Aerosol Generator

Abstract

The aerosol generating device of the present disclosure includes a container having a long sidewall and defining a storage space for storing liquid, a plurality of sensors arranged in sequence in a longitudinal direction of the sidewall on an outer side of the sidewall, each of the sensors detecting an amount of liquid stored in the storage space, a shielding member disposed between two adjacent sensors among the plurality of sensors, a wick partially located inside the container, and a heater disposed around at least a portion of the wick to heat the wick.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to aerosol generating devices. [Background technology]

[0002] An aerosol generating device is used to extract a predetermined component from a medium or substance via an aerosol. The medium may contain a variety of components. The components contained in the medium may be flavorings of a variety of components. For example, the components contained in the medium may include nicotine, herbal, and / or coffee components. In recent years, much research has been conducted on such aerosol generating devices. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The present disclosure is directed to solving the above-mentioned problems and other problems.

[0004] Another object of the present disclosure is to precisely measure the volume of liquid contained within a cartridge.

[0005] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a stable coupling structure between a sensor that measures the volume of a liquid and a cartridge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure to achieve the above-mentioned object, an aerosol generating device is provided, comprising: a container having a long sidewall that forms a storage space for containing a liquid; a plurality of sensors arranged sequentially on the outside of the sidewall along the longitudinal direction of the sidewall, each of which detects the amount of liquid contained in the storage space; a shielding member arranged between two adjacent sensors among the plurality of sensors; a wick partially located inside the container; and a heater arranged around at least a portion of the wick to heat the wick. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the volume of liquid contained inside a container can be precisely measured.

[0008] According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the container and the shielding member are coupled to each other, thereby improving the reliability of the sensor.

[0009] According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the aerosol generating device can be made smaller.

[0010] Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. However, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, such as preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are given by way of example only. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9]FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of simplicity of description with reference to the drawings, identical or similar components will be given the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

[0013] The suffixes "module" and "section" for components used in the following description are for ease of description only and do not have any special meaning or role.

[0014] In this disclosure, those well known to those skilled in the art will be omitted for the sake of brevity. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are intended to facilitate understanding of various technical features, and that the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the present disclosure should be construed as including all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives in addition to those specifically disclosed in the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," etc. may be used to describe various components, but it should be understood that the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0016] When a component is said to be "connected" to another component, it will be understood that there may be other components in between, whereas when a component is said to be "directly connected" to another component, it will be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0017] The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows an aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] 1, the aerosol generation device 1 may include a casing 50 forming an outer shape, a control unit 30 arranged inside the casing 50, a battery 20 arranged inside the casing 50, and a cartridge 40 arranged inside the casing 50. The stick 10 may be inserted into the aerosol generation device 1.

[0020] The casing 50 may form the outer shape of the aerosol generation device 1. The casing 50 may be elongated. The casing 50 may surround the battery 20, the control unit 30, and the cartridge 40. A hole into which the stick 10 is inserted may be formed on the outer surface of the casing 50. A user can hold the aerosol generation device 1 by grasping the outer surface of the casing 50. Electronic components such as a PCB and electric wires may be provided inside the casing 50.

[0021] The cartridge 40 may contain an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating material may be in a liquid state at room temperature. The aerosol-generating material may be referred to as a liquid-type material. The aerosol-generating material may be vaporized by a heater 44 (see FIG. 2). The cartridge 40 may be electrically connected to the battery 20.

[0022] The aerosol can be generated inside the cartridge 40. The cartridge 40 can have an elongated shape. The cartridge 40 can extend in the longitudinal direction of the casing 50. One end 428 (see FIG. 3) of the cartridge 40 can be formed with an opening 425 (see FIG. 3) into which the stick 10 is inserted.

[0023] The battery 20 can supply power to the aerosol generating device 1. The battery 20 can supply electricity to the cartridge 40. The battery 20 can supply electricity to the control unit. The battery 20 can be connected to an external power source via terminals (not shown). The battery 20 can be referred to as a power source. The battery 20 can be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 20 can be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited to this.

[0024] 2 shows a conceptual diagram of an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol generating device 1 may include a battery 20, a control unit 30, a heater 44, a sensing unit 60, an output unit 70, and a user input unit 80.

[0025] The control unit 30 may be electrically connected to the battery 20. The control unit 30 may be electrically connected to the heater 44. The control unit 30 may adjust the amount of power supplied to the heater 44. The control unit 30 may cut off the electricity supplied to the heater 44. The control unit 30 may turn the power to the heater 44 on or off. Although not shown in FIG. 2 , the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit, such as an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, that converts the power of the battery 20 and supplies it to each component.

[0026] The heater 44 may be disposed inside the aerosol generating device 1. The heater 44 may be electrically connected to the battery 20. The heater 44 may receive electricity from the battery 20 and generate heat. The heater 44 may vaporize the aerosol generating material.

[0027] The output unit 70 can output and provide to the user information about the status of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the output unit 70 can provide to the user information about whether the heater 44 can be replaced, whether the battery 20 can be charged, and the remaining amount of aerosol generating material contained in the container 42.

[0028] The output unit 70 may include, but is not limited to, at least one of a display unit 71, a haptic unit 72, and an audio output unit 73. When the display unit 71 and the touchpad are layered to form a touch screen, the display unit 71 can be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0029] The display unit 71 can visually provide a user with information about the aerosol generation device 1. For example, the information about the aerosol generation device 1 can include various information such as the charging / discharging status of the battery 20 of the aerosol generation device 1, the preheating status of the heater 44, the insertion / removal status of an aerosol product, or a status in which use of the aerosol generation device 1 is restricted (e.g., abnormal item detection), and the display unit 71 can output the information to the outside. The display unit 71 can be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting display panel (OLED), etc. Also, the display unit 71 can be in the form of an LED light emitting element.

[0030] The haptic portion 72 can convert an electrical signal into a mechanical or electrical stimulus and provide the user with tactile information about the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the haptic portion 72 can include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0031] The acoustic output unit 73 can audibly provide the user with information about the aerosol generation device 1. For example, the acoustic output unit 73 can convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

[0032] The user input unit 80 can receive information input by a user or output information to a user. For example, the user input unit 80 can be, but is not limited to, a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad (contact capacitance type, pressure-type resistive film type, infrared sensing type, surface ultrasonic conduction type, integral tension measurement type, piezoelectric effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. Although not shown in FIG. 6 , the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and can be connected to another external device via the connection interface to transmit and receive information or charge the battery 20.

[0033] The sensing unit 60 may include a liquid volume sensor 61 and a puff sensor 62. The liquid volume sensor 61 may sense the volume of the aerosol-generating substance contained inside the cartridge 40. The liquid volume sensor 61 will be described in detail below.

[0034] The puff sensor 62 can detect the user's puffing. When the stick 10 is inserted into the aerosol generation device 1 and the aerosol generation device 1 is activated, the user can inhale the generated aerosol through the stick 10. The puff sensor 62 can detect the user's inhalation of the aerosol. For example, the puff sensor 62 can be an air pressure sensor that detects changes in the surrounding air pressure. When the user inhales the aerosol through the stick 10, the air inside the aerosol generation device 1 flows, and the puff sensor 62 can detect the change in air pressure due to the air flow.

[0035] The control unit 30 can control the sensing unit 60. The control unit 30 can be electrically connected to the sensing unit 60. The control unit 30 can turn on or off the power of the liquid volume sensor 61 and the puff sensor 62. The control unit 30 can control the operation of the liquid volume sensor 61 and the puff sensor 62. The control unit 30 can receive information about the volume of the aerosol-generating material sensed by the liquid volume sensor 61. The control unit 30 can receive information about the air flow sensed by the puff sensor 61.

[0036] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge 40 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3, the cartridge 40 can include a base 41, a container 42, a wick 43, and a heater 44.

[0037] The container 42 can contain the aerosol-generating substance 1. The container 42 can extend longitudinally in the lengthwise direction of the cartridge 40. The container 42 can include an insertion space 426, an inner wall 423, an outer wall 422, one end 428, the other end 427, and a storage space 424.

[0038] The inner wall 423 and the outer wall 422 may be formed in a cylindrical shape. One end 428 and the other end 427 of the container 42 may connect the inner wall 423 and the outer wall 422. The one end 428 and the other end 427 of the container 42 may face each other. The inner wall 423 and the outer wall 422 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The inner wall 423 may be disposed inside the outer wall 422. The outer wall 422 may form the outer peripheral surface of the container 42. The outer wall 422 may be referred to as a side wall 422.

[0039] The inner wall 423 may be disposed inside the outer wall 422. The inner wall 423 may form an insertion space 426 therein. The inner wall 423 and the outer wall 422 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The inner wall 423 and the outer wall 422 may be made of a translucent or transparent material. Light may pass through the inner wall 423 and the outer wall 422.

[0040] Aerosol-generating substance 1 can be contained between outer wall 422 and inner wall 423. Inner wall 423, outer wall 422, one end 428, and the other end 427 of container 42 can define a storage space 424 that contains aerosol-generating substance 1. Storage space 424 can have a circular cross section.

[0041] The stick 10 can be inserted into the insertion space 426. The insertion space 426 can communicate with the outside of the cartridge 40 via an opening 425 provided at one end of the container 42. The insertion space 426 can be disposed inside the inner wall 423. The insertion space 426 can be cylindrical. The aerosol vaporized by the heater 44 can flow (b) to the outside of the cartridge 40 through the insertion space 426 and the opening 425.

[0042] The insertion space 426 can be arranged inside the cartridge 40. Since the insertion space 426 is arranged inside the inner wall 423, the aerosol generation device 1 can be made smaller than when the insertion space 426 is provided outside the container 42.

[0043] The base 41 may be disposed on one side of the container 42. The base 41 may be provided on one side of the container 42 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The base 41 may be disposed adjacent to the core 43. The base 41 may include a bottom 413, a side wall 412, and an internal space 414.

[0044] The bottom 413 may face the insertion space 426 for the core 43. The bottom 413 may face the opening 425 of the container 42. The sidewall 412 may extend from the bottom 413 toward the container 42. The sidewall 412 may be connected to the container 42. The heater 44 may pass through the bottom 413 and be electrically connected to the battery 20.

[0045] The side wall 412 may have an inlet 412a. The inlet 412a may penetrate the side wall 412. The inlet 412a may open perpendicularly to the side wall 412. The inlet 412a may communicate with the outside of the aerosol generation device 1. Air a flowing in through the inlet 412a may flow into the wick 43.

[0046] The inlet 412a may be formed between the container 42 and the bottom 413 of the base 41 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 40. The inlet 412a may be positioned closer to the container 42 than the bottom 413 of the base 41.

[0047] Internal space 414 of base 41 can communicate with the periphery of wick 43 and insertion space 426. The periphery of wick 43 can communicate with inlet 412a via internal space 414. The aerosol-generating substance vaporized by heater 44 can be re-liquefied and stored in internal space 414. The aerosol-generating substance flowing out from wick 43 can be stored in internal space 414.

[0048] The wick 43 may be connected to the storage space 424 located inside the container 42. The wick 43 may be partially disposed in the storage space 424. The wick 43 may penetrate the inner wall 423 to be connected to the inside of the storage space 424. The wick 43 may be disposed between the insertion space 426 and the inner space 414 of the base 41. The wick 43 can absorb liquid contained in the storage space 424. A portion of the wick 43 may be disposed inside the inner wall 423 of the container 42.

[0049] The heater 44 may be disposed around the wick 43. The heater 44 may be a long wire. The heater 44 may be wound around the wick 43 several times. The heater 44 may be in contact with the outer surface of the wick 43. Although not shown in FIG. 3 , the aerosol generation device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC / DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 20 and supplies it to the heater 44. Furthermore, when the aerosol generation device 1 generates aerosol using an induction heating method, the aerosol generation device 1 may further include a DC / AC converter that converts the DC power of the battery 20 into AC power.

[0050] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the heater 44 may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material, such as, but not limited to, a metal or metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. The heater 44 may also be formed of, but not limited to, a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate with an electrically conductive track disposed thereon, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0051] The liquid volume sensor 61 may cover the outer surface of the outer wall 422. The liquid volume sensor 61 may expose a portion of the outer surface of the outer wall 422 to the outside of the container 42. The liquid volume sensor 61 may detect the presence or absence of the liquid l contained in the containing space 424 through the outer wall 422. The liquid volume sensor 61 may detect the volume of the liquid l contained in the containing space 424 through the outer wall 422.

[0052] 4 and 5 show liquid volume sensors 61, 61' and container 42 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] 4, the liquid volume sensor 61 can cover the side wall 422 of the container 42. Because the liquid volume sensor 61 covers the entire side wall 422 of the container 42, the volume of the liquid l contained in the containing space 424 can be accurately measured even if the container 42 is tilted.

[0054] 5, the liquid volume sensor 61′ covers a portion of the side wall 422 of the container 42, and the remaining portion can be exposed to the outside of the container 42. Other components to be disposed inside the aerosol generation device 1 can be disposed in the remaining portion not covered by the liquid volume sensor 61′, thereby enabling efficient use of the internal space of the aerosol generation device 1.

[0055] 6 shows a case where the liquid 1 contained in the containing space 424 is agitated when the aerosol generating device 1 is shaken or tilted. Referring to FIG. 6, a plurality of liquid volume sensors 61 may be provided. Among the plurality of liquid volume sensors 61, a shielding member 614 may be disposed between adjacent liquid volume sensors 611, 612, and 613.

[0056] For ease of explanation, the first liquid volume sensor 611 will be referred to as the first sensor 611 , the second liquid volume sensor 612 will be referred to as the second sensor 612 , and the third liquid volume sensor 613 will be referred to as the third sensor 613 .

[0057] The volume of the liquid l contained in the containing space 424 can be measured through the sidewall 422 of the liquid volume sensors 611, 612, 613. For example, the liquid volume sensors 611, 612, 613 can be capacitance sensors.

[0058] Separation spaces 615 may be formed between the plurality of liquid capacitance sensors 611, 612, 613 and the sidewall 422 of the container 42. Unlike the present disclosure, without the separation spaces 615, the plurality of liquid capacitance sensors 611, 612, 613 and the sidewall 422 of the container 42 may contact each other.

[0059] The multiple liquid volume sensors 611, 612, 613 may be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the container 42. The multiple liquid volume sensors 611, 612, 613 may extend along the sidewall 422 of the container 42. For example, the liquid volume sensors 611, 612, 613 may have the shape of a ring. The multiple liquid volume sensors 611, 612, 613 may face the outer surface of the sidewall 422 of the container 42. The multiple liquid volume sensors 611, 612, 613 may cover the outer surface of the sidewall 422.

[0060] The first sensor 611 may surround the first sensing space 611s. The second sensor 621 may surround the second sensing space 612s. The third sensor 613 may surround the third sensing space 613s. The sensing spaces 611s, 612s, and 613s may be part of a receiving space 424 that receives a liquid l. The first sensor 611 may measure the volume of the liquid l located in the first sensing space 611s. The second sensor 612 may measure the volume of the liquid l present in the second sensing space 612s. The third sensor 613 may measure the volume of the liquid l present in the third sensing space 613s.

[0061] The shielding member 614 may be in contact with the liquid capacitance sensors 611, 612, and 613. The shielding member 614 may be adhered to the liquid capacitance sensors 611, 612, and 613. The shielding member 614 may shield noise sensed by each of the liquid capacitance sensors 611, 612, and 613.

[0062] For example, the shielding member 614 can prevent the first sensor 611 from recognizing the liquid contained in the second sensing space 612s and / or the third sensing space 613s. The shielding member 614 can improve the reliability of the liquid capacitance sensors 611, 612, and 613.

[0063] The shielding members 614 may protrude from the liquid capacitance sensors 611, 612, and 613 toward the sidewall 422 of the container 42. The shielding members 614 may extend in the width direction of the container 42. The shielding members 614 provided on both sides of the liquid capacitance sensors 611, 612, and 613 may define a separation space 615. The shielding members 614 provided on both sides of the liquid capacitance sensors 611, 612, and 613 may sandwich the sensing ranges of the liquid capacitance sensors 611, 612, and 613. Therefore, the reliability of the liquid capacitance sensors 611, 612, and 613 may be improved.

[0064] 7, an example will be described in which the liquid volume sensors 611, 612, and 613 measure the volume of the liquid l contained in the containing space 424. The liquid volume sensor 611 can measure the volume of the liquid l1 contained in the first sensing space 611s in units of volume percentage (Vol%).

[0065] 7(a), the first sensor 611 may detect that the volume occupied by the liquid contained in the first sensing space 611s is 7% of the total volume of the first sensing space 611s, the second sensor 612 may detect that the volume occupied by the liquid contained in the second sensing space 612s is 30% of the total volume of the second sensing space 612s, and the third sensor 613 may detect that the volume occupied by the liquid contained in the third sensing space 613s is 80% of the total volume of the third sensing space 613s.

[0066] 7(b), the first sensor 611 may detect that the volume occupied by the liquid contained in the first sensing space 611s is approximately 0% of the total volume of the first sensing space 611s. The second sensor 612 may detect that the volume occupied by the liquid contained in the second sensing space 612s is 20% of the total volume of the second sensing space 612s. The third sensor 613 may detect that the volume occupied by the liquid contained in the third sensing space 613s is 55% of the total volume of the third sensing space 613s.

[0067] The control unit 30 can calculate the volumes of the liquids l1 and l2 currently contained in the container 42 based on the values ​​detected by the first sensor 611, the second sensor 612, and the third sensor 613. For example, with reference to (a) of FIG. 7, the volume of the liquid l1 currently contained in the container 42 can be calculated as approximately 40%. For example, with reference to (b) of FIG. 7, the volume of the liquid l2 currently contained in the container 42 can be calculated as approximately 25%.

[0068] 7, the first sensor 611, the second sensor 612, and the third sensor 613 can detect the volume of liquid contained in their respective sensing spaces 611s, 612s, and 613s as Low, Mid, and High values. The control unit 30 can calculate the amount of liquid contained in the container 42 based on the Low, Mid, and High values.

[0069] 8 illustrates a container 142 and a liquid volume sensor 161 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 8, the container 142 can include a plurality of first layers 1425, a plurality of second layers 1427, a groove 1428, and a protrusion 1429.

[0070] The sidewall 1422 of the container 142 may include a plurality of first layers 1425 and a plurality of second layers 1427. The plurality of first layers 1425 and the plurality of second layers 1427 may face the liquid volume sensor 161. The plurality of first layers 1425 and the plurality of second layers 1427 may be formed of a translucent or transparent material. The liquid volume sensor 161 may measure the volume of the liquid l contained in the containing space 1424 through the plurality of first layers 1425.

[0071] The first layer 1425 and the second layer 1427 may extend in the circumferential direction of the container 1424. The first layer 1425 and the second layer 1427 may be arranged in sequence in the longitudinal direction of the container 142. The first layer 1425 and the second layer 1427 may be arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the container 142. The second layer 1427 may be arranged between adjacent first layers 1425.

[0072] The second layer 1427 may include a groove 1428 and a protrusion 1429. The groove 1428 may be formed on the outer surface of the second layer 1427. The protrusion 1429 may be formed on the inner surface of the second layer 1427. The groove 1428 and the protrusion 1429 may overlap each other in the width direction of the container 142. The protrusion 1429 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the groove 1428. The protrusion 1429 may be formed integrally with the container 142. A plurality of protrusions 1429 and grooves 1428 may be provided.

[0073] 9 illustrates a container 42 and a liquid volume sensor 261 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 9, multiple liquid volume sensors 261 may be spaced apart from one another along the length of the container 42.

[0074] Shielding members 2614 may be disposed on both sides of the plurality of liquid volume sensors 261. The shielding members 2614 may narrow the sensing range of the plurality of liquid volume sensors 261. Shielding members 2614 may be disposed on both sides of each of the liquid volume sensors 2611, 2612, and 2613. The plurality of shielding members 2614 may include first shielding members disposed between adjacent liquid volume sensors 2611, 2612, and 2613, and second shielding members disposed between the first shielding members and the liquid volume sensors 2611, 2612, and 2613.

[0075] Meanwhile, the shielding member 2614 may extend toward the storage space 424 of the container 42 and protrude from the liquid capacitance sensors 2611, 2612, and 2613. The length by which the shielding member 2614 protrudes toward the storage space 424 based on the liquid capacitance sensors 2611, 2612, and 2613 may be defined as a protrusion length PL. The length of the liquid capacitance sensors 2611, 2612, and 2613 in the longitudinal direction of the container 42 may be defined as a sensing length SH. The protrusion length PL and the sensing length SH may satisfy the relationship PL≧SH / 2. It goes without saying that this relationship is also applicable to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 and 8.

[0076] 1 to 9, an aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a container 42 having one end 428 and the other end 427 extending elongatedly and a sidewall 422 disposed between the one end 428 and the other end 427, and containing liquid in a storage space 424 formed by the sidewall 422, a plurality of sensors 611, 612, 613 arranged sequentially in the longitudinal direction of the sidewall 422 on the outside of the sidewall 422 and detecting the amount of liquid contained in the container, a shielding member 614 disposed between adjacent sensors 611, 612, 613 among the plurality of sensors 611, 612, 613, a wick 43 partially connected to the inside of the container 42, and a heater 44 disposed around the wick 43 and heating the wick 43.

[0077] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the plurality of sensors 611 , 612 , 613 and the shielding member 614 may cover the outer surface of the sidewall 422 of the container 42 .

[0078] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the side wall 1422 of the container 142 may include a plurality of first portions 1425, each of which faces a corresponding one of the plurality of sensors 1611, 1612, 1613, 1614, 1615, and a second portion 1427, each of which is located between adjacent first portions of the plurality of first portions 1425 and faces the shielding member 1616.

[0079] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the second layer 1427 may include a groove 1401 recessed from the outer surface to the inner surface of the sidewall 1422 of the container 142 and into which the shielding member 1616 is inserted.

[0080] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the shielding member 1616 may be disposed between the plurality of sensors 1611, 1612, 1613, 1614, 1615, and may have a portion thereof protruding and inserted into the groove 1401.

[0081] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the second layer 1427 may further include a protrusion 1429 protruding from the inner surface of the side wall 1422 of the container 142 into the receiving space 1424 .

[0082] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the protrusion 1429 can be positioned at a location corresponding to the groove 1428 .

[0083] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the sensors 611, 612, 613 may expose at least a portion of the outer surface of the side wall 422 to the exterior of the container 42.

[0084] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the shielding members 2614, 2615 may include a first shielding member 2614 positioned between adjacent sensors 2611, 2612, 2613, and a second shielding member 2615 positioned between the first shielding member 2614 and any one 2611, 2612 of the adjacent sensors 2611, 2612, 2613.

[0085] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, when the length by which the shielding members 2614, 2615 protrude from the sensors 2611, 2612, 2613 in the width direction of the side wall 422 is defined as a protrusion length PL, and the length of the sensors 2611, 2612, 2613 in the longitudinal direction of the side wall 422 is defined as a sensing length SH, (PL)≧(SH) / 2 may be satisfied.

[0086] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the container 42 may include an inner wall 423 extending longitudinally of the side wall 422 inside the side wall 422, forming the storage space 424 between the side wall 422 and the inner wall 423, and having an insertion space 426 formed therein.

[0087] The specific embodiments or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct, and the structure or function of any or all elements of the embodiments of the present disclosure described above can be combined with other elements or combined with each other.

[0088] For example, configuration A described in one embodiment of the present disclosure and drawings and configuration B described in another embodiment of the present disclosure and drawings can be combined with each other. That is, even if a combination between configurations is not directly described, the combination is possible unless it is described that the combination is not possible.

[0089] While the embodiments have been described above in accordance with a number of exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that many other variations and embodiments are possible for those skilled in the art that fall within the scope of the principles of the present disclosure. More particularly, various modifications and variations are possible in the components and / or arrangements of the subject combinations within the scope of the present disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims. In addition to the modifications and variations of the components and / or arrangements, other uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. a container having an elongated sidewall and defining a storage space for storing a liquid; a plurality of sensors arranged in sequence in the longitudinal direction of the side wall on the outer side of the side wall, each of which senses the amount of liquid contained in the containing space; a shielding member disposed between two adjacent sensors among the plurality of sensors; a wick located partially within the container; a heater disposed around at least a portion of the wick to heat the wick; An aerosol generating device, wherein the shielding member protrudes from the sensor toward the side wall in the width direction of the side wall.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors and the shielding member cover an outer surface of a side wall of the container.

3. The sidewall of the container comprises: a plurality of first portions each corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of sensors and facing a corresponding one of the plurality of sensors; 3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of second portions, each of which is positioned between adjacent first portions among the plurality of first portions and faces the shielding member.

4. 4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of second portions forms a groove in the outer surface of the side wall, and each portion of the shielding member is accommodated in each groove of the plurality of second portions.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4 , wherein the shielding member includes a plurality of protrusions that are individually received in grooves in the respective second portions of the plurality of second portions.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of second portions includes a protrusion extending from the inner surface of the side wall into the storage space.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6 , wherein the protrusions of the plurality of second portions are positioned so as to individually correspond to the grooves of each of the plurality of second portions.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of sensors are sized to expose at least a portion of the outer surface of the side wall to the outside of the container.

9. The shielding member is a first shielding member disposed between two adjacent sensors among the plurality of sensors; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second shielding member disposed between the first shielding member and any one of the two adjacent sensors.

10. a length of the shielding member that protrudes beyond the ends of the sensors in the width direction of the side wall is defined as a protrusion length PL; The length of the side wall of each of the plurality of sensors in the longitudinal direction is defined as a sensing length SH; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the relationship (PL)≧(SH) / 2 holds true.

11. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the container includes an inner wall located inside the side wall, extending longitudinally of the side wall, and forming a long storage space, the storage space being formed between the inner wall and the side wall.

12. a container having an elongated sidewall and defining a storage space for storing a liquid; a plurality of sensors arranged in sequence in the longitudinal direction of the side wall on the outer side of the side wall, each of which is positioned adjacent to the side wall and detects the presence or absence of liquid contained in the containing space; a shielding member disposed between two adjacent sensors among the plurality of sensors; a wick located partially within the container; a heater disposed around at least a portion of the wick to heat the wick; An aerosol generating device, wherein the shielding member protrudes from the sensor toward the side wall in the width direction of the side wall.

13. receiving inputs from the plurality of sensors when detecting the presence or absence of liquid contained in the containing space; The aerosol generating device according to claim 12 , further comprising a control unit that calculates the amount of liquid contained in the containing space based on the received input.

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