AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE INCLUDING SURFACE PLASMON RESONANCE HEATER AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING SURFACE PLASMON RESONANCE HEATER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0018498 filed on Feb. 13, 2023, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0018489 filed on Feb. 13, 2023, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0073908 filed on Jun. 9, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0139367 filed on Oct. 18, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device including a surface plasmon resonance heater. The disclosure also relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a surface plasmon resonance heater.

2. Description of the Related Art

Techniques for introducing airflows into an aerosol generating article are being developed to provide atomization performance. For example, aerosol generating devices that generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating article in a non-burning manner are being developed. The above description is information the inventor(s) acquired during the course of conceiving the present disclosure, or already possessed at the time, and is not necessarily art publicly known before the present application was filed.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the disclosure may provide a heater for increasing the utilization of light and ensuring thermal stability and an aerosol generating device including the same. An aspect of the disclosure may provide an improved apparatus for manufacturing a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) heater with a complex structure.

A heater includes a substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein the first surface may include a curved surface and define a cavity, an SPR structure configured to generate heat by SPR and disposed on the first surface, and an opening configured to allow light to pass into the cavity and defined by the first surface.

A first area of the first surface may face a second area that is at least partially different from the first area of the first surface.

The first surface may have a substantially constant curvature.

The heater may include an absorbing layer disposed on the second surface and configured to absorb the light penetrating through the substrate.

The heater may include a reflective layer positioned on the second surface and configured to reflect the light penetrating through the substrate.

The heater may include a heat transfer body disposed on the second surface and configured to transfer the generated heat.

The heat transfer body may include a first material having a first thermal property, and a second material having a second thermal property that is different from the first thermal property.

The SPR structure may include a void area, and a plurality of prism areas configured to define the void area and arranged in a circumferential direction of the void area.

The SPR structure may include a void area, and a metal prism configured to define the void area and extend along the entire circumference of the void area.

The SPR structure may include a plurality of metal particles of random size.

An aerosol generating device includes a heater configured to heat an aerosol generating article. The heater may include a substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein the first surface may include a curved surface and define a cavity, an SPR structure configured to generate heat by SPR and disposed on the first surface; and an opening configured to allow light to pass into the cavity and defined by the first surface.

The aerosol generating device may further include an optical fiber connected to the opening.

The aerosol generating device may include a wick configured to carry the aerosol generating material. The wick may be thermally coupled with the SPR structure.

The aerosol generating device may include a cartridge containing the aerosol generating material. The cartridge may include a hole facing the opening.

The aerosol generating device may include a light source configured to generate light.

According to an embodiment, an apparatus for manufacturing an SPR heater is disclosed. The SPR heater may include a substrate. The substrate may include a first end portion that is closed, a second end portion that is opposite to the first end portion and open, an inner side surface between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a hollow portion defined by an inner end surface of the first end portion and the inner end surface. The apparatus may include a holder configured to support the substrate, a target disposed toward the holder, and an evaporator configured to generate a first deposition material from the target and deposit the first deposition material on the inner end surface of the first end portion and the inner side surface.

The evaporator may be configured to deposit the first deposition material between the first end portion and the second end portion over the entire inner side surface and the entire inner end surface.

The evaporator may be configured to accelerate electrons toward the target.

The evaporator may include a power source, and a cathode electrically connected to the power source.

The apparatus may include a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field between the evaporator and the target.

The first deposition material may include metal particles.

The evaporator may be configured to generate a second deposition material different from the first deposition material and deposit the second deposition material on the inner end surface of the first end portion and the inner side surface.

The evaporator may be configured to deposit the second deposition material before depositing the first deposition material.

The second deposition material may include carbon black.

The holder may be configured to heat the substrate.

The apparatus may include a chamber configured to accommodate the holder and the target.

The apparatus may include a vacuum pump connected to the chamber.

Additional aspects of embodiments 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 disclosure.

According to an embodiment, the rate at which light (e.g., a laser) escapes may be reduced. According to an embodiment, thermal stability may be ensured. According to an embodiment, a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) heater with a complex structure (e.g., a hollow cylindrical structure) may be easily manufactured. The effects of the heater and the aerosol generating device including the same according to an embodiment may not be limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other unmentioned effects may be clearly understood from the following description by one of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages of example embodiments in the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a body and a cartridge of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a first container of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bottom surface of a first container of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a first container of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a first container and a second container of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating coupling between a first container and a second container of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an airflow channel of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a heater according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of the heater of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a portion of the heater of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the heater of FIG. 14, viewed along a line 15-15.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a portion of a heater according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 17 to 19 are diagrams illustrating a method of manufacturing a heater according to an embodiment, wherein FIG. 17 illustrates depositing a plurality of metal particles on a substrate, FIG. 18 illustrates performing an annealing process on the structure of FIG. 17, and FIG. 19 illustrates a heater manufactured by the annealing process of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a heater in an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the heater of FIG. 21, taken along a line 22-22.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a diagram schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a portion of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) heater of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an apparatus for manufacturing an SPR heater of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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, such as first, second, and the like, may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by these 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.

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The 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 communication unit 16, a memory 17, and at least one heater 18, 24. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to what is shown in FIG. 1. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains that some of the components shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted or new components may be added according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1.

The sensor 13 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device 1 or a state of an environment around the aerosol generating device 1, and transmit sensed information to the controller 12. Based on the sensed information, the controller 12 may control the aerosol generating device 1 to control operations of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, restrict smoking, determine whether a stick S and/or a cartridge 19 is inserted, display a notification, and perform other functions.

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 sense a temperature at which the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 is heated. The aerosol generating device 1 may include a separate temperature sensor to sense the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, or the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 itself may serve as a temperature sensor.

The temperature sensor 131 may output a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may include a resistive element whose resistance value changes in response to a change in the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. The temperature sensor 131 may be implemented by a thermistor, which is an element that uses the property that the resistance changes depending on the temperature. At this time, the temperature sensor 131 may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistive element as the signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may be configured as a sensor for detecting the resistance value of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. At this time, the temperature sensor 131 may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 as the signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18.

The temperature sensor 131 may be arranged around the power source 11 to monitor the temperature of the power source 11. The temperature sensor 131 may be disposed adjacent to the power source 11. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may be attached to one surface of a battery, which is the power source 11. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may be mounted on one surface of a printed circuit board (PCB).

The temperature sensor 131 may be disposed inside a body 10 to sense the internal temperature of the body 10.

The puff sensor 132 may sense a puff from a user based on various physical changes in an airflow 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 the internal pressure of the aerosol generating device 1. Here, the internal pressure of the aerosol generating device 1 may correspond to the pressure in an airflow path through which a gas flows. The puff sensor 132 may be disposed corresponding to the airflow path through which a gas flows in the aerosol generating device 1.

The insertion detection sensor 133 may sense the insertion and/or removal of the stick S. The insertion detection sensor 133 may sense a signal change according to the insertion and/or removal of the stick S. The insertion detection sensor 133 may be installed in the vicinity of an insertion space. The insertion detection sensor 133 may sense the insertion and/or removal of the stick S according to a change in the permittivity 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 disposed adjacent to the insertion space. For example, if the magnetic field changes around the coil through which an electric current flows, the properties of the current flowing through the coil may change according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. Here, the properties of the current flowing through the coil may include the frequency of alternating current, the current value, the voltage value, the inductance value, the impedance value, and the like.

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

The capacitance sensor may include a conductor. The conductor of the capacitance sensor may be disposed adjacent to the insertion space. The capacitance sensor may output a signal corresponding to the electromagnetic properties of the surroundings, for example, the capacitance around the conductor. For example, when a stick S including a metal wrapper is inserted into the insertion space, the electromagnetic properties around the conductor may change due to the wrapper of the stick S.

The reuse detection sensor 134 may sense whether the stick S is reused. The reuse detection sensor 134 may be a color sensor. The color sensor may sense the color of the stick. The color sensor may sense the color of a portion of the wrapper that wraps around the outside of the stick S. The color sensor may detect a value of the optical properties corresponding to the color of an object based on light reflected from the object. For example, the optical properties may be the wavelength of light. The color sensor may be implemented as a single component in conjunction with a proximity sensor, or may be implemented as a separate component different from the proximity sensor.

At least a portion of the wrapper of the stick S may change in color due to an aerosol. The reuse detection sensor 134 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the position at which at least a portion of the wrapper that changes in color due to an aerosol is disposed when the stick S is inserted into the insertion space. For example, before the stick S is used by the user, the color of at least a portion of the wrapper may be a first color. At this time, as at least a portion of the wrapper is wet by the aerosol while the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device 1 passes through the stick S, the color of the portion of the wrapper may change to a second color. Meanwhile, the color of the portion of the wrapper may be maintained as the second color after changing from the first color to the second color.

The cartridge detection sensor 135 may sense the insertion and/or removal of the cartridge 19. The cartridge detection sensor 135 may be implemented by an inductance-based sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistance sensor, or a Hall sensor (e.g., Hall IC) using the Hall effect.

The cap detection sensor 136 may sense the mounting and/or removal of a cap. When the cap is detached from the body 10, a portion of the cartridge 19 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 (e.g., Hall IC), an optical sensor, or the like.

The motion detection sensor 137 may sense a motion of the aerosol generating device 1. The motion detection sensor 137 may be implemented by 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, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a position sensor (e.g., global positioning system (GPS)), and a proximity sensor. A function of each of the sensors may be intuitively inferable from its name by one of ordinary skill in the art, and thus, a more detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

The output unit 14 may output and provide information about the state of the aerosol generating device 1 to the user. The output unit 14 may include at least one of a display 141, a haptic portion 142, or a sound outputter 143, but is not limited thereto. When the display 141 and a touchpad are provided in a layered structure to form a touchscreen, the display 141 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display 141 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user. The information about the aerosol generating device 1 may include, for example, a charging/discharging state of the power source 11 of the aerosol generating device 1, a preheating state of the heater 18, an insertion/removal state of the stick S and/or the cartridge 19, a mounting/removal state of the cap, or a limited usage state (e.g., an abnormal article detected) of the aerosol generating device 1, or the like, and the display 141 may externally output the information. For example, the display 141 may be in a form of a light-emitting diode (LED) device. The display 141 may be, for example, a liquid-crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED), or the like.

The haptic portion 142 may provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user in a haptic way by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus. For example, the haptic portion 142 may generate vibrations corresponding to the completion of initial preheating when initial power is supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 for a set time. The haptic portion 142 may include, for example, a vibration motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound outputter 143 may provide the information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user in an auditory way. For example, the sound outputter 143 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and externally output the sound signal.

The power source 11 may supply power to be used to operate the aerosol generating device 1. The power source 11 may supply power to heat the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. In addition, the power source 11 may supply power required for operations of the other components (e.g., the sensor 13, the output unit 14, the input unit 15, the communication unit 16, and the memory 17) included in the aerosol generating device 1. The power source 11 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. The power source 11 may be, for example, 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 under a predetermined condition. 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 greater than or equal to a first voltage 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 overdischarging.

The heater 18 may receive power from the power source 11 to heat a medium or an aerosol generating material in the stick S. Although not shown in FIG. 10, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a direct current (DC)-to-DC (DC/DC) converter) that converts power of the power source 11 and supplies the power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 1 generates an aerosol in an induction heating manner, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a DC-to-alternating current (AC) (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 communication unit 16, and the memory 17 may receive power from the power source 11 to perform functions. Although not shown in FIG. 1, a power conversion circuit, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, which converts power of the power source 11 and supplies the power to respective components, may further be included. In addition, 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 at least one capacitor. The cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter may correspond to the frequency of a high-frequency switching current applied from the power source 11 to the heater 18. The low-pass filter may prevent the application of a high-frequency noise component to the sensor 13, such as the insertion detection sensor 133.

In an embodiment, the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 may be formed of a predetermined electrically resistive material that is suitable. For example, the electrically resistive material may be a metal or a metal alloy including, for example, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater 18 may be implemented as a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate on which an electrically conductive track is arranged, a ceramic heater, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

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

The input unit 15 may receive information input from the user or may output 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 sensing a touch. For example, the touch sensor may include a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, a surface acoustic wave touch sensor, an infrared touch sensor, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

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

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

The memory 17, which is hardware for storing various pieces of data processed in the aerosol generating device 1, may store data processed by the controller 12 and data to be processed thereby. The memory 17 may include at least one type of storage medium of a flash memory type memory, a hard disk type memory, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card type memory (e.g., an SD or XE memory), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. The memory 17 may store an operating time of the aerosol generating device 1, a maximum number of puffs, a current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, data associated with a smoking pattern of the user, and the like.

The communication unit 16 may include at least one component for communicating with another electronic device. For example, the communication unit 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 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, and an Ant+ communication unit, but is not limited thereto.

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

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

The controller 12 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. 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, it is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains that it may be implemented in other types of hardware.

The controller 12 may control the temperature of the heater 18 by controlling the supply of power from the power source 11 to the heater 18. The controller 12 may control the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 sensed by the temperature sensor 131. The controller 12 may adjust the power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. For example, the controller 12 may determine a target temperature for the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 based on 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 24 and/or the heater 18. The power supply circuit may be electrically connected to the cartridge heater 24, the heater 18, or an induction coil (not shown). The power supply circuit may contain 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 the power supply by controlling the switching of the switching element of the power supply circuit. The power supply circuit may be an inverter for converting DC power output from the power source 11 into AC power. For example, the inverter may be configured as a half-bridge circuit or a full-bridge circuit including a plurality of switching elements.

The controller 12 may turn on the switching element to supply power from the power source 11 to the cartridge heater 24 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 24 and/or the heater 18. The controller 12 may adjust the current supplied from the power source 11 by adjusting the frequency and/or duty ratio of the current pulse input to the switching element.

The controller 12 may control the voltage output from the power source 11 by controlling the switching of the switching element of the power supply circuit. A power conversion circuit may convert the voltage output from the power source 11. For example, the power conversion circuit may include a buck-converter for decreasing 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 the level of voltage output from the power conversion circuit by controlling an ON/OFF operation of the switching element included in the power conversion circuit. During the ON state of the switching element, the level of voltage output from the power conversion circuit may correspond to the level of voltage output from the power source 11. The duty ratio for the ON/OFF operation of the switching element may correspond to the ratio of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit to the voltage output from the power source 11. As the duty ratio for the ON/OFF operation of the switching element decreases, the level of voltage output from the power conversion circuit may decrease. The heater 18 may be heated based on the voltage output from the power conversion circuit.

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

For example, the controller 12 may control to supply a current pulse with a predetermined frequency and a duty ratio to the heater 18, using the PWM scheme. 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, the target of the controlling, based on the temperature profile. The controller 12 may control the power supplied to the heater 18 using the PID scheme, which is a feedback control scheme through the difference value between the temperature of the heater 18 and the target temperature, the value obtained by integrating the difference value over time, and the value obtained by differentiating the difference value over time.

The controller 12 may prevent overheating of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. For example, the controller 12 may control the operation of the power conversion circuit to stop supplying power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 exceeding a preset temperature limit. For example, the controller 12 may reduce the amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 by a predetermined proportion, based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 exceeding the preset temperature limit. For example, the controller 12 may determine that the aerosol generating material accommodated in the cartridge 19 is exhausted based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 exceeding the temperature limit, and cut off the power supply to the cartridge heater 24.

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

When a power line is connected to a battery terminal of the aerosol generating device 1, the controller 12 may verify whether the temperature of the power source 11 is greater than or equal to a first temperature limit which is the criterion for cutting off the charging of the power source 11. The controller 12 may control the power source 11 to be charged based on a preset charging current when the temperature of the power source 11 is less than the first temperature limit. The controller 12 may cut off the charging of the power source 11 when the temperature of the power source 11 is greater than or equal to the first temperature limit.

In a state in which the aerosol generating device 1 is powered ON, the controller 12 may verify whether the temperature of the power source 11 is greater than or equal to a second temperature limit which is the criterion for cutting off the discharging of the power source 11. The controller 12 may control the power stored in the power source 11 to be used when the temperature of the power source 11 is less than the second temperature limit. The controller 12 may stop using the power stored in the power source 11 when the temperature of the power source 11 is greater than or equal to the second temperature limit.

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

The controller 12 may determine whether the stick S is inserted into the insertion space through the insertion detection sensor 133. The controller 12 may determine that the stick S is inserted based on an output signal from the insertion detection sensor 133. When it is determined that the stick S is inserted into the insertion space, the controller 12 may control to supply power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. For example, the controller 12 may supply power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 based on the temperature profile stored in the memory 17.

The controller 12 may determine whether the stick S is removed from the insertion space. For example, the controller 12 may determine whether the stick S is removed from the insertion space through the insertion detection sensor 133. For example, the controller 12 may determine that the stick S is removed from the insertion space when the temperature of the heater 18 is greater than or equal to a temperature limit or when the gradient of the temperature change of the heater 18 is greater than or equal to a set gradient. When it is determined that the stick S is removed from the insertion space, the controller 12 may cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18.

The controller 12 may control the time of power supply and/or the amount of power supply to the heater 18 depending on the state of the stick S sensed by the sensor 13. The controller 12 may verify a level range including the level of a signal of the capacitance sensor based on a lookup table. The controller 12 may determine the amount of moisture in the stick S according to the verified level range.

When the stick S is in an over-humidified state, the controller 12 may increase the preheating time of the stick S compared to the case in which the stick S is in a normal state, by controlling the time of power supply to the heater 18.

The controller 12 may determine whether the stick S inserted into the insertion space is reused through the reuse detection sensor 134. For example, the controller 12 may compare a sensed value of a signal of the reuse detection sensor 134 with a first reference range including a first color, and when the sensed value falls within the first reference range, determine that the stick S is unused. For example, the controller 12 may compare the sensed value of the signal of the reuse detection sensor 134 with a second reference range including a second color, and when the sensed value falls within the second reference range, determine that the stick S is used. When it is determined that the stick S is used, the controller 12 may cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18.

The controller 12 may determine whether the cartridge 19 is coupled and/or decoupled, through the cartridge detection sensor 135. For example, the controller 12 may determine whether the cartridge 19 is coupled and/or decoupled based on a sensed value of a signal of the cartridge detection sensor 135.

The controller 12 may determine whether the aerosol generating material in the cartridge 19 is exhausted. For example, the controller 12 may preheat the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 by applying power, determine whether the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 exceeds the temperature limit in a preheating period, and determine that the aerosol generating material in the cartridge 19 is exhausted when the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 exceeds the temperature limit. When it is determined that the aerosol generating material in the cartridge 19 is exhausted, the controller 12 may cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18.

The controller 12 may determine the cartridge 19 is usable. For example, the controller 12 may determine that the cartridge 19 is unusable when the current number of puffs is greater than or equal to the maximum number of puffs set in the cartridge 19 based on the data stored in the memory 17. For example, the controller 12 may determine that the cartridge 19 is unusable when the total time for which the heater 24 is heated is greater than or equal to a preset maximum time or when the total amount of power supplied to the heater 24 is greater than or equal to a preset maximum amount of power.

The controller 12 may perform a determination about the inhalation of the user through the puff sensor 132. For example, the controller 12 may determine whether a puff occurs based on a sensed value of a signal of the puff sensor 132. For example, the controller 12 may determine the strength of the puff based on the sensed value of the signal of the puff sensor 132. When the number of puffs reaches the preset maximum number of puffs or when a puff is not detected for more than a preset time, the controller 12 may cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18.

The controller 12 may determine whether the cap is put on and/or taken off, through the cap detection sensor 136. For example, the controller 12 may determine whether the cap is put on and/or taken off based on a sensed value of a signal of the cap detection sensor 136.

The controller 12 may control the output unit 14 based on a result of sensing by the sensor 13. For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 132 reaches the preset number, the controller 12 may inform the user that the aerosol generating device 1 is to be ended soon, through at least one of the display 141, the haptic portion 142, or the sound outputter 143. For example, the controller 12 may inform the user through the output unit 14 based on the determination that the stick S is absent from the insertion space. For example, the controller 12 may inform the user through the output unit 14 based on the determination that the cartridge 19 and/or the cap is not mounted. For example, the controller 12 may provide information on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 to the user through the output unit 14.

Based on the occurrence of a predetermined event, the controller 12 may store and update the history of the event that occurred in the memory 17. The event may include the detection of inserting the stick S, the initiation of heating the stick S, the detection of puffs, the end of puffs, the detection of overheating of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, the detection of applying overvoltage to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, the end of heating the stick S, the operation of powering ON/OFF the aerosol generating device 1, initiation of charging the power source 11, the detection of overcharging of the power source 11, the end of charging the power source 11, or the like, performed by the aerosol generating device 1. The history of the event may include the date and time the event occurred, log data corresponding to the event, and the like. For example, if the predetermined event is the detection of inserting the stick S, the log data corresponding to the event may include data on the sensed value of the insertion detection sensor 133. For example, if the predetermined event is the detection of overheating of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, the log data corresponding to the event may include data on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, the voltage applied to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, the current flowing in the cartridge heater 24 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 authentication data is received from the external device via the communication link, the controller 12 may remove restrictions on the use of at least one function of the aerosol generating device 1. Here, the authentication data may include data indicating the completion of user authentication for the user corresponding to the external device. The user may perform user authentication through the external device. The external device may determine whether user data is valid based on the date of birth of the user, a unique number that identifies the user, and the like, and receive data on the authority to use the aerosol generating device 1 from an external server. The external device may transmit data indicating the completion of user authentication to the aerosol generating device 1 based on the data on the authority to use. In response to the completion of the user authentication, the controller 12 may remove restrictions on the use of at least one function of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, in response to the completion of the user authentication, the controller 12 may remove restrictions on the use of a heating function that supplies power to the heater 18.

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

The external device may transmit a location search request to the aerosol generating device 1 based on an input that initiates a search for the location of the aerosol generating device 1. When the location search request is received from the external device, the controller 12 may control at least one of output devices to perform an operation corresponding to the location search based on the received location search request. For example, in response to the location search request, the haptic portion 142 may generate vibrations. For example, in response to the location search request, the display 141 may output an object corresponding to the location search and the end of the search.

When firmware data is received from the external device, the controller 12 may control to perform a firmware update. The external device may check the current version of the firmware for the aerosol generating device 1 and determine whether a new version of the firmware is present. When an input that requests a 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 the new version of firmware data is received, the controller 12 may control to update the firmware of the aerosol generating device 1.

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

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the aerosol generating device 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the aerosol generating device 1 may include the body 10 and the cartridge 19. The aerosol generating device 1 may include at least one of the power source 11, the controller 12, and the sensor 13. At least one of the power source 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.

The cartridge 19 may contain the aerosol generating material having any one of a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, or a gel state in an internal chamber C0. The aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition. The liquid composition may be, for example, a liquid including a tobacco-containing material that includes a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid including a non-tobacco material.

The cartridge 19 may be detachably 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 in a structure in which the outside air may be introduced into the interior of the body 10 while the cartridge 19 is inserted thereinto. At this time, the outside air introduced into the body 10 may pass through the cartridge 19 and flow into the oral cavity of the user through an airflow channel CN.

The cartridge 19 may include the chamber C0 containing the aerosol generating material and/or the heater 24 to heat the aerosol generating material in the chamber C0. A liquid transfer means 25 impregnated with (containing) the aerosol generating material may be disposed inside the chamber C0. Here, the liquid transfer means 25 may include a wick, such as a cotton fiber, a ceramic fiber, a glass fiber, or a porous ceramic. The electrically conductive track of the heater 24 may be formed in a coil-type structure that is wound around the liquid transfer means 25 or in a structure that is in contact with one side of the liquid transfer means 25. The heater 24 may be referred to as the cartridge heater.

The cartridge 19 may generate an aerosol. An aerosol may be generated as the liquid transfer means 25 is heated by the cartridge heater 24. The generated aerosol may be inhaled into the oral cavity of the user through the airflow channel CN.

The airflow channel CN may be provided in the cartridge 19. The airflow channel CN may communicate with a chamber C1 (see FIG. 3) in which the heater 24 of the cartridge 19 is disposed and the outside of the cartridge 19. One end of the airflow channel CN may be open to the chamber C1 in which the heater 24 is disposed, and the other end thereof may communicate with a mouthpiece 35. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the airflow channel CN may extend from one side of the chamber C0 of the cartridge 19 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 19. For example, referring to FIG. 3, the airflow channel CN may extend penetrating through the chamber C0 of the cartridge 10 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 19.

The power source 11 may supply power to operate the components of the aerosol generating device 1. The power source 11 may be referred to as the battery. The power source 11 may supply power to at least one of the controller 12, the sensor 13, and the cartridge heater 24.

The controller 12 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. The controller 12 may be mounted on a PCB. The controller 12 may control the operation of at least one of the power source 11, the sensor 13, and the cartridge 19. The controller 12 may control the operation of the display, a motor, and the like installed in the aerosol generating device 1. The controller 12 may verify a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 to determine whether the aerosol generating device 1 is in an operable state.

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

The sensor 13 may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, a cartridge detection sensor, or a motion detection sensor. For example, the sensor 13 may sense at least one of the temperature of the cartridge heater 24, the temperature of the power source 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 19 is mounted. For example, the sensor 13 may sense a motion of the aerosol generating device 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include the body 10 and the cartridge 19. The cartridge 19 may include a first container 20 and a second container 30. The cartridge 19 may be coupled to the body 10.

The body 10 may accommodate the power source 11 and the controller 12. The power source 11 may supply power required to operate the components. The power source 11 may be called the battery 11. The controller 12 may control the operation of the components.

The first container 20 may provide the first chamber C1 therein. The first container 20 may be provided with a wick 25. The wick 25 may be disposed in the first chamber C1. An upper end of the wick 25 may protrude from the first chamber C1 toward an upper side of the first container 20.

The first container 20 may be provided with a heater 2531. The heater 2531 may be disposed in the first chamber C1. The heater 2531 may heat the wick 25. The heater 2531 may be attached to the wick 25. The first container 20 may be provided with a terminal 223 therein. The terminal 223 may be exposed to a lower portion of the first container 20. The terminal 223 may be electrically connected to the heater 2531. The first container 20 may be called the lower container 20 or the heating module 20.

The first container 20 may be provided with a first airflow inlet 241 formed as the first chamber C1 is open. The first container 20 may be provided with a first airflow outlet 242 formed as the first chamber C1 is open.

The second container 30 may provide a second chamber C2 therein. The second container 30 may store a liquid in the second chamber C2. The second container 30 may be provided with an airflow discharge channel 340. Both ends 341 and 342 of the airflow discharge channel 340 may be open. The airflow discharge channel 340 may be partitioned from the second chamber C2. The second container 30 may be called the upper container 30 or the liquid storage 30.

The mouthpiece 35 may be coupled to an upper side of the second container 30. The mouthpiece 35 may cover an upper portion of the second container 30. The mouthpiece 35 may be provided with a second airflow outlet 354 therein. The second airflow outlet 354 may communicate with the other end 342 of the airflow discharge channel 340.

The first container 20 may be coupled to the body 10. The first container 20 may be inserted into the body 10. When the first container 20 is coupled to the body 10, the heater 2531 may be electrically connected to the power source 11 through the terminal 223. The heater 2531 may generate heat by receiving power from the power source 11. The heater 2531 may be a resistive heater.

The second container 30 may be coupled to the upper side of the first container 20. Coupling the second container 30 to the first container 20 may include coupling the second container 30 directly to the first container 20 and coupling the second container 30 to the body 10 and thereby indirectly to the first container 20.

When the second container 30 is coupled to the first container 20, the second container 30 may supply the stored liquid to the wick 25. The wick 25 may receive the liquid from the second container 30 and absorb the liquid. The heater 2531 may generate an aerosol in the first chamber C1 by heating the wick 25 having absorbed the liquid.

The body 10 may have one open side and thereby be provided with a second airflow inlet 141. When the first container 20 is coupled to the body 10, the first airflow inlet 241 may communicate with the second airflow inlet 141. When the second container 30 is coupled to the first container 20, one end 341 of the airflow discharge channel 340 and the first airflow outlet 242 may communicate with each other. Accordingly, a channel through which air flows may be formed. The user may inhale air while holding the mouthpiece 35 in the mouth. When the user inhales the air, the outside air may pass sequentially through the second airflow inlet 141, the first airflow inlet 241, the first chamber C1, the first airflow outlet 242, the airflow discharge channel 340, and the second airflow outlet 354 and be provided to the user. Air may flow together with the aerosol generated in the first chamber C1.

Accordingly, the first container 20 and the second container 30 may be replaced independently of each other. For example, the consumption cycle of the liquid stored in the second container 30 and the appropriate replacement cycle of the first container 20 may be different from each other, and the user may replace only the second container 30 separately or only the first container 20 separately. For example, the consumption cycle of the liquid stored in the second container 30 may be shorter than the appropriate replacement cycle of the first container 20, and the first container 20 may be replaced only once while the second container 30 is replaced multiple times. Accordingly, the first container 20 may be used longer, and the cartridge replacement cost may be reduced.

FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a body and a cartridge of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first container 20 may be detachably coupled to the body 10. A first coupler 151 may detachably couple the first container 20 and the body 10. For example, the first coupler 151 may include a hook groove 225, and a hook 125 that is detachably fastened to the hook groove 225. The hook 125 may be formed of a material such as rubber or silicone, and may seal between the body around the second airflow inlet 141 and the first container 20. As another example, the first coupler 151 may couple the first container 20 and the body 10 by magnetism.

The second container 30 may be detachably coupled to the first container 20. The second container 30 may be coupled to the upper side of the first container 20. The second container 30 may be coupled to the body 10 and thereby indirectly to the first container 20. A second coupler 152 may detachably couple the second container 30 and the body 10. For example, the second coupler 152 may include a hook groove 325, and a hook 125 that is detachably fastened to the hook groove 325. As another example, the second coupler 152 may couple the second container 30 and the body 10 by magnetism.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a first container of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bottom surface of the first container of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, the first container 20 may include a case 21, the wick 25, and the heater 2531 (see FIG. 7). The case 21 may include a first case 22 and a second case 23.

The second case 23 may be coupled to an upper side of the first case 22. The first case 22 may be open upward and may be provided with a space 224 to form the first chamber C1. The second case 23 may be open downward and may be provided with a space 234 to form the first chamber C1. The first case 22 and the second case 23 may be coupled up and down to form the first chamber C1 therein.

The terminal 223 may be secured to the bottom of the first case 22 and exposed to a lower portion of the first case 22. The terminal 223 may protrude upward from the first case 22 toward the first chamber C1. A pair of terminals 223 may be provided to be spaced apart from each other horizontally.

The first airflow inlet 241 may be formed at the bottom of the first case 22. A plurality of first airflow inlets 241 may be formed in a porous shape. The first airflow inlet 241 may be spaced apart from the terminal 223 in a horizontal direction. The first airflow inlet 241 may be formed as the lateral wall of the first case 22 and/or the lateral wall of the second case 23 is open.

The case 21 may be provided with one component of the first coupler 151. For example, the hook groove 225 may be formed as a lower perimeter of the first case 22 is recessed. As another example, the hook 125 may be formed as the lower perimeter of the first case 22 protrudes. As another example, the first case 21 may be provided with a magnet or a ferromagnetic body.

The first airflow outlet 242 may be formed at an upper wall of the second case 23. As another example, the first airflow outlet 242 may be formed at the lateral wall of the second case 23. The first airflow outlet 242 may be formed at a position facing the first airflow inlet 241.

A liquid inlet 235 may be formed at the upper wall of the second case 23. The liquid inlet 235 may be formed on an upper side of the first chamber C1. The liquid inlet 235 may be partitioned from the second airflow outlet 242. The liquid inlet 235 may be formed on one side of the upper wall of the second case 23, and the second airflow outlet 242 may be formed on the other side of the upper wall of the second case 23. The liquid inlet 235 may be formed on a side corresponding to the terminal 223 and a supporter 227, and the first airflow outlet 242 may be formed on a side corresponding to the first airflow inlet 241.

The wick 25 may include a first wick part 251 and a second wick part 252. The first wick part 251 may be disposed in the first chamber C1 between the first case 22 and the second case 23. A lower edge of the first wick part 252 may be supported by the supporter 227.

The second wick part 252 may protrude upward from the first wick part 251. The second wick part 252 may be exposed to the outside of the first chamber C1 through the liquid inlet 235. The second wick part 252 may protrude upward through the liquid inlet 235 and a first wick sealing portion 265.

Referring to FIG. 7, the heater 2531 may be coupled to the first wick part 251. The heater 2531 may heat the first wick part 251. First terminals 2533 formed at both ends of the heater 2531 may be in contact with the second terminal 223 and electrically connect the heater 2531 and the second terminal 223.

The supporter 227 may protrude upward from the bottom of the first case 22. The supporter 227 may be formed in the vicinity of the terminal 223. A plurality of supporters 227 may be provided and arranged in the vicinity of the terminal 223. The supporter 227 may include a first supporter 227a and a second supporter 227b. The first supporter 227a and the second supporter 227b may be disposed in an area corresponding to the lower edge of the first wick part 251.

The first supporter 227a and the second supporter 227b may be spaced apart from each other. The second supporter 227b may be formed at a position adjacent to the first airflow inlet 242. The second supporter 227b may be formed between the terminal 223 and the first airflow inlet 241. A pair of second supporters 227b may be formed. The pair of second supporters 227b may be spaced apart from each other to form a first gap 227c therebetween. The first supporter 227a and the second supporter 227b may be spaced apart from each other to form a second gap 227d therebetween.

A sealer 26 may be coupled to the upper side of the first container 20. A sealing plate 261 of the sealer 26 may cover an upper surface of the case 21. The sealer 26 may be formed of an elastic material. For example, the sealer 26 may be formed of rubber or silicone.

The sealer 26 may include the first wick sealing portion 265. The first wick sealing portion 265 may be formed as the sealing plate 261 is open at a position corresponding to the liquid inlet 235. The first wick sealing portion 265 may form one inner perimeter surface of the sealing plate 261. The first wick sealing portion 265 may have a shape corresponding to a perimeter surface 235a surrounding the liquid inlet 235. The first wick sealing portion 265 may protrude downward from the sealing plate 261 and be in close contact with the inner side of the perimeter surface 235a of the liquid inlet 235. The second wick part 252 may protrude through the first wick sealing portion 265 toward an upper side of the liquid inlet 235.

The sealer 26 may include a second wick sealing portion 262. The second wick sealing portion 262 may protrude downward from a lower surface of the sealing plate 261. The second wick sealing portion 262 may be formed on a lower side of the first wick sealing portion 265, or may be formed on a lower side around the first wick sealing portion 265. The second wick sealing portion 262 may extend along the perimeter of the first wick sealing portion 265.

The sealer 26 may include a sealing wall 266, 267 protruding upward from an upper surface of the sealing plate 261. The sealing wall 266, 267 may surround the liquid inlet 235 and the first wick sealing portion 265. The sealing wall 266, 267 may extend along the perimeter of the first wick sealing portion 265 to form the perimeter. A plurality of sealing walls 266, 267 may be formed. For example, the sealing wall 266, 267 may include a first sealing wall 266 adjacent to the vicinity of the first wick sealing portion 265 and a second sealing wall 267 spaced outward apart from the first sealing wall 266. The second sealing wall 267 may protrude upward to be higher than the first sealing wall 266. The second sealing wall 267 may surround the first sealing wall 266.

The sealer 26 may include an airflow sealing portion 268. The airflow sealing portion 268 may surround the first airflow outlet 242. The airflow sealing portion 268 may protrude upward from the upper surface of the sealing plate 261. The second sealing wall 267 may protrude to be higher than the airflow sealing portion 268. The airflow sealing portion 268 may be formed on the outside of the sealing wall 266, 267.

The wick 25 may be formed into a porous rigid body that absorbs a liquid. For example, the wick 25 may be formed of a porous ceramic. The wick 25 may have stronger rigidness or heat resistance than a cotton wick.

Accordingly, the wick 25 may be implemented in a shape with no or little deformation and in various shapes. In addition, the durability of the wick 25 may improve, and the replacement cycle of the first container 20 provided with the wick 25 may increase.

The first wick part 251 may extend toward one side in a horizontal direction. The first wick part 251 may have a hexahedral shape. An upper surface of the first wick part 251 may be formed horizontally. A lower surface of the first wick part 251 may be formed horizontally. A side surface of the first wick part 251 may be formed between an upper perimeter and a lower perimeter to define the perimeter of the first wick part 251. The side surface of the first wick part 251 may be called the perimeter surface of the first wick part 251.

The second wick part 252 may protrude upward from the center of the upper surface of the first wick part 251. The second wick part 252 may extend in a horizontal direction. The second wick part 252 may have a hexahedral shape. An upper surface of the second wick part 252 may be formed horizontally. A lower surface of the second wick part 252 may be formed horizontally. The lower surface of the second wick part 252 may overlap an upper surface of the first wick part 251. A side surface of the second wick part 252 may be formed between an upper perimeter and a lower perimeter to define the perimeter of the second wick part 252. The side surface of the second wick part 252 may be called the perimeter surface of the second wick part 252.

The first wick part 251 may be greater than the second wick part 252. The perimeter of the upper surface of the first wick part 251 may be greater than the perimeter of the upper surface of the second wick part 252. The height of the first wick part 251 may be greater than the height of the second wick part 252. The length of the first wick part 251 may be greater than the length of the second wick part 252. The width of the first wick part 251 may be greater than the width of the second wick part 252.

The first wick part 251 may protrude further by a predetermined width from the lower surface of the second wick part 252 outward in a horizontal direction. The second wick part 252 may protrude from the inner side of the perimeter of the upper surface of the first wick part 251. The perimeter of the upper surface of the first wick part 251 may protrude toward the outside of the lower surface of the second wick part 252.

The heater 2531 may be attached to the first wick part 251. The heater 2531 may form a pattern on the lower surface of the first wick part 251. The heater 2531 may form a variety of patterns in the longitudinal direction of the first wick part 251. Both ends of the heater 2531 may be adjacent to both ends of the first wick part 251.

A pair of first terminals 2533 may be formed at both end portions of the heater 2531. The first terminal 2533 may be coupled to the lower surface of the first wick part 251. The pair of first terminals 2533 may be adjacent to both ends of the first wick part 251. The first terminal 2533 may protrude toward the lower side of the first wick part 251.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a first container of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, the first airflow inlet 241 may be formed on the lower side of the first chamber C1. The first airflow outlet 242 may be formed on the upper side of the first chamber C1. The first airflow inlet 241 and the first airflow outlet 242 may be formed side by side vertically. The wick 25 may be disposed on the right side of the first chamber C1, and the first airflow inlet 241 and the first airflow outlet 242 may be formed on the left side of the first chamber C1. A first channel CN1 may be formed on the left side of the first chamber C1 and may be provided with the first airflow inlet 241 and the first airflow outlet 242. Air may be introduced into the first channel CN1 through the first airflow inlet 241 and discharged through the first airflow outlet 242.

The first terminal 2533 may be in contact with the second terminal 223 and electrically connect the heater 2531 and the second terminal 223. The second terminal 223 may support the first terminal 2533 and a lower surface 2513 of the first wick part 251.

A lower portion of the first wick part 251 may be supported by the supporter 227. An upper surface 2511 of the first wick part 251 may be supported by the second case 23 and/or a lower portion of the second wick sealing portion 262, in the vicinity of the liquid inlet 235. The perimeter of a side portion 2522 of the second wick part 252 may be supported by the perimeter surface 235a of the liquid inlet 235 and/or an inner surface of the first wick sealing portion 265.

Accordingly, the wick 25 may be secured to the first container 20.

The supporter 227 may cause the first wick part 2511 to be spaced apart from the bottom of the first chamber C1 upward. The supporter 227 may be disposed in the vicinity of the heater 2513. The supporter 227 may form the gap 227c, 227d that causes the heater 2531 attached to the lower surface 2513 of the first wick part 2511 to communicate with the first chamber C1. The supporter 227 may be open between the first channel CN1 and the heater 2531 and form the first gap 227c.

The supporter 227 may include a first supporter 227a and a second supporter 227b. The second supporter 227b may be disposed more adjacent to the first airflow inlet 241 and the first airflow outlet 242 than the first supporter 227a. The first airflow inlet 241 and the first airflow outlet 242 may be adjacent to the left side of the first wick part 251. The first supporter 227a may extend along the right edge between the lower surface 2513 and a side surface 2512 of the first wick part 251. The first supporter 227a may support the vicinity of the right edge between the lower surface 2513 and the side surface 2512 of the first wick part 251. A pair of second supporters 227b may support the vicinity of the left vertex of the first wick part 251.

A pair of second supporters 227b may be spaced apart from each other to form the first gap 227c that allows air to flow between the vicinity of the heater 2531 and the first airflow inlet 242. The first supporter 227a and the second supporter 227b may be spaced apart from each other to form the second gap 227d that allows air to flow between the vicinity of the heater 2531 and the first airflow inlet 242. The first gap 227c and the second gap 227d may be formed in the vicinity of the lower surface 2513 of the first wick part 251.

Accordingly, the aerosol generated by the wick 25 and the air around may flow smoothly through the vicinity of the pair of supporters 227 toward the first airflow outlet 242.

The first wick sealing portion 265 may be disposed between the perimeter surface 2522 of the second wick part 252 and the perimeter surface 235a of the liquid inlet 235. The inner perimeter surface of the first wick sealing portion 265 may be in close contact with the perimeter surface 2522 of the second wick part 252. The first wick sealing portion 265 may seal between the perimeter surface 2522 of the second wick part 252 and the perimeter surface 235a of the liquid inlet 235.

The perimeter of the upper surface 2511 of the first wick part 251 may be greater than the perimeter of the liquid inlet 235. The perimeter of the upper surface 2511 of the first wick part 251 may be formed horizontally more outward than the perimeter of the liquid inlet 235. The edge portion of the first wick part 251 may absorb liquid leaking between the liquid inlet 235 and the perimeter surface 2522 of the second wick part 252.

The second wick sealing portion 262 may protrude downward from the vicinity of the liquid inlet 235 toward the upper surface 2511 of the first wick part 251. The second wick sealing portion 262 may be in close contact with the upper surface 2511 of the first wick part 251. The second wick sealing portion 262 may support the upper surface 2511 of the first wick part 251.

Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the liquid supplied from the second container 30 to the wick 25 from leaking into the first chamber C1 through between the second wick part 252 and the perimeter surface 235a of the liquid inlet 235 without being absorbed into the wick 25.

FIG. 9 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a first container and a second container of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating coupling between the first container and the second container of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an airflow channel of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9, the second container 30 may provide a second chamber C2 to store a liquid. A liquid outlet 314 may be formed as the second chamber C2 is open. The liquid outlet 314 may be formed in a lower portion of the second chamber C2. The liquid outlet 314 may include a plurality of holes. The liquid stored in the second chamber C2 may be discharged through the liquid outlet 314.

An absorbing portion 316 may block the lower portion of the liquid outlet 314. The absorbing portion 316 may absorb the liquid passing through the liquid outlet 314. For example, the absorbing portion 316 may be formed of a felt material.

A bracket 317 may protrude from the vicinity of the liquid outlet 314 to a lower side of the second container 30. The bracket 317 may surround the lateral perimeter of the absorbing portion 316. The absorbing portion 316 may be exposed from the bracket 317 to a lower side of the second container 30. The bracket 317 may secure the absorbing portion 316 to a lower portion of the first container 30. The bracket 317 may support a lower perimeter of the absorbing portion 316 in the form of a hook.

A film may be detachably attached to a lower surface of the absorbing portion 316. The edge of the film may be attached to a lower surface of the bracket 317. The film may be formed of a waterproof material. The film may prevent liquid leakage from the absorbing portion 316. Before coupling the second container 30 to the first container 20, a user may detach the film from the absorbing portion 316.

A recessed portion 315 may be formed as a lower surface 312 of the second container 30 is recessed upward. A groove formed by the recessed portion 315 may surround the bracket 317.

The second container 30 may be provided with one component of the second coupler 152. For example, the hook groove 325 may be formed as an outer wall of the second container 30 is recessed. As another example, the hook 125 may be formed as the outer wall of the second container 30 protrudes. As another example, the second container 30 may be provided with a magnet or a ferromagnetic body.

The second container 30 may provide the airflow discharge channel 340. The airflow discharge channel 340 may be partitioned from the second chamber C2 by an inner wall of the second container 30. The airflow discharge channel 340 may be defined by the outer wall and the inner wall of the second container 30. Both ends of the airflow discharge channel 340 may be open. One end of the airflow discharge channel 340 may be open downward. The other end of the airflow discharge channel 340 may be open upward. The one end of the airflow discharge channel 340 may be formed as the lower surface 312 of the second container 30 is open. The other end of the airflow discharge channel 340 may communicate with the second airflow outlet 354 formed inside the mouthpiece 35. The airflow discharge channel 340 may be called a second channel CN2.

Referring to FIG. 10, the first container 20 may be detachably coupled to the body 10. The first coupler 151 may detachably couple the first container 20 and the body 10. The second container 30 may be detachably coupled to the first container 20. The second container 30 may be coupled to the body 10 through the second coupler 152, thereby being indirectly coupled to the first container 20. The second container 30 may be coupled to the upper side of the first container 20.

When the second container 30 is coupled with the first container 20, the second container 30 may supply a liquid to the wick 25. The liquid stored in the second chamber C2 may pass through the liquid outlet 314 and be absorbed into the absorbing portion 316, and the absorbing portion 316 having absorbed the liquid may be in contact with the second wick part 252 and transfer the liquid thereto. The liquid absorbed into the second wick part 252 may diffuse to the first wick part 251. A heater 3531 may generate an aerosol by heating the first wick part 251 having absorbed the liquid.

The sealer 26 may seal the vicinity of the liquid inlet 235 where the wick 25 is exposed from the first chamber C1. When the second container 30 is coupled to the upper side of the first container 20, the sealer 26 may seal between the first container 20 and the second container 30.

The sealing wall 266, 267 may protrude toward the second container 30. The sealing wall 266, 267 may be in close contact with the second container 30. The sealing wall 266, 267 may surround the liquid inlet 235.

Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the liquid discharged from the second container 30 from leaking into the gap between the first container 20 and the second container 30.

The first sealing wall 266 may surround the liquid inlet 235 and the perimeter 2522 of the second wick part 252. The first sealing wall 266 may be in close contact with a lower portion of the second container 30. The first sealing wall 266 may be in close contact with a protruding portion formed on an inner side of the recessed portion 315. For example, the first sealing wall 266 may be in close contact with the bracket 317. The bracket 317 and the first sealing wall 266 may surround the perimeter 2522 of the second wick part 252. Accordingly, the bracket 317 may not only secure the absorbing portion 316, but also press the first sealing wall 266 to seal the vicinity of the second wick part 252 and the liquid inlet 235.

The second sealing wall 267 may protrude to be higher than the first sealing wall 266. The second sealing wall 267 may be disposed horizontally outward from the first sealing wall 266 to surround the first sealing wall 266. The second sealing wall 267 may be in close contact with the lower portion of the second container 30. The second sealing wall 267 may be inserted into the groove formed by the recessed portion 315 and be in close contact with the recessed portion 315.

Accordingly, the first sealing wall 266 may seal the vicinity of the second wick part 252 and the liquid inlet 235. In addition, even if the liquid goes over to the outside of the first sealing wall 266, it may be sealed by the second sealing wall 267.

Referring to FIG. 11, the first channel CN1 may be formed on the left side of the first chamber C1. The wick 25 and the heater 2531 may be disposed on the right side of the first chamber C1. The first channel CN1 may be provided with the first airflow inlet 241 and the first airflow outlet 242. The first airflow inlet 241 may be formed at one end of the first channel CN1. The first airflow outlet 242 may be formed at the other end of the first channel CN1. The first channel CN1 may be misaligned from the wick 25 based on the vertical direction. The wick 25 may be spaced apart from the gap between the first airflow inlet 241 and the second airflow inlet 242. Unlike the drawings, at least one of the first airflow inlet 241 and the first airflow outlet 242 may be formed as a lateral wall of the first container 20 is open in the first channel CN1.

When the first container 20 is coupled to the body 10, the second airflow inlet 141 formed as one side of the body 10 is open may communicate with the first airflow inlet 241. In the vicinity of the second airflow inlet 141, the gap between the body 10 and the first container 20 may be sealed. For example, the hook 125 may seal between the body 10 and the first container 20 in the vicinity of the second airflow inlet 141.

When the second container 30 is coupled to the first container 20, the first airflow outlet 242 may communicate with a lower end of the second channel CN2. The first channel CN1 and the second channel CN2 may communicate with each other to form a single channel CN. The second channel CN2 may communicate with the second airflow outlet 354.

When the user inhales air while holding the mouthpiece 35 in the mouth, the outside air may pass sequentially through the second airflow inlet 141, the first channel CN1, the second channel CN2, and the second airflow outlet 354 and be provided to the user. An aerosol may be generated in the first chamber C1 spaced apart from the first channel CN1. The air passing through the first channel CN1 may flow together with the air in the first chamber C1 and the aerosol due to the suction power and the pressure difference. The air and aerosol may pass through the first gap 227c and the second gap 227d between the supports 227 and flow into the first channel CN1.

Accordingly, it is possible to allow the air to flow only on one side of the first chamber C1, thereby reducing the size of the channel and reducing or optimizing the size of the aerosol generating device. In addition, the air flow resistance may be reduced from the structure that supports the wick 25.

The airflow sealing portion 268 may be in close contact with the lower portion of the second container 30 in the vicinity of the lower end of the second channel CN2. The airflow sealing portion 268 may surround the lower end of the second channel CN2 and the first airflow outlet 242. The airflow sealing portion 268 may seal between the first container 20 and the second container 30, at a lower end of the airflow discharge channel 340 and in the vicinity of the first airflow outlet 242.

Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the air passing through the airflow discharge channel 340 from the first airflow outlet 242 from leaking between the first container 20 and the second container 30 and improve the flow efficiency of air.

As used herein, the terms “substantially”, “approximately”, “generally”, and “about” in reference to a given parameter, property, or condition may include a degree that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a small degree of variance, such as within acceptable manufacturing tolerances. For example, a parameter that is substantially met may be at least about 90% met, at least about 95% met, or at least about 99% met.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a heater according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of the heater of FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a plan view of a portion of the heater of FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the heater of FIG. 14, viewed along a line 15-15.

Referring to FIGS. 12 to 15, a heater 550 may be configured to generate heat by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). “SPR” refers to the collective oscillation of electrons propagating along an interface of metal particles with a medium. For example, the collective oscillation of electrons of metal particles may be caused by light propagating from the outside of the heater 550. The excitation of electrons of metal particles may generate thermal energy, and the generated thermal energy may be transferred within an environment to which the heater 550 is applied. In an embodiment, the heater 550 may be configured to heat another target (e.g., an aerosol generating article) by transferring the generated heat to the target.

The heater 550 may include a substrate 551 having a first surface 551A (e.g., a surface oriented in a +Z direction) and a second surface 551B (e.g., a surface oriented in a-Z direction) opposite to the first surface 551A.

The substrate 551 may have a plate shape. The first surface 551A and/or the second surface 551B may be formed as substantially flat surfaces. The substrate 551 may have any shape suitable for generating heat. For example, the substrate 551 may be implemented in a substantially cylindrical shape with the first surface 551A as an outer surface and the second surface 551B as an inner surface.

The substrate 551 may be formed of a variety of materials. For example, the substrate 551 may be formed of a metal material such as aluminum, glass, silicon (Si), silicon oxide (SiO₂), sapphire, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, and/or any other suitable material. The substrate 551 may be formed of any one or combination of glass, silicon (Si), silicon oxide (SiO₂), and sapphire. The substrate 551 may include a material having a relatively low heat transfer coefficient. This may allow heat to be transferred only to a partial area on the substrate 551.

The substrate 551 may exhibit electrical conductivity. The substrate 551 may exhibit electrical insulating properties.

The substrate 551 may be formed of a material having any thermal conductivity suitable for use in an environment in which the heater 550 is disposed. For example, the substrate 551 may have a thermal conductivity of about 0.6 Watts per meter-Kelvin (W/mK) or less, about 1 W/mK to about 2 W/mK, about 2 W/mK to about 5 W/mK, about 5 W/mK to about 10 W/mK, about 10 W/mK to about 100 W/mK, or about 100 W/mK to about 200 W/mK, at a pressure of 1 bar and a temperature of 25° C. The substrate 551 may have a thermal conductivity of about 0.6 W/mK or less, about 1.3 W/mK, about 148 W/mK, or about 46.06 W/mK, at a pressure of 1 bar and a temperature of 25° C.

The heater 550 may include a plurality of metal prisms 554 positioned on the first surface 551A of the substrate 551. The plurality of metal prisms 554 may include a plurality of metal particles deposited on the substrate 551 through any suitable deposition process (e.g., physical vapor deposition).

The plurality of metal particles forming the plurality of metal prisms 554 may be nanoscale. For example, the plurality of metal particles may have an average maximum diameter of about 1 micrometer (μm) or less. The plurality of metal particles may have an average maximum diameter of about 700 nanometers (nm) or less, about 600 nm or less, about 500 nm or less, about 400 nm or less, about 300 nm or less, about 200 nm or less, about 150 nm or less, or about 100 nm or less.

The plurality of metal particles may be formed of any material suitable for generating heat. For example, the plurality of metal particles may include at least one of gold, silver, copper, palladium, platinum, aluminum, titanium, nickel, chromium, iron, cobalt, manganese, rhodium, and ruthenium, or a combination thereof.

The plurality of metal particles may be formed of any material suitable for generating heat by interacting with light of a predetermined wavelength band (e.g., a visible light wavelength band, that is, about 380 nm to about 780 nm). For example, the plurality of metal particles may include at least one of gold, silver, copper, palladium, and platinum, or a combination thereof.

The plurality of metal particles may be formed of a metal material having an average maximum absorbance. Here, the average maximum absorbance may be defined as an absorbance substantially having a peak in a predetermined wavelength band. A predetermined wavelength band corresponding to the absorbance may be understood as a wavelength band in which the plurality of metal particles resonate. For example, the plurality of metal particles may be formed of a metal material having an average maximum absorbance in a wavelength band between about 430 nm and about 450 nm, between about 480 nm and about 500 nm, between about 490 nm and about 510 nm, between about 500 nm and about 520 nm, between about 550 nm and about 570 nm, between about 600 nm and about 620 nm, between about 620 nm and about 640 nm, between about 630 nm and about 650 nm, between about 640 nm and about 660 nm, between about 680 nm and about 700 nm, or between about 700 nm and about 750 nm. The average maximum absorbance of the plurality of metal particles may vary depending on the type of the substrate 551, the size of the metal prism 554 formed by the plurality of metal particles, and/or the shape of the metal prisms 554, in addition to the metal material.

The plurality of metal prisms 554 may define a void area VA surrounded by the plurality of metal prisms 554 on the first surface 551A of the substrate 551. For example, the void area VA may have a substantially circular or elliptical shape, and the plurality of metal prisms 554 may be arranged in a circumferential direction of the void area VA.

The void area VA may have an average maximum diameter of about 10 nm or greater, about 50 nm or greater, about 90 nm or greater, about 100 nm or greater, about 150 nm or greater, about 200 nm or greater, about 300 nm or greater, about 350 nm or greater, about 450 nm or greater, or about 500 nm or greater. The void area VA may have an average maximum diameter of about 450 nm or greater. The void area VA may have an average maximum diameter of about 350 nm or greater.

The void area VA may have an average maximum diameter of about 1,000 nm or less, about 900 nm or less, about 800 nm or less, about 700 nm or less, about 600 nm or less, or about 550 nm or less.

The plurality of metal prisms 554 may each include a first base surface 554A (e.g., a lower base surface) facing the first surface 551A of the substrate 551, a second base surface 554B (e.g., an upper base surface) opposite to the first base surface 554A, and a plurality of side surfaces 554C1, 554C2, and 554C3 between the first base surface 554A and the second base surface 554B.

The first base surface 554A and the second base surface 554B may be substantially parallel to each other.

The first base surface 554A and/or the second base surface 554B may be substantially flat.

In an embodiment, the distance between the first base surface 554A and the second base surface 554B (e.g., the thickness of the metal prism 554) may be about 10 nm or less. When the metal prism 554 has a thickness exceeding 10 nm, the exothermic reaction of a plurality of metal particles forming the metal prism 554 may decrease, and consequently, the thermal efficiency of the heater 550 may decrease.

The plurality of side surfaces 554C1, 554C2, and 554C3 may be oriented in different directions. For example, the first side surface 554C1 may be oriented in a first direction (e.g., a first radial direction), the second side surface 554C2 may be connected to the first side surface 554C1 and oriented in a second direction (e.g., a second radial direction), and the third side surface 554C3 may be connected to each of the first side surface 554C1 and the second side surface 554C3 and oriented in a third direction (e.g., a third radial direction).

At least one side surface of the plurality of side surfaces 554C1, 554C2, and 554C3 may be formed as a substantially curved surface. The plurality of side surfaces 554C1, 554C2, and 554C3 may be formed as curved surfaces having substantially the same curvature. The curvature of any one of the plurality of side surfaces 554C1, 554C2, and 554C3 may be different from the curvature of another side surface.

The plurality of side surfaces 554C1, 554C2, and 554C3 may be formed as curved surfaces that are concave toward the center of the metal prism 554. At least one side surface of the plurality of side surfaces 554C1, 554C2, and 554C3 may be formed as a curved surface that is convex from the center of the metal prism 554.

The plurality of metal prisms 554 may include two side surfaces. For example, the metal prism 554 may have a substantially semicircular shape or a shape close to a semicircle.

The plurality of metal prisms 554 may be positioned to be physically separated from each other on the first surface 551A of the substrate 551. For example, the plurality of metal prisms 554 may be apart from each other at determined intervals along the perimeter (e.g., the circumference) of the void area VA.

The plurality of metal prisms 554 may be apart from each other at substantially equal intervals. The interval between any one pair of adjacent metal prisms 554 among the plurality of metal prisms 554 may be different from the interval between another pair of adjacent metal prisms 554.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a portion of a heater according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 16, a heater 650 may include a substrate 651 and a metal prism 654 positioned on the substrate 651. The metal prism 654 may be substantially a single structure and define a plurality of void areas VA. For example, the metal prism 654 may substantially define all the perimeters of the plurality of void areas VA. The metal prism 654 may include a first prism area 6541 at one position on the perimeter (e.g., the circumference) of a void area VA, a second prism area 6542 at another position on the perimeter (e.g., the circumference) of the void area VA, and a third prism area 6543 between the first prism area 6541 and the second prism area 6542. The first prism area 6541, the second prism area 6542, and the third prism area 6543 may be integrally and seamlessly connected.

FIGS. 17 to 19 are diagrams illustrating a method of manufacturing a heater according to an embodiment, wherein FIG. 17 illustrates depositing a plurality of metal particles on a substrate, FIG. 18 illustrates performing an annealing process on the structure of FIG. 17, and FIG. 19 illustrates a heater manufactured by the annealing process of FIG. 18.

Referring to FIGS. 17 to 19, a method of manufacturing a heater 750 may include an operation of providing a substrate 751. The substrate 751 may have a shape of a plate having opposite surfaces. At least one surface of the substrate 751 may be substantially flat. At least one surface of the substrate 751 may be curved.

The method of manufacturing the heater 750 may include an operation of forming a metal layer 753 on one surface (e.g., an upper surface in FIG. 17) of the substrate 751. The metal layer 753 may be formed by applying metal particles onto the one surface of the substrate 751. For example, the metal particles may be deposited by sputtering, ion beam deposition, thermal evaporation, chemical vapor deposition, plasma deposition, and/or any other suitable deposition method. The metal layer 753 may be formed by disposing a film on the one surface of the substrate 751. The thickness of the metal layer 753 may be about 10 nm or less. When the metal layer 753 is formed on the substrate 751 in a thickness greater than 10 nm, an exothermic reaction may be reduced in a structure formed by the metal layer 753 (e.g., metal particles P1, P2, P3, and P4). When the thickness of the structure formed by the metal layer 753 exceeds 10 nm, the possibility of heat being lost to the surroundings of the heater 750 may increase, and thus, the thermal efficiency of the heater 750 may decrease.

The method of manufacturing the heater 750 may include an operation of annealing the metal layer 753 on the substrate 751. When the metal layer 753 is annealed, a boundary B (e.g., a grain boundary) may be formed between adjacent metal segments S1, S2, S3, and S4. In the operation of annealing the metal layer 753, the heating temperature of the metal layer 753 may be about 150° C. or higher, about 160° C. or higher, about 170° C. or higher, about 180° C. or higher, about 190° C. or higher, about 200° C. or higher, about 210° C. or higher, about 220° C. or higher, about 230° C. or higher, or about 240° C. or higher. The plurality of metal segments S1, S2, S3, and S4 on the substrate 751 may be deformed based on the boundary B. In an annealing environment, a flux may be applied to adjacent metal segments S1, S2, S3, and S4 disposed on both sides based on the boundary B, and the dewetting of the plurality of metal segments S1, S2, S3, and S4 may be caused.

In an annealing environment, the plurality of metal particles P1, P2, P3, and P4 may be formed on the substrate 751 by dewetting. The plurality of metal particles P1, P2, P3, and P4 may be partitioned based on the boundary B. The plurality of metal particles P1, P2, P3, and P4 may have random sizes. The size of any one metal particle among the plurality of metal particles P1, P2, P3, and P4 may be different from the size of another metal particle. The plurality of metal particles P1, P2, P3, and P4 may be nanoscale. For example, the plurality of metal particles P1, P2, P3, and P4 may have random sizes within a range of an average maximum diameter of about 1 μm or less. In some embodiments, the plurality of metal particles P1, P2, P3, and P4 may have random sizes within a range of an average maximum diameter of about 700 nm or less, about 600 nm or less, about 500 nm or less, about 400 nm or less, about 300 nm or less, about 200 nm or less, about 150 nm or less, or about 100 nm or less. The plurality of metal particles P1, P2, P3, and P4 may not bond to each other beyond the boundary B.

FIG. 20 is a diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 20, an aerosol generating device 800 may include at least one heater 850 (e.g., the heater 450 and/or the heater 550, 650, 750) configured to heat an aerosol generating article, and at least one light source 855 configured to emit light toward the at least one heater 850. The aerosol generating device 800 may include a plurality of reservoirs 830 configured to contain a liquid composition, and a wick 860 configured to carry the liquid composition from the plurality of reservoirs 830. The wick 860 may be connected to the plurality of reservoirs 830 to fluidly communicate with the plurality of reservoirs 830. The at least one heater 850 may be thermally coupled to the wick 860. The liquid composition contained in the wick 860 may be vaporized by heater 850 and may escape outside of the aerosol generating device 800 through a mouth end along a passage defined between the plurality of reservoirs 830. Meanwhile, although FIG. 20 illustrates the aerosol generating device 800 including a controller 810 configured to control the heater 850 and/or the light source 855, and a battery 840 configured to supply electrical energy to the controller 810, other components may also be included or omitted.

The aerosol generating device 800 may include a single heater 850. The heater 850 may at least partially surround a cavity in which an aerosol generating article is to be placed. The heater 850 may have a structure in which, for example, the substrate 551, 651, or 751 at least partially has a curved surface.

The aerosol generating device 800 may include a plurality of heaters 850. The plurality of heaters 850 may be positioned in different portions based on the cavity in which an aerosol generating article is to be placed. Metal materials of metal prisms included in the plurality of heaters 850 may be the same or different.

The light source 855 may be configured to transmit an optical signal toward the heater 850 at a predetermined angle. For example, the light source 855 may transmit an optical signal at an angle that may cause total reflection on a surface of the heater 850 (e.g., a surface of the substrate 551, 651, or 751 and/or the surfaces 654B, 654C1, 654C2, and 654C3 of the metal prism 554, 654, or 754). In an embodiment, the light source 855 may transmit an optical signal toward the heater 850 at any angle.

The light source 855 may be configured to transmit light in an ultraviolet band, a visible band, and/or an infrared band. In some embodiments, the light source 855 may be configured to transmit light in the visible band (e.g., about 380 nm to about 780 nm).

The light source 855 may be configured to transmit light in a band corresponding to a material of metal particles of a metal prism (e.g., the metal prism 554, 654, or 754) included in the heater 850. For example, the light source 855 may transmit light in a wavelength band corresponding to an average maximum absorbance according to the material of the metal particles. In an embodiment in which a metal prism is formed of gold, the light source 855 may transmit light having a wavelength of about 630 nm or about 800 nm.

The light source 855 may transmit light at any suitable output. For example, the light source 855 may transmit light at an output of about 1,000 milliwatts (mW).

The light source 855 may include a light-emitting diode and/or a laser. The light-emitting diode and/or the laser may be of a type and/or size suitable for being included in the aerosol generating device 800. For example, the laser may include a solid-state laser and/or a semiconductor laser.

The aerosol generating device 800 may include a plurality of light sources 855. The plurality of light sources 855 may be implemented as light sources of the same type. At least a portion of the plurality of light sources 855 may be implemented as different types of light sources.

At least one light source 855 among the plurality of light sources 855 may be configured to irradiate a portion of the heater 850.

A portion of the heater 850 irradiated by any one light source 855 of the plurality of light sources 855 may be different from a portion of the heater 850 irradiated by another light source 855. For example, the plurality of light sources 855 may irradiate different portions of a single heater 850 or irradiate a plurality of heaters 850.

The plurality of light sources 855 may be configured to irradiate substantially at the same time. An irradiation point in time of any one light source 855 of the plurality of light sources 855 may be different from an irradiation point in time of another light source 855.

The plurality of light sources 855 may irradiate the heater 850 for substantially the same time. In an embodiment, an irradiation time of any one light source 855 of the plurality of light sources 855 may be different from an irradiation time of another light source 855.

The plurality of light sources 855 may transmit light of substantially the same wavelength band. A band of light irradiated by any one light source 855 of the plurality of light sources 855 may be different from a band of light irradiated by another light source 855.

The plurality of light sources 855 may irradiate the heater 850 with substantially the same illuminance. An illuminance of any one light source 855 of the plurality of light sources 855 may be different from an illuminance of another light source 855.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a heater in an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the heater of FIG. 21, taken along a line 22-22. FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 22.

Referring to FIGS. 21 to 23, an aerosol generating device 900 may include a cartridge 905. The cartridge 905 may include at least one reservoir (see FIG. 20) configured to contain a liquid composition. The cartridge 905 may be embedded in the aerosol generating device 900 when manufacturing the aerosol generating device 900. The cartridge 905 may not be included in the aerosol generating device 900 when manufacturing the aerosol generating device 900. The cartridge 905 may be provided in the aerosol generating device 900 and may be removed from the aerosol generating device 900. The cartridge 905 may include a hole 911. The hole 911 may be disposed on one surface (e.g., an outer bottom surface in the −Z direction) of the cartridge 905.

The aerosol generating device 900 may include a heater 950. The heater 950 may be configured to generate heat. The generated heat may be transferred to an aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating material may be heated to a target temperature (e.g., about 350° C.) by the transferred heat. The aerosol generating material in the form of an aerosol may be carried by a carrier (e.g., air) entering through at least one vent provided in the aerosol generating device 900 and then transferred to a user through a mouth end portion of the aerosol generating device 900.

The heater 950 may include a substrate 951. The substrate 951 may include a first surface 951A, and a second surface 951B opposite to the first surface 951A.

The first surface 951A of the substrate 951 may include a curved surface. The first surface 951A may define a cavity CV. For example, the first surface 951A may define a substantially semispherical cavity CV. The first surface 951A may be substantially continuous throughout the entire area. A partial area of the first surface 951A may be discontinuous with another area. The first surface 951A may have a substantially constant radius of curvature R throughout the entire area. The radius of curvature R of a partial area of the first surface 951A may be different from the radius of curvature R of another area.

The second surface 951B of the substrate 951 may include a curved surface. The second surface 951B may be substantially parallel to the first surface 951A. A partial area of the second surface 951B may not be parallel to a partial area of the first surface 951A that the area faces. In an embodiment not shown, at least a partial area of the second surface 951B may be substantially flat.

The substrate 951 may be implemented as a three-dimensional solid that is representable with an azimuth angle and an altitude angle. For example, the substrate 951 may include a domical solid. Any first area A1 of the substrate 951 may face any second area A2 that is at least partially different from (i.e., does not overlap at least partially) the first area A1. For example, the substrate 951 may be implemented as a three-dimensional solid substantially having an azimuth angle of 360 degrees and an altitude angle in a range of about −60 degrees to 90 degrees.

The heater 950 may include an opening 952. The opening 952 may be configured to allow light to pass into the cavity CV. The opening 952 may be defined by at least one edge of the first surface 951A of the substrate 951. The opening 952 may be substantially aligned with the hole 911.

The heater 950 may include an SPR structure 953 configured to generate heat by SPR. The SPR structure 953 may include the plurality of prisms 554 described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15. The SPR structure 953 may include the metal prism 654 described with reference to FIG. 16. The SPR structure 953 may include the plurality of metal particles P1, P2, P3, and P4 described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19. The SPR structure 953 may include a film of a metal material (e.g., gold (Au)) with a predetermined thickness (e.g., a thickness of about 10 nm or less). The SPR structure 953 may be disposed on the first surface 951A of the substrate 951. The SPR structure 953 may be disposed substantially throughout the entire area of the first surface 951A. The SPR structure 953 may be disposed in a local area of the first surface 951A.

The heater 950 may include an absorbing layer 954. The absorbing layer 954 may be configured to absorb light penetrating through the substrate 951 in a direction from the first surface 951A of the substrate 951 toward the second surface 951B. The absorbing layer 954 may be configured to absorb light reflected within the heater 950. The absorbing layer 954 may increase the light use efficiency of the heater 950.

The absorbing layer 954 may be disposed on or above the second surface 951B. The absorbing layer 954 may be disposed substantially throughout the entire area of the second surface 951B. The absorbing layer 954 may be disposed in a local area of the second surface 951B. The absorbing layer 954 may be attached to the second surface 951B. The absorbing layer 954 may be spaced apart from the aerosol generating material contained in the reservoir of the cartridge 905. Accordingly, the safety of aerosol inhaled by the user may be ensured.

The absorbing layer 954 may include a material of a color (e.g., black) with relatively high saturation. For example, the absorbing layer 954 may have a heat resistance of about 800 degrees Celsius.

The heater 950 may include a reflective layer 955. The reflective layer 955 may be configured to reflect, toward the substrate 951 or the absorbing layer 954, light penetrating through the substrate 951 in a direction from the first surface 951A of the substrate 951 toward the second surface 951B. The reflective layer 955 may be disposed over the absorbing layer 954 with a gap G therebetween. The reflective layer 955 may be disposed substantially throughout the entire area of the absorbing layer 954. The reflective layer 955 may be disposed in a local area of the absorbing layer 954.

In an embodiment not shown, the reflective layer 955 may be disposed on the absorbing layer 954 without a gap G. In an embodiment not shown, the reflective layer 955 may be disposed on the second surface 951B of the substrate 951, and the absorbing layer 954 may be disposed on the reflective layer 955.

The reflective layer 955 may include any material suitable for reflecting light. For example, the reflective layer 955 may include at least one of gold, silver, copper, or any other metal material suitable for reflection, or a combination thereof.

The reflective layer 955 may have any thickness suitable for reflecting light. For example, the thickness of the reflective layer 955 may be about 10 nm or less.

The heater 950 may include a heat transfer body 956. The heat transfer body 956 may be configured to transfer the heat generated by the SPR structure 953 to the aerosol generating material. The heat transfer body 956 may include an enclosure portion 956A substantially surrounding the substrate 951, the SPR structure 953, the absorbing layer 954, and the reflective layer 955, and a non-enclosure portion 956B not enclosing the same. The enclosure portion 956A may include a shape (e.g., a domical shape) corresponding to the shape of the cavity CV. The non-enclosure portion 956B may extend or expand from the enclosure portion 956A along one surface (e.g., an inner bottom surface) of the cartridge 905.

The heat transfer body 956 may transfer heat in a conduction manner. In an embodiment not shown, the heat transfer body 956 may include a gap formed on any one side thereof and may transfer heat in a convection manner or a radiation manner.

The heat transfer body 956 may include a metal material. For example, the heat transfer body 956 may include aluminum or copper.

The heat transfer body 956 may have different materials. For example, the enclosure portion 956A corresponding to an area (e.g., a curved area) to which light is radiated, among areas of the substrate 951, may have a first material, and the non-enclosure portion 956B not corresponding to the area may have a second material.

The enclosure portion 956A and the non-enclosure portion 956B may have different thermal properties. The thermal conductivity (e.g., 401 W/mK) of the first material (e.g., copper) forming the enclosure portion 956A may be greater than the thermal conductivity (e.g., 237 W/mK) of the second material (e.g., aluminum) forming the non-enclosure portion 956B. The heat capacity of the enclosure portion 956A may be less than the heat capacity of the non-enclosure portion 956B.

The aerosol generating device 900 may include a wick 960. The wick 960 may be configured to carry the aerosol generating material contained in the reservoir of the cartridge 905 to the heater 950. The wick 960 may be connected to at least one portion that stores the aerosol generating material. The wick 960 may include an extension area 960A extending along one surface (e.g., the inner bottom surface) of the cartridge 905, and a cover area 960B covering a partial area or substantially the entire area of the outer side of the heater 950. The extension area 960A may be disposed on the non-enclosure portion 956B. The cover area 960B may be disposed on the enclosure area 956A. The extension area 960A and the cover area 960B may be connected to fluidly communicate with each other. A contact area between the heater 950 and the cover area 960B may increase. A contact area between the wick 960 and the carrier (e.g., air) may increase.

The aerosol generating device 900 may include an optical fiber 970. The optical fiber 970 may be configured to transfer light generated by a light source (e.g., the light source 855 of FIG. 20) to the heater 950. The optical fiber 970 may be connected directly to the light source. At least one optical element (e.g., a lens, a mirror, and/or a collimator) may be disposed between the light source and the optical fiber 970. The optical fiber 970 may be connected to the hole 911. The optical fiber 970 may extend to the opening 952. The optical fiber 970 may be closely coupled to the hole 911 and/or the opening 952. This may increase the efficiency of light passing through the optical fiber 970 to the cavity CV to about 99%. Since the amount of light used by the heater 950 may be controlled to a predictable level, the heat loss of the heater 950 may be reduced, and the thermal stability of the heater 950 may be ensured.

FIG. 24 is a diagram schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a portion of an SPR heater of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, an aerosol generating device 1000 may include a housing 1010 that may be referred to as a “body”. The housing 1010 may include a mouth end portion 1011, and a device end portion (not shown) opposite to the mouth end portion 1011. The housing 1010 may include a mouthpiece 1012. The mouthpiece 1012 may be disposed at the mouth end portion 1011 or adjacent to the mouth end portion 1011. The housing 1010 may include an airflow path leading to the mouthpiece 1012.

The aerosol generating device 1000 may include a chamber 1020. The chamber 1020 may be configured to be coupled into the housing 1010 and/or decoupled from the housing 1010. The chamber 1020 may include a first reservoir 1021. The first reservoir 1021 may contain a first aerosol generating material M1. The first aerosol generating material M1 may include a first liquid composition. The chamber 1020 may include a second reservoir 1022. The second reservoir 1022 may contain a second aerosol generating material M2. The second aerosol generating material M2 may include a second liquid composition. The first liquid composition and the second liquid composition may include at least partially the same component. The first liquid composition and the second liquid composition may include different components.

The first reservoir 1021 and the second reservoir 1022 may be arranged in a circumferential direction (e.g., in a circumferential direction with respect to the Z-axis) of the housing 1010. The first reservoir 1021 and the second reservoir 1022 may be spaced apart from each other.

In an embodiment not shown, the chamber 1020 may include a single reservoir 1021 or 1022. In an embodiment not shown, the chamber 1020 may include three or more reservoirs.

The aerosol generating device 1000 may include a heater 1030. The heater 1030 may be configured to generate heat by SPR. “SPR” refers to the collective oscillation of electrons propagating along an interface of metal particles with a medium. For example, the collective oscillation of electrons of metal particles may be caused by light propagating from the outside of the heater 1030. The excitation of electrons of metal particles may generate thermal energy, and the generated thermal energy may be transferred within an environment to which the heater 1030 is applied.

The heater 1030 may include a substrate 1031. The substrate 1031 may include a first end portion 1031A disposed toward the mouth end portion 1011 or the mouthpiece 1012. The first end portion 1031A may be a substantially closed surface or include a substantially closed surface. The first end portion 1031A may substantially prevent light from passing through the first end portion 1031A. The substrate 1031 may include a second end portion 1031B disposed toward the device end portion (not shown). The second end portion 1031B may be positioned opposite the first end portion 1031A. The second end portion 1031B may be at least partially open. For example, the second end portion 1031B may include an opening 1031B1. The substrate 1031 may include a side portion 1031C extending between the first end portion 1031A and the second end portion 1031B. The first end portion 1031A, the second end portion 1031B, and the side portion 1031C may substantially define the cylindrical shape of the substrate 1031. The substrate 1031 may include an outer surface F1. At least a portion (e.g., an outer side surface) of the outer surface F1 may at least partially face at least one of the first reservoir 1021 and the second reservoir 1022. The substrate 1031 may include an inner surface F2. The inner surface F2 may be positioned opposite the outer surface F1. The inner surface F2 may include an inner end surface (e.g., a surface in the −Z direction) of the first end portion 1031A and an inner side surface of the side portion 1031C. The inner surface F2 may define a hollow portion 1031D. The hollow portion 1031D may have a substantially cylindrical space.

The substrate 1031 may have a relatively small volume. For example, the diameter or width of the side portion 1031C may be about 1 millimeter (mm), and the distance between the first end portion 1031A and the second end portion 1031B (e.g., the length of the substrate 1031) may be about 5 mm to about 10 mm.

The substrate 1031 may be formed of a variety of materials. For example, the substrate 1031 may be formed of glass, silicon (Si), silicon oxide (SiO₂), sapphire, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, and/or any other material suitable for thermal conduction. The substrate 1031 may be formed of any one or combination of glass, silicon (Si), silicon oxide (SiO₂), and sapphire. The substrate 1031 may include a material having a relatively low heat transfer coefficient. This may allow heat to be transferred only to a partial area on the substrate 1031.

The substrate 1031 may exhibit electrical conductivity. The substrate 1031 may exhibit electrical insulating properties.

The substrate 1031 may be formed of a material having any thermal conductivity suitable for use in an environment in which the heater 1030 is disposed. For example, the substrate 1031 may have a thermal conductivity of about 0.6 Watts per meter-Kelvin (W/mK) or less, about 1 W/mK to about 2 W/mK, about 2 W/mK to about 5 W/mK, about 5 W/mK to about 10 W/mK, about 10 W/mK to about 100 W/mK, or about 100 W/mK to about 200 W/mK, at a pressure of 1 bar and a temperature of 25° C. The substrate 1031 may have a thermal conductivity of about 0.6 W/mK or less, about 1.3 W/mK, about 148 W/mK, or about 46.06 W/mK, at a pressure of 1 bar and a temperature of 25° C.

The heater 1030 may include a metal layer 1032 disposed on the inner surface F2. The metal layer 1032 may include a plurality of metal particles. Electrons that form each of the plurality of metal particles may vibrate collectively upon receiving light. The excitation of electrons may generate thermal energy.

The plurality of metal particles may be nanoscale. For example, the plurality of metal particles may have an average maximum diameter of about 1 μm or less. The plurality of metal particles may have an average maximum diameter of about 700 nanometers (nm) or less, about 600 nm or less, about 500 nm or less, about 400 nm or less, about 300 nm or less, about 200 nm or less, about 150 nm or less, or about 100 nm or less.

The plurality of metal particles may be formed of any material suitable for generating heat. For example, the plurality of metal particles may include at least one of gold, silver, copper, palladium, platinum, aluminum, titanium, nickel, chromium, iron, cobalt, manganese, rhodium, and ruthenium, or a combination thereof.

The plurality of metal particles may be formed of any material suitable for generating heat by interacting with light of a predetermined wavelength band (e.g., a visible light wavelength band, that is, about 380 nm to about 780 nm). For example, the plurality of metal particles may include at least one of gold, silver, copper, palladium, and platinum, or a combination thereof.

The plurality of metal particles may be formed of a metal material having an average maximum absorbance. Here, the average maximum absorbance may be defined as an absorbance substantially having a peak in a predetermined wavelength band. A predetermined wavelength band corresponding to the absorbance may be understood as a wavelength band in which the plurality of metal particles resonate. For example, the plurality of metal particles may be formed of a metal material having an average maximum absorbance in a wavelength band between about 430 nm and about 450 nm, between about 480 nm and about 500 nm, between about 490 nm and about 510 nm, between about 500 nm and about 520 nm, between about 550 nm and about 570 nm, between about 600 nm and about 620 nm, between about 620 nm and about 640 nm, between about 630 nm and about 650 nm, between about 640 nm and about 660 nm, between about 680 nm and about 700 nm, or between about 700 nm and about 750 nm. The average maximum absorbance of the plurality of metal particles may vary depending on the type of the substrate 1031, the size of the metal layer 1032, and/or the shape of the metal layer 1032, in addition to the metal material.

The metal layer 1032 may be about 10 nm or less in thickness. When the metal layer 1032 has a thickness exceeding 10 nm, the exothermic reaction of the plurality of metal particles forming the metal layer 1032 may decrease, and consequently, the thermal efficiency of the heater 1030 may decrease.

The heater 1030 may include an absorbing layer 1033 configured to absorb light. The absorbing layer 1033 may be configured to absorb light penetrating through the substrate 1031 in a direction from the inner surface F2 of the substrate 1031 toward the outer surface F1. The absorbing layer 1033 may increase the light use efficiency of the heater 1030. The absorbing layer 1033 may be disposed on or over the outer surface F1. The absorbing layer 1033 may be disposed substantially throughout the entire area of the outer surface F1. The absorbing layer 1033 may be disposed in a local area (e.g., an outer side surface) of the outer surface F1. The absorbing layer 1033 may be attached to the outer surface F1. The absorbing layer 1033 may be spaced apart from the first reservoir 1021 and the second reservoir 1022. This may ensure the safety of aerosol inhaled by the user. The absorbing layer 1033 may include a material of a color (e.g., black) with relatively high saturation. For example, the absorbing layer 1033 may include a material that forms a black matrix, such as carbon black. The absorbing layer 1033 may have a heat resistance of about 800 degrees Celsius.

The heater 1030 may include a reflective layer 1034. The reflective layer 1034 may be configured to reflect, toward the inner surface F2, light penetrating through the substrate 1031 in a direction from the inner surface F2 of the substrate 1031 toward the outer surface F1. The reflective layer 1034 may be disposed on the absorbing layer 1033. In an embodiment not shown, the reflective layer 1034 may be disposed over the absorbing layer 1033 with a gap G therebetween. The reflective layer 1034 may be disposed substantially throughout the entire area of the absorbing layer 1033. The reflective layer 1034 may be disposed in a local area of the absorbing layer 1033. The reflective layer 1034 may include any material suitable for reflecting light. For example, the reflective layer 1034 may include at least one of gold, silver, copper, or any other metal material suitable for reflection, or a combination thereof. The reflective layer 1034 may have any thickness suitable for reflecting light. For example, the thickness of the reflective layer 1034 may be about 10 nm or less.

The heater 1030 may include a heat transfer plate 1035. The heat transfer plate 1035 may be configured to transfer the heat generated by SPR to a wick 1040. The heat transfer plate 1035 may transfer heat in a conduction manner. In an embodiment not shown, a gap may be formed between the heat transfer plate 1035 and the wick 1040, and the heat transfer plate 1035 may transfer heat to the wick 1040 in a convection manner or a radiation manner. The heat transfer plate 1035 may include a metal material. For example, the heat transfer plate 1035 may include aluminum or copper.

The heater 1030 may be configured to be decoupled from the chamber 1020. The heater 1030 may not be included in a cartridge (e.g., the cartridge 19 of FIGS. 1 to 11) including the chamber 1020. This may reduce the cost of manufacturing the cartridge and enable the semi-permanent use of the heater 1030.

The aerosol generating device 1000 may include the wick 1040. The wick 1040 may be configured to deliver an aerosol generating material from the chamber 1020 to the heater 1030. The heat generated by the heater 1030 may cause the aerosol generating material contained in the wick 1040 to have a phase change. The wick 1040 may include a first wick end portion 1041 connected to at least one of the first reservoir 1021 and the second reservoir 1022. The wick 1040 may include a second wick end portion 1042 opposite to the first wick end portion 1041. The second wick end portion 1042 may be substantially on the same plane as the second surface 1042 of the substrate 1031. In an embodiment not shown, the second wick end portion 1042 may be at any position on the outer surface F1. The wick 1040 may include a wick extension 1043 extending along the outer surface F1 (e.g., the outer side surface) between the first wick end portion 1041 and the second wick end portion 1042. The wick extension 1043 may be at least partially in contact with the outer surface F1.

The aerosol generating device 1000 may include an optical fiber 1050. The optical fiber 1050 may be configured to transmit light generated by a light source (unknown) to the heater 1030. The optical fiber 1050 may be coupled to the opening 1031B1. Light passing through the opening 1031B1 through the optical fiber 1050 may enter the hollow portion 1031D and advance toward the inner surface of the substrate 1031.

The optical fiber 1050 may be closely coupled to the opening 1031B1. This may increase the efficiency of light passing through the optical fiber 1050 to the hollow portion 1031D to about 99%. This may allow the amount of light used by the heater 1030 to be controlled to a predictable level, and consequently reduce the heat loss of the heater 1030 and ensure the thermal stability of the heater 1030.

The aerosol generating device 1000 may include an internal light source (not shown) configured to emit light. For example, the internal light source may include a laser light source. The internal light source may emit light in an ultraviolet band, a visible band, and/or an infrared band. The aerosol generating device 1000 may also employ an external light source present outside the aerosol generating device 1000 without an internal light source.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an apparatus for manufacturing an SPR heater of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 26, a manufacturing apparatus 1100 may manufacture an SPR heater (e.g., the heater 1030) of an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device 1000 of FIGS. 24 and 25).

The manufacturing apparatus 1100 may include a holder 1104. The holder 1104 may be configured to support a substrate 1102 (e.g., the substrate 1031 of FIGS. 24 and 25). The holder 1104 may include a substantially circular or oval disc, but is not limited to, and may include discs of various shapes (e.g., polygonal shapes).

The holder 1104 may be configured to rotate about an axis of rotation defined for the holder 1104. The substrate 1102 disposed on one surface of the holder 1104 may rotate about the axis of rotation. The rotation of the holder 1104 may enable uniform deposition of the substrate 1102.

The holder 1104 may be configured to heat the substrate 1102. The substrate 1102 disposed on one surface of the holder 1104 may be deposited with one or more deposition materials in a determined temperature environment. For example, the substrate 1102 may be preheated to about 800° C. to 1,100° C.

The manufacturing apparatus 1100 may include a target 1106. The target 1106 may accommodate deposition materials (DMs) (e.g., metal particles such as gold (Au) or silver (Ag), carbon black, etc.) of at least one type. The target 1106 may deposit the DMs of at least one type, which have experienced a phase change to a gas phase, on one surface (e.g., the inner surface of the first end portion 1031A and the inner side surface of the side portion 1031C of FIGS. 24 and 25) of the substrate 1102. The target 1106 may be oriented toward the holder 1104 for uniform deposition on the substrate 1106.

The manufacturing apparatus 1100 may include an evaporator 1108. The evaporator 1108 may change the DMs into a gas phase and cause the DMs to be deposited on the substrate 1102 on the holder 1104. For example, the evaporator 1108 may include a high-voltage power source 1110, and a cathode 1112 electrically connected to the high-voltage power source 1110. The cathode 1112 may accelerate electrons to form an electron beam E. The electron beam E generated by the cathode 1112 may be transmitted onto the target 1106 and toward the DMs on the target 1106 under a magnetic field B of a defined intensity and direction. The DMs may change to a gas phase by the thermal energy generated by the electron beam E.

Deposition using an electron beam E may be advantageous for the deposition of a complex compact structure (e.g., the cylindrical substrate 1031 of FIGS. 24 and 25). Typical vapor deposition methods may form uneven deposition layers in the deposition of complex structures. Thus, when depositing a hollow cylindrical structure in which both end portions are open, deposition may be performed on the substrate 1102 in a direction toward one end portion, the orientation of the substrate 1102 may be changed so that the opposite end portion faces the target 1106, and then deposition may be performed on the substrate 1102 in a direction toward the opposite end portion. In addition, the typical vapor deposition methods are difficult to apply to the deposition of small structures, so a method of impregnating a deposition material should be used. Meanwhile, deposition using the electron beam E according to an embodiment may enable uniform deposition throughout the entire inner surface of the first end portion 1031A and the entire inner side surface of the side portion 1031C, without changing the orientation of the substrate 1102 and without the process of impregnating the DMs, for example, in the structure of the substrate 1031 of FIGS. 24 and 25.

The evaporator 1108 may be configured to evaporate various types of DMs. For example, the evaporator 1108 may evaporate a first DM (e.g., carbon black) on the target 1106 and deposit the first DM first on the substrate 1102 to form a first layer (e.g., the absorbing layer 1033 of FIGS. 24 and 25), and then evaporate a second DM (e.g., metal particles) on the target 1106 and deposit the second DM on the first layer to form a second layer (e.g., the metal layer 1032 of FIGS. 24 and 25).

The manufacturing apparatus 1100 may include a magnetic field generator 1114. The magnetic field generator 1114 may be configured to generate a magnetic field B of any intensity and direction suitable for the electron beam E to travel from the cathode 1112 toward the target 1106 and the DMs.

The manufacturing apparatus 1100 may include a chamber 1116 configured to accommodate the holder 1104, the target 1106, and at least partially the evaporator 1108. The chamber 1116 may have a vacuum environment. For example, the chamber 1116 may have an atmosphere of pressure of about 10⁻² to about 10⁻⁴ Pa.

The manufacturing equipment 1100 may include a vacuum pump 1118. The vacuum pump 1118 may be configured to discharge gas from the chamber 1116 so that the chamber 1116 may maintain the determined vacuum environment.

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.