Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Description
Title of Invention: AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE
Technical Field
[11 The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating
device.
Background Art
[2] An aerosol-generating device is a device that extracts
certain components from a
medium or a substance by forming an aerosol. The medium may contain a multi-
component substance. The substance contained in the medium may be a multi-
component flavoring substance. For example, the substance contained in the
medium
may include a nicotine component, an herbal component, and/or a coffee
component.
Recently, various researches on aerosol-generating devices have been
conducted.
[31
Disclosure of Invention
Technical Problem
[4] It is an object of the present disclosure to solve the above
and other problems.
151 It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an
aerosol-generating device
capable of preventing air or external contaminants from entering a space in
which a
heating coil is disposed.
[6] It is still another object of the present disclosure to
provide an aerosol-generating
device capable of stably and simply coupling a structure configured to cover
the space
in which the heating coil is disposed.
[71 It is yet another object of the present disclosure to
provide an aerosol-generating
device including a structure configured to stably support a stick inserted
into the
aerosol-generating device.
[81 It is still yet another object of the present disclosure to
provide an aerosol-generating
device in which a flow path, through which air flows to a stick, and
efficiency of flow
of air are improved.
[91
Solution to Problem
1101 In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure for
accomplishing the above
objects, there is provided an aerosol-generating device including a housing
comprising
an inner wall to define an insertion space therein and an outer wall
surrounding an
outer side of the inner wall to define a coil reception space formed between
the inner
wall and the outer wall, wherein each of the insertion space and the coil
reception
space have an opening at one side; a heating coil wound around the outer side
of the
inner wall and disposed in the coil reception space; and a cover configured to
cover the
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opening of the coil reception space and comprising an insertion port allowing
commu-
nication between the insertion space and an outside of the housing, wherein
the cover
comprises a sealing protrusion positioned between the opening of the insertion
space
and the opening of the coil reception space to press against the inner wall.
[111
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[12] According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, it
is possible to
provide an aerosol-generating device capable of preventing air or external con-
taminants from entering the space in which a heating coil is disposed.
[13] According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, it
is possible to
provide an aerosol-generating device in which a structure configured to cover
the space
in which the heating coil is disposed is capable of being stably and simply
coupled.
[141 According to at least one of embodiments of the present
disclosure, it is possible to
provide an aerosol-generating device including a structure configured to
stably support
a stick inserted into the aerosol-generating device.
[15] According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, it
is possible to
provide an aerosol-generating device in which a flow path, through which air
flows to
a stick, and efficiency of flow of air are improved.
[16] Additional applications of the present disclosure will become apparent
from the
following detailed description. However, because various changes and
modifications
will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art within the spirit and
scope of the
present disclosure, it should be understood that the detailed description and
specific
embodiments, such as preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are
merely
given by way of example.
[171
Brief Description of Drawings
[18] The above and other objects, features, and other advantages
of the present disclosure
will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken
in con-
junction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[191 FIGs. 1 to 17 are views showing examples of an aerosol-
generating device according
to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[20]
Mode for the Invention
[21] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification
will be described
in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar
elements are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are
depicted in
different drawings, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.
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[221 In the following description, with respect to constituent
elements used in the
following description, the suffixes "module" and "unit" are used only in
consideration
of facilitation of description, and do not have mutually distinguished
meanings or
functions.
[23] In addition, in the following description of the embodiments disclosed
in the present
specification, a detailed description of known functions and configurations in-
corporated herein will be omitted when the same may make the subject matter of
the
embodiments disclosed in the present specification rather unclear. In
addition, the ac-
companying drawings are provided only for a better understanding of the
embodiments
disclosed in the present specification and are not intended to limit the
technical ideas
disclosed in the present specification. Therefore, it should be understood
that the ac-
companying drawings include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions
within
the scope and sprit of the present disclosure.
[24] It will be understood that although the terms "first", "second", etc.,
may be used
herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited
by
these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from
another
component.
[25] It will be understood that when a component is referred to as being
"connected to" or
"coupled to" another component, it may be directly connected to or coupled to
another
component, or intervening components may be present. On the other hand, when a
component is referred to as being "directly connected to" or "directly coupled
to"
another component, there are no intervening components present.
[26] As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural
forms as well,
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
[27] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol-generating device 100 according the
present
disclosure may include at least one of a battery 11, a controller 12, a sensor
13, a
cartridge 14, or a heating coil 15. At least one of the battery 11, the
controller 12, the
sensor 13, the cartridge 14, or the heating coil 15 may be disposed in the
aerosol-
generating device 100.
[28] The heating coil 15 may heat a stick 200 inserted into the aerosol-
generating device
100. The heating coil 15 may be disposed so as to surround an insertion space
24 (see
FIG. 3) into which the stick 200 is inserted. The heating coil 15 may receive
power
from the battery 11 to generate heat. Alternatively, the heating coil 15 may
heat a
susceptor disposed in the insertion space 24 (see FIG. 3) by inducing a
magnetic field
in the susceptor. The susceptor may extend in the longitudinal direction of
the stick
200, and may be disposed in the stick 200. When the stick 200 is inserted into
the
insertion space 24 (see FIG. 3), the susceptor, which is disposed in the stick
200, is
inserted into the insertion space 24, and thus may be surrounded by the
heating coil 15.
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[291 The cartridge 14 may be replaceably disposed in the aerosol-
generating device 100.
The cartridge 14 may store liquid therein. The cartridge 14 may heat the
liquid stored
therein to generate an aerosol. The cartridge 14 may supply the aerosol, which
is
generated in the cartridge 14, to the stick 200 inserted into the insertion
space 24.
[30] The battery 11 may supply power required to drive the components of
the aerosol-
generating device 100. The battery 11 may supply power to at least one of the
controller 12, the sensor 13, or the heating coil 15. The battery 11 may
supply power
required to drive a display, a motor, and the like, which arc mounted on the
aerosol-
generating device 100.
[31] The controller 12 may control the overall operation of the aerosol-
generating device
100. The controller 12 may control the operation of at least one of the
battery 11, the
heating coil 15, the cartridge 14, or the sensor 13. The controller 12 may
check the
state of the components of the aerosol-generating device 100 in order to
determine
whether or not the aerosol-generating device 100 is operable.
[32] The sensor 13 may sense the temperature of the heating coil 15. The
sensor 13 may
be mounted adjacent to the heating coil 15. The controller 12 may control the
tem-
perature of the heating coil 15 based on the temperature of the heating coil
15, sensed
by the sensor 13. The controller 12 may transmit information about the
temperature of
the heating coil 15 to a user through a user interface based on the
temperature of the
heating coil 15, which is sensed by the sensor 13.
[33] Referring to FIGs. 2 and 3, a housing may include a lower housing 10
and an upper
housing 20. The upper housing 20 may be disposed on the lower housing 10. At
least
one of the battery 11, the controller 12, the sensor, or the cartridge 14 may
be disposed
in the lower housing 10 (see FIG. 1). The heating coil 15 may be disposed in
the upper
housing 20. The upper housing 20 may also be referred to simply as a housing
20.
[34] The housing 20 may include an outer wall 21 and an inner wall 22. The
inner wall 22
may define the insertion space 24, which is open at the upper side thereof.
The
insertion space 24 and the inner wall 22 may be formed in the shape of a
cylinder. The
stick 200 may be inserted into the insertion space 24. An upper portion of the
stick 200
may be exposed to the outside of the aerosol-generating device 100. When the
stick
200 is inserted into the insertion space 24, the inner wall 22 may surround
the lower
portion of the stick 200.
[35] The outer wall 21 of the housing 20 may surround the outer portion of
the inner wall
22. The outer wall 21 may be radially outwards spaced apart from the inner
wall 22.
The outer wall 21 may be formed in the shape of a cylinder. The outer wall 21
may
define a coil reception space 25, which is formed between the outer wall 21
and the
inner wall 22 and is open at the upper side thereof. The coil reception space
25 may be
formed between the outer wall 21 and the inner wall 22, and may extend
circumfer-
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entially. The outer wall 21 may surround the outer circumferential surface of
the coil
reception space 25. The inner wall 22 may surround the inner circumferential
surface
of the coil reception space 25.
[36] The heating coil 15 may be inserted into the coil reception space 25,
and may be
disposed therein. The heating coil 15 may be disposed so as to surround the
insertion
space 24. The heating coil 15 may receive power from the battery 11 to
generate heat.
Alternatively, the heating coil 15 may be disposed in the insertion space 24.
The
heating coil 15 may generate heat using a magnetic field generated by an
induction coil
disposed near the heating coil 15. The heating coil 15 may heat the stick 200
inserted
into the insertion space 24.
[37] A cover 30 may be disposed on the housing 20. The cover 30 may be
coupled or
fastened to the housing 20. The cover 30 may cover the upper portion of the
housing
20. The cover 30 may cover the open upper side of the coil reception space 25.
An
insertion port 34 may be formed by opening the cover 30. The insertion port 34
may
have the shape of a circle. The insertion port 34 may be disposed above the
insertion
space 24 so as to communicate with the insertion space 24. The outer
circumferential
surface of the insertion port 34 may be disposed parallel to the outer
circumferential
surface of the insertion space 24, or may have a shape corresponding to the
outer cir-
cumferential surface of the insertion space 24.
[38] Referring to FIGs. 4 to 6, the housing 20 may include a helical guide
214 and 215.
The helical guide 214 and 215 may be positioned around the insertion space 24,
and
may obliquely and circumferentially extend downwards. The helical guide 214
and 215
may be formed by depressing the inner circumferential surface of the upper
portion of
the outer wall 21 radially outwards. The helical guide 214 and 215 may face
the coil
reception space 25, or may communicate therewith. The helical guide 214 and
215
may be one of a plurality of helical guides, which are circumferentially
arranged. For
example, the helical guide 214 and 215 may include three helical guides, which
are cir-
cumferentially spaced apart from each other.
[39] The helical guide 214 and 215 may include a guide inlet 214. The
helical guide 214
and 215 may include a guide channel 215. The guide inlet 214 may be open at
the
upper end of the housing 20. The guide inlet 214 may be formed by depressing
the
inner circumferential surface of the upper end of the outer wall 21 radially
outwards.
The guide inlet 214 may be formed by opening the upper end of the outer wall
21. The
guide inlet 214 may face the coil reception space 25, or may communicate
therewith.
The guide inlet 214 may communicate with one end of the guide channel 215. The
guide inlet 214 may be one of a plurality of guide inlets, which are
circumferentially
spaced apart from each other.
[40] The guide channel 215 may be formed by depressing the inner
circumferential
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surface of the upper end of the outer wall 21 radially outwards. The guide
channel 215
may circumferentially extend obliquely downwards from the guide inlet 214. The
guide channel 215 may be formed in the shape of a helix. The guide channel 215
may
communicate with the guide inlet 214. The guide channel 215 may communicate
with
the coil reception space 25. The guide inlet 214 may be one of a plurality of
guide
inlets, which are circumferentially spaced apart from each other.
[41] The cover 30 may include a first cover part 21 and a second cover part
32. The
second cover part 32 may be formed beneath the first cover part 31. The inner
circum-
ferential surfaces of the first cover part 31 and the second cover part 32 may
be in-
tegrally formed, and may constitute the inner circumferential surface 33 of
the cover
30 surrounding the side portion of the insertion port 34. The outer
circumferential
surface of the second cover part 32 may be radially inwards depressed from the
outer
circumferential surface of the first cover part 31.
[42] The cover 30 may include a guide protrusion 325. The guide protrusion
325 may
project so as to be inserted into the helical guide 214 and 215. The guide
protrusion
325 may project from the outer circumferential surface of the second cover
part 32.
The guide protrusion 325 may be one of a plurality of guide protrusions 325,
which are
circumferentially spaced apart from each other. The guide protrusion 325 may
include
a number of guide protrusions 325 corresponding to the number of helical
guides 214
and 215. The plurality of guide protrusions 325 may be disposed at positions
corre-
sponding to the plurality of guide inlets 214. The guide protrusions 325 may
be
disposed below the first cover part 31.
[43] A sealing protrusion 35 may project downwards from the cover 30. The
sealing
protrusion 35 may project downwards from the lower portion of the second cover
part
32. The sealing protrusion 35 may be formed around the insertion port 34. The
sealing
protrusion 35 may extend along the lower end of the insertion port 34. The
sealing
protrusion 35 may extend circumferentially. The sealing protrusion 35 may have
the
shape of a ring. The sealing protrusion 35 may be convex downwards. The
sealing
protrusion 35 may have a shape corresponding to that of a sealing groove 225.
The
sealing protrusion 35 may be forcibly inserted into the sealing groove 225 so
as to be
in close contact with the upper end of the inner wall 22. The sealing
protrusion 35 may
be made of an elastic material. For example, the sealing protrusion 35 may be
made of
rubber or silicone.
[44] The sealing groove 225 may be formed by depressing the upper end of
the inner wall
22 downwards. The sealing groove 225 may be open upwards. The sealing groove
225
may be formed around the upper end of the insertion space 24. The sealing
groove 225
may circumferentially extend along the upper end of the inner wall 22. The
sealing
groove 225 may have the shape of a ring. The sealing groove 225 may be concave
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downwards. The upper end of the inner wall 22 may be positioned lower than the
upper end of the outer wall 21. The inner wall 22 may be lower than the outer
wall 21
in a vertical direction. The sealing groove 225 may be positioned lower than
the upper
end of the outer wall 21.
[45] The cover 30 may include a first support protrusion 37. The first
support protrusion
37 may project radially inwards from the outer circumferential surface 33 of
the
insertion port 34. The first support protrusion 37 may be one of a plurality
of first
support protrusions, which arc circumferentially spaced apart from each other
along
the outer circumferential surface 33 of the insertion port 34. The plurality
of first
support protrusions 37 may be spaced apart from each other, with a gap formed
therebetween.
[46] The inner wall 22 may cover the side portion and the lower portion of
the insertion
space 24. The inner circumferential surface of the inner wall 22 may cover the
side
portion of the insertion space 24. The bottom 23 of the inner wall 22 may
cover the
lower portion of the insertion space 24. The bottom 23 of the inner wall 22
may have
the shape of a circle.
[47] A second support protrusion 27 may project upwards toward the
insertion space 24
from the bottom 23 of the inner wall 22. The second support protrusion 27 may
be
formed in or near the center of the bottom 23 of the inner wall 22. The second
support
protrusion 27 may have the upper end surface 271 formed to be flat, and may
have an
outer circumferential surface 272 that narrows moving toward the upper end
surface
271 from the bottom 23 of the inner wall 22. The second support protrusion 27
may
have a truncated form, such as a truncated circular cone or a truncated
pyramid. The
upper end surface 271 of the second support protrusion 27 may be referred to
as a flat
surface 271. The outer circumferential surface 272 of the second support
protrusion 27
may be referred to as a sloping surface 272.
[48] Referring to FlGs. 7 to 9, the cover 30 may be coupled to the housing
20. The cover
30 may be rotated in one circumferential direction so as to be coupled to the
housing
20. When the cover 30 is rotated in the one direction so as to be coupled to
the housing
20, the cover 30 may be moved downwards so as to press the upper end of the
inner
wall 22. When the cover 30 is rotated in the one direction so as to be coupled
to the
housing 20, the cover 30 may be moved downwards so as to hermetically cover
the
upper end of the coil reception space 25.
[49] The guide protrusion 325 may project from the cover 30 so as to be
inserted into the
helical guide 214 and 215. The guide protrusion 325 may be inserted into the
helical
guide 214 and 215 so as to guide rotation of the cover 30. The guide
protrusion 325
may move along the helical guide 214 and 215. The guide protrusion 325 may be
inserted into the guide inlet 214. The guide protrusion 325 inserted into the
guide inlet
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214 may move along the guide channel 215. The guide channel 215 may guide the
helical movement of the guide protrusion 325, and may thus move the cover 30
downwards. The guide protrusion 325 may be fastened to the housing 20 at the
end of
the guide channel 215 so as to prevent the cover 30 from rotating in the
opposite
direction.
[50] A stopper 215a may be formed on the housing 20 around the opening. The
stopper
215a may project from the helical guide 214 and 215. The stopper 215a may
project
inwards from the guide channel 215. The stopper 215a may be positioned close
to the
end of the guide channel 215. The stopper 215a may project from the guide
channel
215, and may be curved in the direction in which the guide protrusion 325
moves when
the cover 30 is rotated in one direction. The stopper 215a may have a curved
surface
which is convex toward the guide protrusion 325. The stopper 215a may have
elasticity. The stopper 215a may provide elastic force in one direction. The
stopper
215a may be referred to as a first stopper 215a.
[51] When the guide protrusion 325 is moved in one direction along the
guide channel
215, the cover 30 may be rotated in the one direction. When the guide
protrusion 325 is
moved in one direction along the guide channel 215, the guide protrusion 325
may be
brought into contact with the stopper 215a or may catch on the stopper 215a.
The guide
protrusion 325 may be moved in one direction along the guide channel 215 over
the
stopper 215a. When the guide protrusion 325 is positioned at the end of the
guide
channel 215, the guide protrusion may catch on the stopper 215a. The stopper
215a
may come into contact with the guide protrusion 325 positioned at the end of
the guide
channel 215, and may provide repulsive force in one direction. The stopper
215a may
provide the guide protrusion 325 with repulsive force in order to restrict
rotation of the
cover 30 in the opposite direction.
[52] For example, the guide protrusion 325 may move over the stopper 215
along the
curved surface of the stopper 215a, and may be seated at the end of the guide
channel
215. The guide protrusion 325, which is seated at the end of the guide channel
215,
may catch on the end of the stopper 215a, thereby restricting movement of the
guide
protrusion 325 in the opposite direction. Consequently, it is possible to
prevent the
cover 30 from being rotated in the opposite direction.
[53] When the cover 30 is coupled to the housing 20, the insertion port 34
may be po-
sitioned above the insertion space 24 so as to communicate with the insertion
space 24.
When the cover 30 is rotated in one direction along the helical guide 214 and
215, the
second cover part 32 may be moved downwards so as to cover or seal the upper
end of
the coil reception space 25.
[54] When the cover 30 is rotated in one direction along the helical guide
214 and 215,
the second cover part 32 may be moved downwards, thereby pressing the upper
end of
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the inner wall 22 downwards in the state of being in close contact therewith.
At least
one of the cover 30 or the inner wall 22 may have elasticity. When the cover
30 is
completely coupled to the housing 20, the cover 30 and the inner wall 22 may
be
subjected to vertical stress, and may be brought into close contact with each
other
while being changed in shape.
[55] When the cover 30 is rotated in one direction along the helical guide
214 and 215,
the cover 30 and the outer wall 21 may be brought into close contact with each
other in
a vertical direction. The first cover part 31 and the upper end of the outer
wall 21 may
be brought into close contact with each other in a vertical direction. At
least one of the
cover 30 or the outer wall 21 may have elasticity. When the cover 30 is
completely
coupled to the housing 20, the cover 30 and the outer wall 21 may be subjected
to
stress in a vertical direction, and may thus be brought into close contact
with each
other while being changed in shape.
[56] The sealing protrusion 35 may be inserted into the sealing groove 225.
The sealing
protrusion 35 may be made of an elastic material. For example, the sealing
protrusion
35 may be made of rubber or silicone. When the cover 30 is coupled to the
housing 20,
the sealing protrusion 35 may be brought into contact with the sealing groove
225 in
the upper end of the inner wall 22, and may be subjected to upward stress,
thereby
being changed in shape. When the cover 30 is coupled to the housing 20, the
sealing
protrusion 35 may be brought into close contact with and be inserted into the
sealing
groove 225. The second cover part 32 may be brought into close contact with
the upper
end of the inner wall 22.
[57] The sealing protrusion 35 may project downwards from the second cover
part 32.
The sealing groove 225 may be depressed downwards from the upper end of the
inner
wall 22. The length R1 that the sealing protrusion 35 projects downwards may
he
greater than the length R2 that the sealing groove 225 is depressed downwards.
The
sealing protrusion 35 may have an elliptical cross-section which is elongate
vertically.
The sealing groove 225 may have an elliptical cross-section which is elongate
hori-
zontally. The curvature of the sealing protrusion 35 may be different from the
curvature of the sealing groove 225.
1581 When the sealing protrusion 35 is inserted into the sealing groove
225, the sealing
protrusion 35 may be brought into contact with the sealing groove 225 while
being
subjected to stress, and may be changed into a shape corresponding to that of
the
sealing groove 225. The sealing protrusion 35 may be fully disposed in the
sealing
groove 225 and may be brought into close contact with the sealing groove 225
while
being changed in shape.
[59] Consequently, the cover 30 may be moved downwards while being
rotated in one
direction, thereby being coupled to the housing 20. As a result, the gap
between the
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cover 30 and the housing 20 may be tightly sealed, thereby making it possible
to
prevent air or contaminants from entering the coil reception space 25 through
the gap
between the cover 30 and the housing 20. Furthermore, it is possible to
prevent mal-
function of the heating coil 15.
[60] Referring to FIG. 10, an extension 2151 and 2152 may extend from the
end of the
guide channel 215 and may be curved at least once. A first extension 2151 may
be
connected to the end of the guide channel 215. The first extension 2151 may be
po-
sitioned between the guide channel 215 and the second extension 2152 so as to
connect
them to each other. The first extension 2151 may be curved downwards at the
end of
the guide channel 215, and may extend therefrom. The first extension 2151 may
be
formed by depressing the inner circumferential surface of the outer wall 21
radially
outwards, similarly to the guide channel 215.
[61] A second extension 2152 may be connected to the end of the first
extension 2151.
The second extension 2152 may be curved at the end of the first extension
2151, and
may extend therefrom. The second extension 2152 may extend in a direction such
that
it intersects the first extension 2151. Similarly to the guide channel 215,
the second
extension 2152 may be formed by depressing the inner circumferential surface
of the
outer wall 21 radially outwards.
[621 When moved in one direction, the guide protrusion 325 may
pass through the guide
channel 215 and the first extension in that order, and may then be disposed in
the
second extension 2152. The guide protrusion 325 disposed in the second
extension
2152 may catch on the outer wall 21 near the first extension 2151 and the
second
extension 2152. Consequently, movement of the guide protrusion 325 in an
upward
direction or in another direction may be restricted.
[63] Referring to FIGs. 11 and 12, the cover 30 may be moved in one
direction, and may
be coupled to the housing 20. The cover 30 may be threadedly coupled to the
housing
20 so as to be moved downwards while being rotated.
[64] The housing 20 may include a female thread. The female thread 216 may
be circum-
ferentially formed around the upper end of the insertion space 24. The female
thread
216 may be formed in the inner circumferential surface of the upper end of the
outer
wall 21.
[65] The cover 30 may include a male thread 326. The male thread 326 may be
circumfer-
entially formed in the outer circumferential surface of the cover 30. The male
thread
326 may be circumferentially formed in the outer circumferential surface of
the second
cover part 32. The mal thread 326 may have a shape corresponding to the female
thread 216. The male thread 316 may be rotated in one direction while being
engaged
with the female thread 216, thereby moving the cover 30 downwards. The cover
30
may be moved downwards so as to press the inner wall 22 and the outer wall 21
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downwards.
[66] Accordingly, the cover 30 may be moved downwards while being rotated
in one
direction, and may be coupled to the housing 20. As a result, the gap between
the cover
30 and the housing 20 may be tightly sealed, thereby making it possible to
prevent air
or contaminants from entering the coil reception space 25 through the gap
between the
cover 30 and the housing 20. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent
malfunction of the
heating coil 15.
[67] A restriction protrusion 326b may project outwards from the outer
circumferential
surface of the cover 30. The restriction protrusion 326b may project outwards
from the
outer circumferential surface of the second cover part 32. The restriction
protrusion
326b may be one of a plurality of restriction protrusions, which are
circumferentially
spaced apart from each other. The restriction protrusion 326b may be disposed
above
the male thread 326. When the cover 30 is rotated in one direction, the
restriction
protrusion 326b may also be rotated in the one direction.
[68] A stopper 216b may be formed on the housing 20 around the opening. The
stopper
216b may be positioned close to the female thread 216. The stopper may be
disposed
above the female thread 216. The stopper 216b may project inwards from the
outer
wall 21. The stopper 216b may be curved and may then extend in the direction
in
which the cover 30 is rotated. The stopper 216b may have a curved surface,
which is
convex toward the restriction protrusion 326b. The stopper 216b may have
elasticity.
The stopper 216b may provide elastic force in one direction. The stopper 216b
may be
referred to as a second stopper 216b. The second stopper 216b may have a shape
identical or similar to that of the first stopper 215a, which has been
described above.
[69] When the cover 30 is rotated such that the male thread 326 is engaged
with the
female thread 216, the restriction protrusion 326b may be moved over the
stopper
216b, and may be brought into contact with the end of the stopper 216b or
catch on the
end of the stopper 216b. Once the restriction protrusion 326b is moved over
the
stopper 216b, the stopper 216b may be brought into contact with the
restriction
protrusion 326b, thereby providing repulsive force in one direction.
Consequently, the
stopper 216b may provide the restriction protrusion 326b with repulsive force,
thereby
preventing the cover 30 from being rotated in the opposite direction.
[70] Referring to FIGs. 13 and 14, the cover 30 may be fastened to the
housing 20 in a
snap-fit manner while being moved downwards. The cover 30 may include a hook
328.
The housing 20 may have a hook-engaging groove 218.
[71] The hook 328 may project outwards from the outer circumferential
surface of the
second cover part 32. The hook 328 may have an inclined shape so as to be
widened
moving upwards. The hook 328 may have an upper flat end.
[72] The hook-engaging groove 218 may be formed by depressing the inner
circum-
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ferential surface of the upper end of the outer wall 21 outwards. The hook-
engaging
groove 218 may have a shape corresponding to the hook 328. The hook 328 may be
one of a plurality of hooks, which are symmetrically disposed around the
insertion port
34. The hook-engaging groove 218 may be formed at a location corresponding to
the
hook 328.
[73] The hook 328 may be moved downwards, and may be inserted into the hook-
engaging groove 218 and engaged therewith, thereby preventing the cover 30
from
being moved upwards or being separated from the housing 20. When the hook 328
is
engaged with the hook-engaging groove 218, the cover 30 and the inner wall 22
may
be subjected to stress in a vertical direction. When the hook 328 is engaged
with the
hook-engaging groove 218, the cover 30 and the outer wall 21 may be subjected
to
stress in a vertical direction.
[74] Accordingly, the cover 30 may be moved downwards, and may then be
coupled to
the housing 20. As a result, the gap between the cover 30 and the housing 20
may be
tightly sealed, thereby making it possible to prevent air or contaminants from
entering
the coil reception space 25 through the gap between the cover 30 and the
housing 20.
Furthermore, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the heating coil 15.
[75] Referring to FIG. 15, the stick 200 may be inserted into the insertion
space 24
through the insertion port 34. The plurality of the first support protrusions
37 may be
arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the stick 200, and may
support the
outer circumferential surface of the stick 200 that is inserted into the
insertion space
24. The second support protrusion 27 may support the bottom of the stick 200
that is
inserted into the insertion space 24.
[76] The first support protrusion 37 may project so as to have a round
convex shape.
When the stick 200 passes through the insertion port 34, the first support
protrusion 37
may guide the stick 200 such that the stick 200 may be inserted into the
insertion space
24 while sliding on the surface of the first support protrusion 37.
[77] The second support protrusion 27 may have a flat surface 271 and a
sloping surface
272. The flat surface 271 may come into contact with the bottom surface of the
stick
200 inserted into the insertion space 24 so as to support the stick 200.
[78] The stick 200 may include the susceptor (not shown) therein. The
susceptor may be
disposed in the lower portion of the stick 200. When the stick 200 is inserted
into the
insertion space 24, the susceptor in the stick 200 may be disposed in the
insertion space
24, and may be surrounded by the heating coil 15. The heating coil 15 may heat
the
susceptor in the stick 200. The heating coil 15 may induce a magnetic field in
the
susceptor. The susceptor may generate heat using the magnetic field, induced
by the
heating coil 15. Alternatively, the heating coil 15 may directly generate heat
to heat the
stick 200 inserted into the insertion space 24. The outer circumferential
surface of the
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lower portion of the stick 200 may be coated with glycerin.
[79] The upper portion of the stick 200 may be exposed to the outside of
the cover 30. A
user may inhale air through the upper portion of the stick 200, which is
exposed to the
outside. When the user inhales air, the air may be supplied to the stick 200
through the
insertion port 34 and the insertion space 24. Here, the air may be introduced
into the
insertion space 24 through the gaps between the plurality of first support
protrusions
37. The air introduced into the insertion space 2 may be provided to the
bottom of the
stick 200 through the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the
inner wall
22 and the outer circumferential surface of the stick 200 and the gap between
the
bottom 23 of the inner wall 22 and the bottom of the stick 200. A portion of
the air that
is present between the bottom of the inner wall 22 and the bottom of the stick
200 may
obliquely flow along the sloping surface 272 of the second support protrusion
27, and
may then he supplied to the bottom of the stick 200.
[80] Accordingly, the flow path of air may be shortened, and flow
efficiency may be
improved. Furthermore, the air may be supplied to the stick 200 without
passing
through the coil reception space 25 in which the heating coil 15 is disposed.
In
addition, it is possible to prevent air from being introduced into the coil
reception
space 25 through the gap between the cover 30 and the housing 20. Furthermore,
it is
possible to prevent malfunction of the heating coil 15.
[81] Referring to FIGs. 16 and 17, a third support protrusion 28 may
project toward the
insertion space 24 from the periphery of the bottom 23 of the inner wall 22.
The third
support protrusion 28 may be one of a plurality of third support protrusions,
which are
spaced apart from each other along the outer circumferential surface of the
insertion
space 24. The plurality of third support protrusions 28 may be arranged along
the
periphery of the bottom 23 of the inner wall 22. Gaps may be formed between
the
plurality of third support protrusions 28 so as to allow air to flow
therethrough. Each
third support protrusion may include a portion that is sloped toward the inner
circum-
ferential surface of the inner wall 22 from the bottom of the inner wall 22.
[82] The third support protrusion 28 may include a sloping portion 281. The
sloping
portion 281 may be shaped so as to be sloped downwards from the inner circum-
ferential surface of the inner wall 22. The sloping portion 22 may be sloped
such that
the cross-sectional area of the insertion space 24 decreases moving downwards.
The
sloping portion 281 may be spaced upwards apart from the bottom 23 of the
inner wall
22. The sloping portion 281 may be one of a plurality of sloping portions,
which are
arranged circumferentially. When the stick 200 is inserted into the insertion
space 24,
the periphery of the bottom of the stick 200 may be brought into contact with
the
sloping portion 281, thereby guiding the positioning of the stick 200.
[83] The third support protrusion 28 may include a side support portion
282. The side
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support portion 282 may have a shape that projects toward the inside of the
insertion
space 24 from the inner circumferential surface of the inner wall 22. The
distance that
the side support portion 282 projects may be equal or similar to the distance
that the
first support protrusion 37 projects. The side support portion 282 may extend
downwards from the lower end of the sloping portion 281. The side support
portion
282 may extend parallel to the inner circumferential surface of the inner wall
22. The
side support portion 282 may support the outer circumferential surface of the
lower
portion of the stick 200. The first support protrusion 37 and the side support
portion
282 may support the outer circumferential surface of the stick 200 at upper
and lower
levels in order to prevent the stick 200 from being shaken in the insertion
space 24.
[84] The third support protrusion 28 may include a bottom support
portion 283. The
bottom support portion 283 may project upwards from the bottom 23 of the inner
wall
22. The bottom support portion 283 may abut the inner circumferential surface
of the
inner wall 22. The bottom support portion 283 may extend so as to project
radially
inwards from the lower end of the sloping portion 281 or the side support
portion 282.
The bottom support portion 283 may support the peripheral portion of the stick
200.
The bottom support portion 283 may upwardly space the stick 200 apart from the
bottom 23 of the inner wall 22.
[851 When a user inhales air through the stick 200 inserted into
the insertion space 24, air
may be supplied to the stick 200 through the insertion port 34 and the
insertion space
24. Here, the air may be introduced into the insertion space 24 through the
gaps
between the plurality of first support protrusions 37. The air introduced into
the
insertion space 24 may pass through the gap between the inner circumferential
surface
of the inner wall 22 and the outer circumferential surface of the stick 200.
After
passing through the gaps between the third support protrusions 28, the air may
flow
into the space between the bottom 23 of the inner wall 22 and the bottom of
the stick
200, and may thus be supplied to the bottom of the stick 200.
[86] Accordingly, when the stick 200 is inserted into the insertion space
24, the bottom of
the stick 200 may be positioned in the center of the insertion space 24 while
sliding on
the third support protrusion 28. Furthermore, the stick 200 inserted into the
insertion
space 24 may be stably held. In addition, the stick 200 may be spaced upwards
apart
from the bottom of the insertion space 24 by means of the third support
protrusion 28,
thereby providing a gap through which air flows.
[87] Furthermore, the flow path of air may be shortened, and flow
efficiency may be
improved. In addition, air may be more uniformly supplied to the center of the
bottom
of the stick 200. Furthermore, air may be supplied to the stick 200 without
passing
through the coil reception space 25, in which the heating coil 15 is disposed.
In
addition, it is possible to prevent air from being introduced into the coil
reception
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space 25 through the gap between the cover 30 and the housing 20. Furthermore,
it is
possible to prevent malfunction of the heating coil 15.
[88] Referring to FIGs. 1 to 17, an aerosol-generating device 100 according
to one aspect
of the present disclosure includes a housing 20 including an inner wall 22 to
define an
insertion space 24 therein and an outer wall 21 surrounding an outer side of
the inner
wall 22 to define coil reception space 25 formed between the inner wall 22 and
the
outer wall 21, wherein each of the insertion space 24 and the coil reception
space 25
have an opening at one side, a heating coil 15 wound around the outer side of
the inner
wall 22 and disposed in the coil reception space 25, and a cover 30 configured
to cover
the opening of the coil reception space 25 and comprising an insertion port 34
allowing
communication between the insertion space 24 and an outside of the housing 20,
wherein the cover 30 includes a sealing protrusion 35 positioned between the
opening
of the insertion space 24 and the opening of the coil reception space 25 to
press against
the inner wall 22.
[89] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
the aerosol-
generating device 100 may further comprise a sealing groove 225 formed in the
inner
wall, wherein the sealing protrusion 35 may protrude downward from the cover
30 and
may be configured to be inserted into the sealing groove 225.
[90] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
the sealing
protrusion 35 may be configured to be fitted into the sealing groove 225 in an
in-
terference-fit manner.
[91] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
the sealing
protrusion 35 may have a curvature different than a curvature of the sealing
groove
225.
[92] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
each of the sealing
groove 225 and the sealing protrusion 35 extends circumferentially along the
inner
wall, and the sealing protrusion 35 may have elasticity.
[93] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
the cover 30 may
be rotated in one direction to be coupled to the housing 20 by moving the
cover 30
downwards to press an upper end of the inner wall 22.
[94] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
the housing 20 may
include a recessed helical guide 214 and 215 formed at the upper portion of
the outer
wall 21, the helical guide 214 and 215 may be angled downwards, and the
aerosol-
generating device may further include a guide protrusion 325, projecting from
the
cover 30 and configured to be moved along the helical guide 214 and 215 when
the
cover 30 is rotated.
[95] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
the aerosol-
generating device may further include a first stopper 215a projecting from the
helical
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guide 214 and 215, the first stopper 215a being brought into contact with the
guide
protrusion 325 to prevent the cover 30 from being rotated in the opposite
direction.
[96] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
the aerosol-
generating device may further include a first extension 2151, curved downwards
at an
end of the helical guide 214 and 215, and a second extension 2152, curved at
an end of
the first extension 2151 and extending therefrom.
[97] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
the housing 20 may
include a female thread 216 circumferentially formed around the opening of the
insertion space 24, and the cover may include a male thread 326 configured to
be
engaged with the female thread 216.
[98] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
the cover 30 may
include a restriction protrusion 326b formed near the male thread 326, and the
aerosol-
generating device may further include a second stopper 216b projecting from
the
housing 20 near the female thread 216, the second stopper 216b being brought
into
contact with the restriction protrusion 326b so as to prevent the cover 30
from being
rotated in the opposite direction.
[99] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
the cover 30 may
be configured to be fastened to the housing 20 in a snap-fit manner.
11001 In addition, according to another aspect of the present
disclosure, the aerosol-
generating device may further include a plurality of first support protrusions
37
projecting inward from a circumferential surface of the cover 30 defining the
insertion
port 34.
[101] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
the plurality of first
support protrusions 37 may be spaced apart from each other.
[102] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
the aerosol-
generating device may further include a second support protrusion 27
projecting
toward the insertion space 24 from the center of the bottom 23 of the inner
wall 22.
[103] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
the second support
protrusion 27 may be tapered and comprise a planar top surface
[104] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
the aerosol-
generating device may further include a third support protrusion 28 projecting
toward
the insertion space 24 from the periphery of the bottom 23 of the inner wall
22.
[105] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
the third support
protrusion 28 may be one of a plurality of third support protrusions, which
are
arranged along the periphery of the bottom 23 of the inner wall 22 and spaced
apart
from each other.
[106] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
the third support
protrusion 28 may include a sloping portion (281) obliquely extending toward
the
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bottom 23 of the inner wall 22 from the outer circumferential surface of the
inner wall
22.
[107] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
the third support
protrusion 28 may include a side support portion 282, extending downwards from
the
lower end of the sloping portion 281 to be parallel to the inner
circumferential surface
of the inner wall 22, and a bottom support portion 283, projecting radially
inwards
from the lower end of the side support portion 282.
[108] Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described
above arc not
mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Any or all elements of the
embodiments
of the disclosure described above may be combined with another or combined
with
each other in configuration or function.
11091 For example, a configuration "A" described in one embodiment
of the disclosure and
the drawings and a configuration "B" described in another embodiment of the
disclosure and the drawings may be combined with each other. Namely, although
the
combination between the configurations is not directly described, the
combination is
possible except in the case where it is described that the combination is
impossible.
[110] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of il-
lustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other
modi-
fications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will
fall
within the scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly,
various
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or
arrangements
of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the
drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications
in the
component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those
skilled in the art.
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