Heater assembly and aerosol generation device comprising same

Abstract

A heater assembly according to one embodiment comprises: an oscillation unit for generating microwaves in a designated frequency band; and a resonance unit for receiving the generated microwaves from the oscillation unit through a coupler and generating an electric field by resonating the received microwaves, wherein the resonance unit may comprise: an outer conductor including a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, and a side surface surrounding an inner space between the first surface and the second surface and including an accommodation space for accommodating an aerosol-generating article; a first inner conductor extending from the first surface in a direction toward the inner space and surrounding one area of the aerosol-generating article accommodated in the accommodation space; a first air flow path connecting the outside of the resonance unit and the accommodation space; and a second air flow path connecting the outside of the resonance unit and the inside of the resonance unit.

Description

Heater assembly and aerosol generating device including the same

[0001] Embodiments relate to a heater assembly capable of generating an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating article in a dielectric heating manner and an aerosol generating device including the same.

[0002] Recently, there has been a growing demand for alternative methods that overcome the shortcomings of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is a growing demand for systems that generate aerosol by heating cigarettes (or "aerosol-generating articles") using an aerosol-generating device, rather than by burning the cigarette itself.

[0003] Recently, interest has been increasing in aerosol generating devices using dielectric heating, which generate aerosols by heating an aerosol generating article containing a dielectric material using microwave resonance.

[0004] As the dielectric heating type aerosol generating device utilizes the resonance of high-frequency microwaves, a heating phenomenon may occur in the heater assembly that dielectrically heats the aerosol generating product.

[0005] This heat generation may cause the internal components of the aerosol generator to break down or malfunction, and users of the aerosol generator may suffer burns to their hands.

[0006] The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other technical problems can be inferred from the following examples.

[0007] The heater assembly and the aerosol generating device including the same according to the present disclosure are intended to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and to provide a dielectric heating type aerosol generating device with a long lifespan and guaranteed safety to the user.

[0008] According to one embodiment, a heater assembly includes an oscillator for generating microwaves of a specified frequency band, and a resonator for receiving microwaves generated from the oscillator through a coupler and resonating the received microwaves to generate an electric field, wherein the resonator includes a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, and a side surface surrounding an inner space between the first surface and the second surface, and may include an outer conductor including a receiving space for receiving an aerosol generating article, a first inner conductor extending from the first surface in a direction toward the inner space and surrounding an area of ​​an aerosol generating article received in the receiving space, a first airflow passage connecting an outside of the resonator and the receiving space, and a second airflow passage connecting an outside of the resonator and the inside of the resonator.

[0009] According to one embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes a housing including an insertion port into which an aerosol generating article is inserted, and a heater assembly for heating the aerosol generating article inserted through the insertion port, wherein the heater assembly includes an oscillating unit for generating microwaves of a specified frequency band, a resonating unit for receiving microwaves generated from the oscillating unit through a coupler and resonating the received microwaves to generate an electric field, and wherein the resonating unit includes a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, and a side surface surrounding an internal space between the first surface and the second surface, and may include an outer conductor including a receiving space for receiving an aerosol generating article, a first inner conductor extending from the first surface in a direction toward the internal space and surrounding an area of ​​an aerosol generating article received in the receiving space, a first airflow passage connecting an exterior of the resonating unit and the receiving space, and a second airflow passage connecting an exterior of the resonating unit and an interior of the resonating unit.

[0010] The problems to be solved through the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the attached drawings.

[0011] The heater assembly and the aerosol generating device including the same according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can release heat generated in the heater assembly to the outside of the aerosol generating device, thereby preventing malfunction of the aerosol generating device in advance and ensuring the safety of the user of the aerosol generating device.

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0014] Fig. 3 is an internal block diagram of the dielectric heating unit of Fig. 2.

[0015] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to one embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of Figure 4.

[0017] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to another embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to another embodiment.

[0019] Fig. 8 is an example of a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of Fig. 7.

[0020] Fig. 9 is another example of a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of Fig. 7.

[0021] FIG. 10a is a drawing showing an example of an air inlet passage of the heater assembly of FIG. 7.

[0022] FIG. 10b is a drawing showing another example of an air inlet passage of the heater assembly of FIG. 7.

[0023] According to one embodiment, a heater assembly includes an oscillator for generating microwaves of a specified frequency band, and a resonator for receiving microwaves generated from the oscillator through a coupler and resonating the received microwaves to generate an electric field, wherein the resonator includes a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, and a side surface surrounding an inner space between the first surface and the second surface, and includes an outer conductor including a receiving space for receiving an aerosol generating article, a first inner conductor extending from the first surface in a direction toward the inner space and surrounding an area of ​​an aerosol generating article received in the receiving space, a first airflow passage connecting an outside of the resonator and the receiving space, and a second airflow passage connecting an outside of the resonator and the inside of the resonator.

[0024] The first airflow passage is arranged so that outside air moves along the length of the receiving space and then flows into one end of the aerosol generating article inserted into the receiving space.

[0025] The second airflow passage is arranged so that outside air moves into the interior of the first inner conductor and then flows into one end of the aerosol generating article inserted into the receiving space.

[0026] The second airflow passage is arranged so that outside air flows between the outer conductor and the first inner conductor.

[0027] The second airflow passage is arranged so that outside air is introduced between the outer conductor and the first inner conductor, moves into the interior of the first inner conductor, and then is introduced into one end of the aerosol generating article inserted into the receiving space.

[0028] The above resonance unit further includes a dielectric receiving space formed between the outer conductor and the first inner conductor and a dielectric disposed in the dielectric receiving space, and the second airflow passage is arranged so that external air moves to the dielectric receiving space and then flows into one end of an aerosol generating article accommodated in the receiving space.

[0029] The above dielectric includes an air inlet passage penetrating the dielectric and connected to the second airflow passage, and external air moves along the air inlet passage and is introduced into the interior of the resonator.

[0030] The above air inlet passage is formed in a shape that is bent multiple times in a direction parallel to the length direction of the dielectric receiving space, in a vertical direction, or in a diagonal shape.

[0031] The above resonant section further includes a heat dissipation member located inside the first internal conductor and absorbing heat inside the resonant section.

[0032] The resonator further includes a second internal conductor extending from the second surface in a direction toward the internal space and surrounding another area of ​​the received aerosol generating article.

[0033] The first inner conductor is arranged to surround one area of ​​an aerosol-generating article inserted into the receiving space, the second inner conductor is arranged to surround another area of ​​an aerosol-generating article accommodated in the receiving space, and is spaced apart from the first inner conductor by a predetermined distance in the inner space, and the resonant portion further includes a closing portion located inside the first inner conductor and closing a cross-section of the first inner conductor.

[0034] The above-mentioned closure includes an air inlet hole penetrating the closure and connected to the first airflow passage or the second airflow passage, and external air moving along the first airflow passage or the second airflow passage is introduced into one end of the aerosol generating article through the air inlet hole.

[0035] According to one embodiment, an aerosol generating device comprises a housing including an insertion port into which an aerosol generating article is inserted, and a heater assembly for heating the aerosol generating article inserted through the insertion port, wherein the heater assembly comprises an oscillating unit for generating microwaves of a specified frequency band, and a resonating unit for receiving microwaves generated from the oscillating unit through a coupler and resonating the received microwaves to generate an electric field, wherein the resonating unit comprises a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, and a side surface surrounding an internal space between the first surface and the second surface, and an outer conductor including a receiving space for receiving an aerosol generating article, a first inner conductor extending from the first surface in a direction toward the internal space and surrounding an area of ​​an aerosol generating article received in the receiving space, a first airflow passage connecting an exterior of the resonating unit and the receiving space, and a second airflow passage connecting an exterior of the resonating unit and an interior of the resonating unit.

[0036] The second airflow passage is arranged so that outside air moves into the interior of the first inner conductor and then flows into one end of the aerosol generating article inserted into the receiving space.

[0037] The resonator further includes a second internal conductor extending from the second surface in a direction toward the internal space and surrounding another area of ​​the received aerosol generating article.

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or similar components are given the same reference numbers and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0039] The suffixes "module" and "part" used for components in the following description are given or used interchangeably only for the convenience of writing specifications, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves.

[0040] In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0041] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0042] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0043] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0044] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device (100) according to one embodiment may include a housing (110) capable of accommodating an aerosol generating article (10) and a heater assembly (200) for heating the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the housing (110).

[0046] The housing (110) can form the overall appearance of the aerosol generating device (100), and components of the aerosol generating device (100) can be arranged in the internal space (or 'mounting space') of the housing (110). For example, a heater assembly (200), a battery, a processor, and / or a sensor can be arranged in the internal space of the housing (110), but the components arranged in the internal space are not limited thereto.

[0047] An insertion hole (110h) may be formed in one area of ​​the housing (110), and at least one area of ​​the aerosol generating article (10) may be inserted into the interior of the housing (110) through the insertion hole (110h). For example, the insertion hole (110h) may be formed in one area of ​​the upper surface (e.g., the surface facing the z direction) of the housing (110), but the position at which the insertion hole (110h) is formed is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the insertion hole (110h) may be formed in one area of ​​the side surface (e.g., the surface facing the x direction) of the housing (110).

[0048] The heater assembly (200) is arranged in the interior space of the housing (110) and can heat an aerosol generating article (10) inserted or accommodated in the interior of the housing (110) through the insertion port (110h). For example, the heater assembly (200) can be arranged to surround at least one area of ​​the aerosol generating article (10) inserted or accommodated in the interior of the housing (110) and heat the aerosol generating article (10).

[0049] According to one embodiment, the heater assembly (200) can heat the aerosol generating article (10) by dielectric heating. In the present disclosure, the term "dielectric heating" refers to a method of heating a dielectric, which is a heated object, by utilizing resonance of microwaves and / or an electric field (or magnetic field) of microwaves. Microwaves are an energy source for heating the heated object and are generated by high-frequency power. Therefore, hereinafter, microwaves may be used interchangeably with microwave power.

[0050] The charges or ions of the dielectric contained within the aerosol generating article (10) can vibrate or rotate due to microwave resonance within the heater assembly (200), and the frictional heat generated in the process of the charges or ions vibrating or rotating generates heat in the dielectric, thereby heating the aerosol generating article (10).

[0051] An aerosol may be generated from the aerosol generating article (10) as the aerosol generating article (10) is heated by the heater assembly (200). In the present disclosure, 'aerosol' may mean gas particles generated by mixing vapor and air generated as the aerosol generating article (10) is heated.

[0052] The aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article (10) can pass through the aerosol generating article (10) or be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device (100) through the empty space between the aerosol generating article (10) and the insertion port (110h). The user can smoke by bringing the mouth into contact with an area of ​​the aerosol generating article (10) exposed to the outside of the housing (110) and inhaling the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device (100).

[0053] An aerosol generating device (100) according to one embodiment may further include a cover (111) movably arranged in the housing (110) to open or close the insertion port (110h). For example, the cover (111) may be slidably coupled to the upper surface of the housing (110) and may expose the insertion port (110h) to the outside of the aerosol generating device (100), or may cover the insertion port (110h) so that the insertion port (110h) is not exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device (100).

[0054] In one example, the cover (111) may be configured such that the insertion port (110h) is exposed to the exterior of the aerosol generating device (100) in the first position (or 'open position'). When the aerosol generating device (100) is exposed to the exterior, the aerosol generating article (10) may be inserted into the interior of the housing (110) through the insertion port (110h).

[0055] In another example, the cover (111) can prevent the insertion port (110h) from being exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device (100) by covering the insertion port (110h) in the second position (or 'closed position'). In this case, the cover (111) can prevent external foreign substances from entering the interior of the heater assembly (200) through the insertion port (110h) when the aerosol generating device (100) is not in use.

[0056] Although FIG. 1 only illustrates an aerosol generating device (100) for heating a solid-state aerosol generating article (10), the aerosol generating device (100) is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

[0057] In another embodiment, an aerosol generating device may generate an aerosol by heating a liquid or gel-state aerosol generating material rather than a solid-state aerosol generating article (10) through a heater assembly (200).

[0058] According to another embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes a heater assembly (200) for heating an aerosol generating article (10) and an aerosol generating material in a liquid or gel state, and may also include a cartridge (or 'vaporizer') for heating the aerosol generating material. The aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material may travel to the aerosol generating article (10) along an airflow passage connecting the cartridge and the aerosol generating article (10), be mixed with the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article (10), and then pass through the aerosol generating article (10) and be delivered to a user.

[0059] Figure 2 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device (100) may include an input unit (102), an output unit (103), a sensor unit (104), a communication unit (105), a memory (106), a battery (107), an interface unit (108), a power conversion unit (109), and a dielectric heating unit (or, 'heater assembly') (200). However, the internal configuration of the aerosol generating device (100) is not limited to that shown in FIG. 2. Depending on the design of the aerosol generating device (100), some of the configurations shown in FIG. 2 may be omitted, or new configurations may be added.

[0061] The input unit (102) can receive user input. For example, the input unit (102) can be provided as a single pressure-sensitive push button. As another example, the input unit (120) can be a touch panel including at least one touch sensor. The input unit (120) can transmit an input signal to the processor (101). The processor (101) can supply power to the dielectric heating unit (200) based on the user input or control the output unit (103) to output a user notification.

[0062] The output unit (103) can output information about the status of the aerosol generating device (100). The output unit (103) can output the charge / discharge status of the battery (107), the heating status of the dielectric heating unit (200), the insertion status of the aerosol generating article (10), and error information of the aerosol generating device (100). For this purpose, the output unit (103) can include a display, a haptic motor, and an audio output unit.

[0063] The sensor unit (104) can detect the status of the aerosol generating device (100) or the surrounding status of the aerosol generating device (100) and transmit the detected information to the processor (101). Based on the detected information, the processor (101) can control the aerosol generating device (100) so that various functions such as heating control of the dielectric heating unit (200), smoking restriction, determining whether an aerosol generating article (10) is inserted, and displaying a notification are performed.

[0064] The sensor unit (104) may include a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, and an insertion detection sensor.

[0065] The temperature sensor can detect the temperature inside the dielectric heating unit (200) in a non-contact manner, or can directly obtain the temperature of the resonator by contacting the dielectric heating unit (200). Depending on the embodiment, the temperature sensor can also detect the temperature of the aerosol generating article (10). In addition, the temperature sensor can be placed adjacent to the battery (107) to obtain the temperature of the battery (107). The processor (101) can control the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit (200) based on the temperature information of the temperature sensor.

[0066] The puff sensor can detect the user's puff. The puff sensor can detect the user's puff based on at least one of temperature change, flow change, power change, and pressure change. The processor (101) can control the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit (200) based on the puff information of the puff sensor. For example, the processor (101) can count the number of puffs and cut off the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit (200) when the number of puffs reaches a preset maximum number of puffs. As another example, the processor (101) can cut off the power supplied to the dielectric heating unit (200) when no puffs are detected for a preset period of time.

[0067] The insertion detection sensor may be positioned inside the receiving space (220h in FIG. 4) or adjacent to the receiving space (220h) to detect insertion and removal of an aerosol generating article (10) received in the insertion port (110h). For example, the insertion detection sensor may include an inductive sensor and / or a capacitance sensor. The processor (101) may supply power to the dielectric heating unit (200) when an aerosol generating article (10) is inserted into the insertion port (110h).

[0068] Depending on the embodiment, the sensor unit (104) may additionally include a reuse detection sensor, a motion detection sensor, a humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a cover removal detection sensor, a location sensor (GPS), and a proximity sensor. Since the function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred from its name, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0069] The communication unit (105) may include at least one communication module for communicating with an external electronic device. The processor (101) may control the communication unit (105) to transmit information about the aerosol generating device (100) to the external electronic device. Alternatively, the processor (101) may receive information from the external electronic device through the communication unit (105) and control components included in the aerosol generating device (100). For example, information transmitted between the communication unit (105) and the external electronic device may include user authentication information, firmware update information, and user smoking pattern information.

[0070] The memory (106) is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device (100), and can store data processed by the processor (101) and data to be processed. For example, the memory (106) can store data on the operating time of the aerosol generating device (100), the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

[0071] The battery (107) can supply power to the dielectric heating element (200) so that the aerosol generating article (10) can be heated. In addition, the battery (107) can supply power necessary for the operation of other components provided in the aerosol generating device (100). The battery (107) can be a rechargeable battery or a detachable battery.

[0072] The interface unit (108) may include a connection terminal that can be physically connected to an external electronic device. The connection terminal may include at least one or a combination of an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector). The interface unit (108) may transmit and receive information to and from an external electronic device or charge power through the connection terminal.

[0073] The power conversion unit (109) can convert direct current power supplied from the battery (107) into alternating current power. In addition, the power conversion unit (109) can provide the converted alternating current power to the dielectric heating unit (200). The power conversion unit (109) can be an inverter including at least one switching element, and the processor (101) can control the ON / OFF of the switching element included in the power conversion unit (109) to convert the direct current power into alternating current power. The power conversion unit (109) can be configured as a full bridge or a half bridge.

[0074] The dielectric heating unit (200) can heat the aerosol generating article (10) using a dielectric heating method. The dielectric heating unit (200) may have a configuration corresponding to the heater assembly (200) of FIG. 1.

[0075] The dielectric heating unit (200) can heat the aerosol generating article (10) using microwaves and / or an electric field of microwaves (hereinafter, referred to as microwaves or microwave power when no distinction is necessary). The heating method of the dielectric heating unit (200) may be a method of heating the object to be heated by forming microwaves within a resonant structure, rather than a method of radiating microwaves using an antenna. The resonant structure will be described later with reference to FIG. 4 and below.

[0076] The dielectric heating unit (200) can output high-frequency microwaves to the resonance unit (220 in FIG. 3). The microwaves may be power in the ISM (Industrial Scientific and Medical equipment) band permitted for heating, but are not limited thereto. The resonance unit (220) can be designed taking into account the wavelength of the microwaves so that the microwaves can resonate within the resonance unit (220).

[0077] An aerosol generating article (10) is inserted into a resonator (220), and a dielectric material within the aerosol generating article (10) can be heated by the resonator (220). For example, the aerosol generating article (10) can include a polar material, and molecules within the polar material can be polarized within the resonator (220). The molecules can vibrate or rotate due to the polarization phenomenon, and the aerosol generating article (10) can be heated by frictional heat generated during this process. A portion of the power output to the resonator (220) can be used to heat the aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the resonator (220), but the remainder of the power can be converted into thermal energy and emitted to the outside of the resonator (220). The dielectric heating unit (200) will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

[0078] The processor (101) can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device (100). The processor (101) may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable on the microprocessor. Additionally, the processor (101) may be implemented as other types of hardware.

[0079] The processor (101) can control the direct current power supplied from the battery (107) to the power conversion unit (109) and / or the alternating current power supplied from the power conversion unit (109) to the dielectric heating unit (200) according to the power required by the dielectric heating unit (200). In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device (100) includes a converter that boosts or lowers the direct current power, and the processor (101) can control the converter to adjust the size of the direct current power. In addition, the processor (101) can control the alternating current power supplied to the dielectric heating unit (200) by adjusting the switching frequency and duty ratio of the switching element included in the power conversion unit (109).

[0080] The processor (101) can control the heating temperature of the aerosol generating article (10) by controlling the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit (200) and the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit (200). Therefore, the oscillation unit (210), the isolation unit (240), the power monitoring unit (250), and the matching unit (260) of FIG. 3 described below may be part of the processor (101).

[0081] The processor (101) can control the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit (200) based on the temperature profile information stored in the memory (106). In other words, the temperature profile includes information about the target temperature of the dielectric heating unit (200) over time, and the processor (101) can control the microwave power of the dielectric heating unit (200) over time.

[0082] The processor (101) can adjust the frequency of the microwave so that the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit (200) is constant. The processor (101) can track in real time the change in the resonant frequency of the dielectric heating unit (200) according to the heating of the object to be heated, and control the dielectric heating unit (200) so that the microwave frequency according to the changed resonant frequency is output. In other words, the processor (101) can change the microwave frequency in real time regardless of the pre-stored temperature profile.

[0083] Fig. 3 is an internal block diagram of the dielectric heating unit of Fig. 2.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 3, the dielectric heating unit (200) may include a generator (210), an isolation unit (240), a power monitoring unit (250), a matching unit (260), a microwave output unit (or, 'coupler') (230), and a resonance unit (220). However, the internal configuration of the dielectric heating unit (200) is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3. Depending on the design of the dielectric heating unit (200), some of the configurations shown in FIG. 3 may be omitted, or new configurations may be added.

[0085] The oscillator (210) can receive AC power from the power converter (109) and generate high-frequency microwave power. According to an embodiment, the power converter (109) may be a component included in the oscillator (210). The microwave power may be selected from the 915 MHz, 2.45 GHz, and 5.8 GHz frequency bands included in the ISM bands.

[0086] The oscillator (210) includes a solid-state-based RF generator, which can be used to generate microwave power. The solid-state-based RF generator can be implemented using a semiconductor. When the oscillator (210) is implemented using a semiconductor, the dielectric heating unit (200) can be miniaturized, and the device lifespan can be extended.

[0087] The oscillator (210) can output microwave power toward the resonator (220). The oscillator (210) includes a power amplifier that increases or decreases microwave power, and the power amplifier can adjust the magnitude of the microwave power under the control of the processor (101). For example, the power amplifier can decrease or increase the amplitude of the microwave. By adjusting the amplitude of the microwave, the microwave power can be adjusted.

[0088] The processor (101) can adjust the magnitude of the microwave power output from the generator (210) based on a pre-stored temperature profile. For example, the temperature profile includes target temperature information according to the preheating section and the smoking section, and the generator (210) can supply microwave power at a first power in the preheating section and supply microwave power at a second power lower than the first power in the smoking section.

[0089] The isolation unit (240) can block the microwave power input from the resonance unit (220) toward the oscillation unit (210). Most of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit (210) is absorbed by the heated object, but depending on the heating pattern of the heated object, some of the microwave power may be reflected by the heated object and transmitted back toward the oscillation unit (210). This is because the impedance viewed from the oscillation unit (210) toward the resonance unit (220) changes according to the exhaustion of polar molecules due to the heating of the heated object. The meaning of 'the impedance viewed from the oscillation unit (210) toward the resonance unit (220) changes' may be the same as the meaning of 'the resonant frequency of the resonance unit (220) changes'. If the microwave power reflected from the resonator (220) is input to the oscillation unit (210), the oscillation unit (210) may malfunction and the expected output performance may not be achieved. The isolation unit (240) can absorb the microwave power reflected from the resonator (220) by directing it in a predetermined direction, rather than returning it to the oscillation unit (210). For this purpose, the isolation unit (240) may include a circulator and a dummy load.

[0090] The power monitoring unit (250) can monitor the microwave power output from the oscillator unit (210) and the reflected microwave power reflected from the resonator unit (220). The power monitoring unit (250) can transmit information about the microwave power and the reflected microwave power to the matching unit (260).

[0091] The matching unit (260) can match the impedance of the resonance unit (220) viewed from the oscillation unit (210) and the impedance of the resonance unit (220) viewed from the oscillation unit (210) so that the reflected microwave power is minimized. Impedance matching may have the same meaning as matching the frequency of the oscillation unit (210) with the resonance frequency of the resonance unit (220). Therefore, the matching unit (260) can vary the frequency of the oscillation unit (210) in order to match the impedance. In other words, the matching unit (260) can adjust the frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillation unit (210) so that the reflected microwave power is minimized. The impedance matching of the matching unit (260) can be performed in real time regardless of the temperature profile.

[0092] Meanwhile, the above-described oscillator (210), isolation unit (240), power monitoring unit (250), and matching unit (260) are separate components distinct from the microwave output unit (230) and resonance unit (220) described later, and can be implemented as a microwave source in the form of a chip. In addition, according to an embodiment, the above-described oscillator (210), isolation unit (240), power monitoring unit (250), and matching unit (260) can also be implemented as a part of the processor (101).

[0093] The microwave output unit (230) is configured to input microwave power into the resonance unit (220), and may have a configuration corresponding to the coupler of FIG. 3 or lower. The microwave output unit (230) may be implemented in the form of an SMA, SMB, MCX, or MMCX connector. The microwave output unit (230) connects a chip-type microwave source and the resonance unit (220) to each other, and can transmit microwave power generated from the microwave source to the resonance unit (220).

[0094] The resonant section (220) can heat a heated object by forming microwaves within a resonant structure. The resonant section (220) includes a receiving space in which an aerosol generating article (10) is received, and the aerosol generating article (10) can be dielectrically heated by exposure to microwaves. For example, the aerosol generating article (10) can include a polar substance, and molecules within the polar substance can be polarized by microwaves within the resonant section (220). The molecules can vibrate or rotate due to the polarization phenomenon, and the aerosol generating article (10) can be heated by frictional heat generated during this process.

[0095] The resonant portion (220) includes at least one internal conductor so that microwaves can resonate, and microwaves can resonate inside the resonant portion (220) depending on the arrangement, thickness, and length of the internal conductor.

[0096] The resonator (220) can be designed considering the wavelength of the microwave so that the microwave can resonate within the resonator (220). In order for the microwave to resonate within the resonator (220), a closed end (short end) and an open end (open end) with at least one area of ​​the cross-section open in the direction opposite the closed end are required. In addition, the length between the closed end and the open end must be set to an integer multiple of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength. The resonator (220) of the present disclosure selects a length of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength for device miniaturization. In other words, the length between the closed end and the open end of the resonator (220) can be set to a length of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength.

[0097] The resonant portion (220) may include a dielectric receiving space. The dielectric receiving space has a configuration distinct from the receiving space of the aerosol generating article (10), and a material capable of changing the overall resonant frequency of the resonant portion (220) and miniaturizing the resonant portion (220) is disposed therein. In one embodiment, a dielectric with low microwave absorption may be received in the dielectric receiving space. This is to prevent a phenomenon in which energy that should be transmitted to the heated object is transmitted to the dielectric and the dielectric itself is heated. The microwave absorption may be expressed by the loss tangent, which is the ratio of the real part to the imaginary part of the complex dielectric constant. In one embodiment, the dielectric receiving space (227) may receive a dielectric with a loss tangent less than or equal to a preset size, and the preset size may be 1 / 100. For example, the dielectric may be, but is not limited to, at least one or a combination of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and aluminum oxide. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to one embodiment.

[0098] Referring to Fig. 4, a heater assembly (200) according to one embodiment may include an oscillating unit (210) and a resonating unit (220). Fig. 4 may be an embodiment of the heater assembly (200) and the dielectric heating unit (200) described above, and any redundant description will be omitted below.

[0099] The oscillator (210) can generate microwaves of a designated frequency band when power is supplied. The microwaves generated by the oscillator (210) can be transmitted to the resonator (220) via a coupler (not shown). For example, the oscillator (210) can generate microwaves of an ISM band permitted for heating when power is supplied, and the generated microwaves can be transmitted to the resonator (220). In this process, a portion of the power supplied to the oscillator (210) can be used to generate microwaves, but the remainder of the power cannot be used to generate microwaves and can be converted into heat energy.

[0100] The resonating portion (220) may include a receiving space (220h) for receiving at least one area of ​​the aerosol generating article (10), and may heat the aerosol generating article (10) by a dielectric heating method by resonating microwaves generated from the oscillating portion (210). For example, charges of glycerin included in the aerosol generating article (10) may vibrate or rotate due to resonance of microwaves, and heat may be generated in the glycerin due to frictional heat generated when the charges vibrate or rotate, thereby heating the aerosol generating article (10).

[0101] According to one embodiment, the resonator (220) may be formed of a material having a low microwave absorption rate to prevent microwaves generated in the oscillation unit (210) from being absorbed by the resonator (220).

[0102] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, the specific structure of the resonant part (220) of the heater assembly (200) will be examined.

[0103] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of Fig. 4. Fig. 5 shows a cross-section of the heater assembly (200) of Fig. 4 taken in the A-A' direction.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 5, a heater assembly (200) according to one embodiment may include an oscillator (210), a resonator (220), a coupler (230), and a heat dissipation member (251). The components of the heater assembly (200) may be identical or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly (200) of FIG. 4, and any redundant description will be omitted below.

[0105] The oscillator (210) can generate microwaves of a designated frequency band when an AC voltage is applied, and the microwaves generated in the oscillator (210) can be transmitted to the resonator (220) through the coupler (230). For example, the oscillator (210) can generate microwaves of an ISM band permitted for heating when power is supplied, and the generated microwaves can be transmitted to the resonator (220). In this process, a portion of the power supplied to the oscillator (210) can be used to generate microwaves, but the remainder of the power cannot be used to generate microwaves and can be converted into heat energy and emitted to the outside from the heater assembly (300). Due to the emitted heat, components inside the heater assembly (200) may break down or malfunction. In addition, if the heater assembly (200) generates heat at an excessively high temperature, a user using an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device (100) of FIG. 1) including the heater assembly (200) may suffer burns on his or her hands due to the heat generated by the heater assembly (200).

[0106] According to one embodiment, the oscillating unit (210) may be fixed to the resonating unit (220) to prevent separation from the resonating unit (220) during use of the aerosol generating device. In one example, the oscillating unit (210) may be fixed on the resonating unit (220) by being supported by a bracket (220b) protruding along the x direction in one area of ​​the resonating unit (220). In another example, the oscillating unit (210) may be fixed on the resonating unit (220) by being attached to one area of ​​the resonating unit (220) without the bracket (220b).

[0107] Although the drawing only shows an embodiment in which the oscillating unit (210) is fixed to an area facing the x direction of the resonating unit (220), the position of the oscillating unit (210) is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. In another embodiment, the oscillating unit (210) may be fixed to another area facing the -z direction of the resonating unit (220).

[0108] The resonator (220) is arranged to surround at least one area of ​​an aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the interior of an aerosol generating device, and can heat the aerosol generating article (10) through microwaves generated from the generator (210). For example, dielectric materials included in the aerosol generating article (10) can generate heat by an electric field generated inside the resonator (220) by microwaves, and the aerosol generating article (10) can be heated by the heat generated from the dielectric.

[0109] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating article (10) may include a tobacco rod (11) and a filter rod (12).

[0110] The tobacco rod (11) contains an aerosol-generating substance and may be manufactured in the form of a sheet or strand, or may be manufactured as a tobacco sheet cut into small pieces. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may include, but is not limited to, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. In addition, the tobacco rod (11) may contain other additives such as a flavoring agent, a humectant, and / or an organic acid. In addition, a flavoring agent such as menthol or a humectant may be added to the tobacco rod (11) by spraying it onto the tobacco rod (11).

[0111] The filter rod (12) may be a cellulose acetate filter. Meanwhile, there is no limitation on the shape of the filter rod (12). For example, the filter rod (12) may be a cylindrical rod or a tubular rod having a hollow portion therein. In addition, the filter rod (12) may be a recessed rod. If the filter rod (12) is composed of a plurality of segments, at least one of the segments may be manufactured in a different shape.

[0112] At least a portion of the aerosol generating material (e.g., glycerin) included in the aerosol generating article (10) may be a dielectric material having polarity in an electric field, and at least a portion of such aerosol generating material may generate heat in a dielectric heating manner to heat the aerosol generating article (10).

[0113] According to one embodiment, the resonant portion (220) may include an outer conductor (221), a first inner conductor (223), and a second inner conductor (225).

[0114] The outer conductor (221) can form the overall appearance of the resonant portion (220), and can be formed in a hollow shape with an empty interior so that components of the resonant portion (220) can be placed inside the outer conductor (221). The outer conductor (221) can include a receiving space (220h) in which an aerosol generating article (10) can be received, and the aerosol generating article (10) can be inserted into the interior of the outer conductor (221) through the receiving space (220h).

[0115] According to one embodiment, the outer conductor (221) may include a first surface (221a), a second surface (221b) arranged to face the first surface (221a), and a side surface (221c) surrounding a space between the first surface (221a) and the second surface (221b). At least some of the components of the resonant portion (220) (e.g., the first inner conductor (223), the second inner conductor (225)) may be arranged in the inner space of the resonant portion (220) formed by the first surface (221a), the second surface (221b), and the side surface (221c).

[0116] The first inner conductor (223) can be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the first surface (221a) of the outer conductor (221) in a direction toward the inner space of the outer conductor (221).

[0117] According to one embodiment, a region of the first inner conductor (223) may be in contact with a coupler (230) connected to the oscillating unit (210), and microwaves generated in the oscillating unit (210) may be transmitted to the first inner conductor (223) through the coupler (230). For example, the coupler (230) may be arranged to penetrate the outer conductor (221) and have one end in contact with the oscillating unit (210) and the other end in contact with a region of the first inner conductor (223), and microwaves generated in the oscillating unit (210) may be transmitted to the first inner conductor (223) through the coupler (230).

[0118] At this time, the coupler (230) may be arranged to penetrate the outer conductor (221) without contacting the outer conductor (221) for transmission of microwaves, but the arrangement structure of the coupler (230) is not limited thereto as long as the microwaves generated in the oscillating unit (210) can be transmitted to the first inner conductor (223).

[0119] The first region formed between the outer conductor (221) and the first inner conductor (223) can operate as a 'first resonator' that generates an electric field through resonance of microwaves. The first region can refer to a space formed by the first surface (221a), the side surface (221c) of the outer conductor (221) and the first inner conductor (223), and inside the first region, microwaves transmitted through the coupler (230) can resonate to generate an electric field.

[0120] The second inner conductor (225) may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the second surface (221b) of the outer conductor (221) in a direction toward the inner space of the outer conductor (221). The second inner conductor (225) may be arranged in the inner space of the outer conductor (221) at a predetermined distance from the first inner conductor (223), and a gap (226) may be formed between the first inner conductor (223) and the second inner conductor (225).

[0121] The second region formed between the outer conductor (221) and the second inner conductor (225) can operate as a 'second resonator' that generates an electric field through resonance of microwaves. The second inner conductor (225) can be coupled (e.g., capacitively coupled) with the first inner conductor (223), and when an electric field is generated inside the first region by the above-described coupling relationship, an induced electric field can also be generated inside the second region. In the present disclosure, 'capacitive coupling' can mean a coupling relationship in which energy can be transferred by electrostatic capacity (capacitance) between two conductors.

[0122] For example, as microwaves generated from the oscillating portion (210) are transmitted to the first inner conductor (223), an electric field may be generated inside the first region by resonance, and an induced electric field may be generated inside the second region formed by the outer conductor (221) and the second inner conductor (225) coupled with the first inner conductor (223).

[0123] According to one embodiment, the first region and the second region of the resonator (220) can operate as a resonator having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength (λ) of a microwave.

[0124] In one example, one end of the first region (e.g., the end in the -z direction) may be formed as a short end because the cross-section of the first region is closed by the first face (221a) of the outer conductor (221), and the other end of the first region (e.g., the end in the z direction) may be formed as an open end because the cross-section is open because the first face (221a) is not arranged. In another example, one end of the second region (e.g., the end in the -z direction) may be formed as an open end because the cross-section is open, and the other end of the second region (e.g., the end in the z direction) may be formed as a closed end because the cross-section of the second region is closed by the second face (221b) of the outer conductor (221).

[0125] That is, the first region and the second region can be formed as a whole in a “ㄷ” shape, including a closed end and an open end, when viewed on the xz plane, and through the above-described structure, the first region and the second region can operate as a resonator having a 1 / 4 wavelength length of a microwave.

[0126] According to one embodiment, the first inner conductor (223) and the second inner conductor (225) may be formed to have the same length with respect to the z-axis so that the first region and the second region may be arranged symmetrically with each other, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0127] An aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the inner space of the outer conductor (221) through the receiving space can be surrounded by the first inner conductor (223) and the second inner conductor (225) and heated by a dielectric heating method.

[0128] At least a portion of the electric field generated by the resonance of the microwave in the first region and / or the second region can propagate toward the interior of the first inner conductor (223) and / or the second inner conductor (225) through the gap (226) between the first inner conductor (223) and the second inner conductor (225), and the aerosol-generating article (10) surrounded by the first inner conductor (223) and the second inner conductor (225) can be heated by the propagated electric field. For example, a dielectric included in the aerosol-generating article (10) can be heated by the electric field propagating through the gap (226), and the aerosol-generating article (10) can be heated by the heat generated from the dielectric.

[0129] According to one embodiment, the heater assembly (200) can prevent an electric field propagated into the interior of the first inner conductor (223) and / or the second inner conductor (225) from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly (200) or the resonant portion (220) by ensuring that the diameters of the first inner conductor (223) and / or the second inner conductor (225) are less than a specified value. In the present disclosure, the 'specified value' may mean a diameter value at which the electric field begins to leak to the outside of the first inner conductor (223) and / or the second inner conductor (225). For example, when the diameters of the first inner conductor (223) and / or the second inner conductor (225) are greater than or equal to the specified value, a situation may occur in which a portion of the electric field introduced into the interior of the first inner conductor (223) and / or the second inner conductor (225) leaks to the outside of the resonant portion (220). On the other hand, the heater assembly (200) according to one embodiment can prevent an electric field from being transmitted to the outside of the resonant section (220) through a structure in which the diameters of the first inner conductor (223) and the second inner conductor (225) are less than a specified value, and as a result, the electric field can be prevented from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly (200) or the resonant section (220) without a separate shielding member.

[0130]

[0131] According to one embodiment, the resonator (220) may further include a closure (224) positioned inside the first inner conductor (223) and configured to close a cross-section of the first inner conductor (223) to limit a flow direction of aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article (10). For example, the closure (224) may block a flow of aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article (10) in the -z direction by closing a cross-section of the first inner conductor (223).

[0132] If the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article (10) or the droplets generated as the aerosol is liquefied flows in the -z direction and flows into other components of the aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device (100) of FIG. 1), it may cause malfunction or damage to the components of the aerosol generating device. On the other hand, the heater assembly (200) according to one embodiment can prevent malfunction or damage to the components of the aerosol generating device due to the aerosol or droplets by restricting the flow direction of the aerosol through the closing portion (224).

[0133] The heat dissipation member (251) is positioned inside the resonance unit (220) and can absorb heat inside the resonance unit (220). For example, the heat dissipation member (251) can be positioned inside the first internal conductor (223) and arranged to be in contact with one surface of the closure unit (224). As the oscillation unit (210) generates high-frequency microwave power, a large amount of heat can be generated inside the resonance unit (220). A portion of the generated heat can be used to heat the aerosol generating article (10) inserted inside the resonance unit (220), and the remaining portion of the generated heat can be released to the outside of the resonance unit (220).

[0134] The heat dissipation member (251) can take away the heat generated inside the resonant portion (220) and release it to the surroundings of the heat dissipation member (251). For example, the heat dissipation member (251) can collect (sink) the heat released to the outside of the resonant portion (220), and the heat dissipation member (251) can release the collected heat toward a medium having a relatively low temperature (e.g., an aerosol generating article (10)). The heater assembly (200) according to one embodiment can improve the overall heating efficiency of the resonant portion (220) through the heat dissipation member (251) described above.

[0135] The aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the inner space of the outer conductor (221) through the receiving space (220h) may be surrounded by the first inner conductor (223) and the second inner conductor (225) and heated by a dielectric heating method. For example, a part of the aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the inner space of the outer conductor (221) may be disposed inside the first inner conductor (223) and the second inner conductor (225), and another part may be disposed outside the first inner conductor (223) and the second inner conductor (225). The aerosol generating article (10) may be heated by the dielectric contained in the aerosol generating article (10) being heated by an electric field generated inside and outside the first inner conductor (223) and / or the second inner conductor (225).

[0136] According to one embodiment, when the aerosol generating article (10) is inserted into the resonator (220) through the receiving space (220h), the tobacco rod (11) of the aerosol generating article (10) can be placed at a position corresponding to the gap (226) between the first inner conductor (223) and the second inner conductor (225).

[0137] As the electric field generated in the first region and the electric field generated in the second region flow into the interior of the first internal conductor (223) and / or the second internal conductor (225) through the gap (226), the strongest electric field can be generated in the area surrounding the gap (226) among the interior areas of the resonant portion (220). In the heater assembly (200) according to one embodiment, the heating efficiency (or 'dielectric heating efficiency') of the heater assembly (200) can be improved by arranging the tobacco rod (11) including the dielectric that generates heat by the electric field at a position corresponding to the gap (226) where the electric field is strongest.

[0138] According to one embodiment, the resonant portion (220) may further include a dielectric accommodation space (227) for accommodating a dielectric. The dielectric accommodation space (227) may be formed in a space between the outer conductor (221) and the first inner conductor (223) and the second inner conductor (225), and a dielectric having low microwave absorption may be accommodated in the dielectric accommodation space (227). For example, the dielectric may be at least one of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and aluminum oxide, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0139] A heater assembly (200) according to one embodiment can generate an electric field similar to a resonance unit (220) that does not include a dielectric while reducing the overall size of the resonance unit (220) by arranging a dielectric inside a dielectric receiving space (227). That is, the heater assembly (200) according to one embodiment can reduce the size of the resonance unit (220) through the dielectric arranged inside the dielectric receiving space (227), thereby reducing the mounting space of the resonance unit (220) within the aerosol generating device, and as a result, the aerosol generating device can be miniaturized.

[0140] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to another embodiment.

[0141] Referring to FIG. 6, a heater assembly (300) according to another embodiment may include a resonator (320) and a coupler (311). The components of the heater assembly (300) may be identical or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly (200) of FIGS. 4 and 5, and any redundant description thereof will be omitted below.

[0142] The resonant portion (320) may include an outer conductor (321), a plurality of first inner conductors (323a, 323b), and a closing portion (322).

[0143] The coupler (311) can supply microwaves to at least one of the plurality of first internal conductors (323a, 323b) to generate microwave resonance in the resonant section (320).

[0144] The outer conductor (321) can form the overall appearance of the resonant section (320), and can be formed in a hollow shape with an empty interior so that components of the resonant section (320) can be placed inside the outer conductor (321). For example, the outer conductor (321) can be formed as a square pillar with a square cross-section, but is not limited thereto. For another example, the outer conductor (321) can also be formed as a polygonal pillar with a rectangular, elliptical, or circular cross-section.

[0145] The outer conductor (321) may include a receiving space (320h) in which an aerosol generating article (10) can be received, and a support member (351a) capable of supporting the aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the receiving space (320h). One region of the aerosol generating article (10) may be inserted into the interior of the outer conductor (321) through the receiving space (320h), and another region of the aerosol generating article (10) may be exposed to the outside of the resonator (320). The support member (351a) may support another region of the aerosol generating article (10) exposed to the outside of the resonator (320).

[0146] The outer conductor (321) may include a first surface (321a), a second surface (321b) arranged to face the first surface (321a), and a side surface (321c) surrounding a space between the first surface (321a) and the second surface (321b). At least a portion of the components of the resonant portion (320) (e.g., the first inner conductors (323a, 323b)) may be arranged in the inner space of the resonant portion (320) formed by the first surface (321a), the second surface (321b), and the side surface (321c).

[0147] The plurality of first inner conductors (323a, 323b) may be formed in a plate shape extending from the first surface (321a) of the outer conductor (321) in a direction toward the inner space of the outer conductor (321). For example, the plurality of first inner conductors (323a, 323b) may be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the accommodation space (320h), and one of the plurality of first inner conductors (323a, 323b) (e.g., the first inner conductor (323a)) may be arranged to surround one area of ​​the aerosol generating article (10), and the other (e.g., the first inner conductor (323b)) may be arranged to surround another area of ​​the aerosol generating article (10).

[0148] One area of ​​the first inner conductor (323a) may be in contact with the coupler (311) connected to the oscillating portion, and as microwaves transmitted through the coupler (311) resonate, an electric field may be generated inside the plurality of first inner conductors (323a, 323b). For example, the coupler (311) may be arranged to penetrate the outer conductor (321) so that one end contacts the oscillating portion and the other end contacts one area of ​​the first inner conductor (323a), and as microwaves generated in the oscillating portion (310) are transmitted to the first inner conductor (323a) through the coupler (311), an electric field may be generated inside the plurality of first inner conductors (323a, 323b).

[0149] The resonant section (320) may include a closed end with a cross-section that is closed to have a length (λ / 4) that is 1 / 4 of the wavelength (λ) of the microwave, and an open end positioned opposite to the closed end and having at least one area of ​​the cross-section open.

[0150] The resonating portion (320) may include a closing portion (322) that is arranged to contact one end of the plurality of first internal conductors (323a, 323b) and closes cross-sections of the plurality of first internal conductors (323a, 323b). As the cross-sections of one end of the plurality of first internal conductors (323a, 323b) are closed by the closing portion (322), a closed end may be formed at one end of the plurality of first internal conductors (323a, 323b). Since the other ends of the plurality of first internal conductors (323a, 323b) are arranged spaced apart from the closing portion (322) so as not to contact the closing portion (322), an open end may be formed at the other ends of the plurality of first internal conductors (323a, 323b). That is, the plurality of first internal conductors (323a, 323b) may be formed in an overall “ㄷ” shape when viewed on the xz plane and may include closed ends and open ends, and due to the structure of the plurality of first internal conductors (323a, 323b) described above, the plurality of first internal conductors (323a, 323b) may operate as resonators having a 1 / 4 wavelength length of microwaves.

[0151] Microwave resonance can be formed between the first inner conductor (323a) and the outer conductor (331), between another first inner conductor (323b) and the outer conductor (331), and between the first inner conductor (323a) and another first inner conductor (323b). Accordingly, an electric field can also be generated between the first inner conductors (323a, 323b) and the outer conductor (321).

[0152] Although two first internal conductors (323a, 323b) are shown in the drawing, this is not limited thereto, and for example, the number of multiple first internal conductors may be three or four or more.

[0153] A triple resonance mode may be formed inside the resonance part (320). For example, a resonance of a TEM mode (transverse electric & magnetic mode) of microwaves may be formed inside the plurality of first inner conductors (323a, 323b), and a resonance of a TEM mode different from the resonance formed inside the plurality of first inner conductors (323a, 323b) may be formed between the first inner conductor (323a) and the outer conductor (321) and between the first inner conductor (323b) and the outer conductor (321). As a triple resonance mode is formed inside the resonance part (320), the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated inside the resonance part (320) may be heated more uniformly.

[0154] According to the resonance structure of the resonant portion (320) described above, an electric field may not be transmitted to an external region of the resonant portion (320). Therefore, the heater assembly (300) can prevent an electric field from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly (300) even without a separate shielding member for shielding the electric field.

[0155] A resonance peak is formed at the other end of the plurality of first internal conductors (323a, 323b), so that a stronger electric field can be generated compared to other regions, and by placing a tobacco rod (11) containing a dielectric capable of generating heat by an electric field at a position corresponding to the region where the electric field is strongest, the heating efficiency (or 'dielectric heating efficiency') of the heater assembly (300) can be improved.

[0156] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to another embodiment.

[0157] Referring to FIG. 7, a heater assembly (300) according to another embodiment may include an oscillating portion (310) (e.g., the oscillating portion (210) of FIGS. 4 and 5), a resonating portion (320) (e.g., the resonating portions (220, 320) of FIGS. 4 to 6), a first airflow passage (340), and a second airflow passage (340a). A heater assembly (300) according to another embodiment may be an assembly in which a first airflow passage (340) and a second airflow passage (340a) are added to the heater assembly (201, 300) of FIGS. 4 to 6, and a redundant description thereof will be omitted below.

[0158] The oscillator (310) can generate microwaves of a designated frequency band when power is supplied. The microwaves generated by the oscillator (310) can be transmitted to the resonator (320) via a coupler connecting the oscillator (310) and the resonator (320). For example, the oscillator (210) can generate microwaves of an ISM band permitted for heating when power is supplied, and the generated microwaves can be transmitted to the resonator (220).

[0159] The resonator (320) may include a receiving space (320h) (e.g., receiving space (220h) of FIGS. 4 and 5) for receiving at least a portion of the aerosol generating article (10), and may heat the aerosol generating article (10) by a dielectric heating method by resonating microwaves generated from the oscillating unit (310). For example, charges of a dielectric (e.g., glycerin) included in the aerosol generating article (10) received inside the resonator (320) may vibrate or rotate due to resonance of the microwaves, and heat may be generated in the dielectric by frictional heat generated when the charges vibrate or rotate, thereby heating the aerosol generating article (10).

[0160] A portion of the power supplied to the generator (210) may be used to generate microwaves to heat the aerosol generating article (10), but the remainder of the power may be converted into thermal energy and emitted to the outside from the heater assembly (300). The emitted heat may cause components within the heater assembly (200) to break down or malfunction. In addition, if the heater assembly (200) generates heat at an excessively high temperature, a user of an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device (100) of FIG. 1) including the heater assembly (200) may suffer burns on their hands due to the heat generated by the heater assembly (200).

[0161] The first airflow passage (340) can guide the direction of air movement so that air (hereinafter referred to as “external air”) outside the heater assembly (300) or the resonance unit (320) can be introduced into the receiving space (320h). For example, the first airflow passage (340) can be arranged to connect the outside of the resonance unit (320) and the receiving space (320h) in one area of ​​the resonance unit (320), and the external air can move along the first airflow passage (340) and be introduced into the receiving space (320h). Outside air can be introduced into the receiving space (320h) and then introduced into the aerosol generating article (10), and an aerosol can be created as the outside air introduced into the aerosol generating article (10) is mixed with the vapor generated as the aerosol generating article (10) is heated, and the generated aerosol can pass through the aerosol generating article (10) and be discharged to the outside of the heater assembly (300).

[0162] The second airflow passage (340a) can guide the direction of air movement so that external air can be introduced into the interior of the resonance unit (320). For example, the second airflow passage (340a) can be arranged in one area of ​​the resonance unit (320) to connect the exterior of the resonance unit (320) and the interior of the resonance unit (320), and the external air can move along the second airflow passage (340a) and be introduced into the interior of the resonance unit (320). The outside air may move into the interior of the resonator (320) and then flow into the interior of the first internal conductor (e.g., the first internal conductor (223, 323a, 323b) of FIGS. 4 to 6) or the dielectric receiving space. The outside air may also move into the interior of the first internal conductor or the dielectric receiving space and then flow into the receiving space (320h). The outside air introduced into the receiving space (320h) may flow into the aerosol generating article (10) and be mixed with the vapor generated as the aerosol generating article (10) is heated to generate an aerosol. The generated aerosol may pass through the aerosol generating article (10) and be discharged to the outside of the heater assembly (300).

[0163] Since the heat generated in the heater assembly (300) can be effectively released through the first airflow passage (340) or the second airflow passage (340a), external heat generation of the heater assembly (300) can be minimized.

[0164] Hereinafter, the arrangement structure of the first airflow passage (340) and the second airflow passage (340a) will be specifically examined with reference to FIG. 8.

[0165] Fig. 8 is an example of a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of Fig. 7. Fig. 8 shows a cross-section of the heater assembly (300) of Fig. 7 taken in the BB' direction, and the arrows in Fig. 8 indicate the movement path of air (or 'outside air').

[0166] Referring to FIG. 8, a heater assembly (300) according to another embodiment may include an oscillating portion (310) (e.g., oscillating portion (210) of FIGS. 4 and 5), a resonating portion (320) (e.g., resonating portions (220, 320) of FIGS. 4 to 6), a first airflow passage (340), and a second airflow passage (340a).

[0167] The oscillator (310) can generate microwaves of a specified frequency band when an AC voltage is applied, and the microwaves generated in the oscillator (310) can be transmitted to the resonator (320) through the coupler (330).

[0168] The resonant portion (320) is arranged to surround at least a portion of an aerosol generating article (10) inserted into an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device (100) of FIG. 1), and can heat the aerosol generating article (10) through microwaves generated from the oscillating portion (310). For example, dielectrics included in the aerosol generating article (10) can generate heat by an electric field generated inside the resonant portion (320) due to resonance of microwaves, and the aerosol generating article (10) can be heated by the heat generated from the dielectric.

[0169] According to one embodiment, the resonant portion (320) may include an outer conductor (321), a first inner conductor (323), and a second inner conductor (325).

[0170] The outer conductor (321) can form the overall appearance of the resonant portion (320), and can be formed in a hollow shape with an empty interior so that components of the resonant portion (320) can be placed inside the outer conductor (321). The outer conductor (321) can include a receiving space (320h) into which at least one area of ​​an aerosol generating article (10) can be inserted into the interior of the outer conductor (321). The receiving space (320h) can mean a space formed by the first inner conductor (323) and / or the second inner conductor (325) placed inside the outer conductor (321) and capable of accommodating the aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the interior of the outer conductor (321).

[0171] According to one embodiment, the outer conductor (321) may include a first surface (331a), a second surface (331b) arranged to face the first surface (331a), and a side surface (331c) surrounding a space between the first surface (331a) and the second surface (331b). At least some of the components of the resonant portion (320) (e.g., the first inner conductor (323), the second inner conductor (325)) may be arranged in the inner space of the resonant portion (320) formed by the first surface (331a), the second surface (331b), and the side surface (331c).

[0172] The first inner conductor (323) may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the first surface (331a) of the outer conductor (321) toward the inner space of the outer conductor (321) or along the longitudinal direction of the outer conductor (321).

[0173] According to one embodiment, a region of the first inner conductor (323) may be in contact with a coupler (330) connected to the oscillating unit (310), and microwaves generated in the oscillating unit (310) may be transmitted to the first inner conductor (323) through the coupler (330). For example, the coupler (330) may be arranged to penetrate the outer conductor (321) and have one end in contact with the oscillating unit (310) and the other end in contact with a region of the first inner conductor (323), and microwaves generated in the oscillating unit (310) may be transmitted to the first inner conductor (323) through the coupler (330).

[0174] At this time, the coupler (330) may be arranged to penetrate the outer conductor (321) without contacting the outer conductor (321) for transmission of microwaves, but the arrangement structure of the coupler (330) is not limited thereto as long as the microwaves generated in the oscillating unit (310) can be transmitted to the first inner conductor (323).

[0175] The first region formed between the outer conductor (321) and the first inner conductor (323) can operate as a 'first resonator' that generates an electric field through resonance of microwaves. The first region can refer to a space formed by the first surface (321a), the side surface (321c) of the outer conductor (321) and the first inner conductor (323), and inside the first region, microwaves transmitted through the coupler (330) can resonate to generate an electric field.

[0176] The second inner conductor (325) may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the second surface (331b) of the outer conductor (321) toward the inner space of the outer conductor (321) or along the longitudinal direction of the outer conductor (321). The second inner conductor (325) may be arranged in the inner space of the outer conductor (321) at a predetermined distance from the first inner conductor (323), and a gap (326) may be formed between the first inner conductor (323) and the second inner conductor (325).

[0177] The second region formed between the outer conductor (321) and the second inner conductor (325) can operate as a 'second resonator' that generates an electric field through resonance of microwaves. The second inner conductor (325) can be coupled (e.g., capacitively coupled) with the first inner conductor (323), and when an electric field is generated inside the first region by the above-described coupling relationship, an induced electric field can also be generated inside the second region. In the present disclosure, 'capacitive coupling' can mean a coupling relationship in which energy can be transferred by electrostatic capacity (capacitance) between two conductors.

[0178] For example, as microwaves generated from the oscillating portion (310) are transmitted to the first inner conductor (323), an electric field may be generated inside the first region by resonance, and an induced electric field may be generated inside the second region formed by the outer conductor (321) and the second inner conductor (325) coupled with the first inner conductor (323).

[0179] According to one embodiment, the first region and the second region of the resonator (320) can operate as a resonator having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength (λ) of a microwave.

[0180] In one example, one end of the first region (e.g., the end in the -z direction) may be formed as a short end because the cross-section of the first region is closed by the first face (321a) of the outer conductor (321), and the other end of the first region (e.g., the end in the z direction) may be formed as an open end because the cross-section is open because the first face (321a) is not arranged. In another example, one end of the second region (e.g., the end in the -z direction) may be formed as an open end because the cross-section is open, and the other end of the second region (e.g., the end in the z direction) may be formed as a closed end because the cross-section of the second region is closed by the second face (321b) of the outer conductor (321).

[0181] That is, the first region and the second region can be formed as a whole in a “ㄷ” shape, including a closed end and an open end, when viewed on the xz plane, and through the above-described structure, the first region and the second region can operate as a resonator having a 1 / 4 wavelength length of a microwave.

[0182] According to one embodiment, the first inner conductor (323) and the second inner conductor (325) may be formed to have the same length with respect to the z-axis so that the first region and the second region may be arranged symmetrically to each other, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0183] The aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the inner space of the outer conductor (321) through the receiving space (320h) may be surrounded by the first inner conductor (323) and the second inner conductor (325) and heated by a dielectric heating method. For example, a part of the aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the inner space of the outer conductor (321) may be disposed inside the first inner conductor (323) and the second inner conductor (325), and another part may be disposed outside the first inner conductor (323) and the second inner conductor (325). The aerosol generating article (10) may be heated by the dielectric contained in the aerosol generating article (10) being heated by the electric field generated inside and outside the first inner conductor (323) and / or the second inner conductor (325).

[0184] According to one embodiment, the resonant portion (320) may further include a dielectric receiving space (327) and a dielectric (D) accommodated in the dielectric receiving space (327) to adjust the dielectric constant of the resonant portion (320).

[0185] A dielectric receiving space (327) can be formed in a space between the outer conductor (321) and the first inner conductor (323) and the second inner conductor (325), and a dielectric (D) can be received in the dielectric receiving space (327). For example, the dielectric (D) can be at least one of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and aluminum oxide, or a combination thereof, which have low microwave absorption, but the type of the dielectric (D) is not limited thereto.

[0186] A heater assembly (300) according to another embodiment can generate an electric field similar to a resonance unit (320) that does not include a dielectric by arranging a dielectric (D) inside a dielectric receiving space (327), thereby reducing the overall size of the resonance unit (320). That is, a heater assembly (200) according to another embodiment can reduce the size of the resonance unit (320) through the dielectric (D) arranged inside a dielectric receiving space (327), thereby reducing the mounting space of the resonance unit (320) within an aerosol generating device, and as a result, an aerosol generating device (e.g., an aerosol generating device (100) of FIG. 1) can be miniaturized.

[0187] According to one embodiment, when the aerosol generating article (10) is inserted into the resonator (320) through the receiving space (320h), the tobacco rod (11) of the aerosol generating article (10) can be placed at a position corresponding to the gap (326) between the first inner conductor (323) and the second inner conductor (325).

[0188] A resonance peak is formed at the end of the first internal conductor (323) operating as the first resonator and the end of the second internal conductor (325) operating as the second resonator, so that a stronger electric field can be generated compared to other regions, and as a result, the strongest electric field can be generated in the gap (326) between the first internal conductor (323) and the second internal conductor (325) among the internal regions of the resonant portion (320). By placing a tobacco rod (11) including a dielectric that generates heat by an electric field at a position corresponding to the gap (326) where the electric field is strongest, the heating efficiency (or 'dielectric heating efficiency') of the heater assembly (300) can be improved.

[0189] The first airflow passage (340) is formed inside the first inner conductor (323) and the second inner conductor (325) of the resonance unit (320), and can form a path for allowing outside air to flow into the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the receiving space (320h). For example, the first airflow passage (340) can be formed in a space between the first inner conductor (323) and the second inner conductor (325) and the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the receiving space (320h), and can be a flow path connecting the outside of the resonance unit (320) and the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the receiving space (320h).

[0190] The first airflow passage (340) may be arranged so that outside air moves along the longitudinal direction (e.g., -z direction) of the receiving space (320h) and then flows into one end (e.g., one end in the -z direction) of the aerosol generating article (10) received in the receiving space (320h). That is, the first airflow passage (340) may be formed so that one area extends along the longitudinal direction of the receiving space (320h) and another area extends across the longitudinal direction of the receiving space (320h) to connect one area of ​​the first airflow passage (340) and the interior of the receiving space (320h).

[0191] External air introduced into one end of the aerosol generating article (10) through the first airflow passage (340) can be mixed with the vapor generated as the aerosol generating article (10) is heated to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol can pass through the aerosol generating article (10) and be discharged to the outside of the heater assembly (300).

[0192] The second airflow passage (340a) is formed inside the resonator (320) and can form a path that allows external air to flow into the inside of the resonator (320).

[0193] According to an example, a second airflow passage (340a) is formed inside the first internal conductor (323) and may form a path that allows external air to flow into the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the receiving space (320h). For example, the second airflow passage (340a) may be a flow path that connects the inside of the first internal conductor (323) and the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the receiving space (320h).

[0194] The second airflow passage (340a) may be arranged so that outside air moves along the longitudinal direction (e.g., +z direction) of the receiving space (320h) and then flows into one end (e.g., one end in the +z direction) of the aerosol generating article (10) received in the receiving space (320h). That is, the second airflow passage (340a) may be formed such that one area extends along the longitudinal direction of the receiving space (320h) and another area extends across the longitudinal direction of the receiving space (320h) to connect one area of ​​the second airflow passage (340a) and the interior of the receiving space (320h).

[0195] At this time, the closing portion (324) may include an air inlet hole (340c) that penetrates the closing portion (324) and is connected to the second airflow passage (340a). The air inlet hole (340c) may be formed to be positioned in one area of ​​the closing portion (324) and extend along the length direction of the receiving space (320h), and external air that reaches the closing portion (324) along the second airflow passage (340a) may be introduced into the interior of the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the receiving space (340h) through the air inlet hole (340c). That is, the closing portion (324) has an air inlet hole (340c) to close a part of the cross-section of the first internal conductor (323), so that the first end (e.g., the first region (3231) of FIG. 8) of the first internal conductor (323) where the closing portion (324) is arranged can be formed as a closed end, while not impeding the flow of external air toward the aerosol generating article (10).

[0196] According to another example, a second airflow passage (340a) is formed between the outer conductor (321) and the first inner conductor (323) and the second inner conductor (325), and may form a path for allowing outside air to flow into the interior of the first inner conductor (323) or the interior of the second inner conductor (325). For example, the second airflow passage (340a) may be a flow path connecting the dielectric receiving space (327) and the interior of the first inner conductor (323) or the interior of the second inner conductor (325).

[0197] The second airflow passage (340a) may be arranged so that external air moves along the longitudinal direction (e.g., -z direction) of the dielectric receiving space (327) and then flows into the interior of the first internal conductor (323) or the interior of the second internal conductor (325). That is, the second airflow passage (340a) may be formed such that one region extends along the longitudinal direction of the dielectric receiving space (327) and another region extends across the longitudinal direction of the receiving space (327) to connect one region of the second airflow passage (340a) and the interior of the dielectric receiving space (327).

[0198] At this time, the dielectric (D) accommodated in the dielectric receiving space (327) may include an air inlet passage (340l) penetrating the dielectric (D) and connected to the second airflow passage (340a). The air inlet passage (340l) may be formed by extending along the length direction of the dielectric receiving space (327) located in one area of ​​the dielectric (D), and external air that reaches the dielectric receiving space (327) along the second airflow passage (340a) may be introduced into the interior of the resonator through the air inlet passage (340l).

[0199] That is, the dielectric (D) can control the permittivity of the resonator (320) while not impeding the flow of external air toward the inside of the resonator through the dielectric receiving space (327).

[0200] However, the second airflow passage (340a) is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and any path through which external air can flow into the interior of the resonator (320) can correspond to the second airflow passage (340a) without limitation. The second airflow passage (340a) according to another example may be a flow path connecting the second airflow passage (340a) according to the above-described example and the second airflow passage (340a) according to another example. According to another example, the second airflow passage (340a) may be arranged so that the outside air moves along the longitudinal direction (e.g., +z direction) of the receiving space (320h) and is introduced into one end (e.g., one end in the +z direction) of the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the receiving space (320h), or may be arranged so that the outside air moves along the longitudinal direction (e.g., -z direction) of the dielectric receiving space (327) and is then connected to the interior of the first internal conductor (323) or the interior of the second internal conductor (325) and is introduced into one end (e.g., one end in the +z direction) of the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the receiving space (320h) and is introduced into one end (e.g., one end in the +z direction) of the aerosol generating article (10).

[0201] Since the heat generated in the heater assembly (300) can be effectively released through the first airflow passage (340) or the second airflow passage (340a), external heat generation of the heater assembly (300) can be minimized.

[0202] According to one example, the resonator (320) may further include a structure (341) (or 'cap') for supporting an aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the accommodation space (320h). The structure (341) is disposed inside the accommodation space (320h) and may support at least one area of ​​the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the accommodation space (320h).

[0203] For example, the structure (341) is formed as a hollow cylindrical shape with one end closed and the other end open, and is arranged to surround one area of ​​the aerosol generating article (10), thereby fixing the position of the aerosol generating article (10) within the receiving space (320h).

[0204] Additionally, the structure (341) can prevent the movement or diffusion of the aerosol generating article (10) toward the first internal conductor (323) and / or the second internal conductor (325), thereby preventing the generation of droplets inside the resonator (320).

[0205] When the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article (10) reaches the first internal conductor (323) and / or the second internal conductor (325), a portion of the aerosol may be liquefied to generate droplets inside the first internal conductor (323) and / or the second internal conductor (325). The droplets generated in the first internal conductor (323) and / or the second internal conductor (325) may reduce the heating efficiency of the resonator (320), and the heater assembly (300) according to another embodiment may prevent the movement or diffusion of the aerosol toward the first internal conductor (323) and / or the second internal conductor (325) through the structure (341), thereby preventing the reduction in heating efficiency caused by the droplets.

[0206] At this time, the structure (341) may include a material with excellent heat resistance and / or chemical resistance (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene material) to prevent damage caused by aerosols or droplets generated inside the receiving space (320h).

[0207] According to one embodiment, the structure (341) may include an air inlet hole penetrating the structure (341) and connected to the first airflow passage (340) and / or the second airflow passage (340a). The air inlet hole may be formed at a closed end of the structure (341), and external air reaching the structure (341) along the first airflow passage (340) and / or the second airflow passage (340a) may be introduced into the interior of the aerosol generating article (10) supported by the structure (341) through the air inlet hole. That is, the structure (341) may support the aerosol generating article (10) by including the air inlet hole, while not impeding the flow of external air toward the aerosol generating article (10).

[0208] According to another embodiment, the heater assembly (300) may further include a heat dissipation member (e.g., a heat dissipation member (251) of FIG. 5). The heat dissipation member may be disposed inside the resonator (320) to take away heat generated inside the resonator (320) and release it to the periphery of the heat dissipation member. For example, the heat dissipation member may be positioned inside the first internal conductor (323), so that heat released from the inside of the resonator (320) to the outside of the resonator (320) may be collected in the heat dissipation member, and the heat dissipation member may release the collected heat toward a medium having a relatively low temperature (e.g., an aerosol generating article (10)). That is, the heat dissipation member may improve the overall insulation performance of the resonator (220).

[0209] The heat dissipation member may include a hole penetrating the heat dissipation member and connected to a second airflow passage (340a). The hole of the heat dissipation member may be positioned in an area of ​​the heat dissipation member and may be formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the receiving space (320h) (e.g., +z-axis direction) and / or the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the receiving space (320h) (e.g., +x-axis direction). At this time, the heat dissipation member may also be connected to the first airflow passage (340) by the hole formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the receiving space (320h) (e.g., +z-axis direction). Accordingly, external air that reaches the heat dissipation member along the second airflow passage (340a) may also be introduced into the interior of the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the receiving space (340h) through the hole of the heat dissipation member. That is, since the heat dissipation member includes a hole having the structure described above, the overall insulation performance of the resonant part (220) can be improved.

[0210] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 9, an air inlet hole (340d) of a closed portion (324) different from the air inlet hole (340c) of the closed portion (324) described above will be described.

[0211] Fig. 9 is another example of a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 shows a cross-section of the heater assembly (300) of Fig. 7 taken along the BB' direction, and the arrows in Fig. 9 indicate the movement path of air (or 'outside air').

[0212] Referring to FIG. 9, the heater assembly (300) of FIG. 9 may include a generator (310), a resonator (320), a first airflow passage (340), a second airflow passage (340a), and a closing portion (324), and the heater assembly (300) of FIG. 9 may be an assembly that differs only in the arrangement structure of the air inlet holes of the heater assembly (300) of FIG. 8 and the closing portion (324), and any duplicate description will be omitted below.

[0213] The second airflow passage (340a) is formed inside the resonator (320) and can form a path that allows external air to flow into the inside of the resonator (320).

[0214] The second airflow passage (340a) may be arranged so that external air moves along the longitudinal direction (e.g., -z direction) of the dielectric receiving space (327) and then flows into the interior of the first internal conductor (323) or the interior of the second internal conductor (325). That is, the second airflow passage (340a) may be formed such that one region extends along the longitudinal direction of the dielectric receiving space (327) and another region extends across the longitudinal direction of the receiving space (327) to connect one region of the second airflow passage (340a) and the interior of the dielectric receiving space (327).

[0215] The resonator (320) may include a closure (324) positioned inside the first inner conductor (323) and configured to close a cross-section of the first inner conductor (323) to limit a flow direction of aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article (10). For example, the closure (224) may block a flow of aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article (10) in the -z direction by closing a cross-section of the first inner conductor (223).

[0216] If the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article (10) or the droplets generated as the aerosol is liquefied flows in the -z direction and flows into other components of the aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device (300) of FIG. 1), it may cause malfunction or damage to the components of the aerosol generating device. On the other hand, the heater assembly (300) according to one embodiment can prevent malfunction or damage to the components of the aerosol generating device due to the aerosol or droplets by restricting the flow direction of the aerosol through the closing portion (324).

[0217] The closed portion (324) may further include an air inlet hole (340d) penetrating the closed portion (324) and connected to the second airflow passage (340a). The air inlet hole (340d) may be formed to extend along a direction (e.g., +x-axis direction) that crosses the longitudinal direction of the receiving space (320h) and the external air that reaches the closed portion (324) along the second airflow passage (340a) may be introduced into the interior of the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the receiving space (340h) through the air inlet hole (340d) and the air inlet hole (340c). That is, the closing portion (324) further includes an air inlet hole (340d) to close a portion of the cross-section of the first internal conductor (323), thereby preventing malfunction or damage to components of the aerosol generating device due to aerosol or droplets, while not obstructing the flow of external air toward the aerosol generating article (10).

[0218] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 10a and 10b, the arrangement structure of the air inlet passage (340l) that penetrates the dielectric (D) accommodated in the dielectric accommodation space (327) and is connected to the second airflow passage (340a) will be specifically described.

[0219] FIG. 10a is a drawing showing an example of an air inlet passage (340l) of the heater assembly of FIG. 7, and FIG. 10b is a drawing showing another example of an airflow passage of the heater assembly of FIG. 7. FIGS. 10a and 10b show cross-sections of the heater assembly (300) of FIG. 7 taken in the CC' direction, and arrows in FIGS. 10a and 10b indicate the movement path of air (or 'outside air').

[0220] Referring to FIGS. 10a and 10b, the dielectric (D) accommodated in the dielectric accommodation space (327) may include an air inlet passage (340l) penetrating the dielectric (D) and connected to a second airflow passage (340a).

[0221] The air inlet passage (340l) is located in an area of ​​the dielectric (D) accommodated in the dielectric accommodation space (e.g., the dielectric accommodation space (327) of FIGS. 7 to 9), and may be formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the dielectric accommodation space or a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the dielectric accommodation space, and external air that reaches the dielectric accommodation space (327) along the second airflow passage (340a) may be introduced into the interior of the resonator through the air inlet passage (340l).

[0222] The air inlet passage (340l) is located in an area of ​​the dielectric (D) accommodated in the dielectric accommodation space, and may be formed in a shape that is bent multiple times in a direction parallel to the length direction of the dielectric accommodation space, in a vertical direction, or in a diagonal shape.

[0223] For example, the air inlet passage (340l) may be formed in a shape that is bent perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the dielectric accommodation space, and then bent diagonally with the longitudinal direction of the dielectric accommodation space. As another example, the air inlet passage (340l) may be formed in a shape that is bent a total of three times in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the dielectric accommodation space, twice in a diagonal shape forming an angle with the longitudinal direction of the dielectric accommodation space, and four times in a diagonal shape forming another angle different from the angle with the longitudinal direction of the dielectric accommodation space. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the shape of the air inlet passage (340l) may be formed in various ways depending on the embodiment. As another example, the shape of the air inlet passage (340l) may be formed in an irregular shape.

[0224] As the air inlet passage (340l) is formed in a more complex shape, the heat generated from the resonator can be more efficiently discharged to the outside of the resonator during the process of external air being introduced into the interior of the resonator (e.g., the resonator (220, 320) of FIGS. 1 to 9) along the air inlet passage (340l), thereby minimizing external heat generation of the heater assembly (300).

[0225] Any or all of the embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct. Any or all of the embodiments of the present disclosure described above may have their respective components or functions combined or used together.

[0226] For example, it means that a configuration A described in a particular embodiment and / or drawing can be combined with a configuration B described in another embodiment and / or drawing. That is, even if a combination between configurations is not directly described, it means that a combination is possible, except in cases where a combination is described as impossible.

[0227] The above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in any respect and should be considered illustrative only. The scope of the present invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A generator that generates microwaves of a specified frequency band; and A resonance unit that receives microwaves generated from the oscillating unit through a coupler and generates an electric field by resonating the received microwaves; The above resonant part is, An outer conductor comprising a first side, a second side facing the first side, and a side surface surrounding an inner space between the first side and the second side, and including a receiving space for receiving an aerosol generating article; A first inner conductor extending from the first surface in a direction toward the inner space and surrounding an area of ​​an aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodation space; A first airflow passage connecting the outside of the resonant section and the receiving space; and A heater assembly comprising a second airflow passage connecting the outside of the resonant section and the inside of the resonant section.

2. In paragraph 1, A heater assembly wherein the first airflow passage is arranged so that outside air moves along the length of the receiving space and then flows into one end of an aerosol generating article inserted into the receiving space.

3. In paragraph 1, A heater assembly wherein the second airflow passage is arranged so that outside air moves into the interior of the first inner conductor and then flows into one end of the aerosol generating article inserted into the receiving space.

4. In paragraph 1, A heater assembly wherein the second airflow passage is arranged so that outside air is introduced between the outer conductor and the first inner conductor.

5. In paragraph 1, A heater assembly in which the second airflow passage is arranged so that outside air is introduced between the outer conductor and the first inner conductor, moves into the interior of the first inner conductor, and then is introduced into one end of the aerosol generating article inserted into the receiving space.

6. In paragraph 1, The above resonant part is, A dielectric receiving space formed between the outer conductor and the first inner conductor; and Further comprising a dielectric disposed in the above-mentioned dielectric receiving space; A heater assembly wherein the second airflow passage is arranged so that outside air moves into the dielectric receiving space and then flows into one end of the aerosol generating article received in the receiving space.

7. In paragraph 6, The above dielectric comprises an air inlet passage penetrating the dielectric and connected to the second airflow passage, A heater assembly in which outside air flows along the air inlet passage and is introduced into the interior of the resonant section.

8. In paragraph 7, A heater assembly in which the air inlet passage is formed in a shape that is bent multiple times in a direction parallel to the length of the dielectric receiving space, in a vertical direction, or in a diagonal shape.

9. In paragraph 1, The above resonant part is, A heater assembly further comprising a heat dissipation member positioned inside the first internal conductor and absorbing heat inside the resonant portion.

10. In paragraph 1, The above resonant part is, A heater assembly further comprising a second inner conductor extending from the second surface in a direction toward the inner space and surrounding another area of ​​the received aerosol generating article.

11. In paragraph 10, The first inner conductor is arranged to surround an area of ​​an aerosol generating article inserted into the receiving space, The second inner conductor is arranged so as to surround another area of ​​the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodation space, spaced apart from the first inner conductor by a predetermined distance in the inner space, A heater assembly, wherein the resonant portion is located inside the first internal conductor and further includes a closing portion that closes a cross-section of the first internal conductor.

12. In paragraph 11, The above closure includes an air inlet hole penetrating the closure and connected to the first airflow passage or the second airflow passage, A heater assembly in which external air moving along the first airflow passage or the second airflow passage is introduced into one end of the aerosol generating article through the air inlet hole.

13. A housing including an insertion port into which an aerosol generating article is inserted; and A heater assembly for heating an aerosol generating article inserted through the above insertion port; The above heater assembly, An oscillator for generating microwaves of a specified frequency band; and A resonance unit that receives microwaves generated from the oscillating unit through a coupler and generates an electric field by resonating the received microwaves; The above resonant part is, An outer conductor comprising a first side, a second side facing the first side, and a side surface surrounding an inner space between the first side and the second side, and including a receiving space for receiving an aerosol generating article; A first inner conductor extending from the first surface in a direction toward the inner space and surrounding an area of ​​an aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodation space; A first airflow passage connecting the outside of the resonant section and the receiving space; and An aerosol generating device comprising a second airflow passage connecting the outside of the resonant section and the inside of the resonant section.

14. In paragraph 13, An aerosol generating device wherein the second airflow passage is arranged so that outside air moves into the interior of the first inner conductor and then flows into one end of the aerosol generating article inserted into the receiving space.

15. In paragraph 13, The above resonant part is, An aerosol generating device further comprising a second inner conductor extending from the second surface in a direction toward the inner space and surrounding another area of ​​the received aerosol generating article.

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