AEROSOL GENERATING MATERIAL DISCHARGE ASSEMBLY, CARTRIDGE, AND AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

Info

Publication number: 20240334974
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 8, 2024
Publication Date: Oct 10, 2024
Applicant: KT&G CORPORATION (Daejeon)
Inventors: Youn Ji SHIN (Seoul), Tae Hun KIM (Yongin-si), Ju Eon PARK (Seongnam-si), Hyung Jin JUNG (Seoul), Jung Ho HAN (Daejeon)
Application Number: 18/629,210

Abstract

An aerosol generating material discharge assembly includes a storage storing an aerosol generating material and including an air inlet through which external air is introduced, a chamber connected to the storage and configured to receive the aerosol generating material from the storage, and a pump configured to allow the external air to flow into the storage through the air inlet by transferring the aerosol generating material to the chamber.

Description

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2023-0046851, filed on Apr. 10, 2023, 10-2023-0046852 filed on Apr. 10, 2023, 10-2023-0069453, filed on May 30, 2023, and 10-2023-0069454 filed on May 30, 2023 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The disclosure relates to an aerosol generating material discharge assembly, a cartridge, and an aerosol generating device, in which an aerosol generating material is easily discharged to an aerosol generation space and the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material may be easily monitored.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, the demand for alternative methods of providing aerosols by burning general cigarettes has increased. For example, research has been conducted on methods that provide aerosols with flavors by generating aerosols from a liquid or solid aerosol generating material, generating vapor from the liquid aerosol generating material, and then allowing the generated vapor to pass through a solid flavor medium.

In particular, the aerosol generating device using the aerosol generating material in liquid form has a small size compared to an aerosol generating device using an aerosol generating material in solid form and thus is convenient to carry, and does not generate smoking by-products and thus is convenient to use. Consequently, interest in aerosol generating devices for generating aerosols by using an aerosol generating material in liquid form is gradually increasing.

SUMMARY

In an aerosol generating device utilizing a liquid aerosol generating material, an aerosol is generated from a mixture of external air and vapor generated when the liquid aerosol generating material is heated, and the generated aerosol may be externally discharged and inhaled by a user.

An aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol by heating a liquid aerosol generating material may include a cartridge that includes a storage storing an aerosol generating material and a chamber providing a space where an aerosol is generated from the aerosol generating material from the storage.

The chamber needs to receive the aerosol generating material from the storage to facilitate the aerosol generation in the chamber. When the chamber may not have a good supply of the aerosol generating material, the aerosol may not be sufficiently generated in the chamber.

In addition, when the aerosol generating material in the storage is exhausted, the user may replace the existing cartridge with a new cartridge. In this case, if the remaining amount of aerosol generating material stored in the storage is not easily monitored, the cartridge may be replaced even when the aerosol generating material is not completely consumed. That is, a usable cartridge may be replaced, resulting in an increase in the cost of using the aerosol generating device utilizing the cartridge.

Provided are an aerosol generating material discharge assembly, a cartridge, and an aerosol generating device, in which an aerosol generating material may be easily discharged from a storage to a chamber.

Provided are an aerosol generating material discharge assembly, a cartridge, and an aerosol generating device, in which a replacement time of a cartridge may be accurately determined by easily checking the remaining amount of aerosol generating material.

The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned description, and other technical problems may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the attached 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.

According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating material discharge assembly includes a storage storing an aerosol generating material and including an air inlet through which external air is introduced, a chamber connected to the storage and configured to receive the aerosol generating material from the storage, and a pump configured to allow the external air to flow into the storage through the air inlet by transferring the aerosol generating material to the chamber.

According to another embodiment, a cartridge includes the aerosol generating material discharge assembly, a wick arranged inside the chamber and into which an aerosol generating material is absorbed, and a heating portion arranged inside the chamber and configured to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick.

According to another embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes the aerosol generating material discharge assembly, a cartridge including the aerosol generating material discharge assembly, a wick arranged inside the chamber and configured to absorb the aerosol generating material, and a heating portion arranged inside the chamber and configured to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick; a battery configured to supply power for operation of the pump; and a processor configured to control the operation of the pump.

According to another embodiment, an aerosol generating material discharge assembly includes a storage pack in which an aerosol generating material is stored, a storage surrounding the outside of the storage pack and including an air inlet through which external air is introduced, a chamber connected to the storage and configured to receive the aerosol generating material from the storage pack, and a pump configured to allow the external air to flow into the storage through the air inlet by transferring the aerosol generating material to the chamber.

The air flowing into the storage through the air inlet may press the storage pack and guide the aerosol generating material to move to the chamber.

The storage pack may be spaced apart from an inner surface of the storage, and an inflow space may be generated between the storage pack and the inner surface of the storage, wherein the air flows into the inflow space.

The storage pack may include a material that is contractable to have a reduced volume.

The storage pack may include at least any one of polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene that are harmless to humans.

The storage pack may include a discharge hole which communicates with the chamber and through which the aerosol generating material is discharged.

The aerosol generating material discharge assembly may further include a pack support configured to support the storage pack form the outside of the storage pack.

The pack support may include a penetration hole through which air flowing into the storage passes.

The storage pack may include a first portion, which includes a first material and is connected to the chamber, and a second portion, which includes a second material different from the first material, and the first material may have a lower strength than the second material.

When the pump transfers the aerosol generating material to the chamber, the storage pack may contract.

The pump may include an inlet connected to the storage and an outlet connected to the chamber.

The pump may be arranged inside the chamber including a wick configured to absorb the aerosol generating material, and the outlet may be connected to the wick.

The aerosol generating material discharge assembly may further include an airflow passage connected to the chamber and separated from the air inlet to introduce external air.

According to another embodiment, a cartridge includes the aerosol generating material discharge assembly, a wick arranged inside the chamber and configured to absorb the aerosol generating material, and a heating portion arranged inside the chamber and configured to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick.

According to another embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes the aerosol generating material discharge assembly, a cartridge including the aerosol generating material discharge assembly, a wick arranged inside the chamber and configured to absorb the aerosol generating material, and a heating portion arranged inside the chamber and configured to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick; a battery configured to supply power for operation of the pump; and a processor configured to control the operation of the pump.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing examples in which an aerosol generating article is inserted into an aerosol generating device;

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate examples of the aerosol generating article;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device including a cartridge, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device including a cartridge, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge including a pump, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge before use, taken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge in use, taken along the line I-l′ of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to an embodiment, illustrating an arrangement of a pump;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a cartridge before use, according to another embodiment; FIG. 11B is perspective view of a cartridge in use, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge before use, taken along the line I-l′ of FIG. 5, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge in use, taken along the line I-l′ of FIG. 5, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an internal perspective view of a cartridge including an example of an identification member, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a cartridge including an example of an identification member, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a cartridge including another example of an identification member, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge including a pump and a storage pack, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge before use, taken along the line I-I of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge in use, taken along the line I-I of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to an embodiment, illustrating an arrangement of a pump;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a cartridge further including a pack support, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge before use, taken along a line II-II of FIG. 21, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge in use, taken along the line II-II of FIG. 21, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge according to an embodiment, illustrating a portion of a storage pack opened by an open protrusion; and

FIG. 25 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 susceptor may be a magnetic body that generates heat by an external magnetic field. As the susceptor is positioned inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied to the susceptor, the susceptor generates heat to heat an aerosol generating article. In addition, optionally, the susceptor may be positioned within the aerosol generating article.

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

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

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

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

FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing examples in which an aerosol generating article is inserted into an aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a battery 10, a controller 20, a heater 30, and a vaporizer 40. Also, the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol generating device 1.

The aerosol generating device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes the vaporizer. However, the embodiments are not limited to the implementation method thereof, and the vaporizer may be omitted. In case the vaporizer is omitted from the aerosol generating device 1, the aerosol generating article 2 contains an aerosol generating material, so that the aerosol generating article 2 generates aerosol when the aerosol generating article 2 is heated by the heater 30.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate components of the aerosol generating device 1, which are related to the present embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that other general-purpose components may be further included in the aerosol generating device 1, in addition to the components illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Also, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate that the aerosol generating device 1 includes the heater 30. However, as necessary, the heater 30 may be omitted.

FIG. 1 illustrates that the battery 10, the controller 20, the vaporizer 40, and the heater 30 are arranged in series. Also, FIG. 2 illustrates that the vaporizer 40 and the heater 30 are arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to the structures illustrated in FIG. 1 or 2. In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1, the battery 10, the controller 20, the vaporizer 40, and the heater 30 may be differently arranged.

When the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the aerosol generating device 1 may operate the vaporizer 40 to generate aerosol from the vaporizer 40. The aerosol generated by the vaporizer 40 is delivered to a user by passing through the aerosol generating article 2. The vaporizer 40 will be described in more detail later.

The battery 10 may supply power to be used for the aerosol generating device 1 to operate. For example, the battery 10 may supply power to heat the heater 30 or the vaporizer 40, and may supply power for operating the controller 20. Also, the battery 10 may supply power for operations of a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. mounted in the aerosol generating device 1.

The controller 20 may generally control operations of the aerosol generating device 1. In detail, the controller 20 may control not only operations of the battery 10, the heater 30, and the vaporizer 40, but also operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device 1. Also, the controller 20 may check a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 to determine whether or not the aerosol generating device 1 is able to operate.

The controller 20 may include at least one processor. A processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or can be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor can be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The heater 30 may be heated by the power supplied from the battery 10. For example, when the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the heater 30 may be located outside the aerosol generating article 2. Thus, the heated heater 30 may increase a temperature of an aerosol generating material in the aerosol generating article 2.

The heater 30 may include an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater 30 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 30 may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater 30 is not limited to the example described above and may include any other heaters which may be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device 1 or may be set by a user.

As another example, the heater 30 may include an induction heater. In detail, the heater 30 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating an aerosol generating article in an induction heating method, and the aerosol generating article may include a susceptor which may be heated by the induction heater.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate that the heater 30 is positioned outside the aerosol generating article 2, but the position of the heater 30 is not limited thereto. For example, the heater 30 may include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element, and may heat the inside or the outside of the aerosol generating article 2, according to the shape of the heating element.

Also, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a plurality of heaters 30. Here, the plurality of heaters 30 may be inserted into the aerosol generating article 2 or may be arranged outside the aerosol generating article 2. Also, some of the plurality of heaters 30 may be inserted into the aerosol generating article 2 and the others may be arranged outside the aerosol generating article 2. In addition, the shape of the heater 30 is not limited to the shapes illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and may include various shapes.

The vaporizer 40 may generate aerosol by heating a liquid composition and the generated aerosol may pass through the aerosol generating article 2 to be delivered to a user. In other words, the aerosol generated via the vaporizer 40 may move along an air flow passage of the aerosol generating device 1 and the air flow passage may be configured such that the aerosol generated via the vaporizer 40 passes through the aerosol generating article 2 to be delivered to the user.

For example, the vaporizer 40 may include a liquid storage, a liquid delivery element, and a heating element, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid storage, the liquid delivery element, and the heating element may be included in the aerosol generating device 1 as independent modules.

The liquid storage may store 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 liquid storage may be formed to be detachable from the vaporizer 40 or may be formed integrally with the vaporizer 40.

For example, the liquid composition may include water, a solvent, ethanol, plant extract, spices, flavorings, or a vitamin mixture. The spices may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit-flavored ingredients, but are not limited thereto. The flavorings may include ingredients capable of providing various flavors or tastes to a user. Vitamin mixtures may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto. Also, the liquid composition may include an aerosol forming substance, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The liquid delivery element may deliver the liquid composition of the liquid storage to the heating element. For example, the liquid delivery element may be a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition delivered by the liquid delivery element. For example, the heating element may be a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heating element may include a conductive filament such as nichrome wire and may be positioned as being wound around the liquid delivery element. The heating element may be heated by a current supply and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, aerosol may be generated.

For example, the vaporizer 40 may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but it is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating device 1 may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery 10, the controller 20, the heater 30, and the vaporizer 40. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting haptic information. Also, the aerosol generating device 1 may include at least one sensor (a puff sensor, a temperature sensor, an aerosol generating article insertion detecting sensor, etc.). Also, the aerosol generating device 1 may be formed as a structure that, even when the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, may introduce external air or discharge internal air.

Although not illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the aerosol generating device 1 and an additional cradle may form together a system. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 10 of the aerosol generating device 1. Alternatively, the heater 30 may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device 1 are coupled to each other.

The aerosol generating article 2 may be similar to a general combustive cigarette. For example, the aerosol generating article 2 may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter, etc. Alternatively, the second portion of the aerosol generating article 2 may also include an aerosol generating material. For example, an aerosol generating material made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.

The first portion may be completely inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, and the second portion may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, or a portion of the first portion and a portion of the second portion may be inserted thereinto. The user may puff aerosol while holding the second portion by the mouth of the user. In this case, the aerosol is generated by the external air passing through the first portion, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion and is delivered to the user's mouth.

For example, the external air may flow into at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 1. For example, opening and closing of the air passage and/or a size of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 1 may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount and the quality of smoking may be adjusted by the user. As another example, the external air may flow into the aerosol generating article 2 through at least one hole formed in a surface of the aerosol generating article 2.

Hereinafter, the examples of the aerosol generating article 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate examples of the aerosol generating article.

Referring to FIG. 3, the aerosol generating article 2 includes a tobacco rod 21 and a filter rod 22. The first portion described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 may include the tobacco rod 21, and the second portion may include the filter rod 22.

FIG. 3 illustrates that the filter rod 22 includes a single segment, but is limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod 22 may include a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod 22 may include a first segment configured to cool an aerosol and a second segment configured to filter a certain component included in the aerosol. Also, as necessary, the filter rod 22 may further include at least one segment configured to perform other functions.

The aerosol generating article 2 may be packaged by at least one wrapper 24. The wrapper 24 may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the aerosol generating article 2 may be packaged by one wrapper 24. As another example, the aerosol generating article 2 may be doubly packaged by two or more wrappers 24. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be packaged by a first wrapper 24a, and the filter rod 22 may be packaged by wrappers 24b, 24c, 24d. Also, the entire aerosol generating article 2 may be re-packaged by another single wrapper 245. When the filter rod 22 includes a plurality of segments, each segment may be packaged by wrappers 24b, 24c, 24d.

The tobacco rod 21 may include an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but it is not limited thereto. Also, the tobacco rod 21 may include other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic acid. Also, the tobacco rod 21 may include a flavored liquid, such as menthol or a moisturizer, which is injected to the tobacco rod 21.

The tobacco rod 21 may be manufactured in various forms. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be formed as a sheet or a strand. Also, the tobacco rod 21 may be formed as a pipe tobacco, which is formed of tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod 21 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. For example, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 may uniformly distribute heat transmitted to the tobacco rod 21, and thus, the heat conductivity applied to the tobacco rod may be increased and taste of the tobacco may be improved. Also, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 may function as a susceptor heated by the induction heater. Here, although not illustrated in the drawings, the tobacco rod 21 may further include an additional susceptor, in addition to the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21.

The filter rod 22 may include a cellulose acetate filter. Shapes of the filter rod 22 are not limited. For example, the filter rod 22 may include a cylinder-type rod or a tube-type rod having a hollow inside. Also, the filter rod 22 may include a recess-type rod. When the filter rod 22 includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape.

The filter rod 22 may be formed to generate flavors. For example, a flavoring liquid may be injected onto the filter rod 22, or an additional fiber coated with a flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter rod 22.

Also, the filter rod 22 may include at least one capsule 23. Here, the capsule 23 may generate a flavor or an aerosol. For example, the capsule 23 may have a configuration in which a liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. For example, the capsule 23 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

When the filter rod 22 includes a segment configured to cool the aerosol, the cooling segment may include a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material. For example, the cooling segment may include pure polylactic acid alone, but the material for forming the cooling segment is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the cooling segment may include a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality of holes. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the above-described example and is not limited as long as the cooling segment cools the aerosol.

Referring to FIG. 4, the aerosol generating article 3 may further include a front-end plug 33. The front-end plug 33 may be located on one side of the tobacco rod 31 which is opposite to the filter rod 32. The front-end plug 33 may prevent the tobacco rod 31 from being detached outwards and prevent the liquefied aerosol from flowing from the tobacco rod 31 into the aerosol generating device (1 of FIGS. 1 and 2), during smoking.

The filter rod 32 may include a first segment 321 and a second segment 322. Here, the first segment 321 may correspond to the first segment of the filter rod 22 of FIG. 3, and the second segment 322 may correspond to the third segment of the filter rod 22 of FIG. 3.

A diameter and a total length of the aerosol generating article 3 may correspond to a diameter and a total length of the aerosol generating article 2 of FIG. 3. For example, the length of The front-end plug 33 is about 7 mm, the length of the tobacco rod 31 is about 15 mm, the length of the first segment 321 is about 12 mm, and the length of the second segment 322 is about 14 mm, but it is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating article 3 may be packaged using at least one wrapper 350. The wrapper 350 may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the front end plug 33 may be packaged by a first wrapper 35a, the tobacco rod 31 may be packaged by a second wrapper 35b, the first segment 321 may be packaged by a third wrapper 35c, and the second segment 322 may be packaged by a fourth wrapper 35d.

Further, the entire aerosol generating article 3 may be repackaged by a fifth wrapper 35e. In addition, at least one perforation 36 may be formed in the fifth wrapper 35e. For example, the perforation 36 may be formed in a region surrounding the tobacco rod 31, but is not limited thereto. The perforation 36 may serve to transfer heat generated by the heater 30 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 to the inside of the tobacco rod 31.

In addition, at least one capsule 34 may be included in the second segment 322. Here, the capsule 34 may generate a flavor or an aerosol. For example, the capsule 34 may have a configuration in which a liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. For example, the capsule 34 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

One embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a 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 can be accessed by a computer, including both volatile and nonvolatile media, and both 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.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device including a cartridge, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a cartridge 100, a device main body 200 of the aerosol generating device 1, a cap 300, and a heater assembly 400. However, the components of the aerosol generating device 1 are not limited thereto, and according to an embodiment, at least one (e.g., the cap 300) of the components may be omitted or other components may be added.

An aerosol generating material may be stored in the cartridge 100 and provided to a heating portion included in the cartridge 100. Accordingly, the aerosol generating material may be aerosolized by the heating portion in a chamber included in the cartridge 100. In the present specification, the term ‘aerosol’ may refer to particles produced from the mixture of air and vapor generated from a heated aerosol generating material, and the term may be used in the same meaning below.

The aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 100 may include a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid composition including a non-tobacco material.

According to an embodiment, the liquid composition may include, for example, any one component of water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, spices, flavorings, and vitamin mixtures, or a mixture of these components. The spices may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit-flavored ingredients, but are not limited thereto. The flavorings may include ingredients capable of providing various flavors or tastes to a user. Vitamin mixtures may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto. Also, the liquid composition may include an aerosol forming substance, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

For example, the liquid composition may include any weight ratio of glycerin and propylene glycol solution to which nicotine salts are added. The liquid composition may include two or more types of nicotine salts. Nicotine salts may be formed by adding suitable acids, including organic or inorganic acids, to nicotine. Nicotine may be a naturally generated nicotine or synthetic nicotine and may have any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

Acid for the formation of the nicotine salts may be appropriately selected in consideration of the rate of nicotine absorption in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 1, the flavor or savor, the solubility, or the like. For example, the acid for the formation of nicotine salts may be a single acid selected from the group consisting of 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 or malic acid, or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.

The device main body 200 may be located under the cartridge 100 and the cartridge 300 (e.g., a portion facing a-z direction) and support the same.

According to an embodiment, components for the operation of the aerosol generating device 1 may be arranged in the device main body 200. For example, a battery (not shown) and a processor (not shown) may be arranged in the device main body 200. However, the battery and the processor are only examples of the components arranged in the device main body 200, and other components (e.g., a user interface, a sensor, etc.) than the aforementioned components may be further arranged in the device main body 200.

The battery may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the battery may be electrically connected to the heating portion of the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 400 and may supply power to the heating portion and the heater assembly 400 to heat the same. As another example, the battery may supply the power necessary to operate other components (e.g., the processor, etc.) of the aerosol generating device 1.

The processor may control general operations of the aerosol generating device 1. A processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or can be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored.

According to an embodiment, the processor may control the power supplied from the battery to the heating portion and the heater assembly 400 of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the processor may control the amount and duration of the power supplied from the battery to the heating portion and the heater assembly 400 so that the heating portion and the heater assembly 400 are heated to a specific temperature or maintained at a designated temperature.

The cap 300 may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the cartridge 100, at least a portion of the device main body 200, and at least a portion of the heater assembly 400. For example, the cap 300 may be coupled to the device main body 200 to entirely surround the outer side of the cartridge 100 and the outer side of the heater assembly 400. The cap 300 may protect the cartridge 100, the device main body 200, and the heater assembly 400 from external impact or penetration of external foreign materials. The cap 300 may be detachably coupled to the device main body 200. The cap 300 may include a cap main body, a door, and a cap hole.

The cap main body may function as a main body of the cap 300 and may be detachably coupled to the device main body 200. At least a portion of the door may be inserted into the cap main body, and thus, a door guide hole guiding the movement of the door may be formed.

The door may be located on an upper portion of the cap main body (e.g., a portion facing a +z direction) and may open or close the cap hole. The door may be inserted into the door guide hole of the cap main body and move in a direction (e.g., an x-axis direction).

The cap hole may be formed in the upper portion of the cap main body (e.g., the portion facing the +z direction) and fluid-connected to an accommodation portion 400a of the heater assembly 400. While the cap 300 is coupled to the device main body 200, the aerosol generating article 2 may sequentially pass through the cap hole and the accommodation portion 400a and may be accommodated in the accommodation portion 400a of the heater assembly 400.

The cap 300 may further include a window 350.

The window 350 may include a transparent material, for example, acryl or glass. The window 350 may be formed on an outer surface of the cap main body in a direction (e.g., a z-axis direction) at a location corresponding to the cartridge 100. The user may use the window 350 to check the remaining amount of aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 100.

A heater assembly for an aerosol generating device (400, hereinafter, referred to as “heater assembly”) may be coupled to the device main body 200 and thus may accommodate and heat the aerosol generating article 2. In this case, the heater assembly 400 may heat a tobacco rod of the aerosol generating article 2 described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 and thus heat the aerosol generating material included in the aerosol generating article 2.

The accommodation portion 400a, into which the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted, may be formed in the heater assembly 400. An aerosol generated inside the cartridge 100 may pass through the aerosol generating article 2 accommodated in the accommodation portion 400a and may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1. In this case, a user may contact the aerosol generating article 2 with his/her mouth and inhale the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 through the aerosol generating article 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device including a cartridge, according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a cartridge 100, a device main body 200, a heater assembly 400, and a cover 500. However, the components of the aerosol generating device 1 are not limited thereto, and according to an embodiment, at least one (e.g., the cover 500) of the components may be omitted or other components may be added.

Also, at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 may be the same as or similar to at least one (e.g., the cartridge 100) of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 5, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

An aerosol generating material may be stored in the cartridge 100 and provided to the heater assembly 400 arranged on a lower portion of the cartridge 100 (e.g., a portion facing the −z direction).

According to an embodiment, the cartridge 100 may include a mouthpiece 100m configured to provide an aerosol to the user. For example, the mouthpiece 100m may connect or fluid-connect the inside of the heater assembly 400 to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1, and the aerosol generated inside the heater assembly 400 may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 through the mouthpiece 100m. In this case, the user may contact the mouthpiece 100m with his/her mouth and inhale the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1. In the present specification, the term “fluid-connect” may indicate that components are connected so that a fluid, such as air or liquid, may flow through the components.

The device main body 200 may be located on the lower portion of the heater assembly 400 and support the heater assembly 400, and components for operating the aerosol generating device 1 may be arranged inside the device main body 200. Because the components arranged inside the device main body 200 are the same as or similar to those described above with reference to FIG. 5, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

The heater assembly 400 may be arranged between the cartridge 100 and the device main body 200 and generate an aerosol by converting the phase of the aerosol generating material into a gaseous phase. The heater assembly 400 may heat the aerosol generating material provided from the cartridge 100 to generate an aerosol.

For example, the heater assembly 400 may heat the aerosol generating material provided from the cartridge 100 to generate vapor from the aerosol generating material. The generated vapor may be mixed with external air introduced from the outside of the heater assembly 400 to the inside thereof, and thus, an aerosol may be generated. The heater assembly 400 may include the heating portion and the chamber described with reference to FIG. 5.

In the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment, the cartridge 100 may be detachably coupled to the heater assembly 400, and because of the configuration in which the heater assembly 400 is detachably coupled to the device main body 200, the cartridge 100 and/or the heater assembly 400 may be replaceable.

When the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 100 is exhausted, the user may continue to smoke by replacing the existing cartridge 100 with a new cartridge 100. As another example, when an aerosol is not sufficiently generated because of the performance degradation of a component (e.g., a heater or a wick) of the heater assembly 400, the user may replace the existing heater assembly 400 with a new one to generate an adequate amount of aerosol.

When the replacement of the cartridge 100 is required as the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 100 is consumed, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may be configured such that only the cartridge 100 is replaced and the heater assembly 400 is reusable. Such a configuration may be achieved by the detachable connection of the cartridge 100 to the heater assembly 400.

Accordingly, because a component, such as a heater, included in the heater assembly 400 is not necessarily replaced even when the cartridge 100 needs to be changed, the overall cost of using the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may be reduced.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include the cover 500 to protect the components of the aerosol generating device 1.

The cover 500 may be arranged to surround the cartridge 100, the device main body 200, and at least a portion of the heater assembly 400 to fix the positions of the cartridge 100, the device main body 200, and the heater assembly 400 and may protect the cartridge 100, the device main body 200, and the heater assembly 400 from external impact or penetration of foreign materials.

According to an embodiment, the cover 500 may be formed integrally with the device main body 200, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the cover 500 may be detachably coupled to the device main body 200.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge including a pump, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include a storage 110, a chamber 120, a heating portion 130, and a pump 140. The cartridge 100 may be the same as or similar to the cartridge 100 of FIGS. 5 and 6, and repeated description may be omitted hereinafter.

The storage 110 may store the aerosol generating material and be located on an upper portion of the chamber 120 (e.g., a portion facing the +z direction), thus being connected or fluid-connected to an inner space of the chamber 120.

An air inlet 111 may be formed in the storage 110. The air inlet 111 may perform the function of introducing air to the inner space of the storage 110. The air inlet 111 may communicate with the exterior of the device main body. To this end, a hole may be formed in the device main body at a location corresponding to the air inlet 111. FIG. 7 shows an example in which the air inlet 111 is formed in the upper portion of the storage 110 (e.g., the portion facing the +z direction), but this is merely an example. The air inlet 111 may also be formed in a side of the storage 110 (e.g., a portion facing the −x direction) as long as external air may be introduced into the storage 110.

According to an embodiment, a plurality of air inlets 111 may be formed in the storage 110.

The chamber 120 may provide a space where an aerosol is generated from the aerosol generating material. The chamber 120 may be arranged on the lower portion of the storage 110 (e.g., a portion facing the −z direction) and a side of the heater assembly (e.g., a portion facing the −z direction) and may be respectively connected to the storage 110 and the heater assembly. Accordingly, the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 110 may be introduced to the inner space of the chamber 120, and the aerosol generated in the inner space of the chamber 120 may move to an accommodation portion of the heater assembly.

The cartridge 100 may further include a plate 125.

The plate 125 may be arranged between the storage 110 and the chamber 120 and prevent the aerosol generating material, stored in the storage 110, from leaking to the outside of the cartridge 100. For example, the plate 125 may be coupled to the storage 110 and the chamber 120 in an interference fit manner, but the coupling method is not limited thereto. The plate 125 may include an elastic material such as rubber.

An aerosol generating material inlet (not shown) may be formed in the plate 125. The aerosol generating material inlet may be connected or fluid-connected to the inner space of the chamber 120, and the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 110 may enter the inner space of the chamber 120 through the aerosol generating material inlet. Accordingly, the aerosol generating material introduced to the inner space of the chamber 120 may be absorbed into a wick 132 inside the chamber 120 and heated by a heating coil 131.

The heating portion 130 may be arranged in the chamber 120 and convert the phase of the aerosol generating material to a gaseous phase. A heating portion accommodating groove for accommodating the heating portion 130 may be formed in the chamber 120, and as the heating portion 130 is accommodated in the heating portion accommodating groove, the heating portion 130 may be arranged on the chamber 120.

The heating portion 130 may heat the aerosol generating material provided from the storage 110. For example, the heating portion 130 may heat the aerosol generating material provided from the storage 110 to generate vapor from the aerosol generating material, and the generated vapor may be mixed with the external air flowing into the chamber 120. As a result, the aerosol may be generated.

The heating portion 130 may include the heating coil 131 and the wick 132.

The heating coil 131 may heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick 132. The heating coil 131 may be wound around the wick 132. For example, the heating coil 131 may heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick 132 by using the power supplied by the battery of the device main body.

The heating coil 131 may include a metal material used to generate heat by an electrical resistance. For example, the heating coil 131 may include stainless steel not to be corroded by the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick 132, but the metal material of the heating coil 131 is not limited thereto. As another example, the heating coil 131 may include a metal material, such as copper, nickel, or tungsten.

The wick 132 may be arranged on the lower portion of the storage 110 (e.g., the portion facing the −z direction) inside the chamber 120 and absorb the aerosol generating material entering the inner space of the chamber 120 from the storage 110.

According to an embodiment, the wick 132 may include a cotton material. However, the material of the wick 132 is not limited to the embodiment above, and according to an embodiment, the wick 132 may include another material (e.g., glass or ceramic).

The wick 132 may be accommodated in the heating portion accommodating groove of the chamber 120. As the wick 132 is accommodated in the heating portion accommodating groove, the position of the heating portion 130 may be fixed in the chamber 120.

The pump 140 may transfer the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 110 to the chamber 120 and allow external air to be introduced to the inside of the storage 110 through the air inlet 111. In other words, as the pump 140 transfers the aerosol generating material to the chamber 120, the space occupied by the aerosol generating material in the storage 110 may be reduced, and consequently, the space occupied by air in the storage 110 may increase. In this case, because the internal air pressure in the storage 110 may decrease compared to the external air (e.g., atmospheric pressure) of the aerosol generating device 1, the external air may flow into the storage 110 through the air inlet 111.

According to an embodiment, the air flowing into the storage 110 through the air inlet 111 may press the aerosol generating material towards the chamber 120. Therefore, because the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 110 may easily move to the chamber 120, the aerosol may be sufficiently generated in the chamber 120. The pump 140 may be connected or fluid-connected to the interior of the storage 110.

In an embodiment, the pump 140 may be arranged inside the chamber 120. The pump 140 may be a micropump and operate according to the power supplied by the battery of the aerosol generating device, and the operation of the pump 140 may be controlled by the processor. In the present specification, the micropump may refer to a pump that is micro-miniaturized to be arranged inside the chamber 120.

When the pump 140 is arranged inside the chamber 120, the chamber 120 may include an accommodation portion for accommodating the pump 140, and the accommodation portion may include a groove into which at least a portion of the pump 140 is inserted.

An aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a according to an embodiment may include the storage 110, the chamber 120, and the pump 140. As a component included in the cartridge 100, the aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a according to an embodiment may easily discharge the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 110 to the chamber 120. Because the storage 110, the chamber 120, and the pump 140 included in the aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a are described, the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

Hereinafter, in the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment, a process in which the aerosol generating material is discharged through the pump 140 is described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge before use, taken along a line I-l′ of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include a storage 110, a chamber 120, a heating portion 130, a pump 140, and an airflow passage 150. At least one of the components of the cartridge 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one (e.g., the storage 110) of the components of the cartridge 100 of FIG. 7, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

The pump 140 may be arranged inside the chamber 120 and thus transfer an aerosol generating material 101 stored in the storage 110 to the chamber 120. In an embodiment, in the chamber 120, the pump 140 may be arranged at a location adjacent to a first hole 121. The first hole 121 may be a hole through which the aerosol generated inside the chamber 120 is discharged. The pump 140 may be electrically connected to a battery 10 and receive power therefrom.

When the pump 140 is arranged inside the chamber 120, the chamber 120 may include a hole through which a power line of the battery 10 passes. In this case, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may further include a sealing member for sealing a gap between the power line and the hole. The sealing member may have a circular ring shape and include a rubber material.

The pump 140 may include an inlet 141 and an outlet 142.

The inlet 141 may be connected to the storage 110. In detail, the inlet 141 may be fluid-connected to a space inside the storage 110, wherein the aerosol generating material 101 is stored in the space. Through the operation of the pump 140, the aerosol generating material 101 may be introduced into the pump 140 through the inlet 141. For example, the inlet 141 may be connected to the storage 110 through a hose, and the hose may pass through an aerosol generating material inlet of the plate or a hose penetration hole formed in the plate.

The outlet 142 may be connected to the chamber 120. In detail, the outlet 142 may be connected to a wick of the heating portion 130 inside the chamber 120. The aerosol generating material 101 flowing into the pump 140 through the inlet 141 may pass through the outlet 142 and be absorbed into the wick. For example, the outlet 142 may be connected to the wick of the heating portion 130 through the hose.

The airflow passage 150 may allow external air to be introduced into the cartridge 100. The airflow passage 150 may be formed in a side of the storage 110 (e.g., in the −x direction) in one direction (e.g., the z-axis direction). The air flowing into the cartridge 100 through the airflow passage 150 may be introduced to the inside of the chamber 120 through a second hole 122 of the chamber 120. The second hole 122 may communicate with the airflow passage 150 and the inner space of the chamber 120 and allow external air to be introduced into the chamber 120.

In an embodiment, the airflow passage 150 may be spaced apart from the air inlet 111 on the cartridge 100. That is, the air inlet 111 may be spaced apart from the second hole 122 connected to the airflow passage 150 on the cartridge 100. Accordingly, the airflow of external air entering the cartridge 100 is in two directions, and in detail, external air entering through the air inlet 111 may move in a direction towards the inside of the storage 110 (e.g., in the −z direction, and Air 1 of FIG. 8), and external air entering through the airflow passage 150 may move in a direction towards the inside of the chamber 120 (e.g., the −z direction and the +x direction and Air 2 of FIG. 8).

The aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a according to an embodiment may include the storage 110, the chamber 120, the pump 140, and the airflow passage 150. Because the storage 110, the chamber 120, the pump 140, and the airflow passage 150 included in the aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a are described above, the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge in use, taken along the line I-l′ of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include a storage 110, a chamber 120, a heating portion 130, a pump 140, and an airflow passage 150. At least one of the components of the cartridge 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one (e.g., the aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a) of the components of the cartridge 100 of FIG. 8, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

In an embodiment, as the pump 140 transfers the aerosol generating material to the chamber 120, the external air Air 1 may be introduced into the storage 110. In other words, as the pump 140 transfers the aerosol generating material to the chamber 120, the space occupied by the aerosol generating material may be reduced on the storage 110, and consequently, the space occupied by air may increase on the storage 110. In this case, because the internal air pressure in the storage 110 may decrease compared to the external air (e.g., atmospheric pressure) of the aerosol generating device 1, the external air Air 1 may flow into the storage 110 through the air inlet 111.

The external air Air 1 may press the aerosol generating material 101 downwards (e.g., in the −z direction), and as a result, the aerosol generating material 101 may pass through the aerosol generating material inlet of the plate and flow into the chamber 120. The aerosol generating material flowing into the chamber 120 may be absorbed into the wick of the heating portion 130, and the heating coil of the heating portion 130 may heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick of the heating portion 130.

In this case, the aerosol generating material 101 heated by the heating portion 130 may be mixed with the air flowing into the chamber 120 through the airflow passage 150 and the second hole 122, and thus, the aerosol may be generated.

As described above, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may easily supply the aerosol generating material 101 to the chamber 120 through the pump 140 such that the aerosol may be sufficiently generated and supplied to the user.

In addition, in the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment, because the pump 140 is located inside the chamber 120, the aerosol generating material 101 may be less likely to leak to the outside of the cartridge 100 while the pump 140 operates. Such a low possibility of leakage is attributed to the fact that all operations of the pump 140 are performed inside the chamber 120 during the process of supplying the aerosol generating material 101 from the storage 110 to the chamber 120. As the likelihood of the aerosol generating material 101 leaking to the outside of the cartridge 100 decreases, there is also a decreased possibility of failure of the components in the device main body.

According to an embodiment, the processor may control the operation speed of the pump 140 according to the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101 stored in the storage 110. To this end, the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment may include a measurement unit configured to measure the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101. As the measurement unit detects that the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101 has a first remaining value or less, the operation speed of the pump 140 may be reduced to the first speed. Accordingly, when the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101 has the preset first remaining value or less during the process of consuming the aerosol generating material 101, the processor may reduce the operation speed of the pump 140 to reduce the power consumed by the battery 10.

The first remaining value may refer to a volume occupied by the aerosol generating material in the total volume of the interior of the storage 110 and may be, for example, ⅕ of the total volume of the interior of the storage 110. In addition, the first speed may be ⅓ of the initial operation speed of the pump 140.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to an embodiment, illustrating an arrangement of a pump.

Referring to FIG. 10, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include a storage 110, a chamber 120, a pump 140, a first sealing portion 160, and a second sealing portion 170. At least one of the components of the cartridge 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one (e.g., the aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a) of the components of the cartridge 100 of FIGS. 8 and 9, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

According to an embodiment, the pump 140 may be arranged outside the storage 110 and the chamber 120. In this case, the pump 140 may be connected to the storage 110 through the inlet 141 and to the chamber 120 through the outlet 142. In detail, the inlet 141 may communicate with the inner space of the storage 110 and be connected to the aerosol generating material, and the outlet 142 may communicate with the inner space of the chamber 120 and be connected to the wick. A hole connected to the inlet 141 may be formed in the storage 110, and a hole connected to the outlet 142 may be formed in the chamber 120.

As the pump 140 is arranged outside the storage 110 and the chamber 120, the pump 140 may not interfere with the component (e.g., the heating portion) arranged inside the chamber 120. Accordingly, the miniaturization of the chamber 120 may be facilitated, leading to the miniaturization of the cartridge 100. In this case, the pump 140 may be arranged inside the device main body 200.

The first sealing portion 160 may be between the inlet 141 and the storage 110. The first sealing portion 160 may prevent the aerosol generating material from leaking to the outside of the storage 110. Consequently, the failure of the components (e.g., the battery 10) of the aerosol generating device may be prevented. For example, the first sealing portion 160 may surround the outer side of the hose of the inlet 141.

The first sealing portion 160 may include a rubber-like material. The first sealing portion 160 may be generally formed in a circular ring shape, but this is merely an example. The first sealing portion 160 may be formed in other shapes as long as the first sealing portion 160 seals the gap between the inlet 141 and the storage 110.

The second sealing portion 170 may be between the outlet 142 and the chamber 120. The second sealing portion 170 may prevent the aerosol or vapor generated inside the chamber 120 from being discharged to the outside of the chamber 120. Accordingly, the failure of the components (e.g., the battery 10 of the aerosol generating device may be increasingly prevented. For example, the second sealing portion 170 may surround the outer side of the hose of the outlet 142.

The second sealing portion 170 may include a rubber-like material. The second sealing portion 170 may be generally formed in a circular ring shape, but this is merely an example. The second sealing portion 170 may be formed in other shapes as long as the second sealing portion 170 seals the gap between the outlet 142 and the chamber 120.

The aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a according to an embodiment may include the storage 110, the chamber 120, the pump 140, the first sealing portion 160, and the second sealing portion 170. Because the storage 110, the chamber 120, the pump 140, the first sealing portion 160, and the second sealing portion 170 included in the aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a are described above, the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a cartridge before use, according to another embodiment, and FIG. 11B is perspective view of a cartridge in use, according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include a storage 110, a chamber 120, a pump 140, and an identification member 180. At least one of the components of the cartridge 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the cartridge 100 of FIGS. 8 to 10, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

The identification member 180 may be arranged inside the storage 110 to be in contact with the aerosol generating material 101. In detail, the identification member 180 may be arranged on the upper portion (e.g., a portion facing the +z direction) of the aerosol generating material 101. Accordingly, the identification member 180 may be moved according to the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101. For example, the identification member 180 may be moved in a direction (e.g., the z-axis direction), in which the cartridge 100 extends, according to the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101.

Hereinafter, an example of the identification member 180 moving according to the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101 is described.

First of all, as shown in FIG. 11A, before the cartridge 100 is used, the identification member 180 may be in contact with the aerosol generating material 101 inside the storage 110 and thus be at a first position P1. As the pump 140 operates, the external air may enter the storage 110 through the air inlet 111, and the aerosol generating material 101 may move from the storage 110 to the chamber 120.

In this case, the aerosol may be generated inside the chamber 120, and the generated aerosol may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 100 through the second hole 122.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11B, as the aerosol generating material 101 in the storage 110 is gradually consumed, the identification member 180 in contact with the aerosol generating material 101 may move in a direction (e.g., the −z direction).

In this case, the external air introduced through the air inlet 111 may press the identification member 180 in a direction (e.g., the −z direction), and the identification member 180 may press the aerosol generating material 101 towards the chamber 120; thus, the aerosol generating material 101 may be easily discharged from the storage 110 to the chamber 120.

According to an embodiment, the identification member 180 may include a distinguishable color. For example, the identification member 180 may include at least any one of red, green, and black. Accordingly, the user may easily identify the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101 through the identification member 180. When the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment includes the identification member 180, the storage 110 may include a transparent material (e.g., acryl), and a window of a cap may be formed at a location corresponding to the storage 110.

Hereinafter, with regard to the cartridge 100 according to another embodiment, a process in which the aerosol generating material is discharged through the pump 140 is described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge before use, taken along the line I-l′ of FIG. 5, according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include a storage 110, a chamber 120, a heating portion 130, a pump 140, an airflow passage 150, and an identification member 180. At least one of the components of the cartridge 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the cartridge 100 of FIG. 11, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

The pump 140 may be arranged inside the chamber 120 and transfer an aerosol generating material 101 stored in the storage 110 to the chamber 120. In an embodiment, the pump 140 may be at a location adjacent to a first hole 121 inside the chamber 120. The first hole 121 may be a hole through which the aerosol generated inside the chamber 120 is discharged. The pump 140 may be electrically connected to a battery 10 and receive power therefrom.

When the pump 140 is arranged inside the chamber 120, the chamber 120 may include a hole through which a power line of the battery 10 passes. In this case, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may further include a sealing member for sealing a gap between the power line and the hole. The sealing member may have a circular ring shape and include a rubber material.

The pump 140 may include an inlet 141 and an outlet 142.

The inlet 141 may be connected to the storage 110. In detail, the inlet 141 may be fluid-connected to a space inside the storage 110, wherein the aerosol generating material 101 is stored in the space. Through the operation of the pump 140, the aerosol generating material 101 may be introduced into the pump 140 through the inlet 141. For example, the inlet 141 may be connected to the storage 110 through a hose, and the hose may pass through the aerosol generating material inlet of the plate or the hose penetration hole formed in the plate.

The outlet 142 may be connected to the chamber 120. In detail, the outlet 142 may be connected to a wick of the heating portion 130 inside the chamber 120. The aerosol generating material 101 introduced into the pump 140 through the inlet 141 may pass through the outlet 142 and be absorbed into the wick. For example, the outlet 142 may be connected to the wick of the heating portion 130 through the hose.

The airflow passage 150 may allow external air to enter the cartridge 100. The airflow passage 150 may be formed in a side of the storage 110 (e.g., in the −x direction) in one direction (e.g., the z-axis direction). The air flowing into the cartridge 100 through the airflow passage 150 may enter the chamber 120 through a second hole 122 of the chamber 120. The second hole 122 may communicate with the airflow passage 150 and the inner space of the chamber 120 and allow external air to be introduced into the chamber 120.

In an embodiment, the airflow passage 150 may be spaced apart from the air inlet 111 on the cartridge 100. That is, the air inlet 111 may be spaced apart from the second hole 122 connected to the airflow passage 150 on the cartridge 100. Accordingly, the airflow of the external air entering the cartridge 100 is in two directions, and in detail, the external air introduced through the air inlet 111 may move in the direction towards the inside of the storage 110 (e.g., in the −z direction, and Air 1 of FIG. 12), and external air introduced through the airflow passage 150 may move in the direction towards the inside of the chamber 120 (e.g., the −z direction and the +x direction and Air 2 of FIG. 12).

The identification member 180 may be in contact with the aerosol generating material 101 inside the storage 110. Accordingly, the identification member 180 may be moved in a direction (e.g., the −z direction) according to the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101.

In an embodiment, the identification member 180 may be moved while in contact with an inner surface 112 of the storage 110. Accordingly, based on the identification member 180, a gap between the space of the storage 110, where the aerosol generating material 101 is arranged, and the space on the upper portion of the identification member 180 (e.g., in the +z direction) may be sealed with respect to each other. Therefore, in the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment, the aerosol generating material 101 does not penetrate the space on the upper portion of the identification member 180, and thus, the aerosol generating material 101 may not leak to the outside of the cartridge 100 through the air inlet 111. The inner surface 112 of the storage 110 may be a surface of the storage 110 that faces the space where the aerosol generating material 101 is arranged.

The aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a according to an embodiment may include the storage 110, the chamber 120, the pump 140, the airflow passage 150, and the identification member 180. Because the storage 110, the chamber 120, the pump 140, the airflow passage 150, and the identification member 180 included in the aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a are described above, the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge in use, taken along the line I-l′ of FIG. 5, according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include the storage 110, the chamber 120, the heating portion 130, the pump 140, the airflow passage 150, and the identification member 180. At least one of the components of the cartridge 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one (e.g., the aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a) of the components of the cartridge 100 of FIG. 12, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

In an embodiment, as the pump 140 transfers the aerosol generating material to the chamber 120, the external air Air 1 may flow into the storage 110. The external air Air 1 may press the identification member 180 in a downward direction (e.g., in the −z direction), and consequently, the identification member 180 may press the aerosol generating material 101 downwards. Accordingly, the aerosol generating material 101 may pass through the aerosol generating material inlet in the plate and may flow into the chamber 120. The aerosol generating material 101 flowing into the chamber 120 may be absorbed into the wick of the heating portion 130, and the heating coil of the heating portion 130 may heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick of the heating portion 130.

In this case, the aerosol generating material 101 heated by the heating portion 130 may be mixed with the air flowing into the chamber 120 through the airflow passage 150 and the second hole 122, and thus, the aerosol may be generated.

As described above, in the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment, because the aerosol generating material 101 may be easily provided to the chamber 120 through the pump 140 and the identification member 180, the aerosol may be sufficiently generated and provided to the user.

In addition, in the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment, because the pump 140 is located inside the chamber 120, the aerosol generating material 101 may be less likely to leak to the outside of the cartridge 100 while the pump 140 operates. Such a low possibility of leakage is attributed to the fact that all operations of the pump 140 are performed inside the chamber 120 during the process of supplying the aerosol generating material 101 from the storage 110 to the chamber 120. As the likelihood of the aerosol generating material 101 leaking to the outside of the cartridge 100 decreases, there is also a decreased possibility of failure of the components in the device main body.

According to an embodiment, the processor may control the operation speed of the pump 140 according to the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101 stored in the storage 110. As the processor detects that the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101 has a first remaining value or less, the operation speed of the pump 140 may be reduced to the first speed. Accordingly, when the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101 has the preset first remaining value or less during the process of consuming the aerosol generating material 101, the processor may reduce the operation speed of the pump 140 to reduce the power consumed by the battery 10.

The first remaining value may refer to a volume occupied by the aerosol generating material in the total volume of the interior of the storage 110 and may be, for example, ⅕ of the total volume of the interior of the storage 110. In addition, the first speed may be ⅓ of the initial operation speed of the pump 140.

The identification member 180 may be moved in a downward direction (e.g., the −z-axis direction) as the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101 is reduced. In this case, the user may easily identify the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101 through the identification member 180 including a distinguishable color.

Even in the embodiments of FIGS. 12 and 13, the pump 140 may be arranged outside the storage 110 and the chamber 120. In this case, the pump 140 may be connected to the storage 110 through the inlet 141 and to the chamber 120 through the outlet 142. In detail, the inlet 141 may communicate with the inner space of the storage 110 and be connected to the aerosol generating material 101, and the outlet 142 may communicate with the inner space of the chamber 120 and be connected to the wick.

As the pump 140 is arranged outside the storage 110 and the chamber 120, the pump 140 may not interfere with the component (e.g., the heating portion) arranged inside the chamber 120. Accordingly, the miniaturization of the chamber 120 may be facilitated, leading to the miniaturization of the cartridge 100.

When the pump 140 is arranged outside the storage 110 and the chamber 120, the cartridge 100 may further include a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion. Because the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are respectively the same as or similar to the first sealing portion 160 and the second sealing portion 170 of FIG. 10, the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 14 is an internal perspective view of a cartridge including an example of an identification member, according to another embodiment. The hatching in FIG. 14 is presented not for the illustration of cross-sections but for the separation of components.

Referring to FIG. 14, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include a storage 110 and an identification member 180. At least one of the components of the cartridge 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one (e.g., the storage 110) of the components of the cartridge 100 of FIGS. 12 and 13, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

A guide portion guiding the movement of the identification member 180 may be arranged between the storage 110 and the identification member 180 so that the identification member 180 may be moved in a straight line with respect to the storage 110.

In an embodiment, the guide portion may include a guide groove extending along the inner surface 112 of the storage 110 and a protrusion arranged on the identification member 180 to be inserted into the guide groove.

The guide groove 113 may guide the movement of the identification member 180. The guide groove 113 may be formed along the inner surface 112 of the storage 110, and at least a portion of the identification member 180 (e.g., an identification protrusion 182) may be inserted into the guide groove 113.

The guide groove 113 may extend in a direction (e.g., the z-axis direction) in which the identification member 180 is moved. The guide groove 113 may be formed through the job of forming a groove with a specific depth from the inner surface 112 of the storage 110 to the outer side of the storage 110.

The identification member 180 may include an identification main body 181 and an identification protrusion 182.

The identification member 181 may function as a main body of the identification member 180 and may be moved in a direction (e.g., the −z direction) according to the remaining amount of aerosol generating material. The identification main body 181 may be moved while in contact with the inner surface 112 of the storage 110.

The identification protrusion 182 may be inserted into the guide groove 113 of the storage 110. While being inserted into the guide groove 113, the identification protrusion 182 may be moved together with the identification main body 181 in a direction (e.g., the −z direction). The identification protrusion 182 may be coupled to an outer side of the identification main body 181 and formed integrally with the identification main body 181.

Although not shown, in another embodiment, the guide portion may include a guide groove formed in the identification member 180 and a protrusion that protrudes from the inner surface 112 of the storage 110 and extends therealong to be inserted into the guide groove.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a cartridge including an example of an identification member, according to another embodiment. The hatching in FIG. 15 is provided not for the illustration of cross-sections of the components of the cartridge 100 but for the separation of the components of the cartridge 100.

Referring to FIG. 15, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include the storage 110 and the identification member 180. At least one of the components of the cartridge 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one (e.g., the identification member 180) of the components of the cartridge 100 of FIG. 14, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

According to an embodiment, while the identification protrusion 182 is inserted into the guide groove 113, the identification member 180 may be moved according to the remaining amount of aerosol generating material. Accordingly, the identification member 180 may not be tilted while maintaining balance and may be easily moved downwards (e.g., in the −z direction) as the remaining amount of aerosol generating material decreases. Therefore, in the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment, the user may accurately monitor the remaining amount of aerosol generating material through the identification member 180 in equilibrium, and the aerosol generating material may be less likely to penetrate the space on the upper portion of the identification member 180.

A plurality of identification protrusions 182 may protrude from the identification main body 181. FIG. 15 shows four identification protrusions 182, but this is merely an example. The number of identification protrusions 182 protruding from the identification main body 181 may be between 2 and 3 or at least 5. In this case, the guide groove 113, of which the number is equal to the number of identification protrusions 182, may be formed in the inner surface 112 of the storage 110.

Moreover, although FIG. 15 shows that the identification protrusions 182 protrude from one side (e.g., in the +x direction) and the other side (e.g., in the −x direction) of the identification main body 181, this is only an example. The identification protrusions 182 may protrude from the identification main body 181 in a lateral direction (e.g., the +y direction or −y direction). In addition, a plurality of identification protrusions 182 may be arranged on four surfaces of the identification main body 181 along a circumferential direction of the identification main body 181. In this case, the guide grooves 113 may be formed in the inner surface 112 of the storage 110 at locations corresponding to the identification protrusions 182.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a cartridge including another example of an identification member, according to another embodiment. The hatching in FIG. 16 is provided not for the illustration of cross-sections of the components of the cartridge 100 but for the separation of the components of the cartridge 100.

Referring to FIG. 16, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include the storage 110 and the identification member 180. At least one of the components of the cartridge 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one (e.g., the identification member 180) of the components of the cartridge 100 of FIG. 15, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

The identification member 180 may include an appropriate material to press the aerosol generating material by the introduced external air and move while maintaining balance. For example, the identification member 180 may include metal or resin that is harmless to humans. Here, the metal may be copper or aluminum, and the resin may be polystyrene, polypropylene, or polyethylene.

The identification member 180 may include a central portion 180a and a peripheral portion 180b. The peripheral portion 180b may be a portion of the identification member 180 arranged to face the inner surface 112 of the storage 110 and in contact with the same. The central portion 180a may be a portion of the identification member 180 connected to the peripheral portion 180b and facing the inner side of the storage 110. For example, the central portion 180a may occupy 50% or less of the total volume of the identification member 180.

The identification member 180 may include two different materials.

According to an embodiment, the central portion 180a of the identification member 180 may include a first material having a higher density than the peripheral portion 180b. That is, because the central portion 180a includes a material with high density to push the aerosol generating material, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may easily push the aerosol generating material downwards.

According to an embodiment, the peripheral portion 180b of the identification member 180 may include a second material having a lower coefficient of friction than the central portion 180a. The coefficient of friction refers to the ratio of the magnitude of friction force between two contacting surfaces to the magnitude of the normal force that is perpendicular to a contact surface, and a great coefficient of friction may indicate that the magnitude of friction force between two surfaces is great. That is, because the peripheral portion 180b includes a material having low friction force with the inner surface 112, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may have a configuration in which the identification member 180 may smoothly move along the inner surface 112 of the storage 110.

For example, a combination of the first material and the second material may be appropriately selected from among copper, aluminum, polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene.

When the identification member 180 includes two materials, the identification member 180 may be manufactured through a double shot injection process or an insert injection process.

The double shot injection process may refer to a manufacturing process whereby different resins or resins with two different colors are used to produce a product including two colors or two molding materials (resins) in a single metallic mold. For example, when both the first material and the second material are resins, the first material is injected into a first cavity of the metallic mold to manufacture the central portion (180a, the first molded article), and the first molded article is moved to a second cavity of the metallic mold, into which the second material is injected, thereby manufacturing the peripheral portion 180b on the central portion 180a. According to the double shot injection process, the peripheral portion 180b may be manufactured first, and then the central portion 180a may be manufactured.

The insert injection process may refer to a process whereby a resin is injected into a metallic mold while a separate material, such as metal, is inserted into the mold in advance. Through the insert injection process, a product, in which metal is combined with resin (e.g., thermoplastic plastic), may be manufactured. For example, when the first material is metal and the second material is resin, the central portion 180a including the metal material is arranged in the metallic mold, and then the second material is injected into the metallic mold to thereby manufacture the peripheral portion 180b including resin on the central portion 180a.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge including a pump and a storage pack, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 17, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include a storage pack 110a, a storage 110, a chamber 120, a heating portion 130, and a pump 140. At least one of the components of the cartridge 100 may be the same as or similar to the cartridge 100 described above, and it would be obvious that some components and structures may be replaced, added, or omitted within a range that one of ordinary skill in the art would easily understand with reference to drawings and description below.

The storage pack 110a may be arranged inside the storage 110 and may store an aerosol generating material. The storage pack 110a may be arranged on an upper portion of the chamber 120 (e.g., a portion facing the +z direction) and connected or fluid-connected to the inner space of the chamber 120.

The storage pack 110a may have a shape corresponding to the exterior of the storage 110 before use. However, the shape of the storage pack 110a is not limited thereto, and the storage pack 110a may have other shapes, for example, a rectangular shape, as long as it stores an aerosol generating material and is arranged inside the storage 110.

The storage 110 may surround the exterior of the storage pack 110a and accommodate the storage pack 110a. The inner space of the storage 110 and the inner space of the storage pack 110a may be sealed with respect to each other.

An air inlet 111 may be formed in the storage 110. The air inlet 111 may perform the function of introducing air to the inner space of the storage 110. The air inlet 111 may communicate with the exterior of the device main body. To this end, a hole may be formed in the device main body at a location corresponding to the air inlet 111. FIG. 17 shows an example in which the air inlet 111 is formed in the upper portion of the storage 110 (e.g., the portion facing the +z direction), but this is merely an example. The air inlet 111 may also be formed on a side of the storage 110 (e.g., a portion facing the −x direction) as long as external air may be introduced into the storage 110.

According to an embodiment, a plurality of air inlets 111 may be formed in the storage 110.

The chamber 120 may provide a space where an aerosol is generated from the aerosol generating material. The chamber 120 may be arranged on the lower portion of the storage 110 (e.g., a portion facing the −z direction) and a side of the heater assembly (e.g., a portion facing the −z direction) and may be connected to each of the storage pack 110a and the heater assembly. Accordingly, the aerosol generating material stored in the storage pack 110a may be introduced to the inner space of the chamber 120, and the aerosol generated in the inner space of the chamber 120 may move to an accommodation portion of the heater assembly.

The cartridge 100 may further include a plate 125.

The plate 125 may be arranged between the storage 110 and the chamber 120 and prevent the aerosol generating material, stored in the storage pack 110a, from leaking to the outside of the cartridge 100. For example, the plate 125 may be coupled to the storage 110 and the chamber 120 in an interference fit manner, but the coupling method is not limited thereto. The plate 125 may include an elastic material such as rubber.

An aerosol generating material inlet (not shown) may be formed in the plate 125. The aerosol generating material inlet may be connected or fluid-connected to the interior of the chamber 120, and the aerosol generating material stored in the storage pack 110a may enter the inner space of the chamber 120 through the aerosol generating material inlet. Accordingly, the aerosol generating material introduced to the inner space of the chamber 120 may be absorbed into a wick 132 inside the chamber 120 and heated by a heating coil 131.

The heating portion 130 may be arranged in the chamber 120 and convert the phase of the aerosol generating material to a gaseous phase. A heating portion accommodating groove for accommodating the heating portion 130 may be formed in the chamber 120, and as the heating portion 130 is accommodated in the heating portion accommodating groove, the heating portion 130 may be arranged on the chamber 120.

The heating portion 130 may heat the aerosol generating material provided from the storage pack 110a. For example, the heating portion 130 may heat the aerosol generating material provided from the storage pack 110a to generate vapor from the aerosol generating material, and the generated vapor may be mixed with the external air flowing into the chamber 120. As a result, the aerosol may be generated.

The heating portion 130 may include the heating coil 131 and the wick 132.

The heating coil 131 may heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick 132. The heating coil 131 may be wound around the wick 132. For example, the heating coil 131 may heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick 132 by using the power supplied by the battery of the device main body.

The heating coil 131 may include a metal material used to generate heat by an electrical resistance. For example, the heating coil 131 may include stainless steel not to be corroded by the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick 132, but the metal material of the heating coil 131 is not limited thereto. As another example, the heating coil 131 may include a metal material, such as copper, nickel, or tungsten.

The wick 132 may be arranged on the lower portion of the storage 110 (e.g., the portion facing the −z direction) inside the chamber 120 and absorb the aerosol generating material entering the inner space of the chamber 120 from the storage pack 110a.

According to an embodiment, the wick 132 may include a cotton material. However, the material of the wick 132 is not limited to the embodiment above, and according to an embodiment, the wick 132 may include another material (e.g., glass or ceramic).

The wick 132 may be accommodated in the heating portion accommodating groove of the chamber 120. As the wick 132 is accommodated in the heating portion accommodating groove, the position of the heating portion 130 may be fixed in the chamber 120.

The pump 140 may transfer the aerosol generating material stored in the storage pack 110a to the chamber 120 and allow external air to be introduced to the inside of the storage 110 through the air inlet 111. In other words, as the pump 140 transfers the aerosol generating material to the chamber 120, the space occupied by the storage pack 110a in the storage 110 may be reduced, and consequently, the space occupied by air in the storage 110 may increase. In this case, because the internal air pressure in the storage 110 may decrease compared to the external air (e.g., atmospheric pressure) of the aerosol generating device 1, the external air may flow into the storage 110 through the air inlet 111.

According to an embodiment, the air flowing into the storage 110 through the air inlet 111 may press the storage pack 110a. Therefore, because the aerosol generating material stored in the storage pack 110a may easily move to the chamber 120, the aerosol may be sufficiently generated in the chamber 120. The pump 140 may be connected or fluid-connected to the interior of the storage pack 110a.

In an embodiment, the pump 140 may be arranged inside the chamber 120. The pump 140 may be a micropump and operate according to the power supplied by the battery of the aerosol generating device, and the operation of the pump 140 may be controlled by the processor. The micropump may refer to a pump that is micro-miniaturized to be arranged inside the chamber 120.

When the pump 140 is arranged inside the chamber 120, the chamber 120 may include an accommodation portion for accommodating the pump 140, and the accommodation portion may include a groove into which at least a portion of the pump 140 is inserted.

The aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a according to an embodiment may include the storage pack 110a, the storage 110, the chamber 120, and the pump 140. As a component included in the cartridge 100, the aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a according to an embodiment may easily discharge the aerosol generating material stored in the storage pack 110a to the chamber 120. Because the storage pack 110a, the storage 110, the chamber 120, and the pump 140 included in the aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a are described, the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

Hereinafter, in the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment, the process in which the aerosol generating material is discharged through the pump 140 is described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge before use, taken along the line I-I of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 18, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include pump 140, and an airflow passage 150. At least one of the components of the cartridge 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one (e.g., the storage pack 110a) of the components of the cartridge 100 of FIG. 17, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

The storage pack 110a may be spaced apart from an inner surface 112 of the storage 110 inside the storage 110. Accordingly, an inflow space 113a may be formed between the storage pack 110a and the inner surface 112 of the storage 110, wherein air flows into the inflow space 113a. The external air Air 1 introduced through the air inlet 111 may move in the inflow space 113a and press the outer side of the storage pack 110a. The inner surface 112 of the storage 110 may be a surface of the storage 110 that faces the space where the aerosol generating material 101 is placed.

The storage pack 110a may be spatially separated from the inflow space 113a into which air flows and may be sealed from the inflow space 113a. To this end, the lower surface of the storage pack 110a (e.g., the surface facing the −z direction) may adhere to the storage 110.

In the storage pack 110a, a discharge hole 111a through which the aerosol generating material 101 is discharged may be formed. The discharge hole 111a may be connected or fluid-connected to the chamber 120 and, specifically, may communicate with an aerosol generating material inlet of a plate. The discharge hole 111a may be formed in the lower portion of the storage pack 110a (e.g., the portion facing the −z direction), and a hole in communication with the discharge hole 111a of the storage pack 110a may be formed in the storage 110.

As the pump 140 is arranged inside the chamber 120, the pump 140 may transfer the aerosol generating material stored in the storage pack 110a to the chamber 120. In an embodiment, in the chamber 120, the pump 140 may be arranged at a location adjacent to a first hole 121. The first hole 121 may be a hole through which the aerosol generated inside the chamber 120 is discharged. The pump 140 may be electrically connected to a battery 10 and receive power therefrom.

When the pump 140 is arranged inside the chamber 120, the chamber 120 may include a hole through which a power line of the battery 10 passes. In this case, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may further include a sealing member between the power line and the hole. The sealing member may have a circular ring shape and include a rubber material.

The pump 140 may include an inlet 141 and an outlet 142.

The inlet 141 may be connected to the storage pack 110a. In detail, the inlet 141 may be fluid-connected to a space inside the storage pack 110a, wherein the aerosol generating material 101 is stored in the space. Through the operation of the pump 140, the aerosol generating material 101 may be introduced into the pump 140 through the inlet 141. For example, the inlet 141 may be connected to the storage pack 110a through a hose, and the hose may pass through the aerosol generating material inlet of the plate or the hose penetration hole formed in the plate.

The outlet 142 may be connected to the chamber 120. In detail, the outlet 142 may be connected to a wick of the heating portion 130 inside the chamber 120. The aerosol generating material 101 introduced into the pump 140 through the inlet 141 may pass through the outlet 142 and be absorbed into the wick. For example, the outlet 142 may be connected to the wick of the heating portion 130 through the hose.

The airflow passage 150 may allow external air to enter the cartridge 100. The airflow passage 150 may be formed on a side of the storage 110 (e.g., in the −x direction) in one direction (e.g., the z-axis direction). The air flowing into the cartridge 100 through the airflow passage 150 may be introduced to the inside of the chamber 120 through a second hole 122 of the chamber 120. The second hole 122 may communicate with the airflow passage 150 and the inner space of the chamber 120 and allow external air to be introduced into the chamber 120.

In an embodiment, the airflow passage 150 may be spaced apart from the air inlet 111 on the cartridge 100. That is, the air inlet 111 may be spaced apart from the second hole 122 connected to the airflow passage 150, on the cartridge 100. Accordingly, the airflow of the external air entering the cartridge 100 is in two directions, and in detail, the external air introduced through the air inlet 111 may move in the direction towards the inside of the storage pack 110a (e.g., in the −z direction and Air 1 of FIG. 18), and the external air introduced through the airflow passage 150 may move in the direction towards the inside of the chamber 120 (e.g., the −z direction and the +x direction and Air 2 of FIG. 18).

The aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a according to an embodiment may include the storage pack 110a, the storage 110, the chamber 120, the pump 140, and the airflow passage 150. Because the storage pack 110a, the storage 110, the chamber 120, the pump 140, and the airflow passage 150 included in the aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a are described above, the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge in use, taken along the line I-I of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 19, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include the storage pack 110a, the storage 110, the chamber 120, the heating portion 130, the pump 140, and the airflow passage 150. At least one of the components of the cartridge 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one (e.g., the aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a) of the components of the cartridge 100 of FIG. 18, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

In an embodiment, as the pump 140 transfers the aerosol generating material to the chamber 120, the external air Air 1 may flow into the storage 110. That is, as the pump 140 transfers the aerosol generating material to the chamber 120, the space occupied by the storage pack 110a in the storage 110 may be reduced, and consequently, the space occupied by air in the storage 110 may increase. In this case, because the internal air pressure in the storage 110 may decrease compared to the external air (e.g., atmospheric pressure) of the aerosol generating device 1, the external air Air 1 may flow into the storage 110 through the air inlet 111.

The external air Air 1 flowing into the storage 110 through the air inlet 111 may press the storage pack 110a and guide the aerosol generating material 101 to move to the chamber 120.

In this case, the aerosol generating material 101 heated by the heating portion 130 may be mixed with the air flowing into the chamber 120 through the airflow passage 150 and the second hole 122, and thus, the aerosol may be generated.

The storage pack 110a may include a material that is contractable to have a reduced volume. Accordingly, because the storage pack 110a may be easily contacted by external air, the aerosol generating material 101 may be easily discharged to the chamber 120. For example, the storage pack 110a may include at least any one of polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene that are harmless to humans.

As described above, as the pump 140 may transfer the aerosol generating material 101 to the chamber 120 and allow the inflow of the external air, the storage pack 110a may be contracted. The cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may easily supply the aerosol generating material 101 to the chamber 120 through the pump 140 such that the aerosol may be sufficiently generated and supplied to the user.

FIG. 19 shows an example in which the storage pack 110a is contracted in two directions (e.g., the x-axis direction and the z-axis direction), but the contraction direction of the storage pack 110a is not limited thereto. That is, the pump 140 may contract the storage pack 110a only in a direction (e.g., one of the x-axis direction, the y-axis direction, and the z-axis direction).

In addition, in the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment, because the pump 140 is located inside the chamber 120, the aerosol generating material 101 may be less likely to leak to the outside of the cartridge 100 while the pump 140 operates. Such a low possibility of leakage is attributed to the fact that all operations of the pump 140 are performed inside the chamber 120 during the process of transferring the aerosol generating material 101 from the storage pack 110a to the chamber 120. As the likelihood of the aerosol generating material 101 leaking to the outside of the cartridge 100 decreases, there is also a decreased possibility of failure of the components in the device main body.

According to an embodiment, the processor may control the operation speed of the pump 140 according to the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101 stored in the storage pack 110a. To this end, the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment may include a measurement unit configured to measure the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101. As the measurement unit detects that the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101 has a first remaining value or less, the processor may reduce the operation speed of the pump 140 to the first speed. Accordingly, when the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101 has the preset first remaining value or less during the process of consuming the aerosol generating material 101, the processor may reduce the operation speed of the pump 140 to reduce the power consumed by the battery 10. Here, the measurement unit may measure the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material 101 by detecting the volume of the storage pack 110a.

The first remaining value may refer to a volume occupied by the storage pack 110a in the total volume of the interior of the storage 110 and may be, for example, ⅕ of the total volume of the interior of the storage 110. In addition, the first speed may be ⅓ of the initial operation speed of the pump 140.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to an embodiment, illustrating an arrangement of a pump.

Referring to FIG. 20, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include a storage pack 110a, a storage 110, a chamber 120, a pump 140, a first sealing portion 160, and a second sealing portion 170. At least one of the components of the cartridge 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one (e.g., the aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a) of the components of the cartridge 100 of FIGS. 18 and 19, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

According to an embodiment, the pump 140 may be arranged outside the storage 110 and the chamber 120. In this case, the pump 140 may be connected to the storage pack 110a, which is arranged inside the storage 110, through the inlet 141 and to the chamber 120 through the outlet 142. In detail, the inlet 141 may be connected to the aerosol generating material stored in the storage pack 110a after passing through the inner space of the storage 110, and the outlet 142 may communicate with the inner space of the chamber 120 and be connected to the wick. A hole connected to the inlet 141 may be formed in the storage 110 and the storage pack 110a, and a hole connected to the outlet 142 may be formed in the chamber 120.

As the pump 140 is arranged outside the storage 110 and the chamber 120, the pump 140 may not interfere with the component (e.g., the heating portion) arranged inside the chamber 120. Accordingly, the miniaturization of the chamber 120 may be facilitated, leading to the miniaturization of the cartridge 100. In this case, the pump 140 may be arranged inside the device main body 200.

The first sealing portion 160 may be between the inlet 141 and the storage pack 110a. The first sealing portion 160 may prevent the aerosol generating material from leaking to the inflow space 113a of the storage 110. Accordingly, with sufficient space allowed for air to flow into the inflow space 113a of the storage 110, the storage pack 110a may be sufficiently pressed by air and contracted. For example, the first sealing portion 160 may surround the outer side of the hose of the inlet 141.

The first sealing portion 160 may be between the inlet 141 and the storage 110. The first sealing portion 160 may reduce the likelihood of air, which flows into the inflow space 113a of the storage 110, leaking to the outside of the storage 110. For example, the first sealing portion 160 may surround the outer side of the hose of the inlet 141.

The first sealing portion 160 may include a rubber-like material. The first sealing portion 160 may be generally formed in a circular ring shape, but this is merely an example. The first sealing portion 160 may be formed in other shapes as long as the first sealing portion 160 seals the gap between the inlet 141 and the storage pack 110a and between the inlet 141 and the storage 110.

The second sealing portion 170 may be between the outlet 142 and the chamber 120. The second sealing portion 170 may prevent the aerosol or vapor generated inside the chamber 120 from being discharged to the outside of the chamber 120. Accordingly, there is also a decreased possibility of failure of the components (e.g., the battery 10) of the aerosol generating device. For example, the second sealing portion 170 may surround the outer side of the hose of the outlet 142.

The second sealing portion 170 may include a rubber-like material. The second sealing portion 170 may be generally formed in a circular ring shape, but this is merely an example. The second sealing portion 170 may be formed in other shapes as long as the second sealing portion 170 seals the gap between the outlet 142 and the chamber 120.

The aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a according to an embodiment may include the storage pack 110a, the storage 110, the chamber 120, the pump 140, the first sealing portion 160, and the second sealing portion 170. Because the storage pack 110a, the storage 110, the chamber 120, the pump 140, the first sealing portion 160, and the second sealing portion 170 included in the aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a are described above, the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a cartridge further including a pack support, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 21, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include a storage pack 110a, a storage 110, a chamber 120, and a pack support 190. At least one of the components of the cartridge 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the cartridge 100 of FIGS. 18 to 20, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

The pack support 190 may be located inside the storage 110 and support the storage pack 110a from the outside. In an embodiment, the pack support 190 may support the storage pack 110a to prevent the storage pack 110a from being tilted while the aerosol generating material is discharged from the storage pack 110a. The pack support 190 may include plastic or metal materials, but the materials thereof are not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the pack support 190 may be in contact with the outer surface of the storage pack 110a before the storage pack 110a is used. A cavity may be formed in the pack support 190 to accommodate the storage pack 110a, and the pack support 190 may have a shape corresponding to that of the storage pack 110a.

A penetration hole 190a may be formed in the pack support 190. The air flowing through the air inlet 111 may pass through the penetration hole 190a and reach the storage pack 110a, and consequently, the air may press the storage pack 110a.

A plurality of penetration holes 190a may be formed in the pack support 190. In this case, the penetration holes 190a may be formed apart from each other in the pack support 190. For example, the penetration holes 190a may be arranged along the extension direction of the cartridge 100 (e.g., the z-axis direction).

Hereinafter, in the cartridge 100 including the pack support 190, the process in which the aerosol generating material is discharged through the pump 140 is described with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge before use, taken along a line II-II of FIG. 21, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 22, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include pump 140, the airflow passage 150, and the pack support 190. At least one of the components of the cartridge 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the cartridge 100 of FIG. 21, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

In the storage 110, the storage pack 110a may be spaced apart from an inner surface 112 of the storage 110. Accordingly, an inflow space 113a may be formed between the storage pack 110a and the inner surface 112 of the storage 110, wherein air flows into the inflow space 113a. The external air Air 1 flowing through the air inlet 111 may move inside the inflow space 113a and pass through the penetration hole 190a, thereby pressing the storage pack 110a.

In the storage pack 110a, a discharge hole 111a through which the aerosol generating material 101 is discharged may be formed. The discharge hole 111a may be connected or fluid-connected to the chamber 120 and, specifically, may communicate with an aerosol generating material inlet of a plate. The discharge hole 111a may be formed in the lower portion of the storage pack 110a (e.g., the portion facing the −z direction), and a hole in communication with the discharge hole 111a of the storage pack 110a may be formed in the storage 110.

As the pump 140 is arranged inside the chamber 120, the pump 140 may transfer the aerosol generating material 101 stored in the storage pack 110a to the chamber 120. In an embodiment, the pump 140 may be at a location adjacent to the first hole 121 inside the chamber 120. The first hole 121 may be a hole through which the aerosol generated inside the chamber 120 is discharged. The pump 140 may be electrically connected to a battery 10 and receive power therefrom.

When the pump 140 is arranged inside the chamber 120, the chamber 120 may include a hole through which a power line of the battery 10 passes. In this case, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may further include a sealing member for sealing a gap between the power line and the hole. The sealing member may have a circular ring shape and include a rubber material.

The pump 140 may include an inlet 141 and an outlet 142.

The inlet 141 may be connected to the storage pack 110a. In detail, the inlet 141 may be fluid-connected to a space inside the storage pack 110a, wherein the aerosol generating material 101 is stored in the space. Through the operation of the pump 140, the aerosol generating material 101 may be introduced into the pump 140 through the inlet 141. For example, the inlet 141 may be connected to the storage pack 110a through a hose, and the hose may pass through the aerosol generating material inlet of the plate or the hose penetration hole formed in the plate.

The outlet 142 may be connected to the chamber 120. In detail, the outlet 142 may be connected to a wick of the heating portion 130 inside the chamber 120. The aerosol generating material 101 flowing into the pump 140 through the inlet 141 may pass through the outlet 142 and be absorbed into the wick. For example, the outlet 142 may be connected to the wick of the heating portion 130 through the hose.

The airflow passage 150 may allow external air to be introduced into the cartridge 100. The airflow passage 150 may be formed on a side of the storage 110 (e.g., in the −x direction) in one direction (e.g., the z-axis direction). The air flowing into the cartridge 100 through the airflow passage 150 may be introduced to the inside of the chamber 120 through a second hole 122 of the chamber 120. The second hole 122 may communicate with the airflow passage 150 and the inner space of the chamber 120 and allow external air to be introduced into the chamber 120.

In an embodiment, the airflow passage 150 may be spaced apart from the air inlet 111 on the cartridge 100. That is, the air inlet 111 may be spaced apart from the second hole 122 connected to the airflow passage 150 on the cartridge 100. Accordingly, the airflow of the external air entering the cartridge 100 is in two directions, and in detail, the external air introduced through the air inlet 111 may move in the direction towards the storage pack 110a (e.g., in the −z direction and Air 1 of FIG. 22), and external air introduced through the airflow passage 150 may move in the direction towards the inside of the chamber 120 (e.g., the −z direction and the +x direction and Air 2 of FIG. 22).

The pack support 190 may support the storage pack 110a from the outside. The pack support 190 may be in contact with the outer surface of the storage pack 110a before the storage pack 110a is used.

The upper portion of the pack support 190 (e.g., the portion facing the +Z direction) may be open. Accordingly, the air flowing through the air inlet 111 may pass through the upper portion of the pack support 190 and may press the storage pack 110a.

The lower portion of the pack support 190 (e.g., the portion facing the −z direction) may also be open. Accordingly, the aerosol generating material 101 may be provided to the chamber 120 through the discharge hole 111a.

The aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a according to an embodiment may include the storage pack 110, the storage 110, the chamber 120, the pump 140, the airflow passage 150, and the pack support 190. Because the storage pack 110a, the storage 110, the chamber 120, the pump 140, the airflow passage 150, and the pack support 190 are described above, the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge in use, taken along the line II-II of FIG. 21, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 23, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include the storage pack 110a, the storage 110, the chamber 120, the heating portion 130, the pump 140, the airflow passage 150, and the pack support 190. At least one of the components of the cartridge 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one (e.g., the aerosol generating material discharge assembly 100a) of the components of the cartridge 100 of FIG. 22, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

In an embodiment, as the pump 140 transfers the aerosol generating material to the chamber 120, the external air Air 1 may flow into the storage 110. The external air Air 1 flowing into the storage 110 through the air inlet 111 may press the storage pack 110a and guide the aerosol generating material 101 to move to the chamber 120.

In this case, the aerosol generating material 101 heated by the heating portion 130 may be mixed with the air flowing into the chamber 120 through the airflow passage 150 and the second hole 122, and thus, the aerosol may be generated.

The storage pack 110a may include a material that is contractable to have a reduced volume. Accordingly, because the storage pack 110a may be easily contacted by external air, the aerosol generating material 101 may be easily discharged to the chamber 120. For example, the storage pack 110a may include at least any one of polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene that are harmless to humans.

As described above, as the pump 140 may transfer the aerosol generating material 101 to the chamber 120 and allow the inflow of the external air, the storage pack 110a may be contracted. The cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may easily supply the aerosol generating material 101 to the chamber 120 through the pump 140 such that the aerosol may be sufficiently generated and supplied to the user.

In addition, the pack support 190 may prevent the storage pack 110a from being tilted while the storage pack 110a contracts. In an embodiment in which no pack support 190 is present, the storage pack 110a may be tilted in a direction (e.g., the +x direction) during contraction, and in this case, the external air may apply concentrated pressure only on a surface of the storage pack 110a (e.g., a surface facing the −x direction). Consequently, the external air fails to evenly press the outer surface of the storage pack 110a, and thus, the aerosol generating material 101 stored in the storage pack 110a may not be easily discharged through the discharge hole 111a.

Because the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment has a structure in which the pack support 190 supports the storage pack 110a to prevent the tilting thereof, external air may evenly press the outer surface of the storage pack 110. Accordingly, the aerosol generating material 101 stored in the storage pack 110a may be easily discharged through the discharge hole 111a.

In addition, in the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment, because the pump 140 is located inside the chamber 120, the aerosol generating material 101 may be less likely to leak to the outside of the cartridge 100 while the pump 140 operates. Such a low possibility of leakage is attributed to the fact that all operations of the pump 140 are performed inside the chamber 120 during the process of transferring the aerosol generating material 101 from the storage pack 110a to the chamber 120. As the likelihood of the aerosol generating material 101 leaking to the outside of the cartridge 100 decreases, there is also a decreased possibility of failure of the components in the device main body.

FIG. 23 shows an example in which the storage pack 110a contracts in two directions (e.g., the x-axis direction and the z-axis direction), but the contraction direction of the storage pack 110a is not limited thereto. That is, the pump 140 may contract the storage pack 110a only in a direction (e.g., one of the x-axis direction, the y-axis direction, and the z-axis direction).

Even in the cartridge 100 of FIGS. 22 and 23, the pump 140 may be arranged outside the storage 110 and the chamber 120. In this case, the pump 140 may be connected to the storage pack 110a, which is arranged inside the storage 110, through the inlet 141 and to the chamber 120 through the outlet 142. In detail, the inlet 141 may be fluid-connected to the aerosol generating material stored in the storage pack 110a after passing through the inflow space 113a of the storage 110, and the outlet 142 may communicate with the inner space of the chamber 120 and be connected to the wick. A hole connected to the inlet 141 may be formed in the storage 110 and the storage pack 110a, and a hole connected to the outlet 142 may be formed in the chamber 120.

As the pump 140 is arranged outside the storage 110 and the chamber 120, the pump 140 may not interfere with the component (e.g., the heating portion) arranged inside the chamber 120. Accordingly, the miniaturization of the chamber 120 may be facilitated, leading to the miniaturization of the cartridge 100. In this case, the pump 140 may be arranged on the device main body 200.

When the pump 140 is arranged outside the storage 110 and the chamber 120, the cartridge 100 may further include a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion. Because the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are respectively the same as or similar to the first sealing portion 160 and the second sealing portion 170 of FIG. 20, the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge according to an embodiment, illustrating a portion of a storage pack opened by an open protrusion.

Referring to FIG. 24, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include a storage pack 110a, a storage 110, a chamber 120, a plate 125, and an open protrusion 127. At least one of the components of the cartridge 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the cartridge 100 of FIGS. 17 to 23, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

The storage pack 110a may include a first portion 112a and a second portion.

The first portion 112a may include a first material. The first portion 112a may be a portion of the storage pack 110a in which a discharge hole is formed. The first portion 112a may be formed on a lower surface of the storage pack 110a (e.g., a surface facing the −z direction). For example, the first material may be a vinyl material that may be torn easily.

The second portion may include a second material. The second portion may be a portion of the storage pack 110a excluding the first portion 112a. The second material may be different from the first material and may include, for example, polystyrene, polypropylene, or polyethylene.

According to an embodiment, the first material may have a lower strength than the second material. In the present specification, the term ‘strength’ refers to the degree of deformation resistance until a material is broken, and a material with greater strength may be a material that is difficult to break. That is, the first portion 112a may include a material that is broken more easily, compared to the second portion.

An example of the manufacturing processes for the cartridge 100 may include separately producing the storage 110 including the sealed storage pack 110a and the chamber 120 combined with the plate 125 and then coupling the storage 110 to the chamber 120. According to such processes, no discharge hole should be formed in advance in the storage pack 110a. Because when a pre-formed discharge hole exists in the storage pack 110a, the aerosol generating material may leak to the outside.

Therefore, when the cartridge 100 is manufactured through the above processes, a sealed storage pack 110a without a discharge hole may be prepared first, and the storage pack 110a having the first portion 112a including the first material is placed inside the storage 110 to couple the storage 110 to the chamber 120.

In this case, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include the open protrusion 127 for opening the first portion 112a. The open protrusion 127 may be arranged on the chamber 120 at a location corresponding to the first portion 112a. In detail, the open protrusion 127 may be coupled to the plate 125 and protrude towards the storage pack 110a in an upward direction (e.g., the +z direction).

As the storage 110 is coupled to the chamber 120, the open protrusion 127 may pass through the hole formed under the storage 110 and press the first portion 112a such that the first portion 112a may be opened. Accordingly, the discharge hole may be formed in the storage pack 110a, and the aerosol generating material may pass through the discharge hole and be absorbed into the wick of the chamber 120.

FIG. 25 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. 17. 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. 17 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. 17, 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. 17, 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 susceptor 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. 17, 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.

An aerosol generating material discharge assembly, a cartridge, and an aerosol generating device according to one or more embodiments may smoothly discharge an aerosol generating material, thus generating a sufficient amount of aerosols.

In addition, the aerosol generating material discharge assembly, the cartridge, and the aerosol generating device according to one or more embodiments may have a configuration in which the remaining amount of aerosol generating material is easily checked, and thus, a user may accurately determine a replacement time of the cartridge.

Effects according to the spirit 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. An aerosol generating material discharge assembly comprising:

a storage storing an aerosol generating material and comprising an air inlet through which external air is introduced;

a chamber connected to the storage and configured to receive the aerosol generating material from the storage; and

a pump configured to allow the external air to flow into the storage through the air inlet by transferring the aerosol generating material to the chamber.

2. The aerosol generating material discharge assembly of claim 1, further comprising an identification member arranged inside the storage and in contact with the aerosol generating material to be moved according to a remaining amount of the aerosol generating material.

3. The aerosol generating material discharge assembly of claim 2, wherein the identification member comprises a distinguishable color.

4. The aerosol generating material discharge assembly of claim 2, wherein the identification member is configured to press the aerosol generating material towards the chamber as air flows into the storage.

5. The aerosol generating material discharge assembly of claim 2, further comprising:

a guide groove arranged in any one of the storage and the identification member and configured to guide a movement of the identification member; and

a protrusion arranged on another one of the storage and the identification member and coupled to the guide groove.

6. The aerosol generating material discharge assembly of claim 2, wherein the identification member is moved while in contact with an inner surface of the storage.

7. The aerosol generating material discharge assembly of claim 2, wherein the identification member comprises a peripheral portion in contact with an inner surface of the storage and a central portion located on an inner side of the peripheral portion, and

the central portion comprises a material with a higher density than the peripheral portion.

8. The aerosol generating material discharge assembly of claim 2, wherein the identification member comprises a peripheral portion in contact with an inner surface of the storage and a central portion located on an inner side of the peripheral portion, and

the peripheral portion comprises a material with a lower coefficient of friction than the central portion.

9. The aerosol generating material discharge assembly of claim 1, further comprising an airflow passage connected to the chamber to allow penetration of the external air, and separated from the air inlet.

10. The aerosol generating material discharge assembly of claim 1, wherein the pump comprises an inlet connected to the storage and an outlet connected to the chamber.

11. The aerosol generating material discharge assembly of claim 10, wherein the pump is arranged inside the chamber comprising a wick into which the aerosol generating material is absorbed, and

the outlet is connected to the wick.

12. The aerosol generating material discharge assembly of claim 10, wherein the pump is arranged outside the storage and the chamber.

13. The aerosol generating material discharge assembly of claim 12, further comprising a first sealing portion arranged between the inlet and the storage and configured to prevent the aerosol generating material from leaking to the outside of the storage.

14. A cartridge comprising:

the aerosol generating material discharge assembly of claim 1;

a wick arranged inside the chamber and into which an aerosol generating material is absorbed; and

a heating portion arranged inside the chamber and configured to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick.

15. An aerosol generating device comprising:

the aerosol generating material discharge assembly of claim 1;

a cartridge comprising the aerosol generating material discharge assembly, a wick arranged inside the chamber and configured to absorb the aerosol generating material, and a heating portion arranged inside the chamber and configured to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick;

a battery configured to supply power for operation of the pump; and

a processor configured to control the operation of the pump.