Aerosol generator with improved lighting placement

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, in particular, comprising: a main body having a main housing; a touch area for detecting a touch operation forming part of the main housing, wherein the touch area comprises a capacitance layer having a capacitance cell for detecting a touch operation in the touch area, at least a portion of the capacitance layer being translucent to light or preferably transparent; an LED; and a light guide connected to the LED, disposed within an area extending vertically from the touch area, such that light emitted from the LED propagates through the light guide and also through the touch area.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an aerosol generating device having an LED, a light guide, and preferably a transparent conductive layer for detecting user input, wherein the light guide is connected to the LED and the transparent conductive layer. Additionally, light emitted by the LED can be propagated to an outer layer of the device through the light guide and also through the transparent conductive layer. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, aerosol generators or electronic cigarettes are mainstream products that replicate conventional tobacco cigarettes. There are various types of aerosol generators, and among these devices, those that still contain tobacco or volatile materials inside are one of the most popular types. By heating the consumables without burning them, these types of aerosol generators do not emit combustion byproducts such as tar and carbon monoxide. The method of operation of an aerosol generator involves containing an aerosol generating carrier inside and heating it below its combustion point. Additionally, there are other types of electronic cigarettes that operate by evaporating a liquid to form smoke.

[0003] Users desire an enjoyable smoking experience. Furthermore, it is desirable to provide users with various functional features, such as light feedback, when performing actions like pressing a button or inhaling aerosol. These features must be implemented while maintaining a compact, sophisticated, portable, and easy-to-use design. Since space within the device is limited, the efficient placement of components is crucial to meeting design requirements.

[0004] Current aerosol generating devices generally have LEDs placed with a gap between the device housing and the LEDs embedded within the housing, and as a result, the device is vulnerable to, for example, humid air, dust, liquids from daily life, and foreign substances from consumables. In addition, there is a need to improve the implementation of LED placement and prevent damage during use. Prior art literature

[65535] International Publication WO 2020 / 182749 means of solving the problem

[0005] The present invention provides a touch area arrangement for an aerosol generating device that solves some or all of the aforementioned problems.

[0006] A first embodiment of the present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, wherein the aerosol generating device comprises: a main body having a main housing; a touch area for detecting a touch operation forming part of the main housing, wherein the touch area comprises a capacitive layer having a capacitive cell provided to detect a touch operation in the touch area, and at least a portion of the capacitive layer is translucent or preferably transparent to light; an LED; and a light guide connected to the LED and disposed within an area extending vertically from the touch area, such that light emitted from the LED propagates through the light guide and also through the touch area.

[0007] By using a light guide, the LED can be positioned at a distance from the outer layer and / or capacitance layer, thereby reducing spatial constraints caused by the placement of the LED and the component supplying power to the LED, allowing for easy placement of the components within the aerosol smoking device. Consequently, a compact, portable, and easy-to-use design becomes possible. Furthermore, by removing the LED and the light guide from the outer surface of the device and placing the component below the touch area, the LED is protected from fatal effects such as water, physical shock, or electromagnetic interference.

[0008] According to the second embodiment, in the prior embodiment, the light guide has a tube shape and is connected in the longitudinal direction to a translucent or preferably transparent portion of the capacitance layer.

[0009] This arrangement allows the LED energy source and / or the LED to be positioned at a distance equal to the length of the light guide from the capacitance layer. Additionally, by utilizing a tubular shape, the space beneath the touch area required to provide lighting features for the user is reduced. This enables more flexible placement of the components of the aerosol generator, thereby reducing spatial constraints within the device.

[0010] According to the third embodiment, in the prior embodiment, the passing area of ​​the light guide portion has a size of 100% to 600%, preferably 100% to 300%, of the surface size of the LED directed toward the light guide portion.

[0011] By utilizing a light guide with a pass-through area larger than that of the LED (yet still the same size), a large amount of light is collected from the LED while maintaining a small size of the light guide. In turn, this allows for more flexible placement of the components of the aerosol generator, thereby reducing spatial constraints.

[0012] According to the fourth embodiment, in the prior embodiment, when the LED is not emitting light, the LED is not visible through a translucent or preferably transparent portion.

[0013] In this way, a more sophisticated design of the aerosol generator can be achieved. This allows LEDs to be placed at various locations within the device without affecting the appearance of the aerosol generator.

[0014] According to the fifth embodiment, in the prior embodiment, the LED is configured to emit light in response to a user's touch input on a touch area.

[0015] In this way, user actions on the touch area can activate the LED, and accordingly, the device can provide feedback to the user indicating that it has detected an action or is performing an action initiated by the user. Therefore, the operability of the device is improved.

[0016] According to the 6th embodiment, in the prior embodiment, the light guide part includes one or more bending parts.

[0017] The above description allows for further reduction of spatial constraints within the device. By implementing a light guide having a bending portion, the light guide can "meander" around the component, so the component can be placed between the transparent portion of the capacitance layer and the LED.

[0018] According to the seventh embodiment, in the prior embodiment, at least a portion or preferably substantially the entire light guide portion is positioned vertically on the capacitance layer.

[0019] Placing the light guide below the capacitance layer improves accessibility and simplifies manufacturing compared to placing the light guide elsewhere.

[0020] According to the eighth embodiment, in the prior embodiment, a light guide is disposed in a region extending vertically from a translucent or preferably transparent portion of a capacitance layer; and a portion of the light guide is disposed in a region extending vertically from an opaque portion of a capacitance layer.

[0021] By allowing a portion of the light guide to be positioned below the transparent portion and a portion of the light guide to be positioned below the opaque region, the light guide is not limited to being positioned within the transparent portion but can extend from any location within the aerosol generating device. This allows the LED to be positioned at any location within the aerosol generating device and does not require the LED / PCB to be positioned below the transparent portion. Consequently, spatial constraints within the device are further reduced. For example, since the LED does not need to be positioned below the capacitance layer and can be positioned within any free space of the device, the thickness of the device can be reduced, and a very flat design is possible.

[0022] According to the ninth embodiment, in the prior embodiment, a portion of the light guide portion disposed within an area extending vertically from a translucent or preferably transparent portion is disposed parallel to the capacitance layer.

[0023] In this way, the light guide extends parallel to the capacitive layer, but the light guide can also be connected to the transparent portion laterally to the light guide. Thus, more options are provided for placing the light guide and LED within the aerosol generating device, thereby further reducing spatial constraints.

[0024] According to the 10th embodiment, in the prior embodiment, the light guide portion includes an angled portion arranged to form an angle of 10° to 80°, preferably 20° to 70°, with respect to the capacitance layer.

[0025] By implementing angled sections, greater possibilities are provided for locating the light guide and LED within the aerosol generator, thereby increasing design options for the aerosol generator.

[0026] According to the 11th embodiment, in the prior embodiment, the capacitance layer includes an engraved portion for collecting light passing through the capacitance layer.

[0027] In this way, the illumination perceived by the user is not provided by the light guide itself, but by an engraving section within the capacitive layer that collects light emitted from the light guide. Through this, a single light guide can illuminate multiple engraving sections, thereby creating multiple illuminated areas perceived by the user. Furthermore, it is no longer necessary to place the light guide directly beneath the transparent section, and the light guide can also illuminate the engraving sections from the side or from any other location within the device. Consequently, special requirements for illumination are further reduced.

[0028] According to the 12th embodiment, in the prior embodiment, the aerosol generating device includes a plurality of LEDs having a plurality of corresponding light guides.

[0029] By implementing multiple LEDs, more complex indications can be provided for the user. Additionally, multiple LEDs can be illuminated simultaneously. For example, one LED can indicate the power status, another LED can indicate that heating is being performed, and a third LED can indicate that user action has been detected.

[0030] According to the 13th embodiment, in the prior embodiment, a silkscreened layer is placed within a touch area to create an opaque portion within the touch area.

[0031] As described above, an opaque portion can be created within a touch area using a silkscreen layer. This enables the use of transparent materials in the touch area, while allowing specific parts to be covered or specific coloring to be created, thereby enabling more sophisticated design. Furthermore, manufacturing methods related to silkscreen are well known, and using a silkscreen layer in an opaque area facilitates the overall manufacturing process of the present invention.

[0032] According to the 14th embodiment, in the prior embodiment, the touch area includes an outer layer that is translucent to light or preferably transparent.

[0033] When using an opaque outer layer material, a cutout for the light guide must generally be provided within the outer layer so that the light guide can be placed within the cutout, or so that a transparent material can be placed within the cutout. By using a translucent or transparent touch area, the light guide can be connected to the inner side of the touch area, and thus the cutout may not be required. This simplifies the manufacturing process and protects the light guide (and the LED connected to the light guide) from damage and other influences from outside the device.

[0034] According to the 15th embodiment, in the prior embodiment, the outer layer comprises a translucent or preferably transparent material, such as PET or glass, to which an opaque silkscreen layer is attached, or preferably is manufactured from such material, thereby concealing the inner components of the aerosol generating device.

[0035] By introducing a silkscreen layer into a transparent / translucent touch area, the electronic components and internal parts of the aerosol generating device can be concealed. Therefore, only the parts intended to be visible from the outside of the aerosol generating device become visible. This facilitates illuminating only specific parts of the housing of the aerosol generating device.

[0036] According to the 16th embodiment, in the prior embodiment, the light guide portion is configured to be deformable or preferably elastic.

[0037] When using a deformable or elastic light guide, the manufacturing process of the device is facilitated. In particular, damage to the light guide or LED is prevented in the event of inaccuracies during the manufacturing process.

[0038] According to the 17th embodiment, in the prior embodiment, the light guide is arranged to extend through the capacitance layer or, preferably, through the capacitance layer and the outer layer.

[0039] In this way, the light guide can be integrated into the outer layer or at least directly connected to the outer layer. This provides a more powerful lighting effect to the user. Additionally, this allows the use of opaque materials for the capacitive layer and the outer layer, and when the light guide extends through the outer layer, the outer layer may contain only opaque materials. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0040] Figure 1 is a drawing of an aerosol generating device. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device of a second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device of a third embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device of the fourth embodiment. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0041] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below together with the accompanying drawings.

[0042] As used herein, the terms “aerosol generating device” or “electronic cigarette” may include an electronic cigarette configured to deliver an aerosol containing a smoking aerosol to a user. “Printed circuit board” or “PCB” is a term well known to those skilled in the art for supporting and using etched conductive tracks (traces, lines), pads, and other features to electrically connect electrical or electronic components. Additionally, as used herein, “PCB” may mean a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), which means a substrate of a PCB board and components thereon. The illustrated embodiments relating to an aerosol generating system and the PCB within it are schematic, and as will be obvious to those skilled in the art, some of the components may be combined into a single unit or element.

[0043] In this document, "connected" may mean "electronically and / or electrically coupled" or "electronically and / or electrically connected," and such connection may be made through other components, such as transistors or capacitors, for purposes known to those skilled in the art.

[0044] Where the term "transparent" is used herein, it has the meaning of "translucent or preferably transparent."

[0045] It should be understood that terms indicating orientation or positional relationships, such as "one end," "other end," "outer," "top," "top," "inner," "bottom," "lower," "horizontal," "coaxial," "center," "end," "part," "length," "outer end," etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationships depicted in the drawings. Terms such as "top," "top," "bottom," "lower," etc., used in the present invention to indicate relative positions within space are used for the purpose of facilitating explanations to describe the relationship between a unit or feature depicted in the drawings and another unit or feature. The term "relative position within space" may be intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation than those depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings is inverted, a unit described as being "bottom" or "lower" of another unit or feature will be "top" of the other unit or feature. Accordingly, the exemplary term “bottom” may include both upward and downward orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (it may be rotated 90 degrees or oriented in other ways), and the spatial-related technical terms used herein are described accordingly. More specifically, the word “top” means that one unit or element is positioned or configured relative to the outside of the device toward another unit(s) or element(s), and the word “bottom” means that one unit or element is positioned or configured relative to the inside of the device toward another unit or element.

[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device (100). The aerosol generating device (100) has an elongated shape, preferably substantially a cubic shape. The device (100) comprises a main body (200) having a main housing (300) and a mouthpiece (310). A user may draw in a consumable smoking aerosol from the mouthpiece (310) to inhale.

[0047] A cartridge (not shown) containing a consumable in liquid form may be inserted into (or attached to) the device (100). The liquid may be inhaled by a user drawing from a mouthpiece (130) with the power supply of the device (100). The liquid generally contains an aerosol-forming substance, for example, glycerin or propylene glycol that generates vapor. Other common substances in the liquid include nicotine and various flavoring agents.

[0048] A chassis (not shown) is contained within the main body (200). A cartridge socket integrated with the inner chassis is configured to secure a cartridge to a common end and to connect it electronically / electrically or to heat it. Power is preferably transferred from a LiPo battery through a PCBA to the cartridge socket, and all of these are electrically connected to each other. The LiPo battery can be charged via a USB port. The PCBA, LiPo battery, and USB port are mounted together on the inner chassis and contained within the main housing (300).

[0049] The main housing (300) further includes a touch area (400) integrated into the main housing (300). The touch area (400) is part of the main housing (300) or is positioned within a recessed or cut-out portion of the main housing (300). In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the touch area (400) is positioned flush with the main housing (300) without a groove, so that the user cannot feel the perimeter of the touch area (400).

[0050] In another embodiment, the touch area (400) is integrated into the main housing (300) so that a groove that can be felt by the user is created between the touch area (400) and the main housing (300). The touch area (400) may also be embedded into the main housing (300) so that the touch area (400) and the main housing (300) form a dip. In another embodiment, the touch area (400) may be positioned in such a way that it extends from the surface of the main housing (300), so that the user can feel the touch area (400) as it extends further outward than the main housing (300). Additionally, the main housing (300) may be a single component or may include several modular components connected to each other to form the main housing (300).

[0051] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the touch area (400) further includes a transparent portion (412). The transparent portion (412) may have a substantially circular shape or other geometric shape. The size of the transparent portion (412) may be any size from a few microns to the entire size of the touch area (400). In other words, the touch area (400) may be transparent.

[0052] FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a touch area (400) within a main housing (300). In this embodiment, the device includes one LED (500) and a light guide (600) corresponding to the LED (500).

[0053] The light guide (600) is a light transmission structure characterized in that light can enter and exit the light guide (600) only at substantially specific locations. The light guide (600) generally comprises a core containing a material with a relatively large refractive index and a shell with a relatively small refractive index. The light guide (600) may also include a plurality of materials arranged according to refractive index such that the refractive index decreases from the core to the shell toward the circumference of the light guide (600). Examples of light guide materials include glass or acrylic class (PMMA).

[0054] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the light guide (600) has a tube-like shape. Here, light emitted from the LED (500) enters the light guide (600) in the longitudinal direction. Due to this arrangement, the angle at which the light strikes the side wall of the light guide (600) is relatively large. Due to the drop in refractive index at the surface of the light guide (600) (the medium surrounding the light guide (600) has a relatively low refractive index), the light propagating through the light guide (600) is reflected from the side wall of the light guide (600). The light can substantially exit the light guide (600) only at the longitudinal end of the light guide (600), and the angle of incidence of the light transmitted therefrom is small. This allows the light from the LED (500) to be efficiently transmitted over the length of the light guide (600).

[0055] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the touch area (400) has a layered structure having an outer layer (430). The outer layer (430) may include a transparent material, such as PET, glass, or other known transparent material that can be applied for a touch interface. A silkscreen layer containing an opaque material is placed below the outer layer (430) to create an opaque portion (413). In this example, the touch area (400) has a relatively small transparent area (412) compared to the opaque portion (413) of the touch area (400). The opaque portion (413) is used to conceal an internal portion of the device (100), such as a capacitance layer (410), which is placed adjacent to and below the silkscreen layer.

[0056] The capacitance layer (410) is configured to detect touch inputs performed by a user. To this end, the capacitance layer includes one or more touch cells (411). One or more touch cells (411) include any material that can be used for capacitance detection. Exemplary materials include copper, indium tin oxide (ITO), and printed ink. The choice of material for the capacitance layer (410) itself is not limited in this way. It generally includes transparent materials, but it may also include opaque materials. Exemplary materials include PET, PP, PVC, PMMT, glass, FM4, and Flex. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more capacitance cells (411) are used. This enables the detection of more complex inputs, such as touch inputs involving movement, to determine touch actions.

[0057] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the LED (500) is connected to the PCB (700) to receive power. The LED (500) may be lit whenever the device (100) is switched on, or whenever an operation such as a mode change or heating of a liquid is performed. These operations may be automatically operated by a user who executes a program on the PCB (700), performs an operation on the touch area (400), or sucks on the mouthpiece (310).

[0058] A light guide (600) is positioned between the LED (500) and the capacitance layer (410) and forms a light-conducting connection for both the LED (500) and the capacitance layer (410). The light-conducting connection may be formed by touching the LED (500) and the capacitance layer (410), or by a gap between the light guide (600) and the LED (500) and / or the capacitance layer (410). In both cases, the light guide (600) is positioned to be illuminated by the LED (500) and to transmit light toward the capacitance layer (410).

[0059] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the light guide (600) is positioned vertically on the capacitance layer (410) within an area (422) that extends vertically from the transparent portion (412). For simplicity, the "area (422) that extends vertically from the transparent portion (412)" will be referred to as the "area (422) below the transparent portion." The light guide (600) transmits light from the LED (500) through the transparent capacitance layer (410) to the outer layer (430). In this embodiment, the outer layer (430) is transparent.

[0060] In this arrangement, light emitted by the LED (500) is transmitted to the outer surface of the device (100), where the light is perceived by the user.

[0061] FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the device (100) similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, an opaque portion is created by applying an opaque silkscreen layer to a portion of the transparent outer layer (430). The transparent portion (412) was the entire portion of the outer layer (430) to which the silkscreen layer was not applied. In contrast, in FIG. 3, the transparent portion (412) is formed by a capacitance layer (410). Here, the capacitance layer (410) protrudes toward the transparent outer layer (430) of the device (100) to form a protruding portion (414). The protruding portion (414) of the capacitance layer (410) forms a photo-conductive connection with the outer layer (430). A silkscreen layer is applied to the area around the protruding portion (414), as shown in FIG. 3.

[0062] The design of the embodiment of Fig. 3 is slightly different from the embodiment of Fig. 2, but the function is similar.

[0063] The LED (500) is illuminated by a PCB (700) that supplies power to the LED (500). The illumination of the LED (500) is performed by a program executed on the PCB (700), or by an action performed by a user, for example, sucking on the mouthpiece (310) or performing an action on the touch area (400). Subsequently, light from the LED (500) propagates through a light guide (600) that forms a light-conducting connection to the LED (500) and the capacitance layer (410). The light guide (600) is positioned within the area (422) below the transparent portion, perpendicular to the capacitance layer (410). As described above, due to the design of the light guide (600), most of the light emitted from the LED (500) reaches the capacitance layer (410).

[0064] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the capacitance layer (410) is transparent to light. Thus, light can be propagated from the light guide portion (600) through the capacitance layer (410), through the protruding portion (414), and also through the transparent outer layer (430). Accordingly, an indication for the user of the device (100) is provided.

[0065] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a touch area (400) of another embodiment of the device (100). In this embodiment, the light guide portion (600) includes at least one bend portion.

[0066] According to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the LED (500) is not positioned directly below the transparent portion (412). To provide a lighting effect for the user, the light guide (600) extends from the LED (500) toward the transparent portion (412) of the touch area (400). Unlike in the previous embodiment, the light guide is not perpendicular to the capacitance layer (410) but is positioned at an angle of 0° to 90°, preferably 10° to 80°, and more preferably 20° to 70° relative to the capacitance layer (410). The light guide (600) further includes a bend portion so that the portion of the light guide (600) that is positioned within the area (422) below the transparent portion, as shown in FIG. 4, and forms a light-conducting connection with the capacitance layer (410) can be positioned parallel to the capacitance layer (410).

[0067] In another exemplary embodiment, the light guide portion (600) may be positioned such that the portion forming the photo-conductive connection with the capacitance layer (410) is perpendicular to the capacitance layer (410).

[0068] The arrangement of FIG. 4 includes a light guide portion (600) having only one bend portion. However, in other embodiments, the light guide portion (600) may include multiple bend portions. For example, the light guide portion (600) is perpendicular to the capacitance layer (410) and “S”-shaped (e.g., mathematical formula y = x) to transmit light transmitted from the LED (500) to the surface of the touch area (400). 3 It may include two parts that form a shape similar to a graph resembling and

[0069] The above-described embodiment allows the light guide (600) to be used in any desired shape and form. Depending on the spatial requirements determined by the arrangement of internal components of the device (100), the light guide (600) may be bent through the device (100) to provide illumination on the surface of the device (100) even when a PCB having an LED (500) is placed at a remote location within the device (100).

[0070] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a touch area (400) of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the light guide portion (600) does not need to form a photo-conductive connection with the conductive layer (410) within the region (422) below the transparent portion, and may form a photo-conductive connection in another part of the capacitive layer (410). FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which a photo-conductive connection is formed in the region below the opaque portion (423).

[0071] In this example, the capacitance layer (410) further comprises one or more imprinted portions (800) configured to collect light passing through the capacitance layer (410). The imprinted portion (800) of FIG. 5 may be a cavity laser-processed into the capacitance layer (410). Other known methods for creating the imprinted portion (800) within a transparent material, such as drilling or etching, may also be used.

[0072] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the light guide (600) is connected to the capacitance layer (410) and forms a light-conducting connection. Light from the light guide (600) propagates through the capacitance layer (410), is collected within the cavity of the engraving unit (800), and illuminates the engraving unit (800). Since the engraving unit (800) is located below the transparent area (412), the user of the device (100) sees the illumination through the transparent area (412).

[0073] In this arrangement, it is not necessary to connect the light guide (600) to the capacitance layer (410) within the area (422) below the transparent part. Accordingly, greater freedom is obtained when designing the interior of the device and placing the PCB (700) and / or LED (500).

[0074] In addition to the embodiments mentioned with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, other arrangements are also possible.

[0075] For example, the light guide (600) may be directly connected to the outer layer (430) or even extend through the outer layer (430), and the light guide may extend into the capacitance layer (410) or the outer layer (430). If the light guide (600) extends through the outer layer (430), it is preferable that the light guide (600) be connected at the same height or substantially the same height. In this case, the capacitance layer (410) may include an opaque material. If the light guide (600) extends through the outer layer (430), the outer layer (430) may include an opaque material.

[0076] Additionally, in the previous embodiment, the PCB (700) was positioned parallel to the touch area (400). However, the PCB (700) may be positioned perpendicular to the touch area (400) or in any other positional relationship. In fact, one advantage of the positioning described in the previous embodiment is that it allows the PCB (700) or the LED (500) to be positioned in any desired positional relationship with respect to the touch area (400).

[0077] As described above, the capacitance layer (410) and / or the outer layer may also include an opaque material. In this case, a silkscreen layer is not required, and the opaque portions (413) are created by the outer layer (430) (and / or each by the capacitance layer (410)). If the outer layer (430) includes an opaque material, the light guide portion (600) may need to extend through the outer layer (430). If the capacitance layer (410) includes an opaque material, the light guide portion (600) may need to extend at least through the capacitance layer (410).

[0078] In the above-described embodiment, the light guide unit (600) enters or connects to the touch area (400) from below. However, the light guide unit (600) may also enter the touch area (400) from the side or diagonally. In particular, since only the engraving unit (800) needs to be illuminated for the user to perceive the lighting of the LED (500), the embodiment of FIG. 5 allows the light guide unit (600) to enter or connect to the touch area (400) from the side or diagonally.

[0079] The light guide (600) may also have a string-like shape or any other geometric shape that allows the light guide (600) to be deformable or, more preferably, elastic. This facilitates the manufacture of the light guide (600) mechanism because it enables "bending" of the light guide (600) around the component and prevents damage due to manufacturing inaccuracies. In particular, when stress is applied to the deformable or elastic light guide (600) during the manufacturing process of the device (100), the light guide (600) may be deformed or moved to reduce tension, thereby preventing damage to the light guide (600), touch area (400), or LED (500).

[0080] The above-described embodiments are not limited to those individually described in each embodiment, and combinations of embodiments are also possible. Explanation of the symbols

[0081] 100 Aerosol Generators 200 main body 300-week housing 310 Mouthpiece 400 touch area 410 capacity layers 411 capacity cell 412 transparent part 413 Opaque part 414 Protruding part 422 Area below the transparent part 423 Area below the opaque part 430 outer floors 500 LED 600 Dokwangbu 700 PCB 800 Engraving Part

Claims

Claim 1 An aerosol generating device (100), comprising: a main body (200) having a main housing (300); a touch area (400) for detecting a touch operation forming a part of the main housing (300), wherein the touch area (400) comprises a capacitance layer (410) having a capacitance cell (411) for detecting a touch operation in the touch area (400), and at least a part (412) of the capacitance layer (410) is translucent or transparent to light; an LED (500); and a light guide (600) disposed within an area (422) extending vertically from the touch area (400) and connected to the LED (500) so that light emitted from the LED (500) propagates through the light guide (600) and also through the touch area (400). Claim 2 In claim 1, the light guide portion (600) has a tube shape and is connected to a translucent or transparent portion (412) of the capacity layer (410) in the longitudinal direction of the light guide portion, an aerosol generating device (100). Claim 3 An aerosol generating device (100), wherein, in claim 1 or 2, the passing area of ​​the light guide part (600) has a size of 100% to 600% or 100% to 300% of the surface size of the LED (500) oriented toward the light guide part (600). Claim 4 In claim 1 or 2, when the LED (500) does not emit light, the LED (500) is not visible through the translucent or transparent part (412), in an aerosol generating device (100). Claim 5 In claim 1 or 2, the aerosol generating device (100) is configured such that the LED (500) emits light in response to a user's touch input on the touch area (400). Claim 6 In claim 1 or 2, the light guide portion (600) comprises one or more bending portions, an aerosol generating device (100). Claim 7 An aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the light-guiding section (600) or the entire light-guiding section (600) is arranged vertically on the capacity layer (410). Claim 8 In claim 1, the light guide portion (600) is arranged such that a portion (610) of the light guide portion is positioned within an area (422) that extends vertically from a translucent or transparent portion (412) of the capacity layer (410), and a portion (620) of the light guide portion (600) is positioned within an area (423) that extends vertically from an opaque portion (413) of the capacity layer (410), in an aerosol generating device (100). Claim 9 In claim 8, the part (610) of the light guide part (600) disposed within the region (422) extending vertically from the translucent or transparent part (412) is disposed parallel to the capacity layer (410), in an aerosol generating device (100). Claim 10 In claim 1 or 2, the light guide portion (600) comprises an angled portion arranged to form an angle of 10° to 80° or 20° to 70° with the capacity layer (410), an aerosol generating device (100). Claim 11 An aerosol generating device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the capacity layer (410) includes an imprinting part (800) for collecting light passing through the capacity layer (410). Claim 12 An aerosol generating device (100) comprising a plurality of LEDs (500) having a plurality of corresponding light guide parts (600) in claim 1 or 2. Claim 13 In claim 1 or 2, the touch area (400) comprises an outer layer (430) that is translucent or transparent to light; and an aerosol generating device (100) in which an opaque silkscreen layer is disposed within the touch area (400) to create an opaque portion (413) within the touch area (400). Claim 14 An aerosol generating device (100) wherein, in claim 1 or 2, the light guide part (600) is configured to be deformable or elastic. Claim 15 In paragraph 13, the light guide section (600) is arranged to extend through the capacity layer (410) or through the capacity layer (410) and the outer layer (430), forming an aerosol generating device (100).

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