Aerosol generator

Abstract

The aerosol generator includes a battery pack that includes a battery that supplies power for the operation of the aerosol generator and battery terminals electrically connected to the battery, a battery housing that houses the battery pack and a main body that includes main body terminals electrically connected to the battery terminals, to which the battery pack is detachably connected, and a connector that electrically connects the battery terminals and the main body terminals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, and more specifically, to an aerosol generating device including a structure for detachably coupling a battery pack to an aerosol generating device body.

Background Art

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

[0003] An aerosol generating device may include a battery that supplies power for the operation of components of the aerosol generating device (such as a heater, a display, etc.). Generally, since the battery is built into the inside of the aerosol generating device body, the aerosol generating device is used in a structure where the battery is not easily separated from the aerosol generating device body. However, recently, research has been conducted on an aerosol generating device having a structure for detachably coupling a battery to an aerosol generating device body.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An embodiment provides an aerosol generating device having a structure for detachably coupling a battery to an aerosol generating device body.

[0005] Also, an embodiment provides an aerosol generating device that improves the coupling force of terminals for electrical connection between a battery and an aerosol generating device body.

[0006] The problems to be addressed through these embodiments are not limited to those described above, and any problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which these embodiments belong, based on this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment includes a battery pack including a battery that supplies power for the operation of the aerosol generating device and battery terminals electrically connected to the battery, a battery housing that houses the battery pack and a main body including main body terminals electrically connected to the battery terminals, to which the battery pack is detachably connected, and a connector that electrically connects the battery terminals and the main body terminals.

[0008] The connector may include a battery port protruding from the battery pack and connected to the battery terminals, and a main body port including a groove into which the battery port is inserted and connected to the main body terminals. When the battery port is inserted into the main body port, the main body terminals and the battery terminals may be electrically connected.

[0009] The connector may include a battery port connected to the battery terminal, a main body port connected to the main body terminal, and a connecting unit that connects the battery port and the main body port and includes a bendable material.

[0010] The connector may include contacts electrically connected to the main body terminals and the battery terminals, and a support member for supporting the contacts.

[0011] The support member may include a first support block located in the central region and a second support block located on the side surface of the first support block. The contact may include a first contact located in the first support block and a second contact located in the second support block.

[0012] The length of the first contact is even longer than that of the second contact.

[0013] The connector may include contacts electrically connected to the main body terminals and the battery terminals, an insulating member supporting the contacts, and a connector cover arranged to surround the contacts and the insulating member.

[0014] An insertion hole may be formed between the connector cover and the insulating member. The insulating member may include a protruding portion that extends outward from the insertion hole and on which the contact is positioned.

[0015] The connector may further include a connector shell disposed between the insulating member and the connector cover, and a sealing member disposed at the front end of the connector shell.

[0016] The contact may include a first contact disposed on one surface of the insulating member and a second contact disposed on the other surface of the insulating member.

[0017] Either the main terminal or the battery terminal may include a first connecting member connected to the remaining terminal, a first mounting member electrically connected to the first connecting member, a first connecting member connecting the first connecting member and the first mounting member, and a first elastic groove formed between the first connecting member and the first connecting member so that the first connecting member can move elastically.

[0018] The remaining one of the main body terminal or the battery terminal may include a second connecting member connected to both ends of the first connecting member, a second mounting member electrically connected to the second connecting member, a second connecting member connecting the second connecting member and the second mounting member, and a second elastic groove formed between the second connecting member and the second connecting member so that the second connecting member can move elastically.

[0019] An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment may further include a guide portion that guides the movement of the battery pack so that the battery pack is housed in the battery housing. The guide portion may include a guide projection disposed on either the aerosol generating device body or the battery pack, and a guide groove disposed on the other of the aerosol generating device body or the battery pack into which the guide projection is inserted.

[0020] An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment may further include a battery cover that is rotatably coupled to the aerosol generating device body so as to cover at least a portion of the battery housing.

[0021] An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment may further include a pressurizing member that pressurizes the battery pack toward the aerosol generating device body, provided that the battery cover is positioned to seal the battery housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] The aerosol generating apparatus according to various embodiments of the present invention includes a structure that allows only the battery to be replaced when the battery performance deteriorates, thereby improving the ease of battery management.

[0023] Furthermore, since the aerosol generating apparatus according to the various embodiments of the present invention allows for easy separation of the battery from the aerosol generating apparatus body, the ease of battery replacement work can be improved.

[0024] Furthermore, the aerosol generating apparatus according to the various embodiments of the present invention improves the coupling force of the terminals for electrical connection between the battery and the aerosol generating apparatus body, thereby realizing a stable power supply structure.

[0025] The effects of the embodiments are not limited to those described above, and any effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain from this specification and the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment in which a battery pack is used.

[0027] [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment in which a battery pack is used.

[0028] [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to yet another embodiment in which a battery pack is used.

[0029] [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment in which a battery pack is used.

[0030] [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a drawing for explaining an example in which a battery pack is coupled to the aerosol generating device body.

[0031] [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a drawing for explaining another example in which a battery pack is coupled to the aerosol generating device body.

[0032] [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a drawing showing an example of a battery pack.

[0033] [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a drawing showing the aerosol generating device body to which the battery pack of Figure 7 is coupled.

[0034] [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a drawing showing an example of a connector for connecting a battery pack and an aerosol generating device body.

[0035] [Figure 10]This diagram shows another example of a connector for connecting a battery pack to the aerosol generator body.

[0036] [Figure 11] Figure 10 is a bottom view of the connector shown.

[0037] [Figure 12] This drawing shows yet another example of a connector for connecting a battery pack to the aerosol generator body.

[0038] [Figure 13] This is a cross-sectional view of the connector with respect to line XIII-XIII in Figure 12.

[0039] [Figure 14A] This diagram shows the process by which the main unit terminals and battery terminals are connected to each other. [Figure 14B] This diagram shows the process by which the main unit terminals and battery terminals are connected to each other.

[0040] [Figure 15] To illustrate an example of the guide section, Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generator body with the XV-XV section line as the reference.

[0041] [Figure 16] To illustrate another example of the guide section, Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generator body with respect to the XV-XV section line.

[0042] [Figure 17] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device illustrating an example of a pressurizing member.

[0043] [Figure 18] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generator to illustrate another example of a pressurizing member.

[0044] [Figure 19]This is a drawing showing an example of an aerosol product according to one embodiment. [Figure 20] This is a drawing showing an example of an aerosol product according to one embodiment.

[0045] [Figure 21] This is a block diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0046] An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment includes a battery pack including a battery that supplies power for the operation of the aerosol generating device and battery terminals electrically connected to the battery, a battery housing that houses the battery pack and a main body including main body terminals electrically connected to the battery terminals, to which the battery pack is detachably connected, and a connector that electrically connects the battery terminals and the main body terminals.

[0047] The connector may include a battery port protruding from the battery pack and connected to the battery terminals, and a main body port including a groove into which the battery port is inserted and connected to the main body terminals. When the battery port is inserted into the main body port, the main body terminals and the battery terminals may be electrically connected.

[0048] The connector may include a battery port connected to the battery terminal, a main body port connected to the main body terminal, and a connecting unit that connects the battery port and the main body port and includes a bendable material.

[0049] The connector may include contacts electrically connected to the main body terminals and the battery terminals, and a support member for supporting the contacts.

[0050] The support member may include a first support block located in the central region and a second support block located on the side surface of the first support block. The contact may include a first contact located in the first support block and a second contact located in the second support block.

[0051] The length of the first contact is even longer than that of the second contact.

[0052] The connector may include contacts electrically connected to the main body terminals and the battery terminals, an insulating member supporting the contacts, and a connector cover arranged to surround the contacts and the insulating member.

[0053] An insertion hole may be formed between the connector cover and the insulating member. The insulating member may include a protruding portion that extends outward from the insertion hole and on which the contact is positioned.

[0054] The connector may further include a connector shell disposed between the insulating member and the connector cover, and a sealing member disposed at the front end of the connector shell.

[0055] The contact may include a first contact disposed on one surface of the insulating member and a second contact disposed on the other surface of the insulating member.

[0056] Either the main terminal or the battery terminal may include a first connecting member connected to the remaining terminal, a first mounting member electrically connected to the first connecting member, a first connecting member connecting the first connecting member and the first mounting member, and a first elastic groove formed between the first connecting member and the first connecting member so that the first connecting member can move elastically.

[0057] The remaining one of the main body terminal or the battery terminal may include a second connecting member connected to both ends of the first connecting member, a second mounting member electrically connected to the second connecting member, a second connecting member connecting the second connecting member and the second mounting member, and a second elastic groove formed between the second connecting member and the second connecting member so that the second connecting member can move elastically.

[0058] An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment may further include a guide portion that guides the movement of the battery pack so that the battery pack is housed in the battery housing. The guide portion may include a guide projection disposed on either the aerosol generating device body or the battery pack, and a guide groove disposed on the other of the aerosol generating device body or the battery pack into which the guide projection is inserted.

[0059] An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment may further include a battery cover that is rotatably coupled to the aerosol generating device body so as to cover at least a portion of the battery housing.

[0060] An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment may further include a pressurizing member that pressurizes the battery pack toward the aerosol generating device body, provided that the battery cover is positioned to seal the battery housing.

[0061] The terminology used in the embodiments is selected as widely used and general terms as possible, taking into account the function of the present invention, although this may vary depending on the intent of the articulators in the field, case law, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In certain cases, the applicant may have arbitrarily selected terms, in which case their meaning will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention are not merely names of terms, but must be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention.

[0062] Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a component, it means, unless otherwise specified, that it does not exclude other components, but rather that it may include other components. Furthermore, terms such as "...part" and "...module" used in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which is embodied by hardware or software, or by a combination of hardware and software.

[0063] As used herein, when an expression such as “at least one of the following” precedes a set of elements, it modifies the entire set of elements, not each of the elements themselves. For example, the expression “at least one of a, b, and c” must be interpreted as including a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

[0064] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device is also a device that generates an aerosol by electrically heating a cigarette contained in an internal space.

[0065] The aerosol generator includes a heater. In one embodiment, the heater is also an electrical resistive heater. For example, the heater includes a conductive track, and the heater can be heated when an electric current flows through the conductive track.

[0066] The heater includes tubular heating elements, plate heating elements, needle heating elements, or rod heating elements, and can heat the inside or outside of the cigarette depending on the shape of the heating elements.

[0067] A cigarette includes a tobacco rod and a filter rod. The tobacco rod can be made in sheet or strand form and may be made from shredded tobacco, which is obtained by cutting tobacco sheets into small pieces. The tobacco rod is also surrounded by a heat-conducting material. For example, the heat-conducting material may be a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but is not limited to that.

[0068] The filter rod is also a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod may consist of at least one segment. For example, the filter rod may include a first segment for cooling the aerosol and a second segment for filtering out a predetermined component contained in the aerosol.

[0069] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is also a device that generates aerosols using a cartridge containing an aerosol generating substance.

[0070] The aerosol generator includes a cartridge containing an aerosol-generating substance and a main body that supports the cartridge. The cartridge is detachably coupled to the main body, but is not limited to this arrangement. The cartridge may be integrally formed with the main body or assembled and fixed so that it cannot be detached by the user. The cartridge may be mounted on the main body with the aerosol-generating substance contained inside, but is not limited to this arrangement; the aerosol-generating substance may also be injected into the cartridge while it is coupled to the main body.

[0071] The cartridge contains an aerosol-generating substance that exists in one of several states, such as liquid, solid, gaseous, or gel. The aerosol-generating substance may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance that includes volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0072] The cartridge operates via electrical or wireless signals transmitted from the main unit, converting the phase of the aerosol-generating material inside the cartridge to a gas phase and generating an aerosol. An aerosol refers to a gaseous state in which vaporized particles generated from the aerosol-generating material and air are mixed.

[0073] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generator may generate an aerosol by heating a liquid composition, and the generated aerosol may be transmitted to the user through a cigarette. That is, the aerosol generated from the liquid composition moves along an airflow passage of the aerosol generator, and the airflow passage may be configured so that the aerosol is transmitted to the user through a cigarette.

[0074] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is also a device that generates aerosols from aerosol-generating material using an ultrasonic vibration method. In this case, the ultrasonic vibration method refers to a method of generating aerosols by atomizing the aerosol-generating material with ultrasonic vibrations generated by a transducer.

[0075] The aerosol generator includes a transducer, which generates short-period vibrations to atomize aerosol-generating materials. The vibrations generated by the transducer are ultrasonic vibrations, and the frequency range of ultrasonic vibrations is approximately 100 kHz to 3.5 MHz, but it is not limited to this range.

[0076] The aerosol generator may further include a core that absorbs the aerosol-generating material. For example, the core may be positioned to surround at least one region of the oscillator or to be in contact with at least one region of the oscillator.

[0077] When a voltage (e.g., AC voltage) is applied to the transducer, heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations are generated from the transducer, and these heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to the aerosol-generating material absorbed in the core. The aerosol-generating material absorbed in the core is converted into a gas phase by the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the transducer, and as a result, an aerosol is generated.

[0078] For example, aerosols are generated when the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material absorbed into the core decreases due to the heat generated from the transducer, and the aerosol-generating material with reduced viscosity is atomized by ultrasonic vibrations generated from the transducer, but this is not the only way in which aerosols are formed.

[0079] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating apparatus is also a device that generates aerosols by heating the aerosol product contained within the aerosol generating apparatus using an induction heating method.

[0080] The aerosol generator includes a susceptor and a coil. In one embodiment, the coil can apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. Power is supplied to the coil from the aerosol generator, forming a magnetic field inside the coil. In one embodiment, the susceptor is a magnetic material that generates heat in response to an external magnetic field. The aerosol product is heated as the susceptor is located inside the coil and generates heat due to the application of a magnetic field. Alternatively, the susceptor can be selectively located within the aerosol product.

[0081] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generator may further include a cradle.

[0082] The aerosol generator can be configured as a system with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle can charge the aerosol generator's battery. Alternatively, the heater can be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generator are coupled together.

[0083] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, so as to be easily implemented by a person with ordinary skill in the art. The present invention may be implemented in a form that can be embodied in the aerosol generating apparatus of the various embodiments described above, or in a variety of different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0084] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment in which a battery pack is used.

[0085] Referring to Figure 1, the aerosol generator 1 may include a cartridge 100, an aerosol generator body 200, a battery pack 250, a cap 300, and a heater assembly 400. However, the components of the aerosol generator 1 are not limited to these, and depending on the embodiment, at least one of the components described above may be omitted, or other components may be added.

[0086] The cartridge 100 stores an aerosol-generating substance, which can be supplied to a heating unit contained within the cartridge 100. This allows the aerosol-generating substance to be aerosolized within the chamber contained in the cartridge 100 by the heating unit. In this invention, "aerosol" refers to particles produced by mixing vapor generated by heating the aerosol-generating substance with air, and this expression will be used with the same meaning hereafter.

[0087] The aerosol-generating substance stored inside cartridge 100 may include a tobacco-containing substance containing volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid composition containing non-tobacco substances.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the liquid composition may contain one of the following components, or a mixture thereof: water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, fragrance, flavoring agent, and vitamin mixture. The fragrance may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit fragrance components. The flavoring agent may include components that can provide the user with a variety of flavors or aromas. The vitamin mixture may also be, but is not limited to, a mixture of at least one of vitamins A, B, C, and E. The liquid composition may also contain aerosol-forming agents such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0089] 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 contain two or more nicotine salts. The nicotine salt can be formed by adding a suitable acid, including an organic or inorganic acid, to nicotine. The nicotine may be naturally occurring or synthetic nicotine, and may be present in any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

[0090] The acid for forming the nicotine salt can be appropriately selected considering the rate of nicotine absorption in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generator 1, flavor or aroma, solubility, etc. For example, the acid for forming the nicotine salt may be 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, saccharic acid, malonic acid, or malic acid, or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group.

[0091] The aerosol generator body 200 is located below the cartridge 100 and cap 300 (for example, in the -z direction) and can support the cartridge 100 and cap 300.

[0092] According to one embodiment, components for the operation of the aerosol generator 1 may be arranged inside the aerosol generator body 200. For example, a battery pack 250 and a processor (not shown) may be arranged inside the aerosol generator body 200. However, the battery pack 250 and the processor are merely examples of components that may be arranged inside the aerosol generator body 200, and other components (e.g., a user interface, sensors, etc.) may be further arranged inside the aerosol generator body 200 in addition to the components described above.

[0093] The battery pack 250 may include a battery that supplies power used to operate the aerosol generator 1. For example, the battery can be electrically connected to the heating section and heater assembly 400 of the cartridge 100 and supply power to heat the heating section and heater assembly 400. As another example, the battery can also supply power necessary for the operation of other components of the aerosol generator 1 (e.g., a processor). The battery pack 250 may include terminals that electrically connect the battery to components of the aerosol generator 1 (e.g., the heater assembly 400). A specific description of the battery pack 250 will be given later.

[0094] The processor can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator 1. The processor may also be embodied by an array of numerous logic gates, or by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and memory in which a program executed by this microprocessor is stored.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the processor can control the power supplied from the battery to the heating unit and heater assembly 400 of the aerosol generator 1. For example, the processor can control the amount of power supplied from the battery to the heating unit and heater assembly 400 and the power supply time so that the heating unit and heater assembly 400 are heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at a specified temperature.

[0096] The cap 300 may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the cartridge 100, at least a portion of the aerosol generator body 200, and at least a portion of the heater assembly 400. For example, the cap 300 may be coupled to the aerosol generator body 200 so as to surround the entire outside of the cartridge 100 and the entire outside of the heater assembly 400. The cap 300 can protect the cartridge 100, the aerosol generator body 200, and the heater assembly 400 from external impacts or the inflow of external foreign matter. The cap 300 may be detachably coupled to the aerosol generator body 200.

[0097] The cap 300 includes a cap body 301, a door 302, and a cap hole 303.

[0098] The cap body 301 functions as the body of the cap 300 and is detachably coupled to the aerosol generating device body 200. At least a portion of the door 302 can be inserted into the cap body 301 to form a door guide hole (not shown) that guides the movement of the door.

[0099] The door 302 is located on the upper part of the cap body 301 (for example, the part facing the +z direction) and opens or closes the cap hole 303. The door 302 is inserted into the door guide hole of the cap body 301 and moves along one direction (for example, the x-axis direction).

[0100] The cap hole 303 is formed in the upper part of the cap body 301 (for example, the part facing the +z direction) and communicates with the housing portion 400a of the heater assembly 400. With the cap 300 coupled to the aerosol generating device body 200, the aerosol product 2 can be contained in the housing portion 400a of the heater assembly 400 by sequentially passing through the cap hole 303 and the housing portion 400a.

[0101] The cap 300 may further include a window 350.

[0102] The window 350 may include a transparent material, such as acrylic or glass. The window 350 may be formed on the outer surface of the cap body along one direction (e.g., the z-axis direction) at a corresponding position on the cartridge 100. The user can check the remaining amount of aerosol-generating material stored in the cartridge 100 through the window 350.

[0103] The heater assembly 400 for the aerosol generator (hereinafter referred to as the "heater assembly") is connected to the aerosol generator body 200 to contain the aerosol product 2 and can heat the aerosol product 2. In this case, the heater assembly 400 can heat the tobacco rod of the aerosol product 2 and heat the aerosol generating substance contained in the aerosol product 2.

[0104] For example, the heater assembly 400 includes a conductive track, and the heater can be heated when current flows through the conductive track. The heater assembly 400 can be formed from any suitable electrical resistant material. Suitable electrical resistant 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, and nichrome.

[0105] The heater includes tubular heating elements, plate heating elements, needle heating elements, or rod heating elements, and can heat the inside or outside of the cigarette depending on the shape of the heating elements.

[0106] The heater assembly 400 can be connected to the chamber of the cartridge 100. This allows the aerosol generated in the chamber to move to the heater assembly 400. The aerosol that has moved to the heater assembly 400 can be discharged to the outside by passing through the aerosol product 2 contained in the containment section 400a formed in the heater assembly 400. The user can contact the aerosol product 2 with their mouth and inhale the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generator 1 through the aerosol product 2.

[0107] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an aerosol generator according to another embodiment in which a battery pack is used.

[0108] Referring to Figure 2, the aerosol generator 1 may include a cartridge 100, an aerosol generator body 200, a battery pack 250, a heater assembly 400, and a cover 500. However, the components of the aerosol generator 1 are not limited to these, and depending on the embodiment, at least one of the aforementioned components (for example, the cover 500) may be omitted, or other components may be added.

[0109] Furthermore, at least one component of the aerosol generator 1 is identical or similar to at least one component of the aerosol generator 1 shown in Figure 1 (for example, the battery pack 250), and redundant explanations will be omitted below.

[0110] The cartridge 100 stores an aerosol-generating substance, which can be supplied to a heater assembly 400 located at the lower end of the cartridge 100 (for example, the part facing the -z direction). The aerosol-generating substance stored inside the cartridge 100 is identical or similar to the aerosol-generating substance described in Figure 1, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0111] According to one embodiment, the cartridge 100 may include a mouthpiece 100m for supplying aerosol to the user. For example, the mouthpiece 100m may connect or fluidly connect the inside of the heater assembly 400 to the outside of the aerosol generator 1, and the aerosol generated inside the heater assembly 400 may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generator 1 through the mouthpiece 100m. In this case, the user can contact the mouthpiece 100m with their mouth and inhale the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generator 1.

[0112] In this invention, the term "fluid connection" means that the components are connected in such a way that a fluid, such as air or liquid, can pass through and flow through them.

[0113] The aerosol generator body 200 is located at the lower end of the heater assembly 400 and supports the heater assembly 400. Components for the operation of the aerosol generator 1 may be arranged inside the aerosol generator body 200. The components arranged inside the aerosol generator body 200 (e.g., the battery pack 250) are the same as or similar to the components described in Figure 1, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0114] The heater assembly 400 is located between the cartridge 100 and the aerosol generator main body 200, and can perform the function of converting the phase of the aerosol-generating material to the gas phase to generate an aerosol. The heater assembly 400 can heat the aerosol-generating material supplied from the cartridge 100 to generate an aerosol.

[0115] For example, the heater assembly 400 can heat the aerosol-generating material supplied from the cartridge 100 and generate vapor from the aerosol-generating material. The generated vapor is mixed with outside air that flows into the heater assembly 400 from outside, and as a result, an aerosol may be generated. The heater assembly 400 may include a chamber that provides a space for aerosol generation, a wick into which the aerosol-generating material is absorbed, and a heating section that heats the aerosol-generating material absorbed into the wick.

[0116] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 allows for the replacement of the cartridge 100 and / or the heater assembly 400 through a structure in which the cartridge 100 and the heater assembly 400 are detachably connected, and the heater assembly 400 and the aerosol generating device body 200 are detachably connected.

[0117] If the aerosol-generating material stored in cartridge 100 is depleted, the user can continue smoking by replacing the existing cartridge 100 with a new one. As another example, if the performance of a component of heater assembly 400 (e.g., heating element or wick) deteriorates and a sufficient amount of aerosol is not generated, the user can replace the existing heater assembly 400 with a new one to generate a sufficient amount of aerosol.

[0118] When the aerosol generating material stored in cartridge 100 is consumed and cartridge 100 needs to be replaced, in one embodiment of the aerosol generating device 1, only cartridge 100 can be replaced, and the heater assembly 400 can be reused. This is because cartridge 100 is detachably coupled to the heater assembly 400. As a result, even when cartridge 100 needs to be replaced, components such as the heating element included in the heater assembly 400 do not necessarily need to be replaced together, thus potentially reducing the overall operating cost of the aerosol generating device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0119] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generator 1 may further include a cover 500 for protecting the components of the aerosol generator 1.

[0120] The cover 500 is positioned to surround at least one area of ​​the cartridge 100, the aerosol generator body 200, and the heater assembly 400, thereby fixing the positions of the cartridge 100, the aerosol generator body 200, and the heater assembly 400, and protecting them from external impacts or the ingress of foreign matter.

[0121] In one embodiment, the cover 500 may be formed integrally with the aerosol generating device body 200, but is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the cover 500 may be detachably coupled to the aerosol generating device body 200.

[0122] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an aerosol generator according to yet another embodiment in which a battery pack is used.

[0123] Referring to Figure 3, the aerosol generator 1 may include an aerosol generator body 200, a battery pack 250, and a heater assembly 400. At least one of the components of the aerosol generator 1 is identical or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generator 1 described above (for example, the battery pack 250), and redundant explanations will be omitted below.

[0124] The aerosol generator 1 can generate aerosols by heating the aerosol product 2 contained within the aerosol generator 1 using an induction heating method. The induction heating method refers to a method of generating heat in a magnetic material that generates heat in response to an external magnetic field by applying an alternating magnetic field whose direction changes periodically.

[0125] When an alternating magnetic field is applied to a magnetic material, energy loss occurs in the magnetic material due to eddy current loss and hysteresis loss, and the lost energy can be released from the magnetic material as thermal energy. The larger the amplitude or frequency of the alternating magnetic field applied to the magnetic material, the more thermal energy can be released from the magnetic material. An aerosol generating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment can release thermal energy from a magnetic material by applying an alternating magnetic field to it, and can transfer the thermal energy released from the magnetic material to the aerosol product.

[0126] A magnetic material that generates heat due to an external magnetic field is a susceptor.

[0127] According to one embodiment, the susceptor may be positioned inside the heater assembly 400 and surrounding the aerosol product 2 contained in the containment space. In this case, the susceptor is formed in an overall hollow cylindrical shape, but its shape is not limited thereto.

[0128] In another embodiment, the susceptor may be placed inside the aerosol product 2 housed in the aerosol generator 1. In this case, the susceptor may be included in the aerosol product 2 in the form of a piece, flake, or strip.

[0129] At least a portion of the susceptor may be made of a ferromagnetic substance. For example, the susceptor may contain metal or carbon. The susceptor may contain at least one of ferrite, ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum (Al). The susceptor may also contain at least one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, nickel alloy, metal film, ceramics such as zirconia, transition metals such as nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co), and quasimetallic elements such as boron (B) and phosphorus (P).

[0130] The aerosol generator 1 can accommodate the aerosol product 2. In one embodiment, the aerosol generator 1 may have a space for accommodating the aerosol product 2. Here, a heater assembly 10 may be placed in the space of the aerosol generator 1 for accommodating the aerosol product 2. For example, the heater assembly 400 may include a cylindrical accommodating space inside for accommodating the aerosol product 2. Therefore, when the aerosol product 2 is accommodated in the aerosol generator 1, the aerosol product 2 may be accommodated in the accommodating space of the heater assembly 400.

[0131] The heater assembly 400 can heat the aerosol product 2 contained in the aerosol generating device 1. As described above, the heater assembly 400 can heat the aerosol product 2 by induction heating. According to one embodiment, the heater assembly 400 applies an alternating magnetic field to the susceptor to generate heat in the susceptor.

[0132] The heater assembly 400 can surround at least a portion of the aerosol product 2 contained in the aerosol generator 1. For example, the heater assembly 400 can surround the tobacco medium contained in the aerosol product 2. This allows heat to be transferred more efficiently from the heater assembly 400 to the tobacco medium.

[0133] The battery contained in the battery pack 250 can supply power to the aerosol generator 1. For example, the battery can supply power to the coil of the heater assembly 400. As another example, the battery may supply the power necessary for the operation of other components of the aerosol generator 1 (e.g., the control unit).

[0134] The battery may include a battery unit that supplies direct current to the coils of the heater assembly 400 and a conversion unit that converts the direct current supplied from the battery unit into alternating current supplied to the coils of the heater assembly 400.

[0135] The battery unit can supply DC power to the aerosol generator 1. The battery unit is a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, but is not limited to this. For example, the battery unit may be a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) battery, a lithium titanate battery, a lithium polymer (LoPoly) battery, etc.

[0136] The conversion unit may include a low-pass filter that filters the DC supplied from the battery and outputs AC to be supplied to the heater assembly 400. The conversion unit may further include an amplifier for amplifying the DC supplied from the battery unit. For example, the conversion unit may be embodied through a low-pass filter that constitutes the load network of a class-D amplifier.

[0137] Although not shown in the figures, the aerosol generator 1 may further include a control unit and a vaporizer.

[0138] The control unit can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator 1. The control unit may be embodied in an array of numerous logic gates, or in a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and memory where a program executed on this microprocessor is stored, but is not limited to these.

[0139] According to one embodiment, the control unit can control the power supplied to the heater assembly 400. Here, the control unit controls the coil of the heater assembly 400. The control unit can control the battery so that the power supplied to the coil of the heater assembly 400 is adjusted. For example, the control unit can control the coil to maintain a constant temperature at which it heats the aerosol product 2, based on the temperature of the coil of the heater assembly 400.

[0140] The vaporizer heats a liquid aerosol-generating substance to produce an aerosol, which can then be transmitted to the user through the aerosol product 2. In other words, the aerosol produced by the vaporizer moves along the airflow passage of the aerosol generator 1, and the airflow passage may be configured so that the aerosol produced by the vaporizer is transmitted to the user through the aerosol product 2.

[0141] For example, the vaporizer includes, but is not limited to, a storage unit for storing liquid aerosol-generating material, a liquid transfer means, and a heating element. For example, the storage unit, liquid transfer means, and heating element may be separate modules included in the aerosol generator 1.

[0142] The storage section can store liquid aerosol-generating substances. For example, liquid aerosol-generating substances have been explained in Figures 1 and 2, so they will be omitted here.

[0143] The liquid transfer means transfers the aerosol-generating substance from the storage unit to the heating element. For example, the liquid transfer means may be, but is not limited to, a wick made of cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, or porous ceramics.

[0144] The heating element is an element for heating the aerosol-generating substance that is transmitted by the liquid transmission means. For example, the heating element may be a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate, or a ceramic heater, but is not limited to these. The heating element may also be composed of a conductive filament such as a nichrome wire, and may be arranged in a structure that is wound around the liquid transmission means. The heating element is heated by the supply of electric current, and heat is transferred to the aerosol-generating substance in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the aerosol-generating substance. As a result, an aerosol is generated.

[0145] For example, a steam generator is called a cartomizer or atomizer, but is not limited to these terms.

[0146] If the aerosol generator 1 according to one embodiment further includes a vaporizer, the battery supplies power to heat at least one of the heater assembly 400 or the vaporizer, and the control unit can control the power supplied to at least one of the heater assembly 400 or the vaporizer.

[0147] When an aerosol product 2 is inserted into the aerosol generator 1 according to one embodiment, the aerosol generator 1 activates the heater assembly 400 and / or vaporizer to generate an aerosol from the aerosol product 2 and / or vaporizer. The aerosol generated by the heater assembly 400 and / or vaporizer can pass through the aerosol product 2 and be transmitted to the user.

[0148] The aerosol generator body 200 forms the overall external shape of the aerosol generator 1 according to one embodiment. Components for the operation of the aerosol generator 1 may be arranged inside the aerosol generator body 200. For example, the heater assembly 400, battery pack 250, control unit, and vaporizer described above may be arranged inside the aerosol generator 1. However, the heater assembly 400, battery pack 250, control unit, and vaporizer are merely examples of components that may be arranged inside the aerosol generator 1, and other components (e.g., user interface, sensors, etc.) may be further arranged inside the aerosol generator 1 in addition to the components described above.

[0149] The aerosol generating device body 200 may have an air inlet 50a into which external air flows. The air inlet 50a may be connected to or fluid-connected to the airflow passage cover of the heater assembly 400, which will be described later.

[0150] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment in which a battery pack is used.

[0151] Referring to Figure 4, the aerosol generator 1 may include a cartridge 100, an aerosol generator body 200, a battery pack 250, and a cap 300. At least one of the components of the aerosol generator 1 is identical or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generator 1 described above (for example, the battery pack 250), and redundant explanations will be omitted below.

[0152] The cartridge 100 may include a storage section 110 for storing aerosol-generating material and a storage section 400a for containing the aerosol product. The cartridge 100 may further include a chamber that provides a space for aerosol generation and a heating section for heating the aerosol-generating material.

[0153] The storage unit 110 is connected or fluidly connected to the internal space of the chamber of the cartridge 100, so that the aerosol-generating material stored in the storage unit 110 can flow into the internal space of the chamber of the cartridge 100. The chamber may be located at the lower end of the storage unit 110.

[0154] In this case, the aerosol-generating substance stored in the storage unit 110 may include a tobacco-containing substance containing volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid composition containing non-tobacco substances. Since the aerosol-generating substance stored in the storage unit 110 is the same as or similar to the aerosol-generating substance described in Figure 1, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0155] The containment section 400a contains the aerosol product and may be located on one side of the storage section 110 (for example, in the -x direction). The internal space of the containment section 400a containing the aerosol product 2 is spatially separated from the storage section 110, and as a result, the aerosol-generating material stored in the storage section 110 does not flow into the internal space of the containment section 400a.

[0156] The containment section 400a can be connected or fluid-connected to the chamber of the cartridge 100. This allows the aerosol generated in the chamber to move to the containment section 400a. In this case, the aerosol that has moved to the containment section 400a can pass through the aerosol product 2 contained in the containment section 400a and be discharged to the outside. The user can contact the aerosol product 2 with their mouth and inhale the aerosol that is discharged to the outside of the aerosol generator 1 through the aerosol product 2.

[0157] The aerosol generator body 200 is located at the lower end of the cartridge 100 and supports the cartridge 100. Components for the operation of the aerosol generator 1 may be arranged inside the aerosol generator body 200. The components arranged inside the aerosol generator body 200 are the same as or similar to the components of the aerosol generator body described above, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0158] The aerosol generating device body 200 may include a cartridge coupling section 210.

[0159] The cartridge 100 can be detachably connected to the cartridge coupling part 210. The cartridge 100 is connected to the aerosol generator body 200 by being connected to the cartridge coupling part 210, and can be separated from the aerosol generator body 200 by being separated from the cartridge coupling part 210.

[0160] The cartridge coupling portion 210 may be located on the upper part of the aerosol generator body 200 (for example, the portion facing the +z direction). The cartridge coupling portion 210 may include a first portion 211 extending in one direction (for example, the z-axis direction) and a second portion 212 extending in a direction transverse to the aforementioned direction (for example, the x-axis direction). The first portion 211 and the second portion 212 may be formed integrally.

[0161] The first portion 211 of the cartridge coupling portion 210 may be coupled to the side of the cartridge 100 (for example, the portion facing the -x direction), and the second portion 212 of the cartridge coupling portion 210 may be coupled to the bottom of the cartridge 100 (for example, the portion facing the -z direction).

[0162] The cartridge 100 is detachably connected to the cartridge coupling part 210, thereby allowing the cartridge 100 to be detachably attached to the aerosol generating device body 200. In other words, the aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment may have a structure that allows both the storage part 110 for storing the aerosol generating material and the storage part 400a for housing the aerosol product 2 to be replaced by replacing the cartridge 100.

[0163] Although not shown in the diagram, the aerosol generating device body 200 may further include terminals.

[0164] The terminal can electrically connect the cartridge 100 and the aerosol generator body 200. For example, the terminal can electrically connect the heating element of the cartridge 100 to the battery of the aerosol generator body 200. In this case, one end of the terminal may be electrically connected to the battery, and the other end may be electrically connected to the heating element of the cartridge 100. When the cartridge 100 is connected to the cartridge coupling part 210, the terminal can be electrically connected to the cartridge 100. The cartridge coupling part 210 may have a hole formed in it so that the terminal is exposed on the upper part of the cartridge coupling part 210.

[0165] The cap 300 is detachably coupled to the aerosol generator body 200. The cap 300 can be coupled to the cartridge 100 and the aerosol generator body 200 on the upper side (for example, in the +z direction). In one embodiment, when the cap 300 is coupled to the aerosol generator body 200, the cap 300 can be positioned to surround the entire outside of the cartridge 100 and the entire outside of the cartridge coupling portion 210.

[0166] The cap 300 may include a cap body 310 surrounding the outside of the cartridge 100 and the cartridge coupling portion 210, an upper cap 320 coupled to the upper part of the cap body 310 (for example, the part facing the +z direction) and surrounding the upper side (for example, the +z direction) of the cartridge 100 and the cartridge coupling portion 210, and a housing cap 330 coupled to the upper cap 320 so as to cover the upper side (for example, the +z direction) of the housing portion 400a.

[0167] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of how the battery pack is connected to the aerosol generator body.

[0168] Referring to Figure 5, the aerosol generator 1 may include an aerosol generator body 200 and a battery pack 250. The aerosol generator body 200 shown in Figure 5 is one of the aerosol generator bodies 200 described in Figures 1 to 4, and the battery pack 250 shown in Figure 5 is one of the battery packs 250 described in Figures 1 to 4, so redundant explanations will be omitted below.

[0169] The aerosol generating device body 200 may include a battery housing 200a, body terminals 235, and a battery cover 240.

[0170] A battery pack 250 is housed in the battery housing 200a, and the battery housing 200a may be formed to correspond to the shape of the battery pack 250. The battery housing 200a is located on the side of the aerosol generator body 200 (for example, the side facing the -x direction) and may be open to communicate with the outside by the battery cover 240, or closed to spatially isolate it from the outside.

[0171] The main terminal 235 may be electrically connected to the battery when the battery pack 250 is housed in the battery housing 200a. One side of the main terminal 235 may be electrically connected to an internal component of the aerosol generator main body 200 (e.g., the heater assembly), while the other side may be exposed toward the battery housing 200a. For example, the main terminal 235 may include at least one of the following materials: copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), gold (Au), or silver (Ag), and the main terminal 235 may be plated with gold or silver. However, it is not limited to these.

[0172] The battery cover 240 can open or close the battery housing 200a. In one embodiment, the battery cover 240 may be rotatably coupled to the aerosol generator body 200 via a hinge 240a. The battery cover 240 is the same length as or longer than the battery housing 200a along its longitudinal direction (e.g., the z-axis direction) to close the battery housing 200a.

[0173] The battery pack 250 may include the battery pack body 251 and the battery terminals 253.

[0174] The battery pack 250 can be detachably coupled to the aerosol generator body 200. In one embodiment, the battery pack 250 may be housed in a battery housing 200a on one side of the aerosol generator body 200 (for example, the side facing the -x direction). However, this is illustrative, and the battery pack 250 may also be housed in a battery housing 200a on the other side of the aerosol generator body 200 (for example, the side facing the +x direction).

[0175] The battery pack body 251 functions as the main body of the battery pack 250, and the battery may be contained inside the battery pack body 251. Battery terminals 253 may be connected to the battery pack body 251. The battery pack body 251 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the battery housing 200a.

[0176] The battery terminal 253 may be electrically connected to the main unit terminal 235 when the battery pack 250 is housed in the battery housing 200a. When the battery terminal 253 and the main unit terminal 235 are connected, power is supplied and / or communication is established between the battery and the aerosol generator main unit 200. One side of the battery terminal 253 is electrically connected to the battery, and the other side of the battery terminal 253 may be exposed to the outside of the battery pack main unit 251. For example, the battery terminal 253 may contain at least one of the following materials: copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), gold (Au), or silver (Ag), and the battery terminal 253 may be plated with gold or silver. However, it is not limited to these.

[0177] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating another example in which the battery pack is coupled to the aerosol generator body.

[0178] Referring to Figure 6, the aerosol generator 1 may include an aerosol generator body 200 and a battery pack 250. The aerosol generator body 200 shown in Figure 6 is any one of the aerosol generator bodies 200 described in Figures 1 to 4, and the battery pack 250 shown in Figure 6 is any one of the battery packs 250 described in Figures 1 to 4, so redundant explanations will be omitted below.

[0179] Furthermore, at least one component of the aerosol generator body 200 in Figure 6 is identical or similar to a component of the aerosol generator body 200 in Figure 5, and at least one component of the battery pack 250 in Figure 6 is identical or similar to a component of the battery pack 250 in Figure 5. Therefore, the following explanation will focus on the differences.

[0180] The battery cover 240 can open or close the battery housing 200a. In one embodiment, the battery cover 240 may be rotatably coupled to the aerosol generator body 200 via a hinge 240a. The battery cover 240 is the same length as or longer than the battery housing 200a in the width direction (e.g., x-axis direction) to close the battery housing 200a.

[0181] The battery pack 250 can be detachably coupled to the aerosol generating device body 200. In one embodiment, the battery pack 250 can be housed in a battery housing 200a on the lower surface (for example, the surface facing the -z direction) of the aerosol generating device body 200.

[0182] The following describes in detail various embodiments in which the battery pack 250 is electrically connected to the aerosol generating device main body 200.

[0183] Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of a battery pack.

[0184] Referring to Figure 7, the battery pack 250 may include the battery pack body 251 and the battery port 252. The battery pack 250 shown in Figure 7 is identical or similar to the battery pack 250 described in Figures 1 to 6, so the differences will be explained below.

[0185] The battery port 252 is an interface for electrical connection to the aerosol generator body. In one embodiment, the battery port 252 is a USB (Universal Serial Bus). The battery port 252 may include the battery terminals described above. The battery port 252 may protrude outward from the battery pack body 251.

[0186] The battery port 252 is included in the aerosol generator as a single module with the battery pack 250, as shown in Figure 7, but this is illustrative, and it may also be included in the aerosol generator as a module separate from the battery pack 250.

[0187] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the main body of the aerosol generator to which the battery pack shown in Figure 7 is connected.

[0188] Referring to Figure 8, the aerosol generator body 200 may include a battery housing 200a, a body port 230, and a body terminal 235. The aerosol generator body 200 shown in Figure 8 is identical or similar to the aerosol generator body 200 shown in Figures 1 to 6, so the differences will be explained below.

[0189] The main unit port 230 is an interface for electrical connection to the aerosol generator main unit. In one embodiment, the main unit port 230 is a USB port. The main unit port 230 may include a main unit terminal 235. The main unit port 230 is a groove into which a battery port 252 (see Figure 7) is inserted and may communicate with the battery housing 200a.

[0190] When the battery pack 250 (see Figure 7) is housed in the battery housing 200a, the battery port 252 (see Figure 7) can be inserted into the main body port 230. When the battery port 252 (see Figure 7) is inserted into the main body port 230, the main body terminal 235 and the battery terminal can be electrically connected. As a result, the aerosol generator main body 200 and the battery pack 250 (see Figure 7) can be electrically connected.

[0191] On the other hand, unlike in Figures 7 and 8, the main body port 230 may protrude toward the battery housing 200a, and the battery port 252 may include a groove into which the main body port 230 is inserted.

[0192] Furthermore, the main unit port 230 and battery port 252 described in Figures 7 and 8 can be referred to as connectors that connect the main unit terminals and the battery terminals.

[0193] Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of a connector for connecting the battery pack and the aerosol generator main unit.

[0194] Referring to Figure 9, the connector may include a main port 230, a battery port 252, and a connecting unit 255. The connector may be included in the aerosol generator as a separate module, as shown in Figure 9, or as a module integrated with at least one of the aerosol generator body or battery pack.

[0195] The main port 230 can be detachably coupled to the aerosol generator body. In one embodiment, the aerosol generator body may include a groove into which the main port 230 is inserted. The main port 230 includes at least one terminal and, when coupled to the aerosol generator, may be electrically connected to the main terminal.

[0196] The battery port 252 may be detachably coupled to the battery pack. In one embodiment, the battery pack may include a groove into which the battery port 252 is inserted. The battery port 252 includes at least one terminal and, when coupled to the battery pack, may be electrically connected to the battery terminal.

[0197] The battery port 252 and the main unit port 230 can be electrically connected via the connecting unit 255.

[0198] The connecting unit 255 can connect the battery port 252 and the main port 230. The connecting unit 255 includes a bendable material and may have a predetermined length. This allows the battery pack and the aerosol generator body to be electrically connected to each other via the connecting unit 255, even if a region of the battery pack to which the battery port 252 is connected and a region of the aerosol generator to which the main port 230 is connected are located at a predetermined distance apart. Furthermore, even if a component of the aerosol generator is located between the region of the battery pack to which the battery port 252 is connected and the region of the aerosol generator to which the main port 230 is connected, the connecting unit 255 can be bent, thus avoiding the component and allowing the battery pack and the aerosol generator body to be electrically connected to each other. In one embodiment, the connecting unit 255 may be embodied in a wire or an FPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board).

[0199] Figure 10 is a diagram showing another example of a connector for connecting the battery pack and the aerosol generator body.

[0200] Referring to Figure 10, the aerosol generator 1 may include the aerosol generator body 200, the battery pack 250, and the connector 260. The aerosol generator body 200 shown in Figure 10 is identical or similar to the aerosol generator body 200 described in Figures 1 to 6, and the battery pack 250 shown in Figure 10 is identical or similar to the battery pack 250 described in Figures 1 to 6, so redundant explanations will be omitted below.

[0201] The connector 260 can electrically connect the aerosol generator body 200 and the battery pack 250. The connector 260 may be included in the aerosol generator 1 as an independent module, or it may be included in the aerosol generator 1 as a module integrated with at least one of the aerosol generator body 200 or the battery pack 250.

[0202] The connector 260, while connected to the battery pack 250, can be inserted into a certain area of ​​the aerosol generator body 200. The connector 260 can be inserted into the aforementioned area of ​​the aerosol generator body 200 and electrically connected to the body terminals. This allows the connector 260 to electrically connect the battery pack 250 and the aerosol generator body 200.

[0203] However, this is illustrative, and unlike what is shown in Figure 10, the connector 260 may be inserted into a region of the battery pack 250 while connected to the aerosol generator body 200. That is, the connector 260 may be inserted into the aforementioned region of the battery pack 250 and electrically connected to the battery terminals. This allows the connector 260 to electrically connect the battery pack 250 and the aerosol generator body 200.

[0204] The connector 260 may include a connection unit 2610 and a connector cover 2620.

[0205] The connection unit 2610 may be surrounded in at least one area by the connector cover 2620. The connection unit 2610 may be inserted into the connector cover 2620, with one end protruding from the connector cover 2620. This allows the protruding portion of the connection unit 2610 to be connected to the main body terminal of the aerosol generator body 200.

[0206] The connection unit 2610 may include an insulating member 2611 and a support member 2613.

[0207] Multiple contacts may be arranged on the insulating member 2611. Holes may be formed in the insulating member 2611 for some of the multiple contacts to pass through. The insulating member 2611 may include an insulating material. For example, the insulating member 2611 may include a material such as rubber.

[0208] The support member 2613 is coupled to the insulating member 2611 and may extend in one direction from the insulating member 2611. Multiple contacts may be arranged on the support member 2613. The support member 2613 can perform the function of supporting multiple contacts. The support member 2613 may include an insulating material. For example, the support member 2613 may include a material such as rubber. The protruding portion of the connection unit 2610 described above is the end of the support member 2613.

[0209] The connector cover 2620 may be positioned to cover at least a portion of the connection unit 2610. The connector cover 2620 can function to protect the connection unit 2610 from external impacts.

[0210] The connector cover 2620 may include a hole into which the connection unit 2610 is inserted, a cover body 2621 surrounding the connection unit 2610, and a coupling hole 2622 for coupling to the aerosol generator body 200. At least a portion of the aerosol generator body 200 is inserted into the coupling hole 2622, and as a result, the connector cover 2620 can be coupled to the aerosol generator body 200. In one embodiment, the connector cover 2620 may be detachably coupled to the aerosol generator body 200.

[0211] The above describes an embodiment in which the connection unit 2610 is connected to the battery pack 250 and the connector cover 2620 is connected to the aerosol generator body 200, but the invention is not limited to this embodiment. That is, the connection unit 2610 may be connected to the aerosol generator body 200 and the connector cover 2620 may be connected to the battery pack 250.

[0212] Figure 11 is a bottom view of the connector shown in Figure 10.

[0213] Referring to Figure 11, the connection unit 2610 may include an insulating member 2611, a support member 2613, a first contact 2630, a second contact 2640a, and a third contact 2640b.

[0214] The first contact 2630, the second contact 2640a, and the third contact 2640b can be electrically connected to the battery terminals and the main body terminals. The first contact 2630, the second contact 2640a, and the third contact 2640b can be manufactured together with the insulating member 2611 and the support member 2613 in an insert injection process.

[0215] The insert injection process refers to the process of injecting resin into a mold (cavity) after a separate material, such as metal, has been pre-inserted into the mold. Through the insert injection process, a product in which metal and resin (for example, rubber) are bonded together can be manufactured. Specifically, after placing the first contact 2630, second contact 2640a, and third contact 2640b made of metal material into the mold, the materials for the insulating member 2611 and the support member 2613 can be injected into the mold to finally manufacture the connecting unit 2610.

[0216] The first contact 2630, the second contact 2640a, and the third contact 2640b can perform different functions from each other.

[0217] In one embodiment, the first contact 2630 can perform the function of supplying power from the battery pack to the aerosol generator main body. In this case, the second contact 2640a and the third contact 2640b can perform the function of communication between the battery pack and the aerosol generator main body.

[0218] In other embodiments, the first contact 2630 can perform a function for communication between the battery pack and the aerosol generator body. In this case, the second contact 2640a and the third contact 2640b may perform a function for supplying power from the battery pack to the aerosol generator body.

[0219] The first contact 2630 may be located on the first support block 2613a. The first support block 2613a is a region of the support member 2613 in Figure 10 and may be located inside the second support block 2613b. The first contact 2630 may be longer than the second contact 2640a and the third contact 2640b. Multiple first contacts 2630 may be located on the first support block 2613a. Figure 11 shows five first contacts 2630, but this is illustrative, and one to four or fewer, or six or more, first contacts 2630 may be located on the first support block 2613a.

[0220] The second contact 2640a and the third contact 2640b may be positioned on the second support block 2613b via the first contact 2630. Multiple second contacts 2640a and third contacts 2640b may be positioned on the second support block 2613b. Figure 11 shows two second contacts 2640a and third contacts 2640b, but this is illustrative, and one or more second contacts 2640a and third contacts 2640b may be positioned on the second support block 2613b.

[0221] Figure 12 is a diagram showing yet another example of a connector for connecting the battery pack and the aerosol generator body.

[0222] Referring to Figure 12, the aerosol generator 1 may include the aerosol generator body 200, the battery pack 250, and the connector 270. The aerosol generator body 200 shown in Figure 12 is identical or similar to the aerosol generator body 200 described in Figures 1 to 6, and the battery pack 250 shown in Figure 12 is identical or similar to the battery pack 250 described in Figures 1 to 6, so redundant explanations will be omitted below.

[0223] The connector 270 can electrically connect the aerosol generator body 200 and the battery pack 250. The connector 270 may be included in the aerosol generator 1 as an independent module, or it may be included in the aerosol generator 1 as a module integrated with at least one of the aerosol generator body 200 or the battery pack 250.

[0224] The connector 270 can be inserted into a region of the aerosol generator body 200 while connected to the battery pack 250. The connector 270 can be inserted into the aforementioned region of the aerosol generator body 200 and electrically connected to the body terminals. This allows the connector 270 to electrically connect the battery pack 250 and the aerosol generator body 200.

[0225] However, this is illustrative, and unlike what is shown in Figure 12, the connector 270 may be inserted into a region of the battery pack 250 while connected to the aerosol generator body 200. That is, the connector 270 may be inserted into the aforementioned region of the battery pack 250 and electrically connected to the battery terminals. This allows the connector 270 to electrically connect the battery pack 250 and the aerosol generator body 200.

[0226] The connector 270 may include an insulating member 2710, a connector cover 2720, a sealing member 2730, and a contact 2740.

[0227] The insulating member 2710 can support the contact 2740. The insulating member 2710 may include a protruding portion 2710a that protrudes outward from the insertion hole 270a. Although not shown, the insulating member 2710 may have a protruding portion 2710a located inside the insertion hole 270a. The insulating member 2710 may include an insulating material. For example, the insulating member 2710 may include a material such as rubber.

[0228] The connector cover 2720 may be positioned to surround the insulating member 2710. The connector cover 2720 can serve to protect the components of the connector 270 located inside (e.g., the insulating member 2710 or the contacts 2740).

[0229] The connector cover 2720 may include a first cover 2721 and a second cover 2722 that are detachably coupled to each other.

[0230] The sealing member 2730 can perform a waterproofing function. Specifically, in an embodiment in which the connector 270 is inserted into the aerosol generator body 200, the sealing member 2730 can seal the space between the aerosol generator body 200 and the connector 270. As a result, the sealing member 2730 prevents foreign matter such as moisture from penetrating the insertion hole 270a, thereby reducing the possibility of damage to components such as the contact 2740.

[0231] Furthermore, in embodiments in which the connector 270 is inserted into the battery pack 250, the sealing member 2730 can seal the space between the battery pack 250 and the connector 270. This prevents foreign matter such as moisture from penetrating the insertion hole 270a, thereby reducing the possibility of damage to components such as the contact 2740.

[0232] The sealing member 2730 may be located at the front end of the connector cover 2720. The sealing member 2730 may include a rubber-like material.

[0233] Contact 2740 can connect the main unit terminal and the battery terminal. By connecting Contact 2740 to the main unit terminal while it is connected to the battery terminal, the battery and the aerosol generator main unit can be electrically connected. Contact 2740 may contain conductive material. For example, Contact 2740 may contain at least one of copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), gold (Au), or silver (Ag), and Contact 2740 may be plated with gold or silver.

[0234] A portion of the aerosol generator body 200 can be inserted into an insertion hole 270a formed between the connector cover 2720 and the insulating member 2710. When a portion of the aerosol generator body 200 is inserted into the insertion hole 270a, the body terminals come into contact with the contacts 2740, and as a result, the body terminals and the battery terminals can be electrically connected.

[0235] The contacts 2740 may be arranged on the insulating member 2710. Multiple contacts 2740 may be arranged on the insulating member 2710 at intervals from each other.

[0236] The structure of the connector shown in Figure 12 will be described in detail below.

[0237] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the connector based on line XIII-XIII in Figure 12.

[0238] Referring to Figure 13, the connector 270 may include an insulating member 2710, a connector cover 2720, a sealing member 2730, a contact 2740, a connector shell 2750, a limiting member 2760, a waterproof member 2770, a first shielding member 2780a, and a second shielding member 2780b.

[0239] The insulating member 2710 can support the contact 2740. The insulating member 2710 may be positioned inside the connector shell 2750 such that its protruding portion 2710a protrudes from the front end of the connector shell 2750.

[0240] The insulating member 2710 may include a first insulating member 2711 and a second insulating member 2712.

[0241] The first insulating member 2711 can support the contacts 2740. Multiple contacts 2740 can be coupled to the first insulating member 2711, for example, multiple contacts 2740 can be coupled to one surface and the other surface of the first insulating member, respectively.

[0242] The second insulating member 2712 may be located on the opposite side of the first insulating member 2711 with respect to the waterproof member 2770. The second insulating member 2712 can support the contact 2740.

[0243] The connector cover 2720 may be located outside the connector shell 2750. The connector cover 2720 may include a first cover 2721 surrounding one area of ​​the connector shell 2750 and a second cover 2722 surrounding the other area of ​​the connector shell 2750.

[0244] The sealing member 2730 may be coupled to the front end of the connector shell 2750. The front end of the connector shell 2750 is the region of the connector shell 2750 facing the protruding portion 2710a of the insulating member 2710. The sealing member 2730 may be formed in an annular shape overall.

[0245] The contact 2740 may be manufactured together with the insulating member 2710 in an insert molding process. The contact 2740 may include a first contact 2740a bonded to one side of the first insulating member 2711 and a second contact 2740b bonded to the other side of the first insulating member 2711. The first contact 2740a and the second contact 2740b can perform different functions from each other.

[0246] Each of the first contact 2740a and the second contact 2740b may include a connecting contact 2741, a mounting contact 2742, and a linking contact 2743.

[0247] The connecting contact 2741 may be electrically connected to the main body terminal. The connecting contact 2741 may be in contact with the main body terminal inserted into the insertion hole 270a. At least a portion of the connecting contact 2741 may be exposed to the outside from the first insulating member 2711.

[0248] The mounting contact 2742 may be electrically connected to the battery pack 250. At least a portion of the mounting contact 2742 may be exposed to the outside from the second insulating member 2712.

[0249] The connecting contact 2743 can connect the connecting contact 2741 and the mounting contact 2742. At least a portion of the connecting contact 2743 can be inserted inside the first insulating member 2711 and the second insulating member 2712.

[0250] An insulating member 2710 may be coupled to the connector shell 2750. The connector shell 2750 may be positioned between the insulating member 2710 and the connector cover 2720. The insulating member 2710 may be coupled to the connector shell 2750 such that it is located inside the connector shell 2750 with the contacts 2740 coupled to it.

[0251] The connector shell 2750 may include a support portion 2750a for supporting the sealing member 2730. The support portion 2750a may be located at the front end of the connector shell 2750. The support portion 2750a may be formed by bending the front end of the connector shell 2750.

[0252] At least a portion of the support portion 2750a may include a curved surface. This reduces the likelihood of damage to the connector 270 and the aerosol generator body 200 or battery pack 250 during the process of coupling the connector 270 to the aerosol generator body 200 or battery pack 250.

[0253] The support portion 2750a may include a first portion that supports a region of the sealing member 2730, and a second portion connected to the first portion that also supports a region of the sealing member 2730. The first portion and the second portion may be integrally formed and extend in different directions from each other. For example, the first portion may extend parallel to the direction in which the insulating member 2710 is extended.

[0254] The limiting member 2760 limits the distance to which a region of the aerosol generator body 200 or a region of the battery pack 250 is inserted into the insertion hole 270a. The limiting member 2760 may be located at the front end of the first insulating member 2711. During the process of inserting a region of the aerosol generator body 200 or a region of the battery pack 250 into the insertion hole 270a, the limiting member 2760 can support the region of the aerosol generator body 200 or the region of the battery pack 250. Therefore, the possibility of damage to the first insulating member 2711 is reduced.

[0255] The waterproof member 2770 can provide a waterproof function by sealing the space between the outer surface of the insulating member 2710 and the inner surface of the connector shell 2750. The waterproof member 2770 may also provide a waterproof function to the contact 2740 by being formed to partially surround the contact 2740. The waterproof member 2770 can be formed by applying a porting fluid to the inside of the connector shell 2750 and then curing it, with the insulating member 2710 inserted inside the connector shell 2750.

[0256] The first shielding member 2780a may be coupled to the connector cover 2720 and positioned to shield the lower surface 2710c of the insulating member 2710. Specifically, the first shielding member 2780a may be coupled to the second cover 2722 and positioned to shield the lower surface 2710c of the second insulating member 2712. This allows the first shielding member 2780a to reduce the radiation of signals toward the lower surface 2710c of the second insulating member 2712.

[0257] The second shielding member 2780b may be coupled to the connector cover 2720 and positioned to shield the back of the insulating member 2710. Specifically, the second shielding member 2780b may be coupled to the first cover 2721 and positioned to shield the back of the second insulating member 2712. This allows the second shielding member 2780b to reduce the radiation of signals through the back of the second insulating member 2712.

[0258] Figures 14A and 14B are diagrams illustrating the process by which the main unit terminals and battery terminals are connected to each other.

[0259] Figure 14A is a cross-sectional view showing the main unit terminals and battery terminals before they are connected to each other.

[0260] Referring to Figure 14A, the main terminal 235 may include a first connecting member 2351, a first mounting member 2352, a first linking member 2353, and a first elastic groove 2354.

[0261] The first connecting member 2351 may be in contact with the battery terminal 253 and electrically connected to the battery terminal 253. The first connecting member 2351 may be connected to the first connecting member 2353 so as to move elastically toward the first elastic groove 2354 during the process of contacting the battery terminal 253. The first connecting member 2351 may be formed in an overall "U" shape.

[0262] The first mounting member 2352 can be electrically connected to the aerosol generator body. For example, the first mounting member 2352 can be mounted on the PCB substrate of the aerosol generator body.

[0263] The first connecting member 2353 can electrically connect the first connecting member 2351 and the first mounting member 2352. The first connecting member 2353, the first connecting member 2351, and the first mounting member 2352 can be formed as a single unit.

[0264] The first elastic groove 2354 is a space formed between the first connecting member 2351 and the first linking member 2353. The first elastic groove 2354 is a space for the first connecting member 2351 to move elastically.

[0265] Referring to Figure 14A, the battery terminal 253 may include a second connecting member 2531, a second mounting member 2532, a second connecting member 2533, and a second elastic groove 2534.

[0266] The second connecting member 2531 may be in contact with the main terminal 235 and electrically connected to the main terminal 235. Specifically, the second connecting member 2531 may be in contact with the first connecting member 2351. The second connecting member 2531 may be connected to the second connecting member 2533 so as to move elastically during the process of contacting the main terminal 235. The second connecting member 2531 may be formed in an overall "U" shape.

[0267] The second connecting member 2531 may include the second-first connecting member 2531a, the second-second connecting member 2531b, the second-third connecting member 2531c, and the locking terminal 2531d.

[0268] The second-first connecting member 2531a may be in contact with one side of the first connecting member 2351 (for example, the side facing the +x direction). The second-first connecting member 2531a may be connected to the second connecting member 2533.

[0269] The second-second connecting member 2531b may be in contact with the other side of the first connecting member 2351 (for example, the side facing the -x direction). According to one embodiment, the contact reliability between the battery terminal 253 and the main body terminal 235 is improved through a so-called double-ended contact structure utilizing the second-first connecting member 2531a and the second-second connecting member 2531b.

[0270] The second-second connecting member 2531b may be connected to the second-third connecting member 2531c such that it moves elastically along one direction (e.g., the -x direction) as it comes into contact with the first connecting member 2351. This increases the space between the second-second connecting member 2531b and the second-first connecting member 2531a, so that the main terminal 235 can be easily coupled to the battery terminal 253.

[0271] The second-third connecting member 2531c can electrically connect the second-first connecting member 2531a and the second-second connecting member 2531b. The second-third connecting member 2531c, the second-first connecting member 2531a, and the second-second connecting member 2531b can be formed integrally.

[0272] The locking terminal 2531d may protrude from the second-first connecting member 2531a toward the second elastic groove 2534. The locking terminal 2531d may be formed integrally with the second-first connecting member 2531a.

[0273] The second mounting component 2532 can be electrically connected to the battery. For example, the second mounting component 2532 can be mounted on the PCB board of the battery pack.

[0274] The second connecting member 2533 can electrically connect the second connecting member 2531 and the second mounting member 2532. The second connecting member 2533, the second connecting member 2531, and the second mounting member 2532 may be formed integrally. The second connecting member 2533 may be formed in an overall "∩" shape.

[0275] The second elastic groove 2534 is a space formed between the second-first connecting member 2531a and the second-second connecting member 2531b. At least a portion of the main terminal 235 (for example, the first connecting member 2351) can be inserted into the second elastic groove 2534. The second elastic groove 2534 is a space for the second-second connecting member 2531b to move elastically.

[0276] In the above description, embodiments were described in which the main terminal 235 includes a first connecting member 2351, a first mounting member 2352, a first connecting member 2353, and a first elastic groove 2354, and the battery terminal 253 includes a second connecting member 2531, a second mounting member 2532, a second connecting member 2533, and a second elastic groove 2534, but the invention is not limited to these embodiments. That is, the main terminal 235 may include a second connecting member 2531, a second mounting member 2532, a second connecting member 2533, and a second elastic groove 2534, and the battery terminal 253 may include a first connecting member 2351, a first mounting member 2352, a first connecting member 2353, and a first elastic groove 2354.

[0277] Figure 14B is a cross-sectional view showing the main unit terminals and battery terminals after they have been connected to each other.

[0278] Referring to Figure 14B, during the process of connecting the main terminal 235 and the battery terminal 253 to each other, the first connecting member 2351 can be inserted into the second elastic groove 2534. At this time, the first connecting member 2351 can move elastically toward the first elastic groove 2354. Therefore, the size of the first elastic groove 2354 becomes smaller. Also, the second-second connecting member 2531b can move elastically along one direction (for example, the -x direction) during the process of contacting the first connecting member 2351. Therefore, the size of the second elastic groove 2534 becomes larger. In other words, as the size of the first elastic groove 2354 becomes smaller while the size of the second elastic groove 2534 becomes larger, the first connecting member 2351 can be easily inserted into the second elastic groove 2534 and, as a result, can easily come into contact with the second connecting member 2531.

[0279] On the other hand, the second-first connecting member 2531a can contact one side of the first connecting member 2351 (for example, the side facing the +x direction), and the second-second connecting member 2531b can contact the other side of the first connecting member 2351 (for example, the side facing the -x direction). Therefore, the contact reliability between the battery terminal 253 and the main body terminal 235 is improved through this so-called double-ended contact structure.

[0280] When the first connecting member 2351 is completely inserted into the second elastic groove 2534, the locking terminal 2531d can support an area (the protruding part) of the first connecting member 2351. Therefore, since the first connecting member 2351 is supported by the locking terminal 2531d and its movement is restricted, the bonding force between the first connecting member 2351 and the second connecting member 2531 is improved.

[0281] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device body based on the XV-XV cross-sectional line of FIG. 6 to explain an example of the guide portion.

[0282] Referring to FIG. 15, the aerosol generating device body 200 may include a guide portion 280. The aerosol generating device body 200 shown in FIG. 15 is any one of the aerosol generating device bodies 200 described in FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0283] Also, since at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device body 200 is the same as or similar to the above, duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0284] The guide portion 280 can guide the movement of the battery pack so that the battery pack is easily inserted into the battery accommodation portion 200a.

[0285] In one embodiment, the guide portion 280 may include a guide groove 281 formed on the inner surface 200d of the aerosol generating device body 200 facing the battery accommodation portion 200a.

[0286] The guide groove 281 can extend together along the direction in which the aerosol generating device body 200 is extended. A plurality of guide grooves 281 can be formed along the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating device body 200.

[0287] If the aerosol generator body 200 includes a guide groove 281, the battery pack may include guide protrusions that are inserted into the guide groove 281, although this is not shown. The guide protrusions are formed on the outer surface of the battery pack body and may extend together with the aerosol generator body 200 in the direction in which it is extended. The battery pack may include the same number of guide protrusions as the guide groove 281.

[0288] As the battery pack is inserted into the battery housing 200a, the guide projections of the battery pack are inserted into the guide grooves 281 of the aerosol generator body 200, so the movement of the battery pack can be easily guided within the battery housing 200a. This allows the battery pack to be easily coupled to the aerosol generator body 200.

[0289] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generator body, with the XV-XV section line in Figure 6 as a reference, to illustrate another example of the guide section.

[0290] Referring to Figure 16, the aerosol generating device body 200 may include the guide section 280. The aerosol generating device body 200 shown in Figure 16 is one of the aerosol generating device bodies 200 described in Figures 1 to 6.

[0291] Furthermore, since at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device body 200 is the same as or similar to those described above, redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0292] The guide section 280 can guide the movement of the battery pack so that it can be easily inserted into the battery housing section 200a.

[0293] In one embodiment, the guide portion 280 may include a guide projection 282 that protrudes from the inner surface 200d of the aerosol generating device body 200 toward the battery housing portion 200a.

[0294] The guide projections 282 may extend along the direction in which the aerosol generator body 200 is extended. Multiple guide projections 282 may be formed along the direction around the aerosol generator body 200. The guide projections 282 may be formed integrally with the aerosol generator body 200.

[0295] If the aerosol generator body 200 includes guide projections 282, the battery pack may include guide grooves into which the guide projections 282 are inserted, although this is not shown. The guide grooves are formed on the outer surface of the battery pack body and may extend along the direction in which the battery pack is extended. The battery pack may include the same number of guide grooves as the guide projections 282.

[0296] As the battery pack is inserted into the battery housing 200a, the guide projection 282 of the aerosol generator body 200 is inserted into the guide groove of the battery pack, so the movement of the battery pack can be easily guided within the battery housing 200a. As a result, the battery pack can be easily coupled to the aerosol generator body 200.

[0297] Figure 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating apparatus illustrating an example of a pressurizing member.

[0298] Referring to Figure 17, the aerosol generator 1 may include an aerosol generator body 200, a battery cover 240, a battery pack 250, and a pressurizing member 290. The aerosol generator body 200 shown in Figure 17 is any one of the aerosol generator bodies 200 described in Figures 1 to 6, and the battery pack 250 shown in Figure 17 is any one of the battery packs 250 described in Figures 1 to 6.

[0299] Furthermore, since at least one of the components of the aerosol generator 1 is identical or similar to those described above, redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0300] The pressing member 290 can press the battery pack 250 accommodated in the battery accommodation part 200a against the aerosol generating device main body 200. For example, the pressing member 290 can press the battery pack 250 toward the main body terminals of the aerosol generating device main body 200. Thereby, the bonding force between the main body terminals and the battery terminals is improved, and the contact reliability between the main body terminals and the battery terminals is improved.

[0301] Also, the pressing member 290 can press the battery pack 250 toward the connector. Thereby, the bonding force between the battery pack 250 and the connector and between the connector and the aerosol generating device main body 200 is improved.

[0302] The pressing member 290 can protrude from one surface of the battery cover 240. Thereby, when the battery cover 240 rotates about the hinge 240a to seal the battery accommodation part 200a, the pressing member 290 can press the battery pack 250. For example, the pressing member 290 includes a material such as rubber, but is not limited thereto.

[0303] FIG. 18 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device for explaining another example of the pressing member.

[0304] Referring to FIG. 18, the aerosol generating device 1 may include an aerosol generating device main body 200, a battery cover 240, a battery pack 250, and a pressing member 290. The aerosol generating device main body 200 shown in FIG. 18 is any one of the aerosol generating device main bodies 200 described in FIGS. 1 to 6, and the battery pack 250 shown in FIG. 18 is any one of the battery packs 250 described in FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0305] Also, since at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 is the same as or similar to the above, duplicate explanations are omitted.

[0306] The pressurizing member 290 may include an elastic material. For example, the pressurizing member 290 is a spring. The pressurizing member 290 may be bonded to one surface of the battery cover 240. As a result, when the battery cover 240 rotates around the hinge 240a to seal the battery housing 200a, the pressurizing member 290 can use its elastic force to pressurize the battery pack 250. Multiple pressurizing members 290 may be bonded to the battery cover 240.

[0307] Below, an example of aerosol product 2 will be described with reference to Figures 19 and 20.

[0308] Figures 19 and 20 are drawings showing examples of aerosol products according to one embodiment.

[0309] Referring to Figure 19, the aerosol product 2 comprises a tobacco rod 21 and a filter rod 22.

[0310] Figure 19 shows the filter rod 22 as a single segment, but it is not limited to this. In other words, the filter rod 22 may consist of multiple segments. For example, the filter rod 22 may have a first segment for cooling the aerosol and a second segment for filtering out predetermined components contained in the aerosol. Alternatively, the filter rod 22 may further have at least one additional segment performing other functions.

[0311] The aerosol product 2 is packaged by at least one trumpet 24. The trumpet 24 has at least one hole through which outside air enters or internal gases exit. As an example, the aerosol product 2 is packaged by one trumpet 24. As another example, the aerosol product 2 may be packaged in layers by two or more trumpets 24. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be packaged by a first trumpet 24a, and the filter rod 22 may be packaged by trumpets 24b, 24c, and 24d. The entire aerosol product 2 may then be repackaged by a single trumpet 24e. If the filter rod 22 consists of multiple segments, each segment may be packaged by trumpets 24b, 24c, and 24d.

[0312] The tobacco rod 21 contains an aerosol-generating substance. For example, the aerosol-generating substance includes, but is not limited to, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. The tobacco rod 21 may also contain other additives such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids. Furthermore, a flavoring liquid such as menthol or a humectant may be added to the tobacco rod 21 by spraying it.

[0313] The tobacco rod 21 can be manufactured in various ways. For example, the tobacco rod 21 can be manufactured in sheet form or strand form. Alternatively, the tobacco rod 21 may be made from shredded tobacco obtained by finely cutting tobacco sheets. Furthermore, the tobacco rod 21 may be surrounded by a heat conductive material. For example, the heat conductive material may be a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but is not limited to this. As an example, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 can uniformly distribute the heat transferred to the tobacco rod 21, improving the thermal conductivity applied to the tobacco rod and thereby improving the tobacco flavor. The heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 can also function as a susceptor heated by an induction heater. In this case, although not shown in the drawings, the tobacco rod 21 may further include a susceptor in addition to the heat conductive material surrounding the outside.

[0314] The filter rod 22 may be a cellulose acetate filter. On the other hand, there are no restrictions on the shape of the filter rod 22. For example, the filter rod 22 may be a cylindrical rod, or a tubular rod containing a hollow inside. The filter rod 22 may also be a recessed rod. If the filter rod 22 is composed of multiple segments, at least one of the segments may be made in a different shape.

[0315] The filter rod 22 may be manufactured to generate flavor. For example, a flavoring liquid may be sprayed onto the filter rod 22, or a separate fiber coated with the flavoring liquid may be inserted inside the filter rod 22.

[0316] Furthermore, the filter rod 22 includes at least one capsule 23, where the capsule 23 generates flavor or an aerosol. For example, the capsule 23 has a structure in which a liquid containing a flavor is enclosed in a film. The capsule 23 may be spherical or cylindrical, but is not limited to these.

[0317] If the filter rod 22 includes a segment for cooling the aerosol, the cooling segment is made of a polymer or a biodegradable polymer. For example, the cooling segment may be made of pure polylactic acid alone, but is not limited to this. Alternatively, the cooling segment may be made of a cellulose acetate filter with multiple pores. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the examples described above, and is open to any material that can perform the function of cooling the aerosol.

[0318] Referring to Figure 20, the aerosol product 3 further comprises a front plug 33. The front plug 33 is located on one side of the tobacco rod 31 opposite the filter rod 32. The front plug 33 prevents the tobacco rod 31 from detaching to the outside and prevents liquefied aerosol from flowing from the tobacco rod 31 into the aerosol generator during smoking.

[0319] The filter rod 32 comprises a first segment 321 and a second segment 322. Here, the first segment 321 corresponds to the first segment of the filter rod 22 in Figure 19, and the second segment 322 corresponds to the second segment of the filter rod 22 in Figure 19.

[0320] The diameter and overall length of aerosol product 3 correspond to the diameter and overall length of aerosol product 2 in Figure 19. For example, the length of the front plug 33 is approximately 7 mm, the length of the tobacco rod 31 is approximately 15 mm, the length of the first segment 321 is approximately 12 mm, and the length of the second segment 322 is approximately 14 mm, but are not limited to these.

[0321] The aerosol product 3 is packaged by at least one trumpet 35. The trumpet 35 has at least one hole through which outside air enters or internal gases exit. For example, the front plug 33 is packaged by the first trumpet 35a, the tobacco rod 31 is packaged by the second trumpet 35b, the first segment 321 is packaged by the third trumpet 35c, and the second segment 322 is packaged by the fourth trumpet 35d.

[0322] The entire aerosol product 3 may then be repackaged by the fifth wrapper 35e. Furthermore, at least one perforation 36 may be formed in the fifth wrapper 35e. For example, the perforation 36 may be formed in the region surrounding the tobacco rod 31, but is not limited to this. The perforation 36 serves to transfer the heat generated by the heater into the interior of the tobacco rod 31.

[0323] Furthermore, the second segment 322 may include at least one capsule 34, where the capsule 34 generates flavor or an aerosol. For example, the capsule 34 has a structure in which a liquid containing a flavor is enclosed in a film. The capsule 34 may be spherical or cylindrical, but is not limited to these.

[0324] Figure 21 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to another embodiment.

[0325] The aerosol generator 1 includes a control unit 1000, a sensing unit 2000, an output unit 3000, a battery 4000, a heater 5000, a user input unit 6000, a memory 7000, and a communication unit 8000. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generator 1 is not limited to what is shown in Figure 21. That is, a person with ordinary skill in the art according to this embodiment will understand that some of the components shown in Figure 21 may be omitted or new components may be added depending on the design of the aerosol generator 1.

[0326] The sensing unit 2000 can sense the state of the aerosol generator 1 or the state of the area around the aerosol generator 1, and transmit the sensed information to the control unit 1000. Based on the sensed information, the control unit 1000 can control the aerosol generator 1 to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater 5000, restricting smoking, determining whether or not an aerosol product (e.g., cigarettes, cartridges, etc.) has been inserted, and displaying notifications.

[0327] The sensing unit 2000 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a temperature sensor 2100, an insertion sensing sensor 2200, and a puff sensor 2300.

[0328] The temperature sensor 2100 can sense the temperature at which the heater 5000 (or the aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 1 may include a separate temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the heater 5000, or the heater 5000 itself may act as the temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 2100 may be positioned around the battery 4000 to monitor its temperature.

[0329] The insertion sensing sensor 2200 can detect the insertion and / or removal of aerosol products. For example, the insertion sensing sensor 2200 includes at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and can detect signal changes due to the insertion and / or removal of aerosol products.

[0330] The puff sensor 2300 can detect a user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor 2300 can detect a user's puff based on any one of the following: temperature changes, flow rate changes, voltage changes, and pressure changes.

[0331] In addition to the aforementioned temperature sensor 2100, insertion sensor 2200, and puff sensor 2300, the sensing unit 2000 may further include at least one of the following: a temperature / humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., GPS), a proximity sensor, and an RGB sensor (illuminance sensor). The function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred by an average engineer from its name, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0332] The output unit 3000 can output information about the status of the aerosol generator 1 and provide it to the user. The output unit 3000 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the display unit 3100, the haptic unit 3200, and the acoustic output unit 3300. When the display unit 3100 and the touchpad form a layered structure and constitute a touchscreen, the display unit 3100 can be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0333] The display unit 3100 can visually provide the user with information about the aerosol generator 1. For example, the information about the aerosol generator 1 can include various types of information such as the charge / discharge status of the battery 4000 of the aerosol generator 1, the preheating status of the heater 5000, the insertion / removal status of aerosol products, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generator 1 is restricted (e.g., detection of abnormal items), and the display unit 3100 can output this information to the outside. The display unit 3100 can be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED), or an LED light-emitting element.

[0334] The haptic unit 3200 can convert electrical signals into mechanical or electrical stimuli, providing the user with tactile information about the aerosol generator 1. For example, the haptic unit 3200 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulator.

[0335] The acoustic output unit 3300 can provide the user with auditory information about the aerosol generator 1. For example, the acoustic output unit 3300 can convert electrical signals into acoustic signals and output them externally.

[0336] The battery 4000 can supply power used to operate the aerosol generator 1. The battery 4000 can supply power to heat the heater 5000. Furthermore, the battery 4000 can supply power necessary for the operation of other components within the aerosol generator 1 (e.g., the sensing unit 2000, the output unit 3000, the user input unit 6000, the memory 7000, and the communication unit 8000). The battery 4000 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 4000 is a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited to that.

[0337] The heater 5000 is powered by the battery 4000 and can heat the aerosol-generating material. Although not shown in Figure 21, the aerosol generator 1 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC / DC converter) that converts the power from the battery 4000 and supplies it to the heater 5000. Also, if the aerosol generator 1 generates aerosols by induction heating, the aerosol generator 1 may further include a DC / AC converter that converts the DC power from the battery 4000 to AC power.

[0338] The control unit 1000, sensing unit 2000, output unit 3000, user input unit 6000, memory 7000, and communication unit 8000 can function by being powered by the battery 4000. Although not shown in Figure 21, the system may further include power conversion circuits, such as an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, that convert the power from the battery 4000 and supply it to each component.

[0339] In one embodiment, the heater 5000 may be formed from any suitable electrical resistant material. Suitable electrical resistant materials include, but are not limited to, metals or metal alloys, such as titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, and nichrome. The heater 5000 may also be embodied by, but are not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate on which conductive tracks are arranged, or a ceramic heating element.

[0340] In other embodiments, the heater 5000 is also an induction heating heater. For example, the heater 5000 may include a susceptor that generates heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil to heat the aerosol-generating substance.

[0341] The user input unit 6000 can receive information input from the user or output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 6000 may include, but is not limited to, a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (contact-type capacitive type, pressure-type resistive type, infrared sensing type, surface ultrasonic conduction type, integral tension measurement type, piezoelectric effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. Also, although not shown in Figure 21, the aerosol generator 1 further includes a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and can connect to other external devices via a connection interface such as a USB interface to send and receive information or charge the battery 4000.

[0342] Memory 7000 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generator 1, and can store data processed by the control unit 1000 and data being processed. Memory 7000 includes at least one type of recording medium from among flash memory type, hard disk type, multimedia card micro type, card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk. Memory 7000 can store data such as the operating time of the aerosol generator 1, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data related to the user's smoking pattern.

[0343] The communication unit 8000 includes at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 8000 includes a short-range communication unit 8100 and a wireless communication unit 8200.

[0344] The short-range wireless communication unit (8100) includes, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared (IrDA: infrared Data Association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, a UWB (ultra-wideband) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, and others.

[0345] The wireless communication unit 8200 includes, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN) communication unit. The wireless communication unit 8200 can also verify and authenticate the aerosol generator 1 within the communication network using subscriber information (e.g., an International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

[0346] The control unit 1000 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator 1. In one embodiment, the control unit 1000 includes at least one processor. The processor may be embodied as an array of numerous logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and memory storing a program executable by the microprocessor. It will be understood by those ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs that it may also be embodied by other forms of hardware.

[0347] The control unit 1000 can control the temperature of the heater 5000 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 4000 to the heater 5000. For example, the control unit 1000 can control the power supply by controlling the switching of a switching element between the battery 4000 and the heater 5000. As another example, the control unit 1000 can control the power supply to the heater 5000 by a control command from the direct heating circuit.

[0348] The control unit 1000 can analyze the results sensed by the sensing unit 2000 and control subsequent processing. For example, based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 2000, the control unit 1000 can control the power supplied to the heater 5000 so that the heater 5000 starts or stops operating. As another example, based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 2000, the control unit 1000 can control the amount of power supplied to the heater 5000 and the power supply time so that the heater 5000 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintains an appropriate temperature.

[0349] The control unit 1000 can control the output unit 3000 based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 2000. For example, if the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 2300 reaches a predetermined number, the control unit 1000 can notify the user that the aerosol generator 1 will soon shut down through at least one of the display unit 3100, the haptic unit 3200, and the acoustic output unit 3300.

[0350] One embodiment also embodies a recording medium containing computer-executable instructions, such as program modules executed by a computer. Computer-readable media are any available media accessed by a computer, and include both volatile and non-volatile media, and isolated and non-isolated media. Computer-readable media also include both computer recording media and communication media. Computer recording media include both volatile and non-volatile, isolated and non-isolated media, embodied by any method or technique for storing information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically include computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data such as modulated data signals, or other transmission mechanisms, and include any information transmission medium.

[0351] The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and any person with ordinary skill in the art will understand that a variety of modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the invention must be determined by the claims, and all differences that are equivalent to those described in the claims should be interpreted as being included within the scope of protection determined by the claims.

[0352] The aforementioned embodiments of the present invention are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. The aforementioned embodiments of the present invention may be used in combination or in combination with each other, depending on their respective configurations or functions.

[0353] For example, it means that configuration A described in a particular embodiment and / or drawing can be combined with configuration B described in another embodiment and / or drawing. In other words, even if the combination of configurations is not directly described, it means that combination is possible unless it is stated that such combination is impossible.

[0354] The detailed description set forth herein should not be interpreted restrictively in any way, but should be considered illustrative. The scope of the invention shall be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the invention shall be included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. In an aerosol generating apparatus that generates aerosols, A battery pack including a battery that supplies power for the operation of the aerosol generating device, and battery terminals electrically connected to the battery, The aerosol generating device includes a battery housing section for housing the battery pack and a main body terminal electrically connected to the battery terminals, to which the battery pack is detachably connected, An aerosol generating apparatus including a connector that electrically connects the battery terminal and the main body terminal.

2. The connector includes a battery port that protrudes from the battery pack and is connected to the battery terminal, and a groove into which the battery port is inserted, and a main body port that is connected to the main body terminal, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the battery port is inserted into the main body port, the main body terminal and the battery terminal are electrically connected.

3. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connector includes a battery port connected to the battery terminal, a main body port connected to the main body terminal, and a connecting unit that connects the battery port and the main body port and includes a bendable material.

4. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connector includes a contact electrically connected to the main body terminal and the battery terminal, and a support member for supporting the contact.

5. The support member includes a first support block positioned in the central region and a second support block positioned on the side surface of the first support block. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the contacts include a first contact disposed on the first support block and a second contact disposed on the second support block.

6. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the length of the first contact is further longer than the length of the second contact.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connector includes a contact electrically connected to the main body terminal and the battery terminal, an insulating member supporting the contact, and a connector cover disposed to surround the contact and the insulating member.

8. An insertion hole is formed between the connector cover and the insulating member. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the insulating member protrudes outward from the insertion hole and includes a protruding portion on which the contact is arranged.

9. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the connector further includes a connector shell disposed between the insulating member and the connector cover, and a sealing member disposed at the front end of the connector shell.

10. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the contacts include a first contact disposed on one surface of the insulating member and a second contact disposed on the other surface of the insulating member.

11. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein either the main terminal or the battery terminal is connected to the remaining terminal, the apparatus includes a first connecting member, a first mounting member electrically connected to the first connecting member, a first connecting member connecting the first connecting member and the first mounting member, and a first elastic groove formed between the first connecting member and the first connecting member so that the first connecting member moves elastically.

12. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the remaining one of the main body terminal or the battery terminal includes a second connecting member connected to both ends of the first connecting member, a second mounting member electrically connected to the second connecting member, a second connecting member connecting the second connecting member and the second mounting member, and a second elastic groove formed between the second connecting member and the second connecting member so that the second connecting member moves elastically.

13. The system further includes a guide portion that guides the movement of the battery pack so that it is housed in the battery housing portion. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion includes a guide projection disposed on either the aerosol generating apparatus body or the battery pack, and a guide groove disposed on the remaining one of the aerosol generating apparatus body or the battery pack into which the guide projection is inserted.

14. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a battery cover rotatably coupled to the aerosol generating apparatus body so as to cover at least a portion of the battery housing.

15. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a pressurizing member that pressurizes the battery pack toward the aerosol generating apparatus body when the battery cover is positioned to seal the battery housing.

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