HEATER ASSEMBLY AND AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME

Abstract

A heater assembly for heating an aerosol product includes a case including a storage space for storing the aerosol product and an opening through which the aerosol product can be inserted; a resonator including a plurality of plates arranged spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol product; and a connecting portion connecting the plurality of plates to the case; and a coupler that supplies microwaves to at least one of the plurality of plates so that microwave resonance for heating the aerosol product occurs 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 systems that utilize an aerosol generating device to generate aerosol by heating a cigarette (or "aerosol-producing article"), rather than by burning a cigarette to generate aerosol.

[0003] Microwave heating technology is a technology that can heat an object using the principle of dielectric heating. By using microwave heating to heat an aerosol product, the aerosol-generating substance of the aerosol product can be rapidly heated.

[0004] Microwave heating technology applied in industrial settings typically utilizes magnetrons with microwave power in the kilowatt (kW) range. Domestic microwave ovens are also designed with microwave power outputs of approximately 700 to 1,000 watts (W).

[0005] In order to realize an aerosol generating device capable of heating an aerosol product using microwave heating technology, the aerosol generating device must be made small in size in consideration of portability.

[0006] In addition, to allow users to carry the aerosol generator and use it for a sufficient period of time, energy efficiency related to the heating operation using electrical energy must be ensured.To reduce energy loss in an aerosol generator using microwave heating technology, the cavity Q-factor of the resonator must be designed to be low so as to minimize power loss due to surface current formed on the conductor surface of the resonator.

[0007] If the microwaves from the resonator cannot be converted into heat to heat the aerosol generating substance (medium) of the aerosol product, but instead generate heat on the conductor surface of the resonator, energy loss will increase and the heater assembly including the resonator and the aerosol generating device may overheat. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present embodiment provides a heater assembly capable of heating an aerosol product using microwaves, and an aerosol generating device.

[0009] The present embodiment provides a heater assembly and an aerosol generating device that are designed to have a low cavity Q factor and are capable of heating an aerosol product with high energy efficiency.

[0010] The present embodiment also provides a heater assembly and an aerosol generating device thereof that minimize power loss due to surface current of the resonator and reduce heat generation.

[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] In one embodiment, a heater assembly for heating an aerosol product includes a case including a storage space for storing an aerosol product and an opening into which the aerosol product can be inserted; a resonator including a plurality of plates arranged spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol product; and a connecting portion connecting the plurality of plates to the case; and a coupler that supplies microwaves to at least one of the plurality of plates so that microwave resonance for heating the aerosol product occurs in the resonator.

[0013] One ends of the plates may be connected to the connecting portion, and the other ends of the plates may be spaced apart from each other and open.

[0014] The other end of the plate may be positioned to face the opening of the case.

[0015] The plates may be arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal center of the aerosol product.

[0016] The plates may be arranged such that two of them are positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the aerosol product.

[0017] The plates may extend in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol product, and at least a portion of the plates may be curved so as to protrude outward from the center of the aerosol product in the longitudinal direction.

[0018] The coupler can pass through the case and contact any one of the plates.

[0019] The coupler may be located adjacent to the junction.

[0020] The case and the plates can be spaced apart from each other.

[0021] The case and the plurality of plates are spaced apart from each other, and the device further includes a dielectric disposed between the case and the plurality of plates.

[0022] The ends of the dielectric material may protrude from the ends of the multiple plates toward the opening.

[0023] The ends of the dielectric may contact the inner surface of the case or may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the case.

[0024] The heater assembly also includes a support tube inserted into the plurality of plates and capable of supporting an aerosol production article.

[0025] The plates extend in one direction, and the direction in which the aerosol product is inserted into the receiving space through the opening is also transverse to the one direction.

[0026] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device includes a heater assembly for heating an aerosol product, the heater assembly including a resonator including a case having a storage space for storing the aerosol product and an opening into which the aerosol product can be inserted, a plurality of plates arranged spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol product, and a connecting portion connecting the plurality of plates to the case; and a coupler that supplies microwaves to at least one of the plurality of plates so that microwave resonance for heating the aerosol product occurs in the resonator; and an oscillator that generates high-frequency microwave power and supplies it to the heater assembly. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] The embodiments related to the above-described embodiments provide a heater assembly and an aerosol generating device that can heat an aerosol product using microwaves.

[0028] In one embodiment of the heater assembly and aerosol generating device, an aerosol generating material (medium) of the aerosol generating product can be arranged as a dielectric material inside a resonating section including multiple plates, so that a sufficient electric field for generating aerosol can be generated while reducing the overall size of the resonating section.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the heater assembly and the aerosol generating device, the size of the resonating unit is reduced by arranging a dielectric inside the dielectric accommodating space, and the mounting space for the resonating unit within the aerosol generating device is reduced, thereby making it possible to miniaturize the aerosol generating device.

[0030] Furthermore, in accordance with one embodiment of the heater assembly and the aerosol generating device, the resonating portion is designed to have a low cavity Q factor, and the aerosol product can be heated with high energy efficiency.

[0031] Also, one embodiment provides a heater assembly and an aerosol generating device thereof that minimize power loss due to surface current of the resonator and reduce heat generation.

[0032] Additionally, the resonance between the heater assembly according to one embodiment and the aerosol generating device creates a triple resonance, which effectively and uniformly heats the aerosol product.

[0033] In addition, in the heater assembly and the aerosol generation device according to one embodiment, a resonance peak is formed at a portion corresponding to the open end of the resonator, and a strong electric field is generated. Since the portion of the aerosol product containing a dielectric material (dielectric) is arranged to correspond to the region where the electric field of the resonator is strongest, the dielectric heating efficiency of the aerosol product can be improved.

[0034] 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]

[0035] [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 schematically illustrating a heater assembly according to another embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 8] 8 is a side view schematically illustrating the electric field distribution of the heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 8 is a front view schematically illustrating the electric field distribution of the heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 10] 8 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the heating density distribution of an aerosol product heated by the heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 11] 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a heater assembly according to still another embodiment, with a portion cut away; FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a perspective view schematically illustrating exploded components of the heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 13] 12 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 14] 12 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the electric field distribution of the heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 15] 12 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the heating density distribution of an aerosol product heated by the heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly shown in FIG. 17. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 21] 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a heater assembly according to still another embodiment, with a portion cut away; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] Any expression in the singular includes a plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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."

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] The sensor section 104 also includes a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, and an insertion sensor.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] FIG. 3 is an internal block diagram of the dielectric heating unit of FIG.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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.

[0096] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to one embodiment.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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).

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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 .

[0101] The specific structure of the resonating portion 220 of the heater assembly 200 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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.

[0104] 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 .

[0105] 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 that protrudes 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 by being attached to one region of the resonator unit 220 without the bracket 220b.

[0106] 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.

[0107] 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.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the aerosol product 10 also includes a tobacco rod 11 and a filter rod 12 .

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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.

[0112] 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 .

[0113] 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.

[0114] 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.

[0115] 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 .

[0116] 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.

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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.

[0119] 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.

[0120] 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.

[0121] 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.

[0122] 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.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.

[0125] 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.

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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.

[0130] 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.

[0131] The electric field generated in the first region and the electric field generated in the second region flow into the first internal conductor 223 and / or the second internal conductor 225 through the gap 226, so that the strongest electric field can be generated in the internal region of the resonator 220, in the region surrounding the gap 226.

[0132] In one embodiment of the heater assembly 200, the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heater assembly 200 can be improved by positioning the tobacco rod 11, which contains 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.

[0133] 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.

[0134] 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.

[0135] 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 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.

[0136] 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.

[0137] FIG. 6 is a perspective view that schematically illustrates a heater assembly according to another embodiment.

[0138] The heater assembly 300 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 also includes a resonating portion 320 that generates microwave resonance, and a coupler 311 that supplies microwaves to the resonating portion 320 .

[0139] The resonator unit 320 also includes a case 321; a plurality of plates 323a and 323b; and a connecting unit 322 that connects the plurality of plates 323a and 323b to the case 321.

[0140] The coupler 311 can supply microwaves to at least one of the plates 323a and 323b so as to generate microwave resonance in the resonator 320.

[0141] The resonator 320 may surround at least a region of the aerosol product 10 inserted inside the aerosol generating device. The coupler 311 may supply microwaves generated by an oscillator (not shown) to the resonator 320. When microwaves are supplied to the resonator 320, microwave resonance occurs in the resonator 320, and the resonator 320 may heat the aerosol product 10. For example, a dielectric included in the aerosol product 10 may generate heat due to an electric field generated inside the resonator 320 by the microwaves, and the aerosol product 10 may be heated by the heat generated in the dielectric.

[0142] The case 321 of the resonator 320 functions as an “outer conductor.” The case 321 is formed in a hollow shape with an open interior, so that components of the resonator 320 can be disposed inside the case 321.

[0143] The case 321 also includes a storage space 320h in which the aerosol product 10 can be stored and an opening 321a through which the aerosol product 10 can be inserted. The opening 321a is connected to the storage space 320h. Since the opening 321a opens toward the outside of the case 321, the storage space 320h is connected to the outside via the opening 321a. Therefore, the aerosol product 10 can be inserted into the storage space 320h of the case 321 through the opening 321a of the case 321.

[0144] Although the case 321 shown in the drawings has a square cross-sectional shape, the shape of the case 321 may be modified into various shapes. For example, the case 321 may be modified to have various cross-sectional shapes such as a rectangle, an oval, or a circle. The case 321 may be elongated in one direction.

[0145] Inside the case 321, a plurality of plates 323a and 323b that can function as the “internal conductor” of the resonator 320 can be arranged.

[0146] The plates 323a, 323b may be arranged spaced apart from one another along the circumferential direction of the aerosol product 10 contained in the containing space 320h. The plates 323a, 323b may include a first plate 323a arranged to surround one region of the aerosol product 10 and a second plate 323b arranged to surround another region of the aerosol product 10.

[0147] The plates 323a and 323b may be connected to the case 321 by connecting portions 322. Furthermore, one end of the first plate 323a and one end of the second plate 323b of the plates 323a and 323b may be connected to each other by the connecting portions 322. Therefore, a closed end may be formed by the connecting portions 322 at one end of the plates 323a and 323b.

[0148] The other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be spaced apart from each other to form an open end. Since the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b are spaced apart from each other, an open end may be formed at the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b.

[0149] The resonator assembly can be completed by connecting the multiple plates 323a, 323b and the connecting portion 322. The cross section of the resonator assembly taken along the longitudinal direction may have a horseshoe shape.

[0150] The plates 323a, 323b extend in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol product 10. At least a portion of the plates 323a, 323b may be curved so as to protrude outward from the center of the aerosol product 10 in the longitudinal direction.

[0151] For example, if the aerosol product 10 is manufactured in a cylindrical shape, the plates 323a and 323b may be formed to be curved in the circumferential direction along the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol product 10. The radius of curvature of the cross sections of the plates 323a and 323b may be the same as the radius of curvature of the aerosol product 10. The radius of curvature of the cross sections of the plates 323a and 323b may be varied in various ways. For example, the radius of curvature of the cross sections of the plates 323a and 323b may be larger or smaller than the radius of curvature of the aerosol product 10.

[0152] By forming a structure in which multiple plates 323a, 323b are curved circumferentially along the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol product 10, a more uniform electric field is formed in the resonating portion 320, allowing the heater assembly 300 to heat the aerosol product 10 uniformly.

[0153] The open ends of the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b may be positioned toward the opening 321a of the case 321. The opening 321a of the case 321 may be positioned away from the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b.

[0154] The other open ends of the plates 323a and 323b may be aligned with the opening 321a of the case 321. Therefore, when the aerosol product 10 is inserted through the opening 321a of the case 321 and positioned in the receiving space 320h, a portion of the aerosol product 10 positioned in the receiving space 320h may be surrounded by the plates 323a and 323b.

[0155] Two of the plates 323a, 323b are arranged at opposite positions relative to the center of the longitudinal direction of the aerosol product 10. An embodiment is not limited by the number of plates 323a, 323b, and the number of plates 323a, 323b may be, for example, three or four or more.

[0156] The plates 323a and 323b may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol product 10, that is, the central axis in the direction in which the aerosol product 10 extends.

[0157] At least one of the plates 323a and 323b may be in contact with coupler 311 connected to an oscillator (not shown). Specifically, at least a portion of first plate 323a may be in contact with coupler 311. When microwaves are transmitted to first plate 323a via coupler 311, microwave resonance occurs between plates 323a and 323b. Microwave resonance also occurs between first plate 323a and the upper plate of case 321, and between second plate 323b and the lower plate of case 321. Therefore, electric fields may be generated between plates 323a and 323b and connecting portion 322, between first plate 323a and the upper plate of case 321, and between second plate 323b and the lower plate of case 321.

[0158] Coupler 311 may penetrate case 321, with one end of coupler 311 contacting an oscillation unit (not shown) and the other end of coupler 311 contacting a region of first plate 323a. Microwaves generated in the oscillation unit (not shown) are transmitted to multiple plates 323a and 323b and connecting unit 322 via coupler 311, and an electric field may be generated within the assembly of multiple plates 323a and 323b and connecting unit 322.

[0159] Furthermore, due to the structure of the resonator unit 320 of the heater assembly 300, a triple resonant mode can be formed in the resonator unit 320. A microwave TEM (transverse electric & magnetic) mode resonance is formed between the multiple plates 323a and 323b. A TEM mode resonance different from the resonance formed between the multiple plates 323a and 323b is formed between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the case 321 and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the case 321. The resonator unit 320 of FIG. 6 can resonate in the TEM mode using the multiple plates 323a and 323b, and therefore can be fabricated in a smaller size than the resonator unit 220 of FIG. 5, which can only resonate in the TE (transverse electric) mode and the TM (transverse magnetic) mode.

[0160] The triple resonance in the resonating portion 320 of the heater assembly 300 may result in more efficient and uniform heating of the aerosol product 10 .

[0161] The resonator 320 according to the above embodiment includes a short 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 short end and having at least a region of the cross section that is open.

[0162] In Fig. 6, the region at one end of resonator unit 320, which corresponds to the region on the left side, forms a closed end that is closed by a structure in which one ends of multiple plates 323a and 323b and connecting portion 322 are connected to case 321. In Fig. 6, the region at the other end of resonator unit 320, which corresponds to the region on the right side, forms an open end by opening 321a of case 321 that is open to the outside. With this structure of resonator unit 320, resonator unit 320 can operate as a resonator having a ¼ wavelength length of microwaves.

[0163] Due to the resonant structure of the resonant unit 320, the electric field is not propagated to an area outside the resonant unit 320. Therefore, the heater assembly 300 can prevent the electric field from leaking outside the heater assembly 300 without a separate shielding member for shielding the electric field.

[0164] The aerosol product 10 inserted into the receiving space 320h of the case 321 is surrounded by the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b and can be heated by a dielectric heating method. For example, a portion of the aerosol product 10 inserted into the receiving space 320h of the case 321, including the medium, can be disposed in the space between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b. An electric field generated in the space between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b can cause the dielectric contained in the aerosol product 10 to generate heat, thereby heating the aerosol product 10.

[0165] In addition, a secondary heating effect can be exerted on the aerosol product 10 by the action of the electric field due to the resonant modes formed between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the case 321, and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the case 321.

[0166] When the aerosol production product 10 is inserted into the resonator 320 through the receiving space 320h, the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol production product 10 can be positioned between the plates 323a and 323b.

[0167] The length L4 of the tobacco rod 11 can be longer than the length L1 of the plates 323a, 323b. Therefore, the front end 11f of the tobacco rod 11 that contacts the filter rod 12 is located at a position that protrudes further in the direction toward the opening 321a of the case 321 than the other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b.

[0168] A resonance peak is formed at the other end of the multiple plates 323a, 323b that operate as a resonator, and a stronger electric field can be generated in this area than in other areas. When the aerosol product 10 is inserted into the heater assembly 300, the tobacco rod 11, which includes a dielectric that can generate heat in response to the electric field, is positioned to correspond to the area where the electric field is strongest, thereby improving the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heater assembly 300.

[0169] 6, the length L1 of the plates 323a and 323b may be set to be shorter than the length (L1+L2) of the internal space of the case 321. Therefore, the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b may be positioned more inward than the opening 321a in the case 321. That is, the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b may be positioned to be spaced apart from the rear end of the opening 321a by a distance L2.

[0170] The length from the rear end of opening 321a, where opening 321a is connected to case 321, to the front end of opening 321a, where opening 321a is open, is also L3. The overall length of case 321 along the longitudinal direction of case 321 is also L. The overall length L of case 321 can be determined by the sum of the length L1 of multiple plates 323a, 323b, the distance L2 between multiple plates 323a, 323b and the rear end of opening 321a, and the length L3 of opening 321a protruding from case 321.

[0171] In order to prevent leakage of microwaves, the front end of opening 321a, where opening 321a is opened, is positioned to protrude by a length of L3 from case 321. Since opening 321a of case 321 protrudes from case 321, opening 321a can function to prevent microwaves inside case 321 of resonator 320 from leaking outside case 321.

[0172] The resonator unit 320 further includes a dielectric accommodating space 327 for accommodating a dielectric. The dielectric accommodating space 327 may be formed in the empty space between the case 321 and the plurality of plates 323a and 323b. A dielectric having low microwave absorption may be accommodated in the dielectric accommodating space 327.

[0173] By disposing a dielectric inside the dielectric accommodating space 327, it is possible to generate an electric field of the same level as that generated in a resonating unit that does not include a dielectric, while reducing the overall size of the resonating unit 320 of the heater assembly 300. In other words, the size of the resonating unit 320 can be reduced via the dielectric disposed inside the dielectric accommodating space 327, and the mounting space for the resonating unit 320 in the aerosol generation device can be reduced, resulting in a miniaturized aerosol generation device.

[0174] FIG. 7 is a perspective view that schematically illustrates a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment.

[0175] The heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 also includes a resonating portion 320 that generates microwave resonance, and a coupler 311 that supplies microwaves to the resonating portion 320.

[0176] The case 321 of the resonator 320 also includes a storage space 320h in which an aerosol product can be stored, and an opening 321a into which the aerosol product can be inserted.

[0177] One ends of the multiple plates 323a and 323b of the resonator unit 320 may be connected to the connecting unit 322. The multiple plates 323a and 323b may be connected to the case 321 by the connecting unit 322. The other ends of the multiple plates 323a and 323b may be open toward the opening 321a of the case 321.

[0178] Case 321 of resonator unit 320, plates 323a and 323b, and connecting unit 322 also contain metal materials.

[0179] The plates 323a, 323b may be spaced apart from one another along the periphery of the aerosol product contained in the containing space 320h, and may include a first plate 323a surrounding one region of the aerosol product and a second plate 323b surrounding another region of the aerosol product.

[0180] "The plates are arranged so as to be spaced apart from one another along the circumferential direction of the aerosol product" may mean that the plates are arranged at different positions from one another along the circumferential direction of the aerosol product.

[0181] Furthermore, "multiple plates are arranged spaced apart from one another along the circumferential direction of the aerosol production product" can mean that the multiple plates are arranged at different positions from one another along the circumferential direction centered on the "longitudinal direction" in which the heater assembly or aerosol generation device extends.

[0182] The phrase "multiple plates surrounding a portion of the aerosol product" may mean that the multiple plates are arranged toward the outer surface of the aerosol product by extending in the circumferential direction of the outer surface of the aerosol product. The multiple plates may simply have a flat shape and surround a portion of the outer surface of the aerosol product. As another example, the multiple plates may surround a portion of the outer surface of the aerosol product while including a folded or curved shape that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol product.

[0183] The first plate 323a and the second plate 323b may be disposed on the upper and lower sides of the receiving space 320h and may face each other. Each of the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b may be a thin, flat rectangular plate that extends in the direction in which the aerosol product is inserted.

[0184] The shapes of the plates 323a and 323b may be modified in various ways, for example, to have a square, polygonal, circular, or elliptical shape.

[0185] The plates 323a and 323b may be connected to the case 321 by connecting portions 322. Furthermore, one end of the first plate 323a and one end of the second plate 323b of the plates 323a and 323b may be connected to each other by the connecting portions 322. Therefore, a closed end may be formed by the connecting portions 322 at one end of the plates 323a and 323b.

[0186] The other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be spaced apart from each other to form an open end. Since the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b are spaced apart from each other, an open end may be formed at the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b.

[0187] The accommodation space 320h between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b is open to the internal space of the case 321 by the side surfaces of the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b.

[0188] The open ends of the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b may be positioned toward the opening 321a of the case 321. The opening 321a of the case 321 may be positioned to be spaced apart in a direction away from the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b. By arranging the opening 321a to protrude from the case 321, it is possible to prevent microwaves inside the case 321 from leaking out of the case 321.

[0189] The other open ends of the plates 323a and 323b may be aligned with the opening 321a of the case 321. Therefore, when an aerosol product is inserted through the opening 321a of the case 321 and positioned in the receiving space 320h, a portion of the aerosol product positioned in the receiving space 320h may be surrounded by the plates 323a and 323b.

[0190] When microwaves are supplied to the resonator 320 by the coupler 311, microwave resonance occurs in the resonator 320, and the resonator 320 can heat the aerosol product inserted between the plates 323a and 323b.

[0191] A dielectric containing space 327 is formed between the case 321 and each of the plates 323a and 323b. The dielectric containing space 327 is hollow. Alternatively, a dielectric with low microwave absorption may be contained in the dielectric containing space 327.

[0192] Figure 8 is a side view schematically illustrating the electric field distribution of the heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in Figure 7, and Figure 9 is a front view schematically illustrating the electric field distribution of the heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in Figure 7. The electric field distributions shown in Figures 8 and 9 indicate the intensity of the voltage per unit length (V / m) of the resonating section.

[0193] In Fig. 8, the region at one end of resonator unit 320, which corresponds to the region on the right side, forms a closed end that is closed by a structure in which one ends of multiple plates 323a and 323b and connecting portion 322 are connected to case 321. In Fig. 8, the other ends of multiple plates 323a and 323b of resonator unit 320, which corresponds to the region on the left side, form an open end. With such a structure of resonator unit 320, resonator unit 320 can operate as a resonator having a length of ¼ wavelength of microwaves.

[0194] A strong electric field may be formed in a portion corresponding to the open end of the other end of each of the plates 323a and 323b of the resonator 320. A resonance peak may be formed at the other end of each of the plates 323a and 323b, generating a stronger electric field than in other regions. When the aerosol product 10 is inserted into the resonator 320, the tobacco rod 11 containing a dielectric capable of generating heat due to the electric field may be arranged to correspond to the region where the electric field is strongest, thereby improving the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the aerosol product 10.

[0195] According to the structure of the resonator unit 320 of the heater assembly, a triple resonant mode can be formed in the resonator unit 320. A microwave TEM mode resonance is formed between the multiple plates 323a and 323b. Furthermore, a TEM mode resonance different from the resonance formed between the multiple plates 323a and 323b is formed between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the case 321 and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the case 321.

[0196] The triple resonance occurring in the resonating portion 320 of the heater assembly allows for more efficient and uniform heating of the aerosol product. The triple resonance occurring in the resonating portion 320 of the heater assembly allows for a heating pattern to be formed symmetrically around the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol product. Therefore, the heater assembly according to one embodiment allows for the tobacco rod 11 to be consumed in a sequential manner from the center of the tobacco medium outward in the radial direction.

[0197] Furthermore, by arranging opening 321a so as to protrude from case 321, it is possible to prevent microwaves inside case 321 from leaking to the outside of case 321 and being transmitted to the user.

[0198] 10 is a perspective view that schematically illustrates the heat density distribution of the aerosol product article heated by the heater assembly according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7. The heat density distribution illustrated in FIG. 10 is a graph showing the temperature energy per unit volume (W / m) in each region of the heated aerosol product article. 3 ) is shown.

[0199] A strong electric field may be formed in the portion corresponding to the open end of the other end of the plates 323a, 323b of the resonator 320. A resonance peak may be formed at the other end of the plates 323a, 323b, generating a stronger electric field than in other regions. The electric field becomes zero in the portion corresponding to the closed end of the resonator 320. The tobacco rod 11, which includes a dielectric capable of generating heat due to the electric field of the aerosol product, is arranged in the resonator 320 to correspond to the region where the electric field is strongest, and therefore the portion of the tobacco rod 11 may be heated to the highest temperature.

[0200] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment, with a portion cut away, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, with the components thereof disassembled.

[0201] The heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 also includes a resonating portion 320 that generates microwave resonance, and a coupler 311 that supplies microwaves to the resonating portion 320.

[0202] The case 321 of the resonator 320 also includes a storage space 320h in which the aerosol product can be stored and an opening 321a into which the aerosol product can be inserted. The case 321 also includes a hollow cylindrical shape that extends long along the longitudinal direction into which the aerosol product can be inserted.

[0203] One ends of the plates 323a and 323b of the resonator 320 may be connected to the case 321 by a connecting portion 322. The other ends of the plates 323a and 323b may be open toward the opening 321a of the case 321.

[0204] The plurality of plates 323a, 323b also includes a first plate 323a and a second plate 323b that are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol-producing product contained in the containing space 320h.

[0205] The plates 323a and 323b extend in the longitudinal direction of the case 321. At least a portion of the plates 323a and 323b may be curved to protrude outward from the longitudinal center of the storage space 320h in which the aerosol product is stored. The first plate 323a may be curved and extended in the circumferential direction of the aerosol product to surround one region of the aerosol product. The second plate 323b may be curved and extended in the circumferential direction of the aerosol product to surround another region of the aerosol product.

[0206] The other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be spaced apart from each other to form an open end. Since the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b are spaced apart from each other, an open end may be formed at the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b.

[0207] The open ends of the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b may be positioned toward the opening 321a of the case 321. The opening 321a of the case 321 may be positioned away from the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b.

[0208] The resonator unit 320 also includes a dielectric accommodating space 327 for accommodating a dielectric. The dielectric accommodating space 327 may be formed in the empty space between the case 321 and the plurality of plates 323a and 323b. The dielectric accommodating space 327 may accommodate a dielectric 324 with low microwave absorption.

[0209] The dielectric 324 may have a cylindrical shape with an empty interior. The plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be inserted into the empty space inside the dielectric 324. The dielectric 324 and the plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be mounted inside the case 321. The dielectric 324 may protrude further than the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b toward the opening 321a in the longitudinal direction in which the case 321 extends.

[0210] By disposing the dielectric 324 inside the dielectric accommodating space 327 of the resonator unit 320, it is possible to generate an electric field of the same level as that generated by a resonator unit that does not include a dielectric, while reducing the overall size of the resonator unit 320. That is, the size of the resonator unit 320 can be reduced via the dielectric 324 disposed inside the dielectric accommodating space 327. By disposing the dielectric 324 inside the dielectric accommodating space 327, it is possible to minimize the thickness of the resonator unit 320, thereby reducing the outer diameter of the entire resonator unit 320. This makes it possible to reduce the mounting space for the resonator unit 320 in the aerosol generation device, and as a result, the aerosol generation device can be made more compact.

[0211] "Mounting space" may refer to the space inside the aerosol generating device in which various components can be installed.

[0212] A support tube 325 may be disposed inside the plates 323a and 323b. The support tube 325 may include a hollow cylindrical shape with one end closed and the other end open. An aerosol product may be inserted inside the support tube 325. The support tube 325 may be disposed between the plates 323a and 323b, thereby maintaining the aerosol product inserted into the heater assembly between the plates 323a and 323b. The closed surface at one end of the support tube 325 may contact the end of the aerosol product inserted inside the support tube 325 and support the aerosol product.

[0213] The support cylinder 325 may include a resin material having waterproof and / or heat insulating properties, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0214] The support tube 325 may prevent droplets generated when the aerosol is further liquefied and moisture generated in the aerosol product from leaking out of the support tube 325. The support tube 325 may also prevent heat generated at the location of the aerosol product from escaping out of the support tube 325. The support tube 325 may perform a liquid leakage function to prevent liquid from leaking to other structures of the resonator 320 and a heat insulation function to prevent heat from leaking out.

[0215] The resonator unit 320 also includes an air introduction passage for introducing external air into the interior thereof. The air introduction passage may be formed in the support tube 325 or between the support tube 325 and the case 321. When a user puts the aerosol product 10 into their mouth and inhales, external air is introduced into the interior of the resonator unit 320 through the air introduction passage. The air flows into the interior of the aerosol product 10 through the end of the aerosol product 10. As the air flows through the aerosol product 10, it can be delivered to the user together with the aerosol generated in the aerosol product 10.

[0216] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a heater assembly according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG.

[0217] When the aerosol production article 10 is inserted into the support tube 325 of the resonator 320, the tobacco rod 11 of the aerosol production article 10 may be positioned between the plates 323a and 323b. The closed surface at one end of the support tube 325 supports the left end of the tobacco rod 11, thereby restricting movement of the aerosol production article 10 toward the left.

[0218] The front end of the tobacco rod 11 that contacts the filter rod is located at a position that protrudes in the direction toward the opening 321a of the case 321 beyond the other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b.

[0219] The length L1 of the plates 323a and 323b may be set to be shorter than the length (L1+L2) of the internal space of the case 321. Therefore, the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b may be located at positions spaced apart from the opening 321a toward the inside of the case 321. That is, the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b may be located at a distance L2 from the rear end of the opening 321a.

[0220] The length of opening 321a protruding from case 321 is also L3. The total length of case 321 along the longitudinal direction of case 321 is also L. The total length L of case 321 is set in the range of 25 mm to 35 mm, and the total length L of case 321 in FIG. 13 is approximately 29 mm. To prevent microwave leakage, length L3 of opening 321a is 5 mm or more.

[0221] The height H of the case 321 in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the case 321 is set within the range of 13 to 25 mm, and the height H of the case 321 in FIG. 13 is about 16 mm.

[0222] The front end of the dielectric 324 disposed inside the resonator unit 320 may protrude from the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b in the longitudinal direction of the case 321. In FIG. 13 , the front end of the dielectric 324 may contact the inner surface of the case 321. The length L2 by which the front end of the dielectric 324 protrudes from the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b may be varied in various ways. Therefore, although the front end of the dielectric 324 protrudes from the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b, the front end of the dielectric 324 may be spaced from the inner surface of the case 321 so as not to come into contact with the inner surface of the case 321.

[0223] At least a portion of the first plate 323a of the multiple plates 323a, 323b may be in contact with the coupler 311. The position where the coupler 311 and the first plate 323a are in contact with each other may be determined to be a position in the section from the opening 321a to the connecting portion 322, which is closer to the connecting portion 322 than the opening 321a.

[0224] When microwaves are transmitted to first plate 323a via coupler 311, microwave resonance occurs between plates 323a and 323b. Microwave resonance also occurs between first plate 323a and the upper plate of case 321, and between second plate 323b and the lower plate of case 321. Therefore, electric fields can be generated between plates 323a and 323b and connecting part 322, between first plate 323a and the upper plate of case 321, and between second plate 323b and the lower plate of case 321.

[0225] Figure 14 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the electric field distribution of the heater assembly according to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 11. The electric field distribution illustrated in Figure 14 indicates the intensity of the voltage per unit length (V / m) of the resonating section.

[0226] According to the structure of the resonator unit 320 of the heater assembly, a triple resonant mode can be formed in the resonator unit 320. A microwave TEM mode resonance is formed between the multiple plates 323a and 323b. Furthermore, a TEM mode resonance different from the resonance formed between the multiple plates 323a and 323b is formed between the first plate 323a and the upper plate of the case 321 and between the second plate 323b and the lower plate of the case 321.

[0227] The triple resonance in the resonating portion 320 of the heater assembly may result in more efficient and uniform heating of the aerosol product.

[0228] Figure 15 is a perspective view that schematically illustrates the heat density distribution of the aerosol product article heated by the heater assembly according to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 11. The heat density distribution illustrated in Figure 15 is a diagram that shows the temperature energy per unit volume (W / m) in each region of the heated aerosol product article. 3 ) is shown.

[0229] A strong electric field may be generated in the area corresponding to the open end of the other end of the plates 323a, 323b of the resonator 320. A resonance peak may be generated at the other end of the plates 323a, 323b, generating a stronger electric field than in other areas. The electric field becomes zero in the area corresponding to the closed end of the resonator 320. The tobacco rod 11, which includes a dielectric capable of generating heat due to the electric field of the aerosol product, is arranged in the resonator 320 to correspond to the area where the electric field is strongest, so that the area of ​​the tobacco rod 11 may be heated to the highest temperature.

[0230] FIG. 16 is a perspective view that schematically illustrates a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment.

[0231] The heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 also includes a resonating portion 320 that generates microwave resonance, and a coupler 311 that supplies microwaves to the resonating portion 320 .

[0232] The case 321 of the resonator 320 includes a storage space for storing the aerosol product and an opening 321a through which the aerosol product can be inserted. The case 321 also includes a hollow cylindrical shape that extends long along the longitudinal direction into which the aerosol product can be inserted.

[0233] The multiple plates of the resonating portion 320 also include a first plate 323a, a second plate 323b, and a third plate 323c that are arranged spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol product contained in the containing space 320h.

[0234] The plurality of plates are arranged in a number of three so as to be spaced apart in the circumferential direction based on the central axis X in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol product contained in the case 321. The plurality of plates may be arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the case 321, which is the direction in which the case 321 extends. One embodiment is not limited by the number of the plurality of plates, and the number of the plurality of plates may be, for example, four or more.

[0235] One end of each of the first plate 323a, the second plate 323b, and the third plate 323c is connected to the case 321 by the connecting portion 322, so that a closed end may be formed on the side of the connecting portion 322. The resonator assembly may be completed by connecting the first plate 323a, the second plate 323b, the third plate 323c, and the connecting portion 322 to each other.

[0236] The other ends of the first plate 323a, the second plate 323b, and the third plate 323c are spaced apart from each other and are therefore open toward the opening 321a of the case 321, so that open ends can be formed at the other ends of the first plate 323a, the second plate 323b, and the third plate 323c.

[0237] The plates extend in the longitudinal direction of the case 321. At least a portion of the plates may be curved so as to protrude outward from the longitudinal center of the storage space 320h in which the aerosol product is stored. The first plate 323a, the second plate 323b, and the third plate 323c may each be curved and extended in the circumferential direction of the aerosol product so as to surround other regions of the aerosol product.

[0238] A structure in which multiple plates are arranged at a distance along the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol product and are curved circumferentially creates a more uniform electric field in the resonating portion 320, allowing the heater assembly to heat the aerosol product uniformly.

[0239] In one embodiment, an example has been described in which each of the multiple plates is curved in the circumferential direction along the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol product, thereby having an arc-shaped cross section, but the curved shape of each of the multiple plates can be modified in various ways. For example, each of the multiple plates may have a flat plate shape overall, but the inner surface of each of the multiple plates facing the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol product may be formed with a curved surface that is curved in the circumferential direction of the aerosol product to correspond to the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol product.

[0240] FIG. 17 is a perspective view that schematically illustrates a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment, and FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly illustrated in FIG.

[0241] The heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 also includes a resonating portion 320 that generates microwave resonance, and a coupler 311 that supplies microwaves to the resonating portion 320.

[0242] The case 321 of the resonator 320 also includes a storage space 320h in which the aerosol product 10 can be stored, and an opening 321a into which the aerosol product can be inserted.

[0243] One ends of the multiple plates 323a and 323b of the resonator unit 320 may be connected to the connecting unit 322. The multiple plates 323a and 323b may be connected to the case 321 by the connecting unit 322. The other ends of the multiple plates 323a and 323b may be open in the internal space of the case 321.

[0244] The plates 323a, 323b may be arranged at positions opposite to each other with respect to the aerosol product 10 accommodated in the accommodation space 320h. The plates 323a, 323b may include a first plate 323a arranged to surround one region of the aerosol product 10 and a second plate 323b arranged to surround another region of the aerosol product 10.

[0245] The first plate 323a and the second plate 323b may be disposed above and below the receiving space 320h and may face each other. The first plate 323a and the second plate 323b may extend in a direction transverse to the central axis X, which is the extension direction of the aerosol product 10. The extension direction of the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b is also approximately perpendicular to the extension direction of the aerosol product 10.

[0246] Each of the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b has a shape of a thin, flat rectangular plate. Each of the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b also has a concave surface 323r formed in a concave shape on the surface of the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b facing the aerosol product 10 at the position where the aerosol product 10 is stored.

[0247] The other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be separated from each other to form an open space. Because the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b are separated from each other, open ends may be formed at the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. The direction in which the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b are open is also a direction intersecting the direction in which the opening 321a of the case 321 is open (the X-axis direction).

[0248] 18, a dielectric containing space 327 is formed between the case 321 and each of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b. A dielectric 324 having low microwave absorption can be contained in the dielectric containing space 327.

[0249] A support tube 325 may be disposed inside the plates 323a and 323b. The support tube 325 may have a hollow cylindrical shape with one end closed and the other end open. The aerosol product 10 may be inserted inside the support tube 325.

[0250] In FIG. 17, the support tube 325 and the dielectric 324 are not shown to avoid complexity.

[0251] The support tube 325 may be attached to the concave surface 323r of the plates 323a, 323b. Because the support tube 325 is fixed between the plates 323a, 323b, the support tube 325 may maintain the aerosol production article 10 between the plates 323a, 323b.

[0252] 17 and 18, the positions of the concave surfaces 323r formed by the plates 323a and 323b are spaced apart in a direction toward the connecting portion 322 at the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b. The positions of the concave surfaces 323r can be modified in various ways, for example, the concave surfaces 323r can be located at the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b. When the concave surfaces 323r are located at the other ends of the plates 323a and 323b, the aerosol product 10 can be attached to the ends of the plates 323a and 323b.

[0253] When microwaves are supplied to the resonator 320 by the coupler 311, microwave resonance occurs in the resonator 320, and the resonator 320 can heat the aerosol product 10 inserted between the multiple plates 323a, 323b.

[0254] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view that schematically illustrates a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment.

[0255] The aerosol product that can be heated by the heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in Figure 19 can be embodied by a cartridge 390. The heater assembly also includes a resonator 320 that generates microwave resonance and a coupler 311 that supplies microwaves to the resonator 320.

[0256] The case 321 of the resonator 320 also includes a storage space in which the aerosol product can be stored, and an opening 321a into which the aerosol product can be inserted.

[0257] One ends of the plates 323a and 323b of the resonator 320 may be connected to the case 321 by a connecting portion 322. The other ends of the plates 323a and 323b may be open toward the opening 321a of the case 321.

[0258] The multiple plates 323a, 323b of the resonator unit 320 also include a first plate 323a and a second plate 323b that are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the cartridge 390 accommodated in the accommodation space. The multiple plates 323a, 323b can be arranged to be symmetrical with respect to the central axis of the cartridge 390 in the longitudinal direction. In Fig. 19, two of the multiple plates 323a, 323b are arranged at opposite positions with respect to the central axis of the cartridge 390 in the longitudinal direction.

[0259] A dielectric material 324 with low microwave absorption can be accommodated in the space between the case 321 of the resonator 320 and the plates 323a and 323b.

[0260] The aerosol-generating product contained between the plates 323a, 323b may be embodied by a cartridge 390. The cartridge 390 also includes a reservoir 393 that contains an aerosol-generating substance and a generator 392 that generates an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substance in the reservoir 393.

[0261] Generator 392 also includes an absorption section 392a that absorbs the aerosol-generating substance from reservoir 393, and a generation section 392b that heats the aerosol-generating substance supplied from absorption section 392a to generate an aerosol. Generator 392 of cartridge 390 is connected to mouthpiece 391, which includes discharge passage 391p for discharging the aerosol.

[0262] The cartridge 390 may contain an aerosol-forming material in any one of a variety of states, such as liquid, solid, gaseous, and gel, or a combination thereof. For example, the aerosol-forming material may include a liquid composition. The liquid composition may be a liquid containing tobacco-containing substances, including volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid containing non-tobacco substances.

[0263] The cartridge 390 may be activated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body of the aerosol generating device to convert the phase of the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge 390 into a gas phase and generate an aerosol. The aerosol may refer to a gas in which vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating material and air are mixed.

[0264] The absorbent section 392a and / or the generator section 392b may also include a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, and porous ceramic.

[0265] At least a portion of first plate 323a of plates 323a and 323b may be in contact with coupler 311. When microwaves are transmitted to first plate 323a via coupler 311, microwave resonance occurs between plates 323a and 323b. Microwave resonance also occurs between first plate 323a and the upper plate of case 321, and between second plate 323b and the lower plate of case 321. Therefore, electric fields may be generated between plates 323a and 323b and connecting portion 322, between first plate 323a and the upper plate of case 321, and between second plate 323b and the lower plate of case 321.

[0266] The front end of the generating section 392b of the cartridge 390 is located at a position that protrudes in the direction toward the opening 321a of the case 321 beyond the other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b.

[0267] Cartridge 390 inserted into storage space 320h of case 321 is surrounded by first plate 323a and second plate 323b and can be heated by a dielectric heating method. An electric field generated in the space between first plate 323a and second plate 323b generates heat in the dielectric of the aerosol-generating material held in generator 392b of cartridge 390, thereby heating the aerosol-generating material.

[0268] The aerosol generated by heating the aerosol generating substance in generating unit 392b can be supplied to the user via discharge passage 391p of mouthpiece 391.

[0269] A resonance peak is formed at the other end of the multiple plates 323a, 323b that operate as a resonator, and a stronger electric field can be generated than in other regions. When cartridge 390 is inserted into resonator unit 320, generator 392b is arranged to correspond to the region where the electric field is strongest, and this can improve the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") with which generator 392b of cartridge 390 is heated.

[0270] FIG. 20 is a perspective view that schematically illustrates a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment.

[0271] 19, the heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 20 has a modified direction in which the cartridge 390 is attached to the resonator 320.

[0272] The heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 20 also includes a resonating portion 320 that generates microwave resonance, and a coupler 311 that supplies microwaves to the resonating portion 320.

[0273] The case 321 of the resonator 320 also includes a storage space 320h in which a cartridge 390, which is an aerosol product, can be stored, and an opening 321a into which the cartridge 390 can be inserted.

[0274] The cartridge 390 also includes a storage 393 for storing an aerosol-generating substance, a generator 392 for generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substance in the storage 393, and a mouthpiece 391 for discharging the aerosol generated by the generator 392 to the outside.

[0275] One ends of the plates 323a and 323b of the resonator 320 may be connected to the case 321 by a connecting portion 322. The other ends of the plates 323a and 323b may be open in the internal space of the case 321.

[0276] The multiple plates 323a, 323b of the resonator unit 320 include a first plate 323a and a second plate 323b that are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the cartridge 390 housed in the housing space 320h. The first plate 323a is arranged to surround one region of the cartridge 390. The second plate 323b is arranged to surround another region of the cartridge 390.

[0277] The first plate 323a and the second plate 323b may be disposed above and below the receiving space 320h and may face each other. The first plate 323a and the second plate 323b may extend in a direction transverse to the direction in which the cartridge 390 extends.

[0278] The other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be separated from each other to form an open space. Because the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b are separated from each other, open ends may be formed at the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. The direction in which the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b are open is also a direction intersecting the direction in which the opening 321a of the case 321 is open.

[0279] In FIG. 20, the position where the generator 392 of the cartridge 390 is arranged between the multiple plates 323a and 323b is oriented in the direction toward the connecting portion 322 and spaced apart from the other ends of the multiple plates 323a and 323b.

[0280] The position at which the generator 392 of the cartridge 390 is disposed between the multiple plates 323a, 323b may be modified in various ways. For example, the generator 392 of the cartridge 390 may be positioned so as to correspond to the other end of the multiple plates 323a, 323b.

[0281] A resonance peak is formed near the other ends of the multiple plates 323a and 323b that operate as resonators, and a stronger electric field can be generated compared to other regions. When cartridge 390 is inserted into resonator unit 320, generator 392 is arranged to correspond to the region where the electric field is strongest, and this can improve the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") with which generator 392 of cartridge 390 is heated.

[0282] FIG. 21 is a schematic cutaway perspective view of a heater assembly according to yet another embodiment.

[0283] The heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 21 also includes a resonating portion 320 that generates microwave resonance, and a coupler 311 that supplies microwaves to the resonating portion 320 .

[0284] The case 321 of the resonator 320 includes a storage space 320h for storing an aerosol product and an opening 321a through which the aerosol product can be inserted. The case 321 has a hollow cylindrical shape that extends long along the longitudinal direction through which the aerosol product can be inserted. The opening 321a of the case 321 may be formed in a connecting portion 322 that is connected to the case 321.

[0285] One ends of the plates 323a and 323b of the resonator 320 may be connected to the case 321 by a connecting portion 322. The connecting portion 322 has a generally circular shape, and an opening 321a through which an aerosol product may be inserted is formed in the center of the connecting portion 322. The connecting portion 322 may be attached to an open mounting hole 321p at the front end of the case 321.

[0286] The embodiment is not limited to a structure in which the opening 321a is directly formed in the connecting portion 322, and the structure in which the opening 321a is formed in the case 321 may be modified in various ways. For example, as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 21, the opening 321a may be directly formed in the case 321 such that the opening 321a protrudes from the front end of the case 321. When the opening 321a is directly formed in the case 321, the connecting portion 322 may also include a passage hole at a position corresponding to the opening 321a of the case 321, through which the aerosol product can pass.

[0287] The other ends of the plates 323a and 323b can be open in the internal space of the case 321, facing the opposite side of the opening 321a.

[0288] The plurality of plates 323a, 323b also includes a first plate 323a and a second plate 323b that are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol-producing product contained in the containing space 320h.

[0289] The plates 323a and 323b extend in the longitudinal direction of the case 321. At least a portion of the plates 323a and 323b may be curved to protrude outward from the longitudinal center of the storage space 320h in which the aerosol product is stored. The first plate 323a may be curved and extended in the circumferential direction of the aerosol product to surround one region of the aerosol product. The second plate 323b may be curved and extended in the circumferential direction of the aerosol product to surround another region of the aerosol product.

[0290] One end of the first plate 323a and one end of the second plate 323b of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b are connected to the connecting portion 322 and spaced apart to be open. The space opened by the space between the ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be connected to the opening 321a.

[0291] The other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be spaced apart from each other to form an open end. Since the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b are spaced apart from each other, an open end may be formed at the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b.

[0292] The resonator unit 320 also includes a dielectric accommodating space for accommodating a dielectric. The dielectric accommodating space may be formed in the empty space between the case 321 and the plurality of plates 323 a and 323 b. The dielectric accommodating space may accommodate a dielectric 324 with low microwave absorption.

[0293] Dielectric 324 may include a hollow cylindrical shape with one end closed and the other end open. Multiple plates 323a and 323b may be inserted into the empty space inside dielectric 324. Dielectric 324 and multiple plates 323a and 323b may be mounted inside case 321.

[0294] The aerosol product may pass through the space between the opening 321 a and one end of the plates 323 a and 323 b in order to be mounted between the plates 323 a and 323 b. The end of the aerosol product may be supported by the closed end of the dielectric 324.

[0295] 21 differs from the embodiment shown in Fig. 11 in that the position at which the coupler 311 contacts the plates 323a and 323b is modified so that the coupler 311 contacts the plates 323a and 323b in an area adjacent to the opening 321a.

[0296] One end of the coupler 311 may contact the oscillation unit (not shown). The coupler 311 may penetrate the case 321 and the dielectric 324. The other end of the coupler 311 may contact a region of one end of the first plate 323a connected to the connecting unit 322.

[0297] Microwaves generated in an oscillation unit (not shown) are transmitted to the first plate 323a via the coupler 311, microwave resonance occurs in the resonating unit 320, and an electric field can be generated inside the resonating unit 320.

[0298] In the heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 21, the structure in which the coupler 311 is arranged adjacent to the opening 321a ensures that there is sufficient space outside the case 321 in which an oscillation unit (not shown) can be arranged.

[0299] For example, an oscillator (not shown) connected to coupler 311 may include a component such as a circuit board having a length longer than the length of case 321. According to the structure of the heater assembly according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 21, the oscillator connected to coupler 311 may be positioned so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of case 321 outside of case 321. Therefore, even if the overall length of the oscillator is long, a space for arranging the oscillator can be secured without increasing the overall length of the heater assembly, thereby enabling the heater assembly and the aerosol generation device to be miniaturized.

[0300] 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.

[0301] 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.

[0302] 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. [Industrial Applicability]

[0303] The present embodiment can provide a heater assembly that can heat an aerosol product by dielectric heating to generate an aerosol, and an aerosol generating device including the heater assembly.

Claims

1. A heater assembly for heating an aerosol product, a resonating unit including a case having a storage space for storing the aerosol product and an opening into which the aerosol product can be inserted, a plurality of plates arranged spaced apart from one another along the periphery of the aerosol product stored in the storage space, and a connecting portion connecting the plurality of plates to the case; a coupler for supplying microwaves to at least one of said plurality of plates so as to create microwave resonance in said resonator for heating said aerosol product article.

2. 2. The heater assembly according to claim 1, wherein one ends of the plurality of plates are connected to the connecting portion, and the other ends of the plurality of plates are spaced apart and open.

3. The heater assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the other end of the plate is positioned toward the opening of the case.

4. 3. The heater assembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of plates are arranged symmetrically about a longitudinal center of the aerosol product article.

5. 3. The heater assembly of claim 2, wherein two of the plurality of plates are disposed at opposite positions relative to a center of the aerosol product in the longitudinal direction.

6. the plurality of plates extend in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol product; 3. The heater assembly of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of plates are curved to protrude outwardly from a longitudinal center of the aerosol product article.

7. The heater assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the coupler passes through the case and contacts one of the plurality of plates.

8. The heater assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coupler is disposed adjacent to the connecting portion.

9. The heater assembly of claim 1 , wherein the case and the plurality of plates are spaced apart from each other.

10. 2. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the case and the plurality of plates are spaced apart from each other, and further comprising a dielectric disposed between the case and the plurality of plates.

11. The heater assembly of claim 10 , wherein ends of the dielectric material protrude from ends of the plurality of plates toward the opening.

12. The heater assembly of claim 11 , wherein the end of the dielectric body contacts or is spaced from the inner surface of the case.

13. 2. The heater assembly of claim 1, further comprising a support tube inserted into said plurality of plates and capable of supporting said aerosol production article.

14. 2. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of plates extend in one direction, and the direction in which the aerosol product is inserted into the receiving space through the opening is transverse to the one direction.

15. A heater assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14; an oscillator that generates high-frequency microwave power and supplies it to the heater assembly.

Images