Aerosol generating device and coupling mechanism for aerosol generating device

Abstract

The aerosol generator includes an aerosol generator body containing a cavity for containing an aerosol generating substrate; a cap detachably coupled to the aerosol generator body and covering at least a portion of the aerosol generator body; and a coupling mechanism disposed on either the cap or the aerosol generator body for detachably coupling the cap and the aerosol generator body.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The embodiment relates to an aerosol generating device and a coupling mechanism for an aerosol generating device, which improves the coupling force between an aerosol generating device body and a cap, and allows a user to easily operate separating or coupling the cap from or to the aerosol generating device body. [Background Art]

[0002] In recent years, demand for alternative methods that overcome the drawbacks of conventional cigarettes has been increasing. For example, demand has increased for systems that generate aerosols by heating a cigarette (or an aerosol-generating article) using an aerosol-generating device, instead of generating aerosols by burning a cigarette.

[0003] An example of an aerosol-generating device may include an aerosol-generating device body having a battery that supplies electric power required for heating an aerosol-generating substrate, and a cap covering one region of the aerosol-generating device body to protect the one region of the aerosol-generating device body. [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] Generally, the aerosol-generating device body and the cap are separably coupled to each other, and conventionally, a magnetic force or hook structure has been applied to aerosol-generating devices.

[0005] In the case of a method using magnetic force, a space for arranging components that generate magnetic force must be secured in advance, which reduces the space utilization efficiency inside the aerosol-generating device, and the magnetic force may affect sensors inside the aerosol-generating device, which must be avoided, thus making it difficult to design the aerosol-generating device.

[0006] Furthermore, when using a simple hook structure, the process of separating and joining the aerosol generator body and the cap is difficult for the user to operate smoothly, and the hook structure is prone to wear due to frequent separation and joining.

[0007] The embodiments of this disclosure aim to provide an aerosol generator and a coupling mechanism for an aerosol generator that can improve space utilization efficiency and enhance the design freedom of the aerosol generator.

[0008] Furthermore, the embodiments of this disclosure aim to provide an aerosol generator and a coupling mechanism for an aerosol generator that improve the coupling force between the aerosol generator body and the cap, and allow the user to easily separate or attach the cap to the aerosol generator body.

[0009] Furthermore, embodiments of this disclosure aim to provide an aerosol generating device with improved durability and a coupling mechanism for an aerosol generating device.

[0010] The problems to be solved by the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and any problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong, based on this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] An aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment includes an aerosol generating apparatus body including a cavity for containing an aerosol generating substrate; a cap detachably coupled to the aerosol generating apparatus body and covering at least a portion of the aerosol generating apparatus body; and a coupling mechanism disposed on either the cap or the aerosol generating apparatus body and detachably coupling the cap and the aerosol generating apparatus body to each other. The other of the cap or the aerosol generating apparatus body includes a coupling groove into which a portion of the coupling mechanism is inserted. The other of the cap or the aerosol generating apparatus body includes a through hole through which a portion of the coupling mechanism passes. The coupling mechanism includes a coupling projection that passes through the through hole and is inserted into the coupling groove; and an elastic bar coupled to the coupling projection and making the coupling projection elastically movable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] Aerosol generating apparatuses and coupling mechanisms according to various embodiments of this disclosure can improve space utilization efficiency and design flexibility.

[0013] The aerosol generating apparatus and coupling mechanism according to various embodiments of this disclosure can improve the coupling force between the aerosol generating apparatus body and the cap, and improve the ease of operation when the user separates or attaches the cap to the aerosol generating apparatus body.

[0014] The aerosol generating apparatus and coupling mechanism according to various embodiments of this disclosure have improved durability, thereby reducing maintenance costs.

[0015] The effects of the embodiments are not limited to those described above, and any effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This figure shows an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an aerosol generating device according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment and an aerosol generating article used therein. [Figure 5] It is a partially exploded perspective view of the aerosol generating device shown in Fig. 4. [Figure 6] It is an exploded perspective view of some constituent components shown in Fig. 5. [Figure 7] It is a plan view showing the interior of the aerosol generating device with reference to the line VII-VII in Fig. 4. [Figure 8A] It is a perspective view of a coupling mechanism according to one embodiment. [Figure 8B] It is a plan view of a coupling mechanism according to one embodiment. [Figure 9A] It is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the process in which the cap is coupled to the aerosol generating device main body using the coupling mechanism, with reference to the line IX-IX in Fig. 4. [Figure 9B] It is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the process in which the cap is coupled to the aerosol generating device main body using the coupling mechanism, with reference to the line IX-IX in Fig. 4. [Figure 9C] It is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the process in which the cap is coupled to the aerosol generating device main body using the coupling mechanism, with reference to the line IX-IX in Fig. 4. [Figure 10] It is an enlarged view of part A in Fig. 7. [Figure 11] In order to explain another example of the coupling mechanism, it is a plan view showing the interior of the aerosol generating device with reference to the line VII-VII in Fig. 4. [Figure 12] In order to explain still another example of the coupling mechanism, it is a plan view showing the interior of the aerosol generating device with reference to the line VII-VII in Fig. 4. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing an example of an aerosol generating article. [Figure 14]It is a diagram illustrating an example of an aerosol-generating article. [Figure 15] It is a block diagram of an aerosol-generating device according to another embodiment. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0017] As for the terms used in the embodiments, general terms that are currently widely used have been selected as much as possible while considering the functions of the present invention. However, the meanings of these terms may vary depending on the intention of engineers engaged in the art, judicial precedents, or the emergence of new technologies. In addition, in certain cases, some terms are arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in such cases, the meanings thereof will be described in detail in the description section of the relevant invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined based not only on the names of the terms themselves, but also on the meanings possessed by the terms and the overall content of the present invention.

[0018] Throughout the specification, when a certain part is described as "comprising" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated to the contrary, the part does not exclude other components, but may further comprise other components. Furthermore, as used herein, terms such as "unit" and "module" mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and may be embodied in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0019] As used herein, when an expression such as "at least one of" precedes a list of components, it modifies the entire list of components rather than each individual component in the list. For example, the expression "at least one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted to include a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b and c.

[0020] When one component is said to be “connected” or “linked” to another component, it should be understood that it is directly connected to the other component, or may be connected, but may have other components in between. On the other hand, when one component is said to be “directly connected” or “directly linked” to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0021] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol by electrically heating a cigarette contained in an internal space.

[0022] The aerosol generator may include a heater. In one embodiment, the heater may be an electrical resistance heater. For example, the heater may include an electrical conductive track, and the heater may be heated when an electric current flows through the electrical conductive track.

[0023] The heater may include tubular heating elements, plate heating elements, needle-shaped heating elements, or rod-shaped heating elements, and can heat the inside or outside of the cigarette depending on the shape of the heating elements.

[0024] A cigarette may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod. The tobacco rod may be made in sheet form, strand form, or as shredded tobacco from a tobacco sheet. Furthermore, the tobacco rod may be surrounded by a heat-conducting material. For example, the heat-conducting material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil.

[0025] The filter rod may be a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod may consist of at least one segment. For example, the filter rod may include a first segment for cooling the aerosol and a second segment for filtering out a predetermined component contained in the aerosol.

[0026] In other embodiments, the aerosol generating apparatus may be an apparatus that generates aerosols using a cartridge that holds an aerosol generating substance.

[0027] An aerosol generator may include a cartridge for holding an aerosol-generating substance and a main body for supporting the cartridge. The cartridge may, but is not limited to, be detachably coupled to the main body. The cartridge may be integrally formed or assembled with the main body and fixed in place so as not to be detached by the user. The cartridge may be mounted on the main body with the aerosol-generating substance contained within it. However, it is not limited to this, and the aerosol-generating substance may be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the main body.

[0028] The cartridge may hold an aerosol-generating substance that exists in one of a variety of states, such as liquid, solid, gaseous, or gel. The aerosol-generating substance may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance that includes volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0029] The cartridge operates via electrical or wireless signals transmitted from the main unit, converting the phase of the aerosol-generating substance inside the cartridge into a gaseous phase to generate an aerosol. An aerosol can be defined as a gaseous mixture of vaporized particles generated from the aerosol-generating substance and air.

[0030] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generator can generate an aerosol by heating a liquid composition, and the generated aerosol can be delivered to the user through a cigarette. That is, the aerosol generated from the liquid composition can move along an airflow passage of the aerosol generator, and the airflow passage can be configured so that the aerosol is delivered to the user through a cigarette.

[0031] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols from an aerosol-generating substance using an ultrasonic vibration method. In this case, the ultrasonic vibration method can mean a method of generating aerosols by atomizing the aerosol-generating substance with ultrasonic vibrations generated by a transducer.

[0032] The aerosol generator includes a transducer, which generates short-period vibrations to atomize the aerosol-generating substance. The vibrations generated by the transducer may be ultrasonic vibrations, and the frequency range of the ultrasonic vibrations may be, but is not limited to, a frequency range of approximately 100 kHz to approximately 3.5 MHz.

[0033] The aerosol generator may further include a core that absorbs the aerosol-generating material. For example, the core may be positioned to surround at least one region of the oscillator, or to be in contact with at least one region of the oscillator.

[0034] When a voltage (e.g., an AC voltage) is applied to the transducer, heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations may be generated from the transducer, and these heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations can be transmitted to the aerosol-generating material absorbed in the core. The aerosol-generating material absorbed in the core is converted into a gaseous phase by the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the transducer, and as a result, an aerosol may be generated.

[0035] For example, the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material absorbed into the core may decrease due to the heat generated from the transducer, and the aerosol-generating material with reduced viscosity may be atomized by the ultrasonic vibrations generated from the transducer, thereby generating an aerosol, but this is not limited to this.

[0036] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating apparatus may be a device that generates aerosols by heating the aerosol product contained in the aerosol generating apparatus using induction heating.

[0037] An aerosol generator may include a susceptor and a coil. In one embodiment, the coil can apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. By supplying power to the coil from the aerosol generator, a magnetic field can be formed inside the coil. In one embodiment, the susceptor may be a magnetic material that generates heat in response to an external magnetic field. The aerosol product can be heated by the heat generated when the susceptor is located inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied. Alternatively, the susceptor may be selectively located within the aerosol product.

[0038] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generator may further include a cradle.

[0039] The aerosol generator can be configured with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle can charge the aerosol generator's battery. Alternatively, the heater may be heated when the cradle and aerosol generator are combined.

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so as to be easily implemented by a person ordinary in the art. The present disclosure may be implemented in a manner that can be embodied in the aerosol generating apparatus according to the various embodiments described above, or may be embodied and implemented in a variety of different manners, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0041] Figures 1 to 3 show aerosol generating apparatuses according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0042] Referring to Figure 1, an aerosol generator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one of a power supply 200, a control unit 300, a sensor 400, and a heater 500. At least one of the power supply 200, the control unit 300, the sensor 400, and the heater 500 may be located inside the aerosol generator body 100 of the aerosol generator 1. The aerosol generator body 100 can provide an upwardly opening space into which an aerosol product 2, which is an aerosol product, can be inserted. The upwardly opening space may be referred to as the insertion space. The insertion space may be formed as a recess toward the interior of the aerosol generator body 100 to a predetermined depth, allowing at least a portion of the aerosol product 2 to be inserted. The depth of the insertion space may correspond 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 may be inserted into the interior of the aerosol generator body 100, and the upper end of the aerosol product 2 may protrude outward from the aerosol generator body 100. The user can inhale air by placing the upper end of the aerosol product 2, which is exposed to the outside, in their mouth.

[0043] The heater 500 can heat the aerosol product 2. The heater 500 may extend upward in the space into which the aerosol product 2 is inserted. For example, the heater 500 may include a tubular heating element, a plate heating element, a needle heating element, or a rod heating element. The heater 500 may be inserted into the bottom of the aerosol product 2. The heater 500 may include an electrical resistance heater and / or an induction heating heater.

[0044] For example, referring to Figure 1, the heater 500 may be a resistive heater. For example, the heater 500 may include a conductive track, and the heater 500 may be heated by current flowing through the conductive track. The heater 500 may be electrically connected to a power supply 200. The heater 500 can generate heat directly by being supplied with current from the power supply 200.

[0045] For example, heater 500 may consist of multiple heaters. Heater 500 may include a first heater 501 and a second heater 502. The first and second heaters 501 and 502 may be arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction. The first and second heaters 501 and 502 may be heated sequentially or simultaneously.

[0046] For example, referring to Figure 2, the aerosol generator 1 may include an induction coil 500a surrounding the heater 500. The induction coil 500a can cause the heater 500 to generate heat. The heater 500 is a susceptor and can generate heat through a magnetic field generated by an alternating current flowing through the induction coil 500a. The magnetic field penetrates the heater 500 and can generate eddy currents inside the heater 500. The current can generate heat in the heater 500.

[0047] For example, referring to Figure 3, a susceptor SS is included inside the aerosol product 2, and the susceptor SS inside the aerosol product 2 can be heated by the magnetic field generated by the alternating current flowing through the induction coil 500a. The susceptor SS is located inside the aerosol product 2 and does not need to be electrically connected to the aerosol generator 1. The susceptor SS can be inserted into the insertion space together with the aerosol product 2 and can be removed from the insertion space together with the aerosol product 2. The aerosol product 2 can be heated by the susceptor SS inside the aerosol product 2. In this case, the heater 500 does not need to be provided in the aerosol generator 1.

[0048] The power supply 200 can supply power to operate the components of the aerosol generator 1. The power supply 200 may be called a battery. The power supply 200 can supply power to at least one of the control unit 300, the sensor 400, and the heater 500. The power supply 200 can supply power to the induction coil 500a.

[0049] The control unit 300 can control the operation of the entire aerosol generator 1. The control unit 300 can be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The control unit 300 can control the operation of at least one of the power supply 200, sensor 400, and heater 500. The control unit 300 can control the operation of the induction coil 500a. The control unit 300 can control the operation of the display, motor, etc., provided in the aerosol generator 1. The control unit 300 can check the status of each component of the aerosol generator 1 and determine whether the aerosol generator 1 is in an operational state.

[0050] The control unit 300 can analyze the results sensed by the sensor 400 and control the processes to be performed thereafter. For example, based on the results sensed by the sensor 400, the control unit 300 can control the power supplied to the heater 500 so that the heater 500 starts or stops operating. For example, based on the results sensed by the sensor 400, the control unit 300 can control the amount of power supplied to the heater 500 and the duration of power supply so that the heater 500 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintains an appropriate temperature.

[0051] The sensor 400 may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, an insertion sensor, and an acceleration sensor. For example, the sensor 400 can sense at least one of the temperature of the heater 500, the temperature of the power supply 200, and the temperature inside and outside the aerosol generator body 100. For example, the sensor 400 can sense a user's puff. For example, the sensor 400 can sense whether or not the aerosol product 2 has been inserted into the insertion space. For example, the sensor 400 can sense the movement of the aerosol generator 1.

[0052] Figure 4 shows an aerosol generating apparatus 1 and an aerosol product 2 used therein according to one embodiment.

[0053] Referring to Figure 4, the aerosol generator 1 includes an aerosol generator body 100 and a cap 600. At least one of the components of the aerosol generator 1 shown in Figure 4 may be identical or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generator 1 described above (for example, the aerosol generator body 100), so redundant explanations will be omitted below. On the other hand, in this disclosure, the aerosol generation system may be used to mean including the aerosol generator 1 and the aerosol product 2.

[0054] The aerosol generator body 100 may include body wings 150. The body wings 150 may extend upward from the upper edge of the aerosol generator body 100 (for example, the portions facing the +y and -y directions). The body wings 150 may be formed as a pair facing each other around the upper part of the aerosol generator body 100. The body wings 150 may be formed at a offset position from the cap wings 620. This allows the body wings 150 and the cap wings 620 to be coupled without interfering with each other when the aerosol generator body 100 and the cap 600 are coupled.

[0055] The cap 600 can be detachably coupled to the aerosol generator body 100. The cap 600 can be coupled to the upper side (e.g., in the +z direction) of the aerosol generator body 100. The cap 600 can cover the upper periphery of the aerosol generator body 100.

[0056] The cap 600 may include a cap wing 620. The cap wing 620 may extend downward from both sides (e.g., in the +x and -x directions) of the cap body 610 (e.g., in the -z direction). In this disclosure, the cap body 610 may be referred to as the upper cap, and the cap wing 620 may be referred to as the upper case grip. The cap body 610 and the cap wing 620 may be formed integrally with each other.

[0057] When the cap 600 is attached to the aerosol generator body 100, the cap 600 can form the upper exterior of the aerosol generator 1. When the cap 600 is attached to the aerosol generator body 100, the body wings 150 can cover the exposed sides of the cap 600 between the cap wings 620 (e.g., the parts facing the +y and -y directions). When the cap 600 is attached to the aerosol generator body 100, the cap wings 620 can cover the outside of the aerosol generator body 100 (e.g., the +x and -x directions).

[0058] The cap 600 may include an opening 630. The aerosol product 2 may be inserted into the opening 630. The cap 600 may further include a door 640 for opening and closing the opening 630. The door 640 can slide laterally to open and close the opening 630.

[0059] The aerosol product 2 used in the aerosol generator 1 will be described later with reference to Figures 13 and 14. In this disclosure, the object inserted into the aerosol generator 1 is described as the aerosol product 2, but the object inserted into the aerosol generator 1 is not limited to this. For example, a cartridge other than the aerosol product 2 can be used in the aerosol generator 1. The cartridge may store an aerosol generating substance, and the aerosol generating substance may include a tobacco-containing substance containing volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid composition containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0060] Figure 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the aerosol generator 1 shown in Figure 4.

[0061] Referring to Figure 5, an aerosol generator 1 according to one embodiment includes an aerosol generator body 100, a cap 600, and a coupling mechanism 700. At least one of the components of the aerosol generator 1 shown in Figure 5 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generator 1 described above (for example, the cap 600), so redundant explanations will be omitted below.

[0062] The aerosol generating device body 100 may include a cavity 100a, a bonding groove 100b, and an inner surface 100c.

[0063] Cavity 100a can contain / insert an aerosol-generating substrate. Cavity 100a can communicate with the inlet 630 of cap 600. Cavity 100a is located between a pair of body wings 150 and can be exposed to the outside of the aerosol generator body 100 before cap 600 is attached. The aerosol-generating substrate contained / inserted in cavity 100a may be the aerosol product or cartridge described above.

[0064] A portion of the coupling mechanism 700, which is located on the cap 600, can be inserted into the coupling groove 100b. By inserting the coupling mechanism 700 into the coupling groove 100b, the aerosol generator body 100 and the cap 600 can be coupled to each other. By separating the coupling mechanism 700 from the coupling groove 100b, the aerosol generator body 100 and the cap 600 can be separated to each other. For example, the coupling groove 100b can be formed on the body wing 150 of the aerosol generator body 100, as shown in Figure 5, but the location where the coupling groove 100b can be formed is not limited to that.

[0065] The coupling grooves 100b may be formed at positions corresponding to the coupling protrusions of the coupling mechanism 700. The number of coupling grooves 100b may be the same as the number of coupling protrusions of the coupling mechanism 700 and formed in the aerosol generating device body 100. Multiple coupling grooves 100b may be formed at symmetrical positions with respect to the middle portion of the aerosol generating device body 100.

[0066] The inner surface 100c may be one surface of the aerosol generating apparatus body 100 facing the cavity 100a. In this disclosure, the inner surface 100c may be one surface of the body wing 150 facing the cavity 100a. The coupling groove 100b described above may be formed on the inner surface 100c. The coupling groove 100b may be formed by machining a groove of a predetermined depth from the inner surface 100c.

[0067] The cap 600 may include a through hole 600a.

[0068] A portion of the coupling mechanism 700 (a coupling projection) can pass through the through-hole 600a. The through-hole 600a may be formed in the cap body 610 and the lower cap 660, which will be described later. The through-hole 600a may be formed at a position corresponding to the coupling projection of the coupling mechanism 700. The same number of through-holes 600a as the coupling projection of the coupling mechanism 700 may be formed in the cap body 610. Multiple through-holes 600a may be formed at symmetrical positions with respect to the middle portion of the cap 600.

[0069] The coupling mechanism 700 serves to separate the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 from each other. The coupling mechanism 700 may be positioned on the cap 600. A portion of the coupling mechanism 700 (a coupling projection) protrudes outside the cap body 610 through the through hole 600a, and the protruding portion of the coupling mechanism 700 can be inserted into the coupling groove 100b of the aerosol generator body 100.

[0070] Figures 5 onward show embodiments in which the coupling mechanism 700 is located on the cap 600 and the coupling groove 100b is located on the aerosol generator body 100, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the coupling mechanism 700 may be located on the aerosol generator body 100, and the coupling groove 100b may be formed on the side surface of the cap body 610 of the cap 600 (e.g., in the +y and -y directions). In such embodiments, the aerosol generator body 100 may include through holes for a portion of the coupling mechanism 700 (a coupling projection) to pass through.

[0071] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of some of the components shown in Figure 5. Figure 6 shows the coupling relationship between the cap 600 and the coupling mechanism 700.

[0072] Referring to Figure 6, the cap 600 includes a cap body 610, cap wings 620, an insertion opening 630, a door 640, a guide 650, a lower cap 660, and lower cap wings 670. At least one of the components of the cap 600 shown in Figure 6 (for example, the insertion opening 630) may be identical or similar to at least one of the components of the cap 600 described above, so a specific explanation is omitted.

[0073] The guide 650 can guide the movement of the door 640. Although not shown, the guide 650 may have a groove into which a portion of the door 640 is inserted. The guide 650 may also have an insertion opening 630. The guide 650 may be positioned between the cap body 610 and the coupling mechanism 700.

[0074] The lower cap 660 may be positioned below the upper cap 610. The lower cap 660 may have a hole that communicates with the insertion port 630, and the aerosol-generating substrate inserted into the insertion port 630 may pass through the hole in the lower cap 660 and be inserted into the cavity 100a (shown in Figure 5) of the aerosol-generating device body 100.

[0075] The lower cap wing 670 may be formed at a position offset from the main body wing 150 (shown in Figure 5). This allows the main body wing 150 and the lower cap wing 670 to be joined together without interfering with each other when the aerosol generator body 100 (shown in Figure 5) and the cap 600 are connected.

[0076] The lower cap wing 670 may extend downward from both sides of the lower cap 660 (e.g., in the +x and -x directions) (e.g., in the -z direction). The lower cap wing 670 may be positioned in a location corresponding to the cap wing 620. The lower cap 660 and the lower cap wing 670 may be formed integrally with each other.

[0077] The coupling mechanism 700 may be positioned between the guide 650 and the lower cap 660. The lower cap 660 may have a space formed therein in which the coupling mechanism 700 is housed. When the cap 600 and the coupling mechanism 700 are coupled, the upper part of the coupling mechanism 700 may be in contact with and supported by the guide 650. This restricts the upward movement of the coupling mechanism 700, and allows it to remain fixed in place without moving even when external shocks or vibrations occur.

[0078] The following will provide a detailed explanation of the structure of the coupling mechanism 700 and the coupling relationship between the coupling mechanism 700 and the cap 600.

[0079] Figure 7 is a plan view showing the interior of the aerosol generator 1, with the line VII-VII in Figure 4 as the reference. In Figure 7, the hatching indicated by reference numerals 700 and 750 does not represent a cross-section of the components, but is shown to distinguish the components from one another.

[0080] Referring to Figure 7, an aerosol generator 1 according to one embodiment includes an aerosol generator body 100, a cap 600, a coupling mechanism 700, and a limiting rib 800. At least one of the components of the aerosol generator 1 shown in Figure 7 (for example, the cap 600) is identical or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generator 1 described above, so redundant explanations will be omitted below.

[0081] The coupling mechanism 700 may include a coupling projection 710 and an elastic bar 720.

[0082] The connecting projection 710 passes through the through hole 600a (shown in Figure 5) of the cap 600 and is inserted into the connecting groove 100b (shown in Figure 5) of the aerosol generator body 100. By inserting the connecting projection 710 into the connecting groove 100b (shown in Figure 5), the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 can be connected to each other. By separating the connecting projection 710 from the connecting groove 100b (shown in Figure 5), the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 can be separated to each other.

[0083] The connecting projection 710 can be coupled to the elastic bar 720. The connecting projection 710 can move elastically during the process of coupling or uncoupling the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100. The arrows shown in Figure 7 indicate the direction of movement of the connecting projection 710 during the process of coupling or uncoupling the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100.

[0084] The connecting projection 710 includes an outer surface 711 facing the aerosol generating device body 100, and at least a portion of the outer surface 711 may have a shape corresponding to the inner surface 100c of the aerosol generating device body 100.

[0085] The elastic bar 720 is connected to the connecting projection 710, allowing the connecting projection 710 to move elastically.

[0086] According to one embodiment, during the process of coupling the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100, the coupling projection 710 and the elastic bar 720 are movable inward on the aerosol generator body 100 facing the cavity 100a, which may allow for smooth operation for coupling or uncoupling between the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100. Furthermore, after the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 are coupled, the coupling projection 710 and the elastic bar 720 elastically return to their original position and move outward, thereby improving the coupling force between the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100. In this disclosure, the coupling force is the force that maintains the coupling between the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 and is proportional to the force required to separate the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100.

[0087] Furthermore, the coupling mechanism 700 is positioned without interference with other components of the aerosol generator 1 (e.g., sensors and circuit elements), allowing the original performance of the other components to be stably realized and improving the space utilization efficiency of the internal components of the aerosol generator 1.

[0088] The elastic bar 720 may contain a synthetic resin material to give it elasticity. For example, the elastic bar 720 may contain at least one of the following materials: polyurethane, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene copolymer), polypropylene, or polyethylene. The elastic bar 720 may be manufactured by an injection molding process in which the material is poured into a mold. This improves the ease of manufacturing the elastic bar 720.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the coupling mechanism 700 may include a plurality of coupling protrusions 710. This allows the coupling force between the cap 600 and the aerosol generating device body 100 to be improved by using the plurality of coupling protrusions 710.

[0090] Multiple connecting protrusions 710 may be connected to multiple elastic bars 720 symmetrically with respect to the middle portion of each elastic bar 720. This allows for uniform bonding and separation forces between the caps 600 and the aerosol generating device body 100 on both sides with respect to the middle portion of the elastic bar 720.

[0091] The elastic bar 720 may include an elastic bar body 721, an elastic bar member 722, and a connecting member 723.

[0092] The elastic bar body 721 can be coupled to the cap 600. The elastic bar body 721 can provide support force to the elastic bar member 722 so that the elastic bar member 722 can move elastically during the process of coupling or uncoupling the cap 600 and the aerosol generating device body 100. The elastic bar body 721 can be formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole, but is not limited thereto.

[0093] The elastic bar body 721 may include one side 721a. One side 721a may be the surface of the elastic bar body 721 facing the upper part of the cap 600. One side 721a may be supported by a guide 650 (shown in Figure 6) of the cap 600. By supporting one side 721a with the guide 650 (shown in Figure 6), the coupling mechanism 700 is restricted from moving upward and can remain fixed in position without moving even when external shocks or vibrations occur.

[0094] The elastic bar member 722 can be coupled to the coupling projection 710. The elastic bar member 722 can move elastically during the process of coupling or uncoupling the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100. That is, during the process of coupling or uncoupling the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100, the elastic bar member 722 and the coupling projection 710 can move inward of the aerosol generator body 100 facing the cavity 100a. Also, when the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 are coupled or uncoupled, the elastic bar member 722 and the coupling projection 710 can move outward of the aerosol generator body 100.

[0095] The elastic bar member 722 may be positioned at a distance from the inner surface 600b of the cap 600. The inner surface 600b of the cap 600 may be one surface of the cap 600 that faces the cavity 100a.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the elastic bar 720 may include a plurality of elastic bar members 722. The plurality of elastic bar members 722 may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the intermediate portion of the elastic bar 720.

[0097] Multiple elastic bar members 722 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the intermediate portion of the elastic bar 720, so that a space 720a into which an aerosol-generating substrate can be inserted is formed between the multiple elastic bar members 722. The space 720a can communicate with the cavity 100a. Since the coupling mechanism 700 includes a structure into which an aerosol-generating substrate can be inserted through the space 720a, a compact structure of the aerosol generator 1 can be realized.

[0098] The connecting member 723 can connect the elastic bar member 722 and the elastic bar body 721 to each other. A portion of the connecting member 723 can move together with the elastic bar member 722 as it moves elastically.

[0099] The connecting member 723, the elastic bar member 722, and the elastic bar body 721 may be formed integrally. Furthermore, the elastic bar 720 and the connecting projection 710 may also be formed integrally.

[0100] In one embodiment, the coupling mechanism 700 can be detachably coupled to the cap 600. This allows the user to replace the existing coupling mechanism 700 with a new one if the coupling mechanism 700 is damaged or broken during use of the aerosol generator 1. Thus, the maintenance costs of the aerosol generator 1 can be reduced.

[0101] The aerosol generating device 1 may further include a mounting portion 750 so that the coupling mechanism 700 is detachably coupled to the cap 600.

[0102] The mounting portion 750 may be coupled to both ends of the elastic bar 720. Specifically, the mounting portion 750 may be coupled to the elastic bar member 722 of the elastic bar 720. The coupling mechanism 700 may be coupled to fit between a pair of mounting portions 750. In the process of coupling or uncoupling the coupling mechanism 700 from the mounting portions 750, the pair of mounting portions 750 can move away from each other.

[0103] The mounting portion 750 may be coupled to the lower cap 660 (shown in Figure 6). The mounting portion 750 may include a first portion extending upward from the lower cap 660 (shown in Figure 6), and a second portion connected to the first portion and extending to the elastic bar 720. The first portion of the mounting portion 750 may contact the side surface of the elastic bar member 722, and the second portion of the mounting portion 750 may contact the upper surface of the elastic bar member 722. The mounting portion 750 may be formed integrally with the lower cap 660.

[0104] In the aerosol generating device body 100 and the cap 600, the connecting projection 710 may protrude outward from the outer surface 600c of the cap 600, whether the aerosol generating device body 100 and the cap 600 are separated or joined together. According to one embodiment, the protrusion distance 710d of the connecting projection 710 protruding from the through hole 600a (shown in Figure 5) may be 0.3 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less. The protrusion distance 710d may be the separation distance between the end of the connecting projection 710 and the outer surface 600c of the cap 600.

[0105] This improves the bonding force between the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100, while reducing the force required by the user to connect or disconnect the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100, thereby enabling smoother operation.

[0106] This effect can be demonstrated in Experiment 1 below.

[0107] [Experiment 1] 1. Prepare various coupling mechanisms 700 with different protrusion distances of 710d.

[0108] 2. The bonding mechanism 700 is changed, and the bonding force between the cap 600 and the aerosol generating device body 100 is measured. The fastening strength of the cap 600 and the aerosol generating device body 100 and the ease of operation for the user are evaluated and recorded in Table 1 below. [Table 1]

[0109] In Table 1 above, the unit of bonding force, gf, is an abbreviation for gramforce, and 1 gf may be equivalent to 0.00980665 N [Newtons]. The bonding force was measured using Mecmesin's OmniTest 0.5kN, 1kN, and 2.5kN models.

[0110] Furthermore, in Table 1 mentioned above, the fastening strength is the strength of the bond between the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100, and is expressed as weak / strong as the strength with which the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 are bonded without easily separating while the user is using the aerosol generator 1. "Weak" means that the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 separate five or more times while the user carries the aerosol generator 1 for one hour, and "strong" means that the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 do not separate while the user carries the aerosol generator 1 for one hour.

[0111] Furthermore, in Table 1 mentioned above, ease of operation is expressed as high / medium / low, indicating how easily the user can engage or disengage the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100. Moving towards "higher" means that the user can perform smoother operations when connecting or disconnecting the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100.

[0112] Referring to Table 1 above, it can be seen that the fastening strength is weak when the protrusion distance 710d is less than 0.30 mm. In other words, with a protrusion distance 710d of less than 0.30 mm, the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 separated more than five times in unintended circumstances while the user carried the aerosol generator 1 for one hour. This is because the connecting protrusion 710 protrudes only slightly and is easily separated from the connecting groove 100b (shown in Figure 5).

[0113] Furthermore, it can be seen that operation is somewhat inconvenient with a protrusion distance of less than 0.30 mm 710d. This is because, although the coupling projection 710 protrudes only slightly, allowing the user to easily connect the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100, the user does not feel that the coupling projection 710 has been inserted into the coupling groove 100b (shown in Figure 5).

[0114] Referring to Table 1 above, it can be seen that when the protrusion distance 710d exceeds 1.00 mm, the fastening strength is too strong, making operation very inconvenient. This is because the connecting projection 710 protrudes excessively, making it difficult to insert into the connecting groove 100b (shown in Figure 5), and even if the connecting projection 710 is inserted into the connecting groove, it is not easily separated due to the strong fastening force.

[0115] Therefore, according to one embodiment in which the protrusion distance 710d is set to 0.30 mm or more and 1.00 mm or less, the bonding force between the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 is improved, while the force required by the user to connect or disconnect the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 is reduced, thereby enabling smooth operation.

[0116] The limiting rib 800 can limit the extent to which the coupling projection 710 protrudes from the cap 600. In other words, the limiting rib 800 can limit the extent to which the coupling projection 710 protrudes from the through hole 600a (shown in Figure 5) of the cap 600. As a result, the protrusion distance 710d of the coupling projection 710 can be set to a preset distance (0.3 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less), thereby reducing the force required to connect or separate the cap 600 and the aerosol generating device body 100 due to excessive protrusion of the coupling projection 710.

[0117] The limiting rib 800 is located on the outside of the elastic bar 720 and may protrude from the inner surface 600b of the cap 600. Specifically, the limiting rib 800 is located on the outside of the elastic bar member 722 and, by contacting the elastic bar member 722, can limit the distance the elastic bar member 722 moves outward. The limiting rib 800 may be formed integrally with the cap 600.

[0118] In one embodiment, the aerosol generator 1 may include a plurality of limiting ribs 800. For example, the aerosol generator 1 may include the same number of limiting ribs 800 as the number of connecting protrusions 710. The plurality of limiting ribs 800 may be arranged adjacent to the connecting protrusions 710. Figure 7 shows four limiting ribs 800, but the number is not limited to this.

[0119] The structure of the coupling mechanism 700 will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0120] Figure 8A is a perspective view of a coupling mechanism according to one embodiment, and Figure 8B is a plan view of the coupling mechanism according to one embodiment.

[0121] Referring to Figures 8A and 8B, the coupling mechanism 700 may include coupling projections 710 and elastic bars 720. Since at least one of the components of the coupling mechanism 700 shown in Figures 8A and 8B (for example, coupling projections 710) is identical or similar to at least one of the components of the coupling mechanism 700 described above, redundant explanations will be omitted below.

[0122] Multiple connecting protrusions 710 can be joined to different parts of the elastic bar 720. Figures 8A and 8B show four connecting protrusions, namely connecting protrusion 710, a second connecting protrusion 710', a third connecting protrusion 710'', and a fourth connecting protrusion 710'''', but this is illustrative. That is, two, three, or five or more connecting protrusions 710 may be joined to the elastic bar 720. In this disclosure, connecting protrusion 710 may be referred to as the first connecting protrusion.

[0123] Multiple connecting protrusions 710 may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the middle portion of the elastic bar 720. In one embodiment, if the coupling mechanism 700 includes an even number of connecting protrusions 710, a pair of connecting protrusions 710 may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the middle portion of the elastic bar 720. For example, in the embodiments shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the second connecting protrusion 710' and the third connecting protrusion 710'' may both be omitted, or the second connecting protrusion 710' and the fourth connecting protrusion 710'''' may be omitted.

[0124] Although not shown, a protective cover may be attached to each of the multiple coupling protrusions 710. The protective cover may be attached so as to surround the coupling protrusion 710. The protective cover may be attached so as to fit onto the coupling protrusion 710. The protective cover may be attached to the coupling protrusion 710 in a detachable manner. This reduces the overall maintenance cost of the coupling mechanism 700 by replacing the protective cover with a new one if the protective cover is damaged or broken during use of the coupling mechanism 700. The protective cover may include a rubber material.

[0125] The elastic bar body 721 of the elastic bar 720 may be positioned above (for example, in the +z direction) the elastic bar member 722. In other words, one side 721a of the elastic bar body 721 may be positioned above the elastic bar member 722.

[0126] The elastic bar 720 may include the same number of elastic bar members 722 as the number of connecting protrusions 710. In this case, one connecting protrusion 710 may be connected to one elastic bar member 722. Multiple elastic bar members 722 may be connected to the elastic bar body 721 via connecting members 723.

[0127] In one embodiment, the elastic bar 720 may include four elastic bar members, namely, an elastic bar member 722, a second elastic bar member 722', a third elastic bar member 722'', and a fourth elastic bar member 722'''', as shown in Figures 8A and 8B. In this disclosure, the elastic bar member 722 may be referred to as the first elastic bar member.

[0128] The pair of elastic bar members 722, 722' and the other pair of elastic bar members 722'', 722''' may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the middle portion of the elastic bar body 721.

[0129] Of the four elastic bar members, namely the first elastic bar member 722, the second elastic bar member 722', the third elastic bar member 722'', and the fourth elastic bar member 722'', the first elastic bar member 722 and the second elastic bar member 722' may be connected parallel to each other, and the third elastic bar member 722'' and the fourth elastic bar member 722''' may be connected parallel to each other. Also, the first elastic bar member 722 and the third elastic bar member 722' may extend longer than the second elastic bar member 722' and the fourth elastic bar member 722''''. The space 720a described above may be formed between the first elastic bar member 722 and the third elastic bar member 722''.

[0130] The first elastic bar member 722 and the second elastic bar member 722' are connected to the elastic bar body 721 via a connecting member 723, and the third elastic bar member 722'' and the fourth elastic bar member 722'''' may be connected to the elastic bar body 721 via a second connecting member 723'. In this disclosure, the connecting member 723 may be referred to as the first connecting member.

[0131] Although not shown, if three or more connecting protrusions 710 are connected to the first elastic bar member 722 and the second elastic bar member 722', the protrusion distance of the connecting protrusions 710 located in the intermediate portion between the first elastic bar member 722 and the second elastic bar member 722' may be smaller than the protrusion distance of the connecting protrusions 710 located at the ends of the first elastic bar member 722 and the second elastic bar member 722'.

[0132] In one embodiment, the thickness 720d of the elastic bar 720 (shown in Figure 8A) may be between 0.80 mm and 1.50 mm. Here, the thickness may be the thickness 720d of the elastic bar member 722. In this disclosure, the thickness 720d may be the separation distance between the upper surface (e.g., the surface facing the +z direction) and the lower surface (e.g., the surface facing the -z direction) of the elastic bar member 722.

[0133] This improves the bonding force between the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 while preventing cracking of the elastic bar 720, and enables smooth operation by reducing the force required by the user to connect or disconnect the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100.

[0134] This effect can be demonstrated in Experiment 2 below.

[0135] [Experiment 2] 1. Prepare various coupling mechanisms 700 with different thicknesses of 720d.

[0136] 2. By changing the coupling mechanism 700, measure the coupling force between the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 and the cracking of the elastic bar 720, evaluate the fastening strength between the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 and the ease of operation for the user, and record the results in Table 2 below.

[0137] 3. At this time, the protruding distance 710d of the connecting projection 710 (shown in Figure 7) is fixed at 0.60 mm. [Table 2]

[0138] In Table 2 above, the unit of bonding force, gf, is an abbreviation for gram force, and 1 gf may be equivalent to 0.00980665 N [Newtons]. Furthermore, the bonding force was measured using Mecmesin's OmniTest 0.5kN, 1kN, and 2.5kN models, as in Experiment 1.

[0139] Furthermore, in Table 2 mentioned above, the fastening strength is the strength of the bond between the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100, and is expressed as weak / strong to indicate the strength at which the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 are bonded without easily separating while the user is using the aerosol generator 1. "Weak" means that the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 separated five or more times while the user was carrying the aerosol generator 1 for one hour, and "strong" means that the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 did not separate while the user was carrying the aerosol generator 1 for one hour.

[0140] Furthermore, in Table 2 mentioned above, ease of operation is expressed as high / medium / low, indicating how easily the user can engage or disengage the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100. Moving towards "higher" means that the user can perform smoother operations when connecting or disconnecting the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100.

[0141] Furthermore, in Table 2 mentioned above, during experiments related to the cracking of elastic bars, if cracking occurred in the components of elastic bar 720, it was indicated as "O", and if no cracking occurred, it was indicated as "X".

[0142] Referring to Table 2 above, it can be seen that the fastening strength is weak when the thickness 720d is less than 0.80 mm. In other words, when the thickness 720d is less than 0.80 mm, the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 separated more than five times in unintended circumstances while the user carried the aerosol generator 1 for one hour. Also, cracking occurred in the elastic bar member 722 when the thickness 720d is less than 0.80 mm. This is because the thickness 720d of the elastic bar 720 is relatively thin and prone to cracking, and the elastic bar member 722 moves easily, so sufficient elasticity cannot be given to the connecting projection 710, and sufficient support force to support the elastic bar member 722 cannot be secured.

[0143] Furthermore, it can be seen that the operation is somewhat inconvenient with a thickness of 720d less than 0.80 mm. This is because the elastic bar member 722 cannot provide sufficient elasticity to the connecting projection 710, the elastic bar member 722 is prone to cracking, and the connecting projection 710 does not feel as if it has been inserted into the connecting groove 100b (shown in Figure 5).

[0144] Referring to Table 2 above, it can be seen that when the thickness 720d exceeds 1.50 mm, the fastening strength is too strong, making operation very inconvenient. This is because the elastic bar member 722 becomes very thick, making it difficult to move enough to impart elastic force to the connecting projection 710.

[0145] Therefore, according to one embodiment in which the thickness 720d of the elastic bar 720 is set to 0.80 mm or more and 1.50 mm or less, the bonding force between the cap 600 and the aerosol generating device body 100 is improved, while preventing cracking of the elastic bar 720 and enabling smooth operation by reducing the force required by the user to connect or disconnect the cap 600 and the aerosol generating device body 100.

[0146] The specific shape and structure of the connecting projection 710, and the process by which the connecting projection 710 is inserted into the connecting groove 100b, will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0147] Figures 9A to 9C are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the process by which the cap is coupled to the aerosol generator body using a coupling mechanism, with reference to the line IX-IX in Figure 4.

[0148] At least one of the components of the aerosol generating apparatus shown in Figures 9A to 9C (for example, the elastic bar 720) is identical or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating apparatus described above, so a detailed explanation will be omitted below.

[0149] Figure 9A shows the state before the coupling mechanism 700 is coupled to the aerosol generating device body 100.

[0150] Referring to Figure 9A, when the coupling mechanism 700 is separated from the aerosol generator body 100, the shape of the elastic bar 720 does not deform, and no force acts on the coupling projection 710. When the coupling mechanism 700 moves toward the aerosol generator body 100, the coupling projection 710 may come into contact with a region of the aerosol generator body 100.

[0151] The outer surface 711 of the connecting projection 710 may include a first outer surface 711a, a second outer surface 711b, and a third outer surface 711c.

[0152] The first outer surface 711a may be a part of the outer surface 711 facing the aerosol generating device body 100 in the cap 600. For example, the first outer surface 711a may be a part of the outer surface 711 facing downwards (e.g., in the -z direction). The first outer surface 711a may include at least one of a planar or curved surface.

[0153] The second outer surface 711b may be part of the outer surface 711 opposite to the first outer surface 711a. For example, the second outer surface 711b may be part of the outer surface 711 facing upwards (e.g., in the +z direction). The second outer surface 711b may include at least one of a plane or a curved surface.

[0154] The third outer surface 711c can connect the first outer surface 711a and the second outer surface 711b. The third outer surface 711c may include at least one of a planar or curved surface. The third outer surface 711c, the second outer surface 711b, and the first outer surface 711a may be formed integrally.

[0155] In one embodiment, the inclination of the first outer surface 711a may be greater than the inclination of the second outer surface 711b. This allows the coupling projection 710 to smoothly contact the inner surface 100c of the aerosol generator body 100 along the first outer surface 711a after contacting a region of the aerosol generator body 100. This improves the ease with which the user can connect the cap 600 to the aerosol generator body 100. The first outer surface 711a and the second outer surface 711b may be formed by making the chamfer amount of the lower end of the coupling projection 710 (e.g., the portion facing the -z direction) greater than the chamfer amount of the upper end of the coupling projection 710 (e.g., the portion facing the +z direction).

[0156] Figure 9B shows the process by which the coupling mechanism 700 is inserted into the coupling groove 100b of the aerosol generating device body 100.

[0157] Referring to Figure 9B, after the coupling projection 710 contacts a region of the aerosol generator body 100, as it continues to move toward the coupling groove 100b, the coupling projection 710 can come into contact with the inner surface 100c of the aerosol generator body 100, pass through the through hole 600a, and move to the inside of the cap 600. Specifically, at least a portion of the outer surface 711 of the coupling projection 710 (for example, the third outer surface 711c) comes into contact with the inner surface 100c, pushing the coupling projection 710 toward the inside of the cap 600, and the elastic bar 720 can also move toward the inside of the cap 600 together with the coupling projection 710 and deform its shape. At this time, the shape of the elastic bar 720 deforms, and a force can be applied in the opposite direction to the direction in which the coupling projection 710 moved (for example, toward the inner surface 100c).

[0158] In one embodiment, the third outer surface 711c and the first outer surface 711a may be connected to each other in a curved manner without edges. This allows the connecting projection 710 to move smoothly in the process of the first outer surface 711a contacting one area of ​​the aerosol generator body 100 first, and then the third outer surface 711c contacting the inner surface 100c of the aerosol generator body 100. Furthermore, since the third outer surface 711c and the first outer surface 711a are connected as a continuous surface without edges, the possibility of damage to the connecting projection 710 and the aerosol generator body 100 may be reduced.

[0159] Figure 9C shows the state after the coupling mechanism 700 has been inserted into the coupling groove 100b of the aerosol generating device body 100.

[0160] Referring to Figure 9C, when the coupling projection 710 is inserted into the coupling groove 100b, the coupling between the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 is completed. During the process of inserting the coupling projection 710 into the coupling groove 100b, the elastic bar 720 presses the coupling projection 710 against the inner surface 100c of the aerosol generator body 100, so that the coupling projection 710 is positioned to correspond to the coupling groove 100b, making it easier to insert into the coupling groove 100b.

[0161] In one embodiment, the inclination of the second outer surface 711b may be smaller than that of the first outer surface 711a. That is, the second outer surface 711b may be gentler than the first outer surface 711a. This allows the coupling projection 710 to be supported in one area of ​​the aerosol generator body 100 via the relatively gentle second outer surface 711b after insertion of the coupling projection 710 into the coupling groove 100b is complete. Thus, the coupling between the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 can be maintained unless a preset force is applied to separate the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 from each other.

[0162] Referring again to Figure 9B, in order to separate the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 from each other, if at least one of the cap 600 or the aerosol generator body 100 is moved in the opposite direction to the other, the coupling projection 710 can be separated from the coupling groove 100b. At this time, with the second outer surface 711b in contact with one area of ​​the aerosol generator body 100, the coupling projection 710 can move along the second outer surface 711b.

[0163] Furthermore, if the connecting projection 710 continues to move after separating from the connecting groove 100b, the connecting projection 710 can come into contact with the inner surface 100c of the aerosol generating device body 100, pass through the through hole 600a, and move to the inside of the cap 600. Specifically, at least a portion of the outer surface 711 of the connecting projection 710 (for example, the third outer surface 711c) comes into contact with the inner surface 100c, pushing the connecting projection 710 to the inside of the cap 600, and the elastic bar 720 may also move to the inside of the cap 600 together with the connecting projection 710 and deform in shape.

[0164] In one embodiment, the third outer surface 711c and the second outer surface 711b may be connected to each other in a curved manner without edges. This allows the connecting projection 710 to separate smoothly from the connecting groove 100b, as the second outer surface 711b first contacts a region of the aerosol generator body 100, followed by the third outer surface 711c contacting the inner surface 100c of the aerosol generator body 100. Furthermore, since the third outer surface 711c and the second outer surface 711b are connected as a continuous surface without edges, the likelihood of damage to the connecting projection 710 and the aerosol generator body 100 may be reduced.

[0165] Figure 10 is an enlarged view of section A in Figure 7. The cap 600 is omitted in Figure 10.

[0166] At least one of the components of the aerosol generating apparatus shown in Figure 10 (for example, the elastic bar 720) is identical or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating apparatus described above, so a detailed explanation will be omitted below.

[0167] Referring to Figure 10, the outer surface 711 of the coupling projection 710 may include a first portion 7111 and a second portion 7112. In this disclosure, the first portion 7111 and the second portion 7112 may be parts of any one of the following: a third outer surface 711c (shown in Figures 9A to 9C), a second outer surface 711b (shown in Figures 9A to 9C), or a first outer surface 711a (shown in Figures 9a to 9c). The first portion 7111 and the second portion 7112 may face the inner surface 100c of the aerosol generating device body 100.

[0168] In one embodiment, the first portion 7111 may extend in one direction, and the second portion 7112 may extend in a different direction from the first portion 7111. For example, the second portion 7112 may be formed by cutting off one end of the coupling projection 710. This allows the second portion 7112 to increase the separation distance between the coupling projection 710 and the inner surface 100c of the aerosol generator body 100. Therefore, even if the cap 600 and the aerosol generator body 100 are frequently coupled and uncoupled, the likelihood of overall wear of the coupling projection 710 due to contact with the inner surface 100c may be reduced.

[0169] Other embodiments of the coupling mechanism 700 will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0170] Figure 11 is a plan view showing the inside of an aerosol generator with respect to the line VII-VII in Figure 4, in order to illustrate another example of a coupling mechanism.

[0171] Referring to Figure 11, an aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment includes an aerosol generating device body 100, a cap 600, a coupling mechanism 700, a mounting part 750, an elastic member 760, and a limiting rib 800. At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 shown in Figure 11 (for example, the cap 600) is the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 described above, so redundant explanations will be omitted below.

[0172] The elastic member 760 can press the coupling projection 710 toward the through hole. In other words, the elastic member 760 can press the coupling projection 710 toward the inner surface 100c of the aerosol generating device body 100. This allows the coupling projection 710 to be pressed outward using the elastic member 760, while the limiting rib 800 limits the extent to which the coupling projection 710 protrudes from the cap 600, thereby increasing the insertion force that inserts the coupling projection 710 into the coupling groove 100b (shown in Figure 5).

[0173] The elastic member 760 may be positioned in a location corresponding to the coupling projection 710. If the coupling projection 710 is coupled to one side of the elastic bar member 722, the elastic member 760 may be coupled to the other side of the elastic bar member 722. One end of the elastic member 760 may be coupled to the elastic bar member 722, and the other end of the elastic member 760 may be coupled to the cap 600. Although not shown, the cap 600 may include a support column extending in one direction (e.g., the +z direction) from the lower cap 660 to support the other end of the elastic member 760. For example, the elastic member 760 may be a spring.

[0174] Multiple elastic members 760 may be arranged on the cap 600. In one embodiment, the same number of elastic members 760 may be arranged on the cap 600 as the number of connecting protrusions 710. Each of the multiple elastic members 760 may be positioned corresponding to a connecting protrusion 710.

[0175] Figure 12 is a plan view showing the inside of an aerosol generator with respect to line VII-VII in Figure 4, to illustrate yet another example of a coupling mechanism.

[0176] Referring to Figure 12, an aerosol generator 1 according to one embodiment includes an aerosol generator body 100, a cap 600, a coupling mechanism 700, a mounting part 750, and a limiting rib 800. Since at least one of the components of the aerosol generator 1 shown in Figure 12 (for example, the cap 600) is the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generator 1 described above, redundant explanations will be omitted below.

[0177] Of the multiple elastic bar members 722, the first elastic bar member 722 and the second elastic bar member 722' may be arranged parallel to each other but spaced apart. Other components of the aerosol generating device 1 may be arranged in the space between the first elastic bar member 722 and the second elastic bar member 722', so according to one embodiment, space utilization efficiency can be improved.

[0178] Furthermore, among the multiple elastic bar members 722, the third elastic bar member 722'' and the fourth elastic bar member 722''' may be arranged parallel to each other but spaced apart. Other components of the aerosol generating device 1 may be arranged in the space between the third elastic bar member 722'' and the fourth elastic bar member 722''', so according to one embodiment, the space utilization efficiency can be improved.

[0179] In one embodiment, the elastic bar 720 may include the same number of connecting members 723 as the number of elastic bar members 722. That is, as shown in Figure 12, one connecting member 723 may be connected to one elastic bar member 722. This allows multiple elastic bar members 722 to move elastically independently of each other. The same number of connecting members 723 as the number of elastic bar members 722 may be connected to one elastic bar body 721.

[0180] In the embodiment shown in Figure 12, a space 720a (shown in Figure 7) can be formed between the first elastic bar member 722 and the third elastic bar member 722''. Therefore, the bonding mechanism 700 may have a structure into which an aerosol-generating substrate can be inserted through the space 720a.

[0181] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 may include the same number of mounting portions 750 as the number of elastic bar members 722. That is, as shown in Figure 12, one mounting portion 750 may be connected to one elastic bar member 722. This improves the fixing force that secures the elastic bar 720 to the cap 600.

[0182] On the other hand, although the elastic member 760 is omitted in Figure 12, the aerosol generating apparatus 1 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 12 may also include the elastic member 760.

[0183] Examples of aerosol products will be described below with reference to Figures 13 and 14.

[0184] Figures 13 and 14 show examples of aerosol products.

[0185] In Figure 13, the filter rod 22 is shown as a single segment, but is not limited to that. In other words, the filter rod 22 may consist of multiple segments. For example, the filter rod 22 may include a first segment for cooling the aerosol and a second segment for filtering out certain components contained in the aerosol. Furthermore, if necessary, the filter rod 22 may further include at least one segment that performs other functions.

[0186] The aerosol product 2 may be packaged by at least one wrapper 24. The wrapper 24 may have at least one hole through which outside air enters or inside air exits. As an example, the aerosol product 2 may be packaged by one wrapper 24. As another example, the aerosol product 2 may be packaged by overlapping two or more wrappers 24. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be packaged by a first wrapper 24a, and the filter rod 22 may be packaged by wrappers 24b, 24c, and 24d. The entire aerosol product 2 may then be repackaged by a single wrapper 24e. If the filter rod 22 consists of multiple segments, each segment may be packaged by wrappers 24b, 24c, and 24d.

[0187] The tobacco rod 21 contains an aerosol-generating substance. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may include, but is not limited to, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. Furthermore, the tobacco rod 21 may contain other additives such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids. In addition, flavoring liquids such as menthol and humectants may be added to the tobacco rod 21 by spraying them onto the tobacco rod 21.

[0188] The tobacco rod 21 can be manufactured in various ways. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be made of a sheet or a strand. Alternatively, the tobacco rod 21 may be made of shredded tobacco, which is obtained by finely cutting a tobacco sheet. Furthermore, the tobacco rod 21 may be surrounded by a heat conductive material. For example, the heat conductive material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil. As an example, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 can evenly distribute the heat transferred to the tobacco rod 21, improving the thermal conductivity applied to the tobacco rod and thereby improving the tobacco flavor. Furthermore, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 can function as a susceptor heated by an induction heater. In this case, although not shown in the drawings, the tobacco rod 21 may further include an additional susceptor in addition to the heat conductive material surrounding the outside.

[0189] The filter rod 22 may be a cellulose acetate filter. However, the shape of the filter rod 22 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 22 may be a cylindrical rod, or a tubular rod containing a hollow interior. The filter rod 22 may also be a concave rod. If the filter rod 22 is composed of multiple segments, at least one of the segments may be made into a different shape.

[0190] The filter rod 22 may be manufactured to generate flavor. For example, a flavoring solution may be sprayed onto the filter rod 22, or a separate fiber coated with the flavoring solution may be inserted into the filter rod 22.

[0191] Furthermore, the filter rod 22 may include at least one capsule 23, where the capsule 23 can generate flavor or an aerosol. For example, the capsule 23 may have a structure in which a liquid containing a flavor is covered with a film. The capsule 23 may, but is not limited to, a spherical or cylindrical shape.

[0192] If the filter rod 22 includes a segment for cooling the aerosol, the cooling segment may be made of a polymer or a biodegradable polymer. For example, the cooling segment may be made of pure polylactic acid alone, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the cooling segment may be made of a cellulose acetate filter with multiple pores formed therein. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the examples described above and can be used without restriction as long as it performs the function of cooling the aerosol.

[0193] Referring to Figure 14, the aerosol product 3 may further include a front plug 33. The front plug 33 may be located on the tobacco rod 31 on the side opposite to the filter rod 32. The front plug 33 prevents the tobacco rod 31 from detaching to the outside and prevents liquefied aerosol from flowing from the tobacco rod 31 into the aerosol generator during smoking.

[0194] The filter rod 32 may include a first segment 321 and a second segment 322. Here, the first segment 321 may correspond to the first segment of the filter rod 22 in Figure 13, and the second segment 322 may correspond to the second segment of the filter rod 22 in Figure 13.

[0195] The diameter and overall length of aerosol product 3 may correspond to the diameter and overall length of aerosol product 2 in Figure 13. For example, the length of the front plug 33 may be approximately 7 mm, the length of the tobacco rod 31 may be approximately 15 mm, the length of the first segment 321 may be approximately 12 mm, and the length of the second segment 322 may be approximately 14 mm, but are not limited to these.

[0196] The aerosol product 3 may be packaged by at least one wrapper 35. The wrapper 35 may have at least one hole through which outside air flows in and inside air flows out. For example, the front plug 33 may be packaged by a first wrapper 35a, the tobacco rod 31 by a second wrapper 35b, the first segment 321 by a third wrapper 35c, and the second segment 322 by a fourth wrapper 35d.

[0197] The entire aerosol product 3 can then be repackaged by the fifth wrapper 35e. Furthermore, at least one perforation 36 may be formed in the fifth wrapper 35e. For example, the perforation 36 may be formed in the region surrounding the tobacco rod 31, but is not limited to that. The perforation 36 may serve to transfer heat generated by the heater into the interior of the tobacco rod 31.

[0198] Furthermore, the second segment 322 may include at least one capsule 34, where the capsule 34 can generate flavor or an aerosol. For example, the capsule 34 may have a structure in which a liquid containing a flavor is covered with a film. The capsule 34 may, but is not limited to, be spherical or cylindrical.

[0199] Figure 15 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to another embodiment.

[0200] The aerosol generator 1000 may include a power supply 1100, a control unit 1200, a sensor 1300, an output unit 1400, an input unit 1500, a communication unit 1600, a memory 1700, and at least one heater 1800, 2400. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generator 1000 is not limited to that shown in Figure 15. That is, a person with ordinary skill in the art according to this embodiment will understand that, depending on the design of the aerosol generator 1000, some of the configurations shown in Figure 15 may be omitted or new configurations may be added.

[0201] The sensor 1300 can sense the state of the aerosol generator 1000 or the state of the surroundings of the aerosol generator 1000, and transmit the sensed information to the control unit 1200. Based on the sensed information, the control unit 1200 can control the aerosol generator 1000 so that various functions are performed, such as controlling the operation of the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800, restricting smoking, determining whether or not to insert the aerosol product and / or cartridge 19, and displaying notifications.

[0202] The sensor 1300 may include at least one of the following: a temperature sensor 1310, a puff sensor 1320, an insertion sensor 1330, a reuse sensor 1340, a cartridge sensor 1350, a cap sensor 1360, and a motion sensor 1370.

[0203] The temperature sensor 1310 can sense the temperature at which the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800 are heated. The aerosol generator 1000 may include separate temperature sensors that sense the temperature of the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800, or the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800 themselves may act as temperature sensors.

[0204] The temperature sensor 1310 can output a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800. For example, the temperature sensor 1310 may include a resistive element whose resistance changes in response to temperature changes in the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800. This can be embodied by a thermistor or other element that utilizes the property of changing resistance according to temperature. In this case, the temperature sensor 1310 can output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistive element as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800. For example, the temperature sensor 1310 may consist of a sensor that detects the resistance value of the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800. In this case, the temperature sensor 1310 can output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800 as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800.

[0205] The temperature sensor 1310 may be positioned around the power supply 1100 to monitor its temperature. The temperature sensor 1310 may be positioned adjacent to the power supply 1100. For example, the temperature sensor 1310 may be mounted on one side of the battery which is the power supply 1100. For example, the temperature sensor 1310 may be mounted on one side of a printed circuit board.

[0206] The temperature sensor 1310 is located inside the aerosol generator body and can sense the internal temperature of the aerosol generator body.

[0207] The puff sensor 1320 can detect user puffs based on various physical changes in the airflow path. The puff sensor 1320 can output a signal corresponding to a puff. For example, the puff sensor 1320 may be a pressure sensor. The puff sensor 1320 can output a signal corresponding to the internal pressure of the aerosol generator. Here, the internal pressure of the aerosol generator 1000 corresponds to the pressure of the airflow path through which the gas flows. The puff sensor 1320 may be positioned in the aerosol generator 1000 corresponding to the airflow path through which the gas flows.

[0208] The insertion sensor 1330 can detect the insertion and / or removal of aerosol products. The insertion sensor 1330 can detect signal changes resulting from the insertion and / or removal of aerosol products. The insertion sensor 1330 may be installed around the insertion space. The insertion sensor 1330 can detect the insertion and / or removal of aerosol products in response to changes in dielectric constant within the insertion space. For example, the insertion sensor 1330 may be an inductive sensor and / or a capacitance sensor.

[0209] An inductive sensor may include at least one coil. The coil of the inductive sensor may be positioned adjacent to the insertion space. For example, if the magnetic field around a coil through which current flows changes, the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil may change according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. Here, the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil may include the frequency of the alternating current, the current value, the voltage value, the inductance value, the impedance value, etc.

[0210] An inductive sensor can output a signal that corresponds to the characteristics of the current flowing through a coil. For example, an inductive sensor can output a signal that corresponds to the inductance value of a coil.

[0211] A capacitance sensor may include a conductor. The conductor of the capacitance sensor may be positioned adjacent to the insertion space. The capacitance sensor can output a signal corresponding to the surrounding electromagnetic properties, such as the capacitance around the conductor. For example, if an aerosol product including a metallic wrapper is inserted into the insertion space, the wrapper of the aerosol product may alter the electromagnetic properties around the conductor.

[0212] The reuse-sensing sensor 1340 can sense whether an aerosol product is reusable. The reuse-sensing sensor 1340 may be a color sensor. The color sensor can sense the color of the aerosol product. The color sensor can sense the color of a portion of the wrapper surrounding the outside of the aerosol product. The color sensor can detect the value of an optical property corresponding to the color of an object based on the light reflected from the object. For example, the optical property may be the wavelength of light. The color sensor may be implemented as part of a configuration with a proximity sensor, or as a separate configuration distinct from the proximity sensor.

[0213] At least a portion of the wrapper constituting the aerosol product may change color due to the aerosol. The reuse sensing sensor 1340 may be positioned corresponding to the location where at least a portion of the wrapper that changes color due to the aerosol is located when the aerosol product is inserted into the insertion space. For example, before the user uses the aerosol product, at least a portion of the wrapper may be a first color. At this time, as the aerosol generated by the aerosol generator 1000 passes through the aerosol product, at least a portion of the wrapper may be wetted by the aerosol, causing the color of at least a portion of the wrapper to change to a second color. On the other hand, the color of at least a portion of the wrapper may remain at the second color after changing from the first color to the second color.

[0214] The cartridge sensing sensor 1350 can detect the insertion and / or removal of the cartridge 19. The cartridge sensing sensor 1350 can be implemented as an inductance-based sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, or a Hall sensor (Hall IC) using the Hall effect.

[0215] The cap detection sensor 1360 can detect the attachment and / or removal of the cap. When the cap is removed from the aerosol generator body, the cartridge 19 and part of the aerosol generator body that were covered by the cap may be exposed to the outside. The cap detection sensor 1360 can be embodied by a contact sensor, a Hall sensor (Hall IC), an optical sensor, or the like.

[0216] The motion sensor 1370 can detect the movement of the aerosol generator. The motion sensor 1370 can be implemented as at least one of an accelerometer and a gyroscope.

[0217] Sensor 1300 may further include at least one of the following sensors in addition to the sensors 1310 to 1370 described above: a humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a position sensor (GPS), and a proximity sensor. The function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred by an average engineer from its name, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0218] The output unit 1400 can output and provide to the user information regarding the status of the aerosol generator 1000. The output unit 1400 may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the display 1410, the haptic unit 1420, and the acoustic output unit 1430. If the display 1410 and the touchpad are composed of a touchscreen with a layered structure, the display 1410 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0219] The display 1410 can visually provide the user with information regarding the aerosol generator 1000. For example, information regarding the aerosol generator 1000 could include various pieces of information such as the charge / discharge status of the power supply 1100 of the aerosol generator 1000, the preheating status of the heater 1800, the insertion / removal status of the aerosol product and / or cartridge 19, the attachment / removal status of the cap, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generator 1000 is restricted (e.g., detection of an abnormal item), and the display 1410 can output this information to the outside. For example, the display 1410 may be in the form of an LED light-emitting element. For example, the display 1410 may be a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED), etc.

[0220] The haptic unit 1420 can convert electrical signals into mechanical or electrical stimuli to provide the user with tactile information about the aerosol generator 1000. For example, the haptic unit 1420 can generate vibrations corresponding to the completion of initial preheating if initial power is supplied to the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800 during a set time. The haptic unit 1420 may include a vibration motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulator.

[0221] The acoustic output unit 1430 can provide the user with auditory information regarding the aerosol generator 1000. For example, the acoustic output unit 1430 can convert electrical signals into acoustic signals and output them externally.

[0222] The power supply 1100 can supply the power used to operate the aerosol generator 1000. The power supply 1100 can supply power to heat the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800. The power supply 1100 can also supply the power necessary for the operation of other components provided within the aerosol generator 1000, namely the sensor 1300, output unit 1400, input unit 1500, communication unit 1600, and memory 1700. The power supply 1100 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the power supply 1100 may, but is not limited to, a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery.

[0223] Although not shown in Figure 15, the aerosol generator 1000 may further include a power protection circuit. The power protection circuit is electrically connected to the power supply 1100 and may include a switching element.

[0224] The power protection circuit can interrupt the circuit to the power supply 1100 according to predetermined conditions. For example, the power protection circuit can interrupt the circuit to the power supply 1100 if the voltage level of the power supply 1100 is equal to or greater than a first voltage corresponding to overcharging. For example, the power protection circuit can interrupt the circuit to the power supply 1100 if the voltage level of the power supply 1100 is less than a second voltage corresponding to over-discharge.

[0225] The heater 1800 is powered by the power supply 1100 and can heat the medium or aerosol-generating material in the aerosol product. Although not shown in Figure 15, the aerosol generator 1000 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC / DC converter) that converts the power of the power supply 1100 to supply to the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800. Also, if the aerosol generator 1000 generates aerosols by induction heating, the aerosol generator 1000 may further include a DC / AC converter that converts the DC power supply of the power supply 1100 to AC power.

[0226] The control unit 1200, sensor 1300, output unit 1400, input unit 1500, communication unit 1600, and memory 1700 can function by being powered by the power supply 1100. Although not shown in Figure 15, the circuit may further include a power conversion circuit, such as an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, which converts the power from the power supply 1100 and supplies it to each component. Also, although not shown in Figure 15, a noise filter may be provided between the power supply 1100 and the heater 1800. The noise filter may be a low-pass filter. The low-pass filter may include at least one inductor and a capacitor. The cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter may correspond to the frequency of the high-frequency switching current applied from the power supply 1100 to the heater 1800. The low-pass filter prevents high-frequency noise components from being applied to the sensor 1300, such as the insertion sensing sensor 1330.

[0227] In one embodiment, the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800 may be formed from any suitable electrical resistive material. For example, suitable electrical resistive materials may include, but are not limited to, metals or metal alloys, such as titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobe, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, and nichrome. The heater 1800 may also be embodied as, but is not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate on which conductive tracks are arranged, or a ceramic heating element.

[0228] In other embodiments, the heater 1800 may be an induction heating type heater. For example, the heater 1800 may include a susceptor that heats the aerosol-generating material by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil.

[0229] The input unit 1500 can receive information input from the user and output information to the user. For example, the input unit 1500 may be a touch panel. The touch panel may include at least one touch sensor that detects touch. For example, the touch sensor may include, but is not limited to, a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, an ultrasonic touch sensor (surface acoustic wave touch sensor), or an infrared touch sensor.

[0230] The display 1410 and the touch panel may be implemented as a single panel. For example, the touch panel may be embedded within the display 1410 (on-cell type or in-cell type). For example, the touch panel may be added on top of the display 1410 panel (add-on type).

[0231] On the other hand, the input section 1500 may include, but is not limited to, buttons, keypads, dome switches, jog wheels, jog switches, etc.

[0232] Memory 1700 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generator 1000, and can store data processed by the control unit 1200 and data being processed. Memory 1700 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. Memory 1700 can store data such as the operating time of the aerosol generator 1000, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

[0233] The communication unit 1600 may include at least one component for communicating with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 1600 may include at least one of a short-range communication unit and a wireless communication unit.

[0234] The short-range wireless communication unit may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a ZigBee communication unit, an infrared (infrared Data Association: IrDAD) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, a UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, or an Ant+ communication unit.

[0235] The wireless communication unit may include, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN) communication unit.

[0236] Although not shown in Figure 15, the aerosol generator 1000 further includes a connection interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, and can connect to other external devices via the USB interface to send and receive information or charge the power supply 1100.

[0237] The control unit 1200 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator 1000. In one embodiment, the control unit 1200 may include at least one processor. The processor may be embodied as an array of logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and memory storing a program that can be executed by the microprocessor. It will be understood by those ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs that it may also be embodied as other forms of hardware.

[0238] The control unit 1200 can control the temperature of the heater 1800 by controlling the supply of power from the power supply 1100 to the heater 1800. The control unit 1200 can control the temperature of the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800 based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800 sensed by the temperature sensor 1310. The control unit 1200 can adjust the power supplied to the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800 based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800. For example, the control unit 1200 can determine a target temperature for the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800 based on a temperature profile stored in the memory 1700.

[0239] The aerosol generator 1000 may include a power supply circuit (not shown) electrically connected to the power supply 1100 between the power supply 1100 and the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800. The power supply circuit may be electrically connected to the cartridge heater 2400, heater 1800, or induction coil 18001. The power supply circuit may include at least one switching element. The switching element may be embodied by a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), a field-effect transistor (FET), or the like. The control unit 1200 can control the power supply circuit.

[0240] The control unit 1200 can control the power supply by controlling the switching of the switching elements of the power supply circuit. The power supply circuit may be an inverter that converts the DC power output from the power supply 1100 into AC power. For example, the inverter can be composed of a full-bridge circuit or a half-bridge circuit that includes multiple switching elements.

[0241] The control unit 1200 can turn on the switching element so that power is supplied from the power supply 1100 to the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800. The control unit 1200 can turn off the switching element so that the power supply to the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800 is cut off. The control unit 1200 can adjust the current supplied from the power supply 1100 by adjusting the frequency and / or duty cycle of the current pulse input to the switching element.

[0242] The control unit 1200 can control the voltage output from the power supply 1100 by controlling the switching of the switching elements of the power supply circuit. The power conversion circuit can convert the voltage output from the power supply 1100. For example, the power conversion circuit may include a buck converter that steps down the voltage output from the power supply 1100. For example, the power conversion circuit may be implemented via a buck-boost converter, a Zener diode, or the like.

[0243] The control unit 1200 can control the on / off operation of the switching elements included in the power conversion circuit to adjust the voltage level output from the power conversion circuit. When the switching elements remain in the on state, the voltage level output from the power conversion circuit may correspond to the voltage level output from the power supply 1100. The duty cycle for the on / off operation of the switching elements may correspond to the ratio of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit to the voltage output from the power supply 1100. The lower the duty cycle for the on / off operation of the switching elements, the lower the voltage level output from the power conversion circuit may become. The heater 1800 may be heated based on the voltage output from the power conversion circuit.

[0244] The control unit 1200 can control the supply of power to the heater 1800 using at least one of the following methods: pulse width modulation (PWM) and proportional-integral-differential (PID).

[0245] For example, the control unit 1200 can use a PWM method to control the supply of current pulses having a predetermined frequency and duty cycle to the heater 1800. The control unit 1200 can adjust the frequency and duty cycle of the current pulses to control the power supplied to the heater 1800.

[0246] For example, the control unit 1200 may determine a target temperature for control based on the temperature profile. The control unit 1200 can control the power supplied to the heater 1800 using a PID method, which is a feedback control method that uses the difference between the temperature of the heater 1800 and the target temperature, the integral of the difference over time, and the derivative of the difference over time.

[0247] The control unit 1200 can prevent the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800 from overheating. For example, the control unit 1200 can control the operation of the power conversion circuit so that the power supply to the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800 is interrupted based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800 exceeding a preset limit temperature. For example, the control unit 1200 can reduce the amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800 by a certain percentage based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800 exceeding a preset limit temperature. For example, the control unit 1200 can determine that the aerosol-generating material contained in the cartridge 19 has been used up based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 2400 exceeding a limit temperature and cut off the power supply to the cartridge heater 2400.

[0248] The control unit 1200 can control the charging and discharging of the power supply 1100. The control unit 1200 can check the temperature of the power supply 1100 based on the output signal of the temperature sensor 1310.

[0249] When a power line is connected to the battery terminal of the aerosol generator 1000, the control unit 1200 can check whether the temperature of the power supply 1100 is above a first limiting temperature, which is the criterion for shutting off the charging of the power supply 1100. If the temperature of the power supply 1100 is below the first limiting temperature, the control unit 1200 can control the power supply 1100 to be charged based on a preset charging current. If the temperature of the power supply 1100 is above the first limiting temperature, the control unit 1200 can shut off the charging of the power supply 1100.

[0250] With the aerosol generator 1000 powered on, the control unit 1200 can check whether the temperature of the power supply 1100 is above a second limiting temperature, which is the criterion for shutting off the discharge of the power supply 1100. If the temperature of the power supply 1100 is below the second limiting temperature, the control unit 1200 can control the system to use the power stored in the power supply 1100. If the temperature of the power supply 1100 is above the second limiting temperature, the control unit 1200 can interrupt the use of the power stored in the power supply 1100.

[0251] The control unit 1200 can calculate the remaining capacity of the power supply 1100. For example, the control unit 1200 can calculate the remaining capacity of the power supply 1100 based on the voltage and / or current sensing values ​​of the power supply 1100.

[0252] The control unit 1200 can determine whether or not an aerosol product has been inserted into the insertion space via the insertion sensing sensor 1330. Based on the output signal of the insertion sensing sensor 1330, the control unit 1200 can determine that an aerosol product has been inserted. If it determines that an aerosol product has been inserted into the insertion space, the control unit 1200 can control the supply of power to the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800. For example, the control unit 1200 can supply power to the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800 based on a temperature profile stored in the memory 1700.

[0253] The control unit 1200 can determine whether or not aerosol products have been removed from the insertion space. For example, the control unit 1200 can determine whether or not aerosol products have been removed from the insertion space via the insertion sensing sensor 1330. For example, the control unit 1200 can determine that aerosol products have been removed from the insertion space if the temperature of the heater 1800 is above a limit temperature, or if the temperature change gradient of the heater 1800 is above a set gradient. If it is determined that aerosol products have been removed from the insertion space, the control unit 1200 can shut off the power supply to the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800.

[0254] The control unit 1200 can control the power supply time and / or power supply amount to the heater 1800 according to the state of the aerosol product sensed by the sensor 1300. Based on a lookup table, the control unit 1200 can determine the level range that includes the signal level of the capacitance sensor. Based on the determined level range, the control unit 1200 can determine the amount of moisture in the aerosol product.

[0255] If the aerosol product is in an overly humid state, the control unit 1200 controls the power supply time to the heater 1800, thereby increasing the preheating time of the aerosol product compared to normal conditions.

[0256] The control unit 1200 can determine whether the aerosol product inserted into the insertion space is reusable via the reuse sensing sensor 1340. For example, the control unit 1200 can compare the sensing value of the reuse sensing sensor's signal with a first reference range including a first color, and if the sensing value falls within the first reference range, it can determine that the aerosol product has not been used. For example, the control unit 1200 can compare the sensing value of the reuse sensing sensor's signal with a second reference range including a second color, and if the sensing value falls within the second reference range, it can determine that the aerosol product has been used. If it is determined that the aerosol product has been used, the control unit 1200 can shut off the power supply to the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800.

[0257] The control unit 1200 can determine whether the cartridge 19 has been connected and / or removed via the cartridge sensing sensor 1350. For example, the control unit 1200 can determine whether the cartridge 19 has been connected and / or removed based on the sensing value of the signal from the cartridge sensing sensor.

[0258] The control unit 1200 can determine whether the aerosol-generating material in cartridge 19 has been used up. For example, the control unit 1200 can preheat cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800 by applying power, determine whether the temperature of cartridge heater 2400 exceeds a limit temperature during the preheating period, and if the temperature of cartridge heater 2400 exceeds the limit temperature, it can determine that the aerosol-generating material in cartridge 19 has been used up. If it determines that the aerosol-generating material in cartridge 19 has been used up, the control unit 1200 can cut off the power supply to cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800.

[0259] The control unit 1200 can determine whether or not the cartridge 19 can be used. For example, based on the data stored in the memory 1700, the control unit 1200 can determine that the cartridge 19 cannot be used if the current number of puffs is greater than or equal to the maximum number of puffs set for the cartridge 19. For example, the control unit 1200 can determine that the cartridge 19 cannot be used if the total time the heater 2400 has been heated is greater than or equal to a preset maximum time, or if the total amount of power supplied to the heater 2400 is greater than or equal to a preset maximum amount of power.

[0260] The control unit 1200 can make decisions regarding the user's inhalation via the puff sensor 1320. For example, the control unit 1200 can determine whether or not a puff has occurred based on the sensing value of the signal from the puff sensor. For example, the control unit 1200 can determine the intensity of the puff based on the sensing value of the signal from the puff sensor 1320. If the number of puffs reaches a preset maximum number of puffs, or if no puffs are detected for a predetermined time or longer, the control unit 1200 can shut off the power supply to the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800.

[0261] The control unit 1200 can determine whether the cap has been attached and / or removed via the cap sensing sensor 1360. For example, the control unit 1200 can determine whether the cap has been attached or removed based on the sensing value of the signal from the cap sensing sensor.

[0262] The control unit 1200 can control the output unit 1400 based on the results sensed by the sensor 1300. For example, when the number of puffs counted via the puff sensor 1320 reaches a preset number, the control unit 1200 can notify the user that the aerosol generator 1000 will immediately shut down via at least one of the display 1410, the haptic unit 1420, and the acoustic output unit 1430. For example, the control unit 1200 can notify the user via the output unit 1400 based on the determination that there are no aerosol products in the insertion space. For example, the control unit 1200 can notify the user via the output unit 1400 based on the determination that the cartridge 19 and / or cap is not installed. For example, the control unit 1200 can transmit information regarding the temperature of the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800 to the user via the output unit 1400.

[0263] The control unit 1200 can store and update a history of events in the memory 1700 based on the occurrence of a predetermined event. Events may include operations performed by the aerosol generator 1000, such as detection of insertion of aerosol product, start of heating of aerosol product, puff detection, end of puff, detection of overheating of the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800, detection of overvoltage application to the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800, end of heating of aerosol product, on / off operation of the aerosol generator 1000, start of charging of the power supply 1100, detection of overcharge of the power supply 1100, and end of charging of the power supply 1100. The history of events may include the date and time the event occurred, log data corresponding to the event, etc. For example, if a predetermined event is the detection of insertion of aerosol product, the log data corresponding to the event may include data related to the sensing value of the insertion detection sensor 1330, etc. For example, if a predetermined event is the detection of overheating in the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800, the log data corresponding to the event may include data regarding the temperature of the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800, the voltage applied to the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800, and the current flowing through the cartridge heater 2400 and / or heater 1800.

[0264] The control unit 1200 can be controlled to form a communication link with an external device, such as a user's mobile terminal. Upon receiving authentication data from the external device via the communication link, the control unit 1200 can remove restrictions on the use of at least one function of the aerosol generator 1000. Here, the authentication data may include data indicating the completion of user authentication for the user corresponding to the external device. The user can perform user authentication via the external device. The external device can determine whether the user data is valid based on the user's date of birth, a unique number identifying the user, etc., and can receive data regarding the right to use the aerosol generator 1000 from an external server. Based on the data regarding the right to use, the external device can transmit data indicating the completion of user authentication to the aerosol generator 1000. Once user authentication is complete, the control unit 1200 can remove restrictions on the use of at least one function of the aerosol generator 1000. For example, once user authentication is complete, the control unit 1200 can remove restrictions on the use of the heating function that supplies power to the heater 1800.

[0265] The control unit 1200 can transmit data regarding the status of the aerosol generator 1000 to the external device via a communication link formed with the external device. Based on the received status data, the external device can output the remaining capacity of the power supply 1100 of the aerosol generator 1000, the operating mode, etc., via the external device's display.

[0266] An external device can transmit a location search request to the aerosol generator 1000 based on an input to initiate a location search for the aerosol generator 1000. When the control unit 1200 receives a location search request from the external device, it can control at least one of the output devices to perform an operation corresponding to the location search based on the received location search request. For example, the haptic unit 1420 can generate vibrations in response to the location search request. For example, the display 1410 can output objects corresponding to the location search and the end of the search in response to the location search request.

[0267] The control unit 1200 can control the aerosol generator 1000 to perform a firmware update upon receiving firmware data from an external device. The external device can check the current version of the firmware of the aerosol generator 1000 and determine whether a new firmware version exists. If the external device receives an input requesting a firmware download, it can receive the new firmware version data and transmit the new firmware version data to the aerosol generator 1000. Upon receiving the new firmware version data, the control unit 1200 can control the aerosol generator 1000 to perform a firmware update.

[0268] The control unit 1200 can transmit data relating to the sensing values ​​of at least one sensor 1300 to an external server (not shown) via the communication unit 1600, and can receive and store a learning model generated by learning the sensing values ​​from the server via machine learning such as deep learning. Using the learning model received from the server, the control unit 1200 can perform operations such as determining the user's inhalation pattern and generating a temperature profile. The control unit 1200 can store sensing value data from at least one sensor 1300 and data for learning an artificial neural network (ANN) in the memory 1700. For example, the memory 1700 can store a database of each configuration provided in the aerosol generator 1000 for learning the artificial neural network (ANN), weights and biases that make up the structure of the artificial neural network (ANN). The control unit 1200 learns data related to the sensing values ​​of at least one sensor 1300 stored in the memory 1700, the user's suction pattern, temperature profile, etc., and can generate at least one learning model used for determining the user's suction pattern, generating a temperature profile, etc.

[0269] The above-described embodiments are illustrative only, and a person with ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the present invention must be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to that described in the claims should be construed as being included within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

[0270] Some of the embodiments or other embodiments of the foregoing disclosure are not mutually exclusive or distinct from one another. Some of the embodiments or other embodiments of the foregoing disclosure may be used in combination or in combination with each other in terms of their respective configurations or functions.

[0271] For example, it means that configuration A described in a particular embodiment and / or drawing may be combined with configuration B described in another embodiment and / or drawing. That is, even if the combination of configurations is not directly described, it means that combination is possible unless it is stated that such combination is impossible.

[0272] The detailed description above should not be interpreted restrictively in any way, but 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 scope of the equivalents of the invention are included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. The aerosol generating apparatus includes a cavity for containing an aerosol generating substrate, A cap that is detachably coupled to the aerosol generating device body and covers at least a part of the aerosol generating device body, The coupling mechanism is provided on either the cap or the aerosol generating device body and connects the cap and the aerosol generating device body so that they can be separated from each other. The other of the cap or the aerosol generating device body includes a coupling groove into which a part of the coupling mechanism is inserted. Either the cap or the aerosol generating device body includes a through hole through which a part of the coupling mechanism passes, The coupling mechanism includes a coupling projection that passes through the through hole and is inserted into the coupling groove, and an elastic bar that is coupled to the coupling projection and makes the coupling projection elastically movable, in an aerosol generating apparatus.

2. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connecting protrusions include a plurality of connecting protrusions that are connected to the elastic bar symmetrically with respect to the middle portion of the elastic bar.

3. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the connecting projection includes a first portion extending in one direction and a second portion extending in a direction different from that of the first portion.

4. The connecting projection includes a first outer surface of the cap facing the aerosol generating device body and a second outer surface opposite to the first outer surface. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inclination of the first outer surface is greater than the inclination of the second outer surface.

5. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism is detachably arranged in either the cap or the aerosol generating apparatus body.

6. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein either the cap or the aerosol generating apparatus body further includes mounting portions that are coupled to both ends of the elastic bar.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cap or the aerosol generating apparatus body, either of the above, further includes a limiting rib that limits the extent to which the connecting projection protrudes from the cap.

8. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the limiting rib is located on the outside of the elastic bar and protrudes from the inner surface of the cap.

9. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cap or the aerosol generating apparatus body further includes an elastic member that presses the connecting projection toward the through hole.

10. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic bar includes an elastic bar body coupled to either the cap or the aerosol generating apparatus body, and an elastic bar member coupled to the elastic bar body and the coupling projection, and moving elastically together with the coupling projection.

11. The elastic bar member includes a plurality of elastic bar members connected to the elastic bar body symmetrically with respect to the elastic bar body, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein spaces communicating with the cavity are formed between the plurality of elastic bar members so that the aerosol generating substrate can be inserted.

12. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, before or after the cap and the aerosol generating apparatus are coupled, the distance the coupling projection protrudes from the through hole is 0.3 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less.

13. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the elastic bar is 0.8 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less.

14. The coupling mechanism is arranged in the cap, The coupling groove is located on the aerosol generating device body, During the process of joining the cap and the aerosol generating device body, the joining projection comes into contact with one inner surface of the aerosol generating device body and moves to the inside of the cap. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the cap and the aerosol generating apparatus body are separated or joined to each other, the joining projection passes through the through hole and protrudes to the outside of the cap.

15. In a coupling mechanism that detachably connects an aerosol generating device body, which includes a cavity for containing an aerosol generating substrate, and a cap that covers at least a portion of the aerosol generating device body, An elastic bar is placed in either the cap or the aerosol generating device body, Includes a coupling projection that is inserted into a coupling groove located on the other of the cap or the aerosol generating device body, The coupling mechanism for an aerosol generating device includes an elastic bar body coupled to either the cap or the aerosol generating device body, and an elastic bar member coupled to the elastic bar body and the coupling projection, which moves elastically together with the coupling projection.

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