Cover assembly and aerosol-generating device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a cover assembly and an aerosol generating device. The cover assembly includes a mouthpiece including one end portion configured to be in contact with a user's mouth and another end portion opposite to the one end portion, the mouthpiece being configured to move to an open position and a closed position by rotation of the mouthpiece around the other end portion, and an accommodation unit to accommodate the one end portion of the mouthpiece in the closed position. The accommodation unit includes a button unit including a body, the button unit being configured to be in contact with the one end portion of the mouthpiece and to be displaced in a longitudinal direction based on the one end portion being pressed, and a locking unit including a body, the body of the locking unit including a first portion configured to be in contact with the one end portion of the mouthpiece and a second portion configured to be in contact with the button unit.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates to a cover assembly and an aerosol generating device to which the cover assembly is applied. BACKGROUND

[0002] Recently, various types of devices to which a mouthpiece is applied have been used. However, foreign substances can flow into the mouthpiece through the mouth portion exposed to the outside, and thus there is a problem in hygiene.

[0003] In addition, there is a disadvantage of poor appearance and poor portability of a user due to the exposed mouth portion. Therefore, there is a need for a cover assembly including a mouthpiece having improved hygiene, aesthetic appearance, and portability. SUMMARY

[0004] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0005] A cover assembly and an aerosol generating device to which the cover assembly is applied are provided. Specifically, when one end portion of a mouthpiece is pressed, the cover assembly can be opened or closed by rotating around the other end portion of the mouthpiece. Accordingly, the mouthpiece can be easily opened and closed, and when not in use, the mouthpiece can prevent foreign substances from entering the mouthpiece.

[0006] The problems to be solved by the embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and those skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains can clearly understand the problems not described through the present specification and the attached drawings.

[0007] TECHNICAL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0008] The cover assembly can include a mouthpiece including one end portion in contact with a user's mouth and including the other end portion, the one end portion being opened and closed by rotation of the mouthpiece around the other end portion, and a housing unit to house the one end portion of the mouthpiece when the one end portion is closed, wherein the housing unit includes a button unit in contact with the one end portion of the mouthpiece and displaced in a longitudinal direction when the one end portion is pressed, and a locking unit including a first portion in contact with the one end portion of the mouthpiece and a second portion in contact with the button unit.

[0009] ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0010] According to the embodiments of the disclosure, the mouth portion of the mouthpiece can be in a closed position without being exposed to the outside, and thus the hygiene can be improved, and the protrusion of the device is minimized to increase the aesthetic appearance and portability. In addition, the mouthpiece can be semi-automatically opened and closed, and thus the convenience of the user can be increased.

[0011] Effects of the embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains will clearly understand the effects not described through the present specification and the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1A is a view illustrating a cover assembly coupled to an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 1B is FIG. 1A an exploded view of the cover assembly of

[0014] FIG. 2A is a front cross-sectional view of a cover assembly according to an embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 2B is a view illustrating FIG. 2A one aspect of the cover assembly illustrated in

[0016] FIG. 2C is a view illustrating FIG. 2A another aspect of the cover assembly illustrated in

[0017] FIG. 3A is a side cross-sectional view of a cover assembly according to an embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 3B is FIG. 3A a partial plan view of the cover assembly illustrated in

[0019] FIG. 3C is a view illustrating FIG. 3A one aspect of the cover assembly illustrated in

[0020] FIG. 3D is FIG. 3C a partial plan view of the cover assembly illustrated in

[0021] FIG. 3E is a view illustrating FIG. 3A another aspect of the cover assembly illustrated in

[0022] FIG. 3F is FIG. 3E a partial plan view of the cover assembly illustrated in

[0023] FIG. 4A is a plan view of a cover assembly according to another embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 4B is a plan view of a cover assembly according to another embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 5Ais a view showing one aspect of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment; and

[0026] FIG. 5B is a view showing another aspect of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Best modes for carrying out the invention

[0028] According to one or more embodiments, a cover assembly is provided. The cover assembly includes a mouthpiece including one end portion configured to be in contact with a user's mouth and another end portion opposite to the one end portion, the mouthpiece being configured to move to an open position and a closed position by rotation of the mouthpiece around the other end portion, and a housing unit for housing the one end portion of the mouthpiece in the closed position. The housing unit includes a button unit including a body, the button unit being configured to be in contact with the one end portion of the mouthpiece and to be displaced in a longitudinal direction based on the one end portion being pressed, and a locking unit including a body, the body of the locking unit including a first portion configured to be in contact with the one end portion of the mouthpiece and a second portion configured to be in contact with the button unit.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the first portion of the locking unit is configured to be coupled to the mouthpiece to fix the mouthpiece, and the first portion of the locking unit is further configured to be separated from the mouthpiece by moving in a transverse direction based on the second portion being pressed by the button unit being displaced in the longitudinal direction.

[0030] According to an embodiment, the one end portion of the mouthpiece is configured to move to the open position based on the locking unit being separated from the mouthpiece.

[0031] According to an embodiment, the first portion of the body of the locking unit includes a protrusion, and the mouthpiece includes a groove having a shape configured to be coupled to the protrusion.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the protrusion includes a curved surface.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the second portion of the body of the locking unit includes a sliding portion that is an inclined surface, and the body of the button unit includes an inclined surface having a shape corresponding to the sliding portion.

[0034] According to an embodiment, the cover assembly further includes a first elastic body in contact with at least a portion of an outer surface of the locking unit, and a second elastic body coupled to the other end portion of the mouthpiece, wherein the first elastic body is configured to return the locking unit to a position after the locking unit is moved, and the second elastic body is configured to rotate the other end portion of the mouthpiece based on the mouthpiece being separated from the locking unit.

[0035] According to an embodiment, the second elastic body is configured to rotate the other end portion of the mouthpiece at a speed faster than a speed at which the first elastic body is configured to return the locking unit to the position.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the first elastic body is a compression spring, and the second elastic body is a torsion spring.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the accommodation unit further includes a guide unit including a body, the guide unit being configured to limit displacement of the button unit to a predetermined range.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the mouthpiece further includes a passage extending from the one end portion to the other end portion to allow an aerosol to travel through the passage.

[0039] According to an embodiment, a cross-sectional area of the one end portion of the mouthpiece is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the other end portion of the mouthpiece.

[0040] According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol generating device is provided. The aerosol generating device includes a cover assembly and a medium storage.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the mouthpiece further includes a passage extending from the one end portion to the other end portion to allow an aerosol to travel through the passage, and the medium storage is in communication with the passage when the mouthpiece is in the open position, and the medium storage is not in communication with the passage when the mouthpiece is in the closed position.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the medium storage includes a liquid cartridge or a granular cartridge.

[0043] Schemes of the present disclosure

[0044] In terms of the terms used to describe various embodiments, general terms widely used at present are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can vary according to intentions of a creator, judicial precedents, emergence of new technologies, and the like. Also, in a certain case, there can be terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant. In this case, the meanings of the terms will be described in detail in the description of the disclosure. Therefore, the terms used herein will not be simply based on names of the terms but will be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the content of the disclosure.

[0045] As used herein, expressions such as "at least one of...," when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. For example, the expression "at least one of a, b, and c" should be understood as including only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, or all of a, b, and c.

[0046] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on" or "connected to" another element, it can be directly on, connected to, or integral with the other element or intervening elements can be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly connected to" another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will be understood that, although the terms "first," "second," etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms since such terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

[0047] 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 / or operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

[0048] In addition, the terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first" or "second", used in the specification can be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

[0049] In addition, some of the components in the drawings can be exaggerated in size or proportions. In addition, components shown in some of the drawings can not be shown in other drawings.

[0050] Hereinafter, example embodiments of the disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that one of ordinary skill in the art can easily practice the disclosure. However, the embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein.

[0051] FIG. 1A is a view showing a cover assembly coupled to an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is FIG. 1Aan exploded view of the cover assembly.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 1A , the aerosol-generating device 20 according to the embodiment can include a housing 40, a medium storage 30, and a cover assembly 10. Specifically, the medium storage 30 can be included in the housing 40. In addition, the cover assembly 10 can be adjacent to at least a portion of the medium storage 30, and at least some components of the cover assembly 10 are included in the housing 40, and at least a portion of a mouthpiece 100 constituting the cover assembly 10 (refer to FIG. 1B ) can be exposed to the outside of the housing 40.

[0053] Meanwhile, those skilled in the art related to the present embodiment will be able to understand without difficulty that the aerosol-generating device 20 according to another embodiment can further include other general components for generating an aerosol as well as the components shown in FIG. 1A .

[0054] Referring to FIG. 1B , the cover assembly 10 can include the mouthpiece 100, an accommodation unit 200, a button unit 210, a locking unit 220, a guide unit 230, a first elastic body 300, a second elastic body 400, a rotation shaft 500, and a shaft support 600. Hereinafter, the detailed structure of each component and the coupling relationship with other components will be described.

[0055] The mouthpiece 100 can include one end 110 which is in contact with a user's mouth and the other end 120 opposite to the one end 110, and the one end 110 can move to an open position or a closed position when the mouthpiece 100 is rotated around the other end 120. In addition, the other end 120 of the mouthpiece 100 can be coupled to the rotation shaft 500 and the second elastic body 400.

[0056] In addition, the shaft support 600 can be in contact with at least a portion of the other end 120 of the mouthpiece 100 to be coupled to the other end 120 of the mouthpiece 100 together with the rotation shaft 500.

[0057] The accommodation unit 200 can include the button unit 210 which is in contact with the one end 110 of the mouthpiece 100 and is displaced in a longitudinal direction by pressing the one end 110. According to one embodiment, when the one end 110 of the mouthpiece 100 is pressed by a user, the button unit 210 which is in contact with the one end 110 of the mouthpiece 100 is also displaced in the longitudinal direction by the mouthpiece 100. The longitudinal direction can be a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating device 20.

[0058] Also, the accommodation unit 200 can include a locking unit 220 including a first portion in contact with the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 and a second portion in contact with the button unit 210. According to one embodiment, when the first portion of the locking unit 220 is coupled to the mouthpiece 100, the mouthpiece 100 can be fixed, and when the second portion is pressed by the longitudinal displacement of the button unit 210 to move the locking unit 220 in the transverse direction, the locking unit 220 can be separated from the mouthpiece 100.

[0059] The transverse direction can be a direction intersecting both the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 20 and the direction in which the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 faces to be closed.

[0060] The locking unit 220 can be separated from the mouthpiece 100 by being pressed by the button unit 210 displaced in the longitudinal direction to move the locking unit 220 in the transverse direction. Specifically, when the first portion of the locking unit 220 is separated from the mouthpiece 100, the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 can move to the open position. That is, when the one end portion 110 is pressed, the mouthpiece 100 can be separated from the locking unit 220 to be opened semi-automatically.

[0061] In contrast, when the mouthpiece 100 is closed, the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 and the locking unit 220 can be coupled to each other to fix the mouthpiece 100 in the closed state.

[0062] The locking unit 220 can include a protrusion 221. Specifically, the locking unit 220 can include the protrusion 221 in at least a portion of the first portion, and the mouthpiece 100 can include a groove 111 having a shape capable of being coupled to the protrusion 221.

[0063] Also, the protrusion 221 can include a curved surface, and the groove 111 of the mouthpiece 100 can also include a curved surface having a shape corresponding to the curved surface of the protrusion 221. Specifically, the curved surface of the protrusion 221 can be convex, and the curved surface of the groove 111 can be concave.

[0064] Since the protrusion 221 and the groove 111 include curved surfaces, the button unit 210 can be easily displaced by pressing the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100. Specifically, when the mouthpiece 100 is closed, the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 can be displaced within a predetermined range. For example, when the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 is pressed in the longitudinal direction, the protrusion 221 and the groove 111 can be slightly separated, and the mouthpiece 100 can be displaced in the longitudinal direction, and thus, the button unit 210 can be pressed.

[0065] Meanwhile, the locking unit 220 can include a sliding portion 222 having a second portion formed as an inclined surface, and the button unit 210 can include an inclined surface having a shape corresponding to the sliding portion 222. Specifically, when the button unit 210 is pressed by the mouthpiece 100 to be displaced in the longitudinal direction, sliding occurs on the inclined surface, and the sliding portion 222 of the locking unit 220 can be pressed in the lateral direction. Accordingly, when the locking unit 220 moves in the lateral direction, the mouthpiece 100 can be separated from the first portion, and the mouthpiece 100 no longer receives the restraining force. Thus, the mouthpiece 100 rotates around the other end portion 120, and the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 can move to the open position.

[0066] The cover assembly 10 can further include a first elastic body 300 and a second elastic body 400. The first elastic body 300 can be in contact with at least a portion of an outer surface of the locking unit 220. Specifically, when the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 is in the closed position, the first elastic body 300 can be inserted into a space between the locking unit 220 and the housing 40 in a slightly deformed state to apply an elastic force to the locking unit 220. For example, the direction of the elastic force of the first elastic body 300 can be the aforementioned lateral direction.

[0067] Here, the slightly deformed state of the first elastic body 300 can refer to a state of deformation to such an extent that the first elastic body 300 can apply a slight elastic force to the locking unit 220 so that the mouthpiece 100 and the locking unit 220 can remain in the coupled state in the first portion or the curved surface.

[0068] In addition, when the locking unit 220 is pressed to move by the button unit 210, the first elastic body 300 can be further deformed. That is, the first elastic body 300 can be in a deformed state of a greater degree of deformation than the aforementioned slightly deformed state. Because an elastic body generates an elastic force proportional to the degree of deformation according to Hooke's law, when the locking unit 220 moves, the first elastic body 300 can apply a greater elastic force to the locking unit 220 to return the locking unit 220 to the original position.

[0069] Meanwhile, the first elastic body 300 can correspond to a compression spring or an elastic pad. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art related to the present embodiment can understand without difficulty that various types of elastic bodies capable of providing elasticity to the locking unit 220 can be included in the present disclosure.

[0070] As described above, the second elastic body 400 can be coupled to the other end portion 120 of the mouthpiece 100 together with the rotation shaft 500. Specifically, when the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 is in the closed position, the second elastic body 400 can be coupled to the other end portion 120 of the mouthpiece 100 in a slightly deformed state to apply an elastic force to the other end portion 120 of the mouthpiece 100.

[0071] Here, the slightly deformed state can refer to a state in which, when the mouthpiece 100 and the locking unit 220 are separated from each other, the second elastic body 400 applies a rotational force to the other end portion 120 of the mouthpiece 100 to move the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 to the open position.

[0072] Meanwhile, the second elastic body 400 can be a torsion spring. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and various types of elastic bodies capable of providing a rotational force to the other end portion 120 of the mouthpiece 100 can be included in the present disclosure.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the speed at which the mouthpiece 100 is opened can be faster than the speed at which the locking unit 220 is returned. For example, the speed at which the second elastic body 400 rotates the other end portion 120 of the mouthpiece 100 can be faster than the speed at which the first elastic body 300 returns the locking unit 220.

[0074] Specifically, the second elastic body 400 can be made of a material or a size that generates a greater elastic force than the first elastic body 300. For example, the second elastic body 400 can be an elastic body having a modulus of elasticity having a value greater than that of the first elastic body 300.

[0075] The accommodation unit 200 can further include a guide unit 230 for limiting displacement of the button unit 210 to a predetermined range. The guide unit 230 can be located between the locking unit 220 and the button unit 210, and the position of the guide unit 230 can be fixed by being in contact with at least a portion of the button unit 210 and / or at least a portion of the locking unit 220.

[0076] The accommodation unit 200 can include an empty space located between the button unit 210 and the locking unit 220, and when the button unit 210 is displaced into the empty space due to an impact of the cover assembly 10 or the like, the locking unit 220 cannot move in the lateral direction and the mouthpiece 100 cannot be opened.

[0077] To prevent such a situation, the guide unit 230 can be located in at least a portion of the empty space, and the guide unit 230 can guide the button unit 210 so that the button unit 210 can be displaced within a certain range inside the accommodation unit 200.

[0078] In addition, the guide unit 230 can include a locking protrusion 231 for limiting the longitudinal displacement of the button unit 210 to a predetermined range, and the button unit 210 can include a protrusion 211 that can be caught on the locking protrusion 231. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the button unit 210, which is pressed by the locking unit 220 that is returned to the original position by receiving the elastic force of the first elastic body 300 after the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 is moved to the open position, from being displaced to the position in which the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 is accommodated.

[0079] Referring to the above description, since the guide unit 230 is further included in the accommodation unit 200, the coupling between the locking unit 220 and the button unit 210 can be more firm, and the mouthpiece 100 can be semi-automatically opened and closed in a more stable manner.

[0080] FIG. 2A is a front cross-sectional view of a cover assembly according to an embodiment, FIG. 2B is a view showing FIG. 2A one aspect of the cover assembly shown in FIG. 2C is a view showing FIG. 2A another aspect of the cover assembly shown in

[0081] A cover assembly according to an embodiment will be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 2A-C A cover assembly according to an embodiment will be described in greater detail with reference to

[0082] Referring to FIG. 2A , a mouthpiece 100, a locking unit 220, a button unit 210, a guide unit 230, a first elastic body 300, and a housing 40 are shown. Specifically, the mouthpiece 100 can be accommodated in an accommodation unit 200 including the locking unit 220, the button unit 210, and the guide unit 230 when in a closed position, and a protrusion portion 221 of the locking unit 220 and a groove 111 of the mouthpiece 100 can be combined and fixed in an accommodated state.

[0083] In addition, the mouthpiece 100 can further include a passage extending from the one end portion 110 to the other end portion 120 such that an aerosol can travel through the passage. The passage is shown in a circular shape in cross-section but is not limited thereto, and passages having various shapes in cross-section can be included therein.

[0084] The locking unit 220 can include the protrusion portion 221 having a curved surface, and a second portion spaced apart from the protrusion portion 221 and in contact with the button unit 210. In addition, the second portion can include a sliding portion 222. In addition, the locking unit 220 can be composed of two members having symmetrical properties.

[0085] When the locking unit 220 is composed of two members, the mouthpiece 100 can include two grooves 111 and the button unit 210 can include two inclined surfaces and two protrusions 211. Accordingly, semi-automatic opening and closing of the mouthpiece 100 can be made more balanced.

[0086] Meanwhile, a predetermined space can exist between the locking unit 220 and the inner wall of the housing 40, so that the locking unit 220 can move in the lateral direction. The first elastic body 300 can be inserted into at least a portion of the predetermined space.

[0087] The button unit 210 can include the two inclined surfaces and the two protrusions 211. The inclined surfaces can each have a shape corresponding to a respective one of the sliding portions 222 of the locking unit 220 and can convert longitudinal displacement of the button unit 210 into lateral movement of the locking unit 220. In addition, the protrusions 211 can have a shape that can be caught on a respective one of the locking protrusions 231 included in the guide unit 230.

[0088] As described above, the first elastic body 300 can be inserted into the space between the locking unit 220 and the inner wall of the housing 40. Specifically, the first elastic body 300 can be in contact with at least a portion of the outer surface of the locking unit 220 and in contact with at least a portion of the inner wall of the housing 40.

[0089] According to FIG. 2A-C two first elastic bodies 300 are shown as being disposed in a lower portion of the space between the locking unit 220 and the housing 40, but are not limited thereto, and the first elastic body 300 can be disposed at another position to which the position of the locking unit 220 moved by being pressed by the button unit 210 can return. In addition, more than two first elastic bodies 300 can be included in the cover assembly 10.

[0090] Hereinafter, the semi-automatic opening / closing mechanism of the mouthpiece 100 included in the cover assembly 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C

[0091] With reference to FIG. 2B , it can be learned about the positional relationship of the respective components of the cover assembly 10 after the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 is pressed.

[0092] Specifically, when the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 is pressed, sliding occurs on the groove 111 of the mouthpiece 100 and on the curved surface of the protrusion portion 221 of the locking unit 220, and at the same time, the mouthpiece 100 can press at least a portion of the button unit 210 to displace the button unit 210 in the longitudinal direction.

[0093] ​In addition, the button unit 210 is displaced in the longitudinal direction along the sliding portion 222 of the locking unit 220 by the mouthpiece 100, and at the same time, the locking unit 220 is pressed on the sliding portion 222 by the protrusion portion 221 to move in the lateral direction, and thus, the mouthpiece 100 can be separated from the locking unit 220.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 2C It can be seen that the positional relationship of the respective components of the cover assembly 10 in which the mouthpiece 100 and the locking unit 220 are separated from each other after the pressing of the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 is removed.

[0095] As FIG. 2C shown in FIG. 4, when the mouthpiece 100 and the locking unit 220 are separated from each other, the second elastic body 400 rotates the other end portion 120 of the mouthpiece 100, and thus, the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 can be exposed.

[0096] In this case, the second elastic body 400 can rotate the other end portion 120 of the mouthpiece 100 faster than the first elastic body 300 returns the moving locking unit 220. Thus, only after the mouthpiece 100 is opened, the compressed first elastic body 300 can return the locking unit 220 to the original position of the locking unit 220. In response to this operation, the button unit 210 can return to the original position of the button unit 210.

[0097] FIG. 3A is a side cross-sectional view of a cover assembly according to an embodiment, FIG. 3B is FIG. 3A is a partial plan view of the cover assembly shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3C is a view showing FIG. 3A is a view showing one aspect of the cover assembly shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3D is FIG. 3C is a partial plan view of the cover assembly shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3E is a view showing FIG. 3A is a view showing another aspect of the cover assembly shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3F is FIG. 3E is a partial plan view of the cover assembly shown in FIG. 1.

[0098] Hereinafter, the cover assembly according to an embodiment will be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 3A-F The cover assembly according to an embodiment will be described in greater detail with reference to

[0099] Referring to FIG. 3A It can be seen that the mouthpiece 100 is closed and the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 is accommodated in the accommodation unit 200. That is, FIG. 3A may correspond to FIG. 2AAnd it is shown that the mouthpiece 100 is fixed by the locking unit in a state.

[0100] In a state in which the mouthpiece 100 is closed, the second elastic body 400 can be in a deformed state. That is, the second elastic body 400 applies a torque to the other end portion 120 of the mouthpiece 100, but the locking unit is coupled to the mouthpiece 100, and thus, the mouthpiece 100 can be in a fixed state without rotating.

[0101] The mouthpiece 100 can include a passage 130 extending from the one end portion 110 to the other end portion 120 such that an aerosol can travel through the passage 130, and the passage 130 can further include a distal end portion 132 disposed close to the other end portion 120 of the mouthpiece 100 and a proximal end portion 131 disposed close to the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100.

[0102] In detail, the proximal end portion 131 refers to a hole through which an aerosol exits through the passage 130 of the mouthpiece 100, and the distal end portion 132 refers to a hole through which an aerosol generated from the medium storage portion 30 enters the passage 130 of the mouthpiece 100.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 3C It can be seen that the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 is in a pressed state. In addition, it can be seen that the button unit 210 is displaced in the longitudinal direction when the mouthpiece 100 is pressed. That is, FIG. 3C The second elastic body 400 can be coupled to the rotation shaft 500 in a state in which the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 is pressed. FIG. 2B And it is shown that the button unit 210 is displaced in the longitudinal direction, the locking unit is moved in the lateral direction, and the mouthpiece 100 and the locking unit are separated from each other. In addition, the distal end portion 132 of the mouthpiece 100 can be in a state in which the distal end portion 132 is not connected to the medium storage portion 30.

[0104] When the mouthpiece 100 is closed, the second elastic body 400 can be in a deformed state. For example, the second elastic body 400 can be in a state in which the arms are twisted by about 90 degrees. In detail, the deformed second elastic body 400 applies a rotational force to the other end portion 120 of the mouthpiece 100, but because the one end portion 110 of the mouthpiece 100 is pressed, the mouthpiece 100 is not in an open state.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 3D In the plan view shown in FIG. 11, it can be seen that the second elastic body 400 having a number of turns of three is coupled to one end portion of the rotation shaft 500 in a deformed state. In addition, in order to adjust the opening speed of the mouthpiece 100, second elastic bodies 400 having different numbers of turns can be coupled to the rotation shaft 500, and an additional one second elastic body 400 can be further coupled to the other end portion of the rotation shaft 500.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 3EIt can be seen that the mouthpiece 100 is in an open state. That is, FIG. 3E It can be seen that the number of turns of the second elastic body 400 is three. FIG. 2C It can be seen that the mouthpiece 100 is in an open state. That is,

[0107] In the open state of the mouthpiece 100, the second elastic body 400 can be in an undeformed state. For example, the arms of the second elastic body 400 can not be twisted. Specifically, the second elastic body 400 can return to an original shape, and the mouthpiece 100 can be opened by receiving a rotational force.

[0108] According to an embodiment, the arms of the second elastic body 400 can be twisted by about 20 degrees. Thus, even in the open state of the mouthpiece 100, the second elastic body 400 can apply a predetermined rotational force to the other end portion 120 in a state in which it is deformed by a predetermined angle. Thus, when the user inhales an aerosol through the mouthpiece 100, the mouthpiece 100 can not easily rotate in the direction in which the mouthpiece 100 is closed.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 10, which is a plan view of the covering assembly according to another embodiment, FIG. 3F It can be seen that the second elastic body 400, the number of turns of which is three, is coupled to one end portion of the rotation shaft 500 in an undeformed state.

[0110] FIG. 4A is a plan view of a covering assembly according to another embodiment.

[0111] Referring to FIG. 10, which is a plan view of the covering assembly according to another embodiment, FIG. 4A The cross-sectional area of one end portion 110a of the mouthpiece can be smaller than the cross-sectional area of the other end portion 120a of the mouthpiece. Specifically, as the mouthpiece extends from the other end portion 120a to the one end portion 110a, the width of the mouthpiece can linearly narrow. Thus, a more precise operation can be required to press the one end portion 110a of the mouthpiece, and the one end portion 110a of the mouthpiece can be prevented from being pressed unintentionally.

[0112] For example, when the user does not want to open the mouthpiece, the mouthpiece can be prevented from being opened when the one end portion 110a of the mouthpiece comes into contact with an object or the user. In addition, when the user wants to open the mouthpiece, the user can open the mouthpiece by precisely pressing the one end portion 110a of the mouthpiece, which has a narrow cross-sectional area.

[0113] FIG. 4B is a plan view of a covering assembly according to another embodiment.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 10, which is a plan view of the covering assembly according to another embodiment, FIG. 4BThe cross-sectional area of one end 110b of the mouthpiece can be smaller than that of the other end 120b. For example, the width of the mouthpiece can change based on a predetermined point between the other end 120b and the one end 110b.

[0115] Specifically, the width of the mouthpiece changes at a midpoint between the one end 110b and the other end 120b, and thus the width of the one end 110b can be smaller than that of the other end 120b. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the mouthpiece from being opened again by excessive pressing of the one end of the mouthpiece when a user moves the one end 110b of the mouthpiece to the closed position with a finger.

[0116] For example, a user can press the one end 110b of the mouthpiece with a finger to close the opened mouthpiece. Since the width of the one end 110b is narrow, the finger can touch a portion of the housing 40 when the groove of the one end 110b and the protrusion of the locking unit are coupled to each other.

[0117] In this way, when the mouthpiece is closed, the one end 110b of the mouthpiece is prevented from being excessively pressed, and thus it is possible to prevent the button unit from being displaced in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the mouthpiece can be pressed only until it is coupled to the locking unit.

[0118] Meanwhile, the above effects are not limited to the shape of the mouthpiece shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B , and can be achieved by various shapes of the mouthpiece that facilitate opening and closing of the mouthpiece.

[0119] FIG. 5A is a view showing one aspect of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a view showing another aspect of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment.

[0120] Hereinafter, the aerosol-generating device 20 according to the embodiment to which the cover assembly 10 is applied will be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B .

[0121] The aerosol-generating device 20 according to the embodiment can include the cover assembly 10 according to the above-described embodiment and a medium storage 30, and an aerosol generated from the medium storage 30 can exit to the outside through the mouthpiece 100.

[0122] The aerosol-generating device 20 according to the embodiment can change from one aspect shown in FIG. 5A to another aspect shown in FIG. 5BIn another aspect shown in FIG. 1, and contrary to this, the aerosol generating device 20 can be connected to the medium storage 30 when the mouthpiece 100 is closed. FIG. 5B In this other aspect shown in FIG. 1, the connection between the aerosol generating device 20 and the medium storage 30 can be changed to FIG. 5A In this one aspect shown in FIG. 1.

[0123] Referring to FIG. 5A , a cover structure in which the mouthpiece 100 is closed is shown and the medium storage 30 is shown. The mouthpiece 100 can include a passage 130 connecting one end portion to another end portion of the mouthpiece 100 to allow the aerosol to travel through the passage 130, and the passage 130 can include a distal end portion 132 and a proximal end portion 131. The medium storage 30 can be located inside the housing 40 and can also include at least one discharge port 31.

[0124] According to one embodiment, the medium storage 30 can be in communication with the mouthpiece 100 when the mouthpiece 100 is open and not in communication with the mouthpiece 100 when the mouthpiece 100 is closed. Specifically, when the mouthpiece 100 is in a closed state, the distal end portion 132 of the passage 130 of the mouthpiece 100 is not connected to the discharge port 31 of the medium storage 30, as shown in FIG. 5A , and thus, the medium storage 30 is not in communication with the passage 130, and the aerosol in the medium storage 30 does not exit to the outside of the aerosol generating device 20.

[0125] Meanwhile, when the mouthpiece 100 is in an open state, the distal end portion 132 of the passage 130 of the mouthpiece 100 is connected to the discharge port 31 of the medium storage 30, as shown in FIG. 5B , and thus, the medium storage 30 and the passage 130 can be in communication with each other, and the aerosol in the medium storage 30 can exit from the aerosol generating device 20.

[0126] The power of the aerosol generating device 20 can be turned on / off based on whether the mouthpiece 100 is open or closed. Specifically, when the mouthpiece 100 is in a closed state, the power can be turned off so that the aerosol generating device 20 does not operate to prevent the aerosol from being generated from the medium storage 30. Meanwhile, when the mouthpiece 100 is in an open state, the power can be turned on so that the aerosol generating device 20 can operate.

[0127] For example, the aerosol generating device 20 can further include a sensor and a processor, and the sensor can detect a position change signal of the configuration of the aerosol generating device 20, which changes according to whether the mouthpiece 100 is open or closed. The processor can turn on / off the power of the aerosol generating device 20 based on the signal detected by the sensor.

[0128] The medium storage 30 can include a liquid cartridge or a granular cartridge. The liquid cartridge can store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition can be a liquid including a tobacco-containing substance containing a volatile tobacco flavor ingredient, or can be a liquid including a non-tobacco substance. Also, the granular cartridge can store a substance in the form of a granule or a capsule containing the same ingredients as the liquid composition or similar ingredients to the liquid composition.

[0129] The aerosol-generating device 20 can accommodate the liquid cartridge and can include an evaporator that generates an aerosol by heating a liquid in the liquid cartridge. The evaporator for heating the liquid can be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but is not limited thereto. The aerosol-generating device 20 can generate an aerosol by the evaporator after accommodating the liquid cartridge.

[0130] The medium storage 30 can be replaceable. Specifically, the medium storage 30 can also be manufactured to be detachable / attachable to the aerosol-generating device 20, or the medium storage 30 can also be manufactured integrally with the aerosol-generating device 20.

[0131] The aerosol-generating device 20 according to the embodiments can further include components for generating an aerosol therein. For example, the aerosol-generating device 20 can include a battery, a processor, and a heater or an ultrasonic vibrator.

[0132] The configuration and effects of the cover assembly 10 included in the aerosol-generating device 20 according to the embodiments can be the same as those of the cover assembly 10 described above with respect to the FIGS. 1A-4B embodiments, and a detailed description of the configurations and effects repeated therewith is omitted.

[0133] Those of ordinary skill in the art related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can understand without difficulty that general components for generating an aerosol can also be included in the aerosol-generating device 20.

[0134] Those of ordinary skill in the art related to the embodiments can understand that various changes in form and details can be made in the embodiments without departing from the scope of the features described above. The disclosed methods should be considered only as illustrative and not as limiting for the purposes of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A cover assembly comprising: a mouthpiece including one end portion configured to be in contact with a user's mouth and another end portion opposite to the one end portion, the mouthpiece configured to be moved to an open position and a closed position by rotation of the mouthpiece around the another end portion; and a housing unit for housing the one end portion of the mouthpiece in the closed position, wherein the housing unit includes: a button unit including a body, the button unit configured to be in contact with the one end portion of the mouthpiece and to be displaced in a longitudinal direction based on the one end portion being pressed; a locking unit including a body, the body of the locking unit including a first portion configured to be in contact with the one end portion of the mouthpiece and a second portion configured to be in contact with the button unit, and the first portion of the locking unit configured to be coupled to the mouthpiece to fix the mouthpiece, and the first portion of the locking unit further configured to be separated from the mouthpiece by moving the first portion of the locking unit in a transverse direction based on the second portion being pressed by the button unit being displaced in the longitudinal direction. the one end portion of the mouthpiece configured to be moved to the open position based on the locking unit being separated from the mouthpiece.

2. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein, the first portion of the body of the locking unit includes a protrusion, and the mouthpiece includes a groove having a shape configured to be coupled to the protrusion.

3. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein, the protrusion includes a curved surface.

4. The cover assembly of claim 3, wherein, 5.The cover assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a first elastic body in contact with at least a portion of an outer surface of the locking unit; and a second elastic body coupled to the another end portion of the mouthpiece, wherein the first elastic body is configured to return the locking unit to a position after the locking unit is moved, and the second elastic body is configured to rotate the another end portion of the mouthpiece based on the mouthpiece being separated from the locking unit. the second elastic body is configured to rotate the another end portion of the mouthpiece faster than the first elastic body is configured to return the locking unit to the position. 7.The cover assembly of claim 5, wherein, 6. The cover assembly of claim 5, wherein, the first elastic body is a compression spring, and the second elastic body is a torsion spring. the housing unit further includes a guide unit including a body, the guide unit configured to limit displacement of the button unit to a predetermined range. the mouthpiece further includes a passage extending from the one end portion to the another end portion to allow an aerosol to travel through the passage.

8. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein, a cross-sectional area of the one end portion of the mouthpiece is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the another end portion of the mouthpiece.

9. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein, 11.A cover assembly comprising:

10. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein, ​ ​ a mouthpiece including one end portion configured to be in contact with a user's mouth and another end portion opposite to the one end portion, the mouthpiece being configured to be moved to an open position and a closed position by rotation of the mouthpiece around the other end portion; and a housing unit for housing the one end portion of the mouthpiece in the closed position, wherein the housing unit includes: a button unit including a body, the button unit being configured to be in contact with the one end portion of the mouthpiece and to be displaced in a longitudinal direction based on the one end portion being pressed; a locking unit including a body, the body of the locking unit including a first portion configured to be in contact with the one end portion of the mouthpiece and a second portion configured to be in contact with the button unit, and the second portion of the body of the locking unit includes a sliding portion that is a sloped surface, and the body of the button unit includes a sloped surface having a shape corresponding to the sliding portion.

12. An aerosol-generating device comprising, The aerosol-generating device includes: the cover assembly according to claim 1; and a medium storage portion. 13.The aerosol-generating device of claim 12, wherein, the mouthpiece further includes a passage extending from the one end portion to the other end portion to allow an aerosol to travel through the passage, and the medium storage portion is in communication with the passage when the mouthpiece is in the open position, and the medium storage portion is not in communication with the passage when the mouthpiece is in the closed position.

14. The aerosol-generating device of claim 12, wherein, The medium storage portion includes a liquid cartridge or a granular cartridge.

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