Cartridge and aerosol generating device including the same

Abstract

To provide a cartridge for an aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating device, which may easily transmit unique information of the cartridge to a main body.SOLUTION: A cartridge 100 for an aerosol generating device includes an opening 130 through which an aerosol formed by heating an aerosol-forming substrate is discharged and an information storage element 140 formed at an end portion of a side where the cartridge couples to a main body and configured to store unique information of the cartridge. Different pieces of the unique information of the cartridge may be stored according to a physical structure of the information storage element which has a specific pattern.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following embodiments relate to a cartridge and an aerosol generating device including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there has been an increasing demand for devices in which an aerosol is generated by heating an aerosol generating substance, rather than by burning a rolled cigarette. Therefore, extensive research has been conducted on heated rolled cigarettes or heated aerosol generating devices. For example, Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0036585 discloses an aerosol suction device.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] An object according to one embodiment is to provide a cartridge for an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating device that can easily transmit the unique information of the cartridge to the main body.

[0004] Another object according to one embodiment is to enable cartridge recognition without providing a sensor or the like for recognizing the cartridge inside the main body of the aerosol generating device, reduce the weight and production cost of the aerosol generating device, and provide a cartridge for an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating device that can accurately recognize the unique information of the cartridge.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The cartridge for an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment includes an opening through which an aerosol formed by heating an aerosol-forming substrate is discharged, and an information storage unit formed at an end of the cartridge on the side where the cartridge is coupled to the main body of the aerosol generating device, the information storage unit containing the unique information of the cartridge, and the unique information of different cartridges can be stored according to a physical structure including a specific pattern of the information storage unit.

[0006] The cartridge may further include a liquid-phase storage tank capable of storing an aerosol-forming substrate, and a heating element installed inside the liquid-phase storage tank and including a wick and a heating coil.

[0007] The specific pattern is formed by one or more recesses and one or more grooves, and the unique information of the cartridge can be indicated according to the number and position of the recesses and the number and position of the grooves.

[0008] The information storage unit includes a first storage area for storing the first information of the cartridge, a second storage area for storing the second information of the cartridge, and a third storage area for storing the third information of the cartridge, and the specific pattern can indicate the unique information of the cartridge according to a combination of the respective recesses and grooves in the first storage area to the third storage area.

[0009] The specific pattern is formed by two or more electrodes, and the specific pattern can indicate the unique information of the cartridge according to the number and position of the electrodes.

[0010] The information storage unit includes a first storage area for storing the first information of the cartridge, a second storage area for storing the second information of the cartridge, and a third storage area for storing the third information of the cartridge, and the specific pattern can indicate the unique information of the cartridge according to the position and number of the respective electrodes in the first storage area to the third storage area.

[0011] An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes a liquid-phase storage tank capable of storing an aerosol-forming substrate, a heating element installed inside the liquid-phase storage tank and including a wick and a heating coil, an opening through which the aerosol formed by heating the aerosol-forming substrate is discharged, and an information storage unit formed at an end of the cartridge on a side coupled to the main body of the aerosol generating device and including unique information of the cartridge. The information storage unit includes a cartridge having a specific pattern indicating the unique information of the cartridge, a power supply unit for supplying power to heat the heating coil of the heating element of the cartridge, a housing for accommodating the power supply unit, a cartridge recognition unit for recognizing the unique information of the cartridge in contact with the information storage unit of the cartridge, and a control unit capable of controlling the temperature of the heating element of the cartridge. The main body coupled to the cartridge is included, and the control unit of the main body can control the operation of the aerosol generating device based on the unique information of the cartridge recognized by the cartridge recognition unit.

[0012] The specific pattern is formed by one or more recesses and one or more grooves, and the specific pattern indicates differences in the unique information of the cartridge according to the number and position of the recesses and the grooves. The cartridge recognition unit of the main body includes physical switches equal in number to the total number of the recesses and the grooves, and the unique information of the cartridge can be recognized based on at least one physical switch clicked by the recess of the cartridge.

[0013] The specific pattern is formed by two or more electrodes, and the unique information of the cartridge is indicated as different according to the number and position of the electrodes. The cartridge recognition unit of the main body includes recognition terminals equal in number to or more than the number of the electrodes, and current is transmitted only to the recognition terminals in contact with the electrodes of the cartridge to recognize the unique information of the cartridge.

[0014] The electrodes of the information storage unit of the cartridge include one or more positive electrodes and one or more negative electrodes, and the cartridge recognition unit of the main body includes a negative electrode pad including two or more negative electrode terminals and a positive electrode pad including two or more positive electrode terminals. Each of the positive electrodes and the negative electrodes can be in one-to-one correspondence with any one of the negative electrode terminals of the negative electrode pad and one of the positive electrode terminals of the positive electrode pad.

[0015] The unique pattern for the information storage unit of the cartridge is pre-stored in the main body, and the control unit can determine whether the cartridge is a genuine product according to whether the recognized unique pattern matches the pre-stored unique pattern.

[0016] When the authentication of the genuine product fails, the control unit can cause the aerosol generator to generate a warning sound or block the operation of the aerosol generator.

[0017] The control unit of the main body can adjust the heating temperature of the heating element of the cartridge based on the unique information of the cartridge recognized by the cartridge recognition unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] The cartridge for an aerosol generator and the aerosol generator according to an embodiment can easily transmit the unique information of the cartridge to the main body.

[0019] The cartridge for an aerosol generator and the aerosol generator according to an embodiment can enable cartridge recognition without providing a sensor or the like for recognizing the cartridge in the main body for the aerosol generator, reduce the weight and production cost of the aerosol generator, and precisely recognize the unique information of the cartridge.

[0020] ​The effects of the cartridge for an aerosol generator and the aerosol generator according to one embodiment are not limited to those mentioned above, and different effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the specific structural or functional descriptions disclosed in this specification are merely exemplified for the purpose of explaining the embodiments, and the embodiments may be implemented in various different forms, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. It should be understood that all changes, equivalents or alternatives to the embodiments are included in the scope of the rights.

[0023] The terms used in the embodiments are merely used for the purpose of explanation and are not to be construed as having an intention of limitation. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning. In this specification, terms such as "including" or "having" indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should not be understood as precluding the possibility of the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0024] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this embodiment belongs. Commonly used pre-defined terms should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related art, and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless clearly defined herein.

[0025] Also, in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, regardless of the reference numerals, the same components will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted. In the description of the embodiments, when it is determined that the specific description of the related known technology makes the gist of the embodiments unnecessarily ambiguous, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0026] In addition, when describing the components of the embodiment, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. can be used. These terms are for distinguishing the components from other components, and the essence, order, or sequence of the components are not limited by these terms. When it is described that any component is "connected", "coupled", or "joined" to another component, it can be understood that the component is directly connected or joined to the other component, but another component can be "connected", "coupled", or "joined" between each component.

[0027] Components including the same functions as the components included in any embodiment will be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless otherwise stated, the descriptions given in any embodiment are also applicable to other embodiments, and specific descriptions within the overlapping range will be omitted.

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an aerosol generator 10 according to an embodiment.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 10 includes a cartridge 100 that stores a liquid-phase substance for generating an aerosol, and a battery that supplies power for heating the liquid-phase substance in the cartridge 100. The device 200 (i.e., the main body of the aerosol generating device 10) can be coupled to the cartridge 100. When the cartridge 100 is attached to the device 200 of the aerosol generating device 10, the device 200 can determine the authenticity of the cartridge 100 by recognizing the unique information of the cartridge 100, and can transmit power so as to be heated at an optimal heating temperature according to the type of the attached cartridge 100. The cartridge 100 may store different information by means of a physical structure having a specific pattern. The aerosol generating device 10 can recognize the unique information of the cartridge 100 and control the operation of the aerosol generating device 10 based on the recognized unique information of the cartridge 100.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross section of the cartridge 100 for an aerosol generating device of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, the cartridge 100 for an aerosol generating device includes a liquid-phase storage tank 110 that can store an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate means a substance that can form an aerosol. The aerosol may contain a volatile compound. The aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or liquid-phase. For example, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may include a solid substance based on tobacco raw materials such as sheet tobacco, cut grass, and reconstituted tobacco, and the liquid-phase aerosol-forming substrate may include a liquid-phase composition substance based on nicotine, tobacco extracts, and / or various flavoring agents. However, the scope of this embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0033] Continuing to refer to FIG. 2, the cartridge 100 includes a heating element 120 including a core 122 and a heating coil 124. The core 122 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, porous ceramic, or a compound thereof. The heating coil 124 is disposed in a form that winds around the core 122, which is connected to the power supply unit 210 of the device 200 to generate heat to heat the core 122, and the aerosol is generated by the heated core 122. Thereby, an aerosol is generated.

[0034] Continuing to refer to FIG. 2, the cartridge 100 includes an opening 130 through which an aerosol formed by heating an aerosol-forming substrate is discharged. The opening 130 may have the form of a suction port protruding from one side of the cartridge 100 as shown in FIG. 2, but is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, it may include an opening 130 in the form of a gourd shape, a cylindrical shape, a hole shape, etc. Also, as the material of the opening 130, it may be manufactured from various materials such as plastic synthetic resin, stainless steel, glass, Teflon (registered trademark), rubber, etc.

[0035] Continuing to refer to FIG. 2, the cartridge 100 includes an information storage unit 140 including the unique information of the cartridge 100. The information storage unit 140 may be formed at an end portion on the side where the cartridge 100 is coupled to the device 200. The information storage unit 140 and the opening 130 are disposed on opposite sides of the cartridge 100. The unique information of the cartridge 100 stored in the information storage unit 140 includes, for example, whether the cartridge 100 is a genuine product, the compatibility of the cartridge 100 with the device 200, the type of medium included in the cartridge 100, the fragrance of the aerosol-generating substrate stored in the cartridge 100, etc., but is not limited thereto. The information storage unit 140 of the cartridge 100 can store the unique information of the cartridge as described above by a physical structure having a specific pattern. Hereinafter, the physical structure having a specific pattern will be described in more detail.

[0036] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are enlarged views of the portion indicated by A in the aerosol generator cartridge of FIG. 2 according to various embodiments.

[0037] FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by A in the aerosol generator cartridge of FIG. 2 according to one embodiment, and the information storage unit 142 can store the unique information of the cartridge 100 according to the combination of the physically protruding concave portion 142a and the physically recessed groove portion 142b.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 3A, the information storage unit 142 includes one or more concave portions 142a and one or more groove portions 142b. The information storage unit 142 may store different information according to the combination of the number and position of the concave and groove portions. The information storage unit 142 may include a plurality of blocks, and each block may include a concave portion 142a and a groove portion 142b. The more the number of blocks in which the concave and groove portions 142a and 142b are formed, the more various information of the cartridge 100 the information storage unit 142 can store. For example, since one of the concave portion 142a or the groove portion 142b can be selectively arranged in one block, when there are n blocks in which the concave and groove portions 142a and 142b are formed in the information storage unit 142, information of 2n different cartridges 100 may be stored. For example, in FIG. 3A, since a total of 10 blocks in which the concave and groove portions 142a and 142b are formed are shown, a total of 210 (i.e., 1024) unique information of different cartridges 100 can be stored.

[0039] Continuing with reference to FIG. 3A, the information storage unit 142 can include a plurality of partitioned regions according to the type of information of the cartridge 100 to be stored. For example, referring to FIG. 3A, the information storage unit 142 includes a first storage region 140a for storing first information, a second storage region 140b for storing second information, and a third storage region 140c for storing third information. The nth storage region stores unique information of the cartridge 100, such as the presence or absence of compatibility of the cartridge 100 with respect to the device 200 as described above, the type of medium included in the cartridge 100, the fragrance of the aerosol generating base material stored in the cartridge 100, etc., but is not limited thereto. Each storage region includes one or more blocks in which the concave groove portions 142a and 142b are arranged. For example, referring to FIG. 3A, the first storage region 140a includes 2 blocks, the second storage region 140b may include 3 blocks, and the third storage region 140c may include 5 blocks. The more blocks a storage region includes, the more types of cartridge 100 information can be stored, and the unique information of the cartridge 100 can be stored according to the combination of each concave portion 142a and groove portion 142b in the first storage region 140a to the third storage region 140c.

[0040] FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the information storage unit, which is the portion indicated by A in the cartridge for an aerosol generating device of FIG. 2 according to another embodiment. The information storage unit 144 can store the unique information of the cartridge 100 according to the combination of the presence or absence and positions of the positive / negative electrodes 144p and 144n of two or more electrodes.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 3B, the information storage unit 144 may include two or more electrodes 144p and 144n, and the information storage unit 144 may store different unique information of the cartridge 100 according to combinations of electrodes 144p and 144n having different numbers and positions. The electrodes 144p and 144n can not only serve to store the information of the cartridge, but also together serve to be supplied with power from the power supply unit 210 included in the device 200. In order to be supplied with power from the power supply unit 210, since the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the power supply unit 210 must be connected to the negative electrode and the positive electrode of the cartridge 100 terminal, respectively, the electrodes 144p and 144n include a positive electrode 144p and a negative electrode 144n. Here, the electrodes 144p and 144n can include a positive electrode region 146 and a negative electrode region 148.

[0042] Also, although not shown in FIG. 3B, the information storage unit 144 may include a plurality of partitioned regions according to the types of information of the cartridge 100 stored in the same manner as the information storage unit 142. For example, the information storage unit 144 includes a first storage region for storing first information, a second storage region for storing second information, and a third storage region for storing third information. The nth storage region stores unique information of the cartridge 100 such as the presence or absence of compatibility of the cartridge 100 with respect to the device 200 as described above, the type of medium included in the cartridge 100, the fragrance of the aerosol generating base material stored in the cartridge 100, etc., but is not limited thereto. Each storage region includes one or more electrodes 144p and 144n. The more the number of blocks included in the storage region, the more types of cartridge 100 information the storage region can store. The unique information of the cartridge 100 can be stored according to the combination of the positions and numbers of the respective electrodes in the first storage region 140a to the third storage region 140c.

[0043] Hereinafter, the device 200 that is combined with the cartridge 100 to form the aerosol generating device 10 will be described in detail.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cross-section of the device 200 in the aerosol generator 10 according to one embodiment.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 4, the device 200 includes a power supply unit 210 that stores power for heating the heating coil 124 of the heating element 120 of the cartridge 100. Further, the power supply unit 210 can supply power required for the operation of other hardware components provided in the aerosol generator 10, namely, sensors, user interfaces, memories, processors, and control units. The power supply unit 210 may be a rechargeable battery that can be used several times or a disposable battery. For example, the power supply unit 210 includes a nickel-based battery (e.g., nickel-metal hydride battery, nickel-cadmium battery), or a lithium-based battery (e.g., lithium-cobalt battery, lithium-phosphate battery, lithium titanate battery, lithium-ion battery, or lithium-polymer battery). However, the type of the power supply unit 2 10 is not limited to the above-mentioned ones. If necessary, the power supply unit 210 may include an alkaline battery or a manganese battery.

[0046] Continuing to refer to FIG. 4, the device 200 includes a housing 220 that houses the power supply unit 210. The housing 220 may include other hardware components provided in the aerosol generator 10 in addition to the power supply unit 210. Further, the housing 220 can be manufactured in an ergonomic shape to provide a stable grip feeling to the user. For example, the housing 220 can be manufactured in a shape such as a cylindrical shape, a hexagonal prism shape, an octagonal prism shape, or a streamlined shape that allows the user to easily grip the housing 220. Also, a switch 230 for adjusting the operation of the aerosol generator 10 may be disposed on the housing 220.

[0047] Continuing to refer to FIG. 4, the device 200 includes a cartridge recognition unit 240 that contacts the information storage unit 140 of the cartridge 100 to recognize the unique information of the cartridge 100, and a control unit 250 that can control the temperature of the heating element 120 of the cartridge 100. The control unit 250 of the device 200 can control the operation of the aerosol generator 10 based on the unique information of the cartridge 100 recognized by the cartridge recognition unit 240. Hereinafter, the method by which the cartridge recognition unit 240 contacts the information storage unit 140 of the cartridge 100 to recognize the unique information of the cartridge 100, and the method by which the control unit 250 controls the operation of the aerosol generator 10 based on the recognized unique information of the cartridge 100 will be described in detail.

[0048] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the cartridge recognition unit 240, which is the part indicated by B in the device 200 of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 5, the cartridge recognition unit 242 includes a plurality of physical switches s. The physical switches s may include the same number of physical switches s as the combined number of the recess 142a and the groove 142b of the information storage unit 142 of the cartridge 100, that is, the number of blocks. Here, all the physical switches s may be independently clicked. Therefore, when the cartridge 100 is mounted on the device 200 to form the aerosol generator 10, the information storage unit 142 of the cartridge 100 is engaged with the cartridge recognition unit 242 of the device 200. Here, among the physical switches s of the cartridge recognition unit 242 of the device 200, only the physical switch that contacts the recess 142a of the information storage unit 142 of the cartridge 100 is clicked, so that the unique information of the cartridge 100 can be transmitted to the device 200 side. If the unique information of the cartridge 100 transmitted to the device 200 side is recognized by the control unit 250, the control unit 250 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator 10 according to the unique information of the cartridge 100, for example, the type of medium and the type of flavoring agent. For example, the control unit 250 can transmit power to the heating element 120 of the cartridge 100 so that an optimal temperature profile based on the unique information of the cartridge 100 is realized.

[0050] Continuing to refer to FIG. 5, the device 200 can pre-store an encrypted unique pattern for the information storage unit 140 of the cartridge 100 for authenticating the genuine cartridge 100. For example, in the information storage unit 142 of the cartridge 100, an encrypted pattern that the block corresponding to the 0th and 9th switches s of the device 200 must be formed in the recess 142a, that is, the switch s must be clicked, is pre-stored, or an encrypted pattern that three or more consecutive switches s must be clicked may be pre-stored. The encrypted unique pattern for authenticating the genuine cartridge 100 is not limited to this and may include various patterns. Here, the positions of the concave grooves 142a and 142b of the information storage unit 140 of the cartridge 100 If the position and combination of the electrodes 142p and 142n do not match the encrypted pattern pre-stored in the device, the aerosol generator 10 can generate a warning sound, send a warning message to a display (not shown) of the device 200, or cut off the operation of the aerosol generator 10.

[0051] FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing the states before and after the information storage unit 142 of the cartridge 100 and the cartridge recognition unit 242 of the device 200 come into contact, respectively, according to an embodiment.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, before the information storage unit 142 of the cartridge 100 and the cartridge recognition unit 242 of the device 200 come into contact, all the switches s of the cartridge recognition unit 242 protrude, that is, they are held in a non-click state. However, after the information storage unit 142 of the cartridge 100 and the cartridge recognition unit 242 of the device 200 come into contact, it can be seen that only the physical switch in contact with the recess 142a of the information storage unit 142 of the cartridge 100 is clicked. In this way, according to the combination of the clicked switches s, the control unit 250 of the device 200 can recognize the unique information of the cartridge 100 and control the overall operation of the aerosol generator 10. For example, the control unit 250 can adjust the heating temperature of the heating element 120 of the cartridge 100 based on the unique information of the cartridge 100 recognized by the cartridge recognition unit 240.

[0053] FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing the states before and after the information storage unit of the cartridge and the cartridge recognition unit of the device come into contact according to another embodiment.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the information storage unit 144 of the cartridge 100 includes two or more electrodes 144p, 144n, and the information storage unit 144 may store different unique information of the cartridge 100 according to the combination of the number and position of the electrodes 144p, 144n. Here, the electrodes 144p, 144n include one or more positive electrodes 144p and one or more negative electrodes 144n.

[0055] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the cartridge recognition unit 240 of the device 200 may include recognition terminals 244 that are more in number than the electrodes 144p, 144n of the information storage unit 144 of the cartridge 100. The recognition terminals 244 can exchange electrical signals via the current transmitted in contact with the electrodes 144p, 144n of the information storage unit 144 of the cartridge 100. Since the recognition terminals 244 that come into contact differ from each other according to the combination of the number and position of the electrodes 144p, 144n, the unique information of the cartridge 100 mounted on the device 200 can be recognized differently. Here, the recognition terminals 244 include a negative electrode pad 246 and a positive electrode pad 248. The negative electrode pad 246 may include a plurality of negative terminals n, and the positive electrode pad 248 may include a plurality of positive terminals p. One positive terminal p included in the positive electrode pad 248 contacts one negative electrode 144n of the information storage unit 144, and one negative terminal n included in the negative electrode pad 246 contacts one positive electrode 144p of the information storage unit 144. That is, each positive electrode 144p and negative electrode 144n corresponds one-to-one to any one of the negative terminals n of the negative electrode pad 246 and one of the positive terminals p of the positive electrode pad 248.

[0056] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field can apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above. For example, the described technology may be executed in an order different from the described method, and / or the components such as the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. may be combined or assembled in a form different from the described method, or replaced by other components or equivalents, and appropriate results can still be achieved. It is possible.

[0057] Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is defined by equivalents to the claims and the like.

Claims

1. A cartridge for an aerosol generating device, comprising: an opening through which an aerosol formed by heating an aerosol-forming substrate is discharged; an information storage unit formed at an end of the cartridge on a side where the cartridge is coupled to a main body of the aerosol generating device, the information storage unit containing unique information of the cartridge; and the information storage unit has a physical structure including a specific pattern indicating unique information of the cartridge; the specific pattern is formed by two or more electrodes, and the specific pattern indicates different unique information of the cartridge according to the number and position of the electrodes; A cartridge in which the unique information of the cartridge is stored according to the position and number of each electrode of the information storage unit.

2. A liquid-phase storage tank capable of storing an aerosol-forming substrate; a heating element installed inside the liquid-phase storage tank and including a wick and a heating coil; The cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising.

3. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein each positive electrode and negative electrode is configured to correspond one-to-one with any one of the negative terminals of the negative pads of the main body and any one of the positive terminals of the positive pads of the main body.

4. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein power is supplied from a power supply unit to the cartridge via the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

5. The information storage unit a first storage area for storing first information of the cartridge; a second storage area for storing second information of the cartridge; a third storage area for storing third information of the cartridge; The cartridge according to claim 1, including.

6. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a cartridge and a main body; wherein the cartridge a liquid-phase storage tank capable of storing an aerosol-forming substrate; a heating element installed inside the liquid-phase storage tank and including a wick and a heating coil; an opening through which an aerosol formed by heating the aerosol-forming substrate is discharged; an information storage unit formed at an end of the cartridge on a side where the cartridge is coupled to the main body of the aerosol generating device, the information storage unit including a physical structure having a specific pattern indicating unique information of the cartridge; and the main body a power supply unit for supplying power to heat the heating coil of the heating element of the cartridge; a housing for accommodating the power supply unit; A cartridge recognition unit that contacts the information storage unit of the cartridge to recognize the unique information of the cartridge; A control unit that can control the temperature of the heating element of the cartridge; Including, coupled to the cartridge, The control unit of the main body controls the operation of the aerosol generator based on the unique information of the cartridge recognized by the cartridge recognition unit. The specific pattern is formed by two or more electrodes, and the specific pattern shows differences in the unique information of the cartridge according to the number and position of the electrodes. An aerosol generator in which the unique information of the cartridge is stored according to the position and number of each electrode of the information storage unit.

7. The cartridge recognition unit of the main body includes recognition terminals equal to or more than the number of electrodes, and current is transmitted only to the recognition terminals that contact the electrodes of the cartridge to recognize the unique information of the cartridge. The aerosol generator according to claim 6.

8. The electrodes of the information storage unit of the cartridge include one or more positive electrodes and one or more negative electrodes. The cartridge recognition unit of the main body includes a negative electrode pad including two or more negative electrode terminals and a positive electrode pad including two or more positive electrode terminals. Each of the positive electrode and the negative electrode corresponds one-to-one to any one of the negative electrode terminals of the negative electrode pad and one of the positive electrode terminals of the positive electrode pad. The aerosol generator according to claim 7.

9. The unique pattern for the information storage unit of the cartridge is pre-stored in the main body, and the control unit determines whether the cartridge can be authenticated as genuine according to whether the recognized unique pattern matches the pre-stored unique pattern. The aerosol generator according to claim 6.

10. When the authentication as a genuine product fails, the control unit generates a warning sound with the aerosol generator or shuts off the operation of the aerosol generator. The aerosol generator according to claim 9.

11. The control unit of the main body adjusts the heating temperature of the heating element of the cartridge based on the unique information of the cartridge recognized by the cartridge recognition unit. The aerosol generator according to claim 6.

Images