Cartridge and aerosol generating device including same

Abstract

A cartridge includes a housing including a storage space for storing an aerosol generating material, a sealing portion including one or more outlets through which the aerosol generating material passes and configured to seal a portion of the storage space, a generation portion configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material, an accommodation portion configured to accommodate the generation portion and form a generation space in which an aerosol is generated, together with the sealing portion by contacting the sealing portion inside the housing, and a cover configured to support the accommodation portion to press the accommodation portion and the sealing portion toward the storage space, and configured to close one end of the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cartridge and an aerosol generating device including the same, and more particularly, to a cartridge having an improved sealing structure and an aerosol generating device including the same.Background Art

[0002] Recently, the demand for alternative methods for overcoming the shortcomings of general cigarettes has increased. For example, there is an increasing demand for a system for generating aerosols by heating a cigarette or an aerosol generating material by using an aerosol generating device, rather than by burning cigarettes. Accordingly, research on heating-type aerosol generating devices has been actively conducted.

[0003] In the field of aerosol generating devices using liquid-state aerosol generating materials, research on preventing leakage of liquid and sealing the liquid is actively being conducted.Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[0004] A cartridge of an aerosol generating device generally includes a storage storing a liquid material (hereinafter, the liquid material may be used interchangeably with an "aerosol generating material" and is abbreviated as "liquid"),and a generation portion configured to generate an aerosol from the liquid. The liquid stored in the storage may be transferred to the generation portion, and the liquid may be atomized into an aerosol by the generation portion.

[0005] In a structure in which the liquid is transferred from the storage to the generation portion, the storage and the generation portion may be separated from each other by being surrounded by surrounding components. The internal components included in the cartridge may be tightly connected to each other, but, due to the characteristics of the liquid, the liquid may leak through a gap between the components.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to prevent leakage of the liquid to a path other than a path along which the liquid is originally to move, to other components, and to the outside of the cartridge. In the case of general cartridges, sealing elements are arranged inside the cartridges to prevent the aforementioned leakage, but, in order to maximize a sealing effect, the entire cartridge needs to be structurally improved.

[0007] Embodiments provide a cartridge having components forcibly fitted into a housing of the cartridge, and an aerosol generating device including the cartridge.

[0008] Embodiments provide a cartridge in which a sealing element is integrally formed with components forcibly fitted into a housing, and an aerosol generating device including the cartridge.

[0009] The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described description, and other technical problems may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the embodiments to be described hereinafter.Solution to Problem

[0010] A cartridge according to an embodiment may include a housing including a storage space for storing an aerosol generating material, a sealing portion including one or more outlets through which the aerosol generating material passes and sealing a portion of the storage space, a generation portion configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material, an accommodation portion accommodating the generation portion and forming a generation space in which the aerosol is generated, together with the sealing portion by contacting the sealing portion inside the housing, and a cover supporting the accommodation portion to press the accommodation portion and the sealing portion toward the storage space, and closing one end of the housing.Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0011] According to a cartridge according to embodiments and an aerosol generating device including the same, it is unnecessary to separately use a material with excellent adhesive strength, and thus, the manufacturing of the cartridge may be simplified and manufacturing costs thereof may be reduced.

[0012] In addition, according to a cartridge according to embodiments and an aerosol generating device including the same, a sealing effect inside the cartridge may be improved, so that leakage of an aerosol generating material may be prevented.

[0013] Effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above effects, and effects that are not mentioned could be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the attached drawings.Brief Description of Drawings

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded side view of the outer appearance of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of a cartridge according to an embodiment. FIG. 5B is a front exploded perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 5A. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 5A taken along a plane parallel to a yz plane. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 5A taken along a plane parallel to a zx plane. FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 5A taken along a plane parallel to an xy plane. FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of lower components of the cartridge according to an embodiment. FIG. 7B is a rear exploded perspective view of the lower components of the cartridge shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. 8A is an exploded perspective view illustrating separation of a sealing portion from a structure in which the sealing portion, a generation portion, and an accommodation portion applied to the cartridge according to an embodiment are combined with each other. FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the combined structure of FIG. 8A viewed from the bottom in a +z direction. FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view of the combined structure of FIG. 8A taken along a plane parallel to the zx plane. FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the sealing portion applied to the cartridge according to an embodiment, which is viewed from the bottom in the +z direction. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of a structure, in which a generation portion is combined with the sealing portion of FIG. 9A, taken along the plane parallel to the zx plane. FIG. 10A is a front perspective view of a structure in which a generation portion, a clearance adjustment portion, and a cover, applied to the cartridge according to an embodiment, are combined with each other. FIG. 10B is an exploded perspective view showing omission of the generation portion and separation of the clearance adjustment portion from the cover in the structure of FIG. 10A. FIG. 10C is a perspective view of the structure of FIG. 10A with the generation portion omitted, viewed from the bottom in the +z direction. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a lower portion of the cartridge shown in FIG. 6C for explaining a protrusion of a cover. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Mode for Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar components will be assigned the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals in the drawings, and the same descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0016] Terms such as "...unit" and "... module," are used in the following description in consideration of only ease of drafting of the specification, and thus do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves.

[0017] In the description of embodiments of the disclosure, certain detailed explanations of the related art are omitted when it is deemed that they may unnecessarily obscure the essences of embodiments of the disclosure. In addition, the accompanying drawings are only intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiments described herein, and the spirit of the disclosure is not limited by the accompanying drawings and should be understood to include all changes, equivalents or alternatives included in the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0018] While such terms as "first", "second", etc., may be used to describe various components, such components must not be limited to the above terms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0019] When an element is referred to as being "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0020] An expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context.

[0021] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an aerosol generating device 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 1 may include at least one of a power source 11, a controller 12, a sensor 13, a heater 18, and a cartridge 19. At least one of the power source 11, the controller 12, the sensor 13, and the heater 18 may be arranged inside a body 10 of the aerosol generating device 1. The body 10 may provide a space opened upwards so that a stick S, which is an aerosol generating article, is inserted thereinto. The space opened upwards may be referred to as an insertion space. The insertion space may be formed by being recessed toward the inside of the body 10 by a certain depth so that at least a portion of the stick S may be inserted thereinto. The depth of the insertion space may correspond to a length of a region in the stick S, which includes an aerosol generating material and / or a medium. A lower end of the stick S may be inserted into the body 10, and an upper end of the stick S may protrude to the outside of the body 10. A user may inhale air by holding, in the mouth, the upper end of the stick S exposed to the outside.

[0023] The heater 18 may heat the stick S. The heater 18 may extend long upwards around a space into which the stick S is inserted. For example, the heater 18 may be in the form of a tube including a hollow therein. The heater 18 may be arranged around the insertion space. The heater 18 may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The heater 18 may heat the insertion space or the stick S inserted into the insertion space. The heater 18 may include an electrically resistive heater and / or an induction heater

[0024] For example, the heater 18 may be a resistive heater. For example, the heater 18 includes an electrically conductive track, and the heater 18 may be heated as a current flows through the electrically conductive track. The heater 18 may be electrically connected to the power source 11. The heater 18 may be provided with a current from the power source 11 and directly generate heat.

[0025] For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include an induction coil surrounding the heater 18. The induction coil may generate heat in the heater 18. The heater 18 may be a susceptor, and the heater 18 may generate heat by a magnetic field generated by an AC current flowing through the induction coil. The magnetic field may pass through the heater 18 and generate an eddy current within the heater 18. The current may generate heat in the heater 18.

[0026] Meanwhile, a susceptor may be included inside the stick S, and the susceptor inside the stick S may generate heat by the magnetic field generated by the AC current flowing through the induction coil.

[0027] The cartridge 19 may contain an aerosol generating material in any one of a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, a gel state, and the like. 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 may be a liquid including a non-tobacco material.

[0028] The cartridge 19 may be integrally formed with the body 10 or detachably coupled to the body 10.

[0029] For example, referring to FIG. 1, the cartridge 19 may be integrally formed with the body 10 and may communicate with the insertion space through an air flow channel CN.

[0030] For example, referring to FIG. 2, a space may be formed in one side of the body 10, and at least a portion of the cartridge 19 may be inserted into the space formed in one side of the body 10, so that the cartridge 19 may be mounted in the body 10. The air flow channel CN may be defined by a portion of the cartridge 19 and / or a portion of the body 10, and the cartridge 19 may communicate with the insertion space through the air flow channel CN.

[0031] The body 10 may be formed in a structure in which external air may be introduced into the body 10 while the cartridge 19 is being inserted into the body 10. Here, the external air introduced into the body 10 may pass through the cartridge 19 and flow into the mouth of the user.

[0032] The cartridge 19 may include a storage C0 containing the aerosol generating material and / or a cartridge heater 24 heating the aerosol generating material in the storage C0. A liquid delivery unit impregnated with (containing) the aerosol generating material may be arranged inside the storage C0. The liquid delivery unit may include a wick or the like, such as a cotton fiber, a ceramic fiber, a glass fiber, or porous ceramic. An electrically conductive track of the cartridge heater 24 may be formed in a coil-shaped structure that is wound around the liquid delivery unit or in a structure in contact with one side of the liquid delivery unit. The cartridge heater 24 may be referred to as a cartridge heater 24.

[0033] The cartridge 19 may generate an aerosol. When the liquid delivery unit is heated by the cartridge heater 24, an aerosol may be generated. The aerosol may be generated by heating the stick S by the heater 18. While the aerosol generated by the cartridge heater 24 and the heater 18 is passing through the stick S, a tobacco material may be added to the aerosol, and the aerosol having the tobacco material added thereto may be inhaled into the mouth of the user through one end of the stick S.

[0034] The aerosol generating device 1 may include only the cartridge heater 24 and may not include the heater 18 in the body 10. Here, the aerosol generated by the cartridge heater 24 may have the tobacco material added thereto while passing through the stick S, and may be inhaled into the mouth of the user.

[0035] The aerosol generating device 1 may include a cap (not shown). The cap may be detachably coupled to the body 10 to cover at least a portion of the cartridge 19 coupled to the body 10. The stick S may pass through the cap and be inserted into the body 10.

[0036] The power source 11 may supply power so that components of the aerosol generating device operate. The power source 11 may be referred to as a battery. The power source 11 may supply power to at least one of the controller 12, the sensor 13, the cartridge heater 24, and the heater 18. When the aerosol generating device 1 includes an induction coil, the power source 11 may supply power to the induction coil.

[0037] The controller 12 may control an overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. The controller 12 may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The controller 12 may control an operation of at least one of the power source 11, the sensor 13, the heater 18, and the cartridge 19. The controller 12 may control operations of a display, a motor, and the like installed in the aerosol generating device. The controller 12 may check a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device to determine whether or not the aerosol generating device is able to operate.

[0038] The controller 12 may analyze a result of detection by the sensor 13 and control processes that are to be performed subsequently. For example, the controller 12 may control power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 so that the operation of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 is initiated or terminated, based on the result of the detection by the sensor 13. For example, based on the result of the detection by the sensor 13, the controller 12 may control an amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 and a time for which the power is supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 so that the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 may be heated to a certain temperature or maintain an appropriate temperature.

[0039] The sensor 13 may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, an insertion detection sensor, a color sensor, a cartridge detection sensor, and a cap detection sensor. For example, the sensor 13 may sense at least one of a temperature of the heater 18, a temperature of the power source 11, and an internal temperature and an external temperature of the body 10. For example, the sensor 13 may sense a puff by a user. For example, the sensor 13 may sense whether or not the stick S is inserted into the insertion space. For example, the sensor 13 may sense whether or not the cartridge is mounted in the body 10. For example, the sensor 13 may sense whether or not the cap is mounted on the body 10.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 3, an aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cap 1000 and a body 1100. The body 1100 may be identical or similar to the body 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0042] The cap 1000 may be coupled to one end of the body 1100, so that the body 1100 and the cap 1000 together may form an outer appearance of the aerosol generating device 100. The cap 1000 may include, in an upper surface of the cap 1000, an opening 1000h into which an aerosol generating article S may be inserted.

[0043] The body 1100 may form a portion of the exterior of the aerosol generating device 100, and may perform a function of accommodating and protecting the components of the aerosol generating device 100. For example, a power source, a controller, and / or a heater may be accommodated within the body 1100. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. The body 1100 may also accommodate the aerosol generating article S inserted through the opening 1000h.

[0044] The body 1100 and the cap 1000 may be manufactured using a plastic material that does not conduct heat well, or of a metal material on the surface of which a plastic material is coated. The body 1100 and the cap 1000 may be manufactured, for example, by injection molding, by 3D printing, or by assembling small parts manufactured by injection molding.

[0045] A maintenance device (not shown) may be installed between the body 1100 and the cap 1000 to maintain the coupling between the body 1100 and the cap 1000. For example, the maintenance device may include a protrusion and a groove. As another example, the maintenance device may include a magnet and a metal member that adheres to the magnet.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded side view of the outer appearance of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 4, the aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment may include the cap 1000, the body 1100, a button 1200, and a cartridge 200.

[0048] In this case, each of the aerosol generating device 100 and the cartridge 200 may be identical or similar to the aerosol generating device 1 and the cartridge 19 of FIGS. 1 and 2. A repeated description thereof will now be omitted.

[0049] The cap 1000 may be separated from the body 1100 by being released from the body 1100. For example, the cap 1000 may be separated from the body 1100 in a +z direction. When the cap 1000 is separated from the body 1100, an upper portion of the body 1100, the button 1200, and the cartridge 200 may be exposed to the outside.

[0050] The button 1200 may be disposed so that at least a portion thereof is exposed to the outside of the body 1100, and may perform a role of releasing a fastening relationship between the body 1100 and the cartridge 200 according to a user input. For example, when a user input is applied to the button 1200, the cartridge 200 may be detached from the body 1100.

[0051] The cartridge 200 may store an aerosol generating material and may be detachably coupled to one end of the body 1100. In this case, the cartridge 200 is schematically illustrated, and a structure and a shape of the cartridge 200 are not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the cartridge 200 may be applied as a component of the aerosol generating device 100 in combination with the body 1100 including a power source and / or a controller. For example, a cartridge heater included in the cartridge 200 may be electrically connected to the body 1100 to receive power from the power source, and power supply may be controlled by the controller.

[0053] When power is supplied to a heating element and controlled by the aerosol generating device including the cartridge 200, an aerosol may be generated from a liquid- or gel-state aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 200.

[0054] According to another example, the cartridge 200 may be combined with the body 1100 further including an accommodating space for accommodating an aerosol generating article and a heater for heating the aerosol generating article.

[0055] The aerosol generating device including the cartridge 200 may generate an aerosol not only by heating the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 200, but also by heating the inserted aerosol generating article. Accordingly, a hybrid type aerosol generating device may be implemented.

[0056] In FIG. 4, the cartridge 200 is depicted as approaching a side of the body 1100 and being coupled to the body 1100. However, a coupling method between the cartridge 200 and the body 1100 is not limited thereto. For example, the cartridge 200 may be coupled to the body 1100 by approaching the body 1100 in a -z direction from a location spaced apart from the body 1100 in the +z direction, like the cap 1000.

[0057] For convenience of explanation, a structure in which the cartridge 200 approaches the side of the body 1100 and is coupled to the body 1100 will now be described, and the cartridge 200) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0058] FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of a cartridge according to an embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a front exploded perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 5A.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 5A, the cartridge 200 according to an embodiment may include a housing 2100 and a head 2200.

[0060] In general, the cartridge 200 is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion, and may be manufactured by storing an aerosol generating substance in the upper portion, which functions as a liquid container, and then bonding the upper portion to the lower portion in order to seal the container.

[0061] The cartridge 200 manufactured in this manner had a problem that a manufacturing process is cumbersome because bonding between the upper portion and the lower portion is needed during the process. In addition, even when the bonding is made firmly, there is a possibility that an aerosol generating material or an aerosol may leak out of the cartridge through a gap that inevitably exists between the upper and lower portions.

[0062] To address the above-described technical problems, the cartridge 200 according to an embodiment may include a housing 2100 extending to both ends of the cartridge 200 in a lengthwise direction of the cartridge 200 without being divided into an upper portion and a lower portion.

[0063] The housing 2100 may form the outer appearance of the cartridge 200 and may store an aerosol generating material. The housing 2100 may include a hollow cylindrical shape. Components of the cartridge 200 may be arranged inside the housing 2100 through one end (e.g., a lower side) among both ends of the housing 2100 that are open in a lengthwise direction of the housing 2100.

[0064] The components of the cartridge 200 may be pressed toward the inside of the housing 2100 in the lengthwise direction of the housing 2100. For example, the components of the cartridge 200 may be pressed in the +z direction from the lower side of the housing 2100 spaced apart from the housing 2100 in the -z direction. The pressed components may be forcibly inserted into the housing 2100. The 'being forcibly inserted' may be used interchangeably with press-fitting or forced fitting.

[0065] The components that are pressed toward the interior of the housing 2100 and forcibly inserted into the housing 2100 may be supported by the housing 2100. By forcibly-fitting the components, the components may be firmly fixed inside the housing 2100 without using adhesives, and generation of a gap between an inner wall of the housing 2100 and the components may be effectively prevented.

[0066] The housing 2100 may include an outlet 2110 for discharging aerosol generated inside the cartridge 200 to the outside of the cartridge 200. A portion of the outlet 2110 may be inserted into a body of the aerosol generating device (e.g., the body 1100 of FIG. 4). A portion of the outlet 2110 inserted into the body may be connected to an airflow passage of the body.

[0067] A portion where the outlet 2110 and the airflow passage of the body are connected to each other may be sealed. By connecting the outlet 2110 to the airflow passage of the body such that the outlet 2110 and the airflow passage of the body are sealed, the aerosol may be prevented from leaking into a space other than the airflow passage of the body while the aerosol is being moved.

[0068] The cartridge 200 according to an embodiment may include a head 2200 for closing the other end (e.g., an upper side) among the open both ends of the housing 2100.

[0069] The head 2200 may serve as a cover of the housing 2100 that prevents the aerosol generating material stored in a storage space of the housing 2100 from overflowing to the outside of the housing 2100.

[0070] The head 2200 may be attached to the upper portion of the housing 2100 by applying an adhesive reacting to ultraviolet (UV) rays and using UV rays. Because the head 2200 attached and bonded to the housing 2100 is fixed to the upper portion of the housing 2100, even when an impact is applied to the cartridge 200, the head 2200 may not fall off from the housing 2100 and the aerosol generating material may be prevented from overflowing from the housing 2100. However, embodiments are not limited to the manner in which the head 2200 is attached to the upper portion of the housing 2100.

[0071] As another example, the housing 2100 and the head 2200 may not be manufactured as separate component parts, and may be integrally molded by, for example, injection molding.

[0072] The head 2200 may include an airflow inlet 2200h through which air from outside the cartridge 200 enters. The air entering through the airflow inlet 2200h may pass through the airflow passage of the cartridge 200 and reach an accommodating portion, and thus may be mixed with vaporized particles generated by atomizing the aerosol generating material.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 5B, the internal components of the cartridge 200 positioned inside the housing 2100 are illustrated along the lengthwise direction (e.g., a z-axis direction) of the housing 2100.

[0074] The cartridge 200 according to an embodiment may include the housing 2100, the head 2200, a sealing portion 2300, a generation portion 2400, an accommodation portion 2500, a clearance adjustment portion 2600, and a cover 2700.

[0075] The illustrated components may be coupled to each other around the housing 2100 in the lengthwise direction of the housing 2100. For example, at the lower side of the housing 2100, the sealing portion 2300 may be pressed toward the housing 2100 and disposed inside the housing 2100.

[0076] The generation portion 2400 may be accommodated in the accommodation portion 2500, and the accommodation portion 2500 may be pressed toward the housing and disposed at a lower side of the sealing portion 2300. Thereafter, the clearance adjustment portion 2600 and the cover 2700 may be sequentially pressed toward the housing 2100 and disposed inside the housing. The cover 2700 may be at least partially or entirely inserted into the housing 2100 and close one end of the housing 2100.

[0077] After the assembly of the lower side of the housing 2100 is completed, an aerosol generating material may be introduced into the storage space of the housing 2100 through the upper side of the housing 2100, and fill the storage space of the housing 2100. Thereafter, the head 2200 may be coupled to the upper side of the housing 2100 to close the other end of the housing 2100, thereby completing the assembly of the cartridge 200. However, an order in which the cartridge 200 is assembled is not limited to the above-described order.

[0078] The housing 2100 may include the outlet 2110 on one side thereof, and may include, on another side of the housing 2100 opposite to the one side, a groove that is concave in a direction in which the outlet 2110 opens.

[0079] The concave groove of the housing 2100 may extend in the lengthwise direction of the housing 2100. To cover the concave groove of the housing 2100 from a lateral side of the housing 2100, the housing 2100 may include a plate 2120 extending along the lengthwise direction of the housing 2100.

[0080] The plate 2120 may be ultrasonically welded to the housing 2100 by approaching the housing 2100 in a +x direction from a location spaced apart from the housing 2100 in a -x direction. As a result, because the plate 2120 is firmly fixed to the housing 2100, the plate 2120 may not fall off from the housing 2100 even when an impact is applied to the housing 2100. The ultrasonic welding may refer to a manufacturing method of bonding the plate 2120 to the housing 2100 by instantly melting at least one of the plate 2120 and the housing 2100 by ultrasonic vibration. However, embodiments are not limited to ultrasonic welding, and may include various ways in which the plate 2120 may be combined with the housing 2100.

[0081] The plate 2120 combined with the concave groove may form an intermediate airflow passage 2100p together with a groove. Because the concave groove and the plate 2120 are included in the housing 2100, the intermediate airflow passage 2100p may be treated as a component included in the housing 2100.

[0082] The intermediate airflow passage 2100p may be connected to the airflow inlet 2200h of the head 2200 at a location corresponding to the airflow inlet 2200h. The intermediate airflow passage 2100p may be connected to one end (e.g., a lower portion) of the airflow inlet 2200h to accommodate air moving along the airflow inlet 2200h.

[0083] The intermediate airflow passage 2100p may extend along the lengthwise direction of the housing 2100 (e.g., in a z-axis direction), but embodiments are not limited to the passage arrangement. Air introduced into the intermediate airflow passage 2100p may move along the intermediate airflow passage 2100p in the -z direction, and the moving air may pass through the groove formed in the sealing portion 2300 and the accommodation portion 2500 and may be introduced into the interior of the accommodation portion 2500.

[0084] The intermediate airflow passage 2100p may be disposed so as not to meet a storage space 2100s in which the aerosol generating material is stored within the housing 2100. Accordingly, a path through which the aerosol generating material is delivered from the housing 2100 to the accommodation portion 2500 and a path through which the air is delivered may be separated and arranged separately.

[0085] According to an embodiment, the intermediate airflow passage 2100p may be formed between the plate 2120 and the concave groove of the housing 2100 by bonding the plate 2120 to the lateral side of the housing 2100. As another example, because the plate 2120 is integrated with the housing 2100, the intermediate airflow passage 2100p may be formed as one area within the housing 2100.

[0086] The housing 2100 may include the storage space 2100s in which the aerosol generating material is stored. However, because the housing 2100 is hollow and both ends of the housing 2100 are open, the housing 2100 may not store an aerosol generating material.

[0087] The sealing portion 2300 may be disposed inside the housing 2100 to store the aerosol generating material. The sealing portion 2300 may serve as a bottom wall of the storage space 2100s. In this case, a thickness of the sealing portion may be 0.75 mm to 2 mm.

[0088] The sealing portion 2300 may include at least one outlet 2310 allowing the aerosol generating material stored in the storage space 2100s to pass to move to the outside of the storage space 2100s. According to an embodiment, two outlets 2310 are arranged. However, embodiments are not limited to the number of outlets, which is two.

[0089] Because the housing 2100 has a hollow cylindrical shape, both ends thereof are exposed to the outside. However, the sealing portion 2300 in which the outlet 2310 is formed may block and seal a portion of the interior of the housing (e.g., a portion of the lower portion of the storage space 2100s. The aerosol generating material stored in the storage space 2100s may move toward outside the storage space 2100s, i.e., toward the generation portion 2400, only through the outlet 2310 formed in the sealing portion 2300. In this case, the outlet 2310 may be distinguished from one end of the intermediate airflow passage 2100p that is adjacent to the accommodation portion 2500.

[0090] The sealing portion 2300 may be forcibly fitted into the interior of the housing 2100 by being pressed into the interior of the housing 2100 through the open one end (e.g., the lower side) of the housing 2100. The sealing portion 2300 that is pressed upward may move until it comes into contact with an inner wall of the housing 2100 facing downward, and the sealing portion 2300 that comes into contact with the inner wall of the housing 2100 may no longer move and be supported by the inner wall.

[0091] The forced fitting of the sealing portion 2300 due to the pressing may prevent generation of a gap between an edge of the sealing portion 2300 and the inner wall of the housing 2100. At least a portion or all of the sealing portion 2300 may be manufactured using an elastic material, such as, but not limited to, rubber or silicon, to prevent generation of a gap through which the aerosol generating material may leak.

[0092] The sealing portion 2300 forcibly fitted into the housing 2100 may prevent the aerosol generating substance stored in the storage space 2100s from leaking out of the storage space 2100s through a gap other than the outlet 2310.

[0093] The generation portion 2400 may be disposed on a lower side of the sealing portion 2300 and may generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material that has moved to the outside of the storage space 2100s. The aerosol refers to a floating matter in which liquid and / or solid fine particles are dispersed in a gas. Therefore, the aerosol generated from the generation portion 2400 may refer to a state in which vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating material is mixed with air.

[0094] The generation portion 2400 may convert the phase of the aerosol generating material into a gaseous phase through vaporization and / or sublimation. For example, the generation portion 2400 may generate an aerosol by emitting fine particles of a liquid and / or solid aerosol generating material.

[0095] In detail, the generation portion 2400 may include a wick 2410 and an atomizing element 2420. In this case, the wick 2410 and the atomizing element 2420 may be identical or similar to the liquid delivery unit and the cartridge heater 24 of FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively.

[0096] The wick 2410 may receive the aerosol generating material supplied from the storage space 2100s through the sealing portion 2300, and may absorb the aerosol generating material. The wick 2410 may have an elongated shape. For example, the wick 2410 may be in the shape of a cylinder extending in one direction. In detail, the wick 2410 may have a cylindrical, rectangular prismatic, triangular prismatic, or other polygonal prismatic shapes, but is not limited to the above-described examples, and the wick 2410 may have a roughly rod-type or needle-type shape.

[0097] The wick 2410 may absorb the aerosol generating material in one portion thereof. The aerosol generating material absorbed into the one portion of the wick 2410 may move to another portion of the wick 2410 according to a capillary phenomenon. For example, the wick 2410 may absorb the aerosol generating material supplied from the storage space 2100s through both ends of the wick 2410, and the absorbed aerosol generating material may move to a central portion of the wick 2410. In this manner, the wick 2410 may transmit the aerosol generating material to the atomizing element.

[0098] The atomizing element 2420 may generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material absorbed by the wick 2410. For example, the atomizing element 2420 may be a heating element that heats the aerosol generating material by generating heat. When the aerosol generating material in contact with the heating element is heated by the heating element, the aerosol may be generated from the aerosol generating material.

[0099] The heating element may be, but is not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate, or a ceramic heater. The heating element may include a resistor having a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR).

[0100] The heating element may be composed of a conductive filament, such as nichrome wire, and thus may be heated by current supply. The heating element may also be composed of a susceptor material that is heated by an induced magnetic field, and thus may be heated by an induced magnetic field generated by an induction coil disposed separately from the heating element.

[0101] As another example, the atomizing element 2420 may be an ultrasonic vibrator that generates an aerosol from the aerosol generating material by using ultrasonic vibration. The ultrasonic vibration may refer to a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing the aerosol generating material by ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

[0102] The aerosol generating method by the atomizing element 2420 is not limited to the above-described example, and may include various methods of generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material.

[0103] The atomizing element 2420 may be disposed adjacent to the wick 2410, and may be combined with the wick 2410 according to structural features, such as, being wound around an outer surface of the central portion of the wick 2410, and may also be attached to the wick 2410 permanently or reversibly by coating, spraying, deposition, plating, immersion, painting, printing, 3D printing, use of a device, etc. The atomizing element 2420 may be disposed on the wick 2410 by using a method, such as, by sintering the atomizing element 2420 together during a process of manufacturing the wick 2410.

[0104] The arrangement of the atomizing element 2420 is not limited to the above-described example, and may include various methods in which the atomizing element 2420 may be arranged on the wick 2410 while a function of the atomizing element 2420 is being maintained.

[0105] The aerosol generated by the atomizing element 2420 may move along the airflow passage of the body (e.g., the body 1100 of FIG. 4). The aerosol that has moved along the airflow passage of the body may pass through the aerosol generating article and be delivered to a user.

[0106] The cartridge 200 according to an embodiment may include the accommodation portion 2500 that accommodates the generation portion 2400. In FIG. 5B of an exploded view of the cartridge 200, the generation portion 2400 may be accommodated inside the accommodation portion 2500 and mounted on the accommodation portion 2500.

[0107] The accommodation portion 2500 on which the generation portion 2400 is mounted may be forcibly fitted into the interior of the housing 2100 by being pressed into the interior of the housing 2100 through the open one end (e.g., the bottom) of the housing 2100. One portion of the accommodation portion 2500 forcefully fitted into the interior of the housing 2100 may be engaged with the sealing portion 2300.

[0108] The forced fitting of the accommodation portion 2500 due to the pressing may prevent generation of a gap between an edge of the accommodation portion 2500 and the inner wall of the housing 2100. At least a portion or all of the accommodation portion 2500 may be manufactured using an elastic material, such as, but not limited to, rubber or silicon, to prevent generation of a gap through which the aerosol generating material may leak.

[0109] The cartridge 200 according to an embodiment may include the clearance adjustment portion 2600. The clearance adjustment portion 2600 is arranged between the accommodation portion 2500 and the cover 2700 and removes the clearance existing between the accommodation portion 2500 and the cover 2700.

[0110] When the cover 2700 is pressed against the clearance adjustment portion 2600, the clearance adjustment portion 2600 may be pressed against the accommodation portion 2500. As a result, the clearance adjustment portion 2600 may enable the cover 2700 spaced from the accommodation portion 2500 to support the accommodation portion 2500 through the clearance adjustment portion 2600. In this case, the clearance adjustment portion 2600 may include a ring shape, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0111] The cartridge 200 according to an embodiment may include the cover 2700. The cover 2700 may be disposed on the open one end of the housing 2100 to close the one end of the housing 2100. A portion of the cover 2700 may be inserted into the housing 2100.

[0112] In detail, the cover 2700 may be pressed toward one end of the housing 2100, and accordingly, a portion of the cover 2700 may be forcibly fitted into the interior of the housing 2100 and supported by the housing. The cover 2700 forcibly fitted into the interior of the housing 2100 may contact the clearance adjustment portion 2600.

[0113] The arrangement of the cover 2700 may prevent the sealing portion 2300 and the accommodation portion 2500 disposed inside the housing 2100 from flowing downward without being supported by the inner wall of the housing 2100. In detail, when the cover 2700 is firmly coupled to the housing 2100 and supported by the housing 2100, the cover 2700 may press the sealing portion 2300 and the accommodation portion 2500 in a direction (e.g., the +z direction or upward) toward the storage space 2100s of the housing 2100.

[0114] This may be realized by the clearance adjustment portion 2600 pressing the accommodation portion 2500 in contact with the clearance adjustment portion 2600, and the accommodation portion 2500 pressing the sealing portion 2300 in contact with the accommodation portion 2500, when the cover 2700 comes into contact with the clearance adjustment portion 2600 and presses the clearance adjustment portion 2600. The sealing portion 2300 located at the top among the pressed components may be pressed in an opposite direction so as not to move any further by the inner wall of the housing 2100 facing downward as described above.

[0115] Accordingly, the sealing portion 2300 and the accommodation portion 2500 may be supported without moving by being supported by the housing 2100 at a certain position due to forced fitting and also by being pressed upward by the cover 2700 and being pressed downward by the inner wall of the housing 2100 facing downward.

[0116] In addition, because a portion of the cover 2700 is forcibly fitted and the cover 2700 closes one end of the housing 2100, the cover 2700 may once again prevent leakage of the aerosol generating material and the aerosol that may not be prevented even by forcibly fitting between the sealing portion 2300 and the accommodation portion 2500. That is, double sealing may be achieved through the cover 2700. Additionally, triple sealing may be achieved by placing the clearance adjustment portion 2600 between the accommodation portion 2500 and the cover 2700.

[0117] The internal components of the cartridge 200 that are all combined with each other will now be described with reference to FIGS. 6A through 6C.

[0118] FIGS. 6A through 6C are cross-sectional views of the cartridge illustrated in FIG. 5A taken in different directions, respectively.

[0119] In detail, FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge taken along a plane parallel to a yz plane. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge taken along a plane parallel to a zx plane. FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge taken along a plane parallel to an xy plane.

[0120] Referring to FIGS. 6A through 6C, the cartridge 200 according to an embodiment may include the housing 2100, the head 2200, the sealing portion 2300, the generation portion 2400, the accommodation portion 2500, the clearance adjustment portion 2600, and the cover 2700.

[0121] At least one of the components of the cartridge 200 illustrated in FIGS. 6A through 6C may be identical or similar to at least one of the components of the cartridge 200 illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, and any duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted below.

[0122] Referring to FIGS. 6A through 6C, the internal space of the housing 2100 may include a first area A1 in which the storage space 2100s and the head 2200 are arranged, a second area A2 in which the sealing portion 2300, the generation portion 2400, and the accommodation portion 2500 are arranged, and a third area A3 in which the clearance adjustment portion 2600 and the cover 2700 are arranged.

[0123] Because the first area A1, the second area A2, and the third area A3 of the housing 2100 have different inner diameters from each other, a step may be formed inside the housing 2100. An inner diameter of a portion extending from the first area A1 to the second area A2 may be enlarged. An inner diameter of a portion extending from the second area A2 to the third area A3 may be enlarged.

[0124] In this specification, an inner wall of the housing 2100 facing downward at the portion where the first area A1 transitions to the second area A2 is referred to as a first step 2101, and an inner wall of the housing 2100 facing downward at the portion where the second area A2 transitions to the third area A3 is referred to as a second step 2102. In other words, the inner wall of the housing 2100 may include the first step 2101 and the second step 2102.

[0125] Areas adjacent to an edge on an upper surface of the sealing portion 2300 may be supported by the first step 2101 of the housing 2100 while being engaged with the first step 2101. That is, even when the sealing portion 2300 is pressed upward, the sealing portion 2300 may no longer move upward due to the first step 2101 and may be positioned at a location that comes into contact with the first step 2101.

[0126] Other areas on the upper surface of the sealing portion 2300 that do not come into contact with the first step 2101 may protrude toward the first area A1 of the housing 2100 and are inserted or forcibly fitted into the inner wall of the housing 2100, so that the sealing portion 2300 may be firmly coupled to the interior of the housing 2100.

[0127] Areas adjacent to an edge on a lower surface of the accommodation portion 2500 may be arranged substantially parallel to the first step 2102 of the housing 2100. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and there may be a step between the second step 2102 and the areas adjacent to the edge on the lower surface of the accommodation portion 2500.

[0128] The clearance adjustment portion 2600 may be disposed on an upper surface of the cover 2700 and contact the areas adjacent to the edge on the lower surface of the accommodation portion 2500 and the second step 2102, so that the cover 2700 may press the accommodation portion 2500 through the clearance adjustment portion 2600 without directly contacting a step existing between the second step 2102 and the accommodation portion 2500.

[0129] In addition, the clearance adjustment portion 2600 may block a gap that may occur between the inner wall of the housing 2100 and the accommodation portion 2500 around the second step 2102 according to a difference between respective inner diameters of the second area A2 and the third area A3 of the housing 2100, thereby preventing leakage of the aerosol moving from the accommodation portion 2500 to the outlet 2110.

[0130] The sealing portion 2300 and the accommodation portion 2500 may be firmly joined to each other by forced fitting and pressing. When the sealing portion 2300 and the accommodation portion 2500 are interlocked with each other, a generation space 2510 surrounding the generation portion 2400 may be formed.

[0131] The sealing portion 2300 may be disposed on an upper side of the generation space 2510, and the accommodation portion 2500 may be disposed on a lateral side and a lower side of the generation space 2510. The aerosol generating material stored in the storage space 2100s may flow into the generation space 2510 through the outlet 2310 of the sealing portion 2300.

[0132] In the generation space 2510, the aerosol generating material may be atomized, and vaporized particles generated accordingly may be mixed with air to turn into the aerosol. In order for air to be introduced into the generation space 2510, air outside the cartridge 200 must move to the generation space 2510 along the airflow passage arranged inside the cartridge 200.

[0133] As described above, the air outside the cartridge 200 may be introduced into the interior of the cartridge 200 through the airflow inlet 2200h of the head 2200, and air that has passed through the airflow inlet 2200h may move along the intermediate airflow passage 2100p surrounded by the inner wall of the housing 2100 and the plate 2120.

[0134] Thereafter, the air may pass through a first lower passage formed by being surrounded by a first airflow groove 2320 formed in the sealing portion 2300 and the inner wall of the housing 2100, and a second lower passage formed by being surrounded by a second airflow groove 2520 formed in the accommodation portion 2500 and the inner wall of the housing 2100, and may reach the generation space 2510. The first lower passage and the second lower passage may be connected to each other in the z-axis direction to form a lower airflow passage.

[0135] Between the sealing portion 2300 and the accommodation portion 2500, a concave portion 2330 and a convex portion 2530 may be arranged to prevent leakage through a gap between the sealing portion 2300 and the accommodation portion 2500.

[0136] The convex portion 2530 interlocked with the concave portion 2330 may prevent the aerosol generating material or the aerosol generated in the generation space from leaking through the gap between the sealing portion 2300 and the accommodation portion 2500.

[0137] Lower components of the cartridge 200 arranged in the second area A2 and the third area A3 inside the housing 2100 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

[0138] FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of the lower components of the cartridge according to an embodiment.

[0139] In detail, FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of the lower components of the cartridge, and FIG. 7B is a rear exploded perspective view of the lower components of the cartridge.

[0140] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the cartridge 200 according to an embodiment may include the sealing portion 2300, the generation portion 2400, the accommodation portion 2500, the clearance adjustment portion 2600, and the cover 2700.

[0141] At least one of the components of the cartridge 200 illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B may be identical or similar to at least one of the components of the cartridge 200 illustrated in FIGS. 6A through 6C, and any duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted below.

[0142] Based on the accommodation portion 2500, the generation portion 2400 may be accommodated inside the accommodation portion 2500, the sealing portion 2300 may be coupled to an upper side of the accommodation portion 2500, and the clearance adjustment portion 2600 and the cover 2700 may be coupled to a lower side of the accommodation portion 2500.

[0143] Based on the lengthwise direction of the cartridge 200 (e.g., the z-axis direction), a ratio of a total length of the lower components of the cartridge 200 to a length of the cartridge 200 may be 1:3.5 to 1:4. For example, the total length of the lower components of the cartridge 200 may be 8 mm to 10 mm, and the length of the cartridge 200 may be 28 mm to 40 mm. In this case, a starting point of length measurement may be a lower surface of the cover 2700, and end points of the length measurement may be an uppermost surface of the sealing portion 2300 and an upper surface of a head (e.g., the head 2200 of FIGS. 6A through 6C), respectively.

[0144] The two outlets 2310 of the sealing portion 2300 may be arranged at locations corresponding to an accommodation groove of the accommodation portion 2500 that accommodates the generation portion 2400. For example, the outlets 2310 may be arranged on an upper side of the generation space 2510 so that the aerosol generating material passing through the outlets 2310 may flow directly into the accommodation groove of the accommodation portion 2500.

[0145] The sealing portion 2300 may include a first airflow groove 2320, and the accommodation portion 2500 may include a second airflow groove 2520. In detail, when the sealing portion 2300 and the accommodation portion 2500 have not yet been inserted into the interior of the housing 2100, the sealing portion 2300 and the accommodation portion 2500 may include airflow grooves that simply guide the movement of air, rather than airflow passages.

[0146] When open portions of the first airflow groove 2320 and the second airflow groove 2520 are closed by the inner wall of the housing 2100, a lower airflow passage that is open only in the z-axis direction may be formed by being surrounded by the first airflow groove 2320 and the second airflow groove 2520 and the inner wall of the housing 2100.

[0147] Airflow grooves rather than an airflow passage may be arranged in the sealing portion 2300 and the accommodation portion 2500, and, as the airflow grooves form an airflow passage together with the inner wall of the housing 2100, an inner diameter of the airflow passage may be enlarged to thereby allow more airflow to be introduced into the generation space 2510.

[0148] The accommodation portion 2500 may include an inlet 2540 for introducing airflow into the generation space 2510. In this case, the second airflow groove 2520 may be in fluid communication with the inlet 2540, and may expand from the inlet 2540 to guide the movement of air to the inlet 2540, thereby allowing air to flow smoothly into the generation space 2510. The 'fluid communication' may mean that elements are connected or communicated so that a fluid such as air may pass and flow.

[0149] The accommodation portion 2500 may include an outlet 2550 for discharging the aerosol generated in the generation space 2510 to the outside of the accommodation portion 2500. The outlet 2550 may be disposed at a location corresponding to the outlet of the housing 2100 (e.g., the outlet 2110 of FIGS. 6A through 6C) and may be connected to the outlet. The aerosol may pass through the outlet 2550 and the outlet and may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 200.

[0150] The sealing portion 2300, the generation portion 2400, and the accommodation portion 2500 arranged in the second area A2 inside the housing 2100 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8A through 8C.

[0151] FIGS. 8A through 8C are views for explaining a structure in which a sealing portion, a generation portion, and an accommodation portion applied to a cartridge according to an embodiment are combined with each other.

[0152] In detail, FIG. 8A is a front exploded perspective view showing the sealing portion 2300 separated from the structure. FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the structure viewed from the bottom in the +z direction. FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view of the structure taken along the plane parallel to the zx plane.

[0153] Referring to FIGS. 8A through 8C, the cartridge 200 according to an embodiment may include the sealing portion 2300, the generation portion 2400, and the accommodation portion 2500.

[0154] Referring to FIG. 8A, the sealing portion 2300 may include peripheral portions 2301 in which the two outlets 2310 are arranged, and a central portion 2302 between the two outlets 2310. The peripheral portions 2301 may be manufactured using an elastic material, such as rubber or silicon, but the central portion 2302 may be manufactured using a material having relatively greater rigidity than the peripheral portions 2301, such as plastic. The peripheral portions 2301 and the central portion 2302 made of different materials may be double-injected using a double injection method to form one sealing portion 2300.

[0155] An accommodation groove of the accommodation portion 2500 that accommodates the generation portion 2400 and forms the generation space 2510 may have a shape in which a width (e.g., a length in the x-axis direction) of a groove is greater in a central portion of the accommodation portion 2500 than in a peripheral portion thereof. Accordingly, the upper surface of the accommodation portion 2500 may support a wider area of the sealing portion 2300 in a peripheral portion including a small groove than in a central portion including a large groove.

[0156] According to this structure, the central portion 2302 of the sealing portion 2300 does not have a separate support structure at the bottom and also not have the outlet 2310, and thus, because the aerosol generating material may be located on an upper surface of the central portion 2302, the central portion 2302 of the sealing portion 2300 may sag downward compared to the peripheral portions 2301.

[0157] At this time, when the sealing portion 2300 is formed by double injection using different materials, the central portion 2302 of the sealing portion 2300 has greater rigidity than the peripheral portions 2301 thereof, and thus the center of a main sealing portion may be prevented from sagging downward.

[0158] However, embodiments are not limited to the materials of the peripheral portions 2301 and the central portion 2302. The sealing portion 2300 may be formed according to various materials that satisfy a condition that the rigidity of the central portion 2302 of the sealing portion 2300 is greater than that of the peripheral portions 2301 thereof.

[0159] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, an aerosol generating material that has passed through the outlet 2310 of the sealing portion 2300 may flow into the peripheral portion of the accommodation groove of the accommodation portion 2500. When the aerosol generating material moves from a peripheral portion of the wick 2410 disposed in the peripheral portion to a central portion of the wick 2410, the aerosol generating material may be heated by the atomizing element 2420 wound around the central portion of the wick 2410.

[0160] The atomizing element 2420 may be a heating coil. Both ends of the coil may pass through holes formed in a lower portion of the accommodation portion 2500 and may be connected to terminals arranged on a cover (e.g., the cover 2700 of FIGS. 6A through 6C).

[0161] The accommodation portion 2500 may have a lower portion protruding toward the cover such that the lower portion may be inserted into an internal space formed in the cover. The protruding portion of the accommodation portion 2500 may be inserted into and supported by the inner space of the cover, and the both ends of the coil may pass through the protruding portion of the accommodation portion 2500 and may be connected to the terminals of the cover.

[0162] Referring to FIGS. 8A through 8C, the convex portion 2530 may be disposed on an upper surface of the accommodation portion 2500. To improve a leakage prevention effect of the convex portion 2530, the convex portion 2530 may be disposed at a location adjacent to an edge of the upper surface of the accommodation portion 2500, and may be arranged in the form of a closed ring on the upper surface of the accommodation portion 2500.

[0163] According to an embodiment, the convex portion 2530 is illustrated as being pointed. However, embodiments are not limited to the shapes of the concave portion 2330 and the convex portion 2530. The convex portion 2530 may include various shapes that protrude toward a component opposite to the convex portion 2530, and the concave portion 2330 may have a shape corresponding to the convex portion 2530 in order to engage with the convex portion 2530.

[0164] In addition, embodiments are not limited to the arrangement of the concave portion 2330 and the convex portion 2530. According to an embodiment, the concave portion 2330 is disposed in the sealing portion 2300 and the convex portion 2530 is disposed in the accommodation portion 2500. However, a person skilled in the art may easily understand that the concave portion 2330 may be disposed in the accommodation portion 2500 and the convex portion 2530 may be disposed in the sealing portion 2300.

[0165] The convex portion 2530 may be formed integrally with the sealing portion 2300 or the accommodation portion 2500. For example, the convex portion 2530 may be formed integrally with the accommodation portion 2500 by injection molding. Due to the integral formation, the leakage prevention effect of the concave portion 2330 and the convex portion 2530 may be increased, and components included in the cartridge 200 may be simplified. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the convex portion 2530 may be separated as a separate component rather than being included in the sealing portion 2300 and the accommodation portion 2500.

[0166] Referring to FIG. 8C, the sealing portion 2300 may include an extension 2340 extending toward the generation space 2510. The extension 2340 may be supported by an inner wall 2511 of the accommodation portion 2500 that forms the generation space 2510.

[0167] As the extension 2340 is engaged with the inner wall 2511 of the accommodation portion 2500, the aerosol generating material or the aerosol may be prevented from leaking through a gap between the sealing portion 2300 and the accommodation portion 2500, compared to a case where the separate extension 2340 is not disposed and the lower surface of the sealing portion 2300 is flat.

[0168] In addition, because a thickness (e.g., a length in the z-axis direction) of the sealing portion 2300 increases in a portion where the extension 2340 is disposed, downward sagging of the central portion of the sealing portion 2300 due to the weight of the aerosol generating material may be reduced.

[0169] The extension 2340 may extend to a location where the extension 2340 does not contact the generation portion 2400. That is, the extension 2340 may allow the generation portion 2400 to be disposed inside the generation space 2510, without interfering with the disposition of the generation portion 2400.

[0170] The extension 2340 may also extend only up to a location where the extension 2340 does not cover the inlet 2540 and the outlet 2550. Accordingly, even when the extension 2340 exists, external airflow or aerosol may move along the first airflow groove 2320, the second airflow groove 2520, the inlet 2540, the generation space 2510, and the outlet 2550 without being obstructed by the extension 2340.

[0171] A lower surface of the second airflow groove 2520 may include an inclined surface 2521 that is inclined with respect to a direction in which the inlet 2540 is opened. The inclined surface 2521 may extend below the inlet 2540, so that a micro-space 2522 may be formed on the lower side of the inlet 2540 in the second airflow groove 2520.

[0172] In the micro-space 2522, turbulence may be formed according to the flow of air moving along the second airflow groove 2520 or an airflow path. As turbulence is formed in the micro-space 2522, the atomization amount of the aerosol may be improved.

[0173] FIGS. 9A and 9B are views for explaining a sealing portion that is applied to a cartridge according to an embodiment.

[0174] In detail, FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the sealing portion viewed from the bottom in the +z direction. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of a structure, in which a generation portion is combined with the sealing portion, taken along the plane parallel to the zx plane.

[0175] Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the sealing portion 2300 may include the outlet 2310, the first airflow groove 2320, the concave portion 2330, the extension 2340, and a contact portion 2350.

[0176] The concave portion 2330 may include a groove formed in a shape corresponding to a convex portion (e.g., the convex portion 2530 of FIGS. 8A through 8C). When the convex portion is engaged with the concave portion 2330, leakage of the aerosol generating material and the aerosol through a gap between the sealing portion 2300 and an accommodation portion may be prevented.

[0177] The contact portion 2350 may extend toward the accommodation groove of the accommodation portion 2500 in which the generation portion 2400 is accommodated, and may support the wick 2410 of the generation portion 2400. A contact surface of the contact portion 2350 that comes into contact with the wick 2410 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the wick 2410 so as to surround a portion of the wick 2410.

[0178] The contact portion 2350 may be disposed between the outlet 2310 and the extension 2340. Two contact portions 2350 may be arranged so as to support two peripheral portions of the cylindrical wick 2410. In this case, the two contact portions 2350 may be arranged sufficiently apart from each other to the extent of not disturbing the atomizing element 2420 wound around the central portion of the wick 2410.

[0179] The contact portion 2350 may extend further than the extension 2340 extending toward the generation space 2510 to support the wick 2410.

[0180] The clearance adjustment portion 2600 and the cover 2700 arranged in the third area A3 inside the housing 2100 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 10A through 10C.

[0181] FIGS. 10A through 10C are views for explaining a structure in which a generation portion, a clearance adjustment portion, and a cover applied to a cartridge according to an embodiment are combined with each other.

[0182] In detail, FIG. 10A is a front perspective view of the structure. FIG. 10B is an exploded perspective view showing omission of the generation portion 2400 and separation of the clearance adjustment portion 2600 from the cover 2700. FIG. 10C is a perspective view of the structure of FIG. 10A with the generation portion 2400 omitted, viewed from the bottom in the +z direction.

[0183] Referring to FIGS. 10A through 10C, the cartridge 200 according to an embodiment may include the generation portion 2400, the clearance adjustment portion 2600, and the cover 2700.

[0184] The clearance adjustment portion 2600 may be coupled to the upper portion of the cover 2700. The cover 2700 may include a guide protruding in the +z-axis direction to guide the coupling of the clearance adjustment portion 2600. The guide may have a shape corresponding to a shape of a hole formed in the ring-shaped clearance adjustment portion 2600. When the clearance adjustment portion 2600 is coupled to the cover 2700, the guide may be disposed inside the hole of the clearance adjustment portion 2600.

[0185] The cover 2700 may be opened upwards to accommodate a portion (e.g., a lower portion) of an accommodation portion (e.g., the accommodation portion 2500 of FIGS. 8A through 8C). Through the open portion, the cover 2700 may be engaged with the accommodation portion to support the accommodation portion. The cover 2700 may press the accommodation portion by contacting the clearance adjustment portion 2600.

[0186] The cover 2700 may include a terminal 2710 for receiving power from the outside of the cartridge 200. For example, the terminal 2710 connected to an external power source of or a controller of the cartridge 200 may contact both ends of the atomizing element 2420 wound around the wick 2410 of the generation portion 2400 to supply power to the atomizing element 2420.

[0187] The terminal 2710 may be formed by being insert-injected into the cover 2700 so as to penetrate the cover 2700. That is, because the cover 2700 and the terminal 2710 are formed integrally with each other, a manufacturing process may be simplified, and an internal configuration of the cartridge 200 may be simplified. However, a method in which the terminal 2710 is disposed on the cover 2700 is not limited to the above-described example.

[0188] In addition to being supported by the housing 2100 by being pressed against and forcibly fitted into the open one end of the housing 2100, the cover 2700 may include one or more protrusions 2720 that may be coupled with the housing 2100.

[0189] The protrusions 2720 may be inserted into one or more insertion holes formed in the lower portion of the housing 2100. Because the protrusions 2720 inserted into the insertion holes are supported by the insertion holes and are not moved, the cover 2700 may be firmly coupled to the housing 2100. The number of insertion holes may be equal to the number of protrusions.

[0190] A protrusion that firmly couples the cover 2700 to the housing 2100 will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. 11.

[0191] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a lower portion of the cartridge shown in FIG. 6C for explaining a protrusion of a cover.

[0192] Referring to FIG. 11, the cover 2700 of the cartridge 200 according to an embodiment may include a terminal 2710 and a protrusion 2720.

[0193] As described above with reference to FIGS. 10A through 10C, the housing 2100 may include an insertion hole 2130, and the protrusion 2720 of the cover 2700 may be inserted into the insertion hole 2130.

[0194] When the cover 2700 is pressed upward (e.g., in the +z direction) or toward the storage space 2100s from a location spaced apart from one end of the housing 2100 by a user, and the protrusion 2720 of the cover 2700 is inserted into the insertion hole 2130, a movement of the cover 2700 may be restricted by the protrusion 2720 having a cross-section of a right triangle.

[0195] In this state, the cover 2700 may not move downward, and the cover 2700 is maintained in a state of being pressed upward by the engagement between the protrusion 2720 and the insertion hole 2130. Accordingly, the cover 2700 may be firmly coupled to the housing 2100.

[0196] Accordingly, even when an impact is applied to the cartridge 200, the cover 2700 may not be separated from the housing 2100, and may firmly close one end of the housing 2100 so that the components located inside the housing 2100 do not escape to the outside of the housing 2100.

[0197] However, embodiments are not limited to respective shapes of the protrusion 2720 and the insertion hole 2130. As another example, a protrusion and a groove may be used for bonding. As another example, a component for pressing against a lateral side of the cover 2700 by penetrating the interior of the housing 2100 from the outside of the housing 2100 may be used for bonding. As another example, a bolt and a nut may be used for bonding.

[0198] In the cartridge 200 according to embodiments and an aerosol generating device including the same, components are pressed and forcibly fitted and arranged inside the housing 2100, and thus it is unnecessary to separately use a material with excellent adhesive strength. Therefore, the manufacturing of the cartridge 200 may be simplified, and manufacturing costs thereof may be reduced.

[0199] In addition, in the cartridge 200 according to embodiments and the aerosol generating device including the same, a sealing effect inside the cartridge 200 may be improved by forced fitting, so that leakage of the aerosol generating material may be prevented.

[0200] Moreover, in the cartridge 200 according to embodiments and the aerosol generating device including the same, the components may be pressed and doubly sealed due to forcibly fitting and disposition of the cover. Thus, the sealing effect may be maximized.

[0201] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0202] An aerosol generating device 1 may include a power source 11, a controller 12, a sensor 13, an output unit 14, an input unit 15, a communication unit 16, a memory 17, and one or more heaters 18 or 24. However, an internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to the illustration of FIG. 12. That is, it may be understood by those skilled in the art that some of the components shown in FIG. 12 may be omitted or new components may be added, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0203] The sensor 13 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device 1 or a state of the surroundings of the aerosol generating device 1 and may transmit information corresponding to the sensed state to the controller 12. The controller 12 may control the aerosol generating device 1 so that various functions, such as operation control of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18, smoking restrictions, determination as to whether the stick S and / or the cartridge 19 is inserted, and an alarm display, may be performed, based on the information corresponding to the sensed state.

[0204] The sensor 13 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 131, a puff sensor 132, an insertion detection sensor 133, a reuse detection sensor 134, a cartridge detection sensor 135, a cap detection sensor 136, and a movement detection sensor 137.

[0205] The temperature sensor 131 may detect a temperature at which the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 is heated. The aerosol generating device 1 may include a separate temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18, or the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 may serve as a temperature sensor.

[0206] The temperature sensor 131 may output a signal corresponding to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may include a resistor element of which resistance value changes according to a change in the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18. The temperature sensor 131 may be implemented by a thermistor, etc. which is an element using a property in which resistance changes according to a temperature. In this case, the temperature sensor 131 may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistor element as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may include a sensor for detecting the resistance value of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18. In this case, the temperature sensor 131 may output the signal corresponding to the resistance value of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18.

[0207] The temperature sensor 131 may be disposed around the power source 11 to monitor a temperature of the power source 11. The temperature sensor 131 may be disposed adjacent to the power source 11. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may be attached to one surface of a battery, which is the power source 11. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may be mounted on one surface of a printed circuit board.

[0208] The temperature sensor 131 may be disposed inside the body 10 to detect an internal temperature of the body 10.

[0209] The puff sensor 132 may detect the user's puff, based on various physical changes in an airflow path. The puff sensor 132 may output a signal corresponding to the puff. For example, the puff sensor 132 may be a pressure sensor. The puff sensor 132 may output a signal corresponding to internal pressure of the aerosol generating device. The internal pressure of the aerosol generating device 1 may correspond to pressure of the airflow path on which gas flows. The puff sensor 132 may be disposed to correspond to the airflow path on which gas flows, in the aerosol generating device 1.

[0210] The insertion detection sensor 133 may detect insertion and / or removal of the stick S. The insertion detection sensor 133 may detect signal changes relating to insertion and / or removal of the stick S. The insertion detection sensor 133 may be installed around an insertion space. The insertion detection sensor 133 may detect insertion and / or removal of the stick S according to changes in dielectric constants inside the insertion space. For example, the insertion detection sensor 133 may be an inductive sensor and / or a capacitance sensor.

[0211] The inductive sensor may include at least one coil. The coil of the inductive sensor may be disposed adjacent to the insertion space. For example, when a magnetic field changes around a coil through which a current flows, the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil may be changed according to the Faraday's law. The characteristics of the current flowing through the coil may include a frequency of an alternating current, a current value, a voltage value, an inductance value, an impedance value, etc.

[0212] The inductive sensor may output signals corresponding to the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil. For example, the inductive sensor may output signals corresponding to the inductance value of the coil.

[0213] The capacitance sensor may include a conductor. The conductor of the capacitance sensor may be disposed adjacent to the insertion space. The capacitance sensor may output a signal corresponding to an electromagnetic characteristic of the surroundings, for example, an electrostatic capacitance around the conductor. For example, when the stick S including a wrapper made of a metal material is inserted into the insertion space, the electromagnetic properties around the conductor may be changed by the wrapper of the stick S.

[0214] The reuse detection sensor 134 may detect whether the stick S is reused. The reuse detection sensor 134 may be a color sensor. The color sensor may detect a color of the stick S. The color sensor may detect a color of a portion of the wrapper surrounding the outside of the stick S. The color sensor may detect values for optical characteristics corresponding to the color of an object, based on light reflected by the object. For example, the optical characteristics may be a wavelength of the light. The color sensor may be implemented as a single component with the proximity sensor, or may be implemented as a separate component distinct from the proximity sensor.

[0215] A color of at least a portion of the wrapper that constitutes the stick S may be changed by aerosol. In case where the stick S is inserted into the insertion space, the reuse detection sensor 134 may be disposed to correspond to a location in which at least a portion of the wrapper of which color is changed by aerosol. For example, before the stick S is used by the user, the color of at least the portion of the wrapper may be a first color. In this case, as at least a portion of the wrapper is wet by aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device 1 while the aerosol is passing through the stick S, the color of the at least a portion of the wrapper may be changed to a second color. The color of the at least a portion of the wrapper may be maintained as the second color after being changed from the first color to the second color.

[0216] The cartridge detection sensor 135 may detect insertion and / or removal of the cartridge 19. The cartridge detection sensor 135 may be implemented by an inductance-based sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistance sensor, a hall sensor (hall IC) using a hall effect, etc.

[0217] The cap detection sensor 136 may detect mounting and / or removal of a cap. When the cap is separated from the body 10, a portion of the cartridge 19 and the body 10 covered by the cap may be exposed to the outside. The cap detection sensor 136 may be implemented by a contact sensor, a hall sensor (hall IC), an optical sensor, etc.

[0218] The movement detection sensor 137 may detect a movement of the aerosol generating device. The movement detection sensor 137 may be implemented with at least one of an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor.

[0219] The sensor 13 may further include at least one of a humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a global positioning sensor (GPS), and a proximity sensor, in addition to the above-described sensors 131 through 137. Functions of the sensors would be instinctively understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in view of their names and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted herein.

[0220] The output unit (output interface) 14 may output information about the state of the aerosol generating device 1 and may provide the information to the user. The output unit 14 may include at least one of a display 141, a haptic unit 142, and a sound output unit 143, but embodiments are not limited thereto. When the display 141 forms a layer structure together with a touch pad to construct a touch screen, the display 141 may be used as an input device as well as an output device.

[0221] The display 141 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user. For example, the information about the aerosol generating device 1 may refer to various pieces of information, such as the charging / discharging state of the power source 11 of the aerosol generating device 1, a preheating state of the heater 18, an insertion / removal state of the stick S and / or the cartridge 19, a mounting / removal state of the cap, or a state in which use of the aerosol generating device 1 is limited (e.g., detection of an abnormal article), and the display 141 may output the information to the outside. For example, the display 141 may have a shape of a light-emitting diode (LED). For example, the display 141 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting display (OLED) panel, or the like.

[0222] The haptic unit 142 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or electrical stimulus and may tactually provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user. For example, when initial power is supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 for a set time, the haptic unit 142 may generate vibration corresponding to completion of initial preheating. The haptic unit 142 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, and / or an electrical stimulation device.

[0223] The sound output unit 143 may acoustically provide the information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user. For example, the sound output unit 143 may convert the electrical signal into a sound signal and may output the sound signal to the outside.

[0224] The power source (power supply) 11 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1. The power source 11 may supply power so that the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 may be heated. In addition, the power source 11 may supply power required for operations of the sensor 13, the output unit 14, the input unit 15, the communication unit 16, and the memory 17, which are other components provided in the aerosol generating device 1. The power source 11 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the power source 11 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0225] Although not shown in FIG. 12, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power supply protection circuit. The power supply protection circuit may be electrically connected to the power source 11 and may include a switching element.

[0226] The power supply protection circuit may cut off an electric path for the power source 11 according to certain conditions. For example, when a voltage level of the power source 11 is greater than or equal to a first voltage corresponding to overcharging, the power supply protection circuit may cut off the electric path for the power source 11. For example, when a voltage level of the power source 11 is less than a second voltage corresponding to overdischarging, the power supply protection circuit may cut off the electric path for the power source 11.

[0227] The heater 18 may heat a medium or an aerosol generating material in the stick S by receiving power from the power source 11. Although not shown in FIG. 12, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC / DC converter) for converting power of the power source 11 to supply the converted power to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 1 generates aerosol by using an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a DC / AC converter that converts direct current power of the power source 11 into alternating current power.

[0228] The controller 12, the sensor 13, the output unit 14, the input unit 15, the communication unit 16, and the memory 17 may perform functions by receiving power from the power source 11. Although not shown in FIG. 12, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit for converting the power of the power source 11 to supply the converted power to components, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit. Although not shown in FIG. 12, a noise filter may be provided between the power source 11 and the heater 18. The noise filter may be a low pass filter. The low pass filter may include at least one inductor and a capacitor. A cutoff frequency of the low pass filter may correspond to a frequency of a radio frequency switching current applied from the power source 11 to the heater 18. Radio frequency noise components may be prevented from being applied to the sensor 13, such as the insertion detection sensor 133, by the low pass filter.

[0229] According to an embodiment, the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 may be formed of an arbitrary proper electric resistance material. For example, the proper electric resistance material may be metal or metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc., but embodiments are not limited thereto. Also, the heater 18 may be implemented using a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate on which an electric conductive track is disposed, a ceramic heating body, or the like, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0230] According to another embodiment, the heater 18 may be a heater using an induction heating method. For example, the heater 18 may include a susceptor that generates heat by a magnetic field applied by the coil and heats the aerosol generating material.

[0231] The input unit (input interface) 15 may receive information input from the user or may output the information to the user. For example, the input unit 15 may be a touch panel. The touch panel may include at least one touch sensor that detects touch. For example, the touch sensor may include a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, a surface acoustic wave touch sensor, an infrared touch sensor, or the like, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0232] The display 141 and the touch panel may be implemented as one panel. For example, the touch panel may be inserted (on-cell type or in-cell type) into the display 141. For example, the touch panel may be added on (add-on type) the display panel.

[0233] The input unit 15 may include a button, a key pad, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, or the like, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0234] The memory 17 is hardware for storing various kinds of data processed in the aerosol generating device 1, and may store pieces of data that have been processed and are to be processed by the controller 12. The memory 17 may include at least one type of storage medium selected from among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, a secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD) memory), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory 17 may store data about the operating time of the aerosol generating device 1, a maximum number of puffs, a current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

[0235] The communication unit (communication interface, communicator) 16 may include at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 16 may include at least one of a short-range wireless communication unit and a wireless communication unit.

[0236] Examples of the short-range wireless communication unit may include, but are not limited to, a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a near field communication (NFC) unit, a wireless local area network (WLAN) (e.g., 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, and an Ant+ communication unit.

[0237] The wireless communication unit may include a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., a LAN or a WAN) communication unit, or the like, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0238] Although not shown in FIG. 12, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a connection interface, such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may transmit / receive information by being connected to another external device through the connection interface, such as a USB interface, or may charge the power source 11.

[0239] The controller 12 may control overall operations of the aerosol generating device 1. According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented by an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented by a combination of a general-use microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the general-use microprocessor is stored. It will also be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present embodiment pertains that the processor may be implemented by other types of hardware.

[0240] The controller 12 may control supplying of the power of the power source 11 to the heater 18, thereby controlling the temperature of the heater 18. The controller 12 may control the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18, based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 sensed by the temperature sensor 131. The controller 12 may control power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18, based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18. For example, the controller 12 may determine a target temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18, based on a temperature profile stored in the memory 17.

[0241] The aerosol generating device 1 may include a power supply circuit (not shown) electrically connected to the power source 11 between the power source 11 and the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18. The power supply circuit may be electrically connected to the cartridge heater 24, the heater 18, or an induction coil 181. The power supply circuit may include at least one switching element. The switching element may be implemented by a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), a field effect transistor (FET), or the like. The controller 12 may control the power supply circuit.

[0242] The controller 12 may control switching of the switching element of the power supply circuit, thereby controlling the supply of power. The power supply circuit may be an inverter that converts direct current power output by the power source 11 into alternating current power. For example, the inverter may include a full-bridge circuit or half-bridge circuit including a plurality of switching elements.

[0243] The controller 12 may turn on the switching element so that power may be supplied from the power source 11 to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18. The controller 12 may turn off the switching element so that the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 may be cut off. The controller 12 may adjust a current supplied by the power source 11 by adjusting a frequency and / or duty ratio of a current pulse input to the switching element.

[0244] The controller 12 may control a voltage output by the power source 11 by controlling switching of the switching element of the power supply circuit. The power conversion circuit may convert the voltage output by the power source 11. For example, the power conversion circuit may include a Buck-converter that drops the voltage output by the power source 11. For example, the power conversion circuit may be implemented through a Buck-boost converter, a Zener diode, etc.

[0245] The controller 12 may adjust the level of the voltage output by the power conversion circuit by controlling an on / off operation of the switching element included in the power conversion circuit. When an on state of the switching element is continued, the level of the voltage output by the power conversion circuit may correspond to the level of the voltage output by the power source 11. A duty ratio with respect to the on / off operation of the switching element may correspond to a ratio of the voltage output by the power conversion circuit to the voltage output by the power source 11. As the duty ratio with respect to the on / off operation of the switching element is decreased, the level of the voltage output by the power conversion circuit may be reduced. The heater 18 may be heated based on the voltage output by the power conversion circuit.

[0246] The controller 12 may control power to be supplied to the heater 18, by using at least one method of a pulse width modulation (PWM) method and a proportional-integral-differential (PID) method.

[0247] For example, the controller 12 may control supply of a current pulse having a certain frequency and a duty ratio to the heater 18, by using the PWM method. The controller 12 may control power supplied to the heater 18 by adjusting the frequency and duty ratio of the current pulse.

[0248] For example, the controller 12 may determine a target temperature that is a target of control, based on the temperature profile. The controller 12 may control the power supplied to the heater 18 by using a PID method, which is a feedback control method using a difference value between the temperature of the heater 18 and the target temperature thereof, a value obtained by integrating the difference value according to the flow of time, and a value obtained by differentiating the difference value according to the flow of time.

[0249] The controller 12 may prevent the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 from being overheated. For example, the controller 12 may control an operation of the power conversion circuit so that the supply of the power to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 is stopped, based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 exceeding a preset limit temperature. For example, the controller 12 may reduce the amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18, based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 exceeding the preset limit temperature. For example, the controller 12 may determine that the aerosol generating material accommodated in the cartridge 19 is exhausted, based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 exceeding the limit temperature, and may cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24.

[0250] The controller 12 may control charging / discharging of the power source 11. The controller 12 may check the temperature of the power source 11, based on an output signal of the temperature sensor 131.

[0251] When a power wire is connected to a battery terminal of the aerosol generating device 1, the controller 12 may check whether the temperature of the power source 11 is greater than or equal to a first limit temperature that is a basis for blocking charging of the power source 11. When the temperature of the power source 11 is less than the first limit temperature, the controller 12 may control the power source 11 to be charged, based on a preset charging current. When the temperature of the power source 11 is equal to or greater than the first limit temperature, the controller 12 may block charging of the power source 11.

[0252] When power of the aerosol generating device 1 is in an on state, the controller 12 may check whether the temperature of the power source 11 is greater than or equal to a second limit temperature that is a basis for cutting off discharging of the power source 11. When the temperature of the power source 11 is less than the second limit temperature, the controller 12 may control the power stored in the power source 11 to be used. When the temperature of the power source 11 is greater than or equal to the second limit temperature, the controller 12 may stop using the power stored in the power source 11.

[0253] The controller 12 may calculate the remaining capacity of the power stored in the power source 11. For example, the controller 12 may calculate the remaining capacity of the power source 11, based on a voltage and / or current sensing value of the power source 11.

[0254] The controller 12 may determine whether the stick S is inserted into the insertion space, through the insertion detection sensor 133. The controller 12 may determine that the stick S is inserted, based on an output signal of the insertion detection sensor 133. When it is determined that the stick S is inserted into the insertion space, the controller 12 may control power to be supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18. For example, the controller 12 may supply power to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18, based on the temperature profile stored in the memory 17.

[0255] The controller 12 may determine whether the stick S is removed from the insertion space. For example, the controller 12 may determine whether the stick S is removed from the insertion space, through the insertion detection sensor 133. For example, when the temperature of the heater 18 is greater than or equal to the limit temperature or when a temperature change slope of the heater 18 is equal to or greater than a set slope, the controller 12 may determine that the stick S is removed from the insertion space. When it is determined that the stick S has been removed from the insertion space, the controller 12 may block supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18.

[0256] The controller 12 may control a power supply time and / or a power supply amount for the heater 18 according to the state of the stick S detected by the sensor 13. The controller 12 may check a level range in which the level of a signal of a capacitance sensor is included, based on a lookup table. The controller 12 may check a moisture amount for the stick S according to the checked level range.

[0257] When the stick S is in an overwatering state, the controller 12 may control the power supply time for the heater 18 to thereby increase the preheating time of the stick S rather than when the stick S is in a general state.

[0258] The controller 12 may determine whether the stick S inserted into the insertion space is reused, through the reuse detection sensor 134. For example, the controller 12 may compare a sensing value of a signal of the reuse detection sensor with a first reference range in which a first color is included, and may determine that the stick S is not used when the sensing value is included in the first reference range. For example, the controller 12 may compare the sensing value of the signal of the reuse detection sensor with a second reference range in which a second color is included, and may determine that the stick S is used when the sensing value is included in the second reference range. When it is determined that the stick S is used, the controller 12 may block supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18.

[0259] The controller 12 may determine whether the cartridge 19 is combined and / or removed, through the cartridge detection sensor 135. For example, the controller 12 may determine whether the cartridge 19 is combined or removed, based on the sensing value of a signal of the cartridge detection sensor.

[0260] The controller 12 may determine whether the aerosol generating material of the cartridge 19 is exhausted. For example, the controller 12 may preheat the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 by applying power, may determine whether the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 exceeds the limit temperature in a preheating section, and, when the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 exceeds the limit temperature, may determine that the aerosol generating material of the cartridge 19 is exhausted. When it is determined that the aerosol generating material of the cartridge 19 is exhausted, the controller 12 may cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18.

[0261] The controller 12 may determine whether use of the cartridge 19 is possible. For example, the controller 12 may determine that the use of the cartridge 19 is not possible if a current puff frequency is greater than or equal to a maximum puff frequency set in the cartridge 19, based on data stored in the memory 17. For example, when a total time period during which the heater 24 is heated is greater than or equal to a preset maximum time period or a total amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 is greater than or equal to a preset maximum power amount, the controller 12 may determine that the use of the cartridge 19 is not possible.

[0262] The controller 12 may perform determination on the user's inhaling through the puff sensor 132. For example, the controller 12 may determine whether a puff occurs, based on a sensing value of a signal of the puff sensor. For example, the controller 12 may determine the intensity of the puff, based on the sensing value of the signal of the puff sensor 132. When the puff frequency reaches the preset maximum puff frequency or puffs are not sensed for a preset time period or more, the controller 12 may cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18.

[0263] The controller 12 may determine whether the cap is combined and / or removed, through the cap detection sensor 136. For example, the controller 12 may determine whether the cap is combined or removed, based on a sensing value of a signal of the cartridge detection sensor.

[0264] The controller 12 may control the output unit 14, based on a result of the sensing performed by the sensor 13 For example, when the number of puffs counted by the puff sensor 132 reaches a preset number, the controller 12 may notify the user in advance that the aerosol generating device 1 is ended soon, through at least one of the display 141, the haptic unit 142, and the sound output unit 143. For example, the controller 12 may notify the user through the output unit 14, based on a determination that the stick S is not present in the insertion space. For example, the controller 12 may notify the user through the output unit 14, based on a determination that the cartridge 19 and / or the cap is not mounted. For example, the controller 12 may transmit information about the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18 to the user through the output unit 14.

[0265] The controller 12 may store and update a history of an event occurred in the memory 17, based on certain event occurrence. The event may include insertion detection of the stick S, heating start of the stick S, puff detection, puff end, overheat detection of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18, detection of overvoltage application to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18, heating end of the stick S, an operation such as power on / off of the aerosol generating device 1, charging start of the power source 11, detection of overcharging of the power source 11, and charging end of the power source 11, which are performed by the aerosol generating device 1. The history of the event may include, for example, a date and time of the event, and log data corresponding to the event. For example, when a predetermined event is insertion detection of the stick S, log data corresponding to the event may include data for the sensing value, etc. of the insertion detection sensor 133. For example, when the predetermined event is overheating detection of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18, the log data corresponding to the event may include data about, for example, the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or heater 18, the voltage applied to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18, and a current flowing through the cartridge heater 24 and / or the heater 18.

[0266] The controller 12 may control a communication link to be formed with an external device, such as the user's mobile terminal. When receiving data on authentication from an external device through the communication link, the controller 12 may remove limitation of the use of at least one function of the aerosol generating device 1. The data on authentication may include data indicating completion of user authentication with respect to a user corresponding to the external device. The user may perform user authentication through the external device. The external device may determine whether user data is valid, based on the user's birthday and a unique number representing the user, and may receive data about use authority of the aerosol generating device 1 from an external server. The external device may transmit data indicating the completion of the user authentication to the aerosol generating device 1, based on the data about the use authority. When the user authentication is completed, the controller 12 may remove limitation of the use of the at least one function of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, when the user authentication is completed, the controller 12 may remove the limitation of the use of a heating function of supplying power to the heater 18.

[0267] The controller 12 may transmit data on the state of the aerosol generating device 1 to the external device through the communication link formed with the external device. Based on the received state data, the external device may output the remaining capacity, the operation mode, etc. of the power source 11 of the aerosol generating device 1 through a display of the external device.

[0268] The external device may transmit a position search request to the aerosol generating device 1, based on an input of starting a position search of the aerosol generating device 1. When receiving a position search request from the external device, the controller 12 may control at least one of output devices to perform an operation corresponding to a position search, based on the received position search request. For example, the haptic unit 142 may generate vibration in response to the position search request. For example, in response to the position search request, the display 141 may output an object that corresponds to position search and search end.

[0269] The controller 12 may control firmware update to be performed, when receiving firmware data from the external device. The external device may check a current version of the firmware of the aerosol generating device 1 and determine whether a new version of the firmware is present. When receiving an input of requesting for firmware download, the external device may receive the new version of the firmware data and transmit the new version of the firmware data to the aerosol generating device 1. As the controller 12 receives the new version of the firmware data, the controller 12 may control the firmware update of the aerosol generating device 1 to be performed.

[0270] The controller 12 may transmit data on a sensing value of the at least one sensor 13 to an external server (not shown) through the communication unit 16, and may receive and store a learning model generated by learning sensing values from a server through machine learning, such as deep learning. The controller 12 may perform, for example, an operation of determining the user's inhaling pattern and an operation of generating a temperature profile, by using the learning model received from the server. The controller 12 may store, for example, sensing value data of the at least one sensor 13 and data for training an artificial neural network (ANN) in the memory 17. For example, the memory 17 may store a database for each component provided in the aerosol generating device 1, a weight that forms an ANN structure, and biases, which are for training the ANN. The controller 12 may learn data on a sensing value of at least one sensor 13, the user's inhaling pattern, the temperature profile, etc. stored in the memory 17, and may generate at least one learning model used for, for example, determination of the user's inhaling pattern, generation of the temperature profile.

[0271] Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not exclusive or distinct from each other. The certain embodiments or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be combined with each other or used in combination with each other in their respective components or functions.

[0272] For example, it means that an A component described in a specific embodiment and / or the drawings and a B component described in another embodiment and / or the drawings may be combined with each other. In other words, even when it is not explained directly about combination between components, it is possible to combine unless it is explained that combination is impossible.

[0273] The above detailed description should not be interpreted restrictedly but should be considered illustrative in all aspects. The scope of the present disclosure should be determined by a rational interpretation of the attached claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present disclosure are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A cartridge comprising: a housing including a storage space for storing an aerosol generating material; a sealing portion including one or more outlets through which the aerosol generating material passes and sealing a portion of the storage space; a generation portion configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material; an accommodation portion accommodating the generation portion and forming a generation space in which the aerosol is generated, together with the sealing portion by contacting the sealing part inside the housing; and a cover supporting the accommodation portion to press the accommodation portion and the sealing portion toward the storage space, and closing one end of the housing.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising: a convex portion arranged on one of the sealing portion and the generation portion; and a concave portion arranged on the other of the sealing portion and the generation portion so as to engage with the convex portion.

3. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the convex portion is integrally formed with the one of the sealing portion and the generation portion.

4. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the convex portion has a function of preventing leakage of the aerosol generating material or the aerosol.

5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the sealing portion further includes peripheral portions where the one or more outlets are arranged and a central portion between the peripheral portions, and the peripheral portions and the central portion of the sealing portion are integrally formed by double injection using different materials.

6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the sealing portion further includes an extension extending toward the generation space, and the extension is supported by an inner wall of the accommodation portion that forms the generation space.

7. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sealing portion and the accommodation portion is forcibly fitted into the interior of the housing and supported by the housing.

8. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the accommodation portion includes an inlet for introducing airflow into the generation space, and an airflow groove that is connected to the inlet and extends from the inlet to guide a movement of air to the inlet.

9. The cartridge of claim 8, wherein the airflow groove forms, together with the inner wall of the housing, an airflow passage for allowing air to move.

10. The cartridge of claim 8, wherein a lower surface of the airflow groove includes an inclined surface inclined with respect to a direction in which the inlet is open, and the inclined surface extends below the inlet, so that a micro-space is formed on the lower side of the inlet in the second airflow groove.

11. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a ring-shaped clearance adjustment portion arranged between the accommodation portion and the cover to remove a clearance between the accommodation portion and the cover.

12. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the sealing portion, the accommodation portion, and the cover are arranged in a stated sequence along a lengthwise direction of the housing, and a portion of the cover is forcibly fitted into the interior of the housing and supported by the housing.

13. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a terminal configured to receive power from an external source, wherein the terminal is insert-injected into the cover so as to penetrate the cover, so that the cover and the terminal are integrally formed with each other.

14. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes one or more insertion holes, and the cover includes a protrusion that is inserted into the one or more insertion holes and engages with the housing.

15. An aerosol generating device comprising: the cartridge of any one of claims 1 through 14; a body including an accommodation space into which an aerosol generated from the cartridge is introduced, the accommodation space accommodating an aerosol generating article; a heater configured to heat the aerosol generating article accommodated in the body; a power supply configured to supply power to the generation portion and the heater; and a controller configured to control power supplied to the generation portion and the heater.

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