US20240251859A1

US20240251859A1 - Heater assembly for aerosol generating device and aerosol generating device including the same

Info

Publication number: US20240251859A1
Application number: US18/406,287
Authority: US
Inventors: Tae Hun Kim; Ju Eon PARK; Hyung Jin Jung; Jung Ho Han
Original assignee: KT&G Corp
Current assignee: KT&G Corp
Priority date: 2023-02-01
Filing date: 2024-01-08
Publication date: 2024-08-01
Also published as: WO2024162608A1; EP4659603A1; CN120456842A

Abstract

A heater assembly for an aerosol generating device, includes a heater having formed therein an accommodating space in which an aerosol generating article is accommodated, the heater being configured to heat the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodating space, and a heater accommodating portion connected to the heater so that aerosols generated from an aerosol generating material flow to the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodating space, and insert-injected with the heater.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0013916, filed on Feb. 1, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0054998, filed on Apr. 26, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments relate to a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device, in which an aerosol may be prevented from leaking to a gap between a heater and a heater accommodating portion, and an aerosol generating device including the heater assembly.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, the demand for alternative methods of providing aerosols by burning general cigarettes has increased. For example, research has been conducted on methods that provide aerosols with flavors by generating aerosols from a liquid or solid aerosol generating material, generating vapor from the liquid aerosol generating material, and then allowing the generated vapor to pass through a solid flavor medium.
An example of an aerosol generating device may include an aerosol generating device in which an aerosol generating article and a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material in liquid form are used together. The aerosol generating device using the aerosol generating material in liquid form has a small size compared to an aerosol generating device using an aerosol generating material in solid form and thus is convenient to carry, and does not generate smoking by-products and thus is convenient to use. Consequently, interest in aerosol generating devices for generating aerosols by using an aerosol generating material in liquid form is gradually increasing.

SUMMARY

In an aerosol generating device using an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating material in liquid form together, aerosols are generated when vapors generated as the aerosol generating material in liquid form is heated are mixed with the air introduced from the outside, and the generated aerosols may pass through the aerosol generating article to be inhaled by a user.
Accordingly, the aerosol generating device may include a chamber providing a space in which the aerosols are generated from the aerosol generating material in liquid form, a heater heating the aerosol generating article, and a heater accommodating portion accommodating the heater and communicating with the chamber.
Here, when the aerosols generated in the chamber are transferred to the user through the aerosol generating article, at least some of the aerosols may be cooled down and liquefied when in contact with the air, and the liquefied aerosols may leak to a gap between the heater and the heater accommodating portion.
In this case, the liquefied aerosols may be accumulated inside the aerosol generating device due to the leakage, and as a result, components of the aerosol generating device may malfunction or be damaged. Also, the amount of aerosols passing through the aerosol generating article is decreased due to the leakage, and thus, an amount of aerosols inhalable by the user may decrease.
Provided are a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device, and an aerosol generating device including the same, in which aerosols are prevented from leaking to a gap between a heater and a heater accommodating portion, thereby preventing a malfunction or damage to components of the aerosol generating device and increasing the amount of aerosols inhalable by a user.
The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned description, and other technical problems may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the attached drawings.
Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments of the disclosure.
A heater assembly for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, may include a heater having formed therein an accommodating space in which an aerosol generating article is accommodated, the heater being configured to heat the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodating space, and a heater accommodating portion connected to the heater so that aerosols generated from an aerosol generating material flow to the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodating space, and insert-injected with the heater.
An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment may include the heater assembly for an aerosol generating device accommodating the aerosol generating article and configured to heat the aerosol generating article, and a cartridge storing the aerosol generating material and connected to the heater assembly to allow the generated aerosols to move to the aerosol generating article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing examples in which an aerosol generating article is inserted into an aerosol generating device;

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate examples of the aerosol generating article;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article inserted thereinto, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 5 , wherein a cap and an aerosol generating device body are disassembled;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 6 , wherein a cartridge and the aerosol generating device body are disassembled;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the cartridge of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 is a combined perspective view of a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device, a cartridge, and an aerosol generating device body, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, based on a cross-section line I-I of FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 10 , for describing an embodiment of a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device, including a protruding portion;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the portion A of FIG. 10 , for describing an embodiment of a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device, including an extending portion;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the portion A of FIG. 10 , for describing an embodiment of a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device, including a first extending portion and a second extending portion;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the portion A of FIG. 10 , for describing a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device, including a sealing ring;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the portion A of FIG. 10 , for describing an embodiment of a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device, in which an inner surface of a heater and an inner surface of a heater accommodating portion are spaced apart from each other;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the portion A of FIG. 10 , for describing another embodiment of a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a portion B of FIG. 10 , for describing another embodiment of a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device;

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating a modified example of a combined structure of a heater and a heater accommodating portion; and

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Regarding the terms in the various embodiments, the general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of a new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, terms which can be arbitrarily selected by the applicant in particular cases. In such a case, the meaning of the terms will be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.
In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms “-er”, “-or”, and “module” described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.
As used herein, when an expression such as “at least any one” precedes arranged elements, it modifies all elements rather than each arranged element. For example, the expression “at least any one of a, b, and c” should be construed to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.
In an embodiment, an aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols by electrically heating a cigarette accommodated in an interior space thereof.
The aerosol generating device may include a heater. In an embodiment, the heater may be an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track.
The heater may include a tube-shaped heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of a cigarette according to the shape of a heating element.
A cigarette may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod. The tobacco rod may be formed of sheets, strands, and tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod may be surrounded by a heat conductive material. For example, the heat conductive material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil.
The filter rod may include a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod may include at least one segment. For example, the filter rod may include a first segment configured to cool aerosols, and a second segment configured to filter a certain component in aerosols.
In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols by using a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material.
The aerosol generating device may include a cartridge that contains an aerosol generating material, and a main body that supports the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably coupled to the main body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be integrally formed or assembled with the main body, and may also be fixed to the main body so as not to be detached from the main body by a user. The cartridge may be mounted on the main body while accommodating an aerosol generating material therein. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. An aerosol generating material may also be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the main body.
The cartridge may contain an aerosol generating material in any one of various states, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, a gel state, or the like. The aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material.
The cartridge may be operated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body to perform a function of generating aerosols by converting the phase of an aerosol generating material inside the cartridge into a gaseous phase. The aerosols may refer to a gas in which vaporized particles generated from an aerosol generating material are mixed with air.
In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may generate aerosols by heating a liquid composition, and generated aerosols may be delivered to a user through a cigarette. That is, the aerosols generated from the liquid composition may move along an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device, and the airflow passage may be configured to allow aerosols to be delivered to a user by passing through a cigarette.
In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols from an aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method. At this time, the ultrasonic vibration method may mean a method of generating aerosols by converting an aerosol generating material into aerosols with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.
The aerosol generating device may include a vibrator, and generate a short-period vibration through the vibrator to convert an aerosol generating material into aerosols. The vibration generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibration may be in a frequency band of about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHZ, but is not limited thereto.
The aerosol generating device may further include a wick that absorbs an aerosol generating material. For example, the wick may be arranged to surround at least one area of the vibrator, or may be arranged to contact at least one area of the vibrator.
As a voltage (for example, an alternating voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations may be generated from the vibrator, and the heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator may be transmitted to the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick. The aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick may be converted into a gaseous phase by heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the vibrator, and as a result, aerosols may be generated.
For example, the viscosity of the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick may be lowered by the heat generated by the vibrator, and as the aerosol generating material having a lowered viscosity is granulated by the ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator, aerosols may be generated, but is not limited thereto.
In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates aerosols by heating an aerosol generating article accommodated in the aerosol generating device in an induction heating method.
The aerosol generating device may include a susceptor and a coil. In an embodiment, the coil may apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. As power is supplied to the coil from the aerosol generating device, a magnetic field may be formed inside the coil. In an embodiment, the susceptor may be a magnetic body that generates heat by an external magnetic field. As the susceptor is positioned inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied to the susceptor, the susceptor generates heat to heat an aerosol generating article. In addition, optionally, the susceptor may be positioned within the aerosol generating article.
In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a cradle.
The aerosol generating device may configure a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may charge a battery of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the heater may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device are coupled to each other.
Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be implemented in a form that can be implemented in the aerosol generating devices of the various embodiments described above or may be implemented in various different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing examples in which an aerosol generating article is inserted into an aerosol generating device.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the aerosol generating device 1 may include a battery 10, a controller 20, a heater 30, and a vaporizer 40. Also, the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol generating device 1.
The aerosol generating device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes the vaporizer. However, the embodiments are not limited to the implementation method thereof, and the vaporizer may be omitted. In case the vaporizer is omitted from the aerosol generating device 1, the aerosol generating article 2 contains an aerosol generating material, so that the aerosol generating article 2 generates aerosol when the aerosol generating article 2 is heated by the heater 30.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate components of the aerosol generating device 1, which are related to the present embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that other general-purpose components may be further included in the aerosol generating device 1, in addition to the components illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
Also, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate that the aerosol generating device 1 includes the heater 30. However, as necessary, the heater 30 may be omitted.
FIG. 1 illustrates that the battery 10, the controller 20, the vaporizer 40, and the heater 30 are arranged in series. Also, FIG. 2 illustrates that the vaporizer 40 and the heater 30 are arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to the structures illustrated in FIG. 1 or 2 . In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1, the battery 10, the controller 20, the vaporizer 40, and the heater 30 may be differently arranged.
When the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the aerosol generating device 1 may operate the vaporizer 40 to generate aerosol from the vaporizer 40. The aerosol generated by the vaporizer 40 is delivered to a user by passing through the aerosol generating article 2. The vaporizer 40 will be described in more detail later.
The battery 10 may supply power to be used for the aerosol generating device 1 to operate. For example, the battery 10 may supply power to heat the heater 30 or the vaporizer 40, and may supply power for operating the controller 20. Also, the battery 10 may supply power for operations of a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. mounted in the aerosol generating device 1.
The controller 20 may generally control operations of the aerosol generating device 1. In detail, the controller 20 may control not only operations of the battery 10, the heater 30, and the vaporizer 40, but also operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device 1. Also, the controller 20 may check a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 to determine whether or not the aerosol generating device 1 is able to operate.
The controller 20 may include at least one processor. A processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or can be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor can be implemented in other forms of hardware.
The heater 30 may be heated by the power supplied from the battery 10. For example, when the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the heater 30 may be located outside the aerosol generating article 2. Thus, the heated heater 30 may increase a temperature of an aerosol generating material in the aerosol generating article 2.
The heater 30 may include an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater 30 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 30 may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater 30 is not limited to the example described above and may include any other heaters which may be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device 1 or may be set by a user.
As another example, the heater 30 may include an induction heater. In detail, the heater 30 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating an aerosol generating article in an induction heating method, and the aerosol generating article may include a susceptor which may be heated by the induction heater.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate that the heater 30 is positioned outside the aerosol generating article 2, but the position of the heater 30 is not limited thereto. For example, the heater 30 may include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element, and may heat the inside or the outside of the aerosol generating article 2, according to the shape of the heating element.
Also, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a plurality of heaters 30. Here, the plurality of heaters 30 may be inserted into the aerosol generating article 2 or may be arranged outside the aerosol generating article 2. Also, some of the plurality of heaters 30 may be inserted into the aerosol generating article 2 and the others may be arranged outside the aerosol generating article 2. In addition, the shape of the heater 30 is not limited to the shapes illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and may include various shapes.
The vaporizer 40 may generate aerosol by heating a liquid composition and the generated aerosol may pass through the aerosol generating article 2 to be delivered to a user. In other words, the aerosol generated via the vaporizer 40 may move along an air flow passage of the aerosol generating device 1 and the air flow passage may be configured such that the aerosol generated via the vaporizer 40 passes through the aerosol generating article 2 to be delivered to the user.
For example, the vaporizer 40 may include a liquid storage, a liquid delivery element, and a heating element, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid storage, the liquid delivery element, and the heating element may be included in the aerosol generating device 1 as independent modules.
The liquid storage may store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage may be formed to be detachable from the vaporizer 40 or may be formed integrally with the vaporizer 40.
For example, the liquid composition may include water, a solvent, ethanol, plant extract, spices, flavorings, or a vitamin mixture. The spices may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit-flavored ingredients, but are not limited thereto. The flavorings may include ingredients capable of providing various flavors or tastes to a user. Vitamin mixtures may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto. Also, the liquid composition may include an aerosol forming substance, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.
The liquid delivery element may deliver the liquid composition of the liquid storage to the heating element. For example, the liquid delivery element may be a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.
The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition delivered by the liquid delivery element. For example, the heating element may be a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heating element may include a conductive filament such as nichrome wire and may be positioned as being wound around the liquid delivery element. The heating element may be heated by a current supply and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, aerosol may be generated.
For example, the vaporizer 40 may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but it is not limited thereto.
The aerosol generating device 1 may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery 10, the controller 20, the heater 30, and the vaporizer 40. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting haptic information. Also, the aerosol generating device 1 may include at least one sensor (a puff sensor, a temperature sensor, an aerosol generating article insertion detecting sensor, etc.). Also, the aerosol generating device 1 may be formed as a structure that, even when the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, may introduce external air or discharge internal air.
Although not illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the aerosol generating device 1 and an additional cradle may form together a system. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 10 of the aerosol generating device 1. Alternatively, the heater 30 may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device 1 are coupled to each other.
The aerosol generating article 2 may be similar to a general combustive cigarette. For example, the aerosol generating article 2 may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter, etc. Alternatively, the second portion of the aerosol generating article 2 may also include an aerosol generating material. For example, an aerosol generating material made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.
The first portion may be completely inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, and the second portion may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, or a portion of the first portion and a portion of the second portion may be inserted thereinto. The user may puff aerosol while holding the second portion by the mouth of the user. In this case, the aerosol is generated by the external air passing through the first portion, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion and is delivered to the user's mouth.
For example, the external air may flow into at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 1. For example, opening and closing of the air passage and/or a size of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 1 may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount and the quality of smoking may be adjusted by the user. As another example, the external air may flow into the aerosol generating article 2 through at least one hole formed in a surface of the aerosol generating article 2.
Hereinafter, the examples of the aerosol generating article 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 .
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate examples of the aerosol generating article.
Referring to FIG. 3 , the aerosol generating article 2 includes a tobacco rod 21 and a filter rod 22. The first portion described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 may include the tobacco rod 21, and the second portion may include the filter rod 22.
FIG. 3 illustrates that the filter rod 22 includes a single segment, but is limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod 22 may include a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod 22 may include a first segment configured to cool an aerosol and a second segment configured to filter a certain component included in the aerosol. Also, as necessary, the filter rod 22 may further include at least one segment configured to perform other functions.
The aerosol generating article 2 may be packaged by at least one wrapper 24. The wrapper 24 may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the aerosol generating article 2 may be packaged by one wrapper 24. As another example, the aerosol generating article 2 may be doubly packaged by two or more wrappers 24. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be packaged by a first wrapper 24 a, and the filter rod 22 may be packaged by wrappers 24 b, 24 c, 24 d. Also, the entire aerosol generating article 2 may be re-packaged by another single wrapper 245. When the filter rod 22 includes a plurality of segments, each segment may be packaged by wrappers 24 b, 24 c, 24 d.
The tobacco rod 21 may include an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but it is not limited thereto. Also, the tobacco rod 21 may include other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic acid. Also, the tobacco rod 21 may include a flavored liquid, such as menthol or a moisturizer, which is injected to the tobacco rod 21.
The tobacco rod 21 may be manufactured in various forms. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be formed as a sheet or a strand. Also, the tobacco rod 21 may be formed as a pipe tobacco, which is formed of tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod 21 may be surrounded by a heat conductive material. For example, the heat conductive material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil. For example, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 may uniformly distribute heat transmitted to the tobacco rod 21, and thus, the heat conductivity applied to the tobacco rod may be increased and taste of the tobacco may be improved. Also, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 may function as a susceptor heated by the induction heater. Here, although not illustrated in the drawings, the tobacco rod 21 may further include an additional susceptor, in addition to the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21.
The filter rod 22 may include a cellulose acetate filter. Shapes of the filter rod 22 are not limited. For example, the filter rod 22 may include a cylinder-type rod or a tube-type rod having a hollow inside. Also, the filter rod 22 may include a recess-type rod. When the filter rod 22 includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape.
The filter rod 22 may be formed to generate flavors. For example, a flavoring liquid may be injected onto the filter rod 22, or an additional fiber coated with a flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter rod 22.
Also, the filter rod 22 may include at least one capsule 23. Here, the capsule 23 may generate a flavor or an aerosol. For example, the capsule 23 may have a configuration in which a liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. For example, the capsule 23 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.
When the filter rod 22 includes a segment configured to cool the aerosol, the cooling segment may include a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material. For example, the cooling segment may include pure polylactic acid alone, but the material for forming the cooling segment is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the cooling segment may include a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality of holes. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the above-described example and is not limited as long as the cooling segment cools the aerosol.
Referring to FIG. 4 , the aerosol generating article 3 may further include a front-end plug 33. The front-end plug 33 may be located on one side of the tobacco rod 31 which is opposite to the filter rod 32. The front-end plug 33 may prevent the tobacco rod 31 from being detached outwards and prevent the liquefied aerosol from flowing from the tobacco rod 31 into the aerosol generating device (1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 ), during smoking.
The filter rod 32 may include a first segment 321 and a second segment 322. Here, the first segment 321 may correspond to the first segment of the filter rod 22 of FIG. 3 , and the second segment 322 may correspond to the third segment of the filter rod 22 of FIG. 3 .
A diameter and a total length of the aerosol generating article 3 may correspond to a diameter and a total length of the aerosol generating article 2 of FIG. 3 . For example, the length of the front-end plug 33 is about 7 mm, the length of the tobacco rod 31 is about 15 mm, the length of the first segment 321 is about 12 mm, and the length of the second segment 322 is about 14 mm, but it is not limited thereto.
The aerosol generating article 3 may be packaged using at least one wrapper 350. The wrapper 350 may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the front end plug 33 may be packaged by a first wrapper 35 a, the tobacco rod 31 may be packaged by a second wrapper 35 b, the first segment 321 may be packaged by a third wrapper 35 c, and the second segment 322 may be packaged by a fourth wrapper 35 d.
Further, the entire aerosol generating article 3 may be repackaged by a fifth wrapper 35 e. In addition, at least one perforation 36 may be formed in the fifth wrapper 35 e. For example, the perforation 36 may be formed in a region surrounding the tobacco rod 31, but is not limited thereto. The perforation 36 may serve to transfer heat generated by the heater 30 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 to the inside of the tobacco rod 31.
In addition, at least one capsule 34 may be included in the second segment 322. Here, the capsule 34 may generate a flavor or an aerosol. For example, the capsule 34 may have a configuration in which a liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. For example, the capsule 34 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.
One embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module executable by the computer. The computer-readable recording medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, including both volatile and nonvolatile media, and both removable and non-removable media. In addition, the computer-readable recording medium may include both a computer storage medium and a communication medium. The computer storage medium includes all of volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media implemented by any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The communication medium typically includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in modulated data signals such as program modules, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information transfer media.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the aerosol generating device 1 and an aerosol generating article 2 inserted thereinto, according to an embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 5 , the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a heater assembly 100 for an aerosol generating device, a cartridge 200, an aerosol generating device body 300, and a cap 400.
The heater assembly 100 may accommodate the aerosol generating article 2 and heat the aerosol generating article 2. Here, the heater assembly 100 may heat a tobacco rod of the aerosol generating article 2, described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 , to heat an aerosol generating material included in the aerosol generating article 2.
The heater assembly 100 may be combined with the aerosol generating device body 300 to be fixed to the aerosol generating device body 300.
The aerosol generating material may be stored inside the cartridge 200 and the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 200 may be supplied to a heating unit included in the cartridge 200. Accordingly, the aerosol generating material may be aerosolized in a chamber included in the cartridge 200. In the disclosure, “aerosols” may denote particles generated when vapors generated as the aerosol generating material is heated are mixed with the air, and such a term may be used in the same meaning hereinbelow. Details about the heating unit and the chamber will be described in detail below.
The cartridge 200 may be connected or fluidly connected to the heater assembly 100. Accordingly, the aerosols generated in the chamber of the cartridge 200 may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 by passing through the aerosol generating article 2 accommodated in the heater assembly 100. Here, the aerosols generated in the chamber of the cartridge 200 may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 together with an additive or the aerosol generating material included in the aerosol generating article 2 being heated by the heater assembly 100. A user may contact the mouth to the aerosol generating article 2 and inhale the aerosols discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 through the aerosol generating article 2.
The aerosol generating device body 300 may be located at a lower portion (e.g., a portion facing a −z direction) of the heater assembly 100, the cartridge 200, and the cap 400 to support the heater assembly 100, the aerosol generating device body 300, and the cap 400. Components for operations of the aerosol generating device 1 may be arranged inside the aerosol generating device body 300.
The cap 400 may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the heater assembly 100, at least a portion of the cartridge 200, and at least a portion of the aerosol generating device body 300. For example, the cap 400 may be combined to the aerosol generating device body 300 to surround entire outer sides of the heater assembly 100 and cartridge 200. The cap 400 may protect the heater assembly 100, the cartridge 200, and the aerosol generating device body 300 from an external impact or inflow of an external foreign substance.
Hereinafter, a combination relationship between the aerosol generating device body 300 and the cap 400 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6 .
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 5 , wherein the cap 400 and the aerosol generating device body 300 are disassembled.
Referring to FIG. 6 , the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include the heater assembly 100, the cartridge 200, the aerosol generating device body 300, and the cap 400. At least one of components of the aerosol generating device 1 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1, shown in FIG. 5 , and redundant descriptions will be omitted below.
The heater assembly 100 may be arranged at one side (e.g., +x direction) of the cartridge 200. The heater assembly 100 may include an accommodating space for accommodating the aerosol generating article 2, and the accommodating space may be connected to the cartridge 200. Accordingly, the aerosols generated in the cartridge 200 may move to the accommodating space.
The cartridge 200 may include a storage 210 where the aerosol generating material is stored, and a chamber 220 connected to the storage 210.
The aerosol generating material stored in the storage 210 may include a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component or a liquid composition including a non-tobacco material.
According to an embodiment, the liquid composition may include one component from among water, a solvent, ethanol, plant extract, spices, flavorings, and a vitamin mixture, or a mixture thereof. The spices may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit-flavored ingredients, but are not limited thereto. The flavorings may include ingredients capable of providing various flavors or tastes to the user. Vitamin mixtures may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto. Also, the liquid composition may include an aerosol forming substance, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.
For example, the liquid composition may include any weight ratio of glycerin and propylene glycol solution to which nicotine salts are added. The liquid composition may include two or more types of nicotine salts. Nicotine salts may be formed by adding suitable acids, including organic or inorganic acids, to nicotine. Nicotine may be a naturally generated nicotine or synthetic nicotine and may have any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.
Acid for forming nicotine salts may be appropriately selected in consideration of the rate of nicotine absorption in blood, operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 1, the flavor or savor, the solubility, or the like. For example, the acid for the formation of nicotine salts may be a single acid selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid or malic acid, or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.
The chamber 220 may be connected to the storage 210 and may be a space in which the aerosols are generated from the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 210. The chamber 220 may be arranged at a lower portion (a portion facing a −z direction) of the storage 210. The aerosol generating material stored in the storage 210 may be introduced to an internal space of the chamber 220, and the aerosols generated in the internal space of the chamber 220 may move to the aerosol generating article 2 accommodated in the heater assembly 100.
Components for operations of the aerosol generating device 1 may be arranged inside the aerosol generating device body 300. For example, a battery (not shown) and a processor (not shown) may be arranged inside the aerosol generating device body 300. The battery and the processor are only examples of the components arranged in the aerosol generating device body 300, and components (e.g., a user interface, a sensor, and the like) other than the above-described components may be further arranged in the aerosol generating device body 300.
The battery may supply power used for operations of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the battery may be electrically connected to the heater assembly 100 and the heating unit of the cartridge 200 to supply power such that the heater assembly 100 and the heating unit are heated. As another example, the battery may supply power required for operations of other components (e.g., the processor and the like) of the aerosol generating device 1.
The processor may generally control operations of the aerosol generating device 1. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored, but is not limited thereto.
According to an embodiment, the processor may control power supplied from the battery to the heater assembly 100 and the heating unit of the cartridge 200. For example, the processor may control the amount of power supplied from the battery to the heater assembly 100 and the heating unit and the time the power is supplied, such that the heater assembly 100 and the heating unit are heated to a certain temperature or maintained at a designated temperature.
The aerosol generating device body 300 may include a combining portion 310.
The cartridge 200 may be detachably combined to the combining portion 310. When the cartridge 200 is combined to the combining portion 310, the cartridge 200 may be connected to the aerosol generating device body 300 and the heater assembly 100. When the cartridge 200 is separated from the combining portion 310, the cartridge 200 may be separated from the aerosol generating device body 300 and the heater assembly 100.
The combining portion 310 may include a combining body 311 and an accommodating hole 312.
The combining body 311 functions as a body of the combining portion 310 and a combining space for the cartridge 200 to be combined may be formed in the combining body 311. When the cartridge 200 is combined to the combining space, the cartridge 200 may be connected to the heater assembly 100 arranged inside the combining body 311 and electrically connected to the battery and processor of the aerosol generating device body 300.
The accommodating hole 312 may be formed at an upper portion (e.g., a portion facing the +z direction) of the combining body 311 and connected to the accommodating space of the heater assembly 100. The aerosol generating article 2 may be accommodated in the accommodating space of the heater assembly 100 by passing through the accommodating hole 312.
The cap 400 may include a cap body 410, a door 420, and a cap hole 430.
The cap body 410 may function as a body of the cap 400 and may be detachably combined to the aerosol generating device body 300. The cap body 410 may be arranged to surround outer sides of the cartridge 200 and combining portion 310. At least a portion of the door 420 may be inserted into the cap body 410, and thus, a door guide hole guiding movement of the door 420 may be formed.
The door 420 may be located at an upper portion (e.g., a portion facing the +z direction) of the cap body 410 and may open or close the cap hole 430. The door 420 may be inserted into the door guide hole of the cap body 410 and move in one direction (e.g., an x-axis direction).
The cap hole 430 may be formed at the upper portion (e.g., the portion facing the +z direction) of the cap body 410 and communicate with the accommodating hole 312 of the combining portion 310. While the cap 400 is combined to the aerosol generating device body 300, the aerosol generating article 2 may be accommodated in the accommodating space of the heater assembly 100 by sequentially passing through the cap hole 430 and the accommodating hole 312.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 6 , wherein the cartridge 200 and the aerosol generating device body 300 are disassembled.
Referring to FIG. 7 , the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include the heater assembly 100, the cartridge 200, and the aerosol generating device body 300. At least one of components of the aerosol generating device 1 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1, shown in FIG. 6 , and redundant descriptions will be omitted below.
The cartridge 200 may be detachably combined to the aerosol generating device body 300. For example, the cartridge 200 may be combined to or separated from the aerosol generating device body 300 by being combined to or separated from combining portion 310. When the cartridge 200 is combined to the combining portion 310, the cartridge 200 is connected or fluidly connected to the heater assembly 100, and in addition, may be electrically connected to the battery through a terminal (not shown) of the aerosol generating device body 300. At least a portion of the terminal may be exposed towards the combining portion 310 to be electrically connected to the heating unit of the cartridge 200.
When the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 200 is exhausted, the user may continue smoking by replacing the existing cartridge 200 with the new cartridge 200. As another example, when a sufficient amount of aerosols is not generated or a leakage of the aerosol generating material occurs due to deterioration of a performance of a component (e.g., the heating unit or a plate) of the cartridge 200, the user may replace the existing cartridge 200 with the new cartridge 200 such that the sufficient amount of aerosols is generated or the leakage of the aerosol generating material is prevented.
Hereinafter, a structure of the cartridge 200 where the aerosol generating material is stored will be described in detail.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the cartridge 200 of FIG. 7 .
Referring to FIG. 8 , the cartridge 200 may include the storage 210, the chamber 220, a plate 230, and a heating unit 240. At least one of components of the cartridge 200 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the cartridge 200, shown in FIG. 6 , and redundant descriptions will be omitted below.
The storage 210 stores the aerosol generating material and may be connected or fluidly connected to the internal space of the chamber 220 by being arranged at an upper portion of the chamber 220.
The chamber 220 may provide a space in which the aerosols are generated from the aerosol generating material. The chamber 220 may be arranged at a lower portion of the storage 210 and at one side of the heater assembly 100, and connected to each of the storage 210 and the heater assembly 100. Accordingly, the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 210 may be introduced to the internal space of the chamber 220, and the aerosols generated in the internal space of the chamber 220 may move to the accommodating space of the heater assembly 100.
The plate 230 may be arranged between the storage 210 and the chamber 220 to perform a function of preventing a leakage of the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 210 to the outside of the cartridge 200. For example, the plate 230 may be forcibly fitted to be combined to the storage 210 and the chamber 220, but a combining method is not limited thereto. The plate 230 may include an elastic material such as rubber.
The plate 230 may include an aerosol generating material inlet hole (not shown). The aerosol generating material inlet hole may be connected or fluidly connected to the inside of the chamber 220, and the aerosol generating material stored in the storage 210 may be introduced to the internal space of the chamber 220 through the aerosol generating material inlet hole. Accordingly, the aerosol generating material introduced to the internal space of the chamber 220 may be absorbed by a wick 242 inside the chamber 220 and heated by a heating coil 241.
The heating unit 240 may be arranged inside the chamber 220 and perform a function of converting a phase of the aerosol generating material into a phase of gas. A heating unit accommodating groove for accommodating the heating unit 240 may be formed in the chamber 220, and the heating unit 240 may be arranged in the chamber 220 by being accommodated in the heating unit accommodating groove.
The heating unit 240 may heat the aerosol generating material supplied from the storage 210. For example, the heating unit 240 may generate vapors from the aerosol generating material by heating the aerosol generating material supplied from the storage 210, and the generated vapors may be mixed with the external air introduced into the chamber 220. Accordingly, the aerosols may be generated.
The heating unit 240 may include the heating coil 241 and the wick 242.
The heating coil 241 may heat the aerosol generating material absorbed by the wick 242. The heating coil 241 may wound around the wick 242. For example, the heating coil 241 may heat the aerosol generating material absorbed by the wick 242 by using power supplied from a battery of an aerosol generating device body.
The heating coil 241 may include a metal material generating heat by electric resistance. For example, the heating coil 241 may include stainless steel so as to be not corroded by the aerosol generating material absorbed by the wick 242, but the metal material of the heating coil 241 is not limited thereto. As another example, the heating coil 241 may include a metal material such as copper, nickel, or tungsten.
The wick 242 is arranged at a lower portion (e.g., a portion facing the −z direction) of the storage 210 inside the chamber 220, and may absorb the aerosol generating material introduced to the internal space of the chamber 220 from the storage 210.
According to an embodiment, the wick 242 may include a cotton material.
However, a material of the wick 242 is not limited thereto, and the wick 242 may include another material (e.g., glass or ceramic) according to an embodiment.
The wick 242 may be accommodated in the heating unit accommodating groove of the chamber 220. When the wick 242 is accommodated in the heating unit accommodating groove, a location of the heating unit 240 inside the chamber 220 may be fixed.
Hereinafter, a structure of the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment will be described in more detail.
FIG. 9 is a combined perspective view of the heater assembly 100, the cartridge 200, and the aerosol generating device body 300, according to an embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 9 , the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include the heater assembly 100, the cartridge 200, and the aerosol generating device body 300. At least one of components of the aerosol generating device 1 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , and redundant descriptions will be omitted below.
The heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may include a heater 110 and a heater accommodating portion 120.
The heater 110 may accommodate an aerosol generating article and perform a function of heating the aerosol generating article. The heater 110 may be arranged to surround an outer side of the aerosol generating article inserted into the aerosol generating device 1.
The heater 110 may include a heat transfer pipe 110 a and a film 110 b.
The heat transfer pipe 110 a may perform a function of transferring heat generated in the film 110 b to the aerosol generating article. The heat transfer pipe 110 a may include a thermal conductive metal material including at least one of stainless steel, aluminum, and copper, or a combination thereof. The heat transfer pipe 110 a may include an accommodating space for accommodating the aerosol generating article. For example, the heat transfer pipe 110 a may have a hollow cylindrical shape.
The film 110 b may be arranged to surround an outer side of the heat transfer pipe 110 a. The film 110 b may be electrically connected to a battery of the aerosol generating device 1 and generate heat when power is applied thereto. The film 110 b may include a conducting wire that generates heat, and the conducting wire may be electrically connected to the battery. The film 110 b may have a hollow cylindrical shape such that the heat transfer pipe 110 a is accommodated therein. The film 110 b may be formed through a method of printing a circuit pattern, such as copper, on a flexible substrate formed of a flexible material, such as polyimide, or a method of stacking a flexible substrate and a circuit layer by using a process, such as lamination.
The heater 110 described below may denote the heat transfer pipe 110 a, and the same expression may be continuously used.
The heater 110 is accommodated in the heater accommodating portion 120. The heater accommodating portion 120 may be arranged at a lower portion (e.g., a −z direction) of the heater 110 and combined to the aerosol generating device body 300. The heater accommodating portion 120 may be connected to each of the accommodating space of the heater 110 and a chamber of the cartridge 200.
Hereinafter, an internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.
FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment, based on a cross-sectional line I-I of FIG. 5 .
Referring to FIG. 10 , the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include the heater assembly 100, the cartridge 200, the aerosol generating device body 300, and the cap 400. At least one of components of the aerosol generating device 1 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1, shown in FIG. 9 , and redundant descriptions will be omitted below.
The heater assembly 100 may include the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120.
The heater 110 may include an accommodating space 100 a for accommodating the aerosol generating article. The accommodating space 100 a may be connected to an internal space and the outside of the heater accommodating portion 120.
According to the heater assembly 100 of an embodiment, the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120 may be integrally formed through an insert injection method. Accordingly, the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120 are connected to each other without a joint, and thus there is no gap between the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120. Consequently, a possibility of aerosols that pass inside the heater assembly 100 leaking to the gap is fundamentally prevented, and thus, the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may prevent a malfunction or damage to components (e.g., a battery) of the aerosol generating device 1 caused by the leakage, and increase the amount of aerosols transferred to a user.
An insert injection process is one of molding methods in which a material (e.g., resin) is poured into a metallic mold and injected, and may denote a process of injecting resin in a metallic mold while a separate material, such as a metal, is pre-inserted into the metallic mold. A product in which a metal and resin (e.g., thermoplastic) are combined may be manufactured through the insert injection process. According to an embodiment, the metal may be the heater 110 and the resin may be the heater accommodating portion 120.
Also, the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120 being connected to each other without a joint may denote that a separate combining means (e.g., an adhesive) for connecting the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120 to each other does not exist, and a space between the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120 is minimized such that liquid, gas, or the like does not pass between the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120. According to an embodiment, the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120 may be connected to each other without a joint by directly attaching the heater accommodating portion 120 to the heater 110 on a contact surface between the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120.
The heater accommodating portion 120 may include an accommodating body 121 and an aerosol inlet hole 122.
The accommodating body 121 may function as a body of the heater accommodating portion 120 and may be integrally formed with the heater 110 through an insert injection method. An aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodating space 100 a may be surrounded by the heater 110 and the accommodating body 121 together. In other words, the accommodating space 100 a may be defined by an internal space of the heater 110 and an internal space of a portion of the accommodating body 121. The accommodating body 121 may be arranged between the heater 110 and the cartridge 200.
The aerosol inlet hole 122 may be formed in the accommodating body 121, and the aerosols generated from the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 200 may be introduced to the internal space of the heater accommodating portion 120 through the aerosol inlet hole 122 and move to the accommodating space 100 a. The aerosol inlet hole 122 may be connected to each of the chamber 220 of the cartridge 200 and the accommodating space 100 a.
The cartridge 200 may include the storage 210, the chamber 220, the plate 230, the heating unit 240, and an air current passage 250.
The aerosol generating material stored in the storage 210 may be introduced to the chamber 220 through an aerosol generating material inlet hole formed in the plate 230, and absorbed by a wick of the heating unit 240. A heating coil of the heating unit 240 may vaporize the aerosol generating material by heating the wick. At this time, aerosols may be generated as vapors are mixed with the external air introduced into the chamber 220 in a direction indicated by a hollow arrow shown in FIG. 10 through the air current passage 250. The air current passage 250 may be connected to the internal space of the chamber 220. The air current passage 250 may be formed in a direction (e.g., z-axis direction) from one side (e.g., −x direction) of the cartridge 200, but is not limited thereto.
The aerosols generated in the internal space of the chamber 220 may move to the internal space of the heater accommodating portion 120 through the aerosol inlet hole 122 in a direction indicated by a black arrow shown in FIG. 10 , and may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 through the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodating space 100 a.
Hereinafter, various embodiments of shapes and combined structures of the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 17 .
FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 10 , for describing an embodiment of the heater assembly 100 including a protruding portion 112.
Referring to FIG. 11 , the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may include the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120. At least one of components of the heater assembly 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly 100, shown in FIG. 10 , and redundant descriptions will be omitted below.
According to the heater assembly 100 of an embodiment, a heater body 111 and the accommodating body 121 may be integrally formed through an insert injection method. Accordingly, a gap is not generated between the heater body 111 and the accommodating body 121.
At least one of the heater 110 or the heater accommodating portion 120 may include a protruding portion protruding towards the remaining one. In FIG. 11 , an embodiment in which the heater 110 includes the protruding portion 112 is illustrated, but the heater accommodating portion 120 may include a protruding portion or both the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120 may include a protruding portion. The protruding portion may be integrated with the heater body 111 or the accommodating body 121.
The protruding portion 112 may protrude from the heater body 111 towards the heater accommodating portion 120. In this case, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 11 , a space between a first point P1 and a second point P2 may increase along the heater 110.
Here, the first point P1 may be defined as a portion where the heater body 111 and the accommodating body 121 are connected on an inner surface 111 a of the heater 110. Also, the second point P2 may be defined as a portion where the heater body 111 and the accommodating body 121 are connected on an outer surface 111 b of the heater 110.
According to a comparative example that does not include the protruding portion 112, a first surface 111 c of the heater 110 and a first surface 121 b of the heater accommodating portion 120 extend in one direction (e.g., x-axis direction), and thus, the space between the first point P1 and the second point P2 is small.
However, according to the heater assembly 100 of an embodiment, the first surface 111 c of the heater 110 and the first surface 121 b of the heater accommodating portion 120 include portions extending in at least two directions (e.g., x-axis direction and z-axis direction) by the protruding portion 112, and thus, the area of preventing paths for preventing a leakage of aerosols may be increased. Accordingly, the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may decrease a leakage possibility of aerosols through insert injection while strengthening prevention of the leakage of aerosols through shapes of the heater 110 and heater accommodating portion 120.
The inner surface 111 a of the heater 110 may be one inner surface of the heater 110 facing the accommodating space 100 a, and the outer surface 111 b of the heater 110 may be a surface opposite to the inner surface 111 a. The first surface 111 c of the heater 110 may be a bottom surface of the heater 110 facing the heater accommodating portion 120.
An inner surface 121 a of the heater accommodating portion 120 may be one inner surface of the heater accommodating portion 120 facing the accommodating space 100 a, and the first surface 121 b of the heater accommodating portion 120 may be a top surface of the heater accommodating portion 120 facing the heater 110.
Such surfaces may have same definitions in descriptions below.
The inner surface 111 a of the heater 110 and the inner surface 121 a of the heater accommodating portion 120 may be connected to each other as a continuous surface. Accordingly, the inner surface 111 a of the heater 110 and the inner surface 121 a of the heater accommodating portion 120 may be smoothly connected to each other without unevenness.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the portion A of FIG. 10 , for describing an embodiment of the heater assembly 100 including an extending portion 113.
Referring to FIG. 12 , the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may include the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120. At least one of components of the heater assembly 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly 100, shown in FIG. 10 , and redundant descriptions will be omitted below.
According to the heater assembly 100 of an embodiment, the heater body 111 and the accommodating body 121 may be integrally formed through an insert injection method. Accordingly, a gap is not generated between the heater body 111 and the accommodating body 121.
The heater 110 may include the extending portion 113.
The extending portion 113 may extend in the second direction (e.g., x-axis direction) crossing the first direction that is a direction (e.g., z-axis direction) in which the heater assembly 100 extends. In this case, the heater accommodating portion 120 may surround at least a portion of the heater 110. For example, the heater accommodating portion 120 may surround the all of the extending portion 113 and at least a portion of the heater body 111.
The heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may increase a combined area between the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120 through the extending portion 113, and thus has a structure for easily fixing the heater 110 to the heater accommodating portion 120. This is because movement of the heater 110 in the first direction may be fixed through the extending portion 113 extending in the second direction. Accordingly, the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may facilitate an insert injection method between the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120.
Also, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 12 , the space between the first point P1 and the second point P2 may increase along the heater 110 by the extending portion 113. Accordingly, the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may decrease a leakage possibility of aerosols through insert injection while strengthening prevention of the leakage of aerosols through shapes of the heater 110 and heater accommodating portion 120.
The extending portion 113 may extend from the heater body 111 in the second direction, and may be integrated with the heater body 111.
The inner surface 111 a of the heater 110 and the inner surface 121 a of the heater accommodating portion 120 may be connected to each other as a continuous surface. Accordingly, the inner surface 111 a of the heater 110 and the inner surface 121 a of the heater accommodating portion 120 may be smoothly connected to each other without unevenness.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the portion A of FIG. 10 , for describing an embodiment of the heater assembly 100 including a first extending portion 113 and a second extending portion 114. In the disclosure, the first extending portion 113 is may be the same as or similar to the extending portion 113 shown in FIG. 12 .
Referring to FIG. 13 , the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may include the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120. At least one of components of the heater assembly 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly 100, shown in FIG. 12 , and redundant descriptions will be omitted below.
The heater 110 may include the first extending portion 113 and the second extending portion 114.
The first extending portion 113 may extend in the second direction (e.g., x-axis direction) crossing the first direction that is a direction (e.g., z-axis direction) in which the heater assembly 100 extends. The first extending portion 113 is the same as the extending portion 113 shown in FIG. 12 , and thus, descriptions thereof are omitted.
The second extending portion 114 may extend in the first direction (e.g., z-axis direction) crossing the second direction (e.g., x-axis direction) in which the first extending portion 113 extends. For example, the second extending portion 114 may extend downward (e.g., −z direction) from the first extending portion 113 and may be integrated with the first extending portion 113.
In this case, the heater accommodating portion 120 may surround at least a portion of the heater 110. For example, the heater accommodating portion 120 may surround all of the first extending portion 113, all of the second extending portion 114, and at least a portion of the heater body 111.
The heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may increase a combined area between the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120 through the first extending portion 113 and the second extending portion 114, and thus has a structure for further easily fixing the heater 110 to the heater accommodating portion 120. Movement of the heater 110 in the first direction may be fixed through the first extending portion 113 extending in the second direction, and movement of the heater 110 in the second direction may be fixed through the second extending portion 114 extending in the first direction. Accordingly, the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may further facilitate an insert injection method between the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120.
Also, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 13 , the space between the first point P1 and the second point P2 may further increase along the heater 110, by the first extending portion 113 and the second extending portion 114. Accordingly, the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may decrease a leakage possibility of aerosols through insert injection while further strengthening prevention of the leakage of aerosols through shapes of the heater 110 and heater accommodating portion 120.
FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the portion A of FIG. 10 , for describing the heater assembly 100 including a sealing ring 130.
Referring to FIG. 14 , the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may include the heater 110, the heater accommodating portion 120, and the sealing ring 130. At least one of components of the heater assembly 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly 100, shown in FIG. 12 , and redundant descriptions will be omitted below.
The sealing ring 130 may surround the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120 together. Accordingly, prevention of the leakage of aerosols may be further strengthened. For example, the sealing ring 130 may be arranged at the second point P2.
The sealing ring 130 may have a circular ring shape and may include a rubber material.
Although not illustrated, the heater assembly 100 of FIG. 14 according to an embodiment may further include at least one of the components (e.g., the second extending portion 114) of the heater assembly 100 of FIG. 13 .
FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the portion A of FIG. 10 , for describing an embodiment of the heater assembly 100, in which the inner surface 111 a of the heater 110 and the inner surface 121 a of the heater accommodating portion 120 are spaced apart from each other.
Referring to FIG. 15 , the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may include the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120. At least one of components of the heater assembly 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly 100, shown in FIG. 12 , and redundant descriptions will be omitted below.
The inner surface 111 a of the heater 110 may be spaced apart from the inner surface 121 a of the heater accommodating portion 120. According to an embodiment, the inner surface 121 a of the heater accommodating portion 120 may be spaced apart from the inner surface 111 a of the heater 110 towards the accommodating space 100 a.
In such an embodiment, the heater accommodating portion 120 may surround the all an outer side of the extending portion 113 and at least a portion of the heater body 111. In such an embodiment, compared with the embodiment of FIG. 12 , a combined area between the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120 may be further increased. This is because, in the embodiment of FIG. 12 , the inner surface 111 a of the heater 110 is fully opened towards the accommodating space 100 a, whereas in the embodiment of FIG. 15 , a portion of the inner surface 111 a of the heater 110 is surrounded by the accommodating body 121. Accordingly, the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may further facilitate an insert injection method between the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120.
Also, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 15 , the space between the first point P1 and the second point P2 may further increase along the heater 110 by the extending portion 113. Accordingly, the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may decrease a leakage possibility of aerosols through insert injection while further strengthening prevention of the leakage of aerosols through shapes of the heater 110 and heater accommodating portion 120.
According to another embodiment, the inner surface 111 a of the heater 110 may be spaced apart from the inner surface 121 a of the heater accommodating portion 120 towards the accommodating space 100 a.
Although not illustrated, the heater assembly 100 of FIG. 15 according to an embodiment may further include at least one of the components (e.g., the second extending portion 114 and the sealing ring 130) of the heater assembly 100 of FIGS. 13 and 14 .
FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the portion A of FIG. 10 , for describing another embodiment of the heater assembly 100.
Referring to FIG. 16 , the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may include the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120. At least one of components of the heater assembly 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly 100, shown in FIG. 12 , and redundant descriptions will be omitted below.
The heater 110 may include the heater body 111 that extends in one direction (e.g., z-axis direction) to be integrated with the accommodating body 121 through insert injection.
The heater accommodating portion 120 may include a heater insertion groove into which at least a portion of the heater body 111 is inserted. When at least a portion of the heater body 111 is inserted into the heater insertion groove, the heater accommodating portion 120 may surround at least a portion of the heater body 111.
In such an embodiment, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 16 , the space between the first point P1 and the second point P2 may increase along the heater 110.
Unlike as shown in FIG. 16 , the inner surface 111 a of the heater 110 may be spaced apart from the inner surface 121 a of the heater accommodating portion 120. According to an embodiment, the inner surface 121 a of the heater accommodating portion 120 may be spaced apart from the inner surface 111 a of the heater 110 towards the accommodating space 100 a.
Although not illustrated, the heater assembly 100 of FIG. 16 according to an embodiment may further include at least one of the components (e.g., the second extending portion 114 and the sealing ring 130) of the heater assembly 100 of FIGS. 13 to 15 .
FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a portion B of FIG. 10 , for describing another embodiment of the heater assembly 100.
Referring to FIG. 17 , the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may include the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120. At least one of components of the heater assembly 100 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the heater assembly 100, shown in FIG. 12 , and redundant descriptions will be omitted below.
The heater 110 may include the first surface 111 c facing the heater accommodating portion 120 and a second surface 111 d opposite to the first surface 111 c. The first surface 111 c may be a bottom surface of the heater 110 and the second surface 111 d may be a top surface of the heater 110.
According to an embodiment, a first diameter D1 of a lower portion of the heater 110 may be greater than a second diameter D2 of an upper portion of the heater 110. In other words, a first length L1 of the first surface 111 c may be greater than a second length L2 of the second surface 111 d.
Accordingly, a combined area between the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120 may be increased. Accordingly, the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may facilitate an insert injection method between the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120.
Although not illustrated, the heater assembly 100 of FIG. 17 according to an embodiment may further include at least one of the components (e.g., the second extending portion 114 and the sealing ring 130) of the heater assembly 100 of FIGS. 13 to 15 .
FIG. 18 is a view illustrating a modified example of a combined structure of the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120.
Referring to FIG. 18 , the heater assembly 100 according to an embodiment may include the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120.
A screw thread 115 may be formed on an outer surface of the heater 110. The screw thread 115 may be formed along a circumferential direction of the outer surface of the heater 110. The screw thread 115 of the heater 110 may be inserted into a screw groove (not shown) formed on an inner surface of the heater accommodating portion 120.
In such an embodiment as well, the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120 may be integrated with each other through insert injection. In other words, while the heater 110 including the screw thread 115 is arranged in a metallic mold, resin forming the heater accommodating portion 120 is injected to the metallic mold, thereby manufacturing the heater assembly 100 of FIG. 18 . In such an embodiment, a combined area between the heater 110 and the heater accommodating portion 120 may be increased through the screw thread 115, and thus, the area of preventing paths for preventing a leakage of aerosols may be increased.
FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.
The aerosol generating device 1 may include a controller 1000, a sensing unit 2000, an output unit 3000, a battery 4000, a heater 5000, a user input unit 6000, a memory 7000, and a communication unit 8000. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 19 . That is, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that some of the components shown in FIG. 19 may be omitted or new components may be added.
The sensing unit 2000 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device 1 and a state around the aerosol generating device 1, and transmit sensed information to the controller 1000. Based on the sensed information, the controller 1000 may control the aerosol generating device 1 to perform various functions, such as controlling an operation of the heater 5000, limiting smoking, determining whether an aerosol generating article (e.g., a cigarette, a cartridge, or the like) is inserted, displaying a notification, or the like.
The sensing unit 2000 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 2100, an insertion detection sensor 2200, and a puff sensor 2300, but is not limited thereto.
The temperature sensor 2100 may sense a temperature at which the heater 5000 (or an aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 1 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater 5000, or the heater 5000 may serve as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 2100 may also be arranged around the battery 4000 to monitor the temperature of the battery 4000.
The insertion detection sensor 2200 may sense insertion and/or removal of an aerosol generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 2200 may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and may sense a signal change according to the insertion and/or removal of an aerosol generating article.
The puff sensor 2300 may sense a user's puff on the basis of various physical changes in an airflow passage or an airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor 2300 may sense a user's puff on the basis of any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.
The sensing unit 2000 may include, in addition to the temperature sensor 2100, the insertion detection sensor 2200, and the puff sensor 2300 described above, at least one of a temperature/humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a location sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)), a proximity sensor, and a red-green-blue (RGB) sensor (illuminance sensor). Because a function of each of sensors may be intuitively inferred by one of ordinary skill in the art from the name of the sensor, a detailed description thereof may be omitted.
The output unit 3000 may output information on a state of the aerosol generating device 1 and provide the information to a user. The output unit 3000 may include at least one of a display unit 3100, a haptic unit 3200, and a sound output unit 3300, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 3100 and a touch pad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 3100 may also be used as an input device in addition to an output device.
The display unit 3100 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user. For example, information about the aerosol generating device 1 may mean various pieces of information, such as a charging/discharging state of the battery 4000 of the aerosol generating device 1, a preheating state of the heater 5000, an insertion/removal state of an aerosol generating article, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generating device 1 is restricted (e.g., sensing of an abnormal object), or the like, and the display unit 3100 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 3100 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, or the like. In addition, the display unit 3100 may be in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) light-emitting device.
The haptic unit 3200 may tactilely provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus. For example, the haptic unit 3200 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.
The sound output unit 3300 may audibly provide information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user. For example, the sound output unit 3300 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output the same to the outside.
The battery 4000 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1. The battery 4000 may supply power such that the heater 5000 may be heated. In addition, the battery 4000 may supply power required for operations of other components (e.g., the sensing unit 2000, the output unit 3000, the user input unit 6000, the memory 7000, and the communication unit 8000) in the aerosol generating device 1. The battery 4000 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 4000 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.
The heater 5000 may receive power from the battery 4000 to heat an aerosol generating material. Although not illustrated in FIG. 19 , the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a direct current (DC)/DC converter) that converts power of the battery 4000 and supplies the same to the heater 5000. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 1 generates aerosols in an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a DC/alternating current (AC) that converts DC power of the battery 4000 into AC power.
The controller 1000, the sensing unit 2000, the output unit 3000, the user input unit 6000, the memory 7000, and the communication unit 8000 may each receive power from the battery 4000 to perform a function. Although not illustrated in FIG. 19 , the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power conversion circuit that converts power of the battery 4000 to supply the power to respective components, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit, or a voltage regulator circuit.
In an embodiment, the heater 5000 may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, the suitable electrically resistive material may be a metal or a metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater 5000 may be implemented by a metal wire, a metal plate on which an electrically conductive track is arranged, a ceramic heating element, or the like, but is not limited thereto.
In another embodiment, the heater 5000 may be a heater of an induction heating type. For example, the heater 5000 may include a susceptor that heats an aerosol generating material by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil.
The user input unit 6000 may receive information input from the user or may output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 6000 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (a contact capacitive method, a pressure resistance film method, an infrared sensing method, a surface ultrasonic conduction method, an integral tension measurement method, a piezo effect method, or the like), a jog wheel, a jog switch, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, although not illustrated in FIG. 19 , the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a connection interface, such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may connect to other external devices through the connection interface, such as the USB interface, to transmit and receive information, or to charge the battery 4000.
The memory 7000 is a hardware component that stores various types of data processed in the aerosol generating device 1, and may store data processed and data to be processed by the controller 1000. The memory 7000 may include at least one type of storage medium from among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card-type memory (for example, secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD) memory, etc.), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory 7000 may store an operation time of the aerosol generating device 1, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, data on a user's smoking pattern, etc.
The communication unit 8000 may include at least one component for communication with another electronic device. For example, the communication unit 8000 may include a short-range wireless communication unit 8100 and a wireless communication unit 8200.
The short-range wireless communication unit 8100 may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, or the like, but is not limited thereto.
The wireless communication unit 8200 may include a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN)) communication unit, or the like, but is not limited thereto. The wireless communication unit 8200 may also identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 1 within a communication network by using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).
The controller 1000 may control general operations of the aerosol generating device 1. In an embodiment, the controller 1000 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor may be implemented in other forms of hardware.
The controller 1000 may control the temperature of the heater 5000 by controlling supply of power of the battery 4000 to the heater 5000. For example, the controller 1000 may control power supply by controlling switching of a switching element between the battery 4000 and the heater 5000. In another example, a direct heating circuit may also control power supply to the heater 5000 according to a control command of the controller 1000.
The controller 1000 may analyze a result sensed by the sensing unit 2000 and control subsequent processes to be performed. For example, the controller 1000 may control power supplied to the heater 5000 to start or end an operation of the heater 5000 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 2000. As another example, the controller 1000 may control, based on a result sensed by the sensing unit 2000, an amount of power supplied to the heater 5000 and the time the power is supplied, such that the heater 5000 may be heated to a certain temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.
The controller 1000 may control the output unit 3000 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 2000. For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 2300 reaches a preset number, the controller 1000 may notify the user that the aerosol generating device 1 will soon be terminated through at least one of the display unit 3100, the haptic unit 3200, and the sound output unit 3300.
One embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a computer-readable recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module executable by the computer. The computer-readable recording medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media. In addition, the computer-readable recording medium may include both a computer storage medium and a communication medium. The computer storage medium includes all of volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media implemented by any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The communication medium typically includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in modulated data signals such as program modules, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information transfer media.
The descriptions of the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and equivalents thereof may be made. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to those described in the claims will be construed as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.
According to a heater assembly for an aerosol generating device, and the aerosol generating device, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, a malfunction or damage to components may be prevented and the amount of aerosols inhalable by a user may be increased.
Effects according to the spirit of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Claims

1. A heater assembly for an aerosol generating device, comprising:

a heater having formed therein an accommodating space in which an aerosol generating article is accommodated, the heater being configured to heat the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodating space; and

a heater accommodating portion connected to the heater so that aerosols generated from an aerosol generating material flow to the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodating space, and insert-injected with the heater.

2. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the heater and the heater accommodating portion are integrally formed.

3. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the heater or the heater accommodating portion comprises a protruding portion protruding towards the remaining one.

4. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the heater comprises an extending portion extending in a direction crossing a direction in which the heater accommodating portion extends.

5. The heater assembly of claim 4, wherein the heater accommodating portion is connected to the heater to surround an entire outer side of the extending portion.

6. The heater assembly of claim 4, wherein an inner surface of the heater, facing the accommodating space, and an inner surface of the heater accommodating portion, facing the accommodating space, are connected to each other through a continuous surface.

7. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the heater comprises:

a first extending portion extending in a second direction crossing a first direction in which the heater accommodating portion extends; and

a second extending portion extending in the first direction from the first extending portion.

8. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein a sealing ring arranged to surround the heater and the heater accommodating portion together.

9. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the heater extends in a direction in which the heater accommodating portion extends to be insert-injected with the heater accommodating portion.

10. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the heater comprises:

a film configured to generate heat when power is applied; and

a heat transfer pipe located inside the film and configured to transfer the heat generated in the film to the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodating space.

11. The heater assembly of claim 10, wherein the heat transfer pipe is insert-injected with the heater accommodating portion.

12. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the heater accommodating portion comprises an aerosol inlet hole connected to a chamber that is a space in which the aerosols are generated.

13. An aerosol generating device comprising:

the heater assembly for an aerosol generating device, according to claim 1, accommodating the aerosol generating article and configured to heat the aerosol generating article; and

a cartridge storing the aerosol generating material and connected to the heater assembly to allow the generated aerosols to move to the aerosol generating article.

14. The aerosol generating device of claim 13, wherein the cartridge comprises:

a storage in which the aerosol generating material is stored;

a heating unit configured to absorb the aerosol generating material stored in the storage and heat the aerosol generating material; and

a chamber accommodating the heating unit and providing a space in which the aerosols are generated.

15. The aerosol generating device of claim 13, wherein the aerosols generated in the cartridge are externally discharged through the aerosol generating article accommodated in the heater assembly.