AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE COMPRISING OXIDATION CATALYST

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device including an oxidation catalyst, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device including an oxidation catalyst for forming nicotine salts, in at least one of an airflow passage and a storage tank.

BACKGROUND 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.

In heating-type aerosol generating devices that heat an aerosol generating material rather than burning a cigarette, various studies have been conducted to further enhance users' smoking satisfaction. According to these studies, attempts have been made to form nicotine salts through an acid-base reaction, by including nicotine and an acid in an aerosol generating material. However, even with these attempts, there has been a problem that it is difficult to enhance users' smoking satisfaction.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

Embodiments may provide an aerosol generating device that may improve a user's smoking satisfaction.

The problems to be solved by embodiments are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not mentioned may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong from the description and the accompanying drawings.

Solution to Problem

An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes: a vaporizer including a storage tank in which a liquid composition including nicotine and an acid is accommodated and a heater assembly that heats the liquid composition to generate aerosol; and an airflow passage through which the aerosol generated by the vaporizer is discharged to outside of the aerosol generating device, wherein an oxidation catalyst is included in at least one of the airflow passage and the storage tank.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to an aerosol generating device according to embodiments, because an oxidation catalyst for forming nicotine salts is included in at least one of an airflow passage and a storage tank of the aerosol generating device, a user's smoking satisfaction may be improved.

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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are views schematically illustrating an embodiment where a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device, according to embodiments.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view illustrating the aerosol generating device of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 4A to 4E are cross-sectional views illustrating an airflow passage, according to embodiments.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views illustrating an airflow passage, according to other embodiments.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views illustrating an airflow passage, according to other embodiments.

FIGS. 7A to 7D are cross-sectional views illustrating an airflow passage, according to other embodiments.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views illustrating an airflow passage, according to other embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 10A to 10F are enlarged cross-sectional views illustrating a storage tank of a cartridge, according to embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

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

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

As used herein, hen an expression such as “at least any one” precedes arranged elements, it modifies all elements rather than each arranged element. For example, the expression “at least any one of a, b, and c” should be construed to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the present disclosure. But, the present disclosure may be implemented in a form that can be implemented in various different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

As used herein, embodiments are arbitrary divisions for easily describing the disclosure, and the embodiments do not need to be exclusive to each other. For example, components disclosed in an embodiment may be applied and/or implemented in other embodiments, and may be changed and applied and/or implemented without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

In addition, the terms used herein are for describing embodiments and are not intended to limit the embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Some components in the drawings may be illustrated by exaggerating their sizes or ratios. In addition, components illustrated on one drawing may not be illustrated on another.

Throughout the specification, an “aerosol generating article” refers to an article used for smoking.

Also, throughout the specification, a “longitudinal direction” of a component may be a direction in which the component extends along one directional axis, and in this case, the one directional axis of the component may refer to a direction in which the component extends longer than other directional axes crossing the one directional axis. A “longitudinal direction of an aerosol generating article” refers to a direction in which a length of the aerosol generating article extends or a direction in which combustion proceeds when the aerosol generating article is burned.

A “longitudinal direction of an aerosol generating device” refers to a direction in which a length of the aerosol generating device extends. For example, a longitudinal direction of an aerosol generating device may refer to a z axis direction in FIG. 2A.

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

FIGS. 1A and 1B are views illustrating examples where a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an aerosol generating device 1 includes a battery 10, a controller 20, a heater 30, and a vaporizer 40.

In the aerosol generating device 1 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, components related to the present embodiment are shown. Accordingly, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that other general-purpose components in addition to the components shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B may be further included in the aerosol generating device 1.

Also, although the heater 30 is included in the aerosol generating device 1 in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the heater 30 may be omitted when necessary.

In FIG. 1A, the battery 10, the controller 20, and the vaporizer 40, the heater 130 are aligned with one another. Also, in FIG. 1B, the vaporizer 40 and the heater 30 are arranged in parallel. However, an internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited those illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In other words, according to a design of the aerosol generating device 1, the arrangement of the battery 10, the controller 20, the heater 30, and the vaporizer 40 may be changed.

When the cigarette 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the aerosol generating device 1 may operate the heater 30 and/or the vaporizer 40 to generate aerosol. The aerosol generated by the heater 30 and/or the vaporizer 40 passes through the cigarette 2 and is delivered to a user.

When necessary, the aerosol generating device 1 may heat the heater 30 even when the cigarette 2 is not inserted into the aerosol generating device 1.

The battery 10 supplies power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the battery 10 may supply power to heat the heater 30 or the vaporizer 40, and may supply power required for the controller 20 to operate. Also, the battery 10 may supply power required for operations of a display, a sensor, and a motor provided in the aerosol generating device 1.

The controller 20 controls an overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. In detail, the controller 20 controls not only operations of the battery 10, the heater 30, and the vaporizer 40, but also operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device 1. Also, the controller 20 may determine whether the aerosol generating device 1 is able to operate by checking a state of each of components of the aerosol generating device 1.

The controller 20 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable in the microprocessor. Also, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that the processor may be implemented as another type of hardware.

The heater 30 may be heated by power supplied from the battery 10. For example, when a cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the heater 30 may be located outside the cigarette. Accordingly, the heated heater 30 may increase a temperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette.

The heater 30 may be an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater 30 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 30 may be heated when current flows through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater 30 is not limited to the above example, and may include any heater that may be heated to a desired temperature. The desired temperature may be preset in the aerosol generating device 1, or may be set as a temperature desired by the user.

In another example, the heater 30 may be an induction heater. In detail, the heater 30 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating a cigarette by induction heating, and the cigarette may include a susceptor that may be heated by the induction heater.

For example, the heater 30 may include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element, and may heat the inside or the outside of the cigarette 2 according to a shape of the heating element.

Also, a plurality of heaters 30 may be disposed in the aerosol generating device 1. In this case, the plurality of heaters 30 may be disposed to be inserted into the cigarette 2 or may be disposed outside the cigarette 2. Also, some of the plurality of heaters 30 may be disposed to be inserted into the cigarette 2, and the others may be disposed outside the cigarette 2. Also, a shape of the heater 30 is not limited to those illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, and may include various shapes.

The vaporizer 40 may include a cartridge and a heater assembly. The vaporizer 40 may generate an aerosol by heating a liquid composition, and the generated aerosol may pass through the cigarette 2 to be delivered to the user. In other words, the aerosol generated via the vaporizer 40 may move along an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device 1, and the airflow passage may be configured so that the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 40 passes through the cigarette 2 to be delivered to the user.

For example, the vaporizer 40 may include, but is not limited to, a liquid storage, a liquid delivery means, and a heating element. For example, the liquid storage, the liquid delivery means, and the heating element may be included as independent modules in the aerosol generating device 1.

The liquid storage may be manufactured to be attachable/detachable to/from the vaporizer 40, or may be integrally formed with the vaporizer 40.

The liquid delivery means may deliver a liquid composition of the liquid storage to the heating element. The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition delivered by the liquid delivery means.

The vaporizer 40 may be referred to as, but not limited to, a cartomizer or an atomizer. The vaporizer 40 will be described below in detail.

The aerosol generating device 1 may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery 10, the controller 20, the heater 30, and the vaporizer 40. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting haptic information. Also, the aerosol generating device 1 may include at least one sensor (e.g., a puff detection sensor, a temperature detection sensor, and a cigarette insertion detection sensor). Also, the aerosol generating device 1 may be manufactured so that external air is introduced or internal gas is discharged even in a state where the cigarette 2 is inserted.

Although not shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the aerosol generating device 1 may constitute a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 10 of the aerosol generating device 1. Alternatively, the heater 30 may be heated in a state where the cradle and the aerosol generating device 1 are coupled to each other.

The cigarette 2 may be similar to a general combustive cigarette. For example, the cigarette 2 may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter, etc. Alternatively, an aerosol generating material may also be included in the second portion of the cigarette 2. For example, an aerosol generating material made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.

The entire first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, and the second portion may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a part of the first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, or the entire first portion and a part of the second portion may be inserted. The user may inhale aerosol while holding the second portion in his/her mouth. In this case, aerosol is generated when external air passes through the first portion, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion and is delivered to the user's mouth.

For example, external air may be introduced through at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the opening/closing and/or the size of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 1 may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount of smoke and a smoking impression may be adjusted by the user. In another embodiment, external air may be introduced into the cigarette 2 through at least one hole formed in a surface of the cigarette 2.

The aerosol generating device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a cartridge 100, a heater assembly 200, and a main body 300.

An aerosol generating material may be stored inside the cartridge 100, and the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 100 may be supplied to the heater assembly 200. Referring to FIG. 2A, the heater assembly 200 may be disposed at a lower end of the cartridge 100 (e.g., in a-z direction of FIG. 2A), but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The heater assembly 200 is located between the cartridge 100 and the main body 300 and may generate aerosol by converting a phase of the aerosol generating material into a gas phase. For example, the heater assembly may heat the aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge 100 to generate vapor from the aerosol generating material, and the vapor generated from the aerosol generating material may be mixed with external air introduced into the heater assembly 200 to generate aerosol.

In embodiments, ‘aerosol’ may refer to particles generated when vapor generated when the aerosol generating material is heated and air are mixed with each other, and the same applies below.

According to an embodiment, the cartridge 100 may include a mouthpiece 100m for supplying aerosol to the user. For example, when the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other, the mouthpiece 100m may connect the inside of the heater assembly 200 to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1, and aerosol generated inside the heater assembly 200 may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 through the mouthpiece 100m. In this case, the user may contact the mouthpiece 100m with his/her mouth and may inhale the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1.

Although the mouthpiece 100m is included in the cartridge 100 in FIG. 2A, the mouthpiece 100m may be included as a component separate from the cartridge 100.

The main body 300 may be located at a lower end of the heater assembly 200 (e.g., in the −z direction of FIG. 2A) and may support the heater assembly 200, and components for an operation of the aerosol generating device 1 may be disposed inside the main body 300. For example, a battery (not shown) for supplying power to components of the aerosol generating device 1 and a processor (not shown) for controlling an overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1 may be disposed inside the main body 300.

However, the battery and the processor are only examples of the components disposed inside the main body 300, and other components (e.g., a user interface and a sensor) in addition to the above components may be further disposed inside the main body 300.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a cover 310 for protecting the components of the aerosol generating device 1.

The cover 310 may surround at least a portion of the cartridge 100, the heater assembly 200, and the main body 300 to fix positions of the cartridge 100, the heater assembly 200, and the main body 300 and protect the cartridge 100, the heater assembly 200, and the main body 300 from external impact or foreign materials.

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

Also, although not shown in FIG. 2A, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a receiving space in which a cigarette may be accommodated.

A coupling relationship between the cartridge 100, the heater assembly 200, and the main body 300 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view illustrating the aerosol generating device of FIG. 2A.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include the cartridge 100, the heater assembly 200, the main body 300, and the cover 310. Components of the aerosol generating device 1 may be the same as or similar to at least one of components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 2A, and thus, a repeated description will be omitted. Also, components of the aerosol generating device 1 are not limited thereto, and according to an embodiment, at least one component (e.g., the cover 310) from among the above components may be omitted or other components may be added.

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

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

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

According to an embodiment, the liquid composition may include nicotine and an acid. Nicotine may be naturally generated nicotine or synthetic nicotine, and may have any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

Also, when an appropriate acid including an organic acid or an inorganic acid is added to the nicotine, nicotine salts may be generated by an acid-base reaction. When nicotine salts are generated by including an acid in the liquid composition, smoking satisfaction may be improved.

The acid for forming nicotine salts may be appropriately selected by considering a rate of nicotine absorption in the blood, an operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 1, flavor or savor, solubility, etc. For example, the acid for forming nicotine salts may be a single acid selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid, and malic acid, or may be a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.

Also, the liquid composition may include any one component of water, a solvent, ethanol, plant extract, spices, flavorings, and a vitamin mixture, or a mixture thereof.

The spices may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit-flavored ingredients, but are not limited thereto. The flavorings may include ingredients capable of providing various flavors or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto.

Also, the liquid composition may include an aerosol forming substance, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

For example, the liquid composition may include any weight ratio of glycerin and propylene glycol solution to which nicotine salts are added. The liquid composition may include two or more types of nicotine salts.

The heater assembly 200 may be detachably coupled to a bottom surface (e.g., a surface facing the −z direction of FIG. 2B) of the cartridge 100, and may heat the liquid composition supplied from the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100 to generate aerosol.

For example, the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 may be detachably coupled to each other by coupling or separating a first coupling member (not shown) disposed on a portion of the heater assembly 200 facing the cartridge 100 to or from a second coupling member (not shown) disposed on the bottom surface of the cartridge 100, but a coupling method is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the heater assembly 200 may include a liquid inlet 201 through which the liquid composition is introduced into the heater assembly 200, an air inlet 202 through which external air is introduced into the heater assembly 200, and an air outlet 203 through which aerosol generated inside the heater assembly 200 and/or air is discharged to the outside.

The liquid composition stored in the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100 may be introduced into the heater assembly 200 through the liquid inlet 201, and a heater (not shown) disposed inside the heater assembly 200 may heat the liquid composition supplied from the storage tank 110.

External air may be introduced into the heater assembly 200 through the air inlet 202, and vapor generated as the liquid composition is heated inside the heater assembly 200 and the external air may be mixed with each other to generate aerosol.

The aerosol generated inside the heater assembly 200 may move from the heater assembly 200 toward the cartridge 100 through the air outlet 203 connecting the heater assembly 200 to the cartridge 100, and then may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 through the mouthpiece 100m.

For example, as pressure inside the cartridge 100 is reduced due to the user's inhalation operation on the mouthpiece 100m, air or aerosol inside the heater assembly 200 may move from the heater assembly 200 toward the mouthpiece 100m of the cartridge 100, and the user may inhale the air and/or the aerosol discharged through the mouthpiece 100m.

The main body 300 may be detachably coupled to a bottom surface (e.g., a surface facing the −z direction of FIG. 2B) of the heater assembly 200 and may support the heater assembly 200. For example, the main body 300 may be detachably coupled to the heater assembly 200 by inserting at least a portion into an insertion groove (not shown) formed in the bottom surface of the heater assembly 200 or separating the at least portion from the insertion groove, but a method of coupling the heater assembly 200 and the main body 300 to each other is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, components for an operation of the aerosol generating device 1 may be disposed inside the main body 300. For example, a battery (not shown) for supplying power and a processor (not shown) for controlling an operation of the aerosol generating device 1 may be disposed inside the main body 300.

The battery may supply power used for an operation of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the battery may be electrically connected to the heater assembly 200 and may supply power so that the heater of the heater assembly 200 is heated. In another example, the battery may supply power required for operations of other components (e.g., the processor) of the aerosol generating device 1.

The processor may control an overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. The processor may be implemented as an array of logic gates or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the processor may control power supplied from the battery to the heater of the heater assembly 200. For example, the processor may control the amount and time of power supplied from the battery to the heater so that the heater of the heater assembly 200 is heated to a certain temperature or is maintained at a designated temperature.

In the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment, the cartridge 100 and/or the heater assembly 200 may be replaced through a structure in which the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are detachably coupled to each other and the heater assembly 200 and the main body 300 are detachably coupled to each other.

In an example, when the liquid composition stored in the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100 is depleted, the user may continue smoking by replacing the existing cartridge 100 with a new cartridge 100. In another example, when a sufficient amount of aerosol is not generated due to poor performance of a component (e.g., the heater or wick) of the heater assembly 200, the user may generate a sufficient amount of aerosol by replacing the existing heater assembly 200 with a new heater assembly 200.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 2A.

In detail, FIG. 3 may be an embodiment of the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 2A, and thus, a repeated description will be omitted.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge 100 may include an airflow passage 400, but the cartridge 100 and the airflow passage 400 may be separately formed. For example, the airflow passage 400 may be integrally formed with the main body 300 of FIG. 2A or 2B.

Referring to FIG. 3, the heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may include a liquid inlet (not shown), the air inlet 202, and the air outlet 203.

The liquid inlet of the heater assembly 200 may be disposed so that the inside of the cartridge 100 and the inside of the heater assembly 200 are connected to each other or communicate with each other when the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other. Accordingly, a liquid composition supplied from the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100 may pass through the liquid inlet and may be introduced into the heater assembly 200.

For example, the liquid inlet may be disposed in a portion where the heater assembly 200 and the cartridge 100 are coupled to each other, and the liquid composition stored in the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100 may pass through the liquid inlet and may be introduced into the heater assembly 200.

In embodiments, the expression ‘arranged to be connected or communicate with each other’ means that components are connected and arranged so that a fluid (e.g., air) passes through and flows, and the same may apply below.

The air inlet 202 may be disposed so that the inside and the outside of the heater assembly 200 are connected to each other or communicate with each other. Air outside the heater assembly 200 (hereinafter, ‘external air’) may be introduced into the heater assembly 200 through the air inlet 202.

For example, the air inlet 202 may be disposed in another portion of the heater assembly 200 (e.g., a side surface of the heater assembly 200) spaced apart from the liquid inlet. External air may pass through the air inlet 202 and may be introduced into the heater assembly 200. The external air introduced into the heater assembly 200 may move or flow along a chamber 210 disposed inside the heater assembly 200 and may be heated by a heater 230, which will be described below in detail.

The air outlet 203 may be disposed so that the inside and the outside of the heater assembly 200 are connected to each other or communicate with each other. Aerosol and/or air generated inside the heater assembly 200 may be discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 200 or to the airflow passage 400 through the air outlet 203.

For example, the air outlet 203 may be disposed in a portion where the heater assembly 200 and the airflow passage 400 are coupled to each other, and may be spaced apart from the liquid inlet. Aerosol and/or air inside the heater assembly 200 may be discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 200 through the air outlet 203.

In a state where the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other, the aerosol and/or air discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 200 through the air outlet 203 may move into the airflow passage 400, and then may be discharged to the outside of the airflow passage 400 through the mouthpiece 100m by the user's inhalation operation.

The heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may further include a recognition terminal (not shown) for recognizing whether the cartridge 100 is coupled. The recognition terminal may be electrically connected to a processor of a main body (e.g., the main body 300 of FIG. 2A or 2B), and may contact a portion of the cartridge 100 when the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other.

When contacting the cartridge 100, the recognition terminal may generate a signal indicating that the recognition terminal has contacted the cartridge 100, and the generated signal may be transmitted to the processor that is electrically connected. The processor may detect whether the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other based on the signal transmitted from the recognition terminal.

For example, when the signal is transmitted from the recognition terminal, the processor may determine that the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other, and when signal transmission from the recognition terminal is stopped, the processor may determine that the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are separated from each other.

Referring to FIG. 3, the heater assembly 200 may include the chamber 210, a wick 220, and the heater 230. The chamber 210 may be formed in an inner space of the heater assembly 200, and the liquid composition introduced from the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100 may be heated by the heater 230 inside the chamber 210 to generate aerosol.

According to an embodiment, the chamber 210 may fluidly communicate with or be fluidly connected to the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100 through the liquid inlet, and the liquid composition stored in the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100 may pass through the liquid inlet and may be introduced into the chamber 210.

The wick 220 may be disposed in a portion of the chamber 210 adjacent to the liquid inlet, and may absorb the liquid composition passing through the liquid inlet and introduced into the chamber 210. For example, at least a portion of the wick 220 may face the liquid inlet to absorb the liquid composition passing through the liquid inlet and introduced into the chamber 210.

According to an embodiment, the wick 220 may include a ceramic fiber or porous ceramic for absorbing the liquid composition. In other words, the wick 220 may be a ceramic wick. However, the wick 220 is not limited to the above embodiment, and according to an embodiment, the wick 220 may be formed of another material (e.g., cotton or glass).

The heater 230 may be disposed on one side surface of the wick 220 (e.g., a surface facing a ty direction) and may heat the liquid composition absorbed by the wick 220. For example, the heater 230 may heat the liquid composition absorbed by the wick 220 by using power supplied from a battery of the main body (e.g., the main body 300 of FIG. 2A or 2B).

The heater 230 may include a metal material that generates heat through electrical resistance. For example, the heater 230 may include stainless steel so as not to be corroded by the liquid composition absorbed by the wick 220, but a metal material of the heater 230 is not limited thereto. In another example, the heater 230 may include a metal material such as copper, nickel, or tungsten.

According to an embodiment, the heater 230 may include a conductive pattern printed on one side surface of the wick 220. For example, the heater 230 may be formed by printing a metal material (e.g., stainless steel) on a side surface of the wick 220 facing the +y direction to have a certain pattern shape, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

According to another embodiment, the heater 230 may include a conductive pattern that is insert-injected into one side surface of the wick 220. For example, the heater 230 may be formed by insert-injecting a metal material (e.g., stainless steel) into a certain pattern shape on a side surface of the wick 220. However, a method of forming the heater 230 or a shape of the heater 230 is not limited to the above embodiment. According to another embodiment (not shown), the heater 230 may include a conductive plate disposed on one side surface of the wick 220.

As the heater 230 is disposed on a side surface of the wick 220, vapor may be generated when the liquid composition is heated in a portion of the chamber 210 adjacent to the side surface of the wick 220. The vapor generated from the liquid composition may be mixed with external air introduced into the chamber 210 through the air inlet 202.

In this case, the external air may be introduced into the heater assembly 200 through the air inlet 202, and then may move into the chamber 210. The chamber 210 may form a flow path that connects the air inlet 202 and the air outlet 203 to each other and through which external air and/or aerosol moves.

According to an embodiment, a portion of a passage to which the air inlet 202 and the chamber 210 are connected may extend from the inside of the heater assembly 200 along an edge of the heater assembly 200.

The vapor generated as the liquid composition is heated by the heater 230 may be mixed with external air introduced into the chamber 210, and as a result, aerosol may be generated in a portion of the chamber 210 adjacent to the side surface of the wick 220. The generated aerosol and/or the external air may be discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 200 through the air outlet 203.

The aerosol and/or the external air discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 200 may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 through the airflow passage 400. The aerosol and/or the external air may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 along a longitudinal direction (e.g., a +z direction) of the airflow passage 400.

An oxidation catalyst 500 may be disposed inside the airflow passage 400. As shown in FIG. 3, the oxidation catalyst 500 may extend from an inner wall of the airflow passage 400. That is, the oxidation catalyst 500 may be formed from the inner wall toward the center of the airflow passage 400. The oxidation catalyst 500 may be formed in a mesh shape inside the airflow passage 400. A shape and an arrangement of the oxidation catalyst 500 are not limited thereto. The airflow passage 400 and the oxidation catalyst 500 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.

FIGS. 4A to 4E are cross-sectional views illustrating an airflow passage, according to embodiments.

According to an embodiment, the airflow passage 400 may include the oxidation catalyst 500 therein. The oxidation catalyst 500 may be disposed inside the airflow passage 400 to form nicotine salts when aerosol flows through the airflow passage 400.

In detail, when nicotine included in aerosol flowing through the airflow passage 400 contacts the oxidation catalyst 500, additional nicotine salts may be formed. Because the oxidation catalyst 500 additionally forms nicotine salts in addition to nicotine salts included in a liquid composition stored in the storage tank 110 (see FIG. 3) of the cartridge 100 (see FIG. 3), the user's smoking satisfaction may be improved.

The oxidation catalyst 500 may be selected from a metal oxidation catalyst, a chlorine-based catalyst, and a combination thereof.

For example, the metal oxidation catalyst may be at least one selected from the group consisting of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), silver (Ag), gold (Au), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), vanadium (V), nickel (Ni), and tungsten (W). For example, the chlorine-based catalyst may be at least one selected from the group consisting of Cl₂, HClO, OCl⁻, and ClO₂⁻.

The oxidation catalyst 500 disposed inside the airflow passage 400 may be formed of the above material, and may be formed by coating the above material on a surface of a structure such as plastic.

Also, the airflow passage 400 may include a vortex forming member 420 therein. When aerosol flows along the airflow passage 400, because an airflow may move fast and a reaction between the aerosol and the oxidation catalyst 500 may not occur well, a reaction speed with the oxidation catalyst 500 may be increased by forming a vortex around the oxidation catalyst 500 by using the vortex forming member 420. Accordingly, smoking satisfaction may be further improved.

The vortex forming member 420 may include at least one selected from the group consisting of, for example, but not limited to, polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene, (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, (ABS), polymethyl methacrylate, (PMMA), polyetheretherketone, (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), and polypropylene (PP).

In an embodiment, the vortex forming member 420 may extend from an inner wall of the airflow passage 400 in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the airflow passage 400. Inside the airflow passage 400, aerosol and/or air may flow along the longitudinal direction of the airflow passage 400 and may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1, and the vortex forming member 420 may be disposed in a direction crossing this flow to form a vortex.

At least one vortex forming member 420 may be included in the airflow passage 400. The vortex forming member 420 may be one member that is integrally formed. When the vortex forming member 420 is formed as one member, the vortex forming member 420 may have a hole through which aerosol and/or air may flow. Alternatively, the vortex forming member 420 may be spaced apart from the oxidation catalyst 500 by a certain interval to form a vortex around the oxidation catalyst 500. When a plurality of vortex forming members 420 are included in the airflow passage 400, the plurality of vortex forming members 420 may be spaced apart from each other to form a vortex.

The airflow passage 400 and the vortex forming member 420 may be manufactured by using double shot injection molding or the like. Accordingly, the airflow passage 400 and the vortex forming member 420 may be integrally manufactured.

There may be various methods of forming a vortex by using the vortex forming member 420. For example, the vortex forming member 420 may have any of various shapes. Although the vortex forming member 420 has a bar shape in FIGS. 4A to 4E, the vortex forming member 420 may have a surface on which an uneven portion is formed. Also, the vortex forming member 420 may be disposed inside the airflow passage 400 in various ways. The vortex forming member 420 may include a rotatable element for generating a vortex.

For example, referring to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4A, the vortex forming member 420 may be spaced apart from the oxidation catalyst 500 by a certain interval inside the airflow passage 400 to form a vortex around the oxidation catalyst 500. That is, a vortex may occur due to the interval between the vortex forming member 420 and the oxidation catalyst 500, and thus, contact between the oxidation catalyst 500 and nicotine included in aerosol passing through the airflow passage 400 may increase.

Although only one oxidation catalyst 500 and only one vortex forming member 420 are disposed on one side of the inner wall of the airflow passage 400 in FIG. 4A, a plurality of oxidation catalysts 500 and/or a plurality of vortex forming members 420 may be provided.

In another example, referring to FIG. 4B, a plurality of oxidation catalysts 500 and a plurality of vortex forming members 420 may be included in the airflow passage 400, and the plurality of oxidation catalysts 500 and the plurality of vortex forming members 420 may be spaced apart from each other. A vortex may occur between the oxidation catalysts 500 and the vortex forming members 420 spaced apart from each other.

In another example, referring to FIG. 4C, a plurality of oxidation catalysts 500 and a plurality of vortex forming members 420 may be included in the airflow passage 400, and some of the oxidation catalysts 500 and some of the vortex forming members 420 may contact each other. A vortex may occur between the remaining oxidation catalysts 500 and the remaining vortex forming members 420 which are spaced apart from each other.

Although the oxidation catalysts 500 and the vortex forming members 420 are symmetrically arranged in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the oxidation catalysts 500 and the vortex forming members 420 may be asymmetrically arranged as shown in FIGS. 4D and 4E.

Referring to FIGS. 4D and 4E, a flow path through which aerosol and/or air flows inside the airflow passage 400 may not be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the airflow passage 400. In this case, a vortex may be relatively further formed, but the shape, number, and arrangement of the oxidation catalyst 500 and the vortex forming member 420 may be appropriately adjusted by considering smooth discharge of aerosol.

FIGS. 5 to 8 relate to the airflow passage 400 according to other embodiments, and the same description as that made for the airflow passage 400 and the oxidation catalyst 500 and/or the vortex forming member 420 disposed inside the airflow passage 400 will be omitted.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views illustrating an airflow passage, according to other embodiments.

According to an embodiment, a longitudinal direction of the vortex forming member 420 may be along a longitudinal direction of the airflow passage 400, one surface of the vortex forming member 420 may face an inner wall of the airflow passage 400, and the other surface of the vortex forming member 420 may face the center of the airflow passage 400. The vortex forming member 420 may be one member including a plurality of vortex forming portions.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the longitudinal direction of the vortex forming member 420 may refer to a direction in which the vortex forming member 420 has a largest length. The direction in which the vortex forming member 420 has a largest length may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the airflow passage 400. Also, one surface and the other surface of the vortex forming member 420 may refer to one surface and the other surface in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the vortex forming member 420.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, one surface of the vortex forming member 420 may contact the inner wall of the airflow passage 400 and the other surface may include a plurality of vortex forming portions. One surface of the vortex forming member 420 may be adhered to the inner wall of the airflow passage 400 by using an adhesive or the like, or may be integrally formed with the airflow passage 400 through double shot injection molding.

However, although not shown, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and one surface of the vortex forming member 420 may face the inner wall of the airflow passage 400 but may not contact the inner wall. Accordingly, the vortex forming member 420 may have a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter smaller than that of the airflow passage 400, and aerosol may flow through the inside of the vortex forming member 420 and between the vortex forming member 420 and the airflow passage 400.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the vortex forming members 420 are symmetrically arranged to the inner wall of the airflow passage 400, and two vortex forming members 420 are provided. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and one or more vortex forming members 420 may be provided and may be asymmetrically arranged.

Referring to the cross-section of the airflow passage 400 of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the other surface of the vortex forming member 420 facing the center of the airflow passage 400 may include a plurality of vortex forming portions protruding toward the center of the airflow passage 400. A shape of the vortex forming portion is not limited thereto and may be modified in various ways.

The oxidation catalyst 500 may be disposed between the plurality of vortex forming portions. Because a vortex may occur between adjacent vortex forming portions, when the oxidation catalyst 500 is disposed between the plurality of vortex forming portions, contact between the oxidation catalyst 500 and nicotine in aerosol may increase.

Although the oxidation catalyst 500 is disposed between all of the vortex forming portions in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the amount or number of the oxidation catalyst(s) 500 may be appropriately selected.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views illustrating an airflow passage, according to other embodiments.

The oxidation catalyst 500 having a mesh shape may be included in the airflow passage 400. Because the oxidation catalyst 500 having a mesh shape is disposed inside the airflow passage 400, contact between the oxidation catalyst 500 and nicotine in aerosol flowing through the airflow passage 400 may increase. Accordingly, the formation of nicotine salts may increase, thereby improving the user's smoking satisfaction.

As the size of a hole of the mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 through which aerosol and/or air passes decreases, a contact area between nicotine and the oxidation catalyst 500 may increase, but because aerosol and/or air may not smoothly flow as the size of a hole decreases, the size of a hole may be appropriately set by considering this effect.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 may be disposed in a direction crossing a direction in which the airflow passage 400 extends.

Referring to FIG. 6A, one mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 may be disposed over the entire inner diameter of the airflow passage 400 in a direction crossing a direction in which the airflow passage 400 extends. Referring to FIG. 6B, a plurality of mesh-shaped oxidation catalysts 500 may be disposed, and the plurality of mesh-shaped oxidation catalysts 500 may be spaced apart from each other. However, it will be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.

FIGS. 7A to 7D are cross-sectional views illustrating an airflow passage, according to other embodiments.

According to an embodiment, the airflow passage 400 may include the mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 and the vortex forming member 420 therein. When aerosol flows through the airflow passage 400, the aerosol may contact the mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 disposed inside the airflow passage 400, to form nicotine salts.

In an embodiment, the vortex forming member 420 may extend from an inner wall of the airflow passage 400 in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the airflow passage 400. Inside the airflow passage 400, aerosol and/or air may flow along the longitudinal direction of the airflow passage 400 and may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1, and the vortex forming member 420 may be disposed in a direction crossing the flow to form a vortex.

One or more vortex forming members 420 may be included in the airflow passage 400. The vortex forming member 420 may be one member that is integrally formed. When the vortex forming member 420 is formed as one member, the vortex forming member 420 may have a hole through which aerosol and/or air may flow. When a plurality of vortex forming members 420 are included in the airflow passage 400, the plurality of vortex forming members 420 may be spaced apart from each other to form a vortex.

In an example, referring to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7A, a plurality of vortex forming members 420 may be included in the airflow passage 400, and the plurality of vortex forming members 420 may be spaced apart from each other. A vortex may occur between the vortex forming members 420 spaced apart from each other. The mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 may be spaced apart from the plurality of vortex forming members 420. Due to a vortex generated between the plurality of vortex forming members 420, contact between aerosol and the mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 may increase.

In another example, referring to FIG. 7B, a plurality of vortex forming members 420 may be included in the airflow passage 400, and the plurality of vortex forming members 420 may be spaced apart from each other. A vortex may occur between adjacent vortex forming members 420 spaced apart from each other. Some of the plurality of vortex forming members 420 may contact the mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500. Due to a vortex generated between the plurality of vortex forming members 420, contact between aerosol and the mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 may increase.

Although the vortex forming members 420 are symmetrically arranged in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the vortex forming members 420 may be asymmetrically arranged as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D. Also, although the oxidation catalyst 500 in FIGS. 7A and 7B is integrally formed and extends over the entire inner diameter of the airflow passage 400 in a direction crossing a direction in which the airflow passage 400 extends, one or more oxidation catalysts 500 may be disposed and may be asymmetrically arranged as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D. It will be understood that the shape, number, and arrangement of the vortex forming member 420 and the mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 are not limited to the illustrated embodiments and may be modified in various ways.

In another example, referring to FIGS. 7C and 7D, a flow path through aerosol and/or air flows inside the airflow passage 400 may not be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the airflow passage 400. In this case, a vortex may be relatively further formed, but the shape, number, and arrangement of the oxidation catalyst 500 and the vortex forming member 420 may be appropriately adjusted by considering smooth discharge of aerosol.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views illustrating an airflow passage, according to other embodiments.

According to an embodiment, a longitudinal direction of the vortex forming member 420 may be along a longitudinal direction of the airflow passage 400, one surface of the vortex forming member 420 may face an inner wall of the airflow passage 400, and the other surface of the vortex forming member 420 may face the center of the airflow passage 400. The vortex forming member 420 may be one member including a plurality of vortex forming portions.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the longitudinal direction of the vortex forming member 420 may refer to a direction in which the vortex forming member 420 has a largest length. The direction in which the vortex forming member 420 has a largest length may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the airflow passage 400. Also, one surface and the other surface of the vortex forming member 420 may refer to one surface and the other surface in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the vortex forming member 420.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, one surface of the vortex forming member 420 may contact the inner wall of the airflow passage 400 and the other surface may include a plurality of vortex forming portions. One surface of the vortex forming member 420 may be adhered to the inner wall of the airflow passage 400 by using an adhesive or the like, or may be integrally formed with the airflow passage 400 through double shot injection molding.

However, although not shown, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and one surface of the vortex forming member 420 may face the inner wall of the airflow passage 400 but may not contact the inner wall. Accordingly, the vortex forming member 420 may have a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter smaller than that of the airflow passage 400, and aerosol may flow through the inside of the vortex forming member 420 and between the vortex forming member 420 and the airflow passage 400.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the vortex forming members 420 are symmetrically arranged to the inner wall of the airflow passage 400, and two vortex forming members 420 are provided. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and one or more vortex forming members 420 may be provided and may be asymmetrically arranged.

Referring to the cross-section of the airflow passage 400 of FIGS. 8A and 8B, the other surface of the vortex forming member 420 facing the center of the airflow passage 400 may include a plurality of vortex forming portions protruding toward the center of the airflow passage 400. A shape of the vortex forming portion is not limited thereto and may be modified in various ways.

The oxidation catalyst 500 may have a mesh shape and may be disposed between the plurality of vortex forming portions. Because a vortex may occur between adjacent vortex forming portions, when the oxidation catalyst 500 is disposed between the plurality of vortex forming portions, contact between the oxidation catalyst 500 and nicotine in aerosol may increase. That is, because the oxidation catalyst 500 has a mesh shape, even when the oxidation catalyst 500 is disposed between adjacent vortex forming portions, a vortex may be smoothly generated, and the vortex may flow through the mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 to increase the formation of nicotine salts. Referring to FIG. 8A, one surface and other surface of the mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 on which aerosol and/or air flows may not contact the vortex forming member 420.

That is, because only both side surfaces of the mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 are fixed to the vortex forming member 420, the amount of contact between the oxidation catalyst 500 and nicotine included in aerosol may increase.

Referring to FIG. 8B, both side surfaces of the mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 may be fixed to the vortex forming member 420, and only one of one surface and the other surface of the mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 on which aerosol and/or air flows may contact the vortex forming member 420. However, the arrangement position of the oxidation catalyst 500 is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.

Although the oxidation catalyst 500 is disposed between all of the vortex forming portions in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the amount or number of the oxidation catalyst(s) 500 may be appropriately selected.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 9 may be an embodiment of the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 2A, and thus, a repeated description will be omitted.

Also, as shown in FIG. 9, the cartridge 100 may include the airflow passage 400, but the cartridge 100 and the airflow passage 400 may be separately formed. For example, the airflow passage 400 may be integrally formed with the main body 300 of FIG. 2A or 2B. The airflow passage 400 is a passage through which aerosol generated through a vaporizer flows and is discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1, and the user may inhale aerosol through the mouthpiece 100m that fluidly communicates with the airflow passage 400.

Referring to FIG. 9, the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include the storage tank 110 in which a liquid composition is accommodated and a liquid outlet 111 through which the liquid composition is discharged to the heater assembly 200. Due to coupling between the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200, the liquid outlet 111 of the cartridge 100 may fluidly communicate with a liquid inlet of the heater assembly 200.

However, although not limited thereto, it is preferable that the liquid outlet 111 is located at a lower end in a longitudinal direction of the storage tank 110 so that the liquid composition accommodated in the storage tank 110 smoothly flows along a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 1 (e.g., in the −z direction of FIG. 9) and is transferred to the heater assembly 200.

According to an embodiment, the oxidation catalyst 500 may be included in the cartridge 100. In detail, the oxidation catalyst 500 may be included in the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100.

As shown in FIG. 9, the oxidation catalyst 500 may contact an inner wall of the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100. The oxidation catalyst 500 may be formed in a mesh shape inside the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100. A shape and arrangement of the oxidation catalyst 500 are not limited thereto. The cartridge 100 and the oxidation catalyst 500 will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10F.

Referring to FIG. 9, the heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may include the liquid inlet (not shown), the air inlet 202, and the air outlet 203.

The liquid inlet of the heater assembly 200 may be disposed so that the inside of the cartridge 100 and the inside of the heater assembly 200 are connected to each other or communicate with each other when the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other. Accordingly, the liquid composition supplied from the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100 may pass through the liquid inlet and may be introduced into the heater assembly 200.

For example, the liquid inlet may be disposed in a portion where the heater assembly 200 and the cartridge 100 are coupled to each other. When the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other, the liquid outlet 111 of the cartridge 111 and the liquid inlet of the heater assembly 200 may be connected to each other or may communicate with each other. Accordingly, the liquid composition stored in the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100 may pass through the liquid outlet 111 and the liquid inlet and may be introduced into the heater assembly 200.

In embodiments, the expression ‘arranged to be connected or communicate with each other’ means that components are connected and arranged so that a fluid (e.g., air) passes through and flows, and the same may apply below. According to an embodiment, the liquid outlet 111 and the liquid inlet may be connected to each other so that a fluid passes through and flows. For example, in a state where the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other, the liquid outlet 111 and the liquid inlet (the liquid inlet 201 of FIG. 2B) may not be clearly distinguished from each other.

The air inlet 202 may be disposed so that the inside and the outside of the heater assembly 200 are connected to each other or communicate with each other. Air outside the heater assembly 200 (hereinafter, ‘external air’) may be introduced into the heater assembly 200 through the air inlet 202.

For example, the air inlet 202 may be disposed at another portion of the heater assembly 200 (e.g., a side surface of the heater assembly 200) spaced apart from the liquid inlet. External air may pass through the air inlet 202 and may be introduced into the heater assembly 200. The external air introduced into the heater assembly 200 may move or flow along the chamber 210 disposed inside the heater assembly 200 and may be heated by the heater 230, which will be described below in detail.

The air outlet 203 may be disposed so that the inside and the outside of the heater assembly 200 are connected to each other or communicate with each other. Aerosol and/or air generated inside the heater assembly 200 may be discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 200 or to the airflow passage 400 through the air outlet 203.

For example, the air outlet 203 may be disposed in a portion where the heater assembly 200 and the airflow passage 400 are coupled to each other, and may be spaced apart from the liquid inlet. Aerosol and/or air inside the heater assembly 200 may be discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 200 through the air outlet 203.

In a state where the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other, the aerosol and/or air discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 200 through the air outlet 203 may move into the airflow passage 400, and then may be discharged to the outside of the airflow passage 400 through the mouthpiece 100m by the user's inhalation operation.

The heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may further include a recognition terminal (not shown) for recognizing whether the cartridge 100 is coupled. The recognition terminal may be electrically connected to a controller of a main body (e.g., the main body 300 of FIG. 2A or 2B), and may contact a portion of the cartridge 100 when the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other.

When contacting the cartridge 100, the recognition terminal may generate a signal indicating that the recognition terminal has contacted the cartridge 100, and the generated signal may be transmitted to the controller that is electrically connected. The controller may detect whether the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other based on the signal transmitted from the recognition terminal.

For example, when the signal is transmitted from the recognition terminal, the controller may determine that the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other, and when signal transmission from the recognition terminal is stopped, the controller may determine that the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are separated from each other.

Referring to FIG. 9, the heater assembly 200 may include the chamber 210, the wick 220, and the heater 230. The chamber 210 may be formed in an inner space of the heater assembly 200, and the liquid composition introduced from the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100 may be heated by the heater 230 inside the chamber 210 to generate aerosol.

According to an embodiment, the chamber 210 may fluidly communicate with or be fluidly connected to the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100 through the liquid inlet, and the liquid composition stored in the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100 may pass through the liquid inlet and may be introduced into the chamber 210.

The wick 220 may be disposed in a portion of the chamber 210 adjacent to the liquid inlet, and may absorb the liquid composition passing through the liquid inlet and introduced into the chamber 210. For example, at least a portion of the wick 220 may face the liquid inlet to absorb the liquid composition passing through the liquid inlet and introduced into the chamber 210.

According to an embodiment, the wick 220 may include a ceramic fiber or porous ceramic for absorbing the liquid composition. In other words, the wick 220 may be a ceramic wick. However, the wick 220 is not limited to the above embodiment, and according to an embodiment, the wick 220 may be formed of another material (e.g., cotton or glass).

The heater 230 may be disposed on one side surface of the wick 220 (e.g., a surface facing the +y direction) and may heat the liquid composition absorbed by the wick 220. For example, the heater 230 may heat the liquid composition absorbed by the wick 220 by using power supplied from a battery of the main body (e.g., the main body 300 of FIG. 2A or 2B).

The heater 230 may include a metal material that generates heat through electrical resistance. For example, the heater 230 may include stainless steel so as not to be corroded by the liquid composition absorbed by the wick 220, but a metal material of the heater 230 is not limited thereto. In another example, the heater 230 may include a metal material such as copper, nickel, or tungsten.

According to an embodiment, the heater 230 may include a conductive pattern printed on one side surface of the wick 220. For example, the heater 230 may be formed by printing a metal material (e.g., stainless steel) on a side surface of the wick 220 facing the +y direction to have a certain pattern shape, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

According to another embodiment, the heater 230 may include a conductive pattern that is insert-injected into one side surface of the wick 220. For example, the heater 230 may be formed by insert-injecting a metal material (e.g., stainless steel) into a certain pattern shape on a side surface of the wick 220. However, a method of forming the heater 230 or a shape of the heater 230 is not limited to the above embodiment. According to another embodiment (not shown), the heater 230 may include a conductive plate disposed on one side surface of the wick 220.

As the heater 230 is disposed on a side surface of the wick 220, vapor may be generated when the liquid composition is heated in a portion of the chamber 210 adjacent to the side surface of the wick 220. The vapor generated from the liquid composition may be mixed with external air introduced into the chamber 210 through the air inlet 202.

In this case, the external air may be introduced into the heater assembly 200 through the air inlet 202, and then may move into the chamber 210. The chamber 210 may form a flow path that connects the air inlet 202 and the air outlet 203 to each other and through which external air and/or aerosol moves.

According to an embodiment, a portion of a passage to which the air inlet 202 and the chamber 210 are connected may extend from the inside of the heater assembly 200 along an edge of the heater assembly 200.

The vapor generated as the liquid composition is heated by the heater 230 may be mixed with external air introduced into the chamber 210, and as a result, aerosol may be generated in a portion of the chamber 210 adjacent to the side surface of the wick 220. The generated aerosol and/or the external air may be discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 200 through the air outlet 203.

The aerosol and/or the external air discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 200 may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 through the airflow passage 400. The aerosol and/or the external air may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 along a longitudinal direction (e.g., the +z direction) f of the airflow passage 400.

FIGS. 10A to 10F are enlarged cross-sectional views illustrating a storage tank of a cartridge, according to embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 10A to 10F, a longitudinal direction of the cartridge 100 may refer to a direction in which the cartridge 100 has a largest length. The direction in which the cartridge 100 has a largest length may be parallel to a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 1. The longitudinal direction of the cartridge 100 may refer to the z axis direction in FIGS. 10A to 10F.

According to an embodiment, the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100 may include the oxidation catalyst 500 therein. The storage tank 110 may not only accommodate a liquid composition including nicotine and an acid therein, but may also include the oxidation catalyst 500. The oxidation catalyst 500 may be included in any of various shapes, arrangements, and numbers in the storage tank 110.

The oxidation catalyst 500 may be disposed inside the storage tank 110 so that the nicotine in the liquid composition and the oxidation catalyst 500 contact each other to form additional nicotine salts. Because the liquid composition includes the nicotine and the acid, nicotine salts are included in the liquid composition, and because nicotine salts are additionally formed by the oxidation catalyst 500, the user's smoking satisfaction may be improved.

The oxidation catalyst 500 may be selected from a metal oxidation catalyst, a chlorine-based catalyst, and a combination thereof.

For example, the metal oxidation catalyst may be at least one selected from the group consisting of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), silver (Ag), gold (Au), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), vanadium (V), nickel (Ni), and tungsten (W). For example, the chlorine-based catalyst may be at least one selected from the group consisting of Cl₂, HClO, OCl⁻, and ClO₂⁻.

The oxidation catalyst 500 disposed inside the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100 may be formed of the above material, and may be formed by coating the above material on a surface of a structure such as plastic.

For example, referring to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10A, at least a part of the oxidation catalyst 500 may contact an inner wall of the storage tank 110. The oxidation catalyst 500 may contact the inner wall of the storage tank 110 or may be integrally formed with the storage tank 110. The storage tank 110 and the oxidation catalyst 500 may be integrally formed through insert molding.

The oxidation catalyst 500 may contact the liquid composition accommodated inside the storage tank 110 to form nicotine salts. In order to form nicotine salts even when a small amount of liquid composition remains, the oxidation catalyst 500 may be disposed at a relatively low position in the storage tank 110. In detail, the oxidation catalyst 500 may be disposed at a lower position in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 100 (e.g., in the z axis direction).

Although one oxidation catalyst 500 is included in FIG. 10A, a plurality of oxidation catalysts 500 may be included. Also, the oxidation catalyst 500 may have any of various shapes and arrangement positions.

Referring to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10B, the oxidation catalyst 500 may contact an inner wall of the storage tank 110, and a longitudinal direction of the oxidation catalyst 500 may be along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 100. The longitudinal direction of the oxidation catalyst 500 may refer to a direction in which the oxidation catalyst 500 has a largest length. The longitudinal direction of the oxidation catalyst 500 may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 100.

Because the oxidation catalyst 500 contacts the inner wall so that the longitudinal direction of the oxidation catalyst 500 is along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 100, the liquid composition may be smoothly discharged to the liquid outlet 111.

Also, because the oxidation catalyst 500 extends to a lower portion in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 100 (e.g., in the z axis direction), nicotine salts may be formed even when a small amount of liquid composition remains.

However, the disclosure is not limited that illustrated in FIG. 10B, and the oxidation catalyst 500 may be set to have any of various shapes, positions, and numbers.

In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 10B, the oxidation catalyst 500 may be spaced apart from a liquid discharge passage 111a leading to the liquid outlet 111. Through this arrangement, the liquid composition may be smoothly discharged to the liquid outlet 111.

Next, referring to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10C, one surface of the oxidation catalyst 500 may face an inner wall of the cartridge 100, the other surface of the oxidation catalyst 500 may face the center of the cartridge 100, and the other surface of the oxidation catalyst 500 may have a plurality of uneven portions. Because the uneven portions are formed on the other surface of the oxidation catalyst 500, contact between nicotine and the oxidation catalyst 500 may increase. Shapes of the uneven portions are not limited to the illustrated shapes, and may be modified in various ways.

In the embodiment as in FIG. 10C, the oxidation catalyst 500 may be spaced apart from the liquid discharge passage 111a leading to the liquid outlet 111. The liquid discharge passage 111a may refer to a passage through which the liquid composition stored in the storage tank 110 flows to the liquid outlet 111. Through this arrangement, the liquid composition may be smoothly discharged to the liquid outlet 111.

Referring to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10D, the oxidation catalyst 500 may be disposed on an inner wall of the liquid discharge passage 111a of the storage tank 110.

Because the oxidation catalyst 500 is disposed on the inner wall of the liquid discharge passage 111a, the oxidation catalyst 500 may contact nicotine passing through the liquid discharge passage 111a even when a small amount of liquid composition remains to form nicotine salts.

Referring to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10E, at least a part of the oxidation catalyst 500 may have a mesh shape. Although the entire oxidation catalyst 500 has a mesh shape in FIG. 10E, the disclosure is not limited thereto and only a part of the oxidation catalyst 500 may have a mesh shape.

Because the oxidation catalyst 500 is formed in a mesh shape, contact between the oxidation catalyst 500 and nicotine in the liquid composition accommodated in the storage tank 110 may increase. Accordingly, the formation of nicotine salts may increase, thereby improving the user's smoking satisfaction.

As the size of a hole of the mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 decreases, a contact area between nicotine and the oxidation catalyst 500 may increase, but because the liquid composition may not smoothly flow as the size of a hole decreases, the size of a hole may be appropriately set by considering this effect.

The mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 may be arranged so that a longitudinal direction of the mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 crosses a longitudinal direction of the cartridge 100. When the oxidation catalyst 500 has a mesh shape, even when the oxidation catalyst 500 is disposed in a direction crossing a flow direction of the liquid composition, that is, a direction (e.g., the −z direction) in which the liquid composition is discharged to the heater assembly 200 through the liquid outlet 111, the liquid composition may smoothly flow.

Referring to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10F, at least a part of the oxidation catalyst 500 may have a mesh shape, and may be disposed in a direction (e.g., x axis direction) crossing a longitudinal direction (e.g., the z axis direction) of the liquid discharge passage 111a.

Because the oxidation catalyst 500 is disposed in the liquid discharge passage 111a, the oxidation catalyst 500 may contact nicotine passing through the liquid discharge passage 111a even when a small amount of liquid composition remains to form nicotine salts. Also, because the mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 is disposed, even when the mesh-shaped oxidation catalyst 500 is disposed in a direction crossing the flow direction (e.g., the −z direction) of the liquid composition, the liquid composition may smoothly flow.

According to an embodiment, a plurality of oxidation catalysts 500 may be included in the storage tank 110. The arrangement and the shape of the oxidation catalyst 500 described above may be combined.

Although embodiments in which one oxidation catalyst 500 is disposed inside the storage tank 110 are illustrated in FIGS. 10A to 10F, the amount or number of the oxidation catalyst(s) 500 may be appropriately selected.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

An aerosol generating device 1 may include a power source 11, a controller 20, a sensor 13, an output unit 14, an input unit 15, a communication unit 16, a memory 17, and one or more heaters 18 or 24. However, an internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to the illustration of FIG. 11. That is, it may be understood by those skilled in the art that some of the components shown in FIG. 11 may be omitted or new components may be added, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1.

The sensor 13 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device 1 or a state of the surroundings of the aerosol generating device 1 and may transmit information corresponding to the sensed state to the controller 20. The controller 20 may control the aerosol generating device 1 so that various functions, such as operation control of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, smoking restrictions, determination as to whether the stick S and/or the cartridge 19 is inserted, and an alarm display, may be performed, based on the information corresponding to the sensed state.

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

The temperature sensor 131 may detect a temperature at which the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 is heated. The aerosol generating device 1 may include a separate temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, or the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 may serve as a temperature sensor.

The temperature sensor 131 may output a signal corresponding to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may include a resistor element of which resistance value changes according to a change in the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. The temperature sensor 131 may be implemented by a thermistor, etc. which is an element using a property in which resistance changes according to a temperature. In this case, the temperature sensor 131 may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistor element as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may include a sensor for detecting the resistance value of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. In this case, the temperature sensor 131 may output the signal corresponding to the resistance value of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18.

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

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

The puff sensor 132 may detect the user's puff, based on various physical changes in an airflow path. The puff sensor 132 may output a signal corresponding to the puff. For example, the puff sensor 132 may be a pressure sensor. The puff sensor 132 may output a signal corresponding to internal pressure of the aerosol generating device. The internal pressure of the aerosol generating device 1 may correspond to pressure of the airflow path on which gas flows. The puff sensor 132 may be disposed to correspond to the airflow path on which gas flows, in the aerosol generating device 1.

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

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

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

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

The reuse detection sensor 134 may detect whether the stick S is reused. The reuse detection sensor 134 may be a color sensor. The color sensor may detect a color of the stick S. The color sensor may detect a color of a portion of the wrapper surrounding the outside of the stick S. The color sensor may detect values for optical characteristics corresponding to the color of an object, based on light reflected by the object. For example, the optical characteristics may be a wavelength of the light. The color sensor may be implemented as a single component with the proximity sensor, or may be implemented as a separate component distinct from the proximity sensor.

A color of at least a portion of the wrapper that constitutes the stick S may be changed by aerosol. In case where the stick S is inserted into the insertion space, the reuse detection sensor 134 may be disposed to correspond to a location in which at least a portion of the wrapper of which color is changed by aerosol. For example, before the stick S is used by the user, the color of at least the portion of the wrapper may be a first color. In this case, as at least a portion of the wrapper is wet by aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device 1 while the aerosol is passing through the stick S, the color of the at least a portion of the wrapper may be changed to a second color. The color of the at least a portion of the wrapper may be maintained as the second color after being changed from the first color to the second color.

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

The cap detection sensor 136 may detect mounting and/or removal of a cap. When the cap is separated from the body 10, a portion of the cartridge 19 and the body 10 covered by the cap may be exposed to the outside. The cap detection sensor 136 may be implemented by a contact sensor, a hall sensor (hall IC), an optical sensor, etc.

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

The sensor 13 may further include at least one of a humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a global positioning sensor (GPS), and a proximity sensor, in addition to the above-described sensors 131 through 137. 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 will be omitted herein.

The output unit (output interface) 14 may output information about the state of the aerosol generating device 1 and may provide the information to the user. The output unit 14 may include at least one of a display 141, a haptic unit 142, and a sound output unit 143, but embodiments are not limited thereto. When the display 141 forms a layer structure together with a touch pad to construct a touch screen, the display 141 may be used as an input device as well as an output device.

The display 141 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user. For example, the information about the aerosol generating device 1 may refer to various pieces of information, such as the charging/discharging state of the power source 11 of the aerosol generating device 1, a preheating state of the heater 18, an insertion/removal state of the stick S and/or the cartridge 19, a mounting/removal state of the cap, or a state in which use of the aerosol generating device 1 is limited (e.g., detection of an abnormal article), and the display 141 may output the information to the outside. For example, the display 141 may have a shape of a light-emitting diode (LED). For example, the display 141 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting display (OLED) panel, or the like.

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

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

The power source (power supply) 11 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1. The power source 11 may supply power so that the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 may be heated. In addition, the power source 11 may supply power required for operations of the sensor 13, the output unit 14, the input unit 15, the communication unit 16, and the memory 17, which are other components provided in the aerosol generating device 1. The power source 11 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the power source 11 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

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

The power supply protection circuit may cut off an electric path for the power source 11 according to certain conditions. For example, when a voltage level of the power source 11 is greater than or equal to a first voltage corresponding to overcharging, the power supply protection circuit may cut off the electric path for the power source 11. For example, when a voltage level of the power source 11 is less than a second voltage corresponding to overdischarging, the power supply protection circuit may cut off the electric path for the power source 11.

The heater 18 may heat a medium or an aerosol generating material in the stick S by receiving power from the power source 11. Although not shown in FIG. 11, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC/DC converter) for converting power of the power source 11 to supply the converted power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 1 generates aerosol by using an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a DC/AC converter that converts direct current power of the power source 11 into alternating current power.

The controller 20, the sensor 13, the output unit 14, the input unit 15, the communication unit 16, and the memory 17 may perform functions by receiving power from the power source 11. Although not shown in FIG. 11, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit for converting the power of the power source 11 to supply the converted power to components, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit. Although not shown in FIG. 11, a noise filter may be provided between the power source 11 and the heater 18. The noise filter may be a low pass filter. The low pass filter may include at least one inductor and a capacitor. A cutoff frequency of the low pass filter may correspond to a frequency of a radio frequency switching current applied from the power source 11 to the heater 18. Radio frequency noise components may be prevented from being applied to the sensor 13, such as the insertion detection sensor 133, by the low pass filter.

According to an embodiment, the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 may be formed of an arbitrary proper electric resistance material. For example, the proper electric resistance material may be metal or metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc., but embodiments are not limited thereto. Also, the heater 18 may be implemented using a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate on which an electric conductive track is disposed, a ceramic heating body, or the like, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

According to another embodiment, the heater 18 may be a heater using an induction heating method. For example, the heater 18 may include a susceptor that generates heat by a magnetic field applied by the coil and heats the aerosol generating material.

The input unit (input interface) 15 may receive information input from the user or may output the information to the user. For example, the input unit 15 may be a touch panel. The touch panel may include at least one touch sensor that detects touch. For example, the touch sensor may include a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, a surface acoustic wave touch sensor, an infrared touch sensor, or the like, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

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

The input unit 15 may include a button, a key pad, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, or the like, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

The memory 17 is hardware for storing various kinds of data processed in the aerosol generating device 1, and may store pieces of data that have been processed and are to be processed by the controller 20. The memory 17 may include at least one type of storage medium selected from among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, a secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD) memory), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory 17 may store data about the operating time of the aerosol generating device 1, a maximum number of puffs, a current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

The communication unit (communication interface, communicator) 16 may include at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 16 may include at least one of a short-range wireless communication unit and a wireless communication unit.

Examples of the short-range wireless communication unit may include, but are not limited to, a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a near field communication (NFC) unit, a wireless local area network (WLAN) (e.g., Wi-Fi) communication unit, a ZigBee communication unit, an infrared Data Association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra wideband (UWB) communication unit, and an Ant+ communication unit.

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

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

The controller 20 may control overall operations of the aerosol generating device 1. According to an embodiment, the controller 20 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented by an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented by a combination of a general-use microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the general-use microprocessor is stored. It will also be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present embodiment pertains that the processor may be implemented by other types of hardware.

The controller 20 may control supplying of the power of the power source 11 to the heater 18, thereby controlling the temperature of the heater 18. The controller 20 may control the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 sensed by the temperature sensor 131. The controller 20 may control power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. For example, the controller 20 may determine a target temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, based on a temperature profile stored in the memory 17.

The aerosol generating device 1 may include a power supply circuit (not shown) electrically connected to the power source 11 between the power source 11 and the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. The power supply circuit may be electrically connected to the cartridge heater 24, the heater 18, or an induction coil 181. The power supply circuit may include at least one switching element. The switching element may be implemented by a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), a field effect transistor (FET), or the like. The controller 20 may control the power supply circuit.

The controller 20 may control switching of the switching element of the power supply circuit, thereby controlling the supply of power. The power supply circuit may be an inverter that converts direct current power output by the power source 11 into alternating current power. For example, the inverter may include a full-bridge circuit or half-bridge circuit including a plurality of switching elements.

The controller 20 may turn on the switching element so that power may be supplied from the power source 11 to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. The controller 20 may turn off the switching element so that the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 may be cut off. The controller 20 may adjust a current supplied by the power source 11 by adjusting a frequency and/or duty ratio of a current pulse input to the switching element.

The controller 20 may control a voltage output by the power source 11 by controlling switching of the switching element of the power supply circuit. The power conversion circuit may convert the voltage output by the power source 11. For example, the power conversion circuit may include a Buck-converter that drops the voltage output by the power source 11. For example, the power conversion circuit may be implemented through a Buck-boost converter, a Zener diode, etc.

The controller 20 may adjust the level of the voltage output by the power conversion circuit by controlling an on/off operation of the switching element included in the power conversion circuit. When an on state of the switching element is continued, the level of the voltage output by the power conversion circuit may correspond to the level of the voltage output by the power source 11. A duty ratio with respect to the on/off operation of the switching element may correspond to a ratio of the voltage output by the power conversion circuit to the voltage output by the power source 11. As the duty ratio with respect to the on/off operation of the switching element is decreased, the level of the voltage output by the power conversion circuit may be reduced. The heater 18 may be heated based on the voltage output by the power conversion circuit.

The controller 20 may control power to be supplied to the heater 18, by using at least one method of a pulse width modulation (PWM) method and a proportional-integral-differential (PID) method.

For example, the controller 20 may control supply of a current pulse having a certain frequency and a duty ratio, by using the PWM method. The controller 20 may control power supplied to the heater 18 by adjusting the frequency and duty ratio of the current pulse.

For example, the controller 20 may determine a target temperature that is a target of control, based on the temperature profile. The controller 20 may control the power supplied to the heater 18 by using a PID method, which is a feedback control method using a difference value between the temperature of the heater 18 and the target temperature thereof, a value obtained by integrating the difference value according to the flow of time, and a value obtained by differentiating the difference value according to the flow of time.

The controller 20 may prevent the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 from being overheated. For example, the controller 20 may control an operation of the power conversion circuit so that the supply of the power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 is stopped, based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 exceeding a preset limit temperature. For example, the controller 20 may reduce the amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 exceeding the preset limit temperature. For example, the controller 20 may determine that the aerosol generating material accommodated in the cartridge 19 is exhausted, based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 exceeding the limit temperature, and may cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24.

The controller 20 may control charging/discharging of the power source 11. The controller 20 may check the temperature of the power source 11, based on an output signal of the temperature sensor 131.

When a power wire is connected to a battery terminal of the aerosol generating device 1, the controller 20 may check whether the temperature of the power source 11 is greater than or equal to a first limit temperature that is a basis for blocking charging of the power source 11. When the temperature of the power source 11 is less than the first limit temperature, the controller 20 may control the power source 11 to be charged, based on a preset charging current. When the temperature of the power source 11 is equal to or greater than the first limit temperature, the controller 20 may block charging of the power source 11.

When power of the aerosol generating device 1 is in an on state, the controller 20 may check whether the temperature of the power source 11 is greater than or equal to a second limit temperature that is a basis for cutting off discharging of the power source 11. When the temperature of the power source 11 is less than the second limit temperature, the controller 20 may control the power stored in the power source 11 to be used. When the temperature of the power source 11 is greater than or equal to the second limit temperature, the controller 20 may stop using the power stored in the power source 11.

The controller 20 may calculate the remaining capacity of the power stored in the power source 11. For example, the controller 20 may calculate the remaining capacity of the power source 11, based on a voltage and/or current sensing value of the power source 11.

The controller 20 may determine whether the stick S is inserted into the insertion space, through the insertion detection sensor 133. The controller 20 may determine that the stick S is inserted, based on an output signal of the insertion detection sensor 133. When it is determined that the stick S is inserted into the insertion space, the controller 20 may control power to be supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18. For example, the controller 20 may supply power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, based on the temperature profile stored in the memory 17.

The controller 20 may determine whether the stick S is removed from the insertion space. For example, the controller 20 may determine whether the stick S is removed from the insertion space, through the insertion detection sensor 133. For example, when the temperature of the heater 18 is greater than or equal to the limit temperature or when a temperature change slope of the heater 18 is equal to or greater than a set slope, the controller 20 may determine that the stick S is removed from the insertion space. When it is determined that the stick S has been removed from the insertion space, the controller 20 may block supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18.

The controller 20 may control a power supply time and/or a power supply amount for the heater 18 according to the state of the stick S detected by the sensor 13. The controller 20 may check a level range in which the level of a signal of a capacitance sensor is included, based on a lookup table. The controller 20 may check a moisture amount for the stick S according to the checked level range.

When the stick S is in an overwatering state, the controller 20 may control the power supply time for the heater 18 to thereby increase the preheating time of the stick S rather than when the stick S is in a general state.

The controller 20 may determine whether the stick S inserted into the insertion space is reused, through the reuse detection sensor 134. For example, the controller 20 may compare a sensing value of a signal of the reuse detection sensor with a first reference range in which a first color is included, and may determine that the stick S is not used when the sensing value is included in the first reference range. For example, the controller 20 may compare the sensing value of the signal of the reuse detection sensor with a second reference range in which a second color is included, and may determine that the stick S is used when the sensing value is included in the second reference range. When it is determined that the stick S is used, the controller 20 may block supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18.

The controller 20 may determine whether the cartridge 19 is combined and/or removed, through the cartridge detection sensor 135. For example, the controller 20 may determine whether the cartridge 19 is combined or removed, based on the sensing value of a signal of the cartridge detection sensor.

The controller 20 may determine whether the aerosol generating material of the cartridge 19 is exhausted. For example, the controller 20 may preheat the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 by applying power, may determine whether the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 exceeds the limit temperature in a preheating section, and, when the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 exceeds the limit temperature, may determine that the aerosol generating material of the cartridge 19 is exhausted. When it is determined that the aerosol generating material of the cartridge 19 is exhausted, the controller 20 may cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18.

The controller 20 may determine whether use of the cartridge 19 is possible. For example, the controller 20 may determine that the use of the cartridge 19 is not possible if a current puff frequency is greater than or equal to a maximum puff frequency set in the cartridge 19, based on data stored in the memory 17. For example, when a total time period during which the heater 24 is heated is greater than or equal to a preset maximum time period or a total amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 is greater than or equal to a preset maximum power amount, the controller 20 may determine that the use of the cartridge 19 is not possible.

The controller 20 may perform determination on the user's inhaling through the puff sensor 132. For example, the controller 20 may determine whether a puff occurs, based on a sensing value of a signal of the puff sensor. For example, the controller 20 may determine the intensity of the puff, based on the sensing value of the signal of the puff sensor 132. When the puff frequency reaches the preset maximum puff frequency or puffs are not sensed for a preset time period or more, the controller 20 may cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18.

The controller 20 may determine whether the cap is combined and/or removed, through the cap detection sensor 136. For example, the controller 20 may determine whether the cap is combined or removed, based on a sensing value of a signal of the cartridge detection sensor.

The controller 20 may control the output unit 14, based on a result of the sensing performed by the sensor 13 For example, when the number of puffs counted by the puff sensor 132 reaches a preset number, the controller 20 may notify the user in advance that the aerosol generating device 1 is ended soon, through at least one of the display 141, the haptic unit 142, and the sound output unit 143. For example, the controller 20 may notify the user through the output unit 14, based on a determination that the stick S is not present in the insertion space. For example, the controller 20 may notify the user through the output unit 14, based on a determination that the cartridge 19 and/or the cap is not mounted. For example, the controller 20 may transmit information about the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18 to the user through the output unit 14.

The controller 20 may store and update a history of an event occurred in the memory 17, based on certain event occurrence. The event may include insertion detection of the stick S, heating start of the stick S, puff detection, puff end, overheat detection of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, detection of overvoltage application to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, heating end of the stick S, an operation such as power on/off of the aerosol generating device 1, charging start of the power source 11, detection of overcharging of the power source 11, and charging end of the power source 11, which are performed by the aerosol generating device 1. The history of the event may include, for example, a date and time of the event, log data corresponding to the event. For example, when a predetermined event is insertion detection of the stick S, log data corresponding to the event may include data for the sensing value, etc. of the insertion detection sensor 133. For example, when the predetermined event is overheating detection of the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, the log data corresponding to the event may include data about, for example, the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and/or heater 18, the voltage applied to the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18, and a current flowing through the cartridge heater 24 and/or the heater 18.

The controller 20 may control a communication link to be formed with an external device, such as the user's mobile terminal. When receiving data on authentication from an external device through the communication link, the controller 20 may remove limitation of the use of at least one function of the aerosol generating device 1. The data on authentication may include data indicating completion of user authentication with respect to a user corresponding to the external device. The user may perform user authentication through the external device. The external device may determine whether user data is valid, based on the user's birthday and a unique number representing the user, and may receive data about use authority of the aerosol generating device 1 from an external server. The external device may transmit data indicating the completion of the user authentication to the aerosol generating device 1, based on the data about the use authority. When the user authentication is completed, the controller 20 may remove limitation of the use of the at least one function of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, when the user authentication is completed, the controller 20 may_remove the limitation of the use of a heating function of supplying power to the heater 18.

The controller 20 may transmit data on the state of the aerosol generating device 1 to the external device through the communication link formed with the external device. Based on the received state data, the external device may output the remaining capacity, the operation mode, etc. of the power source 11 of the aerosol generating device 1 through a display of the external device.

The external device may transmit a position search request to the aerosol generating device 1, based on an input of starting a position search of the aerosol generating device 1. When receiving a position search request from the external device, the controller 20 may control at least one of output devices to perform an operation corresponding to a position search, based on the received position search request. For example, the haptic unit 142 may generate vibration in response to the position search request. For example, in response to the position search request, the display 141 may output an object that corresponds to position search and search end.

The controller 20 may control firmware update to be performed, when receiving firmware data from the external device. The external device may check a current version of the firmware of the aerosol generating device 1 and determine whether a new version of the firmware is present. When receiving an input of requesting for firmware download, the external device may receive the new version of the firmware data and transmit the new version of the firmware data to the aerosol generating device 1. As the controller 20 receives the new version of the firmware data, the controller 20 may control the firmware update of the aerosol generating device 1 to be performed.

The controller 20 may transmit data on a sensing value of the at least one sensor 13 to an external server (not shown) through the communication unit 16, and may receive and store a learning model generated by learning sensing values from a server through machine learning, such as deep learning. The controller 20 may perform, for example, an operation of determining the user's inhaling pattern and an operation of generating a temperature profile, by using the learning model received from the server. The controller 20 may store, for example, sensing value data of the at least one sensor 13 and data for training an artificial neural network (ANN) in the memory 17. For example, the memory 17 may store a database for each component provided in the aerosol generating device 1, a weight that forms an ANN structure, and biases, which are for training the ANN. The controller 20 may learn data on a sensing value of at least one sensor 13, the user's inhaling pattern, the temperature profile, etc. stored in the memory 17, and may generate at least one learning model used for, for example, determination of the user's inhaling pattern, generation of the temperature profile.

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

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

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