Cartridge and aerosol-generating device comprising same

Abstract

The cartridge includes: a housing including a transmission window through which external light penetrates into the cartridge; a reservoir disposed inside the housing and configured to store an aerosol-generating substance; a heating structure having a dome shape and including nanoparticles configured to generate heat according to surface plasmon resonance in response to receiving external light; and a core including a first accommodating portion disposed to surround at least a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the heating structure, and configured to supply the aerosol-generating substance stored in the reservoir to the heating structure, the aerosol-generating substance delivered from the reservoir through the wick to the heating structure is heated by heat generated by the heating structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One or more embodiments relate to a cartridge capable of generating an aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating material using surface plasmon resonance technology, and an aerosol-generating device including the cartridge. Background Art

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for a system for generating an aerosol by heating a cigarette or an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol-generating device instead of burning the cigarette.

[0003] Accordingly, various types of heaters for aerosol-generating devices have been proposed. Recently proposed aerosol-generating devices employ surface plasmon resonance to heat an aerosol-generating material.

[0004] Surface plasmon resonance is a technique for heating a metal by oscillation of metal particles of nanoscale size. Specifically, free electrons in the metal of nanoscale size oscillate together in response to an external stimulus (e.g., incidence of light), so that the free electrons polarized by such oscillation heat the metal.

[0005] Since an aerosol-generating device using surface plasmon resonance can generate an aerosol with lower power consumption compared to an aerosol-generating device employing a heater, there is an increasing interest in aerosol-generating devices using surface plasmon resonance. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical Problem

[0007] An aerosol-generating device using surface plasmon resonance can generate an aerosol by heating a solid aerosol-generating material inserted into the device using metal particles of nanoscale size, or by heating a liquid aerosol-generating material delivered from a reservoir to the metal particles through a core.

[0008] In the case of a liquid aerosol-generating material, the amount of the aerosol (i.e., the amount of atomization) can be increased in a manner proportional to the amount of the aerosol delivered to the metal particles. Accordingly, there is an increasing demand for an effective method of delivering an aerosol-generating material to the metal particles to improve a user's smoking experience.

[0009] The present disclosure provides a cartridge having a structure in which the area and / or duration of contact between an aerosol-generating material and metal particles can be increased, and an aerosol-generating device including the cartridge, such that the delivery efficiency of the aerosol-generating material to the metal particles is improved and the amount of aerosol generation is increased.

[0010] The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the above description, and other technical problems can be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the embodiments to be described below.

[0011] Solution to the problem

[0012] According to an embodiment, the cartridge includes: a housing including a transmissive window through which external light penetrates into the cartridge; a reservoir disposed inside the housing and configured to store an aerosol-forming material; a heating member having a dome shape and including nanoparticles configured to generate heat according to surface plasmon resonance in response to receiving external light; and a core including a first receiving portion disposed to surround at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the heating member, and the core is configured to supply the aerosol-forming material stored in the reservoir to the heating member, wherein the aerosol-forming material delivered from the reservoir through the core to the heating member is heated by the heat generated by the heating member.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device includes a main body and a cartridge. The main body includes a light source, and the cartridge is detachably coupled to the main body. The cartridge includes: a housing including a transmissive window through which light from the light source penetrates into the cartridge; a reservoir disposed inside the housing and configured to store an aerosol-forming material; a heating member having a dome shape and including nanoparticles configured to generate heat according to surface plasmon resonance when receiving light; and a core including a receiving portion disposed to surround at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the heating member, and the core is configured to supply the aerosol-forming material stored in the reservoir to the heating member, wherein the aerosol-forming material delivered from the reservoir through the core to the heating member is heated by the heat generated by the heating member.

[0014] Advantageous effects of the invention

[0015] According to the cartridge and the aerosol generating device according to one or more embodiments, the aerosol-forming material can be effectively transferred to the heating member.

[0016] In addition, according to the cartridge and the aerosol generating device according to one or more embodiments, the amount of the generated aerosol can be increased by improving the efficiency of heating the aerosol-forming material.

[0017] The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the above effects, and those of ordinary skill in the art can clearly understand the effects not described herein from the present specification and the drawings. Description of the drawings

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 3 is for an aerosol-forming substance from Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining the process of the cartridge movement of the aerosol generating device.

[0021] Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the process of the cartridge movement of the aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

[0022] Figure 5 is for Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining the process of generating aerosol in the cartridge of the aerosol generating device.

[0023] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

[0024] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

[0025] Figure 8 is for Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining the process of generating aerosol in the cartridge of the aerosol generating device.

[0026] Figure 9 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. Detailed Embodiments

[0027] Regarding the terms in the various embodiments, general terms that are currently widely used are selected in consideration of the functions of the structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the meanings of these terms can change according to intention, judicial precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Additionally, in some cases, the applicant can arbitrarily select terms in specific situations. In such cases, the meaning of the term 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.

[0028] In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the term "comprising" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to mean including the stated elements but not excluding any other elements. Additionally, the terms "-part", "-device", and "module" described in the application documents refer to units for processing at least one function and operation, and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

[0029] As used herein, expressions such as "at least any one of..." modify all elements when arranged after the elements, rather than each of the arranged elements. For example, the expression "at least any one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted as: including a; including b; including c; including a and b; including a and c; including b and c; or including a, b, and c.

[0030] In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol by using a cartridge containing an aerosol generating substance.

[0031] The aerosol generating device may include a cartridge that houses the aerosol generating substance and a body that supports the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably coupled to the body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be integrally formed with the body, or assembled with the body, and the cartridge may also be fixed to the body such that the cartridge cannot be disassembled from the body by the user. The cartridge may be installed on the body when it contains the aerosol generating substance. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The aerosol generating substance may also be injected into the cartridge when the cartridge is coupled to the body.

[0032] The cartridge may house the aerosol generating substance in any one of various states such as liquid, solid, gas, gel state, etc. The aerosol generating substance may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing substance having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco substance.

[0033] The cartridge may be operated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal sent from the body to perform the function of generating an aerosol by converting the phase of the aerosol generating substance inside the cartridge into a gas phase. An aerosol may refer to a gas formed by mixing vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating substance with air.

[0034] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may generate an aerosol by heating a liquid composition, and the generated aerosol may be transmitted to the user through a cigarette. That is, the aerosol generated from the liquid composition may move along the air flow channel of the aerosol generating device, and the air flow channel may be configured to allow the aerosol to be transmitted to the user by passing through the cigarette.

[0035] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating substance using surface plasmon resonance technology.

[0036] The aerosol generating device may include: a light source configured to emit light according to the power supplied to the light source; and a heating structure including metal particles of nanoscale size that generate heat in response to an external stimulus (e.g., light). When the free electrons in the metal particles oscillate together and are polarized in response to an external stimulus, heat can be generated, and the aerosol generating device may use the heat generated by the heating structure to heat the aerosol generating substance or the aerosol generating substance absorbed into the core, thereby generating an aerosol.

[0037] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a cradle.

[0038] The aerosol generating device may form a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may charge the battery of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, when the cradle and the aerosol generating device are coupled to each other, the heater may be heated.

[0039] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown so that those 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 devices of the above various embodiments, or may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0040] Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0042] Referring to Figure 1 , an aerosol generating device 1000 according to an embodiment may include a cartridge 100 and a body 200 detachably coupled to the cartridge 100.

[0043] The cartridge 100 may include a housing 110 forming the overall exterior of the cartridge 100. Components of the cartridge 100 for generating an aerosol may be disposed in the internal space of the housing 110.

[0044] For example, a reservoir for storing an aerosol generating substance, a heating structure that generates heat in response to an external stimulus (e.g., light), a core that delivers the aerosol generating substance in the reservoir to the heating structure, and other components may be disposed in the internal space of the housing 110, but the components of the cartridge 100 are not limited thereto.

[0045] The accompanying drawings show that the housing 110 has a cuboid shape, but the shape is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment, the housing 110 may be a prism shape (e.g., a triangular prism shape or an octagonal prism shape) or a cylindrical shape.

[0046] According to an embodiment, the cartridge 100 may further include a mouthpiece 110m. For example, the mouthpiece 110m may be disposed at an end of the housing 110 (e.g., an end in the +z direction) and may provide fluid communication between the internal space of the housing 110 and the outside of the cartridge 100. However, the position of the mouthpiece 110m is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and according to an embodiment, the mouthpiece 110m may be disposed on a part of a side surface of the housing 110 (e.g., a surface facing the +y direction).

[0047] The aerosol generated inside the housing 110 of the cartridge 100 may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 100 via the mouthpiece 110m, and the user may smoke by placing his / her mouth on the mouthpiece 110m to inhale the aerosol discharged to the outside of the cartridge 100.

[0048] The main body 200 may include: a main body housing 210, which is detachably coupled to the housing 110 of the cartridge 100; and components of the main body 200 for the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1000, and these components may be disposed in the internal space of the main body housing 210.

[0049] For example, a light source configured to radiate light onto the heating member, a battery for supplying power, and a processor may be disposed in the internal space of the main body housing 210, but the components of the main body 200 disposed in the internal space of the main body housing 210 are not limited thereto.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the main body 200 may further include a recess (not shown) for accommodating some parts of the cartridge 100. For example, the cartridge 100 may be coupled to the main body 200 in such a way that some parts of the cartridge 100 (e.g., a part facing the -z direction) are detachably accommodated in the recess, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the main body 200 may further include a fixing member (not shown) detachably coupled to the housing 110 of the cartridge 100, and the cartridge 100 and the main body 200 may be coupled to each other or separated from each other when the user manipulates the fixing member.

[0051] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 2 to 5 , each component of the aerosol generating device 1000 for generating aerosol will be described in detail.

[0052] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is according to an embodiment Figure 1 of the aerosol generating device 1000 taken along the y-z plane.

[0053] Referring to Figure 2 , the aerosol generating device 1000 according to an embodiment may include a cartridge 100 and a body 200 detachably coupled to the cartridge 100. The components of the aerosol generating device 1000 according to an embodiment may be substantially the same as or similar to at least one of the components of Figure 1 the aerosol generating device 1000, and repetitive descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the cartridge 100 may include a housing 110 (e.g., Figure 1 the housing 110), a reservoir 120, a core 130, and a heating structure 140.

[0055] The housing 110 may form the overall exterior of the cartridge 100, and an internal space (or "accommodation space") may be included in the housing 110, and the components of the cartridge 100 may be disposed in the internal space.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the housing 110 may include a mouthpiece 110m and a transmissive window 110w.

[0057] The mouthpiece 110m may be disposed on a part of the housing 110 to provide fluid communication between the internal space of the housing 110 and the exterior of the cartridge 100, and the aerosol generated inside the housing 110 may be discharged to the exterior of the cartridge 100 via the mouthpiece 110m.

[0058] When the cartridge 100 is coupled to the body 200, the transmissive window 110w may be disposed on a part of the housing 110 facing the body 200, and external light of the cartridge 100 may penetrate into the cartridge 100 via the transmissive window 110w. For example, the light emitted from the light source 220 of the body 200 may penetrate into the cartridge 100 via the transmissive window 110w.

[0059] The drawings show one transmissive window 110w disposed on the housing 110, but the number of transmissive windows 110w is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment, a plurality of transmissive windows 110w may be disposed on a part of the housing 110 facing the body 200.

[0060] The reservoir 120 may be disposed inside the housing 110, and an aerosol - generating substance may be stored in the reservoir 120. The aerosol - generating substance stored in the reservoir 120 may move toward the core 130 due to gravity by passing through the holes 120h formed in the portion of the reservoir 120 facing the core 130, and a detailed description thereof is provided below.

[0061] In this case, the aerosol - generating substance may include a tobacco - containing substance having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or alternatively, the aerosol - generating substance may include a liquid composition containing a non - tobacco substance.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the liquid composition may include any one component, or a mixture of these components, such as water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a fragrance, a flavoring agent, and a vitamin mixture. The fragrance may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruity flavor components, etc., but is not limited thereto. The flavoring agent may include components capable of providing various scents or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the liquid composition may include aerosol - forming substances such as glycerol and propylene glycol.

[0063] For example, the liquid composition may include a glycerol and propylene glycol solution having a certain weight ratio with nicotine salt added. The liquid composition may include two or more types of nicotine salts. The nicotine salt may be formed by adding a suitable acid including an organic acid or an inorganic acid to nicotine. The 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.

[0064] The acid used to form the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected by considering the rate of nicotine absorption in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol - generating device, the scent or taste, solubility, etc. For example, the acid used to form the nicotine salt may be a single acid selected from the following, or may be a mixture of two or more acids selected from the following: 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, or malic acid, but is not limited thereto.

[0065] A part of the core 130 may be disposed adjacent to the reservoir 120, and another part of the core 130 is disposed to surround at least some parts of the outer peripheral surface of the heating member 140, and thus, the core 130 may transfer the aerosol - generating substance stored in the reservoir 120 to the heating member 140.

[0066] For example, a portion of the core 130 may be arranged to face the hole 120h of the reservoir 120, and thus the core 130 may absorb the aerosol-generating substance that moves from the reservoir 120 towards the core 130 due to gravity. The aerosol-generating substance absorbed into the core 130 may move along the core 130 in the direction towards the heating member 140, and in this way, the core 130 may transfer the aerosol-generating substance stored in the structure 120 to the heating member 140.

[0067] For example, the core 130 may be a cotton core capable of absorbing the aerosol-generating substance, but the type of the core 130 is not limited thereto. As another example, the core 130 may be a ceramic core.

[0068] The heating member 140 may be arranged inside the housing 110 and generate heat by receiving external light that penetrates into the housing 110 via the transmissive window 110w, thereby heating the aerosol-generating substance delivered from the core 130.

[0069] For example, since at least a portion of the core 130 is arranged to surround at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the heating member 140, the aerosol-generating substance absorbed into the core 130 may be heated by the heat generated by the heating member 140, and thus an aerosol may be generated. However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0070] The heating member 140 may include metal nanoparticles (or "metal nanparticles") having a nanoscale size, which generate heat by receiving light by means of surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and thus the SPR may be used to heat the aerosol-generating substance.

[0071] In this application document, "surface plasmon resonance" refers to the following phenomenon: when light is incident on the surface of metal nanoparticles serving as a conductor, free electrons on the metal surface oscillate together due to the resonance between the electromagnetic field and a specific light energy. In addition, "metal nanoparticles" may refer to metal particles having a diameter in the nanoscale range.

[0072] Free electrons on the surface of the metal nanoparticles of the heating member 140 may oscillate together and be polarized according to SPR in response to the light entering the housing 110 via the transmissive light 110w, and thus the metal nanoparticles of the heating member 140 generate heat, and the generated heat further heats the aerosol-generating substance absorbed into the core 130.

[0073] For example, the heating member 140 may have a dome shape, and at least a part of the core 130 may be arranged to surround the outer peripheral surface of the heating member 140 having a dome shape. In this case, the heating member 140 may use the light penetrating into the housing 110 to heat the aerosol-forming material absorbed into the core 130 surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the heating member 140.

[0074] When the aerosol-forming material is heated by the heating member 140, aerosol may be generated from the aerosol-forming material, and the generated aerosol may move toward the mouthpiece 110m along the airflow passage 150 providing fluid communication between the internal space of the housing 110 and the mouthpiece 110m, and the generated aerosol may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 100 via the mouthpiece 110m.

[0075] According to an embodiment, the main body 200 may include a main body housing 210 (e.g., Figure 1 the main body housing 210), a light source 220, a battery 230, and a processor 240.

[0076] The main body housing 210 may form the overall exterior of the main body 200, and an internal space in which the respective components of the main body 200 may be arranged may be formed in the main body housing 210.

[0077] The light source 220 may be located in the internal space of the main body housing 210 and may emit light L using the power supplied from the battery 230. For example, the light source 220 may include a laser for radiating light having a specified wavelength according to the power supply, but the type of the light source 220 is not limited thereto.

[0078] According to an embodiment, the light source 220 may be arranged to face the transmissive window 110w of the cartridge 100 when the cartridge 100 is coupled to the main body 200, and may emit light L toward the transmissive window 110w. However, the arrangement position of the light source 220 is not limited thereto.

[0079] The light L emitted from the light source 220 may reach the heating member 140 after passing through the transmissive window 110w, and the heating member 140 may use the light L emitted from the light source 220 to generate heat and heat the aerosol-forming material.

[0080] The battery 230 may supply power for operating the aerosol generating device 1000. For example, the battery 230 may supply power to the light source 220 so that light L may be emitted. As another example, the battery 230 may supply the power required for operating the processor 240.

[0081] In this case, the battery 230 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 230 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but the type of the battery 230 is not limited thereto.

[0082] The controller 240 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1000. According to an embodiment, the processor 240 may be electrically or operatively connected to the light source 220 and control the operation of the light source 220. For example, the processor 240 may supply power to the light source 220 through the battery 230 and allow light L to be emitted from the light source 220. As another example, the processor 240 may control the time it takes to supply power to the light source 220 through the battery 230, and thus may control the time it takes when the light L is emitted from the light source 220.

[0083] The processor 240 may realize heat generation in the heating structure 140 through the above process, or the processor 240 generally controls the duration during which the aerosol generating material is heated, but the control operation of the processor 240 is not limited thereto.

[0084] According to an embodiment, the processor 240 may include a plurality of processors 240. The processor 240 may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates. The processor 240 may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory, in which a program that can be executed in the microprocessor is stored. In addition, the processor 240 may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

[0085] Figure 3 It is used to detect aerosol-generating substances from Figure 2 A diagram illustrating the movement process of a cigarette cartridge of an aerosol generating device. Figure 3 The solid arrows indicate the direction of movement of aerosol-generating substances.

[0086] Reference Figure 3 The cartridge 100 (or "cartridge for an aerosol generating device") may include a housing 110, a reservoir 120, a core 130, and a heating structure 140. The components of the aerosol generating device 100 according to the embodiment may be the same as those of the embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 100 is substantially the same or similar, and repeated description is omitted hereinafter.

[0087] The reservoir 120 may be disposed in the inner space of the housing 110 in a direction toward an upper portion of the core 130 (eg, Figure 1 The aerosol generating substance in the liquid phase may be stored in the storage 120.

[0088] The hole 120h may be formed in a portion of the reservoir 120 facing the core 130, and the aerosol-generating substance stored in the reservoir 120 may be discharged to the outside of the reservoir 120 through the hole 120h. For example, the hole 120h may be formed in a portion of the bottom of the reservoir 120 facing the core 130, and the aerosol-generating substance stored in the reservoir 120 may pass through the hole 120 and move in the direction toward the core 130 due to gravity.

[0089] The core 130 may absorb the aerosol-generating substance supplied from the reservoir 120 and convey the absorbed aerosol-generating substance in the direction toward the heating member 140, thereby supplying the aerosol-generating substance to the heating member 140.

[0090] According to an embodiment, the core 130 may extend mainly in the width direction of the housing 110 (e.g., Figure 1 the y-axis direction), while including a receiving portion 130a for receiving at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the heating member 140. For example, the receiving portion 130a of the core 130 may be formed in a dome shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the heating member 140, and may receive the outer peripheral surface of the heating member 140 in an upper portion (e.g., Figure 1 the portion in the +z direction) of the heating member 140, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0091] A portion (e.g., an end) of the core 130 may be disposed below the hole 120h of the reservoir 120, and another portion (e.g., the other end) of the core 130 may be disposed below the air flow channel 150 disposed opposite to the reservoir 120. In this case, the receiving portion 130a of the core 130 may be disposed between opposite ends of the core 130 and receive the heating member 140 having a dome shape.

[0092] The aerosol-generating substance stored in the reservoir 120 may be discharged to the outside of the reservoir 120 through the hole 120h, and the discharged aerosol-generating substance may be absorbed into one end of the core 130 located below the reservoir 120. The aerosol-generating substance absorbed into one end of the core 130 may move along the core 130 in the direction toward the other end of the core 130 and may be conveyed to the heating member 140.

[0093] Since the core 130 is disposed to surround the outer peripheral surface of the heating member 140 having a dome shape through the receiving portion 130a, the contact area between the aerosol-generating substance absorbed into the core 130 and the heating member 140 may be increased, and thus the aerosol-generating substance absorbed into the core 130 may be effectively supplied to the heating member 140.

[0094] That is, the cartridge 100 according to the embodiment can stably and efficiently supply the aerosol - generating substance to the heating structure 140 through the heating structure 140 having a dome shape and the core 130 including a receiving portion 130a having a dome shape and surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the heating structure 140. Accordingly, the cartridge 100 according to the embodiment can increase the amount of the generated aerosol, thereby improving the smoking experience of the user.

[0095] Figure 4 It is a diagram for explaining the process of the movement of the aerosol - generating substance from the cartridge of the aerosol - generating device according to another embodiment. Figure 4 The solid - line arrow indicates the movement direction of the aerosol - generating substance.

[0096] Refer to Figure 4 According to another embodiment, the cartridge 100 may include a housing 110, a reservoir 120, a core 130, and a heating structure 140. The cartridge 100 according to another embodiment may be Figure 3 a cartridge in which at least one recessed portion 130r is added to the cartridge 100 of , and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

[0097] According to another embodiment, the core 130 may include a receiving portion 130a (e.g., Figure 3 the receiving portion 130a of ) for receiving the heating structure 140 having a dome shape, and at least one recessed portion 130r disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the receiving portion 130a.

[0098] At least one recessed portion 130r may be disposed along the outer peripheral surface of the receiving portion 130a having a dome shape, and a portion of the aerosol - generating substance moving along the core 130 may be collected in the at least one recessed portion 130r.

[0099] For example, the at least one recessed portion 130r may be recessed in a direction from the outer peripheral surface of the receiving portion 130a toward the heating structure 140. The recessed portion 130r may have a "U" - shaped configuration to collect a large amount of the aerosol - generating substance, but the shape of the recessed portion 130r is not limited thereto.

[0100] Since a portion of the aerosol - generating substance moving from one end to the other end of the core 130 is collected in the at least one recessed portion 130r, the duration during which the heating structure 140 contacts the aerosol - generating substance can be increased, and thus the aerosol - generating substance can be more effectively supplied to the heating structure 140.

[0101] That is, according to another embodiment, the cartridge 100 can increase the area and duration of contact between the aerosol-forming material and the heating member 140 through the core 130 including the receiving portion 130a and at least one recessed portion 130r, and can improve the efficiency of supplying the aerosol-forming material to the heating member 140, thereby increasing the amount of the generated aerosol.

[0102] Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining the process of generating aerosol in the cartridge of the aerosol generating device in Figure 2 Figure 5 The solid arrows in

[0103] refer to Figure 5 , the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include a housing 110, a reservoir 120, a core 130, and a heating member 140. The components of the aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment may be substantially the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 100 in Figures 2 to 4 Figure 4 shown in Figure 4 (e.g., at least one recessed portion 130r in

[0104] At least a part of the heating member 140 is arranged to face the transmissive window 110w in the inner space of the housing 110, and when the light L penetrating into the housing 110 through the transmissive window 11w is received, the heating member 140 can generate heat and then heat the aerosol-forming material.

[0105] According to an embodiment, the heating member 140 may include a substrate 141 and a plurality of metal nanoparticles 142 arranged on the substrate 141.

[0106] The substrate 141 may have a dome shape, and the metal nanoparticles 142 may be arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate 141 having a dome shape such that the heating member 140 may have an overall dome shape.

[0107] The metal nanoparticles 142 may receive the light L emitted from a light source (e.g., the light source 220 in Figure 2 of the main body (e.g., the main body 200 in Figure 2 ), and generate heat according to SPR.

[0108] When the light L traveling through the transmission window 110w and entering the interior of the housing 110 is received, the free electrons of the metal nanoparticles 142 can oscillate together due to SPR. The metal nanoparticles 142 can be polarized and generate heat through the collective oscillation of the free electrons of the metal nanoparticles 142, and the heat generated by the metal nanoparticles 142 can be transferred to the core 130 surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the heating structure 140.

[0109] According to an embodiment, the metal nanoparticles 142 can oscillate with light of the same wavelength to generate heat, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the metal nanoparticles 142 can include multiple types of metal nanoparticles that oscillate with light of different wavelengths. For example, the metal nanoparticles 142 can include a first metal nanoparticle that generates heat by oscillating when exposed to light with a first wavelength, and a second metal nanoparticle that generates heat by oscillating when exposed to light with a second wavelength different from the first wavelength.

[0110] The aerosol-generating material released from the reservoir 120 and absorbed into the core 130 can be heated by the heat transferred from the metal nanoparticles 142 of the heating structure 140, and thus vapor can be generated from the aerosol-generating material. For example, since the core 130 is arranged in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the heating structure 140, the heat generated by the metal nanoparticles 142 of the heating structure 140 can be transferred to the core 130, and the aerosol-generating material absorbed into the core 130 can be heated by the transferred heat.

[0111] The vapor generated from the aerosol-generating material can be mixed with the air flowing into the housing 110 through the air flow channel 150 or a separate air inlet (not shown), and thus aerosol can be generated in the internal space of the housing 110.

[0112] In this application document, the term "aerosol" can refer to fine particles formed by mixing air with the vapor generated from the aerosol-generating material.

[0113] The aerosol generated inside the housing 110 can move through the air flow channel 150 arranged opposite to the reservoir 120 with respect to the core 130 and then be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 100 via the mouthpiece 110m. In this case, the user can smoke by placing his / her mouth on the mouthpiece 110m and then inhaling the aerosol discharged to the outside of the cartridge 100.

[0114] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device according to another embodiment. Figure 6 is according to another embodiment of Figure 1Cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device 1000 taken along the y-z plane.

[0115] Referring to Figure 6 , according to another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1000 may include a cartridge 100 and a main body 200 detachably coupled to the cartridge 100. According to another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1000 may be a device in which the position of the light source 220 is changed and only a reflection member 221 is added to the Figure 2 aerosol generating device 1000, and thus repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

[0116] According to another embodiment, the main body 200 may include a main body housing 210 (e.g., Figure 2 the main body housing 210), a light source 220, at least one reflection member 221, a battery 230 (e.g., Figure 2 the battery 230), and a processor 240 (e.g., Figure 2 the processor 240).

[0117] The light source 220 may be located in the internal space of the main body housing 210 and emit light L to the at least one reflection member 221 using power supplied from the battery 230. For example, when the cartridge 100 is coupled to the main body 200, the light source 220 may be disposed on a portion of the main body housing 110 that does not overlap with the transmission window 110w and may emit light toward the at least one reflection member 221.

[0118] In this application document, the description "the light source 220 is disposed so as not to overlap with the transmission window 110w" may mean that the light source 220 and the transmission window 110w are not located on the same line extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 1000 (e.g., Figure 1 the z-axis direction in

[0119] The at least one reflection member 221 may be disposed in the internal space of the main body housing 110 to change the direction of movement of the light L emitted from the light source 220. For example, the at least one reflection member 221 may change the direction of movement of the light L emitted from the light source 220 to a direction toward the transmission window 110w of the cartridge 100.

[0120] According to an embodiment, the at least one reflection member 221 may include a mirror for reflecting incident light, but is not limited thereto. The reflection member 221 may include other components that can change the direction of movement of incident light. In addition, the drawings show that one reflection member 221 is disposed, but the number of reflection members 221 is not limited thereto.

[0121] According to another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1000 can allow light to be incident on the transmission window 110w through at least one reflection member 221, even if the light source 220 is not arranged to face the transmission window 110w. Therefore, in the aerosol generating device 1000 according to another embodiment, the degree of freedom in the arrangement configuration or mounting configuration of the components of the main body 200 in the main body housing 210 can be increased.

[0122] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. Figure 7 is according to another embodiment Figure 1 of the aerosol generating device 1000 taken along the y-z plane.

[0123] Referring to Figure 7 , the aerosol generating device 1000 according to another embodiment may include a cartridge 100 and a main body 200 detachably coupled to the cartridge 100. The aerosol generating device 1000 according to another embodiment may be Figure 2 the aerosol generating device 1000 to which a heat conduction member 160 is added, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

[0124] According to an embodiment, the cartridge 100 may include a housing 110 (e.g., Figure 2 the housing 110), a reservoir 120 (e.g., Figure 2 the reservoir 120), a core 130 (e.g., Figures 2 to 4 the core 130), a heating structure 140 (e.g., Figure 2 the heating structure 140) and a heat conduction member 160.

[0125] The housing 110 may form the overall exterior of the cartridge 100, and the housing 110 may include: a mouthpiece 110m that provides fluid communication between the interior space of the housing 110 and the exterior of the cartridge 100; and a transmission window 110w that is used to introduce external light into the interior space of the housing 110. For example, when the cartridge 100 is coupled to the main body 200, the light L emitted from the light source 220 of the main body 200 may enter the interior space of the housing 110 through the transmission window 110w.

[0126] The reservoir 120 may be disposed in the interior space of the housing 110, and an aerosol generating substance in a liquid phase may be stored in the reservoir 120. A hole 120h may be formed in a portion of the reservoir 120 facing the core 130, and the aerosol generating substance stored in the reservoir 120 may move toward the core 130 due to gravity after passing through the hole 120h.

[0127] The core 130 can absorb the aerosol - generating substance supplied from the reservoir 120 and convey the absorbed aerosol - generating substance in the direction toward the heating member 140, thereby supplying the aerosol - generating substance to the heating member 140.

[0128] For example, a part (e.g., an end) of the core 130 is arranged below the hole 120h of the reservoir 120, and thus, the core 130 can absorb the aerosol - generating substance discharged to the outside of the reservoir 120 via the hole 120h. The aerosol - generating substance absorbed into the end of the core 130 can move along the core 130 in the direction toward the other end of the core 130.

[0129] The heating member 140 can be arranged inside the housing 110 and generate heat by receiving external light that penetrates into the housing 110 via the transmissive window 110w. For example, at least a part of the heating member 140 can be arranged to face the transmissive window 110w of the housing 110, and thus, the heating member 140 can receive the light L emitted from the light source 220 of the main body 200.

[0130] According to an embodiment, due to the metal nanoparticles (e.g., Figure 5 the metal nanoparticles 142) in the heating member 140 that generate heat when receiving light, the heating member 140 can generate heat according to SPR.

[0131] The heat - conducting member 160 can be arranged between the core 130 and the heating member 140 in the internal space of the housing 110, and the heat - conducting member 160 can be configured to transfer the heat generated by the heating member 140 to the core 130. For example, the heat - conducting member 160 can include a metal (e.g., aluminum or copper) with high thermal conductivity to transfer the heat generated by the heating member 140 to the core 130, but the type of the heat - conducting member 160 is not limited thereto.

[0132] At least some parts of the heat - conducting member 160 can be arranged to surround the outer peripheral surface of the heating member 140, and the core 130 can be formed in a shape corresponding to the heat - conducting member 160 to surround the outer peripheral surface of the heat - conducting member 160 that surrounds the heating member 140.

[0133] That is, the heating member 140, the heat - conducting member 160, and the core 130 can be sequentially stacked, and based on the above - described arrangement structure, the heat generated by the heating member 140 according to SPR can be transferred to the core 130 through the heat - conducting member 160.

[0134] Since the aerosol - generating material absorbed into the core 130 is heated by the heat transferred through the heat - conducting member 160, an aerosol can be generated from the aerosol - generating material, and the generated aerosol can move in the direction towards the mouthpiece 110m along the airflow passage 150 and be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 100.

[0135] Although not shown in the drawings, the core 130 may further include at least one recessed portion (e.g., Figure 4 the recessed portion 130r) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the core 130 to increase the duration during which the heat - conducting member 160 contacts the aerosol - generating material.

[0136] Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 8 the process by which the heat generated by the heating structure 140 is transferred to the aerosol - generating material absorbed into the core 130 through the heat - conducting member 160 will be described in detail.

[0137] Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining the process of generating an aerosol in the cartridge of an aerosol - generating device in Figure 7 which.

[0138] With reference to Figure 8 , the cartridge 100 according to an embodiment may include a housing 110, a reservoir 120, a core 130, a heating structure 140, and a heat - conducting member 160. The components of the aerosol - generating device 100 according to an embodiment may be substantially the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol - generating device 100 in Figure 7 which, and repeated descriptions are omitted hereinafter.

[0139] The core 130 may absorb the aerosol - generating material discharged to the outside of the reservoir 120 through the hole 120h. For example, a part (e.g., an end) of the core 130 may be disposed below the hole 120h of the reservoir 120 and absorb the aerosol - generating material discharged from the reservoir 120, and the aerosol - generating material absorbed into this part of the core 130 may move along the core 130 in the direction towards another part (e.g., the other end) of the core 130.

[0140] A part of the heating structure 140 may be disposed to face the transmission window 110w in the inner space of the housing 110, and the heating structure 140 may generate heat when receiving the light L that penetrates into the housing 110 through the transmission window 110w.

[0141] According to an embodiment, the heating structure 140 may include a substrate having a dome shape (e.g., Figure 5 the substrate 141), and metal nanoparticles disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate having a dome shape (e.g.,Figure 5 of the metal nanoparticles 142). The metal nanoparticles can receive light L emitted from a light source (e.g., Figure 2 of the main body 200) of the main body (e.g., Figure 2 of the light source 220), and generate heat according to SPR.

[0142] The heat conduction member 160 can be disposed between the core 130 and the heating structure 140, and transfer the heat generated by the heating structure 140 to the core 130. For example, the heat conduction member 160 can be disposed such that a first surface of the heat conduction member 160 (e.g., a surface facing Figure 1 the +z direction) can be in contact with the core 130, and a second surface of the heat conduction member 160 opposite to the first surface is in contact with the heating structure 140. Thus, the heat conduction member 160 can transfer the heat generated by the heating structure 140 to the core 130.

[0143] According to an embodiment, the core 130 can include a first accommodation portion 130a, and the heat conduction member 160 can include a second accommodation portion 160a.

[0144] The second accommodation portion 160a of the heat conduction member 160 can have a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the heating structure 140 having a dome shape (e.g., a dome shape), and can be arranged to surround at least some portions of the outer peripheral surface of the heating structure 140.

[0145] In addition, the first accommodation portion 130a of the core 130 can have a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the second accommodation portion 160a (e.g., a dome shape), and can be arranged to surround the outer peripheral surface of the second accommodation portion 160a that accommodates the outer peripheral surface of the heating structure 140.

[0146] Based on the above arrangement structure, the heat generated by the heating structure 140 according to SPR can be transferred to the second accommodation portion 160a of the heat conduction member 160 that is in contact with the heating structure 140. The heat transferred to the second accommodation portion 160a can be transferred to the entire region of the heat conduction member 160, and the heat transferred to the entire heat conduction member 160 can be transferred to the core 130 that is in contact with the heat conduction member 160.

[0147] The aerosol - generating substance absorbed into the core 130 can be heated by the heat transferred from the heat - conducting member 160, and thus, vapor can be generated from the aerosol - generating substance. The vapor generated from the aerosol - generating substance can be mixed with the air flowing into the housing 110 via the air flow channel 150 or a separate air inlet (not shown) to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol can be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 100 via the mouthpiece 110m after moving in the direction of the mouthpiece 110m along the air flow channel 150. In this case, the user can smoke by placing his / her mouth on the mouthpiece 110m and then inhaling the aerosol discharged to the outside of the cartridge 100.

[0148] The cartridge 100 according to an embodiment can increase the area where the aerosol - generating substance is heated by allowing the heat generated by the heating structural member 140 to be transferred to the entire core 130 through the heat - conducting member 160. Thus, the cartridge 100 can generate a larger amount of aerosol with the same power, thereby enhancing the user's smoking experience.

[0149] Figure 9 is a block diagram of an aerosol - generating device according to an embodiment.

[0150] The aerosol - generating device 900 can include a controller 910, a sensing unit 920, an output unit 930, a battery 940, a heater 950, a user input unit 960, a memory 970, and a communication unit 980. However, the internal structure of the aerosol - generating device 900 is not limited to Figure 9 the internal structure shown in. That is, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, depending on the design of the aerosol - generating device 900, some of the components shown in Figure 9 can be omitted or new components can be added.

[0151] The sensing unit 920 can sense the state of the aerosol - generating device 900 and the state around the aerosol - generating device 900, and transmit the sensed information to the controller 910. Based on the sensed information, the controller 910 can control the aerosol - generating device 900 to perform various functions, such as controlling the operation of the heater 950, restricting smoking, determining whether an aerosol - generating article (e.g., a cigarette, a cartridge, etc.) is inserted, displaying a notification, etc.

[0152] The sensing unit 920 can include at least one of a temperature sensor 922, an insertion detection sensor, and a puff sensor 926, but is not limited thereto.

[0153] The temperature sensor 922 can sense the temperature at which the heater 950 (or the aerosol - generating substance) is heated. The aerosol - generating device 900 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater 950, or the heater 950 may serve as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 922 may also be arranged around the battery 940 to monitor the temperature of the battery 940.

[0154] The insertion - detection sensor 924 can sense the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol - generating article. For example, the insertion - detection sensor 924 may include at least one of a membrane sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a resistance sensor, a capacitance sensor, an inductance sensor, and an infrared sensor, and the insertion - detection sensor 924 can sense a signal change according to the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol - generating article.

[0155] The puff sensor 926 can sense the user's puff based on various physical changes in the air - flow channel or air - flow passage. For example, the puff sensor 926 can sense the user's puff based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

[0156] In addition to including the above - mentioned temperature sensor 922, insertion - detection sensor 924, and puff sensor 926, the sensing unit 920 may further include at least one of a temperature / humidity sensor, an atmospheric - pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS)), a proximity sensor, and a Red - Green - Blue (RGB) sensor (illuminance sensor). Since those of ordinary skill in the art can intuitively infer the function of each sensor from the name of the sensor, a detailed description of these sensors may be omitted.

[0157] The output unit 930 can output information about the state of the aerosol - generating device 900 and provide this information to the user. The output unit 930 may include at least one of a display unit 932, a haptic unit 934, and an audio - output unit 936, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 932 and the touch - pad form a layered structure to form a touch - screen, in addition to serving as an output device, the display unit 932 can also serve as an input device.

[0158] The display unit 932 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 900 to the user. For example, the information about the aerosol generating device 900 may refer to various information, such as the charging / discharging state of the battery 940 of the aerosol generating device 900, the preheating state of the heater 950, the insertion / removal state of the aerosol generating article, or the state in which the use of the aerosol generating device 900 is restricted (e.g., an abnormal object is sensed), etc., and the display unit 932 may output this information to the outside. The display unit 932 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel, etc. In addition, the display unit 932 may be in the form of a light emitting diode (LED) lighting device.

[0159] The tactile unit 934 may provide information about the aerosol generating device 900 to the user in a tactile manner by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus. For example, the tactile unit 934 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0160] The sound output unit 936 may provide information about the aerosol generating device 900 to the user in an auditory manner. For example, the sound output unit 936 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output the sound signal to the outside.

[0161] The battery 940 may supply power for operating the aerosol generating device 900. The battery 940 may supply power so that the heater 950 can be heated. In addition, the battery 940 may supply power required for operating other components in the aerosol generating device 900 (e.g., the sensing unit 920, the output unit 930, the user input unit 960, the memory 970, and the communication unit 980). The battery 940 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 940 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0162] The heater 950 may receive power from the battery 940 to heat the aerosol generating substance. Although not shown in Figure 9 the aerosol generating device 900 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a direct current (DC) / DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 940 and supplies the converted power to the heater 950. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 900 generates aerosol by an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 900 may further include a DC / alternating current (AC) that converts the DC power of the battery 940 into AC power.

[0163] The controller 910, the sensing unit 920, the output unit 930, the user input unit 960, the memory 970, and the communication unit 980 may each receive power from the battery 940 to perform functions. Although not shown in Figure 9 , the aerosol generating device 900 may further include a power conversion circuit that converts the power of the battery 940 to supply power to each component. The power conversion circuit is, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit.

[0164] In one embodiment, the heater 950 may be formed of any suitable resistive material. For example, suitable resistive materials may be metals or metal alloys, including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc., but are not limited thereto. Additionally, the heater 950 may be implemented by a metal wire, a metal plate with conductive traces disposed thereon, a ceramic heating element, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0165] In another embodiment, the heater 950 may be an induction heating type heater. For example, the heater 950 may include a susceptor that heats the aerosol forming material by generating heat by means of a magnetic field applied by a coil.

[0166] According to another embodiment, the heater 950 may be a heater utilizing SPR. For example, when the heater 950 receives light, the heater 950 may generate heat according to SPR and thus heat the aerosol forming material.

[0167] The user input unit 960 may receive information input from the user or may output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 960 may include a keyboard, a dome switch, a touchpad (e.g., capacitive touch method, piezoresistive membrane method, infrared sensing method, surface acoustic wave conduction method, integral tension measurement method, piezoelectric effect method, etc.), a roller, a roller switch, etc., but is not limited thereto. Additionally, although not shown in Figure 9 , the aerosol generating device 900 may further include a connection interface, such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and the aerosol generating device 900 may be connected to other external devices through a connection interface such as a USB interface to send and receive information or charge the battery 940.

[0168] The memory 970 is a hardware component that stores various types of data processed in the aerosol generating device 900, and can store the data processed by the controller 910 and the data to be processed. The memory 970 may include at least one type of storage medium such as 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 970 can store the operating time of the aerosol generating device 900, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature curve, data on the user's smoking pattern, etc.

[0169] The communication unit 980 may include at least one component for communicating with another electronic device. For example, the communication unit 980 may include a short-range wireless communication unit 982 and a wireless communication unit 984.

[0170] The short-range wireless communication unit 982 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.

[0171] The wireless communication unit 984 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 984 can also identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 900 within the communication network by using subscription user information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identifier (IMSI)).

[0172] The controller 910 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 900. In an embodiment, the controller 910 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 microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable by the microprocessor. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the processor can be implemented in other forms of hardware.

[0173] The controller 910 can control the temperature of the heater 950 by controlling the power supply from the battery 940 to the heater 950. For example, the controller 910 can control the power supply by controlling the switching of the switching element between the battery 940 and the heater 950. In another example, the direct heating circuit can also control the power supply to the heater 950 according to the control command of the controller 910.

[0174] The controller 910 can analyze the results sensed by the sensing unit 920 and control the subsequent processes to be executed. For example, the controller 910 can control the power supplied to the heater 950 based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 920 to start or end the operation of the heater 950. As another example, the controller 910 can control the amount of power supplied to the heater 950 and the time when the power is supplied based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 920 so that the heater 950 can be heated to a certain temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

[0175] The controller 910 can control the output unit 930 based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 920. For example, when the number of puffs counted by the puff sensor 926 reaches a preset number, the controller 910 can notify the user through at least one of the display unit 932, the tactile unit 934, and the sound output unit 936 that the aerosol generating device 900 is about to terminate.

[0176] One embodiment can also be implemented in the form of a computer-readable recording medium, which includes instructions executable by a computer, such as program modules executable by a computer. The computer-readable recording medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and non-volatile media, as well as both removable and non-removable media. In addition, the computer-readable recording medium can include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes all of volatile media, non-volatile media, removable media, 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 includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in a modulated data signal such as program modules, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information transmission medium.

[0177] The description of the above embodiments is only an example, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various variations and equivalent solutions of the above embodiments can be made. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to the scope described in the claims will be construed as being included within the protection scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A cartridge, the cartridge comprising: A housing, the housing including a transmissive window through which external light penetrates into the cartridge; A reservoir disposed inside the housing and configured to store an aerosol-forming substance; A heating structure having a dome shape and including nanoparticles configured to generate heat according to surface plasmon resonance in response to receiving the external light; And A core including a first accommodating portion disposed to surround at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the heating structure, and the core is configured to supply the aerosol-forming substance stored in the reservoir to the heating structure, Wherein, the aerosol-forming substance delivered from the reservoir through the core to the heating structure is heated by the heat generated by the heating structure.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1, the cartridge further comprising an air flow channel disposed to provide fluid communication between the inside and the outside of the housing, Among them, An aerosol is generated as the aerosol-forming substance is heated by the heat generated by the heating structure, and the aerosol is discharged to the outside of the cartridge through the air flow channel.

3. The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein, The reservoir and the air flow channel are disposed in opposite directions with respect to the core.

4. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, At least a part of the heating structure is disposed to face the transmissive window.

5. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, The first accommodating portion is formed in a dome shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the heating structure.

6. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, The core includes at least one recessed portion disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the first accommodating portion and configured to collect at least a part of the aerosol-forming substance absorbed into the core.

7. The cartridge according to claim 1, the cartridge further comprising a heat conduction member configured to transfer the heat generated by the heating structure to the core, and the heat conduction member is disposed between the core and the heating structure such that: one surface of the heat conduction member is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the heating structure, and the other surface of the heat conduction member opposite to the one surface is in contact with the core.

8. The cartridge of claim 7, wherein, The heat conduction member includes a second accommodating portion disposed to surround the part of the outer peripheral surface of the heating structure, and The first accommodating portion of the core is formed in a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the second accommodating portion and is disposed to surround the outer peripheral surface of the second accommodating portion.

9. An aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising: A main body including a light source; And A cartridge detachably coupled to the main body, Wherein, the cartridge includes: A housing including a transmissive window through which light from the light source penetrates into the cartridge; A reservoir disposed inside the housing and configured to store aerosol-forming material; A heating member having a dome shape and including nanoparticles configured to generate heat according to surface plasmon resonance upon receiving light; and A core including a receiving portion disposed to surround at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the heating member, and the core being configured to supply the aerosol-forming material stored in the reservoir to the heating member, wherein the aerosol-forming material delivered from the reservoir through the core to the heating member is heated by the heat generated by the heating member.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein, The cartridge further includes an air flow passage configured to provide fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the housing, and an aerosol is generated as the aerosol-forming material is heated by the heat generated by the heating member, and the aerosol is discharged to the exterior of the cartridge via the air flow passage.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein, At least a part of the heating member is disposed to face the transmissive window and receive light emitted from the light source via the transmissive window.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein, When the cartridge is coupled to the body, the light source is disposed to face the transmissive window.

13. The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein, The body further includes at least one reflecting member configured to change the path of the light emitted from the light source to be directed toward the transmissive window.

14. The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein, The core includes at least one recessed portion disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the receiving portion and configured to collect at least a part of the aerosol-forming material absorbed into the core.

15. The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein, The cartridge further includes a heat conducting member configured to transfer the heat generated by the heating member in response to the light emitted from the light source to the core, and the heat conducting member is disposed between the core and the heating member such that: one surface of the heat conducting member is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the heating member, and the other surface of the heat conducting member opposite to the one surface is in contact with the core.

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