Heater assembly and aerosol-generating device including same

Abstract

The heater assembly for heating an aerosol-generating article includes: a resonance part including a housing having an accommodation space for accommodating the aerosol-generating article and an opening into which the aerosol-generating article can be inserted, a plurality of plates arranged to be spaced apart from each other in an outer circumferential direction of the aerosol-generating article, and a connection part connecting the plurality of plates and the housing; and a coupler supplying microwaves to at least one of the plurality of plates to generate microwave resonance for heating the aerosol-generating article at the resonance portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments relate to a heater assembly capable of heating an aerosol-generating article by dielectric heating to generate an aerosol and an aerosol-generating device including the same. Background Art

[0002] Recently, there is an increasing demand for alternative methods for overcoming the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for systems that generate aerosol by heating cigarettes using an aerosol generating device (or "aerosol generating article"), as an alternative to methods of generating aerosol by burning cigarettes.

[0003] Microwave heating technology is a technology that can heat an object using the principle of dielectric heating. When an aerosol-generating article is heated using microwave heating technology, an aerosol-generating substance of the aerosol-generating article can be quickly heated.

[0004] Microwave heating technology applied in industrial sites usually utilizes magnetrons with microwave outputs at the kilowatt (kW) level. Domestic microwave ovens are also designed to have microwave outputs of about 700 to 1000 watts (W).

[0005] In order to realize an aerosol generating device that can heat an aerosol generating article using microwave heating technology, the aerosol generating device needs to be made small in consideration of the portability of the aerosol generating device.

[0006] In addition, in order for a user to carry the aerosol generating device and use it for a sufficiently long time, it is necessary to ensure energy efficiency associated with the heating operation using electrical energy. In an aerosol generating device that applies microwave heating technology, in order to reduce energy loss, it is necessary to design the cavity Q-factor of the resonator to be low so as to minimize power loss caused by surface current formed on the conductor surface of the resonator.

[0007] If the microwaves of the resonator cannot be converted into heat of the aerosol generating substance (medium) for heating the aerosol generating article, but instead generate heat on the conductor surface of the resonator, the heater assembly including the resonator and the aerosol generating device may overheat while increasing energy loss. Summary of the invention

[0008] Technical issues Embodiments provide a heater assembly and an aerosol generating device capable of heating an aerosol-generating article using microwaves.

[0009] Embodiments provide a heater assembly and an aerosol generating device designed to have a low cavity quality factor and capable of heating an aerosol-generating article with high energy efficiency.

[0010] Embodiments also provide a heater assembly and an aerosol generating device that can minimize power loss caused by surface currents of a resonator and reduce heating.

[0011] The problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and a technician with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the embodiments belong can clearly understand the unmentioned problems from the present specification and the drawings.

[0012] Technical Solution A heater assembly according to one embodiment, i.e., a heater assembly for heating an aerosol-generating article, comprises: a resonance portion, comprising a shell having a housing space for housing the aerosol-generating article and an opening through which the aerosol-generating article can be inserted, a plurality of plates arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol-generating article, and a connection portion connecting the plurality of plates to the shell; and a coupler, supplying microwaves to at least one of the plurality of plates to generate microwave resonance in the resonance portion for heating the aerosol-generating article.

[0013] One ends of the plurality of plates may be connected to the connection portion, and the other ends of the plurality of plates may be spaced apart from each other and open.

[0014] The other end of the plate may be arranged to face the opening of the housing.

[0015] The plurality of plates may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the centre in the length direction of the aerosol-generating article.

[0016] The plurality of plates may be arranged in two positions at opposite locations relative to the centre in the length direction of the aerosol-generating article.

[0017] The plurality of plates may extend in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article, and at least a portion of the plurality of plates may be curved so as to protrude outward from a center in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article.

[0018] The coupler may pass through the housing to contact one of the plurality of plates.

[0019] The coupler may be arranged adjacent to the connecting portion.

[0020] The housing and the plurality of plates may be spaced apart from each other.

[0021] The housing and the plurality of plates may be spaced apart from each other, and may further include a dielectric disposed between the housing and the plurality of plates.

[0022] Ends of the dielectric may protrude from ends of the plurality of plates toward the opening.

[0023] The end of the dielectric may be in contact with the inner surface of the housing or spaced apart from the inner surface of the housing.

[0024] The heater assembly may further include: a support cylinder inserted into the plurality of plates and capable of supporting the aerosol generating article.

[0025] The plurality of plates may extend in a direction, and the direction in which the aerosol generating article is inserted into the receiving space through the opening may be a direction transverse to the direction.

[0026] An aerosol generating device according to another embodiment may include: a heater assembly for heating an aerosol generating article, comprising a resonating portion and a coupler, the resonating portion comprising a shell having a housing space for housing the aerosol generating article and an opening for inserting the aerosol generating article, a plurality of plates arranged and spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article, and a connecting portion connecting the plurality of plates to the shell, the coupler supplying microwaves to at least one of the plurality of plates to generate microwave resonance in the resonating portion for heating the aerosol generating article; and an oscillating portion generating high-frequency microwave power and supplying it to the heater assembly.

[0027] Technical Effects The embodiments described above relate to embodiments that provide a heater assembly and an aerosol generating device that can heat an aerosol generating article using microwaves.

[0028] In the heater assembly and aerosol generating device involved in the embodiments, since the aerosol generating substance (medium) of the aerosol generating article can be arranged as a dielectric substance inside the resonance part including multiple plates, it is possible to generate a sufficient electric field for generating aerosol while reducing the overall size of the resonance part.

[0029] According to the heater assembly and the aerosol generating device involved in the embodiment, the size of the resonance part is reduced by arranging the dielectric inside the dielectric containing space, thereby reducing the installation space of the resonance part in the aerosol generating device, thereby miniaturizing the aerosol generating device.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the heater assembly and the aerosol generating device according to the embodiments, the resonance portion is designed to have a low cavity quality factor, thereby being able to heat the aerosol generating article with high energy efficiency.

[0031] Furthermore, the embodiment provides a heater assembly and an aerosol generating device capable of minimizing power loss due to a surface current of a resonator and reducing a heating phenomenon.

[0032] Furthermore, since triple resonance is generated in the heater assembly and the resonance portion of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment, the aerosol generating article can be heated efficiently and uniformly.

[0033] In addition, according to the heater assembly and the aerosol generating device involved in the embodiment, a resonance peak is formed at the portion of the resonance part corresponding to the open end, so that a strong electric field can be formed. Since the portion of the aerosol generating article including the dielectric substance (dielectric) is arranged to correspond to the region where the electric field of the resonance part is the strongest, the dielectric heating efficiency of the aerosol generating article can be improved.

[0034] Effects according to the embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the embodiments belong can clearly understand unmentioned effects from the present specification and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0036] Figure 2 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0037] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Internal block diagram of the dielectric heating section.

[0038] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to an embodiment.

[0039] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a heater assembly.

[0040] Figure 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a heater assembly according to another embodiment.

[0041] Figure 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a heater assembly according to still another embodiment.

[0042] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram showing the Figure 7 Side view of the electric field distribution of the heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment.

[0043] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram showing the Figure 7 Front view of the electric field distribution of the heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment.

[0044] Fig.10 It is schematically shown that according to Figure 7 A perspective view of the heating density distribution of an aerosol-generating article heated by the heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment.

[0045] Fig.11 is a perspective view schematically showing a portion of a heater assembly according to still another embodiment in a cutaway manner.

[0046] Fig.12 is based on Fig.11 A perspective view showing components of a heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment exploded and schematically illustrated.

[0047] Fig.13 is based on Fig.11 A cross-sectional view of a heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment.

[0048] Fig.14 It is a schematic diagram showing the Fig.11 A perspective view of the electric field distribution of the heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment.

[0049] Fig.15 It is schematically shown that according to Fig.11 A perspective view of the heating density distribution of an aerosol-generating article heated by the heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment.

[0050] Fig.16 is a perspective view schematically showing a heater assembly according to still another embodiment.

[0051] Fig.17 is a perspective view schematically showing a heater assembly according to still another embodiment.

[0052] Fig.18 yes Fig.17 A cross-sectional view of the heater assembly is shown.

[0053] Fig.19 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a heater assembly according to still another embodiment.

[0054] Fig. 20 is a perspective view schematically showing a heater assembly according to still another embodiment.

[0055] Fig.21 is a perspective view schematically showing a portion of a heater assembly according to still another embodiment in a cutaway manner.

[0056] Preferred Embodiments Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0057] The suffixes "module" and "unit" of the components used in the following description are given or used interchangeably only in consideration of the ease of writing the description, and do not have mutually distinguishing meanings or functions.

[0058] In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that the detailed description of the relevant known technology may confuse the main idea of ​​the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the drawings are only used to easily understand the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical concepts disclosed in this specification are not limited by the drawings, and should be understood to include all changes, equivalents and even substitutes included in the concept and technical scope of this disclosure.

[0059] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various constituent elements, but the constituent elements are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one constituent element from another constituent element.

[0060] When it is mentioned that a certain component is "connected" or "coupled" to another component, it should be understood that it can be directly connected or directly coupled to the other component, but other components may also exist between them. On the contrary, when it is mentioned that a certain component is "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0061] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, an expression in the singular includes an expression in the plural.

[0062] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0063] Reference Figure 1 According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating device 100 may include: a housing 110 capable of housing an aerosol generating article 10 ; and a heater assembly 200 for heating the aerosol generating article 10 housed in the housing 110 .

[0064] The housing 110 may form the overall appearance of the aerosol generating device 100, and the components of the aerosol generating device 100 may be arranged in the internal space (or "installation space") of the housing 110. For example, the heater assembly 200, a battery, a processor and / or a sensor may be arranged in the internal space of the housing 110, but the components arranged in the internal space are not limited thereto.

[0065] An insertion port 110h may be formed in a region of the housing 110, and at least a region of the aerosol generating article 10 may be inserted into the interior of the housing 110 through the insertion port 110h. For example, the insertion port 110h may be formed in a region of the upper end surface (e.g., the surface facing the z direction) of the housing 110, but the position where the insertion port 110h is formed is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the insertion port 110h may also be formed in a region of the side surface (e.g., the surface facing the x direction) of the housing 110.

[0066] The heater assembly 200 is arranged in the inner space of the housing 110, and can heat the aerosol generating article 10 inserted into or accommodated in the housing 110 through the insertion port 110h. For example, the heater assembly 200 is arranged in a manner surrounding at least one area of ​​the aerosol generating article 10 inserted into or accommodated in the housing 110, so that the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the heater assembly 200 can heat the aerosol generating article 10 using a dielectric heating method. In the present disclosure, "dielectric heating method" refers to a method of heating a dielectric as a body to be heated using microwaves and / or resonance of an electric field (or magnetic field) of microwaves. Microwaves are energy sources for heating the body to be heated and are generated by high-frequency power, so microwaves can be used interchangeably with microwave power hereinafter.

[0068] Inside the heater assembly 200, the charges or ions of the dielectric included in the aerosol generating article 10 can vibrate or rotate by microwave resonance, and heat can be generated in the dielectric by friction heat generated during the vibration or rotation of the charges or ions, so that the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated.

[0069] As the aerosol-generating article 10 is heated by the heater assembly 200, an aerosol may be generated from the aerosol-generating article 10. In the present disclosure, "aerosol" may refer to gas particles generated by mixing steam generated as the aerosol-generating article 10 is heated with air.

[0070] The aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article 10 may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100 through the aerosol generating article 10 or through the empty space between the aerosol generating article 10 and the insertion port 110h. The user may smoke by contacting the oral cavity with an area of ​​the aerosol generating article 10 exposed to the outside of the housing 110 and inhaling the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0071] The aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment may further include a cover 111 movably arranged on the housing 110 and used to open or close the insertion port 110h. For example, the cover 111 may be slidably coupled to the upper end surface of the housing 110, and may expose the insertion port 110h to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100, or may cover the insertion port 110h so that the insertion port 110h is not exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0072] In one example, the cover 111 may expose the insertion port 110h to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100 in the first position (or “open position”). When the aerosol generating device 100 is exposed to the outside, the aerosol generating article 10 may be inserted into the housing 110 through the insertion port 110h.

[0073] In another example, the cover 111 may cover the insertion port 110h in the second position (or "closed position") so that the insertion port 110h is not exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100. In this case, the cover 111 may prevent foreign matter from flowing into the interior of the heater assembly 200 through the insertion port 110h when the aerosol generating device 100 is not in use.

[0074] Figure 1 2 and 3 , only the aerosol generating device 100 for heating the aerosol generating article 10 in a solid state is shown in the figure, but the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to the shown embodiment.

[0075] The aerosol generating device according to another embodiment may also generate aerosol by heating an aerosol generating substance in a liquid or gel state instead of the aerosol generating article 10 in a solid state through the heater assembly 200 .

[0076] According to another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may also include: a heater assembly 200 for heating the aerosol generating article 10; and a cartridge (or "vaporizer") containing a liquid or gel-state aerosol generating substance and used to heat the aerosol generating substance. The aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substance may move toward the aerosol generating article 10 along the airflow channel connecting the cartridge and the aerosol generating article 10, and mix with the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article 10, and then pass through the aerosol generating article 10 to be delivered to the user.

[0077] Figure 2 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0078] Reference Figure 2 The aerosol generating device 100 may include an input unit 102, an output unit 103, a sensor unit 104, a communication unit 105, a memory 106, a battery 107, an interface unit 108, a power conversion unit 109, and a dielectric heating unit 200. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to Figure 2 According to the design of the aerosol generating device 100, the Figure 2 A part of the configuration shown may be changed, or a new configuration may be added.

[0079] The input unit 102 may receive user input. For example, the input unit 102 may be configured as a single pressure-type button. As another example, the input unit 120 may be a touch panel including at least one touch sensor. The input unit 120 may transmit an input signal to the processor 101. The processor 101 may supply power to the dielectric heating unit 200 based on the user input, or may output a user notification by controlling the output unit 103.

[0080] The output unit 103 may output information about the state of the aerosol generating device 100. The output unit 103 may output the charge / discharge state of the battery 107, the heating state of the dielectric heating unit 200, the insertion state of the aerosol generating article 10, and error information of the aerosol generating device 100. To this end, the output unit 103 may include a display, a haptic motor, and a sound output unit.

[0081] The sensor unit 104 can sense the state of the aerosol generating device 100 or the surrounding state of the aerosol generating device 100, and transmit the sensed information to the processor 101. The processor 101 can control the aerosol generating device 100 based on the sensed information to perform various functions such as heating control of the dielectric heating unit 200, smoking restriction, insertion judgment of the aerosol generating article 10, notification display, etc.

[0082] The sensor part 104 may include a temperature sensor, a suction sensor, and an insertion sensing sensor.

[0083] The temperature sensor may sense the temperature inside the dielectric heating portion 200 in a non-contact manner, or may directly obtain the temperature of the resonator by being in contact with the dielectric heating portion 200. According to an embodiment, the temperature sensor may also sense the temperature of the aerosol generating article 10. In addition, the temperature sensor may be arranged adjacent to the battery 107 to obtain the temperature of the battery 107. The processor 101 may control the power supplied to the dielectric heating portion 200 based on the temperature information of the temperature sensor.

[0084] The suction sensor may sense the user's suction. The suction sensor may sense the user's suction based on at least one of a temperature change, a flow change, a power change, and a pressure change. The processor 101 may control the power supplied to the dielectric heating portion 200 based on the suction information of the suction sensor. For example, the processor 101 may count the number of puffs, and may cut off the power supplied to the dielectric heating portion 200 when the number of puffs reaches a preset maximum number of puffs. As another example, if the suction is not sensed for more than a preset time, the processor 101 may cut off the power supplied to the dielectric heating portion 200.

[0085] Insertion sensing sensor can be connected with the receiving space ( Figure 4 The processor 101 is arranged adjacent to the interior or receiving space 220h of the aerosol generating article 10 received in the insertion port 110h to sense the insertion and removal of the aerosol generating article 10 received in the insertion port 110h. For example, the insertion sensing sensor may include an inductive sensor and / or a capacitive sensor. The processor 101 may supply power to the dielectric heating portion 200 when the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the insertion port 110h.

[0086] According to an embodiment, the sensor part 104 may further include a reuse sensing sensor, a motion sensing sensor, a humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a cover attachment and detachment sensing sensor, a position sensor (GPS), and a proximity sensor, etc. The function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred from its name, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0087] The communication unit 105 may include at least one communication module for communicating with an external electronic device. The processor 101 may transmit information about the aerosol generating device 100 to the external electronic device by controlling the communication unit 105. Alternatively, the processor 101 may receive information from the external electronic device through the communication unit 105, thereby controlling the components included in the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the information transmitted between the communication unit 105 and the external electronic device may include user authentication information, firmware update information, user smoking method information, etc.

[0088] The memory 106 is hardware for storing various data processed in the aerosol generating device 100, and can store data processed in the processor 101 and data to be processed. For example, the memory 106 can store the operation time of the aerosol generating device 100, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature curve, and data about the user's smoking method.

[0089] The battery 107 can supply power to the dielectric heating section 200 so that the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated. In addition, the battery 107 can supply power required for the operation of other components provided in the aerosol generating device 100. The battery 107 can be a rechargeable battery or a detachable battery.

[0090] The interface unit 108 may include a connection terminal that can be physically connected to an external electronic device. The connection terminal may include at least one of an HDMI connection unit, a USB connection unit, an SD card connection unit, and an audio connection unit (e.g., an earphone connection unit) or a combination thereof. The interface unit 108 may transmit and receive information or charge power with an external electronic device through the connection terminal.

[0091] The power conversion section 109 may convert the DC power received from the battery 107 into AC power. In addition, the power conversion section 109 may provide the converted AC power to the dielectric heating section 200. The power conversion section 109 may be an inverter including at least one switching element, and the processor 101 may convert the DC power into AC power by controlling the on / off of the switching element included in the power conversion section 109. The power conversion section 109 may be configured in a full-bridge manner, or may be configured in a half-bridge manner.

[0092] The dielectric heating unit 200 can heat the aerosol generating article 10 by dielectric heating. Figure 1 The heater assembly 200 has a corresponding structure.

[0093] The dielectric heating unit 200 can heat the aerosol generating article 10 using microwaves and / or electric fields of microwaves (hereinafter, referred to as microwaves or microwave power when no distinction is needed). The dielectric heating unit 200 can heat the object to be heated by generating microwaves in a resonant structure, rather than by radiating microwaves using an antenna. The resonant structure will be referred to as Figure 4 The accompanying drawings are described later.

[0094] The dielectric heating unit 200 can output high-frequency microwaves to the resonance unit ( Figure 3 220). The microwave may be a power of an ISM (Industrial Scientific and Medical equipment) frequency band allowed for heating, but is not limited thereto. The resonating portion 220 may be designed in consideration of the wavelength length of the microwave so that the microwave may resonate within the resonating portion 220.

[0095] The aerosol generating article 10 may be inserted into the resonance part 220, and the dielectric material in the aerosol generating article 10 may be heated by the resonance part 220. For example, the aerosol generating article 10 may include a polar material, and the molecules in the polar material may be polarized inside the resonance part 220. The molecules may vibrate or rotate due to the polarization phenomenon, and the aerosol generating article 10 may be heated by friction heat generated in the process. The dielectric heating part 200 will be described with reference to Figure 3 Explain in more detail.

[0096] The processor 101 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 100. The processor 101 can be implemented by an array of multiple logic gates, or by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable in the microprocessor. In addition, it can also be implemented in other forms of hardware.

[0097] The processor 101 can control the DC power supplied from the battery 107 to the power conversion unit 109 and / or the AC power supplied from the power conversion unit 109 to the dielectric heating unit 200 according to the required power of the dielectric heating unit 200. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a converter for stepping up or down the DC power, and the processor 101 can adjust the size of the DC power by controlling the converter. In addition, the processor 101 can control the AC power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 by adjusting the switching frequency and duty cycle of the switching element included in the power conversion unit 109.

[0098] The processor 101 can control the heating temperature of the aerosol-generating article 10 by controlling the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit 200 and the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200. Figure 3 The oscillating unit 210 , the isolating unit 240 , the power monitoring unit 250 and the matching unit 260 may also be partial components of the processor 101 .

[0099] The processor 101 may control the microwave power of the dielectric heating part 200 based on the temperature profile information stored in the memory 106. In other words, the temperature profile may include information about the target temperature of the dielectric heating part 200 according to time, and the processor 101 may control the microwave power of the dielectric heating part 200 according to time.

[0100] The processor 101 can adjust the frequency of the microwaves so that the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200 is constant. The processor 101 can track the change in the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200 in real time according to the heating of the object to be heated, and control the dielectric heating unit 200 to output the microwave frequency according to the changed resonant frequency. In other words, the processor 101 can change the microwave frequency in real time regardless of the pre-stored temperature curve.

[0101] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Internal block diagram of the dielectric heating section.

[0102] Reference Figure 3 The dielectric heating unit 200 may include an oscillating unit 210, an isolating unit 240, a power monitoring unit 250, a matching unit 260, a microwave output unit 230, and a resonating unit 220. However, the internal structure of the dielectric heating unit 200 is not limited to Figure 3The internal structure shown in FIG. 2 can be omitted according to the design of the dielectric heating unit 200. Figure 3 A part of the configuration shown may be modified, or a new configuration may be further added.

[0103] The oscillator 210 may receive AC power from the power converter 109 to generate high-frequency microwave power. According to an embodiment, the power converter 109 may be included in the oscillator 210. The microwave power may be selected from 915 MHz, 2.45 GHz, and 5.8 GHz frequency bands included in the ISM band.

[0104] The oscillating part 210 may include a solid-state RF generating device, and microwave power may be generated therefrom. The solid-state RF generating device may be implemented by a semiconductor. In the case where the oscillating part 210 is implemented by a semiconductor, there are advantages that the dielectric heating part 200 can be miniaturized and the life of the device can be increased.

[0105] The oscillating part 210 may output microwave power to the resonating part 220. The oscillating part 210 may include a power amplifier (power amp) for increasing or decreasing microwave power, and the power amplifier may adjust the magnitude of microwave power by the control of the processor 101. For example, the power amplifier may reduce or increase the amplitude of microwaves. By adjusting the amplitude of microwaves, the microwave power may be adjusted.

[0106] The processor 101 may adjust the magnitude of the microwave power output from the oscillating portion 210 based on a pre-stored temperature curve. For example, the temperature curve may include target temperature information according to the preheating interval and the smoking interval, and the oscillating portion 210 may supply microwave power at a first power in the preheating interval, and supply microwave power at a second power less than the first power in the smoking interval.

[0107] The isolation part 240 can cut off the microwave power input from the resonance part 220 to the oscillation part 210. Most of the microwave power output from the oscillation part 210 can be absorbed by the object to be heated, but according to the heating state of the object to be heated, a part of the microwave power may be reflected by the object to be heated and transmitted again in the direction of the oscillation part 210. This is because the impedance of the resonance part 220 observed from the oscillation part 210 changes according to the consumption of polar molecules caused by the heating of the object to be heated. The meaning of "the impedance of the resonance part 220 observed from the oscillation part 210 changes" may be the same as the meaning of "the resonant frequency of the resonance part 220 changes". In the case where the microwave power reflected from the resonance part 220 is input to the oscillation part 210, not only will the oscillation part 210 fail, but also the expected output performance cannot be exerted. The isolation part 240 can guide the microwave power reflected from the resonance part 220 to a predetermined direction to absorb it without returning the microwave power to the oscillation part 210. To this end, the isolation part 240 may include a circulator and a dummy load.

[0108] The power monitoring part 250 may separately monitor the microwave power output from the oscillation part 210 and the reflected microwave power reflected from the resonance part 220. The power monitoring part 250 may transmit information on the microwave power and the reflected microwave power to the matching part 260.

[0109] The matching part 260 may match the impedance of the resonance part 220 observed from the oscillation part 210 and the impedance of the oscillation part 210 observed from the resonance part 220 to minimize the reflected microwave power. Impedance matching may have the same meaning as making the frequency of the oscillation part 210 consistent with the resonant frequency of the resonance part 220. Therefore, the matching part 260 may change the frequency of the oscillation part 210 to match the impedance. In other words, the matching part 260 may adjust the frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillation part 210 to minimize the reflected microwave power. The impedance matching of the matching part 260 may be performed in real time regardless of the temperature profile.

[0110] In addition, the oscillating unit 210, the isolating unit 240, the power monitoring unit 250, and the matching unit 260 described above can be implemented by a microwave source in the form of a chip as another structure to be distinguished from the microwave output unit 230 and the resonating unit 220 described later. In addition, according to an embodiment, the oscillating unit 210, the isolating unit 240, the power monitoring unit 250, and the matching unit 260 can also be implemented by a part of the processor 101.

[0111] The microwave output unit 230 is used to input microwave power to the resonance unit 220, and can be Figure 3The microwave output unit 230 can be implemented in the form of SMA, SMB, MCX, or MMCX connectors. The microwave output unit 230 connects the microwave source in the form of a chip to the resonant unit 220, thereby transmitting the microwave power generated by the microwave source to the resonant unit 220.

[0112] The resonant part 220 can heat the object to be heated by forming microwaves in the resonant structure. The resonant part 220 may include a storage space for storing the aerosol generating article 10, and the aerosol generating article 10 may be exposed to the microwaves and dielectrically heated. For example, the aerosol generating article 10 may contain a polar substance, and the molecules in the polar substance may be polarized by the microwaves inside the resonant part 220. The molecules may vibrate or rotate by the polarization phenomenon, and the aerosol generating article 10 may be heated by friction heat or the like generated in the process.

[0113] The resonance part 220 may include at least one internal conductor so that microwaves may resonate, and the microwaves may resonate inside the resonance part 220 according to the arrangement, thickness, length, etc. of the internal conductor.

[0114] The resonator 220 can be designed in consideration of the wavelength length of the microwaves so that the microwaves can resonate inside the resonator 220. In order to make the microwaves resonate inside the resonator 220, a closed end (short end) of the end surface and an open end (open end) in which at least one region of the end surface in the opposite direction of the closed end is open are required. In addition, the length between the closed end and the open end should be set to an integer multiple of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength. The resonator 220 of the present disclosure selects a length of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength for the purpose of miniaturization of the device. In other words, the length between the closed end and the open end of the resonator 220 can be set to a length of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength.

[0115] The resonating part 220 may include a dielectric containing space. The dielectric containing space is a structure distinguished from the containing space of the aerosol generating article 10, in which a material capable of miniaturizing the resonating part 220 by changing the overall resonant frequency of the resonating part 220 is arranged. In one embodiment, a dielectric with low microwave absorptivity may be contained in the dielectric containing space. This is to prevent the energy required to be transferred to the heated body from being transferred to the dielectric and causing the dielectric itself to heat up. The microwave absorptivity may be expressed as a loss tangent, which is a ratio of an imaginary part to a real part of a complex dielectric constant. In one embodiment, a dielectric having a loss tangent of a preset size or less may be contained in the dielectric containing space 227, and the preset size may be 1 / 100. For example, the dielectric may be at least one of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and alumina, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to an embodiment.

[0116] Reference Figure 4 The heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may include an oscillation part 210 and a resonance part 220 . Figure 4 It may be an embodiment of the heater assembly 200 and the dielectric heating unit 200 described above, and repeated descriptions will be omitted below.

[0117] The oscillating unit 210 may generate microwaves of a specified frequency band when power is supplied thereto. The microwaves generated by the oscillating unit 210 may be transmitted to the resonating unit 220 via a coupler (not shown).

[0118] The resonance part 220 may include a housing space 220h for housing at least one region of the aerosol-generating article 10, and may heat the aerosol-generating article 10 by dielectric heating by resonating the microwaves generated in the oscillation part 210. For example, the electric charges of glycerin included in the aerosol-generating article 10 may vibrate or rotate by the resonance of the microwaves, and heat may be generated in the glycerin by frictional heat generated by the vibration or rotation of the electric charges, so that the aerosol-generating article 10 may be heated.

[0119] According to an embodiment, in order to prevent the microwaves generated by the oscillating part 210 from being absorbed by the resonating part 220 , the resonating part 220 may be formed of a material with low microwave absorption.

[0120] Below, refer to Figure 5 , the specific structure of the resonance part 220 of the heater assembly 200 is described.

[0121] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a heater assembly. Figure 5 Shown is a section along the A-A' direction Figure 4 A cross section of the heater assembly 200 is shown.

[0122] Reference Figure 5 According to an embodiment, the heater assembly 200 may include an oscillating portion 210, a resonating portion 220, and a coupler 230. The components of the heater assembly 200 may be Figure 4 At least one of the constituent elements of the heater assembly 200 is the same or similar, and repeated description will be omitted below.

[0123] The oscillation part 210 may generate microwaves of a specified frequency band as an AC voltage is applied thereto, and the microwaves generated in the oscillation part 210 may be transferred to the resonance part 220 through the coupler 230 .

[0124] According to an embodiment, the oscillating part 210 may be fixed to the resonating part 220 to prevent it from being separated from the resonating part 220 during use of the aerosol generating device. In one example, the oscillating part 210 may be fixed to the resonating part 220 by being supported by a bracket 220b protruding along the x-direction from a region of the resonating part 220. In another example, the oscillating part 210 may also be fixed to the resonating part 220 by being attached to a region of the resonating part 220 without the bracket 220b.

[0125] In the drawings, only an embodiment is shown in which the oscillating part 210 is fixed in a region of the resonating part 220 facing the x direction, but the position of the oscillating part 210 is not limited to the embodiment shown. In another embodiment, the oscillating part 210 may also be fixed in another region of the resonating part 220 facing the -z direction.

[0126] The resonance part 220 may be arranged to surround at least one region of the aerosol generating article 10 inserted into the inside of the aerosol generating device, and may heat the aerosol generating article 10 by the microwaves generated by the oscillation part 210. For example, a dielectric material included in the aerosol generating article 10 may generate heat by an electric field generated inside the resonance part 220 by the microwaves, and the aerosol generating article 10 may be heated by the heat generated in the dielectric material.

[0127] According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating article 10 may include a tobacco rod 11 and a filter rod 12 .

[0128] The tobacco rod 11 may include an aerosol generating substance, and may be made of a sheet or strand, or may be made of shredded tobacco obtained by shredding tobacco sheets. For example, the aerosol generating substance may include at least one of glycerol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the tobacco rod 11 may contain other additives such as flavoring agents, wetting agents, and / or organic acids. In addition, flavoring agents such as menthol or humectants may be added to the tobacco rod 11 by spraying the tobacco rod 11.

[0129] The filter rod 12 may be a cellulose acetate filter. In addition, the shape of the filter rod 12 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 12 may be a cylindrical type rod, or a tubular type rod having a hollow interior. In addition, the filter rod 12 may also be a concave type rod. If the filter rod 12 is composed of a plurality of filter segments, at least one of the plurality of filter segments may also be made into other shapes.

[0130] At least a portion of the aerosol generating substance included in the aerosol generating article 10 (eg, glycerin) may be a dielectric having polarity in an electric field, and at least a portion of the aerosol generating substance as described above may generate heat by dielectric heating, thereby heating the aerosol generating article 10 .

[0131] According to an embodiment, the resonance part 220 may include an outer conductor 221 , a first inner conductor 223 , and a second inner conductor 225 .

[0132] The outer conductor 221 may form the overall appearance of the resonance part 220, and may be formed into a hollow shape with a hollow interior, so that the components of the resonance part 220 may be arranged inside the outer conductor 221. The outer conductor 221 may include a housing space 220h capable of housing the aerosol generating article 10, and the aerosol generating article 10 may be inserted into the interior of the outer conductor 221 through the housing space 220h.

[0133] According to an embodiment, the outer conductor 221 may include a first surface 221a, a second surface 221b arranged to face the first surface 221a, and a side surface 221c surrounding an empty space between the first surface 221a and the second surface 221b. At least a portion of the components of the resonance part 220 (for example, the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225) may be arranged in the inner space of the resonance part 220 formed by the first surface 221a, the second surface 221b, and the side surface 221c.

[0134] The first inner conductor 223 may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the first surface 221 a of the outer conductor 221 toward the inner space of the outer conductor 221 .

[0135] According to one embodiment, a region of the first inner conductor 223 may be in contact with the coupler 230 connected to the oscillation part 210, and the microwave generated at the oscillation part 210 may be transferred to the first inner conductor 223 through the coupler 230. For example, the coupler 230 may be arranged to pass through the outer shell conductor 221, one end of which is in contact with the oscillation part 210, and the other end is in contact with a region of the first inner conductor 223, and the microwave generated at the oscillation part 210 may be transferred to the first inner conductor 223 through the coupler 230.

[0136] At this time, in order to transmit microwaves, the coupler 230 can be arranged to penetrate the outer conductor 221 without contacting the outer conductor 221, but the arrangement structure of the coupler 230 is not limited thereto as long as the microwaves generated in the oscillation part 210 can be transmitted to the first inner conductor 223.

[0137] The first region formed between the outer conductor 221 and the first inner conductor 223 may be used as a "first resonator" for generating an electric field by resonance of microwaves. The first region may refer to a space formed by the first surface 221a, the side surface 221c, and the first inner conductor 223 of the outer conductor 221, and inside the first region, microwaves transmitted through the coupler 230 may resonate to generate an electric field.

[0138] The second inner conductor 225 may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the second surface 221b of the outer shell conductor 221 toward the inner space of the outer shell conductor 221. The second inner conductor 225 may be arranged in the inner space of the outer shell conductor 221 at a predetermined distance from the first inner conductor 223, and a gap 226 may be formed between the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225.

[0139] The second region formed between the outer conductor 221 and the second inner conductor 225 can be used as a "second resonator" for generating an electric field through the resonance of microwaves. The second inner conductor 225 can be coupled with the first inner conductor 223 (for example, capacitive coupling), and when an electric field is generated inside the first region by the above-mentioned coupling relationship, an induced electric field can also be generated inside the second region. In the present disclosure, "capacitive coupling" can refer to a coupling relationship that can transfer energy by means of the electrostatic capacity (capacitance) between two conductors.

[0140] For example, as the microwave generated from the oscillation unit 210 is transmitted to the first inner conductor 223, an electric field can be generated inside the first region by resonance, and an induced electric field can be generated inside the second region formed by the outer conductor 221 and the second inner conductor 225 coupled to the first inner conductor 223.

[0141] According to one embodiment, the first region and the second region of the resonance unit 220 can operate as resonators having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength (λ) of the microwave.

[0142] In one example, since the end face of the first region is closed by the first face 221a of the outer conductor 221, one end of the first region (e.g., the end in the -z direction) can be formed as a short end, and since the first face 221a is not arranged at the other end of the first region (e.g., the end in the z direction), the end face is open, so that it can be formed as an open end. In another example, one end of the second region (e.g., the end in the -z direction) can be formed as an open end as the end face is open, and since the end face of the second region is closed by the second face 221b of the outer conductor 221, the other end of the second region (e.g., the end in the z direction) can be formed as a short end.

[0143] That is, when observed in the xz plane, the first region and the second region can include a short end and an open end and are integrally formed in a "匚" shape. With the above structure, the first region and the second region can operate as resonators having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength of the microwave.

[0144] According to one embodiment, the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 can be formed to have the same length with respect to the z-axis, and thus are arranged to be symmetric to each other between the first region and the second region, but it is not limited thereto.

[0145] The aerosol generating article 10 inserted into the inner space of the outer conductor 221 through the accommodation space 220h can be surrounded by the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 and heated by dielectric heating.

[0146] In the first region and / or the second region, at least a part of the electric field generated by the resonance of the microwave can propagate toward the inside of the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 through the gap 226 between the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225, and the aerosol generating article 10 surrounded by the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 can be heated by the propagated electric field. For example, the dielectric included in the aerosol generating article 10 can generate heat by the electric field propagating through the gap 226, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by the heat generated in the dielectric.

[0147] In the heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment, the electric field propagating to the inside of the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 can be prevented from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly 200 or the resonance part 220 by making the diameters of the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 smaller than a specified value. In the present disclosure, the "specified value" may refer to a diameter value at which the electric field begins to leak to the outside of the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225. For example, in the case where the diameter of the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 is greater than the specified value, a part of the electric field flowing into the inside of the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 may leak to the outside of the resonance part 220. In contrast, the heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment can prevent the electric field from propagating to the outside of the resonance part 220 by a structure in which the diameters of the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 are smaller than the specified value, and as a result, the electric field can be prevented from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly 200 or the resonance part 220 even without an additional shielding member.

[0148] According to one embodiment, when the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the resonance part 220 through the accommodation space 220h, the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol generating article 10 may be arranged at a position corresponding to the gap 226 between the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 .

[0149] Since the electric field generated in the first region and the electric field generated in the second region flow into the inside of the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 through the gap 226 , the strongest electric field may be generated in the peripheral region of the gap 226 in the inner region of the resonance part 220 .

[0150] In a heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment, the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heater assembly 200 can be improved by arranging the tobacco rod 11 including a dielectric that generates heat by an electric field at a position corresponding to the gap 226 where the electric field is strongest.

[0151] According to an embodiment, the resonating portion 220 may further include: a closing portion 224, which is located inside the first inner conductor 223 and closes the end surface of the first inner conductor 223 to limit the flow direction of the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article 10. For example, the closing portion 224 may close the end surface of the first inner conductor 223 to block the flow of the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article 10 toward the -z direction.

[0152] When the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article 10 or the liquid droplets generated as the aerosol is liquefied flows in the -z direction and flows into the aerosol generating device (for example, Figure 1In the case of other components of the aerosol generating device 100, the components of the aerosol generating device may be misoperated or even damaged. In contrast, the heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment limits the flow direction of the aerosol by the sealing portion 224, thereby preventing misoperation or even damage of the components of the aerosol generating device caused by aerosol or droplets.

[0153] According to an embodiment, the resonator 220 may further include a dielectric containing space 227 for containing a dielectric. The dielectric containing space 227 may refer to an empty space between the outer conductor 221 and the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225. A dielectric with low microwave absorption may be contained in the dielectric containing space 227. For example, the dielectric may be at least one of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and alumina, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0154] In the heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment, by arranging the dielectric inside the dielectric accommodating space 227, it is possible to generate the same electric field as the resonance part 220 without the dielectric while reducing the overall size of the resonance part 220. That is, the heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment reduces the size of the resonance part 220 by arranging the dielectric inside the dielectric accommodating space 227, thereby reducing the installation space of the resonance part 220 in the aerosol generating device, and as a result, the aerosol generating device can be miniaturized. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0155] Figure 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a heater assembly according to another embodiment.

[0156] according to Figure 6 The heater assembly 300 of the illustrated embodiment may include a resonance portion 320 generating microwave resonance and a coupler 311 supplying microwaves to the resonance portion 320 .

[0157] The resonance part 320 may include a housing 321 , a plurality of plates 323 a , 323 b , and a connection part 322 connecting the plurality of plates 323 a , 323 b and the housing 321 .

[0158] The coupler 311 may supply microwaves to at least one of the plurality of plates 323 a , 323 b to generate microwave resonance in the resonance portion 320 .

[0159] The resonating section 320 may surround at least one region of the aerosol generating article 10 inserted into the aerosol generating device. The coupler 311 may supply microwaves generated in the oscillating section (not shown) to the resonating section 320. If microwaves are supplied to the resonating section 320, microwave resonance may be generated in the resonating section 320 to heat the aerosol generating article 10. For example, the dielectric included in the aerosol generating article 10 may generate heat by the electric field generated in the resonating section 320 due to the microwaves, and the aerosol generating article 10 may be heated by the heat generated in the dielectric.

[0160] The housing 321 of the resonance part 320 functions as an “external conductor.” The housing 321 may be formed in a hollow shape with an empty interior, and thus the components of the resonance part 320 may be arranged inside the housing 321 .

[0161] The housing 321 may include a storage space 320h capable of storing the aerosol generating article 10 and an opening 321a capable of inserting the aerosol generating article 10. The opening 321a is connected to the storage space 320h. Since the opening 321a is open to the outside of the housing 321, the storage space 320h is connected to the outside through the opening 321a. Therefore, the aerosol generating article 10 can be inserted into the storage space 320h of the housing 321 through the opening 321a of the housing 321.

[0162] Although the housing 321 shown in the figure has a square cross-sectional shape, the shape of the housing 321 can be deformed into various shapes. For example, the housing 321 can be deformed into various cross-sectional shapes such as a rectangle, an ellipse or a circle. The housing 321 can extend longer in one direction.

[0163] A plurality of plates 323 a and 323 b capable of functioning as “inner conductors” of the resonance part 320 may be arranged inside the housing 321 .

[0164] The plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article 10 accommodated in the accommodation space 320h. The plurality of plates 323a, 323b may include a first plate 323a arranged to surround an area of ​​the aerosol generating article 10 and a second plate 323b arranged to surround another area of ​​the aerosol generating article 10.

[0165] The plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be connected to the housing 321 via the connection portion 322. In addition, one end of the first plate 323a and one end of the second plate 323b among the plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be connected to each other via the connection portion 322. Therefore, an end portion closed by the connection portion 322 may be formed at one end of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b.

[0166] The other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be open by being spaced apart from each other. Since the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b are spaced apart from each other, an open end may be formed at the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b.

[0167] The resonator assembly may be completed by connecting the plurality of plates 323a, 323b to each other through the connection portion 322. The shape of a cross section cut along the length direction of the resonator assembly may include a "horseshoe-shape".

[0168] The plurality of plates 323a and 323b extend in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article 10. At least a portion of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be bent so as to protrude outward from the center of the aerosol-generating article 10 in the longitudinal direction.

[0169] For example, in the case where the aerosol generating article 10 is manufactured in a cylindrical shape, the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be formed to be curved in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol generating article 10. The radius of curvature of the cross section of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be the same as the radius of curvature of the aerosol generating article 10. The radius of curvature of the cross section of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be variously deformed. For example, the radius of curvature of the cross section of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be greater than or less than the radius of curvature of the aerosol generating article 10.

[0170] Since the plurality of plates 323 a and 323 b are formed to be curved in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol-generating article 10 , a more uniform electric field is formed in the resonance portion 320 , and thus the heater assembly 300 can uniformly heat the aerosol-generating article 10 .

[0171] The open ends of the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be disposed toward the opening 321a of the housing 321. The opening 321a of the housing 321 may be disposed to be spaced away from the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b.

[0172] The open ends of the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be aligned with the opening 321a of the housing 321. Therefore, if the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted through the opening 321a of the housing 321 and is located in the storage space 320h, a portion of the aerosol generating article 10 located in the storage space 320h may be surrounded by the plurality of plates 323a, 323b.

[0173] Two of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b are arranged at opposite positions relative to the center in the length direction of the aerosol generating article 10. The embodiment is not limited by the number of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b, for example, the number of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be three or more.

[0174] The plurality of plates 323 a , 323 b may be arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to a central axis in a length direction of the aerosol-generating article 10 (ie, a direction in which the aerosol-generating article 10 extends).

[0175] At least one of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be in contact with a coupler 311 connected to an oscillating portion (not shown). Specifically, at least a portion of the first plate 323a may be in contact with the coupler 311. If microwaves are transmitted to the first plate 323a through the coupler 311, microwave resonance is formed between the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. In addition, microwave resonance is also formed between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the housing 321 and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the housing 321. Therefore, electric fields may be generated between the plurality of plates 323a, 323b and the connecting portion 322, between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the housing 321, and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the housing 321.

[0176] The coupler 311 may pass through the housing 321 so that one end of the coupler 311 contacts the oscillating portion (not shown) and the other end of the coupler 311 contacts a region of the first plate 323a. As microwaves generated at the oscillating portion (not shown) are transferred to the plurality of plates 323a, 323b and the connecting portion 322 through the coupler 311, an electric field may be generated inside the assembly of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b and the connecting portion 322.

[0177] In addition, according to the structure of the resonating part 320 of the heater assembly 300, a triple resonance mode can be formed in the resonating part 320. A resonance of a TEM mode (transverse electric & magnetic mode) of microwaves is formed between the plurality of plates 323a and 323b. In addition, a resonance of a TEM mode different from the resonance formed between the plurality of plates 323a and 323b is formed between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the housing 321 and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the housing 321. Figure 6 The resonant part 320 can use a plurality of plates 323a and 323b to resonate in the TEM mode, so it can be made into a Figure 5 The resonant portion 220 that can operate only in the transverse electric (TE: transverse electric mode) and the transverse magnetic (TM: transverse magnetic mode) mode is small in size.

[0178] As triple resonance is generated in the resonance portion 320 of the heater assembly 300 , the aerosol-generating article 10 can be heated more efficiently and uniformly.

[0179] The resonator 320 according to the above-described embodiment may include a short end whose end surface is closed and an open end, wherein the open end is located in a direction opposite to the short end and at least one region of the end surface thereof is opened to have a length of 1 / 4 (λ / 4) of a wavelength λ of microwaves.

[0180] and Figure 6 The region at one end of the resonant part 320 corresponding to the left region in the figure forms a closed end closed by a structure in which one end of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b and the connecting part 322 are connected to the housing 321. By opening the opening 321a of the housing 321 to the outside, Figure 6 The region on the right side of the resonance part 320 corresponds to the region at the other end of the resonance part 320 and forms an open end. With the structure of the resonance part 320 as described above, the resonance part 320 can operate as a resonator having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength of microwaves.

[0181] According to the resonance structure of the resonance part 320, the electric field may not propagate to the outer region of the resonance part 320. Therefore, the heater assembly 300 can prevent the electric field from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly 300 even without an additional shielding member for shielding the electric field.

[0182] The aerosol generating article 10 inserted into the receiving space 320h of the housing 321 may be surrounded by the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b, thereby being heated in a dielectric heating manner. For example, a portion of the aerosol generating article 10 including a dielectric inserted into the receiving space 320h of the housing 321 may be arranged in the space between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b. The dielectric included in the aerosol generating article 10 generates heat by the electric field generated in the space between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b, so that the aerosol generating article 10 may be heated.

[0183] Furthermore, secondary heating of the aerosol generating article 10 may be achieved under the action of an electric field caused by resonance modes formed between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the shell 321 and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the shell 321, respectively.

[0184] When the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the interior of the resonance portion 320 through the accommodation space 320h, the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol generating article 10 may be located between the plurality of plates 323a, 323b.

[0185] The length L4 of the tobacco rod 11 can be formed to be longer than the length L1 of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. Therefore, the front end 11f of the tobacco rod 11 connected to the filter rod 12 is located at a position protruding in the direction toward the opening 321a of the housing 321 than the other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b.

[0186] A resonance peak may be formed at the other end of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b operating as a resonator, thereby generating an electric field stronger than other regions. When the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the heater assembly 300, the tobacco rod 11 including a dielectric capable of generating heat by an electric field is arranged to correspond to the region where the electric field is strongest, thereby improving the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heater assembly 300.

[0187] Reference Figure 6 , the length L1 of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be set to be smaller than the length (L1+L2) of the internal space of the housing 321. Therefore, the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be located inside the housing 321 relative to the opening 321a. That is, the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be set to be spaced apart from the rear end of the opening 321a by a distance L2.

[0188] The length from the rear end of the opening 321a where the opening 321a is connected to the housing 321 to the front end of the opening 321a where the opening 321a is open may be L3. The total length of the housing 321 along the length direction of the housing 321 may be L. L, which is the overall length of the housing 321, may be determined by the sum of the length L1 of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b, the length L2 of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b spaced from the rear end of the opening 321a, and the length L3 of the opening 321a protruding from the housing 321.

[0189] In order to prevent microwave leakage, the front end of the opening 321a where the opening 321a is opened is set to protrude from the shell 321 by a length of L3. The opening 321a of the shell 321 protrudes from the shell 321, thereby preventing the microwave inside the shell 321 of the resonance part 320 from leaking to the outside of the shell 321.

[0190] The resonator 320 may further include a dielectric containing space 327 for containing a dielectric. The dielectric containing space 327 may be formed as an empty space between the housing 321 and the plurality of plates 323a and 323b. The dielectric containing space 327 may contain a dielectric with low microwave absorption.

[0191] By arranging the dielectric inside the dielectric containing space 327, it is possible to generate an electric field of the same level as the electric field generated in the resonance part without the dielectric while reducing the overall size of the resonance part 320 of the heater assembly 300. That is, by reducing the size of the resonance part 320 by arranging the dielectric inside the dielectric containing space 327, it is possible to reduce the installation space of the resonance part 320 in the aerosol generating device, and as a result, the aerosol generating device can be miniaturized.

[0192] Figure 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a heater assembly according to still another embodiment.

[0193] according to Figure 7 The heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment may include a resonance portion 320 generating microwave resonance and a coupler 311 supplying microwaves to the resonance portion 320 .

[0194] The housing 321 of the resonance unit 320 may include a housing space 320h capable of housing an aerosol-generating article and an opening 321a capable of inserting the aerosol-generating article.

[0195] One ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b of the resonance part 320 may be connected to the connection part 322. The plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be connected to the housing 321 via the connection part 322. The other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be open toward the opening 321a of the housing 321.

[0196] The housing 321 , the plurality of plates 323 a , 323 b , and the connection portion 322 of the resonance portion 320 may include a metal material.

[0197] The plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodation space 320h. The plurality of plates 323a, 323b may include a first plate 323a arranged to surround an area of ​​the aerosol generating article and a second plate 323b arranged to surround another area of ​​the aerosol generating article.

[0198] “A plurality of plates are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol-generating article” may mean that the plurality of plates are arranged at positions different from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol-generating article.

[0199] Furthermore, “plural plates are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article” may mean that the plurality of plates are arranged at different positions along the circumferential direction centered on the “length direction” in which the heater assembly or the aerosol generating device extends longer.

[0200] “A plurality of plates surround a portion of the area of ​​the aerosol-generating article” may mean that the plurality of plates extend in the peripheral direction of the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article, thereby being arranged to face the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article. The plurality of plates may simply have a flat shape and surround a portion of the area of ​​the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article. As another example, the plurality of plates may include a shape bent or curved in a manner corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol-generating article and surround a portion of the area of ​​the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article.

[0201] The first plate 323a and the second plate 323b may be arranged at upper and lower sides of the accommodation space 320h and face each other. Each of the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b may extend long along the direction in which the aerosol generating article is inserted, and may include a thin and flat rectangular plate.

[0202] The shape of each of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be variously deformed. For example, each of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be deformed to have a square plate, a polygonal plate, a circular plate, or an elliptical plate shape.

[0203] The plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be connected to the housing 321 via the connection portion 322. In addition, one end of the first plate 323a and one end of the second plate 323b of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be connected to each other via the connection portion 322. Therefore, an end portion closed by the connection portion 322 may be formed at one end of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b.

[0204] The other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be open by being spaced apart from each other. Since the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b are spaced apart from each other, an open end may be formed at the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b.

[0205] The receiving space 320h between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b may be in an open state in the inner space of the housing 321 through the side surfaces of the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b.

[0206] The open ends of the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be disposed toward the opening 321a of the housing 321. The opening 321a of the housing 321 may be arranged to be spaced away from the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. The opening 321a is arranged to protrude from the housing 321, thereby preventing the microwaves inside the housing 321 from leaking to the outside of the housing 321.

[0207] The open ends of the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be aligned with the opening 321a of the housing 321. Therefore, if the aerosol generating article is inserted through the opening 321a of the housing 321 and is located in the accommodation space 320h, a portion of the aerosol generating article located in the accommodation space 320h may be surrounded by the plurality of plates 323a, 323b.

[0208] When microwaves are supplied to the resonance section 320 via the coupler 311 , microwave resonance occurs in the resonance section 320 , so that the resonance section 320 can heat the aerosol-generating article inserted between the plurality of plates 323 a and 323 b .

[0209] A dielectric containing space 327 is formed between the housing 321 and each of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b. The dielectric containing space 327 may be empty or may contain a dielectric having a low microwave absorption degree.

[0210] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram showing the Figure 7 A side view of the electric field distribution of the heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment, Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram showing the Figure 7 Front view of the electric field distribution of the heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The electric field distribution shown indicates the intensity of the voltage (V / m) per unit length of the resonance portion.

[0211] and Figure 8 The region at one end of the resonating part 320 corresponding to the right region in FIG. 1 forms a closed end closed by a structure in which one end of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b and the connecting part 322 are connected to the housing 321. Figure 8 The other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b of the resonance part 320 corresponding to the left region in FIG. 3 form an open end. With the structure of the resonance part 320 as described above, the resonance part 320 can operate as a resonator having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength of microwaves.

[0212] A strong electric field may be formed at a portion of the resonance portion 320 corresponding to the open end of the other end of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. A resonance peak may be formed at the other end of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b, thereby generating an electric field stronger than other regions. When the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the resonance portion 320, the tobacco rod 11 including a dielectric capable of generating heat by an electric field is arranged to correspond to the region with the strongest electric field, thereby improving the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of heating the aerosol generating article 10.

[0213] According to the structure of the resonating part 320 of the heater assembly, a triple resonance mode can be formed in the resonating part 320. The resonance of the TEM mode (transverse electromagnetic mode) of the microwave is formed between the plurality of plates 323a and 323b. In addition, the resonance of the TEM mode different from the resonance formed between the plurality of plates 323a and 323b is formed between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the housing 321 and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the housing 321.

[0214] As the triple resonance is generated in the resonant part 320 of the heater assembly, the aerosol generating article can be heated more efficiently and uniformly. Due to the triple resonance generated in the resonant part 320 of the heater assembly, the heating pattern is formed symmetrically with the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol generating article as the center. Therefore, by the heater assembly involved in the embodiment, the tobacco rod 11 can be exhausted sequentially from the center of the tobacco medium toward the outer side in the radial direction.

[0215] In addition, the opening 321 a is arranged to protrude from the housing 321 , thereby preventing the microwaves inside the housing 321 from leaking to the outside of the housing 321 and being transferred to the user.

[0216] Fig.10 It is schematically shown that according to Figure 7 A perspective view of the heating density distribution of an aerosol-generating article heated by the heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment. Fig.10 The heating density distribution shown represents the temperature energy per unit volume (W / m 3 ).

[0217] A strong electric field may be formed at a portion of the resonating portion 320 corresponding to the open end of the other end of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. A resonance peak may be formed at the other end of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b, thereby generating an electric field stronger than other regions. The electric field is 0 at a portion of the resonating portion 320 corresponding to the closed end. Since the tobacco rod 11 including a dielectric capable of generating heat by an electric field in the aerosol generating article is arranged to correspond to the region with the strongest electric field in the resonating portion 320, a portion of the tobacco rod 11 may be heated to the highest temperature.

[0218] Fig.11 is a perspective view schematically showing a portion of a heater assembly according to another embodiment, Fig.12 Yes Fig.11 A perspective view showing components of a heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment exploded and schematically illustrated.

[0219] according to Fig.11 and Fig.12The heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment may include a resonance portion 320 generating microwave resonance and a coupler 311 supplying microwaves to the resonance portion 320 .

[0220] The housing 321 of the resonance unit 320 may include a storage space 320h capable of storing an aerosol generating article and an opening 321a capable of inserting the aerosol generating article. The housing 321 may include a hollow cylindrical shape extending long along a longitudinal direction in which the aerosol generating article is inserted.

[0221] One ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b of the resonance part 320 may be connected to the housing 321 via the connection part 322. The other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be open toward the opening 321a of the housing 321.

[0222] The plurality of plates 323a, 323b may include a first plate 323a and a second plate 323b that are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodation space 320h.

[0223] The plurality of plates 323a, 323b extend in the length direction of the housing 321. At least a portion of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be bent in a manner of protruding outward from the center in the length direction of the receiving space 320h for receiving the aerosol generating article. The first plate 323a may be bent and extended in the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article to surround an area of ​​the aerosol generating article. The second plate 323b may be bent and extended in the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article to surround another area of ​​the aerosol generating article.

[0224] The other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be open by being spaced apart from each other. Since the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b are spaced apart from each other, an open end may be formed at the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b.

[0225] The open ends of the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be disposed toward the opening 321a of the housing 321. The opening 321a of the housing 321 may be disposed to be spaced away from the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b.

[0226] The resonance part 320 may include a dielectric receiving space 327 for receiving a dielectric. The dielectric receiving space 327 may be formed as an empty space between the housing 321 and the plurality of plates 323a and 323b. The dielectric receiving space 327 may receive a dielectric 324 having a low microwave absorption degree.

[0227] The dielectric 324 may include a hollow cylindrical shape. The plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be inserted into the hollow space inside the dielectric 324. The dielectric 324 and the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be installed inside the housing 321. The dielectric 324 may protrude further toward the opening 321a than the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b in the length direction in which the housing 321 extends.

[0228] By arranging the dielectric 324 inside the dielectric containing space 327 of the resonating part 320, it is possible to generate an electric field at the same level as the electric field generated by the resonating part without the dielectric while reducing the overall size of the resonating part 320. That is, the size of the resonating part 320 can be reduced by the dielectric 324 arranged inside the dielectric containing space 327. By arranging the dielectric 324 inside the dielectric containing space 327, it is possible to minimize the thickness of the resonating part 320, and thus reduce the overall outer diameter of the resonating part 320. Thus, it is possible to reduce the installation space of the resonating part 320 in the aerosol generating device, and as a result, the aerosol generating device can be miniaturized.

[0229] The “installation space” may refer to a space inside the aerosol generating device where various components can be installed.

[0230] A support cylinder 325 may be arranged inside the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. The support cylinder 325 may include a hollow cylindrical shape with one end being closed and the other end being open. The aerosol generating article may be inserted into the interior of the support cylinder 325. The support cylinder 325 is arranged between the plurality of plates 323a, 323b, so that the aerosol generating article inserted into the heater assembly can be held between the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. The closed surface at one end of the support cylinder 325 may contact the end of the aerosol generating article inserted into the interior of the support cylinder 325 to support the aerosol generating article.

[0231] The support tube 325 may include a resin material having waterproof and / or heat insulating properties, for example, may include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0232] The support tube 325 can prevent droplets generated by reliquefaction of the aerosol or moisture generated from the aerosol generating article from leaking to the outside of the support tube 325. In addition, the support tube 325 can prevent heat generated at the location of the aerosol generating article from escaping to the outside of the support tube 325. The support tube 325 can perform a liquid leakage function of preventing liquid from leaking to other structures of the resonance part 320 and a heat insulation function of preventing heat leakage.

[0233] The resonance part 320 may include an air introduction channel for introducing external air into the interior. The air introduction channel may be formed in the support tube 325, or may be formed between the support tube 325 and the housing 321. If the user holds the aerosol generating article 10 in the mouth and performs an inhalation operation, the external air is introduced into the interior of the resonance part 320 through the air introduction channel. The air flows into the interior of the aerosol generating article 10 through the end of the aerosol generating article 10. The air may flow through the aerosol generating article 10 and be delivered to the user together with the aerosol generated in the aerosol generating article 10.

[0234] Fig.13 is based on Fig.11 A cross-sectional view of a heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment.

[0235] When the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the support tube 325 of the resonance part 320, the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol generating article 10 can be located between the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. Since the closed surface at one end of the support tube 325 supports the left end of the tobacco rod 11, the movement of the aerosol generating article 10 toward the left direction can be restricted.

[0236] The front end of the tobacco rod 11 that contacts the filter rod is located at a position protruding in the direction toward the opening 321a of the housing 321 more than the other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b.

[0237] The length L1 of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be set to be smaller than the length (L1+L2) of the internal space of the housing 321. Therefore, the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be located at a position spaced further inward from the opening 321a to the inside of the housing 321. That is, the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be disposed at a distance L2 from the rear end of the opening 321a.

[0238] The length of the opening 321a protruding from the housing 321 may be L3. The total length of the housing 321 along the length direction of the housing 321 may be L. The total length L of the housing 321 may be determined within a range of 25 mm to 35 mm. Fig.13 The total length L of the housing 321 is about 29 mm. In order to prevent microwave leakage, the length L3 of the opening 321a may be greater than 5 mm.

[0239] The height H of the housing 321 in the direction transverse to the length direction of the housing 321 may be determined within the range of 13 to 25 mm. Fig.13 The height H of the housing 321 is approximately 16 mm.

[0240] The front end of the dielectric 324 disposed inside the resonance part 320 may protrude in the length direction of the housing 321 more than the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b. Fig.13 In the embodiment, the front end of the dielectric 324 may be in contact with the inner surface of the housing 321. The length L2 by which the front end of the dielectric 324 protrudes from the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be variously deformed. Therefore, the front end of the dielectric 324 may be separated from the inner surface of the housing 321, so that the front end of the dielectric 324 protrudes from the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b but does not contact the inner surface of the housing 321.

[0241] At least a portion of the first plate 323a among the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may contact the coupler 311. The position where the coupler 311 and the first plate 323a contact each other may be determined to be a position closer to the connection portion 322 than the opening 321a in the section from the opening 321a to the connection portion 322.

[0242] If the microwave is transmitted to the first plate 323a through the coupler 311, the resonance of the microwave is formed between the plurality of plates 323a and 323b. In addition, the resonance of the microwave is also formed between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the housing 321 and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the housing 321. Therefore, an electric field can be generated between the plurality of plates 323a and 323b and the connecting portion 322, between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the housing 321, and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the housing 321.

[0243] Fig.14 It is a schematic diagram showing the Fig.11 A perspective view of the electric field distribution of the heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment. Fig.14 The electric field distribution shown indicates the intensity of the voltage (V / m) per unit length of the resonance portion.

[0244] According to the structure of the resonating part 320 of the heater assembly, a triple resonance mode can be formed in the resonating part 320. The resonance of the TEM mode (transverse electromagnetic mode) of the microwave is formed between the plurality of plates 323a and 323b. In addition, the resonance of the TEM mode different from the resonance formed between the plurality of plates 323a and 323b is formed between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the housing 321 and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the housing 321.

[0245] As triple resonance is generated in the resonating portion 320 of the heater assembly, the aerosol-generating article can be heated more efficiently and uniformly.

[0246] Fig.15 It is schematically shown that according to Fig.11A perspective view of the heating density distribution of an aerosol-generating article heated by the heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment. Fig.15 The heating density distribution shown represents the temperature energy per unit volume (W / m 3 ).

[0247] A strong electric field may be formed at a portion of the resonating portion 320 corresponding to the open end of the other end of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. A resonance peak may be formed at the other end of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b, thereby generating an electric field stronger than other regions. The electric field is 0 at a portion of the resonating portion 320 corresponding to the closed end. Since the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol generating article including a dielectric capable of generating heat by an electric field is arranged to correspond to the region of the resonating portion 320 where the electric field is strongest, a portion of the tobacco rod 11 may be heated to the highest temperature.

[0248] Fig.16 is a perspective view schematically showing a heater assembly according to still another embodiment.

[0249] Fig.16 The heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment may include a resonance portion 320 generating microwave resonance and a coupler 311 supplying microwaves to the resonance portion 320 .

[0250] The housing 321 of the resonance unit 320 may include a storage space capable of storing an aerosol generating article and an opening 321a capable of inserting the aerosol generating article. The housing 321 may include a hollow cylindrical shape extending long along a longitudinal direction in which the aerosol generating article is inserted.

[0251] The plurality of plates of the resonance portion 320 may include a first plate 323a, a second plate 323b, and a third plate 323c that are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodation space 320h.

[0252] The plurality of plates are arranged in three such that they are spaced apart in the circumferential direction based on the central axis X in the length direction of the aerosol generating article accommodated in the housing 321. The plurality of plates may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction relative to the length direction of the housing 321, which is the direction in which the housing 321 extends. The embodiment is not limited by the number of the plurality of plates, for example, the number of the plurality of plates may be four or more.

[0253] Since one end of each of the first plate 323a, the second plate 323b, and the third plate 323c is connected to each other via the connection portion 322, a closed end portion can be formed on the side of the connection portion 322. By connecting the first plate 323a, the second plate 323b, the third plate 323c, and the connection portion 322 to each other, the resonator assembly can be completed.

[0254] The other end of each of the first plate 323a, the second plate 323b, and the third plate 323c is spaced apart from each other and open toward the opening 321a of the housing 321, so that an open end portion may be formed at the other end of the first plate 323a, the second plate 323b, and the third plate 323c.

[0255] The plurality of plates extend in the length direction of the housing 321. At least a portion of the plurality of plates may be bent in a manner of protruding outward from the center in the length direction of the receiving space 320h receiving the aerosol generating article. Each of the first plate 323a, the second plate 323b, and the third plate 323c may be bent and extended in the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article to surround different areas of the aerosol generating article.

[0256] According to the structure in which the plurality of plates are arranged at intervals along the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol generating article and are formed to bend in the circumferential direction, a more uniform electric field is formed in the resonance portion 320 , so that the heater assembly can uniformly heat the aerosol generating article.

[0257] In the embodiment, an example is described in which each of the plurality of plates is curved in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol generating article to have a cross-section in the shape of an arc, but the curved shape of each of the plurality of plates may be variously deformed. For example, each of the plurality of plates has a flat plate shape as a whole, but the inner surface of the plurality of plates facing the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol generating article may form a curved surface that is curved in the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article in a manner corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol generating article.

[0258] Fig.17 is a perspective view schematically showing a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment, Fig.18 yes Fig.17 A cross-sectional view of the heater assembly is shown.

[0259] according to Fig.17 and Fig.18 The heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment may include a resonance portion 320 generating microwave resonance and a coupler 311 supplying microwaves to the resonance portion 320 .

[0260] The housing 321 of the resonance unit 320 may include a housing space 320h capable of housing the aerosol-generating article 10 and an opening 321a capable of inserting the aerosol-generating article.

[0261] One ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b of the resonance part 320 may be connected to the connection part 322. The plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be connected to the housing 321 via the connection part 322. The other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be open to the inner space of the housing 321.

[0262] The plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be arranged at opposite positions with the aerosol generating article 10 accommodated in the accommodation space 320h as the center. The plurality of plates 323a, 323b may include a first plate 323a arranged to surround an area of ​​the aerosol generating article 10 and a second plate 323b arranged to surround another area of ​​the aerosol generating article 10.

[0263] The first plate 323a and the second plate 323b may be arranged at the upper and lower sides of the accommodation space 320h to face each other. Each of the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b may extend long in the direction of the central axis X that crosses the direction in which the aerosol generating article 10 extends long. The direction in which each of the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b extends may be a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the aerosol generating article 10 extends long.

[0264] Each of the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b may include a thin and flat rectangular plate shape. In addition, each of the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b may include a concave surface 323r formed concavely from the surface of each of the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b facing the aerosol generating article 10 at the position where the aerosol generating article 10 is accommodated.

[0265] The other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be open by being spaced apart from each other. Since the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b are spaced apart from each other, an open end may be formed at the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. The direction in which the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b are open may be a direction intersecting with the direction (X-axis direction) in which the opening 321a of the housing 321 is open.

[0266] Reference Fig.18 A dielectric containing space 327 is formed between the housing 321 and the plurality of plates 323a and 323b. The dielectric containing space 327 can contain a dielectric 324 with low microwave absorption.

[0267] In addition, a support cylinder 325 may be arranged inside the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. The support cylinder 325 may include a hollow cylindrical shape with one end closed and the other end open. The aerosol generating article 10 may be inserted into the support cylinder 325.

[0268] exist Fig.17 In order to avoid complexity, the illustration of the support cylinder 325 and the dielectric 324 is omitted.

[0269] The support tube 325 may be mounted on the concave surface 323r of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. Since the support tube 325 is fixed between the plurality of plates 323a, 323b, the support tube 325 can hold the aerosol generating article 10 between the plurality of plates 323a, 323b.

[0270] exist Fig.17 and Fig.18 In the embodiment, the position of the concave surface 323r formed on the plurality of plates 323a and 323b is spaced from the other end of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b in the direction of the connecting portion 322. The position of the concave surface 323r can be variously deformed, for example, the concave surface 323r can be located at the other end of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b. In the case where the concave surface 323r is located at the other end of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b, the aerosol generating article 10 can be mounted on the end of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b.

[0271] When microwaves are supplied to the resonance section 320 via the coupler 311 , microwave resonance occurs in the resonance section 320 , so that the resonance section 320 can heat the aerosol-generating article 10 inserted between the plurality of plates 323 a and 323 b .

[0272] Fig.19 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a heater assembly according to still another embodiment.

[0273] Can be based on Fig.19 The aerosol-generating article heated by the heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment may be implemented as a cartridge 390. The heater assembly may include a resonating portion 320 that generates microwave resonance and a coupler 311 that supplies microwaves to the resonating portion 320.

[0274] The housing 321 of the resonance part 320 may include a housing space capable of housing an aerosol-generating article and an opening 321 a capable of inserting the aerosol-generating article.

[0275] One ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b of the resonance part 320 may be connected to the housing 321 via the connection part 322. The other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be open toward the opening 321a of the housing 321.

[0276] The plurality of plates 323a, 323b of the resonator 320 may include a first plate 323a and a second plate 323b arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the smoke cartridge 390 accommodated in the accommodation space. The plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be arranged to be symmetrical to each other with respect to the central axis in the length direction of the smoke cartridge 390 as a reference. Fig.19 In the figure, two of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b are arranged at opposite positions with respect to the central axis in the length direction of the cigarette cartridge 390.

[0277] A dielectric 324 having low microwave absorptivity may be accommodated in the empty space between the housing 321 of the resonance unit 320 and the plurality of plates 323 a and 323 b .

[0278] The aerosol generating article stored between the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be implemented as a cartridge 390. The cartridge 390 may include a storage portion 393 storing an aerosol generating substance and a generator 392 generating an aerosol from the aerosol generating substance in the storage portion 393.

[0279] The generator 392 may include an absorption part 392a for absorbing the aerosol generating material from the storage part 393 and a generating part 392b for heating the aerosol generating material supplied from the absorption part 392a to generate aerosol. The generator 392 of the cigarette cartridge 390 is connected to a mouthpiece 391 including an exhaust passage 391p for exhausting the aerosol.

[0280] The cigarette cartridge 390 may include an aerosol-generating substance in one of a plurality of states such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gas state, and a gel state, or a combination thereof. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may include a liquid composition. The liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance containing a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0281] The cartridge 390 is operated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body of the aerosol generating device, so that the phase of the aerosol generating substance inside the cartridge 390 is converted into a gas phase to generate an aerosol. The aerosol may refer to a gas in a state of a mixture of vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating substance and air.

[0282] The absorbing part 392 a and / or the generating part 392 b may include a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, porous ceramic, or the like.

[0283] At least a portion of the first plate 323a among the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be in contact with the coupler 311. If the microwave is transmitted to the first plate 323a through the coupler 311, the resonance of the microwave is formed between the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. In addition, the resonance of the microwave is also formed between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the housing 321 and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the housing 321. Therefore, an electric field may be generated between the plurality of plates 323a, 323b and the connecting portion 322, between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the housing 321, and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the housing 321.

[0284] The front end of the generating portion 392 b of the smoke cartridge 390 is located at a position protruding in a direction toward the opening 321 a of the housing 321 more than the other end 323 af of the first plate 323 a and the other end 323 bf of the second plate 323 b .

[0285] The cartridge 390 inserted into the receiving space 320h of the housing 321 may be surrounded by the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b and heated by dielectric heating. The dielectric of the aerosol generating substance contained in the generating portion 392b of the cartridge 390 generates heat by the electric field generated in the space between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b, so that the aerosol generating substance may be heated.

[0286] The aerosol generating material of the generating portion 392 b is heated, and the generated aerosol can be supplied to the user through the discharge passage 391 p of the mouthpiece 391 .

[0287] A resonance peak may be formed at the other end of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b operating as a resonator, thereby generating an electric field stronger than other regions. When the cigarette cartridge 390 is inserted into the resonance portion 320, the generating portion 392b is arranged to correspond to the region with the strongest electric field, thereby improving the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the generating portion 392b of the cigarette cartridge 390 being heated.

[0288] Fig. 20 is a perspective view schematically showing a heater assembly according to still another embodiment.

[0289] and Fig.19 The heater assembly of the embodiment shown is compared to the Fig. 20 In the heater assembly according to the illustrated embodiment, the direction in which the smoke cartridge 390 is mounted on the resonance portion 320 is changed.

[0290] Fig. 20 The heater assembly according to the illustrated embodiment may include a resonance portion 320 generating microwave resonance and a coupler 311 supplying microwaves to the resonance portion 320 .

[0291] The housing 321 of the resonance part 320 may include a housing space 320 h capable of housing a cartridge 390 as an aerosol generating article and an opening 321 a capable of inserting the cartridge 390 .

[0292] The cigarette cartridge 390 may include: a storage portion 393 for storing an aerosol generating substance; a generator 392 for generating an aerosol from the aerosol generating substance in the storage portion 393; and a mouthpiece 391 for discharging the aerosol generated in the generator 392 to the outside.

[0293] One ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b of the resonance part 320 may be connected to the housing 321 via the connection part 322. The other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be open to the inner space of the housing 321.

[0294] The plurality of plates 323a, 323b of the resonator 320 may include a first plate 323a and a second plate 323b arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the cartridge 390 accommodated in the accommodation space 320h. The first plate 323a is arranged to surround one area of ​​the cartridge 390. The second plate 323b is arranged to surround another area of ​​the cartridge 390.

[0295] The first plate 323a and the second plate 323b may be arranged at the upper and lower sides of the accommodation space 320h to face each other. Each of the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b may extend long in a direction transverse to a direction in which the cartridge 390 extends long.

[0296] The other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be open by being spaced apart from each other. Since the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b are spaced apart from each other, an open end may be formed at the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. The direction in which the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b are open may be a direction intersecting with the direction in which the opening 321a of the housing 321 is open.

[0297] exist Fig. 20 In the embodiment, the generator 392 of the smoke cartridge 390 is arranged between the plurality of plates 323a and 323b and is spaced apart from the other end of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b in the direction of the connecting portion 322 .

[0298] The position of the generator 392 of the cartridge 390 disposed between the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be variously modified. For example, the generator 392 of the cartridge 390 may be disposed to correspond to the other end of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b.

[0299] A resonance peak may be formed near the other end of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b operating as resonators, thereby generating an electric field stronger than other areas. When the cigarette cartridge 390 is inserted into the resonance portion 320, the generator 392 is arranged to correspond to the area with the strongest electric field, thereby improving the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the generator 392 of the cigarette cartridge 390.

[0300] Fig.21 This is a perspective view schematically showing a portion of a heater assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention in a cutaway manner.

[0301] Fig.21The heater assembly of the illustrated embodiment may include a resonance portion 320 generating microwave resonance and a coupler 311 supplying microwaves to the resonance portion 320 .

[0302] The housing 321 of the resonance part 320 may include a storage space 320h capable of storing an aerosol generating article and an opening 321a capable of inserting the aerosol generating article. The housing 321 may include a hollow cylindrical shape extending long along the length direction in which the aerosol generating article is inserted. The opening 321a of the housing 321 may be formed at a connection part 322 connected to the housing 321.

[0303] One end of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b of the resonating part 320 can be connected to the housing 321 via a connecting part 322. The connecting part 322 has a substantially disc shape, and an opening 321a into which an aerosol generating article can be inserted is formed at the center of the connecting part 322. The connecting part 322 can be mounted to an open mounting hole 321p at the front end of the housing 321.

[0304] The embodiment is not limited to the structure in which the opening 321a is directly formed in the connecting portion 322, and the structure in which the opening 321a is formed in the housing 321 can be variously modified. Fig.11 In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 321a may be directly formed on the housing 321 in a manner protruding from the front end of the housing 321. In the case where the opening 321a is directly formed on the housing 321, the connection portion 322 may include a through hole capable of allowing the aerosol generating article to pass through at a position corresponding to the opening 321a of the housing 321.

[0305] The other ends of the plurality of plates 323 a , 323 b may be open toward the opposite side of the opening 321 a in the inner space of the housing 321 .

[0306] The plurality of plates 323a, 323b may include a first plate 323a and a second plate 323b that are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodation space 320h.

[0307] The plurality of plates 323a, 323b extend in the length direction of the housing 321. At least a portion of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be bent in a manner of protruding outward from the center in the length direction of the receiving space 320h for receiving the aerosol generating article. The first plate 323a may be bent and extended in the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article to surround an area of ​​the aerosol generating article. The second plate 323b may be bent and extended in the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article to surround another area of ​​the aerosol generating article.

[0308] One end of the first plate 323a and one end of the second plate 323b of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b are connected to the connection portion 322 and are opened by being spaced apart from each other. The space where one end of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b is spaced apart from each other and opened may be connected to the opening 321a.

[0309] The other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be open by being spaced apart from each other. Since the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b are spaced apart from each other, an open end may be formed at the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b.

[0310] The resonator 320 may include a dielectric containing space for containing a dielectric. The dielectric containing space may be formed as an empty space between the housing 321 and the plurality of plates 323a and 323b. A dielectric 324 having low microwave absorption may be contained in the dielectric containing space.

[0311] The dielectric 324 may include a hollow cylindrical shape with one end closed and the other end open. The plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be inserted into the empty space inside the dielectric 324. The dielectric 324 and the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be installed inside the housing 321.

[0312] The aerosol generating article may be installed between the plurality of plates 323a, 323b by sequentially passing through the space between the opening 321a and one end of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. The end of the aerosol generating article may be supported by the closed end of the dielectric 324.

[0313] and Fig.11 The embodiment shown is different. Fig.21 In the heater assembly according to the illustrated embodiment, the position where the coupler 311 contacts the plurality of plates 323a, 323b is changed. The coupler 311 contacts the regions of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b adjacent to the opening 321a.

[0314] One end of the coupler 311 contacts the oscillation part (not shown). The coupler 311 passes through the housing 321 and the dielectric 324. The other end of the coupler 311 may contact a region of one end of the first plate 323a connected to the connection part 322.

[0315] The microwave generated in the oscillation part (not shown) may be transferred to the first plate 323 a through the coupler 311 to form microwave resonance in the resonance part 320 , thereby generating an electric field inside the resonance part 320 .

[0316] exist Fig.21In the heater assembly according to the illustrated embodiment, since the coupler 311 is arranged adjacent to the opening 321 a , a sufficient space for arranging the oscillating part (not shown) outside the housing 321 can be ensured.

[0317] For example, the oscillating unit (not shown) connected to the coupler 311 may include a circuit board or the like having a length longer than that of the housing 321. Fig.21 In the structure of the heater assembly involved in the illustrated embodiment, the oscillating portion connected to the coupler 311 can be arranged to extend along the length direction of the housing 321 outside the housing 321. Therefore, even if the overall length of the oscillating portion is long, it is possible to ensure a space for arranging the oscillating portion without significantly increasing the overall length of the heater assembly, so that the heater assembly and the aerosol generating device can be miniaturized.

[0318] The above-described embodiments of the present disclosure or other embodiments are not mutually exclusive or distinguishable. The above-described embodiments of the present disclosure or other embodiments may be used together or combined with their respective configurations or functions.

[0319] For example, this means that the A configuration described in a specific embodiment and / or the drawings can be combined with the B configuration described in other embodiments and / or the drawings. In other words, this means that even if there is no description of the combination between the configurations, they can be combined except for the case where it is described that the combination is impossible.

[0320] The above detailed description should be interpreted as illustrative rather than restrictive in all aspects. The scope of the present invention should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

[0321] Industrial Applicability Embodiments may provide a heater assembly capable of heating an aerosol-generating article by dielectric heating to generate an aerosol, and an aerosol-generating device including the same.

Claims

1. A heater assembly for heating an aerosol generating article, wherein: The heater assembly comprises: a resonating portion including a housing having a storage space for storing the aerosol generating article and an opening capable of inserting the aerosol generating article, a plurality of plates arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a peripheral direction of the aerosol generating article stored in the storage space, and a connecting portion connecting the plurality of plates to the housing; and A coupler supplies microwaves to at least one of the plurality of plates to generate microwave resonance in the resonance portion for heating the aerosol-generating article.

2. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein: One ends of the plurality of plates are connected to the connection portion, and the other ends of the plurality of plates are spaced apart from each other and open.

3. The heater assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The other end of the plate is disposed toward the opening of the housing.

4. The heater assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The plurality of plates are arranged symmetrically with respect to a center in a length direction of the aerosol-generating article.

5. The heater assembly of claim 2, wherein: Two of the plurality of plates are arranged at opposite positions relative to the center in the length direction of the aerosol generating article.

6. The heater assembly of claim 2, wherein: The plurality of plates extend in a lengthwise direction of the aerosol generating article, At least a portion of the plurality of plates is curved so as to protrude outward from a center in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article.

7. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein: The coupler passes through the housing to contact one of the plurality of plates.

8. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein: The coupler is arranged at a position adjacent to the connecting portion.

9. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein: The housing and the plurality of plates are spaced apart from each other.

10. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein: The housing and the plurality of plates are spaced apart from each other, The heater assembly also includes a dielectric disposed between the housing and the plurality of plates.

11. The heater assembly of claim 10, wherein: Ends of the dielectric protrude from ends of the plurality of plates toward the opening.

12. The heater assembly of claim 11, wherein: The end of the dielectric is in contact with or spaced apart from an inner surface of the housing.

13. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein: Also includes: The support tube is inserted into the plurality of plates and is capable of supporting the aerosol generating article.

14. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein: The plurality of plates extend in a direction, and a direction in which the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the accommodation space through the opening is a direction transverse to the direction.

15. An aerosol generating device comprising: A heater assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14; as well as The oscillating part generates high-frequency microwave power and supplies the power to the heater assembly.

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