HEATER MODULE FOR AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE, CARTRIDGE FOR AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE, AND AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

Abstract

A heater module for an aerosol generating device includes a heater module body detachably coupled to a cartridge which includes an aerosol generating material and having an inlet hole through which external air is introduced, a wick including a first surface that faces the inlet hole and extends in a direction crossing another direction in which air is introduced through the inlet hole and arranged in the heater module body to absorb the aerosol generating material, and a heater provided on the first surface of the wick to face the inlet hole and heating the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0045447, filed on Apr. 6, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0087260 filed on Jul. 5, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Various embodiments relate to a heater module for an aerosol generating device, a cartridge for an aerosol generating device, and an aerosol generating device, which may generate a sufficient amount of aerosols while reducing the cost of use.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, there has been an increasing demand for a technology to replace the methods of supplying aerosols by burning general cigarettes. For example, research has been conducted on methods such as generating aerosols from liquid-state or solid-state aerosol generating materials, or supplying flavored aerosols by generating vapor from liquid-state aerosol generating materials and then allowing the generated vapor to pass through a solid-state flavor medium.

In particular, aerosol generating devices using liquid-state aerosol generating materials have smaller sizes than aerosol generating devices using solid-state aerosol generating materials and thus are more convenient to carry and do not generate smoking by-products and thus are convenient to use. Accordingly, interest in aerosol generating devices for generating aerosols by using liquid-state aerosol generating materials has gradually increased.

SUMMARY

An aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in a liquid state may include a cartridge storing the aerosol generating material and a heater module that heats the aerosol generating material. The heater module may include a wick that absorbs the aerosol generating material, and a heater that heats the aerosol generating material absorbed by the wick.

In the related art, when the cartridge needs to be replaced as the aerosol generating material in the cartridge is consumed, it is not possible to replace only the cartridge, but the cartridge and the heater are replaced together. Accordingly, the heater is replaced along with the cartridge in the related art even when a useful lifespan of the heater remains, and thereby, there is an issue that the overall cost of using the aerosol generating device is increased.

In addition, the heater module may generate an aerosol by mixing vapor, which is generated as the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick is heated, with air introduced from the outside. In this case, when a sufficient amount of air is not supplied to a region where the wick is heated by the heater, the amount of aerosols generated in the heater module may be reduced. Furthermore, due to a lack of air supplied to the region where the wick is heated, the possibility of carbonization occurring in the heater module increases, which may cause a user to feel a burnt taste.

The disclosure provides a heater module for an aerosol generating device, a cartridge for an aerosol generating device, and an aerosol generating device, in which only a cartridge may be replaced excluding a heater, a sufficient amount of aerosols may be generated, and a possibility of carbonization may be reduced.

The problems to be solved through embodiments are not limited to the above-described problems, and the problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong, from the description and accompanying drawings.

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.

A heater module for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes a heater module body detachably coupled to a cartridge which includes an aerosol generating material and having an inlet hole through which external air is introduced, a wick including a first surface that faces the inlet hole and extends in a direction crossing another direction in which air is introduced through the inlet hole and arranged in the heater module body to absorb the aerosol generating material, and a heater arranged on the first surface of the wick to face the inlet hole and heating the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick.

A cartridge for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes a storage fluidly connected to an internal space of a heater module for the aerosol generating device to store the aerosol generating material, a transfer portion configured to transfer the aerosol generating material stored in the storage to the heater module for the aerosol generating device, and a recognition contact portion arranged in a position spatially separated from the transfer portion and electrically connected to the heater module for the aerosol generating device.

An aerosol generating device includes an aerosol generating device body detachably coupled to a heater module for an aerosol generating device, a battery arranged inside the aerosol generating device body and electrically connected to the heater module for the aerosol generating device, and a processor configured to control power supplied from the battery to the heater module for the aerosol generating device.

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:

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

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the aerosol generating device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a heater module for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a heater module and cartridge for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an aerosol generating device, taken along line V-V of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the aerosol generating device illustrated in FIG. 5 which is viewed from the bottom;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a heater module taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 3, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a heater module taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 3, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9A is a view illustrating a state in which a recognition terminal is arranged inside a heater module for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a heater module taken along line X-X of FIG. 9A, according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another 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 suspector may be a magnetic body that generates heat by an external magnetic field. As the suspector is positioned inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied to the suspector, the suspector generates heat to heat an aerosol generating article. In addition, optionally, the suspector 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.

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

Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a heater module 10 for the aerosol generating device (hereinafter referred to as a “heater module 10”), a cartridge 20, and an aerosol generating device body 30.

The heater module 10 may be placed between the cartridge 20 and the aerosol generating device body 30 and may perform a function of generating an aerosol by converting a phase of an aerosol generating material into a gas phase. The heater module 10 may generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge 20.

For example, the heater module 10 may generate vapor from an aerosol generating material by heating the aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge 20, and the generated vapor may be mixed with external air introduced into the heater module 10 from the outside of the heater module 10. Accordingly, an aerosol may be generated. In the disclosure, an “aerosol” may refer to particles generated by mixing air with vapor generated by heating an aerosol generating material, and the expression may be used as the same meaning below.

An aerosol generating material may be stored inside the cartridge 20, and the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 20 may be supplied to the heater module 10 arranged at the bottom (for example, a portion facing the −z direction) of the cartridge 20.

According to an embodiment, the cartridge 20 may include a mouthpiece 20m for supplying an aerosol to a user. For example, the mouthpiece 20m may connect or fluidly connect the inside of the heater module 10 for the aerosol generating device to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1, and the aerosol generated inside the heater module 10 may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 through the mouthpiece 20m. In this case, a user may come into contact with the mouthpiece (20m with the mouth and inhale an aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1. In addition, in the disclosure, a “fluid connection” may mean that components are connected to each other such that a fluid, such as air or a liquid may flow therethrough, and the expression may be used as the same meaning below.

The aerosol generating device body 30 may be placed at the bottom (for example, a portion facing the −z direction) of the heater module 10 to support the heater module 10, and components for operating the aerosol generating device 1 may be inside the aerosol generating device body 30. For example, a battery (not illustrated) and a processor (not illustrated) may be inside the aerosol generating device body 30. However, the battery and processor are only examples of components arranged inside the aerosol generating device body 30, and other components (for example, a user interface, a sensor, and so on) in addition to the components described above may also be further arranged inside the aerosol generating device body 30.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a cover 31 to protect components of the aerosol generating device 1.

The cover 31 may surround at least one region of the heater module 10, the cartridge 20, and the aerosol generating device body 30. The cover 31 may fix positions of the heater module 10, the cartridge 20, and the aerosol generating device body 30, and protect the heater module 10, the cartridge 20, and the aerosol generating device body 30 from external impact or inflow of foreign materials.

According to an embodiment, the cover 31 may be formed integrally with the aerosol generating device body 30 but is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the cover 31 may also be detachably coupled to the aerosol generating device body 30.

Hereinafter, a coupling relationship between the heater module 10, the cartridge 20, and the aerosol generating device body 30 is described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the aerosol generating device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include the heater module 10, the cartridge 20, then aerosol generating device body 30, and the cover 31. At least one of components of the aerosol generating device 1 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted below.

In addition, the components of the aerosol generating device 1 are not limited thereto, and depending on embodiments, at least one component (for example, the cover 31) among the components described above may be omitted or another component may be added thereto.

The heater module 10 may be detachably coupled to the cartridge 20. For example, the heater module 10 may be detachably coupled to a lower portion (for example, a portion facing the −z direction) of the cartridge 20. The heater module 10 may generate an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material supplied from a storage 200 of the cartridge 20.

In one embodiment, the heater module 10 may include a protrusion protruding outward. As the protrusion is inserted into or separated from a groove formed in the cartridge 20, the heater module 10 may be detachably coupled to the cartridge 20.

In another embodiment, as a first coupling member (not illustrated) arranged in one region of the heater module 10 facing the cartridge 20 is coupled to or separated from the second coupling member (not illustrated) arranged on a bottom surface of the cartridge 20, the heater module 10 may also be detachably coupled to the cartridge 20.

However, a method of coupling the cartridge 20 to the heater module 10 is not limited thereto.

When an aerosol generating material stored in the storage 200 of the cartridge 20 is exhausted, a user may continue smoking by replacing the existing cartridge 20 with a new cartridge 20. In another example, when the performance of a component (for example, a heater or wick) of the heater module 10 is reduced and a sufficient amount of aerosol is not generated, a user may replace the existing heater module 10 with a new heater module 10 such that a sufficient amount of aerosol is generated.

When the cartridge 20 needs to be replaced as the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 200 of the cartridge 20 is consumed, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may have a structure in which only the cartridge 20 is replaced and the heater module 10 is reusable. The heater module 10 may have a reusable structure because the heater module 10 according to an embodiment is detachably coupled to the cartridge 20. Accordingly, even when the cartridge 20 needs to be replaced, components, such as a heater included in the heater module 10 do not need to be replaced together, and accordingly, the overall cost of use of the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may be reduced.

According to an embodiment, the heater module 10 may include a heater module body 100, an aerosol generating material inlet 101 connecting the inside of the heater module 10 to the inside of the storage 200, an air inlet 102 for external air to be introduced into the inside of the heater module 10, and a discharge passage 103 for discharging an aerosol generated inside the heater module 10 to the outside.

The heater module body 100 functions as a main body of the heater module 10 and may form the entire appearance of the heater module 10. The heater module body 100 may be detachably coupled to the cartridge 20.

The aerosol generating material stored in the storage 200 of the cartridge 20 may be introduced into the inside of the heater module 10 through the aerosol generating material inlet 101, and a heater arranged inside the heater module 10 may heat an aerosol generating material supplied from the storage 200. A detailed description of the components arranged inside the heater module 10 is described below.

External air may be introduced into the heater module 10 through the air inlet 102, and inside the heater module 10, and the introduced external air and the vapor generated as the aerosol generating material is heated are mixed to generate an aerosol inside the heater module 10.

The aerosol generated inside the heater module 10 may be introduced from the heater module 10 to the cartridge 20 through the discharge passage 103 in a region of the heater module 10 facing the cartridge 20, and then may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 through the mouthpiece 20m. For example, as the pressure inside the cartridge 20 is reduced due to a user's inhalation through the mouthpiece 20m, the air and/or aerosol inside the heater module 10 moves from the heater module 10 into the cartridge, and the user may inhale the air and/or aerosol moved into the cartridge 20.

The cartridge 20 may include the storage 200 in which the aerosol generating material is stored.

When the cartridge 20 and the heater module 10 are coupled to each other, the storage 200 may be connected or fluidly connected to an internal space of the heater module 10, and as a result, the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 200 may be introduced into the internal space of the heater module 10.

In this case, the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 200 may include a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid composition including a non-tobacco material.

According to an embodiment, the liquid composition may include any one of water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, fragrance, a flavoring agent, and a vitamin mixture, or a mixture of the components. The fragrance may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit flavor components but is not limited thereto. The flavoring agent may include components that may provide various flavors or savors to a user. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E but is not limited thereto. The liquid composition may also include aerosol formers, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

For example, the liquid composition may include a solution of glycerin and propylene glycol with a certain weight ratio to which nicotine salt is added. The liquid composition may include two or more types of nicotine salts. The nicotine salt may be formed by adding a suitable acid, which include an organic or inorganic acid, to nicotine. The nicotine may be naturally generated nicotine or synthetic nicotine and may have a concentration of a certain suitable weight relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

The acid for forming nicotine salt may be appropriately selected by considering an absorption rate of nicotine in the blood, an operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 1, flavor or savor, solubility, and so on. For example, the acid for forming nicotine salt may be a single acid selected from a group including benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid, and malic acid or may be a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group but is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating device body 30 may be detachably coupled to a lower portion (for example, a portion facing the −z direction) of the heater module 10 to support the heater module 10. For example, the aerosol generating device body 30 may be detachably coupled to the heater module 10 such that at least one region of the aerosol generating device body 30 may be inserted into or separated from an insertion groove formed on a bottom surface of the heater module 10, but the method of coupling the heater module 10 to the aerosol generating device body 30 is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, components for operating the aerosol generating device 1 may be inside the aerosol generating device body 30. For example, a battery (not illustrated) for supplying power and a processor (not illustrated) for controlling an operation of the aerosol generating device 1 may be inside the aerosol generating device body 30.

The battery may supply power used for operating the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the battery may be electrically connected to the heater module 10 to supply power such that a heater of the heater module 10 may be heated. In another example, the battery may also supply power required to operate other components (for example, a processor and so on) of the aerosol generating device 1.

The processor may control all operations of the aerosol generating device 1. The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that may be executed by the microprocessor but is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the processor may control the power supplied from the battery to the heater of the heater module 10. For example, the processor may control the amount of power supplied to the heater from the battery and the time for which the power is supplied such that the heater of the heater module 10 may be heated to a preset temperature or maintained at the preset temperature.

The aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may enable replacement of the cartridge 20 and/or heater module 10 through a structure in which the cartridge 20 is detachably coupled to the heater module 10 and the heater module 10 is detachably coupled to the aerosol generating device body 30.

Hereinafter, components of the heater module 10 according to an embodiment may be described in detail.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a heater module for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

The heater module 10 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be an embodiment of the heater module 10 of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted below.

Referring to FIG. 3, the heater module 10 according to an embodiment may include a heater module body 100, an aerosol generating material inlet 101, an air inlet 102, a discharge passage 103, and a wick 110. At least one of components of the heater module 10 according to an embodiment may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater module 10 illustrated in FIG. 2.

The aerosol generating material inlet 101 may introduce an aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge into the heater module 10. For example, the aerosol generating material inlet 101 may be in a region (for example, a region facing the +z direction) of the heater module 10 coupled to a cartridge, and an aerosol generating material stored in a storage of the cartridge may pass through the aerosol generating material inlet 101 and be introduced into the heater module 10.

The air inlet 102 may introduce air (hereinafter referred to as “external air”) outside the heater module 10 into the heater module 10. The air inlet 102 may be formed in a region of the heater module body 100 at a position separated from the aerosol generating material inlet 101. For example, the air inlet 102 may be formed in a side portion (for example, a portion facing the +x direction) of the heater module body 100. External air may pass through the air inlet 102 and be introduced into the heater module 10.

External air introduced into the heater module 10 may move to a chamber, in which an aerosol is generated, along an airflow passage in the heater module 10.

The discharge passage 103 may discharge the aerosol generated inside the heater module 10 and/or the air introduced into the heater module 10 to the outside of the heater module 10. The discharge passage 103 may be formed in one region of the heater module body 100 at a position separated from each of the aerosol generating material inlet 101 and the air inlet 102. For example, the discharge passage 103 may be formed from an upper portion of the heater module body 100 (for example, a portion facing the +z direction) up to a middle portion of the heater module body 100. In the middle portion of the heater module body 100, a distance from one side (for example, the +x direction) of the heater module body 100 may be equal to a distance from the other side (for example, the −x direction) thereof.

The wick 110 may perform a function of absorbing an aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge and causing the aerosol generating material to be introduced into the heater module 10. The wick 110 may be located entirely inside the heater module body 100, and one region (for example, a portion facing the +z direction) of the wick 110 may pass through the aerosol generating material inlet 101 to be exposed to the outside of the heater module 10. One region of the wick 110 exposed to the outside of the heater module 10 may be connected or fluidly connected to a storage of the cartridge, and an aerosol generating material may be absorbed into the wick 110 by coming into contact with the one region of the wick 110.

The wick 110 may include ceramic fiber or porous ceramic to absorb an aerosol generating material. In other words, the wick 110 may be a ceramic wick. However, the wick 110 is not limited to the embodiment described above, and depending on embodiments, the wick 110 may also be formed of another material (for example, cotton, glass, or so on).

Hereinafter, a coupling structure of the heater module 10 and the cartridge 20 is described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a heater module and cartridge for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a heater module 10 and a cartridge 20. The heater module 10 illustrated in FIG. 4 may be the same as or similar to the heater module 10 illustrated in FIG. 3, and the cartridge 20 illustrated in FIG. 4 may be the same as or similar to the cartridge 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and accordingly, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted below.

The heater module 10 according to an embodiment may include a heater module body 100, an aerosol generating material inlet 101, a discharge passage 103, a wick 110, and a recognition terminal 140.

The heater module 10 may further include a passage partition wall 103a surrounding the outside of the discharge passage 103. The passage partition wall 103a may be in the heater module body 100 to surround the discharge passage 103. An aerosol generated inside the heater module body 100 and/or the air introduced into the heater module body 100 may be prevented from flowing out to a space between the cartridge 20 and the heater module 10 by the passage partition wall 103a. Accordingly, the heater module 10 according to an embodiment may reduce a possibility that internal components of the aerosol generating device 1 may fail due to an aerosol and/or air leaked between the cartridge 20 and the heater module 10.

The passage partition wall 103a may extend upward (for example, in the +Z direction) from the heater module body 100. The passage partition wall 103a may be formed integrally with the heater module body 100.

According to an embodiment, one region (for example, a portion facing the +z direction) of the wick 110 may be exposed to the outside of the heater module body 100. When the cartridge 20 is coupled to the heater module 10, one region of the wick 110 exposed to the outside may be in contact with a transfer portion 210 of the cartridge 20. Regions of the wick 110 exposed to the outside may be respectively arranged on both sides with the discharge passage 103 therebetween.

The recognition terminal 140 may be electrically connected to the cartridge 20. The recognition terminal 140 may be entirely accommodated inside the heater module body 100. One region (for example, a portion facing the +z direction) of the recognition terminal 140 may be exposed to the outside of the heater module body 100, and for this purpose, a hole may be formed in one region of the heater module body 100 (for example, a surface facing the +z direction) through which one region of the recognition terminal 140 passes.

The recognition terminal 140 may include an electroconductive material but is not limited thereto.

The cartridge 20 may include a transfer portion 210, a discharge passage 220, and a recognition contact portion 230.

The transfer portion 210 may a function of absorbing and temporarily storing an aerosol generating material stored in a storage of the cartridge 20 and transferring the aerosol generating material to the wick 110 of the heater module 10. When the heater module 10 is coupled to the cartridge 20, the transfer portion 210 may be in contact with the wick 110.

The transfer portion 210 may include ceramic fiber or porous ceramic to absorb an aerosol generating material. In other words, the transfer portion 210 may be a ceramic wick. In another example, the transfer portion 210 may be formed of a fiber material, such as felt. However, the transfer portion 210 is not limited to the embodiment described above, and depending on embodiments, the transfer portion 210 may include another material (for example, cotton, glass, or so on).

The transfer portion 210 may be on the cartridge 20 to be at a position corresponding to the wick 110. In one embodiment, two transfer portions 210 may be on both sides with the discharge passage 220 of the cartridge 20 therebetween.

The transfer portion 210 and the wick 110 may be formed such that regions in contact with each other have the same shape and/or size. For example, a contact region between the transfer portion 210 and the wick 110 may be formed in a rectangular shape. However, this is an example, and as long as the transfer portion 210 is in contact with the wick 110 such that the aerosol generating material may be transferred, the transfer portion 210 and the wick 110 may be formed in different shapes.

The discharge passage 220 may perform a function of discharging an aerosol and/or air to the outside of the cartridge 20. The discharge passage 220 of the cartridge 20 may be connected to the discharge passage 103 of the heater module 10. Accordingly, when the cartridge 20 is coupled to the heater module 10, an aerosol and/or air discharged to the outside of the heater module 10 through the discharge passage 103 of the heater module 10 may be introduced into the cartridge 20 through the discharge passage 220 of the cartridge 20. In this case, the aerosol and/or air introduced into the cartridge 20 may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 20 through a mouthpiece by a user's inhalation action.

The discharge passage 220 of the cartridge 20 may be placed in a middle portion of the cartridge 20. In the middle portion of the cartridge 20, a distance from one side (for example, the +x direction) of the cartridge 20 may be equal to a distance from the other side (for example, the −x direction) thereof.

The cartridge 20 may include a passage partition wall 220a surrounding the outside of the discharge passage 220. The passage partition wall 220a may be on the cartridge 20 to surround the discharge passage 220. The aerosol generated inside the heater module body 100 and/or the air introduced into the heater module body 100 may be prevented from flowing out to a space between the heater module 10 and the cartridge 20 by the passage partition wall 220a. The passage partition wall 220a may extend downward (for example, the −z direction) from the cartridge 20.

When the cartridge 20 is coupled to the heater module 10, the discharge passage 103 of the heater module 10 may be connected to the discharge passage 220 of the cartridge 20. In this case, the passage partition wall 103a of the heater module 10 and the passage partition wall 220a of the cartridge 20 may be connected to each other to surround the outside of the discharge passage 103 of the heater module 10 and the discharge passage 220 of the cartridge 20. Accordingly, the aerosol generated inside the heater module body 100 and/or the air introduced into the heater module body 100 may sequentially pass through the discharge passage 103 of the heater module 10 and the discharge passage 220 of the cartridge 20 to move to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1.

When the cartridge 20 is coupled to the heater module 10, the passage partition wall 103a of the heater module 10 may be connected to the passage partition wall 220a of the cartridge 20 without a gap. Accordingly, the aerosol generated inside the heater module body 100 and/or the air introduced into the heater module body 100 may not leak between the heater module 10 and the cartridge 20.

In the disclosure, “being connected to each other without a gap” means that there is no separate coupling members (for example, an adhesive) and a gap between the passage partition wall 103a of the heater module 10 and the passage partition wall 220a of the cartridge 20 is minimized to prevent a liquid or gas from passing therethrough. The expression may be used with the same meaning below.

The recognition terminal 140 of the heater module 10 may be in contact with the recognition contact portion 230. The recognition contact portion 230 may be placed on one side (for example, the −x direction) of the cartridge 20 to correspond to a position of the recognition terminal 140. When the cartridge 20 is coupled to the heater module 10, the recognition contact portion 230 may be electrically connected to the recognition terminal 140, and as a result, the cartridge 20 may be electrically connected to the heater module 10.

In the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment, a processor may control the power supplied to the heater module 10 based on an electrical connection between the recognition terminal 140 and the recognition contact portion 230. For example, when the recognition terminal 140 is electrically connected to the recognition contact portion 230, the processor may control supply of power to the heater module 10. Accordingly, the heater module 10 may heat an aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick 110.

Also, according to an embodiment, the processor may control a display that notifies a remaining lifespan of the heater module 10 based on the electrical connection between the recognition terminal 140 and the recognition contact portion 230. For example, when the recognition terminal 140 is electrically connected to the recognition contact portion 230, a puff sensor may detect a change in pressure inside an airflow passage, and the processor may control a display that notifies a remaining lifespan of the heater module 10 based on the number of puffs detected by the puff sensor. Although not illustrated, the display may be on an outer surface of an aerosol generating device body.

Hereinafter, internal structures of the heater module 10 and the cartridge 20 are described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an aerosol generating device taken along line V-V of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a heater module 10 and a cartridge 20. The heater module 10 according to the embodiment may be the same as or similar to the heater module 10 illustrated in FIG. 4, and the cartridge 20 according to the embodiment may be the same as or similar to the cartridge 20 illustrated in FIG. 4, and thus, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted below.

The heater module 10 may include a heater module body 100, a wick 110, a heater 120, a heater terminal 130, and a recognition terminal 140.

The heater module body 100 includes an aerosol generating material inlet 101, an air inlet 102, a discharge passage 103, an inlet hole 104, a chamber 105, a recognition terminal accommodation portion 106, and a waterproof partition wall 107. Because the aerosol generating material inlet 101, the air inlet 102, and the discharge passage 103 are described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted below.

The discharge passage 103 may extend in a direction in which air is introduced through the inlet hole 104. In one embodiment, the discharge passage 103 may extend in a direction (for example, the +z direction) in which air is introduced into the chamber 105 through the inlet hole 104. Accordingly, because the air introduced into the chamber 105 may be discharged toward the discharge passage 103 in a direction in which the air is introduced, the fluidity of air discharged to the outside of the heater module 10 may be increased. The discharge passage 103 may be formed at a position corresponding to the inlet hole 104. The discharge passage 103 may be formed above the inlet hole 104 (for example, the +z direction).

The inlet hole 104 may cause air introduced through the air inlet 102 to be introduced into the heater module 10. The inlet 104 may be connected or fluidly connected to the air inlet 102 and the chamber 105. The air introduced through the air inlet 102 may move along an airflow passage inside the heater module 10 and pass through the inlet hole 104 to reach the chamber 105.

In one embodiment, the inlet hole 104 may be formed on a lower side (for example, the −z direction) of the wick 110. Accordingly, the air passing through the inlet hole 104 may move upward (for example, the +z direction) and reach the wick 110. The inlet hole 104 may be formed at a position corresponding to the discharge passage 103.

The chamber 105 (or an “aerosol generation chamber”) may be formed in an internal space of the heater module body 100. The chamber 105 may be a space where an aerosol is generated within the heater module 10.

The chamber 105 may be connected or fluidly connected to a storage 200 of the cartridge 20 through the aerosol generating material inlet 101, and an aerosol generating material 200a stored in the storage 200 of the cartridge 20 may pass through the aerosol generating material inlet 101 and be introduced into the chamber 105.

The aerosol generating material 200a introduced into the chamber 105 may be absorbed by the wick 110. The vapor generated as the aerosol generating material 200a absorbed in the wick 110 is heated by the heater 120 may be mixed with external air introduced into the chamber 105 along an airflow passage. Accordingly, an aerosol may be generated in a region adjacent to one surface of the wick 110 arranged in the chamber 105. The generated aerosol and/or external air may be discharged to the outside of the heater module 10 through the discharge passage 103.

The recognition terminal 140 may be accommodated in the recognition terminal accommodation portion 106. The recognition terminal accommodation portion 106 may be formed in the heater module body 100 at a position spatially separated from the chamber 105. For example, the recognition terminal accommodation portion 106 may be placed on one side (for example, the −x direction) of the chamber 105.

The waterproof partition wall 107 may spatially separate the chamber 105 from the recognition terminal accommodation portion 106. The waterproof partition wall 107 may be placed between the chamber 105 and the recognition terminal accommodation portion 106 to prevent an aerosol and/or droplets generated inside the chamber 105 from penetrating into the recognition terminal accommodation portion 106. Accordingly, the waterproof partition wall 107 may prevent the recognition terminal 140 from being broken or damaged as aerosols and/or droplets are introduced into the recognition terminal accommodation portion 106.

In addition, in the disclosure, “droplet” may mean a liquefied aerosol. That is, at least a part of the aerosol generated in the chamber 105 may be cooled and liquefied by coming into contact with external air introduced into the chamber 105 through the inlet hole 104, where the liquefied aerosol may be expressed as droplet. The expression may be used as the same meaning below.

The waterproof partition wall 107 may extend upward (for example, in the +z direction) inside the heater module body 100. The waterproof partition wall 107 may be formed integrally with the heater module body 100. The waterproof partition wall 107 may also support the wick 110 inside the heater module body 100.

The heater module 10 may further include a support member 108 arranged inside the chamber 105.

The support member 108 may fix a position of the wick 110 inside the chamber 105. As the wick 110 is fixed inside the chamber 105 by the support member 108, even when the heater module 10 is tilted or shaken during use of the aerosol generating device 1, the wick 110 may stably absorb an aerosol generating material 200a. The support member 108 may be formed integrally with the heater module body 100.

The heater module 10 may further include an insertion groove 100h into which at least a part of the aerosol generating device body is inserted.

The insertion groove 100h may be formed in a region (for example, a region facing the −z direction) of the heater module body 100 that is coupled to an aerosol generating device body. As at least a part of the aerosol generating device body is inserted into an insertion groove 100h, the heater module 10 may be coupled to the aerosol generating device body. For example, the heater module 10 may be coupled to the aerosol generating device body such that at least a part of the aerosol generating device body is fitted or pressed into the insertion groove 100h, but the coupling method is not limited thereto.

The wick 110 may be in a region adjacent to the aerosol generating material inlet 101 inside the chamber 105 and pass through the aerosol generating material inlet 101 to absorb an aerosol generating material 200a introduced into the chamber 105.

At least one region (for example, a region facing the +z direction) of the wick 110 may pass through the aerosol generating material inlet 101 and be connected or fluidly connected to the storage 200. Accordingly, the wick 110 may absorb the aerosol generating material 200a passing through the aerosol generating material inlet 101 to be introduced into the chamber 105.

The wick 110 may include a first surface 111 facing the inlet hole 104. A heater 120 may be on the first surface 111. Although FIG. 5 illustrates that the first surface 111 is a lower surface (for example, a surface facing the −z direction) of the wick 110, this is an example, and as long as the first surface 111 may face the inlet hole 104, the first surface 111 may also be on another side of the wick 110.

According to an embodiment, the first surface 111 may extend in a direction crossing the direction in which air is introduced through the inlet hole 104 (for example, the +z direction). For example, the first surface 111 may have a plane (for example, an xy plane) extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which air is introduced through the inlet hole 104 (for example, the +z direction). Accordingly, in the heater module 10 according to an embodiment, a sufficient amount of air is directly supplied to a region where the wick 110 is heated by the heater 120, and thereby, the amount of aerosol generated within the heater module 10 is increased, and the possibility of carbonization occurring in a region where the wick 110 is heated by the heater 120 may be reduced.

In a comparative example in which the first surface 111 extends in a direction in which air is introduced through the inlet hole 104, air may not be sufficiently supplied to the first surface 111. For example, in the comparative example, the inlet hole 104 may be formed on a side surface (for example, the −x direction) of the heater module body 100, and the first surface 111 may have a plane (for example, a +zx direction) extending in a direction in which air is introduced through the inlet hole 104. In this case, in the comparative example, because air passes by the first surface 111, the air may not come into directly contact with the first surface 111.

Therefore, in the comparative example, even when the aerosol generating material 200a is absorbed into the wick 110, a sufficient amount of air may not be supplied to the first surface 111. Therefore, according to the comparative example, the amount of aerosol generated inside the heater module 10 may be reduced, and in a situation where there is insufficient air, the possibility of carbonization occurring due to heating of the heater 120 arranged on the first surface 111 may increase.

In the heater module 10 according to an embodiment, the first surface 111 extends in a direction crossing another direction (for example, the +z direction) in which air is introduced through the inlet hole 104, and accordingly, a sufficient amount of air may be supplied to the extended portion of the first surface 111. Accordingly, a sufficient amount of aerosol may be generated inside the heater module 10, and the possibility of carbonization occurring in a region where the wick 110 is heated by the heater 120 may be reduced.

According to an embodiment, the wick 110 may further include a contact member 112 protruding toward the cartridge 20 to absorb the aerosol generating material 200a stored in the storage 200.

The contact member 112 may protrude toward the cartridge 20 to be in contact with a transfer portion 210 of the cartridge 20. The aerosol generating material 200a stored in the storage 200 may be transferred to the contact member 112 through the transfer portion 210 and, as a result, may be absorbed into the wick 110. The contact member 112 may pass through the aerosol generating material inlet 101 to be exposed to an upper portion (for example, a portion facing the +z direction) of the heater module body 100 and to be in contact with the transfer portion 210.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating material 200a stored in the storage 200 may be transferred to the wick 110 through two paths. To this end, the contact member 112 may include a first contact member 112a and a second contact member 112b, and the transfer portion 210 may include a first transfer portion 211 and a second transfer portion 212.

The first contact member 112a may be placed on one side (for example, the +x direction) from a middle portion of the wick 110. When the cartridge 20 is coupled to the heater module 10, the first contact member 112a may be in contact with the first transfer portion 211 of the transfer portion 210. At least a part of the aerosol generating material 200a stored in the storage 200 may be transferred to the first contact member 112 through the first transfer portion 211 and, as a result, may be absorbed into the wick 110.

The second contact member 112b may be placed on the other side (for example, the −x direction) from the middle portion of the wick 110. When the cartridge 20 is coupled to the heater module 10, the second contact member 112b may be in contact with the second transfer portion 212 of the transfer portion 210. At least a part of the aerosol generating material 200a stored in the storage 200 may be transferred to the second contact member 112b through the second transfer portion 212 and, as a result, may be absorbed into the wick 110.

The second contact member 112b and the first contact member 112a may be arranged with the discharge passage 103 therebetween. Accordingly, the aerosol generating material 200a transferred through the transfer portion 210 may be absorbed into the wick 110 along two paths.

The wick 110 may surround at least a part of the discharge passage 103. Accordingly, an aerosol and/or air may be smoothly introduced into the discharge passage 103 in regions of the wick 110 surrounding the discharge passage 103. In this case, a groove into which at least a part of the discharge passage 103 is inserted may be formed in the wick 110. Also, because a position of the wick 110 may be fixed between the discharge passage 103 and the support member 108, the wick 110 may stably absorb the aerosol generating material 200a despite external shaking.

The heater 120 may be on the wick 110 to face the inlet hole 104. In one embodiment, the heater 120 may be on the first surface 111 of the wick 110 to heat the aerosol generating material 200a absorbed into the wick 110.

The heater 120 may heat the aerosol generating material 200a absorbed into the wick 110 by using the power supplied from a battery of an aerosol generating device body. The heater 120 may include a metal material that generates heat through electrical resistance. For example, the heater 120 may include stainless steel to prevent the heater 120 from being corroded by the aerosol generating material 200a absorbed into the wick 110, but the metal material of the heater 120 is limited thereto. In another example, the heater 120 may include a metal material, such as copper, nickel, or tungsten.

As the heater 120 is on the first surface 111 of the wick 110, vapor may be generated by heating the aerosol generating material 200a in a region of the chamber 105 adjacent to the first surface 111 of the wick 110. The vapor generated from the aerosol generating material 200a may be mixed with air introduced into the chamber 105 through the air inlet 102.

In this case, external air may be introduced into the heater module 10 through the air inlet 102 and then move into the chamber 105 while flowing along an airflow passage. The airflow passage may connect the air inlet 102 to the inlet hole 104 and form a flow path through which external air and/or an aerosol moves.

The heater terminal 130 may be on the heater module body 100 to face the first surface 111 of the wick 110. The heater terminal 130 may be in contact with the heater 120 to be electrically connected to the heater 120. The heater terminal 130 may transmit the power generated from a battery included in an aerosol generating device body to the heater 120. To this end, the heater terminal 130 may be electrically connected to the heater 120 and the battery. The heater terminal 130 may include an electroconductive material (for example, copper), but the material is not limited thereto.

The recognition terminal 140 may be on the heater module body 100 at a position separated from the heater terminal 130. The recognition terminal 140 may be electrically connected to a recognition contact portion of the cartridge 20 and a memory or processor of the aerosol generating device body. The recognition terminal 140 may include an electroconductive material (for example, copper), but the material is not limited thereto.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the aerosol generating device illustrated in FIG. 5 which is viewed from the bottom.

Referring to FIG. 6, an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a heater module 10 and a cartridge 20. The heater module 10 according to an embodiment may be the same as or similar to the heater module 10 illustrated in FIG. 5, and the cartridge 20 according to an embodiment may be the same as or similar to the cartridge 20 illustrated in FIG. 5, and accordingly, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted below.

Air introduced into the heater module 10 through an air inlet 102 may flow along an airflow passage and may be introduced into a chamber 105 through an inlet hole 104. An aerosol generating material 200a stored in a storage 200 may be transferred to a contact member 112 by a transfer portion 210 and may be absorbed by a wick 110. Vapor may be generated as the aerosol generating material 200a absorbed in the wick 110 is heated by the heater 120, and the generated vapor may be mixed with the air introduced into the chamber 105. As a result, an aerosol may be generated in a region adjacent to a first surface 111 of the wick 110. The generated aerosol and/or external air may be discharged to the outside through the discharge passage 103 of the heater module 10 and the discharge passage 220 of the cartridge 20.

In this case, according to the heater module 10 of an embodiment, a sufficient amount of air may be supplied to an extended portion of the first surface 111 where the heater 120 is arranged, and accordingly, a sufficient amount of aerosol may be generated in a region adjacent to the first surface 111, and as a result, the possibility of carbonization occurring in the region adjacent to the first surface 111 may be reduced.

The wick 110 may further include a second surface 113 and a third surface 114.

The second surface 113 may be one surface of the wick 110 facing the cartridge 20 arranged in an opposite direction to the first surface 111. The second surface 113 may be an upper surface (for example, a surface facing the +z direction) of the wick 110 which is placed between the two contact members 112 and faces the aerosol generating material inlet 101.

The third surface 114 may be one surface of the wick 110 facing a side wall 100a of the heater module body 100. The third surface 114 may be a side surface (for example, a surface facing the +−x direction and +−y direction) of the wick 110 which is between the first surface 111 and the second surface 113. A side wall 100a of the heater module body 100 may be a part of the heater module body 100 surrounding the chamber 105.

According to an embodiment, the first surface 111 may have a size larger than a size of at least one of the second surface 113 and the third surface 114. For example, the first surface 111 may have a size larger than sizes of the second surface 113 and the third surface 114. Accordingly, because a size of the first surface 111 may be increased, the heater module 10 according to an embodiment may have a structure in which a sufficient amount of air is in contact with the first surface 111.

According to an embodiment, the heater 120 may include a conductive pattern printed on the first surface 111 of the wick 110. For example, the heater 120 may be formed such that a metal material (for example, stainless steel) is printed to have a preset pattern shape on the first surface 111 of the wick 110 but is not limited thereto.

According to another embodiment, the heater 120 may include a conductive pattern that is insert-injection-molded on the first surface 111 of the wick 110. For example, the heater 120 may be formed such that a metal material (for example, stainless steel) is insert-injected in a preset pattern shape on the first surface 111 of the wick 110, but a method of forming the heater 120 or a shape of the heater 120 are not limited to the embodiment described above.

According to another embodiment, the heater 120 may also include a conductive plate arranged on the first surface 111 of the wick 110.

The heater terminal 130 may be insert-injection-molded (or insert-molded) in the heater module body 100. Accordingly, according to the heater module 10 of an embodiment, the heater module body 100 and the heater terminal 130 may be manufactured together through a simple manufacturing method called insert injection. Accordingly, productivity of the heater module 10 may be increased.

An insert injection process is one of molding methods of pouring and injecting a material (for example, resin) into a metallic mold and may refer to a process of injecting resin into a mold with a separate material, such as metal, previously inserted into the mold. For example, the heater module body 100 to which the heater terminal 130 is coupled may be manufactured by inserting the heater terminal 130 into a mold and then injecting the resin constituting the heater injection body 100 into the mold.

According to an embodiment, two heater terminals 130 may be in the heater module body 100. The two heater terminals 130 may each be in contact with the heater 120 at positions separated from each other. Because the two heater terminals 130 may differ only in positions in which the two heater terminals 130 are on the heater module body 100 and may have the same function and structure, descriptions thereof are made based on one heater terminal 130 in the disclosure.

A recognition terminal 140 may also be insert-molded into the heater module body 100. Accordingly, according to the heater module 10 of an embodiment, the heater module body 100 and the recognition terminal 140 may be manufactured together through a simple manufacturing method called insert injection. Accordingly, productivity of the heater module 10 may be increased.

Hereinafter, a direction in which air introduced through the inlet hole 104 moves inside the heater module 10 and a structure of the heater module body 100 are described in detail with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a heater module taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 3, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, the heater module 10 according to an embodiment includes a heater module body 100, a discharge passage 103, an inlet hole 104, a chamber 105, a wick 110, and a heater 120. At least one of components of the heater module 10 according to an embodiment may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater module 10 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The air introduced into the chamber 105 through the inlet hole 104 may pass through the first surface 111, the third surface 114, and the second surface 113 of the wick 110 and be discharged to the discharge passage 103.

First, at least a part of the air introduced into the chamber 105 through the inlet hole 104 may move toward the first surface 111 of the wick 110. In this case, air may be directly supplied to the first surface 111 where the heater 120 is arranged, and accordingly, a sufficient amount of aerosol may be generated in a region adjacent to the first surface 111.

Next, because the wick 110 is separated from a side wall 100a of the heater module body 100 in the chamber 105, a space may be formed between the wick 110 and the side wall 100a. Here, at least a part of the air introduced into the chamber 105 through the inlet hole 104 may also move to the third surface 114 connected to the first surface 111. In this case, an aerosol generating material may be supplied to the third surface 114, and accordingly, an aerosol may be generated even in a region adjacent to the third surface 114.

Next, at least a part of the air introduced into the chamber 105 through the inlet hole 104 may also move to the second surface 113. In this case, an aerosol generating material may be supplied to even the second surface 113, and accordingly, an aerosol may be generated even in a region adjacent to the second surface 113.

As described above, the heater module 10 according to an embodiment has a structure in which an aerosol generating material and air may be supplied to all regions of the wick 110, and accordingly, a sufficient amount of aerosol may be generated in all regions of the wick 110.

The heater module body 100 may include a first module body 1001, a second module body 1002, a third module body 1003, a fourth module body 1004, and a fifth module body 1005.

The first module body 1001 may function as a main body of the heater module body 100, which accommodates components (for example, the wick 110 and the heater 120) of the heater module 10. The above-described inlet hole 104, a chamber 105, and a side wall 100a may be formed in the first module body 1001.

The first module body 1001 may include or at least one of a metal material, such as copper, and a resin, such as polystyrene, polypropylene, or polyethylene. However, the material of the first module body 1001 is not limited thereto.

The second module body 1002 may be outside the first module body 1001 and in one region (for example, a region facing the +z direction) of the first module body 1001. The second module body 1002 may be detachably coupled to the first module body 1001. The second module body 1002 may include a protrusion protruding outward, and the second module body 1002 may be fitted into the fourth module body 1004 by the protrusion. The discharge passage 103 described above may be formed in the second module body 1002.

In one embodiment, the second module body 1002 may perform a function of sealing a space between the first module body 1001 and the fourth module body 1004. For example, the second module body 1002 may include a rubber material.

In another example, the second module body 1002 may include the same material as the first module body 1001 or a different material from the first module body 1001. For example, the second module body 1002 may include at least one of a metal material, such as copper, and a resin, such as polystyrene, polypropylene, or polyethylene. However, the material of the second module body 1002 is not limited thereto.

The third module body 1003 may be outside the first module body 1001 and in a region (for example, a region facing the −z direction) of the first module body 1001. The third module body 1003 may be at a position separated from the second module body 1002. The third module body 1003 may be detachably coupled to the first module body 1001. The third module body 1003 may include a protrusion protruding outward, and the third module body 1003 may be fitted into the fifth module body 1005 by the protrusion.

In one embodiment, the third module body 1003 may perform a function of sealing a space between the first module body 1001 and the fifth module body 1005. For example, the third module body 1003 may include a rubber material.

In another example, the third module body 1003 may include the same material as the first module body 1001 or a different material from the first module body 1001. For example, the third module body 1003 may include at least one of a metal material, such as copper, and a resin, such as polystyrene, polypropylene, or polyethylene. However, the material of the third module body 1003 is not limited thereto.

The fourth module body 1004 may be outside the second module body 1002 to entirely surround the second module body 1002. The fourth module body 1004 may include a passage partition wall 103a surrounding the discharge passage 103.

In one embodiment, the fourth module body 1004 may include the same material as the first module body 1001 or a different material from the first module body 1001. For example, the fourth module body 1004 may include at least one of a metal material, such as copper, and a resin, such as polystyrene, polypropylene, or polyethylene. In another example, the fourth module body 1004 may include a rubber material. However, the material of the fourth module body 1004 is not limited thereto.

The fifth module body 1005 may surround the outside of at least one of the first module body 1001 to the fourth module body 1004. The fifth module body 1005 may perform a function of protecting the heater module body 100. The insertion groove 100h described above may be formed in the fifth module body 1005.

In one embodiment, the fifth module body 1005 may include the same material as the first module body 1001 or a different material from the first module body 1001. For example, the fifth module body 1005 may include at least one of a metal material, such as copper, and a resin, such as polystyrene, polypropylene, or polyethylene. However, the material of the fifth module body 1005 is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, a structure of the heater terminal 130 is described in detail with reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a heater module taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 3, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, a heater module 10 according to an embodiment may include a heater module body 100, an aerosol generating material inlet 101, a chamber 105, a wick 110, a heater 120, a heater terminal 130, a PCB (printed circuit board) 150, and an electrical contact 160. At least one of components of the heater module 10 according to an embodiment may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater module 10 illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7.

The heater module body 100 may include a first module body 1001, a second module body 1002, a third module body 1003, a fourth module body 1004, and a fifth module body 1005.

the heater terminal 130 and the PCB 150 may be inside the first module body 1001. For example, the heater terminal 130 may be accommodated in one region (for example, a region facing the +z direction) of the first module body 1001 in which the chamber 105 is formed and may be accommodated in another region (for example, a region facing the −z direction) of the first module body 1001.

An aerosol generating material inlet 101 may be formed in the second module body 1002. At least a part (a contact member) of the wick 110 may pass through the aerosol generating material inlet 101 to be connected or fluidly connected to a reservoir of a cartridge. When power is supplied to the heater 120 through the heater terminal 130, the heater 120 may heat one region of the wick 110 in which an aerosol generating material is absorbed.

The third module body 1003, the fourth module body 1004, and the fifth module body 1005 are respectively the same as or similar to the third module body 1003, the fourth module body 1004, and the fifth module body 1005 illustrated in FIG. 7, and accordingly, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

The heater 120 may be on a first surface 111 of the wick 110, and the heater terminal 130 may be electrically connected to the heater 120. In one embodiment, the heater 120 may be electrically connected to a battery arranged inside an aerosol generating device through the heater terminal 130, the PCB 150, and the electrical contact 160.

One side of the heater terminal 130 may be in contact with the heater 120, and the other side of the heater terminal 130 may be in contact with the PCB 150. A conductive pattern may be printed on the PCB 150, and the other side of the heater terminal 130 may be in contact with a conductive pattern. The conductive pattern may be formed on one region of the PCB 150 in such a manner that a metal material (for example, stainless steel) is printed but is not limited thereto.

One side of the electrical contact 160 may be in contact with the conductive pattern of the PCB 150, and the other side of the electrical contact 160 may be exposed toward an insertion groove 100h into which an aerosol generating device body is inserted. When the heater module 10 is coupled to the aerosol generating device body, the electrical contact 160 exposed toward the insertion groove 100h may be electrically connected to a battery.

The heater terminal 130 and/or the electrical contact 160 may include an elastic conductive material but is not limited thereto. In another example, the heater terminal 130 and/or electrical contact 160 may include a cable or a flexible printed circuit board.

The heater terminal 130 may include a first heater terminal member 131, a second heater terminal member 132, and a third heater terminal member 133.

The first heater terminal member 131 may be in contact with the heater 120. To this end, at least a part of the first heater terminal member 131 may protrude toward the heater 120.

According to an embodiment, at least a part of the first heater terminal member 131 may include a curved surface. Accordingly, in the process in which the heater 120 comes into contact with the heater terminal 130, the heater 120 may come into soft contact with the first heater terminal member 131 without being damaged.

According to an embodiment, the first heater terminal member 131 may be connected to the second heater terminal member 132 to be elastically movable. That is, the first heater terminal member 131 may pressurize the heater 120 with a restoring force due to elastic force. Accordingly, even when the heater module 10 is tilted or shaken during use of an aerosol generating device, a contact between the heater 120 and the heater terminal 130 may be maintained.

The second heater terminal member 132 may be connected to the first heater terminal member 131. At least a part of the second heater terminal member 132 may include a curved surface. The second heater terminal member 132 may be between the first heater terminal member 131 and the third heater terminal member 133.

The third heater terminal member 133 may be connected to the second heater terminal member 132 and may be coupled to the heater module body 100. Specifically, the third heater terminal member 133 may be coupled to the first module body 1001 and fixed to the first module body 1001. The third heater terminal member 133 may extend in a direction (for example, the y-axis direction) crossing another direction (for example, the z-axis direction) in which the heater module body 100 extends. One region of the third heater terminal member 133 may be electrically connected to a battery through the PCB 150 and the electrical contact 160.

The third heater terminal member 133, the second heater terminal member 132, and the first heater terminal member 131 may be formed integrally.

Hereinafter, a structure of the recognition terminal 140 is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9A to 10.

FIG. 9A is a view illustrating a state in which a recognition terminal is arranged inside a heater module for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 9A. The heater module 10 according to an embodiment is the same as or similar to the heater module 10 illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6, and accordingly, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted below.

Referring to FIG. 9A, a recognition terminal 140 may be placed in a recognition terminal accommodation portion inside the heater module 10 according to an embodiment. When a cartridge 20 is connected to the heater module 10, the cartridge 20 and the heater module 10 may be electrically connected to each other through a recognition terminal 140.

The recognition terminal 140 may include a first recognition terminal 140a and a second recognition terminal 140b, and the first recognition terminal 140a may have the same function and shape as or similar function and shape to the second recognition terminal 140b.

Referring to FIG. 9B, the recognition terminal 140 may include a recognition terminal body 141, a cartridge contact member 142, and a contact protrusion 143. detailed structures of the recognition terminal body 141, the cartridge contact member 142, and the contact protrusion 143 are described with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a heater module taken along line X-X of FIG. 9A, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, a heater module 10 according to an embodiment may include a heater module body 100, a recognition terminal 140, and a PCB 150. At least one of components of the heater module 10 according to an embodiment is the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater module 10 illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7, and accordingly, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted below.

The recognition terminal body 141 functions as a main body of the recognition terminal 140 and may be connected to each of the cartridge contact member 142 and the contact protrusion 143. One side of the recognition terminal body 141 may be electrically connected to the cartridge contact member 142, and the other side of the recognition terminal body 141 may be connected to the contact protrusion 143. That is, the recognition terminal body 141 may perform a function of connecting the cartridge contact member 142 connected to a cartridge to the contact protrusion 143 connected to the PCB 150.

The recognition terminal body 141 may be coupled to the heater module body 100 while being accommodated in a recognition terminal accommodation portion 106. Accordingly, a position of the recognition terminal 140 may be fixed inside the heater module body 100. The recognition terminal body 141 may extend in a direction (for example, the z-axis direction) in which the heater module 10 extends.

The cartridge contact member 142 may be electrically connected to the cartridge. The cartridge contact member 142 may be in contact with the cartridge coupled to an upper side (for example, the +z direction) of the heater module body 100. To this end, one region (for example, a regio facing the +z direction) of the cartridge contact member 142 may be exposed to the outside of the heater module body 100, and an exposure hole 109 may be formed in the heater module body 100 to expose the cartridge contact member 142.

The cartridge contact member 142 may be directly connected to the recognition terminal body 141 included in the first recognition terminal 140a (illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B) and may not be directly connected to the recognition terminal body 141 included in the second recognition terminal 140b (illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B). The recognition terminal 140 illustrated in FIG. 10 represents the first recognition terminal 140a.

The cartridge contact member 142 may include a round portion 142a. Due to the round portion 142a, the cartridge contact member 142 may be elastically and movably coupled to the recognition terminal body 141.

Before the cartridge is coupled to the heater module 10, an end 142a1 of the round portion 142a may be separated from one region of the recognition terminal body 141.

In the process of coupling the cartridge to the heater module 10, a recognition contact portion of a cartridge may pressurize the cartridge contact member 142 in one direction (for example, the −z direction). Accordingly, the end 142a1 of the round portion 142a may come into contact with one region of the recognition terminal body 141.

In this case, in a comparative example in which the cartridge contact member 142 is fixed without moving elastically, the cartridge contact member 142 may be fixed without moving, and thus, the recognition contact portion may not come into soft contact with the cartridge contact member 142. In addition, even after the cartridge is coupled to the heater module 10, the cartridge contact member 142 does not pressurize the recognition contact portion with the restoring force due to elastic force, and thus, a contact reliability between the cartridge contact member 142 and the recognition contact portion may be reduced.

According to a heater module of an embodiment, in the process of coupling the cartridge to the heater module 10, the cartridge contact member 142 moves together with ae cartridge along a direction in which the cartridge is coupled, and thus, the recognition contact portion may come into soft contact with the cartridge contact member 142. Also, even after the cartridge is coupled to the heater module 10, the cartridge contact member 142 pressurizes the recognition contact portion with the restoring force due to elastic force, and thus, a contact reliability between the cartridge contact member 142 and the recognition contact portion may be improved.

The round portion 142a may surround one region of the recognition terminal body 141, and at least a part of the round portion 142a may have a curved surface. A groove into which one region of the recognition terminal body 141 is inserted may be formed at the end 142a1 of the round portion 142a.

The contact protrusion 143 is connected to the recognition terminal body 141. The contact protrusion 143 may be in contact with the PCB 150. The contact protrusion 143 may include a portion protruding toward the PCB 150. In one example, the contact protrusion 143 may be formed integrally with the recognition terminal body 141.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

The aerosol generating device 1 may include a controller 1000, a sensing unit 2000, an output unit 3000, a battery 4000, a heater 5000, a user input unit 6000, a memory 7000, and a communication unit 8000. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 11. That is, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that some of the components shown in FIG. 11 may be omitted or new components may be added.

The sensing unit 2000 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device 1 and a state around the aerosol generating device 1, and transmit sensed information to the controller 1000. Based on the sensed information, the controller 1000 may control the aerosol generating device 1 to perform various functions, such as controlling an operation of the heater 5000, 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 2000 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 2100, an insertion detection sensor 2200, and a puff sensor 2300, but is not limited thereto.

The temperature sensor 2100 may sense a temperature at which the heater 5000 (or an aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 1 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater 5000, or the heater 5000 may serve as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 2100 may also be arranged around the battery 4000 to monitor the temperature of the battery 4000.

The insertion detection sensor 2200 may sense insertion and/or removal of an aerosol generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 2200 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 2300 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 2300 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 2000 may include, in addition to the temperature sensor 2100, the insertion detection sensor 2200, and the puff sensor 2300 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 3000 may output information on a state of the aerosol generating device 1 and provide the information to a user. The output unit 3000 may include at least one of a display unit 3100, a haptic unit 3200, and a sound output unit 3300, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 3100 and a touch pad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 3100 may also be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display unit 3100 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user. For example, information about the aerosol generating device 1 may mean various pieces of information, such as a charging/discharging state of the battery 4000 of the aerosol generating device 1, a preheating state of the heater 5000, an insertion/removal state of an aerosol generating article, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generating device 1 is restricted (e.g., sensing of an abnormal object), or the like, and the display unit 3100 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 3100 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 3100 may be in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) light-emitting device.

The haptic unit 3200 may tactilely provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus. For example, the haptic unit 3200 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound output unit 3300 may audibly provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user. For example, the sound output unit 3300 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output the same to the outside.

The battery 4000 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1. The battery 4000 may supply power such that the heater 5000 may be heated. In addition, the battery 4000 may supply power required for operations of other components (e.g., the sensing unit 2000, the output unit 3000, the user input unit 6000, the memory 7000, and the communication unit 8000) in the aerosol generating device 1. The battery 4000 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 4000 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The heater 5000 may receive power from the battery 4000 to heat an aerosol generating material. Although not illustrated in FIG. 11, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a direct current (DC)/DC converter) that converts power of the battery 4000 and supplies the same to the heater 5000. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 1 generates aerosols in an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a DC/alternating current (AC) that converts DC power of the battery 4000 into AC power.

The controller 1000, the sensing unit 2000, the output unit 3000, the user input unit 6000, the memory 7000, and the communication unit 8000 may each receive power from the battery 4000 to perform a function. Although not illustrated in FIG. 11, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit that converts power of the battery 4000 to supply the power to respective components, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit, or a voltage regulator circuit.

In an embodiment, the heater 5000 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 5000 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 5000 may be a heater of an induction heating type. For example, the heater 5000 may include a suspector that heats an aerosol generating material by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil.

The user input unit 6000 may receive information input from the user or may output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 6000 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. 11, the aerosol generating device 1 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 4000.

The memory 7000 is a hardware component that stores various types of data processed in the aerosol generating device 1, and may store data processed and data to be processed by the controller 1000. The memory 7000 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 7000 may store an operation time of the aerosol generating device 1, 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 8000 may include at least one component for communication with another electronic device. For example, the communication unit 8000 may include a short-range wireless communication unit 8100 and a wireless communication unit 8200.

The short-range wireless communication unit 8100 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 8200 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 8200 may also identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 1 within a communication network by using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

The controller 1000 may control general operations of the aerosol generating device 1. In an embodiment, the controller 1000 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 1000 may control the temperature of the heater 5000 by controlling supply of power of the battery 4000 to the heater 5000. For example, the controller 1000 may control power supply by controlling switching of a switching element between the battery 4000 and the heater 5000. In another example, a direct heating circuit may also control power supply to the heater 5000 according to a control command of the controller 1000.

The controller 1000 may analyze a result sensed by the sensing unit 2000 and control subsequent processes to be performed. For example, the controller 1000 may control power supplied to the heater 5000 to start or end an operation of the heater 5000 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 2000. As another example, the controller 1000 may control, based on a result sensed by the sensing unit 2000, an amount of power supplied to the heater 5000 and the time the power is supplied, such that the heater 5000 may be heated to a certain temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

The controller 1000 may control the output unit 3000 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 2000. For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 2300 reaches a preset number, the controller 1000 may notify the user that the aerosol generating device 1 will soon be terminated through at least one of the display unit 3100, the haptic unit 3200, and the sound output unit 3300.

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 a heater module for an aerosol generating device, a cartridge for an aerosol generating device, and an aerosol generating device according to various embodiments, the overall cost of use may be reduced.

Also, a heater module for an aerosol generating device, a cartridge for an aerosol generating device, and an aerosol generating device according to various embodiments may generate a sufficient amount of aerosols to be supplied to a user and reduce the possibility of carbonization to increase flavor that a user feels.

Effects according to the sprit of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Claims

1. A heater module for an aerosol generating device, the heater module comprising:

a heater module body detachably coupled to a cartridge which includes an aerosol generating material and having an inlet hole through which external air is introduced;

a wick including a first surface that faces the inlet hole and extends in a direction crossing another direction in which air is introduced through the inlet hole and arranged in the heater module body to absorb the aerosol generating material; and

a heater arranged on the first surface of the wick to face the inlet hole and heating the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick.

2. The heater module of claim 1, wherein

the wick further includes a second surface arranged in an opposite direction to the first face and facing the cartridge, and a third surface facing a side wall of the heater module body, and

the first surface has a size larger than a size of at least one of the second surface and the third surface.

3. The heater module of claim 1, wherein the wick includes a contact member protruding toward the cartridge to absorb the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge.

4. The heater module of claim 3, wherein the heater module body includes an aerosol generating material inlet through which the contact member passes and the aerosol generating material is introduced.

5. The heater module of claim 3, wherein the contact member includes a first contact member and a second contact member arranged with a discharge passage, through which a generated aerosol is discharged, therebetween.

6. The heater module of claim 1, wherein the wick surrounds at least a part of a discharge passage through which a generated aerosol is discharged.

7. The heater module of claim 1, wherein the heater module body includes a discharge passage through which a generated aerosol is discharged, and a partition wall surrounding the discharge passage.

8. The heater module of claim 1, wherein the heater module body includes a discharge passage that is placed at a position corresponding to the inlet hole and extends in a direction in which air is introduced through the inlet hole.

9. The heater module of claim 1, further comprising a heater terminal arranged on the heater module body to face the first surface and electrically connected to the heater.

10. The heater module of claim 9, wherein the heater terminal includes:

a first heater terminal member which is in contact with the heater and of which at least a part has a curved surface;

a second heater terminal member connected to the first heater terminal member; and

a third heater terminal member connected to the second heater terminal member and electrically connected to a battery.

11. The heater module of claim 1, further comprising a recognition terminal arranged on the heater module body and electrically connected to the cartridge.

12. The heater module of claim 11, wherein the recognition terminal includes:

a recognition terminal body coupled to the heater module body; and

a cartridge contact member that is in contact with the cartridge and elastically and movably coupled to the recognition terminal body.

13. A cartridge for an aerosol generating device, the cartridge comprising:

a storage fluidly connected to an internal space of the heater module for the aerosol generating device of claim 1 to store the aerosol generating material;

a transfer portion configured to transfer the aerosol generating material stored in the storage to the heater module for the aerosol generating device; and

a recognition contact portion arranged in a position spatially separated from the transfer portion and electrically connected to the heater module for the aerosol generating device.

14. The cartridge of claim 13, further comprising:

a discharge passage through which an aerosol generated as the aerosol generating material is heated passes through the storage and is discharged,

wherein the transfer portion includes a first transfer portion and a second transfer portion with the discharge passage therebetween.

15. An aerosol generating device comprising:

an aerosol generating device body detachably coupled to the heater module for the aerosol generating device of claim 1;

a battery arranged inside the aerosol generating device body and electrically connected to the heater module for the aerosol generating device; and

a processor configured to control power supplied from the battery to the heater module for the aerosol generating device.