HEATER ASSEMBLY AND AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME

Abstract

The heater assembly includes an oscillator that generates microwaves, and a resonator that receives the microwaves generated from the oscillator via a coupler and resonates the transmitted microwaves to generate an electric field. The resonator includes an outer conductor that includes a storage space for storing an aerosol product, a first inner conductor that surrounds one region of the aerosol product stored in the storage space, and a second inner conductor that surrounds another region of the aerosol product stored in the storage space. The aerosol product stored in the storage space can be heated by the electric field generated in the resonator.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of conventional cigarettes, such as devices (or "aerosol-generating devices") that generate aerosols by heating an aerosol-generating substance (or "aerosol-producing article") using an aerosol-generating device, rather than by burning a cigarette to generate aerosols.

[0003] Aerosol generating devices that use resistance heating or induction heating to heat an aerosol-generating substance and generate an aerosol have been common, but recently, even dielectric heating aerosol generating devices that use microwaves to heat the aerosol-generating substance have been proposed.

[0004] A dielectric heating type aerosol generator is a device that generates heat in a dielectric contained in an aerosol generating material through the resonance of microwaves, and can heat the aerosol generating material via the heat generated in the dielectric.

[0005] In order to improve the usability of dielectric heating aerosol generators, it is necessary to miniaturize the heater assembly that generates microwave resonance. However, miniaturizing the heater assembly improves usability, but on the other hand, it can lead to a situation where the dielectric heating efficiency is reduced. Therefore, there is an increasing need for a dielectric heating aerosol generator that includes a heater assembly with a new structure that can improve the dielectric heating efficiency while miniaturizing the heater assembly. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In order to miniaturize the heater assembly, the size of the resonating portion that generates microwave resonance must be reduced no matter what. However, if the size of the resonating portion is reduced, the distance between the resonating portion and the aerosol-generating material becomes shorter, and the amount of aerosol that diffuses from the aerosol-generating material in the direction toward the resonating portion increases.

[0007] During use of the aerosol generating device, a portion of the aerosol that reaches the resonator may be liquefied, and droplets formed by the liquefied aerosol may accumulate inside the resonator.

[0008] Furthermore, when the distance between the aerosol-generating material and the resonator becomes short, the amount of heat transferred from the aerosol-generating material to the resonator increases, which can cause the resonator to overheat.

[0009] If the amount of droplets accumulating in the resonator becomes large or the resonator is overheated to an excessively high temperature, the resonance efficiency of the resonator will decrease and the overall heating efficiency of the heater assembly will decrease. Therefore, a new structure of resonator is required that can reduce the amount of aerosol or heat reaching the resonator from the aerosol product while miniaturizing the resonator.

[0010] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a heater assembly and an aerosol generating device including the same that can reduce the amount of aerosol diffused from an aerosol generating material to a resonator and improve the insulating performance of the resonator, thereby improving dielectric heating efficiency while miniaturizing the heater assembly.

[0011] The problems to be solved through the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present embodiments pertain from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] A heater assembly according to one embodiment includes an oscillator that generates microwaves; and a resonator that receives the microwaves generated from the oscillator via a coupler and resonates the transmitted microwaves to generate an electric field. The resonator includes an outer conductor having a storage space for storing an aerosol product; a first inner conductor that surrounds one region of the aerosol product stored in the storage space; and a second inner conductor that surrounds another region of the aerosol product stored in the storage space. The aerosol product stored in the storage space can be heated by the electric field generated in the resonator.

[0013] An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment also includes a housing including an insertion port through which an aerosol product is inserted; and the aforementioned heater assembly for heating the aerosol product inserted through the insertion port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The heater assembly and aerosol generating device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can reduce the amount of heat transferred from the aerosol product to the resonator, preventing the resonator from overheating.

[0015] Furthermore, the heater assembly and the aerosol generating device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may prevent droplets from being generated inside the resonator, thereby preventing a decrease in heating efficiency due to the droplets.

[0016] The effects of this embodiment are not limited to those described above, and any 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 explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an internal block diagram of the dielectric heating unit of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to another embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 9A] FIG. 10 shows the electric field distribution inside the heater assembly. [Figure 9B] FIG. 10 shows the heat density distribution of an aerosol product heated by a heater assembly. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to another embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] 13 is a diagram for explaining the path of air movement in the heater assembly of FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 15A] FIG. 10 shows the electric field distribution inside the heater assembly. [Figure 15B] FIG. 10 shows the heat density distribution of an aerosol product heated by a heater assembly. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 17] 5 is an example of a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of FIG. 4. [Figure 18] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view for explaining the structure of the heater assembly of FIG. 4. [Figure 19] 5 is another exemplary cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of FIG. 4. [Figure 20]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to another embodiment. [Figure 21] 21 is an example of a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of FIG. 20. [Figure 22] 21 is another exemplary cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of FIG. 20. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or similar components will be given the same reference numbers and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0019] The suffixes "module" and "section" used in the following description are used or are used interchangeably solely for the convenience of drafting the specification, and do not have any distinct meanings or roles.

[0020] Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments disclosed herein, if it is determined that a detailed description of related publicly known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, the detailed description will be omitted. Furthermore, the attached drawings are intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and the technical ideas disclosed herein should not be limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the ideas and technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0021] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0022] When a component is said to be "coupled" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly coupled or connected to the other component, but that there may be other components in between. Furthermore, when a component is said to be "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0023] Any expression in the singular includes a plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 100 according to one embodiment also includes a housing 110 capable of containing an aerosol product 10, and a heater assembly 200 for heating the aerosol product 10 contained in the housing 110.

[0026] The housing 110 forms the overall appearance of the aerosol generating device 100, and the components of the aerosol generating device 100 may be arranged in the interior space (or "mounting space") of the housing 110. For example, the heater assembly 200, a battery, a processor, and / or a sensor may be arranged in the interior space of the housing 110, but the components arranged in the interior space are not limited to these.

[0027] An insertion opening 110h is formed in a region of the housing 110, and at least a region of the aerosol product 10 can be inserted into the housing 110 through the insertion opening 110h. For example, the insertion opening 110h can be formed in a region of the top surface (e.g., the surface facing the z direction) of the housing 110, but the position where the insertion opening 110h is formed is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the insertion opening 110h can also be formed in a region of the side surface (e.g., the surface facing the x direction) of the housing 110.

[0028] The heater assembly 200 is disposed in the interior space of the housing 110 and can heat the aerosol product 10 inserted or housed inside the housing 110 through the insertion port 110h. For example, the heater assembly 200 can be disposed to surround at least a region of the aerosol product 10 inserted or housed inside the housing 110 and can heat the aerosol product 10.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the heater assembly 200 may heat the aerosol product 10 using a dielectric heating method. In this disclosure, the term "dielectric heating method" refers to a method of using microwaves and / or the resonance of microwave electric fields (including magnetic fields) to heat a dielectric material that is a heated object. The microwaves are an energy source for heating the heated object and are generated by high-frequency power. Therefore, hereinafter, the term "microwaves" may be used interchangeably with "microwave power."

[0030] Inside the heater assembly 200, microwave resonance causes the charges or ions of the dielectric contained inside the aerosol product 10 to vibrate or rotate, and frictional heat generated during the vibration or rotation of the charges or ions generates heat in the dielectric, causing the aerosol product 10 to heat up.

[0031] The aerosol production article 10 can be heated by the heater assembly 200 to generate an aerosol from the aerosol production article 10. In this disclosure, "aerosol" can refer to gas particles that are generated when the vapor generated by heating the aerosol production article 10 mixes with air.

[0032] The aerosol generated from the aerosol production product 10 can be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generation device 100 by passing through the aerosol production product 10 or through the empty space between the aerosol production product 10 and the insertion port 110h. A user can smoke by contacting their mouth with a region of the aerosol production product 10 exposed to the outside of the housing 110 and inhaling the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generation device 100.

[0033] The aerosol generation device 100 according to one embodiment further includes a cover 111 movably disposed on the housing 110 for opening and closing the insertion opening 110h. For example, the cover 111 is slidably coupled to the upper end surface of the housing 110 to expose the insertion opening 110h to the outside of the aerosol generation device 100, or to cover the insertion opening 110h so that the insertion opening 110h is not exposed to the outside of the aerosol generation device 100.

[0034] In one example, in the first position (or "open position"), the cover 111 allows the insertion opening 110h to be exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100. When the aerosol generating device 100 is exposed to the outside, the aerosol product 10 can be inserted into the housing 110 through the insertion opening 110h.

[0035] In another example, the cover 111 covers the insertion opening 110h in the second position (or "closed position"), thereby preventing the insertion opening 110h from being exposed to the outside of the aerosol generation device 100. In this case, the cover 111 can prevent external foreign matter from entering the heater assembly 200 through the insertion opening 110h when the aerosol generation device 100 is not in use.

[0036] Although FIG. 1 illustrates only an aerosol generating device 100 for heating a solid-state aerosol product article 10, the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

[0037] The aerosol generating device according to another embodiment may also generate an aerosol by heating a liquid or gel-state aerosol generating substance via the heater assembly 200, rather than the solid-state aerosol product 10.

[0038] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device also includes a heater assembly 200 for heating the aerosol product article 10 and a cartridge (or "vaporizer") containing a liquid or gel aerosol generating substance for heating the aerosol generating substance. The aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substance travels along an airflow passageway connecting the cartridge and the aerosol product article 10 to the aerosol product article 10, where it mixes with the aerosol generated from the aerosol product article 10, passes through the aerosol product article 10, and can be delivered to a user.

[0039] FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0040] 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 that 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 added.

[0041] The input unit 102 may receive a user input. For example, the input unit 102 may be provided as a single pressure-sensitive push button. As another example, the input unit 102 may be a touch panel including at least one touch sensor. The input unit 102 may transmit an input signal to the processor 101. Based on the user input, the processor 101 may supply power to the induction heating unit 200 or control the output unit 103 to output a user notification.

[0042] The output unit 103 may output information related to the status of the aerosol generation device 100. The output unit 103 may output the charge / discharge status of the battery 107, the heating status of the dielectric heating unit 200, the insertion status of the aerosol product 10, and error information of the aerosol generation device 100. To this end, the output unit 103 may also include a display, a haptic motor, and an audio output unit.

[0043] The sensor unit 104 may sense the state of the aerosol generating device 100 or the ambient state of the aerosol generating device 100 and transmit the sensed information to the processor 101. Based on the sensed information, the processor 101 may control the aerosol generating device 100 to perform various functions such as heating control of the dielectric heating unit 200, smoking restriction, determining whether or not to insert the aerosol generating product 10, and displaying notifications.

[0044] The sensor section 104 also includes a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, and an insertion sensor.

[0045] The temperature sensor may sense the temperature inside the dielectric heating unit 200 in a non-contact manner, or may be in contact with the dielectric heating unit 200 and directly acquire the temperature of the resonator. According to one embodiment, the temperature sensor may also sense the temperature of the aerosol product 10. The temperature sensor may also be disposed adjacent to the battery 107 and acquire the temperature of the battery 107. The processor 101 may control the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 based on the temperature information from the temperature sensor.

[0046] The puff sensor may detect a user's puff. The puff sensor may detect a 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 may control the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 based on the puff information from the puff sensor. For example, the processor 101 may count the number of puffs and cut off the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 when the number of puffs reaches a preset maximum number of puffs. As another example, the processor 101 may cut off the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 when no puffs are detected for a preset time or longer.

[0047] The insertion detection sensor is disposed inside the storage space 220h (FIG. 4) or adjacent to the storage space 220h and can detect the insertion and removal of the aerosol product 10 stored in the insertion port 110h. For example, the insertion detection sensor can include an inductive sensor and / or a capacitance sensor. The processor 101 can supply power to the dielectric heating unit 200 when the aerosol product 10 is inserted into the insertion port 110h.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the sensor unit 104 may additionally include a reuse sensor, a motion sensor, a humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a cover removal sensor, a position sensor (GPS (global positioning system)), a proximity sensor, etc. The function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred from its name, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0049] The communication unit 105 also includes at least one communication module for communication with an external electronic device. The processor 101 may control the communication unit 105 and transmit information related to the aerosol generation device 100 to the external electronic device. Alternatively, the processor 101 may receive information from the external electronic device via the communication unit 105 and control components included in the aerosol generation device 100. For example, information transmitted between the communication unit 105 and the external electronic device may include user authentication information, firmware update information, and user smoking pattern information.

[0050] The memory 106 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device 100, and may store data that has been processed by the processor 101 and data that is to be processed. For example, the memory 106 may store data related to the operating time of the aerosol generating device 100, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

[0051] The battery 107 can supply power to the dielectric heating unit 200 so that the aerosol product 10 can be heated. The battery 107 can also supply power necessary for the operation of other components provided in the aerosol generating device 100. The battery 107 can be a rechargeable battery or a detachable battery.

[0052] The interface unit 108 also includes a connection terminal that can be physically connected to an external electronic device. The connection terminal may include at least one of a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connector, a universal serial bus (USB) connector, a secure digital (SD) card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector), or a combination thereof. The interface unit 108 may transmit and receive information to and from the external electronic device or charge the power source via the connection terminal.

[0053] The power conversion unit 109 may convert DC power supplied from the battery 107 into AC power. The power conversion unit 109 may also provide the converted AC power to the dielectric heating unit 200. The power conversion unit 109 may also be an inverter including at least one switching element, and the processor 101 may control the ON / OFF of the switching element included in the power conversion unit 109 to convert the DC power into AC power. The power conversion unit 109 may be configured as a full-bridge or a half-bridge.

[0054] The dielectric heating unit 200 can use a dielectric heating method to heat the aerosol product 10. The dielectric heating unit 200 also has a configuration corresponding to the heater assembly 200 in FIG.

[0055] The dielectric heating unit 200 can heat the aerosol product 10 using microwaves and / or microwave electric fields (hereinafter, referred to as microwaves or microwave power unless otherwise specified). The heating method of the dielectric heating unit 200 is not to radiate microwaves using an antenna, but to generate microwaves within a resonant structure to heat the object to be heated. The resonant structure will be described later with reference to FIG. 4 and subsequent figures.

[0056] The dielectric heating unit 200 may output high-frequency microwaves to the resonator 220 (FIG. 3). The microwaves may be power in the ISM (industrial, scientific, and medical equipment) band permitted for heating, but are not limited thereto. The resonator 220 may be designed taking into account the wavelength of the microwaves so that the microwaves can resonate within the resonator 220.

[0057] The aerosol production product 10 is inserted into the resonator 220, and the dielectric material within the aerosol production product 10 can be heated by the resonator 220. For example, the aerosol production product 10 may contain a polar substance, and the molecules within the polar substance can be polarized within the resonator 220. The molecules vibrate or rotate due to the polarization phenomenon, and the aerosol production product 10 can be heated by frictional heat or the like generated in the process. The dielectric heating unit 200 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

[0058] The processor 101 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 100. The processor 101 can be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, a general-purpose microprocessor in combination with a memory storing a program that can be executed by the microprocessor, or other forms of hardware.

[0059] The 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, depending on the power required by the dielectric heating unit 200. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a converter that boosts or intensifies the DC power, and the processor 101 can control the converter to adjust the magnitude of the DC power. In addition, the processor 101 can control the AC power supplied to the dielectric heating unit 200 by adjusting the switching frequency and duty ratio of a switching element included in the power conversion unit 109.

[0060] The processor 101 can control the heating temperature of the aerosol product 10 by controlling the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit 200 and the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200. Therefore, the oscillation unit 210, isolation unit 240, power monitoring unit 250, and matching unit 260 in Figure 3, which will be described later, are also part of the processor 101.

[0061] The 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.

[0062] The processor 101 may adjust the microwave frequency so that the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200 is constant. The processor 101 may track changes in the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit 200 due to heating of the object to be heated in real time, and control the dielectric heating unit 200 so that a microwave frequency according to the changed resonant frequency is output. In other words, the processor 101 may change the microwave frequency in real time, regardless of a pre-stored temperature profile.

[0063] FIG. 3 is an internal block diagram of the dielectric heating unit of FIG.

[0064] 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 that shown in FIG. 3. Depending on the design of the dielectric heating unit 200, some of the components shown in FIG. 3 may be omitted or new components may be added.

[0065] The oscillator 210 may receive AC power from the power converter 109 and generate high-frequency microwave power. According to one embodiment, the power converter 109 is also included in the oscillator 210. The microwave power may be selected from the 915 MHz, 2.45 GHz, and 5.8 GHz frequency bands included in the ISM band.

[0066] The oscillator 210 may include a solid-state based RF (radio frequency) generator and generate microwave power using the solid-state based RF generator. The solid-state based RF generator may be implemented using a semiconductor. Implementing the oscillator 210 using a semiconductor has the advantages of enabling the dielectric heating unit 200 to be miniaturized and extending the device's lifespan.

[0067] The oscillator 210 may output microwave power toward the resonator 220. The oscillator 210 includes a power amplifier that increases or decreases the microwave power, and the power amplifier may adjust the magnitude of the microwave power under the control of the processor 101. For example, the power amplifier may increase or decrease the amplitude of the microwave. The microwave power may be adjusted by adjusting the amplitude of the microwave.

[0068] The processor 101 may 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 may include target temperature information for a pre-heating section and a smoking section, and the oscillation unit 210 may supply microwave power at a first power in the pre-heating section and at a second power lower than the first power in the smoking section.

[0069] The isolating unit 240 can block microwave power input from the resonator 220 toward the oscillator 210. Most of the microwave power output from the oscillator 210 is absorbed by the heated object. However, depending on the heating pattern of the heated object, some of the microwave power can be reflected by the heated object and transmitted to the oscillator 210. This is because the impedance seen from the oscillator 210 to the resonator 220 changes due to the dissipation of polar molecules caused by heating of the heated object. The phrase "the impedance seen from the oscillator 210 to the resonator 220 changes" has the same meaning as "the resonant frequency of the resonator 220 changes." If microwave power reflected by the resonator 220 is input to the oscillator 210, the oscillator 210 may not only fail, but may also fail to achieve its expected output performance. The isolating unit 240 can guide the microwave power reflected by the resonator 220 in a predetermined direction and absorb it, rather than returning it to the oscillator 210. To that end, the isolation unit 240 also includes a circulator and a dummy load.

[0070] The power monitoring unit 250 may monitor the microwave power output from the oscillator 210 and the reflected microwave power reflected by the resonator 220. The power monitoring unit 250 may transmit information related to the microwave power and the reflected microwave power to the matching unit 260.

[0071] The matching unit 260 may match the impedance seen from the oscillator 210 toward the resonator 220 with the impedance seen from the resonator 220 toward the oscillator 210, so as to minimize the reflected microwave power. This impedance matching has the same meaning as matching the frequency of the oscillator 210 with the resonant frequency of the resonator 220. Therefore, the matching unit 260 may vary the frequency of the oscillator 210 to match the impedance. In other words, the matching unit 260 may adjust the frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillator 210 so as to minimize the reflected microwave power. The impedance matching of the matching unit 260 may be performed in real time, regardless of the temperature profile.

[0072] The oscillator 210, the isolator 240, the power monitor 250, and the matching unit 260 are separate components distinct from the microwave output unit 230 and the resonator 220, which will be described later, and may be implemented as a chip-type microwave source. Also, according to an embodiment, the oscillator 210, the isolator 240, the power monitor 250, and the matching unit 260 may be implemented as part of the processor 101.

[0073] The microwave output unit 230 is a component for inputting microwave power to the resonator 220 and corresponds to the coupler shown in FIG. 3 and subsequent figures. The microwave output unit 230 may be implemented in the form of a Subminiature Version A (SMA), Subminiature Version B (SMB), Micro Coaxial (MCX), or Micro-Miniature Coaxial (MMCX) connector. The microwave output unit 230 connects a chip-type microwave source to the resonator 220 and transmits microwave power generated in the microwave source to the resonator 220.

[0074] The resonator 220 can heat a heated object by generating microwaves within the resonator structure. The resonator 220 includes a storage space for the aerosol product 10, which can be exposed to microwaves and dielectrically heated. For example, the aerosol product 10 can contain a polar substance, and the molecules of the polar substance can be polarized by microwaves within the resonator 220. The molecules vibrate or rotate due to the polarization phenomenon, and the aerosol product 10 can be heated by frictional heat generated during this process.

[0075] The resonator 220 includes at least one internal conductor so that microwaves can be resonated, and microwaves can be resonated inside the resonator 220 depending on the arrangement, thickness, length, etc. of the internal conductor.

[0076] The resonator 220 may be designed taking into account the wavelength of the microwave so that the microwave can resonate within the resonator 220. For the microwave to resonate within the resonator 220, the cross section must have a short end and an open end, with at least a region of the cross section open, opposite the short end. The length between the short end and the open end must be set to an integral multiple of ¼ of the microwave wavelength. The resonator 220 of the present disclosure is selected to be ¼ of the microwave wavelength in order to miniaturize the device. In other words, the length between the short end and the open end of the resonator 220 may be set to ¼ of the microwave wavelength.

[0077] The resonator 220 also includes a dielectric containing space. The dielectric containing space is configured separately from the space containing the aerosol product 10 and contains a material capable of changing the overall resonant frequency of the resonator 220 and miniaturizing the resonator 220. In one embodiment, the dielectric containing space may contain a dielectric with low microwave absorption. This prevents the dielectric from heating up due to the energy that should be transferred to the heated object being transferred to the dielectric. Microwave absorption 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, the dielectric containing space 227 contains a dielectric with a loss tangent less than a predetermined magnitude, which may be 1 / 100 of the predetermined magnitude. For example, the dielectric may be at least one of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and aluminum oxide, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0078] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to one embodiment.

[0079] 4, a heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment also includes an oscillation unit 210 and a resonance unit 220. Fig. 4 also shows an embodiment of the heater assembly 200 and the dielectric heating unit 200 described above, and therefore, a redundant description will be omitted below.

[0080] When power is supplied to the oscillator 210, the oscillator 210 may generate microwaves in a designated frequency band. The microwaves generated by the oscillator 210 may be transmitted to the resonator 220 via a coupler (not shown).

[0081] The resonator 220 also includes a storage space 220h for storing at least a region of the aerosol product 10, and can heat the aerosol product 10 by dielectric heating by resonating the microwaves generated by the oscillator 210. For example, the microwaves resonate to cause the electric charge of glycerin contained in the aerosol product 10 to oscillate or rotate, and frictional heat generated by the electric charge oscillation or rotation generates heat in the glycerin, thereby heating the aerosol product 10.

[0082] According to an embodiment, the resonating unit 220 may be made of a material with low microwave absorption rate to prevent the microwaves generated by the oscillation unit 210 from being absorbed by the resonating unit 220 .

[0083] The specific structure of the resonating portion 220 of the heater assembly 200 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0084] 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 taken along the AA' direction.

[0085] 5, a heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment also includes an oscillation unit 210, a resonance unit 220, and a coupler 230. The components of the heater assembly 200 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly 200 of FIG. 4, and therefore, a redundant description will be omitted below.

[0086] The oscillator 210 generates microwaves in a specified frequency band when an AC voltage is applied thereto, and the microwaves generated by the oscillator 210 can be transmitted to the resonator 220 via the coupler 230 .

[0087] According to one embodiment, the oscillation unit 210 may be fixed to the resonator unit 220 in a dimension that prevents the oscillation unit 210 from being separated from the resonator unit 220 during use of the aerosol generating device. In one example, the oscillation unit 210 may be fixed on the resonator unit 220 by being supported by a bracket 220b protruding along the x-direction in one region of the resonator unit 220. In another example, the oscillation unit 210 may be fixed on the resonator unit 220 in a manner that the oscillation unit 210 is attached to one region of the resonator unit 220 without the bracket 220b.

[0088] Although the drawings only show an embodiment in which the oscillation unit 210 is fixed to one region of the resonator 220 facing the x-direction, the position of the oscillation unit 210 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, the oscillation unit 210 may be fixed to another region of the resonator 220 facing the -z direction.

[0089] The resonator 220 is disposed so as to surround at least a region of the aerosol product 10 inserted inside the aerosol generating device, and can heat the aerosol product 10 via microwaves generated by the oscillator 210. For example, a dielectric contained in the aerosol product 10 can generate heat due to an electric field generated inside the resonator 220 by microwaves, and the aerosol product 10 can be heated by the heat generated in the dielectric.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the aerosol product 10 also includes a tobacco rod 11 and a filter rod 12 .

[0091] The tobacco rod 11 contains an aerosol-forming material and may be made of a sheet or strand, or may be made of finely shredded tobacco. For example, the aerosol-forming 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 to these. The tobacco rod 11 may also contain other additives, such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids. Flavoring liquids, such as menthol or humectants, may also be added to the tobacco rod 11 by spraying them onto the tobacco rod 11.

[0092] The filter rod 12 is also a cellulose acetate filter. The shape of the filter rod 12 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 12 may be a cylindrical rod or a tube-type rod having a hollow interior. The filter rod 12 may also be a recess-type rod. If the filter rod 12 is composed of multiple segments, at least one of the multiple segments may be manufactured in a different shape.

[0093] At least a portion of the aerosol-generating material contained in the aerosol-producing product 10 (e.g., glycerin) is also a dielectric that has a polarity in an electric field, and at least a portion of such aerosol-generating material can generate heat by dielectric heating and heat the aerosol-producing product 10.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the resonator unit 220 also includes an outer conductor 221 , a first inner conductor 223 and a second inner conductor 225 .

[0095] The outer conductor 221 forms the overall appearance of the resonator unit 220 and is formed in a hollow shape with an open interior, and the components of the resonator unit 220 can be arranged inside the outer conductor 221. The outer conductor 221 also includes a storage space 220h in which the aerosol product 10 can be stored, and the aerosol product 10 can be inserted into the outer conductor 221 through the storage space 220h.

[0096] 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 space between the first surface 221a and the second surface 221b. At least some of the components of the resonator unit 220 (e.g., the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225) may be arranged in the internal space of the resonator unit 220 formed by the first surface 221a, the second surface 221b, and the side surface 221c.

[0097] The first inner conductor 223 may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the first surface 221 a of the outer conductor 221 toward the inner space of the outer conductor 221 .

[0098] According to an embodiment, one region of the first inner conductor 223 may be in contact with the coupler 230 connected to the oscillator 210, and microwaves generated in the oscillator 210 may be transmitted to the first inner conductor 223 via the coupler 230. For example, the coupler 230 may be disposed so that one end thereof passes through the outer conductor 221 and contacts the oscillator 210 and the other end thereof contacts one region of the first inner conductor 223, and microwaves generated in the oscillator 210 may be transmitted to the first inner conductor 223 via the coupler 230.

[0099] In this case, the coupler 230 may be arranged to penetrate the outer conductor 221 without contacting the outer conductor 221 for the transmission of microwaves, but the arrangement structure of the coupler 230 is not limited thereto as long as the microwaves generated in the oscillation unit 210 can be transmitted to the first inner conductor 223.

[0100] A first region formed between the outer conductor 221 and the first inner conductor 223 may operate as a "first resonator" that generates an electric field through microwave resonance. The first region refers to a space formed by the first surface 221a, the side surface 221c, and the first inner conductor 223 of the outer conductor 221. Within the first region, microwaves transmitted via the coupler 230 may resonate to generate an electric field. The second inner conductor 225 may have a hollow cylindrical shape that extends from the second surface 221b of the outer conductor 221 toward the inner space of the outer conductor 221. The second inner conductor 225 is disposed in the inner space of the outer conductor 221 at a predetermined distance from the first inner conductor 223, and a gap 226 may be formed between the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225.

[0101] The second region formed between the outer conductor 221 and the second inner conductor 225 may act as a "second resonator" that generates an electric field through microwave resonance. The second inner conductor 225 may be coupled (e.g., capacitively coupled) with the first inner conductor 223, and when an electric field is generated in the first region due to the coupling relationship, an induced electric field may also be generated in the second region. In this disclosure, "capacitive coupling" may refer to a coupling relationship in which energy can be transferred by electrostatic capacitance between two conductors.

[0102] For example, when microwaves generated from the oscillator 210 are transmitted to the first internal conductor 223, an electric field is generated inside the first region due to resonance, and an induced electric field can be generated inside the second region formed by the outer conductor 221 and the second internal conductor 225 coupled to the first internal conductor 223.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the first and second regions of the resonating unit 220 can operate as a resonator having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength (λ) of microwaves.

[0104] In one example, one end of the first region (e.g., end in the −z direction) may be formed as a short end by closing the cross section of the first region with the first surface 221a of the outer conductor 221, and the other end of the first region (e.g., end in the z direction) may be formed as an open end by not having the first surface 221a and opening the cross section. In another example, one end of the second region (e.g., end in the −z direction) may be formed as an open end by opening the cross section, and the other end of the second region (e.g., end in the z direction) may be formed as a closed end by closing the cross section of the second region with the second surface 221b of the outer conductor 221.

[0105] That is, the first region and the second region include a closed end and an open end when viewed in the xz plane, and are formed in a "C" shape as a whole, and via the above-mentioned structure, the first region and the second region can operate as a resonator having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength of microwaves.

[0106] According to one embodiment, the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 may be formed to have the same length based on the z-axis, and the first region and the second region may be arranged symmetrically to each other, but are not limited thereto.

[0107] The aerosol product 10 inserted into the inner space of the outer conductor 221 through the receiving space 220h is surrounded by the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 and can be heated by a dielectric heating method.

[0108] In the first region and / or the second region, at least a portion of the electric field generated by the resonance of the microwave propagates through the gap 226 between the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 toward the inside of the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225, and the aerosol product 10 surrounded by the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 may be heated by the propagated electric field. For example, a dielectric material included in the aerosol product 10 may be heated by the electric field propagated through the gap 226, and the aerosol product 10 may be heated by the heat generated from the dielectric material.

[0109] In one embodiment, the heater assembly 200 can prevent the electric field propagated inside the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 from leaking outside the heater assembly 200 or the resonator 220 by making the diameters of the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 less than a specified value.

[0110] In the present disclosure, the term "specified value" may refer to a diameter value at which the electric field begins to leak out of the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225. For example, if the diameter of the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 is equal to or greater than the specified value, a situation may occur in which part of the electric field flowing into the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 leaks out of the resonator unit 220.

[0111] In addition, the heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment prevents the electric field from propagating outside the resonator 220 through a structure in which the diameters of the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225 are less than a specified value, and as a result, the electric field can be prevented from leaking outside the heater assembly 200 or the resonator 220 without a separate shielding member.

[0112] According to one embodiment, when the aerosol product 10 is inserted into the resonator 220 through the accommodating space 220h, the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol product 10 can be positioned at a position corresponding to the gap 226 between the first inner conductor 223 and the second inner conductor 225.

[0113] The electric field generated in the first region and the electric field generated in the second region flow into the first inner conductor 223 and / or the second inner conductor 225 through the gap 226, so that the strongest electric field can be generated in the region around the gap 226 in the inner region of the resonator 220. The heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment can improve the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heater assembly 200 by arranging the tobacco rod 11, which includes a dielectric that generates heat in response to an electric field, at a position corresponding to the gap 226 where the electric field is strongest.

[0114] According to one embodiment, the resonator 220 further includes a closing portion 224 located inside the first inner conductor 223, closing a cross section of the first inner conductor 223, and restricting the flow direction of the aerosol generated from the aerosol production product 10. For example, the closing portion 224 may close a cross section of the first inner conductor 223 and block the flow of the aerosol generated from the aerosol production product 10 in the -z direction.

[0115] If the aerosol generated from the aerosol product 10 or droplets generated by liquefying the aerosol flow in the -z direction and enter other components of the aerosol generating device (e.g., aerosol generating device 100 (FIG. 1)), it may cause malfunction or damage to the components of the aerosol generating device. Note that the heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment can prevent malfunction or damage to the components of the aerosol generating device due to the aerosol or droplets by restricting the flow direction of the aerosol via the closure portion 224.

[0116] According to an embodiment, the resonator unit 220 further includes a dielectric receiving space 227 for receiving a dielectric. The dielectric receiving space 227 refers to an empty space formed between the outer conductor 221 and the first and second inner conductors 223 and 225. A dielectric having low microwave absorption may be received in the dielectric receiving 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.

[0117] The heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment can generate the same electric field as the resonator unit 220 that does not include a dielectric while reducing the overall size of the resonator unit 220 by disposing a dielectric inside the dielectric accommodating space 227. That is, the heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment can reduce the size of the resonator unit 220 via the dielectric disposed inside the dielectric accommodating space 227, thereby reducing the mounting space of the resonator unit 220 in the aerosol generation device, and as a result, the aerosol generation device can be miniaturized.

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

[0119] 6, a heater assembly 300 according to another embodiment includes an oscillation unit 310 (e.g., oscillation unit 210 (FIG. 4)), a resonator unit 320 (e.g., resonator unit 220 (FIG. 4)), and an airflow passage 340. The heater assembly 300 according to another embodiment is an assembly in which the airflow passage 340 is added to the heater assembly 200 of FIG. 4, and therefore, a redundant description will be omitted below.

[0120] The oscillator 310 may generate microwaves in a designated frequency band when power is supplied to the oscillator 310. The microwaves generated by the oscillator 310 may be transmitted to the resonator 320 via a coupler connecting the oscillator 310 and the resonator 320.

[0121] The resonator 320 also includes a storage space 320h (e.g., storage space 220h (FIG. 4)) for storing at least a portion of the aerosol product 10, and can resonate the microwaves generated by the oscillator 310 to heat the aerosol product 10 by dielectric heating. For example, the microwaves resonate to cause the charge of a dielectric material (e.g., glycerin) contained in the aerosol product 10 stored inside the resonator 320 to oscillate or rotate, and frictional heat generated by the oscillation or rotation of the charge generates heat in the dielectric material, thereby heating the aerosol product 10.

[0122] The airflow passage 340 may guide the direction of air movement so that air outside the heater assembly 300 or the resonator unit 320 (hereinafter referred to as "external air") flows into the aerosol product 10 accommodated in the accommodation space 320h. For example, the airflow passage 340 may be disposed in a region of the resonator unit 320 to connect the outside of the resonator unit 320 with the accommodation space 320h, and the external air may flow along the airflow passage 340 and flow into the aerosol product 10 accommodated in the accommodation space 320h. The external air flowing into the aerosol product 10 mixes with vapor generated by heating the aerosol product 10 to generate aerosol, and the generated aerosol may pass through the aerosol product 10 and be discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 300.

[0123] The arrangement of the airflow passage 340 for allowing the external air to flow into the accommodation space 320h will be specifically described below with reference to FIG.

[0124] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of Figure 6. Figure 7 shows a cross-section of heater assembly 300 of Figure 6 taken along the line B-B', and in Figure 7, arrows indicate the path of air (or "external air") movement.

[0125] Referring to FIG. 7, a heater assembly 300 according to another embodiment also includes an oscillation unit 310 (e.g., oscillation unit 210 (FIG. 5)), a resonator unit 320 (e.g., resonator unit 220 (FIG. 5)), a coupler 330 (e.g., coupler 230 (FIG. 5)), and an airflow passage 340.

[0126] The oscillator 310 generates microwaves in a specified frequency band when an AC voltage is applied thereto, and the microwaves generated by the oscillator 310 can be transmitted to the resonator 320 via the coupler 330 .

[0127] The resonator 320 is arranged to surround at least a region of the aerosol product 10 inserted inside the aerosol generation device (e.g., aerosol generation device 100 (FIG. 1)), and can heat the aerosol product 10 via the microwaves generated by the oscillator 310. For example, a dielectric contained in the aerosol product 10 generates heat due to an electric field generated inside the resonator 320 through resonance of the microwaves, and the aerosol product 10 can be heated by the heat generated in the dielectric.

[0128] According to one embodiment, the resonator unit 320 also includes an outer conductor 321 , a first inner conductor 323 and a second inner conductor 325 .

[0129] The outer conductor 321 forms the overall appearance of the resonator unit 320 and is formed in a hollow shape with an open interior, and components of the resonator unit 320 can be disposed inside the outer conductor 321. The outer conductor 321 also includes a receiving space 320h into which at least a region of the aerosol product 10 can be inserted. The receiving space 320h is formed by the first inner conductor 323 and / or the second inner conductor 325 disposed inside the outer conductor 321, and can refer to a space that can accommodate the aerosol product 10 inserted inside the outer conductor 321.

[0130] According to one embodiment, the outer conductor 321 also includes a first surface 331a, a second surface 331b arranged to face the first surface 331a, and a side surface 331c surrounding the space between the first surface 331a and the second surface 331b. At least some of the components of the resonator unit 320 (e.g., the first inner conductor 323 and the second inner conductor 325) may be arranged in the internal space of the resonator unit 320 formed by the first surface 331a, the second surface 331b, and the side surface 331c.

[0131] The first inner conductor 323 may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the first surface 331 a of the outer conductor 321 toward the inner space of the outer conductor 321 or along the longitudinal direction of the outer conductor 321 .

[0132] According to an embodiment, one region of the first inner conductor 323 may be in contact with the coupler 330 connected to the oscillator 310, and microwaves generated in the oscillator 310 may be transmitted to the first inner conductor 323 via the coupler 330. For example, the coupler 330 may be disposed so that one end thereof passes through the outer conductor 321 and contacts the oscillator 310 and the other end thereof contacts one region of the first inner conductor 323, and microwaves generated in the oscillator 310 may be transmitted to the first inner conductor 323 via the coupler 330.

[0133] In this case, the coupler 330 may be arranged so as to penetrate the outer conductor 321 without contacting the outer conductor 321 for the purpose of transmitting microwaves, but the arrangement structure of the coupler 330 is not limited thereto as long as the microwaves generated in the oscillation unit 310 can be transmitted to the first inner conductor 323.

[0134] A first region formed between the outer conductor 321 and the first inner conductor 323 may operate as a "first resonator" that generates an electric field through microwave resonance. The first region refers to a space formed by the first surface 321a, the side surface 321c, and the first inner conductor 323 of the outer conductor 321. Within the first region, microwaves transmitted via the coupler 330 may resonate to generate an electric field. The second inner conductor 325 may have a hollow cylindrical shape that extends from the second surface 331b of the outer conductor 321 toward the internal space of the outer conductor 321 or along the longitudinal direction of the outer conductor 321. The second inner conductor 325 is disposed in the internal space of the outer conductor 321 at a predetermined distance from the first inner conductor 323, and a gap 326 may be formed between the first inner conductor 323 and the second inner conductor 325.

[0135] The second region formed between the outer conductor 321 and the second inner conductor 325 can act as a "second resonator" that generates an electric field through microwave resonance. The second inner conductor 325 is coupled (e.g., capacitively coupled) with the first inner conductor 323, and due to the coupling relationship described above, when an electric field is generated inside the first region, an induced electric field can also be generated inside the second region.

[0136] For example, when microwaves generated from the oscillator 310 are transmitted to the first internal conductor 323, an electric field is generated within the first region due to resonance, and an induced electric field can be generated within the second region formed by the outer conductor 321 and the second internal conductor 325 coupled to the first internal conductor 323.

[0137] According to one embodiment, the first and second regions of the resonating unit 320 can operate as a resonator having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength (λ) of microwaves.

[0138] In one example, one end of the first region (e.g., end in the −z direction) may be formed as a closed end by closing the cross section of the first region with the first surface 321a of the outer conductor 321, and the other end of the first region (e.g., end in the z direction) may be formed as an open end by not having the first surface 321a and opening the cross section. In another example, one end of the second region (e.g., end in the −z direction) may be formed as an open end by opening the cross section, and the other end of the second region (e.g., end in the z direction) may be formed as a closed end by closing the cross section of the second region with the second surface (321b) of the outer conductor 221.

[0139] That is, the first region and the second region include a closed end and an open end when viewed in the xz plane, and are formed in a "C" shape as a whole, and via the above-mentioned structure, the first region and the second region can operate as a resonator having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength of microwaves.

[0140] According to one embodiment, the first inner conductor 323 and the second inner conductor 325 may be formed to have the same length based on the z-axis, and the first region and the second region may be arranged symmetrically to each other, but are not limited thereto. The aerosol product 10 inserted into the inner space of the outer conductor 321 through the receiving space 320h is surrounded by the first inner conductor 323 and the second inner conductor 325 and can be heated by a dielectric heating method.

[0141] In the first region and / or the second region, at least a portion of the electric field generated by the resonance of the microwave propagates through the gap 326 between the first inner conductor 323 and the second inner conductor 325 into the first inner conductor 323 and / or the second inner conductor 325, and the aerosol product 10 surrounded by the first inner conductor 323 and the second inner conductor 325 may be heated by the electric field propagated into the first inner conductor 323 and / or the second inner conductor 325. For example, a dielectric material included in the aerosol product 10 may generate heat due to the electric field propagated through the gap 326, and the aerosol product 10 may be heated by the heat generated from the dielectric material.

[0142] In other embodiments, the heater assembly 300 may prevent the electric field propagated inside the first inner conductor 323 and / or the second inner conductor 325 from leaking outside the heater assembly 300 or the resonator 320 by making the diameters of the first inner conductor 323 and the second inner conductor 325 less than a specified value.

[0143] In the present disclosure, the term "specified value" may refer to a diameter value at which the electric field begins to leak out of the first inner conductor 323 and / or the second inner conductor 325. For example, if the diameter of the first inner conductor 323 and / or the second inner conductor 325 is equal to or greater than the specified value, a situation may occur in which part of the electric field flowing into the first inner conductor 323 and / or the second inner conductor 325 leaks out of the resonator unit 320.

[0144] In addition, in another embodiment, the heater assembly 300 prevents the electric field from propagating outside the resonator unit 320 through a structure in which the diameters of the first inner conductor 323 and the second inner conductor 325 are less than a specified value, and as a result, the electric field can be prevented from leaking outside the heater assembly 300 or the resonator unit 320 without a separate shielding member.

[0145] According to one embodiment, the resonator 320 further includes a closing portion 324 located inside the first inner conductor 323, closing the cross section of the first inner conductor 323, and restricting the flow direction of the aerosol generated from the aerosol production product 10. For example, the closing portion 324 may close the cross section of the first inner conductor 323 and block the flow of the aerosol generated from the aerosol production product 10 in the -z direction.

[0146] If the aerosol generated from the aerosol product 10 or droplets generated by liquefying the aerosol flow in the -z direction and enter other components of the aerosol generating device (e.g., aerosol generating device 100 (FIG. 1)), it may cause malfunction or damage to the components of the aerosol generating device. Note that the heater assembly 300 according to another embodiment may prevent malfunction or damage to the components of the aerosol generating device due to the aerosol or droplets by restricting the flow direction of the aerosol via the closing portion 324.

[0147] According to an embodiment, the resonator unit 320 further includes a dielectric receiving space 327 and a dielectric D received in the dielectric receiving space 327 to adjust the dielectric constant of the resonator unit 320 .

[0148] The dielectric receiving space 327 refers to an empty space formed between the outer conductor 321 and the first and second inner conductors 323 and 325, and a dielectric D may be received in the dielectric receiving space 327. For example, the dielectric D may be at least one of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and aluminum oxide, which have low microwave absorption, or a combination thereof, but the type of the dielectric D is not limited thereto.

[0149] The heater assembly 300 according to another embodiment can reduce the overall size of the resonator unit 320 by disposing the dielectric D inside the dielectric accommodating space 327, while still generating the same electric field as the resonator unit 320 that does not include the dielectric D. That is, the heater assembly 200 according to another embodiment can reduce the size of the resonator unit 320 via the dielectric D disposed inside the dielectric accommodating space 327, thereby reducing the mounting space of the resonator unit 320 in the aerosol generating device, and as a result, the aerosol generating device (e.g., aerosol generating device 100 (FIG. 1)) can be miniaturized.

[0150] According to one embodiment, when the aerosol product 10 is inserted into the resonator 320 through the accommodating space 320h, the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol product 10 can be positioned at a position corresponding to the gap 326 between the first inner conductor 323 and the second inner conductor 325.

[0151] The electric field generated in the first region and the electric field generated in the second region flow into the first inner conductor 323 and / or the second inner conductor 325 through the gap 326, so that the strongest electric field may be generated in the region around the gap 326 in the inner region of the resonator 320. In another embodiment, the heater assembly 300 may improve the heating efficiency of the heater assembly 300 by arranging the tobacco rod 11, which includes a dielectric that generates heat in response to an electric field, at a position corresponding to the gap 326 where the electric field is strongest.

[0152] The airflow passage 340 may be formed inside the first and second inner conductors 323 and 325 of the resonator 320, and may form a path through which external air flows into the aerosol product 10 accommodated in the accommodation space 320h. For example, the airflow passage 340 may be formed in the space between the first and second inner conductors 323 and 325 and the aerosol product 10 accommodated in the accommodation space 320h, and may also serve as a flow path connecting the outside of the resonator 320 and the aerosol product 10 accommodated in the accommodation space 320h.

[0153] The airflow passage 340 may be arranged so that the external air flows along the longitudinal direction (e.g., −z direction) of the storage space 320h and then flows into one end (e.g., one end in the −z direction) of the aerosol product 10 stored in the storage space 320h. That is, one region of the airflow passage 340 may extend along the longitudinal direction of the storage space 320h, and another region may extend in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the storage space 320h, so as to connect one region of the airflow passage 340 to the interior of the storage space 320h.

[0154] External air flowing into one end of the aerosol production product 10 through the air flow passage 340 mixes with the vapor generated by heating the aerosol production product 10 to generate an aerosol, which passes through the aerosol production product 10 and can be discharged outside the heater assembly 300.

[0155] The outside air moves between the aerosol production article 10 and the first and second inner conductors 323, 325, which operate as a resonator, through the airflow passage 340, thereby preventing heat generated in the aerosol production article 10 from being transferred to the first and second inner conductors 323, 325 through the outside air. As a result, the heater assembly 300 according to another embodiment can improve the overall thermal insulation performance of the resonator 320 through the airflow passage 340.

[0156] In addition, the temperature of the air flowing into the aerosol product 10 may increase as the external air is heated by the heat generated in the aerosol product 10 while moving along the airflow passage 340. That is, in the heater assembly 300 according to another embodiment, the external air flowing into the aerosol product 10 is preheated while moving along the airflow passage 340 without a separate power supply, thereby reducing the power required for aerosol generation.

[0157] According to one embodiment, the resonator 320 further includes a structure 341 (or "cap") for supporting the aerosol product 10 contained in the containing space 320h.

[0158] The structure 341 is disposed inside the storage space 320h and can support at least a portion of the aerosol product 10 contained in the storage space 320h. For example, the structure 341 can be formed as a whole in the shape of a hollow cylinder with one end closed and the other end open, and can be disposed so as to surround a portion of the aerosol product 10, thereby fixing the position of the aerosol product 10 within the storage space 320h.

[0159] In addition, the structure 341 can prevent movement or diffusion of liquid generated from the aerosol product 10 toward the first inner conductor 323 and / or the second inner conductor 325, thereby preventing droplets from being generated inside the resonator 320.

[0160] When the aerosol generated from the aerosol production product 10 reaches the first inner conductor 323 and / or the second inner conductor 325, a portion of the aerosol may be liquefied, and droplets may be generated inside the first inner conductor 323 and / or the second inner conductor 325. The droplets generated in the first inner conductor 323 and / or the second inner conductor 325 may reduce the heating efficiency of the resonator unit 320, but the heater assembly 300 according to another embodiment may prevent the aerosol from moving or diffusing toward the first inner conductor 323 and / or the second inner conductor 325 via the structure 341, thereby preventing a reduction in heating efficiency due to the droplets.

[0161] In this case, the structure 341 also includes a material that is highly heat-resistant and / or chemical-resistant (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene material) to prevent damage from aerosols or droplets generated inside the storage space 320h.

[0162] According to one embodiment, the structure 341 also includes an air inlet hole 341h that penetrates the structure 341 and is connected to the air flow passage 340. The air inlet hole 341h is formed at one closed end of the structure 341, and external air that reaches the structure 341 along the air flow passage 340 can flow into the aerosol product 10 supported by the structure 341 through the air inlet hole 341h. In other words, the structure 341 has the air inlet hole 341h, and while supporting the aerosol product 10, it does not obstruct the flow of external air toward the aerosol product 10.

[0163] That is, the heater assembly 300 according to another embodiment can not only improve the insulating efficiency of the resonator part 320 through the above-mentioned air flow passage 340 and structure 341, but also prevent droplets from being generated on the first inner conductor 323 and / or the second inner conductor 325, which act as a resonator, thereby improving dielectric heating efficiency.

[0164] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment.

[0165] 8, a heater assembly 300 according to another embodiment includes an oscillation unit 310, a resonance unit 320, a coupler 330, an airflow passage 340, a structure 341, and a dielectric D. The heater assembly 300 according to another embodiment is an assembly in which only the position of the dielectric D is changed from the heater assembly 300 of FIG. 7, and therefore, a redundant description will be omitted below.

[0166] The resonant frequencies of the first region operating as the first resonator and the second region operating as the second resonator may differ depending on the structure of the resonating unit 320 and / or the connection between the resonating unit 320 and the coupler 330. For example, the lengths of the first inner conductor 323 forming the first region and the second inner conductor 325 forming the second region may be different, or the first inner conductor 323 forming the first region may be directly connected to the coupler 330 while the second inner conductor 325 forming the second region may not be connected to the coupler 330, and the resonant frequency of the first region may be higher than the resonant frequency of the second region.

[0167] If the resonant frequencies of the first and second regions are different, microwave resonance may cause the strength of the electric field generated by the first resonator in the first and second regions to differ, resulting in reduced heating efficiency of the aerosol product 10.

[0168] In a heater assembly 300 according to still another embodiment, the dielectric D may be disposed in the dielectric accommodating space 327 at a predetermined distance from the second surface 321b of the outer conductor 321, thereby compensating for a difference in resonant frequency between the first region and the second region. For example, one end of the dielectric D facing the second surface 321b (e.g., one end in the z direction) may be disposed at a predetermined distance from the second surface 321b. In this case, the "predetermined distance" may refer to the distance between the dielectric D and the second surface 321b, which is required to match the resonant frequencies of the first region and the second region.

[0169] By arranging the dielectric D at a predetermined distance from the second surface 321b, the area of the dielectric D surrounding the first internal conductor 323 differs from the area of the dielectric D surrounding the second internal conductor 325, and the resonant frequencies of the first region and the second region are adjusted, and as a result, the resonant frequencies of the first region and the second region may become the same.

[0170] In still another embodiment, the heater assembly 300 can match the resonant frequencies of the first region operating as the first resonator and the second resonator operating as the second resonator through the arrangement structure of the dielectric D described above, regardless of the shape of the resonating unit 320 or the connection relationship between the resonating unit 320 and the coupler 330, thereby improving the overall heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heater assembly 300.

[0171] 9A is a diagram showing the electric field distribution inside the heater assembly, and FIG. 9B is a diagram showing the heat density distribution of the aerosol product heated by the heater assembly. FIGS. 9A and 9B show the electric field distribution inside the heater assembly 300 of FIGS. 6 to 8, and the resulting heat density distribution of the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol product 10. Here, "electric field distribution" refers to the strength of the voltage (V / m) per unit length of the resonating portion 320, and "heat density" refers to the temperature energy (W / m) per unit volume in each region of the tobacco rod 11 when the aerosol product 10 is heated. 3 ) is shown.

[0172] 9A , an electric field may be generated due to microwave resonance in a first region formed between the outer conductor 321 and the first inner conductor 323 and a second region formed between the outer conductor 321 and the second inner conductor 325. At least a portion of the electric field generated in the first region and the second region may propagate into the internal space of the first inner conductor 323 and / or the second inner conductor 325 via a gap 326 between the first inner conductor 323 and the second inner conductor 325.

[0173] It can be seen that the electric field generated in the first region and the electric field generated in the second region flow into the inside of the first inner conductor 323 and / or the second inner conductor 325 through the gap 326, and therefore the strongest electric field is generated in the internal region of the resonator 320, in the region surrounding the gap 326.

[0174] Referring to Figure 9B, it can be seen that the strongest magnetic field is generated in the gap 326 between the first inner conductor 323 and the second inner conductor 325, and therefore a region of the tobacco rod 11 located at a position corresponding to the gap 326 has a higher heating density than other regions of the tobacco rod 11.

[0175] The heater assembly 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can improve dielectric heating efficiency by positioning the tobacco rod 11 at a position corresponding to the gap 326 between the first inner conductor 323 and the second inner conductor 325, where the electric field is strongest.

[0176] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment.

[0177] 10, a heater assembly 300 according to another embodiment includes an oscillation unit 310, a resonance unit 320, an airflow passage 340, a support member 350, and a fixing member 351. The heater assembly 300 according to another embodiment is an assembly in which a support member 350 and a fixing member 351 are added to the heater assembly 300 of FIGS. 6 to 8, and therefore, a redundant description will be omitted below.

[0178] The support member 350 is disposed inside the storage space 320h so as to surround at least a region of the aerosol product 10 stored in the storage space 320h, and can support the aerosol product 10.

[0179] The support member 350 may fix the position of the aerosol product 10 so that the central axis of the aerosol product 10 coincides with the central axis of the accommodation space 320h when the aerosol product 10 is accommodated in the accommodation space 320h. For example, if the position of the aerosol product 10 changes during use of the heater assembly 300, a situation may arise in which the efficiency of dielectric heating is reduced. However, the heater assembly 300 according to another embodiment fixes the position of the aerosol product 10 in the accommodation space 320h via the support member 350, thereby preventing a reduction in heating efficiency due to a change in the position of the aerosol product 10.

[0180] The fixing member 351 is arranged to connect the inner surface of the accommodation space 320h and the support member 350, and can fix the support member 350. For example, the fixing member 351 extends from the inner surface of the accommodation space 320h in a direction toward the center of the accommodation space 320h and is connected to the support member 350, and such fixing member 351 can fix the position of the support member 350 within the accommodation space 320h.

[0181] Although the drawings only show an embodiment in which the resonating unit 320, the support member 350, and the fixing member 351 are formed in a separate configuration, in one embodiment, the resonating unit 320, the support member 350, and the fixing member 351 may be formed integrally.

[0182] In the heater assembly 300 according to still another embodiment, an airflow passage 340 is formed in the empty space between the receiving space 320h, the support member 350, and the fixing member 351, and external air can be introduced into the resonator unit 320 through the airflow passage 340. The external air introduced into the resonator unit 320 is mixed with vapor generated when the aerosol product 10 is heated by the resonator unit 320 using a dielectric heating method, thereby generating an aerosol. The generated aerosol can pass through the aerosol product 10 and be discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 300.

[0183] The arrangement of the support member 350 for supporting the aerosol product 10 will be specifically described below with reference to FIG.

[0184] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of Fig. 10. Fig. 11 shows a cross section of heater assembly 300 of Fig. 10 taken along the CC' direction, and duplicated explanations will be omitted below.

[0185] Referring to FIG. 11, a heater assembly 300 according to another embodiment also includes an oscillation part 310, a resonance part 320, a coupler 330, an airflow passage 340, a support member 350, and a fixing member 351.

[0186] The support member 350 is positioned inside the storage space 320h by the fixing member 351, and can fix the position of the aerosol product 10 stored in the storage space 320h. For example, the support member 350 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and arranged to surround at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol product 10 stored in the storage space 320h, thereby fixing the position of the aerosol product 10 within the storage space 320h.

[0187] To improve dielectric heating efficiency, the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol production product 10 must be positioned corresponding to the gap 326 between the first inner conductor 323 and the second inner conductor 325, where the strongest electric field is generated.

[0188] If the position of the aerosol product 10 is not fixed within the storage space 320h, the aerosol product 10 may move during use of the heater assembly 300, causing the tobacco rod 11 to move out of the gap 326 where the strongest electric field is generated, which may reduce the dielectric heating efficiency of the heater assembly 300.

[0189] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the heater assembly 300, the position of the aerosol product 10 is fixed within the storage space 320h via the support member 350, and the tobacco rod 11 is positioned corresponding to the gap 326, thereby preventing a decrease in heating efficiency due to movement of the aerosol product 10 during use of the heater assembly 300.

[0190] The support member 350 not only fixes the position of the aerosol product 10 but also acts as a heat insulator that prevents heat generated in the aerosol product 10 from being transferred to the first inner conductor 323 and / or the second inner conductor 325 that function as a resonator. For example, the support member 350 may be disposed so as to surround the outer periphery of the aerosol product 10, thereby preventing heat generated in the aerosol product 10 from being transferred to the first inner conductor 323 and / or the second inner conductor 325 of the resonator 320. In this case, the support member 350 may include, but is not limited to, a material having excellent heat resistance and / or chemical resistance (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene material).

[0191] That is, the heater assembly 300 according to another embodiment fixes the position of the aerosol product 10 via the support member 350 and the fixing member 351, thereby preventing a decrease in heating efficiency due to movement of the aerosol product 10, and also prevents heat generated in the aerosol product 10 from being transferred to the resonator 320, thereby preventing the resonator 320 from overheating during use of the heater assembly 300.

[0192] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to another embodiment.

[0193] 12, a heater assembly 400 according to another embodiment includes an oscillation unit 410 (e.g., oscillation unit 210 (FIG. 4)), a resonating unit 420 (e.g., resonating unit 220 (FIG. 4)), and a structure 440. The heater assembly 400 according to another embodiment is an assembly in which the structure 440 is added to the heater assembly 200 of FIG. 4, and a redundant description will be omitted below.

[0194] The oscillator 410 may generate microwaves in a designated frequency band when power is supplied to the oscillator 410. The microwaves generated by the oscillator 410 may be transmitted to the resonator 420 via a coupler (e.g., coupler 230 (FIG. 5)) connecting the oscillator 410 and the resonator 420.

[0195] The resonator 420 also includes a storage space 420h (e.g., storage space 220h (Figure 4)) into which at least a portion of the aerosol product 10 can be inserted, and the microwaves generated by the oscillator 410 can be resonated to heat the inserted aerosol product 10 by a dielectric heating method.

[0196] For example, microwave resonance may occur in the resonator 420, generating an electric field inside the resonator 420. Charges in a dielectric (e.g., glycerin) contained in the aerosol product 10 inserted inside the resonator 420 may oscillate or rotate due to the electric field, and frictional heat generated when the charges oscillate or rotate may generate heat in the dielectric, heating the aerosol product 10. Vapor generated from the aerosol product 10 may mix with air to generate aerosol inside the resonator 420, and the generated aerosol may pass through the aerosol product 10 and be discharged to the outside of the resonator 420.

[0197] The structure 440 is arranged inside the storage space 420h so as to surround the outer surface that is inserted into the storage space 420h, and can prevent the aerosol generated from the aerosol product 10 from diffusing inside the resonating portion 420.

[0198] When aerosol is diffused inside the resonator unit 420, a portion of the aerosol is liquefied, causing droplets to accumulate inside the resonator unit 420. The droplets accumulated inside the resonator unit 420 may change the characteristics (e.g., resonant frequency) of the resonator unit 420 and reduce the heating efficiency of the resonator unit 420. The heater assembly 400 according to another embodiment may prevent the aerosol from diffusing inside the resonator unit 420 via the structure 440, thereby preventing droplets from accumulating inside the resonator unit 420.

[0199] According to one embodiment, the heater assembly 400 further includes a fixing member 450 for fixing the structure 440 within the receiving space 420h.

[0200] The fixing member 450 has one end connected to the inner surface of the accommodating space 420h and the other end connected to the outer circumferential surface of the structure 440, so that the structure 440 is fixed inside the accommodating space 420h while being spaced a predetermined distance from the inner surface of the resonating part 420.

[0201] The heater assembly 400 according to another embodiment can reduce the amount of heat transferred from the aerosol product 10 to the inside of the resonator 420 by separating the structure 440 surrounding the aerosol product 10 by a predetermined distance from the inner surface of the resonator 420 via the fixing member 450. As a result, the heater assembly 400 according to another embodiment can prevent the resonator 420 from being overheated by the heat generated by the aerosol product 10.

[0202] The structure of the structure 440 will be specifically described below with reference to FIGS.

[0203] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of Fig. 12. Fig. 13 shows a cross section of the heater assembly 400 of Fig. 12 taken along the DD' direction.

[0204] 13, a heater assembly 400 according to another embodiment also includes an oscillation unit 410, a resonance unit 420, a coupler 430, a structure 440, and a fixing member 450. The components of the heater assembly 400 according to another embodiment may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly 400 of FIG. 12, and therefore, a redundant description will be omitted below.

[0205] The oscillator 410 generates microwaves in a specified frequency band when an AC voltage is applied thereto, and the microwaves generated by the oscillator 410 can be transmitted to the resonator 420 via the coupler 430 .

[0206] The resonator 420 is arranged to surround at least a region of the aerosol product 10 inserted inside the aerosol generation device (e.g., aerosol generation device 100 (FIG. 1)), and can resonate the microwaves generated by the oscillator 410 to heat the aerosol product 10. For example, a dielectric contained in the aerosol product 10 generates heat due to an electric field generated inside the resonator 420 through the resonance of the microwaves, and the aerosol product 10 can be heated by the heat generated in the dielectric.

[0207] According to one embodiment, the resonator unit 420 also includes an outer conductor 421 , a first inner conductor 423 and a second inner conductor 425 .

[0208] The outer conductor 421 forms the overall appearance of the resonator 420 and is formed in a hollow shape with an open interior, and components of the resonator 420 may be disposed inside the outer conductor 421. The outer conductor 421 also includes a receiving space 420h into which at least a region of the aerosol product 10 may be inserted. The receiving space 420h may refer to a space formed by the first inner conductor 423 and / or the second inner conductor 425 disposed inside the outer conductor 421, and capable of accommodating the aerosol product 10 inserted inside the outer conductor 421.

[0209] According to one embodiment, the outer conductor 421 also includes a first surface 421a, a second surface 421b arranged to face the first surface 421a, and a side surface 421c surrounding the space between the first surface 421a and the second surface 421b. At least some of the components of the resonator unit 420 (e.g., the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425) may be arranged in the internal space of the resonator unit 420 formed by the first surface 421a, the second surface 421b, and the side surface 421c.

[0210] The first inner conductor 423 may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the first surface 421 a of the outer conductor 421 toward the inner space of the outer conductor 421 or along the longitudinal direction of the outer conductor 421 .

[0211] According to one embodiment, one region of the first inner conductor 423 may be in contact with the coupler 430 connected to the oscillator 410, and microwaves generated in the oscillator 410 may be transmitted to the first inner conductor 423 via the coupler 430. For example, the coupler 430 may be disposed so that one end thereof passes through the outer conductor 421 and contacts the oscillator 410 and the other end thereof contacts one region of the first inner conductor 423, and microwaves generated in the oscillator 410 may be transmitted to the first inner conductor 423 via the coupler 430.

[0212] In this case, the coupler 430 may be arranged so as to penetrate the outer conductor 421 without contacting the outer conductor 421 for the purpose of transmitting microwaves, but the arrangement structure of the coupler 430 is not limited thereto as long as the microwaves generated in the oscillation unit 410 can be transmitted to the first inner conductor 423.

[0213] The first region formed between the outer conductor 421 and the first inner conductor 423 can operate as a "first resonator" that generates an electric field through microwave resonance. The first region refers to a space formed by the first surface 421a and side surface 421c of the outer conductor 421 and the first inner conductor 423, and inside the first region, microwaves transmitted via the coupler 430 can resonate and generate an electric field.

[0214] The second inner conductor 425 may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the second surface 421b of the outer conductor 421 toward the internal space of the outer conductor 421 or along the longitudinal direction of the outer conductor 421. The second inner conductor 425 may be disposed in the internal space of the outer conductor 421, spaced a predetermined distance from the first inner conductor 423, and a gap 426 may be formed between the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425.

[0215] The second region formed between the outer conductor 421 and the second inner conductor 425 can act as a "second resonator" that generates an electric field through microwave resonance. The second inner conductor 425 is coupled (e.g., capacitively coupled) with the first inner conductor 423, and due to the coupling relationship described above, when an electric field is generated inside the first region, an induced electric field can also be generated inside the second region.

[0216] For example, when microwaves generated from the oscillator 410 are transmitted to the first internal conductor 423, an electric field is generated within the first region due to resonance, and an induced electric field can be generated within the second region formed by the outer conductor 421 and the second internal conductor 425 coupled to the first internal conductor 423.

[0217] According to one embodiment, the first and second regions of the resonating unit 420 can operate as a resonator having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength (λ) of microwaves.

[0218] In one example, one end of the first region (e.g., end in the −z direction) may be formed as a closed end by closing the cross section of the first region with the first surface 421a of the outer conductor 421, and the other end of the first region (e.g., end in the z direction) may be formed as an open end by not having the first surface 421a and opening the cross section. In another example, one end of the second region (e.g., end in the −z direction) may be formed as an open end by opening the cross section, and the other end of the second region (e.g., end in the z direction) may be formed as a closed end by closing the cross section of the second region with the second surface 421b of the outer conductor 221.

[0219] That is, the first region and the second region include a closed end and an open end when viewed in the xz plane, and are formed in a "C" shape as a whole, and via the above-mentioned structure, the first region and the second region can operate as a resonator having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength of microwaves.

[0220] According to one embodiment, the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425 may be formed to have the same length based on the z-axis, and the first region and the second region may be arranged symmetrically to each other, but are not limited thereto.

[0221] The aerosol product 10 inserted into the inner space of the outer conductor 421 through the receiving space 420h is surrounded by the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425 and can be heated by a dielectric heating method.

[0222] At least a portion of the electric field generated by the microwave resonance in the first region and / or the second region propagates into the first inner conductor 423 and / or the second inner conductor 425 through the gap 426 between the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425, and the aerosol product 10 surrounded by the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425 may be heated by the electric field propagated into the first inner conductor 423 and / or the second inner conductor 425. For example, a dielectric included in the aerosol product 10 may generate heat due to the electric field propagated through the gap 426, and the aerosol product 10 may be heated by the heat generated from the dielectric. At this time, vapor generated by heating the aerosol product 10 may mix with external air flowing into the resonator 420 to generate an aerosol.

[0223] In other embodiments, the heater assembly 400 may prevent the electric field propagated inside the first inner conductor 423 and / or the second inner conductor 425 from leaking outside the heater assembly 400 or the resonator 420 by making the diameters of the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425 less than a specified value.

[0224] In the present disclosure, the term "specified value" may refer to a diameter value at which the electric field begins to leak out of the first inner conductor 423 and / or the second inner conductor 425. For example, if the diameter of the first inner conductor 423 and / or the second inner conductor 425 is equal to or greater than the specified value, a situation may occur in which part of the electric field flowing into the first inner conductor 423 and / or the second inner conductor 425 leaks out of the resonator unit 420.

[0225] In addition, in another embodiment, the heater assembly 400 prevents the electric field from propagating outside the resonator 420 through a structure in which the diameters of the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425 are less than a specified value, and as a result, the electric field can be prevented from leaking outside the heater assembly 400 or the resonator 420 without a separate shielding member.

[0226] According to one embodiment, when the aerosol product 10 is inserted into the resonator 420 through the accommodating space 420h, the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol product 10 can be positioned at a position corresponding to the gap 426 between the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425.

[0227] The electric field generated in the first region and the electric field generated in the second region flow into the first inner conductor 423 and / or the second inner conductor 425 through the gap 426, so that the strongest electric field may be generated in the region around the gap 426 in the inner region of the resonator 420. In another embodiment, the heater assembly 400 may improve the heating efficiency of the heater assembly 400 by arranging the tobacco rod 11, which includes a dielectric that generates heat in response to an electric field, at a position corresponding to the gap 426 where the electric field is strongest.

[0228] According to an embodiment, the resonator unit 420 may further include a dielectric receiving space 437 and a dielectric D received in the dielectric receiving space 437 to adjust the dielectric constant of the resonator unit 420. The dielectric receiving space 437 may be formed in an empty space between the outer conductor 421 and the first and second inner conductors 423 and 425, and the dielectric D may be received in the dielectric receiving space 437. For example, the dielectric D may be at least one of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and aluminum oxide, which have low microwave absorption, or a combination thereof, but the type of the dielectric D is not limited thereto.

[0229] The heater assembly 400 according to another embodiment can reduce the overall size of the resonator unit 420 by disposing the dielectric D inside the dielectric accommodating space 437, while still generating the same electric field as the resonator unit 420 that does not include the dielectric D. That is, the heater assembly 400 according to another embodiment can reduce the size of the resonator unit 420 via the dielectric D disposed inside the dielectric accommodating space 437, thereby reducing the mounting space of the resonator unit 420 in the aerosol generating device, and as a result, the aerosol generating device (e.g., aerosol generating device 100 (FIG. 1)) can be miniaturized.

[0230] The structure 440 is arranged inside the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425 so as to surround the outer surface of the aerosol product 10 inserted into the storage space 420h, and can prevent the aerosol generated from the aerosol product 10 from diffusing in a direction toward the first inner conductor 423 and / or the second inner conductor 425.

[0231] According to one embodiment, the structure 440 also includes a first portion 441 that accommodates one end of the aerosol product 10 inserted into the storage space 420h, and a second portion 442 that extends from the first portion 441 and surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol product 10 inserted into the storage space 420h.

[0232] The first portion 441 is disposed inside the first inner conductor 423 so as to close a part of the cross section of the first inner conductor 423, and at least one region (e.g., one region facing the z direction) of the first portion 441 can accommodate one end (e.g., one end in the -z direction) of the aerosol product 10 inserted into the accommodation space 420h. For example, the first portion 441 can be formed in a cylindrical shape that closes a part of the cross section of the first inner conductor 423, but the shape of the first portion 441 is not limited thereto.

[0233] By arranging the first part 441 to accommodate one end of the aerosol product 10 inserted into the accommodation space 420h while closing the cross section of the first inner conductor 423, the first part 441 can prevent the aerosol discharged to one end of the aerosol product 10 from diffusing toward the first inner conductor 423 and / or the second inner conductor 425.

[0234] The second portion 442 has a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the first inner conductor 423 along the longitudinal direction of the accommodating space 420h and can surround the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol product 10 inserted into the accommodating space 420h. For example, the second portion 442 can extend from the first portion 441 to the entrance of the accommodating space 420h into which the aerosol product 10 is inserted and can surround the entire outer circumferential surface of the aerosol product 10 inserted into the accommodating space 420h.

[0235] By arranging the second portion 442 to surround the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol product 20, the second portion 442 can prevent the aerosol emitted from the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol product 10 from diffusing toward the first inner conductor 423 and / or the second inner conductor 425.

[0236] When the aerosol is diffused in the first inner conductor 423 and / or the second inner conductor 425, a part of the aerosol may be liquefied, and droplets may accumulate inside the first inner conductor 423 and / or the second inner conductor 425. If droplets accumulate inside the first inner conductor 423 and / or the second inner conductor 425, the droplets may change the characteristics (e.g., resonant frequency) of the first region operating as the first resonator or the second region operating as the second resonator, thereby reducing the overall heating efficiency of the resonating unit 420.

[0237] Another embodiment of the heater assembly 400 can prevent the aerosol from diffusing in a direction toward the first inner conductor 423 and / or the second inner conductor 425 via a structure 440 including a first portion 441 and a second portion 442, thereby preventing droplets from reducing heating efficiency.

[0238] In this case, the first portion 441 and / or the second portion 442 of the structure 440 may include a material with excellent heat resistance and / or chemical resistance to prevent damage by aerosols or droplets. For example, the first portion 441 and / or the second portion 442 may include, but is not limited to, a polytetrafluoroethylene material.

[0239] According to one embodiment, the resonator 420 further includes a closing portion 443 located on the inner surface of the first inner conductor 423 and closing a portion of the cross section of the first inner conductor 423. For example, the closing portion 443 is disposed on the inner surface of the first inner conductor 423 and closes the empty space between the first inner conductor 423 and the structure 440, and the cross section of the first inner conductor 423 may be completely closed by the closing portion 443 and the structure 440.

[0240] The closure portion 443 and the structure 440 close the cross section of the first inner conductor 423 and can block the flow in the −z direction of the aerosol generated from the aerosol production product 10. If the aerosol generated from the aerosol production product 10 or droplets generated by liquefying the aerosol flow in the −z direction and flow into other components of the aerosol generation device (e.g., the aerosol generation device 100 (FIG. 1)), it may cause malfunction or damage to the components of the aerosol generation device.

[0241] In addition, the heater assembly 400 according to other embodiments can prevent malfunction or damage to components of the aerosol generating device due to the aerosol or droplets by restricting the flow direction of the aerosol through the arrangement of the aforementioned closing portion 443 and structure 440.

[0242] Hereinafter, the process by which the external air flows into the resonator unit 420 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0243] Figure 14 is a diagram for explaining the air movement path of the heater assembly of Figure 12. For ease of explanation, Figure 14 is a diagram in which some components of heater assembly 400 of Figure 12 are omitted, but the components of heater assembly 400 are not limited to these. Also, in Figure 14, arrows indicate the movement path of air (or "external air").

[0244] 14, a heater assembly 400 according to another embodiment also includes a resonator 420, a dielectric accommodating space 437, a dielectric D, a coupler 430, a structure 440, and a closing portion 443. The components of the heater assembly 400 according to another embodiment may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly 400 of FIG. 13, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0245] An airflow path C through which external air can flow may be formed between the aerosol product 10 inserted into the resonator 420 via the receiving space 420h and the structure 440. The airflow path C may refer to an empty space formed between the aerosol product 10 and the second part 442 of the structure 440 when the aerosol product 10 is inserted into the resonator 420.

[0246] The airflow path C connects the outside of the resonator 420 with the aerosol product 10 surrounded by the structure 440, and external air may flow into the inside of the structure 440 through the airflow path C and then reach the aerosol product 10. For example, the external air may move along the airflow path C, reach the groove 441h of the structure 440 connected to the airflow path C, and then reach the inside of the aerosol product 10 through one end of the aerosol product 10 accommodated in the groove 441h.

[0247] The external air that reaches the inside of the aerosol production product 10 mixes with the vapor generated by the aerosol production product 10 being heated by the electric field generated in the first region acting as the first resonator and the second region acting as the second resonator, generating an aerosol, which passes through the aerosol production product 10 and can be discharged outside the heater assembly 400.

[0248] According to one embodiment, structure 440 also includes a recess 441h that accommodates at least a region of aerosol product article 10 to fix the position of aerosol product article 10 within structure 440h. For example, groove 441h may be formed in first portion 441 of structure 440 and accommodate one end of aerosol product article 10 (e.g., one end in the -z direction (FIG. 13)) and its surrounding region.

[0249] Although not shown in the drawing, the first portion 441 further includes a support structure for supporting at least a region of the aerosol product item 10 contained in the groove 441h, and the aerosol product item 10 is supported within the groove 441h by the support structure, thereby fixing the position of the aerosol product item 10 contained in the groove 441h.

[0250] Through the above-mentioned structure, even when the aerosol product 10 is separated from the second part 442 of the structure 440 to form the air flow passage C, the position of the aerosol product 10 can be stably fixed within the structure 440h.

[0251] According to one embodiment, the structure 440 may be disposed within the accommodation space 420h, spaced a predetermined distance d from the inner surfaces of the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425. By spaced a predetermined distance d from the inner surfaces of the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425, heat generated in the aerosol product 10 may be prevented from being transferred to the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425. For example, a portion of external air may flow into the space between the structure 440 and the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425, thereby reducing the amount of heat transferred from the aerosol product 10 to the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425, thereby insulating the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425.

[0252] The efficiency of dielectric heating may be reduced if the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425 constituting the resonator are overheated by the heat generated in the aerosol product 10. In another embodiment, the heater assembly 400 may prevent a reduction in heating efficiency due to overheating of the resonator 420 by using an arrangement structure in which the structure 440 is spaced a predetermined distance d from the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425.

[0253] Figure 15A is a diagram showing the electric field distribution inside the heater assembly, and Figure 15B is a diagram showing the heat density distribution of the aerosol product heated by the heater assembly. Figures 15A and 15B show the electric field distribution inside the heater assembly 400 of Figures 12 to 14 and the resulting heat density distribution of the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol product 10.

[0254] In this case, the "electric field distribution" indicates the strength of the voltage (V / m) per unit length of the resonating section 420, and the "heating density" indicates the temperature energy (W / m) per unit volume in each region of the tobacco rod 11 when the aerosol product 10 is heated. 3 ) is shown.

[0255] 15A , an electric field may be generated due to microwave resonance in a first region formed between the outer conductor 421 and the first inner conductor 423 and a second region formed between the outer conductor 421 and the second inner conductor 425. At least a portion of the electric field generated in the first region and the second region may propagate into the internal space of the first inner conductor 423 and / or the second inner conductor 425 via a gap 426 between the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425.

[0256] It can be seen that the electric field generated in the first region and the electric field generated in the second region flow into the inside of the first inner conductor 423 and / or the second inner conductor 425 through the gap 426, and therefore the strongest electric field is generated in the internal region of the resonator 420, in the region surrounding the gap 426.

[0257] Referring to Figure 15B, it can be seen that the strongest magnetic field is generated in the gap 426 between the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425, and therefore a region of the tobacco rod 11 located at a position corresponding to the gap 426 has a higher heating density than other regions of the tobacco rod 11.

[0258] The heater assembly 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can improve dielectric heating efficiency by positioning the tobacco rod 11 at a position corresponding to the gap 426 between the first inner conductor 423 and the second inner conductor 425, where the electric field is strongest.

[0259] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment.

[0260] 16, a heater assembly 400 according to yet another embodiment includes an oscillation unit 410, a resonance unit 420, a dielectric accommodating space 437, a coupler 430, a structure 440, and a dielectric D. The heater assembly 400 according to yet another embodiment is an assembly in which only the position of the dielectric D is changed from the heater assembly 400 of FIGS. 13 and 14, and therefore, a redundant description will be omitted below.

[0261] The resonant frequencies of the first region operating as the first resonator and the second region operating as the second resonator may differ depending on the structure of the resonating unit 420 and / or the connection between the resonating unit 420 and the coupler 430. For example, the lengths of the first inner conductor 423 forming the first region and the second inner conductor 425 forming the second region may be different, or the first inner conductor 423 forming the first region may be directly connected to the coupler 430 while the second inner conductor 425 forming the second region may not be connected to the coupler 430, and the resonant frequency of the first region may be higher than the resonant frequency of the second region.

[0262] If the resonant frequencies of the first region and the second region are different, microwave resonance may cause the strength of the electric field generated in the first resonator to differ between the first region and the second region, resulting in a situation where the heating efficiency of the aerosol product 10 is reduced.

[0263] In the heater assembly 400 according to still another embodiment, the dielectric D may be disposed in the dielectric accommodating space 437 at a predetermined distance from the second surface 421b and the side surface 421c of the outer conductor 421, thereby compensating for a difference in resonant frequency between the first region and the second region. For example, the dielectric D may have one end facing the z-direction spaced a first distance from the second surface 421b, and one region facing the side surface 421c may be disposed at a second distance from the side surface 421c. In this case, the "first distance" and "second distance" may refer to the distance between the dielectric D and the second surface 421b and the distance between the dielectric D and the side surface 421c, respectively, for matching the resonant frequencies of the first region and the second region.

[0264] Since the dielectric D is disposed apart from the second surface 421b of the outer conductor 421, the area of the dielectric D surrounding the first inner conductor 423 is different from the area of the dielectric D surrounding the second inner conductor 425, and the resonant frequencies of the first region and the second region are adjusted, resulting in a match between the resonant frequencies of the first region and the second region. In the heater assembly 400 according to still another embodiment, the resonant frequencies of the first region and the second region are matched through the above-described arrangement structure of the dielectric D, regardless of the shape of the resonating unit 420 or the connection between the resonating unit 420 and the coupler 430. As a result, the overall heating efficiency of the heater assembly 400 may be improved.

[0265] Furthermore, since the dielectric D is arranged at a distance from the side surface 421c of the outer conductor 421, the amount of heat transferred from the inside of the resonator 420 to the side surface 421c, which is the outer surface of the resonator 420, is reduced. As a result, the heater assembly 400 according to another embodiment can prevent the surface temperature of the resonator 420 from rising excessively.

[0266] If the surface temperature of the resonator 420 rises excessively, the heat generated in the resonator 420 may cause components of the aerosol generating device (e.g., aerosol generating device 100 (FIG. 1)) to malfunction or be damaged. The heater assembly 400 according to yet another embodiment not only improves the dielectric heating efficiency through the above-described arrangement structure of the dielectric D, but also prevents the surface temperature of the resonator 420 from rising, thereby preventing the components of the aerosol generating device from malfunctioning or being damaged by the heat.

[0267] Figure 17 is an example cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of Figure 4. Figure 17 shows an example cross-section of heater assembly 500 (Figure 4) taken along the A-A' direction, with arrows indicating the path of air (or "external air") travel.

[0268] Referring to FIG. 17, a heater assembly 500 according to one embodiment also includes an oscillator portion 510, a resonator portion 520, a coupler 530, and a structure 590.

[0269] The oscillator 510 generates microwaves in a specified frequency band when an AC voltage is applied thereto, and the microwaves generated by the oscillator 510 can be transmitted to the resonator 520 via the coupler 530 .

[0270] The oscillation unit 510 may be fixed to the resonator unit 520 in a dimension that prevents the oscillation unit 510 from being separated from the resonator unit 520 during use of the aerosol generating device (e.g., aerosol generating device 100 (FIG. 1)). For example, the oscillation unit 510 may be fixed on the resonator unit 520 by being supported by a bracket 520b protruding in the x direction in one region of the resonator unit 520. As another example, the oscillation unit 510 may be fixed on the resonator unit 520 by being attached to one region of the resonator unit 520 without the bracket 520b.

[0271] Although the drawings only show an embodiment in which the oscillation unit 510 is fixed to one region of the resonator unit 520 facing the x-direction, the position of the oscillation unit 510 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, the oscillation unit 510 may be fixed to another region of the resonator unit 520 facing the -z direction.

[0272] The resonator 520 is arranged to surround at least a region of the aerosol product 10 inserted inside the aerosol generation device (e.g., aerosol generation device 100 (FIG. 1)), and can heat the aerosol product 10 via microwaves generated by the oscillator 510. For example, a dielectric contained in the aerosol product 10 generates heat due to an electric field generated inside the resonator 520 through resonance of the microwaves, and the aerosol product 10 can be heated by the heat generated in the dielectric.

[0273] According to one example, the resonator unit 520 also includes an outer conductor 521 , a first inner conductor 523 and a second inner conductor 525 .

[0274] The outer conductor 521 forms the overall appearance of the resonator unit 520 and is formed in a hollow shape with an open interior, and components of the resonator unit 520 can be disposed inside the outer conductor 521. The outer conductor 521 also includes an accommodating space into which at least a region of the aerosol product 10 can be inserted. The accommodating space is formed by the first inner conductor 523 and / or the second inner conductor 525 disposed inside the outer conductor 521, and can refer to a space that can accommodate the aerosol product 10 inserted inside the outer conductor 521.

[0275] According to one example, the outer conductor 521 also includes a first surface 521a, a second surface 521b arranged to face the first surface 521a, and a side surface 521c surrounding the space between the first surface 521a and the second surface 521b. At least some of the components of the resonator unit 520 (e.g., the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525) may be arranged in the internal space of the resonator unit 520 formed by the first surface 521a, the second surface 521b, and the side surface 521c.

[0276] The first inner conductor 523 may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the first surface 521 a of the outer conductor 521 toward the inner space of the outer conductor 521 or along the longitudinal direction of the outer conductor 521 .

[0277] According to an example, one region of the first inner conductor 523 may be in contact with the coupler 530 connected to the oscillator 510, and microwaves generated in the oscillator 510 may be transmitted to the first inner conductor 523 via the coupler 530. For example, the coupler 530 may be disposed so that one end thereof is in contact with the oscillator 510 and the other end thereof is in contact with one region of the first inner conductor 523, and microwaves generated in the oscillator 510 may be transmitted to the first inner conductor 523 via the coupler 530.

[0278] In this case, the coupler 530 may be arranged to penetrate the outer conductor 521 without contacting the outer conductor 521 for transmitting microwaves, but the arrangement structure of the coupler 530 is not limited thereto as long as the microwaves generated in the oscillation unit 510 can be transmitted to the first inner conductor 523.

[0279] The first region formed between the outer conductor 521 and the first inner conductor 523 can operate as a "first resonator" that generates an electric field through microwave resonance. The first region refers to a space formed by the first surface 521 a and the side surface 521 c of the outer conductor 521 and the first inner conductor 523, and inside the first region, microwaves transmitted via the coupler 530 can resonate and generate an electric field.

[0280] The second inner conductor 525 may have a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the second surface 521b of the outer conductor 521 toward the internal space of the outer conductor 521 or along the longitudinal direction of the outer conductor 521. The second inner conductor 525 may be disposed in the internal space of the outer conductor 521, spaced a predetermined distance from the first inner conductor 523, and a gap 526 may be formed between the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525.

[0281] The second region formed between the outer conductor 521 and the second inner conductor 525 can operate as a "second resonator" that generates an electric field through microwave resonance. The second inner conductor 525 is coupled (e.g., capacitively coupled) with the first inner conductor 523, and when an electric field is generated inside the first region due to the coupling relationship, an induced electric field can also be generated inside the second region. In this disclosure, "capacitive coupling" can refer to a coupling relationship in which energy can be transferred by electrostatic capacitance between two conductors.

[0282] For example, when microwaves generated from the oscillator 510 are transmitted to the first internal conductor 523, an electric field is generated within the first region due to resonance, and an induced electric field can be generated within the second region formed by the outer conductor 521 and the second internal conductor 525 coupled to the first internal conductor 523.

[0283] According to one example, the first and second regions of the resonating unit 520 may operate as a resonator having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength (λ) of microwaves.

[0284] In one example, one end of the first region (e.g., end in the −z direction) may be formed as a closed end by closing the cross section of the first region with the first surface 521a of the outer conductor 521, and the other end of the first region (e.g., end in the z direction) may be formed as an open end by not having the first surface 521a and opening the cross section. In another example, one end of the second region (e.g., end in the −z direction) may be formed as an open end by opening the cross section, and the other end of the second region (e.g., end in the z direction) may be formed as a closed end by closing the cross section of the second region with the second surface 521b of the outer conductor 521.

[0285] That is, the first region and the second region include a closed end and an open end when viewed in the xz plane, and are formed in a "C" shape as a whole, and via the above-mentioned structure, the first region and the second region can operate as a resonator having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength of microwaves.

[0286] According to one embodiment, the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525 may be formed to have the same length based on the z-axis, and the first region and the second region may be arranged symmetrically to each other, but are not limited thereto.

[0287] The aerosol product 10 inserted into the inner space of the outer conductor 521 through the receiving space is surrounded by the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525 and can be heated by a dielectric heating method.

[0288] In the first region and / or the second region, at least a portion of the electric field generated by the resonance of the microwave propagates through the gap 526 between the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525 toward the inside of the first inner conductor 523 and / or the second inner conductor 525, and the aerosol product 10 surrounded by the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525 may be heated by the propagated electric field. For example, a dielectric material included in the aerosol product 10 may be heated by the electric field propagated through the gap 526, and the aerosol product 10 may be heated by the heat generated from the dielectric material.

[0289] In one embodiment, the heater assembly 500 may prevent the electric field propagated inside the first inner conductor 523 and / or the second inner conductor 525 from leaking outside the heater assembly 500 or the resonator unit 520 by making the diameters of the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525 less than a specified value. In the present disclosure, the "specified value" may refer to the diameter value at which the electric field starts to leak outside the first inner conductor 523 and / or the second inner conductor 525. For example, if the diameters of the first inner conductor 523 and / or the second inner conductor 525 are equal to or greater than the specified value, a situation may occur in which part of the electric field propagated inside the first inner conductor 523 and / or the second inner conductor 525 leaks outside the resonator unit 520. In addition, the heater assembly 500 according to one embodiment prevents the electric field from propagating outside the resonator unit 520 through a structure in which the diameters of the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525 are less than a specified value, and as a result, the electric field can be prevented from leaking outside the heater assembly 500 or the resonator unit 520 without a separate shielding member.

[0290] According to an example, the resonator unit 520 further includes a dielectric receiving space 527 and a dielectric material received in the dielectric receiving space 527 for adjusting the dielectric constant of the resonator unit 520 .

[0291] The dielectric receiving space 527 is formed in an empty space between the outer conductor 521 and the first and second inner conductors 523 and 525, and a dielectric may be received in the dielectric receiving space 527. For example, the dielectric may be at least one of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and aluminum oxide, which have low microwave absorption, or a combination thereof, but the type of dielectric is not limited thereto.

[0292] The heater assembly 500 according to one embodiment can generate the same electric field as the resonator unit 520 that does not include a dielectric while reducing the overall size of the resonator unit 520 by disposing a dielectric inside the dielectric accommodating space 527. That is, the heater assembly 500 according to another embodiment can reduce the size of the resonator unit 520 via the dielectric disposed inside the dielectric accommodating space 527, thereby reducing the mounting space of the resonator unit 520 within the aerosol generating device, and as a result, the aerosol generating device (e.g., aerosol generating device 100 (FIG. 1)) can be miniaturized.

[0293] According to one embodiment, when the aerosol product 10 is inserted into the resonator 520 through the accommodating space, the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol product 10 can be positioned at a position corresponding to the gap 526 between the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525.

[0294] The electric field generated in the first region and the electric field generated in the second region flow into the first internal conductor 523 and / or the second internal conductor 525 through the gap 526, so that the strongest electric field can be generated in the internal region of the resonator 520, in the region surrounding the gap 526.

[0295] In one embodiment of the heater assembly 500, the tobacco rod 11 containing a dielectric that generates heat through an electric field is positioned at a position corresponding to the gap 526 where the electric field is strongest, thereby improving the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heater assembly 500.

[0296] According to one embodiment, the resonator 520 further includes a closing portion 524 located inside the first inner conductor 523, closing a cross section of the first inner conductor 523, and restricting the flow direction of the aerosol generated from the aerosol production product 10. For example, the closing portion 524 may close a cross section of the first inner conductor 523 and block the flow of the aerosol generated from the aerosol production product 10 in the -z direction.

[0297] If the aerosol generated from the aerosol product 10 or droplets generated by liquefying the aerosol flow in the -z direction and enter other components of the aerosol generating device (e.g., aerosol generating device 100 (FIG. 1)), it may cause malfunction or damage to the components of the aerosol generating device. Note that, according to one embodiment, the heater assembly 500 can prevent malfunction or damage to the components of the aerosol generating device due to the aerosol or droplets by restricting the flow direction of the aerosol via the closure portion 524.

[0298] The structure 590 is disposed inside the first inner conductor 523 and may support a portion of the aerosol product 10 inserted into the accommodation space. For example, the structure 590 includes a first portion 590a that supports one end of the aerosol product 10, thereby separating the aerosol product 10 from the accommodation space in a direction toward the outside of the heater assembly 500 (e.g., the +z-axis direction). For another example, the structure 590 includes a second portion 590b that supports a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol product 10, thereby positioning the aerosol product 10 at a fixed position in the accommodation space. The structure 590 may position the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol product 10 at a position corresponding to the gap 526 between the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525.

[0299] The heater assembly 500 according to an embodiment may retain a large amount of air within the accommodation space because the aerosol product 10 is supported by the structure 590. As a result, the aerosol generating device including the heater assembly 500 according to an embodiment may generate aerosol with a rich flavor and taste from the aerosol product 10 into which a large amount of air flows within the accommodation space. In addition, the large amount of air within the accommodation space may prevent heat generated in the aerosol product 10 from being transferred to the outside of the resonator unit 520, so the heater assembly 500 according to an embodiment may improve the overall thermal insulation performance of the resonator unit 520.

[0300] The structure 590 also includes an air inlet passage that allows external air flowing into the receiving space to flow into the aerosol product 10. For example, the air inlet passage may connect the receiving space to one end (e.g., one end in the -z axis direction) of the aerosol product inserted into the receiving space. The external air flowing into the receiving space through the air inlet hole of the insertion part 520h may flow into one end of the aerosol product 10 through the air inlet passage of the structure 590.

[0301] External air flowing into one end of the aerosol production product through the air inlet passage mixes with the vapor generated by heating the aerosol production product 10 to generate an aerosol, which passes through the aerosol production product 10 and can be discharged outside the heater assembly 500.

[0302] In one embodiment, the heater assembly 500 includes a structure 590 that includes an air inlet passageway, allowing the heater assembly 500 to support the aerosol product article 10 without impeding the flow of external air toward the aerosol product article 10 .

[0303] The shape and arrangement of the structure 590 of the heater assembly 500 will be specifically described below with reference to FIG.

[0304] FIG. 18 is an enlarged view for explaining the structure of the heater assembly of FIG.

[0305] Referring to Figure 18, a structure 590 (e.g., structure 590 (Figure 17)) of a heater assembly (e.g., heater assembly 500 (Figures 4 and 17)) according to one embodiment also includes a first portion 590a that supports a region of the aerosol product 10 inserted into the storage space, and a second portion 590b that supports another region different from the region.

[0306] For example, the structure 590 also includes a first portion 590a that contacts one end (e.g., one end in the −z-axis direction) of the aerosol product inserted into the storage space. The first portion 590a is located on the inner surface of the storage space and can separate the aerosol product inserted into the storage space from the storage space in the longitudinal direction (e.g., +z-axis direction) of the storage space.

[0307] The heater assembly according to one embodiment includes a structure 590 including a first portion 590a, and thus retains a large amount of air within the accommodation space, and the large amount of air flows into the aerosol product 10, thereby producing an aerosol having a rich flavor and taste from the aerosol product 10. Furthermore, retaining a large amount of air within the accommodation space prevents heat generated in the aerosol product 10 from being transferred to the outside of the resonator (e.g., resonator 530 (FIG. 17)), thereby improving the overall thermal insulation performance of the resonator.

[0308] In another example, the structure 590 may include a second portion 590b extending from the first portion 590a along the longitudinal direction of the storage space and surrounding at least a portion of the outer periphery of an aerosol product product inserted into the storage space. The aerosol product product inserted into the storage space may be positioned at a fixed position within the storage space by the first portion 590a and / or the second portion 590b of the structure 590.

[0309] In one embodiment, the heater assembly includes a structure 590 including a first portion 590a and a second portion 590b, such that the tobacco rod of the aerosol product (e.g., tobacco rod 11 (FIG. 17)) is positioned at the point where a strong electric field is generated.

[0310] The structure 590 is located inside the storage space and includes a plurality of sections arranged along the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface of the storage space. The structure 590 also includes an air inlet passage 591 connecting the storage space and the aerosol product, and the air inlet passage 591 may be formed in the space between the plurality of sections.

[0311] For example, air inlet passage 591 may be formed in the space between adjacently arranged first portions 590a and between adjacently arranged second portions 590b. External air may move along the longitudinal direction (e.g., −z-axis direction) of the storage space into air inlet passage 591, and the external air may flow into one end of the aerosol product through air inlet passage 591.

[0312] External air flowing into one end of the aerosol production product through the air inlet passage 591 mixes with the vapor generated by heating the aerosol production product to generate an aerosol, which then passes through the aerosol production product and can be discharged outside the heater assembly.

[0313] In one embodiment, the heater assembly comprises a structure 590 including a first portion 590a and a second portion 590b, thereby supporting the aerosol product 10 while not impeding the flow of external air toward the aerosol product 10.

[0314] In the following, the protrusion of the heater assembly will be described with reference to FIG.

[0315] Figure 19 is another example cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of Figure 4. Figure 19 shows another example cross-section of the heater assembly 500 of Figure 4 taken along the A-A' direction, and in Figure 19, arrows indicate the path of air (or "external air") movement.

[0316] 19, a heater assembly 500 according to one embodiment includes an oscillating portion 510, a resonating portion 520, a coupler 530, a structure 590, and a protrusion 592. The heater assembly 500 in FIG. 19 is an assembly obtained by adding only the protrusion 592 to the heater assembly in FIG. 18, and at least some of the components of the heater assembly 500 in FIG. 19 are the same as or similar to the components of the heater assembly in FIG. 18.

[0317] The structure 590 is disposed inside the first inner conductor 523 and may support a portion of the aerosol product 10 inserted into the accommodation space. For example, the structure 590 supports one end of the aerosol product 10, thereby separating the aerosol product 10 from the accommodation space in a direction toward the outside of the heater assembly 500 (e.g., the +z-axis direction). For another example, the structure 590 supports a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol product 10, thereby positioning the aerosol product 10 at a fixed position in the accommodation space. The structure 590 may position the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol product 10 at a position corresponding to the gap 526 between the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525.

[0318] The structure 590 also includes a protrusion 592 that is spaced a predetermined distance from the second portion 590b in the longitudinal direction of the containing space (e.g., the +z-axis direction) and protrudes in the longitudinal direction of the containing space. The protrusion 592 is located on the inner surface of the containing space and can be arranged to surround at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol product 20 inserted into the containing space.

[0319] The protrusion 592 further includes one or more protrusions that protrude from the inner surface of the storage space in the width direction (e.g., the x-axis direction) of the storage space, and the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol product item 20 inserted into the storage space can be supported by the protrusions.

[0320] The external air introduced into the receiving space through the air inlet hole of the insertion part 520h may flow along a zigzag-shaped movement path by the protrusion 592 and into one end (e.g., one end of the -z axis) of the aerosol product 20. However, the movement path of the air by the protrusion 592 is not limited thereto and may be formed in various shapes according to an embodiment.

[0321] The heater assembly 500 according to one embodiment includes a structure 590 including a protrusion 592, which allows a large amount of air to be retained inside the accommodation space. As a result, the aerosol generating device including the heater assembly 500 according to one embodiment can generate an aerosol having a rich flavor and taste, and can also improve the thermal insulation performance of the resonator 520 by preventing the heat generated in the aerosol product 20 from being transferred to the outside of the resonator 520.

[0322] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to another embodiment.

[0323] 20, a heater assembly 600 according to another embodiment also includes a resonator 620 and a coupler 611. The components of the heater assembly 600 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly 500 of FIGS. 17 and 19, and therefore, a redundant description will be omitted below.

[0324] When an AC voltage is applied to the oscillator, it generates microwaves in a specified frequency band, and the microwaves generated by the oscillator can be transmitted to the resonator 620 via the coupler 611 .

[0325] The oscillator unit can be fixed to the resonator unit 620 by a bracket protruding along the x-direction from the resonator unit 620 in a dimension that prevents the oscillator unit from being separated from the resonator unit 620 during use of the aerosol generating device (e.g., aerosol generating device 100 (Figure 1)).

[0326] The resonator 620 is arranged to surround at least a region of the aerosol product 10 inserted inside the aerosol generation device (e.g., aerosol generation device 100 (FIG. 1)), and can heat the aerosol product 10 via microwaves generated by the oscillator. For example, a dielectric contained in the aerosol product 10 generates heat due to an electric field generated inside the resonator 620 through resonance of the microwaves, and the aerosol product 10 can be heated by the heat generated in the dielectric.

[0327] The resonator unit 620 according to an embodiment also includes an outer conductor 631 , a plurality of first inner conductors 623 and 625 , and a connecting unit 621 .

[0328] The outer conductor 631 forms the overall appearance of the resonator unit 620 and is formed in a hollow shape with an open interior, and the components of the resonator unit 620 may be disposed inside the outer conductor 631. For example, the outer conductor 631 may be formed in the shape of a quadrangular prism having a square cross section, but is not limited thereto. As another example, the outer conductor 631 may be formed in the shape of a polygonal prism having a rectangular, elliptical, or circular cross section.

[0329] The outer conductor 631 also includes a storage space in which the aerosol product 10 can be stored, and a support portion 621a that can support the aerosol product 10 inserted into the storage space. One region of the aerosol product 10 can be inserted into the outer conductor 631 through the storage space, and another region of the aerosol product 10 can be exposed to the outside of the resonator 620. The support portion 621a can support the other region of the aerosol product 10 that is exposed to the outside of the resonator 620.

[0330] The outer conductor 631 also includes a first surface 631a, a second surface 631b arranged to face the first surface 631a, and a side surface 631c surrounding the space between the first surface 631a and the second surface 631b. At least some of the components of the resonator unit 620 (e.g., the first inner conductors 623 and 625) may be arranged in the internal space of the resonator unit 620 formed by the first surface 631a, the second surface 631b, and the side surface 631c.

[0331] The first inner conductors 623, 625 may be formed in a plate shape extending from the first surface 631a of the outer conductor 631 toward the internal space of the outer conductor 631. For example, the first inner conductors 623, 625 may be spaced apart from one another along the circumferential direction of the aerosol product 10 accommodated in the accommodation space, and one of the first inner conductors 623, 625 (e.g., the first inner conductor 623) may be arranged to surround one region of the aerosol product 10, and the other (e.g., the first inner conductor 625) may be arranged to surround another region of the aerosol product 10.

[0332] A region of the first inner conductor 623 contacts the coupler 611 connected to the oscillator, and microwaves transmitted through the coupler 611 resonate to generate an electric field inside the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625. For example, the coupler 611 is disposed so that one end thereof is in contact with the oscillator and the other end thereof is in contact with a region of the first inner conductor 623, and microwaves generated in the oscillator are transmitted to the first inner conductor 623 through the coupler 611, so that an electric field can be generated inside the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625.

[0333] The resonating section 620 also includes a closed end whose cross section is closed so as to have a length (λ / 4) that is ¼ of the wavelength (λ) of the microwave, and an open end located in the opposite direction from the closed end and in which at least a region of the cross section is open.

[0334] The resonator unit 620 also includes a connecting portion 621 that is arranged to contact one ends of the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625 and closes cross sections of the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625. Since the cross sections of one ends of the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625 are closed by the connecting portion 621, a closed end may be formed at one end of the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625. Since the other ends of the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625 are arranged away from the connecting portion 621 so as not to contact the connecting portion 621, an open end may be formed at the other ends of the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625. That is, the multiple first internal conductors 623, 625 are formed in a "C" shape as a whole when viewed in the xz plane, and include the closed end and the open end, and due to the structure of the multiple first internal conductors 623, 625 described above, the multiple first internal conductors 623, 625 can operate as a resonator having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength of microwaves.

[0335] Microwave resonance may occur between the first inner conductor 623 and the outer conductor 631, between the other first inner conductors 625 and the outer conductor 631, and between the first inner conductor 623 and the other first inner conductor 625. As a result, electric fields may also be generated between the first inner conductors 623, 625 and the outer conductor 631.

[0336] Although two first inner conductors 623, 625 are shown in the drawing, this is not limited thereto, and in other examples, the number of the first inner conductors may be three, or may be four or more.

[0337] A triple resonance mode may be formed inside the resonator 620. For example, a microwave TEM (transverse electric & magnetic) mode resonance may be formed inside the plurality of first internal conductors 623, 625, and a TEM mode resonance different from the resonance formed inside the plurality of first internal conductors 623, 625 may be formed between the first internal conductor 623 and the outer conductor 631 and between the first internal conductor 625 and the outer conductor 631. By forming a triple resonance mode inside the resonator 620, the aerosol product 10 accommodated inside the resonator 620 may be heated more uniformly.

[0338] A secondary heating effect on the aerosol product 10 can be achieved by the action of a magnetic field due to a resonance mode formed between the first inner conductors 623 and 625 and the outer conductor 631, respectively.

[0339] Due to the resonant structure of the resonant unit 620, the electric field is not propagated to an area outside the resonant unit 620. Therefore, the heater assembly 600 can prevent the electric field from leaking outside the heater assembly 600 without a separate shielding member for shielding the electric field.

[0340] At the other end of the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625, a resonant peak is formed, generating a stronger electric field than in other regions, and by arranging a tobacco rod containing a dielectric that can generate heat due to the electric field in a position corresponding to the region where the electric field is strongest, the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heater assembly 600 can be improved.

[0341] The structure of the heater assembly 600 will be specifically described below with reference to FIG.

[0342] Figure 21 is an example cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of Figure 20. Figure 21 shows an example cross-section of the heater assembly 600 of Figure 20 taken along the E-E' direction, and in Figure 21, arrows indicate the path of air movement.

[0343] Referring to FIG. 21, a heater assembly 600 according to one embodiment also includes an oscillator portion 610, a resonator portion 620, a coupler 630, and a structure 690.

[0344] The oscillator 610 generates microwaves in a specified frequency band when an AC voltage is applied thereto, and the microwaves generated by the oscillator 610 can be transmitted to the resonator 620 via the coupler 630 .

[0345] The oscillation unit 610 may be fixed to the resonator unit 620 in a dimension that prevents separation from the resonator unit 620 during use of the aerosol generating device (e.g., aerosol generating device 100 (FIG. 1)). For example, the oscillation unit 610 may be fixed on the resonator unit 620 by being supported by a bracket 620b protruding in the x direction in one region of the resonator unit 620. As another example, the oscillation unit 610 may be fixed on the resonator unit 620 by being attached to one region of the resonator unit 620 without the bracket 620b.

[0346] The resonator 620 is arranged to surround at least a region of the aerosol product 10 inserted inside the aerosol generation device (e.g., aerosol generation device 100 (FIG. 1)), and can heat the aerosol product 10 via the microwaves generated by the oscillator 610. For example, a dielectric contained in the aerosol product 10 generates heat due to an electric field generated inside the resonator 620 through resonance of the microwaves, and the aerosol product 10 can be heated by the heat generated in the dielectric.

[0347] The resonator unit 620 according to an embodiment also includes an outer conductor 631 , a plurality of first inner conductors 623 and 625 , and a connecting unit 621 .

[0348] The outer conductor 631 forms the overall appearance of the resonator unit 620 and is formed in a hollow shape with an open interior, and the components of the resonator unit 620 may be disposed inside the outer conductor 631. For example, the outer conductor 631 may be formed in the shape of a quadrangular prism having a square cross section, but is not limited thereto. As another example, the outer conductor 631 may be formed in the shape of a polygonal prism having a rectangular, elliptical, or circular cross section.

[0349] The outer conductor 631 also includes a storage space in which the aerosol product 10 can be stored, and a support portion 621a that can support the aerosol product 10 inserted into the storage space. One region of the aerosol product 10 can be inserted into the outer conductor 631 through the storage space, and the other region of the aerosol product 10 can be exposed to the outside of the resonator 620. The support portion 621a can support the other region of the aerosol product 10 that is exposed to the outside of the resonator 620.

[0350] The outer conductor 631 also includes a first surface 631a, a second surface 631b arranged to face the first surface 631a, and a side surface 631c surrounding the space between the first surface 631a and the second surface 631b. At least some of the components of the resonator unit 620 (e.g., the first inner conductors 623 and 625) may be arranged in the internal space of the resonator unit 620 formed by the first surface 631a, the second surface 631b, and the side surface 631c.

[0351] The first inner conductors 623, 625 may be formed in a plate shape extending from the first surface 631a of the outer conductor 631 toward the internal space of the outer conductor 631. For example, the first inner conductors 623, 625 may be spaced apart from one another along the circumferential direction of the aerosol product 10 accommodated in the accommodation space, and one of the first inner conductors 623, 625 (e.g., the first inner conductor 623) may be arranged to surround one region of the aerosol product 10, and the other (e.g., the first inner conductor 625) may be arranged to surround another region of the aerosol product 10.

[0352] A region of the first inner conductor 623 contacts the coupler 630 connected to the oscillation unit 610, and microwaves transmitted through the coupler 630 resonate to generate an electric field inside the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625. For example, the coupler 630 is disposed so that one end thereof contacts the oscillation unit 610 and the other end thereof contacts a region of the first inner conductor 623, and microwaves generated in the oscillation unit 610 are transmitted to the first inner conductor 623 through the coupler 630, so that an electric field can be generated inside the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625.

[0353] According to one example, the resonating section 620 includes a closed end whose cross section is closed so as to have a length (λ / 4) that is ¼ of the wavelength (λ) of the microwave, and an open end located in the opposite direction from the closed end and having at least a region of the cross section that is open.

[0354] The resonator unit 620 also includes a connecting portion 621 that is arranged to contact one ends of the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625 and closes cross sections of the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625. Since the cross sections of one ends of the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625 are closed by the connecting portion 621, a closed end may be formed at one end of the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625. Since the other ends of the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625 are arranged away from the connecting portion 621 so as not to contact the connecting portion 621, an open end may be formed at the other ends of the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625. That is, the multiple first internal conductors 623, 625 are formed in a "C" shape as a whole when viewed in the xz plane, and include the closed end and the open end, and due to the structure of the multiple first internal conductors 623, 625 described above, the multiple first internal conductors 623, 625 can operate as a resonator having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength of microwaves.

[0355] According to an example, the resonator unit 620 further includes a dielectric receiving space 627 and a dielectric material received in the dielectric receiving space 627 for adjusting the dielectric constant of the resonator unit 620 .

[0356] The dielectric receiving space 627 is formed in the empty space between the outer conductor 631 and the first inner conductors 623 and 625, and a dielectric may be received in the dielectric receiving space 627. For example, the dielectric may be at least one of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and aluminum oxide, which have low microwave absorption, or a combination thereof, but the type of the dielectric is not limited thereto.

[0357] The heater assembly 600 according to one embodiment can generate the same electric field as the resonator unit 620 that does not include a dielectric while reducing the overall size of the resonator unit 620 by disposing a dielectric inside the dielectric accommodating space 627. That is, the heater assembly 600 according to another embodiment can reduce the size of the resonator unit 620 via the dielectric disposed inside the dielectric accommodating space 627, thereby reducing the mounting space of the resonator unit 620 within the aerosol generating device, and as a result, the aerosol generating device (e.g., aerosol generating device 100 (FIG. 1)) can be miniaturized.

[0358] At the other end of the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625, a resonant peak is formed, generating a stronger electric field than in other regions, and by arranging the tobacco rod 11 containing a dielectric that can generate heat due to the electric field in a position corresponding to the region where the electric field is strongest, the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heater assembly 600 can be improved.

[0359] The structure 690 is disposed inside the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625 and may support a portion of the aerosol product 10 inserted into the accommodation space. For example, the structure 690 supports one end of the aerosol product 10, thereby separating the aerosol product 10 from the accommodation space in a direction toward the outside of the heater assembly 600 (e.g., the +z-axis direction). For another example, the structure 690 supports a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol product 10, thereby positioning the aerosol product 10 at a fixed position in the accommodation space. The structure 690 may position the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol product 10 at a position corresponding to the end of the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625 (e.g., the end in the +z-axis direction).

[0360] The heater assembly 600 according to an embodiment may retain a large amount of air within the accommodation space because the aerosol product 10 is supported by the structure 690. As a result, the aerosol generating device including the heater assembly 600 according to an embodiment may generate an aerosol having a rich flavor and taste from the aerosol product 10 into which a large amount of air flows within the accommodation space. In addition, the large amount of air within the accommodation space may prevent heat generated in the aerosol product 10 from being transferred to the outside of the resonator unit 620, so the heater assembly 600 according to an embodiment may improve the overall thermal insulation performance of the resonator unit 620.

[0361] The structure 690 also includes an air inlet passage that allows external air flowing into the receiving space to flow into the aerosol product 10. For example, the air inlet passage may connect the receiving space to one end (e.g., one end in the -z axis direction) of the aerosol product inserted into the receiving space. External air flowing into the receiving space through the air inlet hole of the insertion part 620h may flow into one end of the aerosol product 10 through the air inlet passage of the structure 690.

[0362] External air flowing into one end of the aerosol production product through the air inlet passage mixes with the vapor generated by heating the aerosol production product 10 to generate an aerosol, which passes through the aerosol production product 10 and can be discharged outside the heater assembly 600.

[0363] In one embodiment, the heater assembly 600 includes a structure 690 that includes an air inlet passageway, allowing the heater assembly 600 to support the aerosol product article 10 without impeding the flow of external air toward the aerosol product article 10 .

[0364] In the following, the protrusions of the heater assembly 600 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0365] Figure 22 is another example cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of Figure 20. Figure 22 shows another example cross-section of the heater assembly 600 of Figure 20 taken along the A-A' direction, and in Figure 22, arrows indicate the path of air (or "external air") travel.

[0366] 22, a heater assembly 600 according to one embodiment also includes an oscillating portion 610, a resonating portion 620, a coupler 630, a structure 690, and a protrusion 692. The heater assembly 600 in FIG. 22 is an assembly obtained by adding only the protrusion 692 to the heater assembly in FIG. 21, and at least some of the components of the heater assembly 600 in FIG. 22 are the same as or similar to the components of the heater assembly in FIG. 21.

[0367] The structure 690 is disposed inside the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625 and may support a portion of the aerosol product 10 inserted into the accommodation space. For example, the structure 690 supports one end of the aerosol product 10, thereby separating the aerosol product 10 from the accommodation space in a direction (e.g., the +z-axis direction) toward the outside of the aerosol generation device (e.g., the aerosol generation device 100 (FIG. 1)). For another example, the structure 690 supports a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol product 10, thereby positioning the aerosol product 10 at a fixed position in the accommodation space. The structure 690 may position the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol product 10 at a position corresponding to the end (e.g., the end in the +z-axis direction) of the plurality of first inner conductors 623, 625.

[0368] The structure 690 also includes a protrusion 692 that protrudes from the second portion 690b in the longitudinal direction of the storage space (e.g., the +z-axis direction). The protrusion 692 is located on the inner surface of the storage space and can be arranged to surround at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol product 10 inserted into the storage space.

[0369] The protrusion 692 further includes one or more protrusions that protrude from the inner surface of the storage space in the width direction of the storage space (e.g., the x-axis direction), and the outer surface of the aerosol product 10 inserted into the storage space can be supported by the protrusions.

[0370] The external air introduced into the receiving space through the air inlet hole of the insertion part 620h may flow along a zigzag-shaped movement path by the protrusion 692 and into one end (e.g., one end of the -z axis) of the aerosol product 10. However, the movement path of the air by the protrusion 692 is not limited thereto and may be formed in various shapes according to an embodiment.

[0371] The heater assembly 600 according to one embodiment may retain a large amount of air inside the accommodation space by including the structure 690 including the protrusions 692. As a result, the aerosol generating device including the heater assembly 600 according to one embodiment may generate an aerosol having a rich flavor and taste, and may also improve the thermal insulation performance of the resonator 620 by preventing the transfer of heat generated in the aerosol product 10 to the outside of the resonator 620.

[0372] Any of the embodiments of the present disclosure described above or other embodiments are not mutually exclusive or distinct, and any of the embodiments of the present disclosure described above or other embodiments may be used in combination with each other in their respective configurations or functions.

[0373] For example, this means that a specific embodiment and / or configuration A illustrated in the drawings can be combined with a different embodiment and / or configuration B illustrated in the drawings. In other words, even if the combination between the components is not directly described, this means that the combination is possible unless it is described that the combination is not possible.

[0374] The above detailed description should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. an oscillator for generating microwaves in a specified frequency band; a resonator that receives the microwaves generated from the oscillator via a coupler and resonates the microwaves to generate an electric field, The resonator unit is an outer conductor including a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a side surface surrounding an interior space between the first surface and the second surface, the outer conductor including a receiving space for receiving an aerosol product; a first inner conductor extending from the first surface toward the interior space and surrounding a region of the aerosol product contained in the storage space; a second inner conductor extending from the second surface toward the interior space and surrounding another region of the contained aerosol product article; A heater assembly, wherein the aerosol product contained in the containing space is heated by the electric field generated in the resonator.

2. the first inner conductor is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape surrounding a region of the aerosol product contained in the containing space; 2. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the second inner conductor is arranged in the internal space at a predetermined distance from the first inner conductor and is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape surrounding other regions of the aerosol product contained in the containing space.

3. a first region formed by the first surface of the outer conductor, the side surface of the outer conductor, and the first inner conductor operates as a resonator having a length that is a quarter of the wavelength of the microwave generated by the oscillation unit, 3. The heater assembly according to claim 2, wherein a second region formed by the second surface of the outer conductor, the side surface of the outer conductor, and the second inner conductor operates as a resonator having a length equal to ¼ of a wavelength of the microwave generated from the oscillator.

4. 2. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein the resonator further includes an airflow passage arranged to allow external air to flow along the longitudinal direction of the storage space and then into one end of the aerosol product stored in the storage space.

5. 5. The heater assembly of claim 4, wherein the resonator further includes a structure disposed within the receiving space for supporting at least a region of an aerosol product contained in the receiving space.

6. the structure includes an air inlet hole penetrating the structure and connected to the air flow passage; 6. The heater assembly of claim 5, wherein external air moving along the airflow passage is introduced into the one end of the aerosol product through the air inlet hole.

7. The resonator unit is a support member disposed within the storage space so as to surround at least a region of the aerosol product stored in the storage space, for supporting the aerosol product; The heater assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising: a fixing member for fixing the support member inside the accommodation space.

8. 2. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the resonator further includes a structure arranged inside the first inner conductor and the second inner conductor to surround an aerosol product inserted into the accommodating space, for preventing aerosol generated from the aerosol product from moving toward the first inner conductor or the second inner conductor.

9. The heater assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the resonator further includes a fixing member for fixing the structure inside the accommodation space.

10. The structure is a first portion for receiving one end of the aerosol product to be inserted into the receiving space; 10. The heater assembly of claim 9, further comprising: a second portion formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the first portion along the longitudinal direction of the storage space and surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol product.

11. When an aerosol product is inserted into the receiving space, an airflow passage is formed between the aerosol product and the second portion; 11. The heater assembly of claim 10, wherein air outside the resonator is introduced into the resonator through the airflow passage and then moves in a direction toward the one end of the aerosol product.

12. The resonator further includes a structure disposed within the receiving space, supporting the aerosol product inserted into the receiving space and guiding external air to the received aerosol product, 2. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein the structure includes an air inlet passage arranged so that external air flowing into the storage space flows into one end of the aerosol product stored in the storage space.

13. the structure includes a plurality of portions arranged along the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface of the storage space, 13. The heater assembly of claim 12, wherein the air inlet passage is formed in a space between the plurality of portions.

14. The structure is 13. The heater assembly of claim 12, comprising a first portion that contacts at least one region of an aerosol product inserted into the storage space, and a second portion that extends from the first portion along the longitudinal direction of the storage space and surrounds at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol product.

15. a housing including an insertion port through which the aerosol-producing article is inserted; An aerosol generating device comprising: a heater assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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