AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC §119 to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2024-0124903 and 10-2024-0184135, respectively filed on Sep. 12, 2024 and Dec. 11, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device using a dielectric heating method in which an optical fiber temperature sensor is applied.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, the demand for alternative methods for overcoming the shortcomings of general cigarettes has increased. For example, there is an increasing demand for a system for generating aerosols by heating a cigarette or an aerosol generating material by using an aerosol generating device, rather than by burning cigarettes. Accordingly, research on heating-type aerosol generating devices has been actively conducted.

Among methods of heating an object, microwave heating technology is technology in which water or polar molecules such as an organic solvent may be directly heated by using the principle of dielectric heating. Because microwaves are used to selectively heat only materials that require heating, energy efficiency is high and heating speeds are fast. In the field of aerosol generating devices, continuous studies have also been conducted on microwave heating technology as a new heating method.

SUMMARY

An aerosol generating device may be equipped with additional functions to provide use convenience to a user. For example, a function of monitoring a temperature of a cigarette (hereinafter, an aerosol generating article or stick may be used as the same meaning) inserted into the aerosol generating device may be equipped.

A controller may control the aerosol generating article to be heated with an optimal heating profile, by monitoring the temperature of the aerosol generating article through a temperature sensor and controlling a heating temperature of a heater. As a result, user's smoking satisfaction may be improved. In addition, temperature sensors may be arranged in various positions to improve the usability of the aerosol generating device.

However, when the aerosol generating article is heated by using microwave heating techniques, difficulties may arise when temperature sensors of the related art are arranged. In detail, when a temperature sensor of the related art that includes a conductor is inserted to measure a temperature of the aerosol generating article or a microwave output portion, the temperature sensor may not accurately measure the temperature, because microwaves affect the temperature sensor. In addition, there is a risk of damage to internal components arranged in an aerosol generating device, such as a microwave resonator, the microwave output portion, etc., in addition to the temperature sensor.

Here, when a temperature sensor including an optical fiber is used, the optical fiber temperature sensor is not affected by the microwaves. Thus, when the optical fiber temperature sensor is used in the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device may measure not only a temperature of the aerosol generating article, but also temperatures of the components desired by a user, such as the microwave resonator, the microwave output portion, etc., and may thus perform control operations according to purposes.

Provided is an aerosol generating device using a dielectric heating method using an optical fiber temperature sensor.

Also provided is an aerosol generating device capable of performing control operations of various purposes, based on a temperature measured by a temperature sensor.

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

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments of the disclosure.

An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes a heater assembly including an oscillator configured to generate microwaves, a shielding portion including an insertion space for accommodating an aerosol generating article, the shielding portion being configured to shield the microwaves, and a microwave output portion configured to provide the microwaves into the shielding portion, the heater assembly being configured to heat, through the microwaves, the aerosol generating article accommodated in the insertion space, one or more optical fiber temperature sensors configured to measure a temperature of an object of temperature measurement from outside the object of temperature measurement without being inserted into the object of temperature measurement, and a controller configured to adjust the microwaves, based on the temperature measured through the one or more optical fiber temperature sensors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

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

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an internal block diagram of a dielectric heater applicable to an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an example of a heater assembly applicable to an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of another example of a heater assembly applicable to an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of another example of a heater assembly applicable to an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of another example of a heater assembly applicable to an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly illustrated in FIG. 9A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar components will be assigned the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals in the drawings, and the same descriptions thereof will be omitted. With regard to the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used to represent like or related elements.

The suffixes “module”, “unit”, “-er”, and “-or” for the components used in the following description are given or used interchangeably by considering only the ease of writing the description, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves. The suffix “module” or “unit”, as used herein, may include a unit implemented as hardware, software, or firmware. For example, the suffix “module” or “unit” may be interchangeably used with the term a “logic”, a “logical block”, a “component”, or a “circuit”. The “module” or “unit” may be an integrally formed component, a minimum unit of the component performing one or more functions, or a part of the minimum unit. For example, the “module” or “unit” may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

In addition, when describing the embodiments of the disclosure, the detailed description of the related known art, which may obscure the subject matter of the embodiments, may be omitted. Also, the accompanying drawings are only intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiments described herein, and the spirit of the disclosure is not limited by the accompanying drawings and should be understood to include all changes, equivalents or alternatives included in the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements or components, these elements or components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element or component from another element or component.

When an element is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

The singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as software including one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., a memory) readable by a machine (e.g., an aerosol generating device 1). For example, a processor (e.g., the processor 170) of the machine (e.g., the aerosol generating device 1) may call at least one instruction among one or more instructions stored from the storage medium and execute the at least one instruction. This makes it possible for the machine to be operated to perform at least one function according to the called at least one instruction. Examples of the one or more instructions may include codes created by a compiler, or codes executable by an interpreter. A machine-readable storage medium may be provided as a non-transitory storage medium. The ‘non-transitory storage medium’ is a tangible device and only means that it does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic waves). This term does not distinguish a case in which data is stored semi-permanently in a storage medium from a case in which data is temporarily stored.

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

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a control unit 10, a source unit 20, and a radiating unit 30. The control unit 10 may refer to a circuit for controlling the basic operation of the aerosol generating device 1. The source unit 20 may refer to a circuit for generating a radio frequency (RF) signal under the control by the control unit 10. The radiating unit 30 may be a device for radiating an RF signal generated by the source unit 20 in the form of electromagnetic waves into a space into which an aerosol-generating article is inserted (hereinafter, “insertion space”). Charges or ions of a dielectric (e.g., glycerin) included in an aerosol-generating article may vibrate or rotate due to radiated electromagnetic waves (e.g., RF signals), and the aerosol-generating article may be heated as the dielectric generates heat due to frictional heat generated in the process of the charges or ions vibrating or rotating. In other words, the aerosol generating device 1 may be a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating article in a dielectric heating manner.

In an embodiment, the control unit 10 may include a power connector 110, a charging circuit 120, a power supply 130, a first power converter 140, a second power converter 150, a third power converter 160, and/or a processor 170. Additionally, the source unit 20 may include an RF signal generation circuit 210, a drive amplifier 220, a power amplifier 230, a directional coupler 240, and/or a temperature sensing circuit 250. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art related to the present embodiment that some of the components illustrated in FIG. 1 may be omitted or new components may be added according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1.

The power connector 110 may refer to a physical connection device that is electrically connected to an electronic device or system (e.g., an external power supply) outside the aerosol generating device 1 and used to transmit and receive power. For example, the power connector 110 may receive power from an external power supply and transmit the received power to a component requiring charging (e.g., the power supply 130). The power connector 110 may also provide a path for data transmission. In this case, the power connector 110 may be referred to as a data and power connector. The aerosol generating device 1 may transmit and receive data to or from an external electronic device or system (e.g., a smartphone, a computer, etc.) through the power connector 110. The power connector 110 may include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) power connector, a direct current (DC) power connector, etc. In an example, the power connector 110 may include, but is not limited to, a USB-C type connector capable of supplying 9 V of direct current (DC) voltage at a current of 1 A. The power connector 110 may also include an interface for transmitting and receiving power wirelessly.

The charging circuit 120 may refer to a circuit for charging the power supply 130. The charging circuit 120 may charge the power supply 130 by using power transmitted from the power connector 110. In an example, the charging circuit 120 may be implemented as a charger IC, which is an integrated circuit (IC) that performs functions for efficiently and safely charging the power supply 130. The charging circuit 120 may monitor the charging status of the power supply 130 or optimize the charging process by monitoring the voltage, current, and/or temperature of the power supply 130. For example, the charging circuit 120 may detect the status of the power supply 130 and prevent overcharging or overdischarging by providing an appropriate charging voltage and current.

The power supply 130 may supply power for the operation of the aerosol generating device 1. The power supply 130 may include one or more rechargeable batteries. The power supply 130 may supply power to the radiating unit 30 such that the radiating unit 30 may radiate electromagnetic waves (e.g., RF signals) into the insertion space to heat an aerosol-generating article. Here, power supply to the radiating unit 30 may indicate power supply to the source unit 20. Additionally, the power supply 130 may supply power required for the operation of the processor 170, the RF signal generation circuit 210, the drive amplifier 220, the power amplifier 230, the temperature sensing circuit 250, etc. In an example, the power supply 130 may include, but is not limited to, a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery. The power supply 130 may be a replaceable type (separated type) battery (hereinafter, a removable battery). The removable battery may be mounted in a battery holder provided within the aerosol generating device 1 or removed from the battery holder. The removable battery may be charged in a wired manner and/or wirelessly.

The aerosol generating device 1 may include a power conversion circuit for converting power supplied from the power supply 130 into power (e.g., voltage and/or current) suitable for other components. The power conversion circuit may include at least one of a buck converter, a buck-boost converter, a boost converter, a Zener diode, and a low-dropout (LDO) regulator. Additionally, the power conversion circuit may include a DC/AC converter (e.g., an inverter) as required.

In an example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include the first power converter 140, the second power converter 150, and the third power converter 160. The first power converter 140 may be an LDO regulator for supplying power (e.g., a DC of 3.3 V) suitable for the processor 170, the second power converter 150 may be a buck-boost converter for supplying power (e.g., a DC of 5 V) suitable for the temperature sensing circuit 250, the RF signal generation circuit 210, and the drive amplifier 220, and the third power converter 160 may be a boost converter for supplying power (e.g., a DC of 12 V/25 W) suitable for the power amplifier 230.

However, the first power converter 140, the second power converter 150, and the third power converter 160 are not limited to the examples described above and may include other types of power conversion circuits. Additionally, although FIG. 1 illustrates the aerosol generating device 1 including three power converters, the aerosol generating device 1 may include more than three power converters or may include fewer power converters. In an example, at least some of the first power converter 140, the second power converter 150, and the third power converter 160 may be integrated into a single power converter.

The processor 170 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the processor 170 may directly or indirectly control charging and discharging of the power supply 130 by using the charging circuit 120. Additionally, the processor 170 may control the voltage and/or current output by a power conversion circuit by controlling the frequency and/or duty ratio of a current pulse input to at least one switching element of the power conversion circuit. In addition to the components described above, the processor 170 may also control the overall operation of other components to be described later.

The processor 170 may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microcontroller unit (MCU) (or microprocessor) and a memory storing a program that may be executed in the MCU. Additionally, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the processor 170 may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The RF signal generation circuit 210 may generate an RF signal based on power delivered from the power supply 130 or the second power converter 150. An RF signal may refer to a signal having a frequency within a range of about 300 MHz to about 300 GHz. In an example, the RF signal may have a frequency of about 1 GHz to about 100 GHz. Additionally, the RF signal may have a frequency in the Industrial Scientific and Medical equipment (ISM) band, for example, 915 MHz, 2.45 GHz, and/or 5.8 GHz.

The RF signal generation circuit 210 may include a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) that generates an RF signal having a different frequency depending on an input voltage. The RF signal generation circuit 210 may receive a control signal (e.g., a DC signal) from the processor 170 and generate an RF signal having a frequency corresponding to the received control signal. The processor 170 may store a control signal corresponding to a desired frequency in the form of a look-up table, or calculate a control signal corresponding to a desired frequency in real time through at least one operation.

In an example, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a digital to analog converter (D/A converter) for converting a digital control signal output from the processor 170 into an analog control signal. The RF signal generation circuit 210 may receive the analog control signal and generate an RF signal having a frequency corresponding to the received analog control signal.

The drive amplifier 220 may amplify the RF signal generated by the RF signal generation circuit 210. For example, the drive amplifier 220 may provide an input signal suitable for a component of a next stage (e.g., the power amplifier 230) by amplifying the signal level (e.g., amplitude) of the RF signal. The drive amplifier 220 may minimize signal distortion by maintaining high linearity. However, since the drive amplifier 220 is an amplifier focused on increasing the signal level, the drive amplifier 220 may provide relatively low output power.

The power amplifier 230 may amplify power of an RF signal received from the drive amplifier 220. The power amplifier 230 may be an amplifier focused on providing sufficient power to a final output device (e.g., the radiating unit 30). For example, the power amplifier 230 may provide a high-power RF signal to the radiating unit 30 so that the radiating unit 30 may radiate electromagnetic waves into the insertion space to heat an aerosol-generating article. The power amplifier 230 may perform an amplification operation by using power received through the third power converter 160 that provides higher power and/or voltage than the second power converter 150.

The drive amplifier 220 and the power amplifier 230 may include transistors such as a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), a field effect transistor (FET), or a vacuum tube. In an example, the drive amplifier 220 and the power amplifier 230 may be, but are not limited to, gallium nitride (GaN) transistors configured to handle high efficiency, high speed, and high voltage. The drive amplifier 220 and the power amplifier 230 may also include an operational amplifier.

In FIG. 1, the drive amplifier 220 and the power amplifier 230 are illustrated as individual amplifiers, but the drive amplifier 220 and the power amplifier 230 may be integrated into a single amplifier. Additionally, the drive amplifier 220 and/or the power amplifier 230 may be configured as a series connection, a parallel connection, and/or a combination thereof of a plurality of amplifiers.

The radiating unit 30 may include at least one antenna for radiating electromagnetic waves into space. At least one antenna may have a size and shape suitable for the size and shape of an aerosol-generating article. For example, if the aerosol-generating article is cylindrical in shape, at least one antenna may be tubular surrounding the aerosol-generating article that is cylindrical. Here, the shape of the antenna being tubular may indicate that the overall shape of the antenna is tubular. In other words, if the antenna is formed of a metal (e.g. SUS) track, this may indicate that the overall shape of the entire track is tubular. The shape of at least one antenna is not limited to the examples described above and may include various shapes such as a flat plate shape, a curved plate shape, etc.

The radiating unit 30 may heat the aerosol-generating article by radiating electromagnetic waves (e.g., an amplified RF signal or a transmitted RF signal) into the insertion space. For the heating efficiency of the aerosol generating article to be maximized, resonance of electromagnetic waves is to occur within the insertion space. The resonance conditions (e.g., resonant frequency) of the insertion space may vary depending on the amount of dielectric contained in the inserted aerosol-generating article. The processor 170 may control the frequency of an RF signal generated by the RF signal generation circuit 210 to correspond to or be close to the resonance condition of the insertion space by adjusting a control signal input to the RF signal generation circuit 210. The processor 170 may use the directional coupler 240 to obtain information about the resonance conditions of the insertion space.

The directional coupler 240 may refer to a passive element having a waveguide structure that separates an incident wave and a reflected wave from each other. The directional coupler 240 may receive an RF signal transmitted from the power amplifier 230 toward the radiating unit 30 and electromagnetic waves reflected from the insertion space after they are radiated by the radiating unit 30. The directional coupler 240 may separate the transmitted RF signal and the reflected electromagnetic waves, and provide them to the processor 170.

In an example, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include an analog to digital converter (A/D converter) for converting an analog output of the directional coupler 240 into a digital output. The A/D converter may be built into the processor 170 or may exist as a separate component outside the processor 170. The processor 170 may analyze the characteristics (e.g., current, voltage, power, phase, and/or frequency) of the transmitted RF signal and the characteristics (e.g., current, voltage, power, phase, and/or frequency) of the reflected electromagnetic waves by monitoring the output of the directional coupler 240.

The processor 170 may determine whether the operation of the source unit 20 is being performed as intended, based on the characteristics of the transmitted RF signal. Additionally, the characteristics of the transmitted RF signal may be used to determine the heating efficiency of the source unit 20 or the radiating unit 30, together with the characteristics of the reflected electromagnetic wave. The processor 170 may control the source unit 20 such that the heating efficiency of the source unit 20 or the radiating unit 30 is maximized. For example, the processor 170 may adjust the frequency of an RF signal generated by the RF signal generation circuit 210 such that the power of the reflected electromagnetic waves is minimized. Minimizing the power of the reflected electromagnetic waves may indicate that the frequency of the RF signal is closer to the resonance conditions of the insertion space. The characteristics of the transmitted RF signal may provide a criterion for whether the power of the reflected electromagnetic waves is minimized.

Since resonance of electromagnetic waves may occur in the insertion space depending on the frequency of the RF signal, the insertion space may be referred to as a resonant section. At least a portion of the insertion space may be surrounded by at least one shielding member to prevent electromagnetic waves from leaking outside the aerosol generating device 1. In an embodiment, the insertion space may further include a physical structure to ensure that the resonance conditions are within a range controllable by the processor 170. The physical structure may include at least one conductor, and the resonance conditions of the insertion space may vary depending on the arrangement, thickness, and length of the conductor. Additionally, the physical structure may include a space for accommodating a dielectric having low electromagnetic absorption, separate from the dielectric contained in the aerosol-generating article. A dielectric with low electromagnetic absorption may change the resonant frequency of the entire resonant section without absorbing the energy that are to be transferred to the heated material. Accordingly, even if the resonant section is reduced in size, the resonance conditions may be determined within a range controllable by the processor 170.

The temperature sensing circuit 250 may be arranged in contact with or adjacent to components included in the source unit 20 to measure the temperature of the source unit 20. For example, the temperature sensing circuit 250 may be arranged in contact with or adjacent to at least one of the RF signal generation circuit 210, the drive amplifier 220, and the power amplifier 230. Heat may be generated due to limited efficiency in the process of generating and/or amplifying RF signals, and if excessive heat is generated, this heat may have a negative impact on components included in the source unit 20 or other components included in the aerosol generating device 1. The temperature measured by the temperature sensing circuit 250 may be used to prevent overheating of the source unit 20.

The processor 170 may receive the temperature (or a value corresponding to the temperature) measured from the temperature sensing circuit 250, and if it is determined that the source unit 20 is overheated, the processor 70 may stop the operation of the source unit 20. For example, the processor 170 may stop the operation of the source unit 20 by cutting off the power supply to the source unit 20 or transmitting a control signal. Hereinafter, the term ‘power supply’ to the source unit 20 is used to indicate controlling whether the source unit 20 operates.

The temperature sensing circuit 250 may include at least one temperature sensor among a thermocouple, a resistance temperature detector (RTD), a thermistor, a semiconductor temperature sensor, and an optical temperature sensor. In an example, the temperature sensing circuit 250 may be implemented as a chip-type sensor (e.g., a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) sensor) to minimize the area occupied, but is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating device 1 may include other components in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a sensor unit, an output unit, an input unit, a communication unit, and a memory. In addition, if the aerosol generating device 1 is a hybrid type device that uses both an aerosol-generating article and a cartridge, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a cartridge heater. The cartridge heater may receive power from the power supply 130 to heat a medium and/or an aerosol-generating material within the cartridge.

According to an embodiment, the sensor unit may detect the status of the aerosol generating device 1 or the status around the aerosol generating device 1 and transmit the detected information to the processor 170. For example, the sensor unit may include a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, an insertion detection sensor, a reuse detection sensor, an overly moist detection sensor, a cigarette identification sensor, a cartridge detection sensor, a cap detection sensor, and/or a motion detection sensor. The sensor unit may further include various sensors, such as a liquid remaining amount sensor for detecting the remaining liquid amount of the cartridge, and an immersion sensor for detecting immersion of the aerosol generating device 1.

In an embodiment, the temperature sensor may detect the temperature of the insertion space or the aerosol-generating article. The temperature sensor may be positioned in contact with or adjacent to the insertion space or the aerosol-generating article to directly measure the temperature of the insertion space or the aerosol-generating article. Additionally, the temperature sensor may be positioned to be spaced apart from the insertion space or the aerosol-generating article to indirectly measure the temperature of the insertion space or the aerosol-generating article (e.g., in a non-contact manner). In an example, the temperature sensor may include an optical temperature sensor (e.g., an infrared temperature sensor).

In an embodiment, the temperature sensor may detect the temperature of the power supply 130. The temperature sensor may be arranged adjacent to the power supply 130. For example, the temperature sensor may be attached to one surface of the power supply 130 (e.g., a battery) and/or mounted on one surface of a printed circuit board. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a protection circuit module (PCM), and the temperature sensor may be positioned adjacent to the power supply 130 together with the PCM.

According to an embodiment, the temperature sensor may be arranged inside the housing (not shown) of the aerosol generating device 1 to detect the temperature inside the housing (not shown).

In an embodiment, the puff sensor may detect a user's puff.

As an example, the puff sensor may include a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may output a signal corresponding to the internal pressure of the aerosol generating device 1, and the processor 170 may detect a user's puff based on the signal corresponding to the internal pressure. The internal pressure of the aerosol generating device 1 may correspond to pressure of an airflow path on which gas flows. The puff sensor may be disposed to correspond to the airflow path, through which gas flows, in the aerosol generating device 1.

In another example, the puff sensor may include a temperature sensor. When a user puffs, a temporary temperature drop may occur in the airflow path, the insertion space, the aerosol generating article, etc. The processor 170 may detect the user's puff based on a signal corresponding to the temperature of an airflow path, etc. output from a temperature sensor.

In another example, the puff sensor may include both a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor. In this case, the temperature sensor may measure the temperature which is used to correct the internal pressure measured by the pressure sensor. For example, the puff sensor may correct a signal corresponding to internal pressure based on a temperature measured by the temperature sensor and output the corrected signal. In another example, the puff sensor may output a signal corresponding to a temperature measured by the temperature sensor and a signal corresponding to the internal pressure measured by the puff sensor. In this case, the processor 170 may receive the signals and correct the signal corresponding to the internal pressure, based on the signal corresponding to the temperature.

In another example, the puff sensor may include a capacitance-based sensor. In the disclosure, the capacitance-based sensor may also be referred to as a capacitive sensor. When a user puffs, temperature changes and/or aerosol flow may occur within the insertion space, thereby changing the permittivity within the insertion space. The processor 170 may detect the user's puff based on a signal corresponding to the permittivity inside the insertion space output from the capacitive sensor.

The puff sensor is not limited to the examples described above and may be implemented with various sensors to detect the user's puff.

In an embodiment, the insertion detection sensor may detect insertion and/or removal of an aerosol-generating article. The insertion detection sensor may be installed around the insertion space.

As an example, the insertion detection sensor may include a capacitive sensor. The capacitive sensor may include at least one conductor, wherein the at least one conductor may be positioned adjacent to the insertion space. When an aerosol generating article is inserted or removed within the insertion space, the permittivity around the conductor may change. The processor 170 may detect insertion and/or removal of an aerosol-generating article based on a signal corresponding to the permittivity inside the insertion space output from the capacitive sensor.

In another example, the insertion detection sensor may include an inductive sensor. The inductive sensor may include at least one coil, wherein the at least one coil may be positioned adjacent to the insertion space. When an aerosol-generating article (e.g., a wrapper for the aerosol-generating article) contains a conductor, a change in the magnetic field may occur around the current-carrying coil when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into or removed from the insertion space. The processor 170 may detect insertion and/or removal of an aerosol-generating article including a conductor based on characteristics of a current output from or detected by an inductive sensor (e.g., frequency of an alternating current, current value, voltage value, inductance value, impedance value, etc.). Alternatively, the aerosol-generating article (e.g., the medium portion of the aerosol-generating article) may include a susceptor (e.g., SUS). Even in this case, a change in the magnetic field around the coil may occur based on the insertion or removal of a susceptor or the like within the insertion space, and the processor 170 may also detect the insertion and/or removal of the aerosol-generating article based on the characteristics of the current of the inductive sensor.

The insertion detection sensor is not limited to the examples described above and may be implemented using various sensors (e.g., proximity sensors, etc.) for detecting insertion and/or removal of an aerosol-generating article. Additionally, the insertion detection sensor may include any combination of the examples described above. In an embodiment, the insertion detection sensor may include a switch or the like for detecting compression by an aerosol-generating article.

In an embodiment, the reuse detection sensor may detect whether an aerosol-generating article has been reused. As an example, the reuse detection sensor may be a color sensor for detecting the color of the aerosol generating article. When the aerosol-generating article is used by a user, a change in color of a portion of the wrapper surrounding the outside of the aerosol-generating article may occur due to the generated aerosol or heating. The color sensor may output a signal corresponding to optical characteristics (e.g., wavelength of light) corresponding to the color of the wrapper based on light reflected from the wrapper. The processor 170 may determine that the aerosol-generating article inserted into the insertion space has already been used if a change in color of a portion of the wrapper is detected.

In an embodiment, the overly moist detection sensor may detect whether the aerosol-generating article is overly moist. For example, the overly moist detection sensor may include a capacitive sensor. The capacitive sensor may include at least one conductor positioned adjacent to the insertion space. The processor 170 may detect whether the aerosol-generating article is overly moist, based on the level of a signal corresponding to a permittivity or the like output from the capacitive sensor. For example, the processor 170 may determine a level range within which the level of the signal is included, based on a look-up table, and determine the moisture content of the aerosol-generating article based on the determined level range.

In an embodiment, the cigarette identification sensor may detect whether the aerosol-generating article is authentic and/or detect the type of the aerosol-generating article.

As an example, the cigarette identification sensor may include an optical sensor for detecting an identification material (or identification tag) located on an outer surface of an aerosol-generating article (e.g., a wrapper). The optical sensor may irradiate light toward the identification material (or identification mark) of the aerosol-generating article and detect, based on the reflected light, the authenticity and/or type of the aerosol-generating article. For example, the identification material may include a material that emits light of a particular wavelength, based on the irradiated light. The processor 170 may detect whether the aerosol-generating article is authentic and/or the type of the article based on the range of the wavelength.

In another example, the cigarette identification sensor may include a capacitive sensor. Depending on the type of aerosol generating article inserted into the insertion space, the permittivity inside the insertion space may vary. The processor 170 may detect whether the aerosol generating article is authentic and/or the type thereof based on a signal corresponding to the permittivity inside the insertion space output from the capacitive sensor.

In another example, the cigarette identification sensor may include an inductive sensor. When a conductor is included in a wrapper and/or interior (e.g., medium portion) of an aerosol-generating article inserted into the insertion space, the characteristics of the current detected by the inductive sensor (e.g., frequency of AC current, current value, voltage value, inductance value, impedance value, etc.) may differ depending on the type of the aerosol-generating article inserted into the insertion space. The processor 170 may detect whether the inserted aerosol-generating article is authentic and/or the type thereof based on the characteristics of the current output from or detected by the inductive sensor.

The cigarette identification sensor is not limited to the examples described above and may be implemented using various sensors to detect whether the aerosol-generating article is authentic and/or to detect the type of the aerosol-generating article. Additionally, the cigarette identification sensor may include any combination of the examples described above.

In an embodiment, the cartridge detection sensor may detect mounting and/or removal of a cartridge. For example, the cartridge detection sensor may include an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a hall sensor (hall IC) and/or an optical sensor.

In an embodiment, the cap detection sensor may detect attachment and/or removal of a cap. For example, the cap detection sensor may include an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a contact sensor, a hall sensor (hall IC) and/or an optical sensor. The cap may include a structure that covers at least a portion of a cartridge mounted or inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, or covers at least a portion of the housing of the aerosol generating device 1. The cap detection sensor may output a signal corresponding to the mounting or removal of the cap when the cap is mounted on or removed from the housing, and the processor 170 may detect the mounting or removal of the cap based on the signal corresponding to the mounting or removal.

According to an embodiment, the motion detection sensor may detect movement of the aerosol generating device 1. The motion detection sensor may be implemented using at least one of an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor.

According to an embodiment, the sensor unit may further include, in addition to the sensors described above, at least one of a humidity sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a position sensor (global positioning system (GPS)), or a proximity sensor. The functions of the sensors would be instinctively understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in view of their names and thus detailed descriptions thereof are omitted herein.

According to an embodiment, the output unit may output information about the status of the aerosol generating device 1. The output unit may include, but is not limited to, a display, a haptic unit, and/or an audio output unit. For example, information about the aerosol generating device 1 may include the charging/discharging status of the power supply 130 of the aerosol generating device 1, the operating status of the source unit 20 or the radiating unit 30, the insertion/removal status of the aerosol-generating article and/or cartridge, the mounting and/or removal status of the cap, or the status in which the use of the aerosol generating device 1 is limited (e.g., detection of an abnormal article). The display may visually provide information to the user about the status of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the display may include a light-emitting diode (LED) light emitting element, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, etc. The display, if the display includes a touchpad, may also be used as an input device. The haptic unit may provide tactile information to the user about the status of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the haptic component may include a vibration motor, a piezoelectric element, an electrical stimulation device, and the like. The audio output unit may provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user audibly. For example, the audio output unit may convert an electrical signal into an audio signal and output the same externally.

According to an embodiment, the input unit may receive information input from a user. For example, the input unit may include a touch panel, a button, a key pad, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

According to an embodiment, the memory may be hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device 1, and may store data processed by the processor 170 and data to be processed. For example, the memory may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., an SD or XD memory), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. For example, the memory may store data about the operation time of the aerosol generating device 1, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

According to an embodiment, the communication unit may include at least one component for communicating with another electronic device (e.g., a portable electronic device). For example, the 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) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared (Infrared Data Association (IrDA)) communication unit, a wireless fidelity direct (WFD) communication unit, a ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Adaptive Network Topology (ANT)+ communication unit, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN) communication unit, etc.

According to an embodiment, the processor 170 may control the temperature of the insertion space or the aerosol-generating article by controlling an amplification factor of the source unit 20 (e.g., the power amplifier 230). The processor 170 may control the amplification factor of the source unit 20 (e.g., the power amplifier 230) based on the temperature of the insertion space or the aerosol-generating article detected using the temperature sensor. The processor 170 may control the amplification factor of the source unit 20 (e.g., the power amplifier 230) based on the temperature profile and/or power profile stored in the memory.

Additionally, the processor 170 may control the temperature of the cartridge heater by controlling the supply of power from the power supply 130 to the cartridge heater. The processor 170 may control the temperature of the cartridge heater and/or power supplied to the cartridge heater, based on the temperature of the cartridge heater detected using the temperature sensor. The processor 170 may control the temperature of the cartridge heater and/or the power supplied to the cartridge heater based on the temperature profile and/or power profile stored in the memory.

In an embodiment, the processor 170 may prevent the insertion space, the aerosol-generating article, and/or the cartridge heater from overheating. For example, the processor 170 may control the operation of the power conversion circuit to reduce the amount of power supplied to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater, or to stop supplying power to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater, based on a determination that temperature of the insertion space, the aerosol-generating article, and/or the cartridge heater exceeds a preset threshold temperature.

According to an embodiment, the processor 170 may control power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater, based on a result detected by the sensor unit.

In an embodiment, the processor 170 may control power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater based on insertion and/or removal of the aerosol-generating article into the insertion space. For example, the processor 170 may control power to be supplied to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater when it is determined that the aerosol-generating article has been inserted into the insertion space using the insertion detection sensor. The processor 170 may cut off the power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater if it is determined that the aerosol-generating article has been removed from the insertion space using the insertion detection sensor. The processor 170 may determine that the aerosol-generating article has been removed from the insertion space, if the temperature of the insertion space or the aerosol-generating article is above a limited temperature or if the temperature change gradient of the insertion space or the aerosol-generating article is equal to or above a set gradient.

In an embodiment, the processor 170 may control the power supply time and/or power supply amount of power supplied to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater, based on the state of the aerosol-generating article. For example, the processor 170 may increase the power supply time (e.g., preheating time) of power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater, if it is determined that the aerosol-generating article is in an overly moist state by using the overly moist detection sensor.

In an embodiment, the processor 170 may control power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater based on whether the aerosol-generating article is to be reused. For example, the processor 170 may cut off power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater if it is determined that the aerosol-generating article has been used.

In an embodiment, the processor 170 may control power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater, based on whether the cartridge is engaged and/or removed. For example, the processor 170 may stop supplying power to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater or control power not to be supplied to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater if it is determined, by using the cartridge detection sensor, that the cartridge is removed.

In an embodiment, the processor 170 may control power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater based on whether the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge has been exhausted. For example, the processor 170 may determine that the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge is exhausted if it is determined that the temperature of the cartridge heater exceeds a limit temperature while preheating the cartridge heater (i.e., during the preheating period). If it is determined that the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge has been exhausted, the processor 170 may cut off the supply of power to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater.

In an embodiment, the processor 170 may control power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater based on the availability of the cartridge. For example, the processor 170 may determine that the cartridge is no longer usable if it is determined that the current number of puffs is equal to or greater than the maximum number of puffs set for the cartridge based on data stored in the memory. Alternatively, the processor 170 may determine that the cartridge is unusable if the total time that the cartridge heater has been heated is equal to or greater than a preset maximum time or the total amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater is equal to or greater than a preset maximum amount of power. In this case, the processor 170 may stop supplying power to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater or control power not to be supplied to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater.

In an embodiment, the processor 170 may control power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater based on the user's puff. For example, the processor 170 may use a puff sensor to determine whether a puff has occurred and/or the intensity of the puff. The processor 170 may cut off the power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater if the number of puffs reaches a preset maximum number of puffs and/or if no puffs are detected for a preset period of time. The processor 170 may also control the supply of power to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater when a puff is detected.

In an embodiment, the processor 170 may control power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater based on the authenticity and/or type of the aerosol-generating article (or the cartridge). For example, the processor 170 may use the cigarette identification sensor to detect the authenticity and/or type of the aerosol-generating article (or the cartridge). For example, the processor 170 may cut off power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater if the aerosol-generating article (or the cartridge) is detected to be counterfeit. The processor 170 may control (e.g., initiate) the supply of power to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater when the aerosol-generating article (or the cartridge) is detected to be authentic. In another example, the processor 170 may control power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater differently depending on the type of the aerosol-generating article (or the cartridge). The processor 170 may control the amplification factor of the source unit 20 or the temperature and/or power of the cartridge heater, based on a first temperature profile (or a first power profile) when the aerosol-generating article (or the cartridge) is detected to be a first aerosol-generating article (or a first cartridge), and may control the amplification factor of the source unit 20 or the temperature and/or power of the cartridge heater, based on a second temperature profile (or a second power profile) when the aerosol-generating article (or the cartridge) is detected to be a second aerosol-generating article (or a second cartridge).

According to an embodiment, the processor 170 may control the output unit based on a result detected by the sensor unit. For example, the processor 170 may control the output unit to provide visual, tactile and/or auditory information indicating that the aerosol generating device 1 is about to be terminated, when the number of puffs counted using the puff sensor reaches a preset number. For example, the processor 170 may control the output unit to provide visual, tactile and/or auditory information about the temperature of the insertion space, the aerosol-generating article, or the cartridge heater.

According to an embodiment, the processor 170 may store and update a history of events that occurred in the memory based on the occurrence of a given event. For example, the event may include operations such as detection of insertion of an aerosol-generating article, initiation of heating of an aerosol-generating article, detection of a puff, termination of a puff, detection of overheating, detection of overvoltage application to a cartridge heater, termination of heating of an aerosol-generating article, turning on/off power of the aerosol generating device 1, initiation of charging of the power supply 130, detection of overcharge of the power supply 130, termination of charging of the power supply 130, etc., performed in the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the history of events may include the time an event occurred, log data corresponding to the event, etc. For example, if a given event is detection of insertion of an aerosol-generating article, log data corresponding to the event may include data about sensing values of an insertion detection sensor, etc. For example, if a given event is overheating detection of a cartridge heater, log data corresponding to the event may include data about a temperature of the cartridge heater, a voltage applied to the cartridge heater, a current flowing through the cartridge heater, etc.

According to an embodiment, the processor 170 may control the communication unit to form a communication link with an external device, such as a user's mobile terminal.

According to an embodiment, the processor 170 may release a restriction on the use of at least one function (e.g., a heating function) of the aerosol generating device 1 when data regarding authentication is received from an external device via a communications link. For example, data regarding authentication may include the user's date of birth, a unique number that identifies the user, whether the user has completed authentication, etc.

According to an embodiment, the processor 170 may transmit data about the status of the aerosol generating device 1 to an external device via a communication link (e.g., remaining capacity of the power supply 130, operating mode, etc.). The transmitted data may be output through a display of an external device, etc.

According to an embodiment, when a request for location search of the aerosol generating device 1 is received from an external device via a communication link, the processor 170 may control the output unit to perform an operation corresponding to the location search. For example, the processor 170 may control the haptic unit to generate vibration or control the display to output an object corresponding to the location search and search termination.

According to an embodiment, the processor 170 may perform a firmware update when firmware data is received from an external device via a communication link.

According to an embodiment, the processor 170 may transmit data on sensed values of at least one sensor unit to an external server (not shown) via a communication link, and receive and store a learning model generated by learning the sensed values through machine learning, such as deep learning, from the server. The processor 170 may perform operations such as determining a user's inhalation pattern and generating a temperature profile using a learning model received from a server.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power protection circuit. The power protection circuit may include at least one switching element and may cut off the current path to the power supply 130 in response to overcharge and/or overdischarge of the power supply 130.

An aerosol-generating article as described herein may include at least one aerosol-generating rod (e.g., a medium portion) and at least one filter rod. The radiating unit 30 may be arranged to correspond to at least one aerosol-generating rod, and may be designed differently depending on the arrangement order and/or position of the aerosol-generating rod and the filter rod. The aerosol-generating rod may include at least one of nicotine, an aerosol-generating material, and an additive. For example, the aerosol-generating material may include glycerin (e.g., vegetable glycerin (VG)) and/or propylene glycol (PG), and may also include various other materials. For example, the additive may include flavoring agents and/or organic acids, and may also include various other substances. For example, the aerosol-generating rod may include an aerosol-generating substrate (e.g., a sheet) impregnated with a liquid non-tobacco material (e.g., an aerosol-generating material and/or nicotine), and/or may include a solid tobacco material (e.g., leaf tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, etc.). The tobacco material may be included in the aerosol-generating rod in various forms, such as cut tobacco, granules, or powder. In an embodiment, the additive of the aerosol-generating rod may include a basic substance. Based on the basic material, the nicotine of the tobacco material included in the aerosol-generating rod may have an alkaline pH (e.g., pH 7.0 or higher). In this case, freebase nicotine may be released from the aerosol-generating rod even at low temperatures. According to an embodiment, the aerosol-generating rod may include two or more aerosol-generating rods, wherein the two or more aerosol-generating rods may each include tobacco material and/or non-tobacco material. Although not shown, at least one aerosol-generating rod and at least one filter rod may be individually and/or integrally wrapped by at least one wrapper. In the disclosure, the aerosol-generating article may be referred to as a stick.

The cartridge referred to in the disclosure may include an aerosol-generating material having any one of a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, or a gel state therein. The aerosol-generating material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid including a non-tobacco material. The cartridge may include a storage portion containing an aerosol-generating material and/or a liquid transfer means impregnated with (containing) the aerosol-generating material. For example, the liquid transfer medium may include a wick such as cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, porous ceramics, etc. The cartridge heater may be included in the cartridge in the form of a coil surrounding (or winding) the liquid transfer means or in a structure contacting one side of the liquid transfer means. Alternatively, the cartridge heater may be included in the aerosol generating device 1 that is separable from the cartridge.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a housing 1100 capable of accommodating an aerosol generating article 2 and a heater assembly 2000 for heating the aerosol generating article 2 accommodated in the housing 1100.

The housing 1100 may form the general exterior of the aerosol generating device 1, and components of the aerosol generating device 1 may be arranged in an internal space (or “a mounting space”) of the housing 1100. For example, a heater assembly 2000, a battery, a processor, and/or a sensor may be arranged in the internal space of the housing 1100, but the components arranged in the internal space are not limited thereto.

An insertion hole 1100h may be formed in an area of the housing 1100, and at least an area of the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into the housing 1100 through the insertion hole 1100h. For example, the insertion hole 1100h may be formed in an area of an upper end surface (e.g., a surface in a z direction) of the housing 1100, but the location where the insertion hole 1100h is formed is not limited thereto. According to another embodiment, the insertion hole 1100h may be formed in an area of a side surface (e.g., a surface in an x direction) of the housing 1100.

The heater assembly 2000 may be arranged in the internal space of the housing 1100 and may heat the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into or accommodated in the housing 1100 through the insertion hole 1100h. The heater assembly 2000 may include an insertion space for accommodating an aerosol generating article 2. When the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into or accommodated in the housing 1100 is accommodated in the insertion space of the heater assembly 2000, the heater assembly 2000 may be arranged to surround at least an area of the aerosol generating article 2 so as to heat the aerosol generating article 2.

According to an embodiment, the heater assembly 2000 may heat the aerosol generating article 2 through dielectric heating. According to the disclosure, a “dielectric heating method” denotes a method of heating a dielectric, which is a heated object, by using the resonance of microwaves and/or electric fields (or magnetic fields) of microwaves (hereinafter, when there is no need for distinction, referred to as microwaves or microwave power). Microwaves are an energy source for heating a heated object and are generated by high-frequency power. Therefore, microwaves may be used interchangeably with microwave power hereinafter. Accordingly, the heater assembly 2000 may be configured to heat, via microwaves, the aerosol generating article 2 accommodated in the insertion space.

Charges or ions of the dielectric included in the aerosol generating article 2 may vibrate or rotate due to microwave resonance in the heater assembly 2000, and the frictional heat generated when the charges or ions vibrate or rotate may generate heat in the dielectric, thereby heating the aerosol generating article 2.

Aerosols may be generated from the aerosol generating article 2 as the aerosol generating article 2 is heated by the heater assembly 2000. According to the disclosure, “aerosols” may denote gas particles generated by mixing air with vapor generated as the aerosol generating article 2 is heated.

The aerosols generated from the aerosol generating article 2 may pass through the aerosol generating article 2 or may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 through an empty space between the aerosol generating article 2 and the insertion hole 1100h. A user may smoke by bringing his or her mouth into contact with an area of the aerosol generating article 2 exposed to the outside of the housing 1100 and inhaling the aerosols discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1.

The aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may further include a cover 1110 movably arranged in the housing 1100 to open or close the insertion hole 1100h. For example, the cover 1110 may be slidably connected to the upper end surface of the housing 1100 and may expose the insertion hole 1100h to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 or cover the insertion hole 1100h so that the insertion hole 1100h is not exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1.

In one example, the cover 1110 may be positioned at a first position (or an “opening position”) to expose the insertion hole 1100h to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1. When the insertion hole 1100h is exposed to the outside, the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into the housing 1100 through the insertion hole 1100h.

In another example, the cover 1110 may be positioned at a second position (or a “closing position”) to cover the insertion hole 1100h so as not to expose the insertion hole 1100h to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1. Here, the cover 1110 may prevent introduction of external impurities into the heater assembly 2000 through the insertion hole 1100h when the aerosol generating device 1 is not in use.

FIG. 2 only illustrates the aerosol generating device 1 for heating the aerosol generating article 2 in a solid state. However, the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

An aerosol generating device according to another embodiment may generate aerosols by heating, through the heater assembly 2000, an aerosol generating material in a liquid or gel state rather than the solid aerosol generating article 2.

An aerosol generating device according to another embodiment may include the heater assembly 2000 for heating the aerosol generating article 2 and an aerosol generating material in a liquid or gel state and may further include a cartridge (or a “vaporizer”) for heating the aerosol generating material. The aerosols generated from the aerosol generating material may travel to the aerosol generating article 2 along an airflow passage connecting the cartridge and the aerosol generating article 2, may be mixed with aerosols generated from the aerosol generating article 2, and then may be delivered to a user through the aerosol generating article 2.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may further include a temperature sensor (not shown) for measuring the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 or the heater assembly 2000. The temperature sensor may be a component arranged to improve the usability of the aerosol generating device.

For example, when the temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2, a controller may control a heating temperature of the heater assembly 2000 based on a measured result value so that the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated with an optimal heating profile.

As another example, when the temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the heater assembly 2000, the controller may adjust the temperature of the heater assembly 2000 based on a measured result value such that parts or components arranged around the heater assembly 2000 do not become excessively hot.

However, when the aerosol generating article 2 is heated through microwave heating techniques, microwaves may affect a temperature sensor, when the temperature sensor of the related art, the temperature sensor including a conductor, is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, and thus, the temperature sensor may not accurately measure the temperature. Also, there may be a risk of damage to internal components arranged in the aerosol generating device, in addition to the temperature sensor.

In this case, when a temperature sensor including an optical fiber is used, the optical fiber temperature sensor may not be affected by the microwaves. Thus, when the optical fiber temperature sensor is used in the aerosol generating device 1, the aerosol generating device 1 may measure not only a temperature of the aerosol generating article 2, but also a temperature of a component desired by a user, and may thus perform a control operation according to a purpose.

Hereinafter, various embodiments in which an optical fiber temperature sensor is used in the aerosol generating device 1 are described.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may generate aerosols by heating the aerosol generating article 2 in a non-contact manner through microwaves.

To realize this, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include the housing 1100, a controller 1200, and the heater assembly 2000. With regard to the configuration and effect of the aerosol generating device 1, a detailed description the same as FIG. 2 is omitted.

The controller 1200 may control the overall operations of the aerosol generating device 1. The controller 1200 may have the same configuration as the controller 10 or the processor 170 described with reference to FIG. 1. The controller 1200 may control the heater assembly 2000 to control heating using microwaves. For example, the controller 1200 may perform a function of controlling microwaves to be generated or not to be generated, by controlling power supplied to an oscillator 2100.

The heater assembly 2000 may be configured to heat the aerosol generating article 2 via microwaves. The heater assembly 2000 may include the oscillator 2100, a radiator 2200, and a shielding portion 2300.

The oscillator 2100 may be configured to receive power from a power source (e.g., the power source 130 of FIG. 1) and generate microwaves and may correspond to the same configuration as the source portion 20 described with reference to FIG. 1. The oscillator 2100 may also be referred to as a microwave heater according to an embodiment.

The oscillator 2100 may include a magnetron for generating microwaves. The oscillator 2100 may include an integrated chip (IC) set including a magnetron, rather than just a magnetron itself.

The controller 1200 may perform a function of controlling whether microwaves are generated or not by controlling the power supplied to the oscillator 2100.

The radiator 2200 may be configured to transmit, to the shielding portion 2300, the microwaves generated from the oscillator 2100 in the form of radiation and may correspond to the same configuration as the radiator 30 described with reference to FIG. 1. The radiator 2200 may correspond to a microwave output portion for providing microwaves into the shielding portion 2300. Hereinafter, the radiator 2200 may be used interchangeably with the microwave output portion.

One or more radiators 2200 may be arranged. In this case, the oscillator 2100 may include the same number of magnetrons as the number of radiators 2200. In this case, different magnetrons may be designed to generate microwaves of different frequencies.

For example, the oscillator 2100 may include two magnetrons, each of which may generate microwaves of 2.5 GHz or 2.7 GHz, and may transmit the microwaves by loading them onto two radiators 2200. When microwaves of a specific frequency are generated from each magnetron, the microwave may be transmitted to the shielding section 2300 through the radiator 2200 arranged based on one-to-one correspondence to each magnetron.

The shielding portion 2300 may form a portion of the exterior of the heater assembly 2000 and may be configured to receive the microwaves transmitted from the radiator 2200. In FIG. 3, both the radiator 2200 and the oscillator 2100 may be located outside the shielding portion 2300. The microwaves supplied into the shielding portion 2300 may be reflected at least once from an inner wall of the shielding portion 2300.

The shielding portion 2300 may perform a function of shielding the microwaves supplied from the radiator 2200 from being emitted to the outside. Thus, the shielding portion 2300 may prevent the microwaves radiated from the radiator 2200 from being discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 and reaching a user.

The shielding portion 2300 may include an opening 2310. The opening 2310 may be arranged in one area of the shielding portion 2300. Here, the opening 2310 may be aligned with an insertion hole (e.g., the insertion hole 1100h of FIG. 2) of the housing 1100.

Thus, when the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into the shielding portion 2300 through the opening 2310 formed in the one area of the shielding portion 2300. Accordingly, the interior of the shielding portion 2300 may include an insertion space 2300i for accommodating the aerosol generating article 2, and the shielding portion 2300 may surround the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the aerosol generating device 1.

The shielding portion 2300 may include a support 2320 extending in an insertion direction (e.g., a z axis direction) of the aerosol generating article 2 from an area of the shielding portion 2300 in which the opening 2310 is arranged. The support 2320 may support the aerosol generating article 2 so that the aerosol generating article 2 does not move in the shielding portion 2300. For example, the support 2320 may support an outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating article 2. Additionally, since the support 2320 extends in the insertion direction of the aerosol generating article 2, it is possible to reduce microwaves leaking through the opening 2310.

However, an embodiment is not limited to the shape of the illustrated support 2320, and the support 2320 may include various shapes capable of supporting the aerosol generating article 2 in the shielding portion 2300. Also, an additional shielding member may be arranged around the opening 2310 to prevent microwave leakage through the opening 2310.

The aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the shielding portion 2300 may be heated by the microwaves reflected from the inner wall of the shielding portion 2300. In detail, the microwaves transmitted into the shielding portion 2300 through the radiator 2200 may pass through the aerosol generating article 2. The penetrated microwaves may be reflected a plurality of times by the inner wall of the shielding portion 2300 so as to heat the aerosol generating article 2.

In this process, the microwaves may not just be continually reflected by the inner wall of the shielding portion 2300, but may also be scatteredly reflected by pipe tobaccos, various moisturizing agents, and the like included in the aerosol generating article 2.

Aerosols may be generated from the aerosol generating article 2 heated by the microwaves. In this case, a user may recognize that the aerosols have been generated through an output portion (not shown) provided in the aerosol generating device 1 and inhale the aerosols by performing a puff.

According to an embodiment, when the controller 1200 determines that the insertion of the aerosol generating article 2 into the shielding portion 2300 is completed through an insertion detection sensor (not shown), the controller 1200 may control the oscillator 2100 to generate microwaves. This control method may prevent microwaves from being generated unnecessarily and transmitted to the shielding portion 2300 when the aerosol generating article 2 is not inserted into the shielding portion 2300.

The shape of the shielding portion 2300 is not limited to what is illustrated in FIG. 3. The shielding portion 2300 may have a suitable shape for the microwaves transmitted from the radiator 2200 not to be instantly discharged through the opening 2310 but to be reflected in the shielding portion 2300 as much as possible to heat the aerosol generating article 2. In other words, the shielding portion 2300 may include various shapes for focusing the microwaves in the shielding portion 2300 on the aerosol generating article 2, so that the heating efficiency of the aerosol generating material may be greatly increased.

The aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include an optical fiber temperature sensor 1300. When the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 is used in the aerosol generating device 1 configured to heat the aerosol generating article 2 via microwaves, since the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 is not affected by microwaves, more accurate temperature measurement may be achieved than when using a temperature sensor of the related art. The types of optical fiber temperature sensors 1300 may vary depending on temperature measurement methods, and an embodiment is not limited to a particular type.

As described above, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may not be affected by microwaves. From this perspective, in addition to the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300, various sensors (e.g., infrared sensors) that are not affected by microwaves may be used in the aerosol generating device 1. However, according to the disclosure, an embodiment in which the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 is used is mainly described.

The optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may measure a temperature of an object of temperature measurement from the outside of the object of temperature measurement without being inserted into the object of temperature measurement. That is, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may measure the temperature without damaging or destroying the object of temperature measurement.

According to an embodiment, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may measure the temperature of the object of temperature measurement through one end. In detail, the one end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may emit light toward the object of temperature measurement or receive light reflected from the object of temperature measurement. The optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may include multiple strands of optical fiber, and thus, one end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may either emit light or receive reflected light.

The other end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be connected to the controller 1200. The controller 1200 may control a light source (not shown) so that light may be emitted from one end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300. In detail, the controller 1200 may control the light source to emit light.

In this case, the light source may be arranged at one end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 or may be arranged at the other end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300. When the light source is arranged at the other end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300, light emitted from the light source may travel along the optical fiber of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 toward the one end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300. Specifically, light may be totally reflected inside the optical fiber and transmitted to the one end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300.

When the one end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 receives the reflected light from the object of temperature measurement, the light may be totally reflected inside the optical fiber of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 and may be transmitted to the controller 1200 located at the other end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300. The controller 1200 may determine the temperature of the object of temperature measurement, based on the light transmitted from the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300.

The one end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be arranged at various locations outside the object of temperature measurement. As an example, the one end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be arranged to be in contact with the object of temperature measurement. That is, the one end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may measure the temperature by contacting a surface of the object of temperature measurement.

Since the one end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 is in direct contact with the object of temperature measurement, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may measure the temperature of the object of temperature measurement relatively accurately.

As another example, the one end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be arranged to be apart from the object of temperature measurement. That is, the one end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may measure the temperature at a position apart from the surface of the object of temperature measurement.

Since the one end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 is not in contact with the object of temperature measurement, the position of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 is not affected by the object of temperature measurement, and the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may measure the temperature at a predetermined position.

Conversely, since the position of the object of temperature measurement is not affected by the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300, the position of the object of temperature measurement may be prevented from being misaligned due to the presence of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300.

Thus, the reproducibility of the temperature measurement result of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be improved. That is, when the conditions are the same, the possibility of the same temperature measurement results may increase.

Also, according to an embodiment, “another portion” or “all portions” of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be involved in measuring the temperature. However, for convenience of explanation, an embodiment in which the temperature is measured by the “one end” of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 is mainly described.

According to an embodiment, one or more optical fiber temperature sensors 1300 may be arranged. For example, when one optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 is arranged, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be arranged to measure a temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the shielding portion 2300. In this case, the aerosol generating article 2 accommodated in the insertion space 2300i may correspond to an object of temperature measurement of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300.

Hereinafter, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 configured to measure the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 accommodated in the insertion space 2300i is referred to as a first sensor 1310. In other words, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may include the first sensor 1310 for measuring the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the shielding portion 2300. The first sensor 1310 may be located outside the aerosol generating article 2 accommodated in the insertion space 2300i, and one end of the first sensor 1310 may be in contact with the aerosol generating article 2.

As illustrated, the one end of the first sensor 1310 may be arranged to face an outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating article 2. That is, the one end of the first sensor 1310 may be arranged to be in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating article 2 and may measure a temperature of the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating article 2.

Since the first sensor 1310 is not inserted into the aerosol generating article 2, damage to the aerosol generating article 2 by the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may not occur. Therefore, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may not affect the user's smoking sensation. In addition, when the aerosol generating article 2 is damaged, pipe tobaccos, debris, or the like may remain in the insertion space 2300i, when the aerosol generating article 2 is removed from the aerosol generating device 1, but according to an embodiment, this situation may be prevented.

The controller 1200 may determine the temperature of the object of temperature measurement through the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 and adjust the microwaves based on the measured temperature.

For example, when the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 measured through the first sensor 1310 deviates from a preset range, the controller 1200 may adjust the microwaves output into the shielding portion 2300 by adjusting the intensity or frequency of the microwaves generated from the oscillator 2100.

Accordingly, the controller 1200 may control the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 within the preset range. According to this control method, the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated with a preset heating profile, and thus, an optical smoking sensation may be provided to the user.

According to an embodiment, a plurality of optical fiber temperature sensors 1300 may be arranged. As the plurality of optical fiber temperature sensors 1300 are arranged, a plurality of object of temperature measurements of the optical fiber temperature sensors 1300 may be arranged. As shown, two optical fiber temperature sensors 1300 may be arranged.

For example, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may include not only the first sensor 1310 for measuring the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the shielding portion 2300, but also a second sensor 1320 for measuring a temperature of the radiator 2200. The aerosol generating article 2 accommodated in the insertion space 2300i may correspond to the object of temperature measurement of the first sensor 1310, and the radiator 2200 may correspond to the object of temperature measurement of the second sensor 1320.

As described above, the first sensor 1310 may be located outside the aerosol generating article 2, and one end of the first sensor 1310 may be in contact with the aerosol generating article 2. Similarly, the second sensor 1320 may be located outside the radiator 2200, and one end of the second sensor 1320 may be in contact with the radiator 2200.

That is, although FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment in which the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 is in contact with the object of temperature measurement, an embodiment is not limited thereto, and the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be arranged apart from the object of temperature measurement. The same aspects may be likewise applied to the drawings below.

Since the radiator 2200 corresponds to a microwave output portion 2200, the temperature of the radiator 2200 may increase while outputting microwaves into the shielding portion 2300. As the temperature of the radiator 2200 increases, the temperature of components located adjacent to the radiator 2200 may also increase. Unintended temperature increases in surrounding components may cause damage to those components. Therefore, there is a need to monitor the temperature of the radiator 2200 for the temperature of the radiator 2200 not to become excessively high.

In this case, the temperature of the radiator 2200 may be monitored through the second sensor 1320, and thus, when the temperature of the radiator 2200 is higher than a preset temperature, the controller 1200 may adjust an output of the microwaves transmitted into the shielding portion 2300.

The controller 1200 may control the temperature of the radiator 2200 to be a preset temperature or lower by adjusting the intensity or frequency of the microwaves generated from the oscillator 2100. According to this control method, damage caused by heat to the surrounding components of the radiator 2200 may be prevented.

Also, in the process of transmitting the microwaves into the shielding portion 2300 through the microwave output portion 2200 for heating the aerosol generating article 2, a situation may occur, in which only the temperature of the microwave output portion 2200 rises, and the aerosol generating article 2 is not heated. In this case, aerosols may not be generated, and only the temperature of the microwave output portion 2200 or the heater assembly 2000 may increase.

To resolve this situation, the controller 1200 may control the aerosol generating device 1 by taking into account both a temperature measurement result of the aerosol generating article 2 through the first sensor 1310 and a temperature measurement result of the microwave output portion 2200 through the second sensor 1320.

As an example, when the controller 1200 determines that the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 is lower than a preset first temperature and the temperature of the microwave output portion 2200 is higher than a preset second temperature, the controller 1200 may adjust the frequency of the microwaves provided to the shielding portion 2300 so that the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated by the microwaves.

Here, the first temperature may denote a temperature sufficient for the aerosol generating article 2 to be heated to generate an aerosol, and the second temperature may denote a temperature sufficient for components around the microwave output portion 2200 to be damaged by heat.

As another example, when the controller 1200 determines that the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 is lower than a preset first temperature and the temperature of the microwave output portion 2200 is higher than a preset second temperature, the controller 1200 may control a heating body 2400 so that power is supplied to the heating body 2400 arranged in the shielding portion 2300.

In detail, the heater assembly 2000 may further include the heating body 2400 for heating the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the insertion space 2300i. Since the heater assembly 2000 basically heats the aerosol generating article 2 through microwave heating, power may not be supplied to the heating body 2400 under normal circumstances, when the user uses the aerosol generating device 1. That is, in a normal situation, the heating body 2400 may only perform a function of supporting the aerosol generating article 2 and may not heat the aerosol generating article 2.

According to an embodiment, a dielectric heating method is faster in heating and more energy-efficient compared to other heating methods, and thus, the heater assembly 2000 may efficiently heat the aerosol generating article 2. Here, even when the heater assembly 2000 includes the heating body 2400, in general situations, the aerosol generating article 2 may not be heated through the heating body 2400, but may be heated only by the dielectric heating method. Thus, power consumption for heating the aerosol generating article 2 may be reduced.

However, in special circumstances where only the temperature of the microwave output portion 2200 rises and the aerosol generating article 2 is not heated, the heating body 2400 may heat the aerosol generating article 2 to generate the aerosols.

Simultaneously, the controller 1200 may block a supply of microwaves to the shielding portion 2300 in various ways, such as controlling the oscillator 2100 not to generate microwaves.

Accordingly, separately from the generation of aerosols from the aerosol generating article 2 by the heating body 2400, the microwave output portion 2200 may not supply the microwaves into the shielding portion 2300, and thus, the temperature of the microwave output portion 2200 may be lowered, and overheating of the peripheral components of the microwave output portion 2200 may be prevented.

As illustrated, the heating body 2400 may be inserted into the aerosol generating article 2. The heating body 2400 may heat the interior of the aerosol generating article 2 accommodated in the insertion space 2300i. However, an embodiment is not limited to the shape and arrangement of the heating body 2400. As another example, the heating body 2400 may include a cylindrical electrical resistive heater that surrounds at least a portion of the insertion space 2300i and heats the exterior of the aerosol generating article 2. As another example, the heating body 2400 may include a cylindrical susceptor that heats the exterior of the aerosol generating article 2 and an induction coil surrounding the susceptor. In this case, the induction coil may be arranged inside or outside the shielding portion 2300.

Also, it is necessary to inform the user of the fact that only the temperature of the microwave output portion 2200 inside the aerosol generating device 1 currently in use rises and the aerosol generating article 2 is not heated.

To this end, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may further include an output portion (not shown) configured to output information about the aerosol generating device 1. The output portion may correspond to the same configuration as the output portion described with reference to FIG. 1.

When the controller 1200 determines that the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 is lower than a preset first temperature and the temperature of the microwave output portion 2200 is higher than a preset second temperature, the controller 1200 may control the output portion such that a notification is provided to the user through the output portion. The user may be made aware of the problem through the output port and take action to address the problem, for example, by adjusting the microwaves or visiting a service center.

Although not shown, according to an embodiment, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may also measure a temperature of the shielding portion 2300. That is, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may further include a third sensor (not shown) configured to measure the temperature of the shielding portion 2300. In this case, the aerosol generating article 2, the microwave output portion 2200, and the shielding portion 2300 may each correspond to one of a plurality of object of temperature measurements. The third sensor may be arranged outside the shielding portion 2300 and may measure a temperature of an outer wall or the outside of the shielding portion 2300.

As with the radiator 2200, when the temperature of the shielding portion 2300 increases, the temperature of components located adjacent to the shielding portion 2300 may also increase. This may cause damage to the surrounding components, and thus, it is necessary to monitor the temperature of the shielding portion 2300 so that the temperature of the shielding portion 2300 does not become excessively high.

By monitoring the temperature of the shielding portion 2300 through the third sensor, the controller 1200 may adjust an output of microwaves transmitted into the shielding portion 2300, when the temperature of the shielding portion 2300 becomes higher than a preset temperature.

The controller 1200 may control the temperature of the shielding portion 2300 to be a preset temperature or lower by adjusting the intensity or frequency of the microwaves generated from the oscillator 2100. According to this control method, damage to the surrounding components of the shielding portion 2300 due to heat may be prevented.

As described above, the sensor for measuring the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 is referred to as the first sensor 1310, the sensor for measuring the temperature of the microwave output portion (the radiator) 2200 is referred to as the second sensor 1320, and the sensor for measuring the temperature of the shielding portion 2300 is referred to as the third sensor. However, the ordinal expression is used for convenience of explanation and does not indicate the arrangement or order of importance of the optical fiber temperature sensors 1300.

In other words, when one optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 is arranged, the first sensor 1310 may be arranged to measure the temperature of the microwave output portion 2200 differently from that shown in FIG. 3. Similarly, when two optical fiber temperature sensors 1300 are arranged, the first sensor 1310 and the second sensor 1320 may be arranged to measure the temperatures of the microwave output portion 2200 and the shielding unit 2300, respectively.

Also, as illustrated, the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into the shielding portion 2300, and thus, at least a portion of the first sensor 1310 may be arranged inside the shielding portion 2300. On the other hand, the microwave output portion 2200 may be arranged outside the shielding portion 2300, and thus, the entire portions of the second sensor 1320 may be arranged outside the shielding portion 2300.

When the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 is arranged outside the shielding portion 2300, the surrounding space of the heater assembly 2000 may be utilized, and thus, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be relatively high.

However, even when at least a portion of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 is arranged inside the shielding portion 2300, the internal space of the shielding portion 2300 is limited, and thus, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 needs to be efficiently arranged inside the shielding portion 2300. To this end, the shielding portion 2300 may include a guide 2330 for supporting the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300, at least a portion of which is arranged inside the shielding portion 2300.

At least a portion of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be inserted into the guide 2330 and arranged along the shape of the guide 2330. That is, the guide 2330 may define the location of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 arranged in the shielding portion 2300.

For example, the guide 2330 may include a first portion 2331 extending in a longitudinal direction (e.g., a z axis direction) of the shielding portion 2300 and a second portion 2332 extending in a direction (e.g., a y axis direction) transverse to the longitudinal direction of the shielding portion 2300.

A portion of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may extend along the first portion 2331. In this case, one end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be arranged to face an outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating article 2.

The other portion of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may extend along the second portion 2332. Here, the other portion of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be extended to the outside of the shielding portion 2300.

In this regard, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may have to be arranged to penetrate the shielding portion 2300 for connection with the controller 1200 located outside the shielding portion 2300 or the heater assembly 2000. To this end, the shielding portion 2300 may include a through hole 2340 through which the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may pass.

Here, microwaves supplied into the shielding portion 2300 may leak to the outside of the shielding portion 2300 through the through hole 2340 formed in the shielding portion 2300. Therefore, the heater assembly 2000 may further include a shielding member 2500 to block the leakage of microwaves through the through hole 2340.

As illustrated, the shielding member 2500 may be arranged outside the shielding portion 2300 and may block the through hole 2340 while surrounding the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 pulled out through the through hole 2340. However, an embodiment is not limited to the illustrated position of the shielding member 2500. According to an embodiment, the shielding member 2500 may be arranged inside the shielding portion 2300. Additionally, the shielding member 2500 may include various shapes which may prevent microwave leakage through the through hole 2340.

Also, the shape of the guide 2330 is not limited to what is shown. As another example, the guide 2330 may have a shape extending along one direction. Here, an open hole may be formed in the guide 2330 in a direction transverse to the one direction.

Also, the position of the guide 2330 is not limited to what is shown. The guide 2330 may extend from an area of the shielding portion 2300 where the through hole 2340 is formed toward the inside of the shielding portion 2300 or may extend to the outside of the shielding portion 2300.

Likewise, the position of the through hole 2340 is not limited to what is shown. As shown, the through hole 2340 may be formed at a bottom portion of the shielding portion 2300, but according to an embodiment, the through hole 2340 may be formed at a side portion of the shielding portion 2300.

According to the present embodiment, the heater assembly 2000 may heat the aerosol generating article 2 by transmitting microwaves generated from the oscillator 2100 through the radiator 2200 and supplying the microwaves to the medium. However, this method only provides weak heating and may also have low energy efficiency.

Accordingly, a resonator that generates high-density microwaves may be required to heat the aerosol generating article 2. Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a resonator is provided is described.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may generate aerosols by heating the aerosol generating article 2 by using dielectric resonance based on microwaves.

To realize this, the aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may include the housing 1100, the controller 1200, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300, and a heater assembly 3000. With regard to the configuration and effect of the aerosol generating device 1, a detailed description the same as the description given in FIG. 3 is omitted.

According to another embodiment, the heater assembly 3000 may include an oscillator 3100, a radiator 3200, a shielding portion 3300, and a dielectric resonance unit 3400.

The oscillator 3100 may be configured to generate microwaves. The oscillator 3100 may correspond to the same configuration as the oscillator 2100 described with reference to FIG. 2.

The radiator 3200 may be arranged in the shielding portion 3300 and may radiate microwaves into the shielding portion 3300. The microwaves radiated from the radiator 3200 may be omnidirectionally radiated electromagnetic waves. Also, at least one radiator 3200 may be arranged in the shielding portion 3300.

The radiator 3200 may be electrically connected to the oscillator 3100. In this case, the radiator 3200 may be arranged inside the shielding portion 3300, and the oscillator 3100 may be arranged outside the shielding portion 3300, and thus, a connecting portion connecting the radiator 3200 with the oscillator 3100 may pass through the shielding portion 3300. Here, a shielding member (not shown) may be arranged to prevent leakage of the microwaves through a portion which the connecting portion passes through.

The shielding portion 3300 may correspond to the same configuration as the shielding portion 2300 described with reference to FIG. 3. However, unlike the interior of the shielding portion 2300 illustrated in FIG. 3, which was an empty space, the interior of the shielding portion 3300 illustrated in FIG. 4 may be filled with the dielectric resonance unit 3400.

The dielectric resonance unit 3400 arranged in the shielding portion 3300 may absorb microwaves of a specific frequency radiated from the radiator 3200. Dielectric resonance may be induced in the dielectric resonance unit 3400 by microwaves.

Dielectric resonance may denote that resonance occurs inside the dielectric resonance unit 3400 due to microwaves, and the dielectric resonance unit 3400 forms an alternating current (AC) electromagnetic field. That is, the dielectric resonance unit 3400 may resonate internally due to microwaves and generate an AC electromagnetic field.

The dielectric resonance unit 3400 may accommodate the aerosol generating article 2. The dielectric resonance unit 3400 may apply the AC electromagnetic field to the aerosol generating article 2 through dielectric resonance while the aerosol generating article 2 is being accommodated in the dielectric resonance unit 3400. In more detail, the dielectric resonance unit 3400 may apply an AC electric field in a direction crossing an AC magnetic field included in the microwaves.

Under the AC electric field vibrating at a predetermined frequency, polar molecules included in the dielectric resonance unit 3400 and the aerosol generating article 2 may vibrate in accordance with the direction and phase of the electric field. As a result, the polar molecules may vibrate and experience resistance due to intermolecular forces, which may generate heat.

Therefore, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may heat the aerosol generating article 2 by vibrating the polar molecules included in the aerosol generating article 2 by using the radiator 3200 and the dielectric resonance unit 3400.

A groove may be formed in the dielectric resonance unit 3400. The aerosol generating article 2 may be accommodated in the groove formed in the dielectric resonance unit 3400 That is, the groove formed in the dielectric resonance unit 3400 may correspond to an insertion space 3300i of the aerosol generating article 2. Shapes of the groove may include a cylindrical shape, but are not limited thereto and may vary depending on shapes of the aerosol generating article 2 to be accommodated.

When the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the groove of the dielectric resonance unit 3400, the dielectric resonance unit 3400 may surround the aerosol generating article 2. For example, one internal surface of the dielectric resonance unit 3400 may be in contact with the aerosol generating article 2. Also, a lower surface of the dielectric resonance unit 3400 may be in contact with the aerosol generating article 2.

When the aerosol generating article 2 is accommodated in the groove formed in the dielectric resonance unit 3400, the dielectric resonance unit 3400 may easily apply an AC electromagnetic field to the aerosol generating article 2.

Here, when the groove is formed along a central axis of the dielectric resonance unit 3400, the microwaves transmitted from the radiator 3200 may be concentrated around the central axis of the dielectric resonance unit 3400. When a central axis of the aerosol generating article 2 and the central axis of the dielectric resonance unit 3400 are arranged to correspond to each other, the AC electromagnetic field applied by the dielectric resonance unit 3400 may be concentrated on the central axis of the aerosol generating article 2. Thus, the heating time of the aerosol generating article 2 may be further shortened.

However, an embodiment is not limited thereto, and while the aerosol generating article 2 is being apart from the dielectric resonance unit 3400, the dielectric resonance unit 3400 may the AC electromagnetic field to the aerosol generating article 2.

The dielectric resonance unit 3400 may have various shapes, such as a cylindrical shape, a cuboid shape, etc. In this case, the dielectric resonance unit 3400 may be arranged to be in tight contact with an inner wall of the shielding portion 3300 so that the dielectric resonance unit 3400 may be fixed so as not to move according to the insertion of the aerosol generating article 2.

Additionally, at least one dielectric resonance unit 3400 may be arranged. For example, a plurality of dielectrics having different materials may be arranged in a lengthwise direction of the aerosol generating article 2.

Materials of the dielectric resonance unit 3400 may include, but is not limited to, fused quartz or alumina. For example, the dielectric resonance unit 3400 may include various materials having a dielectric constant of 3 or higher and a dielectric loss tangent of 0.0005 or lower.

As illustrated, the dielectric resonance unit 3400 may be arranged in the shielding portion 3300 to be apart from the radiator 3200 by a predetermined distance. The distance between the dielectric resonance unit 3400 and the radiator 3200 may be determined from a coupling coefficient of the radiator 3200.

Here, the coupling coefficient of the radiator 3200 may denote a ratio of heat energy absorbed by the aerosol generating article 2 which may accommodated in the dielectric resonance unit 3400 to the microwave energy radiated by the radiator 3200. For example, when the coupling coefficient value is 0.5, 50% of the energy of the microwaves applied from the radiator 3200 may be absorbed by the aerosol generating article 2.

Thus, by arranging the dielectric resonance unit 3400 and the radiator 3200 in consideration of the distance between the dielectric resonance unit 3400 and the radiator 3200, the coupling coefficient of the radiator 3200 may be changed, and accordingly, the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated to a desired temperature.

According to another embodiment, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may include a processor 1301 including at least one of a light emitting element (which may correspond to the same configuration as the light source described above) and a light receiving element. The processor 1301 may perform the function of the controller 1200 described above. In this case, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may function as one sensing module.

For example, when one end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 receives reflected light from an object of temperature measurement, the reflected light may be totally reflected inside the optical fiber and transmitted to the processor 1301 located at the other end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300, and the processor 1301 may determine a temperature of the object of temperature measurement, based on the transmitted light.

As illustrated, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be arranged inside the shielding member 3300. According to this, the processor 1301 may also be arranged inside the shielding portion 3300. In this case, the processor 1301 may be surrounded by a shielding member (not shown) so as not to be affected by microwaves.

To supply power to the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 located within the shielding portion 3300, the heater assembly 3000 may include a terminal 3500 arranged to pass through the shielding portion 3300. The terminal 3500 may electrically connect the inside of the shielding portion 3300 and the outside of the shielding portion 3300.

In detail, the terminal 3500 may be electrically connected to the processor 1301 or the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 arranged inside the shielding portion 3300. Additionally, the terminal 3500 may be electrically connected to a battery (not shown) arranged outside the shielding portion 3300. Power may be supplied from the battery to the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 through the terminal 3500.

Since the terminal 3500 is arranged to pass through the shielding portion 3300 of the heater assembly 3000, microwaves may not leak to the portion where the terminal 3500 is arranged. Accordingly, the reduction of heating efficiency due to microwave leakage may be prevented.

Also, although the dielectric resonance unit 3400 may be arranged in the shielding portion 3300 to be apart from the processor 1301 of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 by a predetermined distance, an embodiment is not limited thereto.

According to another embodiment, the heater assembly 3000 may further include a heating body 3600 for heating the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the dielectric resonance unit 3400. As illustrated, the heating body 3600 may have a tubular shape and may heat the outside of the aerosol generating article 2. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto, and the inside or outside of the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated depending on the shape of the heating body 3600.

The heating body 3600 may be heated by receiving an AC electromagnetic field from the dielectric resonance unit 3400. In detail, an induced current may be generated in the heating body 3600 by the AC electromagnetic field. In more detail, an AC electric field may be generated in a direction crossing an AC magnetic field applied to the heating body 3600, and accordingly, an induced current may be generated in the heating body 3600. The induced current may be a current generated by Faraday's law or an eddy current. When currents are induced in the heating body 3600, the heating body 3600 may be heated due to internal electrical resistance of the heating body 3600.

A temperature of an aerosol generating material in the aerosol generating article 2 may be increased by the heated heating body 3600, thereby generating aerosols. According to necessity, the aerosol generating device 1 may heat the heating body 3600, even when the aerosol generating article 2 is not inserted into the aerosol generating device 1.

Materials of the heating body 3600 may include a conductor or a semiconductor. For example, the materials of the heating body 3600 may include at least one selected from ferrite, a ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum, or a combination thereof.

In addition, the materials of the heating body 3600 may include at least one selected from graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, a nickel alloy, a metal film, ceramics such as zirconia, transition metals such as nickel (Ni) or cobalt (Co), and metalloids such as boron (B) or phosphorus (P), or a combination thereof.

However, the materials of the heating body 3600 are not limited to the example described above and may be used without limitation as long as the materials may be heated to a desired temperature when an AC electromagnetic field is applied. Here, the desired temperature may be preset in the aerosol generating device 1 or may be set to a desired temperature by a user.

The aerosol generating device 1 according to another embodiment may heat the aerosol generating article 2 by vibrating polar molecules included in the aerosol generating article 2 using dielectric resonance through microwaves or by inducing currents in the heating body 3600.

According to another embodiment, an induced current may be generated in the heating body 3600 by using a high-frequency microwave, so that the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated within a short period of time. At the same time, heating efficiency may be increased, because high-frequency microwaves may be used to generate the induced current. Accordingly, the amount of power required for heating may be saved, which may reduce power consumption compared to aerosol generating devices that generate induced currents by using low-frequency electromagnetic fields.

Also, when only the temperature of the radiator 3200 corresponding to a microwave output portion increases, and dielectric resonance does not occur in the dielectric resonance unit 3400, the aerosol generating article 2 may not be heated.

Like the embodiment described above, when it is determined that the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 is lower than a preset first temperature and the temperature of the microwave output portion is higher than a preset second temperature, the controller 1200 may adjust the frequency of the microwaves provided to the shielding portion 3300 so that the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated.

As another example, the controller 1200 may control the heating body 3600 to block microwaves supplied into the shielding portion 3300 and supply power to the heating body 3600. In this case, the heating body 3600 may heat the aerosol generating article 2 through electrical resistance heating rather than induction heating.

Through the control operation as described above, the controller 1200 may heat the aerosol generating article 2 even in a problematic situation, and especially, even when the supply of microwaves is blocked, the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated while the temperature of the microwave output portion 3200 is being prevented from rising further, thereby preventing overheating of the peripheral components of the microwave output portion 3200.

According to the present embodiment, the heater assembly 3000 may heat the aerosol generating article 2 through the dielectric resonance unit 3400 generated by filling the shielding portion 3300 of a relatively simple shape with a dielectric. Here, the dielectric resonance may be generated by microwaves radiated from the radiator 3200.

Hereinafter, embodiments in which a heated object may be heated by forming microwaves in a resonant structure through a coupler, rather than by using a method of radiating microwaves by using an antenna radiator 3200, are described. The embodiments may include not only a shielding portion, but also a resonant structure including a conductor of a predetermined shape inside the shielding portion, and based on the resonant structure of a resonance unit, the resonance unit may operate as a resonator having a wavelength of ¼ of a wavelength of a microwave. This aspect is described in detail below.

FIG. 5 is an internal block diagram of a dielectric heater applicable to an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the dielectric heater 400 may be configured to heat an aerosol generating article (e.g., the aerosol generating article 2 of FIG. 2) by using a dielectric heating method and may have a configuration corresponding to the heater assembly described above and a heater assembly described below.

The dielectric heater 400 may heat the aerosol generating article by using microwaves.

Here, a heating method of the dielectric heater 400 may be a method of heating a heated object by forming microwaves within a resonant structure, rather than a method of radiating microwaves by using an antenna. The resonance structure is described below with reference to FIG. 6.

The dielectric heater 400 may output high-frequency microwaves to a resonance unit 430. The microwaves may be, but are not limited to, power in an industrial scientific and medical equipment (ISM) band permitted for heating purposes. The resonance unit 430 may be designed by taking into account a wavelength of the microwave so that the microwave may resonate in the resonance unit 430.

The aerosol generating article may be inserted into the resonance unit 430, and a dielectric material in the aerosol generating article may be heated by the resonance unit 430. For example, the aerosol generating article may include a polar substance, and molecules within the polar substance may be polarized in the resonance unit 430. Molecules may vibrate or rotate due to polarization, and the aerosol-generating article may be heated by frictional heat, etc. generated during this process.

A processor (e.g., the processor 170 of FIG. 1) may control direct current (DC) power supplied from a power source (e.g., the power source 130 of FIG. 1) to a power converter (e.g., the power converter of FIG. 1) and/or AC power supplied from the power converter to the dielectric heater 400 according to the power requirement of the dielectric heater 400.

As an example, an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 1) may include a converter that boosts or lowers DC power, and the processor may control the converter to adjust the magnitude of the DC power. Additionally, the processor may control the AC power supplied to the dielectric heater 400 by adjusting a switching frequency and duty ratio of a switching device included in the power converter.

The processor may control a heating temperature of the aerosol generating article by controlling the microwave power of the dielectric heater 400 and a resonant frequency of the dielectric heater 400. Accordingly, an oscillator 410, an isolator 440, a power monitoring portion 450, and a matching portion 460 described below may be included in a controller (e.g., the controller 10 of FIG. 1).

The processor may control the microwave power of the dielectric heater 400 based on temperature profile information stored in a memory. In other words, the temperature profile may include information about a target temperature of the dielectric heater 400 over time, and the processor may control the microwave power of the dielectric heater 400 over time.

The processor may adjust a frequency of the microwave so that the resonant frequency of the dielectric heater 400 is constant. The processor may track in real time a change in resonant frequency of the dielectric heater 400 according to the heating of the heated object and control the dielectric heater 400 so that the microwave frequency according to the changed resonant frequency is output. In other words, the processor can change the microwave frequency in real time regardless of a pre-stored temperature profile.

Referring to FIG. 5, the dielectric heater 400 may include the oscillator 410, the isolator 440, the power monitoring portion 450, the matching portion 460, a coupler 420, and the resonance unit 430. However, the internal components of the dielectric heater 400 are not limited to what are illustrated in FIG. 5. According to the design of the dielectric heater 400, some of the components illustrated in FIG. 5 may be omitted, or new components may further be included.

The oscillator 410 may correspond to the source portion 20 of FIG. 1 and may receive AC power from the power converter and generate high-frequency microwave power. According to an embodiment, the power converter may be included in the oscillator 410. The microwave power may be selected from the frequency bands of 915 MHz, 2.45 GHz, and 5.8 GHz included in the ISM bands.

The oscillator 410 may include a solid-state-based resonant frequency generating device, which may be used to generate microwave power. The solid-state-based resonant frequency generating device may be realized as a semiconductor. When the oscillator 410 is realized as a semiconductor, the dielectric heater 400 may be miniaturized, and the device lifespan may be increased.

The oscillator 410 may output the microwave power toward the resonance unit 430. The oscillator 410 may include a power amplifier (e.g., the power amplifier 230 of FIG. 1) that increases or decreases microwave power, and the power amplifier may adjust the size of the microwave power under control by the processor. For example, the power amplifier may reduce or increase the amplitude of microwaves. By adjusting the amplitude of the microwaves, the microwave power may be adjusted.

The processor may adjust the size of the microwave power output from the oscillator 410, based on the pre-stored temperature profile. For example, the temperature profile may include target temperature information according to a preheating section and a smoking section, and the oscillator 410 may supply microwave power at a first power in the preheating section and supply microwave power at a second power lower than the first power in the smoking section.

The isolator 440 may block the microwave power input from the resonance unit 430 toward the oscillator 410. Most of the microwave power output from the oscillator 410 may be absorbed by the heated body, but depending on the heating pattern of the heated body, some of the microwave power may be reflected by the heated body and transmitted back toward the oscillator 410. This is because the impedance viewed from the oscillator 410 toward the resonance unit 430 may change according to exhaustion of polar molecules due to heating of the heated object. That “the impedance viewed from the oscillator 410 toward the resonance unit 430 may changes” may denote the same as that “the resonant frequency of the resonance unit 430 may changes.” When the microwave power reflected from the resonance unit 430 is input to the oscillator 410, the oscillator 410 may break down and the expected output performance may not be achieved. The isolator 440 may absorb the microwave power reflected from the resonance unit 430 by directing the microwave power in a predetermined direction, rather than returning the microwave power to the oscillator 410. For this purpose, the isolator 440 may include a circulator and a dummy load.

The power monitoring portion 450 may monitor each of the microwave power output from the oscillator 410 and the reflected microwave power reflected from the resonance unit 430. The power monitoring portion 450 may transmit information about the microwave power and the reflected microwave power to the matching portion 460.

The matching portion 460 may match the impedance viewed from the oscillator 410 toward the resonance unit 430 and the impedance viewed from the resonance unit 430 toward the oscillator 410 so that the reflected microwave power may be minimized. The impedance matching may denote the same as matching a frequency of the oscillator 410 and the resonant frequency of the resonance unit 430. Thus, the matching portion 460 may vary the frequency of the oscillator 410 in order to match the impedance. In other words, the matching portion 460 may adjust the frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillator 410 so that the reflected microwave power may be minimized. The impedance matching of the matching portion 460 may be performed in real time regardless of the temperature profile.

In addition, the oscillator 410, the isolator 440, the power monitoring portion 450, and the matching portion 460 described above may be separate components separate from the coupler 420 and resonance unit 430 described below and may be realized as a microwave source in the form of a chip. In addition, according to an embodiment, the oscillator 410, the isolator 440, the power monitoring portion 450, and the matching portion 460 described above may also be realized as components of a controller.

The coupler 420 may be configured to input microwave power into the resonance unit 430. The coupler 420 may correspond to the microwave output portion 420 and may correspond to the radiator 30 of FIG. 1. The coupler 420 may be realized in the form of an SMA, SMB, MCX, or MMCX connector. The coupler 420 may connect the microwave source in the form of a chip with the resonance unit 430, so that the microwave power generated from the microwave source may be transmitted to the resonance unit 430.

The resonance unit 430 may heat a heated object by forming microwaves within a resonant structure. The resonance unit 430 may include an insertion space in which the aerosol generating article is accommodated, and the aerosol generating article may be dielectrically heated by being exposed to the microwaves. For example, the aerosol generating article may include a polar material, and molecules within the polar material may be polarized by microwaves within the resonance unit 430. Molecules may vibrate or rotate due to polarization, and the aerosol-generating article may be heated by frictional heat, etc. generated during this process.

The resonance unit 430 may include at least one inner conductor so that microwaves may resonate, and depending on the arrangement, thickness, and length of the inner conductor, microwaves may resonate within the resonance unit 430.

The resonance unit 430 may be designed by taking into account a wavelength of the microwave so that the microwave may resonate within the resonance unit 430. In order for the microwaves to resonate within the resonance unit 430, a closed end/short end with a closed cross-section and an open end with at least one open area of a cross-section in a direction opposite to the closed end/short end are required. Additionally, a length between the closed and open ends may have to be set to an integer multiple of ¼ of the microwave wavelength. For the resonance unit 430 according to the disclosure, a wavelength of ¼ of a wavelength of the microwave may be selected, in order to miniaturize the device. In other words, the length between the closed and open ends of the resonance unit 430 may be set to the wavelength of ¼ of the wavelength of the microwave.

The resonance unit 430 may include an accommodation space for a dielectric. The dielectric accommodation space may be a configuration separate from the insertion space of the aerosol generating article, and a material capable of changing the overall resonant frequency of the resonance unit 430 and miniaturizing the resonance unit 430 may be arranged therein. According to an embodiment, the dielectric accommodation space may accommodate a dielectric having low microwave absorbance. This may be configured to prevent the phenomenon in which energy that has to be transferred to the heated object is transferred to the dielectric, causing the dielectric itself to heat up. The microwave absorbance may be expressed by the loss tangent, which is the ratio of the imaginary part to the real part of the complex dielectric constant. According to an embodiment, the dielectric accommodation space may accommodate the dielectric having a loss tangent less than or equal to a preset size, wherein the preset size may be 1/100. For example, the dielectric may be, but is not limited to, at least one or a combination of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and aluminum oxide.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an example of a heater assembly 4000 applicable to an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment (e.g., the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 2) may generate aerosols by heating the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into a coaxial resonator R by using an electromagnetic field generated by the coaxial resonator R.

To realize this, the heater assembly 4000 of the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment may include an oscillator 4100, a coupler 4200, and a resonance unit 4300. With regard to the configuration and effect of the aerosol generating device, a detailed description the same as FIG. 3 is omitted.

The oscillator 4100 may be configured to generate microwaves of a preset frequency based on a control signal from a controller (e.g., the controller 1200 of FIG. 2). The oscillator 4100 may correspond to the same configuration as the oscillator (e.g., the oscillator 2100 of FIG. 2) described above.

The coupler 4200 may be configured to supply microwaves generated from the oscillator 4100 to the resonance unit 4300. The process of feeding the microwaves generated by the oscillator 4100 into a resonator through a microwave transmission line (or a waveguide) is called resonator coupling. Here, a structure for resonator coupling may be defined as the coupler 4200.

That is, the coupler 4200 may correspond to a microwave output portion for providing microwaves into the resonance unit 4300. Hereinafter, the coupler 4200 may be used interchangeably with a microwave output portion.

The coupler 4200 may be directly connected to a central conductor 4320 located within the resonance unit 4300, and the microwaves may be supplied to the resonance unit 4300 by the coupler 4200 and the central conductor.

The resonance unit 4300 may form an amplified electromagnetic field by resonating the microwaves supplied internally. At least a portion of the electromagnetic field formed by the resonant microwaves may heat the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the resonance unit 4300 to generate aerosols.

The resonance unit 4300 may include an outer conductor 4310 and the central conductor 4320. In this case, the outer conductor 4310 may perform the same or substantially the same function as the shielding portion (e.g., the shielding portion 2300 of FIG. 3) described above.

The outer conductor 4310 may form the general exterior of the resonance unit 4300. The outer conductor 4310 may include a hollow cylindrical shape. Components of the resonance unit 4300 may be arranged in the outer conductor 4310. The outer conductor 4310 may include an insertion space 4300i in which the aerosol generating article 2 may be accommodated, and the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into the insertion space 4300i in the outer conductor 4310 through an opening formed in the outer conductor 4310.

The outer conductor 4310 may include a first wall 4310a, a second wall 4310b arranged to face the first wall 4310a, and a side wall 4310c surrounding a void space between the first wall 4310a and the second wall 4310b. At least some of the components of the resonance unit 4300 (e.g., the central conductor 4320) may be arranged in the internal space of the resonance unit 4300 formed by the first wall 4310a, the second wall 4310b and the side wall 4310c.

The central conductor 4320 arranged in the outer conductor 4310 may be inserted into the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the outer conductor 4310. In detail, a first end of the central conductor 4320 may be connected to the first wall 4310a of the outer conductor 4310, and a second end may pass through at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the outer conductor 4310 of the resonance unit 4300. For example, the central conductor 4320 may include a rod shape or a needle shape, but is not limited to the described embodiment. The material of the central conductor 4320 may include aluminum or stainless steel, but is not limited to the described embodiment.

The outer conductor 4310 and the central conductor 4320 may be coaxial. In this case, a cavity formed between the cylindrical outer conductor 4310 and the central conductor 4320 may operate as the resonator R. In other words, the resonator R may be formed by the cavity between the cylindrical outer conductor 4310 and the central conductor 4320.

The resonator R may be in the form of a hollow tube having an inner diameter equal to an outer diameter c of the central conductor 4320. In this case, considering that the central conductor 4320 is rod-shaped, the resonator R illustrated in FIG. 6 is referred to as the coaxial resonator R, according to the disclosure.

According to another embodiment, a first end of the resonator R may be formed as a closed end/short end SE by the first wall 4310a, wherein in the closed end/short end, the outer conductor 4310 and the central conductor 4320 are connected, and a second end of the resonator R opposite to the first end may be formed as an open end OE in which the outer conductor 4310 and the central conductor 4320 are not connected and are separated, so that the resonator R may have a wavelength of ¼ of a wavelength of microwaves within the resonator R.

A length between the first end and the second end may be an integer multiple of ¼ of the wavelength. When microwaves are confined in a confined space, such as the resonator R, the microwaves may have a different wavelength than microwaves radiating in a free space. For example, the wavelength of the microwaves may vary depending on structural factors of the resonator R.

The microwaves may be supplied to the central conductor 4320 through the coupler 4200, the microwaves may be supplied to the resonator R by the central conductor 4320, and the microwaves may be resonated by the resonator R. By the resonant microwaves, an amplified electromagnetic field may be formed within the resonator R, and the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated by at least a portion of the electromagnetic field.

According to another embodiment, when a user inserts the aerosol generating article 2 into the resonance unit 4300 (or the resonator R), the central conductor 4320 may be inserted into a medium portion of the aerosol generating article 2, and a tip portion 4320t of the central conductor 4320 may be located within the medium portion. Here, whenever the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the resonance unit 4300, a stopper (not shown) may be arranged in the outer conductor 4310 so that the tip portion 4321t of the central conductor 4320 may always be positioned in the medium portion of the aerosol generating article 2.

The electric field formed by the microwaves may be generated in a direction from the central conductor 4320 toward the outer conductor 4310. The electric field may be stronger as the electric field is closer to the central conductor 4320 and weaker as the electric field is closer to the outer conductor 4310. Additionally, in a direction of a central axis of the resonator R, the electric field may be strongest at the tip portion 4321t of the central conductor 4320 and may become weaker toward the first wall 4310a of the outer conductor 4310. In summary, the strongest electric field may be formed in an area adjacent to the tip portion 4321t of the central conductor 4320.

Since the aerosol generating article 2 is heated by the principle of microwave dielectric heating, the degree of absorption of microwaves may increase according to the intensity of the electric field formed in the resonator R.

As the degree of microwave absorption increases, the heating temperature may increase. For example, the highest heating temperature may appear in a portion adjacent to the tip portion 4321t of the central conductor 4320. The output power and output time of the microwaves may be adjusted such that the highest heating temperature that occurs is within a preset range (e.g., 200 to 300 degrees).

Also, a magnetic field formed by the microwaves may be formed in a direction revolving around a central axis perpendicular to the electric field. The magnetic field may be formed to be most intense in an area adjacent to a connection portion between the coupler 4200 and the central conductor 4320 and may become weaker toward the tip portion 4321t of the central conductor 4320.

According to another embodiment, a coaxial cable may be used to transmit power within tens of Watts, and the coupler 4200 may be mounted close to the first wall 4310a so as not to interfere with insertion of the aerosol generating article 2.

The coupling method of the coupler 4200 may be a magnetic coupling method. Since the size inside the resonator R is relatively small, sufficient coupling may be obtained only by forming a magnetic loop by directly contacting the coupler 4200 and the central conductor 4320. Accordingly, the coupler 4200 may have a structure that is connected to the central conductor 4320 in a radial direction at a preset distance from the first wall 4310a.

Also, when the central conductor 4320 within the outer conductor 4310 has a structure that is connected only to the first wall 4310a, the outer conductor 4310 may have a structure of a coaxial waveguide in a section where the central conductor 4320 exists and a structure of a cylindrical waveguide in a section where the central conductor 4320 does not exist, thereby naturally performing a function of a mode converter. For example, when the frequency of the microwave is 2.45 GHz, the microwave may enter a cutoff frequency range in a portion of the cylindrical waveguide, because the diameter of the cylindrical waveguide is small.

According to another embodiment, the resonance unit 4300 may further include a support 4330 that supports an outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the outer conductor 4310. The support 4330 may be connected to the second wall 4310b of the outer conductor 4310 and may extend from the second wall 4310b toward the outside of the outer conductor 4310.

The support 4330 may include a hollow 4331 to guide the insertion of the aerosol generating article 2 into the outer conductor 4310. A user may insert the aerosol generating article 2 into the outer conductor 4310 through the hollow 4331 such that the central conductor 4320 may pass through at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 2. In this case, the internal space of the outer conductor 4310 may correspond to the insertion space 4300i of the aerosol generating article 2.

A material of the support 4330 may be different from a material of the outer conductor 4310. For example, the material of the outer conductor 4310 may be a material that prevents an electromagnetic field generated in an internal cavity from propagating to the outside, and the material of the support 4330 may be a material that does not affect the propagation of the electromagnetic field.

However, due to the structure of the resonance unit 4300, whereby the support 4330 may be in contact with the aerosol generating article 2 and may surround the aerosol generating article 2, the electromagnetic field may not leak in a direction in which the support 4330 is located, that is, may not leak in a space in a direction in which the support 4330 is located, the space being not an area of the resonator R. That is, the electromagnetic field that has leaked into the aerosol generating article 2 may only heat the aerosol generating article 2 and may not be transmitted to the outside (e.g., toward the user's mouth). Since the electromagnetic field does not propagate (or leak) into the space other than the area of the resonator R, no separate function or structure is required to shield the electromagnetic field.

According to another embodiment, the resonance unit 4300 may further include a microwave input waveguide 4340. The microwave input waveguide 4340 may extend from an area of a side surface portion of the outer conductor 4310 toward the outside of the outer conductor 4310. The coupler 4200 may be connected to the microwave input waveguide 4340. For example, the coupler 4200 may be located within the microwave input waveguide 4340. The coupler 4200 may be connected to the central conductor 4320 through the microwave input waveguide 4340 and the side surface portion of the outer conductor 4310.

In addition, the degree to which the aerosol generating article located within the resonance unit 4300 absorbs microwaves may vary depending on the material properties of the aerosol generating article and the frequency of the microwaves.

To increase the absorption of microwaves, the structure of the resonator R and the central conductor 4320 may be determined. As an example, in order to adjust the resonant frequency of the resonator R and the microwave absorption rate, at least one of “a distance a between the first wall 4310a and the coupler 4200” and “a distance b from a connection portion of the coupler 4200 and the central conductor 4320 to the second end of the central conductor 4320” may be adjusted.

As another example, at least one of “an outer diameter c of the central conductor 4320” and “an inner diameter d of the outer conductor 4310” may be adjusted to adjust the absorption distribution of the microwave. In detail, the larger the ratio of the outer diameter c of the central conductor 4320 to the inner diameter d of the outer conductor 4310, the more uniform the electric field may be formed, and thus the degree of microwave absorption may become uniform.

According to another embodiment, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be arranged in the aerosol generating device to measure a temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 or the coupler (the microwave output portion) 4200.

As shown, two optical fiber temperature sensors 1300 may be arranged. One end of each optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be arranged inside the resonance unit 4300.

One end of the first sensor 1310 may be arranged to face one end of the aerosol generating article 2. That is, the one end of the first sensor 1310 may be arranged to be in contact with the one end of the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the insertion space 4300i so as to measure the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2. One end of the second sensor 1320 may be arranged to be in contact with the microwave output portion 4200 located in an inner space of the outer conductor 4310 so as to measure a temperature of the microwave output portion 4200. Unlike what is illustrated, the one end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be arranged apart from the object of temperature measurement.

According to another embodiment, the resonance unit 4300 may include a through hole 4350 through which the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may pass. As illustrated, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may pass through the outer conductor 4310 through the through hole 4350 formed in the first wall 4310a of the outer conductor 4310. In this case, a shielding member (not shown) may be arranged to prevent microwave leakage through the through hole 4350.

According to an embodiment, the arrangement of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may vary. Accordingly, the location of the through hole 4350 may also change. Additionally, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may also measure a temperature of an externally exposed portion of the resonance unit 4300. In this case, since one end of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 is located outside the resonance unit 4300, a separate through hole 4350 may not be arranged in the outer conductor 4310.

Also, according to another embodiment, when only the temperature of the coupler 4200 corresponding to the microwave output portion increases and resonance does not occur in the resonance unit 4300, the aerosol generating article 2 may not be heated, which may cause a problem.

As in the embodiment described above, when it is determined that the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 is lower than the preset first temperature and the temperature of the microwave output portion is higher than the preset second temperature, the controller (e.g., the controller 1200 of FIG. 3) may adjust the frequency of the microwaves provided to the resonance unit 4300 so that the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated.

As another example, the controller may block the microwaves supplied into the resonance unit 4300 and control a temperature of the conductor supporting the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the insertion space 4300i so that the conductor may heat the aerosol generating article.

Here, the conductor may be a component included in the heater assembly 4000 and may indicate a conductor (e.g., the central conductor 4320) that supports the aerosol generating article 2 as a component of the resonance unit 4300 or may indicate a separate heating body including a conductor separate from the component included in the resonance unit 4300.

According to another embodiment, the controller may control a temperature of the central conductor 4320. For example, the controller may control the central conductor 4320 such that power may be supplied to the central conductor 4320. In this case, the central conductor 4320 may heat the aerosol generating article 2 through the principle of electrical resistance heating, rather than heating the aerosol generating article 2 through the electromagnetic field formed by the resonant microwave.

However, the method by which the central conductor 4320 directly heats the aerosol generating article is not limited to the electrical resistance heating method. As another example, the central conductor 4320 may heat the aerosol generating article 2 through the principle of induction heating. In this case, the controller may control the induction coil so that power may be supplied to the induction coil arranged separately from the central conductor 4320, and as a result, the controller may control the temperature of the central conductor 4320 that is heated by a magnetic field generated by the induction coil.

Through the control operation as described above, the controller may heat the aerosol generating article 2 even in a problematic situation, and especially, even when the supply of microwaves is blocked, the controller may heat the aerosol generating article 2 while preventing the temperature of the microwave output portion 4200 from rising further, thereby preventing overheating of the surrounding components of the microwave output portion 4200.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of another example of a heater assembly 5000 applicable to an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment (e.g., the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 2) may generate aerosols by heating the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the resonator R using an electromagnetic field generated by the cylindrical resonator R.

To realize this, the heater assembly 5000 of the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment may include an oscillator 5100, a coupler 5200, and a resonance unit 5300. With regard to the configuration and effect of the aerosol generating device, a detailed description the same as FIG. 6 is omitted.

The oscillator 5100, the coupler 5200, and the resonance unit 5300 may correspond to the same functional configurations as the oscillator 4100, the coupler 4200, and the resonance unit 4300 described with reference to FIG. 6. However, the resonance unit 5300 illustrated in FIG. 7 is structurally different from the resonance unit 4300 illustrated in FIG. 6.

In the resonance unit 4300 illustrated in FIG. 6, the outer conductor 4310 itself may have the hollow cylindrical shape, but the resonance unit 5300 illustrated in FIG. 7 may have a coaxial shape with an empty interior. In detail, an outer conductor 5310 of the resonance unit 5300 of FIG. 7 may have a shape in which a hole is formed in the center of the first wall 4310a in the outer conductor 4310 of FIG. 6. That is, the outer conductor 5310 may have an opening formed not only in a second wall 5310b but also in a first wall 5310a.

An inner conductor 5320 may extend along an edge of the opening formed in the first wall 5310a of the outer conductor 5310 and may have a tubular shape extending inwardly from the first wall 5310a of the outer conductor 5310.

The tubular inner conductor 5320 arranged inside the outer conductor 5310 may surround at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the outer conductor 5310. In detail, a first end of the inner conductor 5320 may be connected to the first wall 5310a of an outer conductor 5310, and a second end may surround one end of the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the outer conductor 5310 of the resonance unit 5300.

The outer conductor 5310 and the inner conductor 5320 may be coaxial. In this case, a cavity formed between the outer conductor 5310 and the inner conductor 5320 may operate as a resonator R. In other words, the resonator R may be formed by the cavity between the outer conductor 5310 and the inner conductor 5320.

The resonator R may be in the form of a hollow tube having an inner diameter the same as an outer diameter of the inner conductor 5320. Here, considering that the shape of the inner conductor 5320 is tubular, the resonator R illustrated in FIG. 7 may be referred to as a cylindrical resonator R according to the disclosure.

According to another embodiment, a first end of the resonator R may be formed as a closed end/short end SE in which the outer conductor 5310 and the inner conductor 5320 are connected, and a second end of the resonator R opposite to the first end may be formed as an open end OE in which the outer conductor 5310 and the inner conductor 5320 are not connected and are separated, so that the resonator R may have a wavelength of ¼ of a wavelength of microwaves within the resonator R.

A length between the first end and the second end may be an integer multiple of ¼ of the wavelength. When microwaves are confined in a confined space, such as the resonator R, the microwaves may have a different wavelength than microwaves radiating in a free space. For example, the wavelength of the microwaves may vary depending on structural factors of the resonator R. As another example, the wavelength of the microwaves existing in a dielectric within the resonator R may decrease as a dielectric constant value of the dielectric increases.

The microwaves may be supplied to the inner conductor 5320 through the coupler 5200, the microwaves may be supplied to the resonator R by the inner conductor 5320, and the microwaves may be resonated by the resonator R. Due to the resonant microwaves, an amplified electromagnetic field may be formed within the resonator R, and the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated by at least a portion of the electromagnetic field.

According to another embodiment, the resonance unit 5300 may further include a support 5330 that supports an outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the outer conductor 5310. The support 5330 may be connected to the second wall 5310b of the outer conductor 5310 and may extend from the second wall 5310b toward the outside of the outer conductor 5310.

The support 5330 may include a hollow 5331 to guide insertion of the aerosol generating article 2 into the outer conductor 5310. A user may insert the aerosol generating article 2 into the outer conductor 5310 through the hollow 5331 such that the inner conductor 5320 may pass through at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 2. Here, an inner space of the outer conductor 5310 may correspond to an insertion space 5300i of the aerosol generating article 2.

Here, the inner conductor 5320 may not be connected to the support 5330. At least a portion of the electromagnetic field may be applied toward the aerosol generating article 2 through the open end OE formed by the inner conductor 5320 and the support 5330 not being connected.

A portion of the electromagnetic field formed in the open end OE may leak into the aerosol generating article 2 adjacent to the resonator R, and the leaked electromagnetic field may heat the aerosol generating article 2. In particular, since a strong electromagnetic field may be formed around the open end OE, the aerosol generating article 2 may be easily heated.

According to another embodiment, a diameter of the hollow 5331 of the support 5330 may be less than half the wavelength of microwaves. When the diameter of the hollow 5331 is less than half the wavelength of the microwaves, the microwaves causing resonance may be cutoff.

According to another embodiment, the resonance unit 5300 may further include a stopper 5340 that supports an end of the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the outer conductor 5310. The stopper 5340 may be arranged inside the tubular inner conductor 5320 to prevent insertion of the aerosol generating article 2.

The aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the outer conductor 5310 through the opening formed in the second wall 5310b of the outer conductor 5310 may no longer move in an insertion direction (e.g., a z axis direction) due to the stopper 5340. For example, the aerosol generating article 2 may not travel to the opening formed in the first wall 5310a of the outer conductor 5310. Thus, the stopper 5340 may prevent the aerosol generating article 2 from being inserted too deeply into the outer conductor 5310.

From this perspective, the position of the stopper 5340 may determine an area of the aerosol generating article 2, the area having a highest heating temperature. A medium portion of the aerosol generating article 2 may be positioned in a region of the resonance unit 5300, the region having a strongest electromagnetic field, due to the stopper 5340.

The stopper 5340 may include a material that prevents the microwaves or the electromagnetic fields from propagating outside the resonance unit 5300 through the inner space of the inner conductor 5320. However, an embodiment is not limited to the description, and a separate shielding member (not shown) including the material described above may be arranged together with the stopper 5340.

According to another embodiment, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be arranged in the aerosol generating device to measure a temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 or the coupler (the microwave output portion) 5200.

As shown, two optical fiber temperature sensors 1300 may be arranged. One end of each optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be arranged inside the resonance unit 5300 so as to measure the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 or the microwave output portion 5200.

According to another embodiment, the resonance unit 5300 may include a through hole 5350 through which the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may pass. As shown, the through hole 5350 through which the first sensor 1310 may pass may be formed in a side wall 5310c of the outer conductor 5310. The through hole 5350 through which the second sensor 1320 may pass may be formed in the first wall 5310a of the outer conductor 5310.

The two through holes 5350 may be located at a portion of the outer conductor 5310 that is the shortest distance from the temperature measurement portion of the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300. That is, the space occupied by the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 in the outer conductor 5310 of the resonance unit 5300 may be minimized. According to this, when the microwaves or electromagnetic fields propagate inside the resonance unit 5300, radio interference caused by the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be minimized.

In addition, according to another embodiment, when only the temperature of the coupler 5200 corresponding to the microwave output portion increases and resonance does not occur in the resonance unit 5300, the aerosol generating article 2 may not be heated, which may cause a problem.

As in the embodiment described above, when it is determined that the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 is lower than the preset first temperature and the temperature of the microwave output portion is higher than the preset second temperature, the controller may adjust the frequency of the microwaves provided to the resonance unit 5300 so that the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated.

As another example, the controller may block the microwaves supplied into the resonance unit 5300 and control a temperature of a conductor supporting the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the insertion space 5300i so that the conductor may heat the aerosol generating article 2.

Here, the conductor may indicate a conductor included in the heater assembly 5000, that is, a conductor (e.g., the inner conductor 5320 and/or the stopper 5340) included in the resonance unit 5300 and supporting the aerosol generating article 2, or may indicate a separate heating body including a conductor, the separate heating body not being included in the resonance unit 5300.

According to another embodiment, the heater assembly 5000 may further include a heating body 5400 for heating the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the insertion space 5300i. In this case, the heater assembly 5000 may heat the aerosol generating article 2 not through an electromagnetic field formed by resonant microwaves, but by using the principle of electrical resistance heating or induction heating through the separate heating body 5400 arranged in the resonance unit 5300.

As illustrated, the heating body 5400 may include a disc shape. The heating body 5400 may be arranged on the stopper 5340 inside the inner conductor 5320 and may be in contact with an end of the aerosol generating article 2. Accordingly, the heating body 5400 may heat the end of the aerosol generating article 2.

Through the control operation as described above, the controller may heat the aerosol generating article 2 even in a problematic situation, and especially, even when the supply of microwaves is blocked, the controller may heat the aerosol generating article 2 while preventing the temperature of the microwave output portion 5200 from rising further, thereby preventing overheating of the peripheral components of the microwave output portion 5200.

However, the arrangement and shape of the heating body 5400 are not limited to the illustrated arrangement and shape. The heating body 5400 may have various positions and corresponding shapes capable of heating the aerosol generating article 2. As illustrated, when the heating body 5400 heats an end of the aerosol generating article 2, the heating body 5400 may have a shape corresponding to an inner cross-sectional shape of the tubular inner conductor 5320 or the shape of the stopper 5340.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of another example of a heater assembly 6000 applicable to an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment (e.g., the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 2) may generate aerosols by heating the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into a double-cylindrical-shaped resonator R by using an electromagnetic field generated by the double-cylindrical-shaped resonator R.

To realize this, the heater assembly 6000 of the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment may include an oscillator 6100, a coupler 6200, and a resonance unit 6300. With regard to the configuration and effect of the aerosol generating device, a detailed description the same as FIG. 7 is omitted.

The oscillator 6100, the coupler 6200, and the resonance unit 6300 may correspond to the same functional configurations as the oscillator 5100, the coupler 5200, and the resonance unit 5300 described in FIG. 7.

Unlike the oscillator 5100 illustrated in FIG. 7, the oscillator 6100 may be fixed to the resonance unit 6300 to prevent separation from the resonance unit 6300 during use of the aerosol generating device.

For example, the oscillator 6100 may be fixed on the resonance unit 6300 by being supported by a bracket 6300b protruding toward the outside of the resonance unit 6300 in one area of the resonance unit 6300. As another example, the oscillator 6100 may be attached on an area of the resonance unit 6300 to so as to be fixed thereon without the bracket 6300b.

The resonance unit 6300 may be structurally different from the resonance unit 5300 illustrated in FIG. 7. The resonance unit 6300 illustrated in FIG. 8 may have a shape in which two resonance units 5300 illustrated in FIG. 7 may be cut at the open end OE and then hollow circular cross sections are joined together.

In detail, the resonance unit 6300 may include an outer conductor 6310, a first inner conductor 6320, and a second inner conductor 6330.

The outer conductor 6310 may form the general exterior of the resonance unit 6300. The outer conductor 6310 may include a hollow cylindrical shape. Components of the resonance unit 6300 may be arranged inside the outer conductor 6310.

The outer conductor 6310 may include a first wall 6310a, a second wall 6310b arranged to face the first wall 6310a, and a side wall 6310c surrounding a void space between the first wall 6310a and the second wall 6310b. At least some (e.g., the central conductor 6320) of the components of the resonance unit 6300 may be arranged in an inner space of the resonance unit 6300 formed by the first wall 6310a, the second wall 6310b, and the side wall 6310c.

The outer conductor 6310 may include an insertion space 6300i in which the aerosol generating article 2 may be accommodated. An opening may be formed in each of the first wall 6310a and the second wall 6310b of the outer conductor 6310, so that the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into the insertion space 6300i inside the outer conductor 6310 through the opening formed in the second wall 6310b.

The opening formed in the second wall 6310b may be arranged adjacent to an insertion hole (e.g., the insertion hole 1100h of FIG. 2) of a housing (e.g., the housing 1100 of FIG. 2). However, since the first wall 6310a facing the second wall 6320 may be arranged relatively inside the housing, the aerosol generating article 2 may not pass through the opening formed in the first wall 6310a.

The first inner conductor 6320 may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape (tubular shape) that extends along an edge of the opening formed in the first wall 6310a of the outer conductor 6310 and extends in a direction from the first wall 6310a of the outer conductor 6310 toward the inner space of the outer conductor 6310.

An area of the first inner conductor 6320 may be in contact with the coupler 6200 connected to the oscillator 6100. In detail, the coupler 6200 may be arranged to pass through the outer conductor 6310 and may have one end in contact with the oscillator 6100 and the other end in contact with an area of the first inner conductor 6320. Microwaves generated in the oscillator 6100 may be transmitted to the first inner conductor 6320 through the coupler 6200.

In this case, the coupler 6200 may be arranged to pass through the outer conductor 6310 without being in contact with the outer conductor 6310 for transmission of microwaves. However, when the microwaves generated in the oscillator 6100 may be transmitted to the first inner conductor 6320, the arrangement structure of the coupler 6200 is not limited thereto.

A first region R1 formed between the outer conductor 6310 and the first inner conductor 6320 may operate as a “first resonator R1’ that generates an electric field through resonance of microwaves. In this case, the first region R1 may refer to a space formed by the first wall 6310a, the side wall 6310c, and the first inner conductor 6320 of the outer conductor 6310.

In other words, the first resonator R1 may be formed by the space between the outer conductor 6310 and the first inner conductor 6320. Inside the first region R1, microwaves transmitted through the coupler 6200 may resonate to generate an electric field.

The second inner conductor 6330 may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the second wall 6310b of the outer conductor 6310 toward the inner space of the outer conductor 6310.

The second inner conductor 6330 may be arranged in the inner space of the outer conductor 6310 to be apart from the first inner conductor 6320 by a predetermined distance. As a result, a gap 6340 may be formed between the first inner conductor 6320 and the second inner conductor 6330.

A second region R2 formed between the outer conductor 6310 and the second inner conductor 6330 may operate as a “second resonator R2” that generates an electric field through resonance of microwaves. In this case, the second region R2 may refer to a space formed by the first wall 6310a, the side wall 6310c, and the second inner conductor 6330 of the outer conductor 6310.

In other words, the second resonator R2 may be formed by the space between the outer conductor 6310 and the second inner conductor 6330. The second inner conductor 6330 may be coupled (e.g., capacitively coupled) with the first inner conductor 6320, and when an electric field is generated within the first region R1 by the coupling relationship described above, an induced electric field may also be generated within the second region R2. According to the disclosure, “capacitive coupling” may indicate a coupling relationship in which energy may be transferred by electrostatic capacity (capacitance) between two conductors.

For example, as microwaves generated from the oscillator 6100 are transmitted to the first inner conductor 6320, an electric field may be generated inside the first region R1 by resonance, and an induced electric field may be generated inside the second region R2 formed by the outer conductor 6310 and the second inner conductor 6330 coupled with the first inner conductor 6320.

The first resonator R1 corresponding to the first region R1 may be in the form of a hollow tube having an inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of the first inner conductor 6320. Similarly, the second resonator R2 corresponding to the second region R2 may be in the form of a hollow tube having an inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of the second inner conductor 6330. Here, considering that the two inner conductors 6320 and 6330 may have hollow cylindrical shapes (tubular shapes), according to the disclosure, the first resonator R1 and the second resonator R2 illustrated in FIG. 8 may be collectively referred to as a double-cylindrical-shaped resonator R.

According to another embodiment, the first region R1 and the second region R2 of the resonance unit 6300 may operate as a resonator having a wavelength of ¼ of a wavelength of microwaves.

In one example, one end (e.g., the end in a-z direction) of the first region R1 may be formed as a closed end/short end SE as a cross-section of the first region R1 is closed by the first wall 6310a of the outer conductor 6310, and the other end (e.g., the end in a z direction) of the first region R1 may be formed as an open end OE as the cross-section is open as the wall is not arranged.

In another example, one end (e.g., the end in the-z direction) of the second region R2 may be formed as an open end OE as a cross-section is open, and the other end (e.g., the end in the z direction) of the second region R2 may be formed as a closed end/short end SE as the cross-section of the second region R2 is closed by the second wall 6310b of the outer conductor 6310.

That is, when viewed on an xz plane, the first region R1 and the second region R2 may be generally formed to have a “□” shape including the closed end/short end SE and the open end OE, and based on the structure described above, the first region R1 and the second region R2 may operate as the resonator having the wavelength of ¼ of the wavelength of the microwaves.

According to another embodiment, the first inner conductor 6320 and the second inner conductor 6330 may be formed to have the same length with respect to a z axis so that the first region R1 and the second region R2 may be arranged to be symmetrical to each other. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the outer conductor 6310 may be surrounded by the first inner conductor 6320 and the second inner conductor 6330 and heated by a dielectric heating method.

At least a portion of the electric field generated by resonance of the microwaves in the first region R1 and/or the second region R2 may propagate toward the inside of the first inner conductor 6320 and/or the second inner conductor 6330 through the gap 6340 between the first inner conductor 6320 and the second inner conductor 6330, and the aerosol generating article 2 surrounded by the first inner conductor 6320 and the second inner conductor 6330 may be heated by the propagated electric field.

For example, a dielectric contained in the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated by the electric field propagated through the gap 6340, and the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated by the heat generated from the dielectric.

According to another embodiment, the heater assembly 6000 may prevent the electric field propagated into the first inner conductor 6320 and/or the second inner conductor 6330 from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly 6000 or the resonance unit 6300 by configuring diameters of the first inner conductor 6320 and the second inner conductor 6330 to be less than a predefined value.

According to the disclosure, the “predefined value” may denote a diameter value at which the electric field begins to leak out of the first inner conductor 6320 and/or the second inner conductor 6330. For example, when the diameter of the first inner conductor 6320 and/or the second inner conductor 6330 is equal to or greater than the predefined value, a situation may occur in which a portion of the electric field introduced into the first inner conductor 6320 and/or the second inner conductor 6330 leaks to the outside of the resonance unit 6300.

According to another embodiment, the heater assembly 6000 may prevent the propagation of the electric field to the outside of the resonance unit 6300 through the structure in which the diameters of the first inner conductor 6320 and the second inner conductor 6330 are less than the predefined value, thereby preventing leakage of the electric field to the outside the heater assembly 6000 or the resonance unit 6300, without a separate shielding member.

Also, when the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the resonance unit 6300, a medium portion of the aerosol generating article 2 may be arranged at a position corresponding to the gap 6340 between the first inner conductor 6320 and the second inner conductor 6330.

As the electric field generated in the first region R1 and the electric field generated in the second region R2 flow into the first inner conductor 6320 and/or the second inner conductor 6330 through the gap 6340, the strongest electric field may be generated around the gap 6340 in the inner areas of the resonance unit 6300.

In this case, in the heater assembly 6000, the medium portion including the dielectric that generates heat through an electric field may be arranged at a position corresponding to the gap 6340 where the electric field is strongest, thereby improving the heating efficiency (or “dielectric heating efficiency”) of the heater assembly 6000.

According to another embodiment, the resonance unit 6300 may further include a closing portion 6350 positioned inside the first inner conductor 6320 and closing a cross-section of the first inner conductor 6320 to limit a flow direction of aerosols generated from the aerosol generating article 2. For example, the closing portion 6350 may close the cross-section of the first inner conductor 6320 to block the flow of the aerosols generated from the aerosol generating article 2 in the −z direction.

When the aerosols generated from the aerosol generating article 2 or droplets generated as the aerosols are liquefied flow in the-z direction and flow into other components of the aerosol generating device, it may cause malfunction or damage to the components of the aerosol generating device.

In this case, since the flow direction of the aerosols is restricted by the closing portion 6350, malfunction or damage to components of the aerosol generating device due to aerosols or droplets may be prevented.

Also, according to an embodiment, the closing portion 6350 may perform the same function as the stopper 5340 described in FIG. 7 with respect to the first inner conductor 6320. Similarly, the stopper 5340 of FIG. 7 may perform the same function as the closing portion 6350 with respect to the inner conductor 5320.

According to another embodiment, the resonance unit 6300 may further include a dielectric accommodation space 6360 for accommodating the dielectric. The dielectric accommodation space 6360 may indicate an empty space between the outer conductor 6310 and the first inner conductor 6320 and the second inner conductor 6330, and the dielectric having low microwave absorption may be accommodated in the dielectric accommodation space 6360. For example, the dielectric may be, but is not limited to, at least one or a combination of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and aluminum oxide.

By arranging the dielectric inside the dielectric accommodating space 6360, the overall size of the resonance unit 6300 may be reduced, and simultaneously, an electric field at the same level as the electric field generated in the resonance unit 6300 that does not include the dielectric may be generated. That is, by reducing the size of the resonance unit 6300 through the dielectric arranged inside the dielectric accommodation space 6360, the mounting space of the resonance unit 6300 in the aerosol generating device may be reduced, and as a result, the aerosol generating device may be miniaturized.

According to another embodiment, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be arranged in the aerosol generating device to measure a temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 or the coupler (microwave output portion) 6200.

As illustrated, two optical fiber temperature sensors 1300 may be arranged. One end of each optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be arranged in the resonance unit 6300 so as to measure the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 or the microwave output portion 6200.

According to another embodiment, the resonance unit 6300 may include a through hole 6370 through which the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may pass. As illustrated, the through hole 6370 through which the first sensor 1310 may pass may be formed in the closing portion 6350. The through hole 6370 through which the second sensor 1320 may pass may be formed in the first wall 6310a of the outer conductor 6310.

Here, one end of the first sensor 1310 passing through the through hole 6370 formed in the closing portion 6350 may not be inserted into the aerosol generating article 2, but may be arranged to be in contact with or to be apart from an end of the aerosol generating article 2. That is, the one end of the first sensor 1310 may not be exposed to the insertion space 6300i of the aerosol generating article 2.

Considering that the electric field generated by the resonance of microwaves may propagate toward the inside of the first inner conductor 6320 through the gap 6340, since the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may not be exposed to the insertion space 6300i formed in the outer conductor 6310, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may avoid interfering with the propagation of the electromagnetic field into the insertion space 6300i or the aerosol generating article 2.

Also, according to another embodiment, when only the temperature of the coupler 6200 corresponding to the microwave output portion increases and resonance does not occur in the resonance unit 6300, the aerosol generating article 2 may not be heated, which may cause a problem.

As in the embodiment described above, when it is determined that the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 is lower than the preset first temperature and the temperature of the microwave output portion is higher than the preset second temperature, the controller (e.g., the controller 1200 of FIG. 3) may adjust the frequency of the microwaves provided to the resonance unit 6300 so that the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated.

As another example, the controller may block microwaves supplied into the resonance unit 6300 and control the induction coil 6400 so that a heating body SS present in the medium portion of the aerosol generating article 2 may be inductively heated.

In detail, the heater assembly 6000 may further include an induction coil 6400 for inductively heating the heating body SS of the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the insertion space 6300i. The induction coil 6400 may generate an alternating magnetic field toward the insertion space 6300i in the outer conductor 6310. Here, the heating body SS may be a susceptor SS that generates heat through a magnetic field generated by the induction coil 6400. The controller may control power supplied to the induction coil 6400 so that the temperature of the susceptor SS may increase due to the magnetic field generated by the induction coil 6400.

Through the control operation as described above, the controller may heat the aerosol generating article 2 even in a problematic situation, and especially, even when the supply of microwaves is blocked, the controller may heat the aerosol generating article 2 while preventing the temperature of the microwave output portion 6200 from rising further, thereby preventing overheating of the peripheral components of the microwave output portion 6200.

As illustrated, the induction coil 6400 may be a planar spiral coil and may be arranged on a surface of closing portion 6350 that faces the other surface of the closing portion 6350, the other surface facing the insertion space 6300i. That is, the induction coil 6400 may not be arranged in the insertion space 6300i. In this case, the closing portion 6350 may include a material through which a magnetic field generated by the induction coil 6400 may pass.

However, according to an embodiment, the induction coil 6400 may be arranged on the other surface of the closing portion 6350. In this case, the induction coil 6400 may be surrounded by a separate shielding member (not shown) so as not to be affected by microwaves.

In addition, the heating body SS is not limited to a single component of the aerosol generating article 2. In this case, as described above, a separate heating body including a conductor may be arranged in the aerosol generating device, separately from the component included in the resonance unit 6300.

Additionally, according to an embodiment, the separate heating body may not be arranged. In this case, as described above, the conductor (e.g., at least one of the first inner conductor 6320, the second inner conductor 6330, and the closing portion 6350) supporting the aerosol generating article 2, as a component of the resonance unit 6300, may include a susceptor that generates heat through the magnetic field generated by the induction coil 6400.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of another example of a heater assembly 7000 of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. FIG. 9b is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly 7000 illustrated in FIG. 9A.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment (e.g., the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 2) may generate aerosols by heating the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into a plate-shaped resonator R by using an electromagnetic field generated by the plate-shaped resonator R.

To realize this, the heater assembly 7000 of the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment may include an oscillator 7100, a coupler 7200, and a resonance unit 7300. With regard to the configuration and effect of the aerosol generating device, a detailed description the same as FIG. 8 is omitted.

The oscillator 7100, the coupler 7200, and the resonance unit 7300 may correspond to the same functional configurations as the oscillator 6100, the coupler 6200, and the resonator 6300 described in FIG. 8.

According to another embodiment, the resonance unit 7300 may include a case 7310, a plurality of plates 7320, and a connecting portion 7330 connecting the plurality of plates 7320 and the case 7310. Here, the coupler 7200 may supply microwaves to at least one of the plurality of plates 7320 to generate microwave resonance in the resonance unit 7300.

The case 7310 may perform the function of the “outer conductor” escribed above. Since the case 7310 may be formed in a hollow shape with an empty inner space, components of the resonance unit 7300 may be arranged inside the case 7310. The case 7310 may also perform the same or substantially the same function as the shielding portion (e.g., the shielding portion 2300 of FIG. 3) described above.

The case 7310 may include an insertion space 7300i in which the aerosol generating article 2 may be accommodated, and an opening 7311 into which the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted. The opening 7311 may be formed in a second wall 7310b of the case 7310. The aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into the insertion space 7300i through the opening 7311 of the case 7310. Also, a first wall 7310a and a side wall 7310c of the case 7310 may be closed.

The case 7310 illustrated in the drawing may have a cylindrical shape, but the shape of the case 7310 may be modified into various shapes. The case 7310 may extend long in one direction. The plurality of plates 7320 which may perform the function of the “inner conductor” of the resonance unit 7300 may be arranged in the case 7310.

The plurality of plates 7320 may be arranged to be apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article 2 accommodated in the insertion space 7300i. The plurality of plates 7320 may include a first plate 7321 arranged to surround one area of the aerosol generating article 2 and a second plate 7322 arranged to surround another area of the aerosol generating article 2.

The plurality of plates 7320 may be connected to the case 7310 by the connecting portion 7330. Also, one end of the first plate 7321 and one end of the second plate 7322 of the plurality of plates 7320 may be connected to each other by the connecting portion 7330. Accordingly, a closed end/short end may be formed at one end of the plurality of plates 7320 by the connecting portion 7330.

The other end 7321f of the first plate 7321 of the plurality of plates 7320 and the other end 7322f of the second plate 7322 may be apart from each other so as to be open. Since the other ends of the plurality of plates 7320 are apart from each other, an open end may be formed at the other ends of the plurality of plates 7320.

The plurality of plates 7320 and the connecting portion 7330 may be connected to form a resonator assembly. The shape of a cross-section cut in a longitudinal direction of the resonator assembly may include a “horseshoe-shape.”The plurality of plates 7320 may extend in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 2. At least a portion of the plurality of plates 7320 may be curved to protrude outwardly from the longitudinal center of the aerosol generating article 2.

For example, when the aerosol generating article 2 is manufactured in a cylindrical shape, the plurality of plates 7320 may be formed to be curved in a circumferential direction along an outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating article 2. The radius of curvature of the cross-section of the plurality of plates 7320 may be equal to the radius of curvature of the aerosol generating article 2. The radius of curvature of the cross-section of the plurality of plates 7320 may be varied. For example, the radius of curvature of the cross-section of the plurality of plates 7320 may be greater or less than the radius of curvature of the aerosol generating article 2.

Since a further uniform electric field may be formed in the resonance unit 7300 based on the structure in which the plurality of plates 7320 are formed to be curved in the circumferential direction along the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating article 2, the heater assembly 7000 may uniformly heat the aerosol generating article 2.

The open end at the other ends of the plurality of plates 7320 may be positioned so as to face the opening 7311 of the case 7310. The opening 7311 of the case 7310 may be positioned apart from each other in a direction away from the other end of the plurality of plates 7320.

The open end at the other ends of the plurality of plates 7320 may be aligned with respect to the opening 7311 of the case 7310. Accordingly, when the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted through the opening 7311 of the case 7310 and positioned in the insertion space 7300i, a portion of the aerosol generating article 2 positioned in the insertion space 7300i may be surrounded by the plurality of plates 7320.

Two plates 7320 may be arranged at opposite positions with respect to the longitudinal center of the aerosol generating article 2. Embodiments are not limited to the number of plurality of plates 7320, and the number of plurality of plates 7320 may be, for example, three, or four or more.

The plurality of plates 7320 may be arranged to be symmetrical with respect to each other with respect to a central axis in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 2, that is, a direction in which the aerosol generating article 2 extends.

At least one of the plurality of plates 7320 may be in contact with the coupler 7200 connected to the oscillator 7100. In detail, at least a portion of the first plate 7321 may be in contact with the coupler 7200. When microwaves are transmitted to the first plate 7321 through the coupler 7200, microwave resonance may be formed between the plurality of plates 7320. Additionally, microwave resonance may also be formed between the first plate 7321 and an upper plate of the case 7310, and between the second plate 7322 and a lower plate of the case 7310. Accordingly, an electric field may be generated between the plurality of plates 7320 and the connecting portion 7330, between the first plate 7321 and the upper plate of the case 7310, and between the second plate 7322 and the lower plate of the case 7310.

The coupler 7200 may pass through the case 7310 so that one end of the coupler 7200 may be in contact with the oscillator 7100, and the other end of the coupler 7200 may be in contact with an area of the first plate 7321. As microwaves generated from the oscillator 7100 are transmitted to the plurality of plates 7320 and the connecting portion 7330 through the coupler 7200, an electric field may be generated inside an assembly of the plurality of plates 7320 and the connecting portion 7330.

Also, according to the structure of the resonance unit 7300 of the heater assembly 7000, a triple resonance mode may be formed in the resonance unit 7300. Resonance of a transverse electric & magnetic (TEM) mode of microwaves may be formed between the plurality of plates 7320. Additionally, the resonance of the TEM mode different from the resonance formed between the plurality of plates 7320 may be formed between the first plate 7321 and the upper plate of the case 7310 and between the second plate 7322 and the lower plate of the case 7310.

Since the resonance unit 7300 of FIGS. 9A and 9B is capable of resonating in the TEM mode by the plurality of plates 7320, the resonance unit 7300 may be manufactured to have a smaller size than the resonance unit 6300 of FIG. 8, which is capable of only a transverse electric (TE) mode and a transverse magnetic (TM) mode.

According to another embodiment, the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated further effectively and uniformly, as triple resonance occurs in the resonance unit 7300 of the heater assembly 7000.

The resonance unit 7300 according to the embodiment described above may include a closed end/short end SE whose cross-section is closed to have a wavelength of ¼ (λ/4) of the wavelength (λ) of the microwave, and an open end OE located in the opposite direction to the closed end/short end SE and having a cross-section including at least one open area.

In FIGS. 9A and 9B, an area of one end of the resonance unit 7300 corresponding to an area at the left side may form the closed end/short end SE that is closed by a structure in which one end of the plurality of plates 7320 and the connecting portion 7330 are connected to the case 7310. In FIGS. 9A and 9B, an area of the other end of the resonance unit 7300 corresponding to an area at the right side may form the open end OE by having the opening 7311 of the case 7310 open to the outside. Due to the resonance structure of the resonance unit 7300, the resonance unit 7300 may operate as the resonator R having a wavelength of ¼ of a wavelength of the microwave. In other words, the resonator R may be formed by a space between the plurality of plates 7320 and/or a space between the plurality of plates 7320 and the case 7310. Here, considering that the plurality of curved plates 7320 in a horseshoe shape may be arranged in the case 7310, the resonator R illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B may be referred to as a plate-shaped resonator R according to the disclosure.

According to the resonance structure of the resonance unit 7300 described above, an electric field may not propagate to the outside of the resonance unit 7300. Accordingly, the heater assembly 7000 may prevent the leakage of the electric field to the outside of the heater assembly 7000 without a separate shielding member for shielding the electric field.

The aerosol generating article 2 accommodated in the insertion space 7300i of the case 7310 may be surrounded by the first plate 7321 and the second plate 7322 and may be heated by a dielectric heating method. For example, a medium portion of the aerosol generating article 2 accommodated in the insertion space 7300i of the case 7310 may be arranged in a space between the first plate 7321 and the second plate 7322. The aerosol generating article 2 may be heated by causing a dielectric contained in the aerosol generating article 2 to generate heat due to an electric field generated in the space between the first plate 7321 and the second plate 7322.

In addition, a secondary heating effect on the aerosol generating article 2 may be achieved by the action of an electric field due to a resonance mode formed between the first plate 7321 and the upper plate of the case 7310 and between the second plate 7322 and the lower plate of the case 7310.

Also, when the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the resonance unit 7300, the medium portion of the aerosol generating article 2 accommodated in the insertion space 7300i may be located between the plurality of plates 7320.

At the other end of the plurality of plates 7320 operating as the resonator, a resonance peak may be formed, which may generate a stronger electric field than in other areas. When the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the heater assembly 7000, the medium portion including the dielectric capable of generating heat through the electric field may be arranged to correspond to the area where the electric field is strongest, thereby improving the heating efficiency (or “dielectric heating efficiency”) of the heater assembly 7000.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the length of the plurality of plates 7320 may be set to be less than the length of the inner space of the case 7310. Thus, the other end of the plurality of plates 7320 may be located further inside the case 7310 than the opening 7311. That is, the other end of the plurality of plates 7320 may be arranged apart from the opening 7311 by a predetermined distance.

According to another embodiment, the resonance unit 7300 may further include a support 7340 that supports an outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the case 7310. The support 7340 may extend from the second wall 7310b of the case 7310 in which the opening 7311 is arranged toward the outside of the case 7310.

The support 7340 may include a hollow 7341 to guide the insertion of the aerosol generating article 2 into the case 7310. The hollow 7341 may be connected to the opening 7311. A user may insert the aerosol generating article 2 into the case 7310 through the hollow 7341.

To prevent microwave leakage, the support 7340 may protrude from the case 7310. Since the support 7340 connected to the opening 7311 protrudes from the case 7310, the support 7340 may have a function of preventing the leakage of microwaves inside the case 7310 of the resonance unit 7300 to the outside of the case 7310.

The resonance unit 7300 may further include a dielectric accommodation space 7350 for accommodating a dielectric. The dielectric accommodation space 7350 may be formed in an empty space between the case 7310 and the plurality of plates 7320. A dielectric having low microwave absorption may be accommodated in the dielectric accommodation space 7350.

By arranging the dielectric inside the dielectric accommodation space 7350, the overall size of the resonance unit 7300 may be reduced, while the electric field at the same level as the electric field generated in the resonance unit 7300 that does not include the dielectric may be generated. That is, by reducing the size of the resonance unit 7300 through the dielectric arranged inside the dielectric accommodation space 7350, the mounting space of the resonance unit 7300 in the aerosol generating device may be reduced, and as a result, the aerosol generating device may be miniaturized.

According to another embodiment, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be arranged in the aerosol generating device to measure the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 or the coupler (microwave output portion) 7200.

As illustrated, two optical fiber temperature sensors 1300 may be arranged. One end of each optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may be arranged inside the resonance unit 7300 so as to measure the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 or the microwave output portion 7200.

According to another embodiment, the resonance unit 7300 may include a through hole 7360 through which the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 passes. As illustrated, the through hole 7360 may be formed to pass through the first wall 7310a of the case 7310 and the connecting portion 7330 adjacent to the first wall 7310 at once.

Here, one end of the first sensor 1310 passing through the through hole 7360 may not be inserted into the aerosol generating article 2, but may be positioned to be in contact with or apart from an end of the aerosol generating article 2. That is, the one end of the first sensor 1310 may not be exposed to the insertion space 7300i of the aerosol generating article 2.

Considering that an electric field is generated in a space between the first plate 7321 and the second plate 7322, since the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 is not exposed to the insertion space 7300i formed inside the case 7310, the optical fiber temperature sensor 1300 may not interfere with propagation of the electromagnetic field into the insertion space 7300i or the aerosol generating article 2.

Also, according to another embodiment, when only the temperature of the coupler 7200 corresponding to the microwave output portion increases and resonance does not occur in the resonance unit 7300, the aerosol generating article 2 may not be heated, which may cause a problem.

As in the embodiment described above, when it is determined that the temperature of the aerosol generating article 2 is lower than the preset first temperature and the temperature of the microwave output portion is higher than the preset second temperature, the controller (e.g., the controller 1200 of FIG. 3) may adjust the frequency of the microwaves provided to the resonance unit 7300 so that the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated.

As another example, the controller may block the microwaves supplied into the resonance unit 7300 and control an induction coil 7500 so that a plurality of heating bodies 7400 arranged on the inner side of the plurality of plates 7320 are inductively heated.

In detail, the heater assembly 7000 may further include the heating body 7400 for heating the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the insertion space, and the induction coil 7500 for inductively heating the heating body 7400. The induction coil 7500 may generate an alternating magnetic field toward the insertion space 7300i inside the case 7310. Here, the heating body 7400 may include a susceptor 7400 that generates heat through a magnetic field generated by the induction coil 7500. The controller may control the power supplied to the induction coil 7500 so that the temperature of the susceptor 7400 may increase due to the magnetic field generated by the induction coil 7500.

Through the control operation as described above, the controller may heat the aerosol generating article 2 even in a problematic situation, and especially, even when the supply of microwaves is blocked, the controller may heat the aerosol generating article 2 while preventing the temperature of the microwave output portion 7200 from rising further, thereby preventing overheating of the peripheral components of the microwave output portion 7200.

In addition, although omitted in FIG. 9A, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, the induction coil 7500 may be arranged to surround the side wall 7310c of the case 7310 from the outside of the case 7310. That is, the induction coil 7500 may not be arranged inside the case 7310. In this case, the case 7310 may include a material through which the magnetic field generated by the induction coil 7500 may pass.

However, according to an embodiment, the induction coil 7500 may be arranged inside the case (7310). In this case, the induction coil 7500 may be surrounded by a separate shielding member (not shown) so as not to be affected by microwaves.

Additionally, according to an embodiment, the separate heating body 7400 including a conductor may not be arranged. In this case, as described above, the conductor (e.g., the plurality of plates 7320 and/or the connecting portion 7330) supporting the aerosol generating article 2 and included in the resonance unit 7300 may include a susceptor that generates heat through the magnetic field generated by the induction coil 7500.

According to an aerosol generating device according to embodiments, a temperature of the aerosol generating article may be accurately measured, so that optimal smoking performance may be realized.

Also, according to the aerosol generating device according to embodiments, abnormal operation of the aerosol generating device may be quickly detected through temperature monitoring of the microwave output portion, and a quick response thereto may be made possible.

Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not exclusive or distinct from each other. The certain embodiments or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be combined with each other or used in combination with each other in their respective components or functions.

For example, it means that an A component described in a specific embodiment and/or the drawings and a B component described in another embodiment and/or the drawings may be combined with each other. In other words, even when it is not explained directly about combination between components, it is possible to combine unless it is explained that combination is impossible.

The above detailed description should not be interpreted restrictedly but should be considered illustrative in all aspects. The scope of the present disclosure should be determined by a rational interpretation of the attached claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present disclosure are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

According to an aerosol generating device according to embodiments, a temperature of the aerosol generating article may be accurately measured, so that optimal smoking performance may be realized.

Also, according to the aerosol generating device according to embodiments, abnormal operation of the aerosol generating device may be quickly detected through temperature monitoring of the microwave output portion, and a quick response thereto may be made possible.

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