AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE COMPRISING WICK

Abstract

Provided is an aerosol generating device comprising: a first housing including an atomization space provided therein, a first aerosol flow path communicating with the atomization space, a wick disposed in the atomization space, and a heater; and a second housing which is coupled to the first housing in a first direction, and which includes a chamber in which an aerosol generation material can be stored, an air flow channel encompassed by the chamber and allowing communication with the outside, and a second aerosol flow path communicating with the air flow channel, wherein the wick includes a first wick part and a second wick part that protrudes in the first direction from an edge area of one side of the first wick part.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an aerosol-generating device including a wick.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, demand has increased for alternative products that overcome the drawbacks of conventional cigarettes. For example, there has been growing demand for devices (e.g., cigarette-type electronic cigarettes) that generate an aerosol by electrically heating a cigarette stick. Accordingly, active research has been conducted on cigarette sticks (or aerosol-generating articles) and electrically heated aerosol-generating devices into which the cigarette sticks are inserted.

The above description is information the inventor(s) acquired during the course of conceiving the present disclosure, or already possessed at the time, and was not necessarily publicly known before the present application was filed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Technical Goals

An aerosol-generating device including an aerosol-generating substance generates an aerosol by heating or vibrating a liquid aerosol-generating substance stored in a cartridge or a chamber.

The aerosol-generating device may have a separable structure including one housing in which the aerosol-generating substance is stored and another housing that generates the aerosol.

The liquid aerosol-generating substance needs to be smoothly delivered, and an obstruction in a path through which the generated aerosol is inhaled to the outside needs to be minimized.

Technical Solutions

According to various embodiments, an aerosol-generating device includes a first housing including an atomization space provided inside, a first aerosol flow path configured to communicate with the atomization space, a wick disposed in the atomization space, and a heater, and a second housing that is coupled to the first housing in a first direction and includes a chamber that may store an aerosol-generating substance, an airflow channel surrounded by the chamber and configured to communicate with the outside, and a second aerosol flow path configured to communicate with the airflow channel, in which the wick may include a first wick part and a second wick part protruding in the first direction from an edge region of a surface of the first wick part.

In one embodiment of the aerosol-generating device, the second wick part may protrude toward the second housing.

In one embodiment of the aerosol-generating device, the first wick part may include a first region that overlaps the second wick part and a second region that does not overlap the second wick part, and at least a portion of the heater may be attached to the second region.

In one embodiment of the aerosol-generating device, the heater may include a heater pattern and a heater terminal electrically connected to the heater pattern, and the heater pattern may be attached to the second region.

In one embodiment of the aerosol-generating device, the heater terminal may be attached to the first region.

In one embodiment of the aerosol-generating device, an aerosol generated in the atomization space by the heater may be branched by the second region to flow to the first aerosol flow path.

In one embodiment of the aerosol-generating device, the aerosol that has flowed to the first aerosol flow path may flow to the outside through the second aerosol flow path and the airflow channel.

According to various embodiments, an aerosol-generating device includes a housing including a chamber configured to store an aerosol-generating substance, an airflow channel surrounded by the chamber and configured to communicate with the outside, an aerosol flow path configured to communicate with the airflow channel, an atomization space provided inside the housing and configured to communicate with the aerosol flow path, a wick disposed in the atomization space, and a heater attached to the wick, in which the wick may include a first wick part and a second wick part protruding toward the chamber from an edge region of a surface of the first wick part.

In one embodiment of the aerosol-generating device, the other surface of the first wick part opposite to the surface may be flat.

In one embodiment of the aerosol-generating device, the second wick part may include two parts, and the two second wick parts may be spaced apart from each other with the aerosol flow path in between and may face each other.

In one embodiment of the aerosol-generating device, the two second wick parts may surround at least a portion of the aerosol flow path.

In one embodiment of the aerosol-generating device, a length of the first wick part in a first direction may be less than a length of the second wick part in the first direction, and the first direction may be perpendicular to the surface of the first wick part.

In one embodiment of the aerosol-generating device, the heater may further include a heater pattern and a heater terminal electrically connected to the heater pattern, and the heater pattern may be attached to the other surface of the first wick part opposite to the surface.

In one embodiment of the aerosol-generating device, the heater terminal may be attached to the other surface of the first wick part.

In one embodiment of the aerosol-generating device, the wick may be a porous ceramic.

Effects of the Invention

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may include the first housing and the second housing that may be removably coupled, and liquid delivery from the second housing to the first housing may be smooth.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may minimize structures that obstruct the flow of the generated aerosol, so that aerosol flow efficiency may be improved.

However, the effects of the aerosol generating device according to one example embodiment are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other unmentioned effects can be clearly understood from the following description by one of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and are provided together with the detailed description for better understanding of the technical idea of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth in the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an aerosol-generating device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an aerosol-generating device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an aerosol-generating device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3C is a perspective cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3D is a perspective cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3E is an exploded cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3F is an exploded perspective view of an aerosol-generating device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a front view of a wick according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a plan view of a wick according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4C is a plan view of a wick according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a side view of a wick according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a wick according to one embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Description will now be given in detail according to embodiments set forth herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or equivalent components may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

Suffixes such as “module” and “unit” used for components in the following description are assigned or interchangeably used to facilitate description of the specification and do not have any special meanings or functions.

Further, in the description of embodiments set forth herein, a detailed description of well-known related arts will be omitted when it is deemed that such description will cause ambiguous interpretation of the embodiments. Further, the accompanying drawings are merely intended for easier understanding of the embodiments set forth herein, and the technical idea of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the embodiments should be understood to include all changes, equivalents, and replacements within the idea and the technical scope of the disclosure.

Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component.

It should be noted that if it is described that one component is “connected”, “coupled”, or “joined” to another component, a third component may be “connected”, “coupled”, and “joined” between the first and second components, although the first component may be directly connected, coupled, or joined to the second component. On the contrary, it should be noted that if it is described that one component is “directly connected”, “directly coupled”, or “directly joined” to another component, a third component may be absent.

The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Hereinbelow, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the embodiments may be readily implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

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

FIGS. 1 and 2 each illustrate an aerosol-generating device 1 according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the aerosol-generating device 1 may include at least one of a body 10 and a cartridge 19.

In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 1 may include at least one of a battery 11, a controller 12, and a sensor 13. The at least one of the battery 11, the controller 12, and the sensor 13 may be disposed inside the body 10. The cartridge 19, which is an aerosol-generating article, may be mounted on the body 10. A user may inhale an aerosol holding a mouthpiece provided at one end of the cartridge 19 in the mouth.

In one embodiment, the cartridge 19 may accommodate an aerosol-generating substance in a chamber 20 therein. The aerosol-generating substance may have any one state among a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, and a gel state. The aerosol-generating substance may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance including a volatile tobacco flavor component or may be a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

In one embodiment, the cartridge 19 may be removably coupled to the body 10. The cartridge 19 may be inserted into the body 10 and thereby mounted on the body 10. The body 10 may be formed with a structure allowing outside air to be introduced into the body 10 in the state in which the cartridge 19 is inserted thereinto. At this time, outside air introduced into the body 10 may pass through the cartridge 19 and flow toward the user's oral cavity through an airflow channel 23.

In one embodiment, the cartridge 19 may include the chamber 20 that accommodates an aerosol-generating substance. A liquid delivery part 25 that is impregnated with the aerosol-generating substance may be disposed inside the chamber 20. The liquid delivery part 25 may include a wick formed of, e.g., cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic.

In one embodiment, a heater 24 may be disposed in the cartridge 19 or the body 10. The drawing illustrates that the heater 24 is disposed inside the cartridge 19; however, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the heater 24 may be provided in the body 10 and disposed to be removable from the cartridge 19. The heater 24 may include an electrically conductive track, and the electrically conductive track of the heater 24 may have a structure of a coil that is wound around the liquid delivery part 25. Alternatively, the heater 24 may be formed in a structure contacting a portion of the liquid delivery part 25.

In one embodiment, the heater 24 may generate an aerosol. The aerosol may be generated as the liquid delivery part 25 is heated by the heater 24. The generated aerosol may be inhaled into the user's oral cavity through the airflow channel 23.

In one embodiment, the airflow channel 23 may be provided in the cartridge 19. The airflow channel 23 may allow an atomization space in which the heater 24 or the liquid delivery part 25 is disposed to communicate with the outside of the cartridge. One end of the airflow channel 23 may be open to the atomization space in which the heater 24 or the liquid delivery part 25 is disposed, and the other end of the airflow channel 23 may communicate with a mouthpiece 35.

For example, referring to FIG. 1, the airflow channel 23 may be elongated from one side of the chamber 20 of the cartridge 19 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 19. Alternatively, for example, referring to FIG. 2, the airflow channel 23 may be elongated in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 19 through the chamber 20 of the cartridge 19.

In one embodiment, the battery 11 may supply power for components of the aerosol-generating device 1 to operate. The battery 11 may be a power source or a power supply. The battery 11 may supply power to at least one of the controller 12, the sensor 13, and the heater 24.

In one embodiment, the controller 12 may control the overall operation of the aerosol-generating device 1. For example, the controller 12 may control the operation of at least one of the battery 11, the sensor 13, and the cartridge 19.

In an embodiment, the controller 12 may include at least one processor. The at least one processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored. In addition, the at least one processor may also be implemented as other forms of hardware.

In one embodiment, the controller 12 may include a memory. The memory may be operatively connected to the at least one processor, and the memory may store executable instructions. The at least one processor 360 may control the driving of the aerosol-generating device 1 by executing the instructions stored in the memory.

In one embodiment, the controller 12 may control the operation of a display, a motor, and the like installed in the aerosol-generating device. The controller 12 may verify a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device to determine whether the aerosol generating device is in an operable state.

In one embodiment, the controller 12 may analyze a sensing result obtained by the sensing of the sensor 13 and control processes to be performed thereafter. For example, based on the sensing result obtained by the sensing of the sensor 13, the controller 12 may control the power supplied to the heater 24 to initiate or terminate the operation of the heater 24.

For example, based on the sensing result obtained by the sensing of the sensor 13, the controller 12 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 24 and a time for which the power is supplied, such that the heater 24 may be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

In one embodiment, the sensor 13 may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, a cartridge detection sensor, and a movement detection sensor. For example, the sensor 13 may sense at least one of the temperature of the heater 24, the temperature of the battery 11, or the temperature inside and outside the body 10.

For example, the sensor 13 may sense a puff of the user. For example, the sensor 13 may sense whether the cartridge is mounted. For example, the sensor 13 may sense a motion of the aerosol generating device.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an aerosol-generating device 100 according to one embodiment, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating device 100 according to one embodiment, FIGS. 3C and 3D are cross-sectional perspective views of the aerosol-generating device 100 according to one embodiment, FIG. 3E is an exploded cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating device 100 according to one embodiment, and FIG. 3F is an exploded perspective view of the aerosol-generating device 100 according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F, the aerosol-generating device 100 (e.g., the aerosol-generating device 1 of FIG. 1 or 2) according to one embodiment may include a first housing 111 and a second housing 112.

Hereinafter, the description provided above is not repeated, and it is obvious that a portion of the components and structure of the aerosol generating device may be replaced, added, or omitted within a scope easily understandable by one of ordinary skill in the art with reference to the following diagrams and descriptions. In addition, at least one component or feature of the embodiments described above may be coupled to the aerosol-generating device unless this is technically and clearly infeasible.

In one embodiment, the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 may form the exterior of the aerosol-generating device 100. Alternatively, the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 may accommodate other components of the aerosol-generating device 100 inside and protect the components from external factors. The first housing 111 and the second housing 112 may be removably coupled to each other.

For example, the first housing 111 may be a main body or a body (e.g., the body 10 of FIG. 1 or 2) of the aerosol-generating device 100. The second housing 112 may be a sub-body or a cartridge (e.g., the cartridge 19 of FIG. 1 or 2).

In one embodiment, a cover 113 may surround at least a portion of outer circumferential surfaces of the first housing 111 and the second housing 112. The cover 113 may be a separate component which is removable from the first housing 111 and the second housing 112. Alternatively, the cover 113 may be a part continuous with the first housing 111. The cover 113 may assist in the coupling of the first housing 111 and the second housing 112.

In one embodiment, the first housing 111 may accommodate at least one of a battery 105 (e.g., the battery 11 of FIG. 1 or 2), a controller 107 (e.g., the controller 12 of FIG. 1 or 2), a heater 120 (e.g., the heater 24 of FIG. 1 or 2), and a wick 121 (e.g., the liquid delivery part 25 of FIG. 1 or 2).

In one embodiment, the battery 105 may supply power required for operations of the components of the aerosol-generating device 100. The controller 107 may control the operation of at least one component of the aerosol-generating device 100.

In one embodiment, the heater 120 may be disposed in the first housing 111. An atomization space 115 may be provided inside the first housing 111. The heater 120 may be disposed in the atomization space 115. The heater 120 may heat the wick 121. The heater 120 may be attached to the wick 121.

In one embodiment, the wick 121 may be disposed in the atomization space 115. An upper end of the wick 121 may protrude from the atomization space 115 toward an upper side of the first housing 111. The wick 121 may absorb a liquid substance or an aerosol-generating substance.

In one embodiment, the terminal 126 may be electrically connected to the heater 120. The terminal 126 may supply power to the heater 120. The terminal 126 may be disposed inside the first housing 111.

In one embodiment, the heater 120 may be electrically connected to the battery 105 via the terminal 126. The heater 120 may receive power from the battery 105 and generate heat. The heater 120 may be a resistive heater.

In one embodiment, the first housing 111 may be provided with a first aerosol flow path 119 communicating with the atomization space 115. The first aerosol flow path 119 may communicate with the outside of the first housing 111 from the atomization space 115. The first aerosol flow path 119 may deliver an aerosol generated in the atomization space 115 to the outside of the first housing 111. For example, the first aerosol flow path 119 may communicate with a second aerosol flow path 129 of the second housing 112 to deliver the aerosol to the second housing 112.

In one embodiment, the second housing 112 may include at least one of a chamber 127 (e.g., the chamber 20 of FIG. 1 or 2) and an airflow channel 131 (e.g., the airflow channel 23 of FIG. 1 or 2). The second housing 112 may store the aerosol-generating substance in the chamber 127. The chamber 127 may be a reservoir.

In one embodiment, a mouthpiece 130 may be disposed on an upper side (e.g., in the +Z direction) of the second housing 112. Alternatively, the mouthpiece 130 may cover an upper portion of the second housing 112. The mouthpiece 130 may include an intake 135 communicating with the outside of the second housing 112.

In one embodiment, the airflow channel 131 may communicate with the second aerosol flow path 129 and the intake 135. The airflow channel 131 may be physically partitioned from the chamber 127. The intake 135 may receive the aerosol generated in the atomization space 115 from the airflow channel 131.

In one embodiment, the first housing 111 may be removably coupled to the second housing 112. For example, the second housing 112 may be inserted into an upper side (e.g., in the +Z direction) of the first housing 111. When the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 are coupled, the first aerosol flow path 119 and the second aerosol flow path 129 may communicate with each other.

In one embodiment, when the second housing 112 is coupled to the first housing 111, the second housing 112 may supply the stored aerosol-generating substance to the wick 121. For example, when the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 are coupled, the wick 121 may be directly or indirectly connected to the chamber 127.

In one embodiment, the wick 121 may receive and absorb the aerosol-generating substance from the second housing 112. The heater 120 may heat the wick 121 that has absorbed the aerosol-generating substance to generate an aerosol in the atomization space 115.

In one embodiment, when the second housing 112 is coupled to the first housing 111, the second aerosol flow path 129 and the first aerosol flow path 119 may communicate with each other. The user may inhale air from the intake 135 while holding the mouthpiece 130 in the mouth. The aerosol formed in the atomization space 115 may pass through the first aerosol flow path 119, the second aerosol flow path 129, and the airflow channel 131 and be delivered to the intake 135.

In one embodiment, the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 may be independently replaced. For example, the consumption cycle of the aerosol-generating substance stored in the second housing 112 and the appropriate replacement cycle of the first housing 111 may be different from each other. The user may separately replace only the second housing 112 or separately replace only the first housing 111.

For example, the consumption cycle of the aerosol-generating substance stored in the second housing 112 may be shorter than the appropriate replacement cycle of the first housing 111. When the second housing 112 is replaced multiple times, the first housing 111 may be replaced only once. The user may use the first housing 111 longer, thereby reducing the replacement cost of some components.

In one embodiment, the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 may integrally form a housing. The housing may be a sub-body or a cartridge (e.g., the cartridge 19 of FIG. 1 or 2). The housing may be separately replaceable from the main body or body (e.g., body 10 of FIG. 1 or 2) of the aerosol-generating device 100. The first aerosol flow path 119 and the second aerosol flow path 129 may integrally form an aerosol flow path.

In one embodiment, a first sealing member 151 may be disposed on an upper surface (e.g., a surface in the +Z direction) of the first housing 111. The first sealing member 151 may extend upward. At least a portion of an upper surface of the first sealing member 151 may be open to form the first aerosol flow path 119. The first aerosol flow path 119 may communicate with the inside (e.g., the atomization space 115) of the first housing 111.

In one embodiment, the first sealing member 151 may be disposed to surround at least a portion of the wick 121. For example, the wick 121 may be disposed on a lower side of the first sealing member 151. The first sealing member 151 may form an upper surface of the atomization space 115.

In one embodiment, a case 155 may be disposed to surround at least a portion of the wick 121. The case 155 may be coupled to the first sealing member 151 to form the atomization space 115 between the first sealing member 151 and the case 155.

In one embodiment, the terminal 126 may be disposed and secured to the bottom of the case 155. The terminal 126 may protrude upward from the case 155 toward the atomization space 115 and may be connected to the heater 120. A pair of terminals 126 may be provided to be spaced apart from each other horizontally.

In one embodiment, an airflow inlet 155a may communicate with the outside of the first housing 111. The airflow inlet 155a may supply air to the atomization space 115. The airflow inlet 155a may be formed at the bottom of the case 155.

In one embodiment, the plurality of the airflow inlets 155a may be formed in a multi-hole structure. The airflow inlets 155a may be spaced apart from the terminal 126 in a horizontal direction. Alternatively, the airflow inlet 155a may be formed by opening a lateral wall of the case 155 and/or a lateral wall of the first sealing member 151. The first aerosol flow path 119 may be formed at a position facing the airflow inlet 155a.

In one embodiment, the wick 121 may include a first wick part 121a and a second wick part 121b. The first wick part 121a may be disposed in the atomization space 115 between the case 155 and the first sealing member 151. The second wick part 121b may protrude upward from the first wick part 121a. However, this is merely an example, and the wick 121 may be implemented in various shapes.

In one embodiment, the second wick part 121b may penetrate the first sealing member 151. The second wick part 121b may be exposed to the outside of the first housing 111. The second wick part 121b may receive the aerosol-generating substance from the second housing 112.

In one embodiment, the heater 120 may be coupled to the first wick part 121a. For example, the heater 120 may be insert-coupled to a lower surface (e.g., a surface in the −Z direction) of the first wick part 121a. The heater 120 may heat the first wick part 121a.

In one embodiment, the first sealing member 151 may cover the upper surface of the case 155. The first sealing member 151 may be formed of an elastic material. For example, the first sealing member 151 may be formed of a rubber or silicone material.

In one embodiment, the first sealing member 151 may include a sealing surface 151a. The sealing surface 151a may be shaped to surround the outer circumferential surface of the second wick part 121b of the wick 121.

In one embodiment, the wick 121 may be formed of a porous rigid body that absorbs the aerosol-generating substance. For example, the wick 121 may be formed of a porous ceramic. The wick 121 may have stronger strength and heat resistance than when formed of cotton material. The wick 121 may be formed of a material that has no or little deformation in shape. In addition, the wick 121 may have improved durability, and the first housing 111 to which the wick 121 is coupled may have a longer replacement cycle.

In one embodiment, the first wick part 121a may extend to one side in a horizontal direction (e.g., in the X-axis direction). The first wick part 121a may have a hexahedral shape. The upper and lower surfaces of the first wick part 121a may be formed substantially horizontally. A side surface of the first wick part 121a may be formed between the upper and lower surfaces thereof.

In one embodiment, the second wick part 121b may protrude upward from the center of the upper surface of the first wick part 251. The second wick part 121b may extend long in a vertical direction (e.g., in the +Z direction). One wick 121 may include two second wick parts 121b. The two second wick parts 121b may be spaced apart from each other.

In one embodiment, a lower surface of the second wick part 121b may overlap the upper surface of the first wick part 121a. The first wick part 121a and the second wick part 121b may be formed as a single continuous body. Alternatively, the first wick part 121a and the second wick part 121b may be coupled to each other.

In one embodiment, the heater 120 may be attached to the first wick part 121a. The heater 120 may form a pattern on the lower surface of the first wick part 121a. For example, the heater 120 may form various patterns along a longitudinal direction of the first wick part 121a.

In one embodiment, the airflow inlet 155a and the first aerosol flow path 119 may be disposed parallel in upward and downward directions (e.g., in the Z-axis direction). For example, the airflow inlet 155a may be formed at the lower side of the atomization space 115. The first aerosol flow path 119 may be formed on an upper side of the atomization space 115. Air may be introduced into the atomization space 115 through the airflow inlet 155a and discharged to the outside of the atomization space 115 through the first aerosol flow path 119. An aerosol generated with the wick 121 heated and the surrounding air may flow toward the first aerosol flow path 119.

In one embodiment, a second sealing member 152 may be disposed on a lower surface (e.g., a surface in the −Z direction) of the second housing 112. The second sealing member 152 may be disposed to surround at least a portion of the first housing 111 and the first sealing member 151 while the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 are coupled. The second sealing member 152 may form a second aerosol flow path 129 that is open inward.

In one embodiment, the second sealing member 152 may be a portion or a structure of the second housing 112. For example, the second sealing member 152 may be formed integrally with the lower surface of the second housing 112 and may be a portion surrounding an absorbent member 158 exposed to the lower surface of the second housing 112.

In one embodiment, a chamber hole 127a may communicate with the chamber 127. The chamber hole 127a may be formed in a lower portion of the chamber 127. The aerosol-generating substance stored in the chamber 127 may be delivered to the wick 121 through the chamber hole 127a.

In one embodiment, the absorbent member 158 may be disposed on a lower portion of the chamber hole 127a. The absorbent member 158 may absorb the aerosol-generating substance that has passed through the chamber hole 127a. For example, the absorbent member 158 may be formed of a felt material. When the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 are coupled, the absorbent member 158 and the second wick part 121b may face each other.

In one embodiment, a protective film may be removably attached to a lower surface of the absorbent member 158. The protective film may be formed of a waterproof material. The protective film may prevent the aerosol-generating substance from leaking from the absorbent member 158. Before coupling the second housing 112 to the first housing 111, a user may remove the protective film from the absorbent member 158.

In one embodiment, when the second housing 112 is coupled to the first housing 111, the second housing 112 may supply the aerosol-generating substance to the wick 121. For example, the aerosol-generating substance stored in the chamber 127 may pass through the chamber hole 127a and be absorbed into the absorbent member 158, and the absorbent member 158 that has absorbed the aerosol-generating substance may contact the second wick part 121b to deliver the aerosol-generating substance. The aerosol-generating substance absorbed into the second wick part 121b may diffuse into the first wick part 121a. The heater 120 may generate an aerosol by heating the first wick part 121a that has absorbed the aerosol-generating substance.

In one embodiment, the first sealing member 151 may seal a portion of the wick 121 that protrudes outward from the atomization space 115. When the second housing 112 is coupled to an upper side of the first housing 111, the first sealing member 151 may seal between the first housing 111 and the second housing 112.

FIG. 4A is a front view of the wick 121 according to one embodiment, FIG. 4B is a plan view of the wick 121 according to one embodiment, FIG. 4C is a plan view of the wick 121 according to one embodiment, FIG. 5A is a side view of the wick 121 according to one embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the wick 121 according to one embodiment.

Hereinafter, the description provided above is not repeated, and it is obvious that a portion of the components and structure of the aerosol generating device 100 may be replaced, added, or omitted within a scope easily understandable by one of ordinary skill in the art with reference to the following diagrams and descriptions. In addition, at least one component or feature of the embodiments described above may be coupled to the aerosol-generating device 100 unless this is technically and clearly infeasible.

For example, the wick 121 of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C and the aerosol-generating device 100 including the same may be substantially the same as the wick 121 of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F and the aerosol-generating device 100 including the same, or at least some components may be omitted, added, or replaced.

However, the “substantially” herein may be the same level reflecting a tolerance or an error in a general manufacturing process. Alternatively, the “substantially” may be a range including any one range of +/−0.1%, +/−0.5%, +/−1%, +/−3%, +/−5%, +/−7%, +/−10%, +/−15%, and +/−20%, based on the literally same 0%.

Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the wick 121 (e.g., the wick 121 of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F) according to one embodiment may include a first wick part 121a (e.g., the first wick part 121a of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F) and a second wick part 121b (e.g., the second wick part 121b of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F).

In one embodiment, the first wick part 121a and the second wick part 121b may be shaped to be symmetrical with respect to an axis (e.g., the axis Z1 of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C) parallel to a first direction (e.g., the +/−Z direction of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C) along which the first housing 111 (e.g., the first housing 111 of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F) and the second housing 112 (e.g., the second housing 112 of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F) are coupled.

In one embodiment, the first wick part 121a may include an upper surface 122a, a lower surface 123a opposite to the upper surface, and a side surface disposed between the upper surface 122a and the lower surface 123a. For example, the first wick part 121a may be substantially hexahedral.

In one embodiment, the first wick part 121a may include a center region that is adjacent to the first aerosol flow path 119 (e.g., a second region 125a of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C) and an edge region surrounding the center region (e.g., a first region 124 a of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C). The center region and the edge region may be formed integrally.

In one embodiment, one surface (e.g., the upper surface 122a of the first wick part) of the first wick part 121a may be divided into a center region and an edge region surrounding the center region. One surface of the first wick part 121a may be flat.

In one embodiment, the second wick part 121b may protrude from the edge region of one surface of the first wick part 121a. The second wick part 121b may protrude in the first direction (e.g., the +/−Z direction of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F) in which the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 are coupled. For example, the second wick part 121b may protrude in a substantially hexahedral shape.

In one embodiment, the second wick part 121b may protrude toward the second housing 112 from the edge region of one surface of the first wick part 121a. For example, when the second housing 112 is coupled to the upper side (e.g., the side of the first housing 111 facing +Z in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F) of the first housing 111, the second wick part 121b may protrude toward the upper side of the first housing 111.

In one embodiment, the second wick part 121b may protrude toward a chamber 127 (e.g., the chamber 127 of FIG. 3A) included in the housing. The chamber 127 may be disposed on the upper side of the wick 121 (e.g., the side of the wick facing +Z in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F), and in this case, the second wick part 121b may protrude toward the chamber 127.

In one embodiment, the other surface (e.g., the lower surface 123a) of the first wick part 121a opposite to one surface may be flat.

In one embodiment, the second wick part 121b may include two parts. The two second wick parts 121b-1 and 121b-2 may be spaced apart from each other across an aerosol flow path and may face each other. For example, the two second wick parts 121b-1 and 121b-2 may be spaced apart from each other across the aerosol flow path 119 and may face each other. In another embodiment, the second wick part 121b may include three or more parts.

In one embodiment, the two second wick parts 121b-1 and 121b-2 may surround at least a portion of an aerosol flow path. Here, the aerosol flow path may be the first aerosol flow path 119. For example, the two second wick parts 121b-1 and 121b-2 may surround two mutually opposing sides (e.g., the sides of the first aerosol flow path 119 facing +/−X in FIG. 4A) of the first aerosol flow path 119.

In one embodiment, a first direction length H1 of the first wick part 121a may be smaller than a first direction length H2 of the second wick part 121b. Here, the first direction may be either the direction in which the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 are coupled, or the direction (e.g., the +/−Z direction of FIG. 4A) that is perpendicular to one surface of the first wick part 121a (e.g., the upper surface 122a of the first wick part 121a).

If the first direction length H1 of the first wick part 121a is smaller than the first direction length H2 of the second wick part 121b, a first direction length of the second wick part 121b exposed to the outside of the first housing 111 may increase when the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 are coupled. For example, if a first direction length of the wick 121 is fixed, the second wick part 121b may be formed longer than the first wick part 121a, thereby increasing a first direction ratio of the second wick part 121b and increasing the length of the second wick part 121b exposed to the outside of the first housing 111. If the length of the second wick part 121b exposed to the outside of the first housing 111 is increased, an absorbent member 158 (e.g., the absorbent member 158 of FIG. 3A) may be readily brought into contact with the second wick part 121b when the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 are coupled.

In addition, if the first direction length of the wick 121 is fixed and the first direction length H1 of the first wick part 121a is smaller than the first direction length H2 of the second wick part 121b, the total volume of the wick 121 may be reduced. Since the volume through which the aerosol-generating substance is delivered is reduced, the liquid delivery efficiency may increase.

Accordingly, the aerosol-generating substance passing through the second wick part 121b may reach one surface or the other surface of the first wick part 121a more quickly, thereby increasing the liquid delivery efficiency. When the liquid delivery efficiency increases, even if a puff is repeated, the aerosol-generating substance may be quickly delivered to the first wick part 121a around the heater 120, and carbonization may not occur.

In one embodiment, the first wick part 121a may include the first region 124a and the second region 125a. The first region 124a may be the region that overlaps the second wick part 121b, and the second region may be the region that does not overlap the second wick part 121b. The first region 124a and the second region 125a may integrally form the first wick part 121a.

In one embodiment, the first region 124a, in which the first wick part 121a and the second wick part 121b overlap, may be a region extending from a portion of one surface (e.g., the upper surface 122a of the first wick part 121a) where the second wick part 121b protrudes in contact with the first wick part 121a to the other surface (e.g., the lower surface 123a of the first wick part 121a) opposite to the one surface.

In one embodiment, the first region 124a may substantially correspond to the edge region of the first wick part 121a, and the second region 125a may substantially correspond to the central region of the first wick part 121a.

In one embodiment, a first direction length H11 of the first region 124a may be the same as a first direction length H12 of the second region 125a. The first region 124a and the second region may integrally form the first wick part 121a to be substantially flat without any steps.

In one embodiment, at least a portion of the heater 120 may be attached to the second region 125a. The heater 120 may be attached to the lower side (e.g., the side of the second region 125a facing −Z in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C) of the second region 125a.

In one embodiment, the heater 120 may include a heater pattern 138 and a heater terminal 128 electrically connected to the heater pattern 138. The heater pattern 138 may be attached to the other surface (e.g., the lower surface 123a of the first wick part) of the first wick part 121a opposite to one surface. The heater terminal 128 may be attached to the other surface (e.g., the lower surface 123a of the first wick part) of the first wick part 121a opposite to one surface. The heater terminal 128 may be attached to the same surface of the first wick part 121a as the surface to which the heater pattern 138 is attached.

In one embodiment, the heater pattern 138 may be attached to the second wick part 125a. The heater pattern 138 may be attached to a lower side (e.g., the side of the second region 125a facing −Z in FIG. 4A) of the second region 125a. The heater terminal 128 may be attached to the first region 124a. The heater terminal 128 may be attached to a lower side (e.g., the side of the first region 123a facing −Z in FIG. 4A) of the first region 124a. The heater pattern 138 and the heater terminal 128 may be connected at a boundary between the first region 124a and the second region 125a.

When the heater pattern 138 is attached to the second region 125a, the second wick part 121b may not be disposed on an upper side (e.g., the side of the heater pattern 138 facing +Z in FIG. 4C) of the heater pattern 138. If the second wick part 121b is not disposed on an upper side of the heater pattern 138, an aerosol generated by heating the heater pattern 138 may flow to the first aerosol flow path 119 without being obstructed by the second wick part 121b.

Specifically, the aerosol generated by the heater pattern 138 may be branched by the second region 125a and flow directly to the first aerosol flow path 119 beyond the first wick part 121a, thereby increasing aerosol delivery efficiency. The generated aerosol may flow to the first aerosol flow path 119 without being obstructed by the first region 124a and the second wick part 121b. The branching of an aerosol by the second region 125a will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4D and 4E.

In one embodiment, when the second wick part 121b is formed as two parts, there may be two corresponding first regions 124a. When the two second wick parts 121b-1 and 121b-2 are spaced apart from each other across the first aerosol flow path 119 and face each other, the second region 125a may be disposed between the two first regions 124a. The heater terminal 128 may be attached to a lower side (e.g., the side of the first region 124a facing −Z in FIG. 4C) of each of the two first regions 124a. The heater pattern 138 may be attached to the second region 125a and connected to respective heater terminals 128 attached to the two first regions 124a. The two connection points between the heater pattern 138 and the respective heater terminals 128 may correspond to the two boundaries between the two first regions 124a and the second region 125a.

The flow path of an aerosol will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

In one embodiment, air supplied to the atomization space 115 (e.g., the atomization space 115 of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F) through the airflow inlet 155a (e.g., the airflow inlet 155a of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F) flows along a path PA to the heater 120. An aerosol generated in the atomization space 115 by the heater 120 may be branched, together with air, by the second region 125a and may flow to the first aerosol flow path 119 through two paths PA1 and PA2.

When the aerosol generated by the heater 120 in the atomization space 115 is branched by the second region 125a, the aerosol may flow while minimizing direct and indirect influences from the first region 124a and the second wick part 121b, and may flow directly to the first aerosol flow path 119 beyond the first wick part 121a, thereby increasing the efficiency of aerosol delivery.

In one embodiment, the aerosol that has moved to the first aerosol flow path 119 may pass through a path PA31 or PA32 to the second aerosol flow path 129 (e.g., the second aerosol flow path 129 of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F) and the airflow channel 131 (e.g., the airflow channel 131 of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F), and may then flow to the outside of the aerosol-generating device 100.

Some embodiments of the disclosure described above or other embodiments are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Some embodiments of the disclosure described above or other embodiments may be used jointly or combined with each other in configuration or function.

For example, a configuration A described in one embodiment and/or drawing and a configuration B described in another embodiment and/or drawing may be combined with each other. Namely, although the combination between the configurations is not directly described, the combination is possible except in cases where it is described that the combination is impossible.

The above detailed description should not be construed in all aspects as limiting and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the present disclosure should be determined by rational interpretation of the appended claims, and all variations within the scope of equivalents of the present disclosure are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device comprising:

a first housing comprising an atomization space provided therein, a first aerosol flow path configured to communicate with the atomization space, a wick disposed in the atomization space, and a heater;

a second housing coupled to the first housing in a first direction and comprising a chamber configured to store an aerosol-generating substance, an airflow channel surrounded by the chamber and configured to communicate with an outside, and a second aerosol flow path configured to communicate with the airflow channel;

wherein the wick comprises a first wick part and a second wick part protruding in the first direction from an edge region of a surface of the first wick part.

2. The aerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein the second wick part protrudes toward the second housing.

3. The aerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein the first wick part comprises a first region that overlaps the second wick part and a second region that does not overlap the second wick part, and

at least a portion of the heater is attached to the second region.

4. The aerosol-generating device of claim 3, wherein the heater comprises a heater pattern, and a heater terminal electrically connected to the heater pattern, and the heater pattern is attached to the second region.

5. The aerosol-generating device of claim 4, wherein the heater terminal is attached to the first region.

6. The aerosol-generating device of claim 3, wherein an aerosol generated in the atomization space by the heater is branched by the second region to flow to the first aerosol flow path.

7. The aerosol-generating device of claim 6, wherein the aerosol that has flowed to the first aerosol flow path flows to the outside via the second aerosol flow path and the airflow channel.

8. An aerosol-generating device comprising:

a housing comprising a chamber configured to store an aerosol-generating substance, an airflow channel surrounded by the chamber and configured to communicate with the outside, an aerosol flow path configured to communicate with the airflow channel, an atomization space provided inside the housing and configured to communicate with the aerosol flow path, a wick disposed in the atomization space, and a heater attached to the wick,

wherein the wick comprises a first wick part and a second wick part protruding toward the chamber from an edge region of a surface of the first wick part.

9. The aerosol-generating device of claim 8, wherein another surface of the first wick part, opposite to the surface, is flat.

10. The aerosol-generating device of claim 8, wherein the second wick part comprises two parts, and the two second wick parts are spaced apart from each other with the aerosol flow path in between and face each other.

11. The aerosol-generating device of claim 10, wherein the two second wick parts surround at least a portion of the aerosol flow path.

12. The aerosol-generating device of claim 8, wherein a length of the first wick part in a first direction is less than a length of the second wick part in the first direction, and the first direction is perpendicular to the surface of the first wick part.

13. The aerosol-generating device of claim 8, wherein the heater comprises a heater pattern, and a heater terminal electrically connected to the heater pattern, and the heater pattern is attached to another surface of the first wick part opposite to the surface.

14. The aerosol-generating device of claim 13, wherein the heater terminal is attached to the other surface of the first wick part.

15. The aerosol-generating device of claim 8, wherein the wick is a porous ceramic.