Aerosol Generator

Abstract

Provided is an aerosol generating device that can appropriately adjust the aerosol suction resistance and prevent liquid leakage from a cartridge. [Solution] The aerosol generating device includes a cartridge that generates an aerosol from an aerosol generating material and a main body that includes a storage space for accommodating the cartridge, and an airflow passage that allows external air to flow in is formed between the wall of the main body adjacent to the storage space and the wall of the cartridge, based on the cartridge accommodated in the storage space of the main body.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to aerosol generation, and more particularly to an aerosol generating device that includes a structure that provides an appropriate aerosol resistance to draw and prevents cartridge leakage. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for an alternative method to overcome the shortcomings of conventional cigarettes. Accordingly, there has been an increasing demand for a method in which an aerosol is generated by heating an aerosol generating material in a cigarette, rather than a method in which an aerosol is generated by burning a cigarette. As a result, research into heated cigarettes or heated aerosol generating devices has been actively conducted.

[0003] Generally, an aerosol generating device includes an airflow passage. The flow rate of air through the airflow passage is directly related to the inhalation resistance of the aerosol generating device. However, it is very difficult to design an aerosol generating device to have a suitable inhalation resistance. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device capable of appropriately adjusting the aerosol suction resistance and preventing liquid leakage from the cartridge by using a structure that forms an airflow passage.

[0005] The problems to be solved through the embodiments are not limited to those mentioned above, and problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An aerosol generating device in one embodiment includes a cartridge that generates an aerosol from an aerosol generating material, a main body including a storage space that accommodates the cartridge, and an air flow passage through which outside air flows between the inner wall of the storage space and the outer wall of the cartridge when the cartridge is accommodated in the storage space of the main body. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The aerosol generating device according to the embodiment provides an appropriate amount of resistance to draw and provides an easy method of preventing leakage from the cartridge.

[0008] The effects of the embodiments are not limited to those described above, and effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0009] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a coupling relationship between an exchangeable cartridge containing an aerosol generating material and an aerosol generating device having the exchangeable cartridge according to one embodiment; FIG. [Diagram 3] A horizontal cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device showing the connecting portion where the main body and the cartridge are connected to each other in one embodiment. [Figure 4] A horizontal cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device showing the connecting portion where the main body and the cartridge are connected to each other in another embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 6]6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the cartridge of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the cartridge according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] An aerosol generating device in one embodiment includes a cartridge that generates an aerosol from an aerosol generating material, and a main body including an accommodation space for accommodating the cartridge, and an airflow passage for introducing external air is formed between a wall of the main body adjacent to the accommodation space and a wall of the cartridge based on the cartridge accommodated in the accommodation space of the main body.

[0012] At least one of the walls of the storage space and the walls of the cartridge includes a plurality of protrusions arranged at a distance from each other, and an airflow passage is formed between the plurality of protrusions based on the cartridge accommodated in the storage space of the main body.

[0013] The cartridge includes a chamfered portion at a corner such that an airflow passage is formed between a wall of the accommodating space and the chamfered portion based on the cartridge being accommodated in the accommodating space of the body.

[0014] The cartridge includes a storage portion for storing an aerosol generating material, and an atomizer disposed in the storage portion for generating an aerosol from the aerosol generating material.

[0015] A protrusion is formed on at least one of the bottom surface of the cartridge and the opposing surface of the main body, and the opposing surface that faces the bottom surface of the cartridge based on the cartridge is accommodated in the accommodation space, and a gap is formed between the bottom surface of the cartridge and the opposing surface of the main body so that the gap is connected to the air flow passage.

[0016] The cartridge further includes an air inlet formed on the bottom surface of the cartridge so that external air can be introduced through the air inlet.

[0017] The aerosol generating device further includes a plurality of screens arranged on a path through which external air flows into the inside of the cartridge through the air inlet, and each of the plurality of screens includes a plurality of perforations through which the external air can pass.

[0018] The perforations do not overlap adjacent screens.

[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout. In this regard, the embodiments may have different forms and are not limited to the description set forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings only to illustrate one aspect of the present description. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. When a phrase such as "at least one" appears before a list of elements, it modifies the entire list of elements and not the individual elements of the list.

[0020] The terms used in the examples are currently widely used general terms as much as possible while considering the functions in the present invention. However, the meaning of a term may vary depending on the intention, precedent, the emergence of new technology, etc. In addition, in certain cases, the applicant may select a term arbitrarily, and in such cases, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the invention. In certain cases, the applicant may select a term arbitrarily, and in such cases, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention must be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention, not just the name of the term.

[0021] Additionally, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the word "comprising" and variations such as "include" or "comprises" may be understood to mean the inclusion of the referenced elements and not the exclusion of other elements. Additionally, the terms "... unit" and "... module" used in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function and / or operation, which may be embodied by hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0022] As used herein, when a phrase such as "at least one" precedes a list of elements, it modifies the entire list of elements and not an individual element of the list. For example, the phrase "at least one of a, b, and c" should be understood to include a only, b only, c only, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, or both a, b, and c.

[0023] When an element or layer is referred to as being "connected" or "bonded" to another element or layer, it will be understood that it is directly connected or bonded to the other element or layer, or that there are intermediate elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly bonded" to another element or layer, there are no intermediate elements or layers. Like numbers generally refer to the same elements.

[0024] Throughout the specification, an aerosol generating device is also a device that generates an aerosol from an aerosol generating substance so that it can be directly inhaled by a user. For example, an aerosol generating device is also a holder.

[0025] Throughout the specification, "puff" refers to a user's inhalation in which an inhalable substance (eg, an aerosol) is forced through the user's mouth and nose into the user's oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs.

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0028] Referring to Fig. 1, the aerosol generating device 10000 may include a battery 11000, a heater 12000, a sensor 13000, a user interface 14000, a memory 15000, and a control unit 16000. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 1. A person having ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment would understand that some of the components shown in Fig. 1 may be omitted or new components may be added depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 10000.

[0029] In one embodiment, the aerosol generation device 10000 includes a body without a cartridge, in which case the components included in the aerosol generation device 10000 are located in the body. In other embodiments, the aerosol generation device 10000 includes a body and a cartridge, in which case the components included in the aerosol generation device 10000 may be located in the body and / or the cartridge.

[0030] In the following, the operation of each component will be described without limiting the space in which the component is located.

[0031] The battery 11000 supplies power used for the operation of the aerosol generating device 10000. That is, the battery 11000 can supply power so that the heater 12000 is heated. The battery 11000 can also supply power necessary for the operation of other components provided in the aerosol generating device 10000, that is, the sensor 13000, the user interface 14000, the memory 15000, the control unit 16000, and the like. The battery 11000 can be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 11000 can be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0032] The heater 12000 is supplied with power from the battery 11000 under the control of the control unit 16000. The heater 12000 is supplied with power from the battery 11000 and can heat a cigarette inserted into the aerosol generation device 10000 or a cartridge attached to the aerosol generation device 10000.

[0033] The heater 12000 may be located in the body of the aerosol generating device 10000. Alternatively, if the aerosol generating device 10000 includes a body and a cartridge, the heater 12000 may be located in the cartridge. If the heater 12000 is located in the cartridge, the heater 12000 may be powered by a battery 11000 located in the body and / or cartridge.

[0034] The heater 12000 may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials may be metals or metal alloys including, but not limited to, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. The heater 12000 may also be embodied by, but not limited to, a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate having a conductive track disposed thereon, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0035] In one embodiment, the heater 12000 may be included in a cartridge. The cartridge may include the heater 12000, a liquid transfer means, and a liquid storage portion. The aerosol generating substance contained in the liquid storage portion may be absorbed by the liquid transfer means, and the heater 12000 may heat the aerosol generating substance absorbed in the liquid transfer means to generate an aerosol. For example, the heater 12000 may include a material such as nickel chromium and may be wrapped around the liquid transfer means or disposed adjacent to the liquid transfer means.

[0036] In another embodiment, the heater 12000 may heat a cigarette inserted into the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device 10000. The heater 12000 may be located inside and / or outside the cigarette as the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device 10000. In this way, the heater 12000 can heat the aerosol generating material in the cigarette to generate an aerosol.

[0037] On the other hand, the heater 12000 is also an induction heater. The heater 12000 includes an electrically conductive coil for inductively heating a cigarette or cartridge, which may include a susceptor that is heated by the induction heater.

[0038] The aerosol generating device 10000 may include at least one sensor 13000. The result of sensing by the sensor 13000 is transmitted to the control unit 16000, and the control unit 16000 can control the aerosol generating device 10000 by controlling the operation control of the heater, the restriction of smoking, the determination of whether or not to insert a cigarette (or a cartridge), the display of notifications, etc., based on the sensing result.

[0039] For example, the sensor 13000 may include a puff detection sensor that can detect a user's puff based on a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and / or a pressure change.

[0040] Also, at least one sensor 13000 may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may sense the temperature of the heater 12000 (or the aerosol generating material). The aerosol generating device 10000 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater 12000, or the heater 12000 itself may function as a temperature sensor without a separate temperature sensor. Alternatively, the heater 12000 may function as a temperature sensor, and the aerosol generating device 10000 may further include a separate temperature sensor.

[0041] The user interface 14000 can provide the user with information about the status of the aerosol generating device 10000. For example, the user interface 14000 may include various interfacing means, such as a display or lamp for outputting visual information, a motor for outputting tactile information, a speaker for outputting sound information, a terminal for data communication with an input / output (I / O) interfacing means (e.g., a button or a touch screen) for receiving information input from a user or outputting information to a user, or for receiving charging power, and / or a communication interfacing module for wireless communication with an external device (e.g., WI-FI, WI-FI Direct, Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near-Field Communication), etc.).

[0042] The memory 15000 may store various data that has been processed or is to be processed by the control unit 16000. The memory 15000 may include various types of memory such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), and electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).

[0043] The memory 15000 may store data related to the operation time of the aerosol generating device 10000, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

[0044] The control unit 16000 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 10000. The control unit 16000 includes at least one processor. The processor may be realized as an array of a number of logic gates, or may be realized by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executed by the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment pertains that the processor may also be realized by other forms of hardware.

[0045] The control unit 16000 analyzes the results sensed by at least one sensor 13000 and controls subsequent processing.

[0046] The control unit 16000 may control the power supplied to the heater 12000 so as to start or end the operation of the heater 12000 based on the result of sensing by the at least one sensor 13000. In addition, the control unit 16000 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 12000 and the time for which the power is supplied so that the heater 12000 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature based on the result of sensing by the at least one sensor 13000.

[0047] In one embodiment, the control unit 16000 may set the mode of the heater 12000 to a pre-heating mode to start the operation of the heater 12000 after receiving a user input to the aerosol generating device 10000. Also, the control unit 16000 may switch the mode of the heater 12000 from the pre-heating mode to the operation mode after detecting a puff by a user using a puff detection sensor. Also, the control unit 16000 may count the number of puffs using the puff detection sensor, and then interrupt the power supply to the heater 12000 if the number of puffs reaches a preset number.

[0048] The control unit 16000 may control the user interface 14000 based on the result sensed by at least one sensor 13000. For example, when the number of puffs counted by the puff detection sensor reaches a preset number, the control unit 16000 may notify the user that the aerosol generating device 10000 will soon end, using the user interface 14000 (e.g., a lamp, a motor, a speaker, etc.).

[0049] Meanwhile, although not shown in Fig. 1, the aerosol generating device 10000 may constitute an aerosol generating system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle is used to charge the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating device 10000. For example, the aerosol generating device 10000 may be supplied with power from the battery of the cradle while being accommodated in an accommodation space inside the cradle, thereby charging the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating device 10000.

[0050] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view that shows a schematic coupling relationship between a replaceable cartridge that holds an aerosol generating material and an aerosol generating device that includes the replaceable cartridge according to one embodiment.

[0051] The aerosol generating device 1000 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes a cartridge 200 that holds an aerosol generating substance, and a body 100 that houses the cartridge 200 .

[0052] The cartridge 200 containing the aerosol generating material may be coupled to the main body 100. The cartridge 200 may be attached to the main body 100 by inserting a portion of the cartridge 200 into the receiving space 110 of the main body 100.

[0053] The cartridge 200 can hold an aerosol generating material having at least one state, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gas state, a gel state, etc. The aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid that includes a tobacco-containing material, including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid that includes a non-tobacco material.

[0054] The liquid composition may include any one of water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, fragrance, flavoring, and vitamin mixture, or a mixture of these ingredients. The fragrance may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit fragrance ingredients, and the like. The flavoring may include ingredients that provide various flavors or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixture may include, but is not limited to, at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E. The liquid composition may also include an aerosol forming agent, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0055] For example, the liquid composition may include any weight ratio of glycerin and propylene glycol solution to which a nicotine salt is added. The liquid composition may include more than one nicotine salt. The nicotine salt may be formed by adding a suitable acid, including an organic acid or an inorganic acid, to nicotine. The nicotine may be naturally occurring nicotine or synthetic nicotine and may have any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

[0056] The acid for forming the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected in consideration of the blood nicotine absorption rate, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 1000, the flavor or taste, the solubility, etc. For example, the acid for forming the nicotine salt may be, but is not limited to, a single acid selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid, or malic acid, or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group.

[0057] The cartridge 200 is operated by an electric signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body 100 to convert the phase of the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge 200 into a gas phase to generate an aerosol. The aerosol may refer to a gas in which vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating material are mixed with air.

[0058] For example, cartridge 200 may receive an electrical signal from main body 100 to heat the aerosol generating material, or may use, for example, ultrasonic vibration or induction heating to change the phase of the aerosol generating material. In an embodiment, cartridge 200 may include an independent power source and generate aerosol in response to an electrical control signal or a wireless signal transmitted from main body 100.

[0059] The cartridge 200 may include a storage portion 210 that contains an aerosol-generating substance therein, and an atomizer that converts the aerosol-generating substance in the storage portion 210 into an aerosol.

[0060] That storage unit 210 "contains an aerosol-generating material" therein means that storage unit 210 simply functions to contain the aerosol-generating material, as in the case of a container, and that storage unit 210 includes an element within it that is impregnated with (i.e., contains) the aerosol-generating material, such as a sponge, cotton, fabric, or porous ceramic structure.

[0061] The nebulizer may include, for example, a liquid delivery means (e.g., a wick) that absorbs the aerosol generating material and holds it in optimal conditions for conversion to an aerosol, and a heater that heats the liquid delivery means to generate the aerosol.

[0062] The liquid transfer means may include, for example, at least one of cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, and porous ceramics.

[0063] The heater may include a metallic material such as copper, nickel, tungsten, etc., to generate heat by electrical resistance to heat the aerosol generating material delivered to the liquid delivery means. The heater may be embodied, for example, by a metallic hot wire, a metallic hot plate, a ceramic heating element, etc. The heater may also be embodied by a conductive filament made of a material such as nichrome wire, or may be wound around or disposed adjacent to the liquid delivery means.

[0064] The atomizer may be realized by a mesh- or plate-shaped heating element that absorbs the aerosol generating material, keeps it in an optimal state for converting it into an aerosol, and heats the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol. In this case, no separate liquid transfer means is required.

[0065] The storage portion 210 of the cartridge 200 may include at least a partially transparent portion so that the aerosol generating material contained inside the cartridge 200 can be visually confirmed from the outside. The mouthpiece 220 and / or the storage portion 210 may be made of a material such as transparent plastic or glass.

[0066] The main body 100 may include a connection terminal (not shown) disposed inside the receiving space 110. When the storage unit 210 of the cartridge 200 is inserted into the receiving space 110 of the main body 100, the main body 100 may provide power to the cartridge 200 or a signal related to the operation of the cartridge 200 to the cartridge 200 through the connection terminal.

[0067] A mouthpiece 220 is coupled to one end of the storage part 210 of the cartridge 200. The mouthpiece 220 is a part of the aerosol generating device 5 that is inserted into the oral cavity of a user. The mouthpiece 220 includes an exhaust hole 221 for exhausting the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material inside the storage part 210 to the outside.

[0068] The aerosol generating device 1000 may include at least one airflow passage through which external air flows. For example, the airflow passage is also a space formed between the receiving space 110 of the main body 100 and the cartridge 200 coupled to the receiving space 110. Thus, an airflow passage through which external air flows is formed between the inner wall 111 of the receiving space 110 (i.e., the wall of the main body 100 forming the receiving space 110) and the outer wall of the cartridge 200. The air flowing in through the airflow passage may pass through the cartridge 200 and then be discharged through the mouthpiece. For example, the opening and closing of the airflow passage formed in the aerosol generating device 1000 and / or the size of the airflow passage may be adjusted by the user. This allows the user to adjust the amount and smoothness of the smoke.

[0069] In the aerosol generating device 1000 according to the embodiment, the horizontal cross section of the main body 100 and the cartridge 200 is approximately rectangular, but the shape of the aerosol generating device 1000 is not limited thereto. The aerosol generating device 1000 may have a cross section of, for example, a circle, an ellipse, a square, or a polygon of various shapes. In addition, the aerosol generating device 1000 is not necessarily limited to a structure that extends linearly in the longitudinal direction, but may be streamlined or bent at a predetermined angle in a specific area so that the user can easily hold it.

[0070] FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device showing a joint where a main body and a cartridge are joined to each other according to one embodiment.

[0071] 3, when the main body 100 of the aerosol generating device 1000 and the cartridge 200 are combined, the storage unit 210 of the cartridge 200 is inserted into the receiving space 110 of the main body 100. A plurality of protrusions 112 protruding toward the inside of the receiving space 110 are formed on the inner wall 111 of the receiving space 110. The plurality of protrusions 112 are spaced apart from each other and extend in a direction in which the cartridge 200 is received in the main body 100. Therefore, when the main body 100 of the aerosol generating device 1000 and the cartridge 200 are combined, an empty space may be formed by the inner wall 111 of the main body 100, the outer wall 211 of the storage unit 210, and the plurality of protrusions 112. An airflow passage is formed by this space, and external air may flow into the inside of the cartridge 200 through the airflow passage. Meanwhile, the plurality of protrusions 112 are not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. In an embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 112 may be formed on an outer wall of the storage portion 210 of the cartridge 200. The protrusions 112 may alternately form regions at the coupling portion that do not allow airflow to pass and regions at which airflow passes. As a result, the area of ​​the airflow passage may be reduced compared to a case where the protrusions 112 are not formed. Therefore, leakage from the coupling portion may be prevented by the Venturi effect.

[0072] FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device showing a joint where a main body and a cartridge are joined to each other according to another embodiment.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 4, when the body 100 of the aerosol generating device 1000 and the cartridge 200 are combined, the storage part 210 of the cartridge 200 is inserted into the receiving space 110 of the body 100 .

[0074] The cartridge 200 forms a chamfered portion 212 at a corner where adjacent outer walls 211 of the storage portion 210 meet each other. Therefore, when the main body 100 of the aerosol generating device 1000 and the cartridge 200 are combined, an empty space may be formed by the inner wall 111 of the main body 100 and the chamfered portion 212 of the storage portion 210. An airflow passage through which external air flows in may be formed by the space formed by the inner wall 111 and the chamfered portion 212. The external air flows in smoothly through the airflow passage, and the area of ​​the space (i.e., the airflow passage) formed by the chamfered portion 212 may be adjusted by adjusting the size of the chamfered portion 212. Therefore, the aerosol generating device 1000 may be designed to have an appropriate suction resistance by simply adjusting the size of the chamfered portion 212.

[0075] FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0076] 5, a protrusion 230 is formed on a bottom surface 213 of the storage unit 210 of the cartridge 200. When the cartridge 200 is received in the receiving space 110 of the main body 100, the bottom surface 213 faces the facing surface 113 (i.e., the upper surface) of the main body 100. Therefore, a gap is formed between the bottom surface 213 of the cartridge 200 and the facing surface 113 of the main body 100 by the protrusion 230 of the cartridge 200. The gap formed between the bottom surface 213 and the facing surface 113 communicates with the air flow passage of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, so that external air can be introduced. In another embodiment, the protrusion 230 may be formed on the facing surface 113 of the main body 100. In another embodiment, the protrusion 230 may be formed on both the bottom surface 213 of the storage unit 210 and the facing surface 113 of the main body 100. The height of the protrusion 230 can be adjusted to adjust the size of the gap formed between the bottom surface 213 of the storage part 210 and the opposing surface 113 of the body 100. Therefore, by simply adjusting the height of the protrusion 230, the aerosol generating device can be designed to have an appropriate suction resistance.

[0077] 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the cartridge of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the cartridge according to the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0078] 6 and 7, cartridge 200 includes a storage portion 210, a wick 260, and an aerosol discharge passage 276. As described above, storage portion 210 can store an aerosol generating material in empty space 240. Wick 260 is connected to storage portion 210 and can transfer the aerosol generating material stored in storage portion 210 to heating element 250. Heating element 250 can generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material in wick 260. The aerosol can be discharged through aerosol discharge passage 276 along the extension direction of aerosol discharge passage 276.

[0079] Throughout the specification, the y-axis direction is the direction in which the aerosol is discharged through the aerosol discharge passage 276. In general, the y-axis direction corresponds to the proximal direction closer to the user and is opposite to the direction of gravity. However, depending on the mode of use, if the aerosol generating device is tilted, the y-axis direction does not necessarily correspond to the direction of gravity. Throughout the specification, the y-axis direction is also referred to as upward, and the opposite direction to the y-axis direction is also referred to as downward.

[0080] The X-axis direction is perpendicular to the extension direction of the y-axis.

[0081] The storage portion 210 includes an outer wall and an empty space 240 surrounded by the outer wall. An aerosol generating material may be stored in the empty space 240 of the storage portion 210. The outer wall of the storage portion 210 also serves as a housing that forms the exterior of the cartridge 200.

[0082] The storage portion 210 may be fabricated in a variety of shapes, and according to one embodiment, the storage portion 210 may have a shape such as, but not limited to, a cylinder or a rectangular parallelepiped extending along the y-axis.

[0083] The storage portion 210 is also shaped to surround and enclose the aerosol exhaust passage 276. The storage portion 210 may have a height corresponding to the length of the aerosol exhaust passage 276.

[0084] The wick 260 may be connected to the storage unit 210 and may be supplied with the stored aerosol generating substance. The wick 260 may transport the aerosol generating substance from the storage unit 210 and deliver it to the heating element 250. The wick 260 may also be a hygroscopic fiber that absorbs the liquid or gel-like aerosol generating substance. The wick 260 may transport the aerosol generating substance by absorbing the aerosol generating substance through the end connected to the storage unit 210. Alternatively, according to one embodiment, the wick 260 may be in the form of a thin tube and may transport the aerosol generating substance through the inside of the tube using capillary action.

[0085] The shape of the core 260 can vary, for example, the core 260 can be elongated and extend in the x-axis direction.

[0086] Both ends or one end of the wick 260 may be connected to the storage unit 210 so that the aerosol-generating substance is discharged from the storage unit 210 along the wick 260. The aerosol-generating substance in the storage unit 210 is prevented from leaking out of the storage unit 210 through a path other than the wick 260.

[0087] The heating element 250 heats the aerosol generating material transported by the wick 260, and if the heating temperature exceeds the vaporization temperature of the aerosol generating material, the aerosol generating material may be vaporized and an aerosol may be generated.

[0088] The heating element 250 may be disposed in a region of the wick 260. The heating element 250 may be located in the extension of the aerosol exhaust passage 276. In this case, the heating element 250 may be disposed in a central region of the elongated wick 260. That is, the heating element 250 may be located between two legs of the aerosol exhaust passage 276. That is, the heating element 250 may be located in the vaporization chamber formed by the aerosol exhaust passage 276 and the wick 260.

[0089] The heating element 250 may be in the form of a coil that surrounds the wick 260. Alternatively, the heating element 250 may be spaced apart from the wick 260 and transfer heat thereto.

[0090] The aerosol exhaust passage 276 provides a path for the aerosol to be exhausted. The aerosol exhaust passage 276 extends vertically, and the aerosol may travel in the y-direction along the aerosol exhaust passage 276. The mouthpiece 220 is located in the y-direction from the wick 260.

[0091] The aerosol exhaust passage 276 may be surrounded by the void space 240 of the storage portion 210. The aerosol generating material is stored in the void space 240 formed between the outer wall of the storage portion 210 and the outer wall of the aerosol exhaust passage 276.

[0092] The B-B' extension line is the center line of the aerosol exhaust passage 276. That is, the B-B' extension line halves the width (i.e., the length in the x-axis direction) of the aerosol exhaust passage 276. In that case, the B-B' extension line may be located in the center of the storage unit 210. According to one embodiment, the storage unit 210 and the cartridge 200 are also symmetrical with respect to the B-B' extension line.

[0093] The lower end of the aerosol exhaust passage 276 can contact the wick 260 to secure the wick 260. The lower end of the aerosol exhaust passage 276 can also have a variety of shapes, for example, the lower end of the aerosol exhaust passage 276 can include a first leg and a second leg that extend in different directions.

[0094] An upper end of aerosol discharge passage 276 is connected to discharge hole 221 of mouthpiece 220. The width (i.e., length in the x-axis direction) of the mouthpiece is wider than the width of aerosol discharge passage 276 in the x-axis direction, but is not limited thereto.

[0095] The vaporization chamber is a region where the aerosol generating material is vaporized to generate an aerosol. For example, the vaporization chamber is a space surrounded by the lower end of the aerosol discharge passage 276 and the wick 260 when the lower end of the aerosol discharge passage 276 contacts the wick 260, and the heating element 250 is disposed in the vaporization chamber. The heat generated by the heating element 250 remains in the vaporization chamber, thereby improving the heating efficiency in the vaporization chamber. The aerosol vaporized in the vaporization chamber moves upward along the aerosol discharge passage 276.

[0096] An air inflow passage through which external air is introduced may be formed at a coupling portion where the cartridge 200 is coupled to the main body 100. For example, the air inflow passage may be formed at a bottom surface 213 of the storage unit 210, and may include an inlet 272h through which the external air is introduced, a first path 272 through which the external air passes through the inlet 272h, a second path 274 through which the external air passes through the first path 272, and an outlet 274h through which the external air passes through the second path 274 and enters the inside of the vaporization chamber.

[0097] Meanwhile, a plurality of air inlets 272h, a plurality of first paths 272 connected to each air inlet 272h, and a plurality of second paths 274 connected to each first path 272 are provided. The plurality of air inlets 272h may be disposed on both sides of an extension line B-B'. The air inlets 272h may include a first air inlet and a second air inlet, and the first air inlet and the second air inlet may be disposed on opposite sides of the extension line B-B'. The external air introduced through the first air inlet may pass through the first path 272 and the second path 274 in sequence as described above. Similarly, the external air introduced through the second air inlet may move to a path corresponding to the first path 272 and the second path 274.

[0098] The external air flowing in through the first inlet and the external air flowing in through the second inlet may be combined and enter the vaporization chamber through the outlet 274h.

[0099] A plurality of screens 280 are disposed between the inlet 272h and the outlet 274h. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, a plurality of screens 280 are disposed adjacent to the outlet 274h, and a plurality of perforations are formed in the plurality of screens 280 through which the outside air passes. The screens 280 may be disposed at regular intervals. Even when the aerosol is cooled in the vaporization chamber and droplets are generated, the droplets are prevented from flowing beyond the plurality of screens 280.

[0100] In an embodiment, a plurality of perforations are formed in the plurality of screens 280 such that the perforations of adjacent screens do not overlap. As a result, the perforations of each screen 280 do not overlap with each other, so that even if droplets are formed in the vaporization chamber, the droplets are prevented from leaking through the plurality of screens 280. Meanwhile, the plurality of perforations formed in the plurality of screens 280 may be formed in various sizes and arrangements and are not limited to the shape illustrated in FIG.

[0101] At least one of the configurations, elements, modules, or units (collectively referred to as "configurations" in this paragraph) represented by blocks such as the controller 16000 and the user interface 14000 in FIG. 1 may be embodied as any number of hardware, software, and / or firmware structures performing the respective functions described above according to the exemplary embodiment. For example, at least one of these components may use direct circuit structures such as memories, processors, logic circuits, look-up tables, etc. that perform the respective functions through the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. At least one of these components may be embodied specifically as a module, program, or part of a code that includes one or more executable instructions for performing a particular logical function and is executed by one or more microprocessors or other control devices. At least one of these components may also include or be embodied by a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor, etc. that performs the respective function. Two or more of these components may be combined by one or more single components to perform all the operations or functions of the two or more components combined. At least a part of the function of at least one of these components may also be performed by other components of these components. Also, although a bus is not shown in the block diagram, communication between components may occur via a bus. Functional aspects of the exemplary embodiments may also be embodied by algorithms executed on one or more processors. Additionally, components depicted as blocks or processing steps may use any relevant technology for electronic configuration, signal processing, and / or control, data processing.

[0102] It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are to be considered in an illustrative sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodiment should generally be considered applicable to other similar features or aspects in other embodiments. Although one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. a cartridge for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material; a main body including an accommodation space for accommodating the cartridge; an airflow passage for introducing external air between a wall of the body adjacent to the receiving space and a wall of the cartridge based on the cartridge received in the receiving space of the body; a protrusion is formed on at least one of a bottom surface of the cartridge and an opposing surface of the main body, and the opposing surface that faces the bottom surface of the cartridge based on the cartridge is accommodated in the accommodation space; the protrusion defines a gap between the bottom surface of the cartridge and the opposing surface of the body such that the gap communicates with the airflow passage; The cartridge further includes an air inlet formed on the bottom surface of the cartridge so that external air can be introduced through the air inlet. Aerosol generating device.

2. The aerosol generating device described in claim 1, wherein at least one of the walls of the storage space and the walls of the cartridge includes a plurality of convex portions arranged at a distance from each other, and an air flow passage is formed between the plurality of convex portions based on the cartridge being accommodated in the storage space of the main body.

3. The aerosol generating device of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge includes a chamfered portion at a corner such that an airflow passage is formed between the wall of the storage space and the chamfered portion when the cartridge is stored in the storage space of the main body.

4. The cartridge comprises: A storage unit for storing an aerosol generating material; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , further comprising: an atomizer disposed in the storage section to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material.

5. a plurality of screens disposed on a path through which external air flows into the cartridge through the air inlet, The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the screens includes a plurality of perforations through which outside air passes.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of perforations do not overlap with adjacent screens.

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