Heater module for aerosol generating device and aerosol generating device including the same

Abstract

A heater module for an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment includes a module body including a heater accommodating groove for accommodating a heater that is detachably coupled to a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material, and a PCB accommodating groove for accommodating a PCB unit electrically connected to the aerosol generating device; heater terminals disposed in the module body and electrically connected to the heater so as to transmit power from a battery included in the aerosol generating device to the heater; and recognition terminals disposed spaced apart from the heater terminals in the module body and electrically connected to the PCB unit and the cartridge.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heater module for an aerosol generating device, which has reduced usage costs and improved productivity, and an aerosol generating device including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for technologies to replace the method of supplying aerosols by burning a conventional cigarette. For example, research is being conducted into methods of supplying a flavored aerosol by generating aerosols from a liquid or solid aerosol generating substance, or by generating vapor from a liquid aerosol generating substance and then passing the generated vapor through a solid flavor carrier.

[0003] In particular, aerosol generating devices that use a liquid aerosol generating material have the advantages of being smaller in size, more portable, not producing smoking by-products, and easier to use than aerosol generating devices that use a solid aerosol generating material, and interest in aerosol generating devices that use a liquid aerosol generating material is gradually increasing. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol by heating a liquid aerosol generating material may include a cartridge that holds the aerosol generating material and a heater module that heats the aerosol generating material. The heater module connected to the cartridge may include a heater that heats the aerosol generating material, heater terminals that supply battery power to the heater, and a recognition terminal that is electrically connected to the cartridge.

[0005] In the related art, when the aerosol generating material in the cartridge is depleted and the cartridge needs to be replaced, the heater must also be replaced when the cartridge is replaced, even if the heater still has a remaining product life, which increases the overall operating cost of the aerosol generating device.

[0006] Furthermore, conventionally, the structure of the heater module including the heater terminal and the recognition terminal is relatively complicated, and therefore the manufacturing process of the heater module is also complicated, which has the problem of reducing the productivity of the aerosol generating device, and therefore, it has been necessary to develop a heater module with a simple manufacturing method.

[0007] There is a need for new structures that can reduce the operating costs of aerosol generators and improve the productivity of aerosol generators, such as heater modules for aerosol generators that allow replacement of only the cartridge (i.e., without replacing the heater) and that feature simplified manufacturing methods.

[0008] The problems to be solved through the embodiments are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to one embodiment, a heater module for an aerosol generating device may include: a module body including a heater receiving groove for receiving a heater configured to be detachably coupled to a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material and a PCB receiving groove for receiving a PCB unit electrically connected to the aerosol generating device; heater terminals disposed in the module body, electrically connected to the heater, and configured to supply power to the heater from a battery included in the aerosol generating device; and recognition terminals disposed in the module body, spaced apart from the heater terminals, and configured to be electrically connected to the PCB unit and the cartridge. At least one of the heater terminals or the recognition terminals may be insert-injected into the module body.

[0010] An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment may include the above-mentioned heater module; a cartridge coupled to one side of the heater module and having a storage tank for containing the aerosol generating material; and an aerosol generating device body coupled to the other side of the heater module and having a battery for transmitting power to the heater. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The heater module for an aerosol generating device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure and the aerosol generating device including the same can reduce the overall cost of use.

[0012] Furthermore, the heater module for an aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating device including the same according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can be manufactured through a simple manufacturing method, thereby improving productivity.

[0013] The effects of the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment;

[0015] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 1.

[0016] [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heater module for an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0017] [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the heater module for the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment, taken along line AA' in FIG. 3. FIG.

[0018] [Figure 5] 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the heater module for the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment taken along line BB' in FIG. 3. FIG.

[0019] [Figure 6] 1 is a top view of a heater module for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, showing the shape of the heater before it is assembled to the module body.

[0020] [Figure 7] 7 is a front cross-sectional view of the heater module according to the embodiment taken along line CC' in FIG. 6.

[0021] [Figure 8] 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the heater module according to the embodiment shown along line DD' in FIG. 6.

[0022] [Figure 9] 10 is a bottom view of a heater module according to an embodiment, showing the shape before a PCB unit is assembled to a module body.

[0023] [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a heater module according to one embodiment.

[0024] [Figure 11A] 10 is a diagram illustrating a process in which a heater is inserted into a heater receiving groove according to an embodiment; [Figure 11B] 10 is a diagram illustrating a process in which a heater is inserted into a heater receiving groove according to an embodiment; [Figure 11C] 10 is a diagram illustrating a process in which a heater is inserted into a heater receiving groove according to an embodiment;

[0025] [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a heater module according to another embodiment.

[0026] [Figure 13A] 10 is a view illustrating a process in which a heater according to another embodiment is inserted into a heater receiving groove; [Figure 13B] 10 is a view illustrating a process in which a heater according to another embodiment is inserted into a heater receiving groove; [Figure 13C] 10 is a view illustrating a process in which a heater according to another embodiment is inserted into a heater receiving groove;

[0027] [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram showing a shape in which recognition terminals are arranged inside a heater module according to an embodiment;

[0028] [Figure 15] 15 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a heater module according to one embodiment taken along line EE' of FIG. 14.

[0029] [Figure 16] 15 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of a heater module according to one embodiment taken along line FF' in FIG. 14.

[0030] [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] According to one embodiment, a heater module for an aerosol generating device may include: a module body including a heater receiving groove for receiving a heater configured to be detachably coupled to a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material and a PCB receiving groove for receiving a PCB unit electrically connected to the aerosol generating device; heater terminals disposed in the module body, electrically connected to the heater, and configured to supply power to the heater from a battery included in the aerosol generating device; and recognition terminals disposed in the module body, spaced apart from the heater terminals, and configured to be electrically connected to the PCB unit and the cartridge. At least one of the heater terminals or the recognition terminals may be insert-injected into the module body.

[0032] The module body may include a recognition terminal receiving portion that receives the recognition terminal, and a waterproof partition that separates the heater receiving groove from the recognition terminal receiving portion.

[0033] A portion of the heater terminal may be disposed on a chamber where an aerosol is generated and connected to the heater accommodating groove, and electrically connected to the heater, and another portion of the heater terminal may pass through the module body and be electrically connected to the battery.

[0034] The heater terminal may include a first heater terminal member in contact with the heater, a second heater terminal member connected to the first heater terminal member, and a third heater terminal member connected to the second heater terminal member and coupled to the module body.

[0035] At least one of the first heater terminal member and the second heater terminal member may have a portion that includes a curved surface.

[0036] The first heater terminal member may be elastically movably connected to the second heater terminal member.

[0037] A portion of the second heater terminal member facing the heater accommodating groove is also inclined with respect to the direction in which the third heater terminal member extends.

[0038] The third heater terminal member may be disposed to be spaced apart from an inner surface of the module body.

[0039] The heater terminal may further include a fourth heater terminal member connected to the third heater terminal member and extending in a direction transverse to an extension direction of the third heater terminal member.

[0040] The first heater terminal member may protrude into the heater receiving groove.

[0041] The recognition terminal may include a cartridge contact member configured to contact the cartridge when the heater module is coupled to the cartridge; a recognition terminal body configured to connect to the cartridge contact member when the heater module is coupled to the cartridge; and a PCB contact member connected to the recognition terminal body and the PCB unit.

[0042] The cartridge contact member may be disposed so as to surround a portion of the recognition terminal body.

[0043] The PCB contact member may include a portion that protrudes toward the PCB unit.

[0044] The PCB unit may include a PCB substrate with which the recognition terminals contact and a memory chip disposed on the PCB substrate, and the PCB accommodating groove may include a first accommodating groove for accommodating the PCB substrate and a second accommodating groove for accommodating the memory chip.

[0045] An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment may include: a heater module for the aerosol generating device; a cartridge coupled to one side of the heater module for the aerosol generating device and having a storage tank for containing the aerosol generating material; and an aerosol generating device main body coupled to the other side of the heater module for the aerosol generating device and having the battery configured to transmit power to the heater.

[0046] The terms used in the embodiments are currently commonly used terms, and are selected as much as possible while taking into consideration the functions of the present invention. However, this may vary depending on the intentions or precedents of engineers in the field, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In addition, in certain cases, the applicant may arbitrarily select terms, and in such cases, their meanings will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of the present invention, rather than simply by their names.

[0047] Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, it does not mean that it excludes other components and may further include other components, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, terms such as "... unit" and "... module" used in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and may be realized by hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0048] As used herein, when a phrase such as "at least one of" precedes an array of elements, it modifies the entire array and not each individual element in the array. For example, the phrase "at least one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted as including a, b, and c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

[0049] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device is also a device that generates the aerosol by electrically heating a cigarette contained in the interior space.

[0050] The aerosol generating device may include a heater. In one embodiment, the heater may be an electrically resistive heater. For example, the heater may include a conductive track, and the heater may be heated when a current is passed through the conductive track.

[0051] The heater includes a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, and a rod-shaped heating element, and depending on the shape of the heating element, it is possible to heat the inside or outside of the cigarette.

[0052] Cigarettes may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod. The tobacco rod may be manufactured in sheet or strand form, or may be manufactured from finely cut tobacco. The tobacco rod may also be surrounded by a thermally conductive material. For example, the thermally conductive material may be a metal foil, such as, but not limited to, aluminum foil.

[0053] The filter rod may also be a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod may be composed of at least one or more segments. For example, the filter rod may include a first segment that cools the aerosol and a second segment that filters out specific components contained in the aerosol.

[0054] In other embodiments, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol using a cartridge that holds an aerosol generating substance.

[0055] The aerosol generating device may include a cartridge containing an aerosol-generating material and a body supporting the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably coupled to the body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be formed integrally with the body or may be assembled and fixed so as not to be detached by a user. The cartridge may be attached to the body with the aerosol-generating material contained therein. However, without being limited thereto, the aerosol-generating material may be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the body.

[0056] The cartridge may hold an aerosol-forming material in any one of a variety of states, such as a liquid, solid, gaseous, or gel state. The aerosol-forming material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0057] The cartridge may be activated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body to convert the phase of the aerosol-generating material inside the cartridge into a gas phase, thereby generating an aerosol. The aerosol may refer to a gas mixture of vaporized particles generated from the aerosol-generating material and air.

[0058] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device heats a liquid composition to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol can be transmitted to the user through the cigarette, i.e., the aerosol generated from the liquid composition travels along an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device, and the airflow passage can be configured to transmit the aerosol through the cigarette to the user.

[0059] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol from an aerosol generating material using an ultrasonic vibration method. In this case, the ultrasonic vibration method may refer to a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing an aerosol generating material using ultrasonic vibrations generated by a vibrator.

[0060] The aerosol generating device includes a vibrator, and can atomize the aerosol generating material by generating short-period vibrations via the vibrator. The vibrations generated by the vibrator can be ultrasonic vibrations, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibrations can be, but is not limited to, a frequency band of about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz.

[0061] The aerosol generating device may further include a wick that absorbs the aerosol-generating substance. For example, the wick may be positioned to surround at least a region of the vibrator or to contact at least a region of the vibrator.

[0062] When a voltage (e.g., an AC voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations are generated from the vibrator, and the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator can be transferred to the aerosol-forming substance absorbed in the wick. The aerosol-forming substance absorbed in the wick can be converted into a gas phase by the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations transferred from the vibrator, resulting in the generation of an aerosol.

[0063] For example, the viscosity of the aerosol-generating substance absorbed into the core is reduced by heat generated from the vibrator, and the reduced viscosity aerosol-generating substance is atomized by ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator, thereby generating an aerosol, but this is not limited to this.

[0064] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol product contained in the aerosol generating device using induction heating.

[0065] The aerosol generating device may include a susceptor and a coil. In one embodiment, the coil can apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. When power is supplied from the aerosol generating device to the coil, a magnetic field can be formed inside the coil. In one embodiment, the susceptor is also a magnetic material that generates heat when an external magnetic field is applied. When the susceptor is located inside the coil, the aerosol product can be heated by generating heat when a magnetic field is applied. Alternatively, the susceptor can be located inside the aerosol product.

[0066] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a cradle.

[0067] The aerosol generating device may be combined with a separate cradle to form a system. For example, the cradle may charge the battery of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the heater may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device are combined.

[0068] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be embodied in a form that can be implemented in the aerosol generating device of the various embodiments described above, or may be embodied in various different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0069] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0070] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include an aerosol generating device heater module 10, a cartridge 20, and an aerosol generating device main body 30.

[0072] The heater module 10 for the aerosol generator is located between the cartridge 20 and the aerosol generator body 30 and can convert the phase of the aerosol-generating material into a gas phase to generate an aerosol. The heater module 10 for the aerosol generator can generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating material supplied from the cartridge 20.

[0073] For example, the heater module 10 for the aerosol generating device heats the aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge 20 to generate vapor from the aerosol generating material, and the generated vapor may be mixed with external air flowing into the heater module 10 from outside the heater module 10 for the aerosol generating device. In this disclosure, the term "aerosol" may refer to particles generated when the vapor generated by heating the aerosol generating material is mixed with air.

[0074] An aerosol generating substance is stored inside the cartridge 20, and the aerosol generating substance stored in the cartridge 20 can be supplied to a heater module 10 for an aerosol generating device located at the lower end of the cartridge 20 (e.g., the part facing the -z direction).

[0075] According to one embodiment, the cartridge 20 may include a mouthpiece 20m for supplying the aerosol to a user. For example, the mouthpiece 20m provides a fluid connection between the inside of the heater module 10 and the outside of the aerosol generation device 1, and the aerosol generated inside the heater module 10 may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generation device 1 through the mouthpiece 20m. In this case, the user may contact the mouthpiece 20m with their mouth and inhale the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generation device 1.

[0076] The aerosol generation device main body 30 is located at the lower end (e.g., the portion facing the -z direction) of the heater module 10 for the aerosol generation device and can support the heater module 10 for the aerosol generation device. Components for operating the aerosol generation device 1 can be arranged inside the aerosol generation device main body 30. For example, a battery (not shown) and a processor (not shown) can be arranged inside the aerosol generation device main body 30. However, the battery and the processor are merely examples of components that can be arranged inside the aerosol generation device main body 30, and other components (e.g., a user interface, a sensor, etc.) in addition to the above-mentioned components can also be arranged inside the aerosol generation device main body 30.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 may further comprise a cover 31 for protecting the components of the aerosol generating device 1 .

[0078] The cover 31 is arranged to at least partially surround the heater module 10, cartridge 20, and aerosol generation device main body 30, and can fix the positions of the heater module 10, cartridge 20, and aerosol generation device main body 30 and protect the heater module 10, cartridge 20, and aerosol generation device main body 30 from external impact or the inflow of foreign objects.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the cover 31 may be integrally formed with the aerosol generation device body 30, but is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the cover 31 may be detachably coupled to the aerosol generation device body 30.

[0080] Hereinafter, the coupling relationship between the heater module 10, the cartridge 20, and the aerosol generation device main body 30 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

[0081] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG.

[0082] 2, an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a heater module 10, a cartridge 20, an aerosol generating device body 30, and a cover 31. At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 is the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, and therefore, redundant description will be omitted below.

[0083] Furthermore, the components of the aerosol generating device 1 are not limited to those described above, and depending on the embodiment, at least one of the components described above (e.g., cover 31) may be omitted or other components may be added.

[0084] The heater module 10 is detachably coupled to the lower end surface (for example, the surface facing the z direction) of the cartridge 20, and can generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating substance supplied from the storage tank 21 of the cartridge 20.

[0085] For example, a first coupling member (not shown) disposed in a region of the heater module 10 facing the cartridge 20 may be coupled to or separated from a second coupling member (not shown) disposed on the lower end surface of the cartridge 20, thereby allowing the heater module 10 to be detachably coupled to the cartridge 20. However, the coupling method between the cartridge 20 and the heater module 10 is not limited thereto.

[0086] When the aerosol-generating material stored in the reservoir 21 of the cartridge 20 is depleted, the user may continue smoking by replacing the existing cartridge 20 with a new cartridge 20. As another example, when the performance of a component (e.g., heater or wick) of the heater module 10 deteriorates and a sufficient amount of aerosol is not generated, the user may replace the existing heater module 10 with a new heater module 10 to generate a sufficient amount of aerosol.

[0087] When the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 21 of the cartridge 20 is consumed and the cartridge 20 needs to be replaced, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may be embodied as having a structure in which only the cartridge 20 is replaced and the heater module 10 is reusable. That is, the heater module 10 according to the embodiment may be detachably coupled to the cartridge 20, so that even when the cartridge 20 needs to be replaced, it can be reused without replacement. Therefore, the overall usage cost of the aerosol generating device 1 according to the embodiment may be reduced.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the heater module 10 may include an aerosol-generating material inlet 11 connecting the interior of the heater module 10 with the interior of the storage tank 21, an air inlet 12 for allowing external air to flow into the interior of the heater module 10, and an air outlet 13 for discharging the aerosol generated inside the heater module 10 to the outside.

[0089] The aerosol-generating material stored in the storage tank 21 of the cartridge 20 flows into the heater module 10 through the aerosol-generating material inlet 11, and the heater disposed inside the heater module 10 heats the aerosol-generating material supplied from the storage tank 21. The components disposed inside the heater module 10 will be described in detail below.

[0090] External air flows into the heater module 10 through the air inlet 12, and inside the heater module 10, the external air flows in and mixes with the vapor generated by heating the aerosol-generating material, thereby generating an aerosol.

[0091] The aerosol generated inside the heater module 10 can flow from the heater module 10 into the cartridge 20 through the air outlet 13 arranged in a region of the heater module 10 facing the cartridge 20, and then be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 through the mouthpiece 20m. For example, when the user inhales through the mouthpiece 20m, the pressure inside the cartridge 20 decreases, causing the air and / or aerosol inside the heater module 10 to move from the heater module 10 to the inside of the cartridge 20, and the user can inhale the air and / or aerosol that has moved inside the cartridge 20.

[0092] Cartridge 20 may include a reservoir 21 in which the aerosol-generating substance is stored.

[0093] When the cartridge 20 and the heater module 10 are combined, the storage tank 21 is connected or fluidly connected to the internal space of the heater module 10, so that the aerosol-generating material stored in the storage tank 21 can flow into the internal space of the heater module 10.

[0094] In this case, the aerosol-forming material stored in storage tank 21 may include a tobacco-containing substance containing volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid composition containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the liquid composition may contain any one or a mixture of water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, fragrance, flavoring, and vitamin mixture. The fragrance may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit-flavored ingredients. The flavoring may include ingredients that provide a variety of flavors or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixture may include, but is not limited to, a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E. The liquid composition may also include an aerosol-forming agent, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0096] For example, the liquid composition can include a glycerin and propylene glycol solution in any weight ratio to which a nicotine salt has been added. The liquid composition can include two or more nicotine salts. The nicotine salt can be formed by adding a suitable acid, including an organic or inorganic acid, to nicotine. The nicotine can be naturally occurring or synthetic nicotine and can have any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

[0097] The acid for forming the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected taking into consideration the rate of nicotine absorption in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 1, the flavor or taste, solubility, etc. For example, the acid for forming the nicotine salt may be, but is not limited to, a single acid selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharinic acid, malonic acid, or malic acid, or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group.

[0098] The aerosol generation device body 30 may be detachably coupled to a lower end surface (e.g., a surface facing the z direction) of the heater module 10 to support the heater module 10. For example, at least a region of the aerosol generation device body 30 may be inserted into an insertion groove formed in the lower end surface of the heater module 10, and the aerosol generation device body 30 may be detachably coupled to the heater module 10. However, the coupling method between the heater module 10 and the aerosol generation device body 30 is not limited thereto.

[0099] According to one embodiment, components for operating the aerosol generation device 1 may be arranged inside the aerosol generation device main body 30. For example, a battery (not shown) for power supply and a processor (not shown) for controlling the operation of the aerosol generation device 1 may be arranged inside the aerosol generation device main body 30.

[0100] The battery may supply power used to operate the aerosol generation device 1. For example, the battery may be electrically connected to the heater module 10 to supply power to heat the heater of the heater module 10. As another example, the battery may supply power necessary to operate other components of the aerosol generation device 1 (e.g., a processor, etc.).

[0101] The processor can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. The processor is embodied as an array of multiple logic gates, and can be embodied by, but is not limited to, a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program that can be executed by the microprocessor is stored.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the processor may control the power supplied by the battery to the heater of the heater module 10. For example, the processor may control the amount of power supplied by the battery to the heater and the time that power is supplied so that the heater of the heater module 10 heats up to or maintains a specified temperature.

[0103] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 allows the cartridge 20 and / or heater module 10 to be replaced through a structure in which the cartridge 20 and heater module 10 are detachably connected and the heater module 10 and the aerosol generating device main body 30 are detachably connected.

[0104] The components of the heater module 10 according to the embodiment will be specifically described below.

[0105] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a heater module for an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0106] The heater module 10 shown in FIG. 3 is also one embodiment of the heater module 10 of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 3, a heater module 10 according to one embodiment may include an aerosol generating material inlet 11, an air inlet 12, and an air outlet 13.

[0108] The aerosol generating material inlet 11 may serve to allow the aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge 20 to flow into the heater module 10. For example, the aerosol generating material inlet 11 may be disposed in a region (e.g., a region facing the +z direction) of the heater module 10 coupled to the cartridge 20, and the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 21 of the cartridge 20 may flow into the heater module 10 through the aerosol generating material inlet 11.

[0109] The air inlet 12 may serve to allow air outside the heater module 10 (hereinafter, "external air") to flow into the interior of the heater module 10. For example, the air inlet 12 may be disposed in another region of the heater module 10 (e.g., a side surface of the heater module 10) at a position spaced apart from the aerosol generating material inlet 11, and the external air may flow into the interior of the heater module 10 through the air inlet 12.

[0110] The external air introduced into the heater module 10 moves or flows along an airflow path disposed inside the heater module 10 to a chamber where an aerosol is generated, which will be described in detail later.

[0111] The air outlet 13 may serve to discharge aerosol and / or air generated inside the heater module 10 to the outside of the heater module 10 or to the cartridge 20. For example, the air outlet 13 may be disposed in a region of the heater module 10 that is coupled to the cartridge 20, spaced apart from the aerosol-generating material inlet 11. The aerosol and / or air inside the heater module 10 may be discharged to the outside of the heater module 10 through the air outlet 13.

[0112] When the cartridge 20 is connected to the heater module 10, the aerosol and / or air discharged to the outside of the heater module 10 through the air outlet 13 can flow into the inside of the cartridge 20 and then be discharged to the outside of the cartridge through the mouthpiece 20m by the user's inhalation.

[0113] In one example, a first coupling member (not shown) of the heater module 10 and a second coupling member (not shown) of the cartridge 20 may be coupled together by inserting a portion of the heater module 10 into the cartridge 20. In another example, when a force is applied to the cartridge 20 in a direction away from the heater module 10 while the heater module 10 and the cartridge 20 are coupled together, the coupling between the first coupling member (not shown) and the second coupling member (not shown) may be released, and the cartridge 20 may be detached from the heater module 10.

[0114] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a heater module for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, taken along line A-A' in Fig. 3. The thick arrows in Fig. 4 indicate the direction of air (or "external air") movement.

[0115] 4, heater module 10 according to one embodiment may include aerosol-generating material inlet 11, air inlet 12, air outlet 13, chamber 14, and airflow passage 15. At least one of the components of heater module 10 according to one embodiment is the same as or similar to at least one of the components of heater module 10 shown in FIG. 3, and therefore, a redundant description will be omitted below.

[0116] Chamber 14 (or "aerosol generation chamber") may be formed in the interior space of heater module 10. In chamber 14, aerosol-generating material flowing from storage tank 21 of cartridge 20 may be heated to generate an aerosol.

[0117] The chamber 14 is fluidly connected to the storage tank 21 of the cartridge 20 via the aerosol generating material inlet 11, and the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank 21 of the cartridge 20 can flow into the chamber 14 through the aerosol generating material inlet 11.

[0118] The airflow passage 15 may function to allow air flowing in through the air inlet 12 to flow into the heater module 10. One region of the airflow passage 15 extends along the edge of the heater module 10 within the heater module 10, and external air flowing into the heater module 10 through the air inlet 12 may reach the inside of the chamber 14 along one region of the airflow passage 15.

[0119] The vapor generated by heating the aerosol-generating material by heater 100 mixes with external air flowing into chamber 14 along airflow passage 15, resulting in aerosol generation in an area adjacent to the side of wick 110 disposed within chamber 14. The generated aerosol and / or external air can be discharged to the outside of heater module 10 via air outlet 13.

[0120] According to one embodiment, the heater module 10 may include an insertion groove 10h into which at least a portion of the aerosol generation device body 30 is inserted.

[0121] The insertion groove 10h may be formed in a region (e.g., a region facing the -z direction) of the heater module 10 that is to be coupled to the aerosol generation device body 30. The heater module 10 and the aerosol generation device body 30 may be coupled to each other by inserting at least a portion of the aerosol generation device body 30 into the insertion groove 10h. For example, the heater module 10 and the aerosol generation device body 30 may be coupled to each other by fitting at least a portion of the aerosol generation device body 30 into the insertion groove 10h by interference fit, but the coupling method is not limited thereto.

[0122] 4, the heater module 10 according to an embodiment may further include a heater 100, a module body 200, heater terminals 300, recognition terminals 400, a PCB unit 500, and an upper cover 600. However, the components of the heater module 10 according to an embodiment are not limited thereto, and additional components may be added or at least one component may be omitted according to an embodiment.

[0123] The heater 100 is located inside the module body 200 and generates an aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating material introduced through the aerosol-generating material inlet 11. As the heater module 10 according to an embodiment is detachably coupled to the cartridge 20, the heater 100 may also be detachably coupled to the cartridge 20. Therefore, as described above, the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may be embodied as having a structure in which, when the aerosol-generating material stored in the storage tank 21 of the cartridge 20 is depleted, only the cartridge 20 is replaced and the heater module 10 including the heater 100 is reusable.

[0124] The heater 100 may include a wick 110 and a heating portion 120 .

[0125] The wick 110 is positioned in an area inside the chamber 14 adjacent to the aerosol-generating material inlet 11 and can absorb the aerosol-generating material that flows into the chamber 14 through the aerosol-generating material inlet 11.

[0126] For example, at least one region of wick 110 may be positioned opposite aerosol-forming substance inlet 11 to absorb the aerosol-forming substance that flows through aerosol-forming substance inlet 11 and into chamber 14 .

[0127] According to one embodiment, wick 110 may include ceramic fibers or porous ceramic for absorbing the aerosol-generating substance. That is, wick 110 may also be a ceramic wick. However, wick 110 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and wick 110 may be formed of other materials (e.g., cotton or glass) depending on the embodiment.

[0128] According to an embodiment, the heater module 10 may further include a support member disposed inside the chamber 14. The support member may fix the position of the wick 110 inside the chamber 14. This allows the wick 110 to stably absorb the aerosol-generating substance even when the heater module 10 is tilted or shaken during use of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0129] The heating unit 120 may be disposed on one side of the wick 110 (e.g., the side facing the +y direction) and heat the aerosol-generating substance absorbed in the wick 110. For example, the heating unit 120 may heat the aerosol-generating substance absorbed in the wick 110 using power supplied from a battery in the aerosol generation device main body 30.

[0130] The heating unit 120 may include a metallic material that generates heat through electrical resistance. For example, the heating unit 120 may include stainless steel to prevent corrosion by the aerosol-generating substance absorbed in the wick 110, but the metallic material of the heating unit 120 is not limited thereto. In other examples, the heating unit 120 may include a metallic material such as copper, nickel, or tungsten.

[0131] According to one embodiment, the heating unit 120 may include a conductive pattern printed on one side of the core 110. For example, the heating unit 120 may be formed by printing a metal material (e.g., stainless steel) in a predetermined pattern shape on the side of the core 110 facing the +y direction, but is not limited thereto.

[0132] According to another embodiment, the heating part 120 may include a conductive pattern that is insert-injected into one side of the core 110. For example, the heating part 120 may be formed by insert-injecting a metal material (e.g., stainless steel) into a predetermined pattern shape on the side of the core 110 facing the +y direction, but the method of forming the heating part 120 or the shape of the heating part 120 are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment.

[0133] Although not shown in the drawings, according to yet another embodiment, the heating unit 120 may include a conductive plate disposed on one side of the core 110 .

[0134] By disposing the heating portion 120 on the side of the wick 110, vapor can be generated by heating the aerosol-generating substance in a region of the chamber 14 adjacent to the side of the wick 110. The vapor generated from the aerosol-generating substance can be mixed with air flown into the chamber 14 through the air inlet 12.

[0135] In this case, external air may flow into the heater module 10 through the air inlet 12, and then flow along the air flow passage 15 to move into the chamber 14. The air flow passage 15 connects the air inlet 12 and the air outlet 13 to form a flow path through which the external air and / or aerosol moves.

[0136] The module body 200 is disposed inside the heater module 10 according to an embodiment and accommodates the heater 100, heater terminals 300, recognition terminals 400, and PCB unit 500. The module body 200 supports the heater 100, heater terminals 300, recognition terminals 400, and PCB unit 500, and may function as the main body of the heater module 10 according to an embodiment. The module body 200 includes grooves that accommodate the heater 100, heater terminals 300, recognition terminals 400, and PCB unit 500, which will be described in detail below.

[0137] The module body 200 may include a first module body 210 and a second module body 220 .

[0138] First module body 210 is also a part of module body 200 that surrounds the side surface of heater 100. In first module body 210, aerosol generating material inlet 11 and air outlet 13 may be formed.

[0139] The second module body 220 is also a part of the module body 200 that supports the lower surface (e.g., the surface facing the -z direction) of the heater 100. The chamber 14 described above may be formed in an upper portion (e.g., a portion facing the +z direction) of the second module body 220 and inside the first module body 210. Although not shown in FIG. 4 , the second module body 220 may have through holes through which the heater terminals 300 and the recognition terminals 400 pass. In one embodiment, the second module body 220 may be integrally formed with the first module body 210 or detachably connected to the first module body 210.

[0140] The heater terminals 300 are disposed in the module body 200 and transmit power generated from a battery included in the aerosol generating device 1 to the heater 100. For this purpose, the heater terminals 300 may be electrically connected to the heating unit 120 of the heater 100 and the battery. The heater terminals 300 may include a metal material (e.g., copper), but the material is not limited thereto.

[0141] One side of the heater terminal 300 may be in contact with the heating unit 120 of the heater 100. Although not shown in FIG. 4, one side of the heater terminal 300 may be disposed on one side of the heater 100 (e.g., the side facing the +y direction) inside the chamber 14 and may be in contact with the heating unit 120. One side of the heater terminal 300 may extend upward from one side of the second module body 220 (e.g., the side facing the +z direction).

[0142] The other side of the heater terminal 300 may be electrically connected to the battery of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the other side of the heater terminal 300 may be directly connected to the battery or indirectly connected to the battery through a connection contact (not shown) connected to the battery. As a result, the heater terminal 300 may transmit power generated from the battery to the heating unit 120. The other side of the heater terminal 300 may extend downward from the lower surface (e.g., the surface facing the -z direction) of the second module body 220 and be spaced apart from the PCB unit 500.

[0143] The recognition terminals 400 are disposed in the module body 200 at a position spaced apart from the heater terminals 300, and are electrically connected to the PCB unit 500 and the cartridge 20. For this purpose, the recognition terminals 400 may be in direct contact with the PCB unit 500 and the cartridge 20, but the contact method is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the recognition terminals 400 may include a metal material (e.g., copper), but the material is not limited thereto.

[0144] In one embodiment, the recognition terminal 400 may perform a function of recognizing whether the cartridge 20 is connected to the heater module 10 according to one embodiment. For example, if the cartridge 20 is connected to the heater module 10, the recognition terminal 400 may transmit connection information to the aerosol generation device 1 (e.g., a memory or a control unit of the aerosol generation device 1).

[0145] In another embodiment, the recognition terminal 400 may perform the function of maintaining the cartridge 20 in a coupled state with the heater module 10 according to one embodiment. That is, the recognition terminal 400 may function as the first coupling member described above.

[0146] One side of the recognition terminal 400 may contact the cartridge 20 and extend upward from the upper surface of the second module body 220 (for example, the surface facing the +z direction).

[0147] The other side of the recognition terminal 400 may be in contact with the PCB unit 500 and extend downward from the lower surface of the second module body 220 (for example, the surface facing the -z direction).

[0148] The PCB unit 500 is disposed in the module body 200 at a position spaced apart from the heater 100. In one embodiment, when the heater 100 is disposed on one side of the module body 200 (e.g., in a region in the +z direction of the second module body 220), the PCB unit 500 may be disposed on the opposite side of the module body 200 (e.g., in a region in the -z direction from the second module body 220).

[0149] According to one embodiment, the PCB unit 500 may function as an intermediate medium for electrical connection (e.g., information communication) between the cartridge 20 and the aerosol generation device body 30. That is, the cartridge 20 is electrically connected to the PCB unit 500 via the recognition terminal 400, and the PCB unit 500 is electrically connected to connection contacts (not shown) in the aerosol generation device body 30, thereby electrically connecting the cartridge 20 and the aerosol generation device body 30.

[0150] The upper cover 600 is coupled to the upper part of the module body 200. The upper cover 600 may be detachably coupled to the module body 200 or may be formed integrally with the module body 200. The aerosol-generating material inlet 11 and the air outlet 13 described above may be formed in the upper cover 600.

[0151] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the heater module for the aerosol generating device according to one embodiment taken along line BB' in FIG.

[0152] 5, a heater module 10 according to an embodiment may include a chamber 14, an airflow passage 15, a heater 100, a module body 200, heater terminals 300, and a PCB unit 500. The heater module 10 according to an embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is substantially the same as or similar to the heater module 10 shown in FIG. 4, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0153] On one side of the chamber 14 (e.g., the -y direction area), a wick 110 for absorbing the aerosol-generating substance supplied from the cartridge 20 and a heating section 120 for heating the aerosol-generating substance absorbed in the wick 110 may be arranged.

[0154] Wick 110 is positioned so that at least one region faces aerosol-forming substance inlet 11 and can absorb the aerosol-forming substance that flows into chamber 14 through aerosol-forming substance inlet 11 .

[0155] According to one embodiment, the wick 110 may include a first surface 111 (or "top surface") facing the aerosol-generating substance inlet 11, a second surface 112 (or "bottom surface") opposite the first surface 111, and a side surface 113 surrounding the space between the first surface 111 and the second surface 112.

[0156] When the heater module 10 and the cartridge 20 are connected, the first surface 111 of the wick 110 is positioned to face the storage tank 21 of the cartridge 20 and can absorb the aerosol-generating material that flows into the chamber 14 through the aerosol-generating material inlet 11 in the storage tank 21.

[0157] The second surface 112 of the wick 110 may be located opposite the first surface 111 and may be disposed to face the bottom surface 14b of the chamber 14. According to one embodiment, the second surface 112 of the wick 110 may be disposed at a predetermined distance from the bottom surface 14b of the chamber 14.

[0158] For example, if the second surface 112 of the wick 110 comes into contact with the bottom surface 14b of the chamber 14, a situation may occur in which at least a portion of the aerosol-generating substance absorbed into the wick 110 leaks along the bottom surface 14b of the chamber 14 into the interior space of the heater module 10 or into the inside of the aerosol generation device body 30. As a result, the leakage of the aerosol-generating substance may cause malfunction or damage to the components or body of the heater module 10.

[0159] In this regard, the heater module 10 according to one embodiment may prevent leakage of the aerosol-generating material to the outside of the chamber 14 through a structure in which the second surface 112 of the wick 110 and the bottom surface 14b of the chamber 14 are spaced apart.

[0160] The side surface 113 of the wick 110 is arranged to surround the space between the first surface 111 and the second surface 112, and the heater 100 can be arranged in at least one region of the side surface 113 of the wick 110.

[0161] The heating unit 120 may be electrically connected to a battery disposed inside the aerosol generation device body 30 via the heater terminal 300 when the heater module 10 and the aerosol generation device body 30 are coupled together. For example, one side of the heater terminal 300 may contact one region of the heating unit 120, and the other side of the heater terminal 300 may contact at least one region of the aerosol generation device body 30 inserted into the insertion groove 10h, thereby electrically connecting the heating unit 120 and the aerosol generation device body 30. The battery disposed inside the aerosol generation device body 30 supplies power to the heating unit 120 using the above-mentioned electrical connection, and the heating unit 120 may generate heat by receiving power from the battery and heat the aerosol-generating material absorbed in the wick 110.

[0162] By disposing the heating portion 120 on the side surface 113 of the wick 110, vapor generated by heating the aerosol-generating substance can be generated in a region of the chamber 14 adjacent to the side surface 113 of the wick 110. The generated vapor can travel along the airflow passage 15 extending along the edge of the heater module 10 and mix with external air flowing into the chamber 14. As a result, aerosol can be generated in a region of the chamber 14 adjacent to the side surface 113 of the wick 110.

[0163] At least a portion of the aerosol generated inside chamber 14 is cooled and liquefied by contact with external air that flows into chamber 14 through air flow passage 15, and the liquefied aerosol (or "droplets") falls to bottom surface 14b of chamber 14 and accumulates or piles up on bottom surface 14b of chamber 14.

[0164] At least a portion of the wick 110 adjacent to the bottom surface 14b of the chamber 14 can absorb liquefied aerosol that accumulates on the bottom surface 14b, thereby preventing liquefied aerosol from accumulating inside the chamber 14.

[0165] 6 is a diagram showing a shape of a heater module for an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment, seen from above, before the heater 100 is assembled to the module body 200. Hereinafter, the connection structure between the heater 100 and the module body 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0166] 6, a heater module 10 according to an embodiment may include a heater 100, a module body 200, heater terminals 300, and recognition terminals 400. The heater module 10 according to an embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is substantially the same as or similar to the heater module 10 shown in FIG. 4, and therefore, a redundant description will be omitted below.

[0167] The module body 200 may include a heater receiving groove 230 , a recognition terminal receiving portion 250 , and a waterproof partition 260 .

[0168] The heater 100 may be accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 230. The heater accommodating groove 230 may be a part of the chamber 14 or a space formed on one side of the chamber 14 (e.g., a region in the -y direction). As an example, by accommodating the heater 100 in the heater accommodating groove 230, the heater 100 may be coupled to the module body 200 and electrically connected to the heater terminal 300. This is because the heater terminal 300 is disposed on the heater accommodating groove 230 in the chamber 14. As another example, by separating the heater 100 from the heater accommodating groove 230, the heater 100 may be separated from the module body 200 and electrically disconnected from the heater terminal 300.

[0169] The heater accommodating groove 230 may be formed on one side of the module body 200. For example, the heater accommodating groove 230 may be part of a space formed inside the first module body 210 and on the top of the second module body 220 (e.g., in the +z direction from the second module body 220).

[0170] The recognition terminal receiving part 250 may receive the recognition terminal 400. The recognition terminal receiving part 250 may be formed in the module body 200 at a position spatially separated from the heater receiving groove 230. The recognition terminal receiving part 250 is a space formed inside the first module body 210, separated from the heater receiving groove 230 by a waterproof partition wall 260, and may be disposed in an upper part (e.g., a part facing the +z direction) and a lower part (e.g., a part facing the -z direction) of the second module body 220.

[0171] According to one embodiment, the waterproof partition 260 may perform a function of spatially separating the chamber 14 and the recognition terminal receiving part 250. The waterproof partition 260 is located between the chamber 14 and the recognition terminal receiving part 250 and may prevent aerosol droplets formed inside the chamber 14 from entering the recognition terminal receiving part 250. As a result, the waterproof partition 260 may prevent aerosol droplets from flowing into the recognition terminal receiving part 250 and causing malfunction or damage to the recognition terminal 400 due to the aerosol droplets.

[0172] In another embodiment, the watertight bulkhead 260 may also function as a support for the heater 100 disposed inside the chamber 14. In this case, the watertight bulkhead 260 may function as the support member described above.

[0173] The waterproof partition wall 260 may extend inside the first module body 210 and also extend to an upper portion (for example, an end portion in the +z direction) of the second module body 220. The waterproof partition wall 260 may be formed integrally with the module body 200.

[0174] The waterproof partition 260 may include a first waterproof partition 261 and a second waterproof partition 262 .

[0175] The first waterproof partition 261 may extend from the inner surface of the module body 200. The first waterproof partition 261 may be located on one side (e.g., the side facing the +x direction) of the recognition terminal receiving portion 250. The first waterproof partition 261 may prevent aerosol droplets formed inside the chamber 14 from entering the recognition terminal receiving portion 250.

[0176] The second waterproof partition 262 may extend from the inner surface of the module body 200 and be connected to the second waterproof partition 262. The second waterproof partition 262 may be located on the other side (e.g., the side facing the +y direction) of the recognition terminal receiving part 250. The second waterproof partition 262 may prevent aerosol droplets formed inside the chamber 14 from entering the recognition terminal receiving part 250. The second waterproof partition 262 may be formed integrally with the first waterproof partition 261.

[0177] The heater terminal 300 may be in contact with the heater 100 accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 230. One side of the heater terminal 300 may be disposed on one side of the heater 100 (e.g., the side facing the +y direction) inside the chamber 14 and may be in contact with the heating portion 120 of the heater 100 accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 230.

[0178] The heater terminals 300 may be insert-molded into the module body 200. That is, according to one embodiment, the module body 200 and the heater terminals 300 may be manufactured together using a simple manufacturing method such as insert-molding. Therefore, the productivity of the heater module 10 may be improved.

[0179] According to the heater module 10 according to one embodiment, the heater terminal 300 may include a first heater terminal 300a and a second heater terminal 300b. The first heater terminal 300a and the second heater terminal 300b have the same function and structure, but differ only in their positions on the module body 200. Therefore, the following description will be made based on one heater terminal.

[0180] The recognition terminal 400, while being accommodated in the recognition terminal accommodating portion 250, may come into contact with the cartridge 20 coupled to the heater module 10. In one embodiment, the recognition terminal 400 may come into contact with the second coupling member of the cartridge 20. One side of the recognition terminal 400 comes into contact with the cartridge 20 and extends upward from one surface of the second module body 220 (e.g., the surface facing the +z direction).

[0181] The recognition terminals 400 may be insert-molded into the module body 200. That is, according to one embodiment, the module body 200 and the recognition terminals 400 may be manufactured together through a simple manufacturing method such as insert-molding. Therefore, the productivity of the heater module 10 may be improved.

[0182] According to the heater module 10, the recognition terminal 400 may include a first recognition terminal 400a and a second recognition terminal 400b. The first recognition terminal 400a and the second recognition terminal 400b have the same function and structure, and differ only in their positions on the module body 200. Therefore, the following description will be made based on one recognition terminal.

[0183] A structure for preventing the aerosol droplets generated in the chamber 14 from entering the recognition terminal accommodating portion 250 through the waterproof partition wall 260 will be described below.

[0184] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional front view of the heater module according to the embodiment taken along line CC' in FIG.

[0185] 7, a heater module 10 according to an embodiment may include an air outlet 13, a chamber 14, a heater 100, a module body 200, a recognition terminal 400, and an upper cover 600. The heater module 10 according to an embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is substantially the same as or similar to the heater module 10 shown in FIG. 6, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0186] At least a portion of the aerosol generated by heater 100 inside chamber 14 may be cooled and liquefied by contact with the external air flowing into chamber 14. The aerosol droplets liquefied inside chamber 14 may flow within chamber 14 as shown by the arrows in FIG.

[0187] In the comparative example in which the chamber 14 and the recognition terminal receiving part 250 are connected to each other, droplets generated inside the chamber 14 flow into the recognition terminal receiving part 250 and come into contact with the recognition terminals 400 located inside the recognition terminal receiving part 250. As a result, in the comparative example, the recognition terminals 400 are damaged or broken by the droplets, which significantly reduces the service life of the heater module.

[0188] However, in the heater module 10 according to one embodiment, the first waterproof partition 261 of the waterproof partition 260 is disposed next to the recognition terminals 400a and 400b, spatially separating the chamber 14 from the recognition terminal receiving part 250. As a result, droplets generated inside the chamber 14 cannot enter the recognition terminal receiving part 250, which may reduce the possibility of the recognition terminals 400a and 400b being broken or damaged by droplets.

[0189] Furthermore, since the upper cover 600 is coupled to the upper portion (e.g., the portion facing the +z direction) of the module body 200, the heater module 10 has a structure that can completely seal the chamber 14 and the recognition terminal receiving portion 250 via the waterproof partition 260 and the upper cover 600. This significantly reduces the possibility that droplets generated inside the chamber 14 will flow into the recognition terminal receiving portion 250, thereby increasing the usage cycle of the heater module 10 according to one embodiment.

[0190] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of a heater module according to an embodiment taken along line DD' in FIG.

[0191] 8, the heater module 10 may include a module body 200, a recognition terminal 400, and an upper cover 600. The heater module 10 illustrated in FIG. 8 is substantially the same as or similar to the heater module 10 illustrated in FIG. 6, and therefore, a redundant description will be omitted below.

[0192] The chamber 14 in Figure 8 is a view showing one side (e.g., the side facing the -x direction) of the chamber 14 shown in Figure 7. The aerosol droplets liquefied inside the chamber 14 may flow inside the chamber 14 as shown by the arrows in Figure 8.

[0193] In the comparative example in which the chamber 14 and the recognition terminal receiving part 250 are connected to each other, droplets generated inside the chamber 14 flow into the recognition terminal receiving part 250 and come into contact with the recognition terminals 400 located inside the recognition terminal receiving part 250. As a result, in the comparative example, the recognition terminals 400 are damaged or broken by the droplets, which significantly reduces the service life of the heater module.

[0194] However, in the heater module 10 according to one embodiment, the second waterproof partition 262 of the waterproof partition 260 is disposed next to the recognition terminal 400, spatially separating the chamber 14 from the recognition terminal receiving part 250. As a result, droplets generated inside the chamber 14 cannot enter the recognition terminal receiving part 250, which may reduce the possibility of the recognition terminals 400a, 400b being broken or damaged by droplets.

[0195] Furthermore, since the upper cover 600 is coupled to the upper portion of the module body 200 (e.g., the portion facing the +z direction), the heater module 10 according to the embodiment has a structure that can completely seal the chamber 14 and the recognition terminal receiving portion 250 via the waterproof partition 260 and the upper cover 600. This significantly reduces the possibility that droplets generated inside the chamber 14 will flow into the recognition terminal receiving portion 250, thereby increasing the usage cycle of the heater module 10 according to the embodiment.

[0196] That is, as described above, the heater module 10 according to one embodiment is embodied as a structure that surrounds the entire outside of the recognition terminal receiving part 250 via the module body 200, the first waterproof partition 261, the second waterproof partition 262, and the upper cover 600. As a result, the sealing force that seals the space of the recognition terminal receiving part 250 is improved, and the possibility of damage to the recognition terminal 400 due to droplets generated inside the chamber 14 can be significantly reduced.

[0197] 9 is a bottom view of a heater module according to an embodiment, showing the shape of the heater module before the PCB unit is assembled to the module body. The coupling structure between the module body 200 and the PCB unit 500 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0198] 9, the heater module 10 may include a module body 200, heater terminals 300, recognition terminals 400, and a PCB unit 500. The heater module 10 illustrated in FIG. 9 is substantially the same as or similar to the heater module 10 illustrated in FIG. 6, and therefore, a redundant description will be omitted below.

[0199] The module body 200 may have a PCB receiving groove 240 and a connecting groove 270 formed therein.

[0200] A PCB unit 500 may be inserted into the PCB receiving groove 240. For example, when the PCB unit 500 is inserted into the PCB receiving groove 240, the identification terminals 400 may be electrically connected to the PCB unit 500. That is, a side surface of the identification terminals 400 may be disposed in the PCB receiving groove 240, and thus the identification terminals 400 may be electrically connected to the PCB unit 500. In this case, the heater terminals 300 may not be in contact with the PCB unit 500 and may be spaced apart from the PCB unit 500. Furthermore, when the PCB unit 500 is separated from the PCB receiving groove 240, the PCB unit 500 may be separated from the module body 200, and thus the electrical connection between the PCB unit 500 and the identification terminals 400 may be released.

[0201] The PCB receiving groove 240 may be formed on the other side of the module body 200. For example, the PCB receiving groove 240 may also be part of a space formed inside the first module body 210 and below the second module body 220 (e.g., part in the -z direction). The PCB receiving groove 240 may be located below the heater receiving groove 230 (e.g., in the -z direction from the heater receiving groove 230). The PCB receiving groove 240 may be connected to the connecting groove 270 and the insertion groove 10h.

[0202] The PCB receiving groove 240 may include a first PCB receiving groove 241 and a second PCB receiving groove 242 .

[0203] The PCB substrate 510 of the PCB unit 500 may be inserted into the first PCB accommodating groove 241. The heater terminals 300 and the recognition terminals 400 may be arranged on one side (e.g., the side facing the -y direction) of the first PCB accommodating groove 241, and the second PCB accommodating groove 242 may be arranged on the other side (e.g., the side facing the +y direction) of the first PCB accommodating groove 241. The first PCB accommodating groove 241 may be connected to the second PCB accommodating groove 242 and the connecting groove 270. The PCB substrate 510 accommodated in the first PCB accommodating groove 241 will be described later.

[0204] The memory chip 520 of the PCB unit 500 can be inserted into the second PCB receiving groove 242. The second PCB receiving groove 242 can have a smaller size than the first PCB receiving groove 241. The memory chip 520 received in the second PCB receiving groove 242 will be described later.

[0205] The connection groove 270 is located above the insertion groove 10h (e.g., in the +z direction from the insertion groove 10h) and may be connected to the insertion groove 10h and the PCB receiving groove 240. A side surface of the heater terminal 300 is disposed in the connection groove 270, and although not shown, at least a portion of the aerosol generation device main body 30 may be inserted therein. As an example, the above-mentioned connection contact (not shown) may be disposed in the connection groove 270.

[0206] The PCB unit 500 may include a PCB substrate 510 , a memory chip 520 , and PCB contacts 530 .

[0207] The identification terminal 400 may be in contact with the PCB board 510. The PCB board 510 supports a memory chip 520 and a PCB contact portion 530, and may be accommodated in the first PCB accommodating groove 241. Thus, the PCB board 510 is connected to the identification terminal 400 and the aerosol generation device body 30, and as a result, the cartridge 20 and the aerosol generation device body 30 may be electrically connected.

[0208] The memory chip 520 is disposed on the PCB substrate 510. For example, the memory chip 520 may be disposed on one side (e.g., the side facing the +y direction) of the PCB substrate 510. The memory chip 520 is hardware that stores various data processed in the aerosol generating device 1, and may store data processed by the control unit and data to be processed. The memory chip 520 may include at least one type of recording medium selected from the group consisting of a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card-type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory chip 520 may store data such as the operating time of the aerosol generating device 1, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data related to the user's smoking pattern.

[0209] According to one embodiment, the memory chip 520 may count the number of puffs taken by a user to determine the remaining usage of the heater 100. For example, if the set service life of the heater 100 is 500 puffs, the memory chip 520 may count the number of puffs taken by a user, determine the remaining usage of the heater 100, and display the remaining usage of the heater 100 on the display of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0210] The PCB contact portion 530 is a terminal for electrically connecting the recognition terminal 400 and the aerosol generation device main body 30, and may be arranged on the PCB substrate 510. The PCB contact portion 530 may be arranged on the other side of the PCB substrate 510 (e.g., the side facing the -y direction).

[0211] In one embodiment, the PCB contact portion 530 may also be a conductive pattern printed on the PCB substrate 510. For example, the PCB contact portion 530 may be formed by printing a metal material (e.g., stainless steel) on the other side (e.g., the side facing the -y direction) of the PCB substrate 510, but is not limited thereto.

[0212] The PCB contact portion 530 may include a first PCB contact portion 531 that contacts the recognition terminal 400 and a second PCB contact portion 532 that contacts a connection contact (not shown) of the aerosol generation device 1. When the recognition terminal 400 contacts the first PCB contact portion 531, the cartridge 20 and the PCB unit 500 are electrically connected, and when the second PCB contact portion 532 contacts the connection contact (not shown), the PCB unit 500 and the aerosol generation device main body 30 are electrically connected.

[0213] The PCB contact portion 530 may include the same number of first PCB contact portions 531 as the recognition terminals 400, and the same number of second PCB contact portions 532 as the connecting contacts (not shown). Although two first PCB contact portions 531 and two second PCB contact portions 532 are illustrated in FIG. 9, the numbers of the first PCB contact portions 531 and the second PCB contact portions 532 are not limited thereto.

[0214] Hereinafter, a structure of a heater terminal 300 according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0215] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a heater module according to one embodiment.

[0216] 10, a heater module 10 according to an embodiment may include a heater 100, a module body 200, heater terminals 300, and a PCB unit 500. The heater module 10 according to an embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is substantially the same as or similar to the heater module 10 shown in FIG. 6, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0217] The heater terminal 300 may include a first heater terminal member 310, a second heater terminal member 320, and a third heater terminal member 330.

[0218] The first heater terminal member 310 may come into contact with the heater 100 accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 230. To this end, the protrusion a1 of the first heater terminal member 310 may protrude toward the heater accommodating groove 230. The first heater terminal member 310 may come into contact with the heating portion 120 of the heater 100 accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 230.

[0219] According to an embodiment, at least a portion of the first heater terminal member 310 may include a curved surface. Thus, even if the heating portion 120 of the heater 100 comes into contact with the first heater terminal member 310 while the heater 100 is being inserted into the heater receiving groove 230, the heater 100 may be smoothly inserted into the heater receiving groove 230 without being damaged.

[0220] According to one embodiment, the first heater terminal member 310 may be elastically movable and connected to the second heater terminal member 320. As a result, when the heater 100 is inserted into the heater receiving groove 230, the first heater terminal member 310 may be pushed in a direction toward the inner surface 200a of the module body 200 (e.g., the +y direction), thereby allowing the heater 100 to be easily inserted into the heater receiving groove 230.

[0221] The second heater terminal member 320 is connected to the first heater terminal member 310. The second heater terminal member 320 may be connected to each of the first heater terminal member 310 and the third heater terminal member 330 and may be located in the chamber 14 inside the module body 200. The second heater terminal member 320 may be formed in an inverted "U" shape as a whole, but may be formed in other shapes as long as it can be connected to the first heater terminal member 310.

[0222] According to an embodiment, at least a portion of the second heater terminal member 320 may include a curved surface. Thus, even if the heating portion 120 of the heater 100 comes into contact with the second heater terminal member 320 while the heater 100 is being inserted into the heater receiving groove 230, the heater 100 may be smoothly inserted into the heater receiving groove 230 without being damaged.

[0223] According to one embodiment, a portion of the second heater terminal member 320 facing the heater accommodating groove 230 may be inclined. That is, the second heater terminal member 320 may include an inclined portion inclined with respect to the direction in which the heater 100 is inserted into the heater accommodating groove 230 (i.e., the extension direction of the third heater terminal member 330—the z-axis direction in FIG. 10 ). As a result, even if the heater 100 is pushed toward a position offset from the heater accommodating groove 230 (e.g., a position offset from the heater accommodating groove 230 in the +y direction), the heater 100 may be guided toward the heater accommodating groove 230 along the inclined surface of the second heater terminal member 320. Therefore, the heater module 10 for an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment may improve ease of assembly of the heater 100 and the module body 200.

[0224] The third heater terminal member 330 may be connected to the second heater terminal member 320 and coupled to the second module body 220. For example, one side of the third heater terminal member 330 may be connected to the second heater terminal member 320, and the other side of the third heater terminal member 330 may be connected to the fourth heater terminal member 340 while being coupled to the second module body 220. Because the third heater terminal member 330 is coupled to the second module body 220, the first heater terminal member 310 and the second heater terminal member 320 may be supported by the third heater terminal member 330.

[0225] The third heater terminal member 330 may be coupled to the second module body 220 and extend upward (e.g., in the +z direction) from the upper surface of the second module body 220 at a distance from the inner surface 200a of the module body 200. As a result, a separation space 200b may be formed between the third heater terminal member 330 and the inner surface 200a of the module body 200. The separation space 200b is also a space included in the chamber 14.

[0226] According to one embodiment, the third heater terminal member 330 may be elastically movably coupled to the second module body 220. As a result, when the heater 100 is inserted into the heater receiving groove 230, the third heater terminal member 330, together with the first heater terminal member 310 and the second heater terminal member 320, is pressed into the separation space 200b, thereby allowing the heater 100 to be easily inserted into the heater receiving groove 230.

[0227] Referring to FIG. 10, the heater terminal 300 may further include a fourth heater terminal member 340 and a fifth heater terminal member 350.

[0228] The fourth heater terminal member 340 is connected to the third heater terminal member 330. The fourth heater terminal member 340 may be disposed in the second module body 220 while being connected to each of the third heater terminal member 330 and the fifth heater terminal member 350.

[0229] The fourth heater terminal member 340 may extend in a direction (e.g., the y-axis direction) transverse to the extension direction of the third heater terminal member 330. As an example, the fourth heater terminal member 340 may extend in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the third heater terminal member 330 and in a direction parallel to the extension direction of the second module body 220. This allows an empty space (e.g., the connecting groove 270) to be formed below (e.g., in the -z direction from the fourth heater terminal member 340), and one component of the aerosol generation device body 30 (e.g., a connecting contact) may be disposed in the empty space. Therefore, the heater module 10 according to one embodiment may have a structure in which the module body 200 has a space for disposing the aerosol generation device body 30.

[0230] The fifth heater terminal member 350 may be connected to the fourth heater terminal member 340 and coupled to the second module body 220. For example, one side of the fifth heater terminal member 350 may be connected to the fourth heater terminal member 340 while being disposed in the second module body 220, and the other side of the fifth heater terminal member 350 may be disposed in the connecting groove 270.

[0231] The fifth heater terminal member 350 may be coupled to the second module body 220 while being spaced apart from the PCB unit 500, and may extend downward (eg, in the −z direction) from the lower surface of the second module body 220.

[0232] In one embodiment, the first heater terminal member 310, the second heater terminal member 320, the third heater terminal member 330, the fourth heater terminal member 340, and the fifth heater terminal member 350 may be integrally formed.

[0233] 11A to 11C are views illustrating a process of inserting a heater into a heater receiving groove according to an embodiment. The heater module 10 illustrated in FIGS. 11A to 11C is substantially the same as or similar to the heater module 10 illustrated in FIG. 10, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0234] 11A, the heater 100 is not coupled to the module body 200 and begins to move toward the module body 200 for coupling. Here, due to carelessness on the part of the worker assembling the heater module 10 or a malfunction of the assembly process unit, the heater 100 may be pushed to a position displaced from the heater accommodating groove 230 toward the heater terminal 300 (e.g., in the +y direction).

[0235] 11B, the heater 100 begins to be inserted into the heater accommodating groove 230. In this case, since a portion of at least one of the first heater terminal member 310 and the second heater terminal member 320 includes a curved surface, even if the heating portion 120 of the heater 100 comes into contact with the heater terminal 300, it is not damaged and can be smoothly inserted into the heater accommodating groove 230.

[0236] In addition, during the process of inserting the heater 100 into the heater accommodating groove 230, the first through third heater terminal members 310, 320, and 330 are all pressed against the separation space 200b, allowing the heater 100 to be easily inserted into the heater accommodating groove 230. This is because the first heater terminal member 310 is connected to the second heater terminal member 320 to be elastically movable, and the third heater terminal member 330 is connected to the second module body 220 to be elastically movable.

[0237] Furthermore, even if the heater 100 is pushed toward the heater terminal 300 (e.g., in the +y direction) to a position outside the heater accommodating groove 230, the heater 100 can be guided toward the heater accommodating groove 230 (e.g., in the −y direction) along the inclined surface of the second heater terminal member 320. This is because the second heater terminal member 320 includes an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the direction in which the heater 100 is inserted into the heater accommodating groove 230.

[0238] As described above, the heater terminal 300 may have a structure that facilitates insertion of the heater 100 into the heater accommodating groove 230 and prevents damage to the heating portion 120 of the heater 100 during insertion of the heater 100 into the heater accommodating groove 230. Therefore, the heater module 10 according to one embodiment may improve ease of assembly of the heater 100 and the module main body 200.

[0239] 11C, the heater 100 is completely inserted into the heater receiving groove 230. The first through third heater terminal members 310, 320, and 330, which have moved in one direction (e.g., the +y direction) while the heater 100 is being inserted into the heater receiving groove 230, may come into contact with the heating portion 120 of the heater 100 and apply pressure to the heating portion 120 in the opposite direction (e.g., the -y direction). In this case, the first through third heater terminal members 310, 320, and 330 apply pressure to the heating portion 120 of the heater 100 with a restoring force due to their elasticity, thereby improving the contact reliability between the heating portion 120 and the heater terminals 300.

[0240] Other structures of the heater terminal 300 will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0241] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a heater module according to another embodiment.

[0242] 12, a heater module 10 according to an embodiment may include a heater 100, a module body 200, heater terminals 300, and a PCB unit 500. The heater module 10 according to an embodiment shown in Fig. 12 is substantially the same as or similar to the heater module 10 shown in Fig. 10, and therefore, the following description will focus on the differences and omit redundant description.

[0243] According to this embodiment, the first heater terminal member 310 may protrude further toward the heater receiving groove 230 than in the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0244] 12, the protrusion a1 of the first heater terminal member 310 may be located within the heater accommodating groove 230. In one embodiment, when the heater 100 is not accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 230, the protrusion a1 of the first heater terminal member 310 may be located between one side (e.g., the side in the +y direction) of the heater accommodating groove 230 and the middle portion of the heater accommodating groove 230. In another embodiment, when the heater 100 is not accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 230, the protrusion a1 of the first heater terminal member 310 may be located in the middle portion of the heater accommodating groove 230.

[0245] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the protrusion a1 of the first heater terminal member 310 may be spaced apart from the inner surface 200a of the module body 200 in the heater receiving groove 230 direction.

[0246] 12, the separation distance between the protrusion a1 of the first heater terminal member 310 and the inner surface 200a of the module body 200 may be greater than that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10. That is, the separation distance between the protrusion a1 of the first heater terminal member 310 and the third heater terminal member 330 may be greater than that in the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0247] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 12, the angle between the first heater terminal member 310 and the third heater terminal member 330 is larger than the angle between the first heater terminal member 310 and the third heater terminal member 330 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 10. For example, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 12, the angle between the first heater terminal member 310 and the third heater terminal member 330 is 60° or more.

[0248] 10, in the heater module 10 according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 12, the first heater terminal member 310 protrudes further toward the heater accommodating groove 230, and therefore can apply a greater force to the heater 100 accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 230. Therefore, the contact reliability between the heating portion 120 of the heater 100 and the first heater terminal member 310 can be further improved.

[0249] 10, the protrusion a1 of the first heater terminal member 310 is disposed closer to the heater accommodating groove 230, thereby shortening the distance between the protrusion a1 of the first heater terminal member 310 and the end a2 of the fifth heater terminal member 350 disposed below the heater accommodating groove 230 (e.g., in the −z direction from the heater accommodating groove 230). The heating unit 120 contacts the protrusion a1 of the first heater terminal member 310, and the battery of the aerosol generation device 1 can be connected to the end a2 of the fifth heater terminal member 350.

[0250] 13A to 13C are views illustrating a process of inserting a heater 100 into a heater receiving groove 230 according to another embodiment. Hereinafter, the process of inserting a heater 100 into a heater receiving groove 230 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The heater module 10 according to an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13A to 13C is substantially the same as or similar to the heater module 10 illustrated in FIG. 12, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0251] 13A, the heater 100, separated from the module body 200, begins to move toward the module body 200. Here, due to carelessness on the part of the worker assembling the heater module 10 or a malfunction of the assembly process unit, the heater 100 may be pushed out of the heater receiving groove 230 toward the heater terminal 300 (e.g., in the +y direction) and into a position away from the heater terminal 300.

[0252] 13B, the heater 100 begins to be inserted into the heater accommodating groove 230. In this case, since a portion of at least one of the first heater terminal member 310 and the second heater terminal member 320 includes a curved surface, even if the heating portion 120 of the heater 100 comes into contact with the heater terminal 300, it is not damaged and can be smoothly inserted into the heater accommodating groove 230.

[0253] In addition, during the process of inserting the heater 100 into the heater accommodating groove 230, the first through third heater terminal members 310, 320, and 330 are all pressed against the separation space 200b, allowing the heater 100 to be easily inserted into the heater accommodating groove 230. This is because the first heater terminal member 310 is connected to the second heater terminal member 320 to be elastically movable, and the third heater terminal member 330 is connected to the second module body 220 to be elastically movable.

[0254] In this case, compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the first heater terminal member 310 protrudes further toward the heater accommodating groove 230, and the first to third heater terminal members 310, 320, and 330 may come into contact with the inner surface 200a of the module body 200 as they are pressed into the separation space 200b.

[0255] Furthermore, even if the heater 100 is pushed to a position away from the heater accommodating groove 230 in the direction toward the heater terminal 300 (e.g., in the +y direction), the heater 100 can be guided toward the heater accommodating groove 230 (e.g., in the -y direction) along the inclined surface of the second heater terminal member 320. That is, the second heater terminal member 320 includes an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the direction in which the heater 100 is inserted into the heater accommodating groove 230, and therefore the heater 100 can be easily inserted into the heater accommodating groove 230.

[0256] As described above, the heater terminal 300 may have a structure that facilitates insertion of the heater 100 into the heater accommodating groove 230 and prevents damage to the heating portion 120 of the heater 100 during insertion of the heater 100 into the heater accommodating groove 230. Therefore, the heater module 10 according to one embodiment may improve ease of assembly between the heater 100 and the module body 200.

[0257] 13C, the heater 100 is completely inserted into the heater receiving groove 230. The first through third heater terminal members 310, 320, and 330, which have moved in one direction (e.g., the +y direction) while the heater 100 is being inserted into the heater receiving groove 230, may come into contact with the heating portion 120 of the heater 100 and apply pressure to the heating portion 120 in the opposite direction (e.g., the -y direction). In this case, the first through third heater terminal members 310, 320, and 330 apply pressure to the heating portion 120 of the heater 100 with a restoring force due to their elasticity, thereby improving the contact reliability between the heating portion 120 and the heater terminals 300.

[0258] 10, in the heater module 10 according to the embodiment of Fig. 13C, the first heater terminal member 310 protrudes further toward the heater accommodating groove 230, and therefore the first through third heater terminal members 310, 320, and 330 may come into contact with the inner surface 200a of the module body 200 while being pressed into the separation space 200b. As a result, the first through third heater terminal members 310, 320, and 330 may come into contact with the heating portion 120 of the heater 100 while being supported by the inner surface 200a of the module body 200, and therefore may apply a greater force to the heater 100 accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 230.

[0259] In addition, according to the heater module 10 of this embodiment, compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the first heater terminal member 310 protrudes further toward the heater accommodating groove 230, so that the heating portion 120 of the heater 100 can be pressurized with a greater elastic restoring force.

[0260] Therefore, the heater module 10 according to the embodiment may further improve the contact reliability between the heating portion 120 of the heater 100 and the first heater terminal member 310 compared to the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0261] One structure of the recognition terminal 400 will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0262] 14 is a diagram showing a shape in which recognition terminals are arranged inside a heater module according to an embodiment. The heater module 10 shown in FIG. 14 is substantially the same as or similar to the heater module 10 shown in FIG. 6, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0263] 14, the recognition terminal 400 is located in the recognition terminal receiving portion 250 inside the heater module 10 and may be electrically connected to the PCB unit 500 and the cartridge 20. The recognition terminal 400 includes a first recognition terminal 400a and a second recognition terminal 400b, and the first recognition terminal 400a and the second recognition terminal 400b may have the same or similar functions and shapes.

[0264] The recognition terminal 400 may include a recognition terminal body 410, a cartridge contact member 420, and a PCB contact member 430. The specific structure of the recognition terminal 400 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0265] FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a heater module according to one embodiment taken along line EE' of FIG.

[0266] 15, the heater module 10 may include a module body 200, a recognition terminal 400, and a PCB unit 500. The heater module 10 illustrated in FIG. 15 is substantially the same as or similar to the heater module 10 illustrated in FIG. 14, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0267] The recognition terminal receiving portion 250 formed in the module body 200 may include a first recognition terminal receiving portion 251 and a second recognition terminal receiving portion 252 .

[0268] The first recognition terminal accommodating portion 251 may accommodate at least a portion of the recognition terminal 400. In one example, the first recognition terminal accommodating portion 251 may accommodate an upper portion (e.g., a portion facing the +z direction) of the recognition terminal body 410 and the cartridge contact member 420. The first recognition terminal accommodating portion 251 is also a space formed inside the first module body 210 and above the second module body 220 (e.g., in the +z direction).

[0269] The second recognition terminal accommodating portion 252 may accommodate at least a portion of the recognition terminal 400. In one example, the second recognition terminal accommodating portion 250 may accommodate a lower portion (e.g., a portion facing the -z direction) of the recognition terminal body 410 and the PCB contact member 430. The second recognition terminal accommodating portion 250 is also a space formed inside the first module body 210 and below the second module body 220 (e.g., in the -z direction from the second module body 220), and may communicate with the PCB accommodating groove 240 in which the PCB unit 500 is accommodated.

[0270] The recognition terminal body 410 may be connected to the cartridge contact member 420 and the PCB contact member 430. One side of the recognition terminal body 410 may be electrically connected to the cartridge contact member 420 while being accommodated in the first recognition terminal accommodating portion 251, and the other side of the recognition terminal body 410 may be connected to the PCB contact member 430 while being accommodated in the second recognition terminal accommodating portion 252. That is, the recognition terminal body 410 may perform the function of connecting the cartridge contact member 420, which is connected to the cartridge 20, to the PCB contact member 430, which is connected to the PCB unit 500.

[0271] The recognition terminal body 410 may penetrate the second module body 220 while being housed in the recognition terminal housing 250. The recognition terminal body 410 may extend along the extension direction of the aerosol generation device 1 (for example, the z-axis direction).

[0272] The cartridge contact member 420 is electrically connected to the cartridge 20. The cartridge contact member 420 may be in contact with the cartridge 20 coupled to an upper portion (e.g., an end portion in the +z direction) of the module body 200. A portion of the cartridge contact member 420 may be electrically connected to the cartridge 20 while being positioned at an upper end of the first recognition terminal receiving portion 251, and another portion of the cartridge contact member 420 may be electrically connected to the recognition terminal body 410 while being positioned at a lower end of the first recognition terminal receiving portion 251. That is, the cartridge contact member 420 may perform the function of connecting the cartridge 20 to the recognition terminal body 410.

[0273] The cartridge contact member 420 may include a cartridge contact portion 421 , a terminal receiving portion 422 , and a round portion 423 .

[0274] The cartridge contact portion 421 may be coupled to the cartridge 20. The cartridge contact portion 421 may be electrically coupled to the cartridge 20 and the terminal recognition body 410 while being disposed above the terminal accommodating portion 422 (e.g., in the +z direction from the terminal accommodating portion 422).

[0275] The terminal accommodating portion 422 may be connected to the cartridge contact portion 421 and disposed so as to surround at least a portion of the recognition terminal body 410. Since the terminal accommodating portion 422 is disposed so as to surround at least a portion of the recognition terminal body 410, a first contact terminal accommodating portion 422a may be formed inside the terminal accommodating portion 422.

[0276] For example, the terminal accommodating portion 422 may be disposed to surround an upper portion (e.g., a portion facing the +z direction) of the recognition terminal body 410 accommodated in the first recognition terminal accommodating portion 251. The recognition terminal body 410 may be connected to the cartridge contact member 420 while being accommodated in the first contact terminal accommodating portion 422a.

[0277] The rounded portion 423 may be coupled to the terminal accommodating portion 422. The rounded portion 423 may be disposed to surround at least a portion of the terminal accommodating portion 422 and at least a portion of the recognition terminal body 410. The rounded portion 423 may include a curved surface bent toward the cartridge contact portion 421.

[0278] The rounded portion 423 is disposed to surround at least a portion of the terminal accommodating portion 422 and at least a portion of the recognition terminal body 410, so that a second contact terminal accommodating portion 423a may be formed inside the rounded portion 423. For example, the recognition terminal body 410 may be connected to the cartridge contact member 420 with the end portion 411 of the recognition terminal body 410 inserted into the second contact terminal accommodating portion 423a.

[0279] In one embodiment, the recognition terminal body 410, the terminal receiving portion 422, and the round portion 423 may be integrally formed.

[0280] The PCB contact member 430 is coupled to the recognition terminal body 410. The PCB contact member 430 may be brought into contact with the PCB contact portion 530 of the PCB unit 500 accommodated in the PCB accommodating groove 240. The PCB contact member 430 may be accommodated in the second recognition terminal accommodating portion 252 and may include a portion that protrudes toward the PCB contact portion 530. In one example, the PCB contact member 430 may be integrally formed with the recognition terminal body 410.

[0281] FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of a heater module according to one embodiment taken along line FF' in FIG.

[0282] 16, a heater module 10 according to an embodiment may include a module body 200 and a recognition terminal 400. The heater module 10 illustrated in FIG. 16 is substantially the same as or similar to the heater module 10 illustrated in FIG. 15, and therefore, a redundant description will be omitted below.

[0283] The recognition terminal body 410 may be connected to the cartridge contact member 420 and the PCB contact member 430. The recognition terminal body 410 may penetrate the second module body 220 while being received in the recognition terminal receiving portion 250.

[0284] The cartridge contact member 420 may include a cartridge contact portion 421 , a terminal receiving portion 422 , and a round portion 423 .

[0285] The cartridge contact portion 421 may be connected to the cartridge 20. The cartridge contact portion 421 may be electrically connected to the cartridge 20 and the recognition terminal body 410 while being disposed above the terminal accommodating portion 422 (e.g., in the +z direction from the terminal accommodating portion 422).

[0286] 16, the shape of the cartridge contact portion 421 of the first recognition terminal 400a and the shape of the cartridge contact portion 421 of the second recognition terminal 400b are partially different. For example, the cartridge contact portion 421 of the second recognition terminal 400b may extend in one direction (e.g., the z-axis direction), while the cartridge contact portion 421 of the first recognition terminal 400a may include a portion extending in another direction (e.g., the x-axis direction) that intersects the one direction.

[0287] Except for these partial differences in shape, the first recognition terminal 400a and the second recognition terminal 400b may be implemented in the same manner.

[0288] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

[0289] The aerosol generating device 1 may include a control unit 1000, a sensing unit 2000, an output unit 3000, a battery 4000, a heater 5000, a user input unit 6000, a memory 7000, and a communication unit 8000. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 17. That is, a person skilled in the art related to this embodiment would understand that some of the components shown in Fig. 17 may be omitted or new components may be added depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0290] The sensing unit 2000 may sense the state of the aerosol generating device 1 or the state around the aerosol generating device 1, and transmit the sensed information to the control unit 1000. Based on the sensed information, the control unit 1000 may control the aerosol generating device 1 to perform various functions, such as controlling the operation of the heater 5000, restricting smoking, determining whether an aerosol product (e.g., cigarette, cartridge, etc.) is inserted, and displaying notifications.

[0291] The sensing unit 2000 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 2100, an insertion detection sensor 2200, and a puff sensor 2300, but is not limited thereto.

[0292] The temperature sensor 2100 may sense the temperature to which the heater 5000 (or the aerosol-generating substance) is heated. The aerosol-generating device 1 may include a separate temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the heater 5000, or the heater 5000 itself may function as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 2100 may be disposed around the battery 4000 to monitor the temperature of the battery 4000.

[0293] The insertion detection sensor 2200 may detect the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol product product. For example, the insertion detection sensor 2200 may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and may detect a change in signal due to the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol product product.

[0294] The puff sensor 2300 may sense a user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or channel, such as a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, or a pressure change.

[0295] The sensing unit 2000 may further include at least one of a temperature / humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., GPS), a proximity sensor, and an RGB (illuminance) sensor in addition to the above-described sensors (temperature sensor 2100, insertion sensor 2200, and puff sensor 2300). The function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred by a person skilled in the art from its name, and therefore detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0296] The output unit 3000 may output and provide to a user information related to the status of the aerosol generating device 1. The output unit 3000 may include, but is not limited to, at least one of a display unit 3100, a haptic unit 3200, and an audio output unit 3300. When the display unit 3100 and the touchpad have a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 3100 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0297] The display unit 3100 may visually provide a user with information related to the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the information related to the aerosol generating device 1 may include various information such as the charge / discharge status of the battery 4000 of the aerosol generating device 1, the preheating status of the heater 5000, the insertion / removal status of an aerosol generating product, or a status in which use of the aerosol generating device 1 is restricted (e.g., abnormal item detection), and the display unit 3100 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 3100 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting display panel (OLED), etc. The display unit 3100 may also be in the form of an LED light emitting element.

[0298] The haptic unit 3200 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical or electrical stimulus to provide a user with tactile information related to the aerosol generation device 1. For example, the haptic unit 3200 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0299] The acoustic output unit 3300 can audibly provide the user with information related to the aerosol generation device 1. For example, the acoustic output unit 3300 can convert an electric signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

[0300] The battery 4000 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generation device 1. The battery 4000 may supply power to heat the heater 5000. The battery 4000 may also supply power necessary for the operation of other components provided in the aerosol generation device 1 (e.g., the sensing unit 2000, the output unit 3000, the user input unit 6000, the memory 7000, and the communication unit 8000). The battery 4000 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 4000 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0301] The heater 5000 may heat the aerosol-generating material by receiving power from the battery 4000. Although not shown in Fig. 17, the aerosol generation device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC / DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 4000 and supplies it to the heater 5000. Furthermore, when the aerosol generation device 1 generates aerosol by an induction heating method, the aerosol generation device 1 may further include a DC / AC converter that converts the DC power of the battery 4000 into AC power.

[0302] The control unit 1000, the sensing unit 2000, the output unit 3000, the user input unit 6000, the memory 7000, and the communication unit 8000 may perform their functions by receiving power from the battery 4000. Although not shown in FIG. 17 , the device may further include a power conversion circuit, for example, an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, that converts the power of the battery 4000 and supplies it to each component.

[0303] In one embodiment, the heater 5000 may be made of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials may be metals or metal alloys including, but not limited to, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. The heater 5000 may also be embodied by, but not limited to, a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate with a conductive track disposed thereon, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0304] In other embodiments, heater 5000 is an induction heater. For example, heater 5000 may include a susceptor that generates heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil to heat the aerosol-generating material.

[0305] The user input unit 6000 may receive information input by a user or output information to a user. For example, the user input unit 6000 may include, but is not limited to, a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad (touch-type capacitance type, pressure-type resistive film type, infrared sensing type, surface ultrasonic conduction type, integral tension measurement type, piezoelectric effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. Although not shown in FIG. 17 , the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, through which the aerosol generating device 1 can connect to other external devices to send and receive information or charge the battery 4000.

[0306] The memory 7000 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generation device 1 and may store data that has been processed by the control unit 1000 and data to be processed by the control unit 1000. The memory 7000 may include at least one type of recording medium selected from the group consisting of a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card-type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory 7000 may store data related to the operation time of the aerosol generation device 1, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

[0307] The communication unit 8000 may include at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 8000 may include a short-range communication unit 8100 and a wireless communication unit 8200.

[0308] The short-range wireless communication unit 8100 may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an IrDA (infrared Data Association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, a UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, etc.

[0309] The wireless communication unit 8200 may include, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN) communication unit, etc. The wireless communication unit 8200 may identify and authenticate the aerosol generation device 1 within the communication network using subscriber information (e.g., an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)).

[0310] The control unit 1000 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. In one embodiment, the control unit 1000 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a number of logic gates, and may be implemented by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that can be executed by the microprocessor. Those skilled in the art will understand that the processor may also be implemented by other forms of hardware.

[0311] The control unit 1000 can control the temperature of the heater 5000 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 4000 to the heater 5000. For example, the control unit 1000 can control the power supply by controlling the switching of switching elements between the battery 4000 and the heater 5000. As another example, a heating direct circuit can control the power supply to the heater 5000 in response to a control command from the control unit 1000.

[0312] The control unit 1000 may analyze the results sensed by the sensing unit 2000 and control subsequent processing. For example, the control unit 1000 may control the power supplied to the heater 5000 to start or stop operation of the heater 5000 based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 2000. As another example, the control unit 1000 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 5000 and the time for which the power is supplied based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 2000 to heat the heater 5000 to a predetermined temperature or maintain an appropriate temperature.

[0313] The control unit 1000 may control the output unit 3000 based on the result sensed by the sensing unit 2000. For example, when the number of puffs counted by the puff sensor 2300 reaches a preset number, the control unit 1000 may notify the user through at least one of the display unit 3100, the haptic unit 3200, and the audio output unit 3300 that the aerosol generating device 1 will soon be shut down.

[0314] An embodiment may also be embodied in the form of a recording medium containing computer-executable instructions, such as a program module executed by a computer. Computer-readable media are any available media that can be accessed by a computer, including both volatile and nonvolatile media, and both separate and non-separate media. Computer-readable media may also include both computer recording media and communication media. Computer recording media include both volatile and non-volatile, separate and non-separate media embodied in any method or technology for storing information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically include computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in a modulated data signal, such as a program module, or other transmission mechanism, and include any information delivery media.

[0315] The above description of the embodiment is merely an example, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the invention should be determined by the claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to the contents of the claims should be construed as being included in the scope of protection determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A heater module for an aerosol generating device, a module body including a heater receiving groove for receiving a heater configured to be detachably coupled to a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material, and a PCB receiving groove for receiving a PCB unit electrically connected to the aerosol generating device; a heater terminal disposed on the module body, electrically connected to the heater, and configured to supply power to the heater from a battery included in the aerosol generating device; a recognition terminal disposed in the module body and spaced apart from the heater terminal, the recognition terminal being configured to be electrically connected to the PCB unit and the cartridge; A heater module for an aerosol generating device, wherein at least one of the heater terminal or the recognition terminal is inserted into the module body by insert injection.

2. The module body includes: a recognition terminal accommodating portion for accommodating the recognition terminal; The heater module for an aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a waterproof partition wall separating the heater accommodating groove and the recognition terminal accommodating portion.

3. a portion of the heater terminal is disposed on a chamber where an aerosol is generated and connected to the heater receiving groove, and is electrically connected to the heater; The heater module for an aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the other portion of the heater terminal penetrates the module body and is electrically connected to the battery.

4. The heater terminal is a first heater terminal member that contacts the heater; a second heater terminal member connected to the first heater terminal member; 2. The heater module for an aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising: a third heater terminal member connected to the second heater terminal member and coupled to the module body.

5. The heater module for an aerosol generating device according to claim 4 , wherein a portion of at least one of the first heater terminal member and the second heater terminal member includes a curved surface.

6. 5. The heater module for an aerosol generating device according to claim 4, wherein the first heater terminal member is connected to the second heater terminal member so as to be elastically movable.

7. The heater module for an aerosol generating device according to claim 4 , wherein a portion of the second heater terminal member facing the heater accommodating groove is inclined with respect to a direction in which the third heater terminal member extends.

8. The heater module for an aerosol generating device according to claim 4 , wherein the third heater terminal member is arranged so as to be spaced apart from the inner surface of the module body.

9. The heater terminal is 5. The heater module for an aerosol generating device according to claim 4, further comprising a fourth heater terminal member connected to the third heater terminal member and extending in a direction transverse to the extension direction of the third heater terminal member.

10. The heater module for an aerosol generating device according to claim 4 , wherein the first heater terminal member protrudes into the heater accommodating groove.

11. The recognition terminal is a cartridge contact member configured to contact the cartridge when the heater module is coupled to the cartridge; a recognition terminal body configured to be coupled to the cartridge contact member when the heater module is coupled to the cartridge; The heater module for an aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , comprising: the recognition terminal body; and a PCB contact member connected to the PCB unit.

12. The heater module for an aerosol generating device according to claim 11 , wherein the cartridge contact member is arranged to surround a portion of the recognition terminal body.

13. The heater module for an aerosol generating device according to claim 11 , wherein the PCB contact member includes a portion that protrudes toward the PCB unit.

14. the PCB unit includes a PCB substrate to which the recognition terminals are contacted, and a memory chip disposed on the PCB substrate; The heater module for an aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the PCB accommodating groove includes a first accommodating groove that accommodates the PCB substrate and a second accommodating groove that accommodates the memory chip.

15. The heater module of claim 1; the cartridge coupled to one side of the heater module and having a reservoir for containing the aerosol generating material; an aerosol generation device body coupled to the other side of the heater module and having the battery configured to transfer power to the heater.

Images