Aerosol generator

Abstract

An aerosol generating apparatus is disclosed. The aerosol generating apparatus of this disclosure includes a body having an elongated insertion space, a stick having a medium portion inside and being inserted into the insertion space, a susceptor surrounding the insertion space and extending in the longitudinal direction of the insertion space, and an electrically conductive track surrounding the susceptor and heating the susceptor and the insertion space, wherein one downstream end of the electrically conductive track can be aligned radially with the downstream end of the medium portion of the stick inserted into the insertion space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device.

Background Art

[0002] An aerosol generating device is for extracting a predetermined component from a medium or a substance through an aerosol. The medium can contain substances with various components. The substances contained in the medium may be flavor substances with various components. For example, the substances contained in the medium can include a nicotine component, a herb component, and / or a coffee component, etc. In recent years, many studies have been conducted on such aerosol generating devices.

[0003] The stick heated by the aerosol generating device can contain a medium and a humectant. The heater of the aerosol generating device heats the stick inserted into the device, so that the medium can be heated to generate nicotine vapor or the humectant can be heated to generate humectant vapor. When the deviation of the generation amount of nicotine vapor or the deviation of the generation amount of nicotine vapor due to the number of inhalations of the user is large, the user may feel a heterogeneous feeling.

[0004] In addition, due to the structure and arrangement of the heater for heating the stick, the characteristics of heating the stick may change. If the heater cannot be designed or arranged according to the structure of the stick, there is a problem that the medium or the humectant in the stick cannot be properly heated.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and other problems.

[0006] Another object is to provide an aerosol generating device having a structure in which the downstream end of the electrically conductive track is aligned with the downstream end of the medium portion of the stick inserted into the insertion space.

[0007] Another objective is to provide an aerosol generating device having a structure in which the downstream end of the susceptor is aligned with the downstream end of the electrically conductive track.

[0008] Another objective is to provide an aerosol generating device having a structure in which the susceptor surrounds the medium portion of the stick inserted into the insertion space and surrounds a portion of the aerosol substrate.

[0009] Another objective is to provide an aerosol generating device having a structure in which an electrically conductive track surrounds the medium portion of a stick inserted into an insertion space, and surrounds a portion of the aerosol substrate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In one aspect of the present disclosure to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, an aerosol generating apparatus is provided, comprising: a body having an elongated insertion space; a stick having a medium portion inside and being inserted into the insertion space; a susceptor surrounding the insertion space and extending in the longitudinal direction of the insertion space; and an electrically conductive track surrounding the susceptor and heating the susceptor and the insertion space, wherein one downstream end of the electrically conductive track is aligned radially with the downstream end of the medium portion of the stick inserted into the insertion space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the structure is such that the downstream end of the electrically conductive track is aligned with the downstream end of the medium portion of the stick inserted into the insertion space, thereby reducing the deviation in the amount of vapor generated for each puff.

[0012] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the downstream end of the susceptor is aligned with the downstream end of the electrically conductive track, thereby increasing the temperature at which the medium is heated and improving heat transfer efficiency.

[0013] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the susceptor has a structure in which it surrounds the medium portion of the stick inserted into the insertion space and surrounds a portion of the aerosol substrate, thereby reducing the variation in the amount of vapor generated for each puff.

[0014] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the amount of vapor generated can be increased by having an electrically conductive track that surrounds the medium portion of the stick inserted into the insertion space and surrounds a portion of the aerosol substrate.

[0015] Any additional applicable scope of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. However, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of this disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the detailed description and specific embodiments, such as preferred embodiments of this disclosure, should be understood to be given only as examples. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This figure shows an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This figure shows an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This figure shows the electrical conductivity track of a heater according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This figure shows the coupling structure of a heater according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This figure shows a stick according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from the side. [Figure 9]A diagram showing a state in which a stick is inserted into a heater according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] A graph comparing the heating temperatures according to the arrangement structure of an electrically conductive track and a susceptor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] A graph comparing the nicotine vapor amounts according to the arrangement of an electrically conductive track and a medium part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] A graph comparing the moisturizer vapor amounts according to the arrangement of a susceptor and an aerosol base material part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar components are given the same reference numerals even if they are illustrated in different drawings, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted. In the description of the drawings, similar drawing reference numerals can be used for similar or related components.

[0018] The suffixes “module” and “unit” for components used in the following description are used or mixed only for the ease of description in the specification, and do not have meanings or roles that are distinguished from each other by themselves. On the other hand, the suffix “module” or “unit” can include a unit implemented by hardware, software, or firmware, and can be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit, for example. A “module” or “unit” can be an integrally configured component or the smallest unit or a part of the component that performs one or more functions. For example, a “module” or “unit” can be implemented in the form of an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).

[0019] In addition, in the description of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if a detailed description of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. The accompanying drawings are provided to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the accompanying drawings, and should be construed to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives included in the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0020] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. can be used to describe various components, but it should be understood that the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0021] When referring to a certain component being "connected" or "joined" to another component, it can be understood that it may be directly connected or joined to the other component, but there may also be other components in between. On the other hand, when referring to a certain component being "directly connected" or "directly joined" to another component, it can be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0022] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0023] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be embodied by software comprising one or more instruction sets stored in a storage medium (e.g., memory 17) that can be read by a machine (e.g., aerosol generator 1). For example, the processor (e.g., control unit 12) of the machine (e.g., aerosol generator 1) can invoke and execute at least one instruction from among the one or more instruction sets stored in the storage medium. This allows the machine to operate to perform at least one function by the invoked at least one instruction set. The one or more instruction sets may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, “non-transitory” simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and this term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently and cases where it is stored temporarily.

[0024] In this disclosure, the orientation of the aerosol generator 1 can be defined with respect to a Cartesian coordinate system. In the Cartesian coordinate system, the x-axis direction can be defined as the left-right direction of the aerosol generator 1. The y-axis direction can be defined as the front-back direction of the aerosol generator 1. The z-axis direction can be defined as the up-down direction of the aerosol generator 1.

[0025] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generator 1 may include a power supply 11, a control unit 12, a sensor unit 13, an output unit 14, an input unit 15, a communication unit 16, a memory 17, and / or heaters 18, 24. However, it will be understood by those ordinary skill in the art relating to this embodiment that the design of the aerosol generator 1 may allow for the omission of some of the components shown in Figure 1 or the addition of new components.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit 13 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 12. For example, the sensor unit 13 may include a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, an insertion sensor, a reuse sensor, an overly moist sensor, a cigarette identification sensor, a cartridge sensor, a cap sensor, and / or a motion sensor. On the other hand, the sensor unit 13 may further include a variety of sensors such as a liquid level sensor for sensing the amount of liquid remaining in the cartridge and a water ingress sensor for sensing water ingress into the aerosol generator 1.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the temperature sensor can sense the temperature at which the heaters 18 and 24 are heated. The aerosol generator 1 may include a separate temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the heaters 18 and 24, or the heaters 18 and 24 themselves may act as temperature sensors. As an example, the temperature sensor can be used to measure the impedance to the heater 18. The impedance to the heater 18 may correlate with the temperature of the heater 18. The temperature sensor can measure the current and / or voltage applied to the heater 18 (or induction coil). Based on the measured current and / or voltage, the impedance to the heater 18 can be calculated. The control unit 12 can estimate the temperature of the heater 18 based on the calculated impedance.

[0029] As an example, the temperature sensor may include a resistive element (e.g., a thermistor) whose resistance changes in response to temperature changes in the heaters 18 and 24. The temperature sensor can output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistive element, and the control unit 12 can detect the temperature and / or temperature change of the heaters 18 and 24 in response to the signal corresponding to the resistance value.

[0030] As another example, the temperature sensor may include a sensor that detects the resistance values ​​of heaters 18 and 24. The temperature sensor may output a signal corresponding to the resistance values ​​of heaters 18 and 24, and the control unit 12 may detect the temperature and / or temperature change of heaters 18 and 24 in response to the signal corresponding to the resistance value.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the temperature sensor can sense the temperature of the power supply 11. The temperature sensor may be positioned adjacent to the power supply 11. For example, the temperature sensor may be attached to one side of the power supply 11 (e.g., a battery) and / or mounted on one side of a printed circuit board. As an example, the aerosol generator 1 may include a protection circuit module (PCM), and the temperature sensor may be positioned adjacent to the power supply 11 together with the protection circuit module.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the temperature sensor is placed inside the housing (not shown) of the aerosol generator 1, and can also sense the internal temperature of the housing (not shown).

[0033] According to one embodiment, the puff sensor can detect the user's puff.

[0034] As an example, the puff sensor may include a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor can output a signal corresponding to the internal pressure of the aerosol generator 1, and the control unit 12 can detect the user's puff in accordance with the signal corresponding to the internal pressure. Here, the internal pressure of the aerosol generator 1 may correspond to the pressure of the airflow path through which the gas flows. The puff sensor may be positioned in the aerosol generator 1 corresponding to the airflow path through which the gas flows.

[0035] As another example, the puff sensor may include a temperature sensor. When a user puffs, a temporary temperature drop may occur in the airflow path, the space into which the aerosol product is inserted (hereinafter referred to as the insertion space), heaters 18 and 24, etc. The control unit 12 can detect the user's puff in response to a signal corresponding to the temperature of the airflow path, etc., output from the temperature sensor.

[0036] As yet another example, the puff sensor may also include a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor together. In this case, the temperature sensor can measure the temperature used to calibrate the internal pressure measured by the pressure sensor. For example, the puff sensor can calibrate the signal corresponding to the internal pressure based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and output the calibrated signal. As yet another example, the puff sensor can output a signal corresponding to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and a signal corresponding to the internal pressure measured by the puff sensor. In this case, the control unit 12 can receive the signals and calibrate the signal corresponding to the internal pressure according to the signal corresponding to the temperature.

[0037] As yet another example, the puff sensor may include a capacitance sensor. In this disclosure, the capacitance sensor may also be called a capacitive sensor. When a user puffs, a temperature change and / or aerosol flow may occur within the insertion space of the aerosol product, and thus the dielectric constant inside the insertion space may change. The control unit 12 can detect the user's puff in accordance with a signal corresponding to the dielectric constant inside the insertion space output from the capacitance sensor.

[0038] The puff sensor is not limited to the examples given above and can be implemented by a variety of sensors to detect the user's puff.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the insertion sensor can detect the insertion and / or removal of aerosol products. The insertion sensor can be installed around the insertion space.

[0040] As an example, the insertion sensing sensor may include a capacitance sensor. The capacitance sensor may include at least one conductor, which may be positioned adjacent to the insertion space. When an aerosol product is inserted into or removed from the insertion space, the dielectric constant around the conductor may change. The control unit 12 can detect the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol product in response to a signal corresponding to the dielectric constant inside the insertion space output from the capacitance sensor.

[0041] As another example, the insertion sensing sensor may include an inductive sensor. The inductive sensor may include at least one coil, which may be positioned adjacent to the insertion space. If the aerosol product (e.g., a wrapper for the aerosol product) includes a conductor, a change in the magnetic field may occur around the coil through which current flows when the aerosol product is inserted into or removed from the insertion space. The control unit 12 can sense the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol product containing a conductor based on the characteristics of the current output from or sensed by the inductive sensor (e.g., frequency, current value, voltage value, inductance value, impedance value, etc., of the alternating current). Alternatively, the aerosol product (e.g., the medium portion of the aerosol product) may include a susceptor (SUS), etc. In this case as well, a change in the magnetic field may occur around the coil due to the insertion or removal of the susceptor, etc., into or from the insertion space, and the control unit 12 can also sense the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol product based on the characteristics of the current from the inductive sensor.

[0042] The insertion sensing sensor is not limited to the examples given above and can be embodied by a variety of sensors (e.g., proximity sensors) for sensing the insertion and / or removal of aerosol products. Furthermore, the insertion sensing sensor may include any combination of the examples given above. According to one embodiment, the insertion sensing sensor may also include a switch for sensing pressure by the aerosol product.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the reuse detection sensor can detect whether or not an aerosol product has been reused. For example, the reuse detection sensor may be a color sensor for detecting the hue of the aerosol product. When an aerosol product is used by a user, the generated aerosol or heating may cause a partial change in the hue of the wrapper surrounding the outside of the aerosol product. The color sensor can output a signal corresponding to the optical properties (e.g., wavelength of light) corresponding to the hue of the wrapper based on the light reflected from the wrapper. When the control unit 12 detects a partial change in the hue of the wrapper, it can determine that the aerosol product inserted into the insertion space has already been used.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the over-humidity sensing sensor can sense whether the aerosol product is in an over-humid state. For example, the over-humidity sensing sensor may include a capacitance sensor. The capacitance sensor may include at least one conductor positioned adjacent to the insertion space. The control unit 12 can detect the over-humid state of the aerosol product based on the level of a signal corresponding to the dielectric constant output from the capacitance sensor. As an example, the control unit 12 can check the level range that includes the level of the signal based on a lookup table and determine the amount of moisture in the aerosol product based on the checked level range.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the cigarette identification sensor can sense whether the aerosol product is a normal product and / or sense the type of aerosol product.

[0046] As an example, the cigarette identification sensor may include an optical sensor for sensing an identification substance (or identification mark) located on the outer surface (e.g., the wrapper) of the aerosol product. The optical sensor can irradiate light onto the identification substance (or identification mark) of the aerosol product and sense the authenticity and / or type of the aerosol product based on the reflected light. For example, the identification substance may include a substance that emits light of a specific wavelength range based on the irradiated light. The control unit 12 can detect the authenticity and / or type of the aerosol product based on the wavelength range.

[0047] As another example, a cigarette identification sensor may include a capacitance sensor. The dielectric constant inside the insertion space may differ depending on the type of aerosol product inserted into the insertion space. The control unit 12 can detect the authenticity and / or type of the aerosol product in response to a signal corresponding to the dielectric constant inside the insertion space output from the capacitance sensor.

[0048] As yet another example, a cigarette identification sensor may include an inductive sensor. If the wrapper and / or interior (e.g., the medium portion) of the aerosol product inserted into the insertion space contains a conductor, the characteristics of the current sensed by the inductive sensor when the aerosol product is inserted into the insertion space (e.g., frequency, current value, voltage value, inductance value, impedance value, etc. of the AC current) may differ depending on the type of aerosol product inserted into the insertion space. The control unit 12 can detect the authenticity and / or type of the inserted aerosol product based on the characteristics of the current output from or sensed by the inductive sensor.

[0049] The cigarette identification sensor is not limited to the examples given above and can be embodied by a variety of sensors for sensing the authenticity of an aerosol product and / or the type of aerosol product. Furthermore, the cigarette identification sensor may include any combination of the examples given above.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the cartridge sensing sensor can detect the insertion and / or removal of a cartridge. For example, the cartridge sensing sensor may include an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a Hall sensor (Hall IC), and / or an optical sensor.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the cap sensing sensor can sense the attachment and / or removal of the cap. For example, the cap sensing sensor may include an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistance sensor, a contact sensor, a Hall sensor (Hall IC), and / or an optical sensor. The cap may include a structure that covers at least a portion of the cartridge attached to or inserted into the aerosol generator 1, or that covers at least a portion of the housing of the aerosol generator 1. When the cap sensing sensor is attached to or removed from the housing, it may output a signal corresponding to the attachment or removal, and the control unit 12 may sense the attachment or removal of the cap in accordance with the signal corresponding to the attachment or removal.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the motion sensing sensor can detect the movement of the aerosol generator 1. The motion sensing sensor can be implemented by at least one of an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor.

[0053] In one embodiment, the sensor unit 13 may further include at least one of the following sensors in addition to the aforementioned sensors: a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor, or a proximity sensor. The function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred by those skilled in the art from its name, so a detailed explanation can be omitted.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the output unit 14 can output information about the status of the aerosol generator 1. The output unit 14 may include, but is not limited to, a display, a haptic unit, and / or an acoustic output unit. For example, information about the aerosol generator 1 may include the charge / discharge status of the power supply 11 of the aerosol generator 1, the preheating status of the heaters 18 and 24, the insertion / removal status of the aerosol product and / or cartridge, the attachment and / or removal status of the cap, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generator 1 is restricted (e.g., detection of an abnormal item). The display can visually provide the user with information about the status of the aerosol generator 1. For example, the display may include an LED (light-emitting diode) light-emitting element, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and the like. If the display includes a touchpad, it can also be used as an input unit 15. The haptic unit can tactilely provide the user with information about the status of the aerosol generator 1. For example, the haptic section may include a vibration motor, a piezoelectric element, an electrical stimulator, etc. The acoustic output section can provide the user with auditory information about the aerosol generator 1. For example, the acoustic output section can convert electrical signals into acoustic signals and output them externally.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the power supply 11 can supply power for the operation of the aerosol generator 1. The power supply 11 may include one or more batteries. The power supply 11 can supply power so that the heaters 18 and 24 can be heated. The power supply 11 can also supply power necessary for the operation of other components included in the aerosol generator 1, such as the control unit 12, sensor unit 13, output unit 14, input unit 15, communication unit 16, and memory 17. The power supply 11 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the power supply 11 may be, but is not limited to, a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery. The power supply 11 may be a replaceable type (detachable battery) (hereinafter referred to as a removable battery). The removable battery may be installed in a battery housing provided in the aerosol generator 1 or removed from the battery housing. The removable battery may also be charged by wire and / or wirelessly.

[0056] According to one embodiment, heaters 18 and 24 can receive power from a power source 11 to heat the aerosol product and / or the medium and / or aerosol generating substance in the cartridge. The aerosol generating apparatus 1 may include a heater 18 for heating the aerosol product and / or a cartridge heater 24 for heating the cartridge (i.e., solid and / or liquid medium).

[0057] According to one embodiment, heaters 18 and 24 may be electrical resistance heaters. For example, electrical resistance heaters may include electrical resistance materials such as 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. Electrical resistance heaters can be embodied by metal heating wires, metal heating plates on which electrical conductive tracks are arranged, ceramic heating elements, and the like.

[0058] According to one embodiment, heaters 18 and 24 may be induction heating heaters. For example, an induction heating heater may include a susceptor that generates heat in response to a magnetic field. An alternating current flowing through the induction coil can generate a magnetic field from the induction coil. The generated magnetic field can penetrate the heater and generate eddy currents in the susceptor. The generation of eddy currents can heat the susceptor. According to one embodiment, the susceptor may be contained inside the aerosol product (e.g., in the medium). In this case as well, the susceptor contained inside the aerosol product can be heated by the induction coil.

[0059] The heaters 18 and 24 are not limited to the examples given above and may include or be replaced by a variety of heating methods, structures, components, etc., for heating aerosol products and / or cartridges.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the input unit 15 can receive information entered by the user. For example, the input unit 15 may include a touch panel, buttons, a keypad, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the memory 17 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generator 1, and can store data processed by the control unit 12 and data to be processed. For example, the memory 17 can include at least one type of storage 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. For example, the memory 17 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 the user's smoking pattern.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the communication unit 16 may include at least one component for communication with other electronic devices (e.g., portable electronic devices). For example, the communication unit 16 may include a Bluetooth® communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (wireless local area network) communication unit, a Zigbee® communication unit, an infrared (infrared Data Association, IrDA) communication unit, a WFD (Wireless Fidelity Direct) communication unit, a UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an Ant (Adaptive Network Topology) communication unit, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN) communication unit, and the like.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator 1. For example, the control unit 12 may include at least one processor. The control unit 12 may be embodied by an array of numerous logic gates, or by a combination of a general-purpose MCU (microcontroller unit) (or microprocessor) and memory storing a program executable by such an MCU. 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.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the temperature of heaters 18 and 24 by controlling the supply of power from the power supply 11 to heaters 18 and 24. The control unit 12 can control the temperature of heaters 18 and 24 and / or the power supplied to heaters 18 and 24 based on the temperature of heaters 18 and 24 sensed using a temperature sensor (e.g., sensor unit 13). The control unit 12 can control the temperature of heaters 18 and 24 and / or the power supplied to heaters 18 and 24 based on a temperature profile and / or power profile stored in memory 17.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power (e.g., voltage and / or current) supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 by controlling a power conversion circuit (not shown) electrically connected to the heaters 18 and 24 and the power supply 11. For example, the power conversion circuit may include a DC / DC converter (e.g., a buck converter, buck-boost converter, boost converter, Zener diode, etc.) that converts power to be supplied to the heaters 18 and 24, and a DC / AC converter (e.g., an inverter) that converts power to be supplied to an induction coil (not shown). The DC / AC converter can be embodied by a full-bridge circuit or a half-bridge circuit including a plurality of switching elements. For example, the power conversion circuit may include at least one switching element such as a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) or a field-effect transistor (FET).

[0066] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can adjust the current and / or voltage supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 by adjusting the frequency and / or duty cycle of the current pulse input to at least one switching element of a power conversion circuit (not shown). The duty cycle for the on / off operation of the switching element may correspond to the ratio of the output voltage of the power conversion circuit to the output voltage of the power supply 11.

[0067] In one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 using at least one of the following methods: pulse width modulation (PWM) and proportional-integral-differential (PID). For example, the control unit 12 can use the PWM method to control the supply of current pulses having a predetermined frequency and duty cycle to the heaters 18 and 24. The control unit 12 can control the power supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 by adjusting the frequency and duty cycle of the current pulses. For example, the control unit 12 can determine a target temperature for control based on a temperature profile. The control unit 12 can control the power supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 using the PID method, which is a feedback control method based on the difference between the temperature of the heaters 18 and 24 and the target temperature, the value obtained by integrating the difference over time, and the value obtained by differentiating the difference over time.

[0068] In one embodiment, the control unit 12 can determine a target power to be controlled based on the power profile. The control unit 12 can also control the power supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 over time to correspond to the already set target power.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can detect the user's puff by sensing the power supplied to the heaters 18 and 24. More specifically, the control unit 12 can control the power supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 in a PID manner. When the user's puff occurs, a temporary temperature drop may occur in the space into which the aerosol product is inserted (hereinafter referred to as the insertion space), the heaters 18 and 24, etc. Therefore, a change in the power (or current) supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 may occur during PID power control. The control unit 12 can detect the user's puff based on the change in the controlled power.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can prevent the heaters 18 and 24 from overheating. For example, if the temperature of the heaters 18 and 24 exceeds a previously set limit temperature, the control unit 12 can control the operation of the power conversion circuit to reduce the amount of power supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 or to interrupt the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the charging and discharging of the power supply 11. For example, the control unit 12 can check the temperature of the power supply 11 using a temperature sensor (e.g., sensor unit 13). If the temperature of the power supply 11 is above a first limit temperature, the control unit 12 can cut off charging of the power supply 11. If the temperature of the power supply 11 is above a second limit temperature, the control unit 12 can interrupt the use (e.g., discharge) of the power stored in the power supply 11. The control unit 12 can calculate the remaining amount of power stored in the power supply 11. For example, the control unit 12 can calculate the remaining amount of power in the power supply 11 based on the sensed voltage and / or current of the power supply 11.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 based on the results sensed by the sensor unit 13.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 based on the insertion and / or removal of aerosol products into and from the insertion space. For example, the control unit 12 can use an insertion sensing sensor (e.g., sensor unit 13) to determine that aerosol products have been inserted into the insertion space and control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 to supply power. The control unit 12 can use an insertion sensing sensor (e.g., sensor unit 13) to determine that aerosol products have been removed from the insertion space and cut off the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24. The control unit 12 can also determine that aerosol products have been removed from the insertion space if the temperature of the heaters 18 and 24 is above a limit temperature or if the temperature change gradient of the heaters 18 and 24 is above a set gradient.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supply time and / or power supply amount to the heaters 18 and 24 based on the state of the aerosol product. For example, if the control unit 12 determines that the aerosol product is in an over-humidity state using an over-humidity sensing sensor (e.g., sensor unit 13), it can extend the power supply time (e.g., preheating time) to the heaters 18 and 24.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 based on whether or not the aerosol product has been reused. For example, if the control unit 12 determines that the aerosol product has been used, it can cut off the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 based on the coupling and / or removal of the cartridge. For example, if the control unit 12 determines, using a cartridge sensing sensor (e.g., sensor unit 13), that the cartridge is separated, it can interrupt the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 or control the system so that no power is supplied to the heaters 18 and 24.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 based on whether the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge has been exhausted. For example, the control unit 12 can determine that the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge has been exhausted if it determines that the temperature of the heaters 18 and 24 exceeds a limit temperature during preheating (i.e., in the preheating section). If it is determined that the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge has been exhausted, the control unit 12 can cut off the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24.

[0078] In one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 based on whether the cartridge is usable or not. For example, based on the data stored in the memory 17, the control unit 12 can determine that the cartridge is unusable if the current number of puffs is equal to or greater than the maximum number of puffs set for the cartridge. Alternatively, the control unit 12 can determine that the cartridge is unusable if the total time the heaters 18 and 24 have been heated is equal to or greater than the already set maximum time, or if the total amount of power supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 is equal to or greater than the already set maximum amount of power. In this case, the control unit 12 can interrupt the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 or control the system so that power is not supplied to the heaters 18 and 24.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 based on the user's puffs. For example, the control unit 12 can use a puff sensor (e.g., sensor unit 13) to determine whether or not a puff has occurred and / or the intensity of the puff. The control unit 12 can cut off the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 when the number of puffs reaches a previously set maximum number of puffs and / or when no puffs are detected for a previously set time or longer. The control unit 12 can also control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 when a puff is detected.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 based on the authenticity and / or type of the aerosol product (or cartridge). For example, the control unit 12 can detect the authenticity and / or type of the aerosol product using a cigarette identification sensor (e.g., sensor unit 13). As an example, if the control unit 12 detects that the aerosol product (or cartridge) is counterfeit, it can cut off the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24. If the control unit 12 detects that the aerosol product (or cartridge) is normal, it can control (e.g., start) the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24. As another example, the control unit 12 can control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 differently depending on the type of aerosol product (or cartridge). More specifically, when the control unit 12 detects an aerosol product (or cartridge) as a first aerosol product (or first cartridge), it can control the temperature and / or power of the heaters 18 and 24 based on a first temperature profile (or first power profile), and when it detects a second aerosol product (or second cartridge), it can control the temperature and / or power of the heaters 18 and 24 based on a second temperature profile (or second power profile).

[0081] In one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the output unit 14 based on the results sensed by the sensor unit 13. For example, the control unit 12 can control the output unit 14 to visually, tactilely, and / or audibly provide information that the aerosol generator 1 will immediately terminate when the number of puffs counted using the puff sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13) reaches a previously set number. For example, the control unit 12 can also control the output unit 14 to visually, tactilely, and / or audibly provide information about the temperature of the heaters 18 and 24.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can store and update a history of events in the memory 17 based on the occurrence of a predetermined event. For example, an event may include operations performed by the aerosol generator 1, such as sensing the insertion of an aerosol product, starting the heating of the aerosol product, detecting puffing, ending puffing, detecting overheating of heaters 18 and 24, detecting the application of overvoltage to heaters 18 and 24, ending the heating of the aerosol product, turning the power of the aerosol generator 1 on / off, starting charging of the power supply 11, detecting overcharging of the power supply 11, and ending charging of the power supply 11. For example, the history of an event may include the date and time the event occurred, log data corresponding to the event, etc. For example, if a predetermined event is the sensing of the insertion of an aerosol product, the log data corresponding to the event may include data such as the sensing value of the insertion sensing sensor (e.g., sensor unit 13). For example, if a predetermined event is the detection of overheating in heaters 18 and 24, the log data corresponding to the event may include data such as the temperature of heaters 18 and 24, the voltage applied to heaters 18 and 24, and the current flowing through heaters 18 and 24.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the communication unit 16 to form a communication link with an external device such as the user's mobile terminal.

[0084] According to one embodiment, when the control unit 12 receives authentication data from an external device via a communication link, it can release the restriction on the use of at least one function of the aerosol generator 1 (e.g., heating function). For example, the authentication data may include the user's date of birth, a unique number identifying the user, and whether the user's authentication has been completed.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can transmit data about the status of the aerosol generator 1 (e.g., remaining power 11, operating mode, etc.) to an external device via a communication link. The transmitted data can be output via a display or the like on the external device.

[0086] According to one embodiment, when the control unit 12 receives a request from an external device via a communication link to locate the aerosol generator 1, it can control the output unit 14 to perform an operation corresponding to the location search. For example, the control unit 12 can control the haptic unit to generate vibrations or to output an object corresponding to the display location search and the end of the search.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can perform a firmware update when it receives firmware data from an external device via a communication link.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can transmit data about the sensing values ​​of at least one sensor unit 13 to an external server (not shown) via a communication unit, learn the sensing values ​​from the server via machine learning such as deep learning, and receive and store the generated learning model. Using the learning model received from the server, the control unit 12 can perform operations such as determining the user's inhalation pattern and generating a temperature profile.

[0089] Although not shown in Figure 1, the aerosol generator 1 may further include a protection circuit module. The protection circuit module includes at least one switching element that can interrupt the circuit to the power supply 11 in response to overcharging and / or over-discharging of the power supply 11. The aerosol generator 1 may further include a connection interface, such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, which can connect to other external devices via the connection interface to send and receive information or charge the power supply 11.

[0090] The aerosol products referred to in this disclosure may include at least one aerosol-generating rod (e.g., a medium) and at least one filter rod. The heater 18 is arranged to correspond to at least one aerosol-generating rod and may be designed differently depending on the arrangement order and / or position of the aerosol-generating rod and the filter rod. The aerosol-generating rod may include at least one of nicotine, an aerosol-generating substance, and an additive. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may include glycerin (e.g., vegetable glycerin, VG) and / or propylene glycol (PG), and may also include a variety of other substances. For example, the additive may include flavoring agents and / or organic acids, and may also include a variety of other substances. For example, the aerosol-generating rod may include an aerosol-generating substrate (e.g., a sheet) impregnated with a liquid non-tobacco substance (e.g., an aerosol-generating substance and / or nicotine) and / or a solid tobacco substance (e.g., tobacco leaves, reconstituted tobacco, etc.). Tobacco substances can be contained in the aerosol-generating rod in various forms such as leaf pulp, granules, or powder. According to one embodiment, the additives to the aerosol-generating rod may include a basic substance. Based on the basic substance, the nicotine of the tobacco substance contained in the aerosol-generating rod may have a basic pH (e.g., pH 7.0 or higher). In this case, freebase nicotine can be released from the aerosol-generating rod even at low temperatures. According to one embodiment, the aerosol-generating rod may include two or more aerosol-generating rods, each containing tobacco substance and / or non-tobacco substance. On the other hand, although not shown, at least one aerosol-generating rod and at least one filter rod may each and / or collectively be surrounded by at least one wrapper. In this disclosure, the aerosol product can also be called a stick.

[0091] The cartridges referred to in this disclosure may contain an aerosol-generating substance having one of the following states: 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. On the other hand, the cartridge may include a storage section containing the aerosol-generating substance and / or a liquid delivery means impregnated with (containing) the aerosol-generating substance. For example, the liquid delivery means may include a wick such as cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, or porous ceramic. The cartridge heater 24 may be included in the cartridge as a coil-shaped structure surrounding (or winding) the liquid delivery means or as a structure in contact with one side of the liquid delivery means. Alternatively, the cartridge heater 24 may be included in an aerosol generator 1 that is separable from the cartridge.

[0092] Figures 2 and 3 show an aerosol generating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generator 1 may include a housing 10, a power supply 11, a control unit 12, a sensor unit 13, and / or heaters 182, 183 (for example, heater 18 in Figure 1). However, it will be understood by those ordinary skill in the art relating to this embodiment that the components included in the aerosol generator 1 are not limited to those shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3, and that some components may be omitted or new configurations may be added. The aerosol generator 1 shown in Figure 2 can be described as an "internal heating type" aerosol generator that heats the inside of the aerosol product 2. The aerosol generator 1 shown in Figure 3 can be described as an "external heating type" aerosol generator that heats the outside of the aerosol product 2. In the following drawings, explanations that overlap with Figure 1 will be omitted.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the housing 10 may have an upwardly opening space into which an aerosol product 2 is inserted. In this disclosure, the upwardly opening space can be called an insertion space. The insertion space may be formed by recessing inward to a predetermined depth so that at least a portion of the aerosol product 2 can be inserted. The depth of the insertion space may be greater than or equal to the length of the region in the aerosol product 2 that contains the aerosol-generating substance and / or medium. The lower end of the aerosol product 2 is inserted into the housing 10, and the upper end of the aerosol product 2 may protrude outward from the housing 10. The user can inhale the aerosol by putting the exposed upper end of the aerosol product 2 in their mouth.

[0095] According to one embodiment, heaters 182 and 183 can heat the aerosol product 2.

[0096] Referring to Figure 2, the heater 182 may be an internal heating type heater.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the internal heating element can extend upward in the space into which the aerosol product 2 is inserted (i.e., the insertion space). For example, the internal heating element may include a rod-shaped or needle-shaped heating element as shown in the figure, but it may also include a variety of heating elements such as a tubular heating element or a plate-shaped heating element. The internal heating element can be inserted through the bottom of the aerosol product 2.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the internal heating type heater may include an electrical resistance heater and / or an induction heating type heater.

[0099] For example, an electrical resistance heater may contain an electrical resistance material inside (e.g., internal hollow or inner surface) or outside (e.g., outer surface), and be heated by an electric current flowing through the electrical resistance material. In this case, the electrical resistance heater can be electrically connected to a power supply 11 and can directly generate heat by receiving current from the power supply 11. The induction coil 181 may also be omitted.

[0100] For example, in the case of an induction heating type heater, the aerosol generator 1 may include an induction coil 181 that surrounds at least a portion of the internal heating type heater (for example, positioned externally to correspond to the length of at least a portion of the heater). In this case, the induction coil 181 may further include a magnetic flux concentrator or the like to increase the efficiency of induction heating. The induction heating type heater includes a susceptor and can generate heat through the magnetic field generated from the induction coil 181. According to one embodiment, the induction heating type heater (e.g., a susceptor) (or a heater module including the same) may be arranged to be separated from the housing 10.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the heater 182 may be a multi-heater. The multi-heater may include a first heater and a second heater and may be inserted into the aerosol product 2. The first heater and the second heater may be arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction. The first heater and the second heater may operate as an electrical resistance heater and / or an induction heating heater and may be heated sequentially or simultaneously. In this case, the first heater and the second heater may be positioned respectively at locations corresponding to the longitudinal positions of two or more aerosol generating rods. Alternatively, the first heater and the second heater may be positioned respectively at locations corresponding to the longitudinal positions of a first and second portion of a single aerosol generating rod. On the other hand, if the heater 182 is an induction heating heater, the aerosol generating device 1 includes a first induction coil and a second induction coil, and the first induction coil and the second induction coil may be positioned respectively at locations corresponding to the longitudinal positions of the first heater and the second heater. Alternatively, the first and second induction coils may be positioned corresponding to the longitudinal positions of the first and second portions of a single heater 182, respectively. Furthermore, the heater and / or induction coils may include three or more components.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the susceptor may be placed (or included) inside the aerosol product 2 (for example, in the medium portion), and the susceptor included inside the aerosol product 2 may be heated by the magnetic field generated from the induction coil 181.

[0103] Referring to Figure 3, the heater 183 may be an external heating type heater.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the external heating element can extend upward around the space into which the aerosol product 2 is inserted (i.e., the insertion space). For example, the external heating element may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. As an example, the external heating element may have a tubular form (e.g., cylindrical shape) with a hollow interior. The external heating element may also have a form that includes a hollow interior and surrounds the hollow. In this case, the external heating element may be supported by a polyimide film. A heater supported by such a film can be called a film heater. The external heating element may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The external heating element can heat the outside of the aerosol product 2 inserted into the hollow.

[0105] In one embodiment, the external heating element may include an electrical resistance heater and / or an induction heating element, and a description that overlaps with Figure 2 will be omitted. On the other hand, in the case of an induction heating element, the aerosol generator 1 includes an external heating element embodied by a tubular susceptor and may include an induction coil 181 surrounding at least a portion of the external heating element (for example, positioned externally to correspond to the length of at least a portion of the heater). On the other hand, if the external heating element is an electrical resistance heater, the induction coil 181 may be omitted because it can generate heat by the flow of current on the tubular electrical resistance heater (for example, a film heater). On the other hand, an insulating material may be placed outside the external heating element. This can reduce the heat that radiates radially outward from the heater 183 and is transferred to the outside of the housing 10.

[0106] In one embodiment, the heater 183 may be a multi-heater, and the first heater and the second heater may be arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction so as to surround at least a portion of the insertion space, respectively. The first heater and the second heater can operate as an electrical resistance heater and / or an induction heating heater, and can be heated sequentially or simultaneously. On the other hand, if the heater 183 is an induction heating heater, the aerosol generator 1 includes a first induction coil and a second induction coil, and the first induction coil and the second induction coil may be arranged respectively at positions corresponding to the longitudinal positions of the first heater and the second heater. Alternatively, the first induction coil and the second induction coil may be arranged at positions corresponding to the longitudinal positions of the first and second portions of a single heater 183, respectively.

[0107] Unlike those shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3, the heater 182 in Figure 2 and the heater 183 in Figure 3 may be included together in the aerosol generator 1. In this case, the heater 182 can heat the inside of the aerosol product 2, and the heater 183 can heat the outside of the aerosol product 2.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generator 1 may be equipped with an airflow channel through which air flows. For example, the housing 10 may have a structure (e.g., a hole) through which air from the outside can flow into the housing 10. The air that flows into the housing 10 can flow into the aerosol product 2 through its lower end (i.e., upstream side). The aerosol generated by heating the aerosol product 2 can be inhaled into the user's mouth through its upper end (i.e., downstream side) along with the incoming air.

[0109] Figure 4 is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0110] Referring to Figure 4, the body 10 (for example, the housing 10 in Figures 2 and 3) may include elongated side walls 101, 102, a cover 103 forming one end, a base 104 forming the other end, and a door 110 for opening and closing the insertion space 43. The body 10 may have a cylindrical shape that extends elongated in one direction.

[0111] The body 10 may include side walls 101 and 102 that form the outer surface. The side walls 101 and 102 may include curved surfaces that extend along the circumferential direction of the body 10.

[0112] The side walls 101 and 102 may include the first side wall 101. The first side wall 101 may extend in the circumferential direction of the body 10. The first side wall 101 may be bent in the circumferential direction of the body 10 to form a space inside. The first side wall 101 may have an opening on one side. The cross-section of the first side wall 101 may have a loop shape with one side open.

[0113] The side walls 101 and 102 may include a second side wall 102. The second side wall 102 may extend along the longitudinal direction of the body 10. The second side wall 102 may be coupled to the first side wall 101. The second side wall 102 may be located between the circumferential ends of the first side wall 101 and may form a continuous surface with the first side wall 101. The second side wall 102 may cover one side of the first side wall 101 that is open laterally.

[0114] The body 10 may include a cover 103 that forms one end in the longitudinal direction. The cover 103 may be coupled to one end in the longitudinal direction of the first side wall 101 and one end in the longitudinal direction of the second side wall 102.

[0115] The body 10 may include a door 110. The door 110 may be coupled to the cover 103. The door 110 can open and close the insertion space 43 (see Figures 2 and 3) in a sliding manner. A rail 105 may be formed in the cover 103. The door 110 can slide along the rail 105.

[0116] The body 10 may include a base 104 that forms the other end in the longitudinal direction. The base 104 may be coupled to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the first side wall 101 and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the second side wall 102.

[0117] The body 10 may include a button 106 (for example, the input section 15 in Figure 1). The button 106 can be inserted into a hole formed on one side of the second side wall 102.

[0118] Figure 5 shows an electrically conductive track 220 of a heater 18 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0119] Referring to Figure 5, the heater 18 may include an electrically conductive track 220. The electrically conductive track 220 may have a cylindrical shape. The electrically conductive track 220 can generate heat by receiving power from the power supply 11. The electrically conductive track 220 can be considered a heat-generating part. The heat generated by the electrically conductive track 220 can heat the medium and / or humectant of the stick 2 (see Figures 2 and 3) inserted into the insertion space 43, thereby generating an aerosol. The electrically conductive track 220 can be formed by laser etching a thin metal film. The electrically conductive track 220 can be made of stainless steel, copper, aluminum, or an alloy, but is not limited to these materials.

[0120] The electrically conductive track 220 may include a heat-generating track 221 and a connecting section 222. The heat-generating track 221 may include at least one track 221a, 221b, 221c, 221d connected in parallel with each other.

[0121] The first track 221a is located on the outermost edge of the electrically conductive track 220 and may have a rectangular shape overall. The first track 221a can surround at least a portion of the outside of the second track 221b. The second track 221b can surround at least a portion of the outside of the third track 221c. The third track 221c can surround at least a portion of the outside of the fourth track 221d.

[0122] The first to fourth tracks 221a, 221b, 221c, and 221d may have a curved shape and include at least one bend. The first to fourth tracks 221a, 221b, 221c, and 221d can be separated from each other. The first to fourth tracks 221a, 221b, 221c, and 221d may be connected at one end and at the other end. In other words, the first to fourth tracks 221a, 221b, 221c, and 221d may be connected in parallel to each other.

[0123] The width Wa of the first track 221a may be substantially the same as the width Wd of the fourth track 221d. At least one of the widths Wb of the second track 221a and Wc of the third track 221c may be smaller than the width Wa of the first track 221a. As another example, the widths Wa, Wb, Wc, and Wd of the first to fourth tracks may be substantially the same.

[0124] The widths of the first to fourth tracks 221a, 221b, 221c, and 221d may be greater than the spacing between adjacent tracks among the first to fourth tracks. This allows the heating surface area of ​​the electrically conductive track 220 to be increased, and the electrically conductive track 220 to uniformly heat the insertion space 43 or the stick 2 inserted into the insertion space 43.

[0125] The connecting portion 222 can protrude to the outside from one side of the heating track 221. The connecting portion 222 may be formed integrally with the heating track 221. The heating track 221 and the connecting portion 222 may be arranged on an insulator 224 covering the electrically conductive track 220. The connecting portion 222 may include a first connecting portion 222a and a second connecting portion 222b. The first connecting portion 222a may be connected to one end of the first to fourth tracks 221a, 221b, 221c, and 221d, and the second connecting portion 222b may be connected to the other end of the first to fourth tracks 221a, 221b, 221c, and 221d.

[0126] The electrode portion 223 may be connected to the electrically conductive track 220. The electrode portion 223 may be connected to the connecting portion 222. The electrode portion 223 may be positioned at one end of the connecting portion 222 that protrudes. The electrode portion 223 can electrically connect the electrically conductive track 220 to the power supply 11. The electrode portion 223 may include a first electrode portion 223a that contacts the first connecting portion 222a and a second electrode portion 223b that contacts the second connecting portion 222b. Power can be supplied to the electrically conductive track 220 via the first electrode portion 223a and the second electrode portion 223b. The electrode portion 223 may be attached to the connecting portion 222 by welding. However, the method of attaching the electrode portion 223 to the connecting portion 222 is not limited thereto.

[0127] Figure 6 shows a heater coupling structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0128] Referring to Figure 6, the heater 18 may include a susceptor 210, an electrically conductive track 220, and a support tube 230. The heater 18 can be described as a heater assembly.

[0129] The susceptor 210 may have a cylindrical shape. The susceptor 210 may be located on the innermost side of the hollow heater 18. The susceptor 210 may be located inside the electrically conductive track 220. The susceptor 210 may surround at least a portion of the insertion space 43. The susceptor 210 can be described as an insulator, a heat conductor, a heat diffuser, or a pipe. The susceptor 210 can be made of stainless steel, aluminum, or an alloy, but is not limited to these materials.

[0130] One end 212 and the other end 211 of the susceptor 210 may be bent outward in the longitudinal direction of the susceptor 210 or in the longitudinal direction of the insertion space 43 (for example, in the z-axis direction). One end 212 and the other end 211 of the susceptor 210 may each have a flange shape that is bent radially outward from the susceptor 210. One end 212 of the susceptor 210 can be called the lower end or the upstream end. The other end 211 of the susceptor 210 can be called the upper end or the downstream end.

[0131] Therefore, by having flange shapes at both ends of the susceptor 210, the strength of the susceptor 210 can be increased, and deformation of the susceptor 210 during the heating or cooling process can be prevented.

[0132] The electrically conductive track 220 may have a cylindrical shape. The electrically conductive track 220 may be located outside the susceptor 210. The electrically conductive track 220 may surround at least a portion of the susceptor 210. In the longitudinal direction of the insertion space 43, the electrically conductive track 220 may be aligned with the downstream end 211 of the susceptor 210. For example, the upper or downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 may be in contact with the flange-shaped projection of the downstream end 211 of the susceptor 210. The length Lh of the electrically conductive track 220 may be shorter than the length Ls of the susceptor 210. The lower or upstream end 220b of the electrically conductive track 220 may be spaced upward from the upstream end 212 of the susceptor 210.

[0133] An insulator 224 may be positioned on one side of the electrically conductive track 220. The insulator 224 is positioned inside and / or outside the electrically conductive track 220 and may have a cylindrical shape. The insulator 224 can cover the electrically conductive track 220. In the longitudinal direction of the insertion space 43, the insulator 224 may extend above and below the electrically conductive track 220. In the radial direction of the insertion space 43 (e.g., in the x-axis or y-axis direction), the insulator 224 may be positioned between the susceptor 210 and the electrically conductive track 220.

[0134] The insulator 224 may be formed from a flexible and heat-resistant material. The insulator 224 may include, but is not limited to, polyimide or polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and may include other materials having elastic, heat-resistant, and electrically insulating properties.

[0135] The support tube 230 may have a cylindrical shape. The support tube 230 may be positioned outside the electrically conductive track 220. The support tube 230 may surround at least a portion of the outside of the electrically conductive track 220. In the longitudinal direction of the insertion space 43, the support tube 230 may be positioned between the ends of the electrically conductive track 220. The length of the support tube 230 may be shorter than the length of the susceptor 210 and the electrically conductive track 220.

[0136] The support tube 230 can be made of a flexible and heat-resistant material. The support tube 230 may contain at least one of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0137] The support tube 230 may include multiple layers 231, 232 surrounding the outside of the electrically conductive track 220. For example, the support tube 230 may include a first layer 231 that contacts the outside of the electrically conductive track 220, and a second layer 232 that contacts the first layer 231 and surrounds the outside of the first layer 231. The first layer 231 and the second layer 232 may have approximately the same thickness.

[0138] The support tube 230 may contain a heat-shrinkable material. During the manufacturing process of the heater 18, the support tube 230 is positioned to surround the outside of the electrically conductive track 200 and can shrink as it is heated to a set temperature, allowing it to adhere tightly to the outside of the electrically conductive track 200.

[0139] Even if the support tubes 230 have the same thickness when shrunk, a support tube 230 formed from multiple layers can be more uniformly pressed against the outside of the electrically conductive track 220 than a support tube 230 formed from a single layer. Furthermore, it may be easier from a processing standpoint to heat-shrink multiple layers with relatively thin thicknesses than to heat-shrink a single layer with a thick thickness.

[0140] Figure 7 shows a stick according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0141] Referring to Figure 7, stick S may include an aerosol substrate portion 510. Stick 2 may include a medium portion 520. The aerosol substrate portion 510 and the medium portion 520 can be called a tobacco rod. Stick 2 may include a cooling portion 530. Stick 2 may include a filter portion 540. Stick 2 can be called an aerosol product. Stick 2 may include a wrapper 550 surrounding the aerosol substrate portion 510, the medium portion 520, the cooling portion 530 and / or the filter portion 540. In Figure 5, the wrapper 550 may include individual wrappers surrounding the aerosol substrate portion 510, the medium portion 520 and the filter portion 540 respectively, and / or an outer covering that surrounds the aerosol substrate portion 510, the medium portion 520 and the filter portion 540 surrounded by the individual wrappers as a single unit.

[0142] The aerosol substrate portion 510 may be a portion formed into a predetermined shape by incorporating a humectant into a pulp-based paper. The humectant (substrate) contained in the aerosol substrate portion 510 may include propylene glycol, glycerin, and the like. For example, the humectant in the aerosol substrate portion 510 may include propylene glycol and glycerin in a certain weight ratio with respect to the weight of the base paper. When the stick 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1 and heated to a certain temperature or higher by the heater 18, humectant vapor can be generated from the aerosol substrate portion 510.

[0143] The medium section 520 may include one or more of a sheet, a strand, or finely cut tobacco leaves from a tobacco sheet. The medium section 520 may be a part that generates nicotine to provide the user with a smoking experience. When the temperature of the medium contained in the medium section 520 rises above a certain temperature, nicotine vapor can be generated from the medium section 520. When the stick 2 is inserted into the aerosol generator 1, at least a portion of the aerosol base material section 510 and at least a portion of the medium section 520 can face the heater 18. For example, the downstream side or a portion of the downstream side of the aerosol base material section 510 and the downstream side or a portion of the upstream side of the medium section 520 can face the heater 18.

[0144] The portions of the aerosol substrate 510 and the medium portion 520 facing the heater 18 can be heated by the heater 18. By heating at least a portion of the aerosol substrate 510 containing the humectant by the heater 18, humectant vapor can be generated. By heating at least a portion of the medium portion 520 containing the medium by the heater 18, nicotine vapor can be generated. By arranging the stick 2 such that the length ratio of a portion of the aerosol substrate 510 and a portion of the medium portion 520 facing the heater 18 is different, the ratio of generated humectant vapor to nicotine vapor can be appropriately adjusted.

[0145] The medium portion 520 may be longer than the aerosol substrate portion 510. The length L2 of the medium portion 520 may be 1.1 to 1.3 times the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510. For example, the length L2 of the medium portion 520 may be 11 mm to 13 mm, and the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510 may be 9 mm to 11 mm.

[0146] If the length L2 of the medium section 520 is shorter than 1.1 times the length L1 of the aerosol base material section 510, the medium section 520 may not be able to contain a relatively sufficient amount of medium. This may reduce the number of times a user can puff through one stick 2 to a certain level (e.g., 13 times) or less. If the length L2 of the medium section 520 is longer than 1.3 times the length L1 of the aerosol base material section 510, the aerosol base material section 510 may not be able to contain a relatively sufficient amount of humectant. Therefore, the number of times a user can puff through one stick 2 may reduce to a certain level or less. In addition, since the lengths of the susceptor 210 and the electrically conductive track 220 must increase together in proportion to the length L2 of the medium section 520, the size of the heater 18 may increase, and the power consumption may increase.

[0147] The length of the portion of the medium section 520 facing the heater 18 may be longer than the length of the portion of the aerosol substrate section 510 facing the heater 18. The length of the portion of the medium section 520 facing the heater 18 may be more than half of the total length of the medium section 520.

[0148] The cooling section 530 can be made of a tube filter containing a predetermined weight of plasticizer. The humectant vapor and nicotine vapor generated from the aerosol substrate section 510 and the medium section 520 can be mixed with each other to form an aerosol, which can then be cooled as it passes through the cooling section 530. In one embodiment, unlike the aerosol substrate section 510, the medium section 520, and the filter section 540, the cooling section 530 does not need to be surrounded by an individual wrapper.

[0149] The filter section 540 may be a cellulose acetate filter. The filter section 540 may be a cylindrical rod or a tube with a hollow interior. For example, if the filter section 540 is composed of multiple segments, at least one of the segments may be manufactured in a different shape. The filter section 540 may be manufactured to generate flavor. For example, a flavoring liquid may be sprayed onto the filter section 540, or a separate fiber coated with a flavoring liquid may be inserted inside the filter section 540.

[0150] Furthermore, the filter section 540 may include at least one capsule. Here, the capsule may also perform the function of generating flavor. For example, the capsule may have a structure in which a liquid containing a fragrance is enclosed in a film, and may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0151] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from the side. Figure 8 shows a cross-section of the body along line AA in Figure 4.

[0152] Referring to Figure 8, the heater 18 can surround the insertion space 43. The heater 18 may have a cylindrical shape with a hollow interior. At least a portion of the insertion space 43 can be formed inside the heater 18.

[0153] The body casing 111 may be located inside the body 10. The body casing 111 can support the body 10 from within. At least a portion of the body casing 111 can be coupled to or in contact with the inner surface of the body 10. The body casing 111 can house a heater 18 inside.

[0154] The heater 18 can be coupled with heater casings 241 and 242. The heater 18 and heater casings 241 and 242 can be housed in the internal space of the body casing 111. The heater casings 241 and 242 can surround the outside of the heater 18. The heater casings 241 and 242 can include a first heater casing 241 and a second heater casing 242. The first heater casing 241 can surround a portion of the side of the heater 18. The second heater casing 242 can surround the remaining portion of the side of the heater 18. For example, the first heater casing 241 can surround the top surface of the heater 18, and the second heater casing 242 can surround the bottom surface of the heater 18.

[0155] The aerosol generator 1 may include at least one of the insulator 400 and the heat sink 300. The insulator 400 may be placed inside the body 10. The insulator 400 may surround the outside of the heater 18 inside the body 10. The insulator 400 can insulate the heater 18. The top of the insulator 400 may be open. The insulator 400 may have a bottom formed at the bottom, and a hole may be formed in part of the bottom. The insulator 400 may be positioned to surround the sides and bottom of the heater 18. The insulator 400 may include two layers. The inner layer and the outer layer may be separated from each other and form a space VS inside. The space VS formed by the layers of the insulator 400 can be sealed from the outside. The space VS formed by the layers of the insulator 400 may be in a vacuum state. The insulator 400 can be described as a vacuum tube.

[0156] Therefore, the insulating body 400 minimizes the transfer of heat generated by the heater 18 to the outer surface of the body 10. Even when the heater 18 generates heat and rises to a high temperature, the insulating body 400 prevents the transfer of high heat to the user's body when gripping the body 10.

[0157] The inlet passages P1 and P2 may be formed inside the body casing 111. The inlet passages P1 and P2 can communicate with the outside of the body 10 and with the insertion space 43. The inlet passages P1 and P2 can communicate with the insertion space 43 via the inlet holes 2424 formed in the second heater casing 242.

[0158] The inflow passages P1 and P2 may include a first flow path P1 and a second flow path P2. The second flow path P2 may communicate with the insertion space 43. The second flow path P2 may extend below the insertion space 43 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the insertion space 43. The first flow path P1 may communicate with the second flow path P2. The first flow path P1 may extend from one end of the second flow path P2 in the longitudinal direction of the insertion space 43. The first flow path P1 may communicate with the outside of the body casing 111. The outside air of the aerosol generator 1 may flow into the body 10 through gaps provided in the body 10, pass through the first flow path P1 and the second flow path P2, and flow into the interior of the insertion space 43 through the inflow hole 2424. In other words, the direction from the bottom to the top of the insertion space 43 can be defined as the direction from the upstream side to the downstream side.

[0159] The stick 2 can be inserted into the insertion space 43. The stick 2 can be inserted up to the locking step 2421 formed at the lower end of the insertion space 43. The stick 2 can be inserted into the insertion space 43 from one end of the aerosol base material portion 510. With the stick 2 inserted into the insertion space 43, the aerosol base material portion 510, the medium portion 520, the cooling portion 530, and the filter portion 540 may be arranged in the insertion space 43 in order from the bottom or upstream side.

[0160] The puff sensor 132 may be positioned on one side of the inflow passages P1 and P2. The puff sensor 132 can output a signal corresponding to the internal pressure or change in internal pressure of the inflow passages P1 and P2. The puff sensor 132 can output a signal corresponding to the user's puff. The puff sensor 132 can communicate with the inflow passages P1 and P2 and the insertion space 43. The puff sensor 132 may be positioned facing the inflow passages P1 and P2. In the radial direction of the insertion space 43, the puff sensor 312 may be positioned outside the insulator 400.

[0161] The inflow passages P1 and P2 may be located inside the body casing 111 adjacent to the heater 18. The first flow path P1 may be located adjacent to the heater casings 241 and 242. At least a portion of the inflow passages P1 and P2 may be located inside the insulator 400. The insulator 400 can surround at least a portion of the outside of the inflow passages P1 and P2.

[0162] The outside air flowing in through the inflow passages P1 and P2 can have its temperature increased by the heat generated by the heater 18. The outside air whose temperature has increased in the inflow passages P1 and P2 can flow into the insertion space 43 and into the inside of the stick 2 through one end of the stick 2 housed in the insertion space 43.

[0163] In this way, by arranging the inflow passages P1 and P2 within the insulating body 400, the outside air flowing into the insertion space 43 can be effectively heated.

[0164] Furthermore, by positioning the puff sensor 132 on the outside of the insulator 400, the heating of the puff sensor 132 by the heat generated by the heater 18 can be minimized.

[0165] At least one heat sink 300 may be placed inside the body 10. The heat sink 300 can surround the outside of the body casing 111 that is coupled to the body 10 inside the body 10. The heat sink 300 can surround at least a portion of the outside of the heater 18 in the radial direction of the insertion space 43. The heat sink 300 may include materials with excellent heat absorption and heat diffusion capabilities. For example, the heat sink 300 may include at least one of graphite, metal compounds, and aerogels.

[0166] Therefore, the insulating body 400 minimizes the transfer of heat generated by the heater 18 to the outer surface of the body 10, and even if some heat is transferred to the body 10, the transferred heat can be uniformly diffused over a wide area of ​​the body 10 by the heat dissipator 300.

[0167] Figure 9 shows a state in which a stick is inserted into a heater according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0168] Referring to Figure 9, the stick 2 can be inserted into the insertion space 43. The upstream end of the stick 2 can be supported by the locking step 2421 of the insertion space 43. The downstream end of the stick 2 can be exposed to the outside of the insertion space 43. The aerosol substrate portion 510 and the medium portion 520 of the stick 2 can be housed within the insertion space 43. At least a portion of the cooling portion 530 of the stick 2 can be housed within the insertion space 43.

[0169] One end of the electrically conductive track 220 may be aligned with one end of the medium portion 520. For example, with the stick 2 housed in the insertion space 43, the upper or downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 may be aligned with the upper or downstream end 521 of the medium portion 520 in the radial direction of the insertion space 43. For example, with the stick 2 housed in the insertion space 43, the upper or downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 may be positioned at the same height as the upper or downstream end 521 of the medium portion 520 in the longitudinal direction of the insertion space 43.

[0170] One end of the susceptor 210 may be aligned with one end of the electrically conductive track 220 or one end of the medium portion 520. For example, with the stick 2 housed in the insertion space 43, the upper or downstream end 211 of the susceptor 210 may be aligned with the upper or downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 in the radial direction of the insertion space 43. For example, with the stick 2 housed in the insertion space 43, the upper or downstream end 211 of the susceptor 210 may be aligned with the upper or downstream end 521 of the medium portion 520 in the radial direction of the insertion space 43.

[0171] The susceptor 210 and the electrically conductive track 220 can surround the outside of the medium portion 520 of the stick 2. In the longitudinal direction of the insertion space 43, the length Ls of the susceptor 210 and the length Lh of the electrically conductive track 220 may be longer than the length L2 of the medium portion 520. The outer surface of the medium portion 520 may be entirely surrounded by the susceptor 210 or the electrically conductive track 220.

[0172] Figure 10 is a graph comparing the heating temperatures of an electrically conductive track and susceptor arrangement structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 10, each graph shows the heating temperature of the downstream end of the stick medium section depending on the degree of separation between the downstream end of the electrically conductive track and the downstream end of the susceptor. Each graph shows the results when the stick medium section is aligned with the downstream end of the susceptor.

[0173] Referring to Figure 10 together with Figure 9, when the downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 is aligned with the downstream end 211 of the susceptor 210, the downstream end 521 of the medium portion 520 of the stick 2 rises to a first temperature T1 as the electrically conductive track 220 generates heat (1010 in Figure 10).

[0174] In contrast, if the downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 is positioned 2 mm lower or upstream of the downstream end 211 of the susceptor 210, the downstream end 521 of the medium portion 520 of the stick 2 will rise to a second temperature T2, which is lower than the first temperature T1, as the electrically conductive track 220 generates heat (1020 in Figure 10).

[0175] Furthermore, if the downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 is positioned 4 mm lower or upstream of the downstream end 211 of the susceptor 210, the downstream end 521 of the medium portion 520 of the stick 2 will rise to a third temperature T3, which is lower than the second temperature T2, as the electrically conductive track 220 generates heat (1030 in Figure 10).

[0176] When the downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 is aligned with the downstream end 211 of the susceptor 210, the medium portion 520 can be heated to a higher temperature compared to when the downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 is not aligned with the downstream end 211 of the susceptor 210.

[0177] In this case, relatively little power is required to heat the medium 520 to the set temperature, and the heat transfer efficiency or heating efficiency can be relatively increased. Also, since the heat transferred to the outside of the electrically conductive track 220 is relatively reduced, the components located adjacent to the heater 18 can operate more stably, and the external temperature of the device 1 can be relatively lowered.

[0178] Figure 11 is a graph comparing the amount of nicotine vapor produced by different arrangements of the electrically conductive track and medium according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 11, each graph shows the amount of nicotine vapor produced per puff, depending on the degree of separation between the downstream end of the electrically conductive track and the downstream end of the medium. Each graph shows the results when the stick medium is aligned with the downstream end of the susceptor.

[0179] Referring to Figure 11 together with Figure 9, when the downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 is aligned with the downstream end 521 of the medium section 520, the amount of nicotine vapor generated with each puff increases from the first to the third puff, and from the third puff onward, the amount of nicotine vapor generated with each puff is maintained at approximately a constant level (1110 in Figure 11).

[0180] In contrast, when the downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 is positioned 2 mm below or upstream of the downstream end 521 of the medium section 520, the amount of nicotine vapor generated with each puff increases from the first to the seventh puff, and from the seventh puff onward, the amount of nicotine vapor generated with each puff remains at approximately a constant level (1120 in Figure 11). It can be confirmed that the amount of nicotine vapor generated from the first to the seventh puff is relatively less compared to the case where the downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 is aligned with the downstream end 521 of the medium section 520.

[0181] Furthermore, when the downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 is positioned 4 mm below or upstream of the downstream end 521 of the medium section 520, the amount of nicotine vapor generated with each puff increases from the first to the ninth puff, and from the ninth puff onward, the amount of nicotine vapor generated with each puff is maintained at approximately a constant level (1130 in Figure 11). It can be confirmed that the amount of nicotine vapor generated from the first to the ninth puff is relatively less compared to the case where the downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 is aligned with the downstream end 521 of the medium section 520.

[0182] When the downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 is aligned with the downstream end 521 of the medium section 520, the deviation in the amount of nicotine vapor generated per puff can be reduced compared to when the downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 is not aligned with the downstream end 521 of the medium section 520. In addition, the amount of nicotine vapor generated in the initial puff can be relatively increased.

[0183] In this case, the user's sense of satisfaction can be increased. Furthermore, the varying amounts of nicotine vapor produced by each puff can reduce the feeling of unfamiliarity the user might experience.

[0184] Referring also to Figure 9, the susceptor 210 can extend longer than the conductive track 220. The length Ls of the susceptor 210, defined longitudinally in the insertion space 43, may be longer than the length Lh of the conductive track 220. In other words, the downstream end 211 of the susceptor 210 may be aligned with the downstream end 220a of the conductive track 220, and the upstream end 212 of the susceptor 210 may be positioned below or upstream of the upstream end 220b of the conductive track 220.

[0185] The length Lh of the electrically conductive track 220 can be 0.7 to 0.9 times the length Ls of the susceptor 210. For example, if the length Ls of the susceptor 210 is 16.5 mm to 18.5 mm, the length Lh of the electrically conductive track 220 can be 13 mm to 15 mm.

[0186] If the length Lh of the electrically conductive track 220 is shorter than 0.7 times the length Ls of the susceptor 210, heat may not be sufficiently transferred to the portion of the susceptor 210 that is not in contact with the electrically conductive track 220, and the aerosol substrate portion 510 located in that portion may not be heated to a temperature suitable for generating humectant vapor. Therefore, a sufficient amount of humectant vapor may not be generated in the aerosol substrate portion 510.

[0187] If the length Lh of the electrically conductive track 220 is longer than 0.9 times the length Ls of the susceptor 210, excessive heat may be transferred to the portion of the susceptor 210 that is not in contact with the electrically conductive track 220, causing the aerosol substrate portion 510 located in that portion to be heated to a temperature excessively high above the temperature suitable for generating humectant vapor. As a result, the heating efficiency may decrease.

[0188] The susceptor 210 surrounds the outside of the medium portion 520 of the stick 2 and can surround at least a portion of the outside of the aerosol substrate portion 510. In the longitudinal direction of the insertion space 43, the length Ls of the susceptor 210 may be shorter than the sum of the length L2 of the medium portion 520 and the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510. The outer surface of the aerosol substrate portion 510 may be partially surrounded by the susceptor 210. The upper portion of the outer surface of the aerosol substrate portion 510 may be surrounded by the susceptor 210, while the lower portion of the outer surface of the aerosol substrate portion 510 may not be surrounded by the susceptor 210. The upper portion of the outer surface of the aerosol substrate portion 510 may be in contact with the susceptor 210, while the lower portion of the outer surface of the aerosol substrate portion 510 may not be in contact with the susceptor 210.

[0189] For example, the length Ls1 of the portion of the susceptor 210 surrounding the aerosol substrate portion 510 may be 0.5 to 0.7 times the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510. For example, the length Ls1 of the portion of the susceptor 210 surrounding the aerosol substrate portion 510 may be 0.55 to 0.65 times the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510.

[0190] The susceptor 210 can transfer the heat generated in the electrically conductive track 220 to the stick 2. The susceptor 210 can transfer the heat generated in the electrically conductive track 220 to the medium portion 520 and the aerosol substrate portion 510 of the stick 2.

[0191] Figure 12 is a graph comparing the amount of humectant vapor produced by different arrangements of the susceptor and aerosol substrate according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 12, each graph shows the amount of nicotine vapor generated for each puff, depending on the length of the susceptor surrounding the aerosol substrate. Each graph shows the results when the stick medium is aligned with the downstream end of the susceptor.

[0192] Referring to Figure 12 together with Figure 9, when the length Ls1 of the portion of the susceptor 210 surrounding the aerosol substrate portion 510 is approximately 0.6 times the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510, the amount of humectant vapor gradually increases from the first puff to the seventh puff, and from the seventh puff onward, the amount of humectant vapor generated with each puff is maintained at approximately a constant level (1210 in Figure 12).

[0193] In contrast, when the length Ls1 of the portion of the susceptor 210 surrounding the aerosol substrate portion 510 is approximately 0.4 times the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510, the amount of humectant vapor gradually increases from the first to the sixth puff, and from the sixth puff onward, the amount of humectant vapor generated with each puff gradually decreases (Figure 12, 1220). Compared to the case where the length Ls1 of the portion of the susceptor 210 surrounding the aerosol substrate portion 510 is approximately 0.6 times the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510, it can be confirmed that the amount of humectant vapor increases relatively faster in the initial puffs and decreases relatively faster in the later puffs.

[0194] Furthermore, when the length Ls1 of the portion of the susceptor 210 surrounding the aerosol substrate portion 510 is approximately 0.8 times the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510, the amount of humectant vapor hardly increases from the first to the fourth puff, and from the fourth puff onward, the amount of humectant vapor generated with each puff gradually increases (Figure 12, 1220). Compared to the case where the length Ls1 of the portion of the susceptor 210 surrounding the aerosol substrate portion 510 is approximately 0.6 times the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510, it can be confirmed that the amount of humectant vapor is relatively small in the initial puffs and increases relatively quickly in the later puffs.

[0195] When the length Ls1 of the portion of the susceptor 210 surrounding the aerosol substrate portion 510 is approximately 0.6 times the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510, the deviation in the amount of humectant vapor generated in the initial puff and the later puff can be relatively smaller compared to when it is 0.4 times or 0.8 times.

[0196] In this case, the user's sense of satisfaction can be increased. Furthermore, the difference in the amount of moisturizing vapor generated by each puff can reduce the feeling of unfamiliarity the user might experience.

[0197] Referring also to Figure 9, the electrically conductive track 220 can surround the outside of the medium portion 520 of the stick 2 and surround at least a portion of the outside of the aerosol substrate portion 510. In the longitudinal direction of the insertion space 43, the length Lh of the electrically conductive track 220 may be shorter than the sum of the length L2 of the medium portion 520 and the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510. The outer surface of the aerosol substrate portion 510 may be partially surrounded by the electrically conductive track 220. The upper portion of the outer surface of the aerosol substrate portion 510 may be surrounded by the electrically conductive track 220, and the lower portion of the outer surface of the aerosol substrate portion 510 may be surrounded by the electrically conductive track 220.

[0198] For example, the length Lh1 of the portion of the electrically conductive track 220 surrounding the aerosol substrate portion 510 may be 0.1 to 0.3 times the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510. For example, the length Lh1 of the portion of the electrically conductive track 220 surrounding the aerosol substrate portion 510 may be 0.15 to 0.25 times the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510.

[0199] The electrically conductive track 220 generates heat upon power supply and can transfer heat to the stick 2 via the susceptor 210. The electrically conductive track 220 can transfer heat to the medium portion 520 and the aerosol substrate portion 510 of the stick 2 via the susceptor 210.

[0200] If the length Lh1 of the portion of the electrically conductive track 220 surrounding the aerosol substrate portion 510 is shorter than 0.1 times the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510, heat may not be sufficiently transferred to the aerosol substrate portion 510 via the susceptor 210, and the aerosol substrate portion 510 may not be heated to a temperature suitable for generating humectant vapor. Therefore, a sufficient amount of humectant vapor may not be generated in the aerosol substrate portion 510.

[0201] If the length Lh1 of the portion of the electrically conductive track 220 surrounding the aerosol substrate portion 510 is longer than 0.3 times the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510, excessive heat may be transferred to the aerosol substrate portion 510 via the susceptor 210, causing the aerosol substrate portion 510 to be heated to a temperature excessively high above the temperature suitable for generating humectant vapor. As a result, the heating efficiency may decrease.

[0202] The cooling section 530 may be positioned above or downstream of the susceptor 210 and the electrically conductive track 220. One end of the cooling section 530 may be aligned with one end of the susceptor 210 or one end of the electrically conductive track 220. For example, with the stick 2 housed in the insertion space 43, the upper or downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 may be aligned with the lower or upstream end of the cooling section 530 in the radial direction of the insertion space 43. For example, with the stick 2 housed in the insertion space 43, the upper or downstream end 211 of the susceptor 210 may be aligned with the lower or upstream end of the cooling section 530 in the radial direction of the insertion space 43. In other words, the cooling section 530 does not have to be surrounded by the susceptor 210 and the electrically conductive track 220.

[0203] Therefore, the humectant vapor and nicotine vapor generated from the aerosol substrate section 510 and the medium section 520 can be cooled as they pass through the cooling section 530. In addition, deformation of the cooling section 530 due to heat transferred by the susceptor 210 and the electrically conductive track 220 can be prevented.

[0204] As described above, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the structure is such that the downstream end of the electrically conductive track is aligned with the downstream end of the medium portion of the stick inserted into the insertion space, thereby reducing the deviation in the amount of vapor generated for each puff.

[0205] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the structure in which the downstream end of the susceptor is aligned with the downstream end of the electrically conductive track increases the temperature at which the medium is heated, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency.

[0206] According to at least one of the embodiments of this disclosure, the susceptor has a structure in which it surrounds the medium portion of the stick inserted into the insertion space and surrounds a portion of the aerosol substrate, thereby reducing the variation in the amount of vapor generated for each puff.

[0207] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the amount of vapor generated can be increased by having an electrically conductive track that surrounds the medium portion of the stick inserted into the insertion space and surrounds a portion of the aerosol substrate.

[0208] Referring to Figures 1 to 12, an aerosol generating apparatus 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a body 10 having an elongated insertion space 43, a stick 2 having a medium portion 520 inside and inserted into the insertion space 43, a susceptor 210 surrounding the insertion space 43 and extending in the longitudinal direction of the insertion space 43, and an electrically conductive track 220 surrounding the susceptor 210 and heating the susceptor 210 and the insertion space 43, wherein one downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 can be aligned radially with one downstream end 521 of the medium portion 520 of the stick 2 inserted into the insertion space 43.

[0209] Furthermore, according to other aspects of this disclosure, the downstream end 220a of the electrically conductive track 220 may be aligned with the downstream end 211 of the susceptor 210 in the radial direction of the insertion space 43.

[0210] Furthermore, according to other aspects of this disclosure, the length Ls of the susceptor 210 defined in the longitudinal direction of the insertion space 43 may be longer than the length Lh of the electrically conductive track 220.

[0211] Furthermore, according to other aspects of this disclosure, the length Lh of the electrically conductive track 220 may be 0.7 to 0.9 times the length Ls of the susceptor 210.

[0212] Furthermore, according to other aspects of the present disclosure, the stick 2 includes an aerosol substrate portion 510 positioned upstream of the medium portion 520, and the susceptor 210 extends longer than the medium portion 520 in the longitudinal direction of the insertion space 43 and can surround at least a portion of the aerosol substrate portion 510 and the medium portion 520.

[0213] Furthermore, according to other aspects of this disclosure, the length Ls of the susceptor 210 may be shorter than the sum of the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510 and the length L2 of the medium portion 520.

[0214] Furthermore, according to other aspects of this disclosure, the length Ls1 of the portion of the susceptor 210 surrounding the aerosol substrate portion 510 may be 0.5 to 0.7 times the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510.

[0215] Furthermore, according to other aspects of the present disclosure, the stick 2 includes an aerosol substrate portion 510 located upstream of the medium portion 520, and the electrically conductive track 220 extends longer than the medium portion 520 in the longitudinal direction of the insertion space 43 and can surround at least a portion of the aerosol substrate portion 510 and the medium portion 520.

[0216] Furthermore, according to other aspects of this disclosure, the length Lh1 of the portion of the electrically conductive track 220 surrounding the aerosol substrate portion 510 may be 0.1 to 0.3 times the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510.

[0217] Furthermore, according to other aspects of this disclosure, the stick 2 includes an aerosol substrate portion 510 located upstream of the medium portion 520 and a cooling portion 530 located downstream of the medium portion 520, wherein the cooling portion 530 of the stick 2 inserted into the insertion space 43 may be located downstream of the susceptor 210 and the electrically conductive track 220 in the longitudinal direction of the insertion space 43.

[0218] Furthermore, according to another aspect of this disclosure, the length L2 of the medium portion 520 may be longer than the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510.

[0219] Furthermore, according to other aspects of this disclosure, the length L2 of the medium portion 520 may be 1.1 to 1.3 times the length L1 of the aerosol substrate portion 510.

[0220] The specific or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinguishable. The specific or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be used in combination or in combination with each other in terms of their respective configurations or functions.

[0221] For example, this means that configuration A described in a particular embodiment and / or drawing can be combined with configuration B described in other embodiments and / or drawings. In other words, even if a combination of configurations is not directly described, it means that such a combination is possible unless it is explicitly stated that such a combination is not possible.

[0222] The foregoing detailed description should not be interpreted restrictively in any way and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the invention are included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A body with a long, extended insertion space, A stick having a medium inside, which is inserted into the insertion space, A susceptor surrounding the insertion space and extending in the longitudinal direction of the insertion space, Includes an electrically conductive track surrounding the susceptor and heating the susceptor and the insertion space, An aerosol generating device wherein one downstream end of the electrically conductive track is aligned radially with the downstream end of the medium portion of the stick inserted into the insertion space.

2. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one downstream end of the electrically conductive track is aligned with one downstream end of the susceptor in the radial direction of the insertion space.

3. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the length of the susceptor defined in the longitudinal direction of the insertion space is longer than the length of the electrically conductive track.

4. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the length of the electrically conductive track is 0.7 to 0.9 times the length of the susceptor.

5. The aforementioned stick is It includes an aerosol substrate portion disposed upstream of the medium portion, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insertion space extends longer than the medium portion in the longitudinal direction and surrounds at least a portion of the aerosol substrate portion and the medium portion.

6. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the length of the susceptor is shorter than the sum of the length of the aerosol substrate and the length of the medium.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the length of the portion of the susceptor surrounding the aerosol substrate is 0.5 to 0.7 times the length of the aerosol substrate.

8. The stick includes an aerosol substrate portion disposed upstream of the medium portion, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive track extends longer than the medium portion in the longitudinal direction of the insertion space and surrounds at least a portion of the aerosol substrate portion and the medium portion.

9. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the length of the portion of the electrically conductive track surrounding the aerosol substrate is 0.1 to 0.3 times the length of the aerosol substrate.

10. The aforementioned stick is It includes an aerosol substrate portion disposed upstream of the medium portion and a cooling portion disposed downstream of the medium portion, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in the longitudinal direction of the insertion space, the cooling portion of the stick inserted into the insertion space is located downstream of the susceptor and the electrically conductive track.

11. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the length of the medium portion is longer than the length of the aerosol substrate portion.

12. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the length of the medium portion is 1.1 to 1.3 times the length of the aerosol substrate portion.

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