Heater assembly and aerosol-generating device comprising the same

Abstract

Disclosed is a heater assembly for accommodating and heating an aerosol generating article, and an aerosol generating device including the same. The heater assembly includes an accommodation portion configured to accommodate an end portion of the aerosol generating article, a heating portion arranged to surround another portion of the aerosol generating article, and a coupling portion configured to couple the accommodation portion and the heating portion and including an engineering plastic. The accommodation portion, the coupling portion, and the heating portion are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article and form an accommodation space to accommodate the aerosol generating article.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] One or more embodiments of the disclosure relate to a heater assembly and an aerosol generating device including the same. BACKGROUND

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for aerosol generating devices that generate aerosols by heating an aerosol generating material rather than by burning a cigarette. Accordingly, research into smoking articles or devices that operate in various ways has been actively conducted. SUMMARY

[0003] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0004] In an aerosol generating device, coupling members can be used to minimize a gap between members and improve coupling and sealing forces. Typically, these coupling members are made of silicon, rubber, or the like.

[0005] In an aerosol generating device, high-temperature heating often occurs during use. Materials such as silicon and rubber, which are typically used as coupling members, have low thermal resistance, and thus shapes can be deformed at high temperatures. In this case, the coupling and sealing forces between the members can be deteriorated, and high-temperature aerosols can leak into the inside of the aerosol generating device. As a result, the service life of the aerosol generating device can be shortened.

[0006] SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0007] A heater assembly for accommodating and heating an aerosol generating article according to an embodiment can include an accommodation portion configured to accommodate an end portion of the aerosol generating article, a heating portion arranged to surround another portion of the aerosol generating article and configured to heat the aerosol generating article, and a coupling portion configured to couple the accommodation portion and the heating portion, and the coupling portion includes an engineering plastic, wherein the accommodation portion, the coupling portion, and the heating portion are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article and form an accommodation space in which the aerosol generating article is accommodated.

[0008] A heater assembly for housing and heating an aerosol generating article according to another embodiment can include a housing portion configured to house an end portion of the aerosol generating article, a first heating portion arranged to surround a first portion of the aerosol generating article and configured to heat the aerosol generating article, a second heating portion arranged to surround at least another portion of the aerosol generating article in a lengthwise direction and configured to heat the aerosol generating article, and a coupling portion configured to couple the first heating portion and the second heating portion, and including an engineering plastic, wherein the housing portion, the first heating portion, the coupling portion, and the second heating portion are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article and form a housing space in which the aerosol generating article is housed.

[0009] An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment can include a heater assembly, a battery configured to supply power to the heater assembly, and a processor configured to control the power supplied to the heater assembly.

[0010] The measures for solving the problems are not limited to the above description and can include all that can be inferred from the entire application document by those skilled in the art.

[0011] Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the heater assembly according to an embodiment, an engineering plastic having excellent thermal resistance is used for the coupling member. Accordingly, coupling and sealing of the components of the heater assembly can be stably maintained despite high-temperature heating. In addition, leakage of high-temperature aerosol generated in the heater assembly can be prevented. Accordingly, the service life of the aerosol generating device can be prevented from being shortened due to heat.

[0013] In addition, different portions of the aerosol generating article can be heated at different temperatures. Accordingly, nicotine transfer in the aerosol generating article can be facilitated, and an adequate amount of aerosol can be generated and provided to a user.

[0014] Effects of the embodiments are not limited to the above description and can include all effects that can be inferred from the embodiments and the accompanying drawings described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a heater assembly according to an embodiment;

[0016] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the heater assembly according to an embodiment; Figure 1

[0017] Figure 3A ​and Figure 3B The assembly portion of the heater assembly according to different embodiments is shown;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a heater assembly according to another embodiment;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic view showing the structure of an aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment;

[0020] Figure 6 It is used to describe Figure 5 Aerosol-generating products are contained in accordance with Figure 4 A diagram illustrating the process of heating in and by the heater assembly according to an embodiment;

[0021] Figure 7 This is a schematic perspective view of a heater assembly according to another embodiment;

[0022] Figure 8 It schematically shows the basis Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the heater assembly according to the embodiment;

[0023] Figure 9 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a heater assembly according to another embodiment;

[0024] Figure 10 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a heater assembly according to another embodiment;

[0025] Figure 11 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a heater assembly according to another embodiment;

[0026] Figure 12 It is used to describe Figure 5 Aerosol-generating products are contained in accordance with Figure 11 A diagram illustrating the process of heating in and by the heater assembly according to an embodiment;

[0027] Figure 13 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a heater assembly according to another embodiment;

[0028] Figure 14 It shows that Figure 5 Aerosol-generating articles inserted into including according to Figure 9 A diagram showing the state of the heater assembly in the aerosol generating apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

[0029] Figure 15 It shows that Figure 5 Aerosol-generating articles inserted into including according toFigure 13 A diagram showing the state of the heater assembly in the aerosol generating apparatus according to the embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Best way to carry out the invention

[0031] A heater assembly for containing and heating an aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment includes: a containing portion configured to contain at least a portion of an end of the aerosol-generating article; a heating portion arranged around at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article in a length direction and configured to heat the aerosol-generating article; and a joining portion configured to join the containing portion and the heating portion, and the joining portion comprising engineering plastic, wherein the containing portion, the joining portion, and the heating portion are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article and form a containing space for containing the aerosol-generating article.

[0032] The accommodating portion can have a length of 5 mm to 10 mm based on the longitudinal direction of the accommodating space.

[0033] Engineering plastics may include at least one of the following: polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polysulfone (PSU), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethersulfone (PES), polyphenylsulfone (PPS), polyimide (PI), and liquid crystal polymer (LCP).

[0034] The joining portion may extend along the longitudinal direction of the accommodating space to contact at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the heating portion.

[0035] The heating element may include: a base arranged on its inner side to face the aerosol-generating article, and the base being configured to generate heat through an external magnetic field; and a coil arranged on the outer side of the base and configured to generate an induced magnetic field.

[0036] The heater assembly may also include a thermal insulator that is combined with the heating portion and configured to block at least a portion of the end of the receiving space and to block the movement of heat from inside the receiving space to the outside.

[0037] A heater assembly for containing and heating an aerosol-generating article according to another embodiment includes: a containing portion configured to contain at least a portion of an end of the aerosol-generating article; a first heating portion arranged around at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article in a length direction and configured to heat the aerosol-generating article; a second heating portion arranged around at least another portion of the aerosol-generating article in a length direction and configured to heat the aerosol-generating article; and a joining portion configured to join the first heating portion and the second heating portion and comprising engineering plastic, wherein the containing portion, the first heating portion, the joining portion, and the second heating portion are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article and form a containing space for containing the aerosol-generating article.

[0038] The first heating section may have a length of 5 mm to 10 mm in the longitudinal direction based on the accommodating space.

[0039] Engineering plastics may include at least one of the following: polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polysulfone (PSU), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethersulfone (PES), polyphenylsulfone (PPS), polyimide (PI), and liquid crystal polymer (LCP).

[0040] The joining portion can extend along the longitudinal direction of the accommodating space to contact at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the first heating portion, and the joining portion can extend along the longitudinal direction of the accommodating space to contact at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the second heating portion.

[0041] At least one of the first heating portion and the second heating portion may include: a base arranged on its inner side to face the aerosol generating article, and the base being configured to be heated by an external magnetic field; and a coil arranged on the outer side of the base and configured to generate an induced magnetic field.

[0042] The first heating section and the second heating section can heat the aerosol-generated product at different temperatures.

[0043] The heater assembly may also include a thermal insulator that is combined with the second heating portion and is configured to block at least a portion of the end of the receiving space and to block the movement of heat from inside the receiving space to the outside.

[0044] An aerosol generating apparatus according to an embodiment may include: a heater assembly; a battery configured to supply power to the heater assembly; and a processor configured to control the power supplied to the heater assembly.

[0045] The solution of the present invention

[0046] With regard to the terminology used in describing the various embodiments of this disclosure, generally widely used terms are selected in consideration of the function of the structural elements in the various embodiments of this disclosure. However, the meanings of these terms may change depending on intent, judicial precedent, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Furthermore, in some cases, terms that are not commonly used may be selected. In such cases, the meaning of the term will be described in detail in the corresponding part of the description of this disclosure. Therefore, the terminology used in the various embodiments of this disclosure should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the description provided herein.

[0047] Throughout the application, the term "implementation" is used arbitrarily for ease of description of the invention in this disclosure, and each embodiment is not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, the configuration disclosed in the embodiments may be applied and / or implemented in other embodiments, and the configuration may be applied and / or implemented by modification without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0048] Furthermore, the terminology used in this application is for describing embodiments and is not intended to limit the embodiments. In this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, the singular includes the plural.

[0049] Furthermore, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the term "comprising" and variations such as "including" or "including" will be understood to mean that the stated element is included but does not exclude any other element. Additionally, the terms "device," "component," and "module" described in the application refer to a unit for processing at least one function and operation, and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

[0050] As used herein, expressions such as “at least one of…” modify the entire list of elements rather than individual elements in the list when following a list of elements. For example, the expression “at least one of a, b, and c” should be understood as: including only a, including only b, including only c, including both a and b, including both a and c, including both b and c, or including all of a, b, and c.

[0051] Furthermore, in this application, the aerosol generating device may be a device that uses an aerosol generating substance to generate aerosols so that the aerosols can be directly inhaled into the user's lungs through the user's mouth.

[0052] Furthermore, as used herein, terms including ordinal numbers such as "first" or "second" may be used to describe various components, but the component should not be limited by such terms. Terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from others.

[0053] Throughout the application, "aerosol-generating article" refers to an article intended for smoking. For example, an aerosol-generating article can be a conventional combustible cigarette that is ignited and burned, or a heated cigarette that is heated but not burned by an aerosol-generating device. In another example, an aerosol-generating article can be a cartridge containing a liquid aerosol-generating substance. One or more aerosol-generating articles (e.g., cigarettes and cartridges) can be used in an aerosol-generating device.

[0054] The term "downstream" refers to the direction in which the aerosol moves toward the user's mouth in an aerosol-generating article (e.g., a cigarette) or in an aerosol-generating device during smoking, and the term "upstream" refers to the opposite direction of downstream. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" can be used to indicate the relative positions of components of an aerosol-generating article or device. For example, the portion of a cigarette placed in the user's mouth corresponds to the downstream end of the cigarette.

[0055] In the following description, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated, enabling those skilled in the art to readily implement the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0056] In the following description, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0057] Figure 1 A perspective view of the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment is schematically shown, and Figure 2 It schematically shows the basis Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment.

[0058] according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The heater assembly 100 of the embodiment shown can be installed in an aerosol generating apparatus, and the heater assembly 100 can perform the function of containing and heating the aerosol generating article to generate aerosol.

[0059] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The heater assembly 100 may include a receiving portion 110, a connecting portion 130, and a heating portion 140. However, the embodiments are not limited to this, and the heater assembly 100 may also include other... Figure 1 Other conventional components besides those shown.

[0060] The accommodating portion 110, the connecting portion 130, and the heating portion 140 can be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article and can form an accommodating space 101 for accommodating the aerosol generating article. For example, the accommodating space 101 can have a cylindrical shape. In this case, the diameter of the accommodating space 101 can be approximately the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of the cylindrical aerosol generating article.

[0061] The receiving portion 110 can accommodate at least a portion of the upstream end of the aerosol generating article. The longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article refers to the direction along which the aerosol generating article extends or the direction along which the aerosol generating article is inserted into the aerosol generating device.

[0062] The receiving portion 110 can be arranged to surround the end portion of the aerosol-generated article. The receiving portion 110 can be integrally formed as a single element, or it can be formed by combining multiple elements.

[0063] More specifically, the receiving portion 110 may include an end receiving portion 111 and a side receiving portion 112. The end receiving portion 111 may support the end (i.e., upstream end) of the aerosol generating article contained therein. The side receiving portion 112 may be coupled to the end receiving portion 111 such that the side receiving portion 112 surrounds a portion of the side surface of the aerosol generating article near the upstream end of the aerosol generating article.

[0064] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the side receiving portion 112 may have a cylindrical shape, and one end of the side receiving portion 112 may engage with a groove formed in the end receiving portion 111, such that the side receiving portion 112 is connected to the end receiving portion 111. However, the shape of the end receiving portion 111 and the shape of the side receiving portion 112 are not limited thereto, and the end receiving portion 111 and the side receiving portion 112 may be modified in various shapes to facilitate the connection of the end receiving portion 111 and the side receiving portion 112.

[0065] The accommodating portion 110 may include at least one of the following: polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polysulfone (PSU), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethersulfone (PES), polyphenylsulfone (PPS), and polyimide (PI).

[0066] The end receiving portion 111 and the side receiving portion 112 may comprise the same plastic or different plastics. For example, the end receiving portion 111 and the side receiving portion 112 may comprise PC.

[0067] In another example, the end receiving portion 111 may include PC, and the side receiving portion 112 may include ABS. The plastic included in the receiving portion 110 may be appropriately selected taking into account the heating temperature of the heating portion 140 and the thermal resistance of the plastic.

[0068] The accommodating portion 110 may have a length of 5 mm to 10 mm in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating space 101. The longitudinal direction of the accommodating space 101 refers to the direction along which the length of the accommodating space 101 extends or the direction along which the aerosol generating article is inserted into the accommodating space 101.

[0069] The first part of the aerosol generating article can be housed in the housing portion 110. The first part of the aerosol generating article can have a length of 5 mm to 10 mm in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article. That is, the length of the first part of the aerosol generating article and the length of the housing portion 110 can correspond to each other.

[0070] The first part of the aerosol-generating article may include an aerosol-generating substance, and the second part of the aerosol-generating article may include tobacco substances. Since the first and second parts of the aerosol-generating article include different substances, the heating temperature needs to be adjusted in different ways. For this purpose, the length of the accommodating portion 110 can be set to be the same as the length of the first part of the aerosol-generating article, making it easy to adjust the heat applied to the first and second parts of the aerosol-generating article by the heater assembly 100. As a result, the heater assembly 100 according to this embodiment can improve nicotine transfer in the aerosol-generating article and generate a sufficient amount of aerosol. A detailed description of the first and second parts of the aerosol-generating article will be provided below.

[0071] The receiving portion 110 may include an air hole 102 for introducing air from the outside when the user inhales. For example, the air hole 102 may be formed in the end receiving portion 111. The air introduced into the receiving portion 110 may pass through an aerosol generating article, thereby generating an aerosol.

[0072] The joining portion 130 may include engineering plastic and may be disposed between the receiving portion 110 and the heating portion 140 to join the receiving portion 110 and the heating portion 140. The joining portion 130 can join the receiving portion 110 and the heating portion 140 and can also effectively seal the receiving space 101.

[0073] Engineering plastics refer to plastics with excellent strength and elasticity. They can even be used under high-temperature conditions. Plastic materials with an operating temperature above 100°C are classified as engineering plastics.

[0074] Typically, silicone and rubber used in connecting components have low thermal resistance. Therefore, when heat is applied, the physical shape of the silicone or rubber can deform. As a result, the connection force and sealing force can be reduced.

[0075] The connecting portion 130 contacts the heating portion 140, which receives high-temperature heat. Therefore, the connecting portion 130 needs to have excellent thermal resistance. If the high-temperature aerosol generated in the aerosol generating article leaks to the outside of the housing space 101 of the heater assembly 100, the heat can deform the components of the aerosol generating device, which will reduce the service life and durability of the aerosol generating device.

[0076] According to the embodiment, the connecting portion 130 may include an engineering plastic with excellent thermal resistance, so that excellent connection and sealing force are maintained even when the heating portion 140 is heated to a high temperature. Therefore, the interior of the housing space 101 of the heater assembly 100 can be maintained at a uniform temperature. In addition, the service life of the aerosol generating device can be prevented from being reduced due to aerosol leakage. Furthermore, the aerosol generated in the aerosol generating article can be completely delivered to the user without leakage.

[0077] The engineering plastic may be selected from at least one of the following: PEEK, PSU, PEI, PES, PPS, PI, and LCP. However, the implementation is not limited to this, and engineering plastics with sufficient thermal resistance may be used without restriction.

[0078] Figure 3A and Figure 3B The assembly portion 130 of the heater assembly 100 according to different embodiments is shown.

[0079] Reference Figure 3A and Figure 3B The connecting portion 130 can extend along the longitudinal direction of the accommodating space 101 to contact the inner and / or outer surfaces of the side accommodating portion 112. Since the contact area between the connecting portion 130 and the accommodating portion 110 is increased, the connection force between the connecting portion 130 and the accommodating portion 110 can be increased.

[0080] Furthermore, the connecting portion 130 may extend along the longitudinal direction of the accommodating space 101 to contact the inner and / or outer surfaces of the heating portion 140. Because the contact area between the connecting portion 130 and the heating portion 140 is increased, the connection force between the connecting portion 130 and the accommodating portion 110 can be increased. Furthermore, the sealing force of the accommodating space 101 is improved, and thus heat supplied from the heating portion 140 to the accommodating space 101 can be prevented from leaking to the outside of the accommodating space 101.

[0081] The joining portion 130 can extend circumferentially at the end of the heating portion 140, which has a cylindrical shape. That is, the joining portion 130 can be joined to the entire end of the heating portion 140, so that heat can be effectively prevented from leaking to the outside through the gap between the heating portion 140 and the housing portion 110. In addition, the first portion of the aerosol-generating article housed in the housing portion 110 and the second portion of the aerosol-generating article housed in the heating portion 140 can be heated at different temperatures.

[0082] According to an embodiment, the bonding portion 130 may contact the outer surface of the aerosol generating article to which it is housed. The outer surface of the aerosol generating article that contacts the bonding portion 130 may include the boundary between the first portion and the second portion of the aerosol generating article.

[0083] The heating element 140 can be arranged to surround at least a portion of the contained aerosol generating article and can heat the aerosol generating article. For example, the heating element 140 can have a cylindrical shape, and at least a portion of the aerosol generating article can be contained within the cylindrical heating element 140. Therefore, when the aerosol generating article is inserted into the receiving space 101, the heating element 140 can be located outside the aerosol generating article.

[0084] The heating element 140 may be a resistance heater. For example, the heating element 140 may include a conductive trace, and the heating element 140 may be heated when current flows through the conductive trace. However, the heating element 140 is not limited to the above example, as long as the heating element 140 can be heated to the desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be preset in the heater assembly 100 and may also be set by the user.

[0085] In another example, the heating section 140 may be an induction heating type heater.

[0086] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a heater assembly 100 including an induction heating type heating section 140 according to another embodiment.

[0087] Reference Figure 4The heating portion 140 may include a base S arranged on the inner side of the heating portion 140 facing the aerosol-generating article, and the base S generates heat through induction heating in an alternating magnetic field. A coil C may be arranged on the outer side of the base S to induce the alternating magnetic field.

[0088] Induction heating methods can include methods that generate heat from magnetic materials by applying an alternating magnetic field.

[0089] When an alternating magnetic field is applied to a magnetic material, energy loss can occur due to eddy current losses and hysteresis losses. This lost energy can be released as heat by the magnetic material. As the amplitude or frequency of the alternating magnetic field applied to the magnetic material increases, the heat released by the magnetic material also increases. The heater assembly 100 can release heat by applying an alternating magnetic field to the magnet and can transfer the heat emitted from the magnet to the aerosol-generated article.

[0090] At least a portion of the base S may be formed of a ferromagnetic material. The base S may include a metal or carbon. The base S may include at least one of iron, ferromagnetic alloys, stainless steel, and aluminum (Al). In addition, the base S may include at least one of the following: ceramics (such as graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, nickel alloys, metal films, zirconium oxide, etc.), transition metals (such as nickel (Ni) or cobalt (Co)), and metalloids (such as boron (B) or phosphorus (P)).

[0091] Coil C can apply an alternating magnetic field to heater assembly 100. When electricity is supplied to coil C, a magnetic field can be formed inside coil C. When alternating current (AC) is applied to coil C, the direction of the magnetic field formed inside coil C can be continuously changed. When base S is located inside coil C and exposed to the alternating magnetic field in which the direction of the magnetic field changes periodically, base S can be heated, and the aerosol generating article contained in heater assembly 100 can be heated.

[0092] The coil C can be positioned to apply an alternating magnetic field to the base S. For example, the base S can be arranged on the inner side of the heating section 140 facing the aerosol-generating article, and the coil C can be arranged on the outer side of the base S. In this way, the alternating magnetic field induced by the coil C can be effectively applied to the base S.

[0093] The degree to which the heater assembly 100 heats the aerosol-generating article can be varied according to the amplitude or frequency of the alternating magnetic field formed by the coil C. Since the amplitude and frequency of the magnetic field of the coil C can be changed by the power applied to the coil C, the aerosol generating apparatus can regulate the power applied to the coil C, thereby controlling the heating of the aerosol-generating article. For example, the aerosol generating apparatus can control the amplitude and frequency of the alternating current applied to the coil C.

[0094] For example, coil C can be constructed as a solenoid. Coil C can be a solenoid wound along the side surface of receiving space 101. The aerosol generating article can be housed within the internal space of the solenoid. The solenoid can be, but is not limited to, copper (Cu). The solenoid can include any of the following: silver (Ag), gold (Au), aluminum (Al), tungsten (W), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni), or an alloy comprising at least one of the above.

[0095] Figure 5 This is a schematic view showing the structure of the aerosol generating article 300 according to an embodiment.

[0096] Reference Figure 5 The aerosol-generating article 300 may include a first portion 310, a second portion 320, a third portion 330, and a fourth portion 340. According to an embodiment, the first portion 310 may include an aerosol-generating substance, the second portion 320 may include tobacco substances and a humectant, the third portion 330 may cool the airflow passing through the first portion 310 and the second portion 320, and the fourth portion 340 may include filter material.

[0097] Reference Figure 5 The first portion 310, the second portion 320, the third portion 330, and the fourth portion 340 can be arranged sequentially along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 300. Here, the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 300 can be the direction along which the aerosol generating article 300 extends. For example, the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 300 can be the direction from the first portion 310 toward the fourth portion 340. Therefore, an airflow including the aerosol generated by at least one of the first portion 310 and the second portion 320 can sequentially pass through the first portion 310, the second portion 320, the third portion 330, and the fourth portion 340. Thus, a smoker can inhale the aerosol from the fourth portion 340.

[0098] Part 310 may include aerosol-generating substances. Furthermore, Part 310 may include other additives, such as flavoring agents, wetting agents, and / or organic acids, or flavoring liquids, such as menthol or humectants. Here, aerosol-generating substances may include at least one of, for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. However, this disclosure is not limited to the above examples, and this disclosure may include all the various types of aerosol-generating substances widely known in the art.

[0099] The first portion 310 may include a rolled sheet, and the aerosol-generating substance may be included in the first portion 310 impregnated with the rolled sheet. Furthermore, other additives, such as fragrance materials like flavoring agents, wetting agents, and / or organic acids, as well as fragrance liquids, may be included in the first portion 310 when absorbed into the rolled sheet.

[0100] The rollable sheet can be a sheet formed from a polymeric material. For example, the polymeric material may include at least one of cellulose acetate, lyocell, and polylactic acid. Alternatively, the rollable sheet may be a paper sheet that does not develop an odor due to heat, even when heated to high temperatures. However, the implementation is not limited to this.

[0101] The first portion 310 may extend from the distal end of the aerosol-generating article 300 to about 7 mm to about 20 mm, and the second portion 320 may extend from the end of the first portion 310 to about 7 mm to about 20 mm. However, the embodiments are not limited to this range of figures, and the length of each of the first portion 310 and the second portion 320 may be suitably adjusted within a range that can be easily changed by those skilled in the art.

[0102] Part 2, 320, may include tobacco substances. Tobacco substances may be provided in various forms. For example, tobacco substances may be in the form of tobacco shredded filler, tobacco pellets, tobacco sheets, tobacco beads, tobacco granules, tobacco powder, or tobacco extract. Furthermore, tobacco substances may include, for example, at least one of tobacco leaves, tobacco stems, expanded tobacco, pipe tobacco, tobacco sheets, and reconstituted tobacco.

[0103] The third section 330 can cool the airflow that has passed through the first section 310 and the second section 320. The third section 330 can be made of a polymeric or biodegradable polymeric material, and it can have a cooling function. For example, the third section 330 can be made of polylactic acid (PLA) fibers, but the implementation is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the third section 330 can include a cellulose acetate filter having multiple pores therein. However, the third section 330 is not limited to the examples described above, and any material capable of cooling aerosols can be used without limitation. For example, the third section 330 can be a hollow tube filter or a paper tube filter.

[0104] The fourth portion 340 may include filter material. For example, the fourth portion 340 may be a cellulose acetate filter. The shape of the fourth portion 340 is not limited. For example, the fourth portion 340 may be a cylindrical rod or a tubular rod including a cavity. As another example, the fourth portion 340 may be a recessed rod. The fourth portion 340 includes a plurality of segments, and at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape.

[0105] The fourth part 340 can also be manufactured to produce a fragrance. In one example, a fragrance liquid can be injected into the fourth part 340. As another example, fibers coated with the fragrance liquid can be inserted into the fourth part 340.

[0106] The aerosol generating article 300 may include a package 350 that partially or completely surrounds the first portion 310 through the fourth portion 340. The package 350 may be the outermost layer of the aerosol generating article 300, and the package 350 may be a single package or a combination of multiple packages.

[0107] In the example, the first portion 310 of the aerosol-generating article 300 may include a rolled-up, pleated sheet containing an aerosol-generating substance, the second portion 320 may include a tobacco substance (e.g., tobacco filler) and a humectant (e.g., glycerin), the third portion 330 may include a paper tube, and the fourth portion 340 may include cellulose acetate (CA) fibers. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0108] Figure 6 It shows that it will Figure 5 300 aerosol-generating products are placed in accordance with Figure 4 A view of the heater assembly 100 in the embodiment of the present invention and the heating process of the heater assembly 100.

[0109] Reference Figure 6 300 aerosol-generated products are placed in accordance with Figure 4 In the heater assembly 100 of the embodiment. However, Figure 6 The arrangement of the heater assembly 100, housing portion 110, heating portion 140, and connecting portion 130 shown is merely an example, and the implementation is not limited thereto. Figure 6 In this embodiment, the heating section 140 includes an induction heating type heater, which includes a base S and a coil C, but the implementation is not limited to this. For example, a resistance heater may be arranged.

[0110] When the aerosol generating article 300 is housed in the heater assembly 100, the first portion 310 of the aerosol generating article 300 is surrounded by the housing portion 110, and the second portion 320 of the aerosol generating article 300 can be surrounded by the heating portion 140. With this arrangement, the heating temperatures of the first portion 310 and the second portion 320 of the aerosol generating article 300 can be controlled to be different from each other.

[0111] Furthermore, the boundary between the first portion 310 and the second portion 320 of the aerosol-generating article 300 may be surrounded by the bonding portion 130. Compared to the first portion 310, which includes the aerosol-generating substance, the second portion 320, which includes the tobacco substance, may require a higher heating temperature. Since the boundary between the first portion 310 and the second portion 320 is surrounded by the bonding portion 130, the heat transferred from the heating portion 140 to the first portion 310 can be reduced.

[0112] Figure 7 A perspective view of a heater assembly 100 according to another embodiment is schematically shown, and Figure 8 It schematically shows the basis Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 9 A schematic cross-sectional view of a heater assembly 100 according to another embodiment is shown.

[0113] Reference Figure 7 to Figure 9 The heater assembly 100 may also include a thermal insulator 150 combined with the heating portion 140. The insulator 150 may block at least a portion of the opening (i.e., the downstream end) of the receiving space 101 and may prevent the movement of heat from inside the receiving space 101 to the outside.

[0114] The thermal insulator 150 may extend circumferentially at the downstream end of the heating portion 140 having a cylindrical shape. That is, the thermal insulator 150 may be integrated with the entire end of the heating portion 140 such that at least a portion of the heat inside the accommodating space 101 may be blocked from moving outward through the end of the heating portion 140.

[0115] The thermal insulator 150 may extend along the longitudinal direction of the accommodating space 101 to contact the inner and / or outer surfaces of the heating portion 140. Because the contact area between the thermal insulator 150 and the heating portion 140 is increased, the bonding force between the thermal insulator 150 and the heating portion 140 can be increased.

[0116] The thermal insulator 150 may include an insertion hole through which the aerosol generating article is inserted into the receiving space 101 of the heater assembly 100. The diameter of the insertion hole may be approximately the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of the aerosol generating article. That is, the diameter of the cross-section of the insertion hole may be set to be approximately the same as the diameter of the cross-section of the aerosol generating article, thereby ensuring thermal insulation within the receiving space 101 of the heater assembly 100.

[0117] The thermal insulator 150 may comprise an engineering plastic to resist heat supplied from the heating portion 140. For example, the thermal insulator 150 may comprise the same engineering plastic as that included in the aforementioned joining portion 130.

[0118] Figure 9 An embodiment is shown in which the heater assembly 100 includes a base S and a coil C to heat the aerosol-generating article by induction heating. Furthermore, a thermal insulator 150 is arranged at the downstream end of the heating section 140. These components have already been described above, and therefore a description of these components will be omitted here.

[0119] Figure 10 A schematic cross-sectional view of a heater assembly 200 according to another embodiment is shown.

[0120] Reference Figure 10 The heater assembly 200 may include a receiving portion 210, a first heating portion 220, a connecting portion 230, and a second heating portion 240. However, the embodiments are not limited to this, and the heater assembly 200 may also include other... Figure 10 Other conventional components besides those shown.

[0121] The accommodating portion 210, the first heating portion 220, the connecting portion 230, and the second heating portion 240 can be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article and can form an accommodating space 201 for accommodating the aerosol generating article. For example, the accommodating space 201 can have a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the diameter of the cylindrical accommodating space 201 can be approximately the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of the cross-section of the aerosol generating article.

[0122] The containment portion 210 can contain at least a portion of the aerosol-generated article. Here, the containment portion 210 can be combined with... Figure 1 and Figure 2 This corresponds to the end-receiving portion 111 mentioned in the description. That is, the receiving portion 210 can support the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article it contains. In the following text, further details will be omitted. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The end accommodating portion 111 described herein is repeated.

[0123] The first heating portion 220 may be combined with the receiving portion 210 such that the first heating portion 220 surrounds at least a portion of the side surface of the aerosol-generating article and heats at least a portion of the side surface of the aerosol-generating article. The first heating portion 220 may have a cylindrical shape, and one end of the first heating portion 220 may engage with a groove formed in the receiving portion 210. However, the shapes of the receiving portion 210 and the first heating portion 220 are not limited thereto, and the receiving portion 210 and the first heating portion 220 may be modified in various shapes in view of the ease and convenience of connecting the receiving portion 210 and the first heating portion 220.

[0124] The first heating portion 220 may have a length of 5 mm to 10 mm in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating space 201. The first portion of the aerosol-generating article may be accommodated inside the space formed by the accommodating portion 210 and the first heating portion 220. The first heating portion 220 and the first portion of the aerosol-generating article may have the same length in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating space 201.

[0125] The second heating section 240 can be arranged to surround another part of the aerosol-generated article and can heat the aerosol-generated article.

[0126] The joining portion 230 can combine the first heating portion 220 and the second heating portion 240 and may include engineering plastics.

[0127] Referenced above Figure 1 and Figure 2 The descriptions of the connecting portion 130 and the heating portion 140 provided can be applied equally to the connecting portion 230 and the second heating portion 240. In the following text, repeated descriptions of the connecting portion 130 and the heating portion 140 will be omitted.

[0128] The joining portion 230 may extend along the longitudinal direction of the accommodating space 201 to contact at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the first heating portion 220. Furthermore, the joining portion 230 may extend along the longitudinal direction of the accommodating space 201 to contact at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the second heating portion 240.

[0129] When the aerosol generating article is inserted into the heater assembly 200, the first part of the aerosol generating article may correspond to the position of the first heating part 220, and the second part of the aerosol generating article may correspond to the position of the second heating part 240.

[0130] Furthermore, the first heating section 220 and the second heating section 240 can heat the aerosol-generating article at different temperatures. As described above, it is necessary to heat the first part and the second part of the aerosol-generating article at different temperatures. Since the first part and the second part of the aerosol-generating article are respectively surrounded by the first heating section 220 and the second heating section 240, the first part and the second part of the aerosol-generating article can be heated in different ways by controlling the heating temperatures of the first heating section 220 and the second heating section 240 in different ways.

[0131] Figure 11 A schematic cross-sectional view of a heater assembly 200 according to another embodiment is shown, and Figure 12 It is used to describe the relationship between the two parties. Figure 5 300 aerosol-generating products are placed in accordance with Figure 13 A view of the heating process in the heater assembly 200.

[0132] Reference Figure 11 and Figure 12 At least one of the first heating portion 220 and the second heating portion 240 may include a base S, which is arranged on its inner side facing the aerosol generating article 300. The base S can heat the aerosol generating article by induction heating with an alternating magnetic field, and the coil C can be arranged on the outer side of the base S and can induce an alternating magnetic field. For example, the first heating portion 220 may be a resistance heater, and the second heating portion 240 may be an induction heating type heater including the base S and the coil C. In another example, such as Figure 11 As shown, all of the first heating parts 220 and the second heating parts 240 can be induction heating type heaters.

[0133] As described above, the first portion 310 of the aerosol generating article 300 may be surrounded by the first heating portion 220, and the second portion 320 of the aerosol generating article 300 may be surrounded by the second heating portion 240. Furthermore, the boundary between the first portion 310 and the second portion 320 of the aerosol generating article 300 may be surrounded by the bonding portion 230.

[0134] Figure 13 A schematic cross-sectional view of a heater assembly 200 according to another embodiment is shown.

[0135] Reference Figure 13 The heater assembly 200 may further include a thermal insulator 250 combined with the second heating portion 240. The thermal insulator 250 may block at least a portion of the opening of the receiving space 201 and may prevent heat from moving from inside the receiving space 201 to the outside.Figure 8 and Figure 9 The same principle applies to thermal insulator 150, and a repeated description of thermal insulator 150 will be omitted below.

[0136] Figure 14 It shows that Figure 5 Aerosol-generating article 300 inserted into including according to Figure 9 A diagram showing the state of the heater assembly 100 in the aerosol generating apparatus 10 according to the embodiment. Figure 15 It shows that Figure 5 Aerosol-generating article 300 inserted into including according to Figure 11 A diagram showing the state of the heater assembly 200 in the aerosol generating apparatus 10 according to the embodiment.

[0137] Reference Figure 14 and Figure 15 The aerosol generating apparatus 10 may include: heater assemblies 100 and 200; a battery 11 for supplying power to the heater assemblies 100 and 200; and a processor 12 for controlling the power supplied to the heater assemblies 100 and 200. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the aerosol generating apparatus 10 may also include, in addition to... Figure 14 and Figure 15 Other conventional components besides those shown.

[0138] Figure 14 and Figure 15 The battery 11, processor 12, and heater assemblies 100 and 200 are shown arranged in rows. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10 is not limited to... Figure 14 and Figure 15 The diagram illustrates this. In other words, the battery 11, processor 12, and heater assemblies 100 and 200 can be modified according to the design of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0139] Referenced above Figure 1 to Figure 13 The descriptions of heater assemblies 100 and 200 provided can be applied in the same way. Figure 14 to Figure 15 Heater assemblies 100 and 200.

[0140] When the aerosol generating article 300 is inserted into the aerosol generating apparatus 10, the aerosol generating apparatus 10 can operate the heater assemblies 100 and 200 to generate aerosols. The aerosols generated by the heater assemblies 100 and 200 can pass through the aerosol generating article 300 and can be delivered to the user.

[0141] Battery 11 can supply power for operating the aerosol generating device 10. For example, battery 11 can supply power to heater assemblies 100 and 200, and battery 11 can supply power for operating processor 12. In addition, battery 11 can supply power for operating displays, sensors, motors, etc. installed in the aerosol generating device 10.

[0142] Processor 12 typically controls the operation of aerosol generating apparatus 10. Specifically, processor 12 controls not only the operation of battery 11 and heater assemblies 100 and 200, but also the operation of other components included in aerosol generating apparatus 10. Furthermore, processor 12 can check the status of each component of aerosol generating apparatus 10 to determine whether aerosol generating apparatus 10 is operational.

[0143] Processor 12 may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that can be executed in the microprocessor. Those skilled in the art will understand that the processor may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

[0144] Those skilled in the art related to this embodiment will understand that various changes in form and detail can be made to the embodiment without departing from the scope of the above features. The disclosed methods should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for limiting purposes. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope of equivalents of the claims should be interpreted as included in this disclosure.

Claims

1. A heater assembly for containing and heating an aerosol-generating article, the heater assembly comprising: The accommodating portion is configured to surround and accommodate a first portion of the aerosol generating article, the first portion of the aerosol generating article being a portion extending from a distal end of the aerosol generating article. A heating section is arranged to surround a second portion of the aerosol-generating article adjacent to the first portion and configured to heat the second portion of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the aerosol-generating article comprise different substances. as well as The joining portion includes engineering plastic, a boundary portion surrounding the first and second portions of the aerosol-generated article, and is configured to join the receiving portion and the heating portion. The accommodating portion, the bonding portion, and the heating portion are arranged sequentially along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating product to form an accommodating space for accommodating the aerosol-generating product.

2. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The accommodating portion has a length of 5 mm to 10 mm in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating space.

3. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The engineering plastics include at least one selected from the following: polyetheretherketone, polysulfone, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polyphenylsulfone, polyimide, and liquid crystal polymers.

4. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The connecting portion extends along the longitudinal direction of the accommodating space to contact at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the heating portion.

5. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The heating component includes: A base, arranged within the accommodating space facing the aerosol-generating article, and configured to generate heat in an alternating magnetic field; and A coil, which is arranged outside the base and configured to induce the alternating magnetic field.

6. The heater assembly of claim 1 further includes a thermal insulator combined with the heating portion, the thermal insulator being configured to prevent the movement of heat from inside the receiving space to the outside by blocking a portion of the opening of the receiving space.

7. A heater assembly for containing and heating an aerosol-generating article, the heater assembly comprising: The accommodating portion is configured to accommodate the distal end of the aerosol-generating article; A first heating portion, which is combined with the receiving portion, is arranged to surround a first portion of the aerosol generating article, the first portion of the aerosol generating article being a portion extending from a distal end of the aerosol generating article, and the first heating portion is configured to heat the first portion of the aerosol generating article. A second heating section is arranged to surround a second portion of the aerosol-generating article that is adjacent to the first portion. The first portion and the second portion of the aerosol-generating article comprise different substances, and the second heating section is configured to heat the second portion of the aerosol-generating article. as well as The bonding portion includes engineering plastic, a boundary portion surrounding the first and second portions of the aerosol-generated article, and is configured to bond the first heating portion and the second heating portion. The accommodating portion, the first heating portion, the bonding portion, and the second heating portion are arranged sequentially along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article to form an accommodating space for accommodating the aerosol-generating article.

8. The heater assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The first heating portion has a length of 5 mm to 10 mm in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating space.

9. The heater assembly of claim 7, wherein, The engineering plastics include at least one selected from the following: polyetheretherketone, polysulfone, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polyphenylsulfone, polyimide, and liquid crystal polymers.

10. The heater assembly of claim 7, wherein, The joining portion extends along the longitudinal direction of the accommodating space to contact at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the first heating portion, and The connecting portion extends along the longitudinal direction of the accommodating space to contact at least one of the inner surface of the second heating portion and the outer surface of the second heating portion.

11. The heater assembly of claim 7, wherein, At least one of the first heating portion and the second heating portion includes: A base, arranged within the accommodating space facing the aerosol-generating article, and configured to generate heat in an alternating magnetic field; and A coil, which is arranged outside the base and configured to induce the alternating magnetic field.

12. The heater assembly of claim 7, wherein, The first heating section and the second heating section are configured to heat the aerosol-generated product at different temperatures.

13. The heater assembly of claim 7, further comprising a thermal insulator combined with the second heating portion, the thermal insulator being configured to prevent the movement of heat from inside the accommodating space to the outside by blocking at least a portion of the opening of the accommodating space.

14. An aerosol generating apparatus, wherein, The aerosol generating device includes: The heater assembly according to any one of claims 1-13; A battery configured to supply power to the heater assembly; and A processor configured to control the power supplied to the heater assembly.

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