AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

- KT&G CORPORATION

An aerosol generating device includes a cartridge including at least one storage storing an aerosol generating material, a housing including a first accommodation space for accommodating the cartridge and a second accommodation space for accommodating an aerosol generating article, a first heating portion configured to atomize the aerosol generating material, and a second heating portion configured to heat the aerosol generating article, wherein, when the cartridge is accommodated in the first accommodation space, at least a portion of the cartridge is open, and thus, the aerosol generating material is supplied to the first heating portion.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2023-0046850, filed on Apr. 10, 2023, and 10-2023-0078211, filed on Jun. 19, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device with a cartridge that has a straightforward structure and is easily replaced.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, the demand for alternative methods for overcoming the shortcomings of general cigarettes has increased. For example, there is an increasing demand for a system for generating aerosols by heating a cigarette or an aerosol generating material by using an aerosol generating device, rather than by burning cigarettes. Accordingly, research on heating-type aerosol generating devices has been actively conducted.

A cartridge accommodating the aerosol generating material may be mounted on the aerosol generating device and replaceable. When the aerosol generating material accommodated in the cartridge is completely consumed, a user may replace the cartridge with a new one to continue to use the aerosol generating device. The user may select and use the cartridge accommodating an aerosol generating material with a desired flavor and scent.

SUMMARY

A cartridge accommodating an aerosol generating material is generally considered a consumable with a short consumption cycle. When the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge is completely consumed, a user may detach the existing cartridge from an aerosol generating device and put a new cartridge to keep using the aerosol generating device.

Because replacement of the cartridge is generally determined by the consumption of the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge, it is required to design cartridges only to have a function of storing aerosol generating materials to thus reduce manufacturing costs.

Provided is an aerosol generating device in which a cartridge having a straightforward structure is mounted.

Provided is an aerosol generating device with a cartridge that is easily replaceable.

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.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments of the disclosure.

According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating device may include a cartridge including at least one storage storing an aerosol generating material, a housing including a first accommodation space for accommodating the cartridge and a second accommodation space for accommodating an aerosol generating article, a first heating portion configured to atomize the aerosol generating material, and a second heating portion configured to heat the aerosol generating article, wherein, when the cartridge is accommodated in the first accommodation space, at least a portion of the cartridge is open, and thus, the aerosol generating material is supplied to the first heating portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A to 1C respectively illustrate examples of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a main body and a cartridge of an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view illustrating a first operation state of a main body applicable to the aerosol generating device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view illustrating a second operation state of the main body of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 2, taken along a line IV-IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a portion of a main body and a cartridge, which are applicable to the aerosol generating device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first operation state of another example of a portion of a main body and a cartridge, which are applicable to the aerosol generating device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a second operation state of a portion of the main body and the cartridge of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first operation state of another example of a portion of a main body and a cartridge, which are applicable to the aerosol generating device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a second operation state of a portion of the main body and the cartridge of FIG. 7A;

FIGS. 8A and 8B respectively are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view illustrating a first operation state of an adjusting portion applicable to the aerosol generating device of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 8C and 8D respectively are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view illustrating a second operation state of the adjusting portion of FIGS. 8A and 8B;

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a main body and a cartridge of an aerosol generating device, according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Regarding the terms in the various embodiments, the 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, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of a new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, terms which can be arbitrarily selected by the applicant in particular cases. In such a case, the meaning of the terms will be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present 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 present 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 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 from the vibrator, and the heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations generated from 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 present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the present disclosure. The present 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 present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1A to 1C respectively illustrate examples of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, an aerosol generating device 1 may include a battery 11, a controller 12, a heater 13, and a vaporizer 14.

The aerosol generating device 1 of FIGS. 1A and 1B may include a housing including an accommodation space in which an aerosol generating article 2 is accommodated. The aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 1 and accommodated in the accommodation space of the housing accordingly. Also, FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate that the aerosol generating device 1 includes the heater 13, but as necessary, the heater 13 may be omitted.

In the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 1C, there is no space where the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted, and accordingly, the heater 13 for heating the aerosol generating article 2 is not arranged.

FIGS. 1A to 1C illustrate components of the aerosol generating device 1, which are related to the present embodiment. Therefore, other components than the components illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C may be further included in the aerosol generating device 1.

FIG. 1A illustrates that the battery 11, the controller 12, the vaporizer 14, and the heater 13 are arranged in series. Also, FIG. 1B illustrates that the vaporizer 14 and the heater 13 are arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to the structures illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C. In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1, the battery 11, the controller 12, the vaporizer 14, and the heater 13 may be differently arranged.

The battery 11 may supply power used for the aerosol generating device 1 to operate. For example, the battery 11 may supply power to heat the heater 13 or the vaporizer 14 and supply power used for the controller 12 to operate. Also, the battery 11 may supply power required for the operations of a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. mounted in the aerosol generating device 1.

The controller 12 may generally control the operation of the aerosol generating device 1. In detail, the controller 12 may control not only operations of the battery 11, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14, but also operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device 1. Also, the controller 12 may check the state of each component of the aerosol generating device 1 to determine whether or not the aerosol generating device 1 is able to operate.

The controller 12 may include at least one processor. A processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or can be implemented as a combination of a general purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor can be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The heater 13 may be heated by the power supplied from the battery 11. For example, when the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the heater 13 may be located outside the aerosol generating article 2. Thus, the heated heater 13 may increase a temperature of an aerosol generating material in the aerosol generating article 2.

The heater 13 may include an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater 13 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 13 may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater 13 is not limited to the example described above and may include all heaters which may be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device 1 or may be set as a temperature desired by the user.

As another example, the heater 13 may include an induction heater. In detail, the heater 13 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating an aerosol generating article in an induction heating method, and the aerosol generating article may include a susceptor which may be heated by the induction heater.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate that the heater 13 is positioned outside the aerosol generating article 2, but the position of the heater 13 is not limited thereto. For example, the heater 13 may include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element, and may heat the inside or the outside of the aerosol generating article 2, according to the shape of the heating element.

Also, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a plurality of heaters 13. Here, the plurality of heaters 13 may be inserted into the aerosol generating article 2 or arranged outside the aerosol generating article 2. Also, some of the plurality of heaters 13 may be inserted into the aerosol generating article 2 and the others may be arranged outside the aerosol generating article 2. In addition, the shape of the heater 13 is not limited to the shapes illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B and may include various shapes.

The vaporizer 14 is a component that stores and vaporizes an aerosol generating material and generates a vaporized aerosol.

The vaporizer 14 may include a liquid storage, a liquid delivery element, and a vaporizing element, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid storage, the liquid delivery element, and the atomizing element may be included in the aerosol generating device 1 as independent modules.

The liquid storage may store the aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage may be formed to be detachable from the vaporizer 14 or may be formed integrally with the vaporizer 14.

For example, the aerosol generating material may include water, a solvent, ethanol, plant extract, spices, flavorings, or a vitamin mixture. The spices may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, 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 may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto. Also, the aerosol generating material may include an aerosol forming substance, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The liquid delivery element may receive the aerosol generating material from the liquid storage and absorb the aerosol generating material. For example, the liquid delivery element may be a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

The liquid delivery element may have an elongated shape. For example, the liquid delivery element may have a pillar shape extending in a direction. In detail, the liquid delivery element may have a poly-prism shape, such as a cylindrical shape, rectangular pillar shape, a triangular pillar shape, but the shape is not limited thereto. The liquid delivery element may have a shape that is substantially a rod or a needle.

The aerosol generating material absorbed into a portion of the liquid delivery element may move to another portion of the liquid delivery element according to a capillary phenomenon. Accordingly, the liquid delivery element may deliver the aerosol generating material to the atomizing element.

The atomizing element may generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material absorbed into the liquid delivery element. For example, the atomizing element may be a heating element configured to heat the aerosol generating material by generating heat. When the aerosol generating material contacting the heating element is heated by the heating element, the aerosol may be generated from the aerosol generating material.

The heating element may be a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, or the like, but is not limited thereto. The heating element may include a resistor having a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR).

The heating element may include a conductive filament, such as nichrome wire, and may be heated by a current supply. In addition, the heating element may include a susceptor material heated by an induced magnetic field and may be heated by an induced magnetic field generated from an induction coil arranged separately from the heating element.

As another example, the atomizing element may be an ultrasonic vibrator configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating material according to ultrasonic vibration method. The ultrasonic vibration method may refer to a method of generating aerosols by vaporizing an aerosol generating material with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

A method in which the atomizing element generates an aerosol is not limited thereto, and may include various methods of generating aerosols from an aerosol generating material.

The atomizing element may be arranged in the liquid delivery element through not only structural connections, such as being wound around the liquid delivery element, but also through a permanent or reversible attachment to the liquid delivery element, for example, spreading, spraying, deposition, plating, immersion, painting, printing, three-dimensional printing, the utilization of instruments. Also, the heating element may be arranged in the liquid delivery element by, for example, sintering the atomizing element together during the manufacture of the liquid delivery element.

However, the arrangement of the atomizing element is not limited thereto and may include various ways in which the atomizing element is arranged in the liquid delivery element while maintaining functions of the atomizing element.

The aerosol generated by the atomizing element may move along an airflow passage. Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the aerosol moving along the airflow passage may pass through the aerosol generating article 2 and be delivered to a user. Referring to FIG. 1C, the aerosol moving along the airflow passage may be delivered to the user through a mouthpiece 18.

The vaporizer 14 may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but it is not limited thereto.

The vaporizer 14 may be a cartridge that may be inserted into or detachably coupled to the main body of the aerosol generating device 1 or the aerosol generating device 1. When the aerosol generating material stored in the vaporizer 14 is exhausted, the aerosol generating material may be newly added, or the vaporizer 14 may be replaced with another vaporizer 14 in which an aerosol generating material is stored.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a main body and a cartridge of an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a cartridge 100 and a main body 200.

The cartridge 100 may accommodate an aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating material may be in any one of, for example, a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, a gel state, and the like.

The main body 200 may accommodate and protect the components of the aerosol generating device 1. In the main body 200, a battery (e.g., the battery 11 of FIGS. 1A to 1C) and a controller (e.g., the controller 12 of FIGS. 1A to 1C) may be accommodated.

As being detachably coupled to a portion of the main body 200, the cartridge 100 may form the exterior of the aerosol generating device 1 together with the main body 200. The cartridge 100 may be coupled to the main body 200 and function as a component of the aerosol generating device 1.

The cartridge 100 may be generally considered a consumable with a short consumption cycle. Because the replacement of the cartridge 100 is generally determined by the consumption of the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 100, it is required to design cartridges 100 only to have the function of storing aerosol generating materials to thus reduce manufacturing costs.

To overcome the above problem, in the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment, the storage storing the aerosol generating material may be arranged in the cartridge 100, and a generator for generating an aerosol by vaporizing the aerosol generating material may be arranged on the main body 200. Hereinafter, sub-components of the cartridge 100 and the main body 200 of the aerosol generating device 1 are described.

The cartridge 100 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include the storage 110.

The storage 110 may store an aerosol generating material. The storage 110 may be the same as the liquid storage included in the vaporizer 14 of FIGS. 1A to 1C. However, the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 110 is not limited to the liquid state. As described above, the aerosol generating material may have a state including a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, a gel state, and a combination thereof.

The storage 110 may include an opening 111 in at least a portion thereof. The aerosol generating material stored in the storage 110 may be discharged to the outside of the storage 110 through the opening 111 and provided to the main body 200.

The cartridge 100 may include an outlet 100h through which the aerosol generating material is discharged to the outside of the cartridge 100. In FIG. 2 schematically illustrating the configuration of the cartridge 100, the outlet 100h may be the same as the opening 111 of the storage 110.

Before the cartridge 100 is coupled to the main body 200, the outlet 100h may be blocked by other components included in the cartridge 100. As the outlet 100h is blocked, the aerosol generating material may not be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 100. That is, the component blocking the outlet 100h may prevent the leakage of the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 100 until the cartridge 100 is coupled to the main body 200.

The outlet 100h of the cartridge 100 may be open by a component of the main body 200. In this case, the expression ‘the opening of the outlet’ may denote a state in which the component blocking the outlet 100h no longer blocks the entire outlet 100h and thus the aerosol generating material may leak to the outside of the cartridge through a portion of the outlet 100h. Hereinafter, the term ‘opening’ may be used in the same meaning.

The aerosol generating material stored in the storage 110 may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 100 through the outlet 100h and move to a portion of the main body 200 only when the cartridge 100 is coupled to the main body 200.

The arrangement of the opening 111 of the storage and the outlet 100h of the cartridge is not limited to the embodiments. In another embodiment, the storage 110 may not include a separate opening 111 and may simply store the aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating material may be discharged outside the storage 110 only when a portion of the storage 110 is ruptured and opened by a component of the main body 200.

In this case, the term ‘rupture’ may include various methods of releasing the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 110 by damaging a portion of the storage 110 through crushing or breaking under pressure, cutting with a sharp blade, puncturing with a pointed needle, or the like. The above expressions may be used in the same meaning below.

The main body 200 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a housing 210, a first heating portion 220, a second heating portion 230, and a connection passage 240.

The housing 210 may include a first accommodation space 211 that forms the exterior of the main body 200 and accommodates the cartridge 100 and a second accommodation space 212 that accommodates the aerosol generating article 2. The first accommodation space 211 may accommodate the cartridge 100 that is detachably coupled to the main body 200. In other words, the cartridge 100 may be detachably coupled to the first accommodation space 211. The second accommodation space 212 may accommodate the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the main body 200.

The first accommodation space 211 may have a shape corresponding to that of the cartridge 100. The second accommodation space 212 may have a shape corresponding to that of the aerosol generating article 2.

The first heating portion 220 may be arranged inside the housing 210 and generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating material provided from the cartridge 100 accommodated in the first accommodation space 211. The first heating portion 220 may be the same as or similar to the aforementioned generator. In this case, the method by which the aerosol generating material is atomized is not limited to heating by the name of the first heating portion 220.

The first heating portion 220 may convert the phase of the aerosol generating material into a gaseous phase through vaporization and/or sublimation. That is, the first heating portion 220 may generate an aerosol by finely granulating the aerosol generating material in any one of a liquid state, a solid state, and a gel state, or a combination thereof.

The first heating portion 220 may include a liquid delivery element and an atomizing element included in the vaporizer 14 of FIGS. 1A to 1C. The first heating portion 220 may include a generation space 220i where the liquid delivery element and the atomizing element are arranged and an aerosol is generated.

The air flowing into the generation space 220i may be mixed with the aerosol generating material atomized by the atomizing element. Accordingly, the aerosol may be generated in the generation space 220i.

The second heating portion 230 may be arranged inside the housing 210 and heat the aerosol generating article 2 accommodated in the second accommodation space 212, thereby generating an aerosol. The second heating portion 230 may be the same as or similar to the heater 13 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, and the structure, shape, and arrangement of the second heating portion 230 are not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 2.

The aerosol generating article 2 may be heated by the second heating portion 230 and generate an aerosol, and the aerosol generated by the first heating portion 220 may be mixed with the aerosol generated by the second heating portion 230 and thus delivered to the user.

The generation and movement of the aerosol inside the aerosol generating device 1 are described in detail as follows.

When the cartridge 100 is accommodated in the first accommodation space 211 of the main body 200, the aerosol generating material may be provided to the first heating portion 220 as at least a portion of the cartridge 100 is opened, and a primary aerosol may be generated through vaporization of the aerosol generating material by the first heating portion 220.

The primary aerosol may enter an end portion of the aerosol generating article 2 accommodated in the second accommodation space 212 of the main body 200. The primary aerosol may be mixed with a secondary aerosol generated as the aerosol generating article 2 is heated by the second heating portion 230, and the aerosol mixture may be inhaled by the user through the other end portion of the aerosol generating article 2.

The first heating portion 220 and the second heating portion 230 may be independently controlled inside the main body 200. For example, the controller electrically connected to the first heating portion 220 and the second heating portion 230 may independently control the temperature of the first heating portion 220 and the temperature of the second heating portion 230. Therefore, the controller may independently control the amount of primary aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material and the amount of secondary aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article.

According to an embodiment, the main body 200 may include the second accommodation space 212 and the second heating portion 230 to accommodate and heat the aerosol generating article 2, but according to an embodiment, the second accommodation space 212 and the second heating portion 230 may be omitted. According to another embodiment, the aerosol generated by the first heating portion 220 may be delivered to the user through a separate airflow passage arranged in the cartridge 100 or the main body 200.

The connection passage 240 may connect the generation space 220i of the first heating portion 220 to the second accommodation space 212. The aerosol generated by the first heating portion 220 may move along the connection passage 240 and reach the second accommodation space 212 and may flow into the aerosol generating article 2 accommodated in the second accommodation space 212.

According to an embodiment, the cartridge 100 may not perform the function of generating an aerosol from the aerosol generating material but perform only the function of storing the aerosol generating material, and thus, the structure of the cartridge 100 may be simplified.

Because the cartridge 100 performs only the function of storing the aerosol generating material, there is a need for a new structure of the cartridge 100 in terms of coupling with the main body 200 and supply of the aerosol generating material. Hereinafter, an example structure of a main body for easily mounting, by the user, a cartridge to the main body is described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view illustrating a first operation state of a main body applicable to the aerosol generating device of FIG. 2. FIG. 3B is a perspective view illustrating a second operation state of the main body of FIG. 3A.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include the main body 200. The main body 200 of FIGS. 3A and 3B may be the same as or similar to the main body 200 of FIG. 2.

The housing 210 of the main body 200 may include one or more walls surrounding the first accommodation space 211. FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate that the first accommodation space 211 is surrounded by a portion of the housing 210, which forms the second accommodation space 212, and three walls (e.g., a first wall 2101, a second wall 2102, and a third wall 2103). However, the shape, number, and arrangement of walls forming the first accommodation space 211 are not limited to the accompanying drawings.

The first accommodation space 211 surrounded by a portion of the housing 210 and three walls may be open in a +z direction. The cartridge (e.g., the cartridge 100 of FIG. 2) may be detachably coupled to the main body 200 by approaching the same from an upper portion of the first accommodation space 211 in a −z direction. However, the direction in which the first accommodation space 211 is open and the direction into which the cartridge is inserted are not limited to the embodiment.

One or more walls included in the housing 210 may guide the insertion of the cartridge into the first accommodation space 211. For example, the cartridge may move along one or more walls in the direction (e.g., a z-axis direction) in which the first accommodation space 211 is open and thus may be inserted into the first accommodation space 211. The direction in which the first accommodation space 211 is open may be the same as the direction in which the second accommodation space 212 is open. Therefore, the cartridge may be inserted into the first accommodation space 211 in the direction (e.g., the z-axis direction) that is the same as the direction in which the aerosol generating article is inserted into the second accommodation space 212.

When the cartridge is inserted into the first accommodation space 211 along the one or more walls, the outlet (e.g., the outlet 100h of FIG. 2) of the cartridge may be aligned, in the z-axis direction, with a component of the main body 200 for opening a portion of the cartridge. When the insertion of the cartridge into the first accommodation space 211 is completed, the outlet of the cartridge may be open.

In addition, because the cartridge is entirely accommodated in the first accommodation space 211 surrounded by the one or more walls, the one or more walls may protect the cartridge coupled to the main body 200 to prevent the cartridge from being separated from the main body by physical impact.

FIG. 3A illustrates a first operation state of the main body 200, in which the first accommodation space 211 is open only in the +z direction because the first accommodation space 211 is surrounded by a portion of the housing 210 and one or more walls. In the first operation state, the cartridge may be inserted into the first accommodation space 211 of the main body 200 through an upper portion of the main body 200 only in the −z direction.

FIG. 3B illustrates a second operation state of the main body 200 in which the first accommodation space 211 is open not only in the +z direction but also a +y direction. The one or more walls may be moved to open the first accommodation space 211 in a direction (e.g., a y-axis direction) crossing the direction (e.g., the z-axis direction) in which the first accommodation space 211 surrounded by the walls is open.

The second wall 2102 may be rotatably coupled to the third wall 2103. The rotatable coupling may include various manners. For example, the main body 200 may include a coupling member 213 for coupling the second wall 2102 to the third wall 2103.

The coupling member 213 may include a rotation axis arranged at a location where the second wall 2102 is connected to the third wall 2103, and plates rotating around the rotation axis and respectively coupled to the second wall 2102 and the third wall 2103. As the plate coupled to the second wall 2102 rotates around the rotation axis extending in the z-axis direction, the second wall 2102 may rotate around a portion of the third wall 2103.

Because of the rotation of the second wall 2102, the first accommodation space 211 may be open in the +y direction. Accordingly, the user may insert the cartridge into the main body 200 through a lateral portion of the main body 200 in a −y direction. Moreover, when other foreign materials are added to the first accommodation space 211 in addition to the cartridge, the user may also open the first accommodation space 211 in the y-axis direction to easily remove the foreign materials.

The cartridge accommodated in the first accommodation space 211 may remain coupled to the main body 200 in a snap-fit manner, a screw joint manner, a magnetic coupling manner, an interference-fit manner, or the like. However, the manner in which the cartridge is coupled to the main body 200 is not limited to the aforementioned manners.

Hereinafter, a structure for smoothly supplying the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge to the main body 200 is described with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 2, taken along a line IV-IV of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 4, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include the cartridge 100 and the main body 200. At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 4 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 2, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cartridge 100 may include a storage 110, a sealing member 120, and a guide portion 130.

The sealing member 120 may be arranged inside the opening (e.g., the opening 111 of FIG. 2) of the storage 110 or the guide portion 130 and block the outlet 100h of the cartridge 100. The interior of the cartridge 100 may be sealed as the sealing member 120 blocks the outlet 100h. The aerosol generating material may not leak to the outside of the cartridge 100 due to the sealing member 120.

The guide portion 130 is structurally paired with an insertion groove 251 of the main body 200. The guide portion 130 may extend to protrude from the opening of the storage 110 to the outside thereof. The guide portion 130 may be inserted into the insertion groove 251 of the main body 200. As the guide portion 130 is inserted into the insertion groove 251, the cartridge 100 may be coupled to the main body 200.

The guide portion 130 may have a tube shape. The interior of the tube-shaped guide portion 130 may be a passage extending from the opening of the storage 110 and may be the outlet 100h of the cartridge 100. When the outlet 100h of the cartridge 100 is opened by a component of the main body 200, the aerosol generating material may move to the main body 200 along the interior of the guide portion 130.

When the guide portion 130 is inserted into the insertion groove 251, because the aerosol generating material moves along the interior of the guide portion 130 and flows into the insertion groove 251, the aerosol generating material may fail to enter the main body 200 and may not flow outside the main body 200.

Referring to FIG. 4, the main body 200 may include the first heating portion 220 and the adjusting portion 250. The first heating portion 220 and the adjusting portion 250 may be arranged under the first accommodation space (e.g., the first accommodation space 211 of FIG. 2). When the cartridge 100 is mounted on the main body 200, the cartridge 100, the adjusting portion 250, and the first heating portion 220 may be arranged in the stated order in the-z-axis direction. However, the arrangement relationship and direction of respective components are not limited thereto.

The first heating portion 220 may include a first wick 221, a second wick 222, an atomizing element 223, and a discharge hole 224.

The first wick 221, the second wick 222, and the atomizing element 223 may be arranged inside the generation space 220i of the first heating portion 220. The first wick 221 and the second wick 222 may be the same as the liquid delivery element of the vaporizer 14 of FIGS. 1A to 1C. The atomizing element 223 may be the same as the atomizing element of the vaporizer 14 of FIGS. 1A to 1C.

The first wick 221 may absorb the aerosol generating material provided from the cartridge 100. The first wick 221 may have a plate shape to absorb the aerosol generating material provided to the first heating portion 220 through the adjusting portion 250 in a wide area in the cartridge 100.

The second wick 222 may be connected to the first wick 221 and transmit the aerosol generating material, absorbed into the first wick 221, to the atomizing element 223. The atomizing element 223 may surround the periphery of the second wick 222 and convert the aerosol generating material absorbed into the second wick 222 into an aerosol. The atomizing element 223 may have a coil shape.

However, the shapes of the first wick 221, the second wick 222, and the atomizing element 223 are not limited to the above embodiments. In addition, the method of atomizing the aerosol generating material is not limited by the above configurations.

The discharge hole 224 may be connected to the connection passage (e.g., the connection passage 240 of FIG. 2) and discharge the aerosol, which is generated by the atomizing element 223, to the outside of the first heating portion 220. The aerosol moving through the discharge hole 224 may move along the connection passage and reach the second accommodation space (e.g., the second accommodation space 212 of FIG. 2).

The first heating portion 220 may further include an air inlet (not shown). The air inlet may enable air outside the main body 200 to the first heating portion 220 to enter the generation space 220i of the first heating portion 220. The air flowing into the generation space 220i may be mixed with the aerosol generating material atomized by the atomizing element 223.

The adjusting portion 250 may be arranged between the first accommodation space 211 and the first heating portion 220 and adjust the movement of the aerosol generating material provided to the first heating portion 220 from the cartridge 100 accommodated in the first accommodation space. When the aerosol generating material discharged from the storage 110 of the cartridge 100 enters the main body 200, the aerosol generating material may pass through the adjusting portion 250 first in the main body 200.

The adjusting portion 250 may include the insertion groove 251 into which the guide portion 130 of the cartridge 100 is inserted. The insertion groove 251 may guide the insertion of the guide portion 130. The insertion groove 251 may receive the aerosol generating material moving along the interior of the guide portion 130 and deliver the aerosol generating material to the inner space of the adjusting portion 250.

The adjusting portion 250 may include a transmission hole 255 through which the aerosol generating material passes. The aerosol generating material entering the inner space of the adjusting portion 250 may be discharged to the outside of the adjusting portion 250 through the transmission hole 255 arranged under the adjusting portion 250. Because the first wick 221 of the first heating portion 220 is arranged under the transmission hole 255, the first wick 221 may absorb the aerosol generating material discharged from the adjusting portion 250.

The specific structure and sub-configuration of the adjusting portion 250 are described below with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8D.

The guide portion 130 may be inserted into the insertion groove 251 in an interference-fit manner. However, the manner in which the guide portion 130 is inserted into the main body 200 is not limited thereto. As another example of the manner in which the guide portion 130 is inserted into the main body 200, the guide portion 130 of the cartridge 100 may include a male thread (not shown) on an outer portion of the guide portion 130. The insertion groove 251 of the main body 200 may include a female thread (not shown) corresponding to the male thread of the guide portion 130 on an inner portion of the insertion groove 251.

The positions of the female thread and the male thread may change with each other according to embodiments. That is, the male thread may be formed on the insertion groove 251, and the female thread may be formed on the guide portion 130.

The guide portion 130 of the cartridge 100 may be screw-coupled to the insertion groove 251 of the main body 200 as two threads engage with each other. When the guide portion 130 is inserted into the insertion groove 251, the cartridge 100 may be firmly coupled to the main body 200 through screw coupling.

For the screw coupling of the guide portion 130 into the insertion groove 251, the cartridge 100 may rotate around the rotation axis parallel to the z-axis. The main body 200 may have various shapes allowing for the rotation of the cartridge 100. For example, the cartridge 100 may have a cylindrical shape, and the first accommodation space 211 of the main body 200 may have a cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the cartridge 100. As another example, the cartridge 100 may have a quadrangular shape, and the first accommodation space 211 of the main body 200 may have a quadrangular shape that is sized to allow for the rotation of the cartridge 100.

In addition, FIG. 4 illustrates that the guide portion 130 of the cartridge 100 is inserted into the insertion groove 251 of the main body 200, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. According to another embodiment, an insertion groove may be arranged in the cartridge 100, and a guide portion may be arranged on the main body 200. In this case, the insertion groove may be arranged inside the storage 110, and the guide portion may protrude from the main body 200.

Hereinafter, specific configurations of the main body 200 and the cartridge 100, in which the outlet 100h of the cartridge 100 is open when the cartridge 100 is coupled to the main body 200 and thus the aerosol generating material may be supplied from the cartridge 100 to the main body 200, is described.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a portion of a main body and a cartridge, which are applicable to the aerosol generating device of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include the cartridge 100 and the main body (e.g., the main body 200 of FIG. 4). At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 5 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 4, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

According to an embodiment, the sealing member 120 of the cartridge 100 may be spaced apart from the storage 110 and arranged on the entrance of the guide portion 130. However, the position of the sealing member 120 is not limited thereto, and the sealing member 120 may be at different locations where the sealing member 120 may be ruptured by a rupture portion 252 when the cartridge 100 is coupled to the main body.

The adjusting portion 250 of the main body may include the rupture portion 252 configured to rupture the sealing member 120 or a portion of the cartridge 100 when the cartridge 100 is accommodated in the first accommodation space (e.g., the first accommodation space 211 of FIG. 2). The rupture portion 252 may be arranged inside the insertion groove 251 in a direction extending towards the first accommodation space. The rupture portion 252 may be supported by the internal structure of the adjusting portion 250.

The rupture portion 252 may have an elongated shape. An end portion of the rupture portion 252 may have a shape pointed towards the cartridge 100 so that the sealing member 120 may be ruptured. The rupture portion 252 may pierce the sealing member 120 using the pointed end portion of the rupture portion 252 so that the sealing member 120 may be ruptured. However, the shape and rupture method of the rupture portion 252 are not limited thereto.

When the guide portion 130 of the cartridge 100 is inserted into the insertion groove 251 of the main body, the sealing member 120 of the cartridge 100 may be ruptured by the rupture portion 252 of the main body. The outlet 100h of the cartridge 100, which is blocked by the sealing member 120, may be opened according to the rupture of the sealing member 120, and the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 110 may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 100 through the ruptured portion of the sealing member 120. The aerosol generating material may enter the insertion groove 251 by moving along the interior of the guide portion 130 and may move towards the inner space of the adjusting portion 250.

The rupture portion 252 may include a hollow 252h extending in a lengthwise direction of the rupture portion 252. When the rupture portion 252 ruptures the sealing member 120, the aerosol generating material may move to the inner space of the adjusting portion 250 through the hollow 252h that is open towards the cartridge 100.

When the rupture portion 252 penetrates the sealing member 120, the aerosol generating material may move not only through the ruptured portion of the sealing member 120 surrounding the periphery of the rupture portion 252 but also through the hollow 252h of the rupture portion 252. Based on the structure of the rupture portion 252 described above, the aerosol generating material may be relatively easily discharged from the cartridge 100.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first operation state of another example of a portion of a main body and a cartridge, which are applicable to the aerosol generating device of FIG. 4. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a second operation state of a portion of the main body and the cartridge of FIG. 6A.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may include the cartridge 100 and the main body (e.g., the main body 200 of FIG. 4). At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIGS. 6A and 6B may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 4, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

According to another embodiment, the adjusting portion 250 of the main body may include a pressing portion 253 instead of the rupture portion 252. The pressing portion 253 may press a sealing member (e.g., the sealing member 120 of FIG. 5) or a portion of the cartridge 100 when the cartridge 100 is accommodated in the first accommodation space (e.g., the first accommodation space 211 of FIG. 2). The pressing portion 253 may be arranged inside the insertion groove 251 in the direction extending towards the first accommodation space. The pressing portion 253 may be supported by the internal structure of the adjusting portion 250.

The pressing portion 253 may have an elongated shape. An end portion of the pressing portion 253 may have a shape blunt towards the cartridge 100 so that the pressing portion 253 may press the sealing member 120 without damaging the same and open the outlet 100h of the cartridge 100. When the guide portion 130 of the cartridge 100 is inserted into the insertion groove 251 of the main body, the pressing portion 253 may move the sealing member through the blunt end portion to open the outlet 100h of the cartridge 100. However, the shape and pressing method of the pressing portion 253 are not limited thereto.

According to another embodiment, the cartridge 100 may be sealed in another manner without a sealing member. The cartridge 100 may include an opening and closing unit 140. The opening and closing unit 140 may be arranged inside the cartridge 100 and block the outlet 100h of the cartridge 100 to prevent the aerosol generating material from leaking to the outside of the cartridge 100. In detail, the opening and closing unit 140 may include a support member 141, a moving member 142, and an elastic member 143.

The support member 141 may be coupled and fixed to the inner wall of the storage 110. The support member 141 may support the moving member 142 while engaging with the same and may guide the movement of the moving member 142 to move the moving member 142 in a direction (e.g., the z-axis direction). In addition, the support member 141 may be coupled to an end portion of the elastic member 143 on a portion of the support member 141, thus supporting the elastic member 143.

The support member 141 may include an outlet 141h through which the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 110 may pass. Depending on the position of the moving member 142 relative to the support member 141, the aerosol generating material may pass through the outlet 141h of the support member 141 and may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 100.

The moving member 142 may move relative to the support member 141. As the pressing portion 253 of the main body presses a portion of the moving member 142, the moving member 142 may move in the lengthwise direction (e.g., the z-axis direction) of the cartridge 100.

The elastic member 143 may be configured to apply elasticity to the moving member 142. An end portion of the elastic member 143 may be connected to the support member 141, and the other end portion of the elastic member 143 may be connected to the moving member 142.

The elastic member 143, which is pressed between the support member 141 and the moving member 142, may press the moving member 142 in the-z direction, and thus, the moving member 142 may block at least a portion of the opening (e.g., the opening 111 of FIG. 4) of the storage 110.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the support member 141 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may cover the opening of the storage inside the storage 110. For example, the support member 141 may be arranged above the opening (e.g., in the +z direction). Accordingly, the support member 141 may block a portion of the opening, and the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 110 may be discharged to the outside of the storage 110 only through the outlet 141h of the support member 141.

The moving member 142 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may include three parts. The moving member 142 may include: a first part 1421 that is arranged on an upper portion of the support member 141 to face the same and blocks the outlet 141h of the support member 141; a second part 1422 that is arranged on a lower portion of the support member 141, faces the first part 1421, and contacts the pressing portion 253; and a third part 1423 that connects the first part 1421 to the second part 1422 and extends through the support member 141. In this case, the hole in the support member 141, which allows for the insertion of the third part 1423, may guide the movement of the moving member 142 so that the third part 1423 of the moving member 142 may move along the hole in the z-axis direction.

The elastic member 143 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may extend along the third part 1423 at a location adjacent to the third part 1423 of the moving member 142. The elastic member 143 may have a spring shape surrounding the third part 1423, but the arrangement and shape of the elastic member 143 are not limited thereto.

An end portion of the elastic member 143 may be connected to a lower surface of the support member 141, and the other end portion of the elastic member 143 may be connected to an upper surface of the second part 1422 of the moving member 142. The elastic member 143 may press the second part 1422 in the-z direction.

FIG. 6A illustrates the first operation state of the cartridge 100 that is not coupled to the main body. When the elastic member 143, which is compressed between the support member 141 and the second part 1422 of the moving member in the z-axis direction, presses the second part 1422 of the moving member in the −z direction, the first part 1421 of the moving member may contact an upper surface of the support member 141. The first part 1421 may block the outlet 141h of the support member 141 and thus prevent the aerosol generating material from leaking to the outside of the storage 110.

The blocking of the outlet 141h may indicate that the outlet 100h of the cartridge 100 is blocked. In other words, when the outlet 141h of the support member 141 is blocked, the aerosol generating material may not leak to the outside of the cartridge 100.

FIG. 6B illustrates the second operation state of the cartridge 100 coupled to the main body. When the guide portion 130 of the cartridge 100 is inserted into the insertion groove 251 of the main body, the pressing portion 253 may press the second part 1422 of the moving member in the +z direction. The moving member 142 may move relative to the support member 141 in the +z direction. When the first part 1421 of the moving member is separated from the upper surface of the support member 141, the outlet 141h of the support member 141 may be open. The aerosol generating material may be discharged to the outside of the storage 110 through the outlet 141h.

The opening of the outlet 141h may indicate that the outlet 100h of the cartridge 100 is open. In other words, when the outlet 141h of the support member 141 is open, the aerosol generating material may leak to the outside of the cartridge 100 and thus may be provided to the main body.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first operation state of another example of a portion of a main body and a cartridge, which are applicable to the aerosol generating device of FIG. 4. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a second operation state of a portion of the main body and the cartridge of FIG. 7A.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may include the cartridge 100 and the main body (e.g., the main body 200 of FIG. 4). At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIGS. 7A and 7B may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 4, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

The cartridge 100 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may include an opening and closing unit 150. The opening and closing unit 150 may include a support member 151, a moving member 152, and an elastic member 153.

The support member 151 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may be arranged inside the storage 110 and include two parts. The support member 151 may include a first part 1511 that is spaced apart from the opening of the storage (e.g., the opening 111 of FIG. 4) and faces the opening, and a second part 1512 that connects the first part 1511 to the inner surface of the storage 110 and extends in a direction (e.g., the z-axis direction) in which the opening is open. An outlet 151h of the support member 151 may be arranged in at least a portion of the second part 1512.

The moving member 152 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may cover the opening of the storage 110 inside the storage 110. For example, the moving member 152 may be arranged above the opening (e.g., in the +z direction). Accordingly, the moving member 152 may block the opening, and the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 110 may be discharged to the outside of the storage 110 only when the moving member 152 is moved to be apart from the opening.

The moving member 152 may face the first part 1511 of the support member. Also, the moving member 152 may include at least one hole that allows for the insertion of the second part 1512 of the support member. Because the second part 1512 extends by penetrating the hole in the moving member 152, the moving member 152 may move along the second part 1512 in the direction (e.g., the z-axis direction) in which the hole is open.

The elastic member 153 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may be arranged between the first part 1511 of the support member and the moving member 152 and arranged in parallel with the second part 1512 of the support member 151. The elastic member 153 may have a spring shape, but the arrangement and shape of the elastic member 153 are not limited thereto.

An end portion of the elastic member 153 may be connected to a lower surface of the first part 1511, and the other end portion of the elastic member 153 may be connected to an upper surface of the moving member 152. The elastic member 153 may press the moving member 152 in the −z direction.

FIG. 7A illustrates the first operation state of the cartridge 100 that is not coupled to the main body. When the elastic member 153, which is compressed between the first part 1511 of the support member and the moving member 152 in the z-axis direction, presses the moving member 152 in the −z direction, the moving member 152 may contact the inner surface of the storage 110 that is adjacent to the opening. The moving member 152 may block the opening of the storage 110 and thus prevent the aerosol generating material from leaking to the outside of the storage 110.

The blocking of the opening may indicate that the outlet 100h of the cartridge 100 is blocked. In other words, when the opening of the storage 110 is blocked, the aerosol generating material may not leak to the outside of the cartridge 100.

FIG. 7B illustrates the second operation state of the cartridge 100 coupled to the main body. When the guide portion 130 of the cartridge 100 is inserted into the insertion groove 251 of the main body, the pressing portion 253 may be in contact with the lower surface of the moving member 152 and press the moving member 152 in the +z direction. The moving member 152 may move relative to the support member 151 in the +z direction.

When the moving member 152 is spaced apart from the opening and comes close to the first part 1511 of the support member, the opening of the storage 110 may be open. The aerosol generating material may pass through the opening of the storage 110 after passing through the outlet 151h of the support member 151, thereby leaking to the outside of the storage 110.

The opening of the opening may indicate that the outlet 100h of the cartridge 100 is open. In other words, when the opening of the storage 110 is opened, the aerosol generating material may leak to the outside of the cartridge 100 and may be provided to the main body.

Hereinafter, the structure and sub-configuration of the adjusting portion 250 are described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8D.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view illustrating a first operation state of the adjusting portion applicable to the aerosol generating device of FIG. 4. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the adjusting portion of FIG. 8A, taken along a line B-B. FIG. 8C is a perspective view illustrating a second operation state of the adjusting portion of FIG. 8A. FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view of the adjusting portion of FIG. 8C, taken along a line D-D.

At least one of the components of the adjusting portion 250 illustrated in each of FIGS. 8A to 8D may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the adjusting portion 250 illustrated in FIG. 4, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

Referring to FIGS. 8A to 8D, the adjusting portion 250 may include the insertion groove 251, a transmission hole 255, an inclined surface 256, an absorption member 257, a blocking member 258, and a slot 259. The adjusting portion 250 may include other components (e.g., a rupture portion and a pressing portion) in addition to the aforementioned components, but for convenience of explanation, some of the components of the adjusting portion 250 of FIGS. 8A to 8D are omitted.

In addition, for convenience, it may be easily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that a dashed line indicating the interior of the adjusting portion 250 of FIGS. 8A to 8D indicates not all components but only some of the components included in the adjusting portion 250.

The transmission hole 255 may be arranged under the adjusting portion 250 and transmits the aerosol generating material, which enters the inner space of the adjusting portion 250 through the insertion groove 251, to the first heating portion (e.g., the first heating portion 220 of FIG. 4). The aerosol generating material leaking from the adjusting portion 250 through the transmission hole 255 may be absorbed into the first wick (e.g., the first wick 221 of FIG. 4) of the first heating portion. In FIGS. 8A to 8D, the transmission hole 255 extends in the x-axis direction, but the arrangement and shape of the transmission hole are not limited thereto.

The inclined surface 256 may be a plane or a curved surface that is arranged in the inner space of the adjusting portion 250 and inclined at a certain angle with respect to the bottom surface of the adjusting portion 250. The inclined surface 256 may be inclined so that the aerosol generating material entering the inner space of the adjusting portion 250 moves towards the transmission hole 255 arranged under the adjusting portion 250. The aerosol generating material flowing along the inclined surface 256 may be collected in the transmission hole 255 and discharged to the outside of the adjusting portion 250.

The absorption member 257 may be arranged in the inner space of the adjusting portion 250 and configured to contain the aerosol generating material. The absorption member 257 may include the same material as the liquid delivery element of the vaporizer 14 of FIGS. 1A to 1C.

When an excessive amount of aerosol generating material is introduced to the adjusting portion 250 from the cartridge 100, the excessive amount of aerosol generating material may be provided to the first heating portion 220 through the transmission hole 255 for a short period of time. The absorption member 257 may absorb the aerosol generating material to prevent the aerosol generating material entering the inner space of the adjusting portion 250 from leaking to the outside of the adjusting portion 250 for a short period of time.

The absorption member 257 may have a shape corresponding to the inclined surface 256 to engage with the same, but the shape of the absorption member 257 is not limited thereto.

The blocking member 258 may be a component that is arranged under the transmission hole 255 of the adjusting portion 250 and movable to block at least a portion of the transmission hole 255. The blocking member 258 may be arranged inside the slot 259 guiding the movement of the blocking member 258, thus sliding in a direction (e.g., the y-axis direction).

The blocking member 258 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the transmission hole 255. For example, the blocking member 258 may have a rectangular parallelopiped shape extending in the x-axis direction, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. The slot 259 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the blocking member 258 to guide the movement of the blocking member 258.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the first operation state of the adjusting portion 250 in which the transmission hole 255 is not blocked by the blocking member 258. In this case, because the entire transmission hole 255 is open, the aerosol generating material in the inner space of the adjusting portion 250 may leak to the outside of the adjusting portion 250 through an adjusting hole.

FIGS. 8C and 8D illustrate the second operation state of the adjusting portion 250, in which the blocking member 258 moves along the slot 259 in the +y direction and the entire transmission hole 255 is blocked by the blocking member 258. In this case, because the entire transmission hole 255 is blocked, the aerosol generating material in the inner space of the adjusting portion 250 may not penetrate the transmission hole 255. The aerosol generating material may not be provided to the first heating portion 220 and may remain in the inner space of the adjusting portion 250.

According to the degree to which the blocking member 258 is moved along the slot 259 in the y-axis direction, the degree to which the transmission hole 255 is open may differ. The user of the aerosol generating device 1 may physically or electrically manipulate the blocking member 258 through direct manipulation of the blocking member 258 or other components, thereby adjusting the openness of the transmission hole 255.

The user may adjust the openness of the transmission hole 255 through the blocking member 258, thus adjusting the amount of aerosol generating material provided to the first heating portion 220. Accordingly, the user may adjust the amount of atomization of the first heating portion 220.

Hereinafter, a cartridge including a plurality of storages and a main body coupled to the cartridge are described with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a main body and a cartridge of an aerosol generating device, according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may include the cartridge 100 and the main body 200. At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 9 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 4, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

The cartridge 100 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may include the storages 110. FIG. 9 illustrates three storages 110, but the number of storages 110 is not limited thereto.

The storages 110 may store different types of aerosol generating materials, respectively. The storages 110 may be blocked from each other, and the aerosol generating materials respectively stored in the storages 110 may remain separated in the storages 110 without being mixed in the cartridge 100.

The storages 110 may independently include openings, and the cartridge 100 may include a plurality of outlets to correspond to the openings of the storages 110, respectively. That is, the cartridge 100 may include the outlets of which the number is the same as the number of storages. The aerosol generating material stored in each storage 110 may be independently discharged through the opening corresponding to the storage 110 and the outlet of the cartridge 100.

The main body 200 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may include a plurality of adjusting portions 250. The adjusting portion 250 may be in one-to-one correspondence with the storage 110 and have the same number as the number of storages 110. FIG. 9 illustrates three adjusting portions 250, but the number of adjusting portions 250 is not limited thereto.

Each adjusting portion 250 may receive the aerosol generating material from the storage 110 corresponding to the adjusting portion 250 and thus transmit the aerosol generating material to the first heating portion 220. The adjusting portions 250 may be blocked from each other, and the aerosol generating materials respectively stored in the adjusting portions 250 may remain in the adjusting portions 250 without being mixed.

Respective adjusting portions 250 may independently adjust the movement of the aerosol generating materials. For example, a first adjusting portion 250-1 may block a transmission hole to prevent an aerosol generating material introduced from a first storage 110-1 from being provided to the first heating portion 220. At the same time, a second adjusting portion 250-2 may open the entire transmission hole so that an aerosol generating material introduced from a second storage 110-2 may be sufficiently provided to the first heating portion 220. At the same time, a third adjusting portion 250-3 may open a portion of the transmission hole so that a relatively small amount of aerosol generating material introduced from a third storage 110-3 is provided to the first heating portion 220.

The first heating portion 220 may be the same as or similar to the first heating portion 220 of FIG. 4. The first heating portion 220 may include the first wick 221, the second wick 222, the atomizing element 223, the discharge hole 224, and an air inlet 225.

The aerosol generating material provided from each adjusting portion 250 may enter one generation space 220i. The aerosol generating materials of different types may be mixed with each other in the generation space 220i of the first heating portion 220. The first heating portion 220 may convert the aerosol generating materials, which are provided from respective adjusting portions 250 and mixed, into aerosols. In this case, when the adjusting portions 250 are independently adjusted, the amount of aerosol generating materials of different types may be adjusted, and thus, the user may select an aerosol generating material according to his/her taste and inhale the aerosol.

The adjusting portions 250 may form one assembly. The assembly including the adjusting portions 250 may be detachably coupled to the upper portion of the first heating portion 220. As an example, when the user desires to mount the cartridge 100 including a plurality of small storages 110, the user may mount, to the main body 200, one assembly including a plurality of adjusting portions that have the sizes and shapes corresponding to the storages 110.

In addition, one adjusting portion may be detachably coupled to the upper portion of the first heating portion 220. As another example, when the user desires to mount the cartridge (e.g., the cartridge 100 of FIG. 4) including one large-capacity storage (e.g., the storage 110 of FIG. 4), the user may mount, to the main body 200, one adjusting portion (e.g., the adjusting portion 250 of FIG. 4) having the size and shape corresponding to the storage.

A cartridge including multiple storages according to an example and a cartridge including one large-capacity storage according to another example may have the same or similar size to be coupled to the same main body.

As described, one assembly including multiple adjusting portions according to an example and one adjusting portion according to another example may have the same or similar size to be mounted to an upper portion of the same first heating portion.

According to an aerosol generating device according to the one or more embodiments, a cartridge includes a storage storing an aerosol generating material but does not include an aerosol generator (e.g., a first heating portion), and thus, manufacturing costs of a cartridge mounted on the aerosol generating device may be reduced.

Also, according to the aerosol generating device according to the one or more embodiments, because the structure of the cartridge is simplified, a large-capacity cartridge may be realized to store the aerosol generating material.

Moreover, according to the aerosol generating device according to the one or more embodiments, the leakage of the aerosol generating material stored in the storage may be prevented using a sealing configuration of the storage of the cartridge.

Also, according to the aerosol generating device according to the one or more embodiments, a user may mount at least a portion of the cartridge to the main body by simply inserting or rotating the cartridge, and thus, the cartridge may be simply replaced.

Furthermore, according to the aerosol generating device according to the one or more embodiments, the user may select an aerosol generating material according to his/her taste and inhale an aerosol by using a cartridge including storages and adjusting portions.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 1000 according to another embodiment.

The aerosol generating device 1000 may include a controller 1010, a sensing unit 1020, an output unit 1030, a battery 1040, a heater 1050, a user input unit 1060, a memory 1070, and a communication unit 1080. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1000 is not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 10. That is, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1000, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that some of the components shown in FIG. 10 may be omitted or new components may be added.

The sensing unit 1020 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device 1000 and a state around the aerosol generating device 1000, and transmit sensed information to the controller 1010. Based on the sensed information, the controller 1010 may control the aerosol generating device 1000 to perform various functions, such as controlling an operation of the heater 1050, 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 1020 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 1022, an insertion detection sensor, and a puff sensor 1026, but is not limited thereto.

The temperature sensor 1022 may sense a temperature at which the heater 1050 (or an aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 1000 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater 1050, or the heater 1050 may serve as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 1022 may also be arranged around the battery 1040 to monitor the temperature of the battery 1040.

The insertion detection sensor 1024 may sense insertion and/or removal of an aerosol generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 1024 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 1026 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 1026 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 1020 may include, in addition to the temperature sensor 1022, the insertion detection sensor 1024, and the puff sensor 1026 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 1030 may output information on a state of the aerosol generating device 1000 and provide the information to a user. The output unit 1030 may include at least one of a display unit 1032, a haptic unit 1034, and a sound output unit 1036, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 1032 and a touch pad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 1032 may also be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display unit 1032 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 1000 to the user. For example, information about the aerosol generating device 1000 may mean various pieces of information, such as a charging/discharging state of the battery 1040 of the aerosol generating device 1000, a preheating state of the heater 1050, an insertion/removal state of an aerosol generating article, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generating device 1000 is restricted (e.g., sensing of an abnormal object), or the like, and the display unit 1032 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 1032 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 1032 may be in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) light-emitting device.

The haptic unit 1034 may tactilely provide information about the aerosol generating device 1000 to the user by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus. For example, the haptic unit 1034 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound output unit 1036 may audibly provide information about the aerosol generating device 1000 to the user. For example, the sound output unit 1036 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output the same to the outside.

The battery 1040 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1000. The battery 1040 may supply power such that the heater 1050 may be heated. In addition, the battery 1040 may supply power required for operations of other components (e.g., the sensing unit 1020, the output unit 1030, the user input unit 1060, the memory 1070, and the communication unit 1080) in the aerosol generating device 1000. The battery 1040 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 1040 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The heater 1050 may receive power from the battery 1040 to heat an aerosol generating material. Although not illustrated in FIG. 10, the aerosol generating device 1000 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a direct current (DC)/DC converter) that converts power of the battery 1040 and supplies the same to the heater 1050. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 1000 generates aerosols in an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 1000 may further include a DC/alternating current (AC) converter that converts DC power of the battery 1040 into AC power.

The controller 1010, the sensing unit 1020, the output unit 1030, the user input unit 1060, the memory 1070, and the communication unit 1080 may each receive power from the battery 1040 to perform a function. Although not illustrated in FIG. 10, the aerosol generating device 1000 may further include a power conversion circuit that converts power of the battery 1040 to supply the power to respective components, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit, or a voltage regulator circuit.

In an embodiment, the heater 1050 may be formed of 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 1050 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 1050 may be a heater of an induction heating type. For example, the heater 1050 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 1060 may receive information input from the user or may output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 1060 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. 10, the aerosol generating device 1000 may further include a connection interface, such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may connect to other external devices through the connection interface, such as the USB interface, to transmit and receive information, or to charge the battery 1040.

The memory 1070 is a hardware component that stores various types of data processed in the aerosol generating device 1000, and may store data processed and data to be processed by the controller 1010. The memory 1070 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 1070 may store an operation time of the aerosol generating device 1000, 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 1080 may include at least one component for communication with another electronic device. For example, the communication unit 1080 may include a short-range wireless communication unit 1082 and a wireless communication unit 1084.

The short-range wireless communication unit 1082 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 1084 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 1084 may also identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 1000 within a communication network by using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

The controller 1010 may control general operations of the aerosol generating device 1000. In an embodiment, the controller 1010 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 1010 may control the temperature of the heater 1050 by controlling supply of power of the battery 1040 to the heater 1050. For example, the controller 1010 may control power supply by controlling switching of a switching element between the battery 1040 and the heater 1050. In another example, a direct heating circuit may also control power supply to the heater 1050 according to a control command of the controller 1010.

The controller 1010 may analyze a result sensed by the sensing unit 1020 and control subsequent processes to be performed. For example, the controller 1010 may control power supplied to the heater 1050 to start or end an operation of the heater 1050 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 1020. As another example, the controller 1010 may control, based on a result sensed by the sensing unit 1020, an amount of power supplied to the heater 1050 and the time the power is supplied, such that the heater 1050 may be heated to a certain temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

The controller 1010 may control the output unit 1030 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 1020. For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 1026 reaches a preset number, the controller 1010 may notify the user that the aerosol generating device 1000 will soon be terminated through at least one of the display unit 1032, the haptic unit 1034, and the sound output unit 1036.

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.

According to an aerosol generating device according to the one or more embodiments, manufacturing costs of a cartridge mounted on the aerosol generating device may be reduced.

Also, according to the aerosol generating device according to the one or more embodiments, the leakage of an aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge may be prevented.

In addition, according to the aerosol generating device according to the one or more embodiments, a large-capacity cartridge may be realized, wherein a great amount of aerosol generating material may be stored in the above cartridge.

Moreover, according to the aerosol generating device according to the one or more embodiments, a user may simply replace the cartridge.

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.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device comprising:

a cartridge comprising at least one storage storing an aerosol generating material;
a housing comprising a first accommodation space for accommodating the cartridge and a second accommodation space for accommodating an aerosol generating article;
a first heating portion arranged inside the housing and configured to atomize the aerosol generating material; and
a second heating portion arranged inside the housing and configured to heat the aerosol generating article,
wherein the cartridge is detachably coupled to the first accommodation space,
when the cartridge is accommodated in the first accommodation space, at least a portion of the cartridge is open, and thus, the aerosol generating material is supplied to the first heating portion,
a primary aerosol generated as the aerosol generating material is atomized by the first heating portion enters an end portion of the aerosol generating article accommodated in the second accommodation space, and
the primary aerosol is mixed with a secondary aerosol generated as the aerosol generating article is heated by the second heating portion and is inhaled by a user.

2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising a controller electrically connected to the first heating portion and the second heating portion,

wherein the controller is configured to independently control a temperature of the first heating portion and a temperature of the second heating portion.

3. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises one or more walls surrounding the first accommodation space, and

the cartridge is inserted into the first accommodation space by moving along the one or more walls in a direction in which the first accommodation space is open.

4. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the cartridge further comprises a sealing member configured to seal the at least a portion of the cartridge.

5. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein one of the housing and the cartridge further comprises a guide portion configured to guide a supply of the aerosol generating material, and

the other of the housing and the cartridge further comprises an insertion groove configured to guide insertion of the guide portion, receive the aerosol generating material from the guide portion, and transmit the aerosol generating material to the first heating portion.

6. The aerosol generating device of claim 5, wherein the guide portion is screw-coupled to the insertion groove.

7. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising a rupture portion configured to rupture the at least a portion of the cartridge when the cartridge is accommodated in the first accommodation space,

wherein the rupture portion comprises a hollow through which the aerosol generating material moves.

8. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising a pressing portion configured to open the storage by pressing the at least a portion of the cartridge when the cartridge is accommodated in the first accommodation space.

9. The aerosol generating device of claim 8, wherein the cartridge further comprises a moving member configured to block the at least a portion of the cartridge and moved by the pressing portion.

10. The aerosol generating device of claim 9, wherein the cartridge comprises:

a support member arranged inside the storage and comprising one or more outlets through which the aerosol generating material passes; and
an elastic member connected to the support member and configured to press the moving member towards an outer side of the storage to block the at least a portion of the cartridge.

11. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising an adjusting portion arranged between the first accommodation space and the first heating portion and configured to adjust a movement of the aerosol generating material supplied from the storage to the first heating portion.

12. The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein the adjusting portion comprises:

a transmission hole arranged under the adjusting portion and configured to transmit the aerosol generating material existing inside the adjusting portion to the first heating portion; and
an inclined surface that is inclined so that the aerosol generating material moves towards the transmission hole.

13. The aerosol generating device of claim 12, wherein the adjusting portion comprises:

a blocking member arranged under the transmission hole and configured to block at least a portion of the transmission hole; and
a slot configured to guide a movement of the blocking member.

14. The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein the adjusting portion comprises an absorption member configured to contain the aerosol generating material.

15. The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein the adjusting portion is arranged in a same number as a number of storages.

Patent History
Publication number: 20240334972
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 1, 2024
Publication Date: Oct 10, 2024
Applicant: KT&G CORPORATION (Daejeon)
Inventors: Youn Ji SHIN (Seoul), Tae Hun KIM (Yongin-si), Ju Eon PARK (Seongnam-si), Hyung Jin JUNG (Seoul), Jung Ho HAN (Daejeon)
Application Number: 18/623,683
Classifications
International Classification: A24F 40/42 (20060101); A24F 40/10 (20060101); A24F 40/20 (20060101); A24F 40/30 (20060101); A24F 40/46 (20060101); A24F 40/485 (20060101); A24F 40/57 (20060101);