a lighter, and allowing the user to smoke as much as he/she desires. Thus, recently, research on aerosol generating devices has gradually increased.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

To secure the atomization performance of an aerosol generating device, air must be smoothly supplied to an aerosol generating article therein.

Various embodiments of the disclosure provide an aerosol generating device with improved atomization performance by smoothly supplying air to an aerosol generating article therein.

In addition, one or more embodiments provide an aerosol generating device capable of precisely sensing a change in the flow of air.

The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described description, and other technical problems may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the embodiments to be described hereinafter.

Solution to Problem

An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment may include a housing including an accommodating space for accommodating an aerosol generating article, and an inlet-side support positioned at an opening of the accommodating space and including at least one support body for supporting the aerosol generating article, and an inflow passage configured to receive air from the outside of the housing, the inflow passage decreasing in width toward an inside of the accommodating space.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

An aerosol generating device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may have improved atomization performance by effectively introducing airflow.

Also, because the aerosol generating device according to various embodiments of the disclosure includes an improved airflow passage, the aerosol generating device may precisely sense a change in the flow of air.

Effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above effects, and effects that are not mentioned could be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of some components of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view schematically illustrating components of the inlet-side support unit shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the inlet-side support unit shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the inlet-side support unit shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a portion of the inlet-side support unit shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a portion of the inlet-side support unit shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view of the inlet-side support unit shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a plan view of a portion of the inletside support unit shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a side cross-sectional view of the inlet-side support unit shown in FIG. 21 into which an aerosol generating article is inserted; and

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

With respect to the terms used to describe the various embodiments, general terms, which are currently and widely used, are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, terms can be arbitrarily selected by the applicant. In such a case, the meanings of the terms will be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the disclosure should be defined based on the meanings 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, when an expression such as “at least any one” precedes arranged elements, it modifies all elements rather than each arranged element. For example, the expression “at least any one of a, b, and c” should be construed to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

In an embodiment, an aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols by electrically heating a cigarette accommodated in an interior space thereof.

The aerosol generating device may include a heater. In an embodiment, the heater may be an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track.

The heater may include a tube-shaped heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of a cigarette according to the shape of a heating element.

A cigarette may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod. The tobacco rod may be formed of sheets, strands, and tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod may be surrounded by a heat conductive material. For example, the heat conductive material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil.

The filter rod may include a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod may include at least one segment. For example, the filter rod may include a first segment configured to cool aerosols, and a second segment configured to filter a certain component in aerosols.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols by using a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material.

The aerosol generating device may include a cartridge that contains an aerosol generating material, and a main body that supports the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably coupled to the main body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be integrally formed or assembled with the main body, and may also be fixed to the main body so as not to be detached from the main body by a user. The cartridge may be mounted on the main body while accommodating an aerosol generating material therein. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. An aerosol generating material may also be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the main body.

The cartridge may contain an aerosol generating material in any one of various states, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, a gel state, or the like. The aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material.

The cartridge may be operated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body to perform a function of generating aerosols by converting the phase of an aerosol generating material inside the cartridge into a gaseous phase. The aerosols may refer to a gas in which vaporized particles generated from an aerosol generating material are mixed with air.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may generate aerosols by heating a liquid composition, and the generated aerosols may be delivered to a user through a cigarette. That is, the aerosols generated from the liquid composition may move along an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device, and the airflow passage may be configured to allow aerosols to be delivered to a user by passing through a cigarette.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols from an aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method. At this time, the ultrasonic vibration method may mean a method of generating aerosols by converting an aerosol generating material into aerosols with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

The aerosol generating device may include a vibrator, and generate a short-period vibration through the vibrator to convert an aerosol generating material into aerosols. The vibration generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibration may be in a frequency band of about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating device may further include a wick that absorbs an aerosol generating material. For example, the wick may be arranged to surround at least one area of the vibrator, or may be arranged to contact at least one area of the vibrator.

As a voltage (for example, an alternating voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations may be generated by the vibrator, and the heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations generated by the vibrator may be transmitted to the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick. The aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick may be converted into a gaseous phase by heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the vibrator, and as a result, aerosols may be generated.

For example, the viscosity of the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick may be lowered by the heat generated by the vibrator, and as the aerosol generating material having a lowered viscosity is granulated by the ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator, aerosols may be generated, but is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates aerosols by heating an aerosol generating article accommodated in the aerosol generating device in an induction heating method.

The aerosol generating device may include a susceptor and a coil. In an embodiment, the coil may apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. As power is supplied to the coil from the aerosol generating device, a magnetic field may be formed inside the coil. In an embodiment, the susceptor may be a magnetic body that generates heat by an external magnetic field. As the susceptor is positioned inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied to the susceptor, the susceptor generates heat to heat an aerosol generating article. In addition, optionally, the susceptor may be positioned within the aerosol generating article.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a cradle.

The aerosol generating device may configure a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may charge a battery of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the heater may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device are coupled to each other.

Hereinafter, the disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the disclosure. The disclosure may be implemented in a form that can be implemented in the aerosol generating devices of the various embodiments described above or may be implemented in various different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 10 according to an embodiment may include a housing 100 into which an aerosol generating article 20 may be inserted.

The housing 100 may form the overall exterior of the aerosol generating device 10, and may include an interior space (or ‘arrangement space’) in which components of the aerosol generating device 10 may be arranged. Although the housing 100 is shown to have a semicircular cross-section in the drawing, the shape of the housing 100 is not limited thereto. For example, the housing 100 may be formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole, or may also be formed in a polygonal pole (e.g., a triangular pole or a quadrangular pole) shape.

Components for generating aerosols by heating the aerosol generating article 20 inserted into the housing 100 and components for detecting a user's puff action may be arranged in the interior space of the housing 100, and descriptions thereof are made below.

According to an embodiment, the housing 100 may include an opening 100h through which the aerosol generating article 20 may be inserted into the inside of the housing 100. At least a portion of the aerosol generating article 20 may be inserted into or accommodated in the inside of the housing 100 through the opening 100h.

The aerosol generating article 20 inserted into or accommodated in the inside of the housing 100 may be heated in the inside of the housing 100, and as a result, aerosols may be generated. A user may inhale aerosols discharged from the aerosol generating article 20.

The aerosol generating device 10 may further include a display D on which visual information is displayed.

The display D may be arranged such that at least a partial area of the display D is exposed to the outside of the housing 100. The aerosol generating device 10 may provide various pieces of visual information to the user through the display D.

For example, the aerosol generating device 10 may provide, through the display D, information on whether a puff action of the user has occurred and/or information on a remaining number of puffs of the aerosol generating article 20 which is inserted, but information provided through the display D may be variously modified.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device 10 shown in FIG. 1 taken in an I-I direction.

Referring to FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 10 according to an embodiment may include the housing 100, an inlet-side support unit 200, a heater assembly 300, an airflow passage 400, an end portion support unit 500, and a sensor 600.

The housing 100 may form the overall exterior of the aerosol generating device 10, and may include an interior space in which the components of the aerosol generating device 10 may be arranged. For example, the inlet-side support unit 200, the heater assembly 300, the airflow passage 400, the end portion support unit 500, and the sensor 600 may be arranged in the interior space of the housing 100, but embodiments are not limited by the components arranged in the interior space of the housing 100.

According to an embodiment, the housing 100 may include the opening 100h, and at least a portion of an aerosol generating article may be inserted into (or accommodated in) the inside of the housing 100 through the opening 100h. Although the opening 100h is shown as being formed in an area of an upper portion of the housing 100 in the drawing, the arrangement structure of the opening 100h is not limited thereto.

The inlet-side support unit 200 may be inside the opening 100h of the housing 100, and may support at least a portion of an aerosol generating article inserted into the inside of the housing 100. In addition, the inlet-side support unit 200 may allow air existing outside the aerosol generating device 10 to flow into the aerosol generating device 10.

The inlet-side support unit 200 may include a support body 210 for supporting at least a portion of an aerosol generating article, and an inflow passage 220 through which air from the outside of the housing 100 flows into the inside of the housing 100.

The heater assembly 300 may be in the interior space of the housing 100. The heater assembly 300 may generate aerosols by heating an aerosol generating article inserted into the inside of the housing 100.

The heater assembly 300 may include a heater 310 that generates heat as power is supplied. The heater 310 may include an accommodating space 300i for accommodating at least a portion of an aerosol generating article inserted into the inside of the housing 100. At least one area of an aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodating space 300i may be heated by the heater 310. The aerosol generating article may be heated, and vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating article may be mixed with air in the interior space of the housing 100 to form aerosols.

The heater 310 may heat at least one area of an aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodating space 300i in an induction heating method by including a coil 311 and a susceptor 312.

The coil 311 may be arranged to surround an outer peripheral surface of the susceptor 312, and may generate an alternating magnetic field through power supplied from a battery.

The susceptor 312 may be arranged to surround at least a portion of an outer peripheral surface of an aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodating space 300i. The susceptor 312 may heat an aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodating space 300i by generating heat by the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil 311.

As another example of the heater assembly 300, the heater assembly 300 may include an electrically resistive heater. For example, the heater assembly 300 may include a film heater arranged to surround at least a portion of an outer peripheral surface of an aerosol generating article inserted into the inside of the housing 100. The film heater may include an electrically conductive track, and when an electric current flows through the electrically conductive track, the heater may generate heat to heat an aerosol generating article inserted into the housing 100.

As another example of the heater assembly 300, the heater assembly 300 may include at least one of a need-shaped heater, a rod-shaped heater, and a tube-shaped heater, which may heat the inside of an aerosol generating article inserted into the housing 100. The heater described above may be inserted into, for example, at least one area of an aerosol generating article to heat the inside of the aerosol generating article.

Embodiments are not limited by a particular implementation manner of a heater, and the heater may be modified in various forms to heat an aerosol generating article to a designated temperature. In the disclosure, the ‘designated temperature’ may mean a temperature at which an aerosol generating material included in an aerosol generating article may be heated to generate aerosols. The designated temperature may be a temperature preset in the aerosol generating device 10. Alternatively, the designated temperature may be changed by the type of the aerosol generating device 10 and/or the user's manipulation.

The heater assembly 300 may further include a thermal insulation structure 320 for sealing the heater 310.

The thermal insulation structure 320 may prevent heat generated by the heater 310 from being transmitted to an outer peripheral surface of the housing 100 by sealing the heater 310. Even when the temperature of the heater 310 is maintained at a high temperature, the thermal insulation structure 320 may prevent high-temperature heat from being transmitted to the body (e.g., palm) of the user holding the housing 100.

The thermal insulation structure 320 may be closed by a sealing unit. The sealing unit may prevent droplets generated in a process of generating aerosols from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly 300 by sealing a space in which the heater 310 is positioned. The sealing unit may prevent the components of the aerosol generating device 10 from being malfunctioned or damaged by the droplets.

The thermal insulation structure 320 may include a first thermal insulating body 321, a second thermal insulating body 322, and an external thermal insulating body 323 having a double-wall structure.

The first thermal insulating body 321 may be outside the susceptor 312.

The second thermal insulating body 322 is positioned to be coupled to an upper end of the first thermal insulating body 321 and to surround a portion of the outer surface of the first thermal insulating body 321.

The external thermal insulating body 323 is outside the second thermal insulating body 322 and has a double-wall structure.

The susceptor 312 may be positioned in an interior space formed by the first thermal insulating body 321 and the second thermal insulating body 322.

The second thermal insulating body 322 may be coupled to at least one area of the upper end of the first thermal insulating body 321, but a coupling structure of the second thermal insulating body 322 and the first thermal insulating body 321 is not limited thereto. As another example, the first thermal insulating body 321 and the second thermal insulating body 322 may be integrally formed.

The airflow passage 400 is between the susceptor 312 and the first thermal insulating body 321 within the interior space of the housing 100. The airflow passage 400 may be in fluid communication (or fluid connection) between the outside of the aerosol generating device 10 and the accommodating space 300i of the heater assembly 300.

The airflow passage 400 may be arranged to connect an airflow hole of the inlet-side support unit 200 and an air inlet portion of the end portion support unit 500 in the accommodating space 300i to each other in a state of being spaced apart from the heater assembly 300. For example, the airflow passage 400 may be arranged between the coil 311 and the susceptor 312 to surround the susceptor 312, but the shape of the airflow passage 400 is not limited by such an arrangement structure.

Due to the above-described arrangement structure of the airflow passage 400, the outside of the aerosol generating device 10 and the inside of the accommodating space 300i may be in fluid communication.

The end portion support unit 500 may be positioned at an end portion (e.g., a lower end portion) of the accommodating space 300i and may support a lower area and a side area of an aerosol generating article inserted into the inside of the housing 100.

The end portion support unit 500 may be arranged as an independent element at the lower end portion of the accommodating space 300i to support an aerosol generating article. The end portion support unit 500 may be integrally formed with the accommodating space 300i at the lower end portion of the accommodating space 300i by deforming the end portion support unit 500.

When an aerosol generating article is inserted into the accommodating space 300i, air in the airflow passage 400 may be introduced into the aerosol generating article through the end portion support unit 500.

The sensor 600 may be positioned in the interior space of the housing 100 and may detect a puff action of the user or detect a change in temperature of the heater 310.

The sensor 600 may include a puff sensor 610 for sensing a change in pressure. The puff sensor 610 may detect a change in pressure in the airflow passage 400 according to a puff action of the user.

The sensor 600 may include a temperature sensor 620 for sensing a change in temperature. The temperature sensor 620 may detect a change in temperature of the heater 310 while the heater 310 is operating.

The puff sensor 610 may be arranged to be adjacent to the inlet-side support unit 200. The temperature sensor 620 may be arranged to be adjacent to the susceptor 312 in the interior space. The positions of the temperature sensor 620 and the puff sensor 610 may be variously modified.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of some components of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, which is a diagram for explaining a movement process of air according to the user's puff action in the aerosol generating device.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the heater assembly 300 of the aerosol generating device 10 of FIG. 2 in detail.

Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the heater assembly 300 of the aerosol generating device 10 and the movement of air according to the user's puff action are described below with reference to FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, the aerosol generating device 10 according to an embodiment may include the housing 100, the inlet-side support unit 200, the heater assembly 300, the airflow passage 400, the end portion support unit 500, and the sensor 600. At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 10 according to an embodiment may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 10 shown in FIG. 2, and redundant descriptions are omitted below.

According to an embodiment, when the user puts his/her mouth in contact with the aerosol generating article 20 and performs a puff action, a difference in pressure may occur between the outside of the aerosol generating device 10 and the interior space of the housing 100, and thus, external air may be introduced into the inside of the housing 100 through the inlet-side support unit 200.

The external air introduced into the inside of the housing 100 may pass through the inflow passage 220 of the inlet-side support unit 200 and reach the airflow passage 400 by passing through an airflow hole 400h.

Air that has moved along the airflow passage 400 may reach an airflow inlet portion 500i of the end portion support unit 500.

Air that has reached the airflow inlet portion 500i draws a U-shape along the shape of the end portion support unit 500 and passes through an air discharge portion 500e to be introduced into an end portion of the aerosol generating article 20 inserted into the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2).

Air introduced into the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2) may be mixed with vaporized particles generated as the aerosol generating article 20 is heated to generate aerosols. The user may inhale aerosols generated in the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2) through a puff action of inhaling the aerosol generating article 20.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the housing 100 into which the aerosol generating article 20 is inserted and the inlet-side support unit 200 in the aerosol generating device 10 of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 4, the aerosol generating device 10 may include the housing 100 and the inlet-side support unit 200. At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 10 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 10 shown in FIG. 2, and redundant descriptions are omitted below.

The inlet-side support unit 200 may be positioned inside the opening 100h of the housing 100 and mounted on the aerosol generating device 10 to support the aerosol generating article 20.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the inlet-side support unit 200 in the aerosol generating device 10 of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, the interior space of the housing 100 may include the accommodating space 300i for accommodating an aerosol generating article. The inlet-side support unit 200 may be positioned at an end portion (e.g., an upper end portion) of the accommodating space 300i and may be exposed toward the outside of the housing 100.

The inlet-side support unit 200 may include at least one support body 210 for supporting at least a portion of an aerosol generating article, and the inflow passage 220 through which air from the outside of the housing 100 is introduced into the inside of the accommodating space 300i.

The support body 210 may contact at least a portion of an outer side of an aerosol generating article to support the aerosol generating article. Accordingly, a plurality of support bodies may be arranged in a peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i to be in contact with the outer side of an aerosol generating article. When an aerosol generating article is inserted into the inlet-side support unit 200, the support body 210 may be in contact with the aerosol generating article and form the inflow passage 220 between the inlet-side support unit 200 and the aerosol generating article at the same time. That is, the inflow passage 220 may be between the support bodies 210.

The inflow passage 220 allows air to flow, and may have a shape that decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i from the outside of the housing 100. The shape of the inflow passage 220 may provide two advantages in relation to the flow of air compared to a shape having a constant width in a longitudinal direction of the housing 100 in the related art.

First, because, in the entire passage of the inflow passage 220, the area of an opening, which is opened toward the outside of the housing 100, of the inflow passage 220, is the greatest, a sufficient amount of external air may be smoothly introduced into the accommodating space 300i. The atomization performance of the aerosol generating device 10 may be improved due to the structure of the inflow passage 220.

Second, the size of the inflow passage 220 decreases toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i from the opening thereof opened to the outside of the housing 100. Due to a change in size of the inflow passage 220, the flow velocity of an airflow passing through the inflow passage 220 may change. As the flow velocity of an airflow changes, the air pressure of the accommodating space 300i changes, and the puff sensor 610 (refer to FIG. 2) may detect a change in air pressure. A controller may recognize occurrence of a puff action in which the user performs an inhaling operation, based on detection of a change in pressure by a puff sensor.

The size of the inflow passage 220 may decrease toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100. One inflow passage 220 is surrounded by the support bodies 210 in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i. The size of the support body 210 may increase toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

The inflow passage 220 may have a shape that decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i from the outside of the housing 100. The configuration and shape of the inlet-side support unit 200 may be variously changed.

The inflow passage 220 between adjacent support bodies 210 includes a side wall 220w that is blocked in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i by the support body 210.

Because one inflow passage 220 is surrounded by the support bodies 210 in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i, the side wall 220w of the inflow passage 220 may be a wall on a side surface facing the support body 210 in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i.

The sidewall 220w may extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 and may be inclined in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i. Due to the inclination of the side wall 220w, the size of the inflow passage 220 may decrease or the size of the support body 210 may increase toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i from the outside in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100. Embodiments are not limited by the shape of such a side wall, and the shape of the side wall 220 may be variously changed.

The inlet-side support unit 200 includes an upper end portion facing the outside of the housing 100, and a lower end portion facing the inside of the accommodating space 300i in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100. That is, the support body 210 includes an upper end portion 210u and a lower end portion 2101, and the inflow passage 220 also includes an upper end portion 220u and a lower end portion 2201.

A length in which the inflow passage 220 extends in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i from the upper end portion 220u of the inflow passage 220 may be greater than a length in which the inflow passage 220 extends in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i from the lower end portion 2201 of the inflow passage 220. On the contrary to an extension length of the inflow passage 220, a length in which the support body 210 extends in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i from the lower end portion 2101 of the support body 210 may be greater than a length in which the support body 210 extends in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i from the upper end portion 210u of the support body 210.

Accordingly, the inflow passage 220 may have a shape that decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i from the outside of the housing 100, but the configuration and shape of the inlet-side support unit 200 may be variously changed.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view schematically illustrating components of the inlet-side support unit shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is an planar view schematically illustrating the support body 210, the inflow passage 220, and the airflow hole 400h, taken in a circumferential direction of the inlet-side support unit 200.

Referring to FIG. 6, the size of the inflow passage 220 may decrease and the size of the support body 210 may increase toward a lower end portion from an upper end portion of the planar view of the inlet-side support unit 200.

The upper end portion of the planar view is the outside of the housing 100, and the lower end portion of the planar view is a portion facing the inside of the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2). Due to the inclination of the side wall 220w described above with reference to FIG. 5, the size of the inflow passage 220 decreases toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2) in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the inlet-side support unit shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating only the inlet-side support unit 200 by separating the inlet-side support unit 200 from the aerosol generating device 10 of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 7, the inlet-side support unit 200 may include a coupling unit for coupling the support body 210, the inflow passage 220, and the housing 100 to each other. The shape of the inlet-side support unit 200 may be variously changed.

Due to the inclination of the side wall 220w, the size of the inflow passage 220 may decrease toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2) in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100. On the contrary to the shape of the inflow passage 220, the size of the support body 210 may increase toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2) in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

The sizes of the support body 210 and the inflow passage 220 are constant in a radial direction of the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2). However, embodiments are not limited by the shape of the inflow passage 220.

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the inlet-side support unit shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken in VIII-VIII direction, illustrating a state in which the inlet-side support unit 200 shown in FIG. 7 is mounted on the aerosol generating device 10.

Referring to FIG. 8, the side wall 220w of the inflow passage 220 of the inlet-side support unit 200 may be inclined in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2) while extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

As an example, due to the inclination of the side wall 220w described above with reference to FIG. 5, the shape of the inflow passage 220 decreases toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2) in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the inlet-side support unit 200 in which the shape of the side wall 220w of the inflow passage 220 is changed in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100, when compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 9, the inflow passages 220 of the inlet-side support units 200 according to the embodiment in FIG. 5 and another embodiment in FIG. 9 may commonly have a shape that decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

The side wall 220w of the inflow passage 220 of the inlet-side support unit 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 and form a continuous plane from an end portion (e.g., an upper end portion) to another end portion (e.g., a lower end portion) of the inflow passage 220.

The side wall 220w of the inflow passage 220 of the inlet-side support unit 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 may include at least one plane or curved surface to form a discontinuous shape (e.g., a staircase shape).

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the inlet-side support unit 200 in which the shape of the side wall 220w of the inflow passage 220 is changed in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100, when compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 10, the inflow passages 220 of the inlet-side support units 200 according to the embodiment in FIG. 5 and another embodiment in FIG. 10 may commonly have a shape that decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

The side wall 220w of the inflow passage 220 of the inlet-side support unit 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 and may be linearly inclined in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i.

The side wall 220w of the inflow passage 220 of the inlet-side support unit 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 and may be curvedly inclined in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the inlet-side support unit 200 in which the shape of the curved inclination of the side wall 220w is modified, as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 10.

Referring to FIGS. 10 an 11, the inflow passages 220 of the inlet-side support units 200 according to two embodiments may commonly have a shape that decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i due to a curved inclination in the side wall 220w of the inflow passage 220.

The side wall 220w of the inflow passage 220 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 and form a concave curved inclination in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i.

The side wall 220w of the inflow passage 220 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 and form a convex curved inclination in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the inlet-side support unit 200 in which the shape of the inflow passage 220 is changed in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2), when compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 12, the inflow passages 220 of the inlet-side support units 200 according to the embodiment in FIG. 5 and another embodiment in FIG. 12 may commonly have a shape that decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100. In addition, the inflow passage 220 may have an open shape toward an aerosol generating article inserted into the aerosol generating device 10.

The inflow passage 220 of the inlet-side support unit 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 may include at least one plane or curved surface between the support bodies 210 in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i.

The inflow passage 220 of the inlet-side support unit 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 may have a concave shape between the support bodies 210 in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a portion of the inlet-side support unit shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating only a portion of the inlet-side support unit 200 by separating the inlet-side support unit 200 from the aerosol generating device 10 of FIG. 12.

Referring to FIG. 13, the inlet-side support unit 200 according to another embodiment may have a structure corresponding to the inlet-side support unit 200 according to the embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 7, and has a difference with the shape of the inflow passage 220 described above with reference to FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment, which is a diagram for explaining the flow of air in an inflow passage.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the inlet-side support unit 200 in which the shape of the inflow passage 220 is different in terms of air flow, when compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, which is a diagram for explaining the flow of air changed according to the shape of the inflow passage 220.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 14, the inflow passages 220 of the inlet-side support units 200 according to the embodiment in FIG. 5 and another embodiment in FIG. 14 may commonly have a shape that decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100. In addition, the inflow passage 220 may allow air from the outside of the housing 100 to be introduced into the inside of the accommodating space 300i.

The inflow passage 220 of the inlet-side support unit 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 may include a shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100, and may allow the introduced air to flow in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

The inflow passage 220 of the inlet-side support unit 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 may include a shape that is bent in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i while extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

Due to the bent shape, the inflow passage 220 may allow air flowing along the inflow passage 220 to surround an aerosol generating article and flow in a swirl pattern.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the inlet-side support unit 200 in which the shape of the inflow passage 220, which decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i, is changed, when compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 15, the inflow passages 220 of the inlet-side support units 200 according to the embodiment in FIG. 5 and another embodiment in FIG. 15 may commonly have a shape that decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100. In other words, a length extending from the inflow passage 220 in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i may be greater than a length from the upper end portion 220u of the inflow passage 220 to the lower end portion 2201 of the inflow passage 220.

The inlet-side support unit 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 may include the inflow passage 220 that decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i due to the inclination of the side wall 220w described above with reference to FIG. 5. However, the sizes of the support body 210 and the inflow passage 220 are constant in the radial direction of the accommodating space 300i.

The inlet-side support unit 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 has no inclination in the side wall 220w of the inflow passage 220 in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i. Instead, in the radial direction of the accommodating space 300i, a width between the lower end portion 2201 of the inflow passage 220 and an aerosol generating article may be less than a width between the upper end portion 220u of the inflow passage 220 and the aerosol generating article.

Accordingly, the inflow passage 220 of the inlet-side support unit 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 may have a shape that decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i due to a difference in width between each portion of the inflow passage 220 and the aerosol generating article 20 described above.

The size of the support body 210 is constant in the radial direction of the accommodating space 300i. However, embodiments are not limited by the shapes of the support body 210 and the inflow passage 220, and the shapes of the support body 210 and the inflow passage 220 may be variously changed.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a portion of the inlet-side support unit shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 16 is a plan view illustrating only a portion of the inlet-side support unit 200 by separating the inlet-side support unit 200 from the aerosol generating device 10 of FIG. 15.

Referring to FIG. 16, the inlet-side support unit 200 according to another embodiment may include the support body 210 and the inflow passage 220. The shape of the inlet-side support unit 200 may be variously changed.

According to another embodiment, due to the difference in width between each portion of the inflow passage 220 and an aerosol generating article described above with reference to FIG. 15, the inflow passage 220 may decrease in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2).

The size of the support body 210 is constant in the radial direction of the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2) and the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2). However, embodiments are not limited by the shapes of the support body 210 and the inflow passage 220.

FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view of the inlet-side support unit shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken in XVII-XVII direction, illustrating a state in which the inlet-side support unit 200 shown in FIG. 16 is mounted on the aerosol generating device 10 and the aerosol generating article 20 is inserted.

Referring to FIG. 17, in the radial direction of the accommodating space 300i according to another embodiment, a width between the lower end portion 2201 of the inflow passage 220 and the aerosol generating article 20 may be less than a width between the upper end portion 220u of the inflow passage 220 and the aerosol generating article 20.

This may be an example of the shape of the inflow passage 220 that decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i due to a difference in width between each portion of the inflow passage 220 and the aerosol generating article 20 described above with reference to FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the inlet-side support unit 200 in which the shape of a surface of the inflow passage 220, the surface facing an aerosol generating article inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, is changed in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 (refer to FIG. 2), as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 15.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 18, the inflow passages 220 of the inlet-side support units 200 according to two embodiments may commonly have a shape that decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

In the radial direction of the accommodating space 300i according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, a width between an end portion of the inflow passage 220 and an aerosol generating article continuously varies in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the above-described width in the direction described above may discontinuously vary in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the inlet-side support unit 200 in which the shape of a surface of the inflow passage 220, the surface facing an aerosol generating article inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, is changed in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100 (refer to FIG. 2), as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 15.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 19, the inflow passages 220 of the inlet-side support units 200 according to two embodiments may commonly have a shape that decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

In the radial direction of the accommodating space 300i according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, a width between an end portion of the inflow passage 220 and an aerosol generating article linearly varies in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, the above-described width in the direction described above may non-linearly vary in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the inlet-side support unit 200 in which a direction a surface of the inflow passage 220 is bent, the surface facing an aerosol generating article inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, is changed, as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 19.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, the inflow passages 220 of the inlet-side support units 200 according to two embodiments may commonly have a shape that decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100, due to a width that non-linearly varies in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

A surface of the inflow passage 220 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, the surface facing an aerosol generating article, may be convex.

The surface described above in the embodiment shown in FIG. 20 may be concave.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an inlet-side support unit mounted on an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the inlet-side support unit 200 in which the shape of the inflow passage 220, which decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i, is changed, as compared with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 15.

Referring to FIG. 21, the inflow passage 220 of the inlet-side support unit 200 according to another embodiment may have a shape that decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i, as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 15.

The inlet-side support unit 200 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 21 has no inclination in the side wall 220w of the inflow passage 220 in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i as shown in FIG. 15. However, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, a thickness of the support body 210 in the radial direction of the accommodating space 300i may vary in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

In detail, in the radial direction of the accommodating space 300i, a thickness of the upper end portion 210u of the support body 210 may be less than a thickness of the lower end portion 2101 of the support body 210.

Because the upper end portion 210u of the support body 210 is not in contact with an aerosol generating article, a space is formed between the support body 210 and the aerosol generating article. The space may be a portion of the inflow passage 220.

The inflow passage 220 between the support bodies 210 in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i has a constant width to an aerosol generating article in the radial direction of the accommodating space 300i.

The inflow passage 220 formed between the support body 210 and an aerosol generating article may have a shape that decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i due to a difference in thickness of the support body 210 described above.

The lower end portion 2101 of the support body 210 may be in contact with the outside of an aerosol generating article to an extent capable of supporting the aerosol generating article. However, embodiments are not limited by the shapes of the support body 210 and the inflow passage 220, and the shapes of the support body 210 and the inflow passage 220 may be variously changed.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of a portion of the inlet-side support unit shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 22 is a plan view illustrating only a portion of the inlet-side support unit 200 by separating the inlet-side support unit 200 from the aerosol generating device 10 of FIG. 21.

Referring to FIG. 22, the inlet-side support unit 200 according to another embodiment may include the support body 210 and the inflow passage 220. The shape of the inlet-side support unit 200 may be variously changed.

According to another embodiment, due to the difference in thickness of the support body 210 described above with reference to FIG. 21, the inflow passage 220 may decrease in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2).

The size of the inflow passage 220 between the support bodies 210 in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2) is constant in the radial direction of the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2) and the peripheral direction of the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2). However, embodiments are not limited by the shapes of the support body 210 and the inflow passage 220.

FIG. 23 is side cross-sectional view of the inlet-side support unit shown in FIG. 21 into which an aerosol generating article is inserted.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken in XXIII-XXIII direction, illustrating a state in which the inlet-side support unit 200 shown in FIG. 22 is mounted on the aerosol generating device 10 and the aerosol generating article 20 is inserted.

Referring to FIG. 23, in the radial direction of the accommodating space 300i (refer to FIG. 2), a thickness of the upper end portion 210u of the support body 210 may be less than a thickness of the lower end portion 2101 of the support body 210.

This may be an example of a shape of the inflow passage 220 that decreases in width toward the inside of the accommodating space 300i, due to the difference in thickness of the support body 210 described above with reference to FIG. 21.

The lower end portion 2101 of the support body 210 may be in contact with the outside of an aerosol generating article to an extent capable of supporting the aerosol generating article. However, embodiments are not limited by the shapes of the support body 210 and the inflow passage 220, and the shapes of the support body 210 and the inflow passage 220 may be variously changed.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

An aerosol generating device 2400 may include a controller 2410, a sensing unit 2420, an output unit 2430, a battery 2440, a heater 2450, a user input unit 2460, a memory 2470, and a communication unit 2480. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 2400 is not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 24. That is, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 2400, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that some of the components shown in FIG. 24 may be omitted or new components may be added.

The sensing unit 2420 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device 2400 and a state around the aerosol generating device 2400, and transmit sensed information to the controller 2410. Based on the sensed information, the controller 2410 may control the aerosol generating device 2400 to perform various functions, such as controlling an operation of the heater 2450, limiting smoking, determining whether an aerosol generating article (e.g., a cigarette, a cartridge, or the like) is inserted, displaying a notification, or the like.

The sensing unit 2420 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 2422, an insertion detection sensor 2424, and a puff sensor 2426, but is not limited thereto.

The temperature sensor 2422 may sense a temperature at which the heater 2450 (or an aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 2400 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater 2450, or the heater 2450 may serve as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 2422 may also be arranged around the battery 2440 to monitor the temperature of the battery 2440.

The insertion detection sensor 2424 may sense insertion and/or removal of an aerosol generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 2424 may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and may sense a signal change according to the insertion and/or removal of an aerosol generating article.

The puff sensor 2426 may sense a user's puff on the basis of various physical changes in an airflow passage or an airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor 2426 may sense a user's puff on the basis of any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

The sensing unit 2420 may further include, in addition to the temperature sensor 2422, the insertion detection sensor 2424, and the puff sensor 2426 described above, at least one of a temperature/humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a location sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)), a proximity sensor, and a red-green-blue (RGB) sensor (illuminance sensor). Because a function of each of sensors may be intuitively inferred by one of ordinary skill in the art from the name of the sensor, a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

The output unit 2430 may output information on a state of the aerosol generating device 2400 and provide the information to a user. The output unit 2430 may include at least one of a display unit 2432, a haptic unit 2434, and a sound output unit 2436, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 2432 and a touch pad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 2432 may also be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display unit 2432 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 2400 to the user. For example, information about the aerosol generating device 2400 may mean various pieces of information, such as a charging/discharging state of the battery 2440 of the aerosol generating device 2400, a preheating state of the heater 2450, an insertion/removal state of an aerosol generating article, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generating device 2400 is restricted (e.g., sensing of an abnormal object), or the like, and the display unit 2432 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 2432 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, or the like. In addition, the display unit 2432 may be in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) light-emitting device.

The haptic unit 2434 may tactilely provide information about the aerosol generating device 2400 to the user by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus. For example, the haptic unit 2434 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound output unit 2436 may audibly provide information about the aerosol generating device 2400 to the user. For example, the sound output unit 2436 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output the same to the outside.

The battery 2440 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 2400. The battery 2440 may supply power such that the heater 2450 may be heated. In addition, the battery 2440 may supply power required for operations of other components (e.g., the sensing unit 2420, the output unit 2430, the user input unit 2460, the memory 2470, and the communication unit 2480) in the aerosol generating device 2400. The battery 2440 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 2440 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The heater 2450 may receive power from the battery 2440 to heat an aerosol generating material. Although not illustrated in FIG. 24, the aerosol generating device 2400 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a direct current (DC)/DC converter) that converts power of the battery 2440 and supplies the same to the heater 2450. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 2400 generates aerosols in an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 2400 may further include a DC/alternating current (AC) converter that converts DC power of the battery 2440 into AC power.

The controller 2410, the sensing unit 2420, the output unit 2430, the user input unit 2460, the memory 2470, and the communication unit 2480 may each receive power from the battery 2440 to perform a function. Although not illustrated in FIG. 24, the aerosol generating device 2400 may further include a power conversion circuit that converts power of the battery 2440 to supply the power to respective components, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit, or a voltage regulator circuit.

In an embodiment, the heater 2450 may include any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, the suitable electrically resistive material may be a metal or a metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater 2450 may be implemented by a metal wire, a metal plate on which an electrically conductive track is arranged, a ceramic heating element, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the heater 2450 may be a heater of an induction heating type. For example, the heater 2450 may include a susceptor that heats an aerosol generating material by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil.

The user input unit 2460 may receive information input from the user or may output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 2460 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (a contact capacitive method, a pressure resistance film method, an infrared sensing method, a surface ultrasonic conduction method, an integral tension measurement method, a piezo effect method, or the like), a jog wheel, a jog switch, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, although not illustrated in FIG. 24, the aerosol generating device 2400 may further include a connection interface, such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may be connected to other external devices through the connection interface, such as the USB interface, to transmit and receive information, or to charge the battery 2440.

The memory 2470 is a hardware component that stores various types of data processed in the aerosol generating device 2400, and may store data processed and data to be processed by the controller 2410. The memory 2470 may include at least one type of storage medium from among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card-type memory (for example, secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD) memory, etc.), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory 2470 may store an operation time of the aerosol generating device 2400, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, data on a user's smoking pattern, etc.

The communication unit 2480 may include at least one component for communication with another electronic device. For example, the communication unit 2480 may include a short-range wireless communication unit 2482 and a wireless communication unit 2484.

The short-range wireless communication unit 2482 may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

The wireless communication unit 2484 may include a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN)) communication unit, or the like, but is not limited thereto. The wireless communication unit 2484 may also identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 2400 within a communication network by using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

The controller 2410 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 2400. In an embodiment, the controller 2410 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The controller 2410 may control the temperature of the heater 2450 by controlling supply of power of the battery 2440 to the heater 2450. For example, the controller 2410 may control power supply by controlling switching of a switching element between the battery 2440 and the heater 2450. In another embodiment, a direct heating circuit may also control power supply to the heater 2450 according to a control command of the controller 2410.

The controller 2410 may analyze a result sensed by the sensing unit 2420 and control subsequent processes to be performed. For example, the controller 2410 may control power supplied to the heater 2450 to start or end an operation of the heater 2450 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 2420. In another embodiment, the controller 2410 may control, based on a result sensed by the sensing unit 2420, an amount of power supplied to the heater 2450 and the time the power is supplied, such that the heater 2450 may be heated to a certain temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

The controller 2410 may control the output unit 2430 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 2420. For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 2426 reaches a preset number, the controller 2410 may notify the user that the aerosol generating device 2400 will soon be terminated through at least one of the display unit 2432, the haptic unit 2434, and the sound output unit 2436.

In an embodiment, the controller 2410 may control the time of power supply and/or amount of power supply to the heater 2450 according to a state of an aerosol generating article (e.g., the aerosol generating article 20 of FIG. 1) sensed by the sensing unit 2420. For example, when the aerosol generating article 20 is in an overwet state, the controller 2410 may control the time of power supply to an induction coil (e.g., a coil 311 of FIG. 2) to increase the pre-heating time of the aerosol generating article 20 compared to a general condition.

One embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a computer-readable recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module executable by the computer. The computer-readable recording medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a computer, and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media. In addition, the computer-readable recording medium may include both a computer storage medium and a communication medium. The computer storage medium includes all of volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media implemented by any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The communication medium typically includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in modulated data signals such as program modules, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information transfer media.

The descriptions of the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and equivalents thereof may be made. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to those described in the claims will be construed as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device comprising:

a housing including an accommodating space configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article; and

an inlet-side support positioned at an opening of the accommodating space and including at least one support body configured to support the aerosol generating article, and an inflow passage configured to receive air from outside of the housing, the inflow passage decreasing in width toward an inside of the accommodating space.

2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein a size of the inflow passage decreases toward the inside of the accommodating space in a longitudinal direction of the housing.

3. The aerosol generating device of claim 2, wherein at least one side wall of the inflow passage in a peripheral direction of the accommodating space extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing and is inclined in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space.

4. The aerosol generating device of claim 3, wherein the at least one side wall is curvedly inclined.

5. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of support bodies are arranged, and the inflow passage has a concave shape between adjacent support bodies and is opened toward the aerosol generating article.

6. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the inflow passage has a shape bent in a peripheral direction of the accommodating space while extending in a longitudinal direction of the housing, and the inflow passage is configured to allow air flowing along the inflow passage to surround the aerosol generating article and flow in a swirl pattern.

7. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein, in a longitudinal direction of the housing, a length in which an opening of the inflow passage facing the outside of the housing extends in a peripheral direction of the accommodating space is greater than a length in which a portion of the inflow passage, the portion being positioned in the inside of the accommodating space, extends in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space.

8. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the inflow passage comprises an upper end portion facing the outside of the housing and a lower end portion facing the inside of the accommodating space in a longitudinal direction of the housing, and a width of the upper end portion is less than a width of the lower end portion in a radial direction of the accommodating space.

9. The aerosol generating device of claim 8, wherein the width of the inflow passage decreases discontinuously.

10. The aerosol generating device of claim 8, wherein the width of the inflow passage decreases non-linearly.

11. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of support bodies are arranged in a peripheral direction of the accommodating space to be in contact with an outer side of the aerosol generating article, and the inflow passage is between adjacent support bodies.

12. The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein a size of at least one of the plurality of support bodies increases toward the inside of the accommodating space from the outside of the housing in a longitudinal direction of the housing.

13. The aerosol generating device of claim 12, wherein a side wall of at least one of the plurality of support bodies in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing and is inclined toward the peripheral direction of the accommodating space.

14. The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein a length in which a lower end portion of the at least one support body, the lower end portion facing the inside of the accommodating space in a longitudinal direction of the housing, extends in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space is greater than a length in which an upper end portion of the at least one support body, the upper end portion facing the outside of the housing, extends in the peripheral direction of the accommodating space.

15. The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of support bodies comprises an upper end portion facing the outside of the housing and a lower end portion facing the inside of the accommodating space in a longitudinal direction of the housing, and a thickness of the upper end portion is less than a thickness of the lower end portion in a radial direction of the accommodating space.