Heater assembly, aerosol generating device including the same, and method for manufacturing the heater assembly

Abstract

In a heater assembly for heating an aerosol generating article by a dielectric heating method, the heater assembly includes an oscillation unit that generates microwaves, a resonance unit that resonates the microwaves to generate an electric field, and a coupler having one end in contact with the oscillation unit and the other end in contact with the resonance unit, and transmitting the microwaves generated by the oscillation unit to the resonance unit. The oscillation unit also includes a printed circuit board laminated on the resonance unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heater assembly capable of heating an aerosol-generating article by a dielectric heating method to generate an aerosol, and an aerosol-generating device including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, the demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes has been increasing. For example, there is an increasing demand for a system that generates an aerosol by heating a cigarette (or "aerosol-generating article") using an aerosol-generating device, rather than by burning the cigarette to generate an aerosol.

[0003] Recently, an aerosol-generating device using a dielectric heating method that heats an aerosol-generating article using microwaves instead of a resistance heating or induction heating method has been proposed. The microwave heating technology can generate heat in a dielectric contained in the aerosol-generating article due to the resonance of microwaves, and heat the aerosol-generating article through the heat generated in the dielectric.

[0004] In order to improve the usability of such an aerosol-generating device using a dielectric heating method, it is necessary to attempt to miniaturize the device while appropriately arranging the components of the oscillation unit and the resonance unit to improve the heating efficiency.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] One embodiment provides a miniaturized heater assembly and an aerosol-generating device capable of heating an aerosol-generating article by a dielectric heating method.

[0006] One embodiment can improve the heating efficiency and heat dissipation effect even in a miniaturized device by laminating an oscillation unit on a resonance unit.

[0007] The problems to be solved through the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned problems, and problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present embodiments belong from this specification and the accompanying drawings.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A heater assembly for heating an aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment includes an oscillation unit that generates microwaves, a resonance unit that resonates the microwaves to generate an electric field, and a coupler having one end in contact with the oscillation unit and the other end in contact with the resonance unit, for transmitting the microwaves generated by the oscillation unit to the resonance unit. The oscillation unit also includes a printed circuit board laminated on the resonance unit.

[0009] An aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment includes a housing including an insertion port into which an aerosol-generating article is inserted, and a heater assembly for heating the aerosol-generating article inserted through the insertion port. The heater assembly includes an oscillation unit that generates microwaves, a resonance unit that resonates the microwaves to generate an electric field, and a coupler having one end in contact with the oscillation unit and the other end in contact with the resonance unit, for transmitting the microwaves generated by the oscillation unit to the resonance unit. The oscillation unit also includes a printed circuit board laminated on the resonance unit.

[0010] A method for manufacturing a heater assembly for heating an aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment includes providing a resonance unit, connecting a coupler having one end in contact with the resonance unit, and laminating an oscillation unit including a printed circuit board on the resonance unit in contact with the other end of the coupler.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] The heater assembly, aerosol-generating device, and method for manufacturing the heater assembly according to the present embodiment can provide a miniaturized heater assembly and an aerosol-generating device.

[0012] In addition, this embodiment can provide a heater assembly, an aerosol generating device, and a method for manufacturing the heater assembly that can improve heating efficiency and heat dissipation effect even in a miniaturized device.

[0013] The effects according to this embodiment are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and the effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which this embodiment belongs from this specification and the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 8A

Figure 8B

Figure 9A

Figure 9B

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0016] The suffixes “~module” and “~section” related to the components used in the following description are given or mixed only for the ease of preparing the specification, and do not have meanings or roles that are distinct from each other per se.

[0017] Also, in the description of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, when it is determined that the specific description related to the related known art may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are only for facilitating the understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical idea disclosed in this specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and it should be understood that all modifications, equivalents or alternatives included in the idea and technical scope of this disclosure are included.

[0018] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first and second can be used in the description of various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

[0019] When it is mentioned that a certain component is “connected to” or “attached to” another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected to or attached to the other component, but there may also be other components in between. Note that when it is mentioned that a certain component is “directly connected to” or “directly attached to” another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0020] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 100 according to one embodiment also includes a housing 110 that can accommodate an aerosol generating article 10, and a heater assembly 200 for heating the aerosol generating article 10 housed in the housing 110.

[0023] The housing 110 forms the overall appearance of the aerosol generating device 100, and components of the aerosol generating device 100 can be arranged in the internal space (or "mounting space") of the housing 110. For example, a heater assembly 200, a battery, a processor, and / or a sensor can be arranged in the internal space of the housing 110, but the components arranged in the internal space are not limited thereto.

[0024] An insertion port 110h is formed in a region of the housing 110, and at least one region of the aerosol generating article 10 can be inserted into the housing 110 through the insertion port 110h. For example, the insertion port 110h can be formed in a region of the upper end surface (e.g., the surface facing in the z direction) of the housing 110, but the position where the insertion port 110h is formed is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the insertion port 110h can also be formed in a region of the side surface (e.g., the surface facing in the x direction) of the housing 110.

[0025] The heater assembly 200 is arranged in the internal space of the housing 110 and can heat the aerosol generating article 10 inserted or housed in the housing 110 through the insertion port 110h. For example, the heater assembly 200 is arranged to surround at least one region of the aerosol generating article 10 inserted or housed in the housing 110 and can heat the aerosol generating article 10.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the heater assembly 200 can heat the aerosol generating article 10 by means of dielectric heating. In the present disclosure, the "dielectric heating method" means a method of heating a dielectric material, which is the object to be heated, by utilizing the resonance of microwaves and / or the electric field (or magnetic field including the electric field) of microwaves. The microwaves are an energy source for heating the object to be heated and are generated by high-frequency power. Therefore, hereinafter, the microwaves can be used interchangeably with microwave power.

[0027] Inside the heater assembly 200, due to microwave resonance, the charges or ions of the dielectric contained inside the aerosol generating article 10 vibrate or rotate, and heat is generated in the dielectric due to the frictional heat generated during the process in which the charges or ions vibrate or rotate, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated.

[0028] When the aerosol generating article 10 is heated by the heater assembly 200, an aerosol can be generated from the aerosol generating article 10. In the present disclosure, the "aerosol" can mean gas particles generated by mixing the vapor and air generated when the aerosol generating article 10 is heated.

[0029] The aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article 10 can be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100 by passing through the aerosol generating article 10 or through the empty space between the aerosol generating article 10 and the insertion port 110h. The user can smoke by bringing the mouth into contact with an area of the aerosol generating article 10 exposed outside the housing 110 and inhaling the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0030] An aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment is also arranged to be movable in a housing 110 and further includes a cover 111 for opening and closing an insertion port 110h. For example, the cover 111 is slidably coupled to the upper end surface of the housing 110 to expose the insertion port 110h to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100 or to cover the insertion port 110h so that the insertion port 110h is not exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0031] In one example, the cover 111 is configured such that in the first position (or "open position"), the insertion port 110h is exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100. When the aerosol generating device 100 is exposed to the outside, the aerosol generating article 10 can be inserted into the housing 110 through the insertion port 110h.

[0032] In another example, the cover 111 is configured such that in the second position (or "closed position"), the insertion port 110h is covered so that the insertion port 110h is not exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100. At this time, the cover 111 can prevent foreign matter from flowing into the inside of the heater assembly 200 through the insertion port 110h when the aerosol generating device 100 is not in use.

[0033] FIG. 1 only shows an aerosol generating device 100 for heating a solid-state aerosol generating article 10, but the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

[0034] An aerosol generating device according to another embodiment can also generate an aerosol by heating a liquid or gel-like aerosol generating substance through a heater assembly 200 instead of a solid-state aerosol generating article 10.

[0035] According to yet other embodiments, an aerosol generating device includes a heater assembly 200 for heating an aerosol generating article 10 and also includes a cartridge (or “vaporizer”) containing a liquid or gel-like aerosol generating substance for heating the aerosol generating substance. The aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substance moves along the cartridge and an air flow path communicating with the aerosol generating article 10, moves to the aerosol generating article 10, is mixed with the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article 10, and then passes through the aerosol generating article 10 and can be transmitted to the user.

[0036] FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 100 also includes an input unit 102, an output unit 103, a sensor unit 104, a communication unit 105, a memory 106, a battery 107, an interface unit 108, a power conversion unit 109, and a dielectric heating unit 200. However, the internal configuration of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to what is shown in FIG. 2. Depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 100, some of the components shown in FIG. 2 may be omitted or new components may be further added.

[0038] The input unit 102 can receive user input. For example, the input unit 102 can be provided as a single pressure-type push button. As another example, the input unit 102 is also a touch panel including at least one touch sensor. The input unit 102 can transmit an input signal to the processor 101. The processor 101 can supply power to the dielectric heating unit 200 or control the output unit 103 based on the user input and output a user notification.

[0039] The output unit 103 can output information related to the state of the aerosol generating device 100. The output unit 103 can output the charge / discharge state of the battery 107, the heating state of the dielectric heating unit 200, the insertion state of the aerosol generating article 10, and the error information of the aerosol generating device 100. For this purpose, the output unit 103 also includes a display, a haptic motor, and an acoustic output unit.

[0040] The sensor unit 104 can sense the state of the aerosol generating device 100 or the state around the aerosol generating device 100, and transmit the sensed information to the processor 101. Based on the sensed information, the processor 101 can control the aerosol generating device 100 so that various functions such as the heating control of the dielectric heating unit 200, smoking restriction, determination of whether the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted, and notification display are performed.

[0041] The sensor unit 104 also includes a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, and an insertion detection sensor.

[0042] The temperature sensor can sense the temperature inside the dielectric heating unit 200 in a non-contact manner, or contact the dielectric heating unit 200 to directly obtain the temperature of the resonator. According to one embodiment, the temperature sensor can also sense the temperature of the aerosol generating article 10. Further, the temperature sensor is arranged adjacent to the battery 107 and can obtain the temperature of the battery 107. The processor 101 can control the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 based on the temperature information of the temperature sensor.

[0043] The puff sensor can sense the user's puff. The puff sensor can sense the user's puff based on at least one of a temperature change, a flow change, a power change, and a pressure change. The processor 101 can control the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 based on the puff information of the puff sensor. For example, the processor 101 can count the number of puffs, and when the number of puffs reaches a preset maximum number of puffs, it can cut off the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200. As another example, when no puff is sensed for a preset time or more, the processor 101 can cut off the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200.

[0044] The insertion sensing sensor is arranged inside the accommodation space 220h (Fig. 4) or adjacent to the accommodation space 220h, and can sense the insertion and removal of the aerosol generating article 10 accommodated in the insertion port 110h. For example, the insertion sensing sensor may include an inductive sensor and / or a capacitance sensor. When the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the insertion port 110h, the processor 101 can supply power to the dielectric heating unit 200.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit 104 may additionally include a reuse sensing sensor, a motion sensing sensor, a humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a cover attachment / detachment sensing sensor, a position sensor (GPS (global positioning system)), and a proximity sensor, etc. Since the functions of each sensor can be intuitively inferred from its name, specific descriptions are omitted.

[0046] The communication unit 105 also includes at least one communication module for communication with an external electronic device. The processor 101 can control the communication unit 105 and transmit information related to the aerosol generating device 100 to the external electronic device. Or, the processor 101 can receive information from the external electronic device via the communication unit 105 and control the components included in the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the transmission information between the communication unit 105 and the external electronic device may also include user authentication information, firmware update information, and user smoking pattern information, etc.

[0047] Memory 106 is hardware that stores various data processed within aerosol generating device 100, and can store data processed by processor 101 and data to be processed. For example, memory 106 can store the operating time of aerosol generating device 100, the maximum puff count, the current puff count, at least one temperature profile, and data related to the user's smoking pattern, etc.

[0048] Battery 107 can supply power to dielectric heating unit 200 so that aerosol generating article 10 can be heated. Further, battery 107 can supply power necessary for the operation of other components provided within aerosol generating device 100. Battery 107 is also a rechargeable battery and a separable detachable battery.

[0049] Interface unit 108 also includes connection terminals that can be physically connected to an external electronic device. The connection terminals include at least one of an HDMI (registered trademark) (high definition multimedia interface) connector, a USB (universal serial bus) connector, an SD (secure digital) card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector), or a combination thereof. Interface unit 108 can transmit and receive information to / from an external electronic device or charge the power supply via the connection terminals.

[0050] Power conversion unit 109 can convert the DC power supply supplied from battery 107 into an AC power supply. Further, power conversion unit 109 can provide the converted AC power supply to dielectric heating unit 200. Power conversion unit 109 is also an inverter including at least one switching element, and processor 101 can control the ON / OFF of the switching element included in power conversion unit 109 to convert the DC power supply into an AC power supply. Power conversion unit 109 can be configured as a full-bridge or a half-bridge.

[0051] The dielectric heating unit 200 can heat the aerosol generating article 10 by the dielectric heating method. The dielectric heating unit 200 also has a configuration corresponding to the heater assembly 200 in FIG. 1.

[0052] The dielectric heating unit 200 can utilize microwaves and / or the electric field of microwaves (hereinafter, when there is no need for distinction, referred to as microwaves or microwave power) to heat the aerosol generating article 10. The heating method of the dielectric heating unit 200 is not a method of radiating the microwaves using an antenna, but is also a method of heating the object to be heated by forming the microwaves within a resonance structure. The resonance structure will be described later with reference to FIG. 4 and below.

[0053] The dielectric heating unit 200 can output microwaves, which are high-frequency waves, to the resonance unit 220 (FIG. 3). The microwaves are also the power in the ISM (industrial, scientific and medical equipment) band allowed for heating, but are not limited thereto. The resonance unit 220 can be designed in consideration of the wavelength of the microwaves so that the microwaves can be resonated within the resonance unit 220.

[0054] The aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the resonance unit 220, and the dielectric material within the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by the resonance unit 220. For example, the aerosol generating article 10 also contains a polar substance, and the molecules within the polar substance can be polarized inside the resonance unit 220. The molecules vibrate or rotate due to the polarization phenomenon, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by the frictional heat generated during this process. The description related to the dielectric heating unit 200 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

[0055] Processor 101 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 100. The processor 101 may be embodied by an array of a number of logic gates, or may also be embodied by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored. It may also be embodied by other forms of hardware.

[0056] Processor 101 can control the DC power supplied from the battery 107 to the power conversion unit 109 and / or the AC power supplied from the power conversion unit 109 to the dielectric heating unit 200 according to the required power of the dielectric heating unit 200. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a converter for boosting or intensifying DC power, and the processor 101 can control the converter and adjust the magnitude of the DC power. Also, the processor 101 can control the AC power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 by adjusting the switching frequency and duty ratio of the switching elements included in the power conversion unit 109.

[0057] Processor 101 can control the heating temperature of the aerosol generating article 10 by controlling the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit 200 and the resonance frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200. Accordingly, the oscillation unit 210, isolation unit 240, power monitoring unit 250, and matching unit 260 in FIG. 3 described later are also part of the configuration of the processor 101.

[0058] Processor 101 can control the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit 200 based on the temperature profile information stored in the memory 106. In other words, the temperature profile includes information related to the target temperature of the dielectric heating unit 200 over time, and the processor 101 can control the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit 200 over time.

[0059] The processor 101 can adjust the frequency of the microwave so that the resonance frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200 is constant. The processor 101 can track in real time the change in the resonance frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200 due to the heating of the object to be heated, and control the dielectric heating unit 200 so that the microwave frequency based on the changed resonance frequency is output. In other words, the processor 101 can change the microwave frequency in real time regardless of the pre-stored temperature profile.

[0060] FIG. 3 is an internal block diagram of the dielectric heating unit of FIG. 2.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 3, the dielectric heating unit 200 also includes an oscillation unit 210, an isolation unit 240, a power monitoring unit 250, a matching unit 260, a microwave output unit 230, and a resonance unit 220. However, the internal configuration of the dielectric heating unit 200 is not limited to what is shown in FIG. 3. Depending on the design of the dielectric heating unit 200, some of the configurations shown in FIG. 3 may be omitted, or new configurations may be further added.

[0062] The oscillation unit 210 can be provided with AC power from the power conversion unit 109 and generate high-frequency microwave power. According to one embodiment, the power conversion unit 109 is also a configuration included in the oscillation unit 210. The microwave power can be selected from the frequency bands of 915 MHz, 2.45 GHz, and 5.8 GHz included in the ISM band.

[0063] The oscillation unit 210 includes an RF (radio frequency) generation device on a solid-state base, and can use it to generate microwave power. The RF generation device on the solid-state base can be implemented by a semiconductor. When the oscillation unit 210 is implemented with a semiconductor, there are advantages such as the miniaturization of the dielectric heating unit 200 and the extension of the device life.

[0064] The oscillation unit 210 can output microwave power toward the resonance unit 220. The oscillation unit 210 includes a power amplifier (power amp) that increases and decreases the microwave power, and the power amplifier can adjust the magnitude of the microwave power under the control of the processor 101. For example, the power amplifier can increase and decrease the amplitude of the microwave. By adjusting the amplitude of the microwave, the microwave power can be adjusted.

[0065] The processor 101 can adjust the magnitude of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 based on a pre-stored temperature profile. For example, the temperature profile includes target temperature information for a preheating section and a smoking section, and the oscillation unit 210 can supply microwave power at a first power in the preheating section and supply microwave power at a second power smaller than the first power in the smoking section.

[0066] The isolation unit 240 can block the microwave power input from the resonance unit 220 toward the oscillation unit 210. Most of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 is absorbed by the object to be heated, but due to the heating state of the object to be heated, a part of the microwave power can be reflected by the object to be heated and further transmitted to the oscillation unit 210 side. This is because the impedance seen from the oscillation unit 210 to the resonance unit 220 changes due to the depletion of polar molecules caused by the heating of the object to be heated. The meaning of "the impedance seen from the oscillation unit 210 to the resonance unit 220 changes" is the same as the meaning of "the resonance frequency of the resonance unit 220 changes". When the microwave power reflected by the resonance unit 220 is input to the oscillation unit 210, not only can the oscillation unit 210 malfunction, but also the expected output performance cannot be exhibited. The isolation unit 240 can guide the microwave power reflected by the resonance unit 220 in a predetermined direction without returning it to the oscillation unit 210 and absorb it. For this purpose, the isolation unit 240 also includes a circulator and a dummy load.

[0067] The power monitoring unit 250 can monitor the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 and the reflected microwave power reflected by the resonance unit 220, respectively. The power monitoring unit 250 can transmit information related to the microwave power and the reflected microwave power to the matching unit 260.

[0068] The matching unit 260 can match the impedance seen from the oscillation unit 210 to the resonance unit 220 and the impedance seen from the resonance unit 220 to the oscillation unit 210 so that the reflected microwave power is minimized. This impedance matching also means the same as making the frequency of the oscillation unit 210 coincide with the resonance frequency of the resonance unit 220. Therefore, the matching unit 260 can vary the frequency of the oscillation unit 210 to match the impedance. In other words, the matching unit 260 can adjust the frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit 210 so that the reflected microwave power is minimized. The impedance matching of the matching unit 260 can be performed in real time regardless of the temperature profile.

[0069] Note that the aforementioned oscillation unit 210, isolation unit 240, power monitoring unit 250, and matching unit 260 are separate configurations distinct from the microwave output unit 230 and resonance unit 220 described later, and can be implemented as a chip - shaped microwave source. Also, according to an embodiment, the aforementioned oscillation unit 210, isolation unit 240, power monitoring unit 250, and matching unit 260 can also be implemented as a part of the processor 101.

[0070] The microwave output unit 230 is configured to input microwave power to the resonance unit 220 and also corresponds to the coupler below FIG. 3. The microwave output unit 230 can be embodied in the form of SMA (SubMiniature Version A), SMB (SubMiniature Version B), MCX (Micro Coaxial), or MMCX (Micro-Miniature Coaxial) connectors. The microwave output unit 230 can connect the chip-shaped microwave source and the resonance unit 220 to each other and transmit the microwave power generated in the microwave source to the resonance unit 220.

[0071] The resonance unit 220 can heat the object to be heated by forming microwaves within the resonance structure. The resonance unit 220 includes an accommodation space in which the aerosol generating article 10 is accommodated, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be exposed to microwaves and dielectrically heated. For example, the aerosol generating article 10 also contains a polar substance, and the molecules within the polar substance can be polarized by microwaves inside the resonance unit 220. The molecules vibrate or rotate due to the polarization phenomenon, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by the frictional heat generated during this process.

[0072] The resonance unit 220 includes at least one internal conductor so that microwaves can be resonated, and microwaves can be resonated inside the resonance unit 220 depending on the arrangement, thickness, length, etc. of the internal conductor.

[0073] The resonance unit 220 can be designed in consideration of the wavelength of the microwave so that the microwave can resonate inside the resonance unit 220. In order for the microwave to resonate inside the resonance unit 220, a closed end (short end) in cross section and an open end where at least one region of the cross section is open in the direction opposite to the closed end are required. Also, the length between the closed end and the open end must be set to an integer multiple of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength. The resonance unit 220 of the present disclosure selects 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength for miniaturization of the device. In other words, the length between the closed end and the open end of the resonance unit 220 can be set to 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength.

[0074] The resonance unit 220 also includes a dielectric accommodation space. The dielectric accommodation space is configured to be separated from the accommodation space of the aerosol generating article 10, and a substance that can change the overall resonance frequency of the resonance unit 220 and miniaturize the resonance unit 220 is arranged. In one embodiment, a dielectric having a low microwave absorption degree can be accommodated in the dielectric accommodation space. This is to prevent the phenomenon in which energy that must be transferred to the object to be heated is transferred to the dielectric and the dielectric itself generates heat. The microwave absorption degree can be expressed by the loss tangent, which is the ratio of the imaginary part to the real part of the complex dielectric constant. In one embodiment, a dielectric having a loss tangent equal to or less than a preset magnitude, which is also 1 / 100, is accommodated in the dielectric accommodation space 227. For example, the dielectric is at least one of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and aluminum oxide, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 4, a heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment also includes an oscillation unit 210 and a resonance unit 220. FIG. 4 is also one embodiment of the heater assembly 200 and the dielectric heating unit 200 described above, and redundant descriptions will be omitted hereinafter.

[0076] As power is supplied, the oscillation unit 210 can generate microwaves in a specified frequency band. The microwaves generated by the oscillation unit 210 can be transmitted to the resonance unit 220 via the coupler (230).

[0077] The resonance unit 220 also includes an accommodation space 220h for accommodating at least one region of the aerosol generating article 10, and can heat the aerosol generating article 10 by the dielectric heating method by resonating the microwaves generated by the oscillation unit 210. For example, due to the resonance of the microwaves, the charges of glycerin contained in the aerosol generating article 10 vibrate or rotate, and heat is generated in the glycerin due to the frictional heat generated during the vibration or rotation of the charges, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the resonance unit 220 can be formed of a material with a low microwave absorption rate in order to prevent the microwaves generated by the oscillation unit 210 from being absorbed by the resonance unit 220.

[0079] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, the specific structure of the resonance unit 220 of the heater assembly 200 will be described.

[0080] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of the heater assembly 200 of FIG. 4 cut in the A-A' direction.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 5, the heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment also includes an oscillation unit 210, a resonance unit 220, and a coupler 230. The components of the heater assembly 200 are the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly 200 of FIG. 4, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted hereinafter.

[0082] When an alternating voltage is applied, the oscillation unit 210 generates microwaves in a specified frequency band, and the microwaves generated by the oscillation unit 210 can be transmitted to the resonance unit 220 via the coupler 230.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the oscillation unit 210 can be fixed to the resonance unit 220 in a dimension that prevents separation from the resonance unit 220 during the use process of the aerosol generating device. In one example, the oscillation unit 210 can be fixed on the resonance unit 220 in a region of the resonance unit 220 facing the x direction. The oscillation unit 210 can be fixed on the resonance unit 220 by a bracket or the like provided in a region of the resonance unit 220. Or, it can also be fixed on the resonance unit 220 by a method of directly attaching it on a region of the resonance unit 220.

[0084] In the drawings, only the embodiment in which the oscillation unit 210 is fixed to a region of the resonance unit 220 facing the x direction is illustrated, but the position of the oscillation unit 210 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, the oscillation unit 210 can also be fixed to other regions of the resonance unit 220 facing the -z direction.

[0085] The resonance unit 220 is arranged to surround at least one region of the aerosol generating article 10 inserted into the aerosol generating device, and can heat the aerosol generating article 10 via the microwave generated by the oscillation unit 210. For example, the dielectric contained in the aerosol generating article 10 generates heat by the electric field generated inside the resonance unit 220 due to the microwave, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by the heat generated in the dielectric.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating article 10 also includes a tobacco rod 11 and a filter rod 12.

[0087] The tobacco rod 11 contains aerosol generating substances and may be made of a sheet or strand, or may also be made of shredded tobacco in which the tobacco sheet is finely shredded. For example, the aerosol generating substances include, but are not limited to, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. Further, the tobacco rod 11 may also contain other additive substances such as flavoring agents, wetting agents, and / or organic acids. Also, a flavoring liquid such as menthol or a humectant can be added to the tobacco rod 11 by a method of spraying it onto the tobacco rod 11.

[0088] The filter rod 12 is also a cellulose acetate filter. Note that there is no limitation on the shape of the filter rod 12. For example, the filter rod 12 can be a cylindrical rod or a tube-shaped rod having a hollow inside. Also, the filter rod 12 can be a recessed rod. If the filter rod 12 is composed of a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may be made in a different shape.

[0089] At least a part (e.g., glycerin) of the aerosol generating substances contained in the aerosol generating article 10 is also a dielectric having polarity in an electric field, and at least a part of such aerosol generating substances can generate heat by a dielectric heating method and heat the aerosol generating article 10.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the resonance part 220 also includes an outer conductor 221, a first internal conductor 223, and a second internal conductor 225.

[0091] The outer conductor 221 forms the overall appearance of the resonance part 220, is formed in a hollow shape with an empty interior, and the components of the resonance part 220 can be arranged inside the outer conductor 221. The outer conductor 221 also includes an accommodation space 220h in which the aerosol generating article 10 can be accommodated, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be inserted into the inside of the outer conductor 221 through the accommodation space 220h.

[0092] According to one embodiment, the outer conductor 221 also includes a first surface 221a, a second surface 221b arranged to face the first surface 221a, and a side surface 221c surrounding the empty space between the first surface 221a and the second surface 221b. At least a part of the components of the resonance part 220 (for example, the first internal conductor 223 and the second internal conductor 225) can be arranged in the internal space of the resonance part 220 formed by the first surface 221a, the second surface 221b, and the side surface 221c.

[0093] The first internal conductor 223 can be formed in a hollow cylinder shape extending in a direction from the first surface 221a of the outer conductor 221 toward the internal space of the outer conductor 221.

[0094] According to one embodiment, a region of the first internal conductor 223 contacts a coupler 230 connected to the oscillation part 210, and the microwave generated by the oscillation part 210 can be transmitted to the first internal conductor 223 through the coupler 230. For example, the coupler 230 penetrates the outer conductor 221, is arranged such that one end contacts the oscillation part 210 and the other end contacts a region of the first internal conductor 223, and the microwave generated by the oscillation part 210 can be transmitted to the first internal conductor 223 through the coupler 230.

[0095] At this time, the coupler 230 can be arranged to penetrate the outer conductor 221 without contacting the outer conductor 221 for the transmission of the microwave. However, as long as the microwave generated by the oscillation part 210 can be transmitted to the first internal conductor 223, the arrangement structure of the coupler 230 is not limited thereto.

[0096] The first region formed between the outer conductor 221 and the first internal conductor 223 can operate as a "first resonator" that generates an electric field through microwave resonance. The first region refers to the space formed by the first surface 221a, the side surface 221c of the outer conductor 221, and the first internal conductor 223. Inside the first region, the microwave transmitted through the coupler 230 can resonate to generate an electric field.

[0097] The coupler 230 is not limited to the illustrated form as long as it can transmit the microwave of the oscillation unit 210 to the resonance unit 220.

[0098] The second internal conductor 225 can be formed in a hollow cylinder shape extending from the second surface 221b of the outer conductor 221 toward the internal space of the outer conductor 221. The second internal conductor 225 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the first internal conductor 223 in the internal space of the outer conductor 221, and a gap 226 can be formed between the first internal conductor 223 and the second internal conductor 225.

[0099] The second region formed between the outer conductor 221 and the second internal conductor 225 can operate as a "second resonator" that generates an electric field through microwave resonance. The second internal conductor 225 may be coupled (e.g., capacitive coupling) to the first internal conductor 223. When an electric field is generated inside the first region due to the above-described coupling relationship, an induced electric field can also be generated inside the second region. In the present disclosure, "capacitive coupling" may mean a coupling relationship in which energy can be transmitted by the capacitance (capacitance) between two conductors.

[0100] For example, when the microwave generated from the oscillation unit 210 is transmitted to the first internal conductor 223, an electric field is generated inside the first region by resonance, and an induced electric field can be generated inside the second region formed by the second internal conductor 225 coupled to the outer conductor 221 and the first internal conductor 223.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the first region and the second region of the resonance unit 220 can operate as a resonator having a quarter wavelength (λ) of microwave.

[0102] In one example, one end (e.g., the end in the -z direction) of the first region is formed as a short end by the first surface 221a of the outer conductor 221 closing the cross section of the first region, and the other end (e.g., the end in the z direction) of the first region can be formed as an open end by the cross section being open without the first surface 221a being arranged. In another example, one end (e.g., the end in the -z direction) of the second region is formed as an open end by the cross section being open, and the other end (e.g., the end in the z direction) of the second region can be formed as a short end by the second surface 221b of the outer conductor 221 closing the cross section of the second region.

[0103] That is, the first region and the second region include a short end and an open end in a view from the xz plane, and as a whole, are formed in a "U" shape. Through the above-described structure, the first region and the second region can operate as a resonator having a quarter wavelength of microwave.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the first internal conductor 223 and the second internal conductor 225 can be formed to have the same length with respect to the z-axis and arranged such that the first region and the second region are symmetric to each other, but are not limited thereto.

[0105] The aerosol generating article 10 inserted into the internal space of the outer conductor 221 through the accommodation space 220h is surrounded by the first internal conductor 223 and the second internal conductor 225 and can be heated by the dielectric heating method.

[0106] In the first region and / or the second region, at least a part of the electric field generated by the resonance of microwaves is propagated through the gap 226 between the first internal conductor 223 and the second internal conductor 225 and directed into the first internal conductor 223 and / or the second internal conductor 225. The aerosol generating article 10 surrounded by the first internal conductor 223 and the second internal conductor 225 can be heated by the propagated electric field. For example, the dielectric contained in the aerosol generating article 10 generates heat due to the electric field propagated through the gap 226, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by the heat generated from the dielectric.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the heater assembly 200 causes the diameters of the first internal conductor 223 and the second internal conductor 225 to be less than a specified value, thereby preventing the electric field propagated inside the first internal conductor 223 and / or the second internal conductor 225 from leaking outside the heater assembly 200 or the resonance portion 220.

[0108] In the present disclosure, the "specified value" may mean a diameter value at which the electric field begins to leak outside the first internal conductor 223 and / or the second internal conductor 225. For example, when the diameter of the first internal conductor 223 and / or the second internal conductor 225 is greater than or equal to the specified value, a situation may occur where a part of the electric field flowing into the first internal conductor 223 and / or the second internal conductor 225 leaks outside the resonance portion 220.

[0109] Note that according to one embodiment, the heater assembly 200 has a structure in which the diameters of the first internal conductor 223 and the second internal conductor 225 are less than a specified value, thereby preventing the electric field from being propagated outside the resonance portion 220. As a result, even without a separate shielding member, it is possible to prevent the electric field from leaking outside the heater assembly 200 or the resonance portion 220.

[0110] According to one embodiment, when the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the resonance portion 220 through the accommodation space 220h, the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol generating article 10 can be disposed at a position corresponding to the gap 226 between the first internal conductor 223 and the second internal conductor 225.

[0111] The electric field generated in the first region and the electric field generated in the second region flow into the inside of the first internal conductor 223 and / or the second internal conductor 225 via the gap 226, so that the strongest electric field can be generated in the peripheral region of the gap 226 in the internal region of the resonance part 220.

[0112] In the heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment, by arranging the tobacco rod 11 containing a dielectric that generates heat by an electric field at a position corresponding to the gap 226 where the electric field is the strongest, the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heater assembly 200 can be improved.

[0113] According to an embodiment, the resonance part 220 is located inside the first internal conductor 223, closes the cross-section of the first internal conductor 223, and further includes a closing part 224 that restricts the flow direction of the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article 10. For example, the closing part 224 can close the cross-section of the first internal conductor 223 and block the flow of the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article 10 in the -z direction.

[0114] When the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article 10 or the droplets generated by liquefying the aerosol flow in the -z direction and flow into other components of the aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device 100 (FIG. 1)), it may cause malfunction or damage to the components of the aerosol generating device. The heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment can prevent malfunction or damage to the components of the aerosol generating device caused by the aerosol or droplets by restricting the flow direction of the aerosol via the closing part 224.

[0115] According to one embodiment, the resonance unit 220 may further include a dielectric accommodation space 227 for accommodating a dielectric. The dielectric accommodation space 227 means an empty space formed between the outer conductor 221, the first internal conductor 223, and the second internal conductor 225, and a dielectric with a low microwave absorption degree may be accommodated in the dielectric accommodation space 227. For example, the dielectric may be at least one of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and aluminum oxide, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0116] The heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment can generate the same electric field as the resonance unit 220 that does not include the dielectric while reducing the overall size of the resonance unit 220 by disposing the dielectric inside the dielectric accommodation space 227. That is, the heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment can reduce the size of the resonance unit 220 through the dielectric disposed inside the dielectric accommodation space 227, and reduce the mounting space of the resonance unit 220 in the aerosol generating device. As a result, the aerosol generating device can be miniaturized.

[0117] Note that the oscillation unit 310 may be disposed on one surface of the outer conductor 221 of the resonance unit 320. The oscillation unit 310 can cover at least a part or completely cover one surface of the outer conductor 221, and may be larger than the size that covers one surface of the outer conductor 221. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the oscillation unit 310 may be disposed on the side surface 221c (e.g., +x direction) of the outer conductor 221.

[0118] FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a heater assembly according to another embodiment.

[0119] The heater assembly 300 according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 includes an oscillation unit 310 that generates microwaves, a resonance unit 320 that resonates the microwaves generated by the oscillation unit 310 to generate an electric field, and a coupler 330 that transmits microwaves to the resonance unit 320.

[0120] The resonance unit 320 also includes a case 321, a plurality of plates 323a, 323b, and a connecting unit 322 that connects the plurality of plates 323a, 323b and the case 321.

[0121] In the resonance unit 320, the coupler 330 can supply microwaves to at least one of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b so as to generate microwave resonance.

[0122] The resonance unit 320 can surround at least one region of the aerosol generating article 10 inserted inside the aerosol generating device. The coupler 330 can supply the microwaves generated by the oscillation unit 310 to the resonance unit 320. When microwaves are supplied to the resonance unit 320, microwave resonance occurs in the resonance unit 320, and the resonance unit 320 can heat the aerosol generating article 10. For example, the dielectric contained in the aerosol generating article 10 generates heat by the electric field generated inside the resonance unit 220 due to the microwaves, and the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated by the heat generated in the dielectric.

[0123] The case 321 of the resonance unit 320 performs the function of an "outer conductor". Since the case 321 is formed in a hollow shape with an empty interior, the components of the resonance unit 320 can be arranged inside the case 321.

[0124] The case 321 also includes a storage space 320h in which the aerosol generating article 10 can be stored and an opening 321a through which the aerosol generating article 10 can be inserted. The opening 321a is connected to the storage space 320h. Since the opening 321a is open toward the outside of the case 321, the storage space 320h is connected to the outside through the opening 321a. Therefore, the aerosol generating article 10 can be inserted into the storage space 320h of the case 321 through the opening 321a of the case 321.

[0125] The case 321 illustrated in the drawings has a square cross-sectional shape, but the shape of the case 321 can be deformed into various shapes. For example, the case 321 can be deformed to have various cross-sectional shapes such as rectangular, elliptical or circular. The case 321 can be elongated in one direction.

[0126] Inside the case 321, a plurality of plates 323a, 323b that can perform the function of the "inner conductor" of the resonance part 320 can be arranged.

[0127] The plurality of plates 323a, 323b can be arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article 10 accommodated in the accommodation space 320h. The plurality of plates 323a, 323b also includes a first plate 323a arranged to surround one region of the aerosol generating article 10 and a second plate 323b arranged to surround another region of the aerosol generating article 10.

[0128] The plurality of plates 323a, 323b can be connected to the case 321 by the connecting part 322. Also, one end of the first plate 323a and one end of the second plate 323b of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b can be connected to each other by the connecting part 322. Therefore, at one end of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b, a closed end portion by the connecting part 322 can be formed.

[0129] The other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b can be opened by being spaced apart from each other. Since the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b are spaced apart from each other, an open end portion can be formed at the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b.

[0130] By connecting the plurality of plates 323a, 323b and the connecting part 322 to each other, a resonator assembly can be completed. The shape of the cross-section cut along the longitudinal direction of the resonator assembly also includes a "horseshoe-shape".

[0131] The plurality of plates 323a, 323b extend in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 10. At least a portion of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be curved so as to protrude outward from the longitudinal center of the aerosol generating article 10.

[0132] For example, when the aerosol generating article 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be formed to be curved in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol generating article 10. The radius of curvature of the cross-section of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may also be the same as the radius of curvature of the aerosol generating article 10. The radius of curvature of the cross-section of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be variously deformed. For example, the radius of curvature of the cross-section of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be larger or smaller than the radius of curvature of the aerosol generating article 10.

[0133] According to the structure in which the plurality of plates 323a, 323b are formed to be curved in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol generating article 10, a more uniform electric field is formed in the resonance portion 320, so that the heater assembly 300 can uniformly heat the aerosol generating article 10.

[0134] The open ends of the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be positioned so as to face the opening 321a of the case 321. The opening 321a of the case 321 may be positioned so as to be spaced apart in a direction away from the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b.

[0135] The open ends of the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be aligned with the opening 321a of the case 321. Therefore, if the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted through the opening 321a of the case 321 and positioned in the accommodation space 320h, a portion of the aerosol generating article 10 positioned in the accommodation space 320h may be surrounded by the plurality of plates 323a, 323b.

[0136] A plurality of plates 323a, 323b are arranged in two positions opposite to the longitudinal center of the aerosol generating article 10. One embodiment is not limited by the number of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b, and the number of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b can be, for example, three, or four or more.

[0137] The plurality of plates 323a, 323b can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 10, that is, the direction in which the aerosol generating article 10 extends.

[0138] At least one of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b can contact a coupler 330 connected to the oscillation unit 310. Specifically, at least a part of the first plate 323a can contact the coupler 330. When microwaves are transmitted to the first plate 323a via the coupler 330, microwave resonance is formed between the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. In addition, microwave resonance is also formed between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the case 321, and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the case 321. Therefore, an electric field can be generated between the plurality of plates 323a, 323b and the connecting part 322, between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the case 321, and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the case 321.

[0139] The coupler 330 penetrates the case 321, one end of the coupler 330 contacts the oscillation unit 310, and the other end of the coupler 330 can contact an area of the first plate 323a. When the microwaves generated by the oscillation unit 310 are transmitted to the plurality of plates 323a, 323b and the connecting part 322 via the coupler 330, an electric field can be generated inside the assembly of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b and the connecting part 322.

[0140] Moreover, according to the structure of the resonance part 320 of the heater assembly 300, in the resonance part 320, a triple resonance mode can be formed. Between the plurality of plates 323a and 323b, resonance of the TEM mode (transverse electric & magnetic mode) of microwaves is formed. Also, between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the case 321 and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the case 321, resonance of a TEM mode different from the resonance formed between the plurality of plates 323a and 323b is formed. Since the resonance part 320 in FIG. 6 enables resonance of the TEM mode by the plurality of plates 323a and 323b, it can be manufactured in a smaller size than the resonance part 220 in FIG. 5 which is only possible for the TE (transverse electric) mode and the TM (transverse magnetic) mode.

[0141] When triple resonance occurs in the resonance part 320 of the heater assembly 300, the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated more effectively and uniformly.

[0142] The resonance part 320 according to the above-described embodiment also includes a closed end (short end) whose cross-section is closed so as to have a length of 1 / 4 of the wavelength (λ) of microwaves, and an open end located in the direction opposite to the closed end and having at least one region of the cross-section opened.

[0143] In FIG. 6, the region at one end of the resonance part 320 corresponding to the left region forms a closed end that is closed by a structure in which one end of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b and the connecting part 322 are connected to the case 321. In FIG. 6, the region at the other end of the resonance part 320 corresponding to the right region forms an open end when the opening 321a of the case 321 is opened to the outside. With such a structure of the resonance part 320, the resonance part 320 can operate as a resonator having a 1 / 4 wavelength length of microwaves.

[0144] According to the resonance structure of the resonance part 320 described above, no electric field is propagated in the external region of the resonance part 320. Therefore, the heater assembly 300 can prevent the electric field from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly 300 even without a separate shielding member for shielding the electric field.

[0145] The aerosol generating article 10 inserted into the accommodation space 320h of the case 321 is surrounded by the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b and can be heated by the dielectric heating method. For example, a part including the medium of the aerosol generating article 10 inserted into the accommodation space 320h of the case 321 can be arranged in the space between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b. Due to the electric field generated in the space between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b, the dielectric contained in the aerosol generating article 10 generates heat, and thus the aerosol generating article 10 can be heated.

[0146] In addition, due to the action of the electric field in the resonance mode formed between the first plate 323a and the upper side plate of the case 321 and between the second plate 323b and the lower side plate of the case 321, a secondary heating action on the aerosol generating article 10 can be performed.

[0147] When the aerosol generating article 10 is inserted into the resonance part 320 through the accommodation space 320h, the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol generating article 10 can be located between a plurality of plates 323a and 323b.

[0148] The length L4 of the tobacco rod 11 can be formed longer than the length L1 of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b. Therefore, the front end portion 11f of the tobacco rod 11 in contact with the filter rod 12 is located at a position protruding from the other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b in the direction toward the opening 321a of the case 321.

[0149] At the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b operating as resonators, resonance peaks are formed, and a strong electric field can be generated compared to other regions. When the aerosol-generating article 10 is inserted into the heater assembly 300, the tobacco rod 11 containing a dielectric that can generate heat by the electric field is arranged so as to correspond to the region where the electric field is the strongest, thereby improving the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heater assembly 300.

[0150] Referring to FIG. 6, the length L1 of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b can be set shorter than the length (L1 + L2) of the internal space of the case 321. Therefore, the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b can be located inside the case 321 from the opening 321a. That is, the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b can be located so as to be separated from the rear end of the opening 321a by a distance of L2.

[0151] The length from the rear end of the opening 321a where the opening 321a is connected to the case 321 to the front end of the opening 321a where the opening 321a is opened is also L3. The total length of the case 321 along the longitudinal direction of the case 321 is also L. The total length L of the case 321 can be determined by the sum of the length L1 of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b, the length between the plurality of plates 323a and 323b, the length L2 by which the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b are separated, and the length L3 by which the opening 321a protrudes from the case 321.

[0152] To prevent leakage of microwaves, the front end of the opening 321a where the opening 321a is opened is positioned so as to protrude from the case 321 by a length of L3. When the opening 321a of the case 321 protrudes from the case 321, the opening 321a can function to prevent the microwaves inside the case 321 of the resonance unit 320 from leaking to the outside of the case 321.

[0153] The resonance part 320 further includes a dielectric accommodation space 327 for accommodating a dielectric. The dielectric accommodation space 327 can be formed in the space between the case 321 and the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. A dielectric with a low microwave absorption degree can be accommodated in the dielectric accommodation space 327.

[0154] By disposing a dielectric inside the dielectric accommodation space 327, it is possible to generate an electric field at the same level as the electric field generated in the resonance part without a dielectric while reducing the overall size of the resonance part 320 of the heater assembly 300. That is, through the dielectric disposed inside the dielectric accommodation space 327, the size of the resonance part 320 can be reduced, and the mounting space of the resonance part 320 in the aerosol generating device can be reduced. As a result, the aerosol generating device can be miniaturized.

[0155] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 7, the specific structure of the oscillation part 310 of the heater assembly 300 will be described.

[0156] FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views of a heater assembly according to still another embodiment. The components in FIGS. 7A and 7B are at least one of the components of the heater assembly 300 in FIG. 6 or are similar, but in the following, duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

[0157] The heater assembly 300 according to an embodiment also includes an oscillation part 310 disposed on the surface of the resonance part 320. For example, the oscillation part 310 can be laminated on one surface (e.g., the +x direction) of the resonance part 320. It also includes couplers 330-1, 330-2 for transmitting the microwave generated by the oscillation part 310 to the resonance part 320.

[0158] The coupler 330-1 can be arranged such that one end contacts the oscillation unit 310 and the other end contacts the resonance unit 320 by transmitting the microwave generated by the oscillation unit 310 to the resonance unit 320. As a specific example, one end of the coupler 330-1 can contact the printed circuit board 311 of the oscillation unit 310, and the other end of the coupler 330-1 can contact a region of the first plate 323a of the resonance unit 320. The couplers 330-1 and 330-2 can be extended to the oscillation unit 310, and the couplers 330-1 and 330-2 and the oscillation unit 310 can be joined by a conductive material (not shown), but it is not limited thereto.

[0159] In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the couplers 330-1 and 330-2 are illustrated such that one end penetrates the oscillation unit 310 and protrudes on the surface of the oscillation unit 310, but the shape of the couplers 330-1 and 330-2 is not limited thereto and can be various.

[0160] Referring to FIG. 7A, the oscillation unit 310 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 311, and the printed circuit board 311 can be arranged on the surface of the resonance unit 320.

[0161] According to an embodiment, the oscillation unit 310 can be fixed to the resonance unit 320. As a specific example, the oscillation unit 310 can be fixed on one surface of the resonance unit 320. The oscillation unit 310 and the resonance unit 320 can be in direct contact.

[0162] The oscillation unit 310 can be laminated on one surface of the resonance unit 320, and the size of the heater assembly 300 can be reduced. Also, by having the above-described structure, the oscillation unit 310 is in surface contact with the resonance unit 320, and the resonance unit 320 itself can act as a heat dissipation means. The resonance unit 320 generates little heat, and since the surface of the resonance unit 320 is made of metal, it can have an excellent heat dissipation effect.

[0163] The oscillation unit 310 also includes a printed circuit board 311. By directly contacting the resonance unit 320, the printed circuit board 311 can release the heat generated from the components of the printed circuit board 311 through the resonance unit 320.

[0164] The oscillation unit 310 can be soldered onto the surface of the resonance unit 320. As a specific example, the printed circuit board 311 of the oscillation unit 310 can be soldered onto the surface of the resonance unit 320. Soldering can join different metals. By heating and melting the solder and then cooling it, components made of different metal materials can be adhered and connected. The solder can be melted and cooled between the resonance unit 320 and the printed circuit board 311 to join the resonance unit 320 and the printed circuit board 311.

[0165] When connecting the oscillation unit 310 and the resonance unit 320, if a connector is used, it is highly likely that the structure will be manufactured such that there is a space between the components of the oscillation unit 310 and the resonance unit 320 due to the connector. However, the heater assembly 300 of the present embodiment can reduce the size of the aerosol generating device by directly joining the oscillation unit 310 onto the resonance unit 320.

[0166] The printed circuit board 311 can be formed to be similar in size and shape to the surface of the resonance unit 320 to be laminated. However, the size and shape of the printed circuit board 311 can be deformed in various ways.

[0167] Referring to FIG. 7B, the oscillation unit 310 further includes a heat sink 312. As an example, the heat sink 312 can be laminated between the printed circuit board 311 and the resonance unit 320. Thereby, the heat sink 312 is disposed on the surface of the resonance unit 320, and the printed circuit board 311 can be disposed on the surface of the heat sink 312.

[0168] The heat sink 312 exists between the printed circuit board 311 and the resonance unit 320 and can improve the heat dissipation effect generated from the components of the printed circuit board 311 by directly contacting the printed circuit board 311 and the resonance unit 320.

[0169] That is, the heat sink 312 is in direct contact with the resonance part 320. Even if the heat sink 312 is further included in the heater assembly 300, the size of the heater assembly 300 will not increase significantly. By making surface contact with the printed circuit board 311, it can exhibit excellent heat dissipation effect. The oscillation part 310 can be soldered onto the surface of the resonance part 320. As a specific example, the heat sink 312 of the oscillation part 310 can be soldered onto the surface of the resonance part 320. Soldering can join different metals. After heating and melting the solder and then cooling it, parts made of different metal materials can be adhered and connected. The solder can be melted and cooled between the resonance part 320 and the heat sink 312 to join the resonance part 320 and the heat sink 312.

[0170] The heat sink 312 is also a metal material that can be soldered. As an embodiment, the heat sink 312 can be formed of an aluminum material that is relatively excellent in heat dissipation performance and workability compared to other metals. Also, the heat sink 312 can have a structure with its surface nickel-plated so that soldering is possible. As another example, the heat sink 312 can also be formed of a copper plate.

[0171] The heat sink 312 can be formed to be similar to the size of the printed circuit board 311 and the surface shape of the printed circuit board 311. However, the size and shape of the heat sink 312 can be deformed in various ways.

[0172] Note that the solder used for soldering also includes at least one metal selected from the group consisting of silver (Ag), lead (Pb), tin (Sn), bismuth (Bi), aluminum (Al), zinc (Zn), and indium (In), or an alloy of that metal. An alloy of metals with a relatively lower melting temperature than a single-substance solder can be used as the solder.

[0173] As one embodiment, the case 321 of the resonance unit 320 may be manufactured from a material that is easy to solder or may be surface-treated to facilitate soldering. As an example of the surface treatment, the case 321 of the resonance unit 320 may be plated with a substance containing gold (Pt), silver (Ag), tin (Sn), or a mixture of these metals. Further, in order to facilitate the soldering process, a step of applying flux on the surface of the case 321 of the resonance unit 320 may be added. However, the substances used for the surface treatment and the surface treatment methods are variously applied depending on the purpose and are not limited thereto.

[0174] As described above, by directly arranging the oscillation unit 310 on the resonance unit 320 of the heater assembly 300, the size of the aerosol generating device using the dielectric heating method can be reduced, and through the above-described structure, the resonance unit 320 can effectively release the heat generated from the oscillation unit 310.

[0175] FIGS. 8A and 8B schematically illustrate a method for manufacturing the heater assembly of FIG. 7A.

[0176] FIG. 8A schematically illustrates a form in which the coupler 330-1 is attached to the resonance unit 320 of the heater assembly 300.

[0177] Referring to FIG. 8A, the coupler 330-1 may be arranged to protrude on one surface of the case 321 of the heater assembly 300 (e.g., the +x direction (FIG. 8A)). However, the arrangement position and form of the coupler 330-1 are not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 8A as long as one end contacts the oscillation unit 310 and the other end contacts the resonance unit 320.

[0178] Referring to FIG. 8B, the printed circuit board 311 may be laminated on one surface of the resonance unit 320 from which the coupler 330-1 protrudes from the heater assembly 300. The printed circuit board 311 may contact the case 321 of the resonance unit 320. Further, the printed circuit board 311 also includes a hole through which the coupler 330-1 can protrude.

[0179] As one embodiment, the oscillation unit 310 can be laminated so as to cover at least a part of the surface of the resonance unit 320. Also, as shown in FIG. 8B, the oscillation unit 310 can be the same as the length and width of the surface of the resonance unit 320 and can completely cover the surface of the resonance unit 320. Although only the embodiment in which the oscillation unit 310 is laminated on one side surface of the resonance unit 320 in the +x direction is illustrated in the drawing, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

[0180] FIGS. 9A to 9C schematically illustrate a method of manufacturing the heater assembly of FIG. 7B.

[0181] FIG. 9A schematically illustrates a form in which the coupler 330-2 is attached to the resonance unit 320 of the heater assembly 300. Regarding FIG. 9A, the description overlapping with FIG. 8A will be omitted.

[0182] Referring to FIG. 9B, the heat dissipation plate 312 can be laminated on one surface of the resonance unit 320 from which the coupler 330-2 protrudes of the heater assembly 300. The heat dissipation plate 312 can be in contact with the case 321 of the resonance unit 320. Also, the heat dissipation plate 312 also includes a hole through which the coupler 330-2 can protrude.

[0183] Referring to FIG. 9C, the printed circuit board 311 can be laminated on the surface of the heat dissipation plate 312. That is, the heat dissipation plate 312 can be laminated on the surface of the resonance unit 320, and the printed circuit board 311 can be sequentially laminated on the surface of the heat dissipation plate 312. The printed circuit board 311 also includes a hole through which the coupler 330-2 can protrude.

[0184] Also, different from following the manufacturing method sequentially illustrated in FIGS. 9A to 9C, the oscillation unit 310 in a form in which the heat dissipation plate 312 and the printed circuit board 311 are already laminated may be laminated on the heater assembly 300 of FIG. 9A.

[0185] As an embodiment, the oscillation unit 310 can be laminated so as to cover at least a part of the surface of the resonance unit 320. Also, as shown in FIG. 9C, the oscillation unit 310 can be the same as the length and width of the surface of the resonance unit 320 and can completely cover the surface of the resonance unit 320. In the drawings, only the embodiment in which the oscillation unit 310 is laminated on one side surface of the resonance unit 320 facing the +x direction is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

[0186] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to an embodiment.

[0187] Referring to FIG. 10, the oscillation unit 310 is laminated on the surface of one side surface of the resonance unit 320 facing the +x direction, and the surface of the resonance unit 320 on which the oscillation unit 310 is laminated can have a width W and a length (L1 + L2). Also, the length from the rear end where the opening 321a of the resonance unit 320 is connected to the case 321 to the front end of the opening 321a where the opening 321a is opened is also L3.

[0188] As an embodiment, the oscillation unit 310 can have a width w wider than the width W of the surface of the resonance unit 320 and can be laminated so as to protrude along the y direction. Alternatively, the oscillation unit 310 can have a length l longer than the length (L1 + L2) of the surface of the resonance unit 320 and can be laminated so as to protrude along the z direction. The length (L1 + L2) of the surface of the resonance unit 320 described above can mean the length (L1 + L2) of the internal space of the case 321 excluding the opening 321a portion of the case 321 of the resonance unit 320.

[0189] Also, the oscillation unit 310 can have a width w wider than the width W and the length (L1 + L2) of the surface of the resonance unit 320, and a length l longer than that, and can be laminated so as to protrude along the y direction and the z direction. Therefore, the printed circuit board 311 of the oscillation unit 310 etc. can also include more various components.

[0190] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment in which the width w of the oscillation unit 310 is wider than the width W of the surface of the resonance unit 320 on which the oscillation unit 310 is laminated, and at the same time, the length l of the oscillation unit 310 is longer than the length (L1 + L2) of the surface of the resonance unit 320.

[0191] As an embodiment, when the length l of the oscillation part 310 is longer than the length (L1 + L2) of the surface of the resonance part 320, the oscillation part 310 can be arranged to extend in a direction opposite to the direction (e.g., +z direction) in which the opening 321a into which the aerosol generating article can be inserted is located (e.g., -z direction). Therefore, without lengthening the overall length of the heater assembly 300, it is possible to secure the arrangement space for the oscillation part 310 without affecting the position where the user inhales the aerosol generating article, and the aerosol generating device can be miniaturized.

[0192] That is, referring to FIG. 10, this corresponds to the case where the length l of the oscillation part 310 is longer than the length (L1 + L2) of the surface of the resonance part 320 with respect to the +x-direction surface on which the oscillation part 310 is laminated on the resonance part 320. In FIG. 9, the opening 321a of the resonance part 320 is located in the +z direction, and the oscillation part 310 can be arranged to extend in the -z direction.

[0193] That is, even if the length l of the oscillation part 310 is formed long, it can be arranged so as not to be spatially inconvenient when the user inhales the aerosol generating article inserted through the opening 321a of the resonance part 320.

[0194] As another embodiment, even if the oscillation part 310 is arranged to extend in the +z direction, it can be arranged shorter than the length L3 from the rear end to the front end of the opening 321a.

[0195] As an embodiment, the oscillation part 310 may further include a cover (not shown) that protects the printed circuit board 311. The cover may also include a heat dissipation material. By including the cover, the oscillation part 310 can effectively release the heat generated from the components of the printed circuit board 311.

[0196] As a specific example, the resonance part 320 is located at the lower end of the printed circuit board 311, and the cover is located at the upper end of the printed circuit board 311. That is, by sandwiching the printed circuit board 311, and by the resonance part 320 and the cover being located in respective layers, the aerosol generating device that has been miniaturized can also have an excellent heat dissipation effect.

[0197] As another embodiment, the cover that protects the printed circuit board 311 is also included in the housing 110 (FIG. 1) instead of the heater assembly 300. That is, the aerosol generating device also includes a housing that includes an insertion port into which the aerosol generating article is inserted, and a heater assembly 300 for heating the aerosol generating article inserted through the insertion port by a dielectric heating method.

[0198] The heater assembly 300 does not include a separate cover and is also in a form in which the printed circuit board 311 is exposed. By arranging the heater assembly 300 in the internal space of the housing, the cover included in the housing can protect the printed circuit board 311 of the heater assembly 300.

[0199] Regarding the manufacturing method of the heater assembly 300 as described above, according to one embodiment, the manufacturing method of the heater assembly 300 includes a step of providing the resonance part 320, a step of connecting a coupler 330 whose one end is in contact with the resonance part 320, and a step of laminating an oscillation part 310 including a printed circuit board 311 that is in contact with the other end of the coupler 330 and is laminated on the resonance part 320.

[0200] Also, in order to describe the heater assembly 300 and the components of the aerosol generating device including the same, the foregoing content can also be applied to the manufacturing method of the heater assembly 300.

[0201] As one embodiment, the step of laminating the printed circuit board 311 on the resonance part 320 provides solder on the surface of the resonance part 320 and joins the resonance part 320 and the oscillation part 310.

[0202] Any embodiment of the present disclosure described above or other embodiments are not exclusive of each other or distinguishable from each other. Any embodiment of the present disclosure described above or other embodiments may have their respective configurations or functions combined or utilized together.

[0203] For example, it means that an embodiment different from Configuration A described in a specific embodiment and / or the drawings and / or Configuration B described in the drawings can be combined. That is, even if the combination between configurations is not directly described, it means that the combination is possible except when it is described that the combination is impossible.

[0204] The foregoing detailed description should not be construed in a limiting sense in all respects, but rather should be considered exemplary. The scope of the present invention is determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. In a heater assembly for heating an aerosol generating article by a dielectric heating method, an oscillation unit that generates microwaves, a resonance unit that resonates the microwaves to generate an electric field, and a coupler having one end in contact with the oscillation unit and the other end in contact with the resonance unit, and transmitting the microwaves generated by the oscillation unit to the resonance unit, wherein the oscillation unit includes a printed circuit board laminated on the resonance unit, the heater assembly.

2. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board is soldered to the surface of the resonance unit.

3. The heater assembly according to claim 2, wherein the resonance unit further includes a plating layer covering the surface of the resonance unit.

4. The heater assembly according to claim 2, including solder for joining the resonance unit and the printed circuit board between the resonance unit and the printed circuit board.

5. The heater assembly according to claim 4, wherein the solder includes at least one metal selected from the group consisting of silver (Ag), lead (Pb), tin (Sn), bismuth (Bi), aluminum (Al), zinc (Zn), and indium (In), or an alloy of the metal.

6. The resonance unit includes an opening into which the aerosol generating article can be inserted on one side surface, wherein the length of the oscillation unit is longer than the length of the resonance unit, and the oscillation unit extends in a direction opposite to the direction in which the opening is located, the heater assembly according to claim 1.

7. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board has a hole through which the coupler can pass, and the coupler passes through the hole.

8. The heater assembly according to claim 7, wherein the coupler is exposed on the surface of the printed circuit board.

9. The heater assembly according to claim 1, further including a cover for protecting the printed circuit board.

10. including a housing including an insertion port into which an aerosol generating article is inserted, and a heater assembly for heating the aerosol generating article inserted through the insertion port, wherein the heater assembly includes an oscillation unit including a printed circuit board that generates microwaves, a resonance unit that resonates the microwaves to generate an electric field, and a coupler having one end in contact with the oscillation unit and the other end in contact with the resonance unit, and transmitting the microwaves generated by the oscillation unit to the resonance unit, wherein the oscillation unit is laminated on the resonance unit, the aerosol generating device.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein the housing further includes a cover for protecting the printed circuit board. **Claim 12** In a method of manufacturing a heater assembly for heating an aerosol generating article, providing a resonance part; connecting a coupler having one end in contact with the resonance part; and laminating an oscillation part including a printed circuit board in contact with the other end of the coupler and laminated on the resonance part. A method of manufacturing a heater assembly including these steps. **Claim 13** The method of manufacturing a heater assembly according to claim 12, wherein the laminating step provides solder on the surface of the resonance part to join the resonance part and the oscillation part.

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