AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE COMPRISING HEATER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0069699 filed on May 31, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0110586 filed on Aug. 23, 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, for example, to an aerosol generating device including a 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 that quickly reaches a target temperature. An aspect of the disclosure may provide an aerosol generating device including a heater.

An aerosol generating device includes a cavity configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article and a heater configured to heat the aerosol generating article, wherein the heater may include a plasma discharge space, a partition configured to separate the cavity and the plasma discharge space, and a plurality of plasma electrodes disposed on the partition.

The partition may include an extension extending along a length of the cavity.

The partition may include a tapered portion that is tapered along a length of the cavity.

The plasma discharge space may be disposed to be in contact with the cavity.

The plasma discharge space may be positioned inside the cavity and at least partially surrounded by the cavity.

The plasma discharge space may be configured to at least partially surround the cavity.

The aerosol generating device may include a connecting electrode electrically connected to the plurality of plasma electrodes.

The connecting electrode may be disposed to be separated from the plasma discharge space.

The connecting electrode may be at least partially surrounded by the plasma discharge space.

The connecting electrode may be configured to at least partially surround the plasma discharge space.

The plurality of plasma electrodes may be arranged on an inner surface of the partition that interfaces with the cavity.

The plurality of plasma electrodes may be arranged on an inner surface of the partition that does not interface with the cavity.

Each of the plurality of plasma electrodes may include a piezoelectric transducer.

The heater may be configured to substantially operate without preheating.

The heater may be configured to generate a temperature change ranging from about 200° C. to about 600° C.

According to an embodiment, the preheating time of a heater may be reduced. The effects of the aerosol generating device including the heater 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 embodiments in the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description referring 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 diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an upper case and a body of an aerosol generating device in a disassembled stated, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the upper case and the body of the aerosol generating device in an assembled state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an upper case and a body of an aerosol generating device in a disassembled state, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the upper case and the body of the aerosol generating device in an assembled state, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an upper case, a body, and a heater holder of an aerosol generating device in a disassembled state, according to an aerosol generating device of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the upper case, the body, and the heater holder of the aerosol generating device in an assembled state, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the heater holder of the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the upper case, the body, and the heater holder of the aerosol generating device in a disassembled state, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the upper case, the body, and the heater holder of the aerosol generating device in an assembled state, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a plasma generating circuit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is an assembled perspective view of a body, a cartridge, and a cap of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 is an assembled perspective view of a body, a cartridge, and a cap of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge of the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 31 is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 32 is a rear perspective view of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 33 is a rear perspective view of an internal structure of an aerosol generating device including a thermal insulator and a printed circuit board (PCB), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 34 is a rear perspective of the internal structure of the aerosol generating device including a battery, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 35 is an exploded rear perspective view of the internal structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the aerosol generating device including a susceptor and a temperature sensor, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 38 is an exploded perspective view of a thermal insulator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal insulator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 40 is a partially enlarged view of the thermal insulator of FIG. 39 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating the 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.

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, an 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 (AC), 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 information about the state of the aerosol generating device 1 and provide the information to the user. The output unit 14 may include at least one of a display 141, a haptic 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 the 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 circuit 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. 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. However, embodiments are 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 heating structure, or the like. However, embodiments are 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 by the controller 12. The memory 17 may include at least one type of storage medium of flash memory-type memory, hard disk-type memory, multimedia card micro-type memory, card-type memory (e.g., secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD) memory), random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), programmable ROM (PROM), 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, or 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 wireless local area network (WLAN) (wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi)) communication unit, a ZigBee communication unit, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, and the like but is not limited thereto.

The wireless communication unit may include, for example, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., a LAN or a wide-area network (WAN)) communication unit, 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 the 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 the voltage output from the power conversion circuit may correspond to the level of the 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 the 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 a 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 to 4 illustrate an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the aerosol generating device may include at least one of a power source 11, a controller 12, a sensor 13, and a heater 18. At least one of the power source 11, the controller 12, the sensor 13, and the heater 18 may be disposed inside a body 10 of the aerosol generating device. The body 10 may provide an upward-opening space into which a stick S, an aerosol generating article, is inserted. The upward-opening space may be referred to as an insertion space. The insertion space may be recessed by a predetermined depth toward the inside of the body 10 such that at least a portion of the stick S may be inserted into the insertion space. The depth of the insertion space may correspond to the length of an area of the stick S in which the aerosol generating article and/or a medium is included. A lower end of the stick S may be inserted into the body 10, and an upper end of the stick S may protrude outward from the body 10. A user may hold the upper end of the stick S, which is exposed to the outside, in the mouth of the user and inhale air.

The heater 18 may heat the stick S. The heater 18 may be elongated upward in the space into which the stick S is inserted. For example, the heater 18 may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element. The heater 18 may be inserted into a lower portion of the stick S. The heater 18 may include an electrically resistive heater and/or an induction heater.

For example, referring to FIG. 2, the heater 18 may be a resistive heater. For example, the heater 18 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 18 may be heated up as a current flows through the electrically conductive track. The heater 18 may be electrically connected to the power source 11. The heater 18 may directly generate heat by receiving a current from the power source 11.

For example, the heater 18 may be a multi-heater. The heater 18 may include a first heater 18A and a second heater 18B. The first and second heaters 18A and 18B may be disposed side by side in a longitudinal direction. The first and second heaters 18A and 18B may be heated sequentially or simultaneously.

For example, referring to FIG. 3, the aerosol generating device may include the induction coil 181 surrounding the heater 18. The induction coil 181 may heat the heater 18. As a susceptor, the heater 18 may be heated up by a magnetic field generated by an AC flowing through the induction coil 181. The magnetic field may pass through the heater 18 and generate an eddy current in the heater 18. A current may generate heat in the heater 18.

For example, referring to FIG. 4, a susceptor SS may be included in the stick S, and the susceptor SS inside the stick S may be heated by the magnetic field generated by the AC flowing through the induction coil 181. The susceptor SS may be disposed inside the stick S and may not be electrically connected to the aerosol generating device. The susceptor SS may be inserted into the insertion space together with the stick S and may be removed from the insertion space together with the stick S. The stick S may be heated by the susceptor SS inside the stick S. In this case, the heater 18 may not be provided to the aerosol generating device.

The power source 11 may supply power to operate the components of the aerosol generating device. The power source 11 may be referred to as a battery. The power source 11 may supply power to at least one of the controller 12, the sensor 13, or the heater 18. The power source 11 may supply power to the induction coil 181.

The controller 12 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device. 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, or the heater 18. The controller 12 may control the operation of the induction coil 181. The controller 12 may control the operation of a display, a motor, or the like installed in the aerosol generating device. The controller 12 may verify a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device to determine whether the aerosol generating device is in an operable state.

The controller 12 may analyze a sensing result obtained by the sensor 13 and may control processes to be performed thereafter. For example, based on the sensing result obtained by the sensor 13, the controller 12 may control the power supplied to the heater 18 to initiate or terminate the operation of the heater 18. For example, based on the sensing result obtained by the sensor 13, the controller 12 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 18 and a time for which the power is supplied, such that the heater 18 may be heated up to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

The sensor 13 may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, a insertion detection sensor, or an acceleration sensor. For example, the sensor 13 may sense at least one of the temperature of the heater 18, 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 stick S is inserted into the insertion space. For example, the sensor 13 may sense a motion of the aerosol generating device.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, an upper case 40 may be detachably coupled to the body 10. The upper case 40 may be coupled to an upper side of the body 10. The upper case 40 may cover the vicinity of an upper portion of the body 10. The upper case 40 may have an insertion hole 44. The stick S may be inserted into the insertion hole 44. The upper case 40 may include a cap 45 that opens and closes the insertion hole 44. The cap 45 may slide horizontally to open and close the insertion hole 44.

The upper case 40 may include an upper case wing 42. The upper case wing 42 may extend downward from both sides of an upper case body 41. The upper case wing 42 may be referred to as an upper case grip 42.

The body 10 may include a body wing 16. The body wing 16 may extend upward from an edge of the upper portion of the body 10. A pair of body wings 16 may be formed opposite to each other with respect to the upper portion of the body 10. The body wing 16 may be positioned in a way that is not aligned with the upper case wing 42.

When the upper case 40 is coupled to the body 10, the upper case 40 may form the upper exterior of the aerosol generating device. When the upper case 40 is coupled to the body 10, the body wing 16 may cover a lateral portion of the upper case 40 exposed between the upper case wings 42. When the upper case 40 is coupled to the body 10, the upper case wing 42 may cover an outer wall of the body 10.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an upper case and a body of an aerosol generating device in a disassembled stated, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the upper case and the body of the aerosol generating device in an assembled state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of a battery A101, a controller A102, and a sensor A103. At least one of the battery A101, the controller A102, and the sensor A103 may be disposed inside a body A10 of the aerosol generating device. The description of a battery 101, a controller 102, and a sensor 103 provided with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 may apply to the description of the features of the battery A101, the controller A102, and the sensor A103.

The body A10 may include pipes A11 and A12 that form a first insertion space A14. The first insertion space A14 may be formed in an upper portion of the body A10. The first insertion space A14 may be open upward. The first insertion space A14 may have a vertically elongated cylindrical shape. A first lateral wall A11 of the pipes A11 and A12 may surround a lateral portion of the first insertion space A14. A first flange A12 of the pipes A11 and A12 may cover a lower portion of the first insertion space A14.

An extractor A20 may have a second insertion space A24 therein. The second insertion space A24 may be open toward an upper side of the extractor A20. The second insertion space A24 may have a vertically elongated cylindrical shape. A second lateral wall A21 of the extractor A20 may surround a lateral portion of the second insertion space A24. A second flange A22 of the extractor A20 may cover a lower portion of the second insertion space A24. The center of the second flange A22 may be open, forming a through hole A23.

Referring to FIG. 7, the extractor A20 may be inserted into the first insertion space A14. When the extractor A20 is inserted into the first insertion space A14, the second insertion space A24 may be disposed inside the first insertion space A14. The second insertion space A24 may be open toward the upper side of the body 10. The diameter of the second insertion space A24 may be less than the diameter of the first insertion space A14. The first insertion space A14 and the second insertion space A24 may communicate with each other via the through hole A23.

A heater assembly A30 may be secured to the body A10. The heater assembly A30 may be elongated and protrude upward from the first flange A12 in the first insertion space A14. The heater assembly A30 may pass through the through hole A23. An upper portion of the heater assembly A30 may be disposed inside the second insertion space A24 via the through hole A23. The heater assembly A30 may heat the second insertion space A24.

The heater assembly A30 may include a heater rod A31 and a heater A33. The heater rod A31 may protrude upward from the first flange A12 to the first insertion space A14. The heater rod A31 may be elongated vertically. A body of the heater rod A31 may have a cylindrical shape. An upper end of the heater rod A31 may have an upward-pointy shape.

The heater A33 may be inserted into a hollow A34 of the heater rod A31. The heater A33 may be secured to the inside of the heater rod A31. The hollow A34 may be open downward and may be filled by a heater cap A35. The first flange A12 may be recessed downward, forming a heater mount A15. A lower end of the heater rod A31 and the heater cap A35 may be secured to the heater mount A15.

The heater A33 may be a resistive heater. When the heater A33 is heated up, heat may pass through the heater rod A31 and heat the second insertion space A24. An induction coil A13 may heat the heater A33. The induction coil A13 may be vertically wound around the perimeter of the first lateral wall A11 and may surround the first insertion space A14 and the heater A33. As a susceptor, the heater A33 may be heated up by a magnetic field generated by an AC flowing through the induction coil A13. The magnetic field may pass through the heater A33 and may generate an eddy current in the heater A33. A current may generate heat in the heater A33. Alternatively, contrary to the illustration, the heater A33 may directly receive power and generate heat.

An upper case A40 may be detachably coupled to the body A10. The upper case A40 may cover the upper portion of the body A10 around the first insertion space A14. An extractor A40 may be coupled to the upper case A40 and move integrally with the upper case A40. When the upper case A40 is coupled to the body A10, the extractor A20 may be inserted into the first insertion space A14, and the heater assembly A30 may be positioned inside the second insertion space A24 by passing through the through hole A23 of the second flange A22.

The upper case A40 may have an insertion hole A44. The insertion hole A44 may be aligned with the second insertion space A24 on an upper side of the second insertion space A24 of the extractor A40. The insertion hole A44 may have a circular horizontal cross-section. A cover A45 may be movably installed on the upper case A40. The cover A45 may open and close the insertion hole A44 and the second insertion space A24.

The sensor A103 may sense the temperature of the heater A33. The controller A102 may control the temperature of the heater A33 based on the temperature of the heater A33 sensed by the sensor A103.

The stick S may be inserted into the second insertion space A24. The stick S may be inserted into the second insertion space A24 by passing through the insertion hole A44. An upper side of the stick S may be exposed upward from the extractor A20 and the upper case A20. The stick S may be supported by the second lateral wall A21 and the second flange A22 in the second insertion space A24. The heater rod A31 passing through the through hole A34 may be inserted into the lower portion of the stick S inserted into the second insertion space A24. The stick S may be heated by the heater A33 inside the heater rod A31, generating an aerosol.

A user may hold one end of the stick S, which is exposed to the outside, in the mouth of the user and inhale air. The air, accompanied by an aerosol, may enter the stick S through the through hole A23 and be provided to the user.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an upper case and a body of an aerosol generating device in a disassembled state, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the upper case and the body of the aerosol generating device in an assembled state, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a heater assembly B10 may be elongated vertically. The heater assembly B10 may include a cylindrical shape. An upper end portion of the heater assembly B10 may have a pointy shape. The heater assembly 10 may have a space into which a heater B16 may be inserted inside. The heater assembly B10 may be highly heat-resistant. For example, the heater assembly B10 may be made of a ceramic material.

The heater assembly B10 may have heater pins B1i and B12. The heater pins B11 and B12 may have a pin body B11. The pin body B11 may be elongated vertically. The pin body B11 may have a cylindrical shape. The inside of the pin body B11 may be a hollow B14. A lower portion of the heater assembly B10 may be open and communicate with the hollow B14. The hollow B14 may be elongated vertically.

The heater pins B11 and B12 may have a pin tip B12. The pin tip B12 may form an upper end of the heater assembly B10. The pin tip B12 may be formed integrally with the pin body B11 on an upper side of the pin body B11. The pin tip B12 may have a shape that gradually narrows toward an upper side of the pin tip B12. The pin tip B12 may have a pointy top. Accordingly, the heater assembly B10 may secure the stick S by passing through the stick S.

The heater B16 may be elongated vertically. The heater B16 may be inserted into the hollow B14 of the heater assembly B10. As a magnetic body, the heater B16 may be heated by an induced current. The heater B16 may have a rolled thin plate shape. The heater B16 may have a cylindrical shape with one side cut vertically.

A reinforcement B17 may block or fill an opening of the hollow B14. The reinforcement B17 may be disposed on a lower side of the heater B16. The reinforcement B17 may support a lower portion of the heater B16 in the hollow B14.

A pipe B20 may have a pipe body B21. The pipe body B21 may be elongated vertically. The pipe body B21 may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape. The pipe body B21 may provide an insertion space B24 that is open upward.

The pipe B20 may have a caught protrusion B26. The caught protrusion B26 may protrude in a horizontal direction or outer radial direction from an outer circumferential surface of a rim formed on an upper portion of the pipe B20. A plurality of caught protrusions B26 may be provided. The plurality of caught protrusions B26 may be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction along the circumference of the rim.

The pipe B20 may have a bottom portion B23. The bottom portion B23 may be formed on a lower portion of the pipe B20. The bottom portion B23 may be positioned on a lower side of the pipe body B21. The bottom portion B23 may be formed integrally with the pipe body B21. The bottom portion B23 may cover a lower portion or bottom of the insertion space B24. The bottom portion B23 may be referred to as the bottom B23 of the pipe B20.

The bottom portion B23 may be open, forming an inlet B234. The inlet B234 may be positioned on a lower side of the insertion space B24. The inlet B234 may be open toward the insertion space B24. The inlet B234 may communicate with the insertion space B24. The inlet B234 may allow the insertion space B24 to communicate with the outside.

The pipe B20 may have a mount B25. The mount B25 may protrude downward from the bottom portion B23. The mount B25 may be formed at the center of the bottom portion B23. A lower portion of the mount B25 may be open, forming a mount hole B254.

A plurality of inlets B234 may be provided. The plurality of inlets B234 may be formed around the mount B25. The plurality of inlets B234 may be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction around the mount B25. The plurality of inlets B234 may be arranged radially around the mount B25. The inlet B234 may be positioned above a lower end of the mount B25.

The heater assembly B10 may be secured to the pipe B20. The lower portion of the heater assembly B10 may be secured to the bottom portion B23 or the vicinity of the bottom portion B23, and an upper portion of the heater assembly B10 may protrude into the insertion space B24.

A flange B15 and the reinforcement B17 may be inserted and coupled to a mount groove of the mount B25. The mount B25 and the bottom portion B23 may be an elastic body with some elasticity. For example, the pipe B20 may be made of plastic. When the flange B15 and the reinforcement B17 are inserted into the mount groove, the shape of a mount around the mount groove may be deformed before returning to its original shape, allowing the flange B15 and the reinforcement B17 to be pressed into the mount groove. The flange B15 and the reinforcement B17 may bond with each other and be coupled to the mount B25.

The pin body B11 may be disposed in the insertion space B24. The pin body B11 may be disposed along the longitudinal direction of the insertion space B24. The pin tip B12 may face toward an opening of the insertion space B24.

Accordingly, the heater assembly B10 may be secured to the pipe B20. In addition, the heater assembly B10 may be prevented from rotating in a circumferential direction. Furthermore, vertical removal of the heater assembly B10 from the pipe B10 may be prevented.

The heater B16 may be spaced at a predetermined height from an upper surface of the bottom portion B23. Accordingly, it may be possible to reduce the impact of heat generated by the heater B16 on the bottom portion B23 of the pipe B20. In addition, it may be possible to prevent the bottom portion B23 of the pipe B20 from undergoing heat deformation, avoiding the formation of a gap between the pipe B20 and the heater assembly B10. This may help prevent the widening of the gap and leakage of a foreign substance, such as a liquid, through the gap.

The pipe B20 may be coupled to an upper case B30. The upper case B30 may have an insertion hole B34 communicating with the insertion space B24. A first upper case B31 may be coupled to a second upper case B32, forming the upper case B30. The first upper case B31 may form the exterior of the upper case B30, and the second upper case B32 may form the interior of the upper case B30. The first upper case B31 may be coupled to an upper or outer side of the second upper case B32. The rim and the caught protrusion B26 of the pipe B20 may be coupled to each other by being disposed between the first upper case B31 and the second upper case B32.

The first upper case B31 may have an upper frame B311. The upper frame B311 may be parallel to the pipe B20 in a horizontal direction. The upper frame B311 may form the upper exterior of the upper case B30. One side of the upper frame B311 may be open, forming the insertion hole B34.

The upper case B30 may have a cap B35 that opens and closes the insertion hole B34. The cap B35 may be movably installed ¬ on the upper frame B311 of the upper case B30. An upper portion of the cap B35 may be exposed to the outside of the first upper case B31. A lower portion of the cap B35 may be disposed between the first upper case B31 and the second upper case B32. When the cap B35 opens the insertion hole B34, the insertion space B24 may also be open towards the outside through the insertion hole B34. When the cap B35 closes the insertion hole B34, the insertion space B24 may also be closed by the cap B35. The cap B35 may slidably or pivotally move. Accordingly, the pipe B20 may move along with the upper case B30. In addition, the pipe B20 may be prevented from rotating around the upper case B30 in a circumferential direction.

A body B100 may have a pipe groove B104. An upper surface B103 of the body B100 may be recessed downward, forming the pipe groove B104. The pipe groove B104 may be open upward. The pipe groove B104 may be elongated vertically. The pipe groove B104 may be referred to as a groove B104.

Referring to FIG. 9, the upper case B30 may cover an upper portion of the body B100. The upper case B30 may wrap and cover the body B100 around the groove B104. The upper case B30 may be detachably coupled to the body B100. When the upper case B30 is coupled to the body B100, the pipe B20 may be inserted into the pipe groove B104.

A body cover B107 may surround a lateral portion of the body B100. The body cover B107 may protrude upward from an edge of the body B100, surpassing the upper surface B103 of the body B100. The body cover B107 may form a cover groove, into which an upper case cover B37 may be inserted, at one side and the other side of the body B100. The cover groove may be in contact with a lateral portion B102 of the body B100. The placement and shape of the cover groove may correspond to the placement and shape of the upper case cover B37. The uppercase cover B37 may be in contact with the body cover B107 and guided for insertion into the cover groove.

When the upper case B30 is coupled to the body B100, a lower frame B321 of the upper case B30 may cover the upper surface B103 of the body B100. When the upper case B30 is coupled to the body B100, the upper case cover B37 may be inserted into the cover groove and cover lateral surfaces B102 of the body B100.

A user may open the insertion hole B34 and the insertion space B24 by moving the cap B35. The stick S may be inserted into the insertion hole B34 and the insertion space B24 and protrude to an upper side of the upper case B30. The user may hold the stick S in the mouth of the user and inhale air.

Accordingly, the user may detach both the upper case B30 and the pipe B20 from the body B100. In addition, as the pipe B20 is detached from the body B100, it may be easy to clean the inside of the pipe B20. In addition, it may be possible to prevent a foreign substance from entering around the pipe B20 and the groove B104 of the body B100 through the upper case B30.

The body B100 may have a container B101. The container B101 may provide the pipe groove B104. The pipe groove B104 may be surrounded by the container B101. The pipe groove B104 may be elongated vertically. The pipe groove B104 may be open upward. A container bottom B1011 may cover a lower portion of the pipe groove B104. The container bottom B1011 may be the bottom B1011 of the pipe groove B104. When the upper case B30 is coupled to the body B100, the pipe B20 may be inserted into the pipe groove B104.

An induction coil B109 may wrap the container B101 by winding around the container B101 multiple times. The induction coil B109 may be disposed from the vicinity of the container bottom B1011 to the vicinity of an opening of the pipe groove B104. When the upper case B30 is coupled to the body B100, the heater B16 may be disposed in the pipe groove B104, and the induction coil B109 may surround the vicinity of the heater B16. The heater B16 may be heated by the induction coil B109.

A sensor B105 may be disposed inside the body B100. The sensor B105 may sense information, such as the temperature of the heater B16, whether a stick BS is inserted into the insertion space B24, whether the pipe B20 is inserted into the pipe groove B104, and the like. The sensor B105 may sense the information according to a change in the permittivity inside the pipe groove B104. For example, the sensor B105 may be a capacitance sensor. The sensor B105 may be installed around the pipe groove B104.

For example, the sensor B105 may indirectly estimate the temperature of the heater B16 by detecting a change in the permittivity around the heater B16. For example, a memory installed inside a device may store information about a look-up table regarding the correlation between the permittivity change around the heater B16 sensed by the sensor B105 and the heating temperature of the heater B16. For example, a controller installed inside the device may receive a signal about the permittivity change from the sensor B105 and estimate the temperature of the heater B16 using the look-up table.

Accordingly, the sensor B105 may sense the temperature of the heater B16 without a lead wire extending from the heater B16 to the inside of the body B100.

An inner circumferential surface of the pipe body B21 may have a tapered shape that gradually narrows from the vicinity of the insertion hole B34 toward the bottom portion B23 of the pipe B20. The stick S may pass through the insertion hole B34 and be guided by the inner circumferential surface of the pipe body B21 such that the stick S is seated in the insertion space B24.

When the upper case B30 is coupled to the body B100, the upper case B30 may separate the pipe B20 from the container B101.

When the pipe B20 is inserted into the pipe groove B104, the mount B25 may be positioned on the lower portion of the pipe groove B104. The mount B25 may be spaced upward by a first distance from the container bottom B1011. The inlet B234 may be spaced upward by a second distance from the container bottom B1011. The second distance may be greater than the first distance.

A lateral portion of the pipe body B21 may be spaced apart from a lateral portion of the container B101. A first flow path B1041 may be formed between the lateral portion of the pipe body B21 and the lateral portion of the container B101. The first flow path B1041 may surround the pipe body B21 in a circumferential direction. The first flow path may be formed at one side of the pipe groove B104.

A second flow path B1041 may be formed between a lower portion of the inlet B234 and a lower portion of the container B101. The second flow path B1041 may be surrounded by the lower portion of the container B101, the mount B25, and the bottom portion B23 of the pipe B20. The second flow path B1041 may surround the vicinity of the mount B25 in a circumferential direction. The second flow path B1041 may communicate with the first flow path B1041. The second flow path B1041 may be positioned at a lower side of the first flow path B1041. The second flow path B1041 may be positioned at a lower side of the inlet B234. The second flow path B1041 may communicate with the inlet B234. The second flow path B1041 may be formed at the other side of the pipe groove B104. The second flow path B1041 may be referred to as an inflow chamber B1041.

When the user inhales air, the air may enter the second flow path B1041 from the first flow path B1041. The air entering the second flow path B1041 may pass through the inlet B234 and may be supplied to the stick S inserted into the insertion space B24.

Accordingly, it may be possible to prevent a lower portion of the pipe B20, such as the mount B25 or the bottom portion B23, from being contaminated by a foreign substance, such as a liquid, on the bottom of the container B101. In addition, the air may be collected in the second flow path B1041 and then enter the inlet B234, stabilizing the airflow and improving flow efficiency.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an upper case, a body, and a heater holder of an aerosol generating device in a disassembled state, according to an aerosol generating device of the present disclosure, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the upper case, the body, and the heater holder of the aerosol generating device in an assembled state, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the heater holder of the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may have a body C10 that is elongated vertically. The body C10 may provide a first insertion space C14 inside. The first insertion space C14 may be open upward. The first insertion space C14 may have a vertically elongated cylindrical shape. The first insertion space C14 may be defined by a body pipe C11 formed inside the body C10. The body pipe C11 may include a lateral wall C111 surrounding the perimeter of the first insertion space C14 and a lower wall C112 covering the bottom of the first insertion space C14. The lower wall C112 may be formed at the bottom of the body pipe C11. The lateral wall C111 of the body pipe C11 may be referred to as an inner lateral wall C111 of the body C10.

A heater holder C20 may be detachably inserted into the first insertion space C14. The heater holder C20 may have a second insertion space C24 inside. The second insertion space C24 may be open upward. The second insertion space C24 may have a cylindrical shape. The second insertion space C24 may be defined by a pipe C20′ of the heater holder C20. The pipe C20′ may include a lateral wall C21 surrounding the perimeter of the second insertion space C24 and a lower wall C22 covering the bottom of the second insertion space C24. The lower wall C22 of the pipe C20′ may be referred to as a bottom C22 or a mount C22. The lower wall C22 of the pipe C20′ may form the bottom C22 of the heater holder C20. A heater C50 may be coupled or secured to the heater holder C20. The pipe C20′ may be referred to as a heater holder pipe C20′.

An extractor C30 may be detachably inserted into the second insertion space C24. The extractor C30 may provide a third insertion space C34 inside. The third insertion space C34 may be open to one side. The third insertion space C34 may have a cylindrical shape. The third insertion space C34 may be defined by a lateral wall C31 and a lower wall C32 of the extractor C30. The outer circumferential surface of the extractor C30 may have a cylindrical shape.

The lower end of the stick S may be inserted into the third insertion space C34, and the upper end of the stick S may protrude outward from the aerosol generating device. The heater C50 may heat the first insertion space C14, the second insertion space C24, and the third insertion space C34. The heater C50 may heat the stick S inserted into the third insertion space C34.

Accordingly, the heater C50 may be readily replaced. The sizes of the insertion spaces C14, C24, and C34 and the size of the heater C50 disposed in the insertion spaces C14, C24, and C34 may be very small. Thus, it may be difficult to replace the heater C50. However, the user may readily replace the heater C50 by detaching the heater holder C20 from the aerosol generating device and placing a new heater holder C20 in the aerosol generating device.

In addition, a foreign substance generated from the stick S may not remain in the vicinity of the heater C50 and the heater holder C20 and may be extracted by the extractor C30. Accordingly, the aerosol generating device around the heater C50 may be readily cleaned, improving the convenience of maintenance. In addition, it may be possible to reduce factors that reduce the performance of the heater C50 and improve the durability of the heater C50, thereby increasing the replacement cycle of the heater C50. In addition, factors that alter the taste of the stick S may be reduced.

A lower end of the heater C50 may be secured to the mount C22. The heater C50 may be elongated toward an opening of the second insertion space C24. The heater C50 may be formed in a cylindrical shape with a pointed upper end. In another example, the heater C50 may have a shape extending in a circumferential direction and may be coupled to the lateral wall C21 of the heater holder C20. However, this is only an example. The shape of the heater C50 is not limited to the description and illustration above. The heater C50 may have any shape that is sufficiently coupled to the heater holder C20 to heat the stick S inserted into the third insertion space C34.

The heater holder C20 may be formed in the heater C50 by insert injection. The heater holder C20 may have high heat resistance and excellent rigidity. For example, the heater holder C20 may be formed of polyetheretherketone (PEEK). However, the material of the heater holder C20 is not limited thereto.

The lower wall C32 of the extractor C30 may be open, forming a through hole C35. The through hole C35 may be open vertically. When the extractor C30 is inserted into the second insertion space C24, the heater C50 may pass through the through hole C35 and protrude to the third insertion space C34. When the stick S is inserted into the third insertion space C34, the heater C50 may be inserted into the lower portion of the stick S.

An induction coil C15 may surround the first insertion space C14. The induction coil C15 may be wound around the circumference of the lateral wall C111 of the body pipe C11. The induction coil C15 may surround the heater C50. The induction coil C15 may heat the heater C50. In another example, the heater C50 may be directly and electrically connected to a power source through a terminal formed in the heater holder C20 and heated up by receiving power.

Accordingly, the stick S may be readily detached from the heater C50. The user may readily detach the stick S from the heater C50 by detaching the extractor C30 from the heater holder C20. The stick S inserted inside the extractor C30 may be detached from the heater C50 and may thus be more readily detached from the extractor C30. The stick S may also be detached from the extractor C30 when the extractor C30 is not detached from the heater holder C20.

In addition, a foreign substance generated from the stick S may not remain in the vicinity of the heater C50 and the heater holder C20 and may be extracted by the extractor C30. Accordingly, the aerosol generating device around the heater C50 may be readily cleaned, improving the convenience of maintenance. In addition, it may be possible to reduce factors that reduce the performance of the heater C50 and improve the durability of the heater C50, thereby increasing the replacement cycle of the heater C50. In addition, factors that alter the taste of the stick S may be reduced.

The heater holder C20 may be disposed between the body C10 and the extractor C30. The lateral wall C111 of the body pipe C11 may surround the lateral wall C21 of the heater holder C20. The lower wall C112 of the body pipe C11 may face the lower wall C22 of the heater holder C20. The lateral wall C21 of the heater holder C20 may surround the lateral wall C31 of the extractor C30. The lower wall C22 of the heater holder C20 may face the lower wall C32 of the extractor C30.

The lateral wall C31 of the extractor C30 may be spaced inward from the lateral wall C21 of the heater holder C20. The lower wall C32 of the extractor C30 may be spaced upward from the lower wall C22 of the heater holder C20. Air may flow between the extractor C30 and the heater holder C20, may pass through the through hole C35, and then may be provided to the stick S inserted into the third insertion space C34.

An upper wall C12 of the body C10 may extend outward in a horizontal direction from an upper end of the body pipe C11. The upper wall C12 of the body C10 may cover an upper end of the induction coil C15. An outer lateral wall C13 of the body C10 may extend downward from an outer end of the upper wall C12 of the body C10. The outer lateral wall C13 of the body C10 may face the lateral wall C111 of the body pipe C11. The outer lateral wall C13 of the body C10 may be spaced outward from the body pipe C11. The induction coil C15 may be disposed between the body pipe C11 and the outer lateral wall C13 of the body C10.

An upper case C40 may be detachably coupled to the body C10. The upper case C40 may be coupled to an upper side of the body C10. The upper case C40 may cover around the first insertion space C14 and around an upper portion of the body C10. The upper case C40 may have an insertion hole C44. The stick S may be inserted into the insertion hole C44. The upper case C40 may include a cap C45 that opens and closes the insertion hole C44. The cap C45 may slide horizontally to open and close the insertion hole C44. The heater holder C20 may be disposed between the body C10 and the upper case C40.

The upper case C40 may include an upper case body C41. The upper case body C41 may be open vertically, forming the insertion hole C44. The insertion hole C44 may be positioned off-center, leaning to one side from the center of the upper case body C41. A lower surface of the upper case body C41 may have a shape corresponding to the upper wall C12 of the body C10. The lower surface of the upper case body C41 may extend horizontally in parallel to the upper wall C12 of the body C10. The cap C45 may be installed to slide on an upper side of the upper case body C41.

The upper case C40 may include an upper case wing C42. The upper case wing C42 may extend downward from both sides of the upper case body C41. A portion of a lateral portion of the upper case body C41 may be exposed between a pair of upper case wings C42. The upper case wing C42 may be referred to as an upper case grip C42.

The extractor C30 may be coupled to the upper case C40. An upper end of the extractor C30 may be coupled to the upper case C40, and a lower end of the extractor C30 may protrude to a lower side of the upper case C40. The extractor C30 may be coupled to a position corresponding to the insertion hole C44. The insertion hole C44 may be positioned on an upper side of the third insertion space C34. The insertion hole C44 may allow the third insertion space C34 to communicate with the outside of the aerosol generating device.

The upper end of the extractor C30 may be coupled to the upper case body C41. The extractor C30 may extend downward from the upper case body C41. The extractor C30 may be disposed between the pair of upper case wings C42.

The body C10 may include a body wing C16. The body wing C16 may extend upward from an edge of the upper wall C12 of the body C10. A pair of body wings C16 may be formed opposite to each other with respect to the upper portion of the body C10. The body wing C16 may be positioned in a way that is not aligned with the upper case wing C42.

When the upper case C40 is coupled to the body C10, the upper case C40 may form the upper exterior of the aerosol generating device. When the upper case C40 is coupled to the body C10, the body wing C16 may cover a lateral portion of the upper case body C41 exposed between the upper case wings C42. When the upper case C40 is coupled to the body C10, the upper case wing C42 may cover the outer lateral wall C13 of the body C10.

Accordingly, the user may more readily detach the extractor C30 from the body C10. The user may detach the extractor C30 from the body C10 without experiencing the inconvenience of gripping the extractor C30 inserted into the second insertion space C24 by gripping the exterior of the upper case C40 and detaching the extractor C30 from the body C10. For example, the user may readily detach the upper case C40 and the extractor C30 from the body C10 by pulling the pair of upper case wings C42 away from the body C10.

The extractor C30 may have a caught protrusion C37. The caught protrusion C37 may protrude outward from an upper outer circumferential surface of the extractor C30 in a horizontal direction. A plurality of caught protrusions C37 may be provided. The plurality of caught protrusions C26 may be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction. The caught protrusion C37 may be inserted into and engage with a groove formed in the upper case body C41 around the insertion hole C44 and may thus secure the extractor C30 to the upper case C40. The caught protrusion C37 may engage with the upper case body C41 in a circumferential direction.

Accordingly, in the process of inserting and removing the stick S, the extractor C30 may be prevented from rotating around the upper case C40 in a circumferential direction.

The heater holder C20 may include an extension C23. The extension C23 may be formed at an upper end of the heater holder C20. The extension C23 may extend outward from an upper end of the pipe C20′ in a horizontal direction. The extension C23 may have a plate shape. The extension C23 may be formed longer on one side with respect to the pipe C20′. The extension C23 may be referred to as a heater holder extension C23.

The extension C23 may have a shape corresponding to the upper wall C12 of the body C10. The extension C23 may be formed horizontally on the upper wall C12 of the body C10. When the pipe C20′ is inserted into the first insertion space C14, the extension C23 may be supported by or seated on the upper wall C12 of the body C10. The upper wall C12 of the body C10 may support the extension C23, and the extension C23 may support the pipe C20′. The pipe C20′ may be suspended from the extension C23 and spaced upward from the bottom C112 of the body pipe C11, thereby forming an air gap. An outer circumferential surface of the pipe C20′ may be spaced inward from the lateral wall C111 of the body pipe C11, thereby forming an air gap.

The extension C23 may have a shape corresponding to the lower surface of the upper case body C41. The extension C23 may be formed horizontally on the lower surface of the upper case body C41. When the upper case C40 is coupled to the body C10 and the extractor C30 is inserted into the pipe C20′, the extension C23 may be in contact with the lower surface of the upper case body C41.

A first coupling member C27 may be secured to the heater holder C20. For example, the first coupling member C27 may be secured to the extension C23. The first coupling member C27 may be secured to an inner portion or outer surface of the extension C23. The heater holder C20 may be insert-injected into the first coupling member C27 and the heater C50.

The extension C23 may include a first extension C231 and a second extension C232. The first extension C231 may extend from the pipe C20′ to one side, and the second extension C232 may extend from the pipe C20′ to the other side. The first extension C231 may extend longer than the second extension C232. The perimeter of the first extension C231 may be greater than the perimeter of the second extension C232. The first extension C231 may be formed to be horizontally wider than the second extension C232. With respect to the pipe C20′ extending downward from the extension C23 in a plate shape, one side may be defined as the first extension C231 and the other side as the second extension C232. The pipe C20′ may extend downward from a portion positioned off-center, leaning to one side from the center of the extension C23.

The first coupling member C27 may be secured to the first extension C231, which is a portion of the extension C23 and extends longer on one side with respect to the pipe C20′. The first coupling member C27 may have a plate shape. The first coupling member C27 may be disposed widely in the first extension C23 in a horizontal direction. The position at which the first coupling member C27 is disposed is not limited thereto. For example, the first coupling member C27 may be secured to the pipe C20′.

The first coupling member C27 may be formed of a magnetic material. The first coupling member C27 may be a ferromagnetic material. For example, the first coupling member C27 may be formed of stainless steel. However, the material of the first coupling member C27 is not limited thereto.

The second coupling member C47 may be secured to the upper case C40. The second coupling member C47 may be secured to the inside of the upper case body C41. The second coupling member C47 may be adjacent to the lower surface of the upper case body C41. However, the position at which the second coupling member C47 is disposed is not limited thereto. For example, the second coupling member C47 may be secured to the upper case wing C42. In another example, the second coupling member C47 may be secured to the extractor C30. The second coupling member C47 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the first coupling member C27.

The second coupling member C47 and the first coupling member C27 may exert an attractive force on each other. For example, the first coupling member C27 may be a ferromagnetic material, and the second coupling member C47 may be a magnet. However, the materials of the first coupling member C27 and the second coupling member C47 are not limited thereto.

A third coupling member C17 may be secured to the inside of the body C10. The third coupling member C17 may be adjacent to the upper wall C12 of the body C10. The third coupling member C17 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the first coupling member C27. However, the position at which the third coupling member C17 is disposed is not limited thereto. For example, the third coupling member C17 may be adjacent to the lateral wall C111 of the body pipe C11. The third coupling member C17 and the first coupling member C27 may exert an attractive force on each other. For example, the first coupling member C27 may be a ferromagnetic material, and the third coupling member C17 may be a magnet. However, the materials of the first coupling member C27 and the third coupling member C17 are not limited thereto.

An outer circumferential surface of the lateral wall C21 of the pipe C20′ may form a plurality of angles in a circumferential direction. A horizontal cross-section of the outer circumferential surface of the lateral wall C21 of the pipe C20′ may be polygonal. The outer circumferential surface of the lateral wall C21 of the pipe C20′ may be elongated vertically and may be formed with a plurality of surfaces arranged at angles in a circumferential direction. The outer circumferential surface of the pipe C20′ may be spaced inward from the lateral wall C111 of the body pipe C11, thereby forming an air gap. The heater C50 may be surrounded by the extractor C30 and the pipe C20′. The extractor C30 and the pipe C20′ may be spaced from each other, thereby forming an air gap.

Accordingly, it may be possible to reduce the amount of heat, which is generated by the heater C50, to be transferred through the pipe C20′ to the body pipe C11, thereby reducing the phenomenon of the aerosol generating device overheating.

The upper case C40 may be detached from the body C10. The heater holder C20 may be detachably coupled to the upper case C40. When the upper case C40 is detached from the body C10, the heater holder C20 may be detached from the body C10 together with the upper case C40 while being coupled to the upper case C40. When the upper case C40 to which the heater holder C20 is coupled is detached from the body C10, the heater holder C20 may be detached from the upper case C40.

In another example, the heater holder C20 may be detachably coupled to the extractor C30. When the extractor C30 is detached from the body C10, the heater holder C20, in a coupled stated with the extractor C30, may be detached from the body C10 together with the extractor C30. While the extractor C30 to which the heater holder C20 is coupled is detached from the body C10, the heater holder C20 may be detached from the extractor C30.

The first coupling member C27 and the second coupling member C47 may exert an attractive force on each other. The first coupling member C27 and the second coupling member C47 may detachably couple the heater holder C20 to the upper case C40 and/or the extractor C30. For example, the first coupling member C27 and the second coupling member C47 may be magnets, exerting an attractive force on each other. In another example, one of the first coupling member C27 and the second coupling member C47 may be a ferromagnetic material, and the other may be a magnet. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. The first coupling member C27 and the second coupling member C47 may be any configurations exerting an attractive force on each other through electrical or magnetic force.

The extension C23 may form a horizontal surface corresponding to the lower surface of the upper case body C41. The first extension C231 may form a horizontal surface corresponding to the lower surface of the upper case body C41. An upper surface of the extension C23 may be horizontally supported by the upper case body C41. The area of the first extension C231 that is supported by the upper case body C41 may be greater than the area of the second extension C232 that is supported by the upper case body C41.

The first coupling member C27 may have a plate shape. The first coupling member C47 may be horizontally secured to the first extension C231. The second coupling member C47 may be adjacent to the lower surface of the upper case body C41. The second coupling member C47 may be formed at a position corresponding to the first coupling member C27. Due to the attractive force between the first coupling member C27 and the second coupling member C47, the first extension C231 may be in contact with the lower surface of the upper case body C41.

In another example, the heater holder C20 may be detachably coupled to the upper case C40 using a screw coupling scheme. In this case, the heater holder C20 may be detached from or coupled to the upper case C40 using the screw coupling scheme by rotating in a circumferential direction. Alternatively, a fastening screw may be used to detachably couple the heater holder C20 to the upper case C40. In another example, the heater holder C20 may be detachably coupled to the upper case C40 by a snap-fit coupling scheme. In this case, one of the heater holder C20 and the upper case C40 may have a coupling hook, and the other may include a groove to which the coupling hook is coupled. However, this is only an example, and the scheme by which the heater holder C20 is detachably coupled to the upper case C40 is not limited thereto. The heater holder C20 may be detachably coupled to the upper case C40 using various well-known schemes.

The heater holder C20 coupled to the upper case C40 may protrude downward from the upper case C40. The heater holder C20 may be disposed between the pair of upper case wings C42. The pipe C20′ may protrude downward from the upper case body C41 more than the upper case wing C42. Accordingly, the heater holder C20 may be readily gripped.

Accordingly, the heater holder C20 may be readily detached from the upper case C40 and stably coupled to the upper case C40. In addition, the heater C50 may be conveniently replaced.

In addition, the stick S may be readily detached from the heater C50. The user may readily detach the stick S from the heater C50 by detaching the extractor C30 from the heater holder C20. The stick S inserted inside the extractor C30 may be detached from the heater C50 and may thus be more readily detached from the extractor C30.

The heater holder C20 may be detachably coupled to the body C10. When the heater holder C20 is coupled to the body C10, the uppercase C40 and/or the extractor C30 may be detached from the body C10 and the heater holder C20. When the upper case C40 and/or the extractor C30 are detached from the body C10 and the heater holder C20, the heater holder C20 may be detached from the body C10.

The first coupling member C27 and the third coupling member C17 may exert an attractive force on each other. The first coupling member C27 and the third coupling member C17 may detachably couple the heater holder C20 to the body C10. For example, the first coupling member C27 and the third coupling member C17 may be magnets, exerting an attractive force on each other. In another example, one of the first coupling member C27 and the third coupling member C17 may be a ferromagnetic material, and the other may be a magnet. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. The first coupling member C27 and the third coupling member C17 may be any configurations exerting an attractive force on each other through electrical or magnetic force.

The extension C23 may cover the upper wall C12 of the body C10, and the pipe C20′ may be inserted into the first insertion space C14. The extension C23 may form a horizontal surface corresponding to the upper wall C12 of the body C10. The first extension C231 may correspond to the upper wall C12 on one side of the body C10, and the second extension C232 may correspond to the upper wall C12 on the other side of the body C10. A lower surface of the extension C23 may be horizontally supported by the upper wall C12 of the body C10. The area of the first extension C231 that is supported by the body C10 may be greater than the area of the second extension C232 that is supported by the body C10.

The first coupling member C27 may have a plate shape. The first coupling member C47 may be horizontally secured to the first extension C231. The third coupling member C17 may be adjacent to the upper wall C12 of the body C10. The third coupling member C17 may be formed at a position corresponding to the first coupling member C27. The first coupling member C27 may be disposed in the first extension C231, and the third coupling member C17 may be adjacent to the upper wall C12 on one side of the body C10 covered by the first extension C231. Due to the attractive force between the first coupling member C27 and the third coupling member C47, the first extension C231 may be in contact with the upper wall C12 of the body C10.

In another example, the heater holder C20 may be detachably coupled to the body C10 by the screw coupling scheme. In this case, the heater holder C20 may be detached from or coupled to the body C10 by rotating in a circumferential direction using the screw coupling scheme. Alternatively, the fastening screw may be used to detachably couple the heater holder C20 to the body C10. In another example, the heater holder C20 may be detachably coupled to the body C10 by the snap-fit coupling scheme. In this case, one of the heater holder C20 and the body C10 may include the coupling hook, and the other may include the groove to which the hook is coupled. However, this is only an example, and the scheme by which the heater holder C20 is detachably coupled to the body C10 is not limited thereto. The heater holder C20 may be detachably coupled to the body C10 in various publicly known ways.

The extension C23 coupled to the body C10 may be exposed upward from the body C10. The extension C23 may be disposed between the pair of body wings C16. The extension C23 may be disposed between the pair of body wings C16, either adjacent to the outer lateral wall C13 of the body 10 or vertically parallel to the outer later wall C13. Accordingly, the heater holder C20 may be readily gripped.

Accordingly, the heater holder C20 may be readily detached from the body C10 and stably coupled to the body C10. In addition, the heater C50 may be conveniently replaced. In addition, the stick S may be readily detached from the heater C50. The user may readily detach the stick S from the heater C50 by detaching the extractor C30 from the heater holder C20. The stick S inserted inside the extractor C30 may be detached from the heater C50 and may thus be more readily detached from the extractor C30.

Referring to FIG. 11, the first coupling member C27 may be disposed between the second coupling member C47 and the third coupling member C17. The first coupling member C27 and the second coupling member C47 may exert an attractive force on each other. The first coupling member C27 and the third coupling member C17 may exert an attractive force on each other. For example, each of the second coupling member C47 and the third coupling member C17 may be a magnet, and the first coupling member C27 may be a magnet between the first coupling member C47 and the third coupling member C17, exerting an attractive force on each of the second coupling member C47 and the third coupling member C17. In another example, the first coupling member C27 may be a ferromagnetic material, and each of the second coupling member C47 and the third coupling member C17 may be a magnet. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. The first coupling member C27 may be any configurations exerting an attractive force on each of the second coupling member C47 and the third coupling member C17 through electrical or magnetic force.

Accordingly, the user may optionally couple the heater holder C20 to either the body C10 or the extractor C30 when the upper case C40 and/or the extractor C30 is detached from the body C10. In addition, the upper case C40 and/or the extractor C30 may be readily and stably coupled to the body C10.

The attractive force between the first coupling member C27 and the second coupling member C47 may be different from the attractive force between the first coupling member C27 and the third coupling member C17. For example, the attractive force between the first coupling member C27 and the second coupling member C47 may be greater than the attractive force between the first coupling member C27 and the third coupling member C17.

Accordingly, when the upper case C40 and/or the extractor C30 is detached from the body C10, the heater holder C20 may also be detached from the body C10. In addition, when the upper case C40 and/or the extractor C30 is coupled to the body C10 while the heater holder C20 is coupled to the upper case C40 and/or the extractor C30, the attractive force between the first coupling member C27 and the third coupling member C17 may facilitate easier coupling of the upper case C40 to the body C10 and maintain a more stable coupling state.

In another example, the attractive force between the first coupling member C27 and the second coupling member C47 may be greater than the attractive force between the first coupling member C27 and the third coupling member C17. Accordingly, when the upper case C40 and/or the extractor C30 is detached from the body C10, the heater holder C20 may remain coupled to the body C10, and the stick S may be more readily detached from the extractor C30 after being removed from the heater C50.

Referring to FIG. 12, a guide portion C25 may be formed on an upper inner circumferential surface of the pipe C20′. The guide portion C25 may be disposed between the pipe C20′ and the extension C23. The guide portion C25 may be in contact with the opening of the second insertion space C24. The guide portion C25 may extend downward at a slant. The guide portion C25 may extend in a circumferential direction to surround the opening of the second insertion space C24.

Accordingly, the guide portion C25 may be in contact with a lower portion of the extractor C30 and guide the extractor C30 to be readily inserted into the second insertion space C24.

The lower end of the heater C50 may be inserted and secured to the mount C22. The heater C50 may include a heater rod C51. The heater rod C51 may form the exterior of the heater C50. The heater rod C51 may be elongated vertically. The heater rod C51 may have a cylindrical shape. The heater rod C51 may have a downward-opening hollow. The hollow may be elongated vertically. The hollow inside the heater rod C51 may be formed in a cylindrical shape. An upper end of the heater rod C51 may be formed into an upward-pointy shape. The heater rod C51 may have high thermal expansibility, excellent thermal insulation, and low thermal conductivity. The heater rod C51 may have high rigidity. For example, the heater rod C51 may be formed of zirconia. However, the material of the heater rod C51 is not limited thereto.

The heater C50 may include a heating portion C52. The heating portion C52 may be inserted into the hollow inside the heater rod C51. The heating portion C52 may be elongated vertically. The heating portion C52 may be formed in a cylindrical shape. The heating portion C52 may be formed of resistant metal. Heat generated from the heating portion C52 may be transferred to the outside of the heater C50 through the heater rod C51. The heating portion C52 may be disposed at a height corresponding to the third insertion space C34 (see FIG. 6). A lower end of the heating portion C52 may be adjacent to a lower end of the through hole C35.

The heater C50 may include a support body C53. The support body C53 may be inserted into the hollow of the heater rod C51. The support body C53 may be disposed at a lower side of the heating portion C52. The support body C53 may be secured to the heater rod C51 in the hollow. The support body C53 may support a lower portion of the heating portion C52. A lower end of the support body C53 may be supported by a bottom C22a of the mount C22. A hole C22c formed at the center of the mount C22 may be formed by the process of insert-injecting the heater holder C20. The width of the hole C22c may be less than the width of the support body C53, preventing the disengagement of the support body C53. The hole C22c may be absent. The support body C53 may have high heat resistance. The support body C53 may not undergo thermal deformation due to the heat generated from the heating portion C52. The support body C53 may be formed of polyamide. However, the material of the support body C53 is not limited thereto.

The heater C50 may include a flange C55. The flange C55 may be formed at a lower end of the heater rod C51. The flange C55 may extend outward from a circumferential surface of the lower end of the heater rod C51 in a horizontal direction. The flange C55 may extend in a circumferential direction of the heater rod C51. The lower end of the heater rod C51 and the flange C55 may be inserted into the mount C22. The mount C22 may be integrally coupled to the flange C55 as the heater holder C20 is insert-injected into the heater C50.

A horizontal cross-section of an outer circumferential surface of the flange C55 may have a non-circular shape. An inner circumferential surface of the mount C22 may have a shape corresponding to the outer circumferential surface of the flange C55. The inner circumferential surface of the mount C22 and the outer circumferential surface of the flange C55 may engage with each other in a circumferential direction. Accordingly, in the process of detaching or inserting the stick S from or into the heater C50, the heater C50 may be prevented from rotating around the heater holder C20 in the circumferential direction.

The flange C55 may include a first caught portion C55a. The first caught portion C55a may protrude outward from the circumference of the flange C55. The first caught portion C55a may be formed on a lower portion of the flange C55. The first caught portion C55a may extend along the circumference of the flange C55.

The mount C22 may include a second caught portion C22b. The second caught portion C22b may protrude inward toward a groove of the mount C22. The second caught portion C22b may have a shape corresponding to the first caught portion C55a. The first caught portion C55a may be positioned on a lower side of the second caught portion C22b. The first caught portion C55a and the second caught portion C22b may overlap vertically. The second caught portion C22a may support the first caught portion C55a and prevent the flange C55 from being separated upward from the mount C22.

The extension C23 may extend longer to one side with respect to the pipe C20′ or the second insertion space C24. Based on the horizontal direction on one side, a length L1 of the first extension C231 may be greater than a length L2 of the second extension C232. The length L1 of the first extension C231 may be greater than a diameter L0 of the second insertion space C24. Alternatively, the length L1 of the first extension C231 may be closer to the diameter L0 of the second insertion space C24 than the length L2 of the second extension C232. The first coupling member C47 may have a plate shape. The first coupling member C47 may be horizontally secured to the first extension C231.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the upper case, the body, and the heater holder of the aerosol generating device in a disassembled state, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the upper case, the body, and the heater holder of the aerosol generating device in an assembled state, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 13, a lateral wall C210 of a heater holder C200 and a lateral wall C310 of an extractor C300 may together define a fourth insertion space C340 (see FIG. 13) that is open upward. Each of the lateral wall C210 of the heater holder C200 and the lateral wall C310 of the extractor C300 may cover at least one side of the fourth insertion space C340. The lateral wall C210 of the heater holder C200 and the lateral wall C310 of the extractor C300 may together form a side circumference of the fourth insertion space C340.

The lateral wall C210 of the heater holder C200 may be elongated vertically. The lateral wall C310 of the extractor C300 may be elongated vertically. Both the lateral wall C210 of the heater holder C200 and the lateral wall C310 of the extractor C300 may be equidistant from the center of the fourth insertion space C340 in a radial direction. Each of the lateral wall C210 of the heater holder C200 and the lateral wall C310 of the extractor C300 may be positioned along the same circumferential extension line of the fourth insertion space C340. Each of the lateral wall C210 of the heater holder C200 and the lateral wall C310 of the extractor C300 may extend along the circumference of the fourth insertion space C340 in a curved manner.

For example, a plurality of lateral walls C210 of the heater holder C200 may be arranged along the circumference of the lower wall C22 of the heater holder C200. In each gap between the plurality of lateral walls C210 of the heater holder C200, a first slit C214 that is open upward and elongated vertically may be formed. The plurality of lateral walls C210 of the heater holder C200 and a plurality of first slits C214 may be arranged alternately in a circumferential direction along the circumference of the fourth insertion space C340.

For example, two lateral walls C210 of the heater holder C200 may be formed opposite to each other with respect to the fourth insertion space C340. Between the two lateral walls C210 of the heater holder C200, two first slits C214 may be formed opposite to each other with respect to the fourth insertion space C340. However, the number of lateral walls C210 of the heater holder C200 and the number of first slits C214 are not limited thereto and may be one or three or more.

For example, a plurality of lateral walls C310 of the extractor C300 may be arranged along the circumference of the lower wall C32 of the extractor C300. In each gap between the plurality of lateral walls C310 of the extractor C300, a second slit C314 that is elongated vertically may be formed. The plurality of lateral walls C310 of the extractor C300 and a plurality of second slits C314 may be alternately arranged in a circumferential direction along the circumference of the fourth insertion space C340.

For example, two lateral walls C310 of the extractor C300 may be formed opposite to each other with respect to the fourth insertion space C340. Between two lateral walls C310 of the extractor C300, two second slits C314 may be formed opposite to each other with respect to the fourth insertion space C340. However, the number of lateral walls C310 of the extractor C300 and the number of second slits C314 are not limited thereto and may be one or three or more.

The extractor C300 may be inserted into the heater holder C200. When the extractor C300 is inserted into the heater holder C200, the lateral wall C210 of the heater holder C200 may be disposed in the second slit C314, and the lateral wall C310 of the extractor C300 may be disposed in the first slit C214.

Accordingly, the lateral wall C210 of the heater holder C200 and the lateral wall C310 of the extractor C300 may form the fourth insertion space C340. Also, the thickness of the wall between the induction coil C15 and the heater C50 may be reduced, improving the heating efficiency of the heater C50.

The lower wall C32 of the extractor C300 may cover a lower portion of the fourth insertion space C340. The lower wall C22 of the heater holder C200 may be disposed on a lower side of the lower wall C32 of the extractor C300 and cover the lower side of the lower wall C32 of the extractor C300. The heater C50, which protrudes by being secured to the lower wall C22 of the heater holder C200, may pass through the through hole C35 formed in the lower wall C32 of the extractor C300 and be exposed in the fourth insertion space C340.

The lower wall C22 of the heater holder C200 may be spaced upward from the lower wall C112 of the body pipe C11. An air gap may be formed between the lower wall C22 of the heater holder C200 and the lower wall C112 of the body pipe C11. The lower wall C32 of the extractor C300 may be spaced upward from the lower wall C22 of the heater holder C200. An air gap may be formed between the lower wall C32 of the extractor C300 and the lower wall C22 of the heater holder C200. Some of the heat generated from the heater C50 may be transferred from the lower wall C22 to the lateral wall C210 of the heater holder C200, transferred to the lower wall C112 and the lateral wall C111 of the body pipe C11, and spread. In addition, some of the heat generated from the heater C50 may spread through the air gap formed between the heater holder C200 and the extractor C300 around the heater C50.

Accordingly, it may be possible to reduce the amount of heat, which is generated by the heater C50, to be conducted to internal components of the aerosol generating device, thereby preventing a malfunction of the aerosol generating device. In addition, it may be possible to reduce the amount of heat, which is generated by the heater C50, to be conducted to the outside of the aerosol generating device, thereby reducing the transmission of heat to the user.

The lateral wall C210 of the heater holder C200 and the lateral wall C310 of the extractor C300 may engage with each other in a radial direction. The lateral wall C210 of the heater holder C200 and the lateral wall C310 of the extractor C300 may support each other in both the inner and outer directions of the radius.

Accordingly, the heater holder C200 and the extractor C300 may stay securely in place without any radial misalignment or shaking.

For example, each of the lateral walls C210 of the heater holder C200 may have a first recessed portion that is recessed from both ends in a circumferential direction. The both ends of each of the lateral walls C210 of the heater holder C200 may protrude more than the first recessed portion in the circumferential direction. The first recessed portion may be formed in an inner circumferential surface of the lateral wall C210 of the heater holder C200 and may also be formed in an outer circumferential surface of the lateral wall C210 of the heater holder C200. An end of the lateral wall C210 of the heater holder C200 may be referred to as a first protrusion.

Each of the lateral walls C310 of the extractor C300 may have a second recessed portion that is recessed from both ends in a circumferential direction. The both ends of each of the lateral walls C310 of the extractor C300 may protrude more than the second recessed portion in the circumferential direction. The second recessed portion may be formed in an outer circumferential surface of the lateral wall C310 of the extractor C300 and may also be formed in an inner circumferential surface of the lateral wall C310 of the extractor C300. An end of the lateral wall C310 of the extractor C300 may be referred to as a second protrusion.

Based on a radial direction, the first recessed portion and the second protrusion may be positioned at corresponding positions. The second protrusion may be disposed in the first recessed portion. Based on the radial direction, the first protrusion and the second recessed portion may be positioned at corresponding positions. The first protrusion may be disposed in the second recessed portion. The second protrusion may overlap the first protrusion in the radial direction.

Accordingly, the first protrusion and the second protrusion may support each other in the radial direction, and the lateral wall C210 of the heater holder C200 and the lateral wall C310 of the extractor C300 may be stably positioned.

This form is just an example. The radially engagement form of the lateral wall C210 of the heater holder C200 and the lateral wall C310 of the extractor C300 is not limited thereto.

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. 15 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15, an aerosol generating device 300 may include a cavity 310 configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article. The cavity 310 may be defined as a space (“an insertion space”) into which the aerosol generating article is at least partially inserted.

The aerosol generating device 300 may include a heater 320 configured to heat the aerosol generating article. The heater 320 may use plasma discharge to cause the temperature of the cavity 310 to reach a target temperature rapidly. For example, the heater 320 may be configured to generate a temperature change ranging from about 200° C. to about 600° C. A heating scheme using plasma discharge may achieve the target temperature substantially without preheating time or temperature rise time.

The heater 320 may include a plasma discharge space 321. The plasma discharge space 321 may be defined as a chamber in which plasma discharge occurs. The plasma discharge space 321 may contain a plasma generating material. For example, the plasma generating material may include at least one or a combination of deuterium, tritium, argon, or other materials suitable for generation of plasma.

The heater 320 may include a partition 322 detaching the cavity 310 from the plasma discharge space 321. Inner surfaces F1 and F2 of the partition 322 may define the plasma discharge space 321. The plasma discharge space 321 may be positioned inside the cavity 310. The plasma discharge space 321 may be surrounded at least partially by the cavity 310. The plasma discharge space 321 may be adjacent to the cavity 310 but may be substantially and completely separated from the cavity 310 by the partition 322. Plasma discharge may not occur in the cavity 310. The plasma discharge space 321 may abut against the cavity 310 with the partition 322 positioned in between. Heat generated from the plasma discharge space 321 may be conducted to the cavity 310 through the partition 322.

The partition 322 may include an extension 322A extending along the length (e.g., a portion in a Z-axis direction) of the cavity 310. The extension 322A may extend substantially in a linear manner. The extension 322A may have substantially a hollow cylindrical shape. The extension 322A may have substantially a constant width or diameter.

The partition 322 may include a tapered portion 322B that is tapered along the length (e.g., the portion in the Z-axis direction) of the cavity 310. The tapered portion 322B may have a width that decreases in a direction (e.g., +Z direction) from a device end (not shown) to a mouth end (not shown). The tapered portion 322B may have substantially a hollow conical shape. The tapered portion 322B may be connected to an end (e.g., an end in the +Z direction) of the extension 322A. The width or diameter of the tapered portion 322B connected to the end of the extension 322A may be substantially the same as the width or diameter of the end of the extension 322A.

The partition 322 may include a non-combustible material. For example, the partition 322 may include zirconia.

The heater 320 may include a plurality of plasma electrodes 323 configured to generate plasma. Arc discharge may occur between a pair of electrodes 323 among the plurality of plasma electrodes 323. The plurality of plasma electrodes 323 may maintain the generated arc discharge and generate heat.

The plurality of plasma electrodes 323 may be disposed in the plasma discharge space 321. The plurality of plasma electrodes 323 may be disposed on the inner surface F1 of the extension 322A that interfaces with the cavity 310. The plurality of plasma electrodes 323 may not be disposed on the inner surface F2 of the tapered portion 322B that interfaces with the cavity 310. In an embodiment not shown, the plurality of plasma electrodes 323 may be disposed on the inner surface F2 of the tapered portion 322B.

The plurality of plasma electrodes 323 may be arranged along the inner surface F1 of the extension 322A. For example, at least two plasma electrodes 323 among the plurality of plasma electrodes 323 may be arranged on the inner surface F1 along the circumference (e.g., a portion in the X-axis direction, a portion in the Y-axis direction, and/or a portion in a circumferential direction with respect to the Z-axis) of the extension 322A. At least two plasma electrodes 323 among the plurality of plasma electrodes 323 may be arranged along the extending length (e.g., the portion in the Z-axis direction) of the extension 322A.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a plasma generating circuit according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 16, the aerosol generating device 300 may include a plasma generating circuit for a plasma electrode 323. The aerosol generating device 300 may include a driver 331 configured to supply electrical energy (e.g., a current) to the plasma electrode 323. For example, the driver 331 may include a power conversion circuit configured to convert DC power supplied from a power source (not shown) into AC power. The plasma electrode 323 may include a piezoelectric transducer configured to convert the AC power into mechanical vibration. The aerosol generating device 300 may include a controller 332 configured to control a frequency of the AC power output from the driver 331. The controller 332 may calculate the power supplied from the power source to the driver 331 and may control the frequency of the AC power such that the power supplied from the power source to the driver 331 falls within a target power range. The amount of plasma generated from the plasma electrode 323 may depend on the frequency of the AC power.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, an aerosol generating device 400 (e.g., the aerosol generating device 300 of FIGS. 15 and 16) may include a cavity 410 (e.g., the cavity 310 of FIG. 15) and a heater 420 (e.g., the heater 320 of FIG. 15). The heater 420 may include a plasma discharge space 421 (e.g., the plasma discharge space 321 of FIG. 15), a partition 422 (e.g., the partition 322 of FIG. 15), a plurality of plasma electrodes 423 (e.g., the plurality of plasma electrodes 323 of FIG. 15). The partition 422 may include a first extension 422A (e.g., the extension 322A of FIG. 15) and a tapered portion 422B (e.g., the tapered portion 322B of FIG. 15).

The partition 422 may include a second extension 422C extending along the extending length (e.g., a portion in a Z-axis direction) of the first extension 422A. The second extension 422C may be positioned inside the first extension 422A. The extending length (e.g., +/−Z direction) of the second extension 422C may be substantially parallel to the extending length (e.g., +/−Z direction) of the first extension 422A. The extending length of the second extension 422C may be substantially the same as or less than the extending length of the first extension 422A.

The second extension 422C may include an outer surface F3. The plasma discharge space 421 may be defined by the inner surface F1 of the first extension 422A, the inner surface F2 of the tapered portion 422B, and the outer surface F3 of the second extension 422C. The outer surface F3 of the second extension 423C may face the inner surface F1 of the first extension 422A. The outer surface F3 of the second extension 423C may be a surface that does not interface with the cavity 410.

The plurality of plasma electrodes 423 may not be disposed on the inner surface F1 of the first extension 422A that interfaces with the cavity 410. The plurality of plasma electrodes 423 may not be disposed on the inner surface F2 of the tapered portion 422B that interfaces with the cavity 410.

The plurality of plasma electrodes 423 may be arranged on the outer surface F3 of the second extension 423C. The plurality of plasma electrodes 423 may be arranged along the circumference (e.g., a portion in an X-axis direction, a portion in a Y-axis direction, and/or a portion in the circumferential direction with respect to the Z-axis) of the second extension 423C. The plurality of plasma electrodes 423 may be arranged along the length (e.g., the portion in the Z-axis direction) of the second extension 423C.

The heater 420 may include an inner space 424 that is hollow and defined inside the second extension 422C. The inner space 424 may be adjacent to the plasma discharge space 421 and may be a space that is separated from the plasma discharge space 421 by the partition 422. The inner space 424 may abut against the plasma discharge space 421 with the second extension 422C positioned in between.

The heater 420 may include a connecting electrode 430 electrically connected to a driver (not shown) (e.g., the driver 331 of FIG. 16) and/or a controller (not shown) (e.g., the controller 332 of FIG. 16). The connecting electrode 430 may be configured to transmit electrical energy from the driver and/or the controller to the plurality of plasma electrodes 423. The connecting electrode 430 may have substantially a cylindrical shape. The heater 420 may include a plurality of electrical lines configured to connect the connecting electrode 430 to each of the plurality of plasma electrodes 423. The connecting electrode 430 and the plurality of electrical lines may be disposed in the inner space 424. The connecting electrode 430 may be spaced apart from the second extension 422C with a gap in the inner space 424.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 19, the aerosol generating device 1 may include at least one of the power source 11, the controller 12, the sensor 13, the heater 18, and the cartridge 19. At least one of the power source 11, the controller 12, the sensor 13, and the heater 18 may be disposed inside the body 10 of the aerosol generating device 1. The body 10 may provide an upward-opening space into which the stick S, an aerosol generating article, is inserted. The upward-opening space may be referred to as an insertion space. The insertion space may be recessed by a predetermined depth toward the inside of the body 10 such that at least a portion of the stick S may be inserted into the insertion space. The depth of the insertion space may correspond to the length of an area of the stick S in which the aerosol generating article and/or a medium is included. The lower end of the stick S may be inserted into the body 10, and the upper end of the stick S may protrude outward from the body 10. A user may hold the upper end of the stick S, which is exposed to the outside, in the mouth of the user and inhale air.

The heater 18 may heat the stick S. The heater 18 may be elongated upward around a space into which the stick S is inserted. For example, the heater 18 may be in the form of a tube with an internal hollow space. The heater 18 may be disposed around the insertion space. The heater 18 may be disposed to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The heater 18 may heat the insertion space or the stick S inserted into the insertion space. The heater 18 may include an electrically resistive heater and/or an induction heater.

For example, the heater 18 may be a resistive heater. For example, the heater 18 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 18 may be heated up as a current flows through the electrically conductive track. The heater 18 may be electrically connected to the power source 11. The heater 18 may directly generate heat by receiving a current from the power source 11.

For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include an induction coil surrounding the heater 18. The induction coil may heat the heater 18. As a susceptor, the heater 18 may be heated up by a magnetic field generated by an AC flowing through the induction coil. The magnetic field may pass through the heater 18 and generate an eddy current in the heater 18. A current may generate heat in the heater 18.

In addition, the susceptor may be included inside the stick S. The susceptor inside the stick S may be heated by the magnetic field generated by the AC flowing through the induction coil.

The cartridge 19 may contain an aerosol generating material having any one of a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, or a gel state. 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 formed integrally with the body 10 or detachably coupled to the body 10.

For example, referring to FIG. 19, the cartridge 19 may be formed integrally with the body 10 and may communicate with the insertion space through an airflow channel CN.

For example, referring to FIG. 20, a space may be formed on one side of the body 10, at least a portion of the cartridge 19 is inserted into the space formed on one side of the body 10, and the cartridge 19 may be mounted on the body 10. The airflow channel CN may be defined by a portion of the cartridge 19 and/or a portion of the body 10, and the cartridge 19 may communicate with the insertion space through the airflow channel CN.

The body 10 may be formed in a structure in which external air may enter the inside of the body 10 while the cartridge 19 is inserted into the body 10. In this case, external air entering the body 10 may pass through the cartridge 19 and flow into the oral cavity of a user.

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

The cartridge 19 may generate an aerosol. The aerosol may be generated as the liquid transfer means is heated by the cartridge heater 24. The stick S may be heated by the heater 18, thereby generating the aerosol. While the aerosol generated by the cartridge heater 24 and the heater 18 passes through the stick S, a tobacco material may be added to the aerosol. The aerosol with the tobacco material may be inhaled into the oral cavity of the user through one end of the stick S.

The aerosol generating device 1 may only include the cartridge heater 24, and the body 10 may not include the heater 18. In this case, as the aerosol generated by the cartridge heater 24 passes through the stick S, the tobacco material is added to the aerosol. The aerosol with the tobacco material may be inhaled into the oral cavity of the user.

The aerosol generating device 1 may include a cap (not shown). The cap may be detachably coupled to the body 10 to cover at least a portion of the cartridge 19 coupled to the body 10. The stick S may be inserted into the body 10 by passing through the cap.

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 a battery. The power source 11 may supply power to at least one of the controller 12, the sensor 13, the cartridge heater 24, and the heater 18. When the aerosol generating device 1 includes an induction coil, the power source 11 may supply power to the induction coil.

The controller 12 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device. 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, the heater 18, and the cartridge 19. The controller 12 may control the operation of a display, a motor, or 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 sensor 13 and control processes to be performed thereafter. For example, based on the sensing result obtained by the sensor 13, the controller 12 may control power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 to initiate or terminate the operation of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. For example, based on the sensing result obtained by the sensor 13, the controller 12 may control the amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 and a time for which the power is supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, such that the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 may be heated up to a predetermined temperature or maintained at a desired temperature.

The sensor 13 may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, an insertion detection sensor, a color sensor, a cartridge detection sensor, or a cap detection sensor. For example, the sensor 13 may sense at least one of the temperature of the heater 18, 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 stick S is inserted into the insertion space. For example, the sensor 13 may sense whether the cartridge is mounted. For example, the sensor 13 may sense whether the cap is mounted.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 22 is an assembled perspective view of a body, a cartridge, and a cap of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 21, an aerosol generating device A100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a body A3. The aerosol generating device A100 may include a cap A30. The aerosol generating device A100 may include a cartridge A40. The cartridge A40 may be detachably coupled to one side of the body A3. The cap A30 may be detachably coupled to the body A3 to cover the cartridge A40. The stick S may be inserted into the body A3 by passing through the cap A30.

Referring to FIG. 22, the body A3 may include a lower body A1 and an upper body A2. Components of the aerosol generating device A100, such as a battery and a controller, may be installed inside the lower body A1. The upper body A2 may be coupled to an upper side of the lower body A1

The upper body A2 may include a column A10 and a seating portion A20. The column A10 may be elongated vertically. The column A10 may include an outer lateral wall A11, an inner lateral wall A12, and an upper wall A13.

The seating portion A20 may protrude from a lower side of the inner lateral wall A12 of the column A10. The seating portion A20 may face upward. A cartridge area A24 may be formed between the inner lateral wall A12 of the column A10 and the seating portion A20. The cartridge area A24 may be positioned on one side of the inner lateral wall A12 of the column A10 and positioned on an upper side of the seating portion A20.

The column A10 may have an insertion space A142. The insertion space A142 may extend vertically in the column A10 and may be open upward such that the upper wall A13 is open.

A body inlet A141 may be formed on one side of the column A10. The inner lateral wall A12 may be open, forming the body inlet A141. The body inlet A141 may be open toward the outside of the column A10. The body inlet A141 may communicate with the insertion space A142. The body inlet A141 may be disposed toward the cartridge area A24. The body inlet A141 may communicate with the cartridge area A24.

The cartridge A40 may be detachably coupled to the upper body A2 in the cartridge area A24. The cartridge A40 may be coupled to the inner lateral wall A12 of the column A10 and seated on the seating portion A20 so that the bottom of the cartridge A40 may be supported. The cartridge A40 may include a first container A41 and a second container A42. The first container A41 may be disposed on an upper side of the second container A42. The first container A41 may store a liquid.

The cap A30 may cover the upper body A2 and may be detachably coupled to the body A3. The cap A30 may cover the upper body A2 and the cartridge A40 coupled to the upper body A2. A space into which the upper body A2 and the cartridge A40 are inserted may be formed inside the cap A30. The space inside the cap A30 may be open downward. A lateral wall A31 of the cap A30 may cover a lateral portion of the space inside the cap A30. An upper wall A33 of the cap A30 may cover an upper portion of the space inside the cap A30. The upper wall A33 may be open, forming an insertion hole A34. When the cap A30 is coupled to the body A3, the insertion hole A34 may communicate with the insertion space A142 on an upper side of the insertion space A142. A cover A35 may be movably installed on the upper wall A33. The cover A35 may slide on the upper wall A33. The cover A35 may open and close the insertion hole A34.

Referring to FIG. 23, a first chamber C1 may be formed inside the first container A41. A liquid may be stored in the first chamber AC1. A second chamber AC2 may be formed inside the second container A42.

The cartridge A40 may be open, forming a cartridge inlet A441. The cartridge A40 may be open, forming a cartridge outlet A442. A cartridge flow path A443 may connect the cartridge inlet A441 to the second chamber AC2. The cartridge outlet A442 may communicate with the second chamber AC2.

One side of the second container A42 may be open, forming the cartridge outlet A442. An outlet port A422 may surround the cartridge outlet A442. The outlet port A422 may protrude from one side of the second container A42. When the cartridge A40 is coupled to the upper body A2, the outlet port A422 may be inserted into the body inlet A141, and the cartridge outlet A442 and the body inlet A141 may communicate with each other.

A wick A45 may be installed in the second chamber AC2. The wick A45 may be connected to the first chamber AC1. The wick A45 may receive a liquid from the first chamber AC1. A heater A46 may generate heat and heat the wick A45. The heater A46 may be disposed in the second chamber AC2. The heater A46 may be wound around the wick A45. When the heater A46 heats the wick A45, an aerosol may be generated around the wick A45 in the second chamber AC2.

A heater terminal A47 may be exposed at a lower portion of the cartridge A40. The heater terminal A47 may be formed on the bottom of the second container A42. The heater terminal A47 may be electrically connected to the heater A46. When the cartridge A40 is coupled to the upper body A2, the heater terminal A47 may be in contact with and electrically connected to a first pin A50.

The first pin A50 may protrude to the outside of the seating portion A20. The first pin A50 may receive power from a battery installed inside the lower body A1 through a connector A97 and provide the power to the heater terminal A47 and the heater A46. The heater A46 may receive the power and generate heat.

Air outside the cartridge A40 may enter the cartridge A40 through the cartridge inlet A441. The air may flow sequentially through the cartridge inlet A441, the cartridge flow path A443, the second chamber AC2, and the cartridge outlet A442. Air inside the cartridge A40 may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge A40 through the cartridge outlet A442. The air entering the cartridge A40 may be accompanied by the aerosol generated in the second chamber AC2 and discharged to the outside of the cartridge A40 through the cartridge outlet A442.

The first pin A50 may be disposed inside the body A3 and may also protrude to the outside of the body A3. The body A3 may include the seating portion A20.

The seating portion A20 may include an outer recessed groove A25. An upper surface A21 of the seating portion A20 may be recessed downward, forming the outer recessed groove A25. The outer recessed groove A25 may be positioned on a lower side of the cartridge area A24. The upper surface A21 of the seating portion A20 may be referred to as an outer surface of the body A3. The outer recessed groove A25 may be formed on the outer surface of the body A3.

A lower portion of the outer recessed groove A25 may be covered by a bottom portion A251, and a lateral portion of the outer recessed groove A25 may be covered by a perimeter portion A252. An upper side of the outer recessed groove A25 may be open. One side of the outer recessed groove A25 may be open by not being covered by the perimeter portion A252. When an x direction shown in a coordinate system is defined as a front side, a front side of the outer recessed groove A25 may be open. An upper end of the first pin A50 may protrude or be exposed upward in a convex manner from the bottom portion A251 of the outer recessed groove A25 toward the outer recessed groove A25.

The bottom of the cartridge A40 may have a shape corresponding to the seating portion A20 and the outer recessed groove A25. When the cartridge A40 is coupled to the upper body A2, the bottom of the cartridge A40 may be seated on the seating portion A20, and the first pin A50 and the second pin A47 may be electrically connected to each other.

A plurality of guide portions A253 may be provided. A guide portion A253 may be elongated from the front to the rear. The guide portion A253 may be inclined to gradually increase in height from the front to the rear. Each of the plurality of guide portions A253 may be disposed in front of each of a plurality of first pins A50. The height of a rear end of the guide portion A253 adjacent to the first pin A50 may be the same as or similar to the height of the first pin A50.

Accordingly, when the cartridge A40 is coupled to the upper body A2, the guide portion A253 may guide the placement of the cartridge A40 such that the first pin A50 and the second pin A47 are in contact with each other.

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 25 is an assembled perspective view of a body, a cartridge, and a cap of the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge of the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include the body B100 including an upper body B120 and a lower body B110. The upper body B120 may be positioned on an upper side of the lower body B110. The lower body B110 may be elongated vertically. The body B100 may accommodate components for operating an aerosol generating device therein. The upper body B120 may have an insertion space B134 that is open upward. The insertion space B134 may be positioned inside the upper body B120. The insertion space B134 may be elongated vertically. The insertion space 134 may be formed in a pipe B130 positioned inside the upper body B120.

An upper case B200 may have a downward-opening hollow shape. The upper body B120 may be inserted into the hollow of the upper case B200. The upper case B200 may be detachably coupled to the body B100. The upper case B200 may surround and cover the upper body B120. A lateral portion B211 of the upper case B200 may surround and cover a lateral wall B121 of the upper body B120. An upper portion B212 of the upper case B200 may cover an upper portion B180 of the upper body B120 or an outer cover B180. When the upper case B200 is coupled to the body B100, the upper case B200 may cover both the body B100 and a cartridge B300. The cartridge B300 may be disposed inside the upper case B200.

The upper portion B212 of the upper case B200 may be open, forming an insertion hole B214. The insertion hole B214 may correspond to an opening of the insertion space B134. A cap B215 may be movably installed on the upper portion B212 of the upper case B200. A slide hole B213 may extend from the insertion hole B214 to one side on the upper portion B212 of the upper case B200. The cap B215 may move along the slide hole B213. The cap B215 may open and close the insertion hole B214 and the insertion space B134. The stick S may be inserted into the insertion space B134 through the insertion hole B214. For example, the stick S may be a cigarette.

An outer lateral wall B121 and a partition wall B125 may form a lateral portion of the upper body B120. The outer lateral wall B121 and the partition wall B125 may be connected to each other. The outer lateral wall B121 may be covered by an inner surface of the upper case B200. The partition wall B125 may separate a cartridge coupling space B124a from the insertion space B134.

The upper body B120 may include a seating portion B122. The seating portion B122 may extend to one side from a lower portion of the partition wall B125. The seating portion B122 may be formed on the upper side of the lower body B110. The seating portion B122 may cover a lower portion of the cartridge coupling space B124a. A bottom surface of the cartridge B300 may be seated and supported by the seating portion B122.

The upper body B120 may include an extension B140. The extension B140 may extend to one side from an upper portion of the partition wall B125. The extension B140 may extend in the direction in which the seating portion B122 is formed. The extension B140 may cover an upper portion of the cartridge coupling space B124a. The extension B140 may cover an upper surface of the cartridge B300. The extension B140 may cover a cartridge inlet B301 formed in the cartridge B300. A gap, through which air may flow, may be formed between the extension B140 and the cartridge inlet B301.

The cartridge coupling space B124a may be formed on one side of the upper body B120. The cartridge coupling space B124a may be defined by the seating portion B122 of the upper body B120, the partition wall B125, and the extension B140. The bottom of the cartridge coupling space B124a may be covered by the seating portion B122. One side of the cartridge coupling space B124a may be covered by the partition wall B125 of the upper body B120. An upper side of the cartridge coupling space B124a may be covered by the extension B140. The cartridge coupling space B124a may be open outward between the seating portion B122 and the extension B140.

The cartridge B300 may be inserted into the cartridge coupling space B124a and coupled to the body B100. The cartridge B300 may be detachably coupled to the body B100. A lateral surface B311 of the cartridge B300 may face the partition wall B125. An upper surface B312 of the cartridge B300 may be covered by the extension B140. A bottom surface B322 of the cartridge B300 may be seated on the seating portion B122. A cartridge terminal B128 may be connected to the cartridge B300 and supply power to a heater B342 inside the cartridge B300.

A coupling hook B125a may be formed in the upper body B120. A pusher B125b may be formed in the upper body B120. The coupling hook B125a and the pusher B125b may be formed on both sides as a pair and positioned facing each other. The cartridge B300 may include a hook coupling groove B315. The hook coupling groove B315 may be formed at a position corresponding to the coupling hook B125a. When the cartridge B300 is inserted into the cartridge coupling space B124a, the coupling hook B125a may be coupled to the hook coupling groove B315 and couple the cartridge B300 to the body B100. The pusher B125b and the coupling hook B125a may be interlinked to move together. Pressing the pusher B125b causes the coupling hook B125a to move in the direction of being detached from the hook coupling groove B315, allowing the cartridge B300 to be detached from the body B100.

A connecting flow path B133 may be formed on the lower portion of the partition wall B125. The connecting flow path B133 may communicate with the insertion space B134. The connecting flow path B133 may be open to one side of the upper body B120. When the cartridge B300 is coupled to the body B100, a discharge port B323 may be inserted into the connecting flow path B133, and the connecting flow path B133 and a cartridge outlet B304 may communicate with each other.

Referring to FIG. 26, the cartridge B300 may include a first container B31 and a second container B32. The first container B31 may be coupled to an upper side of the second container B32. A plate B35 may be coupled between the first container B31 and the second container B32 or between the first container B31 and a frame B33.

The first container B31 may have a first chamber C1 for storing a liquid therein. The first container B31 may surround the first chamber C1, and a lower portion of the first chamber C1 may be open. An opening of the first chamber C1 may be covered by the plate B35.

Referring to FIG. 27, the first container B31 may have an inflow path B302 through which air passes. The first chamber C1 and the inflow path B302 may be separated from each other. The inflow path B302 may be elongated vertically along one side of the first container B31.

The first container B31 may have a cartridge inlet B301. An upper portion of the first container B31 may be open, forming the cartridge inlet B301. The cartridge inlet B301 may communicate with the inflow path B302. The cartridge inlet B301 may communicate with an upper end of the inflow path B302. A lower end of the inflow path B302 may communicate with a connecting hole B351 and a chamber inlet B303.

The second container B32 may be coupled to a lower portion of the first container B31. The second container B32 may have a space B324 with an open top and a covered bottom. The frame B33 may be accommodated inside the space B324 of the second container B32.

The second container B32 may have the cartridge outlet B304. The cartridge outlet B304 may be formed on a lateral portion B321 of the second container B32. The cartridge outlet B304 may be formed inside a port protruding in a thickness direction from a lateral portion of the second container B32. The cartridge outlet B304 may communicate with the space B324. The second container B32 may include the discharge port B323. The discharge port B323 may form the cartridge outlet B304 inside. The discharge port B323 may protrude to one side from the lateral portion B321 of the second container B32. The discharge port B323 may surround the cartridge outlet B304. The cartridge outlet B304 may be referred to as an outlet B304.

The frame B33 may be inserted into the space B324 inside the second container B32 and coupled to the second container B32. A fastening member B326 protruding from a lateral wall of the second container B32 to the space B324 may be fastened to the frame B33 to secure the frame B33.

The frame B33 may have the second chamber C2 therein. The frame B33 may surround the second chamber C2, and an upper portion of the second chamber C2 may be open. The upper portion of the second chamber C2 may be covered by the plate B35.

The frame B33 may have the chamber inlet B303. One surface of a lateral wall surrounding the second chamber C2 may be open, forming the chamber inlet B303. The chamber inlet C2 may bend and extend upward from the second chamber C2 toward the inflow path B302. One end of the chamber inlet B303 may communicate with the second chamber C2, and the other end of the chamber inlet B303 may be connected to the inflow path B302 and the connecting hole B351.

The frame B33 may have a chamber outlet B332. The chamber outlet B332 may be formed in a lateral portion of the frame B33. The chamber outlet B332 may communicate with the second chamber C2. The chamber outlet B332 may be formed inside a port protruding from the lateral portion of the frame B33 in a thickness direction. The chamber outlet B332 may communicate with the second chamber C2. The chamber outlet B332 may be formed at a position corresponding to the cartridge outlet B304. The chamber outlet B332 may be formed at a position opposite to the chamber inlet B303 with respect to the second chamber C2. When the frame B33 is coupled to the second container B32, the chamber outlet B332 and the cartridge outlet B304 may communicate with each other.

The frame B33 may have a wick coupling groove B334 therein. The wick coupling groove B334 may communicate with the second chamber C2. The second chamber C2 may be recessed to one side, forming the wick coupling groove B334. The wick coupling groove B334 may be formed in pairs. A pair of wick coupling grooves B334 may be formed to be on opposite sides in the second chamber C2. An upper portion of the wick coupling groove B334 may be open.

A wick B341 may have a horizontally elongated cylindrical shape in the second chamber C2. Each end of the wick B341 may be inserted into a corresponding one of the pair of wick coupling grooves B334. The center of the wick B341 may be positioned in the chamber C2. The wick B341 may be connected to the first chamber BC1 and receive a liquid from the first chamber C1. The wick B341 may be secured to the wick coupling groove B334 by the frame B33 and the plate B35.

The heater B342 may be wound around the center of the wick B341. The heater B342 may be heated up and heat the wick B341. For example, the heater B342 may be a resistive heater. The heater B342 may be disposed in the second chamber C2. An end of the heater B342 may pass through the bottom of the frame B33 and be electrically connected to an electrode placed at the bottom of the second container B32.

A plate B35 may be coupled between the first container B31 and the second container B32 or between the first container B31 and a frame B33. The plate B35 of the frame B33 may cover and seal the opening of the first chamber C1. The plate B35 may cover an upper portion of the frame B33. The plate B35 may cover and seal an opening of the second chamber C2.

The plate B35 may have the connecting hole B351 on one side. The connecting hole B351 may be positioned between the inflow path B302 and the chamber inlet B303. The connecting hole B351 may connect the inflow path B302 to the chamber inlet B303.

The plate B35 may have a liquid inlet B354. The liquid inlet B354 may be formed in pairs at a position corresponding to the wick coupling groove B334. A pair of liquid inlets B354 may be positioned on the upper sides of both ends of the wick B341. The liquid inlet B354 may connect the first chamber C1 to the wick coupling groove B334. The wick B341 may be connected to the first chamber C1 through the liquid inlet B354.

A hook groove B335 may be formed on an upper side of the chamber outlet B332 at a position adjacent to the chamber outlet B332. A hook B335 may protrude downward from one side of the plate B35. The hook B353 may be inserted and fastened to the hook groove B335 formed in the upper portion of the frame B33. The plate B35 may be fastened to the frame B33, and the first container B31 coupled to the second container B32 may press an edge of the plate B35 toward the frame B33.

A user may hold the stick S inserted into the insertion space B134 in the mouth of the user and inhale air. When the upper case B200 is coupled to the body B100, the air may enter the cartridge inlet B301 through an opening B201 formed in the upper case B200. The air may enter the inside of the cartridge B300 through the cartridge inlet B301 and be discharged to the outside of the cartridge B300 through the cartridge outlet B304. The air entering the inside of the cartridge B300 may sequentially pass through the inflow path B302, the connecting hole B351, the chamber inlet B303, the second chamber C2, the chamber outlet B332, and the cartridge outlet B304 before being discharged to the outside.

When the heater B342 heats the wick B341, an aerosol may be generated from the wick B341 in the second chamber C2. The air passing through the cartridge B300, accompanied by the aerosol from the second chamber B2, may be discharged to the cartridge outlet B304. The air discharged through the cartridge outlet B304 may be supplied to the insertion space B134 and the stick S inserted into the insertion space B134 through the connecting flow path B133.

Referring to FIG. 28, the upper body B120 may have the outer lateral wall B121 and the partition wall B125. The outer lateral wall B121 and the partition wall B125 may be connected to each other. The partition wall B125 may extend vertically between the pipe B130 and the cartridge coupling space B124a.

The extension B140 may extend from an upper portion of the upper body B120 to one side. The upper surface B312 of the cartridge B300 may be covered by the extension B140. The extension B140 may cover the cartridge inlet B301 and the vicinity of the cartridge inlet B301. Between the extension B140 and the cartridge inlet B301 and between a lower portion of the extension B140 and the upper surface B312 of the cartridge B300, a gap may be formed. The gap may allow the cartridge inlet B301 to communicate with the outside.

The pipe B130 may be elongated vertically. The pipe B130 may have a hollow structure. The insertion space B134 may be formed inside the pipe B130. The insertion space B134 may be open upward. The insertion space B134 may extend vertically. The connecting flow path B133 may be formed inside the pipe B130. The connecting flow path B133 may be formed on a lower side of the insertion space B134. One end of the connecting flow path B133 may communicate with the outside of the pipe B130, and the other end may communicate with the insertion space B134. The connecting flow path B133 may bend to one side from the lower portion of the insertion space B134.

A first sensor B161 may be installed inside the extension B140. The first sensor B161 may face the upper surface of the cartridge B300 or the cartridge inlet B301. The first sensor B161 may be installed adjacent to the cartridge inlet B301. The first sensor B161 may be positioned on the upper side of the cartridge inlet B301. The first sensor B161 may overlap the cartridge inlet B301 in a vertical direction.

The first sensor B161 may sense the flow of air around the first sensor B161. The first sensor B161 may be an airflow sensor or a pressure sensor. The first sensor B161 may sense the flow of air through a change in surrounding air pressure. At a position adjacent to the cartridge inlet B301, the extension B140 may have a hole for sensing airflow. The first sensor B161 may be mounted on a substrate disposed inside the extension B140 and may be electrically connected to a controller B20. The controller B20 may control the operation of various connected components based on the first sensor B161 sensing the flow of air.

A first sealing portion B151 may be disposed between a first partition wall portion B1251 and an inner plate B171. The first sealing portion B151 may wrap around and adhere to an upper end portion of the first partition wall portion B1251. The first sealing portion B151 may adhere to a lower end of the inner plate B171.

A sensor accommodation portion B156 of a second sealing portion B152 may seal the vicinity of a first sensing hole B144. The sensor accommodation portion B156 may adhere to an extension plate B141 around the first sensing hole B144. A second sensing hole B1564 formed in the sensor accommodation portion B156 may communicate with the first sensing hole B144. The sensor accommodation portion B156 may wrap around and adhere to the first sensor B161.

Accordingly, it may be possible to prevent a malfunction of a substrate or sensor due to a foreign substance, an aerosol discharged around the opening of the pipe B130, or a foreign substance through the first sensing hole B144.

FIGS. 29 and 30 illustrate the aerosol generating device 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 29, the aerosol generating device 1 may include at least one of the power source 11, the controller 12, the sensor 13, and the heater 18. At least one of the power source 11, the controller 12, the sensor 13, and the heater 18 may be disposed inside the body 10 of the aerosol generating device 1. The body 10 may provide an upward-opening space into which the stick S, an aerosol generating article, is inserted. The upward-opening space may be referred to as an insertion space. The insertion space may be recessed by a predetermined depth toward the inside of the body 10 such that at least a portion of the stick S may be inserted into the insertion space. The depth of the insertion space may correspond to the length of an area of the stick S in which the aerosol generating article and/or a medium is included. The lower end of the stick S may be inserted into the body 10, and the upper end of the stick S may protrude outward from the body 10. A user may hold the upper end of the stick S, which is exposed to the outside, in the mouth of the user and inhale air.

The heater 18 may heat the stick S. The heater 18 may be elongated upward around a space into which the stick S is inserted. For example, the heater 18 may be in the form of a tube with an internal hollow space. The heater 18 may be disposed around the insertion space. The heater 18 may be disposed to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The heater 18 may heat the insertion space or the stick S inserted into the insertion space. The heater 18 may include an electrically resistive heater and/or an induction heater.

For example, referring to FIG. 29, the heater 18 may be a resistive heater. For example, the heater 18 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 18 may be heated up as a current flows through the electrically conductive track. The heater 18 may be electrically connected to the power source 11. The heater 18 may directly generate heat by receiving a current from the power source 11. As a hollow heater, the heater 18 may be disposed to surround at least a portion of the stick S inserted into the insertion space to heat an outer portion of the stick S. Alternatively, as a needle-shaped heater, a rod-shaped heater, a tubular heater, or the like, the heater 18 may be inserted into the stick S inserted into the insertion space to heat the inside of the stick S.

For example, referring to FIG. 30, the aerosol generating device may include the induction coil 181 surrounding the heater 18. The induction coil 181 may heat the heater 18. As a susceptor, the heater 18 may be heated up by a magnetic field generated by an AC flowing through the induction coil 181. The magnetic field may pass through the heater 18 and generate an eddy current in the heater 18. A current may generate heat in the heater 18.

In addition, the susceptor may be included inside the stick S. The susceptor inside the stick S may be heated by the magnetic field generated by the AC flowing through the induction coil 181.

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 a battery. The power source 11 may supply power to at least one of the controller 12, the sensor 13, or the heater 18. When the aerosol generating device 1 includes the induction coil 181, the power source 11 may supply power to the induction coil 181.

The controller 12 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device. 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 or the sensor 13. The controller 12 may control the operation of the induction coil 181. The controller 12 may control the operation of a display, a motor, or 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 sensor 13 and may control processes to be performed thereafter. For example, based on the sensing result obtained by the sensor 13, the controller 12 may control the power supplied to the heater 18 to initiate or terminate the operation of the heater 18. For example, based on the sensing result obtained by the sensor 13, the controller 12 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 18 and a time for which the power is supplied, such that the heater 18 may be heated up to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

The sensor 13 may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, or an insertion detection sensor. For example, the sensor 13 may sense at least one of the temperature of the heater 18, 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 stick S is inserted into the insertion space.

FIG. 31 is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 32 is a rear perspective view of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 31, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure 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 of the aerosol generating device 1. The description of the power source 11, the controller 12, and the sensor 13 provided with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 may apply to the description of the features of the power source 11, the controller 12, and the sensor 13.

The body 10 may form the overall exterior of the aerosol generating device 1 and include an inner space in which the components of the aerosol generating device 1 may be disposed. Although the diagram illustrates an embodiment in which the cross-section of the body 10 has a semicircular shape overall, the shape of the body 10 is not limited thereto. The body 10 may have a cylindrical shape or a polygonal column shape overall.

The body 10 may include a first body surface 10A (e.g., a front surface of the body 10), a second body surface 10B (e.g., a rear surface of the body 10) opposite to the first body surface 10A, and at least one third body surface 10C (e.g., a lateral surface of the body 10) between the first body surface 10A and the second body surface 10B.

Referring to FIG. 32, the body 10 may form an insertion space 102 inside. The insertion space 102 may be formed in the upper portion of the body 10. The insertion space 102 may be open upward. The insertion space 102 may have a vertically elongated cylindrical shape. At least a portion of the stick S may be inserted into the body 10 through an opening 101 on the upper side of the insertion space 102. The depth of the insertion space 102 may correspond to the length of an area of the stick S in which an aerosol generating article and/or a medium is included.

A heater 240 (e.g., the heater 18 of FIGS. 29 and 30) may surround at least a portion of an outer side of the insertion space 102. The heater 240 may be elongated vertically along the insertion space 102. For example, the heater 240 may be a cylindrical electrically resistive heater that surrounds at least a portion of the insertion space 102. For example, the heater 240 may include a cylindrical susceptor that surrounds at least a portion of the insertion space 102 and an induction coil that surrounds the susceptor. The heater 240 may heat the exterior of the stick S accommodated in the insertion space 102. At least an area of the stick S accommodated in the insertion space 102 may be heated by the heater 240. An aerosol may be generated as a result of the mixture of a vaporized particle generated by the heating of the stick S and air entering the inner space of the body 10 through the opening 101.

The display 141 may be disposed on one side of the body 10. At least a partial area of the display 141 may be exposed to the outside of the body 10.

The display 141 may provide a variety of visual information to a user. The display 141 may include a display panel and/or a touch panel. The display 141 may include a glass cover.

The cover glass, together with the body 10, may form the exterior of the aerosol generating device 1. The cover glass may be in contact with a portion of the body of the user. The cover glass may protect the display panel and/or the touch panel from an external impact.

The display panel may be disposed on the cover glass in a direction facing the inside of the body 10. The display panel may be disposed parallel to the cover glass.

The touch panel may detect a touch corresponding to contact with an object. For example, the touch panel may detect a touch corresponding to contact with a portion of the body of the user. The touch panel may receive a user input.

A cover 104 may be placed on the upper side of the body 10. The cover 104 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the opening 101 of the body 10. For example, the opening 101 of the body 10 may be circular, and the cover 104 may be circular with a diameter greater than the diameter of the opening 101.

The cover 104 may be movably connected to a guide 103 formed in the body 10. The cover 104 may move along the guide 103. For example, the guide 103 may be a groove formed in one surface of the body 10, and the cover 104 may include a protrusion that slides when inserted into the groove of the body 10. For example, the guide 103 may be a protrusion protruding from one surface of the body 10, and the cover 104 may have a groove inserted into the protrusion and slide along the protrusion.

The cover 104 may open and close the opening 101 of the body 10 by moving along the guide 103. For example, the cover 104 may close the opening 101 at a first position and open the opening 101 at a second position. The cover 104 may be manually moved by the user. Alternatively, the aerosol generating device 1 may have a driving device, and the cover 104 may be moved by the driving device.

The body 10 may include a connecting terminal (not shown). The connecting terminal may include a connector that allows the aerosol generating device 1 to be physically connected to an external electronic device. For example, the connecting terminal may include at least one of a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connector, a USB connector, a secure digital (SD) card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphones connector), or a combination thereof.

FIG. 33 is a rear perspective view of an internal structure of the aerosol generating device including a thermal insulator and a printed circuit board (PCB), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 33, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a thermal insulator 220. The thermal insulator 220 may be configured to thermally insulate the heater 240. The thermal insulator 220 may include the heater 240 inside the thermal insulator 220. The thermal insulator 220 may include an antenna (not shown) (e.g., an LCD antenna) inside the thermal insulator 220.

The thermal insulator 220 may be disposed to surround the heater 240, sealing the heater 240 to prevent the leakage of a droplet generated during an aerosol generating process through the heater 240. This may prevent a malfunction or damage to the components of the aerosol generating device 1 caused by the droplet.

The thermal insulator 220 may seal the heater 240 to prevent heat generated by the heater 240 from being transferred to the outer circumferential surface of the body 10. Thus, even when maintaining the heater 240 at a high temperature, it may be possible to transmit high-temperature heat to a body part (e.g., a palm) of the user gripping the body 10.

The aerosol generating device 1 may include a PCB 230. For example, the PCB 230 may include at least one of the controller 12, the sensor 13, the memory 17, or the communication unit 16, or a combination thereof.

The aerosol generating device 1 may include a plurality of electrical lines (e.g., a first electrical line E1, a second electrical line E2, a third electrical line E3, and a fourth electrical line E4). For example, the first electrical line E1 may be configured to connect the heater 240 to a temperature sensor 260. The second electrical line E2 may be configured to connect a coil 242 (see FIG. 36) of the heater 240 to the PCB 230. At least one third electrical line E3 may be configured to connect at least one sensor (e.g., the insertion detection sensor 133 of FIG. 40) to the PCB 230. The fourth electrical line E4 may be configured to connect a heater housing 243 (see FIG. 36) of the heater 240 to the PCB 230. The fourth electrical line E4 may include a flexible PCB (FPCB).

FIG. 34 is a rear perspective view of an internal structure of an aerosol generating device including a battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 35 is an exploded rear perspective view of the internal structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 34 and 35, the body 10 of the aerosol generating device 1 may include a first portion A1. The first portion A1 may include a portion adjacent to the first body surface 10A of the body 10. The body 10 may include a second portion A2. The second portion A2 may be at least partially different from the first portion A1. The second portion A2 may include a portion adjacent to the second body surface 10B of the body.

The body 10 may include a wall A3. The wall A3 may separate the first portion A1 from the second portion A2. The wall A3 may extend from an inner surface 10D of the body 10 in a direction perpendicular to the inner surface 10D of the body 10. The wall A3 may extend across the inner surface 10D in a direction (e.g., a width direction of the body 10) that intersects with a vertical direction (e.g., a thickness direction of the body 10) of the inner surface 10D. The direction may intersect with a direction (e.g., a longitudinal direction of the body 10) from the first body surface 10A to the second body surface 10B of the body 10.

A power source 250 may be disposed in the second portion A2 of the body 10. The power source 250 may include a pouch-type battery. The power source 250 may be adjacent to the PCB 230. For example, the power source 250 may be disposed on one side of the inner surface 10D of the body 10, and the PCB 230 may be disposed on the other side of the power source 250 opposite to the one side of the inner surface 10D. However, the placement of the PCB 230 and the power source 250 is not limited thereto.

The heater 240 may be disposed in the first portion A1 of the body 10.

The thermal insulator 220 may insulate the heater 240. The thermal insulator 220 may be disposed in the first portion A1 of the body 10. The thermal insulator 220 may surround the heater 240.

The aerosol generating device 1 may include a buffer structure (not shown). The buffer structure may be configured to buffer the power source 250. The buffer structure may be disposed on at least a portion of the inner surface 10D of the second portion A2 of the body 10. When an external impact is applied to the aerosol generating device 1, the buffer structure may reduce or prevent the impact applied to the power source 250.

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 37 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device including a susceptor and a temperature sensor, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 36, the aerosol generating device 1 may include an article insertion portion 513. The article insertion portion 205 may guide the insertion of the stick S (see FIG. 3) into the heater 240. The article insertion portion 513 may be disposed on the first body surface 10A of the body 10.

The cover 104 may open and close the article insertion portion 205. The cover 104 may be configured to operate in a sliding or hinged manner.

The heater 240 may heat the stick S. The heater 240 may include a heater housing 243. The heater housing 243 may be disposed inside the body 10.

The heater 240 may include a coil 242. The coil 242 may be disposed on an outer side of the heater housing 243. The coil 242 may be wound around the heater housing 243. The coil 242 may surround at least a portion of an outer surface of the heater housing 243 and be wound around the heater housing 243 in a spiral direction along the longitudinal direction of the heater housing 243. The coil 242 may have a first connecting portion (not shown) that may form one end of the wound portion and be connected to at least one electrical line and a second connecting portion (not shown) that may form the other end of the wound portion and be connected to at least one other electrical line. The coil 242 may be connected to the PCB 230 through at least one electrical line.

The heater 240 may include a susceptor 241. The susceptor 241 may at least partially accommodate the stick S. The susceptor 241 may be configured to transfer heat to the stick S. For example, the susceptor 241 may be electrically coupled to the coil 242 and generate heat.

The aerosol generating device 1 may include the temperature sensor 260. The temperature sensor 260 may detect the temperature of the heater 240. The temperature sensor 260 may be disposed between the heater housing 243 and the susceptor 241. The temperature sensor 260 may be connected to the PCB 230 through an electrical line E5. The temperature sensor 260 may be connected to the controller 12 through the electrical line E5.

Referring to FIG. 37, the susceptor 241 may include a first surface 241A (e.g., a front surface), a second surface 241B (e.g., a rear surface) opposite to the first surface 241A, and a third surface 241C (e.g., a lateral surface) between the first surface 241A and the second surface 241B.

The first surface 241A may include a first opening H. The stick S may be inserted into the susceptor 241 through the first opening H. The first opening H may include a substantially circular or elliptical cross-section.

The second surface 241B may include a second opening (not shown). The second opening may allow the passage of an end of the stick S that is inserted into the susceptor 241. The second opening may include a substantially circular or elliptical cross-section.

The first surface 241A may include a first flange F1. The first flange F1 may expand from the third surface 241C in a width direction or radial direction. The first flange F1 may at least partially extend in a circumferential direction of the first surface 241A.

The first surface 241A may include a notch N. The notch N may be formed in one area of the first flange F1. At least one electrical line E5 may extend through at least a portion of the notch N.

The second surface 241B may include a second flange F2. The second flange F2 may expand from the third surface 241C in a width direction or radial direction. The second flange F2 may extend in a circumferential direction of the second surface 241B.

The susceptor 241 may include a body portion (e.g., 241A, 241B, and 241C) and a hollow portion 241D. The hollow portion 241D may be defined in the body portion (e.g., 241A, 241B, and 241C). The hollow portion 241D may extend between the first surface 241A and the second surface 241B. The hollow portion 241D may at least partially accommodate the stick S.

The heater 240 may include a pocket 262. The pocket 262 may include a pocket body 263. The pocket body 263 may be disposed on the third surface 241C of the susceptor 241. The pocket body 263 may be integrally and seamlessly connected to the third surface 241C.

The pocket 262 may include a recess (not shown). The recess may be disposed in the pocket body 263. The recess may accommodate the temperature sensor 260.

The pocket 262 may include a seal 261. The seal 261 may seal the temperature sensor 260. The seal 261 may fill an upper portion of the temperature sensor 260 and the inside of the recess. The seal 558 may fill a space between the temperature sensor 260 and the inside of the recess, thereby sealing the temperature sensor 260. The seal 261 may include an adhesive material. For example, the adhesive material may include a ceramic material. The seal 261 may increase the bonding strength between the temperature sensor 260 and the recess.

FIG. 38 is an exploded perspective view of a thermal insulator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal insulator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 40 is a partially enlarged view of the thermal insulator of FIG. 39.

Referring to FIGS. 38 and 39, the thermal insulator 220 may include a thermally insulating housing 221. The thermally insulating housing 221 may include a first surface 221A (e.g., a front surface), a second surface 221B (e.g., a rear surface) opposite to the first surface 221A, and a third surface 221C (e.g., a lateral surface) between the first surface 221A and the second surface 221B. The first surface 221A, the second surface 221B, and the third surface 221C may surround the heater 240.

The thermally insulating housing 221 may include a first passage 221D1. The first passage 221D1 may allow the stick S to be inserted into the thermally insulating housing 221. The first passage 221D1 may include a substantially circular or elliptical cross-section.

The article insertion portion 205 of the aerosol generating device 1 may be provided to the first passage 221D1. The article insertion portion 205 may have a size and a shape suitable for guiding the stick S into the susceptor 241 of the heater 240.

The cover 204 of the aerosol generating device 1 may be provided to the first passage 221D1. The cover 204 may open and close the first passage 221D1. The cover 204 may open and close the article insertion portion 205. The cover 204 may operate in a sliding or hinged manner.

The thermally insulating housing 221 may include a second passage 221D2. The second passage 221D2 may allow a plurality of electrical lines (e.g., E1, E2, E3, and E4) to pass therethrough. The second passage 221D2 may have an elongated shape. The second passage 221D2 may be disposed on the second surface 221B of the thermally insulating housing 221.

The thermal insulator 220 may include a first flange 222. The first flange 222 may protrude from the second surface 221B. For example, the first flange 222 may protrude in a direction from the first surface 221A toward the second surface 221B. The first flange 222 may be integrally and seamlessly connected to the thermally insulating housing 221. The first flange 222 may include the second passage 221D2 defined at least partially inside the first flange 222.

The thermal insulator 220 may include a second flange 223. The second flange 223 may surround the plurality of electrical lines (e.g., E1, E2, E3, and E4). The second flange 223 may be disposed on an inner side of the first flange 222. At least a portion of the second flange 223 may extend between the first surface 221A and the second surface 221B along an inner lateral surface of the thermally insulating housing 221. At least a portion of the second flange 223 may extend along an inner surface opposite to the second surface 221B of the thermally insulating housing 221. At least a portion of the second flange 223 may be disposed in the second passage 221D2.

The second flange 223 may extend beyond the first flange 222. The distance between an end portion of the second flange 223 and the second surface 221B may be greater than the distance between an end portion of the first flange 222 and the second surface 221B. The thermal insulator 220 may include a first seal 224 (e.g., an outer seal). The first seal 224 may be disposed to surround the first flange 222. The first seal 224 may be disposed to surround at least a portion of the second flange 223.

Referring to FIG. 40, the first seal 224 may include an outer enclosure 224A. The outer enclosure 224A may surround an outer side of the first flange 222 and/or an outer side of the second flange 223. The outer enclosure 224A may be disposed on or above the second surface 221B.

The outer enclosure 224A may extend in a direction from the first surface 221A toward the second surface 221B. The outer enclosure 224A may extend beyond the end portion of the first flange 222 and/or the end portion of the second flange 223.

The outer enclosure 224A may include a first base 224A1. The first base 224A1 may be disposed on or above the second surface 221B. The first base 224A1 may extend or expand in a direction away from the outer side of the first flange 222 and/or the outer side of the second flange 223.

The outer enclosure 224A may include a second base 224A2. The second base 224A2 may be disposed on the first base 224A1. The second base 224A2 may extend or expand in a direction away from the outer side of the first flange 222 and/or the outer side of the second flange 223.

The width of the second base 224A2 may be greater than the width of the first base 224A1. The first base 224A1 and the second base 224A2 may form a stepped shape.

The first base 224A1 may be integrally and seamlessly connected to the second base 224A2.

The first seal 224 may include an inner enclosure 224B. The inner enclosure 224B may surround an inner side of the first flange 222 and/or an inner side of the second flange 223. The inner enclosure 224B may be in at least partial contact with the second flange 223. The inner enclosure 224B may be configured to at least partially be deformed by the second flange 223. The inner enclosure 224B may remain deformed. The inner enclosure 224B may be disposed at least partially in the second passage 221D2.

The inner enclosure 224B may extend in a direction from the first surface 221A toward the second surface 221B. The inner enclosure 224B may extend beyond the end portion of the first flange 222 and/or the end portion of the second flange 223. The extending length of the inner enclosure 224B may be greater than the extending length of the outer enclosure 224A.

The distance between an end surface of the inner enclosure 224B and the second surface 221B may be substantially the same as the distance between an end surface of the outer enclosure 224A and the second surface 221B.

The outer enclosure 224A and the inner enclosure 224B may form a gap G. The first flange 222 may be disposed in the gap G. At least a portion of the second flange 223 may be disposed in the gap G.

The first seal 224 may include a connecting enclosure 224C. The connecting enclosure 224C may be configured to connect the outer enclosure 224A to the inner enclosure 224B. The connecting enclosure 224C may surround the end portion of the first flange 222 and/or the end portion of the second flange 223. The connecting enclosure 224C may extend or expand in a direction intersecting with (e.g., orthogonal to) the extending direction of the outer enclosure 224A and/or the extending direction of the inner enclosure 224B.

The outer enclosure 224A, the inner enclosure 224B, and the connecting enclosure 224C may be integrally and seamlessly connected to one another.

The first seal 224 may include an elastic material. For example, the first seal 224 may include rubber.

FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 41, an aerosol generating device 500 may include a cavity 510 (e.g., the cavity 310 of FIG. 15). The cavity 510 may include an arbitrary shape (e.g., a hollow cylindrical shape) suitable for accommodating an aerosol generating article.

The aerosol generating device 500 may include a heater 520 (e.g., the heater 320 of FIG. 15). The heater 520 may include a plasma discharge space 521 (e.g., the plasma discharge space 321 of FIG. 15). The plasma discharge space 521 may include a substantially annular shape. The plasma discharge space 521 may at least partially surround the cavity 510. The plasma discharge space 521 may be positioned on an outer side of the cavity 510. The plasma discharge space 521 may be adjacent to the cavity 510 but may be a space that is completely separated from the cavity 510.

The heater 520 may include a partition 522 (e.g., the partition 322 of FIG. 15). The partition 522 may include a first extension 522A (e.g., the extension 322A of FIG. 15). The first extension 522A may include a first inner surface F1 that interfaces with the cavity 510. The partition 522 may include a second extension 522B extending along the extending length (e.g., a portion in a Z-axis direction) of the first extension 522A. The second extension 522B may be positioned on an outer side of the first extension 522A. The second extension 522B may include a second inner surface F2 that does not interface with the cavity 510. The second inner surface F2 may face the first inner surface F1. The first inner surface F1 and the second inner surface F2 may define the plasma discharge space 521. The extending direction (e.g., +/−Z direction) of the second extension 522B may be substantially parallel to the extending direction (e.g., +/−Z direction) of the first extension 522A. The extending length of the second extension 522C may be substantially the same as the extending length of the first extension 522A.

The heater 520 may include a plurality of plasma electrodes 523 (e.g., the plurality of plasma electrodes 323 of FIG. 15). At least one first plasma electrode 523A among the plurality of plasma electrodes 523 may be disposed on the first inner surface F1. At least one second plasma electrode 523B among the plurality of plasma electrodes 523 may be disposed on the second inner surface F2. The first plasma electrode 523A and the second plasma electrode 523B may face each other.

A plurality of first plasma electrodes 523A may be arranged on the first inner surface F1 along the circumference (e.g., a portion in an X-axis direction, a portion in a Y-axis direction, and/or a portion in a circumferential direction with respect to a Z-axis) of the first extension 522A. The plurality of first plasma electrodes 523A may be arranged along the extending length (e.g., the portion in the Z-axis direction) of the first extension 522A.

A plurality of second plasma electrodes 523B may be arranged on the second inner surface F2 along the circumference (e.g., a portion in the X-axis direction, a portion in the Y-axis direction, and/or a portion in the circumferential direction with respect to the Z-axis) of the second extension 522B. The plurality of second plasma electrodes 523B may be arranged along the extending length (e.g., the portion in the Z-axis direction) of the second extension 522B.

FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 42 and 43, an aerosol generating device 600 (e.g., the aerosol generating device 500 of FIG. 41) may include a cavity 610 (e.g., the cavity 510 of FIG. 41).

The aerosol generating device 600 may include a heater 620 (e.g., the heater 520 of FIG. 41). The heater 620 may include a plasma discharge space 621 (e.g., the plasma discharge space 521 of FIG. 41), a partition 622 (e.g., the partition 522 of FIG. 41), a plurality of plasma electrodes 623 (e.g., the plasma electrodes 523, 523A, and 523B of FIG. 41). The partition 622 may include a first extension 622A with a first inner surface F1 and a second extension 622B with a second inner surface F2.

The plurality of plasma electrodes 623 may not be disposed on the first inner surface F1 that interfaces with the cavity 610. The plurality of plasma electrodes 623 may be disposed on the second inner surface F2 that does not interface with the cavity 610. The plurality of plasma electrodes 623 may be arranged along the circumference (e.g., a portion in an X-axis direction, a portion in a Y-axis direction, and/or a portion in a circumferential direction with respect to a Z-axis) of the second extension 623C. The plurality of plasma electrodes 623 may be arranged along the length (e.g., the portion in the Z-axis direction) of the second extension 623C.

The heater 420 may include an outer space 624 defined outside the second extension 622C. The outer space 624 may be adjacent to the plasma discharge space 621 and may be a space that is separated from the plasma discharge space 621 by the partition 622. The outer space 624 may be in contact with the plasma discharge space 621 with the second extension 622C positioned in between.

The aerosol generating device 600 may include a connecting electrode 630 (e.g., the connecting electrode 430 of FIGS. 17 and 18) electrically connected to a driver (not shown) (e.g., the driver 331 of FIG. 16) and/or a controller (not shown) (e.g., the controller 332 of FIG. 16). The connecting electrode 630 may be configured to transfer electrical energy from the driver and/or the controller to the plurality of plasma electrodes 623. The connecting electrode 630 may have substantially a hollow annular shape. The heater 620 may include a plurality of electrical lines configured to connect the connecting electrode 430 to each of the plurality of plasma electrodes 630. The connecting electrode 630 and the plurality of electrical lines may be disposed in the outer space 624. The connecting electrode 630 may be spaced apart from the second extension 622C with a gap in the outer space 624.

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 an 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.