Heater module for aerosol-generating device and aerosol-generating device comprising heater module

Abstract

A heater module for an aerosol-generating device includes: a module body including a heater accommodating groove for accommodating a heater detachably coupled to a cartridge accommodating an aerosol-generating material, and a printed circuit board (PCB) accommodating groove for accommodating the cartridge; the printed circuit board (PCB) accommodating groove is used for accommodating a PCB unit electrically connected to an aerosol generating device; a heater terminal disposed in the module body and electrically connected to the heater to transfer power from a battery included in the aerosol-generating device to the heater; and an identification terminal disposed separately from the heater terminal in the module body and electrically connected to the PCB unit and the cartridge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heater module for an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating device including the heater module, the heater module having reduced use cost and improved productivity. Background Art

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for technologies that replace the method of supplying aerosols by burning ordinary cigarettes. For example, research has been conducted on methods such as generating aerosols from liquid aerosol generating materials or solid aerosol generating materials, or methods such as supplying a flavor aerosol by generating vapor from a liquid aerosol generating material and then passing the generated vapor through a solid flavor medium.

[0003] In particular, an aerosol generating device using a liquid aerosol generating material is smaller in size than an aerosol generating device using a solid aerosol generating material, and is therefore more portable, and does not generate smoking byproducts, and is therefore convenient to use. Therefore, interest in an aerosol generating device for generating aerosol by using a liquid aerosol generating material is gradually increasing. Summary of the invention

[0004] Technical issues An aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol by heating a liquid aerosol generating material may include a cartridge and a heater module, the cartridge including the aerosol generating material, the heater module for heating the aerosol generating material. The heater module may be connected to the cartridge and may include a heater for heating the aerosol generating material, a heater terminal for supplying battery power to the heater, and an identification terminal electrically connected to the cartridge.

[0005] In the related art, when the cartridge needs to be replaced due to the exhaustion of the aerosol generating material in the cartridge, even when the heater has a remaining product life, the heater must be replaced when the cartridge is replaced. Therefore, the overall cost of using the aerosol generating device increases.

[0006] In addition, in the related art, the structure of the heater module including the heater terminal and the identification terminal is relatively complicated, and therefore, the manufacturing process of the heater module is also complicated. Therefore, in the related art, the productivity of the aerosol generating device is reduced, and thus it is necessary to develop a heater module with a simple manufacturing method.

[0007] A new structure is needed that can reduce the cost of using an aerosol generating device and improve the productivity of an aerosol generating device. For example, a heater module for an aerosol generating device is needed that allows the cartridge to be replaced alone (ie, without replacing the heater) and has features that simplify the manufacturing process.

[0008] Problems to be solved by the embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments pertain based on the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0009] Technical solutions to technical problems According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a heater module for an aerosol generating device includes: a module body, the module body including a heater receiving groove and a printed circuit board (PCB) receiving groove, the heater receiving groove receiving a heater, the heater being configured to be detachably coupled to a cigarette cartridge containing an aerosol generating material, the printed circuit board (PCB) receiving groove receiving a PCB unit electrically connected to the aerosol generating device; a heater terminal arranged in the module body, electrically connected to the heater, and configured to transmit power from a battery included in the aerosol generating device to the heater; and an identification terminal, arranged separately from the heater terminal in the module body, and configured to be electrically connected to the PCB unit and the cigarette cartridge. At least one of the heater terminal and the identification terminal may be insert-injected into the module body.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device includes: a heater module as described above; a smoke cartridge coupled to one side of the heater module and having a storage tank containing an aerosol generating material; and an aerosol generating device body coupled to the other side of the heater module and having a battery configured to transmit power to the heater.

[0011] Advantageous Effects of the Invention A heater module for an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating device including the heater module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may reduce total use cost.

[0012] In addition, the heater module for an aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating device including the heater module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be manufactured by a simple manufacturing method, and thus the productivity thereof may be improved.

[0013] Effects according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of an aerosol generating device shown in FIG.

[0016] Figure 3is a perspective view of a heater module for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 The heater module for the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment Figure 3 A cross-sectional stereogram taken along line AA'.

[0018] Figure 5 The heater module for the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view taken along line BB'.

[0019] Figure 6 is a view showing a heater module for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, which is a view viewed from the top before the heater is assembled into a module body.

[0020] Figure 7 The heater module for the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment Figure 6 Front cross-sectional view taken along line CC'.

[0021] Figure 8 The heater module for the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment Figure 6 A side cross-sectional view taken along line D-D'.

[0022] Fig. 9 is a view showing a heater module for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, which is a view viewed from the bottom before a printed circuit board (PCB) unit is assembled into a module body.

[0023] Fig.10 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a heater module for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C is a view illustrating a process of inserting a heater into a heater receiving groove according to an embodiment.

[0025] Fig.12 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a heater module for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, which is another example for describing a heater terminal.

[0026] FIG. 13A to FIG. 13C is a view illustrating a process of inserting a heater into a heater receiving groove according to another embodiment.

[0027] Fig.14 is a view showing an identification terminal arranged inside a heater module for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0028] Fig.15The heater module for the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment Fig.14 A schematic side cross-sectional view taken along line EE' of FIG. 1 is provided to describe an example of an identification terminal.

[0029] Fig.16 The heater module for the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment Fig.14 A schematic front cross-sectional view taken along line FF' of FIG. 1 is provided to describe an example of an identification terminal.

[0030] Fig.17 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention A heater module for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment may include: a module body including a heater receiving groove and a printed circuit board (PCB) receiving groove, the heater receiving groove receiving a heater, the heater being detachably coupled to a cartridge receiving an aerosol generating material, the printed circuit board (PCB) receiving groove receiving a PCB unit electrically connected to the aerosol generating device; a heater terminal arranged in the module body and electrically connected to the heater to transmit power from a battery included in the aerosol generating device to the heater; and an identification terminal arranged in the module body at a position spaced apart from the heater terminal and electrically connected to the PCB unit and the cartridge. At least one of the heater terminal and the identification terminal may be insert-injected into the module body.

[0032] The module body may include: an identification terminal accommodating portion accommodating the identification terminal; and a waterproof partition wall separating the heater accommodating groove from the identification terminal accommodating portion.

[0033] One side of the heater terminal may be arranged on a chamber that generates aerosol and is connected to the heater receiving groove and electrically connected to the heater, and the other side of the heater terminal extends in a first direction and passes through the module body to be electrically connected to the battery.

[0034] The heater terminal may include: a first heater terminal element contacting the heater; a second heater terminal element connected to the first heater terminal element; and a third heater terminal element connected to the second heater terminal element and coupled to the module body.

[0035] A portion of at least one of the first heater terminal element and the second heater terminal element may include a curved surface.

[0036] The first heater terminal member may be connected to the second heater terminal member to elastically move.

[0037] A portion of the second heater terminal member facing the heater receiving groove may be inclined.

[0038] The third heater terminal element may be arranged to be spaced apart from an inner surface of the module body.

[0039] The heater terminal may further include a fourth heater terminal element connected to the third heater terminal element and extending in a direction crossing a direction in which the third heater terminal element extends.

[0040] The first heater terminal member may protrude toward the heater receiving groove.

[0041] The identification terminal may include: a cartridge contact element contacting the cartridge; an identification terminal body connected to the cartridge contact element; and a PCB contact element connected to the identification terminal body and the PCB unit.

[0042] The cartridge contact element may be arranged to surround a portion of the identification terminal body.

[0043] The PCB contact element may include a portion protruding toward the PCB unit.

[0044] The PCB unit may include a PCB substrate contacting the identification terminal and a memory chip arranged on the PCB substrate, and the PCB receiving groove may include a first receiving groove for receiving the PCB substrate and a second receiving groove for receiving the memory chip.

[0045] According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating device may include: a heater module for the aerosol generating device; a cigarette cartridge, which is coupled to one side of the heater module for the aerosol generating device and contains a storage tank of an aerosol generating material; and an aerosol generating device body, which is coupled to the other side of the heater module for the aerosol generating device and has a battery configured to transmit power to the heater.

[0046] Embodiments of the present invention Regarding the terms in the various embodiments, the functions of the structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure are considered to select current and widely used general terms. However, the meaning of the terms may change according to intention, judicial priority, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In addition, in some cases, the applicant may arbitrarily select terms in specific circumstances. In this case, the meaning of the terms will be described in detail at the corresponding part in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meaning of the terms and the description provided herein.

[0047] In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "include" and variations such as "include" or "contain" will be understood to imply the inclusion of the elements described but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms "device", "unit" and "module" described in the specification represent units for processing at least one function and operation, and can be implemented by hardware components or software components or a combination thereof.

[0048] As used herein, when a statement such as "at least any one" precedes an element of an arrangement, it modifies all elements rather than each element of the arrangement. For example, the statement "at least any one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted to include a, b, or c, or a and b, a and c, or b and c, or a, b, and c.

[0049] In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosol by electrically heating a cigarette contained in an internal space thereof.

[0050] The aerosol generating device may comprise a heater. In an embodiment, the heater may be a resistive heater. For example, the heater may comprise a conductive track, and the heater may be heated when an electric current flows through the conductive track.

[0051] The heater may include a tubular heating element, a plate heating element, a needle heating element, or a rod heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of the cigarette depending on the shape of the heating element.

[0052] The cigarette may include a tobacco rod (rob) and a filter rod. The tobacco rod may be formed by sheets, strands and tiny fragments cut from tobacco sheets. In addition, the tobacco rod may be surrounded by a heat conductive material. For example, the heat conductive material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil.

[0053] The filter rod may include a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod may include at least one segment. For example, the filter rod may include a first segment configured to cool the aerosol and a second segment configured to filter a specific component in the aerosol.

[0054] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol by using a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material.

[0055] The aerosol generating device may include a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material and a main body supporting the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably coupled to the main body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be integrally formed or assembled with the main body, and may also be fixed to the main body so as not to be removed from the main body by the user. The cartridge may be mounted on the main body with the aerosol generating material contained therein. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The aerosol generating material may also be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the main body.

[0056] The cartridge may contain an aerosol-generating material in any of a variety of states (such as liquid, solid, gaseous, gel, etc.). The aerosol-generating material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material.

[0057] The cartridge can be operated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the body to perform a function of generating aerosol by converting the phase of the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge into a gas phase. Aerosol may refer to a gas of vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating material mixed with air.

[0058] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device can generate an aerosol by heating a liquid composition, and the generated aerosol can be delivered to a user through a cigarette. In other words, the aerosol generated from the liquid composition can move along an airflow channel of the aerosol generating device, and the airflow channel can be configured to allow the aerosol to be delivered to a user by passing through a cigarette.

[0059] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosol from an aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method. At this time, the ultrasonic vibration method may mean a method of generating aerosol by converting an aerosol generating material into an aerosol using ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

[0060] The aerosol generating device may include a vibrator, and a short-period vibration is generated by the vibrator to convert the aerosol generating material into an aerosol. The vibration generated by the vibrator may be an ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibration may be in a frequency band of about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

[0061] The aerosol generating device may further comprise a core that absorbs the aerosol generating material.For example, the core may be arranged to surround at least one region of the vibrator, or may be arranged to contact at least one region of the vibrator.

[0062] When a voltage (e.g., an AC voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and / or ultrasonic vibration may be generated from the vibrator, and the heat and / or ultrasonic vibration generated from the vibrator may be transferred to the aerosol generating material absorbed in the core. The aerosol generating material absorbed in the core may be converted into a gas phase by the heat and / or ultrasonic vibration transferred from the vibrator, and thus, an aerosol may be generated.

[0063] For example, the viscosity of the aerosol generating material absorbed in the core may be reduced by heat generated by the vibrator, and when the aerosol generating material having the reduced viscosity is granulated by ultrasonic vibration generated from the vibrator, aerosol may be generated, but is not limited thereto.

[0064] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating article contained in the aerosol generating device by induction heating.

[0065] The aerosol generating device may include a susceptor and a coil. In an embodiment, the coil may apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. When power is supplied to the coil from the aerosol generating device, a magnetic field may be formed inside the coil. In an embodiment, the susceptor may be a magnetic body that generates heat by an external magnetic field. When the susceptor is positioned inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied to the susceptor, the susceptor generates heat to heat the aerosol generating article. In addition, optionally, the susceptor may be positioned inside the aerosol generating article.

[0066] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further comprise a bracket.

[0067] The aerosol generating device may form a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may charge a battery of the aerosol generating device. Optionally, the heater may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device are coupled to each other.

[0068] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown so that a person of ordinary skill in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be implemented in a form that can be implemented in the aerosol generating device of the various embodiments described above or may be implemented in various different forms, without being limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0069] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0070] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0071] Reference Figure 1 The aerosol generating device 1 according to the embodiment may include a heater module 10 for an aerosol generating device, a cigarette cartridge 20 and an aerosol generating device body 30 .

[0072] The heater module 10 for the aerosol generating device may be located between the cartridge 20 and the aerosol generating device body 30, and may perform a function of generating aerosol by converting an aerosol generating material into a gas phase. The heater module 10 for the aerosol generating device may generate aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge 20.

[0073] For example, the heater module 10 for an aerosol generating device may generate vapor from an aerosol generating material by heating the aerosol generating material supplied from the cigarette cartridge 20, and the generated vapor may be mixed with external air introduced into the heater module 10 for an aerosol generating device from the outside of the heater module 10 for an aerosol generating device. Thus, an aerosol may be generated. In the present disclosure, the term "aerosol" may refer to particles generated by mixing vapor generated by heating an aerosol generating material with air.

[0074] The aerosol generating material may be stored inside the cartridge 20 , and the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 20 may be supplied to a heater module 10 for an aerosol generating device, which is arranged at a lower end of the cartridge 20 (eg, a portion facing the −z direction).

[0075] According to an embodiment, the cartridge 20 may include a mouthpiece 20m for supplying aerosol to the user. For example, the mouthpiece 20m may provide fluid communication between the inside of the heater module 10 and the outside of the heater module 10. The aerosol generated inside the heater module 10 may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 via the mouthpiece 20m. Here, the user may contact the mouthpiece 20m with the mouth and inhale the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0076] The aerosol generating device body 30 may be located at the lower end (e.g., the portion facing the -z direction) of the heater module 10 for the aerosol generating device, and supports the heater module 10 for the aerosol generating device. Components for operation of the aerosol generating device 1 may be arranged inside the aerosol generating device body 30. For example, a battery (not shown) and a processor (not shown) may be arranged inside the aerosol generating device body 30. However, the battery and the processor are merely examples of components arranged inside the aerosol generating device body 30, and in addition to the above-mentioned components, other components (e.g., a user interface, a sensor, etc.) may also be arranged inside the aerosol generating device body 30.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 may further comprise a cover 31 for protecting components of the aerosol generating device 1 .

[0078] The cover 31 can be arranged to at least partially surround the heater module 10, the cigarette cartridge 20 and the aerosol generating device body 30 to fix the positions of the heater module 10, the cigarette cartridge 20 and the aerosol generating device body 30, and protect the heater module 10, the cigarette cartridge 20 and the aerosol generating device body 30 from external impact or the influx of foreign objects.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the cover 31 may be integrally formed with the aerosol generating device body 30 , but is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the cover 31 may be detachably coupled to the aerosol generating device body 30 .

[0080] In the following, reference is made to Figure 2 The connection relationship between the heater module 10, the cigarette cartridge 20 and the aerosol generating device body 30 is described in detail.

[0081] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of an aerosol generating device shown in FIG.

[0082] Reference Figure 2 The aerosol generating device 1 according to the embodiment may include a heater module 10, a cigarette cartridge 20, an aerosol generating device body 30 and a cover 31. At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 may be connected to the aerosol generating device 1. Figure 1 At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is the same or similar, and the same description thereof is omitted below.

[0083] In addition, the components of the aerosol generating device 1 are not limited thereto, and according to an embodiment, at least one of the above components (eg, the cover 31 ) may be omitted or other components may be added.

[0084] The heater module 10 may be detachably coupled to a bottom surface (eg, a surface facing the −z direction) of the cartridge 20 , and may generate an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material supplied from a storage tank 21 of the cartridge 20 .

[0085] For example, a first coupling element (not shown) arranged in an area of ​​the heater module 10 facing the cartridge 20 may be coupled to or detached from a second coupling element (not shown) arranged on the bottom surface of the cartridge 20, and thus, the heater module 10 may be coupled to or detached from the cartridge 20. However, the coupling method between the cartridge 20 and the heater module 10 is not limited thereto.

[0086] When the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 21 of the cartridge 20 is exhausted, the user can continue smoking by replacing the existing cartridge 20 with a new cartridge 20. As another example, when the performance of a component (e.g., heater or core) of the heater module 10 deteriorates and fails to generate a sufficient amount of aerosol, the user can replace the existing heater module 10 with a new heater module 10 so that a sufficient amount of aerosol is generated.

[0087] When the cartridge 20 needs to be replaced due to consumption of the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 21 of the cartridge 20, the aerosol generating device 1 according to the embodiment can be implemented in a structure in which only the cartridge 20 is replaced and the heater module 10 is reused. In other words, the heater module 10 according to the embodiment can be detachably coupled to the cartridge 20, and therefore, even if the cartridge 20 needs to be replaced, the heater module 10 can be reused without replacing the heater module 10. Therefore, the total cost of using the aerosol generating device 1 according to the embodiment can be reduced.

[0088] According to an embodiment, the heater module 10 may include an aerosol generating material inlet 11 for connecting the interior of the heater module 10 to the interior of the storage tank 21, an air inlet 12 for introducing external air into the heater module 10, and an air outlet 13 for discharging the aerosol generated inside the heater module 10 to the outside.

[0089] The aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 21 of the cartridge 20 may flow into the heater module 10 through the aerosol generating material inlet 11, and the heater arranged inside the heater module 10 may heat the aerosol generating material supplied from the storage tank 21. A detailed description of the components arranged inside the heater module 10 is given below.

[0090] External air may be introduced into the heater module 10 through the air inlet 12 , and inside the heater module 10 , aerosol may be generated by mixing the introduced external air with vapor generated by heating the aerosol generating material.

[0091] The aerosol generated inside the heater module 10 may flow from the heater module 10 into the cartridge 20 through the air outlet 13 arranged in one area of ​​the heater module 1010 and facing the cartridge 20, and then be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 through the mouthpiece 20m. For example, when the pressure inside the cartridge 20 is reduced by the user's inhalation through the mouthpiece 20m, the air and / or aerosol inside the heater module 10 may move from the heater module 10 into the cartridge 20, and the user may inhale the air and / or aerosol moved into the cartridge 20.

[0092] The cartridge 20 may include a storage tank 21 for storing an aerosol generating material.

[0093] When the cartridge 20 is coupled to the heater module 10 , the storage tank 21 may be connected or fluidly connected to the inner space of the heater module 10 , and thus, the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 21 may flow into the inner space of the heater module 10 .

[0094] Here, the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 21 may include a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may include a liquid composition containing a non-tobacco material.

[0095] According to an embodiment, the liquid composition may include one of water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, spices, flavorings and vitamin mixtures, or a mixture of these ingredients. Spices may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil and various fruity ingredients, but are not limited thereto. Flavorings may include ingredients that can provide various flavors or tastes to users. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto. In addition, the liquid composition may include an aerosol former, such as glycerol and propylene glycol.

[0096] For example, the liquid composition may include a solution of glycerol and propylene glycol in any weight ratio, wherein a nicotine salt is added to the solution. The liquid composition may include two or more types of nicotine salts. Nicotine salts may be formed by adding a suitable acid (including an organic acid or an inorganic acid) to nicotine. Nicotine may be naturally occurring nicotine or synthetic nicotine and may have any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

[0097] The acid for forming the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected by considering the nicotine absorption rate in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 1, the flavor or aroma, the solubility, etc. For example, the acid for forming the nicotine salt may be a single acid selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid, and malic acid, or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.

[0098] The aerosol generating device body 30 may be detachably coupled to the bottom surface (e.g., the surface facing the -z direction) of the heater module 10 to support the heater module 10. For example, the aerosol generating device body 30 may be detachably coupled to the heater module 10 by inserting at least one region of the aerosol generating device body 30 into an insertion groove formed on the bottom surface of the heater module 10. However, the coupling method between the heater module 10 and the aerosol generating device body 30 is not limited thereto.

[0099] According to an embodiment, components for operation of the aerosol generating device 1 may be arranged inside the aerosol generating device body 30. For example, a battery (not shown) for supplying power and a processor (not shown) for controlling the operation of the aerosol generating device 1 may be arranged inside the aerosol generating device body 30.

[0100] The battery can supply power for the operation of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the battery can be electrically connected to the heater module 10 to supply power so that the heater of the heater module 10 can be heated. As another example, the battery can also supply power required for the operation of other components (e.g., a processor, etc.) of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0101] The processor may control all operations of the aerosol generating device 1. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which programs executable in the microprocessor are stored, but is not limited thereto.

[0102] According to an embodiment, the processor may control the power supplied from the battery to the heater of the heater module 10. For example, the processor may control the amount of power supplied from the battery to the heater and the time for supplying power from the battery to the heater so that the heater of the heater module 10 may be heated to a specific temperature or may maintain a predefined temperature.

[0103] The aerosol generating device 1 according to the embodiment may enable replacement of the cartridge 20 and / or the heater module 10 via the following structure: the cartridge 20 is detachably coupled to the heater module 10 , and the heater module 10 is detachably coupled to the aerosol generating device body 30 .

[0104] Hereinafter, components of the heater module 10 according to the embodiment are described in detail.

[0105] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a heater module for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0106] Figure 3 The heater module 10 shown in FIG. 1 may be Figure 1 and Figure 2 The embodiments of the heater module 10 of the aerosol generating device 1 are described above, and therefore, the same descriptions thereof are omitted below.

[0107] Reference Figure 3 The heater module 10 according to the embodiment may include an aerosol generating material inlet 11 , an air inlet 12 , and an air outlet 13 .

[0108] The aerosol generating material inlet 11 is operable to introduce the aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge 20 into the heater module 10. For example, the aerosol generating material inlet 11 may be arranged in an area of ​​the heater module 10 where it is coupled to the cartridge 20 (e.g., an area facing the +z direction), and the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 21 of the cartridge 20 may pass through the aerosol generating material inlet 11 and flow into the heater module 10.

[0109] The air inlet 12 may be operated to introduce air outside the heater module 10 (hereinafter referred to as external air) into the heater module 10. For example, the air inlet 12 may be arranged in another area of ​​the heater module 10 that is separate from the aerosol generating material inlet 11 (for example, on a side surface of the heater module 10), and the external air may pass through the air inlet 12 and flow into the heater module 10.

[0110] The external air introduced into the heater module 10 may move along an air flow channel disposed inside the heater module 10 or flow into a chamber in which aerosol is generated, and a detailed description thereof is given below.

[0111] The air outlet 13 is operable to discharge the aerosol and / or air generated inside the heater module 10 to the outside of the heater module 10 or to the cartridge 20. For example, the air outlet 13 may be spaced apart from the aerosol generating material inlet 11 in an area of ​​the heater module 10 where it is coupled to the cartridge 20. The aerosol and / or air inside the heater module 10 may be discharged to the outside of the heater module 10 through the air outlet 13.

[0112] When the cartridge 20 is coupled to the heater module 10, aerosol and / or air discharged to the outside of the heater module 10 through the air outlet 13 may be introduced into the cartridge 20 and then discharged to the outside of the cartridge 20 via the mouthpiece 20m by the user's puffing action.

[0113] In an example, when a portion of the heater module 10 is inserted into the cartridge 20, the first coupling element (not shown) of the heater module 10 and the second coupling element (not shown) of the cartridge 20 may be coupled to each other. In another example, when a force in a direction away from the heater module 10 is applied to the cartridge 20 while the heater module 10 and the cartridge 20 are coupled to each other, the coupling between the first coupling element (not shown) and the second coupling element (not shown) may be released, and thus, the cartridge 20 may be detached from the heater module 10.

[0114] Figure 4 The heater module for the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment Figure 3 A cross-sectional stereogram taken along line AA'. Figure 4 The thick arrows shown in indicate the moving direction of the air (or external air).

[0115] Reference Figure 4 The heater module 10 according to an embodiment may include an aerosol generating material inlet 11, an air inlet 12, an air outlet 13, a chamber 14, and an air flow channel 15. At least one of the components of the heater module 10 according to an embodiment may be connected to Figure 3 At least one of the components of the heater module 10 shown in FIG. 1 is the same or similar, and the same description thereof is omitted below.

[0116] The chamber 14 (or aerosol generating chamber) may be formed in the inner space of the heater module 10. In the chamber 14, the aerosol generating material introduced from the storage tank 21 of the cartridge 20 may be heated to generate aerosol.

[0117] The chamber 14 may be in fluid communication with the storage tank 21 of the cartridge 20 through the aerosol generating material inlet 11 , and the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 21 of the cartridge 20 may pass through the aerosol generating material inlet 11 and flow into the chamber 14 .

[0118] The airflow channel 15 may perform a function of allowing air introduced through the air inlet 12 to flow into the heater module 10. One area of ​​the airflow channel 15 may be formed by extending along the edge of the heater module 10 inside the heater module 10, and external air introduced into the heater module 10 through the air inlet 12 may reach the inside of the chamber 14 along one area of ​​the airflow channel 15.

[0119] The vapor generated when the aerosol generating material is heated by the heater 100 may be mixed with the external air introduced into the chamber 14 along the air flow channel 15, and thus, an aerosol may be generated in a region adjacent to the side surface of the core 110 disposed in the chamber 14. The generated aerosol and / or the external air may be discharged to the outside of the heater module 10 through the air outlet 13.

[0120] According to an embodiment, the heater module 10 may include an insertion groove 10h into which at least a portion of the aerosol generating device body 30 is inserted.

[0121] The insertion groove 10h may be formed in a region (e.g., a region facing the -z direction) of the heater module 10 where it is combined with the aerosol generating device body 30. When at least a portion of the aerosol generating device body 30 is inserted into the insertion groove 10h, the heater module 10 may be combined with the aerosol generating device body 30. For example, the heater module 10 may be combined with the aerosol generating device body 30 in a manner that at least a portion of the aerosol generating device body 30 is fitted into the insertion groove 10h by interference fit, but the combining manner is not limited thereto.

[0122] Reference Figure 4The heater module 10 according to the embodiment may further include a heater 100, a module body 200, a heater terminal 300, an identification terminal 400, a printed circuit board (PCB) unit 500, and an upper cover 600. However, the components of the heater module 10 according to the embodiment are not limited thereto, and the components according to the embodiment may be added or at least one component may be omitted.

[0123] The heater 100 may be located inside the module body 200, and heats the aerosol generating material introduced through the aerosol generating material inlet 11 to generate an aerosol. When the heater module 10 according to the embodiment is detachably coupled to the cartridge 20, the heater 100 may also be detachably coupled to the cartridge 20. Therefore, as described above, the aerosol generating device 1 according to the embodiment may be implemented in a structure in which, if the aerosol generating material in the storage tank 21 of the cartridge 20 is exhausted, only the cartridge 20 is replaced and the heater module 10 including the heater 100 may be reused.

[0124] The heater 100 may include a core 110 and a heating unit 120 .

[0125] The wick 110 may be disposed in an area adjacent to the aerosol generating material inlet 11 inside the chamber 14 to absorb the aerosol generating material that passes through the aerosol generating material inlet 11 and flows into the chamber 14 .

[0126] For example, at least one region of the core 110 may be arranged to face the aerosol generating material inlet 11 to absorb the aerosol generating material that passes through the aerosol generating material inlet 11 and flows into the chamber 14 .

[0127] According to an embodiment, the core 110 may include ceramic fibers or porous ceramics for absorbing the aerosol generating material. In other words, the core 110 may be a ceramic core. However, the core 110 is not limited to the above embodiment, and according to an embodiment, the core 110 may be formed of another material (e.g., cotton, glass, etc.).

[0128] The heater module 10 according to the embodiment may further include a support member disposed inside the chamber 14. The support member may fix the position of the wick 110 inside the chamber 14. In this way, even when the heater module 10 is tilted or shaken during use of the aerosol generating device 1, the wick 110 may stably absorb the aerosol generating material.

[0129] The heating unit 120 may be disposed on one side surface of the core 110 (e.g., one side surface facing the +y direction) to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the core 110. For example, the heating unit 120 may heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the core 110 by using power supplied from a battery of the aerosol generating device body 30.

[0130] The heating unit 120 may include a metal material that generates heat through resistance. For example, the heating unit 120 may include stainless steel that is not corroded by the aerosol generating material absorbed into the core 110, but the metal material of the heating unit 120 is not limited thereto. In another example, the heating unit 120 may include a metal material such as copper, nickel, or tungsten.

[0131] According to an embodiment, the heating unit 120 may include a conductive pattern printed on one side surface of the core 110. For example, the heating unit 120 may be formed in a manner of printing a metal material (eg, stainless steel) on a side surface of the core 110 facing the +y direction to have a specific pattern shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0132] According to an embodiment, the heating unit 120 may include a conductive pattern insert-injected into one side surface of the core 110. For example, the heating unit 120 may be formed in such a manner that a metal material (e.g., stainless steel) is insert-injected into a side surface of the core 110 facing the +y direction in a specific pattern shape, but the method of forming the heating unit 120 or the shape of the heating unit 120 is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0133] Although not shown in the drawings, according to an embodiment, the heating unit 120 may include a conductive plate disposed on one side surface of the core 110 .

[0134] The heating unit 120 may be disposed on the side surface of the core 110, and thus, vapor may be generated by heating the aerosol generating material in one area of ​​the chamber 14 adjacent to the side surface of the core 110. The vapor generated from the aerosol generating material may be mixed with the air introduced into the chamber 14 through the air inlet 12.

[0135] Here, external air may flow into the heater module 10 through the air inlet 12, and then move along the air flow channel 15 and move into the chamber 14. The air flow channel 15 may connect the air inlet 12 to the air outlet 13, and may form a flow path through which external air and / or aerosol moves.

[0136] The module body 200 may be arranged inside the heater module 10 according to the embodiment, and accommodate the heater 100, the heater terminal 300, the identification terminal 400, and the PCB unit 500. The module body 200 may perform the function of supporting the heater 100, the heater terminal 300, the identification terminal 400, and the PCB unit 500, and may be used as the body of the heater module 10 according to the embodiment. The module body 200 may include a groove for accommodating the heater 100, the heater terminal 300, the identification terminal 400, and the PCB unit 500, and a detailed description thereof is given below.

[0137] The module body 200 may include a first module body 210 and a second module body 220 .

[0138] The first module body 210 may be a portion of the module body 200 surrounding a side surface of the heater 100. An aerosol generating material inlet 11 and an air outlet 13 may be formed in the first module body 210.

[0139] The second module body 220 may be a portion of the module body 200 that supports the lower surface (eg, the surface facing the -z direction) of the heater 100. The above-mentioned cavity 14 may be formed on the second module body 220 (eg, the portion facing the +z direction) and inside the first module body 210. Although not shown in FIG. Figure 4 , but the second module body 220 may include a through hole therein through which the heater terminal 300 and the identification terminal 400 pass. In an embodiment, the second module body 220 may be integrally formed with the first module body 210, or may be detachably coupled to the first module body 210.

[0140] The heater terminal 300 may be disposed in the module body 200 to transmit power generated from a battery included in the aerosol generating device 1 to the heater 100. To this end, the heater terminal 300 may be electrically connected to the heating unit 120 and the battery of the heater 100. The heater terminal 300 may include a metal material (e.g., copper), but the material thereof is not limited thereto.

[0141] One side of the heater terminal 300 may contact the heating unit 120 of the heater 100. Figure 4 , but one side of the heater terminal 300 may be arranged on one side surface of the heater 100 inside the chamber 14 (e.g., one surface facing the +y direction) to contact the heating unit 120. One side of the heater terminal 300 may extend upward from one surface of the second module body 220 (e.g., the surface facing the +z direction).

[0142] The other side of the heater terminal 300 may be electrically connected to the battery of the aerosol generating device 1. As an example, the other side of the heater terminal 300 may be directly connected to the battery, or may be indirectly connected to the battery through a connection contact (not shown) connected to the battery. Therefore, the heater terminal 300 may transmit the power generated from the battery to the heating unit 120. The other side of the heater terminal 300 may extend downward from the lower surface (e.g., the surface facing the -z direction) of the second module body 220, and may be spaced apart from the PCB unit 500.

[0143] The identification terminal 400 may be arranged at a position spaced apart from the heater terminal 300 in the module body 200, and may be electrically connected to the PCB unit 500 and the cartridge 20. Therefore, the identification terminal 400 may be in direct contact with the PCB unit 500 and the cartridge 20, but the contact method thereof is not limited thereto. In addition, the identification terminal 400 may include a metal material (e.g., copper), but the material thereof is not limited thereto.

[0144] In an embodiment, the identification terminal 400 may perform a function of identifying whether the cartridge 20 is connected to the heater module 10. For example, when the cartridge 20 is connected to the heater module 10, the identification terminal 400 may transmit the connection information to the aerosol generating device 1 (e.g., to a memory or processor of the aerosol generating device 1).

[0145] In an embodiment, the identification terminal 400 may perform a function of keeping the cartridge 20 coupled to the heater module 10. In other words, the identification terminal 400 may function as the first coupling element described above.

[0146] One side of the identification terminal 400 may contact the cartridge 20 and extend upward from an upper surface (eg, a surface facing the +z direction) of the second module body 220 .

[0147] The other side of the identification terminal 400 may contact the PCB unit 500 and extend downward from a lower surface (eg, a surface facing the −z direction) of the second module body 220 .

[0148] The PCB unit 500 may be arranged at a position spaced apart from the heater 100 in the module body 200. In an embodiment, when the heater 100 is arranged at one side of the module body 200 (e.g., an area along the +z direction from the second module body 220), the PCB unit 500 may be arranged at an opposite side of the module body 200 (e.g., an area along the -z direction from the second module body 220).

[0149] According to an embodiment, the PCB unit 500 may be used as an intermediate medium for electrical connection (e.g., information communication transmission) between the cartridge 20 and the aerosol generating device body 30. In other words, the cartridge 20 may be electrically connected to the PCB unit 500 through the identification terminal 400, and the PCB unit 500 may be electrically connected to a connection contact (not shown) within the aerosol generating device body 30, and thus, the cartridge 20 and the aerosol generating device body 30 may be electrically connected to each other.

[0150] The upper cover 600 is coupled to the upper portion of the module body 200. The upper cover 600 may be detachably coupled to the module body 200, or may be integrally formed with the module body 200. The above-mentioned aerosol generating material inlet 11 and the air outlet 13 may be formed in the upper cover 600.

[0151] Figure 5 The heater module according to the embodiment Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view taken along line BB'.

[0152] Reference Figure 5 The heater module 10 according to the embodiment may include a chamber 14 , an air flow channel 15 , a heater 100 , a module body 200 , a heater terminal 300 , and a PCB unit 500 . Figure 5 The heater module 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. Figure 4 The heater module 10 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same as or similar to that shown in FIG. 1 , and the same description is omitted below.

[0153] The core 110 for absorbing the aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge 20 and the heating unit 120 for heating the aerosol generating material absorbed into the core 110 may be arranged on one side (eg, an area in the −y direction) of the chamber 14 .

[0154] The core 110 may be arranged such that at least one region thereof faces the aerosol generating material inlet 11 to absorb the aerosol generating material flowing into the chamber 14 through the aerosol generating material inlet 11 .

[0155] According to an embodiment, the core 110 may include a first surface 111 (or upper end surface) facing the aerosol generating material inlet 11 , a second surface 112 (or lower end surface) opposite to the first surface 111 , and a side surface 113 surrounding a space between the first surface 111 and the second surface 112 .

[0156] The first surface 111 of the core 110 may be arranged to face the storage tank 21 of the cartridge 20 when the heater module 10 is coupled to the cartridge 20 to absorb the aerosol generating material flowing from the storage tank 21 into the chamber 14 through the aerosol generating material inlet 11 .

[0157] The second surface 112 of the core 110 may be located opposite to the first surface 111 and may be arranged to face the bottom surface 14b of the cavity 14. According to an embodiment, the second surface 112 of the core 110 may be spaced apart from the bottom surface 14b of the cavity 14 by a certain distance.

[0158] Otherwise, if the second surface 112 of the core 110 contacts the bottom surface 14b of the chamber 14, at least a portion of the aerosol generating material absorbed into the core 110 may leak into the internal space of the heater module 10 along the bottom surface 14b of the chamber 14 or leak into the aerosol generating device body 30. Therefore, the components or body of the heater module 10 may malfunction or be damaged due to the leakage of the aerosol generating material.

[0159] In this regard, the heater module 10 according to the embodiment may prevent the aerosol generating material from leaking to the outside of the chamber 14 via a structure in which the second surface 112 of the core 10 is spaced apart from the bottom surface 14a of the chamber 14 .

[0160] The side surface 113 of the core 110 may be arranged to surround the space between the first surface 111 and the second surface 112 , and the heater 100 may be arranged in at least one region of the side surface 113 of the core 110 .

[0161] When the heater module 10 is coupled to the aerosol generating device body 30, the heating unit 120 may be electrically connected to a battery disposed inside the aerosol generating device body 30 through the heater terminal 300. For example, one side of the heater terminal 300 may contact one region of the heating unit 120, and the other side of the heater terminal 300 may contact at least one region of the aerosol generating device body 30 inserted into the insertion groove 10h, and thus, the heating unit 120 may be electrically connected to the aerosol generating device body 30. The battery disposed inside the aerosol generating device body 30 may supply power to the heating unit 120 through the above-mentioned electrical connection, and the heating unit 120 may generate heat when power is supplied thereto from the battery to heat the aerosol generating material absorbed into the core 110.

[0162] The heating unit 120 may be arranged on the side surface 113 of the wick 110, and thus, vapor generated when the aerosol generating material is heated may be generated in one region of the chamber 14 adjacent to the side surface 113 of the wick 110. The generated vapor may be mixed with external air introduced into the chamber 14 along the air flow channel 15 extending along the edge of the heater module 10. Therefore, aerosol may be generated in one region of the chamber 14 adjacent to the side surface 113 of the wick 110.

[0163] At least a portion of the aerosol generated inside the chamber 14 may be cooled and liquefied by contact with external air introduced into the chamber 14 through the airflow channel 15, and the liquefied aerosol (or droplets) may fall onto the bottom surface 14 b of the chamber 14 and accumulate or stack on the bottom surface 14 b of the chamber 14.

[0164] At least a portion of the core 110 adjacent to the bottom surface 14 b of the chamber 14 may absorb the liquefied aerosol accumulated on the bottom surface 14 b , thus preventing the liquefied aerosol from accumulating inside the chamber 14 .

[0165] Figure 6 1 is a view showing a heater module for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, which is a view viewed from the top before the heater 100 is assembled into the module body 200. Figure 6 A coupling structure between the heater 100 and the module body 200 is described.

[0166] Reference Figure 6 , the heater module 10 according to the embodiment may include a heater 100 , a module body 200 , a heater terminal 300 , and an identification terminal 400 . Figure 6 The heater module 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. Figure 4 The heater module 10 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same as or similar to that shown in FIG. 1 , and the same description is omitted below.

[0167] The module body 200 may include a heater receiving groove 230 , an identification terminal receiving portion 250 , and a waterproof partition wall 260 .

[0168] The heater 100 may be accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 230. The heater accommodating groove 230 may be a part of the chamber 14, and may be a space formed on one side (e.g., an area in the -y direction) of the chamber 14. As an example, when the heater 100 is accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 230, the heater 100 may be coupled to the module body 200 and electrically connected to the heater terminal 300. In other words, the heater terminal 300 may be arranged in the heater accommodating groove 230 within the chamber 14, and thus, the heater 100 may be electrically connected to the heater terminal 300. As another example, when the heater 100 is separated from the heater accommodating groove 230, the heater 100 may be separated from the module body 200, and thus, the electrical connection between the heater 100 and the heater terminal 300 may be released.

[0169] The heater receiving groove 230 may be formed in one side of the module body 200. For example, the heater receiving groove 230 may be a part of a space formed inside the first module body 210 and above the second module body 220 (eg, in the +z direction from the second module body 220).

[0170] The identification terminal 400 may be accommodated in the identification terminal accommodating portion 250. The identification terminal accommodating portion 250 may be formed at a position spatially separated from the heater accommodating groove 230 in the module body 200. The identification terminal accommodating portion 250 may be a space formed inside the first module body 210, separated from the heater accommodating groove 230 by the waterproof partition wall 260, and arranged in the upper portion (e.g., the portion facing the +z direction) and the lower portion (e.g., the portion facing the -z direction) of the second module body 220.

[0171] According to an embodiment, the waterproof partition wall 260 may perform a function of spatially separating the chamber 14 from the identification terminal accommodating portion 250. The waterproof partition wall 260 may be located between the chamber 14 and the identification terminal accommodating portion 250 to prevent aerosol droplets formed inside the chamber 14 from penetrating into the identification terminal accommodating portion 250. Therefore, the waterproof partition wall 260 may prevent the identification terminal 400 from being destroyed or damaged by the aerosol droplets flowing into the identification terminal accommodating portion 250.

[0172] In an embodiment, the waterproof partition wall 260 may perform a function of supporting the heater 100 disposed inside the chamber 14. Here, the waterproof partition wall 260 may function as the above-mentioned supporting member.

[0173] The waterproof partition wall 260 may be formed to extend into the first module body 210 and to an upper portion (eg, an end portion in the +z direction) of the second module body 220 . The waterproof partition wall 260 may be integrally formed with the module body 200 .

[0174] The waterproof partition wall 260 may include a first waterproof partition wall 261 and a second waterproof partition wall 262 .

[0175] The first waterproof partition wall 261 may extend from the inner surface of the module body 200. The first waterproof partition wall 261 may be located on one side (e.g., the side facing the +x direction) of the identification terminal accommodating portion 250. The first waterproof partition wall 261 may prevent aerosol droplets formed inside the chamber 14 from penetrating into the identification terminal accommodating portion 250.

[0176] The second waterproof partition wall 262 may extend from the inner surface of the module body 200 and may be connected to the first waterproof partition wall 261. The second waterproof partition wall 262 may be located on the other side (e.g., the side facing the +y direction) of the identification terminal accommodating portion 250. The second waterproof partition wall 262 may prevent aerosol droplets formed inside the chamber 14 from penetrating into the identification terminal accommodating portion 250. The second waterproof partition wall 262 may be formed integrally with the first waterproof partition wall 261.

[0177] The heater terminal 300 may contact the heater 100 accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 230. One side of the heater terminal 300 may be arranged on one side (e.g., the side facing the +y direction) of the heater 100 inside the chamber 14, and may contact the heating unit 120 of the heater 100 accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 230.

[0178] The heater terminal 300 may be insert-injected or insert molded into the module body 200. That is, according to an embodiment, the module body 200 and the heater terminal 300 may be manufactured together via a simple manufacturing method such as insert injection. Therefore, the productivity of the heater module 10 may be improved.

[0179] Based on the heater module 10 according to the embodiment, the heater terminal 300 may include a first heater terminal 300a and a second heater terminal 300b. The first heater terminal 300a and the second heater terminal 300b may differ from each other only in position relative to the module body 200, and may have the same function and structure, and therefore, the following description is given based on one heater terminal.

[0180] The identification terminal 400 may contact the cartridge 20 coupled to the heater module 10 while being accommodated in the identification terminal accommodation portion 250. In an embodiment, the identification terminal 400 may contact the second coupling element of the above-mentioned cartridge 20. One side of the identification terminal 400 may contact the cartridge 20 and may extend upward from one surface (e.g., a surface facing the +z direction) of the second module body 220.

[0181] The identification terminal 400 may be insert-injected or insert-molded into the module body 200. That is, according to an embodiment, the module body 200 and the identification terminal 400 may be manufactured together via a simple manufacturing method such as insert injection. Therefore, the productivity of the heater module 10 may be improved.

[0182] According to the heater module 10, the identification terminal 400 may include a first identification terminal 400a and a second identification terminal 400b. The first identification terminal 400a and the second identification terminal 400b may differ from each other only in position relative to the module body 200, and may have the same function and structure, and therefore, the following description is given based on one identification terminal.

[0183] Hereinafter, a structure for preventing aerosol droplets generated in the chamber 14 from penetrating into the identification terminal accommodating portion 250 by the waterproof partition wall 260 is described.

[0184] Figure 7 is a heater module according to an embodiment Figure 6 Front cross-sectional view taken along line CC'.

[0185] Reference Figure 7 The heater module 10 according to the embodiment may include a gas outlet 13 , a chamber 14 , a heater 100 , a module body 200 , an identification terminal 400 , and an upper cover 600 . Figure 7The heater module 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. Figure 6 The heater module 10 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same as or similar to that shown in FIG. 1 , and the same description is omitted below.

[0186] At least a portion of the aerosol generated in the chamber 14 by the heater 100 may be cooled and liquefied by contact with external air introduced into the chamber 14. Figure 7 As shown by the arrows in , the aerosol droplets liquefied inside the chamber 14 can flow in the chamber 14 .

[0187] Here, in the comparative example in which the chamber 14 and the identification terminal accommodating portion 250 are connected to each other, the liquid droplets generated inside the chamber 14 may flow into the identification terminal accommodating portion 250 and contact the identification terminal 400 located in the identification terminal accommodating portion 250. Therefore, in the comparative example, the identification terminal 400 may be destroyed or damaged by the liquid droplets, and therefore, the service life of the heater module 10 may be significantly reduced.

[0188] However, the heater module 10 according to the embodiment may have a structure in which the first waterproof partition wall 261 of the waterproof partition wall 260 is arranged beside the identification terminal 400 to spatially separate the chamber 14 from the identification terminal accommodating portion 250. Therefore, the droplets generated inside the chamber 14 do not penetrate into the identification terminal accommodating portion 250, and thus, the possibility of the identification terminal 400 being destroyed or damaged by the droplets can be reduced.

[0189] In addition, the upper cover 600 may be coupled to the upper portion (the portion facing the +z direction) of the module body 200, and thus the heater module 10 may have a structure in which the chamber 14 and the identification terminal accommodating portion 250 may be completely sealed via the waterproof partition wall 260 and the upper cover 600. Therefore, the possibility that droplets generated in the chamber 14 flow into the identification terminal accommodating portion 250 may be significantly reduced, and thus, the use cycle of the heater module 10 according to the embodiment may be increased.

[0190] Figure 8 is a heater module according to an embodiment Figure 6 A side cross-sectional view taken along line D-D'.

[0191] Reference Figure 8 The heater module 10 may include a module body 200 , an identification terminal 400 , and an upper cover 600 . Figure 8 The heater module 10 shown in FIG. Figure 6 The heater module 10 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same as or similar to that shown in FIG. 1 , and the same description is omitted below.

[0192] Figure 8 The chamber 14 shows Figure 7 The side of the chamber 14 shown in FIG. 1 (eg, the side facing the −x direction). Figure 8 As shown by the arrows in , the aerosol droplets liquefied inside the chamber 14 can flow in the chamber 14 .

[0193] Here, in the comparative example in which the chamber 14 and the identification terminal accommodating portion 250 are connected to each other, the liquid droplets generated inside the chamber 14 may flow into the identification terminal accommodating portion 250 and contact the identification terminal 400 located in the identification terminal accommodating portion 250. Therefore, in the comparative example, the identification terminal 400 may be destroyed or damaged by the liquid droplets, and therefore, the service life of the heater module 10 may be significantly reduced.

[0194] However, the heater module 10 according to the embodiment may have a structure in which the second waterproof partition wall 262 of the waterproof partition wall 260 is arranged beside the identification terminal 400 to spatially separate the chamber 14 from the identification terminal accommodating portion 250. Therefore, the droplets generated inside the chamber 14 do not penetrate into the identification terminal accommodating portion 250, and thus, the possibility of the identification terminal 400 being destroyed or damaged by the droplets can be reduced.

[0195] In addition, the upper cover 600 may be coupled to the upper portion (the portion facing the +z direction) of the module body 200, and thus the heater module 10 according to the embodiment may have a structure in which the chamber 14 and the identification terminal accommodating portion 250 may be completely sealed via the waterproof partition wall 260 and the upper cover 600. Therefore, the possibility that the droplets generated in the chamber 14 flow into the identification terminal accommodating portion 250 may be significantly reduced, and thus the use cycle of the heater module 10 for the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment may be increased.

[0196] In other words, as described above, the heater module 10 according to the embodiment can be implemented as a structure that surrounds the entire outer side of the identification terminal accommodating portion 250 through the module body 200, the first waterproof partition wall 261, the second waterproof partition wall 262, and the upper cover 600. Therefore, the sealing force of the space for sealing the identification terminal accommodating portion 250 can be improved, and therefore, the possibility of the identification terminal 400 being damaged by the droplets generated in the chamber 14 can be significantly reduced.

[0197] Fig. 9 is a view showing a heater module according to an embodiment, which is a view viewed from the bottom before a PCB unit is assembled into a module body. Fig. 9 A coupling structure between the module body 200 and the PCB unit 500 is described.

[0198] Reference Fig. 9 , the heater module 10 may include a module body 200 , a heater terminal 300 , an identification terminal 400 , and a PCB unit 500 . Fig. 9 The heater module 10 shown in FIG. Figure 6The heater module 10 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same as or similar to that shown in FIG. 1 , and the same description is omitted below.

[0199] A PCB receiving groove 240 and a connection groove 270 may be formed in the module body 200 .

[0200] The PCB unit 500 may be inserted into the PCB receiving groove 240. As an example, when the PCB unit 500 is inserted into the PCB receiving groove 240, the identification terminal 400 may be electrically connected to the PCB unit 500. In other words, one side of the identification terminal 400 may be arranged on the PCB receiving groove 240, and thus, the identification terminal 400 may be electrically connected to the PCB unit 500. Here, the heater terminal 300 may be spaced apart from the PCB unit 500 without contacting the PCB unit 500. In addition, when the PCB unit 500 is detached from the PCB receiving groove 240, the PCB unit 500 may be detached from the module body 200, and thus, the electrical connection between the PCB unit 500 and the identification terminal 400 may be released.

[0201] The PCB receiving groove 240 may be formed at one side of the module body 200. For example, the PCB receiving groove 240 may be a portion of a space formed inside the first module body 210 and in a lower portion (e.g., a portion in the -z direction) of the second module body 220. The PCB receiving groove 240 may be located below the heater receiving groove 230 (e.g., from the heater receiving groove 230 along the -z direction). The PCB receiving groove 240 may be in communication with the connection groove 270 and the insertion groove 10h.

[0202] The PCB receiving groove 240 may include a first PCB receiving groove 241 and a second PCB receiving groove 242 .

[0203] The PCB substrate 510 of the PCB unit 500 may be inserted into the first PCB receiving groove 241. The heater terminal 300 and the identification terminal 400 may be arranged on one side (e.g., one side in the -y direction) of the first PCB receiving groove 241, and the second PCB receiving groove 242 may be arranged on the other side (e.g., one side in the +y direction) of the first PCB receiving groove 241. The first PCB receiving groove 241 may be communicated with the second PCB receiving groove 242 and the connection groove 270. The PCB substrate 510 received in the first PCB receiving groove 241 is described below.

[0204] The memory chip 520 of the PCB unit 500 may be inserted into the second PCB receiving groove 242. The size of the second PCB receiving groove 242 may be smaller than that of the first PCB receiving groove 241. The memory chip 520 received in the second PCB receiving groove 242 is described below.

[0205] The connection groove 270 may be located above the insertion groove 10h (e.g., in the +z direction from the insertion groove 10h), and may communicate with the insertion groove 10h and the PCB receiving groove 240. One side of the heater terminal 300 may be arranged in the connection groove 270, and although not shown, at least a portion of the aerosol generating device body 30 may be inserted into the connection groove 270. As an example, the above-mentioned connection contact (not shown) may be arranged in the connection groove 270.

[0206] The PCB unit 500 may include a PCB substrate 510 , a memory chip 520 , and a PCB contact portion 530 .

[0207] The identification terminal 400 may contact the PCB substrate 510. The PCB substrate 510 may support the memory chip 520 and the PCB contact portion 530, and may be accommodated in the first PCB accommodation groove 241. In this way, the PCB substrate 510 may be connected to the identification terminal 400 and the aerosol generating device body 30, so that the cigarette cartridge 20 and the aerosol generating device body 30 are electrically connected.

[0208] The memory chip 520 may be arranged on the PCB substrate 510. As an example, the memory chip 520 may be arranged on one side (e.g., the side facing the +y direction) of the PCB substrate 510. The memory chip 520 may be hardware that stores various types of data processed in the aerosol generating device 1, and may store a plurality of pieces of data processed by the controller and a plurality of pieces of data to be processed by the controller. The memory chip 520 may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro, a card type memory (e.g., an SD or XD memory, etc.), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory chip 520 may store data on the operation time of the aerosol generating device 1, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature curve, and the smoking pattern of the user.

[0209] According to an embodiment, the memory chip 520 can determine the preset remaining usage of the heater by counting the number of puffs of the user. For example, when the service life set in the heater 100 is 500 puffs, the memory chip 520 can determine the remaining usage of the heater 100 by counting the number of puffs of the user, and display the remaining usage of the heater 100 on the display of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0210] The PCB contact portion 530 may be a terminal for identifying electrical connection between the terminal 400 and the aerosol generating device body 30, and may be disposed on the PCB substrate 510. The PCB contact portion 530 may be disposed on one side of the PCB substrate 510 (eg, a side facing the -y direction).

[0211] In an embodiment, the PCB contact portion 530 may be a conductive pattern printed on the PCB substrate 510. For example, the PCB contact portion 530 may be formed by printing a metal material (eg, stainless steel) on one side (eg, the side facing the -y direction) of the PCB substrate 510, but is not limited thereto.

[0212] The PCB contact portion 530 may include a first PCB contact portion 531 that contacts the identification terminal 400, and a second PCB contact portion 532 that contacts a connection contact (not shown) of the aerosol generating device 1. When the identification terminal 400 contacts the first PCB contact portion 531, the cigarette cartridge 20 and the PCB unit 500 may be electrically connected to each other. In addition, when the second PCB contact portion 532 contacts the connection contact (not shown), the PCB unit 500 and the aerosol generating device body 30 may be electrically connected to each other.

[0213] The PCB contact portion 530 may include the same number of first PCB contact portions 531 as the identification terminals 400 and the same number of second PCB contact portions 532 as the connection contacts (not shown). Fig. 9 Two first PCB contact portions 531 and two second PCB contact portions 532 are shown, but the number of the first PCB contact portions 531 and the second PCB contact portions 532 is not limited thereto.

[0214] Hereinafter, the structure of the heater terminal 300 according to the embodiment is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0215] Fig.10 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a heater module according to an embodiment.

[0216] Reference Fig.10 , the heater module 10 according to the embodiment may include a heater 100 , a module body 200 , a heater terminal 300 , and a PCB unit 500 . Fig.10 The heater module 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. Figure 6 The heater module 10 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same as or similar to that shown in FIG. 1 , and the same description is omitted below.

[0217] The heater terminal 300 may include a first heater terminal element 310 , a second heater terminal element 320 , and a third heater terminal element 330 .

[0218] The first heater terminal element 310 may contact the heater 100 accommodated in the heater accommodation groove 230. Therefore, the protruding portion a1 of the first heater terminal element 310 may protrude toward the heater accommodation groove 230. The first heater terminal element 310 may contact the heating unit 120 of the heater 100 accommodated in the heater accommodation groove 230.

[0219] According to an embodiment, at least a portion of the first heater terminal element 310 may include a curved surface. Therefore, even when the heating unit 120 of the heater 100 contacts the first heater terminal element 310 when the heater 100 is inserted into the heater receiving groove 230, the heater 100 can be smoothly inserted into the heater receiving groove 230 without being damaged.

[0220] According to an embodiment, the first heater terminal element 310 may be connected to the second heater terminal element 320 to be elastically movable. Therefore, when the heater 100 is inserted into the heater receiving groove 230, the first heater terminal element 310 may be pushed in a direction toward the inner surface 200a of the module body 200 (e.g., in the +y direction), so that the heater 100 can be easily inserted into the heater receiving groove 230.

[0221] The second heater terminal element 320 may be connected to the first heater terminal element 310. The second heater terminal element 320 may be connected to each of the first heater terminal element 310 and the third heater terminal element 330, and may be located in the chamber 14 as the inside of the module body 200. The second heater terminal element 320 may be formed in an overall inverted "U" shape, but may also be formed in any different shape that may be connected to the first heater terminal element 310.

[0222] According to an embodiment, at least a portion of the second heater terminal element 320 may include a curved surface. Therefore, even when the heating unit 120 of the heater 100 contacts the second heater terminal element 320 when the heater 100 is inserted into the heater receiving groove 230, the heater 100 can be smoothly inserted into the heater receiving groove 230 without being damaged.

[0223] According to an embodiment, a portion of the second heater terminal element 320 facing the heater receiving groove 230 may be formed to be inclined. In other words, the second heater terminal element 320 may include an inclined portion that is inclined relative to the direction in which the heater 100 is inserted into the heater receiving groove 230 (i.e., the extending direction of the third heater terminal element 330, Fig.10Therefore, even when the heater 100 is pushed to a position deviating from the heater receiving groove 230 (for example, a position deviating from the heater receiving groove 230 in the +y direction), the heater 100 can be guided toward the heater receiving groove 230 along the inclined surface of the second heater terminal element 320. Therefore, the heater module 10 for an aerosol generating device according to the embodiment can improve the ease of assembly of the heater 100 and the module body 200.

[0224] The third heater terminal element 330 may be connected to the second heater terminal element 320 and coupled to the second module body 220. As an example, one side of the third heater terminal element 330 may be connected to the second heater terminal element 320, and the other side of the third heater terminal element 330 may be connected to the fourth heater terminal element 340 while being coupled to the second module body 220. Since the third heater terminal element 330 is coupled to the second module body 220, the first heater terminal element 310 and the second heater terminal element 320 may be supported by the third heater terminal element 330.

[0225] The third heater terminal element 330 may be coupled to the second module body 220, and may extend upward (e.g., in the +z direction) from the upper surface of the second module body 220 while being spaced apart from the inner surface 200a of the module body 200. As such, a separation space 200b may be formed between the third heater terminal element 330 and the inner surface 200a of the module body 200. The separation space 200b may be a space included in the chamber 14.

[0226] According to an embodiment, the third heater terminal element 330 may be coupled to the second module body 220 to be elastically movable. Therefore, when the heater 100 is inserted into the heater receiving groove 230, the third heater terminal element 330 may be pushed into the separation space 200b together with the first heater terminal element 310 and the second heater terminal element 320, so that the heater 100 can be easily inserted into the heater receiving groove 230.

[0227] Reference Fig.10 The heater terminal 300 may further include a fourth heater terminal element 340 and a fifth heater terminal element 350 .

[0228] The fourth heater terminal element 340 may be connected to the third heater terminal element 330. The fourth heater terminal element 340 may be disposed in the second module body 220 while being connected to each of the third heater terminal element 330 and the fifth heater terminal element 350.

[0229] The fourth heater terminal element 340 may extend in a direction intersecting the direction in which the third heater terminal element 330 extends (e.g., in the y-axis direction). As an example, the fourth heater terminal element 340 may extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the third heater terminal element 330 extends, and may extend in a direction parallel to the direction in which the second module body 220 extends. Therefore, an empty space (e.g., the connection groove 270) may be formed below the fourth heater terminal element 340 (e.g., in the -z direction from the fourth heater terminal element 340), and one component of the aerosol generating device body 30 (e.g., the connection contact) may be arranged in the empty space. Therefore, the heater module 10 according to the embodiment may have a structure in which the module body 200 has a space for arranging the aerosol generating device body 30.

[0230] The fifth heater terminal element 350 may be connected to the fourth heater terminal element 340 and coupled to the second module body 220. As an example, one side of the fifth heater terminal element 350 may be connected to the fourth heater terminal element 340 while being arranged in the second module body 220, and the other side of the fifth heater terminal element 350 may be arranged in the connection groove 270.

[0231] The fifth heater terminal member 350 may be coupled to the second module body 220 while being spaced apart from the PCB unit 500 , and may extend downward (eg, in the −z direction) from a lower surface of the second module body 220 .

[0232] In an embodiment, the first heater terminal element 310 , the second heater terminal element 320 , the third heater terminal element 330 , the fourth heater terminal element 340 , and the fifth heater terminal element 350 may be integrally formed.

[0233] FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C is a view illustrating a process of inserting a heater into a heater receiving groove according to an embodiment. FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C The heater module 10 shown in FIG. Fig.10 The heater module 10 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same as or similar to that shown in FIG. 1 , and the same description is omitted below.

[0234] Reference Fig.11A , the heater 100 is not coupled to the module body 200, and starts to move toward the module body 200 for coupling. Here, due to the carelessness of an assembler who assembles the heater module 10 or a failure of an assembly process unit, the heater 100 may be pushed to a position deviated from the heater receiving groove 230 in the direction of the heater terminal 300 (for example, in the +y direction).

[0235] Reference Fig. 11B, the heater 100 may begin to be inserted into the heater receiving groove 230. Here, a portion of at least one of the first heater terminal element 310 and the second heater terminal element 320 may include a curved surface, so that even when the heating unit 120 of the heater 100 contacts the heater terminal 300, the heater 100 may be smoothly inserted into the heater receiving groove 230 without being damaged.

[0236] In addition, when the heater 100 is inserted into the heater receiving groove 230, the first heater terminal element 310, the second heater terminal element 320, and the third heater terminal element 330 may be pushed into the separation space 200b together, so that the heater 100 may be easily inserted into the heater receiving groove 230. In other words, the first heater terminal element 310 may be connected to the second heater terminal element 320 to elastically move, and the third heater terminal element 330 may be coupled to the second module body 220 to elastically move, and therefore, the heater 100 may be smoothly inserted into the heater receiving groove 230.

[0237] In addition, even when the heater 100 is pushed to a position deviated from the heater receiving groove 230 in the direction of the heater terminal 300 (for example, in the +y direction), the heater 100 can be guided toward the heater receiving groove 230 (for example, in the -y direction) along the inclined surface of the second heater terminal element 320. In other words, the second heater terminal element 320 may include an inclined surface inclined relative to the direction in which the heater 100 is inserted into the heater receiving groove 230, and therefore, the heater 100 can be easily inserted into the heater receiving groove 230.

[0238] As described above, the heater terminal 300 may have a structure that facilitates the insertion of the heater 100 into the heater receiving groove 230 and prevents the heating unit 120 of the heater 100 from being damaged when the heater 100 is inserted into the heater receiving groove 230. Therefore, the heater module 10 according to the embodiment may improve the ease of assembly between the heater 100 and the module body 200.

[0239] Reference Fig. 11C, the heater 100 is completely inserted into the heater receiving groove 230. The first heater terminal element 310, the second heater terminal element 320, and the third heater terminal element 330, which have been moved in one direction (e.g., in the +y direction) when the heater 100 is inserted into the heater receiving groove 230, may contact the heating unit 120 of the heater 100 to pressurize the heating unit 120 in the opposite direction (e.g., in the -y direction). Here, the first heater terminal element 310, the second heater terminal element 320, and the third heater terminal element 330 may pressurize the heating unit 120 of the heater 100 with a restoring force due to elastic force, and therefore, the contact reliability between the heating unit 120 and the heater terminal 300 may be improved.

[0240] Hereinafter, another structure of the heater terminal 300 is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0241] Fig.12 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a heater module according to another embodiment.

[0242] Reference Fig.12 , the heater module 10 according to the embodiment may include a heater 100 , a module body 200 , a heater terminal 300 , and a PCB unit 500 . Fig.12 The heater module 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. Fig.10 The heater module 10 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same or similar, and the same description is omitted below, and the differences are mainly described.

[0243] According to this embodiment, the first heater terminal element 310 may be Fig.10 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the heater accommodating groove 230 protrudes further.

[0244] exist Fig.12 , the protruding portion a1 of the first heater terminal element 310 may be located within the heater receiving groove 230. In an embodiment, the protruding portion a1 of the first heater terminal element 310 may be located between one side (e.g., one side in the +y direction) of the heater receiving groove 230 and a middle portion of the heater receiving groove 230 when the heater 100 is not received in the heater receiving groove 230. In an embodiment, the protruding portion a1 of the first heater terminal element 310 may be located in a middle portion of the heater receiving groove 230 when the heater 100 is not received in the heater receiving groove 230.

[0245] exist Fig.12 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the protruding portion a1 of the first heater terminal member 310 may be spaced apart from the inner surface 200 a of the module body 200 in the direction of the heater receiving groove 230 .

[0246] exist Fig.12 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the separation distance between the protruding portion a1 of the first heater terminal element 310 and the inner surface 200a of the module body 200 may be greater than Fig.10 In other words, the separation distance between the protruding portion a1 of the first heater terminal element 310 and the third heater terminal element 330 may be greater than Fig.10 The corresponding separation distances in the embodiment shown in .

[0247] exist Fig.12 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the angle between the first heater terminal element 310 and the third heater terminal element 330 may be greater than Fig.10 The angle between the first heater terminal element 310 and the third heater terminal element 330 in the embodiment shown in FIG. Fig.12 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the angle between the first heater terminal element 310 and the third heater terminal element 330 may be 60 degrees or greater.

[0248] Therefore, with Fig.10 Compared to the embodiment shown in Fig.12 In the heater module 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the first heater terminal element 310 may further protrude toward the heater receiving groove 230, and thus the heater 100 received in the heater receiving groove 230 may be pressurized with a greater force. Therefore, the contact reliability between the heating unit 120 of the heater 100 and the first heater terminal element 310 may be further improved.

[0249] In addition, Fig.10 , the protruding portion a1 of the first heater terminal element 310 may be arranged closer to the heater receiving groove 230, and thus the distance between the protruding portion a1 of the first heater terminal element 310 and the end portion a2 of the fifth heater terminal element 350 arranged below the heater receiving groove 230 (e.g., from the heater receiving groove 230 in the -z direction) may be reduced. The heating unit 120 may contact the protruding portion a1 of the first heater terminal element 310, and the battery of the aerosol generating device 1 may be connected to the end portion a2 of the fifth heater terminal element 350.

[0250] FIG. 13A to FIG. 13C 2 is a view showing a process of inserting a heater into a heater receiving groove according to another embodiment. Hereinafter, a process of inserting a heater 100 into a heater receiving groove 230 is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 13A to FIG. 13C The heater module 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. Fig.12 The heater module 10 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same as or similar to that shown in FIG. 1 , and the same description is omitted below.

[0251] Reference Fig.13A When the heater 100 is detached from the module body 200, the heater 100 starts to move to the module body 200. Here, due to the carelessness of an assembler who assembles the heater module 10 or a malfunction of an assembling process unit, the heater 100 may be pushed to a position deviated from the heater receiving groove 230 in the direction of the heater terminal 300 (for example, in the +y direction).

[0252] Reference Fig. 13B , the heater 100 may begin to be inserted into the heater receiving groove 230. Here, a portion of at least one of the first heater terminal element 310 and the second heater terminal element 320 may include a curved surface, so that even when the heating unit 120 of the heater 100 contacts the heater terminal 300, the heater 100 may be smoothly inserted into the heater receiving groove 230 without being damaged.

[0253] In addition, when the heater 100 is inserted into the heater receiving groove 230, the first heater terminal element 310, the second heater terminal element 320, and the third heater terminal element 330 may be pushed into the separation space 200b together, so that the heater 100 may be easily inserted into the heater receiving groove 230. In other words, the first heater terminal element 310 may be connected to the second heater terminal element 320 to elastically move, and the third heater terminal element 330 may be coupled to the second module body 220 to elastically move, and therefore, the heater 100 may be smoothly inserted into the heater receiving groove 230.

[0254] Here, with Fig.10 Compared to the embodiment shown in , since the first heater terminal element 310 can protrude further toward the heater accommodating groove 230, the first heater terminal element 310, the second heater terminal element 320 and the third heater terminal element 330 can contact the inner surface 200a of the module body 200 while being pushed together toward the separation space 200b.

[0255] In addition, even when the heater 100 is pushed to a position deviated from the heater receiving groove 230 in the direction of the heater terminal 300 (for example, in the +y direction), the heater 100 can be guided toward the heater receiving groove 230 (for example, in the -y direction) along the inclined surface of the second heater terminal element 320. In other words, the second heater terminal element 320 may include an inclined surface inclined relative to the direction in which the heater 100 is inserted into the heater receiving groove 230, and therefore, the heater 100 can be easily inserted into the heater receiving groove 230.

[0256] As described above, the heater terminal 300 may have a structure that facilitates the insertion of the heater 100 into the heater receiving groove 230 and prevents the heating unit 120 of the heater 100 from being damaged when the heater 100 is inserted into the heater receiving groove 230. Therefore, the heater module 10 according to the embodiment may improve the ease of assembly between the heater 100 and the module body 200.

[0257] Reference Fig. 13C , the heater 100 is completely inserted into the heater receiving groove 230. The first heater terminal element 310, the second heater terminal element 320, and the third heater terminal element 330, which have been moved in one direction (e.g., in the +y direction) when the heater 100 is inserted into the heater receiving groove 230, may contact the heating unit 120 of the heater 100 to pressurize the heating unit 120 in the opposite direction (e.g., in the -y direction). Here, the first heater terminal element 310, the second heater terminal element 320, and the third heater terminal element 330 may pressurize the heating unit 120 of the heater 100 with a restoring force due to elastic force, and therefore, the contact reliability between the heating unit 120 and the heater terminal 300 may be improved.

[0258] and Fig.10 Compared with the embodiment shown in Fig. 13C According to the heater module 10 of the embodiment, the first heater terminal element 310 may further protrude toward the heater receiving groove 230, and thus, the first heater terminal element 310, the second heater terminal element 320, and the third heater terminal element 330 may contact the inner surface 200a of the module body 200 while being pushed together toward the separation space 200b. That is, the first heater terminal element 310, the second heater terminal element 320, and the third heater terminal element 330 may contact the heating unit 120 of the heater 100 while being supported by the inner surface 200a of the module body 200, and thus, the heater 100 received in the heater receiving groove 230 may be pressurized with a greater force.

[0259] In addition, Fig.10 Compared to the embodiment described in , based on the heater module 10 according to the present embodiment, the first heater terminal element 310 may further protrude toward the heater receiving groove 230, and thus may pressurize the heating unit 120 of the heater 100 with a restoring force due to a greater elastic force.

[0260] Therefore, with Fig.10 The heater module 10 according to the present embodiment may further improve the contact reliability between the heating unit 120 of the heater 100 and the first heater terminal member 310 compared to the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0261] Hereinafter, the structure of the identification terminal 400 is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0262] Fig.14 is a view illustrating an identification terminal disposed inside a heater module according to an embodiment. Fig.14 The heater module 10 shown in FIG. Figure 6 The heater module 10 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same as or similar to that shown in FIG. 1 , and the same description is omitted below.

[0263] Reference Fig.14 , the identification terminal 400 may be located in the identification terminal accommodation portion 250 inside the heater module 10, and may be electrically connected to the PCB unit 500 and the cartridge 20. The identification terminal 400 may include a first identification terminal 400a and a second identification terminal 400b, and the first identification terminal 400a and the second identification terminal 400b may have the same or similar functions and shapes.

[0264] The identification terminal 400 may include an identification terminal body 410, a cartridge contact element 420, and a PCB contact element 430. Fig.15 and Fig.16 The detailed structure of the identification terminal 400 is described.

[0265] Fig.15 The heater module according to the embodiment Fig.14 Schematic side cross-sectional view taken along line EE'.

[0266] Reference Fig.15 , the heater module 10 may include a module body 200 , an identification terminal 400 , and a PCB unit 500 . Fig.15 The heater module 10 shown in FIG. Fig.14 The heater module 10 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same as or similar to that shown in FIG. 1 , and the same description is omitted below.

[0267] The identification terminal accommodating portion 250 formed in the module body 200 may include a first identification terminal accommodating portion 251 and a second identification terminal accommodating portion 252 .

[0268] At least a portion of the identification terminal 400 may be accommodated in the first identification terminal accommodating portion 251. In an example, the upper portion (e.g., the portion facing the +z direction) of the identification terminal body 410 and the cartridge contact element 420 may be accommodated in the first identification terminal accommodating portion 251. The first identification terminal accommodating portion 251 may be a space formed inside the first module body 210 and above the second module body 220 (e.g., in the +z direction).

[0269] At least a portion of the identification terminal 400 may be accommodated in the second identification terminal accommodating portion 252. In an example, the second identification terminal accommodating portion 250 may accommodate the lower portion of the identification terminal body 410 and the PCB contact element 430. The second identification terminal accommodating portion 252 may be a space formed inside the first module body 210 and below the second module body 220 (e.g., from the second module body 220 along the -z direction), and may be communicated with the PCB accommodating groove 240 accommodating the PCB unit 500.

[0270] The identification terminal body 410 may be connected to the cartridge contact element 420 and the PCB contact element 430. One side of the identification terminal body 410 may be electrically connected to the cartridge contact element 420 while being accommodated in the first identification terminal accommodation portion 251, and the other side of the identification terminal body 410 may be connected to the PCB contact element 430 while being accommodated in the second identification terminal accommodation portion 252. In other words, the identification terminal body 410 may perform the function of connecting the cartridge contact element 420 connected to the cartridge 20 to the PCB contact element 430 connected to the PCB unit 500.

[0271] The identification terminal body 410 may pass through the second module body 220 while being accommodated in the identification terminal accommodation portion 250. The identification terminal body 410 may extend in a direction in which the aerosol generating device 1 extends (eg, in the z-axis direction).

[0272] The cartridge contact element 420 may be electrically connected to the cartridge 20. The cartridge contact element 420 may contact the cartridge 20 coupled to the upper portion (e.g., the end portion in the +z direction) of the module body 20. A portion of the cartridge contact element 420 may be electrically connected to the cartridge 20 while being located at the upper end portion of the first identification terminal accommodating portion 251, and another portion of the cartridge contact element 420 may be electrically connected to the identification terminal body 410 while being located at the lower end portion of the first identification terminal accommodating portion 251. In other words, the cartridge contact element 420 may perform the function of connecting the cartridge 20 to the identification terminal body 410.

[0273] The cartridge contact element 420 may include a cartridge contact portion 421 , a terminal receiving portion 422 , and an arc portion 423 .

[0274] The cartridge contact portion 421 may be connected to the cartridge 20. The cartridge contact portion 421 may be electrically connected to the cartridge 20 and the identification terminal body 410 while being arranged above the terminal accommodation portion 422 (eg, in the +z direction from the terminal accommodation portion 422).

[0275] The terminal accommodation portion 422 may be arranged to be connected to the cartridge contact portion 421 and surround at least a portion of the identification terminal body 410. The terminal accommodation portion 422 may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the identification terminal body 410, and thus, the first contact terminal accommodation portion 422a may be formed inside the terminal accommodation portion 422.

[0276] As an example, the terminal accommodation portion 422 may be arranged to surround the upper portion (eg, the portion facing the +z direction) of the identification terminal body 410 accommodated in the first identification terminal accommodation portion 251. The identification terminal body 410 may be connected to the cartridge contact element 420 while being accommodated in the first contact terminal accommodation portion 422a.

[0277] The arc portion 423 may be connected to the terminal receiving portion 422. The arc portion 423 may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the terminal receiving portion 422 and at least a portion of the identification terminal body 410. The arc portion 423 may include a curved surface curved toward the cartridge contact portion 421.

[0278] The arc portion 423 may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the terminal accommodating portion 422 and at least a portion of the identification terminal body 410, and thus, the second contact terminal accommodating portion 423a may be formed inside the arc portion 423. As an example, when the end 411 of the identification terminal body 410 is inserted into the second contact terminal accommodating portion 423a, the identification terminal body 410 may be connected to the cartridge contact element 420.

[0279] In an embodiment, the identification terminal body 410 , the terminal receiving portion 422 , and the arc portion 423 may be integrally formed.

[0280] The PCB contact element 430 may be connected to the identification terminal body 410. The PCB contact element 430 may contact the PCB contact portion 530 of the PCB unit 500 accommodated in the PCB accommodation groove 240. The PCB contact element 430 may be accommodated in the second identification terminal accommodation portion 252, and may include a portion protruding toward the PCB contact portion 530. In an example, the PCB contact element 430 may be integrally formed with the identification terminal body 410.

[0281] Fig.16 is a heater module according to an embodiment Fig.14 Schematic front cross-sectional view taken along line FF'.

[0282] Reference Fig.16 , the heater module 10 according to the embodiment may include a module body 200 and an identification terminal 400 . Fig.16 The heater module 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. Fig.15 The heater module 10 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same as or similar to that shown in FIG. 1 , and the same description is omitted below.

[0283] The identification terminal body 410 may be connected to the cartridge contact element 420 and the PCB contact element 430. The identification terminal body 410 may pass through the second module body 220 while being accommodated in the identification terminal accommodation portion 250.

[0284] The cartridge contact element 420 may include a cartridge contact portion 421 , a terminal receiving portion 422 , and an arc portion 423 .

[0285] The cartridge contact portion 421 may be connected to the cartridge 20. The cartridge contact portion 421 may be electrically connected to the cartridge 20 and the identification terminal body 410 while being arranged above the terminal accommodation portion 422 (eg, in the +z direction from the terminal accommodation portion 422).

[0286] exist Fig.16 In the embodiment shown in , the shape of the cartridge contact portion 421 of the first identification terminal 400a and the shape of the cartridge contact portion 421 of the second identification terminal 400b are partially different from each other. For example, the cartridge contact portion 421 of the second identification terminal 400b may extend in one direction (e.g., in the z-axis direction), but the cartridge contact portion 421 of the first identification terminal 400a may include a portion extending in another direction (e.g., in the x-axis direction) intersecting the one direction.

[0287] The first identification terminal 400 a and the second identification terminal 400 b may be implemented in the same manner except for some differences in shape.

[0288] Fig.17 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

[0289] The aerosol generating device 1 may include a controller 1000, a sensing unit 2000, an output unit 3000, a battery 4000, a heater 5000, a user input unit 6000, a memory 7000, and a communication unit 8000. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to Fig.17 In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1, a person skilled in the art will understand that the aerosol generating device 1 may be omitted. Fig.17 Some of the components shown may be changed or new components may be added.

[0290] The sensing unit 2000 may sense the state of the aerosol generating device 1 and the state around the aerosol generating device 1, and transmit the sensing information to the controller 1000. Based on the sensing information, the controller 1000 may control the aerosol generating device 1 to perform various functions, such as controlling the operation of the heater 5000, restricting smoking, determining whether an aerosol generating article (e.g., a cigarette, a cartridge, etc.) is inserted, displaying a notification, etc.

[0291] The sensing unit 2000 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 2100 , an insertion detection sensor 2200 , and a suction sensor 2300 , but is not limited thereto.

[0292] The temperature sensor 2100 can sense the temperature at which the heater 5000 (or the aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 1 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater 5000, or the heater 5000 may be used as a temperature sensor. Optionally, the temperature sensor 2100 may also be arranged around the battery 4000 to monitor the temperature of the battery 4000.

[0293] The insertion detection sensor 2200 may sense the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 2200 may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a resistance sensor, a capacitance sensor, an inductance sensor, and an infrared sensor, and may sense a signal change depending on the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol generating article.

[0294] The suction sensor 2300 can sense the user's suction based on various physical changes in the airflow channel or airflow path. For example, the suction sensor 2300 can sense the user's suction based on any one of temperature change, flow change, voltage change and pressure change.

[0295] The sensing unit 2000 may further include at least one of a temperature / humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a position sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)), a proximity sensor, and a red, green, and blue (RGB) sensor (illuminance sensor) in addition to the above-mentioned temperature sensor 2100, the insertion detection sensor 2200, and the suction sensor 2300. Since a person of ordinary skill in the art can intuitively infer the function of each sensor from the name of the sensor, a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0296] The output unit 3000 may output information about the state of the aerosol generating device 1 and provide the information to the user. The output unit 3000 may include at least one of the display unit 3100, the haptic unit 3200, and the sound output unit 3300, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 3100 and the touch panel form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 3100 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0297] The display unit 3100 may visually provide the user with information about the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the information about the aerosol generating device 1 may represent various information, such as the charging / discharging state of the battery 4000 of the aerosol generating device 1, the preheating state of the heater 5000, the insertion / removal state of the aerosol generating article, or the state in which the use of the aerosol generating device 1 is restricted (e.g., an abnormal object is sensed), etc., and the display unit 3100 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 3100 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel, etc. In addition, the display unit 3100 may be in the form of a light emitting diode (LED) light emitting device.

[0298] The haptic unit 3200 may tactilely provide the user with information about the aerosol generating device 1 by converting an electrical signal into mechanical stimulation or electrical stimulation. For example, the haptic unit 3200 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0299] The sound output unit 3300 may audibly provide the user with information about the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the sound output unit 3300 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output it to the outside.

[0300] The battery 4000 may provide power for operating the aerosol generating device 1. The battery 4000 may supply power so that the heater 5000 may be heated. In addition, the battery 4000 may supply power required for the operation of other components (e.g., the sensing unit 2000, the output unit 3000, the user input unit 6000, the memory 7000, and the communication unit 8000) in the aerosol generating device 1. The battery 4000 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 4000 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0301] The heater 5000 may receive power from the battery 4000 to heat the aerosol generating material. Fig.17 , the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a direct current (DC) / DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 4000 and supplies it to the heater 5000. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 1 generates aerosol by induction heating, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a DC / alternating current (AC) that converts the direct current power of the battery 4000 into alternating current power.

[0302] The controller 1000, the sensing unit 2000, the output unit 3000, the user input unit 6000, the memory 7000, and the communication unit 8000 may each receive power from the battery 4000 to perform a function. Fig.17Although not shown in FIG. 4 , the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit that converts power of the battery 4000 to supply power to corresponding components, such as a low dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit.

[0303] In an embodiment, the heater 5000 may be formed of any suitable resistive material. For example, the suitable resistive material may be a metal or metal alloy, including, but not limited to, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nickel-chromium alloy, etc. In addition, the heater 5000 may be implemented by a metal wire, a metal plate with a conductive track arranged thereon, a ceramic heating element, etc., but not limited thereto.

[0304] In another embodiment, the heater 5000 may be an induction heating type heater. For example, the heater 5000 may include a susceptor that heats the aerosol generating material by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil.

[0305] The user input unit 6000 may receive information input from the user or may output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 6000 may include a keyboard, a dome switch, a touch pad (contact capacitance method, pressure-resistant film method, infrared sensing method, surface ultrasonic conduction method, integral tension measurement method, piezoelectric effect method, etc.), a scroll wheel, a push switch, etc., but is not limited thereto. In addition, although not in Fig.17 Although not shown in FIG. 4 , the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a connection interface (such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface), and may be connected to other external devices through the connection interface (such as a USB interface) to send and receive information, or to charge the battery 4000 .

[0306] The memory 7000 is a hardware component that stores various types of data processed in the aerosol generating device 1, and can store data processed by the controller 1000 and data to be processed by the controller 1000. The memory 7000 may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro memory, a card type memory (e.g., a secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD) memory, etc.), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory 7000 may store the operation time of the aerosol generating device 1, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature curve, data on the smoking pattern of the user, and the like.

[0307] The communication unit 8000 may include at least one component for communicating with another electronic device. For example, the communication unit 8000 may include a short-range wireless communication unit 8100 and a wireless communication unit 8200.

[0308] The short-range wireless communication unit 8100 may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0309] The wireless communication unit 8200 may include a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN)) communication unit, etc., but is not limited thereto. The wireless communication unit 8200 may also identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 1 within the communication network by using subscriber information (e.g., an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)).

[0310] The controller 1000 may control the general operation of the aerosol generating device 1. In an embodiment, the controller 1000 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the processor may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

[0311] The controller 1000 may control the temperature of the heater 5000 by controlling the power supply from the battery 4000 to the heater 5000. For example, the controller 1000 may control the power supply by controlling the switching of a switching element between the battery 4000 and the heater 5000. In another example, the direct heating circuit may also control the power supply to the heater 5000 according to a control command of the controller 1000.

[0312] The controller 1000 may analyze the result sensed by the sensing unit 2000 and control the subsequent processing to be performed. For example, the controller 1000 may control the power supplied to the heater 5000 based on the result sensed by the sensing unit 2000 to start or end the operation of the heater 5000. As another example, the controller 1000 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 5000 and the time of supplying the power based on the result sensed by the sensing unit 2000, so that the heater 5000 can be heated to a specific temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

[0313] The controller 1000 may control the output unit 3000 based on the result sensed by the sensing unit 2000. For example, when the number of puffs counted by the puff sensor 2300 reaches a preset number, the controller 1000 may notify the user through at least one of the display unit 3100, the haptic unit 3200, and the sound output unit 3300 that the aerosol generating device 1 will soon terminate.

[0314] An embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a computer-readable recording medium (such as a program module executable by a computer) including instructions that can be executed by a computer. Computer-readable recording media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer, and include volatile and non-volatile media and removable and non-removable media. In addition, computer-readable recording media may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media include all volatile and non-volatile media and removable and non-removable media implemented by any method or technology for storing information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically include computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in a modulated data signal such as a program module, or other transmission mechanism, and include any information transmission media.

[0315] The description of the above embodiment is only an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and equivalent schemes may be made thereto. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to the content described in the claims will be interpreted as being included in the protection scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A heater module for an aerosol generating device, the heater module comprising: The module body includes: a heater receiving slot for receiving a heater, the heater being configured to be removably coupled to a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material; and a printed circuit board (PCB) receiving slot for receiving a PCB unit electrically connected to the aerosol generating device; a heater terminal disposed in the module body, electrically connected to the heater, and configured to transmit power from a battery included in the aerosol generating device to the heater; and an identification terminal, which is arranged separately from the heater terminal in the module body and is configured to be electrically connected to the PCB unit and the cigarette cartridge, Wherein, at least one of the heater terminal and the identification terminal is insert-injected into the module body.

2. The heater module according to claim 1, wherein: The module body comprises: an identification terminal accommodating portion, used to accommodate the identification terminal; and A waterproof partition wall separates the heater receiving groove from the identification terminal receiving portion.

3. The heater module according to claim 1, wherein: A portion of the heater terminal is disposed in a chamber that generates aerosol and is connected to the heater receiving groove and is electrically connected to the heater, and Another portion of the heater terminal passes through the module body to be electrically connected to the battery.

4. The heater module according to claim 1, wherein: The heater terminal comprises: a first heater terminal element in contact with the heater; a second heater terminal element connected to the first heater terminal element; and A third heater terminal element is connected to the second heater terminal element and is coupled to the module body.

5. The heater module according to claim 4, wherein: A portion of at least one of the first heater terminal element and the second heater terminal element includes a curved surface.

6. The heater module according to claim 4, wherein: The first heater terminal member is connected to the second heater terminal member to elastically move.

7. The heater module according to claim 4, wherein: A portion of the second heater terminal member that faces the heater receiving groove is inclined relative to a direction in which the third heater terminal member extends.

8. The heater module according to claim 4, wherein: The third heater terminal element is arranged to be spaced apart from an inner surface of the module body.

9. The heater module according to claim 4, wherein: The heater terminal further includes a fourth heater terminal element connected to the third heater terminal element and extending in a direction intersecting a direction in which the third heater terminal element extends.

10. The heater module according to claim 4, wherein: The first heater terminal member protrudes into the heater receiving groove.

11. The heater module according to claim 1, wherein: The identification terminal comprises: a cartridge contact element configured to contact the cartridge when the heater module is coupled to the cartridge; an identification terminal body configured to be connected to the cartridge contact element when the heater module is coupled to the cartridge; and A PCB contact element is connected to the identification terminal body and the PCB unit.

12. The heater module according to claim 11, wherein: The cartridge contact element is arranged to surround a portion of the identification terminal body.

13. The heater module according to claim 11, wherein: The PCB contact element includes a portion that protrudes toward the PCB unit.

14. The heater module of claim 1, wherein: The PCB unit includes a PCB substrate contacting the identification terminal and a memory chip arranged on the PCB substrate, and The PCB receiving groove includes a first receiving groove for receiving the PCB substrate and a second receiving groove for receiving the memory chip.

15. An aerosol generating device comprising: The heater module according to claim 1; The cigarette cartridge is coupled to one side of the heater module and has a storage tank for containing the aerosol generating material; as well as An aerosol generating device body is coupled to the other side of the heater module and has the battery configured to transmit power to the heater.

Images