HEATER ASSEMBLY INCLUDING FASTENING ELEMENT AND AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME

Abstract

A heater assembly for an aerosol generating device includes a thermally conductive heat transfer body configured to accommodate an aerosol product, and a flexible heater that surrounds the outer surface of the thermally conductive heat transfer body and heats the thermally conductive heat transfer body with power applied from an external power source, the flexible heater including a first flexible film, a second flexible film attached to the first flexible film, a conductive track disposed between the first flexible film and the second flexible film and having both ends connected to an external power source, one or more first fastening members formed on one side of the first flexible film and the second flexible film, and one or more second fastening members formed on the other side of the first flexible film and the second flexible film, and the flexible heater also surrounds the outer surface of the thermally conductive heat transfer body by fastening the first fastening members to the second fastening members.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heater assembly and an aerosol generating device including the same, and more particularly, to a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device including a fastening structure that can further improve heat transfer efficiency by closely contacting a heater to a thermally conductive heat transfer material. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for an alternative method to overcome the shortcomings of conventional cigarettes. For example, there has been an increasing demand for a method of generating an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material, instead of a method of generating an aerosol by burning a cigarette. As a result, research on heated aerosol generating devices has been actively conducted.

[0003] Conventional heated aerosol generating devices use a configuration that includes a heater that is inserted inside the cigarette in order to heat the aerosol generating material in the cigarette, or utilize an external heater that is configured to heat the outside of the cigarette without being inserted inside the cigarette.

[0004] When a heater is inserted into a cigarette, at least a portion of the outer surface of the cigarette is penetrated, which causes a problem that substances present inside the cigarette leak out to the outside of the cigarette. Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, external heaters configured to heat the outside of the cigarette without being inserted into the cigarette have been researched. However, when using such external heaters, heat transfer may be reduced compared to a heater that is inserted into the cigarette and directly heats the aerosol-generating substance in the cigarette, and research on the structure of external heaters to prevent the reduction in heat transfer and reduce heat loss is being actively conducted. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Various embodiments according to the present invention provide a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device having improved heat transfer efficiency, and an aerosol generating device including the same. Problems to be solved through the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one embodiment, a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device includes a thermally conductive heat transfer body configured to accommodate an aerosol product, and a flexible heater that surrounds an outer surface of the thermally conductive heat transfer body and heats the thermally conductive heat transfer body by power applied from an external power source, the flexible heater including a first flexible film, a second flexible film attached to the first flexible film, a conductive track arranged between the first flexible film and the second flexible film and having both ends connected to the external power source, one or more first fastening members formed on one side of the first flexible film and the second flexible film, and one or more second fastening members formed on the other side of the first flexible film and the second flexible film, and the flexible heater also surrounds the outer surface of the thermally conductive heat transfer body by fastening the first fastening members to the second fastening members.

[0007] A method for manufacturing a heater assembly according to another embodiment includes providing a flexible heater including one or more first fastening members on one side and one or more second fastening members on the other side; fastening the first fastening members and the second fastening members to each other to fasten one side and the other side of the flexible heater in a circumferential direction; and incorporating the thermally conductive heat transfer body and the flexible heater such that the flexible heater surrounds an outer surface of the thermally conductive heat transfer body, the thermally conductive heat transfer body being configured to contain an aerosol product.

[0008] According to yet another embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes the heater assembly described above and also includes a power supply that supplies power to the heater assembly. Effect of the Invention

[0009] In the heater assembly and the aerosol generating device including the heater assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to further improve the heat transfer efficiency. Specifically, the heater can be more closely attached to the thermally conductive heat transfer body, making it easier to assemble the heater, thereby enabling uniform and efficient heat transfer.

[0010] The effects of this embodiment are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an aerosol generating device having a cigarette inserted therein according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an aerosol generating device having a cigarette inserted therein according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cigarette. [Figure 4A] 1 illustrates an example in which a heater assembly according to an embodiment can be used; [Figure 4B] 1 illustrates an example in which a heater assembly according to an embodiment can be used; [Figure 5A] FIG. 1 illustrates a flexible heater of a heater assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 1 illustrates a flexible heater of a heater assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a fastening structure of the flexible heater of FIG. 5A. [Figure 6B] FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example where the flexible heater of FIG. 5A is fastened. [Figure 7A] 13 illustrates a flexible heater of a heater assembly according to another embodiment. [Figure 7B]13 illustrates a flexible heater of a heater assembly according to another embodiment. [Figure 7C] 13 illustrates a flexible heater of a heater assembly according to another embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a fastening structure of the flexible heater of FIG. 7A. [Figure 9A] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a heater assembly according to another embodiment. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9A. [Figure 10] 1 is a flow chart illustrating steps in a method for manufacturing a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The terms used in this embodiment are currently widely used general terms as much as possible, taking into consideration the functions of the present invention, but they may vary depending on the intentions of engineers in this field, precedents, or the emergence of new technologies. In addition, in certain cases, the applicant may arbitrarily select terms, and in such cases, the meanings of the terms will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in this invention must be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of the present invention, rather than simply the names of the terms.

[0013] Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, it does not mean excluding other components, but also includes other components, unless otherwise specified to the contrary. Furthermore, terms such as "module" and "unit" in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be realized by hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0014] As used herein, when a phrase such as "at least one of" precedes an array of components, it modifies the entire array and not each individual component of the array. For example, the phrase "at least one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted as including a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

[0015] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device is also a device that electrically heats a cigarette contained in the interior space to generate an aerosol.

[0016] The aerosol generating device also includes a heater, in one embodiment the heater is an electrically resistive heater, for example the heater includes a conductive track, such that the heater can be heated when a current is passed through the conductive track.

[0017] Heaters may include tubular, plate, needle or rod heating elements, and depending on the configuration of the heating element, may heat the interior or exterior of the cigarette.

[0018] Cigarettes also include tobacco rods and filter rods. The tobacco rods can be made of sheets, strands, or cut tobacco sheets. The tobacco rods are also surrounded by a heat conductive material. For example, the heat conductive material can be a metal foil, such as, but not limited to, aluminum foil.

[0019] The filter rod is also a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod may be composed of at least one or more segments. For example, the filter rod may include a first segment for cooling the aerosol and a second segment for filtering a predetermined component contained in the aerosol.

[0020] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is also a device that utilizes a cartridge that holds an aerosol generating material to generate the aerosol.

[0021] The aerosol generating device also includes a cartridge that holds an aerosol generating material and a main body that supports the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably coupled to the main body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be formed integrally with or incorporated into the main body, or may be fixed so as not to be detached by a user. The cartridge may be attached to the main body with the aerosol generating material contained therein. However, is not limited thereto, and the aerosol generating material may be injected into the cartridge when the cartridge is coupled to the main body.

[0022] The cartridge may hold an aerosol generating material in any one of a variety of states, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gas state, or a gel state. The aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco material.

[0023] The cartridge can perform a function of converting the phase of the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge into a gas phase and generating an aerosol by being operated by an electric signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body. The aerosol can mean a gas in a state in which vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating material and air are mixed.

[0024] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device can heat a liquid composition and generate an aerosol, which can be transmitted through the cigarette to the user, i.e., the aerosol generated from the liquid composition can travel along an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device, which airflow passage can be configured to transmit the aerosol through the cigarette to the user.

[0025] In still another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol from the aerosol generating material using an ultrasonic vibration method, where the ultrasonic vibration method is an ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator and may mean a method of generating the aerosol by atomizing the aerosol generating material.

[0026] The aerosol generating device may include a vibrator, and may generate short-period vibrations through the vibrator to atomize the aerosol generating material. The vibrations generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibrations, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibrations may be, but is not limited to, about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz.

[0027] The aerosol generating device may further include a wick for absorbing the aerosol generating material, for example, the wick may be disposed to surround or contact at least a region of the transducer.

[0028] When a voltage (e.g., an AC voltage) is applied to the transducer, heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations are generated from the transducer, and the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations generated from the transducer can be transferred to the aerosol generating substance absorbed in the wick. The aerosol generating substance absorbed in the wick can be converted into a gas phase by the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the transducer, resulting in the generation of an aerosol.

[0029] For example, the heat generated by the vibrator reduces the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material absorbed in the core, and the ultrasonic vibrations generated by the vibrator break the reduced-viscosity aerosol-generating material into fine particles, thereby generating an aerosol, but this is not limited to this.

[0030] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol product contained in the aerosol generating device by induction heating.

[0031] The aerosol generating device also includes a susceptor and a coil. In one embodiment, the coil can apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. When power is supplied from the aerosol generating device to the coil, a magnetic field can be formed inside the coil. In one embodiment, the susceptor is also a magnetic material that generates heat when an external magnetic field is applied. The susceptor is located inside the coil, and when a magnetic field is applied, the susceptor generates heat, and the aerosol product can be heated. Optionally, the susceptor can be located inside the aerosol product.

[0032] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device further comprises a cradle.

[0033] The aerosol generating device may be combined with a separate cradle to form a system, for example, the cradle may charge a battery of the aerosol generating device, or the heater may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device are combined.

[0034] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that a person having ordinary skill in the art can easily carry out the embodiments. The present disclosure may be embodied in the aerosol generating device of the above-mentioned various embodiments, or may be embodied in various different forms, but is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0036] 1 and 2 are diagrams illustrating an example in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0037] 1 and 2, the aerosol generating device 10000 includes a battery 11000, a control unit 12000, a heater 13000, and a vaporizer 14000. In addition, a cigarette 20000 can be inserted into the internal space of the aerosol generating device 10000.

[0038] 1 and 2 includes a vaporizer, the present embodiment is not limited by the implementation method of such an aerosol generating device, and the vaporizer may be omitted from the aerosol generating device 10000. When the vaporizer is omitted from the aerosol generating device 10000, the cigarette 20000 may generate an aerosol when the cigarette 20000 is heated by the heater 13000 since the cigarette 20000 includes an aerosol generating material.

[0039] Components related to the present embodiment are illustrated in the aerosol generating device 10000 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Therefore, a person having ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment would understand that the aerosol generating device 10000 may further include other general components in addition to the components illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

[0040] Also, although Figures 1 and 2 show the aerosol generating device 10000 as including a heater 13000, the heater 13000 may be omitted if necessary.

[0041] In Fig. 1, the battery 11000, the control unit 12000, the vaporizer 14000, and the heater 13000 are illustrated as being arranged in a line. Also, in Fig. 2, the vaporizer 14000 and the heater 13000 are illustrated as being arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited to that illustrated in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2. In other words, depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 10000, the arrangement of the battery 11000, the control unit 12000, the vaporizer 14000, and the heater 13000 may be changed.

[0042] When the cigarette 20000 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000, the aerosol generating device 10000 can activate the vaporizer 14000 to generate an aerosol from the vaporizer 14000. The aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14000 passes through the cigarette 20000 and is delivered to the user. The vaporizer 14000 will be described in more detail below.

[0043] The battery 11000 supplies power used for operating the aerosol generating device 10000. For example, the battery 11000 can supply power so that the heater 13000 or the vaporizer 14000 can be heated, and can supply power necessary for the control unit 12000 to operate. The battery 11000 can also supply power necessary for the display, sensor, motor, etc. provided in the aerosol generating device 10000 to operate.

[0044] The control unit 12000 generally controls the operation of the aerosol generation device 10000. Specifically, the control unit 12000 controls the operation of not only the battery 11000, the heater 13000, and the vaporizer 14000, but also other components included in the aerosol generation device 10000. The control unit 12000 can also check the state of each component of the aerosol generation device 10000 and determine whether the aerosol generation device 10000 is in an operable state.

[0045] The control unit 12000 includes at least one processor. The processor may be realized by an array of a number of logic gates, or may be realized by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that can be executed by the microprocessor. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may also be realized by other types of hardware.

[0046] The heater 13000 may be heated by power supplied from the battery 11000. For example, when a cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000, the heater 13000 may be located outside the cigarette. Thus, the heated heater 13000 may increase the temperature of the aerosol generating material within the cigarette.

[0047] The heater 13000 may be an electrically resistive heater. For example, the heater 13000 may include a conductive track, and the heater 13000 may be heated by passing a current through the conductive track. However, the heater 13000 is not limited to the above example, and may be any heater that can be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be preset in the aerosol generating device 10000, or may be set to a desired temperature by a user.

[0048] As another example, the heater 13000 may be an induction heater. Specifically, the heater 13000 may include a conductive coil for inductively heating the cigarette, and the cigarette may include a susceptor that may be heated by the induction heater.

[0049] For example, the heater 13000 may include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element, and depending on the shape of the heating element, may heat the inside or outside of the cigarette 20000.

[0050] Also, a plurality of heaters 13000 may be arranged in the aerosol generating device 10000. In this case, the plurality of heaters 13000 may be arranged to be inserted inside the cigarette 20000, and may also be arranged outside the cigarette 20000. Also, some of the plurality of heaters 13000 may be arranged to be inserted inside the cigarette 20000, and the rest may be arranged outside the cigarette 20000. Also, the shape of the heater 13000 is not limited to the shapes shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and may be manufactured in various shapes.

[0051] The vaporizer 14000 can heat the liquid composition and generate an aerosol, which can pass through the cigarette 20000 and be transmitted to the user. In other words, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14000 can travel along an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device 10000, which can be configured to allow the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14000 to pass through the cigarette and be transmitted to the user.

[0052] For example, the vaporizer 14000 may include, but is not limited to, a liquid storage unit, a liquid transfer means, and a heating element. For example, the liquid storage unit, the liquid transfer means, and the heating element may be included in the aerosol generating device 10000 as independent modules.

[0053] The liquid storage unit can store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition can be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance. The liquid storage unit can be made to be detachable / attachable to / from the vaporizer 14000, or can be made integral with the vaporizer 14000.

[0054] For example, the liquid composition may include water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, fragrance, flavoring agent, or vitamin mixture. The fragrance may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit fragrance components, etc. The flavoring agent may include components that can provide a variety of flavors or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixture may include, but is not limited to, at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E. The liquid composition may also include an aerosol forming agent, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0055] The liquid transfer means can transfer the liquid composition of the liquid reservoir to the heating element, for example, but not limited to, a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic.

[0056] The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition transferred by the liquid transfer means. For example, the heating element can be, but is not limited to, a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, etc. Also, the heating element can be configured with a conductive filament such as a nichrome wire and arranged in a structure wound around the liquid transfer means. The heating element can be heated by supplying an electric current and transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol can be generated.

[0057] For example, the vaporizer 14000 may also be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but is not limited to these.

[0058] The aerosol generating device 10000 further includes a general-purpose configuration in addition to the battery 11000, the control unit 12000, and the heater 13000. For example, the aerosol generating device 10000 includes a display capable of outputting visual information, and / or a motor for outputting tactile information. The aerosol generating device 10000 also includes at least one sensor (such as a puff detection sensor, a temperature detection sensor, and a cigarette insertion detection sensor). The aerosol generating device 10000 is also fabricated to have a structure in which external air flows in or internal gas flows out even when the cigarette 20000 is inserted.

[0059] 1 and 2, the aerosol generating device 10000 can also configure a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle can be used to charge the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating device 10000. Alternatively, the heater 13000 can be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device 10000 are combined.

[0060] The cigarette 20000 may be similar to a typical combustion cigarette. For example, the cigarette 20000 may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol-generating material and a second portion including a filter or the like. Alternatively, the second portion of the cigarette 20000 may also include an aerosol-generating material. For example, the aerosol-generating material in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.

[0061] The entire first part may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000, and the second part may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a part of the first part may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000, or both the first part and the second part may be inserted. A user can inhale aerosol while holding the second part in their mouth. In this case, the aerosol is generated by external air passing through the first part, and the generated aerosol passes through the second part and is delivered to the user's mouth.

[0062] As an example, the external air may be introduced through at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 10000. For example, the opening and closing of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 10000 and / or the size of the air passage may be adjusted by a user. As a result, the amount of atomization, smoking sensation, etc. may be adjusted by the user. As another example, the external air may be introduced into the cigarette 20000 through at least one hole formed in the surface of the cigarette 20000.

[0063] An example of the cigarette 20000 will now be described with reference to FIG.

[0064] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cigarette.

[0065] 3, the cigarette 20000 includes a tobacco rod 21000 and a filter rod 22000. The first portion described with reference to FIGS.

[0066] 3, the filter rod 22000 is illustrated as a single segment, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod 22000 may be composed of multiple segments. For example, the filter rod 22000 may include a first segment for cooling the aerosol and a second segment for filtering a predetermined component contained in the aerosol. In addition, the filter rod 22000 may further include at least one segment for performing another function, if necessary.

[0067] The cigarette 20000 may be wrapped by at least one wrapper 24000. The wrapper 24000 may have at least one hole through which external air can flow in or internal gas can flow out. As an example, the cigarette 20000 may be wrapped by one wrapper 24000. As another example, the cigarette 20000 may be wrapped by two or more wrappers 24000 in a superimposed manner. For example, the tobacco rod 21000 may be wrapped by a first wrapper, and the filter rod 22000 may be wrapped by a second wrapper. Then, the tobacco rod 21000 and the filter rod 22000 wrapped by the individual wrappers may be combined, and the entire cigarette 20000 may be further wrapped by a third wrapper. If the tobacco rod 21000 or the filter rod 22000 is composed of a plurality of segments, each segment may be wrapped by an individual wrapper. The entire cigarette 20000, in which the segments wrapped by the individual wrappers are joined, can then be further wrapped by another wrapper.

[0068] The tobacco rod 21000 includes an aerosol-generating material. For example, the aerosol-generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but is not limited thereto. The tobacco rod 21000 may also include other additives, such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids. A flavoring liquid, such as menthol or a humectant, may also be added to the tobacco rod 21000 by being sprayed onto the tobacco rod 21000.

[0069] The tobacco rod 21000 may be made in various ways. For example, the tobacco rod 21000 may be made of a sheet or a strand. The tobacco rod 21000 may also be made of cut tobacco, which is a tobacco sheet that has been finely shredded. The tobacco rod 21000 may also be surrounded by a thermally conductive material. For example, the thermally conductive material may be a metal foil, such as aluminum foil, but is not limited thereto. As an example, the thermally conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21000 may uniformly distribute the heat transferred to the tobacco rod 21000 and improve the thermal conductivity applied to the tobacco rod, thereby improving the tobacco taste. The thermally conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21000 may also function as a susceptor that is heated by an induction heater. In this case, although not shown in the drawings, the tobacco rod 21000 may further include an additional susceptor in addition to the thermally conductive material surrounding the outside.

[0070] The filter rod 22000 is also a cellulose acetate filter. The shape of the filter rod 22000 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 22000 may be a cylindrical type rod or a tube type rod having a hollow inside. The filter rod 22000 may also be a recess type rod. If the filter rod 22000 is composed of multiple segments, at least one of the multiple segments may be made to have a different shape.

[0071] The filter rod 22000 may also be manufactured to emit a flavor. For example, a flavoring liquid may be sprayed onto the filter rod 22000, and separate fibers coated with the flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter rod 22000.

[0072] The filter rod 22000 also includes at least one capsule 23000. Here, the capsule 23000 can perform a function of generating flavor or a function of generating aerosol. For example, the capsule 23000 is a structure in which a liquid containing a flavoring agent is covered with a coating. The capsule 23000 can have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0073] If the filter rod 22000 includes a segment for cooling the aerosol, the cooling segment can be made of a polymeric material or a biodegradable polymeric material. For example, the cooling segment can be made of pure polylactic acid, but is not limited thereto. Or, the cooling segment can be made of a cellulose acetate filter with multiple holes. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the above examples, and can be applicable without limitation as long as it can perform the function of cooling the aerosol.

[0074] Although not shown in Fig. 3, the cigarette 20000 according to one embodiment further includes a front end filter. The front end filter may be located on one side of the tobacco rod 21000 opposite the filter rod 22000. The front end filter may prevent the tobacco rod 21000 from coming off, and may prevent liquefied aerosol from flowing out of the tobacco rod 21000 into the aerosol generating device 10000 (Figs. 1 and 2) during smoking.

[0075] 4A and 4B illustrate an example in which a heater assembly may be used according to one embodiment.

[0076] The heater assembly 10 for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment also includes a thermally conductive heat conductor 20 (FIG. 4B) that surrounds at least a portion of the aerosol product 50 when the aerosol product 50 is inserted, and a flexible heater 30 that surrounds an outer surface of the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 and heats the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 by power applied from an external power source. The flexible heater 30 also includes a first flexible film, a conductive track 32 disposed on the first flexible film and connected to the external power source at both ends, a second flexible film disposed on the conductive track 32 and attached to the first flexible film, one or more first fastening members 31s formed on one side of the first flexible film and the second flexible film, and one or more second fastening members 31t formed on the other side of the first flexible film and the second flexible film. The flexible heater 30 also surrounds the outer surface of the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 by fastening the first fastening members 31s and the second fastening members 31t.

[0077] The heater assembly 10 of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 4A includes a thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 (FIG. 4B) that contains an aerosol product 50 therein, and a flexible heater 30 that surrounds the outer surface of the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20.

[0078] In FIG. 4A, the flexible heater 30 is in the form of a flexible plate-shaped material wound around the outer surface of the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20.

[0079] The flexible heater 30 also includes a flexible film 31 and a conductive track 32. Specifically, the flexible heater 30 also includes a first flexible film, a conductive track 32 disposed on the first flexible film, and a second flexible film disposed on the conductive track 32.

[0080] The first and second flexible films may be attached to each other with the conductive track 32 in between. The first and second flexible films may be the same in size and shape, but the size and shape of the first and second flexible films are not limited thereto, as long as the first and second flexible films completely cover the conductive track 32. In Figures 4A and 4B, the flexible film 31 is illustrated as a single film, but this is for the purpose of illustrating the conductive track 32 in a schematic manner, and the flexible film 31 may include both the first and second flexible films.

[0081] The flexible film 31 may be made of a heat-resistant material, such as one or more of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate, and polyimide.

[0082] Both ends of the conductive track 32 may be connected to an external power source, which applies power to heat the flexible heater 30. The external power source may also be a power supply that supplies power to the heater assembly. For example, the power supply may be a battery 11000. The conductive track 32 may be heated by the power supplied from the battery 11000. The conductive track 32 may also be a structure laminated on the flexible film 31.

[0083] 4A, the flexible heater 30 further includes fastening members (first fastening member 31s, second fastening member 31t) for fastening one side and the other side of the flexible heater 30 to each other in the circumferential direction. The fastening members (first fastening member 31s, second fastening member 31t) are also integrally provided as an extension of the flexible film 31 of the flexible heater 30.

[0084] Through fastening of fastening members (first fastening member 31s, second fastening member 31t), the outer surface of the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 can be surrounded, and the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 can accommodate the aerosol product 50 and transfer heat from the flexible heater 30 to the aerosol product 50. In Fig. 4A, the aerosol product 50 illustrated by the dotted line is intended to roughly explain the assembled form of the flexible heater 30, and the assembled form of the flexible heater 30 will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 4B.

[0085] FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating a flexible heater 30 surrounding the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20. As shown in FIG.

[0086] The outer surface of the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 that contains the aerosol product 50 is surrounded by a flexible heater 30. The flexible heater 30 may be subjected to a bending or folding process so that the flexible heater 30 surrounds the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20.

[0087] The flexible heater 30 also includes fastening members on both sides in a circumferential direction in which the flexible heater 30 surrounds the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20. For example, first fastening member 31s and second fastening member 31t are illustrated in Fig. 4B. The first fastening member 31s is formed on one side of the first flexible film and the second flexible film, and the second fastening member 31t is formed on the other side of the first flexible film and the second flexible film.

[0088] The one side and the other side of the first flexible film and the second flexible film refer to end portions of the first flexible film and the second flexible film that are attached to each other. Here, the term "one side" refers to a part of the flexible film 31 that is close to the edge from the center of the flexible film 31, and does not necessarily refer to only the edge. The term "other side" may refer to a portion that contacts the "one side" when the flexible film 31 is rolled into a cylindrical shape. The one side and the other side may refer to portions that face each other or that face each other.

[0089] By fastening the first fastening member 31s and the second fastening member 31t of the flexible heater 30, one side and the other side in the circumferential direction of the flexible heater 30 can be fastened together, and then the flexible heater 30 can be incorporated into the outer surface of the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20. Alternatively, after the flexible heater 30 is disposed so as to surround the outer surface of the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20, the one side and the other side in the circumferential direction of the flexible heater 30 can be fastened together by fastening the first fastening member 31s and the second fastening member 31t.

[0090] According to an embodiment, since the flexible heater 30 includes fastening members (first fastening member 31s, second fastening member 31t), when the flexible heater 30 is wound into a cylindrical shape, one side of the flexible heater 30 can be easily fixed to the other side, and the process time can be shortened. In addition, when a process for closely contacting the flexible heater 30 and the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 is performed, the flexible heater 30 can be prevented from spreading or the occurrence of a contact deviation, and a lifting phenomenon that may occur between the flexible heater 30 and the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 due to the contact deviation can be prevented.

[0091] The thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 may refer to a metal structure having high thermal conductivity that forms a storage space for storing the aerosol product 50 therein. The thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 may also be a rigid material for storing the aerosol product 50 therein. The thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 may also include a metal material that can transfer heat, such as copper, nickel, iron, chromium, or an alloy thereof, that transfers heat generated from the flexible heater 30 to the aerosol product and has a relatively high rigidity.

[0092] 4B, the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 is illustrated as having a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto, and may have a space therein for accommodating the aerosol product 50, and may be modified in various ways to correspond to the external shape and size of the aerosol product 50. For example, the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 may be embodied as a cylinder having a polygonal cross-sectional shape such as a triangle or a rectangle, or an elliptical cross-sectional shape. As an example, the flexible heater 30 may be disposed in a circumferential direction of the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 so as to surround the outer surface of the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20, and may be fastened by fastening members (first fastening member 31s, second fastening member 31t) on both sides.

[0093] 4B, the flexible heater 30 and the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 are illustrated as having the same length, but are not limited to such a structure, that is, either one of the flexible heater 30 and the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 may be formed longer.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 4B, the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 also includes a positioning member 21 for setting a position relative to the flexible heater 30 when the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 and the flexible heater 30 are assembled. That is, the flexible heater 30 includes various components such as the conductive track 32, electrodes, and connectors, and if the position of the flexible heater 30 relative to the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 is appropriately set, such components can operate smoothly. The positioning member 21 plays a role in accurately setting the position of the flexible heater 30 relative to the thermally conductive heat conductor 20. It can set an appropriate position relative to the thermally conductive heat conductor 20. The positioning member 21 is a member for visually checking the assembled position of the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 and the flexible heater 30, and is also a recess or protrusion for physically corresponding to the component shape of the flexible heater 30 when assembled.

[0095] 4A and 4B show only the configuration related to the present embodiment. Therefore, a person having ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment can understand that the heater assembly 10 for an aerosol generating device further includes other general components in addition to the components shown in FIG. 4A. For example, the heater assembly 10 also includes at least one electrical connector (not shown) for electrically connecting the flexible heater 30 and the battery 11000.

[0096] 5A and 5B illustrate a flexible heater of a heater assembly according to one embodiment.

[0097] 5A and 5B, the fastening members (first fastening member 31s, second fastening member 31t) of the flexible heater 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described. The fastening members (first fastening member 31s, second fastening member 31t) are members for fastening one side and the other side of the flexible heater 30 to each other in the circumferential direction, and are not limited in number, shape, or position as long as they are for fastening one side and the other side of the flexible heater 30 in the circumferential direction.

[0098] Specifically, the fastening members (first fastening member 31s, second fastening member 31t) include one or more first fastening members 31s and one or more second fastening members 31t. The first fastening member 31s is formed on one side in the circumferential direction of the flexible heater 30, and the second fastening member 31t is formed on the other side in the circumferential direction of the flexible heater 30.

[0099] The first fastening member 31s and the second fastening member 31t are each formed integrally with the flexible film 31. As described above, the flexible film 31 includes a first flexible film and a second flexible film attached thereto. Therefore, it can be said that the first fastening member 31s is formed on one side of the first flexible film and the second flexible film, and the second fastening member 31t is formed on the other side of the first flexible film and the second flexible film.

[0100] According to an embodiment of the present invention, fastening one side and the other side of the flexible heater 30 in the circumferential direction through the fastening member also means bending or folding the flexible heater 30 so that one side and the other side are physically in contact with each other. Here, this fastening structure may require additional processes. For example, after fastening one side and the other side through the fastening member, it may be bonded to the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 through an adhesive or the like, and a separate process of adhering to the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 may be required, and the fastening form is a temporary fastening form that requires separate processing.

[0101] 5A and 5B illustrate a flexible heater of a heater assembly according to an embodiment. Referring to Fig. 5A and 5B, a first fastening member 31s may be formed on one side of the flexible heater 30 in the circumferential direction, and a second fastening member 31t may be formed on the other side of the flexible heater 30 in the circumferential direction.

[0102] The first fastening member 31s and the second fastening member 31t are also integrally formed with the flexible heater 30. Specifically, they are also integrally formed with the flexible film of the flexible heater 30. As described above, the flexible heater 30 includes a first flexible film, a conductive track, and a second flexible film.

[0103] 5A and 5B, the fastening members in Fig. 5A and 5B also include a first fastening member 31s and a second fastening member 31t, and each fastening member includes a bent portion. The bent portion of the first fastening member 31s and the bent portion of the second fastening member 31t come into contact with each other, so that one side and the other side in the circumferential direction of the flexible heater 30 can be fastened to each other. By fastening the first fastening member 31s and the second fastening member 31t, the flexible heater 30 can surround the outer surface of the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20.

[0104] 6A illustrates the fastening structure of the flexible heater 30 of FIG. 5A. In FIG. 6A, when the flexible heater 30 is wound into a cylindrical shape and one and the other sides of the flexible heater 30 are in contact with each other, the first fastening member 31s formed on one side of the flexible heater 30 in the circumferential direction is bent and can be engaged with the bent portion of the second fastening member 31t formed on the other side of the flexible heater 30 in the circumferential direction. By fastening the first fastening member 31s and the second fastening member 31t in this manner, one and the other sides of the flexible heater 30 are fastened to each other, and the outer surface of the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 can be surrounded.

[0105] Fig. 6B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example of fastening the flexible heater of Fig. 5A. That is, Fig. 6B is a cross-sectional view illustrating the flexible heater 30 of Fig. 6A being coupled and fixed along A-A'. The cross section of A-A' includes the first fastening member 31s and the second fastening member 31t.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 6B, when the flexible heater 30 is wound into a cylindrical shape and one and other sides of the flexible heater 30 come into contact with each other, the bent portion of the first fastening member 31s formed on one side of the flexible heater 30 in the circumferential direction can be engaged with the bent portion of the second fastening member 31t on the other side, thereby fastening one and other sides of the flexible heater 30.

[0107] The area and shape of the bent portion of the first fastening member 31s are not limited as long as one side and the other side of the flexible heater 30 can be at least temporarily fastened by the bent portion of the first fastening member 31s and the bent portion of the second fastening member 31t. For example, the bent portion of the first fastening member 31s may refer to the entire cut-out portion as shown in FIG. 5A or the entire protruding portion as shown in FIG. 5B, but it may also refer to only a part of the bent portion. The shape of the first fastening member 31s is not limited to the shapes exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, and may be, for example, a polygon such as a triangle or a rectangle, a circle, a semicircle, an ellipse, or the like, as long as the first fastening member 31s is a shape that can contact one side and the other side of the flexible heater 30 in the circumferential direction. 5A and 5B, the first fastening member 31s may be formed singly on one side in the circumferential direction of the flexible heater 30, or may be formed in one or more.

[0108] 7A-7C illustrate a flexible heater of a heater assembly according to another embodiment.

[0109] 7A to 7C are schematic diagrams illustrating yet another embodiment of a fastening member of the flexible heater 30. The fastening member according to the embodiment of the present invention may include one or more first fastening members 31s on one side and one or more second fastening members 31t fastened to the first fastening members 31s on the other side, so that both sides of the flexible heater 30 are fastened to each other in the circumferential direction of the flexible heater 30. In Figs. 7A to 7C, the first fastening members 31s include one or more locking portions, and the second fastening members 31t include one or more receiving portions fastened to the one or more locking portions.

[0110] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the fastening of one side and the other side of the flexible heater 30 also means that the flexible heater 30 can be bent or folded so that the one side and the other side of the flexible heater 30 can physically come into contact with each other and engage with each other. The fastening of one side and the other side can be achieved by adhering the flexible heater 30 to the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 using an adhesive or the like, and is a temporary fastening form that requires a separate process of closely adhering the flexible heater 30 to the thermally conductive heat conductor 20.

[0111] The receiving portion of the second fastening member 31t is also in a form into which the locking portion of the first fastening member 31s is fitted. As an example, Fig. 7A illustrates fastening members (first fastening member 31s, second fastening member 31t) including a first fastening member 31s protruding from one side in the circumferential direction of the flexible heater 30 and a second fastening member 31t formed on the other side in the form of a cut line into which the first fastening member 31s is fitted.

[0112] FIG. 7B is another example, illustrating a fastening member (first fastening member 31s, second fastening member 31t) including a hook-shaped first fastening member 31s protruding from a flexible heater 30 and a hole-shaped second fastening member 31t into which the first fastening member 31s is fitted.

[0113] The shape of the first fastening member 31s may be the shape exemplarily illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B, or may be a polygon (e.g., triangle, square, etc.), circle, semicircle, ellipse, etc. The second fastening member 31t is not limited as long as it has a shape corresponding thereto and the first fastening member 31s is fitted therein and can contact one side and the other side of the flexible heater 30 in the circumferential direction.

[0114] 7A and 7B, when one side and the other side of the flexible heater in the circumferential direction come into contact with each other, the one side and the other side can be fastened by fastening the first fastening member 31s and the second fastening member 31t. In this case, the first fastening member 31s can be easily fastened to the second fastening member 31t even if it is not in a bent form. In addition, the first fastening member 31s is fitted into the second fastening member 31t, so that one side of the flexible heater can be firmly fastened to the other side.

[0115] As yet another embodiment, FIG. 7C illustrates a first fastening member 31s protruding from one side in the circumferential direction of the flexible heater 30, and a second fastening member 31t formed on the other side in a recessed shape into which the first fastening member 31s is fitted.

[0116] To explain in detail with reference to the embodiment of Figure 7C, three protruding first fastening members 31s extending around one side of the flexible heater 30 can be fitted into three concave second fastening members 31t formed on the other side, thereby fastening one side and the other side of the flexible heater 30.

[0117] 7A and 7B, the fastening member is formed with one protruding first fastening member 31s on one circumferential side of the flexible heater 30, and one groove-like second fastening member 31t for receiving the first fastening member on the other side. In Fig. 7C, the fastening member (first fastening member 31s, second fastening member 31t) is formed with three protruding first fastening members 31s on one circumferential side of the flexible heater 30, and three recessed second fastening members 31t for receiving the first fastening members on the other side.

[0118] However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in Figures 7A to 7C, and the first fastening member 31s and the second fastening member 31t may be formed in various numbers. The first fastening member 31s may include both a locking portion and a receiving portion, and the receiving portion and the locking portion of the second fastening member 31t may correspond to the locking portion and the receiving portion of the first fastening member 31s, respectively. It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in Figures 7A to 7C as long as one side and the other side of the flexible heater 30 in the circumferential direction can be brought into contact with each other.

[0119] Fig. 8 illustrates the fastening structure of the flexible heater of Fig. 7A. In Fig. 8, when the flexible heater 30 is wound into a cylindrical shape and one and the other sides of the flexible heater 30 are in contact with each other in the circumferential direction, a locking portion of a first fastening member 31s formed on one side of the flexible heater 30 in the circumferential direction can be fitted into a receiving portion of a second fastening member 31t formed on the other side.

[0120] When the first fastening member 31s and the second fastening member 31t are fastened to each other, one side in the circumferential direction of the flexible heater 30 may be fastened to cover a part of the outer surface of the other side. Specifically, when both sides of the flexible heater 30 are fastened to each other, one side in the circumferential direction is located on the outside and the other side is located on the inside, and the locking portion of the first fastening member 31s is fitted into the receiving portion of the second fastening member 31t from the outside to the inside, thereby covering the other side.

[0121] Conversely, the locking portion of the first fastening member 31s may be fitted into the second fastening member 31t so that the other circumferential side of the flexible heater 30 covers a portion of the outer surface of the one side. That is, when both sides of the flexible heater 30 are fastened, the locking portion of the first fastening member 31s may be fitted into the receiving portion of the second fastening member 31t from the inside to the outside while being in contact with one circumferential side located on the inside and the other side located on the outside. In this case, the other side may cover a portion of the outer surface of the one side.

[0122] Figure 9A is a schematic diagram of a heater assembly according to another embodiment, and Figure 9B is a cross-sectional view of Figure 9A.

[0123] The heater assembly 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes a contact member 40 surrounding the outer surface of the flexible heater 30 so as to bring the flexible heater 30 into close contact with the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20. An aerosol product 50 may be inserted into the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20.

[0124] The fact that the flexible heater 30 is in close contact with the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 may mean that the distance between the flexible heater 30 and the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 is minimized. Since the flexible heater 30 is in close contact with the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 by the contact member 40, heat loss during the process in which heat generated from the flexible heater 30 is transferred to the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 may be minimized.

[0125] The contact member 40 of the present invention according to an embodiment may have elasticity so as to contract toward the flexible heater 30, i.e., inward, or may have heat shrinkability so as to contract in response to an increase in temperature. By virtue of the contact member 40 having such properties, the flexible heater 30 surrounded by the contact member 40 may be in close contact with the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20.

[0126] The contact member 40 is made of any suitable material capable of bringing the flexible heater 30 into close contact with the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20, and specifically, the contact member 40 may be made of any suitable material having elasticity so as to contract toward the flexible heater 30 side, or having heat shrinkability so as to contract due to an increase in temperature. For example, the contact member 40 may be made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of heat-resistant synthetic resin, polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon (registered trademark)), and silicon, but is not limited thereto.

[0127] In addition, the contact member 40 is also made of a heat-resistant material to withstand the heat generated by the flexible heater 30, and is also made of an insulating material to prevent the heat generated by the flexible heater 30 from being lost to the outside.

[0128] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the flexible heater 30 includes a fastening member, which minimizes the spread of the flexible heater 30 or the occurrence of contact deviation during the process of closely contacting the flexible heater 30 and the thermally conductive heat conductor 20, and prevents a lifting phenomenon that may occur between the flexible heater 30 and the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 due to such deviation. For example, after the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 and the flexible heater 30 are assembled, a contact member 40 can be used when processing the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 and the flexible heater 30 to closely contact each other, and when shrinking using the contact member 40, the flexible heater 30 and the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 can be stably contacted, making heat conduction more efficient.

[0129] In addition, in Figure 9A, the lengths of the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20, the flexible heater 30 and the contact member 40 are shown to become gradually shorter in the order in which they are arranged, but this is only for the purpose of making it easy to understand the structure of the heater assembly 10 for an aerosol generating device, and the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20, the flexible heater 30 and the contact member 40 may each have any appropriate length.

[0130] Although not shown in the drawings, a support tube made of a heat insulating material may be separately included so that heat generated from the flexible heater 30 is not released to the outside. The support tube is also disposed on the outside of the flexible heater 30, and in the case where the heater assembly 10 also includes a contact member 40, the support tube is also disposed on the outside of the contact member 40. The support tube may further include a shielding layer for shielding heat transfer on at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface.

[0131] In addition, although not shown in the drawings, a protective film for protecting the flexible heater 30 may be further disposed on at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the flexible heater 30 .

[0132] FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating steps in a method of manufacturing a heater assembly of an aerosol generating device according to the above embodiment.

[0133] The method for manufacturing the heater assembly 10 of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 10 includes the steps of preparing a flexible heater 30 (S100), fastening both circumferential sides of the flexible heater 30 (S110), and assembling the flexible heater 30 and the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 (S120). After the steps, the method further includes the step of processing the flexible heater 30 and the thermally conductive heat conductor 20 so that they are in close contact with each other (S130).

[0134] In the method of manufacturing the heater assembly 10 described above, the step S110 of fastening both circumferential sides of the flexible heater 30 and the step S120 of assembling the flexible heater 30 and the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 may be performed simultaneously or in a different order than that shown in FIG. 10.

[0135] In addition, the step of processing the flexible heater 30 and the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 to be in close contact (S130) may be omitted if necessary. However, if the step S130 is carried out, the flexible heater 30 and the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 are more closely contacted, and therefore the heat transfer efficiency for the aerosol product is increased.

[0136] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step of preparing the flexible heater 30 (S100) also includes providing a flexible heater including one or more first fastening members on one side and one or more second fastening members on the other side.

[0137] According to one embodiment, in the step (S110) of fastening both sides of the flexible heater 30 in the circumferential direction, the flexible heater 30 includes one or more first fastening members on one side and one or more second fastening members on the other side, so that when the flexible heater 30 is wound into a cylindrical shape, it is easy to fix one side and the other side of the flexible heater 30, and the process time can be shortened.

[0138] In addition, in the step (S130) of processing the flexible heater 30 and the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 so that they are in close contact with each other, the fastening member can minimize the spread of the flexible heater 30 or the occurrence of a contact deviation, and can prevent a lifting phenomenon that may occur between the flexible heater 30 and the thermally conductive heat transfer body 20 due to such a deviation.

[0139] It goes without saying that the heater assembly 10 for an aerosol generating device includes the above-mentioned components. In one embodiment, the flexible heater also includes a first flexible film, a conductive track arranged on the first flexible film and connected to an external power source at both ends, a second flexible film arranged on the conductive track and attached to the first flexible film, and a first fastening member and a second fastening member. In another embodiment, the first fastening member is formed on one side of the first flexible film and the second flexible film, and the second fastening member is formed on the other side of the first flexible film and the second flexible film. The conductive track is not arranged on the first fastening member and the second fastening member.

[0140] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 1100 according to another embodiment.

[0141] The aerosol generating device 1100 also includes a control unit 1110, a sensing unit 1120, an output unit 1130, a battery 1140, a heater 1150, a user input unit 1160, a memory 1170, and a communication unit 1180. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1100 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 11. That is, a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field related to this embodiment can understand that some of the components shown in Fig. 11 may be omitted or new components may be added depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 1100.

[0142] The sensing unit 1120 may sense the state of the aerosol generating device 1100 or the state around the aerosol generating device 1100, and transmit the sensed information to the control unit 1110. The control unit 1110 may control the aerosol generating device 1100 based on the sensed information to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater 1150, restricting smoking, determining whether or not to insert an aerosol product (e.g., cigarette, cartridge, etc.), and displaying notifications.

[0143] The sensing unit 1120 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 1122, an insertion sensor 1124, and a puff sensor 1126, but is not limited to them.

[0144] The temperature sensor 1122 may sense the temperature to which the heater 1150 (or the aerosol generating substance) is heated. The aerosol generating device 1100 may include a separate temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the heater 1150, or the heater 1150 itself may act as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 1122 may be disposed around the battery 1140 to monitor the temperature of the battery 1140.

[0145] The insertion detection sensor 1124 may detect the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol product article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 1124 may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and may detect a signal change due to the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol product article.

[0146] The puff sensor 1126 may detect a user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or channel, for example, the puff sensor 1126 may detect a user's puff based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

[0147] The sensing unit 1120 may further include at least one of a temperature / humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)), a proximity sensor, and an RGB (red-green-blue) (illuminance) sensor in addition to the above-mentioned sensors (temperature sensor 1122, insertion sensor 1124, and puff sensor 1126). A person skilled in the art can intuitively infer the function of each sensor from its name, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0148] The output unit 1130 may output information related to the status of the aerosol generating device 1100 and provide it to a user. The output unit 1130 may include at least one of a display unit 1132, a haptic unit 1134, and an audio output unit 1136, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 1132 and the touch pad have a layered structure and are configured as a touch screen, the display unit 1132 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0149] The display unit 1132 may visually provide information related to the aerosol generating device 1100 to a user. For example, the information related to the aerosol generating device 1100 may mean various information such as a charging / discharging state of the battery 1140 of the aerosol generating device 1100, a preheating state of the heater 1150, an insertion / removal state of an aerosol product, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generating device 1100 is restricted (e.g., abnormal item detection), and the display unit 1132 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 1132 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting display panel (OLED), etc. The display unit 1132 may also be in the form of a light emitting element such as an LED (light-emitting diode).

[0150] The haptic unit 1134 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical or electrical stimulus and provide a user with tactile information related to the aerosol generating device 1100. For example, the haptic unit 1134 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0151] The acoustic output unit 1136 can audibly provide the user with information related to the aerosol generating device 1100. For example, the acoustic output unit 1136 can convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

[0152] The battery 1140 may supply power used for the operation of the aerosol generating device 1100. The battery 1140 may supply power so that the heater 1150 can be heated. The battery 1140 may also supply power necessary for the operation of other components (e.g., the sensing unit 1120, the output unit 1130, the user input unit 1160, the memory 1170, and the communication unit 1180) included in the aerosol generating device 1100. The battery 1140 may be a rechargeable battery or a one-time use battery. For example, the battery 1140 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0153] The heater 1150 can heat the aerosol-generating material by receiving power from the battery 1140. Although not shown in Fig. 11, the aerosol generating device 1100 further includes a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC (direct current) / DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 1140 and supplies it to the heater 1150. When the aerosol generating device 1100 generates an aerosol by an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 1100 further includes a DC / AC (alternating current) converter that converts the DC power supply of the battery 1140 into an AC power supply.

[0154] The control unit 1110, the sensing unit 1120, the output unit 1130, the user input unit 1160, the memory 1170, and the communication unit 1180 may perform functions by receiving power from a battery 1140. Although not shown in FIG. 11, the device may further include a power conversion circuit, for example, an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, that converts the power of the battery 1140 and supplies it to each component.

[0155] In one embodiment, the heater 1150 is formed of any suitable electrically resistive material, such as, but not limited to, a 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. The heater 1150 may also be embodied as, but not limited to, a metallic hot wire, a metallic hot plate with conductive tracks, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0156] In another embodiment, heater 1150 is an inductive heater, for example one that includes a susceptor that generates heat via a magnetic field applied by a coil to heat the aerosol generating material.

[0157] The user input unit 1160 may receive information input by a user or output information to a user. For example, the user input unit 1160 may be, but is not limited to, a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (contact type capacitance type, pressure type resistive film type, infrared sensing type, surface ultrasonic conduction type, integral type tension measurement type, piezoelectric effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 11, the aerosol generating device 1100 may further include a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and may connect to another external device through the connection interface such as the USB interface to transmit and receive information or charge the battery 1140.

[0158] The memory 1170 is hardware that stores various data processed in the aerosol generating device 1100, and may store data processed by the control unit 1110 and data to be processed. The memory 1170 may include at least one type of recording medium selected from the group consisting of a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., a secure digital (SD) memory or an extreme digital (XD) memory), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory 1170 may store the operation time, maximum puff count, current puff count, at least one temperature profile, and data related to the user's smoking pattern of the aerosol generating device 1100.

[0159] The communication unit 1180 also includes at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 1180 also includes a short-range wireless communication unit 1182 and a wireless communication unit 1184.

[0160] The short-range communication unit 1182 may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a WLAN (wireless local area network) (Wi-Fi (registered trademark) (wireless fidelity)) communication unit, a Zigbee (registered trademark) communication unit, an IrDA (infrared data association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, a UWB (ultra-wideband) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, and the like.

[0161] The wireless communication unit 1184 may include, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN)) communication unit, etc. The wireless communication unit 1184 may also use subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) to identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 1100 within the communication network.

[0162] The control unit 1110 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1100. In one embodiment, the control unit 1110 may also include at least one processor. The processor may be realized by an array of a number of logic gates, or may be realized by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program that can be executed by the microprocessor is stored. In addition, it will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs that the processor may also be realized by other types of hardware.

[0163] The control unit 1110 can control the temperature of the heater 1150 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 1140 to the heater 1150. For example, the control unit 1110 can control the power supply by controlling the switching of switching elements of the battery 1140 and the heater 1150. In another example, a heating direct circuit can control the power supply to the heater 1150 by a control command from the control unit 1110.

[0164] The control unit 1110 may analyze the results sensed by the sensing unit 1120 and control subsequent processing. For example, the control unit 1110 may control the power supplied to the heater 1150 so that the operation of the heater 1150 is started or stopped based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 1120. As another example, the control unit 1110 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 1150 and the time for which the power is supplied so that the heater 1150 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 1120.

[0165] The control unit 1110 may control the output unit 1130 based on the result sensed by the sensing unit 1120. For example, if the number of puffs counted via the puff sensor 1126 reaches a preset number, the control unit 1110 may notify the user through at least one of the display unit 1132, the haptic unit 1134, and the audio output unit 1136 that the aerosol generating device 1100 will soon be shut down.

[0166] An embodiment may also be embodied in the form of a recording medium containing computer executable instructions such as a program module executed by a computer. A computer readable medium is any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, including both volatile and non-volatile media, and both separate and non-separate media. A computer readable medium also includes both a computer recording medium and a communication medium. The computer recording medium includes both volatile and non-volatile, separate and non-separate media embodied in any method or technology for storing information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The communication medium typically includes computer readable instructions, data structures, other data in a modulated data signal such as a program module, or other transmission mechanism, and includes any information delivery medium.

[0167] The above description of the embodiments is merely illustrative, and a person having ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the invention is defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to the contents described in the claims should be interpreted as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. a thermally conductive heat transfer body configured to contain the aerosol product; a flexible heater that surrounds an outer surface of the thermally conductive heat transfer body and heats the thermally conductive heat transfer body by applying power from an external power source; The flexible heater comprises: A first flexible film; a second flexible film attached to the first flexible film; a conductive track disposed between the first flexible film and the second flexible film, the conductive track having both ends connected to the external power source; one or more first fastening members formed on one side of the first flexible film and the second flexible film; one or more second fastening members formed on the other side of the first flexible film and the second flexible film, A heater assembly for an aerosol generating device, wherein the flexible heater surrounds the outer surface of the thermally conductive heat transfer body by fastening the first fastening member and the second fastening member.

2. The first fastening member and the second fastening member each include a bent portion, The heater assembly for an aerosol generating device as described in claim 1, wherein the bent portion of the first fastening member and the bent portion of the second fastening member are fastened to each other, such that one side and the other side of the flexible heater are fastened to each other in a circumferential direction of the flexible heater.

3. 2. A heater assembly for an aerosol generating device as described in claim 1, wherein the first fastening member includes one or more locking portions, and the second fastening member includes one or more receiving portions that are fastened to the one or more locking portions.

4. The heater assembly for an aerosol generating device according to claim 3 , wherein the engaging portion is fitted into the receiving portion.

5. 2. The heater assembly for an aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising a contact member surrounding an outer surface of the flexible heater so as to bring the flexible heater and the thermally conductive heat transfer body into close contact with each other.

6. The heater assembly for an aerosol generating device according to claim 5 , wherein the contact member has elasticity such that the contact member is contracted toward the flexible heater, or has thermal contractibility such that the contact member is contracted by an increase in temperature.

7. 2. The heater assembly for an aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the first fastening member and the second fastening member are free of the conductive track.

8. The heater assembly for an aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the thermally conductive heat transfer body includes a position setting member for setting a position relative to the flexible heater.

9. 2. The heater assembly for an aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive heat transfer body is copper, nickel, iron, chromium, or an alloy thereof.

10. 2. The heater assembly for an aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising a support tube made of a heat insulating material and disposed outside the flexible heater.

11. providing a flexible heater including one or more first fastening members on one side and one or more second fastening members on an opposite side; fastening the first fastening member and the second fastening member to each other to fasten one side and the other side of the flexible heater in a circumferential direction; and incorporating the thermally conductive heat transfer body and the flexible heater such that the flexible heater surrounds an outer surface of the thermally conductive heat transfer body; The method of manufacturing a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device, wherein the thermally conductive heat transfer body is configured to contain an aerosol product.

12. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising the step of: disposing a contact member surrounding an outer surface of the flexible heater and processing the flexible heater so as to contact closely with the thermally conductive heat transfer body.

13. A heater assembly comprising: An aerosol generating device comprising a power supply that supplies power to the heater assembly.

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