HEATER ASSEMBLY AND AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME

- KT&G CORPORATION

A heater assembly includes a chamber including an air inlet, a liquid inlet, and an air outlet; a wick configured to absorb an aerosol generating material from outside of the heater assembly through the liquid inlet and including a first surface, a second surface, and a side surface surrounding a space between the first surface and the second surface; a heater arranged on the side surface of the wick and configured to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick; and a guide structure configured to induce external air flowing into the chamber through the air inlet to move in a direction toward the heater.

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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. 10-2023-0045446 and 10-2023-0087958, filed on Apr. 6, 2023 and Jul. 6, 2023, respectively, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Embodiments relate to a heater assembly capable of increasing an amount of aerosols generated from a heater by allowing air flowing in from the outside to move in a direction toward the heater and an aerosol generating device including the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, the demand for alternative methods for overcoming the shortcomings of general cigarettes has increased For example, research on methods such as generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating materials in liquid or solid state, or supplying an aerosol with a flavor by generating vapor from an aerosol generating material in liquid state and then passing the generated vapor through a scent medium in sold state is in progress.

In particular, compared to aerosol generating devices using aerosol generating materials in solid states, aerosol generating devices for generating aerosols from aerosol generating materials in liquid states have small sizes, are convenient to carry, and do not generate smoking by-products. Therefore, interest in aerosol generating devices for generating aerosols by using aerosol generating materials in liquid states has gradually increased.

SUMMARY

In an aerosol generating device for generating aerosols from an aerosol generating material in a liquid state, aerosols may be generated by mixing vapor generated by heating the aerosol generating material in the liquid state with air flowing into the aerosol generating device.

When a sufficient amount of air is not supplied to a heater that heats the aerosol generating material by an aerosol generating method as described above, an amount of aerosols generated by the aerosol generating device may decrease. For example, when a portion of the air flowing into the aerosol generating device does not reach the heater, the amount of air supplied to the heater may decrease, and thus, the amount of aerosols generated may decrease.

When the amount of aerosols generated decreases, a sense of smoking of a user may decrease, and thus, the aerosol generating device, which generates aerosols from the aerosol generating material in the liquid state, needs an air flow passage structure that allows the air flowing into the aerosol generating device to move in a direction toward the heater.

Accordingly, the disclosure provides a heater assembly including a guide structure for inducing air to move in a direction toward a heater and an aerosol generating device including the same to allow a sufficient amount of air to be supplied to the heater, thereby increasing an amount of aerosols generated and improving a sense of smoking of a user.

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

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, a heater assembly may include a chamber including an air inlet through which external air flows in, a liquid inlet through which an aerosol generating material flows in, and an air outlet through which air inside the heater assembly is discharged to the outside, a wick arranged inside the chamber, configured to absorb the aerosol generating material flowing in from the outside of the heater assembly through the liquid inlet, and including a first surface facing the liquid inlet, a second surface arranged in an opposite direction to the first surface, and a side surface surrounding a space between the first surface and the second surface, a heater arranged on the side surface of the wick and configured to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick, and a guide structure arranged inside the chamber to face the heater and configured to induce the external air flowing into the chamber through the air inlet to move in a direction toward the heater.

According to another embodiment, an aerosol generating device may include a cartridge including a storage tank storing an aerosol generating material, a heater assembly detachably coupled to one region of the cartridge and configured to generate aerosols by heating the aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge, and a main body detachably coupled to one region of the heater assembly and including a battery configured to supply power to the heater assembly, wherein the heater assembly includes a chamber including an air inlet through which external air flows in, a liquid inlet through which the aerosol generating material flows in from the cartridge, and an air outlet through which air inside the heater assembly is discharged to the cartridge, a wick arranged inside the chamber, configured to absorb the aerosol generating material flowing in from the cartridge through the liquid inlet, and including a first surface facing the liquid inlet, a second surface arranged in an opposite direction to the first surface, and a side surface surrounding a space between the first surface and the second surface, a heater arranged on the side surface of the wick and configured to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick, and a guide structure arranged inside the chamber to face the heater and configured to induce the external air flowing into the chamber through the air inlet to move in a direction toward the heater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

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

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

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

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a heater assembly taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a heater assembly taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a flow direction of air in a heater assembly without a guide structure;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a flow direction of air in a guide structure in a heater assembly, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a flow direction of air in a guide structure in a heater assembly, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a process in which aerosols liquefied inside a chamber of an aerosol generating device are absorbed into a wick, according to an embodiment; and

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Regarding the terms in the various embodiments, the general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of a new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, terms which can be arbitrarily selected by the applicant in particular cases. In such a case, the meaning of the terms will be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms “-er”, “-or”, and “module” described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

As used herein, hen 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 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

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

Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 1000 according to an embodiment may include a cartridge 100, a heater assembly 200, and a main body 300.

An aerosol generating material may be stored inside the cartridge 100, and the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 100 may be supplied to the heater assembly 200 arranged at a lower end of the cartridge 100 (e.g., in a −z direction of FIG. 1).

The heater assembly 200 may be located between the cartridge 100 and the main body 300 and may generate aerosols by converting a phase of the aerosol generating material to a gaseous phase. For example, the heater assembly 200 may heat the aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge 100 to generate vapor from the aerosol generating material, and the aerosols may be generated when the vapor generated from the aerosol generating material is mixed with external air flowing into the heater assembly 200. In the disclosure, the aerosols may refer to particles generated by mixing air with vapor generated by heating the aerosol generating material, and the corresponding expression may be used as the same meaning below.

According to an embodiment, the cartridge 100 may include a mouthpiece 100m for supplying the aerosols to a user. For example, when the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other, the mouthpiece 100m may connect the inside of the heater assembly 200 to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1000, and the aerosols generated inside the heater assembly 200 may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1000 through the mouthpiece 100m. Here, the user may contact the mouthpiece 100m with the mouth and inhale the aerosols discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1000.

The main body 300 may be located at a lower end of the heater assembly 200 (e.g., in the −z direction of FIG. 1) and support the heater assembly 200, and components for an operation of the aerosol generating device 1000 may be arranged inside the main body 300. For example, a battery (not shown) for supplying power to the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 and a processor (not shown) for controlling the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1000 may be arranged inside the main body 300. However, the battery and processor are merely examples of the components arranged inside the main body 300, and other components (e.g., a user interface, a sensor, and the like) may be further arranged inside the main body 300, in addition to the above-described components.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1000 may further include a cover 310 for protecting the components of the aerosol generating device 1000.

The cover 310 may be arranged to surround at least one region of the cartridge 100, the heater assembly 200, and the main body 300 to fix locations of the cartridge 100, the heater assembly 200, and the main body 300 and may protect the cartridge 100, the heater assembly 200, and the main body 300 from external impact or an inflow of foreign substances.

According to an embodiment, the cover 310 may be integrally formed with the main body 300, but is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the cover 310 may be detachably coupled to the main body 300.

Hereinafter, a coupling relationship among the cartridge 100, the heater assembly 200, and the main body 300 is described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

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

Referring to FIG. 2, an aerosol generating device 1000 according to an embodiment may include a cartridge 100, a heater assembly 200, a main body 300, and a cover 310. The components of the aerosol generating device 1000 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 shown in FIG. 1, and the same description thereof is omitted below. In addition, the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 are not limited thereto, and according to an embodiment, at least one component (e.g., the cover 310) from among the aforementioned components may be omitted or other components may be added.

The cartridge 100 may include a storage tank 110 in which an aerosol generating material is stored and a mouthpiece 100m for supplying aerosols generated in the heater assembly 200 to a user.

When the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other, the storage tank 110 may be connected to or fluidly connected to an inner space of the heater assembly 200, and as a result, the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 110 may flow into the inner space of the heater assembly 200.

Here, the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 110 may include a liquid composition including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component or including a non-tobacco material.

According to an embodiment, the liquid composition may include 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 the 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. In addition, the liquid composition may include an aerosol forming agent 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 1000, 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 heater assembly 200 may be detachably coupled to a lower surface of the cartridge 100 (e.g., a surface facing a −z direction of FIG. 2) and may generate aerosols by heating the aerosol generating material supplied from the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100. For example, the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 may be detachably coupled to each other in a method in which a first coupling element (not shown) arranged in one region of the heater assembly 200 facing the cartridge 100 is coupled to or detached from a second coupling element (not shown) arranged on a lower surface of the cartridge 100, but the coupling method is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the heater assembly 200 may include a liquid inlet 201 through which the aerosol generating material flows into the heater assembly 200, an air inlet 202 through which external air flows into the heater assembly 200, and an air outlet 203 for discharging aerosols and/or air generated inside the heater assembly 200 to the outside.

The aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100 may flow into the heater assembly 200 through the liquid inlet 201, and a heater (not shown) arranged inside the heater assembly 200 may heat the aerosol generating material supplied from the storage tank 110.

The external air may flow into the heater assembly 200 through the air inlet 202, and aerosols may be generated inside the heater assembly 200 by mixing vapor generated by the aerosol generating material being heated with the introduced external air.

The aerosols generated inside the heater assembly 200 may move in a direction from the heater assembly 200 toward the cartridge 100 through the air outlet 203 connecting the heater assembly 200 to the cartridge 100 and then may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1000 through the mouthpiece 100m. For example, when pressure inside the cartridge 100 decreases by an inhalation behavior of the user with respect to the mouthpiece 100m, the air and/or aerosols inside the heater assembly 200 may move in a direction from the heater assembly 200 toward the mouthpiece 100m of the cartridge 100, and the user may inhale air and/or aerosols discharged through the mouthpiece 100m.

The main body 300 may be detachably coupled to a lower surface of the heater assembly 200 (e.g., a surface facing the −z direction of FIG. 2) to support the heater assembly 200. For example, the main body 300 may be detachably coupled to the heater assembly 200 in a method in which at least one region of the main body 300 is inserted into an insertion groove (not shown) formed in the lower surface of the heater assembly 200 or detached from the insertion groove, but the coupling method between the heater assembly 200 and the main body 300 is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the components for an operation of the aerosol generating device 1000 may be arranged inside the main body 300. For example, a battery (not shown) for power supply and a processor (not shown) for controlling the operation of the aerosol generating device 1000 may be arranged inside the main body 300.

The battery may supply power used for the operation of the aerosol generating device 1000. For example, the battery may be electrically connected to the heater assembly 200 to supply power so that the heater of the heater assembly 200 may be heated. As another example, the battery may also supply power needed for operations of the other components (e.g., the processor and the like) of the aerosol generating device 1000.

The processor may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1000. 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 that stores a program executable by the microprocessor, but is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the processor may control power supplied from the battery to the heater of the heater assembly 200. For example, the processor may control the amount of power supplied to the heater from the battery and the time for which power is supplied to the heater from the battery, so that the heater of the heater assembly 200 may be heated to a certain temperature or maintain a predefined temperature.

The aerosol generating device 1000 according to an embodiment may enable replacement of the cartridge 100 and/or the heater assembly 200 through a structure in which the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are detachably coupled to each other and the heater assembly 200 and the main body 300 are detachably coupled to each other.

In an example, when the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100 is depleted, the user may replace the existing cartridge 100 with a new cartridge 100 to continue smoking. In another example, when performance of the component (e.g., the heater or the wick) of the heater assembly 200 is deteriorated and thus a sufficient amount of aerosols is not generated, the user may enable a sufficient amount of aerosols to be generated by replacing the existing heater assembly 200 with a new heater assembly 200.

Hereinafter, components of the heater assembly 200 are described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a heater assembly of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. A heater assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be an embodiment of the heater assembly 200 of the aerosol generating device 1000 of FIG. 1 or 2, and the same description thereof is omitted below.

Referring to FIG. 3, the heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may include a liquid inlet 201, an air inlet 202, and an air outlet 203.

When a cartridge (e.g., the cartridge 100 of FIG. 1 or 2) and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other, the liquid inlet 201 may be arranged to connect or communicate the inside of the heater assembly 200 to or with the inside of the cartridge, and an aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge may pass through the liquid inlet 201 and flow into the heater assembly 200. For example, the liquid inlet 201 may be arranged in one region of the heater assembly 200 coupled to the cartridge, and the aerosol generating material stored in a storage tank of the cartridge may pass through the liquid inlet 201 and flow into the heater assembly 200. In the disclosure, the expression “arranged to connect or communicate” may indicate that components are arranged to be connected to one another and so that fluid (e.g., air) may pass and flow therethrough, and the corresponding expression may be used as the same meaning below.

The air inlet 202 may be arranged to connect or communicate the inside and the outside of the heater assembly 200 to or with each other, and air (hereinafter, referred to as external air) outside the heater assembly 200 may flow into the heater assembly 200 through the air inlet 202. For example, the air inlet 202 may be arranged in another region of the heater assembly 200 (e.g., a side surface of the heater assembly 200) spaced apart from the liquid inlet 201, and the external air may pass through the air inlet 202 and flow into the heater assembly 200.

The external air introduced into the heater assembly 200 may move or flow into a chamber (not shown) in which aerosols are generated, along an air flow passage (not shown) arranged inside the heater assembly 200, and a detailed description thereof is described below.

The air outlet 203 may be arranged to connect or communicate the inside and the outside of the heater assembly 200 to or with each other, and the aerosols and/or air generated inside the heater assembly 200 may be discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 200 or to the cartridge through the air outlet 203. For example, the air outlet 203 may be arranged to be spaced apart from the liquid inlet 201 in one region of the heater assembly 200 coupled to the cartridge, and the aerosols and/or air inside the heater assembly 200 may be discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 200 through the air outlet 203.

The aerosols and/or air, which are discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 200 through the air outlet 203 while the cartridge and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other, may move into the cartridge and then be discharged to the outside of the cartridge through a mouthpiece (e.g., the mouthpiece 100m of FIG. 1 or 2) by an inhalation behavior of a user.

The heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may further include a recognition terminal 210 for recognizing whether or not the heater assembly 200 is coupled to the cartridge. The recognition terminal 210 may be electrically connected to a processor of a main body (e.g., the main body 300 of FIG. 1 or 2) and may contact one region of the cartridge when the cartridge and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other.

The recognition terminal 210 may generate a signal indicating contact with the cartridge when contacting the cartridge, and the generated signal may be transmitted to the processor that is electrically connected. The processor may detect whether or not the cartridge and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other, on the basis of the signal transmitted from the recognition terminal 210. For example, when the signal is transmitted from the recognition terminal 210, the processor may determine that the cartridge and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other and when the transmission of the signal from the recognition terminal 210 is stopped, determine that the cartridge and the heater assembly 200 are detached from each other.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a heater assembly taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a black arrow may indicate a movement direction of air (or external air).

Referring to FIG. 4, a heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may include a liquid inlet 201, an air inlet 202, an air outlet 203, a recognition terminal 210, a chamber 220 (or an aerosol generating chamber), a wick 230, a heater 240, an air flow passage 250, and a guide structure 260. At least one of the components of the heater assembly 200 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly 200 shown in FIG. 3, and the same description thereof is omitted below.

The chamber 220 may be formed in an inner space of the heater assembly 200, and in the chamber 220, an aerosol generating material introduced from a storage tank of a cartridge (e.g., the storage tank 110 of FIG. 2) may be heated to generate aerosols.

According to an embodiment, the chamber 220 may be in fluid communication or fluid connection with the storage tank of the cartridge through the liquid inlet 201, and the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank of the cartridge may pass through the liquid inlet 201 and flow into the chamber 220. In the disclosure, the fluid communication or fluid connection may indicate that different components are connected to one another so that fluid (e.g., air) may pass and flow therethrough, and the corresponding expression may be used as the same meaning below.

The wick 230 may be arranged in one region inside the chamber 220, which is adjacent to the liquid inlet 201 to absorb the aerosol generating material that passes through the liquid inlet 201 and flows into the chamber 220. For example, at least one region of the wick 230 may be arranged to face the liquid inlet 201 and absorb the aerosol generating material that passes through the liquid inlet 201 and flows into the chamber 220.

According to an embodiment, the wick 230 may include ceramic fiber or porous ceramic for absorbing the aerosol generating material. In other words, the wick 230 may be a ceramic wick. However, the wick 230 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and according to embodiments, the wick 230 may be formed of another material (e.g., cotton, glass, or the like).

The heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may further include a support element 221 arranged inside the chamber 220. The support element 221 may be arranged inside the chamber 220 and may fix a location of the wick 230 inside the chamber 220. When the wick 230 is fixed inside the chamber 220 by the support element 221, the wick 230 may stably absorb the aerosol generating material even when the heater assembly 200 is tilted or shaken during use of an aerosol generating device.

The heater 240 may be arranged on one side surface of the wick 230 (e.g., one side facing a +y direction) to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick 230. For example, the heater 240 may heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick 230 by using power supplied from a battery of a main body (e.g., the main body 300 of FIG. 1 or 2).

The heater 240 may include a metal material that generates heat by electrical resistance. For example, the heater 240 may include stainless steel not to be corroded by the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick 230, but the metal material of the heater 240 is not limited thereto. In another example, the heater 240 may include a metal material such as copper, nickel, or tungsten.

According to an embodiment, the heater 240 may include a conductive pattern printed on one side surface of the wick 230. For example, the heater 240 may be formed by printing a metal material (e.g., stainless steel) to have a certain pattern shape on the side surface of the wick 230 facing the +y direction, but is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the heater 240 may include a conductive pattern insert-injected into one side surface of the wick 230. For example, the heater 240 may be formed in a method in which a metal material (e.g., stainless steel) is insert-injected into the side surface of the wick 230 facing the +y direction in a certain pattern shape, but the method of forming the heater 240 or the shape of the heater 240 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. According to an embodiment (not shown), the heater 240 may also include a conductive plate arranged on one side surface of the wick 230.

When the heater 240 is arranged on the side surface of the wick 230, vapor may be generated by heating the aerosol generating material in one region of the chamber 220, which is adjacent to the side surface of the wick 230. The vapor generated from the aerosol generating material may be mixed with external air flowing into the chamber 220 through the air inlet 202.

Here, the external air may flow into the heater assembly 200 through the air inlet 202 and then may flow along the air flow passage 250 and move into the chamber 220. The air flow passage 250 may connect the air inlet 202 to the air outlet 203 and may form a flow path through which the external air and/or aerosols move.

According to an embodiment, one region of the air flow passage 250 may be formed to extend along an edge of the heater assembly 200 inside the heater assembly 200, and the external air, which flows into the heater assembly 200 through the air inlet 202, may reach the inside of the chamber 220 along the one region of the air flow passage 250 extending along the edge of the heater assembly 200.

The vapor, which is generated when the aerosol generating material is heated by the heater 240, may be mixed with the external air flowing into the chamber 220 along the air flow passage 250, and as a result, aerosols may be generated in one region of the chamber 220, which is adjacent to the side surface of the wick 230. The generated aerosols and/or external air may be discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 200 through the air outlet 203.

The guide structure 260 may be arranged inside the chamber 220 to face the side surface of the wick 230 on which the heater 240 is arranged and thus induce the external air introduced into the chamber 220 to move in a direction toward the heater 240. For example, the guide structure 260 may include a portion protruding in the direction toward the heater 240 and thus induce the external air introduced through the air inlet 202 to move in the direction toward the heater 240.

When the aerosols are generated by mixing the vapor generated from the aerosol generating material with the external air, an amount of aerosols generated (or an amount of smoke) may decrease when an amount of external air supplied to the heater 240 is insufficient, and as a result, a sense of smoking of a user may be reduced. In the disclosure, the sense of smoking may refer to a sense felt by the user when smoking, and the sense of smoking may change with a change in amount, flavor, or the like of aerosols supplied to the user.

When the external air flowing into the heater assembly 200 through the air inlet 202 moves in a direction away from the heater 240, an amount of external air supplied to the heater 240 may decrease, and thus, the amount of aerosols generated may decrease.

The heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may increase the amount of external air supplied to the heater 240 and increase an amount of aerosols generated by allowing, through the guide structure 260, the external air introduced into the heater assembly 200 to move toward the heater 240 and as a result, provide the improved sense of smoking to the user.

According to an embodiment, the heater assembly 200 may include an insertion groove 200h into which at least a portion of a main body (e.g., the main body 300 of FIG. 1 or 2) is inserted.

The insertion groove 200h may be formed in one region of the heater assembly 200 (e.g., a region facing a −z direction), which is coupled to the main body, and when the heater assembly 200 is coupled to the main body, at least a portion of the main body may be inserted into the heater assembly 200, so that the heater assembly 200 is coupled to the main body. For example, the heater assembly 200 may be coupled to the main body in a method in which at least a portion of the main body is fitted or tight fitted into the insertion groove 200h of the heater assembly 200, but the coupling method therebetween is not limited thereto.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a heater assembly taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 5, a heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may include a chamber 220, a wick 230, a heater 240, an air flow passage 250, a guide structure 260, and an electrical connection element 270. The heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may be substantially the same as or similar to the heater assembly 200 shown in FIG. 4, and the same description thereof is omitted below.

The wick 230 for absorbing an aerosol generating material supplied from a cartridge (e.g., the cartridge 100 of FIG. 1 or 2) and the heater 240 for heating the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick 230 may be arranged inside the chamber 220 of the heater assembly 200.

The wick 230 may be arranged such that at least one region thereof faces a liquid inlet 201 to absorb the aerosol generating material flowing into the chamber 220 through the liquid inlet 201.

According to an embodiment, the wick 230 may include a first surface 231 (or an upper end surface) facing the liquid inlet 201, a second surface 232 (or a lower end surface) located in a opposite direction to the first surface 231, and a side surface 233 surrounding a space between the first surface 231 and the second surface 232.

When the heater assembly 200 is coupled to the cartridge, the first surface 231 of the wick 230 may be arranged to face a storage tank of the cartridge (e.g., the storage tank 110 of FIG. 2) to absorb the aerosol generating material flowing into the chamber 220 through the liquid inlet 201 from the storage tank.

The second surface 232 of the wick 230 may be located in the opposite direction to the first surface 231 and may be arranged to face a bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220.

According to an embodiment, the second surface 232 of the wick 230 may be arranged to be spaced apart from the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220 by a certain distance. For example, when the second surface 232 of the wick 230 is in contact with the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220, at least a portion of the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick 230 may leak along the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220 into an inner space of the heater assembly 200 or into a main body (e.g., the main body 300 of FIG. 1 or 2) coupled to the heater assembly 200.

Other components of the heater assembly 200 or components of the main body may malfunction or be damaged due to the leakage of the aerosol generating material, and the heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may prevent the aerosol generating material from leaking to the outside of the chamber 220 through a structure in which the second surface 232 of the wick 230 is spaced apart from the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220.

The side surface 233 of the wick 230 may be arranged to surround the space between the first surface 231 and the second surface 232, and the heater 240 may be arranged in at least one region of the side surface 233 of the wick 230.

The heater 240 may be electrically connected through the electrical connection element 270 to a battery arranged inside the main body while the heater assembly 200 is coupled to the main body. For example, one region of the electrical connection element 270 may contact at least one region of the heater 240, and the other region of the electrical connection element 270 may contact at least one region of the main body inserted into an insertion groove 200h, and thus, the heater 240 and the main body may be electrically connected to each other. The battery arranged inside the main body may supply power to the heater 240 by using the electrical connection relationship described above, and the heater 240 may generate heat when power is supplied from the battery and heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick 230.

When the heater 240 is arranged on the side surface 233 of the wick 230, vapor, which is generated when the aerosol generating material is heated, may be generated in one region of the chamber 220, which is adjacent to the side surface 233 of the wick 230. The generated vapor may move along the air flow passage 250 extending along an edge of the heater assembly 200 and may be mixed with the external air introduced into the chamber 220, and as a result, aerosols may be generated in one region of the chamber 220, which is adjacent to the side surface 233 of the wick 230.

At least a portion of the aerosols, which is generated inside the chamber 220, may be cooled and liquefied by contact with the external air introduced into the chamber 220 through the air flow passage 250, and the liquefied aerosols (or droplets) may fall onto the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220 and be accumulated or stacked on the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220.

At least a portion of the wick 230, which is adjacent to the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220, may absorb the liquefied aerosols accumulated on the bottom surface 220b and thus may prevent the liquefied aerosols from being accumulated inside the chamber 220.

The guide structure 260 may protrude from the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220 in a longitudinal direction of the heater assembly 200 (e.g., in a z direction) to induce the external air introduced into the chamber 220 to move in a direction toward the side surface 233 of the wick 230 or the heater 240.

According to an embodiment, inside the chamber 220, a height H of the guide structure 260 may be greater than or equal to a height h1 of the heater 240. In the disclosure, the height H of the guide structure 260 may refer to a distance from the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220 to one end of the guide structure 260 toward the first surface 231 of the wick 230 (e.g., one end in a +z direction). In addition, the height h1 of the heater 240 may refer to a distance from the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220 to one end of the heater 240 toward the first surface 231 of the wick 230 (e.g., one end in the +z direction).

When the height H of the guide structure 260 is less than the height h1 of the heater 240, the external air may not be sufficiently supplied to some regions of the heater 240 even when the guide structure 260 is arranged within the chamber 220.

For example, when the height H of the guide structure 260 is less than the height h1 of the heater 240, the external air may not be induced into a region adjacent to one end of the heater 240 facing the first surface 231 of the wick 230, which is located above the guide structure 260 (e.g., in the +z direction) and thus the external air may not be sufficiently supplied, and as a result, an amount of aerosols generated by the heater 240 may decrease.

In contrast, the heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may increase an amount of aerosols generated by allowing the external air to be evenly supplied to the entire region of the heater 240 through a structure in which the height H of the guide structure 260 is greater than or equal to the height h1 of the heater 240.

Hereinafter, a change in a flow direction of external air by the guide structure 260 is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a flow direction of air in a heater assembly without a guide structure. A heater assembly 20 illustrated in FIG. 6 may be a heater assembly in which the guide structure 260 is omitted from the heater assembly 200 of FIGS. 4 to 5, and the same description thereof is omitted below. Here, FIG. 6 illustrates a wick 23 and a heater 24 viewed above an upper end of the heater assembly 20 (e.g., in the +z direction of FIGS. 4 to 5).

Referring to FIG. 6, the heater 24 arranged on a side surface of the wick 23 (e.g., the side surface 233 of FIG. 5) may heat an aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick 23. For example, the heater 24 may be electrically connected to a power source (e.g., a battery of a main body) outside the heater assembly 20 through an electrical connection element 27 to be supplied with power from the external power source, and when power is supplied and when power is supplied, may generate heat to heat the aerosol generating material.

When vapor generated by heating the aerosol generating material by the heater 24 is mixed with external air introduced into the heater assembly 20, aerosols may be generated inside the heater assembly 20. When an amount of external air supplied to the heater 24 is reduced by a method of generating aerosols as described above, an amount of aerosols generated inside the heater assembly 20 may be reduced. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, when a guide structure for inducing the external air flowing into the heater assembly 20 in a direction toward the heater 24 is not present, a portion of the external air flowing into the heater assembly 20 may flow in a direction away from the heater 24.

In other words, in the heater assembly 20 without the guide structure, the amount of external air supplied to the heater 24 may be reduced, and as a result, an amount of aerosols generated may be reduced, and thus, a sense of smoking of a user may be lowered.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a flow direction of air in a guide structure in a heater assembly, according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 illustrates a wick 230, a heater 240, and a guide structure 260 viewed above an upper end of a heater assembly 200 (e.g., in the +z direction of FIGS. 4 to 5).

Referring to FIG. 7, the heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may include the wick 230, the heater 240, the guide structure 260, and a plurality of electrical connection elements 270. The components of the heater assembly 200 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly 200 shown in FIGS. 4 to 5, and the same description thereof is omitted below.

The guide structure 260 may induce the external air flowing into the heater assembly 200 to move in the direction toward the heater 240. For example, when viewed above the upper end of the heater assembly 200 (e.g., in the +z direction of FIGS. 4 to 5), at least a partial region of the guide structure 260 may protrude in a direction toward a side surface of the wick 230 (e.g., the side surface 233 of FIG. 5) and may induce an external air flowing into the heater assembly 200 to move in the direction toward the heater 240.

According to an embodiment, when viewed above the upper end of the heater assembly 200 or a first surface (e.g., the first surface 231) of the wick 230, the guide structure 260 may be formed in a bent shape protruding in the direction toward the heater 240 and may induce the external air to move in the direction toward the heater 240 along the guide structure 260.

For example, the guide structure 260 may include a first portion 261 extending in a first direction crossing the side surface of the wick 230 when viewed above the upper end of the heater assembly 200 or the first surface of the wick 230 and a second portion 262 extending in a second direction crossing the first direction when viewed above the upper end of the heater assembly 200 or the first surface (e.g., the first surface 231) of the wick 230.

One end of the first portion 261 may be arranged to be in contact with one end of the second portion 262, and thus, the first portion 261 and the second portion 262 may be arranged to form a certain angle θ. According to an embodiment, the angle θ between the first portion 261 and the second portion 262 may be about 45° to about 60°.

When the angle θ between the first portion 261 and the second portion 262 is less than 45°, an inclination angle of the first portion 261 or the second portion 262 with respect to a flow direction of the external air may be too great, and thus, the external air may not move along the first portion 261 or the second portion 262 and not be supplied to the heater 240. For example, when the inclination angle of the first portion 261 or the second portion 262 with respect to the flow direction of the external air is too great, a vortex may be generated in a contact region between the external air and the first portion 261 or the second portion 262. As a result, at least a portion of the external air may not move along the first portion 261 or the second portion 262 and may remain in the contact region, and thus, an amount of external air supplied to the heater 240 may be reduced.

In contrast, when the angle θ between the first portion 261 and the second portion 262 is greater than 60°, the inclination angle of the first portion 261 or the second portion 262 with respect to the flow direction of the external air may be too small, and thus, a movement direction of the external air may not be changed to the direction toward the heater 240. As a result, at least a portion of the external air flowing into the heater assembly 200 may not move in the direction toward the heater 240, and thus, the amount of external air supplied to the heater 240 may be reduced.

The heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may smoothly supply the external air to the heater 240 by stably inducing the movement direction of the external air to the direction toward the heater 240 through a structure in which the angle θ between the first portion 261 and the second portion 262 is about 45° to about 60°.

The guide structure 260 may be formed in the bent shape protruding in the direction toward the heater 240 and may be spaced apart from the heater 240 by a predefined distance D. In the disclosure, the distance D between the guide structure 260 and the heater 240 may refer to the shortest distance between the heater 240 and the guide structure 260, and the corresponding expression may be used as the same meaning below.

When the guide structure 260 having the bent shape is arranged to be spaced apart from the heater 240 by the predefined distance D, a space between the heater 240 and the guide structure 260 may operate as a nozzle.

For example, when the external air moves along the inclined first portion 261 of the guide structure 260, a cross-sectional area of a region through which the external air passes may gradually decrease, and thus, a speed of the external air may increase and pressure of the external air may decrease, by Bernoulli's theorem. When the speed of the external air increases, an amount of external air supplied to the heater 240 for a unit time may increase, and as a result, an amount of aerosols generated from the heater 240 may increase and thus a sense of smoking of the user may be improved.

According to an embodiment, the guide structure 260 may be arranged in one region of the heater assembly 200 in which the distance D from the heater 240 is about 1.0 mm or less, to smoothly supply the external air to the heater 240.

TABLE 1 Distance (D) 0.4 mm 0.5 mm 0.6 mm 0.7 mm 0.8 mm 0.9 mm 1.0 mm 1.1 mm Amount of ++ ++ ++ ++ + + + aerosol generated

Table 1 shows the degree of amount of aerosols generated according to the distance D between the guide structure 260 and the heater 240. Here, as shown in Table 1, ++ may indicate that the amount of aerosols generated increases to be a predefined value or more, compared to a heater assembly without the guide structure 260. In addition, + may indicate that the amount of aerosols generated increases but the amount of aerosols generated is less than the predefined value, compared to the heater assembly without the guide structure 260, and − may indicate that the amount of aerosols generated is the same as in the heater assembly without the guide structure 260.

Referring to Table 1, when the distance D between the guide structure 260 and the heater 240 is 1.0 mm or less, the amount of aerosols generated may increase compared to the heater assembly without the guide structure 260, but when the distance D between the guide structure 260 and the heater 240 is greater than 1.0 mm, the amount of aerosols generated may not increase even when the guide structure 260 is present.

In other words, when the distance D between the guide structure 260 and the heater 240 is greater than 1.0 mm, the guide structure 260 may be excessively spaced from the heater 240, and thus, the movement direction of the external air may not be induced in the direction toward the heater 240.

In contrast, the heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may smoothly supply the external air to the heater 240 through an arrangement structure in which the distance D between the guide structure 260 and the heater 240 is about 1.0 mm or less, and as a result, the amount of aerosols generated may increase and thus the sense of smoking of the user may be improved.

According to an embodiment, the guide structure 260 may be arranged in one region of the heater assembly 200 in which the distance D from the heater 240 is about 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, to prevent carbide generated by overheating of the heater 240 from being accumulated on a surface of the guide structure 260.

TABLE 2 Distance (D) 0.2 mm 0.3 mm 0.4 mm 0.5 mm 0.6 mm 0.7 mm 0.8 mm 0.9 mm carbide X X X X X

Table 2 shows whether or not carbide is accumulated on the surface of the guide structure 260 according to the distance D between the guide structure 260 and the heater 240. Here, as shown in Table 2, O may indicate that carbide is accumulated on the surface of the guide structure 260, and X may indicate that on the surface of the guide structure 260, carbide is not accumulated at all or carbide is not nearly accumulated.

Referring to Table 2, when the distance D between the guide structure 260 and the heater 240 is less than 0.5 mm, carbide, which is generated by overheating the heater 240, may be accumulated on the surface of the guide structure 260.

When carbide is accumulated on the surface of the guide structure 260, the carbide may interfere with the flow of the external air, and thus, the amount of external air supplied to the heater 240 may be reduced or the flavor of aerosols generated in the heater assembly 200 may be reduced.

In contrast, the heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may increase the amount of aerosols generated while preventing carbide from being accumulated in the guide structure 260, through an arrangement structure in which the distance D between the guide structure 260 and the heater 240 is about 0.5 mm to about 1.0 mm.

According to an embodiment, the guide structure 260 may be arranged between the plurality of electrical connection elements 270 to induce the movement direction of the external air in the direction toward the heater 240 without interfering with electrical contact between the heater 240 and the plurality of electrical connection elements 270.

In an example, the plurality of electrical connection elements 270 may include a first electrical connection element 271 in contact with one region of the heater 240 and a second electrical connection element 272 arranged to be spaced apart from the first electrical connection element 271 in a width direction of the wick 230 (e.g., in the +x direction of FIG. 4) and in contact with another region of the heater 240.

The first electrical connection element 271 and the second electrical connection element 272 may be electrically connected to a battery of a main body (e.g., the main body 300 of FIGS. 1 to 2) when the heater assembly 200 is coupled to the main body, and power may be supplied from the battery to the heater 240 through an electrical connection relationship as described above.

Here, the guide structure 260 may be arranged between the first electrical connection element 271 and the second electrical connection element 272 to induce the movement direction of the external air in the direction toward the heater 240 without interfering with contact between the heater 240 and the first electrical connection element 271 and the second electrical connection element 272. For example, the guide structure 260 may be arranged in the center of a space between the first electrical connection element 271 and the second electrical connection element 272, but the arrangement location of the guide structure 260 is not limited thereto.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a flow direction of air in a guide structure in a heater assembly, according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 illustrates a wick 230, a heater 240, and a guide structure 260 viewed above an upper end of a heater assembly 200 (e.g., in the +z direction of FIGS. 4 to 5).

Referring to FIG. 8, the heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may include the wick 230, the heater 240, the guide structure 260, and a plurality of electrical connection elements 270. The heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may be the heater assembly 200 in which the shape of the guide structure 260 is modified in the heater assembly 200 of FIG. 7, and the same description thereof is omitted below.

The guide structure 260 may include a bent region 260r protruding in a direction toward the heater 240. For example, the bent region 260r may be formed in a region in which one end of a first portion 261 (e.g., the first portion 261 of FIG. 7) of the guide structure 260 and one end of a second portion 262 (e.g., the second portion 262 of FIG. 7) are in contact with each other. In other words, the bent region 260r may be formed in one region of the guide structure 260, which is most adjacent to the heater 240.

The bent region 260r may be formed in a bent shape having a predefined curvature to prevent carbide from being accumulated on a surface of the guide structure 260. For example, when the heater 240 overheats to a temperature higher than a predefined temperature, carbide may be generated during a process of heating an aerosol generating material, and the generated carbide may be accumulated on the surface of the guide structure 260, which is adjacent to the heater 240.

When the carbide is accumulated on the surface of the guide structure 260, the carbide may block the flow of external air, and thus, an amount of external air supplied to the heater 240 may decrease or the flavor of aerosols generated in the heater assembly 200 may decrease.

The heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may allow carbide generated by overheating of the heater 240 to slip without being accumulated when contacting the guide structure 260, through a structure in which one region of the guide structure 260 adjacent to the heater 240 is formed in the bent shape and thus may prevent the decrease in the amount of aerosols generated or the flavor of the aerosols due to the carbide.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a process in which aerosols liquefied inside a chamber of an aerosol generating device is absorbed into a wick, according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device 1000 of FIG. 1 taken along an yz plane. Here, as illustrated in FIG. 9, black arrows may refer to a direction in which an aerosol generating material moves, and white arrows may refer to a direction in which liquefied aerosols or droplets move.

Referring to FIG. 9, the aerosol generating device 1000 according to an embodiment may include a cartridge 100, a heater assembly 200, and a main body 300. At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 shown in FIG. 1 or 2, and the same description thereof is omitted below.

The cartridge 100 may include a storage tank 110 in which the aerosol generating material is stored, and the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 110 may move in a direction from the storage tank 110 toward a liquid inlet 201 of the heater assembly 200 by gravity. For example, although not shown in FIG. 9, a discharge hole (not shown) may be formed in one region of the storage tank 110 facing the heater assembly 200 (e.g., one region in a −z direction), and the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 110 may move in a direction toward the liquid inlet 201 of the heater assembly 200 through the discharge hole.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating material may flow into a chamber 220 of the heater assembly 200 through the liquid inlet 201 and then be absorbed into a wick 230 arranged adjacent to the liquid inlet 201.

According to an embodiment, the cartridge 100 may further include a liquid delivery element 120 for delivering the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 110 to the wick 230 of the heater assembly 200.

The liquid delivery element 120 may be located inside the liquid inlet 201, one end thereof may be arranged adjacent to the discharge hole of the storage tank 110, and the other end thereof may contact the wick 230 arranged inside the chamber 220. The liquid delivery element 120 may absorb the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 110 through the above-described arrangement structure and then deliver the absorbed aerosol generating material to the wick 230, and the wick 230 may absorb the aerosol generating material delivered from the liquid delivery element 120.

For example, the liquid delivery element 120 may include a cotton material to absorb the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 110, but the material of the liquid delivery element 120 is not limited thereto. In another example, the liquid delivery element 120 may include ceramic, glass, or porous ceramic capable of absorbing an aerosol generating material.

A heater 240 may be arranged on a side surface (e.g., the side surface 233 of FIG. 5) of the wick 230 and when power is supplied from a battery (not shown) of the main body 300, heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick 230.

According to an embodiment, the heater 240 may be electrically connected to the battery arranged inside the main body 300 through an electrical connection element 270 of the heater assembly 200 and a flexible printed circuit board 320 of the main body 300. For example, the electrical connection element 270 and/or the flexible printed circuit board 320 may include a conductive material having elasticity, but are not limited thereto.

For example, a first region of the electrical connection element 270 may be in contact with at least one region of the heater 240, and a second region of the electrical connection element 270 may be exposed to an insertion groove (e.g., the insertion groove 200h of FIG. 5) through which a portion of the main body 300 is inserted into the heater assembly 200 and be in contact with the flexible printed circuit board 320. In addition, a third region of the flexible printed circuit board 320 may contact the second region of the electrical connection element 270, and a fourth region of the flexible printed circuit board 320 may contact the battery inside the main body 300.

An electrical path may be formed between the heater 240 and the battery by the electrical connection element 270 and the flexible printed circuit board 320, and power may be supplied from the battery to the heater 240 through the electrical path described above.

When the heater 240 is arranged on a side surface of the wick 230, vapor may be generated from the aerosol generating material in a region adjacent to the side surface of the wick 230. The vapor generated from the aerosol generating material may be introduced into the chamber 220 through an air inlet (e.g., the air inlet 202 of FIG. 3 or 4) and then mixed with external air induced to the heater 240 or the side surface of the wick 230 by the guide structure 260, and as a result, aerosols may be generated in one region of the chamber 220, which is adjacent to the side surface of the wick 230.

At least a portion of the aerosols generated inside the chamber 220 may be cooled and liquefied by contact with the external air introduced into the chamber 220, and the liquefied aerosols (or droplets) may fall onto a bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220 and be accumulated or stacked on the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220.

When a certain amount or more of liquefied aerosols is accumulated inside the chamber 220, the liquefied aerosols may leak from the chamber 220 and thus the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 may malfunction or be damaged, or a portion of the heater 240 may be immerged in the liquefied aerosols and thus heating efficiency of the heater 240 may be reduced.

In the heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment, at least a portion of the wick 230, which is adjacent to the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220, may absorb the liquefied aerosols accumulated on the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220. In the aerosol generating device 1000 according to an embodiment, when the wick 230 is arranged to absorb the liquefied aerosols, the liquefied aerosols may not be accumulated inside the chamber 220. As a result, the aerosol generating device 1000 according to an embodiment may prevent malfunction of or damage to the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 due to the liquefied aerosols, or the decrease in the heating efficiency of the heater 240 due to the immersion.

In addition, the liquefied aerosols absorbed into the wick 230 may be re-heated by the heater 240 and converted into aerosols, and accordingly, the aerosol generating device 1000 according to an embodiment may prevent the liquefied aerosols from being accumulated inside the chamber 220 and simultaneously increase an amount of aerosols generated by re-heating the liquefied aerosols.

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

An aerosol generating device 1 may include a power source 11, a controller 12, a sensor 13, an output unit 14, an input unit 15, a communicator 16, a memory 17, and at least one heater 18 and 19. However, an internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 10. In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1, one of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that some of the components shown in FIG. 10 may be omitted or new components may be added.

The sensor 13 may detect a state of the aerosol generating device 1 or a state around the aerosol generating device 1 and transmit detected information to the controller 12. On the basis of the detected information, the controller 12 may control the aerosol generating device 1 to perform various functions such as control of operations of the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18, a restriction on smoking, determination of whether or not a stick and/or a cartridge are inserted, and a notification display.

The sensor 13 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 131, a puff sensor 132, an insertion detection sensor 133, a reuse detection sensor 134, a cartridge detection sensor 135, a cap detection sensor 136, and a motion detection sensor 137.

The temperature sensor 131 may detect a temperature at which the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18 are heated. The aerosol generating device 1 may include a separate temperature sensor for detecting the temperatures of the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18, or the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18 may operate as temperature sensors.

The temperature sensor 131 may output a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may include a resistor element whose resistance value changes in correspondence to a change in the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18. The temperature sensor 131 may be implemented by a thermistor or the like, which is an element using a property of changing resistance according to temperature. Here, the temperature sensor 131 may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistor element as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may include a sensor that detects a resistance value of the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18. Here, the temperature sensor 131 may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18 as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18.

The temperature sensor 131 may be arranged around the power source 11 to monitor a temperature of the power source 11. The temperature sensor 131 may be arranged adjacent to the power source 11. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may be attached to one surface of a battery that is the power source 11. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may be mounted on one surface of a PCB.

The temperature sensor 131 may be arranged inside the body 10 to detect an internal temperature of the body 10.

The puff sensor 132 may detect a puff by a user on the basis of various physical changes in an air flow path. The puff sensor 132 may output a signal corresponding to the puff. For example, the puff sensor 132 may be a pressure sensor. The puff sensor 132 may output a signal corresponding to internal pressure of the aerosol generating device 1. Here, the internal pressure of the aerosol generating device 1 may correspond to pressure of the air flow path through which a gas flows. The puff sensor 132 may be arranged in correspondence to the air flow path through which the gas flows in the aerosol generating device 1.

The insertion detection sensor 133 may detect insertion and/or removal of the stick. The insertion detection sensor 133 may detect a signal change due to the insertion and/or removal of the stick. The insertion detection sensor 133 may be installed around an insertion space. The insertion detection sensor 133 may detect the insertion and/or removal of the stick according to a change in a dielectric constant inside the insertion space. For example, the insertion detection sensor 133 may be an inductive sensor and/or a capacitance sensor.

The inductive sensor may include at least one coil. The coil of the inductive sensor may be arranged adjacent to the insertion space. For example, when a magnetic field changes around the coil through which a current flows, characteristics of the current flowing through the coil may change according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. Here, the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil may include a frequency of an alternating current, a current value, a voltage value, an inductance value, an impedance value, and the like.

The inductive sensor may output a signal corresponding to the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil. For example, the inductive sensor may output a signal corresponding to an inductance value of the coil.

The capacitance sensor may include a conductor. The conductor of the capacitance sensor may be arranged adjacent to the insertion space. The capacitance sensor may output a signal corresponding to an ambient electromagnetic characteristic, e.g., a capacitance around the conductor. For example, when the stick including a metal wrapper is inserted into the insertion space, the electromagnetic characteristic around the conductor may be changed by the wrapper of the stick.

The reuse detection sensor 134 may detect whether or not the stick is reused. The reuse detection sensor 134 may be a color sensor. The color sensor may detect a color of the stick. The color sensor may detect a color of a portion of the wrapper wrapping the outside of the stick. The color sensor may detect a value for an optical characteristic corresponding to a color of an object, on the basis of light reflected from the object. For example, the optical characteristic may be a wavelength of light. The color sensor may be implemented as a single component with a proximity sensor or may be implemented as a separate component distinguished from the proximity sensor.

At least a portion of the wrapper constituting the stick may have a color changing by aerosols. When the stick is inserted into the insertion space, the reuse detection sensor 134 may be arranged in correspondence to a location at which at least the portion of the wrapper whose color changes by the aerosols is arranged. For example, before the stick is used by the user, the color of at least the portion of the wrapper may be a first color. Here, when at least the portion of the wrapper is wetted by the aerosols while the aerosols generated by the aerosol generating device 1 passes through the stick, the color of at least the portion of the wrapper may be changed to a second color. The color of at least the portion of the wrapper may be maintained in the second color after changing from the first color to the second color.

The cartridge detection sensor 135 may detect mounting and/or removal of the cartridge. The cartridge detection sensor 135 may be implemented by an inductance-based sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistance sensor, a hall sensor (a hall IC) using a hall effect, or the like.

The cap detection sensor 136 may detect mounting and/or removal of a cap. When the cap is detached from the body 10, a portion of the cartridge and the body 10 covered by the cap may be exposed to the outside. The cap detection sensor 136 may be implemented by a contact sensor, a hall sensor (a hall IC), an optical sensor, or the like.

The motion detection sensor 137 may detect a motion of the aerosol generating device 1. The motion detection sensor 137 may be implemented as at least one of an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor.

In addition to the sensors 131 to 137 described above, the sensor 13 may further include at least one of a humidity sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a position sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)), and a proximity sensor. Functions of the respective sensors may be intuitively inferred from names thereof by one of ordinary skill in the art, and thus, detailed descriptions thereof may be omitted.

The output unit 14 may output information regarding the state of the aerosol generating device 1 and provide the information to the user. The output unit 14 may include at least one of a display 141, a haptic unit 142, and a sound output unit 143, but is not limited thereto. When the display 141 and a touch pad form a layer structure to form a touch screen, the display 141 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display 141 may visually provide the user with information regarding the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the information regarding the aerosol generating device 1 may refer to various types of information such as a charging/discharging state of the power source 11 of the aerosol generating device 1, a preheating state of the heater 18, the insertion/removal state of the stick and/or the cartridge, the mounting/removal state of the cap, and the restriction on use of the aerosol generating device 1 (e.g., detection of an abnormal article), and the display 141 may output the information to the outside. For example, the display 141 may be in the form of a light emitting diode (LED) light emitting device. For example, the display 141 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, an organic light emitting display (OLED) panel, or the like.

The haptic unit 142 may tactilely provide the user with the information regarding the aerosol generating device 1 by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus. For example, when initial power is supplied to the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18 for a set time, the haptic unit 142 may generate vibration corresponding to completion of initial preheating. The haptic unit 142 may include a vibration motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound output unit 143 may audibly provide the user with the information regarding the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the sound output unit 143 may convert the electrical signal into a sound signal and output the sound signal to the outside.

The power supply 11 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1. The power source 11 may supply power so that the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18 may be heated. In addition, the power source 11 may supply power needed for operations of the sensor 13, the output unit 14, the input unit 15, the communicator 16, and the memory 17, which are other components provided within the aerosol generating device 1. The power source 11 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the power supply 11 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power protection circuit. The power protection circuit may be electrically connected to the power source 11 and may include a switching element.

The power protection circuit may cut off an electrical path for the power source 11 according to a certain condition. For example, the power protection circuit may cut off the electrical path for the power source 11 when a voltage level of the power source 11 is a first voltage or more corresponding to overcharging. For example, the power protection circuit may cut off the electrical path for the power source 11 when the voltage level of the power source 11 is less than a second voltage corresponding to overdischarge.

The heater 18 may be supplied with power from the power source 11 and heat a medium or an aerosol generating material within the stick. Although not shown in FIG. 10, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC/DC converter) that converts power of the power source 11 and supplies the converted power to the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 1 generates aerosols by an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a DC/AC converter that converts DC power of the power source 11 into AC power.

The controller 12, the sensor 13, the output unit 14, the input unit 15, the communicator 16, and the memory 17 may be supplied with power from the power source 11 to perform functions. Although not shown in FIG. 10, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit that converts power of the power source 11 and supplies the power to each of components, e.g., a low-dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit. Also, although not shown in FIG. 10, a noise filter may be provided between the power source 11 and the heater 18. The noise filter may be a low pass filter. The low pass filter may include at least one inductor and a capacitor. A cutoff frequency of the low pass filter may correspond to a frequency of a high-frequency switching current applied from the power source 11 to the heater 18. The low pass filter may prevent a high-frequency noise component from being applied to the sensor 13, such as the insertion detection sensor 133.

In an embodiment, the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18 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, or nichrome, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater 18 may be implemented by a metal wire, a metal plate on which an electrically conductive track is arranged, or a ceramic heating element, but is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the heater 18 may include an induction heater. For example, the heater 18 may include a susceptor that generates heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil to heat an aerosol generating material.

The input unit 15 may receive information input from the user or output the information to the user. For example, the input unit 15 may be a touch panel. The touch panel may include at least one touch sensor for detecting a touch. For example, the touch sensor may include a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, a surface acoustic touch sensor, an infrared touch sensor, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

The display 141 and the touch panel may be implemented as one panel. For example, the touch panel may be inserted into the display 141 (e.g., may be an on-cell type or in-cell type). For example, the touch panel may be added on the display 141 (e.g., may be an add-on type).

Meanwhile, the input unit 15 may include a button, a keypad, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

The memory 17 may be hardware for storing various types of data processed within the aerosol generating device 1 and may store pieces of data processed by the controller 12 and pieces of data to be processed by the controller 12. The memory 17 may include at least one type of storage medium from among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., a SD or XD memory or the like), 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 17 may store data or the like regarding an operation time of the aerosol generating device 1, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and a smoking pattern of the user.

The communicator 16 may include at least one component for communication with another electronic device. For example, the communicator 16 may include at least one of a short-range wireless communication unit and a wireless communication unit.

The short-range wireless communication unit may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a wireless local area network ((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, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

The wireless communication unit may include a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN) communication unit, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

Although not shown in FIG. 10, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a connection interface such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may connect with another external device through the connection interface such as a USB interface to transmit and receive information or charge the power 11.

The controller 12 may control an overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. In an embodiment, the controller 12 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 that stores a program executable by the microprocessor. In addition, one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present embodiment pertains may understand that the processor may be implemented as other types of hardware.

The controller 12 may control the temperature of the heater 18 by controlling supply power from the power source 11 to the heater 18. The controller 12 may control the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18 on the basis of the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18 sensed by the temperature sensor 131. The controller 12 may adjust power supplied to the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18, on the basis of the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18. For example, the controller 12 may determine a target temperature for the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18, on the basis of a temperature profile stored in the memory 17.

The aerosol generating device 1 may include a power supply circuit (not shown) electrically connected to the power source 11 between the power source 11 and the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18. The power supply circuit may be electrically connected to the cartridge heater 19, the heater 18, or an induction coil. The power supply circuit may include at least one switching element. The switching element may be implemented by a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), a field effective transistor (FET), or the like. The controller 12 may control the power supply circuit.

The controller 12 may control power supply by controlling switching of the switching element of the power supply circuit. The power supply circuit may be an inverter that converts DC power output from the power source 11 into AC power. For example, the inverter may include a full-bridge circuit or a half-bridge circuit including a plurality of switching elements.

The controller 12 may turn on the switching element so that power is supplied from the power source 11 to the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18. The controller 12 may turn off the switching element to cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18. The controller 12 may adjust a current supplied from the power source 11 by adjusting a frequency and/or duty ratio of a current pulse input into the switching element.

The controller 12 may control a voltage output from the power source 11 by controlling switching of the switching element of the power supply circuit. The power conversion circuit may convert the voltage output from the power source 11. For example, the power conversion circuit may include a buck-converter that steps down the voltage output from the power source 11. For example, the power conversion circuit may be implemented through a buck-boost converter, a Zener diode, or the like.

The controller 12 may adjust a level of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit by controlling an on/off operation of the switching element included in the power conversion circuit. When the switching element continues to be turned on, the level of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit may correspond to a level of a voltage output from the power source 11. The duty ratio for the on/off operation of the switching element may correspond to a ratio of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit to the voltage output from the power source 11. The level of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit may decrease with a decrease in the duty ratio for the on/off operation of the switching element. The heater 18 may be heated on the basis of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit.

The controller 12 may control power to be supplied to the heater 18 by using at least one of a pulse width modulation (PWM) method and a proportional-integral-differential (PID) method.

For example, the controller 12 may control a current pulse having a certain frequency and duty ratio to be supplied to the heater 18 by using the PWM method. The controller 12 may control the power supplied to the heater 18 by adjusting the frequency and duty ratio of the current pulse.

For example, the controller 12 may determine a target temperature to be controlled, on the basis of the temperature profile. The controller 12 may control the power supplied to the heater 18 by using the PID method, which is a feedback control method through a difference value between the temperature of the heater 18 and the target temperature, a value obtained by integrating the difference value over time, and a value obtained by differentiating the difference value over time.

The controller 12 may prevent the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18 from overheating. For example, on the basis that the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18 exceeds a preset limit temperature, the controller 12 may control an operation of the power conversion circuit so that the supply of power to the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18 stops. For example, on the basis that the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18 exceeds the preset limit temperature, the controller 12 may reduce an amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18 by a certain ratio. For example, on the basis that the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 exceeds the preset limit temperature, the controller 12 may determine that the aerosol generating material accommodated in the cartridge is exhausted and cut off the power supply to the cartridge heater 19.

The controller 12 may control charging and discharging of the power source 11. The controller 12 may identify the temperature of the power source 11 on the basis of an output signal of the temperature sensor 131.

When a power line is connected to a battery terminal of the aerosol generating device 1, the controller 12 may identify whether or not the temperature of the power source 11 is a first limit temperature or more which is a reference for blocking charging of the power source 11. When the temperature of the power source 11 is less than the first limit temperature, the controller 12 may control the power source 11 to be charged, on the basis of a preset charging current. The controller 12 may block charging of the power source 11 when the temperature of the power source 11 is the first limit temperature or more.

While the power of the aerosol generating device 1 is turned on, the controller 12 may identify whether or not the temperature of the power source 11 is a second limit temperature or more which is a reference for blocking discharge of the power source 11. The controller 12 may control power stored in the power source 11 to be used when the temperature of the power source 11 is less than the second limit temperature. When the temperature of the power source 11 is the second limit temperature or more, the controller 12 may stop using the power stored in the power source 11.

The controller 12 may calculate a remaining capacity of the power stored in the power source 11. For example, the controller 12 may calculate the remaining capacity of the power source 11 on the basis of a voltage and/or current sensing value of the power source 11.

The controller 12 may determine, through the insertion detection sensor 133, whether or not the stick is inserted into the insertion space. The controller 12 may determine that the stick is inserted, on the basis of the output signal of the insertion detection sensor 133. When determining that the stick is inserted into the insertion space, the controller 12 may control power to be supplied to the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18. For example, the controller 12 may supply power to the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18, on the basis of the temperature profile stored in the memory 17.

The controller 12 may determine whether or not the stick is removed from the insertion space. For example, the controller 12 may determine, through the insertion detection sensor 133, whether or not the stick is removed from the insertion space. For example, when the temperature of the heater 18 is the preset limit temperature or more or when a temperature change gradient of the heater 18 is a set gradient or more, the controller 12 may determine that the stick is removed from the insertion space. When determining that the stick is removed from the insertion space, the controller 12 may cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18.

The controller 12 may control a power supply time and/or a power supply amount with respect to the heater 18, according to a state of the stick detected by the sensor 13. The controller 12 may identify, on the basis of a look-up table, a level range including a level of a signal of the capacitance sensor. The controller 12 may determine an amount of moisture in the stick, according to the identified level range.

When the stick is over-humidified, the controller 12 may increase a preheating time of the stick compared to a normal state by controlling the power supply time with respect to the heater 18.

The controller 12 may determine, through the reuse detection sensor 134, whether or not the stick inserted into the insertion space is reused. For example, the controller 12 may compare a sensing value of a signal of the reuse detection sensor 134 with a first reference range including a first color and when the sensing value is included in the first reference range, determine that the stick is not used. For example, the controller 12 may compare the sensing value of the signal of the reuse detection sensor 134 with a second reference range including a second color and when the sensing value is included in the second reference range, determine that the stick is used. When determining that the stick is used, the controller 12 may cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18.

The controller 12 may determine, through the cartridge detection sensor 135, whether or not the cartridge is coupled and/or removed. For example, the controller 12 may determine whether or not the cartridge is coupled or removed, on the basis of a sensing value of the signal of the cartridge detection sensor 135.

The controller 12 may determine whether or not the aerosol generating material of the cartridge is exhausted. For example, the controller 12 may apply power to preheat the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18, determine whether or not the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 exceeds the limit temperature in a preheating period, and when the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 exceeds the limit temperature, determine that the aerosol generating material of the cartridge is exhausted. When determining that the aerosol generating material of the cartridge is exhausted, the controller 12 may cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18.

The controller 12 may determine whether or not the cartridge may be used. For example, when the current number of puffs is greater than or equal to the maximum number of puffs set in the cartridge, the controller 12 may determine, on the basis of data stored in the memory 17, that the cartridge may not be used. For example, when the total time for which the heater 18 is heated is a preset maximum time or more or the total amount of power supplied to the heater 18 is a preset maximum amount of power or more, the controller 12 may determine that the cartridge may not be used.

The controller 12 may determine inhalation by the user through the puff sensor 132. For example, the controller 12 may determine whether or not a puff occurs, on the basis of a sensing value of a signal of the puff sensor 132. For example, the controller 12 may determine an intensity of the puff, on the basis of the sensing value of the signal of the puff sensor 132. When the number of puffs reaches the preset maximum number of puffs or when puffs are not detected for a preset time or more, the controller 12 may cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18.

The controller 12 may determine, through the cap detection sensor 136, whether a cap is coupled and/or removed. For example, the controller 12 may determine whether or not the cap is coupled and/or removed, on the basis of a sensing value of a signal of the cap detection sensor 136.

The controller 12 may control the output unit 14 on the basis of the result of detection by the sensor 13. For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 132 reaches a preset number, the controller 12 may notify the user that the aerosol generating device 1 is soon terminated, through at least one of the display 141, the haptic unit 142, and the sound output unit 143. For example, the controller 12 may notify the user through the output unit 14 that the aerosol generating device 1 is soon terminated, on the basis of the determination that the stick is not present in the insertion space. For example, the controller 12 may notify the user through the output unit 14 that the aerosol generating device 1 is soon terminated, on the basis of the determination that the cartridge and/or the cap are not mounted. For example, the controller 12 may transmit information regarding the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18 to the user through the output unit 14.

The controller 12 may store and update, in the memory 17, a history of a certain event that occurs, on the basis of the occurrence of the event. The event may include detection of insertion of the stick, initiation of heating of the stick, detection of puffs, termination of the puffs, detection of overheating of the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18, detection of application of an overvoltage to the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18, termination of heating of the stick, an operation such as power on/off of the aerosol generating device 1, initiation of charging of the power source 11, detection of overcharging of the power source 11, termination of charging of the power source 11, and the like. The history of the event may include a date and time when the event occurs, log data corresponding to the event, and the like. For example, when the certain event is the detection of insertion of the stick, the log data corresponding to the event may include data regarding the sensing value of the insertion detection sensor 133 and the like. For example, when the certain event is the detection of overheating of the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18, the log data corresponding to the event may include data regarding the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18, the voltage applied to the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18, a current flowing through the cartridge heater 19 and/or the heater 18, and the like.

The controller 12 may control to form a communication link with an external device such as a mobile terminal of the user. When data regarding authentication is received from the external device through the communication link, the controller 12 may release a restriction on use of at least one function of the aerosol generating device 1. Here, the data regarding the authentication may include data indicating completion of user authentication for the user corresponding to the external device. The user may perform the user authentication through the external device. The external device may determine whether or not user data is valid, on the basis of the birthday of the user, a unique number indicating the user, and the like and receive, from an external server, data regarding use authority over the aerosol generating device 1. The external device may transmit the data indicating the completion of the user authentication to the aerosol generating device 1, on the basis of the data regarding the use authority. When the user authentication is completed, the controller 12 may release the restriction on the use of at least one function of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, when the user authentication is completed, the controller 12 may release a restriction on use of a heating function of supplying power to the heater 18.

The controller 12 may transmit data regarding the state of the aerosol generating device 1 to the external device through the communication link formed with the external device. On the basis of the received data regarding the state of the aerosol generating device 1, the external device may output the remaining capacity of the power source 11 of the aerosol generating device 1, an operation mode, and the like through a display of the external device.

The external device may transmit a location search request to the aerosol generating device 1, on the basis of an input for initiating a location search of the aerosol generating device 1. When receiving the location search request from the external device, the controller 12 may control at least one of output devices to perform an operation corresponding to the location search, on the basis of the received location search request. For example, the haptic unit 142 may generate vibration in response to the location search request. For example, the display 141 may output an object corresponding to the location search and the termination of the search in response to the location search request.

When receiving firmware data from the external device, the controller 12 may control to perform a firmware update. The external device may identify a current version of firmware of the aerosol generating device 1 and determine whether or not a new version of the firmware is present. When an input for requesting firmware download is received, the external device may receive a new version of firmware data and transmit the new version of firmware data to the aerosol generating device 1. When receiving the new version of firmware data, the controller 12 may control the firmware update of the aerosol generating device 1 to be performed.

The controller 12 may transmit data regarding a sensing value of at least one sensor 13 to the external server (not shown) through the communicator 16, and receive from the server and store a learning model generated by learning the sensing value through machine learning such as deep learning. The controller 12 may perform an operation of determining an inhalation pattern of the user, an operation of generating a temperature profile, and the like by using the learning model received from the server. The controller 12 may store, in the memory 17, sensing value data of at least one sensor 13, data for training an artificial neural network (ANN), and the like. For example, the memory 17 may store a database for each component provided in the aerosol generating device 1, which is for training the ANN, and weights and biases constituting the structure of the ANN. The controller 12 may generate at least one learning model used for determining the inhalation pattern of the user, generating the temperature profile, and the like, by learning data regarding the sensing value of the at least one sensor 13, the inhalation pattern of the user, the temperature profile, and the like which are stored in the memory 17.

A heater assembly and an aerosol generating device including the same, according to various embodiments, may improve a sense of smoking of a user by increasing an amount of aerosols generated.

In addition, the heater assembly and the aerosol generating device including the same, according to various embodiments, may prevent malfunction of or damage to the aerosol generating device due to leakage by preventing the occurrence of leakage due to liquefied aerosols.

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

Some embodiments or other embodiments described above are not exclusive or distinct from each other. In some embodiments or other embodiments described above, respective components or functions may be used in combination with one another or combined with one another.

For example, a component A described in a particular embodiment and/or drawing and a component B described in another embodiment and/or drawing may be combined with each other. In other words, even when coupling between components is not directly described, the coupling may be made except when the coupling is described as impossible.

The above description should not be construed as being limited in all respects but should be considered illustrative. The scope of the disclosure should be determined by the logical interpretation of appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the disclosure are included in the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A heater assembly comprising:

a chamber comprising an air inlet through which external air flows in, a liquid inlet through which an aerosol generating material flows in, and an air outlet through which air inside the heater assembly is discharged to the outside;
a wick arranged inside the chamber and configured to absorb the aerosol generating material flowing in from the outside of the heater assembly through the liquid inlet, wherein the wick comprises a first surface facing the liquid inlet, a second surface arranged in an opposite direction to the first surface, and a side surface surrounding a space between the first surface and the second surface;
a heater arranged on the side surface of the wick and configured to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick; and
a guide structure arranged inside the chamber to face the heater and configured to induce the external air flowing into the chamber through the air inlet to move in a direction toward the heater.

2. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the guide structure is spaced apart from the heater by a predefined distance.

3. The heater assembly of claim 2, wherein the predefined distance is 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

4. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the guide structure comprises:

a first portion extending in a first direction crossing the side surface of the wick, when viewed above the first surface of the wick; and
a second portion extending in a second direction crossing the first direction and arranged so that one end of the second portion contacts one end of the first portion to form a certain angle with the first portion, when viewed above the first surface of the wick.

5. The heater assembly of claim 4, wherein a region in which the one end of the first portion and the one end of the second portion are in contact with each other is formed in a bent shape having a predefined curvature.

6. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein a distance between one end of the guide structure facing the first surface of the wick and a bottom surface of the chamber facing the second surface of the wick is greater than or equal to a distance between one end of the heater facing the first surface of the wick and the bottom surface of the chamber.

7. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the second surface of the wick is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the chamber facing the second surface of the wick by a certain distance.

8. The heater assembly of claim 7, wherein one region of the wick adjacent to the bottom surface of the chamber absorbs liquefied aerosols accumulated inside the chamber.

9. The heater assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of electrical connection elements configured to electrically connect the heater to a battery outside the heater assembly.

10. The heater assembly of claim 9, wherein the plurality of electrical connection elements comprise:

a first electrical connection element in contact with one region of the heater; and
a second electrical connection element spaced apart from the first electrical connection element and in contact with another region of the heater, wherein the guide structure is arranged between the first electrical connection element and the second electrical connection element.

11. An aerosol generating device comprising:

a cartridge comprising a storage tank storing an aerosol generating material;
a heater assembly detachably coupled to one region of the cartridge and configured to generate aerosols by heating the aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge; and
a main body detachably coupled to one region of the heater assembly and comprising a battery configured to supply power to the heater assembly, wherein the heater assembly comprises: a chamber comprising an air inlet through which external air flows in, a liquid inlet through which the aerosol generating material flows in from the cartridge, and an air outlet through which air inside the heater assembly is discharged to the cartridge; a wick arranged inside the chamber and configured to absorb the aerosol generating material flowing in from the cartridge through the liquid inlet, wherein the wick comprises a first surface facing the liquid inlet, a second surface arranged in an opposite direction to the first surface, and a side surface surrounding a space between the first surface and the second surface; a heater arranged on the side surface of the wick and configured to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick; and a guide structure arranged inside the chamber to face the heater and configured to induce the external air flowing into the chamber through the air inlet to move in a direction toward the heater.

12. The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein the guide structure is spaced apart from the heater by a predefined distance.

13. The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein the cartridge further comprises a liquid delivery element configured to deliver the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank to the wick of the heater assembly.

14. The aerosol generating device of claim 13, wherein the liquid delivery element comprises a cotton material for absorbing the aerosol generating material, and

the wick comprises a ceramic wick.

15. The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein the heater assembly further comprises a plurality of electrical connection elements configured to electrically connect the heater to the battery of the main body, wherein the heater is configured to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the wick by generating heat when power is supplied from the battery.

Patent History
Publication number: 20240334977
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 3, 2024
Publication Date: Oct 10, 2024
Applicant: KT&G CORPORATION (Daejeon)
Inventors: Jong Sub LEE (Seongnam-si), Byung Sung CHO (Gwangmyeong-si), Pill Won Yoon (Bucheon-si), Jong Ik LEE (Hwaseong-si)
Application Number: 18/625,849
Classifications
International Classification: A24F 40/485 (20060101); A24F 40/42 (20060101); A24F 40/44 (20060101); A24F 40/465 (20060101); A24F 40/51 (20060101);