HEATER ASSEMBLY AND AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME

Abstract

The heater assembly may include a chamber including an air inlet, a liquid inlet, and an air outlet, a wick that absorbs aerosol-generating material flowing in from outside the heater assembly through the liquid inlet and has a first surface, a second surface, and a side surface surrounding the space between the first surface and the second surface, a heater arranged on the side surface of the wick for heating the aerosol-generating material absorbed in the wick, and a guide structure that guides external air flowing into the chamber through the air inlet in a direction toward the heater.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heater assembly that increases the amount of aerosol generated from a heater by moving air introduced from the outside in a direction toward the heater, 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 generate aerosol from a liquid aerosol generating material have the advantages of being smaller in size, more portable, and not producing smoking by-products compared to aerosol generating devices that use solid aerosol generating materials, and interest in aerosol generating devices that generate aerosol using a liquid aerosol generating material is gradually increasing. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol from a liquid aerosol generating material, the aerosol can be generated by mixing the vapor generated by heating the liquid aerosol generating material with air flowing into the aerosol generating device.

[0005] In this aerosol generation method, if a sufficient amount of air is not supplied to the heater that heats the aerosol-generating material, the amount of aerosol generated by the aerosol generator may decrease. For example, if some of the air introduced into the aerosol generator does not reach the heater, the amount of air supplied to the heater decreases, resulting in a decrease in the amount of aerosol generated.

[0006] If the amount of aerosol generated decreases, the user's smoking sensation will decrease, so an aerosol generating device that generates aerosol from a liquid aerosol generating material requires an airflow passage structure that moves the air flowing into the aerosol generating device in a direction toward the heater.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention provides a heater assembly including a guide structure for guiding air to move in a direction toward the heater, and an aerosol generating device including the same, and aims to increase the amount of aerosol generated by supplying a sufficient amount of air to the heater, thereby improving the user's smoking experience.

[0008] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0009] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of embodiments of the invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A heater assembly according to one embodiment may include a chamber including an air inlet through which external air flows in, a liquid inlet through which an aerosol-generating material flows in, and an air outlet through which air inside the heater assembly is discharged to the outside; a wick disposed inside the chamber, absorbing the aerosol-generating material flowing in from outside the heater assembly through the liquid inlet, and including a first surface facing the liquid inlet, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, and a side surface surrounding the space between the first surface and the second surface; a heater disposed on the side of the wick for heating the aerosol-generating material absorbed in the wick; and a guide structure disposed inside the chamber opposite the heater, guiding the external air flowing into the chamber through the air inlet to move in a direction toward the heater.

[0011] According to one embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes a cartridge including a storage tank in which an aerosol generating material is stored; a heater assembly that is detachably connected to a region of the cartridge and heats the aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge to generate an aerosol; and a main body that is detachably connected to a region of the heater assembly and includes a battery for supplying power to the heater assembly. The heater assembly may include: a chamber including an air inlet through which external air flows in, a liquid inlet through which the aerosol generating material flows from the cartridge, and an air outlet through which air inside the heater assembly is discharged to the cartridge; a wick disposed inside the chamber and absorbing the aerosol generating material flowing in from the cartridge through the liquid inlet, the wick including a first surface facing the liquid inlet, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, and a side surface surrounding the space between the first surface and the second surface; a heater disposed on a side of the wick and for heating the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick; and a guide structure disposed inside the chamber facing the heater and guiding external air flowing into the chamber through the air inlet in a direction toward the heater. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The heater assembly and the aerosol generating device including the heater assembly according to various embodiments of the present invention can increase the amount of aerosol generated, thereby improving the user's smoking experience.

[0013] In addition, the heater assembly and the aerosol generating device including the same according to various embodiments of the present invention can prevent leakage caused by liquefied aerosol, thereby preventing malfunction or damage to the aerosol generating device due to leakage.

[0014] The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and unmentioned effects 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.

[0015] The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages of particular embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, which corresponds to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a heater assembly of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the heater assembly of FIG. 3 taken along the line AA'. FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of FIG. 3 taken along the line BB'. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram illustrating the direction of air flow in a heater assembly without a guide structure; [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram illustrating a flow direction of air in a guide structure in a heater assembly according to an embodiment; [Figure 8] 10 is a view illustrating a flow direction of air in a guide structure in a heater assembly according to another embodiment; [Figure 9]1 is a diagram illustrating a process in which a liquefied aerosol in a chamber of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment is absorbed into a wick. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to yet another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] 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 must be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of the present invention, rather than simply the names of the terms.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] The aerosol generating device includes a heater. In one embodiment, the heater is an electrically resistive heater. For example, the heater may include a conductive track, and when an electric current is passed through the conductive track, the heater may be heated.

[0022] The heater may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the interior or exterior of the cigarette depending on the shape of the heating element.

[0023] Cigarettes include tobacco rods and filter rods. Tobacco rods can be made in sheet or strand form, and tobacco sheets can be made from finely chopped tobacco. The tobacco rod is surrounded by a thermally conductive material. For example, the thermally conductive material can be a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but is not limited to this.

[0024] 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.

[0025] In other embodiments, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol using a cartridge that holds an aerosol generating substance.

[0026] The aerosol generating device includes a cartridge that holds an aerosol generating material and a body that supports the cartridge. The cartridge is detachably connected to the body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be formed integrally with the body or assembled and fixed so that it cannot be removed by a user. The cartridge may be attached to the body with the aerosol generating material stored therein. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and the aerosol generating material may be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is connected to the body.

[0027] The cartridge holds an aerosol-forming material in any one of a variety of states, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gas state, or a gel state. The aerosol-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.

[0028] The cartridge is activated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body, and functions to convert the phase of the aerosol-generating material inside the cartridge into a gas phase to generate an aerosol. The aerosol refers to a gas in which vaporized particles generated from the aerosol-generating material are mixed with air.

[0029] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device heats a liquid composition to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol can be delivered 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 deliver the aerosol through the cigarette to the user.

[0030] 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 refers to a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing an aerosol generating material using ultrasonic vibrations generated by a vibrator.

[0031] The aerosol generating device includes a vibrator that generates short-period vibrations to atomize the aerosol generating material. The vibrations generated by the vibrator are ultrasonic vibrations, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibrations is about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

[0032] The aerosol generating device may further include a wick that absorbs the aerosol-generating substance, for example, the wick being positioned to surround or contact at least a region of the transducer.

[0033] 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 are transferred to the aerosol-forming substance absorbed in the wick. The aerosol-forming substance absorbed in the wick is converted into a gas phase by the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations transferred from the vibrator, resulting in the generation of an aerosol.

[0034] 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 broken down into fine particles by ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator, thereby generating an aerosol, but this is not limited to this.

[0035] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol product contained in the aerosol generating device by induction heating.

[0036] The aerosol generating device includes a susceptor and a coil. In one embodiment, the coil can apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. When power is supplied from the aerosol generating device to the coil, a magnetic field is formed inside the coil. In one embodiment, the susceptor is a magnetic material that generates heat when an external magnetic field is applied. The susceptor is located inside the coil, and generates heat when a magnetic field is applied, thereby heating the aerosol product. Alternatively, the susceptor can be located inside the aerosol product.

[0037] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a cradle.

[0038] The aerosol generating device may be configured as a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may charge a battery of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the heater may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device are coupled together.

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. The present invention 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.

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 1000 according to one embodiment may include a cartridge 100, a heater assembly 200, and a main body 300.

[0043] An aerosol-generating substance is stored inside the cartridge 100, and the aerosol-generating substance stored in the cartridge 100 can be supplied to a heater assembly 200 arranged at the lower end of the cartridge 100 (e.g., in the -z direction in Figure 1).

[0044] The heater assembly 200 is located between the cartridge 100 and the main body 300 and can generate an aerosol by converting the phase of the aerosol-generating material into a gas phase. For example, the heater assembly 200 heats the aerosol-generating material supplied from the cartridge 100 to generate vapor from the aerosol-generating material, and the vapor generated from the aerosol-generating material is mixed with external air flowing into the heater assembly 200 to generate an aerosol. In the present invention, the term "aerosol" refers to particles generated when the vapor generated by heating the aerosol-generating material is mixed with air, and this term will be used in the following description with the same meaning.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the cartridge 100 may include a mouthpiece 100m for supplying aerosol to a user. For example, when the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are coupled, the mouthpiece 100m may connect the interior of the heater assembly 200 to the exterior of the aerosol generating device 1000, and the aerosol generated inside the heater assembly 200 may be discharged to the exterior of the aerosol generating device 1000 through the mouthpiece 100m. In this case, the user may inhale the aerosol discharged to the exterior of the aerosol generating device 1000 by contacting their mouth with the mouthpiece 100m.

[0046] The main body 300 is located at the lower end of the heater assembly 200 (e.g., in the −z direction in FIG. 1 ) and can support the heater assembly 200. Components for operating the aerosol generation device 1000 can be disposed inside the main body 300. For example, a battery (not shown) for supplying power to the components of the aerosol generation device 1000 and a processor (not shown) for controlling the overall operation of the aerosol generation device 1000 can be disposed inside the main body 300. However, the battery and the processor are merely examples of components that can be disposed inside the main body 300, and other components (e.g., a user interface, a sensor, etc.) in addition to the above-mentioned components can also be disposed inside the main body 300.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1000 may further include a cover 310 for protecting the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 .

[0048] The cover 310 is arranged to surround at least a region of the cartridge 100, the heater assembly 200, and the main body 300, and can fix the positions of the cartridge 100, the heater assembly 200, and the main body 300 and protect the cartridge 100, the heater assembly 200, and the main body 300 from external impact or the intrusion of foreign matter.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the cover 310 may be, but is not limited to, integrally formed with the main body 300. In another embodiment, the cover 310 may be detachably coupled to the main body 300.

[0050] The coupling relationship between the cartridge 100, the heater assembly 200, and the main body 300 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0051] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG.

[0052] 2, an aerosol generating device 1000 according to an embodiment may include a cartridge 100, a heater assembly 200, a main body 300, and a cover 310. The components of the aerosol generating device 1000 are the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 shown in FIG. 1, and therefore, a redundant description will be omitted below. Furthermore, the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 are not limited thereto, and at least one of the above-described components (e.g., the cover 310) may be omitted or other components may be added depending on the embodiment.

[0053] The cartridge 100 may include a storage reservoir 110 in which the aerosol-generating substance is stored and a mouthpiece 100m for delivering the aerosol generated by the heater assembly 200 to a user.

[0054] When the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are combined, the storage tank 110 is connected or fluidly connected to the internal space of the heater assembly 200, so that the aerosol-generating material stored in the storage tank 110 can flow into the internal space of the heater assembly 200.

[0055] In this case, the aerosol-forming material stored in the storage tank 110 may include a tobacco-containing substance containing a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid composition containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0056] 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 flavoring ingredients. The flavoring may include ingredients that can provide the user with a variety of flavors or tastes. 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.

[0057] For example, the liquid composition may include a glycerin and propylene glycol solution in any weight ratio to which a nicotine salt has been added. The liquid composition may include two or more nicotine salts. The nicotine salt may be formed by adding a suitable acid, including an organic acid or an inorganic acid, to nicotine. The nicotine may be naturally occurring or synthetic nicotine and may have any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

[0058] 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 1000, 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.

[0059] The heater assembly 200 is detachably coupled to a lower end surface of the cartridge 100 (e.g., a surface facing the -z direction in FIG. 2 ) and can generate aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating material supplied from the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100. For example, the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are detachably coupled in such a manner that a first coupling member (not shown) disposed in a region of the heater assembly 200 facing the cartridge 100 is coupled to or separated from a second coupling member (not shown) disposed on the lower end surface of the cartridge 100, but the coupling method is not limited thereto.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the heater assembly 200 may include a liquid inlet 201 for introducing an aerosol-generating substance into the heater assembly 200, an air inlet 202 for introducing external air into the heater assembly 200, and an air outlet 203 for discharging the aerosol and / or air generated inside the heater assembly 200 to the outside.

[0061] The aerosol-generating material stored in the storage tank 110 of the cartridge 100 flows into the heater assembly 200 through the liquid inlet 201, and a heater (not shown) arranged inside the heater assembly 200 can heat the aerosol-generating material supplied from the storage tank 110.

[0062] External air flows into the heater assembly 200 through the air inlet 202, and inside the heater assembly 200, the vapor generated by heating the aerosol-generating material is mixed with the external air to generate an aerosol.

[0063] The aerosol generated inside the heater assembly 200 may move from the heater assembly 200 toward the cartridge 100 through the air outlet 203 connecting the heater assembly 200 and the cartridge 100, and then be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1000 through the mouthpiece 100m. For example, when a user inhales into the mouthpiece 100m, the pressure inside the cartridge 100 decreases, causing the air and / or aerosol inside the heater assembly 200 to move from the heater assembly 200 toward the mouthpiece 100m of the cartridge 100, and the user may inhale the air and / or aerosol discharged through the mouthpiece 100m.

[0064] The main body 300 may be detachably coupled to a lower surface (e.g., a surface facing the -z direction in FIG. 2) of the heater assembly 200 to support the heater assembly 200. For example, the main body 300 may be detachably coupled to the heater assembly 200 in such a manner that at least one region of the main body 300 is inserted into an insertion groove (not shown) formed in the lower surface of the heater assembly 200 or separated from the insertion groove, but the coupling method between the heater assembly 200 and the main body 300 is not limited thereto.

[0065] According to one embodiment, components for operation of the aerosol generating device 1000 may be arranged inside the main body 300. For example, a battery (not shown) for power supply and a processor (not shown) for controlling the operation of the aerosol generating device 1000 may be arranged inside the main body 300.

[0066] The battery can supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1000. For example, the battery can be electrically connected to the heater assembly 200 and supply power to heat the heater of the heater assembly 200. As another example, the battery can also supply power necessary for the operation of other components of the aerosol generating device 1000 (e.g., a processor, etc.).

[0067] The processor can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1000. The processor may also be embodied by an array of multiple logic gates, and may be embodied by, but is not limited to, a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executed by the microprocessor is stored.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the processor may control the power supplied from the battery to the heater of the heater assembly 200. For example, the processor may control the amount of power supplied from the battery to the heater and the time for which power is supplied so that the heater of the heater assembly 200 heats up to or maintains a specified temperature.

[0069] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1000 allows replacement of the cartridge 100 and / or the heater assembly 200 through a structure in which the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 200 are detachably connected and the heater assembly 200 and the main body 300 are detachably connected.

[0070] As one example, if the aerosol-generating material stored in reservoir 110 of cartridge 100 is depleted, the user may replace the existing cartridge 100 with a new cartridge 100 to continue smoking. As another example, if the performance of a component (e.g., heater or wick) of heater assembly 200 deteriorates such that a sufficient amount of aerosol is not being generated, the user may replace the existing heater assembly 200 with a new heater assembly 200 to generate a sufficient amount of aerosol.

[0071] The components of heater assembly 200 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0072] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a heater assembly of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. The heater assembly 200 shown in Fig. 3 is one embodiment of the heater assembly 200 of the aerosol generating device 1000 of Figs. 1 and 2, and a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 3, a heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment may include a liquid inlet 201, an air inlet 202, and an air outlet 203.

[0074] Liquid inlet 201 is arranged to connect or communicate between the interior of a cartridge (e.g., cartridge 100 of FIG. 1 or 2) and the interior of heater assembly 200 when the cartridge and heater assembly 200 are coupled together, and an aerosol-generating material supplied from the cartridge may pass through liquid inlet 201 and flow into heater assembly 200. For example, liquid inlet 201 may be arranged in a region of heater assembly 200 that is coupled to the cartridge, and an aerosol-generating material stored in a reservoir of the cartridge may pass through liquid inlet 201 and flow into heater assembly 200. In the present invention, the expression "arranged to be connected or communicated" means that components are connected and arranged so that a fluid (e.g., air) can flow through them, and this expression may be used with the same meaning hereinafter.

[0075] The air inlet 202 is arranged to connect or communicate the inside and outside of the heater assembly 200, and air outside the heater assembly 200 (hereinafter referred to as "external air") may be introduced into the inside of the heater assembly 200 through the air inlet 202. For example, the air inlet 202 may be arranged in another region of the heater assembly 200 (e.g., a side surface of the heater assembly 200) separated from the liquid inlet 201, and the external air may be introduced into the inside of the heater assembly 200 through the air inlet 202.

[0076] The external air flowing into the heater assembly 200 moves or flows along an air flow passage (not shown) arranged inside the heater assembly 200 to a chamber (not shown) where the aerosol is generated, which will be described in detail later.

[0077] The air outlet 203 is arranged to connect or communicate the inside and outside of the heater assembly 200, and aerosol and / or air generated inside the heater assembly 200 may be discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 200 or to the cartridge through the air outlet 203. For example, the air outlet 203 may be arranged in an area of ​​the heater assembly 200 that is connected to the cartridge, spaced apart from the liquid inlet 201, and aerosol and / or air inside the heater assembly 200 may be discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 200 through the air outlet 203.

[0078] When the cartridge and heater assembly 200 are connected, the aerosol and / or air discharged to the outside of the heater assembly 200 through the air outlet 203 can move inside the cartridge and then be discharged to the outside of the cartridge through a mouthpiece (e.g., mouthpiece 100m in Figure 1 or Figure 2) by the user's inhalation.

[0079] The heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment may further include a recognition terminal 210 for recognizing whether the heater assembly 200 is coupled to a cartridge. The recognition terminal 210 is electrically connected to a processor of the main body (e.g., the main body 300 in FIG. 1 or 2 ) and can contact a region of the cartridge when the cartridge and the heater assembly 200 are coupled to each other.

[0080] When the recognition terminal 210 comes into contact with the cartridge, it generates a signal indicating contact with the cartridge, and the generated signal may be transmitted to a processor electrically connected thereto. The processor may detect whether the cartridge and the heater assembly 200 are coupled together based on the signal transmitted from the recognition terminal 210. For example, the processor may determine that the cartridge and the heater assembly 200 are coupled together when a signal is transmitted from the recognition terminal 210, and may determine that the cartridge and the heater assembly 200 are separated from each other when the signal transmission from the recognition terminal 210 is interrupted.

[0081] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line AA' of the heater assembly of Figure 3. The black arrows in Figure 4 represent the direction of air (or "external air") movement.

[0082] 4, heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment may include a liquid inlet 201, an air inlet 202, an air outlet 203, a recognition terminal 210, a chamber 220 (or "aerosol generation chamber"), a wick 230, a heater 240, an airflow passage 250, and a guide structure 260. At least one of the components of heater assembly 200 is the same as or similar to at least one of the components of heater assembly 200 shown in FIG. 3, and therefore, a repeated description will be omitted below.

[0083] The chamber 220 is formed in the internal space of the heater assembly 200, and in the chamber 220, the aerosol-generating material flowing from the storage tank of the cartridge (e.g., the storage tank 110 in FIG. 2) can be heated to generate an aerosol.

[0084] According to one embodiment, chamber 220 is in fluid communication or fluid connection with the cartridge's reservoir through liquid inlet 201, and the aerosol-generating material stored in the cartridge's reservoir can flow into chamber 220 through liquid inlet 201. In the present invention, "fluid communication" or "fluid connection" means that different components are connected to each other so that a fluid (e.g., air) can flow through them, and this expression may be used with the same meaning hereinafter.

[0085] Wick 230 is positioned in an area adjacent to liquid inlet 201 inside chamber 220 and can absorb the aerosol-generating substance that flows into chamber 220 through liquid inlet 201. For example, at least a portion of wick 230 is positioned opposite liquid inlet 201 and can absorb the aerosol-generating substance that flows into chamber 220 through liquid inlet 201.

[0086] According to one embodiment, wick 230 may include ceramic fiber or porous ceramic for absorbing the aerosol-generating substance. In other words, wick 230 may also be a ceramic wick. However, wick 230 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and depending on the embodiment, wick 230 may be formed of other materials (e.g., cotton or glass).

[0087] According to an embodiment, the heater assembly 200 may further include a support member 221 disposed inside the chamber 220. The support member 221 may be disposed inside the chamber 220 and may fix the position of the wick 230 inside the chamber 220. Since the wick 230 is fixed inside the chamber 220 by the support member 221, the wick 230 can stably absorb the aerosol-generating material even when the heater assembly 200 is tilted or shaken during use of the aerosol generating device.

[0088] Heater 240 is disposed on one side of wick 230 (e.g., the side facing the +y direction) and can heat the aerosol-generating substance absorbed in wick 230. For example, heater 240 can heat the aerosol-generating substance absorbed in wick 230 using power supplied from a battery in the main body (e.g., main body 300 in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2).

[0089] Heater 240 may include a metallic material that generates heat through electrical resistance. For example, heater 240 may include stainless steel to prevent corrosion by the aerosol-generating substance absorbed in wick 230, but the metallic material of heater 240 is not limited thereto. As another example, heater 240 may include a metallic material such as copper, nickel, or tungsten.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the heater 240 may include a conductive pattern printed on one side of the core 230. For example, the heater 240 may be formed by printing a metal material (e.g., stainless steel) in a predetermined pattern shape on the side of the core 230 facing the +y direction, but is not limited to this.

[0091] According to another embodiment, the heater 240 may include a conductive pattern that is insert-injected onto one side of the core 230. For example, the heater 240 may be formed by insert-injecting a metal material (e.g., stainless steel) into a predetermined pattern shape onto the side of the core 230 facing the +y direction, but the method of forming the heater 240 or the shape of the heater 240 are not limited to the above-described embodiment. According to yet another embodiment (not shown), the heater 240 may include a conductive plate disposed on one side of the core 230.

[0092] By disposing heater 240 on the side of wick 230, vapor may be generated by heating the aerosol-generating material in a region of chamber 220 adjacent to the side of wick 230. The vapor generated from the aerosol-generating material may be mixed with external air flowing into chamber 220 through air inlet 202.

[0093] In this case, external air may be introduced into the heater assembly 200 through the air inlet 202, and then flow along the air flow passage 250 to move into the chamber 220. The air flow passage 250 connects the air inlet 202 and the air outlet 203, and may form a flow path through which the external air and / or aerosol moves.

[0094] According to one embodiment, one region of the air flow passage 250 is formed inside the heater assembly 200 by extending along the edge of the heater assembly 200, and external air flowing into the heater assembly 200 through the air inlet 202 can reach the inside of the chamber 220 along the one region of the air flow passage 250 that extends along the edge of the heater assembly 200.

[0095] The vapor generated by heating the aerosol-generating material by heater 240 mixes with external air flowing into chamber 220 along airflow passage 250, resulting in aerosol generation in a region adjacent to the side of wick 230 of chamber 220. The generated aerosol and / or external air may be discharged to the outside of heater assembly 200 through air outlet 203.

[0096] The guide structure 260 is disposed inside the chamber 220 facing the side of the wick 230 on which the heater 240 is disposed, and guides the external air introduced into the chamber 220 to move in a direction toward the heater 240. For example, the guide structure 260 may include a portion that protrudes in a direction toward the heater 240, thereby guiding the external air introduced through the air inlet 202 to move in a direction toward the heater 240.

[0097] Because aerosol is generated by mixing vapor generated from the aerosol-generating material with external air, if the amount of external air supplied to heater 240 is insufficient, the amount of aerosol generated (or "atomization amount") decreases, resulting in a worsening of the user's smoking sensation. In the present invention, "smoking sensation" refers to the sensation a user feels when smoking, and the smoking sensation changes as the amount, flavor, etc. of aerosol supplied to the user is changed.

[0098] When the external air flowing into the heater assembly 200 through the air inlet 202 moves in a direction away from the heater 240, the amount of external air supplied to the heater 240 decreases, and the amount of aerosol generated decreases.

[0099] In one embodiment, the heater assembly 200 moves external air flowing into the heater assembly 200 through the guide structure 260 toward the heater 240, thereby increasing the amount of external air supplied to the heater 240 and increasing the amount of aerosol generated, thereby providing the user with an improved smoking experience.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the heater assembly 200 may include an insertion groove 200h into which at least a portion of a body (eg, body 300 of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2) is inserted.

[0101] The insertion groove 200h is formed in a region (e.g., a region facing the -z direction) of the heater assembly 200 that is to be coupled to the main body, and when the heater assembly 200 and the main body are coupled to each other, at least a portion of the main body may be inserted into the heater assembly 200, thereby coupling the heater assembly 200 to the main body. For example, the heater assembly 200 and the main body may be coupled to each other by fitting or interference-fitting at least a portion of the main body into the insertion groove 200h of the heater assembly 200, but the coupling method is not limited thereto.

[0102] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of FIG. 3 taken along the line BB'.

[0103] 5, a heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment may include a chamber 220, a wick 230, a heater 240, an airflow passage 250, a guide structure 260, and an electrical connection member 270. The heater assembly 200 according to an embodiment is substantially the same as or similar to the heater assembly 200 shown in FIG. 4, and therefore, a repeated description will be omitted below.

[0104] Inside the chamber 220 of the heater assembly 200, a wick 230 for absorbing an aerosol-generating substance supplied from a cartridge (e.g., cartridge 100 of Figure 1 or Figure 2) and a heater 240 for heating the aerosol-generating substance absorbed in the wick 230 may be disposed.

[0105] The wick 230 has at least one region positioned opposite the liquid inlet 201 and is capable of absorbing the aerosol-forming substance that flows into the chamber 220 through the liquid inlet 201 .

[0106] According to one embodiment, the wick 230 may include a first surface 231 (or "top surface") facing the liquid inlet 201, a second surface 232 (or "bottom surface") located opposite the first surface 231, and a side surface 233 surrounding the space between the first surface 231 and the second surface 232.

[0107] When the heater assembly 200 and the cartridge are connected, the first surface 231 of the wick 230 is positioned opposite the storage tank of the cartridge (e.g., storage tank 110 in Figure 2) and can absorb the aerosol-generating material that flows into the interior of the chamber 220 through the liquid inlet 201 in the storage tank.

[0108] The second surface 232 of the wick 230 may be located opposite the first surface 231 and may be disposed facing the bottom surface 220 b of the chamber 220 .

[0109] According to one embodiment, second surface 232 of wick 230 may be positioned a predetermined distance away from bottom surface 220b of chamber 220. For example, if second surface 232 of wick 230 and bottom surface 220b of chamber 220 come into contact, at least a portion of the aerosol-generating substance absorbed into wick 230 may leak along bottom surface 220b of chamber 220 into the interior space of heater assembly 200 or into the interior of a body coupled to heater assembly 200 (e.g., body 300 in FIG. 1 or 2).

[0110] Leakage of the aerosol-generating material can cause other components of the heater assembly 200 or components of the main body to malfunction or be damaged, but in one embodiment, the heater assembly 200 can prevent the aerosol-generating material from leaking outside the chamber 220 through a structure in which the second surface 232 of the wick 230 and the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220 are separated.

[0111] The side surface 233 of the wick 230 is arranged to surround the space between the first surface 231 and the second surface 232, and a heater 240 can be arranged in at least one region of the side surface 233 of the wick 230.

[0112] When heater assembly 200 and the main body are coupled together, heater 240 may be electrically connected to a battery disposed inside the main body via electrical connection member 270. For example, one region of electrical connection member 270 may contact at least one region of heater 240, and another region of electrical connection member 270 may contact at least one region of the main body inserted into insertion groove 200h, thereby electrically connecting heater 240 and the main body. The battery disposed inside the main body supplies power to heater 240 using the aforementioned electrical connection, and heater 240 can generate heat by receiving power from the battery and heat the aerosol-generating material absorbed in wick 230.

[0113] By disposing heater 240 on side 233 of wick 230, vapor generated by heating the aerosol-generating substance can be generated in an area of ​​chamber 220 adjacent to side 233 of wick 230. The generated vapor travels along airflow passage 250 extending along the edge of heater assembly 200 and mixes with external air flowing into chamber 220, resulting in aerosol generation in an area of ​​chamber 220 adjacent to side 233 of wick 230.

[0114] At least a portion of the aerosol generated inside the chamber 220 is cooled and liquefied by contact with the external air flowing into the chamber 220 through the air flow passage 250, and the liquefied aerosol (or "droplets") falls to the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220 and can accumulate or overlap on the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220.

[0115] At least a portion of the wick 230 adjacent to the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220 can prevent the accumulation of liquefied aerosol inside the chamber 220 by absorbing the liquefied aerosol that has accumulated on the bottom surface 220b.

[0116] The guide structure 260 protrudes from the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220 along the longitudinal direction (e.g., the z direction) of the heater assembly 200 and can guide the external air flowing into the interior of the chamber 220 to move in a direction toward the side 233 of the wick 230 or the heater 240.

[0117] According to one embodiment, the height H of the guide structure 260 inside the chamber 220 may be greater than or equal to the height h1 of the heater 240. In the present invention, the "height H of the guide structure 260" refers to the distance from the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220 to one end of the guide structure 260 facing the first surface 231 of the core 230 (e.g., one end in the +z direction). Also, the "height h1 of the heater 240" refers to the distance from the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220 to one end of the heater 240 facing the first surface 231 of the core 230 (e.g., one end in the +z direction).

[0118] If the height H of the guide structure 260 is smaller than the height h1 of the heater 240, a situation may occur in which external air is not sufficiently supplied to some areas of the heater 240, even though the guide structure 260 is placed in the chamber 220.

[0119] For example, if the height H of the guide structure 260 is smaller than the height h1 of the heater 240, external air is not guided to the area adjacent to one end of the heater 240 that is located above the guide structure 260 (e.g., in the +z direction) and that faces the first surface 231 of the core 230, and as a result, the amount of aerosol generated by the heater 240 is reduced.

[0120] Meanwhile, in one embodiment, the heater assembly 200 may increase the amount of aerosol generated by uniformly supplying external air to the entire area of ​​the heater 240 through a structure in which the height H of the guide structure 260 is greater than or the same as the height h1 of the heater 240.

[0121] Hereinafter, the change in the flow direction of the external air caused by the guide structure 260 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0122] Figure 6 is a view illustrating the air flow direction in a heater assembly without a guide structure. The heater assembly 20 shown in Figure 6 is a heater assembly in which the guide structure 260 of the heater assembly 200 of Figures 4 and 5 is omitted, and a duplicated description will be omitted below. In this regard, Figure 6 shows the wick 23 and heater 24 as viewed from the top end of the heater assembly 20 (e.g., the +z direction in Figures 4 and 5).

[0123] 6, heater 24 disposed on a side of wick 23 (e.g., side 233 in FIG. 5) can heat the aerosol-generating material absorbed in wick 23. For example, heater 24 is electrically connected to a power source external to heater assembly 20 (e.g., a battery in the main body) via electrical connection member 27, and can receive power from the external power source, generating heat to heat the aerosol-generating material.

[0124] Aerosol may be generated inside the heater assembly 20 by mixing the vapor generated by heating the aerosol-generating material by the heater 24 with external air flowing into the heater assembly 20. If the amount of external air supplied to the heater 24 is reduced in this aerosol generation method, the amount of aerosol generated inside the heater assembly 20 will also be reduced. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, if there is no guide structure for guiding the external air flowing into the heater assembly 20 toward the heater 24, some of the external air flowing into the heater assembly 20 may flow away from the heater 24.

[0125] That is, in a heater assembly 20 without a guide structure, the amount of external air supplied to the heater 24 is reduced, which may result in a reduced amount of aerosol produced and a worsened smoking experience for the user.

[0126] 7 is a view illustrating the air flow direction in the guide structure of a heater assembly according to an embodiment. Fig. 7 shows the wick 230, heater 240, and guide structure 260 as viewed from the top of the heater assembly 200 (e.g., the +z direction in Figs. 4 and 5).

[0127] 7, a heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment may include a wick 230, a heater 240, a guide structure 260, and a plurality of electrical connecting members 270. The components of the heater assembly 200 are the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly 200 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0128] The guide structure 260 can guide the external air introduced into the heater assembly 200 to move in a direction toward the heater 240. For example, at least a portion of the guide structure 260 can protrude in a direction toward the side of the wick 230 (e.g., side surface 233 in FIG. 5) when viewed from the top end of the heater assembly 200 (e.g., the +z direction in FIGS. 4 to 5), thereby guiding the external air introduced into the heater assembly 200 to move in a direction toward the heater 240.

[0129] According to one embodiment, the guide structure 260 is formed in a bent shape that protrudes toward the heater 240 when viewed from above the top end of the heater assembly 200 or the first surface (e.g., first surface 231) of the wick 230, and can guide external air to move along the guide structure 260 in a direction toward the heater 240.

[0130] For example, the guide structure 260 may include a first portion 261 extending along a first direction across the side of the wick 230 when viewed from above the top end of the heater assembly 200 or the first surface of the wick 230, and a second portion 262 extending along a second direction across the first direction when viewed from above the top end of the heater assembly 200 or the first surface of the wick 230.

[0131] One end of the first portion 261 may be arranged to contact one end of the second portion 262, and the first portion 261 and the second portion 262 may be arranged to form a predetermined angle θ. According to one embodiment, the angle θ between the first portion 261 and the second portion 262 may be approximately 45° to 60°.

[0132] If the angle θ between the first portion 261 and the second portion 262 is less than 45°, the inclination angle of the first portion 261 or the second portion 262 with respect to the flow direction of the external air is too large, and the external air does not move along the first portion 261 or the second portion 262, and therefore the external air is not supplied to the heater 240. For example, if the inclination angle of the first portion 261 or the second portion 262 with respect to the flow direction of the external air is too large, a vortex may be generated at the contact area between the external air and the first portion 261 or the second portion 262. As a result, at least a portion of the external air remains in the contact area without moving along the first portion 261 or the second portion 262, and the amount of external air supplied to the heater 240 is reduced.

[0133] On the other hand, if the angle θ between the first portion 261 and the second portion 262 is greater than 60°, the inclination angle of the first portion 261 or the second portion 262 with respect to the flow direction of the external air is too small, and the movement direction of the external air is not changed toward the heater 240. As a result, at least a portion of the external air introduced into the heater assembly 200 does not move toward the heater 240, and the amount of external air supplied to the heater 240 is reduced.

[0134] In one embodiment, the heater assembly 200 has a structure in which the angle θ between the first portion 261 and the second portion 262 is approximately 45° to 60°, thereby stably guiding the movement direction of the external air toward the heater 240, thereby smoothly supplying the external air to the heater 240.

[0135] The guide structure 260 is formed in a bent shape protruding toward the heater 240, and may be disposed at a specified distance D from the heater 240. In the present invention, the "distance D between the guide structure 260 and the heater 240" refers to the shortest distance between the heater 240 and the guide structure 260, and this expression may be used in the following description with the same meaning.

[0136] The bent guide structure 260 is disposed at a predetermined distance D from the heater 240, so that the space between the heater 240 and the guide structure 260 can function as a nozzle.

[0137] For example, as the external air moves along the inclined first portion 261 of the guide structure 260, the cross-sectional area of ​​the area through which the external air passes gradually decreases, and the velocity of the external air increases and the pressure decreases according to Bernoulli's theorem. As the velocity of the external air increases, the amount of external air supplied to the heater 240 per unit time increases, which results in an increase in the amount of aerosol generated from the heater 240 and an improved smoking experience for the user.

[0138] According to one embodiment, the guide structure 260 may be disposed in a region of the heater assembly 200 at a distance D of about 1.0 mm or less from the heater 240 to smoothly supply external air to the heater 240 . [Table 1]

[0139] Table 1 shows the degree of aerosol generation depending on the distance D between the guide structure 260 and the heater 240. In Table 1, "++" indicates that the aerosol generation amount is increased by more than the specified value compared to a heater assembly without the guide structure 260. Also, "+" indicates that the aerosol generation amount is increased but is less than the specified value compared to a heater assembly without the guide structure 260, and "-" indicates that the aerosol generation amount is the same as that of a heater assembly without the guide structure 260.

[0140] Referring to Table 1, when the distance D between the guide structure 260 and the heater 240 is 1.0 mm or less, the amount of aerosol generated increases compared to a heater assembly without the guide structure 260, but when the distance D between the guide structure 260 and the heater 240 is greater than 1.0 mm, it can be seen that the amount of aerosol generated does not increase despite the presence of the guide structure 260.

[0141] That is, if the distance D between the guide structure 260 and the heater 240 is greater than 1.0 mm, the guide structure 260 is too far away from the heater 240, and the movement direction of the external air is not guided toward the heater 240.

[0142] Meanwhile, the heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment smoothly supplies external air to the heater 240 through an arrangement structure in which the distance D between the guide structure 260 and the heater 240 is approximately 1.0 mm or less, thereby increasing the amount of aerosol generated and improving the user's smoking experience.

[0143] According to another embodiment, the guide structure 260 may be positioned in a region of the heater assembly 200 at a distance D from the heater 240 of approximately 0.6 mm to 1.0 mm to prevent char generated by overheating of the heater 240 from accumulating on the surface of the guide structure 260. [Table 2]

[0144] Table 2 shows whether carbides accumulate on the surface of the guide structure 260 depending on the distance D between the guide structure 260 and the heater 240. In Table 2, "O" indicates that carbides accumulate on the surface of the guide structure 260, and "X" indicates that no carbides accumulate on the surface of the guide structure 260 or that almost no carbides accumulate on the surface of the guide structure 260.

[0145] Referring to Table 2, it can be seen that if the distance D between the guide structure 260 and the heater 240 is less than 0.6 mm, carbides generated by the heater 240 overheating accumulate on the surface of the guide structure 260.

[0146] If carbonized matter accumulates on the surface of the guide structure 260, the carbonized matter may obstruct the flow of external air, reducing the amount of external air supplied to the heater 240 or reducing the flavor of the aerosol generated by the heater assembly 200.

[0147] Meanwhile, the heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment can increase the amount of aerosol generated while preventing the accumulation of carbon on the guide structure 260 through an arrangement structure in which the distance D between the guide structure 260 and the heater 240 is between about 0.6 mm and about 1.0 mm.

[0148] According to one embodiment, the guide structure 260 is disposed between the plurality of electrical connecting members 270 and can guide the movement direction of the external air toward the heater 240 without interfering with the electrical contact between the heater 240 and the plurality of electrical connecting members 270.

[0149] As an example, the plurality of electrical connecting members 270 may include a first electrical connecting member 271 that contacts one region of the heater 240 and a second electrical connecting member 272 that is spaced apart from the first electrical connecting member 271 in the width direction of the core 230 (e.g., the +x direction in Figure 4) and contacts another region of the heater 240.

[0150] The first electrical connection member 271 and the second electrical connection member 272 are electrically connected to the battery of the main body when the heater assembly 200 is connected to the main body (e.g., the main body 300 in Figures 1 and 2), and power can be supplied from the battery to the heater 240 through this electrical connection.

[0151] In this case, the guide structure 260 is disposed between the first electrical connecting member 271 and the second electrical connecting member 272, and can guide the movement direction of the external air toward the heater 240 without interfering with the contact between the heater 240 and the first electrical connecting member 271 and the second electrical connecting member 272. For example, the guide structure 260 is disposed in the center of the space between the first electrical connecting member 271 and the second electrical connecting member 272, but the position of the guide structure 260 is not limited thereto.

[0152] 8 is a view illustrating the air flow direction in the guide structure in a heater assembly according to another embodiment. Fig. 8 shows the wick 230, heater 240, and guide structure 260 as viewed from the top of the heater assembly 200 (e.g., the +z direction in Figs. 4 and 5).

[0153] 8, a heater assembly 200 according to another embodiment may include a wick 230, a heater 240, a guide structure 260, and a plurality of electrical connecting members 270. The heater assembly 200 according to another embodiment is a heater assembly 200 in which the shape of the guide structure 260 in the heater assembly 200 of FIG. 7 is modified, and therefore, a redundant description will be omitted below.

[0154] The guide structure 260 may include a curved region 260r that protrudes in a direction toward the heater 240. For example, the curved region 260r may be formed in a region where one end of the first portion 261 (e.g., the first portion 261 in FIG. 7 ) and one end of the second portion 262 (e.g., the second portion 262 in FIG. 7 ) of the guide structure 260 come into contact with each other. In other words, the curved region 260r may be formed in a region of the guide structure 260 that is closest to the heater 240.

[0155] Bent region 260r may be formed in a curved shape having a specified curvature to prevent char from accumulating on the surface of guide structure 260. For example, if heater 240 is overheated to a temperature higher than a specified temperature, char may be generated during the heating of the aerosol-generating material, and the generated char may accumulate on the surface of guide structure 260 adjacent to heater 240.

[0156] If carbonized matter accumulates on the surface of the guide structure 260, the carbonized matter may obstruct the flow of external air, reducing the amount of external air supplied to the heater 240 or reducing the flavor of the aerosol generated by the heater assembly 200.

[0157] In another embodiment of the heater assembly 200, a region of the guide structure 260 adjacent to the heater 240 is formed in a curved shape, allowing carbonized material generated by overheating of the heater 240 to slide freely without accumulating when it comes into contact with the guide structure 260, thereby preventing a reduction in the amount of aerosol produced or the flavor of the aerosol due to the carbonized material.

[0158] 9 is a diagram illustrating a process in which a liquefied aerosol in a chamber of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment is absorbed into a wick. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating device 1000 of Fig. 1 taken along the yz plane. In Fig. 9, the black arrow indicates the direction in which the aerosol-generating material moves, and the white arrow indicates the direction in which the liquefied aerosol or droplets move.

[0159] 9, an aerosol generating device 1000 according to an embodiment may include a cartridge 100, a heater assembly 200, and a main body 300. At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 is the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 shown in FIG. 1 or 2, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0160] Cartridge 100 includes storage tank 110 in which an aerosol-generating material is stored, and the aerosol-generating material stored in storage tank 110 can move by gravity from storage tank 110 in a direction toward liquid inlet 201 of heater assembly 200. For example, although not shown in FIG. 9 , a discharge hole (not shown) is formed in a region of storage tank 110 facing heater assembly 200 (e.g., a region in the −z direction), and the aerosol-generating material stored in storage tank 110 can move in a direction toward liquid inlet 201 of heater assembly 200 through the discharge hole.

[0161] According to one embodiment, the aerosol-generating substance may be introduced into the interior of the chamber 220 of the heater assembly 200 through the liquid inlet 201 and then absorbed into the wick 230 positioned adjacent to the liquid inlet 201 .

[0162] According to other embodiments, cartridge 100 may further include a liquid transfer means 120 for transferring the aerosol generating substance stored in reservoir 110 to wick 230 of heater assembly 200 .

[0163] The liquid transfer means 120 is located inside the liquid inlet 201, with one end disposed adjacent to the discharge hole of the storage tank 110 and the other end contacting the wick 230 disposed inside the chamber 220. The liquid transfer means 120 absorbs the aerosol-generating substance stored in the storage tank 110 through the above-mentioned arrangement structure and then transfers the absorbed aerosol-generating substance to the wick 230, and the wick 230 can absorb the aerosol-generating substance transferred from the liquid transfer means 120.

[0164] For example, the liquid transfer means 120 may include, but is not limited to, cotton to absorb the aerosol-generating substance stored in the storage tank 110. As another example, the liquid transfer means 120 may include ceramic, glass, or porous ceramic to absorb the aerosol-generating substance.

[0165] The heater 240 is positioned on the side of the wick 230 (e.g., side 233 in Figure 5) and is powered by a battery (not shown) in the main body 300, thereby heating the aerosol-generating substance absorbed in the wick 230.

[0166] According to one embodiment, the heater 240 may be electrically connected to a battery disposed inside the main body 300 through the electrical connection member 270 of the heater assembly 200 and the flexible printed circuit board 320 of the main body 300. For example, the electrical connection member 270 and / or the flexible printed circuit board 320 may include, but are not limited to, an elastic conductive material.

[0167] For example, a first region of the electrical connecting member 270 may contact at least one region of the heater 240, and a second region of the electrical connecting member 270 may be exposed to an insertion groove (e.g., insertion groove 200h in FIG. 5 ) through which a portion of the main body 300 is inserted into the heater assembly 200, and may contact the flexible printed circuit board 320. Also, a third region of the flexible printed circuit board 320 may contact the second region of the electrical connecting member 270, and a fourth region of the flexible printed circuit board 320 may contact a battery inside the main body 300.

[0168] An electrical path is formed between the heater 240 and the battery by the electrical connection member 270 and the flexible printed circuit board 320, and power can be supplied from the battery to the heater 240 through the electrical path.

[0169] By disposing heater 240 on the side of wick 230, vapor can be generated from the aerosol-generating substance in a region adjacent to the side of wick 230. The vapor generated from the aerosol-generating substance flows into chamber 220 through an air inlet (e.g., air inlet 202 in FIG. 3 or 4 ) and then mixes with external air guided to the side of heater 240 or wick 230 by guide structure 260, resulting in aerosol generation in a region of chamber 220 adjacent to the side of wick 230.

[0170] At least a portion of the aerosol generated inside chamber 220 is cooled and liquefied by contact with the external air flowing into chamber 220, and the liquefied aerosol (or "droplets") may fall to the bottom surface 220b of chamber 220 and accumulate or overlap on the bottom surface 220b of chamber 220.

[0171] If a certain amount or more of liquefied aerosol accumulates inside the chamber 220, the liquefied aerosol may leak from the chamber 220, causing malfunction or damage to components of the aerosol generating device 1000, or a portion of the heater 240 may become immersed in the liquefied aerosol, reducing the heating efficiency of the heater 240.

[0172] In the heater assembly 200 according to one embodiment, at least a portion of the wick 230 adjacent to the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220 can absorb liquefied aerosol accumulated on the bottom surface 220b of the chamber 220. In the aerosol generation device 1000 according to one embodiment, the wick 230 is arranged to absorb the liquefied aerosol, thereby preventing the liquefied aerosol from accumulating inside the chamber 220. As a result, the aerosol generation device 1000 according to one embodiment can prevent malfunction or damage to components of the aerosol generation device 1000 due to liquefied aerosol or a decrease in heating efficiency due to impregnation of the heater 240.

[0173] In addition, the liquefied aerosol absorbed in the wick 230 is reheated by the heater 240 and converted into aerosol, thereby allowing the aerosol generating device 1000 of one embodiment to prevent the accumulation of liquefied aerosol inside the chamber 220 while at the same time reheating the liquefied aerosol to increase the amount of aerosol generated.

[0174] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to yet another embodiment.

[0175] The aerosol generation device 1 includes a power supply 11, a control unit 12, a sensor 13, an output unit 14, an input unit 15, a communication unit 16, a memory 17, and at least one heater 18, 19. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generation device 1 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 10. That is, it is understandable to a person skilled in the art of the present embodiment that, depending on the design of the aerosol generation device 1, some of the components shown in Fig. 10 may be omitted or new components may be added.

[0176] The sensor 13 can sense the state of the aerosol generation device 1 or the state around the aerosol generation device 1 and transmit the sensed information to the control unit 12. Based on the sensed information, the control unit 12 can control the aerosol generation device 1 to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18, restricting smoking, determining whether a stick (or "aerosol product") and / or a cartridge is inserted, and displaying notifications.

[0177] The sensors 13 include at least one of a temperature sensor 131 , a puff sensor 132 , an insertion detection sensor 133 , a reuse detection sensor 134 , a cartridge detection sensor 135 , a cap detection sensor 136 , and a movement detection sensor 137 .

[0178] The temperature sensor 131 can sense the temperature to which the cartridge heater 19 and / or the heater 18 is heated. The aerosol generating device 1 may include a separate temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and / or the heater 18, or the cartridge heater 19 and / or the heater 18 itself may function as a temperature sensor.

[0179] The temperature sensor 131 can output a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18. For example, the temperature sensor 131 includes a resistive element whose resistance value changes in response to a change in temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18. The temperature sensor 131 is embodied by a thermistor, which is an element that utilizes the property of changing resistance depending on temperature. In this case, the temperature sensor 131 can output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistive element as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18. For example, the temperature sensor 131 is configured with a sensor that detects the resistance value of the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18. In this case, the temperature sensor 131 can output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18 as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18.

[0180] Temperature sensor 131 may be disposed around power supply 11 to monitor the temperature of power supply 11. Temperature sensor 131 may be disposed adjacent to power supply 11. For example, temperature sensor 131 may be attached to one side of a battery that is power supply 11. For example, temperature sensor 131 may be mounted on one side of a printed circuit board.

[0181] The temperature sensor 131 is disposed inside the main body 10 and is capable of sensing the internal temperature of the main body 10 .

[0182] The puff sensor 132 can detect a user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow path. The puff sensor 132 can output a signal corresponding to the puff. For example, the puff sensor 132 can also be a pressure sensor. The puff sensor 132 can output a signal corresponding to the internal pressure of the aerosol generation device 1. Here, the internal pressure of the aerosol generation device 1 corresponds to the pressure of the airflow path through which the gas flows. The puff sensor 132 can be arranged in the aerosol generation device 1 corresponding to the airflow path through which the gas flows.

[0183] The insertion detection sensor 133 can detect the insertion and / or removal of the stick. The insertion detection sensor 133 can detect a signal change caused by the insertion and / or removal of the stick. The insertion detection sensor 133 can be installed around the insertion space. The insertion detection sensor 133 can detect the insertion and / or removal of the stick based on a change in the dielectric constant inside the insertion space. For example, the insertion detection sensor 133 can be an inductive sensor and / or a capacitive sensor.

[0184] The inductive sensor includes at least one coil. The coil of the inductive sensor is disposed adjacent to the insertion space. For example, when a magnetic field changes around a coil through which a current flows, the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil may change according to Faraday's law. Here, the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil include the frequency, current value, voltage value, inductance value, impedance value, etc. of the alternating current.

[0185] An inductive sensor can output a signal corresponding to a characteristic of the current flowing through a coil, for example, the inductance value of the coil.

[0186] The capacitance sensor includes a conductor disposed adjacent to the insertion space. The capacitance sensor can output a signal corresponding to a surrounding electromagnetic characteristic, e.g., the capacitance of the conductor. For example, when a stick with a metallic flank is inserted into the insertion space, the flank of the stick can change the electromagnetic characteristic of the conductor.

[0187] The reuse detection sensor 134 can detect whether the stick is reused. The reuse detection sensor 134 is also a color sensor. The color sensor can detect the hue of the stick. The color sensor can detect the hue of a part of the wrapper surrounding the outside of the stick. The color sensor can detect a value related to an optical characteristic corresponding to the hue of an object based on light reflected from the object. For example, the optical characteristic can be the wavelength of light. The color sensor may be implemented as one component together with the proximity sensor, or as a separate component separate from the proximity sensor.

[0188] At least a portion of the horn constituting the stick may change color due to the aerosol. The reuse detection sensor 134 may be disposed corresponding to a position where at least a portion of the horn, the color of which changes due to the aerosol, is disposed when the stick is inserted into the insertion space. For example, before the stick is used by a user, the color of at least a portion of the horn is a first color. In this case, while the aerosol generated by the aerosol generation device 1 passes through the stick, at least a portion of the horn may be wetted by the aerosol, thereby changing the color of at least a portion of the horn to a second color. Meanwhile, after the color of at least a portion of the horn is changed from the first color to the second color, the color may be maintained at the second color.

[0189] The cartridge detection sensor 135 can detect the insertion and / or removal of a cartridge and can be implemented using an inductance-based sensor, a capacitance-based sensor, a resistance sensor, a Hall sensor (hall IC) using the Hall effect, etc.

[0190] The cap detection sensor 136 can detect the attachment and / or removal of the cap. When the cap is separated from the body 10, parts of the cartridge and the body 10 that were covered by the cap may be exposed to the outside. The cap detection sensor 136 may be implemented by a contact sensor, a hall sensor, an optical sensor, etc.

[0191] The motion detection sensor 137 can detect the motion of the aerosol generating device 1. The motion detection sensor 137 is implemented by at least one of an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor.

[0192] The sensor 13 may further include at least one of a humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a position sensor (GPS), and a proximity sensor in addition to the above-mentioned sensors 131 to 137. The function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred by an ordinary engineer from its name, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0193] The output unit 14 can output and provide to the user information about the status of the aerosol generation device 1. The output unit 14 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of a display 141, a haptic unit 142, and an audio output unit 143. When the display 141 and the touchpad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display 141 is used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0194] The display 141 can visually provide a user with information about the aerosol generation device 1. For example, the information about the aerosol generation device 1 can mean various information such as the charge / discharge status of the power supply 11 of the aerosol generation device 1, the preheating status of the heater 18, the insertion / removal status of the stick and / or cartridge, the attachment / removal status of the cap, or a status that restricts the use of the aerosol generation device 1 (e.g., abnormal item detection), and the display 141 can output the information to the outside. For example, the display 141 can be in the form of an LED light-emitting element. For example, the display 141 can be a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED), etc.

[0195] The haptic unit 142 can convert an electrical signal into a mechanical or electrical stimulus and provide a user with tactile information about the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the haptic unit 142 generates a vibration corresponding to the completion of initial preheating when initial power is supplied to the cartridge heater 19 and / or the heater 18 for a set time. The haptic unit 142 may include a vibration motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0196] The acoustic output unit 143 can audibly provide the user with information about the aerosol generation device 1. For example, the acoustic output unit 143 can convert an electric signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

[0197] The power source 11 can supply power used to operate the aerosol generation device 1. The power source 11 can supply power to heat the cartridge heater 19 and / or the heater 18. The power source 11 can also supply power necessary for the operation of other components provided in the aerosol generation device 1, such as the sensor 13, the output unit 14, the input unit 15, the communication unit 16, and the memory 17. The power source 11 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the power source 11 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited to this.

[0198] 10, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power protection circuit. The power protection circuit is electrically connected to the power supply 11 and may include a switching element.

[0199] The power supply protection circuit can cut off the electrical path to the power supply 11 under predetermined conditions. For example, the power supply protection circuit can cut off the electrical path to the power supply 11 when the voltage level of the power supply 11 is equal to or higher than a first voltage corresponding to overcharging. For example, the power supply protection circuit can cut off the electrical path to the power supply 11 when the voltage level of the power supply 11 is lower than a second voltage corresponding to overdischarging.

[0200] Heater 18 can heat the medium or aerosol-generating substance in the stick by receiving power from power supply 11. Although not shown in Fig. 10, aerosol generation device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC / DC converter) that converts the power from power supply 11 and supplies it to cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18. Furthermore, when aerosol generation device 1 generates aerosol by induction heating, aerosol generation device 1 may further include a DC / AC converter that converts the DC power of power supply 11 into AC power.

[0201] The control unit 12, the sensor 13, the output unit 14, the input unit 15, the communication unit 16, and the memory 17 can function by receiving power from the power supply 11. Although not shown in FIG. 10, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit, such as an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, that converts the power from the power supply 11 and supplies it to each component. Also, although not shown in FIG. 10, a noise filter may be provided between the power supply 11 and the heater 18. The noise filter may also be a low-pass filter. The low-pass filter may include at least one inductor and capacitor. The cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter corresponds to the frequency of the high-frequency switching current applied from the power supply 11 to the heater 18. The low-pass filter can prevent high-frequency noise components from being applied to the sensors 13, such as the insertion detection sensor 133.

[0202] In one embodiment, cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18 may be made of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to, metals or metal alloys including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. Additionally, heater 18 may be embodied by, but is not limited to, a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate having a conductive track disposed thereon, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0203] In other embodiments, heater 18 is an induction heater. For example, heater 18 may include a susceptor that generates heat via a magnetic field applied by a coil to heat the aerosol-generating material.

[0204] The input unit 15 can receive information input by a user or output information to a user. For example, the input unit 15 can be a touch panel. The touch panel can include at least one touch sensor that detects a touch. For example, the touch sensor can include, but is not limited to, a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, a surface acoustic wave touch sensor, an infrared touch sensor, etc.

[0205] The display 141 and the touch panel may be implemented as a single panel. For example, the touch panel may be inserted (on-cell type or in-cell type) into the display 141. For example, the touch panel may be an add-on type on the display 141.

[0206] Meanwhile, the input unit 15 includes, but is not limited to, a button, a keypad, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

[0207] The memory 17 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generation device 1 and can store data that has been processed by the control unit 12 and data to be processed by the control unit 12. The memory 17 includes at least one type of recording medium selected from the group consisting of flash memory, hard disk, micro multimedia card, card-type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk. The memory 17 can store data related to the operating 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.

[0208] The communication unit 16 includes at least one component for communicating with other electronic devices, such as at least one of a short-range communication unit and a wireless communication unit.

[0209] The short-range wireless communication unit includes, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee (registered trademark) communication unit, an IrDA (infrared Data Association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, a UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, etc.

[0210] The wireless communication unit includes, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (eg, LAN or WAN) communication unit, and the like.

[0211] Although not shown in Figure 10, the aerosol generating device 1 further includes a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, through which it can connect to other external devices to send and receive information or charge the power source 11.

[0212] The control unit 12 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. In one embodiment, the control unit 12 includes at least one processor. The processor may be embodied as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be embodied by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable by the microprocessor. Those skilled in the art will understand that the processor may also be embodied by other forms of hardware.

[0213] The control unit 12 can control the temperature of the heater 18 by controlling the supply of power from the power source 11 to the heater 18. The control unit 12 can control the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18 based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18 sensed by the temperature sensor 131. The control unit 12 can adjust the power supplied to the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18 based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18. For example, the control unit 12 can determine a target temperature for the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18 based on a temperature profile stored in the memory 17.

[0214] The aerosol generating device 1 may include a power supply circuit (not shown) electrically connected to the power supply 11 between the power supply 11 and the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18. The power supply circuit may be electrically connected to the cartridge heater 19, the heater 18, or the induction coil. The power supply circuit includes at least one switching element. The switching element may be implemented by a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), a field effect transistor (FET), or the like. The control unit 12 may control the power supply circuit.

[0215] The control unit 12 can control the power supply by controlling the switching of the switching elements of the power supply circuit. The power supply circuit also functions as an inverter that converts DC power output from the power supply 11 into AC power. For example, the inverter is configured with a full-bridge circuit or a half-bridge circuit including multiple switching elements.

[0216] The control unit 12 can turn on the switching element so that power is supplied from the power source 11 to the cartridge heater 19 and / or the heater 18. The control unit 12 can turn off the switching element so that power supply to the cartridge heater 19 and / or the heater 18 is cut off. The control unit 12 can adjust the frequency and / or duty ratio of the current pulse input to the switching element to adjust the current supplied from the power source 11.

[0217] The control unit 12 controls the switching of the switching element of the power supply circuit to control the voltage output from the power supply 11. The power conversion circuit can convert the voltage output from the power supply 11. For example, the power conversion circuit includes a buck converter that reduces the voltage output from the power supply 11. For example, the power conversion circuit is implemented using a buck-boost converter, a Zener diode, etc.

[0218] The control unit 12 controls the on / off operation of a switching element included in the power conversion circuit to adjust the level of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit. When the on state of the switching element is maintained, the level of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit corresponds to the level of the voltage output from the power source 11. The duty ratio of the on / off operation of the switching element corresponds to the ratio of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit to the voltage output from the power source 11. As the duty ratio of the on / off operation of the switching element decreases, the level of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit may decrease. The heater 18 may be heated based on the voltage output from the power conversion circuit.

[0219] The control unit 12 can control the supply of power to the heater 18 using at least one of a pulse width modulation (PWM) method and a proportional-integral-differential (PID) method.

[0220] For example, the control unit 12 can use a PWM method to control current pulses having a predetermined frequency and duty ratio to be supplied to the heater 18. The control unit 12 can adjust the frequency and duty ratio of the current pulses to control the power supplied to the heater 18.

[0221] For example, the control unit 12 can determine a target temperature based on the temperature profile, and can control the power supplied to the heater 18 using a PID method, which is a feedback control method that uses the difference between the temperature of the heater 18 and the target temperature, the value obtained by integrating the difference over time, and the value obtained by differentiating the difference over time.

[0222] The control unit 12 can prevent the cartridge heater 19 and / or the heater 18 from overheating. For example, the control unit 12 can control the operation of the power conversion circuit to interrupt the supply of power to the cartridge heater 19 and / or the heater 18 when the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and / or the heater 18 exceeds a predetermined limit temperature. For example, the control unit 12 can reduce the amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater 19 and / or the heater 18 by a certain percentage when the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and / or the heater 18 exceeds a predetermined limit temperature. For example, the control unit 12 can determine that the aerosol-generating material contained in the cartridge has been consumed when the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 exceeds a predetermined limit temperature, and can interrupt the supply of power to the cartridge heater 19.

[0223] The control unit 12 can control the charging and discharging of the power supply 11. The control unit 12 can check the temperature of the power supply 11 based on the output signal of the temperature sensor 131.

[0224] When a power line is connected to the battery terminal of the aerosol generating device 1, the control unit 12 can check whether the temperature of the power source 11 is equal to or higher than a first limit temperature, which is a criterion for cutting off charging of the power source 11. When the temperature of the power source 11 is lower than the first limit temperature, the control unit 12 can control the power source 11 to be charged based on a predetermined charging current. When the temperature of the power source 11 is equal to or higher than the first limit temperature, the control unit 12 can cut off charging of the power source 11.

[0225] When the aerosol generating device 1 is powered on, the control unit 12 can check whether the temperature of the power source 11 is equal to or higher than a second limit temperature, which is a criterion for cutting off the discharge of the power source 11. If the temperature of the power source 11 is lower than the second limit temperature, the control unit 12 can control the power source 11 to use the power stored in the power source 11. If the temperature of the power source 11 is equal to or higher than the second limit temperature, the control unit 12 can stop the use of the power stored in the power source 11.

[0226] The control unit 12 may calculate the remaining capacity of the power stored in the power source 11. For example, the control unit 12 may calculate the remaining capacity of the power source 11 based on the voltage and / or current sensing value of the power source 11.

[0227] The control unit 12 can determine whether a stick is inserted into the insertion space through the insertion detection sensor 133. The control unit 12 can determine that a stick has been inserted based on the output signal of the insertion detection sensor 133. If it is determined that a stick has been inserted into the insertion space, the control unit 12 can control the supply of power to the cartridge heater 19 and / or the heater 18. For example, the control unit 12 can supply power to the cartridge heater 19 and / or the heater 18 based on a temperature profile stored in the memory 17.

[0228] The control unit 12 can determine whether a stick has been removed from the insertion space. For example, the control unit 12 can determine whether a stick has been removed from the insertion space through the insertion detection sensor 133. For example, the control unit 12 can determine that a stick has been removed from the insertion space when the temperature of the heater 18 is equal to or higher than a limit temperature or when the temperature change gradient of the heater 18 is equal to or higher than a set gradient. When it is determined that a stick has been removed from the insertion space, the control unit 12 can cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 19 and / or the heater 18.

[0229] The control unit 12 can control the time and / or amount of power supply to the heater 18 depending on the state of the stick sensed by the sensor 13. The control unit 12 can check the level range that includes the level of the signal from the capacitance sensor based on a lookup table. The control unit 12 can determine the amount of moisture in the stick based on the checked level range.

[0230] When the stick is in an overly humid state, the control unit 12 controls the time for which power is supplied to the heater 18, and can increase the preheating time of the stick compared to when the stick is in a normal state.

[0231] The control unit 12 can determine whether the stick inserted into the insertion space has been reused through the reuse detection sensor 134. For example, the control unit 12 can compare the sensing value of the signal from the reuse detection sensor 134 with a first reference range including a first color, and determine that the stick has not been used if the sensing value is within the first reference range. For example, the control unit 12 can compare the sensing value of the signal from the reuse detection sensor 134 with a second reference range including a second color, and determine that the stick has been used if the sensing value is within the second reference range. If it is determined that the stick has been used, the control unit 12 can cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 19 and / or the heater 18.

[0232] The control unit 12 can determine whether to connect and / or remove a cartridge through the cartridge detection sensor 135. For example, the control unit 12 can determine whether to connect and / or remove a cartridge based on the sensing value of the signal of the cartridge detection sensor 135.

[0233] The control unit 12 can determine whether the aerosol generating material in the cartridge has been exhausted. For example, the control unit 12 can apply power to preheat the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18, determine whether the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 exceeds a limit temperature during the preheating period, and determine that the aerosol generating material in the cartridge has been exhausted if the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 exceeds the limit temperature. If the control unit 12 determines that the aerosol generating material in the cartridge has been exhausted, the control unit 12 can cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18.

[0234] The control unit 12 can determine whether the cartridge can be used. For example, the control unit 12 can determine that the cartridge cannot be used if the current number of puffs is equal to or greater than the maximum number of puffs set for the cartridge based on data stored in the memory 17. For example, the control unit 12 can determine that the cartridge cannot be used if the total time that the heater 24 has been heated is equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum time or if the total amount of power supplied to the heater 24 is equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum amount of power.

[0235] The control unit 12 can determine whether the user is inhaling through the puff sensor 132. For example, the control unit 12 can determine whether a puff has occurred based on the sensed value of the signal from the puff sensor 132. For example, the control unit 12 can determine the strength of the puff based on the sensed value of the signal from the puff sensor 132. If the number of puffs reaches a predetermined maximum number of puffs or if no puffs are sensed for a predetermined time or longer, the control unit 12 can cut off the supply of power to the cartridge heater 19 and / or the heater 18.

[0236] The control unit 12 can determine whether the cap is attached and / or removed through the cap detection sensor 136. For example, the control unit 12 can determine whether the cap is attached and / or removed based on the sensing value of the signal of the cap detection sensor 136.

[0237] The control unit 12 can control the output unit 14 based on the results sensed by the sensor 13. For example, if the number of puffs counted by the puff sensor 132 reaches a predetermined number, the control unit 12 can notify the user that the aerosol generation device 1 will soon be shut down through at least one of the display 141, the haptic unit 142, and the audio output unit 143. For example, the control unit 12 can notify the user that the aerosol generation device 1 will soon be shut down through the output unit 14 based on a determination that no stick is present in the insertion space. For example, the control unit 12 can notify the user that the aerosol generation device 1 will soon be shut down through the output unit 14 based on a determination that a cartridge and / or a cap is not installed. For example, the control unit 12 can transmit information about the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and / or the heater 18 to the user through the output unit 14.

[0238] The control unit 12 can store and update a history of events that have occurred in the memory 17 based on the occurrence of a predetermined event. Events include operations performed by the aerosol generation device 1, such as stick insertion detection, start of stick heating, puff detection, end of puffing, overheat detection of the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18, detection of overvoltage application to the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18, end of stick heating, turning the power of the aerosol generation device 1 on / off, start of charging the power supply 11, detection of overcharge of the power supply 11, and end of charging the power supply 11. The event history includes the date and time when the event occurred, log data corresponding to the event, etc. For example, if the predetermined event is stick insertion detection, the log data corresponding to the event includes data on the sensing value of the insertion detection sensor 133, etc. For example, if a specified event is the detection of overheating of the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18, the log data corresponding to the event will include data on the temperature of the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18, the voltage applied to the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18, the current flowing through the cartridge heater 19 and / or heater 18, etc.

[0239] The control unit 12 can control the establishment of a communication link with an external device, such as a user's mobile terminal. When authentication-related data is received from the external device through the communication link, the control unit 12 can remove restrictions on the use of at least one function of the aerosol generation device 1. Here, the authentication-related data includes data indicating completion of user authentication for the user corresponding to the external device. The user can perform user authentication through the external device. The external device can determine whether user data is valid based on the user's birthday, a unique number identifying the user, etc., and receive data regarding usage authority for the aerosol generation device 1 from an external server. The external device can transmit data indicating completion of user authentication to the aerosol generation device 1 based on the data regarding usage authority. When user authentication is completed, the control unit 12 can remove restrictions on the use of at least one function of the aerosol generation device 1. For example, when user authentication is completed, the control unit 12 can remove restrictions on the use of a heating function that supplies power to the heater 18.

[0240] The control unit 12 can transmit data related to the status of the aerosol generation device 1 to the external device through a communication link formed with the external device. Based on the received data related to the status of the aerosol generation device 1, the external device can output the remaining capacity of the power supply 11 of the aerosol generation device 1, the operation mode, etc. through the display of the external device.

[0241] The external device may transmit a location search request to the aerosol generation device 1 based on an input to start a location search of the aerosol generation device 1. When receiving a location search request from the external device, the control unit 12 may control at least one of the output devices to perform an operation corresponding to the location search based on the received location search request. For example, the haptic unit 142 may generate a vibration in response to the location search request. For example, the display 141 may output an object corresponding to the location search and the end of the search in response to the location search request.

[0242] The control unit 12 can control to perform a firmware update when it receives firmware data from an external device. The external device can check the current version of the firmware of the aerosol generation device 1 and determine whether a new version of the firmware exists. When the external device receives an input requesting a firmware download, it can receive firmware data of the new version and transmit the firmware data of the new version to the aerosol generation device 1. The control unit 12 can control to perform a firmware update of the aerosol generation device 1 by receiving the firmware data of the new version.

[0243] The control unit 12 may transmit data related to sensing values ​​of at least one sensor 13 to an external server (not shown) via the communication unit 16 and receive and store a learning model generated by learning the sensing values ​​through machine learning, such as deep learning, from the server. The control unit 12 may perform operations such as determining a user's inhalation pattern and generating a temperature profile using the learning model received from the server. The control unit 12 may store sensing value data of at least one sensor 13 and data for training an artificial neural network (ANN) in the memory 17. For example, the memory 17 may store a database related to each component included in the aerosol generation device 1 for training the artificial neural network (ANN), as well as weights and biases constituting the artificial neural network (ANN). The control unit 12 may learn data related to sensing values ​​of at least one sensor 13, a user's inhalation pattern, a temperature profile, and the like stored in the memory 17, and generate at least one learning model used for determining a user's inhalation pattern, generating a temperature profile, and the like.

[0244] The above-described embodiments of the present invention or other embodiments are not mutually exclusive or distinct, and the respective configurations or functions of the above-described embodiments of the present invention or other embodiments may be used together or combined.

[0245] For example, it means that a configuration A illustrated in a particular embodiment and / or drawing can be combined with a configuration B illustrated in another embodiment and / or drawing. In other words, even if a combination between components is not directly described, it means that the combination is possible unless it is described that the combination is not possible.

[0246] The above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in any respect, but should be considered as illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent range of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. In the heater assembly, a chamber including an air inlet through which external air is introduced, a liquid inlet through which an aerosol generating material is introduced, and an air outlet through which air inside the heater assembly is discharged to the outside; a wick disposed within the chamber and configured to absorb an aerosol-generating substance flowing in from outside the heater assembly through the liquid inlet, the wick including a first surface facing the liquid inlet, a second surface disposed in an opposite direction to the first surface, and a side surface surrounding a space between the first surface and the second surface; a heater disposed on a side of the wick for heating the aerosol-forming material absorbed in the wick; a guide structure disposed inside the chamber facing the heater, and configured to guide external air flowing into the chamber through the air inlet toward the heater.

2. The heater assembly of claim 1 , wherein the guide structure is spaced a specified distance from the heater.

3. The heater assembly of claim 2 , wherein the specified distance is equal to or greater than 0.6 mm and equal to or less than 1 mm.

4. The guide structure includes: a first portion extending along a first direction across the side of the core when viewed from above a first surface of the core; 2. The heater assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a second portion that, when viewed from above the first surface of the wick, extends along a second direction transverse to the first direction, one end of which contacts one end of the first portion, and which is positioned at a predetermined angle with the first portion.

5. 5. The heater assembly of claim 4, wherein a region where one end of the first portion and one end of the second portion contact each other is formed into a curved shape having a specified curvature.

6. 2. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the distance between one end of the guide structure toward the first surface of the wick and the bottom surface of the chamber facing the second surface of the wick is greater than or equal to the distance between one end of the heater toward the first surface of the wick and the bottom surface of the chamber.

7. 2. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the second surface of the wick is spaced a predetermined distance from a bottom surface of the chamber opposite the second surface of the wick.

8. 8. The heater assembly of claim 7, wherein a region of the wick adjacent a bottom surface of the chamber absorbs liquefied aerosol accumulated inside the chamber.

9. 10. The heater assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of electrical coupling members for electrically coupling said heater with a battery external to said heater assembly.

10. The plurality of electrical connecting members are a first electrical connection member contacting a region of the heater; a second electrical connecting member spaced apart from the first electrical connecting member and in contact with another region of the heater; The heater assembly of claim 9 , wherein the guide structure is disposed between the first electrical connection member and the second electrical connection member.

11. In the aerosol generating device, a cartridge including a reservoir in which an aerosol-generating substance is stored; a heater assembly detachably coupled to a region of the cartridge for heating the aerosol-forming material supplied from the cartridge to generate an aerosol; a body removably coupled to a region of the heater assembly and including a battery for powering the heater assembly; The heater assembly includes: a chamber including an air inlet through which external air is introduced, a liquid inlet through which the aerosol generating material is introduced from the cartridge, and an air outlet through which air within the heater assembly is discharged to the cartridge; a wick disposed within the chamber for absorbing the aerosol-forming material flowing in from the cartridge through the liquid inlet, the wick including a first surface facing the liquid inlet, a second surface disposed in an opposite direction to the first surface, and a side surface surrounding a space between the first surface and the second surface; a heater disposed on a side of the wick for heating the aerosol-forming material absorbed in the wick; a guide structure disposed inside the chamber facing the heater and guiding the external air flowing into the chamber through the air inlet to move in a direction toward the heater.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 11 , wherein the guide structure is spaced a specified distance from the heater.

13. 12. The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein the cartridge further includes a liquid transfer means for transferring the aerosol generating substance stored in the storage tank to the wick of the heater assembly.

14. the liquid transfer means includes a cotton material for absorbing the aerosol-forming material; The aerosol generating device of claim 13 , wherein the wick comprises a ceramic wick.

15. the heater assembly further includes a plurality of electrical connection members for electrically connecting the heater to a battery of the main body; The aerosol generating device according to claim 11 , wherein the heater generates heat when power is supplied from the battery, and heats the aerosol generating substance absorbed in the wick.

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