Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WO 2023/068789 PCT/KR2022/015920
1
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 research on aerosol-generating devices has been conducted.
Disclosure of Invention
Technical Problem
[3] It is an object of the present disclosure to solve the above and other
problems.
[4] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-
generating device
capable of improving gas flow efficiency, thereby improving the efficiency of
transfer
of heat from an aerosol to a stick.
[51 It is still another object of the present disclosure to
provide an aerosol-generating
device capable of accurately detecting the temperature of a heater based on
the re-
sistance of the heater.
[6] It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide an
aerosol-generating
device capable of accurately determining a reference resistance, which is a
criterion for
determining the temperature of a heater.
Solution to Problem
[7] An aerosol-generating device according to an aspect of the present
disclosure for ac-
complishing the above and other objects may include a cartridge having an
insertion
space defined therein so as to be elongated, a body coupled to the cartridge,
a heater
configured to heat an aerosol-generating substance, a stick detection sensor
configured
to output a signal corresponding to a stick inserted into the insertion space,
a resistance
detection sensor configured to output a signal corresponding to the resistance
of the
heater, and a controller. The controller may determine a reference resistance,
which is
a criterion for determining the temperature of the heater, based on at least
one of an
elapsed time period from the point in time of end of use of the stick or the
resistance of
the heater monitored from the point in time of end of use of the stick.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[8] According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, gas
flow ef-
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ficiency may be improved, and thus the efficiency of transfer of heat from an
aerosol to
a stick may be improved.
191 According to at least one of embodiments of the present
disclosure, a reference re-
sistance, which is a criterion for determining the temperature of a heater,
may be ac-
curately determined.
[10] According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure,
the temperature
of a heater may be accurately detected based on the resistance of the heater.
[11] 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.
Brief Description of Drawings
[12] 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:
[13] FIGs. 1 to 26 are views showing examples of an aerosol-generating
device according
to embodiments of the present disclosure;
[14] FIG. 27 is a block diagram of an aerosol-generating device according
to an em-
bodiment of the present disclosure;
[15] FIG. 28 is a view for explaining the aerosol-generating device
according to an em-
bodiment of the present disclosure;
[16] FIGS. 29 and 30 are flowcharts of a method for operating an aerosol
generating
system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[17] FIG. 31 is a view for explaining the operation of the aerosol-
generating device
[18] FIGS. 32 and 33 are flowcharts of a method for operating an aerosol
generating
system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[19] FIGS. 34 and 35 are views for explaining the operation of the aerosol-
generating
device
Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention
[20] 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.
[21] In the following description, with respect to constituent elements
used in the
following description, the suffixes "module" and "unit" arc used only in
consideration
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of facilitation of description, and do not have mutually distinguished
meanings or
functions.
[22] 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 he understood
that the ac-
companying drawings include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions
within
the scope and sprit of the present disclosure.
[23] 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.
[24] 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.
[25] As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural
forms as well,
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
[26] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol-generating device may include at least
one of a body
100, a cartridge 200, or a cap 300.
[27] The body 100 may include at least one of a lower body 110 or an upper
body 120.
The lower body 110 may accommodate various components necessary for power
supply or control, such as a battery or a controller. The lower body 110 may
form the
external appearance of the aerosol-generating device. The upper body 120 may
be
disposed on the lower body 110. The cartridge 200 may be coupled to the upper
body
120. The body 100 may be referred to as a main body 100.
[28] The upper body 120 may include at least one of a mount 130 or a column
140. The
mount 130 may be disposed on the lower body 110. The mount 130 may provide a
space 134 into which the lower portion of the cartridge 200 is inserted. The
mount 130
may have an open upper side, and may define therein the space 134. The mount
130
may surround the lower portion of the cartridge 200 inserted into the space
134. The
mount 130 may fix the cartridge 200. The mount 130 may support the lower
portion of
the cartridge 200.
[29] The column 140 may be disposed on the lower body 110. The column 140
may have
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an elongated shape. The column 140 may extend upwards from one side of the
mount
130. The column 140 may face one side wall of the cartridge 200. The column
140
may be disposed parallel to the cartridge 200. The column 140 may have a shape
that
covers the side wall of the cartridge 200. The column 140 may support the side
wall of
the cartridge 200.
[30] A first chamber Cl may be formed in a portion of the inside of a first
container 210,
and an insertion space 214 may be formed in another portion of the inside of
the first
container 210. The insertion space 214 may be disposed adjacent to the column
140.
The column 140 may he disposed adjacent to the other portion of the inside of
the first
container 210 in which the insertion space 214 is formed.
[31] The cartridge 200 may be detachably coupled to the body 100. The
cartridge 200
may provide space for storing liquid therein. The cartridge 200 may have the
insertion
space 214 formed therein. One end of the insertion space 214 may be open to
form an
opening. The insertion space 214 may be exposed to the outside through the
opening.
The opening may be defined as one end of the insertion space 214.
[32] The cartridge 200 may include at least one of a first container 210 or
a second
container 220. The second container 220 may be coupled to the first container
210.
[33] The first container 210 may be coupled to the upper side of the second
container 220.
The first container 210 may provide space for storing liquid therein. The
first container
210 may have an open upper side, and may have formed therein the insertion
space
214, which is elongated in the vertical direction. A stick 400 (refer to FIG.
3) may be
inserted into the insertion space 214. One side wall of the first container
210 may face
the column 140. The column 140 may cover the side wall of the first container
210.
The first container 210 may be disposed on the mount 130.
[34] The second container 220 may be coupled to the lower side of the first
container 210.
The second container 220 may provide space for mounting a wick 261 (refer to
FIG. 2)
and a heater 262 (refer to FIG. 2) therein. The second container 220 may be
inserted
into the space 134 provided by the mount 130. The space 134 in the mount 130
may be
referred to as a cartridge accommodation space 134. The mount 130 may surround
the
second container 220. The second container 220 may be coupled to the mount
130.
[35] The cap 300 may be detachably coupled to the body 100. The cap 300 may
cover the
cartridge 200. The cap 300 may cover at least a portion of the body 100. The
cap 300
may protect the cartridge 200 and/or at least a portion of the body 100 from
the
outside. A user may separate the cap 300 from the body 100 in order to replace
the
cartridge 200.
[36] The cap 300 may be coupled to the upper portion of the body 100. The
cap 300 may
be coupled to the upper side of the lower body 110. The cap 300 may cover the
upper
body 120. The cap 300 may cover the cartridge 200. A side wall 301 of the cap
300
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may surround the side portion of the cartridge 200. The side wall 301 of the
cap 300
may surround the side portion of the upper body 120. An upper wall 303 of the
cap
300 may cover the upper portion of the cartridge 200. The upper wall 303 of
the cap
300 may cover the upper portion of the column 140.
[37] The cap 300 may have an insertion hole 304 formed therein. The upper
wall 303 of
the cap 300 may be open to form the insertion hole 304. The insertion hole 304
may be
formed at a position corresponding to the insertion space 214. The insertion
hole 304
may communicate with one end or the upper end of the insertion space 214.
[38] The cap 300 may have a cap inlet 304a formed therein. One side of the
cap 300 may
be open to form the cap inlet 304a. For example, the upper wall 303 of the cap
300
may be open to form the cap inlet 304a. For example, the side wall 301 of the
cap 300
may be open to form the cap inlet 304a. The cap inlet 304a may communicate
with the
outside. Air may be introduced into the aerosol-generating device through the
cap inlet
304a,
[39] Referring to FIGs. 1 and 2, the cartridge 200 may be coupled to the
body 100. The
cartridge 200 may provide the first chamber Cl for storing liquid therein. The
cartridge
200 may provide the insertion space 214, which is formed separately from the
first
chamber Cl. The cartridge 200 may have fomaed therein an opening. One end of
the
insertion space 214 may be open to form the opening in the cartridge 200. The
opening
may expose the insertion space 214 to the outside.
[40] The first container 210 may include an outer wall 211, which surrounds
an inner
space formed therein. The first container 210 may include an inner wall 212,
which
partitions the space surrounded by the outer wall 211 into the first chamber
Cl on one
side and the elongated insertion space 214 on another side. The insertion
space 214
may have a shape that is elongated in the vertical direction. The inner wall
212 of the
first container 210 may be formed inside the first container 210. A stick 400
(refer to
FIG. 3) may be inserted into the insertion space 214.
[41] The second container 220 may be coupled to the first container 210.
The second
container 220 may include a second chamber C2 communicating with the insertion
space 214. The second chamber C2 may be formed in the second container 220.
The
second chamber C2 may be connected to the opposite end or the lower end of the
insertion space 214.
[42] One side of the cartridge 200 may be open to form a cartridge inlet
224. The outer
wall of the second container 220 may be open to form the cartridge inlet 224.
The
cartridge inlet 224 may communicate with the insertion space 214. The
cartridge inlet
224 may communicate with the second chamber C2. The cartridge inlet 224 may be
formed in a side wall 221 of the second container 210.
[43] The wick 261 may be disposed in the second chamber C2. The wick 261
may be
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connected to the first chamber Cl. The wick 261 may receive liquid from the
first
chamber Cl. The heater 262 may heat the wick 261. The heater 262 may be
disposed
in the second chamber C2. The heater 262 may be wound around the wick 261
multiple times. The heater 262 may be electrically connected to a battery 190
and/or a
control device. The heater 262 may be a resistive coil. When the heater 262
generates
heat and thus the wick 261 is heated, the liquid supplied to the wick 261 is
atomized,
and accordingly, an aerosol may be generated in the second chamber C2.
[44] Accordingly, the first chamber Cl in the first container 210, in which
the liquid is
stored, may he disposed so as to surround the stick 400 (refer to FIG. 3)
and/or the
insertion space 214, into which the stick 400 is inserted, with the result
that the ef-
ficiency of use of space for storing the liquid may be improved.
[45] In addition, the distance from the slick 400 to the wick 261, which is
connected to the
first chamber Cl, and the heater 262 may be reduced, thus making it possible
to
increase the efficiency of transfer of heat from the aerosol.
[46] A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly 150 may be mounted in the
column 140. At
least one of a light source 153 or a sensor 154 may be mounted on a PCB 151 of
the
PCB assembly 150 (refer to FIG. 16). The PCB assembly 150 may be mounted so as
to
face the side portion of the cartridge 200. The light source 153 of the PCB
assembly
150 may provide light to the cartridge 200. The sensor 154 of the PCB assembly
150
may sense information about the inside and the outside of the cartridge 200.
The sensor
154 mounted on the PCB assembly 150 may be referred to as a first sensor 154.
[47] A sensor 180 may be mounted on one side of the upper portion of the
lower body
110. The sensor 180 may be disposed above a partition wall 112 of the lower
body
110. The sensor 180 may sense the flow of air that is introduced into the
cartridge 200.
The sensor 180 may be an airflow sensor or a pressure sensor. The sensor 180
may be
referred to as a second sensor 180.
[48] The sensor 180 may be inserted into the mount 130. The sensor 180 may
be disposed
so as to face the side portion of the mount. The sensor 180 may be disposed
adjacent to
the cartridge inlet 224. The sensor 180 may be disposed so as to face the
cartridge inlet
224.
[49] The lower body 110 may accommodate the battery 190 therein. The lower
body 110
may accommodate various control devices therein. The battery 190 may supply
power
to various components of the aerosol-generating device. The battery 190 may be
charged through a charging port 119, which is formed in one side or the lower
portion
of the lower body 110.
[50] The partition wall 112 of the lower body 110 may cover the upper
portion of the
battery 190. The partition wall 112 of the lower body 110 may be disposed
below the
mount 130 and/or the column 140. A body frame 114 of the lower body 110 may
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support the side portion of the battery 190. The body frame 114 may separate
the space
in which the battery 190 is accommodated from the space in which the control
devices
are accommodated.
[51] Referring to FIGs. 2 and 3, the stick 400 may have an elongated shape.
The stick 400
may contain a medium therein. The stick 400 may be inserted into the insertion
space
214.
[52] A cover 310 may open and close the insertion space 214. The cover 310
may open
and close an opening that exposes the insertion space 214 to the outside. The
cover 310
may be mounted adjacent to the opening in the insertion space 214. The cover
310 may
be mounted adjacent to one end or the upper end of the insertion space 214.
For
example, the cover 310 may be mounted to the upper end of the first container
210 at a
position adjacent to the insertion space 214. For example, the cover 310 may
be
mounted to the cap 300 at a position adjacent to the insertion space 214.
[53] The cover 310 may be pivotably mounted. The cover 310 may be pivoted
to open
and close the insertion space 214. The cover 310 may be pivoted toward the
inside of
the insertion space 214 to open the insertion space 214. The direction in
which the
cover 310 is pivoted to open the insertion space 214 may be referred to as a
first
direction. The cover 310 may be pivoted toward the outside of the insertion
space 214
to close the insertion space 214. The direction in which the cover 310 is
pivoted to
close the insertion space 214 may be referred to as a second direction.
[54] When an end of the stick 400 is brought into contact with the cover
310 and pushes
the cover 310, the cover 310 may be pivoted in the first direction to open the
insertion
space 214. The stick 400 may push the cover 310, and may be inserted into the
insertion space 214. When the stick 400 is separated from the insertion space
214, the
cover 310 may be pivoted in the second direction to close the insertion space
214.
[55] A spring 312 (refer to FIG. 9) may provide elastic force to the cover
310 in the
second direction. One end of the spring 312 may support the cover 310, and the
other
end of the spring 312 may support the upper end of the first container 210 or
the cap
300. The spring 312 may be wound around a pivot shaft of the cover 310.
[56] The cover 310 may be mounted near the insertion hole 304 in the cap
300. The cover
310 may be pivotably mounted to the cap 300. The cover 310 may be pivoted to
open
and close the insertion hole 304. The cover 310 may be pivoted in the first
direction to
open the insertion hole 304. The cover 310 may be pivoted in the second
direction to
close the insertion hole 304.
[57] The stick 400 may be inserted into the insertion space 214 through the
insertion hole
304 in the cap 300. When the end of the stick 400 is brought into contact with
the
cover 310 and pushes the cover 310, the cover 310 may be pivoted in the first
direction
to open the insertion space 214 and the insertion hole 304. The stick 400 may
push the
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cover 310, and may be inserted into the insertion space 214 through the
insertion hole
304. When the stick 400 is separated from the insertion space 214, the cover
310 may
be pivoted in the second direction to close the insertion space 214 and the
insertion
hole 304.
[58] When the stick 400 is inserted into the insertion space 214, one end
of the stick 400
may be exposed to the outside of the cap 300, and the other end of the stick
400 may
be disposed above the second chamber C2 at a position adjacent to the second
chamber
C2. The user may hold the exposed end of the stick 400 in the mouth, and may
inhale
air.
[59] Air may be introduced into the aerosol-generating device through the
cap inlet 304a.
The air introduced through the cap inlet 304a may flow into the cartridge
inlet 224.
The air may flow into the cartridge 200 through the cartridge inlet 224. The
air that has
passed through the cartridge inlet 224 may be introduced into the second
chamber C2,
and may then flow toward the insertion space 214. The air may pass through the
stick
400 together with the aerosol generated in the second chamber C2.
[60] As described above, when the stick 400 is inserted into the insertion
space 214, the
insertion space 214 may be opened by the pivoting movement of the cover 310.
[61] In addition, simultaneously with separation of the stick 400 from the
insertion space
214, the insertion space 214 may be automatically closed by the pivoting
movement of
the cover 310.
[62] In addition, the inside of the insertion space 214 may be protected
from external
foreign substances.
[63] Referring to FIGs. 4 to 6, the cartridge 200 may be detachably coupled
to the upper
body 120. The upper body 120 may be disposed on the lower body 110. The upper
body 120 may include at least one of the mount 130 or the column 140.
[64] The mount 130 may provide a space 134 having an open top. The inner
side surface
131 and the bottom 133 of the mount 130 may surround at least a portion of the
space
134. The inner side wall 141 of the column 140 may surround one side of the
space
134. The second container 220 may be inserted into the space 134 provided by
the
mount 130. The mount 130 may surround the second container 220 inserted into
the
space 134.
[65] The cartridge 200 may be coupled to the mount 130 in a snap-fit
manner. The second
container 220 may be coupled to the mount 130 in a snap-fit manner. The second
container 220 may be detachably engaged with the mount 130. When the second
container 220 is inserted into the space 134 in the mount 130, a depressed
portion 221a
formed in the second container 220 and a protruding portion 131a formed on the
mount 130 may be engaged with each other.
[66] The depressed portion 221a may be formed so as to be recessed into the
side wall
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221 of the second container 220. The depressed portion 221a may be formed in a
plural
number, and the plurality of depressed portions 221a may be respectively
formed in
one side and the opposite side of the side wall 221 of the container 220. The
protruding
portion 131a may be formed so as to protrude from the inner side surface 131
of the
mount 130. The protruding portion 131a may be provided in a plural number, and
the
plurality of protruding portions 131a may be respectively formed on one side
and the
opposite side of the inner side surface 131 of the mount 130. The protruding
portions
131a may be formed at positions corresponding to the depressed portions 221a.
[67] When the second container 220 is coupled to the mount 130, the first
container 210
may be disposed on the mount 130. The first container 210 may have a shape
that
protrudes further in a lateral direction than the second container 220. The
second
container 220 may be inserted into the space 134 surrounded by the mount 130,
and
the first container 210 may cover the upper portion of the mount 130.
[68] The mount 130 may support the lower portion of the cartridge 200. The
mount 130
may support the side portion and the bottom of the second container 220. The
mount
130 may support the lower edge of the first container 210.
[69] The column 140 may extend upwards from one side of the mount 130. The
column
140 may surround one side of the space 134 in the mount 130. The inner side
wall 141
of the column 140 may be integrally formed with and extend from the inner side
surface 131 of the mount 130. The outer side wall 142 of the column 140 may be
in-
tegrally formed with and extend from the outer side surface 132 of the mount
130.
[70] The column 140 may extend to a height corresponding to the height of
the cartridge
200. The upper wall 143 of the column 140 may be formed to a height
corresponding
to the upper end of the cartridge 200. The column 140 may be formed parallel
to the
cartridge 200.
[71] The insertion space 214 in the cartridge 200 may be formed adjacent to
one side wall
of the cartridge 200. The insertion space 214 may be formed adjacent to the
column
140. The column 140 may cover the side wall of the cartridge 200, in which the
insertion space 214 is formed. The side wall of the cartridge 200 may slide
along the
inner side wall 141 of the column 140, and may be inserted into the mount 130.
The
column 140 may support the side wall of the cartridge 200.
[72] A window 170, which protects the PCB assembly 150 (refer to FIG. 3),
may be
disposed so as to cover the inner side wall 141 of the column 140. The window
170
may be disposed between the cartridge 200 and the column 140. The window 170
may
extend in the vertical direction along the column 140. The window 170 may
cover one
side wall of the cartridge 200, in which the insertion space 214 is formed.
The window
170 may support the side wall of the cartridge 200.
[73] Accordingly, the cartridge 200 may be detachably coupled to the body
100.
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[74] In addition, the cartridge 200 may be coupled to the body 100, and may
thus be
stably supported thereby.
[75] An upper edge 113 of the lower body 110 may protrude further outwards
than the
upper body 120. The upper edge 113 of the lower body 110 may extend along the
cir-
cumference of the upper body 120. The upper edge 113 of the lower body 110 may
be
disposed below the upper body 120. When the cap 300 is coupled to the body
100, the
lower end of the side wall 301 of the cap 300 may be brought into contact with
the
upper edge 113 of the lower body 110. The upper edge 113 of the lower body 110
may
prevent the cap 300 from moving to a position below the upper body 120.
[76] Referring to FIGs. 7 and 8, the cartridge 200 may have a cover recess
215 formed
therein. The cover recess 215 may be adjacent to the opening in the insertion
space
214. The cover recess 215 may be recessed from the insertion space 214 in the
direction in which the circumference of the insertion space 214 expands. The
cover
recess 215 may be recessed outwards from the insertion space 214. The cover
recess
215 may be recessed from the insertion space 214 in a radially outward
direction. The
cover recess 215 may be recessed from the insertion space 214 toward the first
chamber Cl. The cover recess 215 may provide space in which to place the cover
310.
[77] The cover recess 215 may be formed in the first container 210 at a
position near one
end or the upper end of the insertion space 214. The cover recess 215 may be
formed
in a manner such that the circumference of the end portion of the insertion
space 214 is
recessed outwards. The cover 310 may be received in the cover recess 215
(refer to
FIGs. 10 and 11). When the cover 310 opens the opening in the insertion space
214,
the cover 310 may be received in the cover recess 215. When the cover 310
opens the
opening in the insertion space 214, the cover 310 may pivot in the first
direction to be
received in the cover recess 215.
[78] The cover recess 215 may be formed in a manner such that one end
portion or the
upper end portion of the inner wall 212 of the first container 210 is recessed
outwards
from the insertion space 214. The cover recess 215 may be formed in a manner
such
that the inner wall 212 of the first container 210 is recessed from the
insertion space
214 toward the first chamber Cl. The inner wall 212 of the first container 210
may
define the cover recess 215. The inner wall 212 of the first container 210 may
surround
at least a portion of the cover recess 215. The inner wall 212 of the first
container 210
may be contiguous with the bottom of the cover recess 215. The inner wall 212
of the
first container 210 may cover a part of the side portion of the cover recess
215.
[79] The cartridge 200 may include a first guide 216, which is formed at a
position
adjacent to the upper portion of the insertion space 214 so as to be inclined
in the
downward direction of the insertion space 214. The first guide 216 may be
formed at
the upper end portion of the inner wall 212 of the first container 210. The
first guide
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216 may be referred to as a first stick guide 216.
[80] The first guide 216 may be contiguous with the bottom of the cover
recess 215. The
first guide 216 may be formed on the inner wall 212 of the first container 210
at a
position that is contiguous with the bottom of the cover recess 215. The first
guide 216
may be formed between the bottom of the cover recess 215 and the insertion
space
214. The first guide 216 may be disposed below the cover recess 215. The first
guide
216 may be formed so as to be inclined from the bottom of the cover recess 215
toward
the lower side of the insertion space 214.
[81] The first guide 216 may extend in the circumferential direction along
at least a
portion of the insertion space 214. The first guide 216 may extend in the
circum-
ferential direction along the inner wall 212 of the first container 210. The
first guide
216 may come into contact with an end portion of the stick 400 (refer to FIG.
3), and
may guide insertion of the stick 400 into the insertion space 214.
[82] Referring to FIG. 8, the cartridge 200 may include at least one of a
first container
210, a second container 220, a sealing member 250, a wick 261, or a heater
262. The
second container 220 may include at least one of a lower case 230 or a frame
240.
[83] The first container 210 may provide the first chamber Cl and the
insertion space 214.
The inner wall 212 of the first container 210 may partition the space
surrounded by the
outer wall 211 of the first container 210 into the first chamber Cl on one
side and the
insertion space 214 on another side.
[84] The outer wall 211 and the inner wall 212 of the first container 210
may surround the
side portion of the first chamber Cl. The outer wall 211 and the inner wall
212 of the
first container 210 may be connected to each other so as to have an extended
shape that
surrounds the circumference of the first chamber Cl. The upper wall 213 of the
first
container 210 may cover the upper portion of the first chamber Cl. The upper
wall 213
of the first container 210 may be connected to the outer wall 211 and the
inner wall
212 of the first container 210.
[85] The outer wall 211 and the inner wall 212 of the first container 210
may surround the
side portion of the insertion space 214. The insertion space 214 may have a
shape that
is elongated in the vertical direction. The insertion space 214 may have a
shape corre-
sponding to the circumference of the stick 400 (refer to FIG. 3). The
insertion space
214 may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The outer wall 211 and the
inner wall
212 of the first container 210 may be connected to each other, and may thus
have a
shape that extends in the circumferential direction so as to surround the
circumference
of the insertion space 214. The insertion space 214 may have open upper and
lower
end portions.
[86] The second container 220 may provide the second chamber C2. The second
chamber
C2 may be disposed below the insertion space 214. The second chamber C2 may
corn-
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12
municate with the insertion space 214.
[87] The second container 220 may include at least one of a lower case 230
or a frame
240. The lower case 230 may form the external appearance of the second
container
220. The lower case 230 may he coupled to the outer wall 211 or the
circumference of
the first container 210. The lower case 230 may provide an accommodation space
therein. The lower case 230 may support the frame 240. The side wall of the
lower
case 230 may be open to form the cartridge inlet 224. The cartridge inlet 224
may be
formed at a position higher than the bottom of the lower case 230.
[88] Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the liquid in the second
chamber C2 from
leaking out of the cartridge 200 through the cartridge inlet 224.
[89] The lower case 230 may include at least one of an accommodation
portion 231 or an
extension portion 232. The accommodation portion 231 may provide an accom-
modation space therein. The accommodation portion 231 may surround the accom-
modation space. The accommodation portion 231 may accommodate at least a
portion
of the frame 240 therein. The side wall of the accommodation portion 231 may
be the
side wall 221 of the second container 220 (refer to FIG. 4). The side wall of
the accom-
modation portion 231 may be open to form the cartridge inlet 224. The
extension
portion 232 may extend outwards from the upper end of one side of the accom-
modation portion 231. The extension portion 232 may support a portion of the
frame
240. The accommodation portion 231 may be referred to as a case portion 231.
The ac-
commodation portion 231 may be referred to as a case part 231.
[90] The frame 240 may be disposed in the lower case 230. The frame 240 may
define the
second chamber C2. The frame 240 may surround at least a portion of the second
chamber C2. The lower case 230 may surround the remaining portion of the
second
chamber C2. The frame 240 may form the bottom of the first chamber Cl.
[91] The frame 240 may include at least one of a first frame portion 241
and a second
frame portion 242. The first frame portion 241 may define the bottom of the
first
chamber Cl. The first chamber Cl may be surrounded by the outer wall 211, the
inner
wall 212, the upper wall 213, and the first frame portion 241 of the first
container 210.
The first frame portion 241 may also be referred to as a first frame 241. The
second
frame portion 242 may also be referred to as a second frame 242.
[92] The frame 240 may include at least one of a first frame portion 241 or
a second frame
portion 242. The first frame portion 241 may form the bottom of the first
chamber Cl.
The first chamber Cl may be surrounded by the outer wall 211, the inner wall
212, the
upper wall 213, and the first frame portion 241 of the first container 210.
[93] The second frame portion 242 may surround at least a portion of the
second chamber
C2. The second frame portion 242 may define the second chamber C2. The side
wall
of the second frame portion 242 may surround at least a part of the side
portion of the
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13
second chamber C2. The bottom of the second frame portion 242 may form the
bottom
of the second chamber C2. A chamber inlet 2424 may be formed in the side wall
of the
second frame portion 242. The chamber inlet 2424 may communicate with the
second
chamber C2. The second frame portion 242 may be disposed adjacent to the lower
side
of the inner wall 212 of the first container 210. The chamber inlet 2424 may
be formed
at a position higher than the bottom of the second chamber C2.
[94] The first frame portion 241 and the second frame portion 242 may be
connected to
each other. The first frame portion 241 may extend from the second frame
portion 242
so as to cover the bottom of the first chamber Cl.
[95] The accommodation portion 231 may accommodate the second frame portion
242
therein. The accommodation portion 231 may support the bottom of the second
frame
portion 242. The accommodation portion 231 may define the second chamber C2
together with the second frame portion 242. The extension portion 232 may
support the
first frame portion 241. The second frame portion 242 may be disposed in the
accom-
modation portion 231, and the first frame portion 241 may be disposed on the
extension portion 232.
[96] A connection passage 2314 may be formed in the accommodation portion
231. The
frame 240 may define the connection passage 2314 in the lower case 230. The
connection passage 2314 may be formed between the cartridge inlet 224 and the
chamber inlet 2424 to interconnect the cartridge inlet 224 and the chamber
inlet 2424.
The first frame portion 241 may cover the upper portion of the connection
passage
2314. The second frame portion 242 may cover the side portion of the
connection
passage 2314.
[97] A blocking wall 2317 may be formed in the connection passage 2314. The
blocking
wall 2317 may be formed between the cartridge inlet 224 and the chamber inlet
2424.
The blocking wall 2317 may have an elongated shape. The blocking wall 2317 may
extend upwards from the bottom of the lower case 230 or the bottom of the
frame 240.
The blocking wall 2317 may extend to a position higher than the cartridge
inlet 224.
The blocking wall 2317 may extend to a position higher than the chamber inlet
2424.
[98] Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the liquid in the second
chamber C2 from
leaking out of the cartridge 200 through the cartridge inlet 224.
[99] A sealing member 250 may be disposed between the first chamber Cl and
the second
container 220. The sealing member 250 may surround and be in close contact
with the
edge of the first chamber Cl. The sealing member 250 may be made of an elastic
material. For example, the sealing member 250 may be made of a material such
as
rubber or silicon. The sealing member 250 may prevent the liquid stored in the
first
chamber Cl from leaking from the first chamber Cl into gaps between
components.
[100] The sealing member 250 may include at least one of a first sealing
portion 251 or a
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14
second sealing portion 252. The first sealing portion 251 may extend along the
outer
wall 211 of the first container 210. The first sealing portion 251 may
surround the edge
of the outer wall 211 of the first container 210. The first sealing portion
251 may be
disposed between and be in close contact with the outer wall 211 of the first
container
210 and the frame 240. The first sealing portion 251 may be disposed between
and be
in close contact with the outer wall 211 of the first container 210 and the
first frame
portion 241.
[101] Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the liquid stored in the first
chamber Cl from
leaking through the gap between the outer wall 211 of the first container 210
and the
frame 240.
[102] The second sealing portion 252 may extend from the first sealing
portion 251 along
the inner wall 212 of the first container 210. The second sealing portion 252
may
surround and be in close contact with the edge of the inner wall 212 of the
first
container 210. The second sealing portion 252 may be disposed between and be
in
close contact with the inner wall of the first container 210 and the frame
240. The
second sealing portion 252 may be disposed between and be in close contact
with the
inner wall of the first container 210 and the second frame portion 242. The
second
sealing portion 252 may be inserted into the frame 240. The second sealing
portion 252
may be inserted into the second frame portion 242. The lower end of the inner
wall 212
of the first container 210 may press the second sealing portion 252 toward the
frame
240.
[103] Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the liquid stored in the first
chamber Cl from
leaking into the gap between the inner wall 212 of the first container 210 and
the frame
240.
[104] The mount 130 may include a sensor accommodation portion 137. The
sensor ac-
commodation portion 137 may provide space that is formed at the lower portion
of one
side wall of the mount 130. The second sensor 180 may be accommodated in the
sensor accommodation portion 137. The lower case 230 may cover the sensor
accom-
modation portion 137. The lower case 230 may surround one side of the sensor
accom-
modation portion 137. The lower case 230 may cover one side of the sensor
accom-
modation portion 137. One side wall of the accommodation portion 231 of the
lower
case 230 may face the side portion of the sensor accommodation portion 137.
The
extension portion 232 of the lower case 230 may cover the upper portion of the
sensor
accommodation portion 137.
[1051 A gap through which air flows may be formed between the
sensor accommodation
portion 137 and the lower case 230. Air may pass through the gap between the
sensor
accommodation portion 137 and the lower case 230, and may be introduced into
the
cartridge inlet 224. The second sensor 180 may sense the flow of air into the
cartridge
CA 03233722 2024- 4- 2
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inlet 224 through the gap between the sensor accommodation portion 137 and the
lower case 230.
[106] Referring to FIGs. 8 and 9, the cartridge 200 may include a stick
stopper 217, which
protrudes inwards from the circumference of the insertion space 214 at a
position
adjacent to the opposite end or the lower end of the insertion space 214. The
stick
stopper 217 may protrude in the radially inward direction. The stick stopper
217 may
be formed on the outer wall 211 and/or the inner wall 212 of the first
container 210.
[107] The stick stopper 217 may be provided in a plural number. Three stick
stoppers 217
may he provided. A plurality of stick stoppers 217 may be arranged along the
cir-
cumference of the insertion space 214. The stick stoppers 217 may be arranged
in the
circumferential direction. The stick stoppers 217 may be spaced apart from
each other.
The stick stoppers 217 may be formed in the shape of a rib or a ring that
extends in the
circumferential direction along the circumference of the insertion space 214.
The stick
400 may be seated over the stick stoppers 217. The stick stoppers 217 may have
a
shape that gradually widens in the upward direction.
11081 Accordingly, when the stick 400 is inserted into the
insertion space 214, the end of
the stick 400 may be brought into contact with the stick stoppers 217, with
the result
that the stick 400 may be prevented from moving to the second chamber C2
beyond
the insertion space 214.
[109] In addition, it is possible to minimize a reduction in the amount of
air flowing from
the second chamber C2 to the insertion space 214.
[110] In addition, the stick stoppers 217 may not impede the aerosol
generated in the
second chamber C2 from extracting a certain component from the medium in the
stick
400.
[111] Referring to FIGs. 10 and 11, the pivot shaft or the shaft 311 of the
cover 310 may be
disposed above the insertion space 214. The pivot shaft or the shaft 311 of
the cover
310 may be disposed between the insertion space 214 and the insertion hole
304. The
cover 310 may be pivoted toward the inside of the insertion space 214 to open
the
insertion space 214 and/or the insertion hole 304. The direction in which the
cover 310
is pivoted toward the inside of the insertion space 214 may be defined as a
first
direction.
[112] When the cover 310 is pivoted in the first direction to open the
insertion space 214,
the cover 310 may be received in the cover recess 215. When the cover 310
opens the
insertion space 214, the cover 310 may be received in the cover recess 215,
and may
overlap the inner wall 212 of the first container 210, which is disposed below
the cover
recess 215. When the cover 310 opens the insertion space 214, the cover 310
may be
disposed parallel to the inner wall 212 of the first container 210, which is
located
below the cover recess 215.
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16
[113] The first guide 216 may be formed so as to be inclined from the
bottom of the cover
recess 215 toward the lower side of the insertion space 214. The first guide
216 may be
formed so as to be inclined such that the insertion space 214 is gradually
narrowed
toward the lower side thereof. When the cover 310 opens the insertion space
214, the
first guide 216 may be disposed adjacent to one end of the cover 310 at a
position
below the cover 310. When the cover 310 opens the insertion space 214, the
first guide
216 may protrude toward the insertion space 214 further than the end of the
cover 310.
[114] The cover 310 may be pivoted toward the outside of the insertion
space 214 to close
the insertion space 214 and/or the insertion hole 304. The direction in which
the cover
310 is pivoted toward the outside of the insertion space 214 may be defined as
a
second direction. One end of the spring 312 may support the cover 310, and the
other
end of the spring 312 may support the cap 300. The spring 312 may provide
elastic
force to the cover 310 in the direction in which the cover 310 closes the
insertion space
214. The cover 310 may be pivoted in the second direction by the spring 312.
[115] The second guide 306 may be formed so as to be inclined such that the
inner space is
gradually narrowed toward the lower side thereof. The second guide 306 may be
disposed adjacent to the pivoting radius of the cover 310. The second guide
306 may
be disposed outside the pivoting radius of the cover 310. The second guide 306
may
extend so as to be inclined along the pivoting radius of the cover 310.
[116] One end of the second guide 306 may be adjacent to the insertion hole
304. The end
of the second guide 306 may be disposed outside the insertion hole 304. The
end of the
second guide 306 may be disposed below the insertion hole wall 305. The
insertion
hole wall 305 may protrude further inwards than the end of the second guide
306.
When the cover 310 is pivoted in the second direction to close the insertion
space 214,
the cover 310 may be brought into contact with the insertion hole wall 305,
and thus
movement thereof may be restricted.
[117] The other end of the second guide 306 may be adjacent to the
insertion space 214.
The other end of the second guide 306 may be adjacent to the outer wall 211 of
the
first container 210, which forms the circumference of the insertion space 214.
The
other end of the second guide 306 may be disposed above the outer wall 211 of
the
first container 210, which defines the insertion space 214. The second guide
306 may
have a shape that extends so as to be inclined from one end thereof to the
other end
thereof.
[118] Referring to FIGs. 12 to 15, the stick 400 may push the cover 310 in
the inward
direction of the insertion space 214 or in the first direction. When the stick
400 pushes
the cover 310 and is inserted into the insertion space 214, the cover 310 may
open the
insertion space 214 and/or the insertion hole 304.
[119] Referring to FIGs. 13 and 14, when the end of the stick 400 passes
through the
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17
insertion hole 304, the end of the stick 400 may be brought into contact with
the
insertion hole wall 305. When the end of the stick 400 is brought into contact
with the
insertion hole wall 305, the insertion hole wall 305 may guide the stick 400
to the
correct position in the insertion hole 304. After passing through the
insertion hole 304,
the end of the stick 400 may push the cover 310 so that the cover 310 is
pivoted in the
first direction.
[120] Referring to FIGs. 14 and 15, when the stick 400 completely passes
through the
insertion hole 304, the cover 310 may be received in the cover recess 215. The
cover
310 may overlap the inner wall 212 of the first container 210, thereby forming
one side
wall of the insertion space 214 together with the inner wall 212 of the first
container
210.
[121] Referring to FIGs. 21 and 22, the stick 400 may slide along the
surface of the cover
310, and may be inserted into the insertion space 214. The second guide 306
may be
disposed at a position opposite the pivot shaft of the cover 310 with respect
to the
insertion hole 304. The second guide 306 may be disposed at a position
opposite the
cover recess 215. When the stick 400 is inserted into the insertion space 214,
the end of
the stick 400 may be brought into contact with the second guide 306. When the
end of
the stick 400 is brought into contact with the second guide 306, the second
guide 306
may guide the stick 400 to the correct position in the insertion space 214.
[122] The first guide 216 may be disposed at a position opposite the second
guide 306. The
first guide 216 may be disposed below the second guide 216. The first guide
216 may
be disposed below the cover recess 215. The first guide 216 may be disposed
below the
cover 310. The first guide 216 may extend in the circumferential direction
along the
inner wall 212 of the first container 210. When the stick 400 is inserted into
the
insertion space 214, the end of the stick 400 may be brought into contact with
the first
guide 216. After being guided to the correct position by contact with the
second guide
306, the end of the stick 400 may be brought into contact with the first guide
216.
When the end of the stick 400 is brought into contact with the first guide
216, the first
guide 216 may guide the stick 400 to the correct position in the insertion
space 214.
[123] The end of the stick 400 inserted into the insertion space 214 may be
brought into
contact with the stick stopper 217. The stick stopper 217, with which the end
of the
stick 400 comes into contact, may prevent the stick 400 from moving to a
region below
the insertion space 214 or to the second chamber C2.
[124] Accordingly, when the user pushes the cover 310 using the stick 400,
the stick 400
may be guided to the correct position so as to smoothly pass through the
insertion hole
304 and to push the cover 310.
[125] In addition, when the stick 400 pushes the cover 310 and thus the
cover 310 is
disposed in the insertion space 214, the cover 310 is received in the cover
recess 215,
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18
so the stick 400 may be brought into close contact with the wall defining the
insertion
space 214.
[126] In addition, since the stick 400 is in close contact with the wall
defining the insertion
space 214, when the user inhales air through the stick 400, it is possible to
prevent un-
necessary flow of air between the insertion space 214 and the stick 400 and to
reduce
waste of inhalation force, thereby preventing deterioration in air flow
efficiency.
[127] in addition, even though the cover 310 applies external force to the
end of the stick
400 in the second direction when the user pushes the cover 310 using the stick
400, the
stick 400 may he guided so as to he correctly inserted into the insertion
space 214.
[128] In addition, it is possible to prevent the stick 400 from moving to
the inside of the
second chamber C2.
[129] Referring to FIG. 16, the upper body 120 may be coupled to the upper
portion of the
lower body 110. The mount 130 may cover the upper portion of the lower body
110.
The lower portion of the mount 130 may be surrounded by the upper portion of
the
side wall 111 of the lower body 110. The mount 130 may be coupled to the upper
portion of the lower body 110. The mount 130 may be coupled to the lower body
110
in a snap-fit manner. The mount 130 may be engaged with the lower body 110 so
as
not to be separated therefrom.
[130] The second sensor 180 may be disposed on one side of the upper
portion of the lower
body 110. A sensor support portion 185 may have a shape that extends upwards
from
the upper portion of the lower body 110. The sensor support portion 185 may
support
the second sensor 180. The second sensor 180 may be coupled to the sensor
support
portion 185. The second sensor 180 may be coupled to the sensor support
portion 185
so as to be oriented in the lateral direction. The sensor accommodation
portion 137 of
the mount 130 may accommodate and cover the second sensor 180 and the sensor
support portion 185.
[131] Referring to FIGs. 17 to 19, a fastening hole 135 may be formed in
the lower portion
of the mount 130. The fastening hole 135 may be formed at a side part of the
lower
portion of the mount 130. The fastening hole 135 may be formed in a plural
number,
and the plurality of fastening holes 135 may be arranged along the
circumference of
the lower portion of the mount 130. A body latch 115 provided at the upper
portion of
the lower body 110 may be inserted into the fastening hole 135, whereby the
mount
130 and the lower body 110 may be engaged with each other (refer to FIGs. 21
and
22).
[1321 A rib groove 136 may be formed in the outer side surface 132
of the mount 130. The
rib groove 136 may have a shape that is recessed inwards from the outer side
surface
132 of the mount 130. The rib groove 136 may have a shape that extends along
the cir-
cumference of the outer side surface 132 of the mount 130. A body rib 116,
which
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19
extends along the inner circumference of the upper portion of the lower body
110, may
be inserted into the rib groove 136, whereby the mount 130 and the lower body
110
may be engaged with each other. The body rib 116 may be made of an elastic
material.
For example, the body rib 116 may be made of a material such as rubber or
silicon.
The body rib 116 may be in close contact with the rib groove 136. Accordingly,
the
position of the mount 130 may he reliably fixed to the lower body 110, and the
upper
body 120 may be prevented from shaking relative to the lower body 110 (refer
to FIGs.
21 and 22).
[133] A first fixing portion 138 may be formed at the lower portion of the
mount 130. The
first fixing portion 138 may be formed so as to be recessed upwards or to
protrude
downwards from the lower portion of the mount 130. The first fixing portion
138 may
be formed at the circumference of the lower portion of the mount 130. The
first fixing
portion 138 may be formed in a plural number, and the plurality of first
fixing portions
138 may be arranged along the circumference of the lower portion of the mount
130. A
second fixing portion 118, which is provided at the upper portion of the lower
body
110, may be coupled to the first fixing portion 138. Accordingly, the position
of the
mount 130 may be reliably fixed to the lower body 110, and the upper body 120
may
be prevented from shaking relative to the lower body 110 (refer to FIGs. 21
and 22).
[134] The upper body 120 may include the column 140, which extends upwards.
The
column 140 may extend upwards from one side of the mount 130. The side walls
141
and 142 of the column 140 may be connected to the side walls 131 and 132 of
the
mount 130. The column 140 may cover a portion of the space 134 provided by the
mount 130. The inner wall 141 of the column 140 may have a shape that is
concavely
recessed outwards. The column 140 may face the side portion of the cartridge
200
(refer to FIG. 6). The column 140 may cover one side portion of the cartridge
200. The
column 140 may be open toward one side portion of the cartridge 200.
[135] The column 140 may accommodate the PCB assembly 150. The PCB assembly
150
may provide light to the cartridge 200, or may sense information about the
cartridge
200. For example, the information about the cartridge 200 may include at least
one of
information about a change in the remaining amount of liquid stored in the
first
chamber Cl in the cartridge 200, information about the type of liquid stored
in the first
chamber Cl in the cartridge 200, information about whether the stick 400 is
inserted
into the insertion space 214 in the cartridge 200, information about the type
of stick
400 inserted into the insertion space 214 in the cartridge 200, information
about the
extent of use or the availability of the stick 400 inserted into the insertion
space 214 in
the cartridge 200, information about whether the cartridge 200 having the
stick 400
inserted into the insertion space 214 is coupled to the body 100, or
information about
the type of cartridge 200 coupled thereto. The information about the cartridge
200 is
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not limited to the aforementioned information. The column 140 may accommodate
a
light source 153 configured to emit light. The column 140 may acconunodate a
first
sensor 154 configured to sense information about the cartridge 200.
[136] The column 140 may provide a mounting space 144 therein. The mounting
space 144
may have a shape that extends vertically along the column 140. The inner side
wall
141 of the column 140 may surround the mounting space 144. The mounting space
144
may be open toward the space 134 in the mount 130. The mounting space 144 may
be
open toward one side portion of the cartridge 200.
[137] The PCB assembly 150 may be mounted in the mounting space 144. A
plate 160 may
cover the PCB assembly 150, and may be disposed in the mounting space 144. The
window 170 may cover the PCB assembly 150 and the mounting space 144. The PCB
assembly 150, the plate 160, and the window 170 may be sequentially stacked.
The
mounting space 144 may be referred to as an assembly accommodation space 144.
[138] The PCB assembly 150 may include at least one of a printed circuit
board (PCB)
151, a light source 153, or a first sensor 154. The light source 153 may be
mounted on
the PCB 151. At least one light source 153 may be provided. The first sensor
154 may
be mounted on the PCB. The light source 153 and the first sensor 154 may be
mounted
at different positions on a single PCB. The first sensor 154 may be mounted in
a region
avoiding the at least one light source 153.
[139] The PCB assembly 150 may be disposed inside the column 140 so as to
face the
cartridge 200. The PCB assembly 150 may face the first container 210, which is
provided with the first chamber Cl and the insertion space 214. The PCB
assembly
150 may be elongated vertically along the column 140. A connector 152 for
electrical
connection may be formed at one end of the PCB assembly 150.
[140] The PCB 151 may be elongated vertically along the column 140. The PCB
151 may
be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The connector 152 may be formed at
one
end of the PCB 151. A plurality of light sources 153 may be arranged on the
PCB 151.
The first sensor 154 may be located at the center of the PCB 151. The first
sensor 154
may be located between the light sources 153, and at least one light source
153 may be
disposed on each side of the first sensor 154. The plurality of light sources
153 may be
arranged vertically along the PCB 151. The plurality of light sources 153 may
be
arranged in the longitudinal direction of the column 140. The first sensor 154
may be
disposed so as to face the insertion space 214. The light sources 153 may be
disposed
so as to face the outside of the insertion space 214. The light sources 153
may emit
light toward the outside of the insertion space 214 so that the light is
provided to the
first chamber Cl. The light sources 153 may be Light Emitting Diodes.
[141] Accordingly, the light sources 153 may provide uniform light to the
first chamber
Cl.
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21
[142] In addition, it is possible to prevent the paths of light
provided by the light sources
153 from being blocked by the stick 400 inserted into the insertion space 214.
[143] The first sensor 154 may be elongated vertically along the
PCB 151. The first sensor
154 may be elongated along the first container 210 or the insertion space 214.
The first
sensor 154 may face the insertion space 214. The first sensor 154 may sense in-
formation about the cartridge 200. For example, the first sensor 154 may sense
at least
one of information about a change in the remaining amount of liquid stored in
the first
chamber Cl in the cartridge 200, information about the type of liquid stored
in the first
chamber Cl in the cartridge 200, information about whether the stick 400 is
inserted
into the insertion space 214 in the cartridge 200, information about the type
of stick
400 inserted into the insertion space 214 in the cartridge 200, information
about the
extent of use or the availability of the stick 400 inserted into the insertion
space 214 in
the cartridge 200, information about whether the cartridge 200 having the
stick 400
inserted into the insertion space 214 is coupled to the body 100, or
information about
the type of cartridge 200 coupled thereto. The information about the cartridge
200 is
not limited to the aforementioned information.
[144] The first sensor 154 may sense a change in the
electromagnetic characteristics of the
cartridge 200 to sense information about the cartridge 200. The first sensor
154 may
sense a change in electromagnetic characteristics caused by a neighboring
object. For
example, the first sensor 154 may be a capacitance sensor. For example, the
first
sensor 154 may be a magnetic proximity sensor. The type of first sensor 154 is
not
limited thereto. For example, when the stick 400 is inserted into the
insertion space 214
in the cartridge 200 or when there is a change in the volume of the liquid
stored in the
first chamber Cl, the electromagnetic characteristics sensed by the first
sensor 154
may change, and the first sensor 154 may measure the change to sense
information
about the cartridge 200.
[145] The first sensor 154 may include a conductor. The conductor
may be formed to have
a length corresponding to the insertion space 214 in the direction in which
the insertion
space 214 of the cartridge 200 extends. For example, the conductor may be
formed to
have a maximum length adjacent to the upper and lower sides of the PCB 151 in
the
longitudinal direction of the column 140, respectively.
[146] The first sensor 154 may generate and output a signal. The
first sensor 154 may
generate a signal while current flows through the conductor. The first sensor
154 may
generate a signal corresponding to an electromagnetic characteristic of the
sur-
roundings, for example, a capacitance around the conductor.
[147] The window 170 may be coupled to the column 140. The window
170 may be
formed of a transparent material. The window 170 may allow light to pass
therethrough. The window 170 may be coupled to the column 140 to cover the PCB
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22
assembly 1150 (refer to FIG. 19). The window 170 may have a shape that extends
vertically along the column 140. The window 170 may be disposed between the
column 140 and the cartridge 200. The window 170 may be disposed adjacent to
the
inner side wall 141 of the column 140. The window 170 may cover one side
portion of
the cartridge 200. The window 170 may face the side portion of the cartridge
200. The
window 170 may be formed to be thin so that the PCB assembly 150 is adjacent
to the
cartridge 200.
[148] One surface 171a of the window 170 may be in contact with the side
portion of the
cartridge 200 to support the cartridge 200 (refer to FIGs. 4 to 6). The
opposite surface
171b of the window 170 may be in close contact with the PCB assembly 150
(refer to
FIG. 20). The surface 171a of the window 170 may be referred to as the front
surface
of the window 170. The opposite surface 17 lb of the window 170 may be
referred to
as the rear surface of the window 170.
[149] The surface 171a of the window 170 may have a shape corresponding to
that of the
outer wall 211 of the first container 210, which forms the circumference of
the
insertion space 214. The insertion space 214 may be adjacent to the column 140
and
the PCB assembly 150 (refer to FIG. 8). The insertion space 214 may be located
between the first chamber Cl and the column 140. The outer wall 211 of the
first
container 210, which surrounds the circumference of the insertion space 214,
may have
a round shape that extends along the circumference of the insertion space 214.
The
surface 171a of the window 170 may have a round shape that surrounds the outer
side
of the insertion space 214. The surface 171a of the window 170 may have around
shape that surrounds the outer wall 211 of the first container 210, which
forms the cir-
cumference of the insertion space 214. The surface 171a of the window 170 may
have
a shape that is concave in the direction opposite the cartridge 200. The
surface 171a of
the window 170 may support one side wall of the cartridge 200.
[150] At least one recess 174, in which the light source 153 is
accommodated, may be
formed in the opposite surface 171b of the window 170. The recess 174 may be
referred to as a light source recess 174 or a window recess 174. The light
source recess
174 may be recessed toward the surface 171a from the opposite surface 171b of
the
window 170. Each of the plurality of light source recesses 174 may accommodate
and
cover a respective one of the plurality of light sources 153. Each of the
plurality of
light source recesses 174 may be formed at a position corresponding to the
position of
a respective one of the plurality of light sources 153. The plurality of light
source
recesses 174 may be arranged vertically. The first sensor 154 may be located
between
the plurality of light source recesses 174, and at least one light source
recess 174 may
be disposed on each side of the first sensor 154.
[151] The opposite surface 171b of the window 170 may include a planar
portion 172,
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23
which is formed to be flat. The planar portion 172 may be in close contact
with the
PCB assembly 150. The planar portion 172 may be inserted into the mounting
space
144 in the column 140 (refer to FIG. 17). The light source recess 174 may be
formed
by depressing the planar portion 172.
[152] The PCB assembly 150 may have a plurality of through-holes 151a
formed therein.
The through-holes 151a may be formed at one side of the PCB 151. The through-
holes
151a may be formed in the upper portion of the PCB 151. The through-holes 151a
may
be located above the light source 153 and/or the first sensor 154. The through-
holes
151a may be located on both sides of the PCB 151.
[153] The window 170 may include a plurality of penetrating protrusions
172a. The pen-
etrating protrusions 172a may protrude from the opposite surface 17 lb of the
window
170. The penetrating protrusions 172a may be formed at positions corresponding
to the
through-holes 151a. The penetrating protrusions 172a may protrude toward the
through-holes 151a. The penetrating protrusions 172a may pass through the
through-
holes 151a. A plurality of penetrating protrusions 172a may be provided. Each
of the
plurality of penetrating protrusions 172a may pass through a respective one of
the
plurality of through-holes 151a. The penetrating protrusions 172a may pass
through the
through-holes 151a, so the PCB assembly 150 and the window 170 may be disposed
at
the correct positions.
[154] The window 170 may include a latching protrusion 173. The latching
protrusion 173
may be formed on the opposite surface 171b of the window 170. The latching
protrusion 173 may protrude from each side of the planar portion 172. The
latching
protrusion 173 may be provided in a plural number, and the plurality of
latching pro-
trusions 173 may be arranged in the vertical direction. Each of the plurality
of latching
protrusions 173 may have a shape that is elongated vertically so as to
correspond to a
side flange portion 1451.
[155] The column 140 may include a flange 145. The flange 145 may be
disposed inside
the inner side wall 141 of the column 140. The flange 145 may protrude inwards
from
the inner side wall 141 of the column 140. The flange 145 may be integrally
formed
with the column 140. The flange 145 may protrude toward the inside of the
column
140 to form an edge. The flange 145 may extend along the circumference of the
assembly accommodation space 144. The flange 145 may have an open center,
through
which the assembly accommodation space 144 and the cartridge accommodation
space
134 may be connected to each other.
[1561 The flange 145 may include at least one of a side flange
portion 1451, a lower flange
portion 1452, or an upper flange portion 1453. The flange 145 may be formed in
a
manner such that the side flange portion 1451, the lower flange portion 1452,
and the
upper flange portion 1453 are connected to each other. The side flange portion
1451
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24
may have a shape that is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the column
140. The
side flange portion 1451 may be provided in a pair, and the pair of side
flange portions
1451 may be spaced apart from each other and may be formed on both sides of
the
column 140. The lower flange portion 1452 and the upper flange portion 1453
may be
disposed between the pair of side flange portions 1451, and may be connected
thereto.
The side flange portions 1451, the lower flange portion 1452, and the upper
flange
portion 1453 may be connected to each other to form the periphery of the
flange 145.
The region surrounded by the side flange portions 1451, the lower flange
portion 1452,
and the upper flange portion 1453 may be open, so the assembly accommodation
space
144 and the cartridge accommodation space 134 may communicate with each other.
[157] The opposite surface 17th of the window 170 may be attached to the
flange 145. The
edge of the opposite surface of the window 170 may be attached to the flange
145. The
opposite surface 171b of the window 170 may be attached to the flange 145
using an
adhesive member. The adhesive member may be, for example, a sheet of tape or
glue.
The adhesive member is not limited thereto. The latching protrusions 173 may
be
engaged with the flange 145, so the window 170 may be coupled to the flange
145.
The latching protrusions 173 may be engaged with the side flange portions
1451. The
flange 145 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the opposite surface
17 lb
of the window 170, which is adjacent to the edge of the window 170. The lower
flange
portion 1452 and the upper flange portion 1453 may have a concave shape.
[158] Accordingly, the PCB assembly 150 may be protected from the outside,
and may be
prevented from becoming separated.
[159] In addition, light emitted from the PCB assembly 150 may be provided
to the
cartridge 200.
[160] In addition, the window 170, the cartridge 200, and the PCB assembly
150 may be
reliably coupled or fixed to each other.
[161] The plate 160 may cover the region in the PCB assembly 150 that
avoids the at least
one light source 153. The plate 160 may be attached to the PCB assembly 150 to
cover
the first sensor 154. The plate 160 may allow an electromagnetic wave to pass
therethrough. The plate 160, through which an electromagnetic wave passes, may
not
allow visible light to pass therethrough, or may be translucent.
[162] Printed circuits, which are connected to the light sources 153, may
be printed on the
region in the PCB 151 that is adjacent to the light sources 153. The plate 160
may
cover the printed circuits printed on the PCB 151 in the vicinity of the light
sources
153. The plate 160 may have a shape that extends vertically along the first
sensor 154
and extends further from the vertically extending portion thereof toward the
printed
circuits.
[163] The plate 160 may expose the light sources 153, rather than covering
the same. The
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light sources 1153 may be disposed on both sides of the first sensor 154, with
the first
sensor 154 interposed therebetween, and may be arranged in the vertical
direction.
Portions of the plate 160 that correspond to the positions of the light
sources 153 may
be open. When the plate 160 is attached to the PCB assembly 150, the light
sources
153 may be exposed through the open portions of the plate 160.
[164] Accordingly, light emitted from the light sources 153 may not be
blocked, and the
first sensor 154 and/or the printed circuits printed on the PCB 151 may not be
exposed
to the outside, and may be protected from the outside.
[165] In addition, the first sensor 154 may sense a change in the
electromagnetic charac-
teristics of the surroundings in the state of being covered by the plate 160.
[166] Referring to FIG. 20, the PCB assembly 150 may be disposed inside the
column 140,
and may be elongated along the column 140. The PCB 151 may be elongated along
the
column 140. The connector 152, which is formed at one end of the PCB assembly
150,
may be exposed downwards from the upper body 120. The connector 152 may be
exposed downwards from the column 140. The connector 152 may be exposed
downwards from the mount 130. The lower end of the column 140 may be open to
form a gap 146. The connector 152 may be exposed downwards through the gap
146.
The gap 146 may communicate with the mounting space 144 (FIG. 17).
[167] The mount 130 may include the sensor accommodation portion 137. The
sensor ac-
commodation portion 137 may be formed in one side wall of the mount 130. The
sensor accommodation portion 137 may provide a space 137b formed in the side
wall
of the mount 130 so as to be open downwards to accommodate the second sensor
180
inserted thereinto. The space 137b provided by the sensor accommodation
portion 137
may be referred to as a sensor accommodation space 137b. The inner side
surface of
the sensor accommodation portion 137 may form a portion of the inner side
surface
131 of the mount 130. The outer side surface of the sensor accommodation
portion 137
may form a portion of the outer side surface 132 of the mount 130. The sensor
accom-
modation portion 137 may be formed at a position opposite the column 140 with
respect to the cartridge accommodation space 134. The column 140 may extend
upwards from one side of the mount 130, and the sensor accommodation portion
137
may be formed at the opposite side of the mount 130.
[168] The inner side surface 131 of the sensor accommodation portion 137
may be open to
form a sensing hole 137a. The sensing hole 137a may be formed between the
sensor
accommodation space 137b and the cartridge accommodation space 134 to in-
terconnect the sensor accommodation space 137b and the cartridge accommodation
space 134. The sensing hole 137a may be adjacent to the cartridge inlet 224
(refer to
FIG. 8). The sensing hole 137a may face the cartridge inlet 224.
[169] The sensing hole 137a may be open in the lateral direction. The side
portion of the
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26
second container 220 may be open to form the cartridge inlet 224, and the
sensing hole
137a, which is open in the lateral direction, may face the cartridge inlet 224
(refer to
FIG. 8).
[170] Referring to FIGs. 21 and 22, the partition wall 112 of the lower
body 110 may cover
the upper side of the battery 190. The partition wall 112 may be disposed in
the upper
portion of the lower body 110 in a direction intersecting the side wall 111 of
the lower
body 110. The partition wall 112 may cover the upper sides of internal
components of
the lower body 110. The partition wall 112 may separate the space in which
internal
components of the lower body 110 are mounted from the space in which the upper
body 120 is coupled. The partition wall 112 may be disposed below the upper
body
120. The side wall 111 of the lower body 110 may extend upwards beyond the
partition wall 112, and may surround the circumference of the partition wall
112. The
inner circumferential surface of the side wall 111 of the lower body 110,
which
extends above the partition wall 112, may surround the circumference of the
lower
portion of the mount 130.
[171] The second sensor 180 may be mounted on one side of the upper portion
of the lower
body 110. The second sensor 180 may be disposed on the partition wall 112. The
second sensor 180 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the sensor
accom-
modation portion 137 of the mount 130. The sensor support portion 185 may
extend
upwards from one side of the partition wall 112 to support the second sensor
180. The
second sensor 180 may be disposed so as to face the lateral direction.
[172] The upper body 120 may be coupled to the upper side of the lower body
110. The
body latch 115 may be formed at the upper portion of the lower body 110. The
body
latch 115 may be formed at one end of the partition wall 112. The body latch
115 may
have a protruding shape. The body latch 115 may be inserted into the fastening
hole
135 in the mount 130, so the mount 130 and the lower body 110 may be coupled
to
each other.
[173] The body rib 116 may have a shape that protrudes from the inner
circumferential
surface of the side wall 111 of the lower body 110. The body rib 116 may have
a shape
that extends along the inner circumferential surface of the side wall 111 of
the lower
body 110. The body rib 116 may be made of an elastic material. For example,
the body
rib 116 may be made of a material such as rubber or silicon. The body rib 116
may be
disposed above the partition wall 112. The body rib 116 may be inserted into
and be in
close contact with the rib groove 136 in the mount 130.
[1741 The second fixing portion 118 may be disposed in the upper
portion of the lower
body 110. The second fixing portion 118 may be formed at a position
corresponding to
the first fixing portion 138. The second fixing portion 118 may be formed near
the
partition wall 112. The second fixing portion 118 may have a shape that
protrudes
CA 03233722 2024- 4- 2
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27
upwards or is recessed downwards. The second fixing portion 118 may be
provided in
a plural number. The second fixing portion 118 may be coupled to the first
fixing
portion 138 of the mount 130.
[175] Accordingly, the upper body 120 may be coupled to the lower body 110.
[176] In addition, the position of the mount 130 may be reliably fixed to
the lower body
110, and the upper body 120 may be prevented from shaking relative to the
lower body
110.
[177] The bottom 133 of the mount 130 may be open to form a connection
terminal hole
133a. The connection terminal hole 1 33a may have a slit shape. The connection
terminal hole 133a may be formed in a pair (refer to FIG. 20). A first
connection
terminal 191 may be formed so as to protrude upwards from the partition wall
112. The
first connection terminal 191 may be provided in a pair. The first connection
terminal
191 and the connection terminal hole 133a may be formed at positions
corresponding
to each other. When the upper body 120 is coupled to the lower body 110, the
first
connection terminal 191 may pass through the connection terminal hole 133a,
and may
be exposed to the cartridge accommodation space 134. When the second cartridge
200
is coupled to the upper body 120, the heater 262 (refer to FIG. 8) may come
into
contact with the first connection terminal 191, and may be electrically
connected to at
least one of devices such as the battery 190 and the control device 193. The
devices
that are electrically connected to the heater are not limited thereto.
[178] The PCB assembly 150 may be electrically connected to a device
provided in the
lower body 110 via the connector 152, which is exposed downwards from the
upper
body 120. One side of the partition wall 112 may be open to form a connector
insertion
hole 117. The connector insertion hole 117 may be formed at a position
corresponding
to the column 140. The connector insertion hole 117 may be open upwards. A
second
connection terminal 192 may be located below the connector insertion hole 117
inside
the lower body 110. When the upper body 120 is coupled to the lower body 110,
the
connector 152 may be inserted into the connector insertion hole 117, and may
come
into contact with the second connection terminal 192. When the connector 152
comes
into contact with the second connection terminal 192, the PCB assembly 150 may
be
electrically connected to at least one of devices such as the battery 190 and
the control
device 193 via the connector 152. The devices that are electrically connected
to the
PCB assembly are not limited thereto.
[179] When the upper body 120 is coupled to the lower body 110, the second
sensor 180
may be inserted into the space 137b provided by the sensor accommodation
portion
137. The sensor accommodation portion 137 may surround the second sensor 180.
The
sensor accommodation portion 137 may surround the second sensor 180. When the
mount 130 is coupled to the lower body 110, the second sensor 180 may be
inserted
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28
upwards from the lower side of the sensor accommodation space 137b. The
sensing
hole 137a formed by opening the sensor accommodation portion 137 may be opened
toward the cartridge 200. The sensing hole 137a, which is formed at the sensor
accom-
modation portion 137, may be open toward the cartridge 200. The second sensor
180
may face the sensing hole 137a inside the sensor accommodation portion 137.
The
second sensor 180 may be disposed so as to face the cartridge inlet 224 (refer
to FIG.
8) inside the sensor accommodation portion 137. The second sensor 180 may
sense the
flow of air around the sensing hole 137a.
[180] Referring to FIGs. 23 to 25, the cartridge 200 may include at least
one of the first
container 210, the second container 220, the wick 261, or the heater 262. The
cartridge
200 may include the sealing member 250.
[181] The first container 210 may be formed to have a hollow shape. The
outer wall 211 of
the first container 210 may surround the inner space. The first container 210
may
provide the first chamber Cl storing liquid therein. One side or the lower
side of the
first chamber Cl may be open. The first container 210 may include an insertion
space
214 into which the stick 400 is capable of being inserted. The first chamber
Cl and the
stick 400 may be provided separately from each other inside the first
container 210.
The insertion space 214 may have two open opposite ends, and may be elongated.
The
insertion space 214 may be elongated vertically, and the upper and lower ends
thereof
may be open. The circumference of the insertion space 214 may extend in the
circum-
ferential direction. The insertion space 214 may have a cylindrical shape.
[182] The inner wall 212 of the first container 210 may be located inside
the first container
210, and may partition the inner space in the first container 210. The inner
wall 212 of
the first container 210 may partition the space surrounded by the outer wall
211 of the
first container 210 into the first chamber Cl on one side and the insertion
space 214 on
the other side. The inner wall 212 of the first container 210 may extend in
the circum-
ferential direction to surround at least a portion of the circumference of the
insertion
space 214.
[183] Accordingly, the efficiency of use of a liquid storage space may be
improved, and the
user may be provided with improved convenience during an inhalation operation.
[184] The second container 220 may be coupled to the first container 210.
The second
container 220 may be coupled to one side or the lower side of the first
container 210.
The second container 220 may block the open side of the first chamber Cl. The
second
container 220 may provide therein the second chamber C2 communicating with the
insertion space 214. The wick 261 may be disposed in the second container 220.
[185] The cartridge inlet 224 may communicate with the second chamber C2
and the
outside of the cartridge 200. The cartridge inlet 224 may allow the second
chamber C2
to communicate with the outside of the cartridge 200. The cartridge inlet 224
may be
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29
formed at the outer wall of the second container 220. The cartridge inlet 224
may be
formed in the side wall 221 of the second container 220. The cartridge inlet
224 may
be open in the lateral direction. The cartridge inlet 224 may be formed at a
position
higher than the bottom 222 of the second container 220.
[186] Accordingly, it is possible to prevent droplets in a connection
passage 2314 from
leaking out of the cartridge 200 through the cartridge inlet 224.
[187] The second container 220 may include at least one of the lower case
230 or the frame
240. The lower case 230 may form the external appearance of the second
container
220. The lower case 230 may he disposed below the first container 210. The
lower
case 230 may be coupled to the first container 210. The lower case 230 may be
coupled to the outer wall 211 of the first container 210. The circumference of
the lower
case 230 may be coupled to the circumference of the first container 210. The
cartridge
inlet 224 may be formed at the outer wall of the lower case 230. The cartridge
inlet 224
may be formed in the side wall 2311 of the lower case 230. The cartridge inlet
224
may be formed at a position higher than the bottom 2312 of the lower case 230.
The
lower case 230 may provide therein an accommodation space 2310. The lower case
230 may accommodate at least a portion of the frame 240 in the accommodation
space
2310. The lower case 230 may support the frame 240.
[188] The lower case 230 may include the accommodation portion 231. The
accom-
modation portion 231 may provide therein an accommodation space 2310. The
accom-
modation space 2310 may be formed at the accommodation portion 231 upwards.
The
accommodation portion 231 may surround the side portion and the lower portion
of the
accommodation space 2310. The side wall 2311 of the accommodation portion 231
may surround the side portion of the accommodation space 2310. The bottom 2312
of
the accommodation portion 231 may cover the lower portion of the accommodation
space 2310. The second chamber C2 may be formed at a position at which the
accom-
modation space 2310 is formed. The accommodation portion 231 may surround a
portion of the second chamber C2.
[189] The cartridge inlet 224 may be formed at one side of the
accommodation portion
231. The cartridge inlet 224 may be formed at the outer wall of the
accommodation
portion 231. The cartridge inlet 224 may be formed in one side wall 2311 of
the ac-
commodation portion 231. The cartridge inlet 224 may be adjacent to the lower
side of
the extension portion 232. The cartridge inlet 224 may be formed at a position
higher
than the bottom 2312 of the accommodation portion 231.
[190] The accommodation portion 231 may provide therein a connection
passage 2314.
The connection passage 2314 may communicate with the cartridge inlet 224. The
connection passage 2314 may be formed between the accommodation portion 231
and
the frame 240. The connection passage 2314 may be surrounded by the accom-
CA 03233722 2024- 4- 2
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modation portion 231 and the frame 240. The connection passage 2314 may be
located
between the cartridge inlet 224 and the chamber inlet 2424. The connection
passage
2314 may interconnect the cartridge inlet 224 and the chamber inlet 2424.
[191] The blocking wall 2317 may be formed in the connection passage 2314.
The
blocking wall 2317 may be formed so as to protrude upwards from the bottom of
the
connection passage 2314. The blocking wall 2317 may be formed so as to
protrude
upwards from the bottom 2312 of the accommodation portion 231 or the bottom of
the
frame 240. The connection passage 2314 may surround the blocking wall 2317.
The
blocking wall 2317 may be disposed between the cartridge inlet 224 and the
chamber
inlet 2424. The blocking wall 2317 may be disposed between the side wall 2311
of the
accommodation portion 231 and the side wall 2421 of the second frame portion
242.
The blocking wall 2317 may be formed parallel to the side wall 2311 of the
accom-
modation portion 231. The blocking wall 2317 may face the side wall 2311 of
the ac-
commodation portion 231. The blocking wall 2317 may be formed parallel to the
side
wall 2421 of the second frame portion 242. The blocking wall 2317 may face the
side
wall 2421 of the second frame portion 242. The blocking wall 2317 may extend
to a
position higher than the cartridge inlet 224 and/or the chamber inlet 2424.
The
blocking wall 2317 may extend to a position lower than the extension portion
232 and/
or a bottom portion 2411. The blocking wall 2317 may be elongated in a
direction in-
tersecting the direction in which the cartridge inlet 224 and/or the chamber
inlet 2424
are open. The cartridge inlet 224 may face the blocking wall 2317. The chamber
inlet
2424 may face the blocking wall 2317.
[192] Accordingly, it is possible to prevent droplets generated in the
second chamber C2
from leaking out of the cartridge 200 through the cartridge inlet 224.
[193] The lower case 230 may include the extension portion 232 extending
outwards from
the accommodation portion 231. The extension portion 232 may extend outwards
from
the upper end of one side of the accommodation portion 231. The extension
portion
232 may extend outwards from the side wall 2311 of the accommodation portion
231
in which the cartridge inlet 224 is formed. The extension portion 232 may be
located
below the first chamber Cl. The extension portion 232 may support the first
frame
portion 241.
[194] The lower case 230 may include a peripheral portion 2322, which is
coupled to the
circumference of the first container 210. The peripheral portion 2322 may
extend from
the upper end of the lower case 230 along the circumference of the lower case
230.
The peripheral portion 2322 may extend along the circumference of each of the
receiving portion 231 and the extension portion 232. The peripheral portion
2322 may
have the shape of a continuous band. The peripheral portion 2322 may have a
shape
that protrudes upwards from the circumference of the lower case 230. The
peripheral
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31
portion 2322 may be coupled to the lower end of the outer wall 211 of the
first
container 210. The lower end of the outer wall 211 of the first container 210
may be
recessed upwards so that the peripheral portion 2322 is inserted thereinto.
The pe-
ripheral portion 2322 and the outer wall 211 of the first container 210 may be
attached
to each other using an adhesive member. The adhesive member may be, for
example, a
sheet of tape or glue. The adhesive member is not limited thereto.
[195] The frame 240 may be disposed between the lower case 230 and the
first container
210. At least a portion of the frame 240 may be accommodated in the
accommodation
space 2310. The frame 240 may be coupled to the lower case 230 in the accom-
modation space 2310. The frame 240 may block the open side or the lower side
of the
first chamber Cl. The frame 240 may form the bottom of the first chamber Cl.
The
frame 240 may partition the inside of the lower case 230 to provide the second
chamber C2. The frame 240 may surround at least a portion of the second
chamber C2.
The second chamber C2 may be surrounded by the frame 240 and the outer wall of
the
accommodation portion 231. The second chamber C2 may be formed below the
insertion space 214. The second chamber C2 may communicate with the lower end
of
the insertion space 214. The chamber inlet 2424 may be formed at one side of
the
frame 240. The chamber inlet 2424 may communicate with the second chamber C2.
[196] The frame 240 may include the first frame portion 241, which forms
the bottom of
the first chamber Cl. The first frame portion 241 may block the open side of
the first
chamber Cl. The frame 240 may include the second frame portion 242, which
partitions the inside of the lower case 230 to provide the second chamber C2.
The
second frame portion 242 may be accommodated in the lower case 230. The second
frame portion 242 may be connected to the first frame portion 241. The second
frame
portion 242 may surround at least a portion of the second chamber C2.
[197] The second frame portion 242 may be accommodated in the accommodation
space
2310. The side wall 2421 of the second frame portion 242 may surround at least
a
portion of the side portion of the second chamber C2. The bottom 2422 of the
second
frame portion 242 may form the bottom of the second chamber C2. The accom-
modation portion 231 may support the second frame portion 242. The bottom 2312
of
the accommodation portion 231 may support the bottom 2422 of the second frame
portion 242. The chamber inlet 2424 may be formed at the side wall 2421 of the
second frame portion 242. The chamber inlet 2424 may be open in the lateral
direction.
The chamber inlet 2424 may be formed at a position higher than the bottom of
the
second chamber C2 or the bottom 2422 of the second frame portion 242.
[198] Accordingly, it is possible to prevent droplets generated in the
second chamber C2
from leaking out of the second chamber C2 through the chamber inlet 2424.
[199] The first frame portion 241 may have a shape that extends outwards
from one side of
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the second frame portion 242. The first frame portion 241 may extend in the
direction
in which the extension portion 232 extends from the upper portion of the accom-
modation space 2310. The first frame portion 241 may cover a portion of the
upper
side of the lower case 230. The lower case 230 may support a surface of the
first frame
portion 241.
[200] The bottom portion 2411 of the first frame portion 241 may form the
bottom of the
first chamber Cl. The bottom portion 2411 of the first frame portion 241 may
extend
outwards from the upper end of the side wall 2421 of the second frame portion
242.
The bottom portion 2411 of the first frame portion 241 may extend in the
direction in
which the extension portion 232 is formed. The bottom portion 2411 of the
first frame
portion 241 may cover the extension portion 232 and the upper side of the
connection
passage 2314. The bottom portion 2411 of the first frame portion 241 may be
supported by the extension portion 232.
[201] The side wall 2412 of the first frame portion 241 may extend from one
side of the
circumference of the bottom 2422 of the second frame portion 242 along the cir-
cumference of the bottom portion 2411 of the first frame portion 241. The side
wall
2412 of the first frame portion 241 may have the shape of a band that extends
along the
edge of the bottom portion 2411 of the first frame portion 241. The side wall
2412 of
the first frame portion 241 may protrude upwards from the edge of the bottom
portion
2411. The portion of the side wall 2412 of the first frame portion 241 that is
adjacent to
the second frame portion 242 may be accommodated in the accommodation space
2310. The side wall 2311 of the accommodation portion 231 may support the
portion
of the side wall 2412 of the first frame portion 241 that is adjacent to the
second frame
portion 242.
[202] The side wall 2311 and the bottom 2312 of the accommodation portion
231 may
surround one side of the connection passage 2314. The bottom portion 2411 of
the first
frame portion 241 and the side wall 2421 of the second frame portion 242 may
surround the opposite side of the connection passage 2314. A round surface
2418 may
extend to form a round shape between the first frame portion 241 and the
second frame
portion 242. The round surface 2418 may face one side of the connection
passage
2314. The round surface 2418 may extend to form a round shape from the first
frame
portion 241 toward the chamber inlet 2424. The round surface 2418 may extend
to
form a round shape from the bottom portion 2411 of the first frame portion 241
toward
the side wall 2421 of the second frame portion 242. The round surface 2418 may
be
located above the connection passage 2314. The round surface 2418 may be
spaced
upwards apart from the blocking wall 2317. A portion of the connection passage
2314
may be located between the round surface 2418 and the blocking wall 2317.
[203] A hook 2415 may be formed at the first frame portion 241. The hook
2415 may be
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formed adjacent to the circumference of the first frame portion 241. The hook
2415
may protrude upwards from the bottom portion 2411 of the first frame portion
241, and
may be bent outwards. The hook 2415 may be located adjacent to or in contact
with
the side wall 2412 of the first frame portion 241. The end of the hook 2415
may be
bent outwards, and may be disposed above the side wall 2412 of the first frame
portion
241. The hook 2415 may be provided in a plural number. The plurality of hooks
2415
may be arranged along the circumference of the first frame portion 241. Three
hooks
2415 may be provided. The sealing member 250 may be engaged with the hook
2415.
[204] The wick 261 may he disposed in the second chamber C2. The wick 261
may he
connected to the first chamber Cl. The wick 261 may receive the liquid stored
in the
first chamber Cl from the first chamber Cl. The heater 262 may be disposed in
the
second chamber C2. The heater 262 may heat the wick 261. The heater 262 may be
wound around the wick 261. The heater 262 may generate an aerosol in the
second
chamber C2 by heating the wick 261 containing the liquid. The wick 261 may be
fixed
to the second frame portion 242. A wick insertion recess 2426 may be formed in
a
manner such that the side wall 2421 of the second frame portion 242 is
recessed
downwards. A pair of wick insertion recesses 2426 may be formed in two
opposite
side portions of the side wall. Each of the two ends of the wick 261 may be
inserted
into and fixed to a respective one of the pair of wick insertion recesses
2426.
[205] Air may be introduced into the cartridge 200 through the cartridge
inlet 224. The air
introduced through the cartridge inlet 224 may sequentially pass through the
connection passage 2314, the chamber inlet 2424, the second chamber C2, and
the
insertion space 214. The air passing through the connection passage 2314 may
flow
along the round surface 2418 between the blocking wall 2317 and the round
surface
2418, and may flow into the chamber inlet 2424. The air passing through the
second
chamber C2 may flow together with the aerosol generated in the second chamber
C2.
[206] Accordingly, it is possible to reduce air flow loss in the connection
passage 2314.
[207] In addition, the aerosol may be provided to the insertion space 214
and/or the stick
400 inserted into the insertion space 214.
[208] The sealing member 250 may be disposed between the first container
210 and the
second container 220. The sealing member 250 may be disposed between the first
chamber Cl. having an open side, and the second container 220, blocking the
open
side of the first chamber Cl. The sealing member 250 may be disposed between
or
inserted into the gap between the first chamber Cl and the frame 240. The
sealing
member 250 may surround the lower edge of the first chamber Cl. The sealing
member 250 may be in close contact with the first container 210 and the frame
240. A
portion of the sealing member 250 may be in close contact with the second
container
220. The sealing member 250 may have the shape of a continuous band.
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[209] Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the liquid stored in
the first chamber CI from
leaking into the gap formed in the coupling portion between the members
defining the
first chamber Cl.
[210] The sealing member 250 may include at least one of the first
sealing portion 251 or
the second sealing portion 252. The first sealing portion 251 may be disposed
between
or inserted into the gap between the outer wall 211 of the first container 210
and the
first frame portion 241. The first sealing portion 251 may extend along the
outer wall
211 of the first container 210. The first sealing portion 251 may be in close
contact
with the outer wall 211 of the first container 210 and the side wall 2411 of
the first
frame portion 241. The first sealing portion 251 may be engaged with the hooks
2415
formed at the first frame portion 241. The plurality of hooks 2415 may be
arranged
along the circumference of the first sealing portion 251. At least part of the
first sealing
portion 251 may be inserted into the gap between and be in close contact with
the ends
of the hooks 2415 and the side wall 2412 of the first frame portion 241.
[211] The second sealing portion 252 may be connected to the first
sealing portion 251.
The second sealing portion 252 may be disposed between the inner wall 212 of
the first
container 210 and the second frame portion 242. The second sealing portion 252
may
be disposed between the first chamber CI and the second chamber C2. The second
sealing portion 252 may extend from the first sealing portion 251 along the
inner wall
212 of the first container 210. The second sealing portion 252 may be in close
contact
with the inner wall 212 of the first container 210 and the upper end of the
second frame
portion 242. The inner wall 212 of the first container 210 may press the upper
portion
of the second sealing portion 252 toward the second frame portion 242. A part
of the
second sealing portion 252 may be inserted into the second frame portion 242.
[212] Referring to FIG. 25, the side wall 2421 of the second frame
portion 242 may
surround the side portion of the second chamber C2. The side wall 2421 of the
second
frame portion 242 may be adjacent to the lower end of the inner wall 212 of
the first
container 210.
[213] The lower support surface 2522 and the side support surface
2523 may surround and
be in close contact with the lower edge of the inner wall 212 of the first
container 210.
The lower support surface 2522 may support the lower end surface of the inner
wall
212 of the first container 210. The lower support surface 2522 may extend
along the
circumference of the inner wall 212 of the first container 210.
[214] The side support surface 2523 may extend along the
circumference of the inner wall
212 of the first container 210. The side support surface 2523 may support the
side
surface that is adjacent to the lower end surface of the inner wall 212 of the
first
container 210.
[215] The support portion 2428 may be disposed below the inner
wall 212 of the first
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container 210. The support portion 2428 may be located along a line
extrapolated from
the inner wall 212 of the first container 210.
[216] The first container 210 may be coupled to the second container 220.
The outer wall
211 of the first container 210 may be coupled to the circumference of the
lower case
230. The lower end of the outer wall 211 of the first container 210 may be
recessed
upwards so that the peripheral portion 2322 is inserted thereinto. The outer
wall 211 of
the first container 210 may be attached to the peripheral portion 2322.
[217] When the first container 210 is coupled to the lower case 230, the
first sealing
portion 251 may be in close contact with the first frame portion 241 and the
outer wall
211 of the first container 210.
[218] When the first container 210 is coupled to the lower case 230, the
inner wall 212 of
the first container 210 may press the second sealing portion 252 toward the
second
frame portion 242. When the inner wall 212 of the first container 210 presses
the
second sealing portion 252, the second sealing portion 252 may come into close
contact with the inner wall 212 of the first container 210 and the second
frame portion
242. The second sealing portion 252 may transmit the force received from the
inner
wall 212 of the first container 210 to the first sealing portion 251 and the
second frame
portion 242.
[219] Accordingly, the number of parts that are coupled using adhesive
members may be
reduced, and the number of parts for coupling components may be reduced. As a
result, the structure for coupling components in the cartridge 200 may be
simplified,
and manufacturing efficiency may be improved.
[220] In addition, the sealing member 250 may be stably coupled or fixed
without using a
separate adhesive member, and may be in close contact with neighboring
components,
thereby hermetically sealing the same.
[2211 Referring to FIG. 26, the aforementioned stick 400 may include a
medium portion
410. The stick 400 may include a cooling portion 420. The stick 400 may
include a
filter portion 430. The cooling portion 420 may be disposed between the medium
portion 410 and the filter portion 430. The stick 400 may include a wrapper
440. The
wrapper 440 may wrap the medium portion 410. The wrapper 440 may wrap the
cooling portion 420. The wrapper 440 may wrap the filter portion 430. The
stick 400
may have a cylindrical shape.
[222] The medium portion 410 may include a medium 411. The medium portion
410 may
include a first medium cover 413. The medium portion 410 may include a second
medium cover 415. The medium 411 may be disposed between the first medium
cover
413 and the second medium cover 415. The first medium cover 413 may be
disposed at
one end of the stick 400. The medium portion 410 may have a length of 24 mm.
[223] The medium 411 may contain a multicomponent substance. The substance
contained
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36
in the medium may be a multicomponent flavoring substance. The medium 411 may
be
composed of a plurality of granules. Each of the plurality of granules may
have a size
of 0.4 mm to 1.12 mm. The granules may account for approximately 70% of the
volume of the medium 411. The length L2 of the medium 411 may be 10 mm. The
first
medium cover 413 may be made of an acetate material. The second medium cover
415
may be made of an acetate material. The first medium cover 413 may be made of
a
paper material. The second medium cover 415 may be made of a paper material.
At
least one of the first medium cover 413 or the second medium cover 415 may be
made
of a paper material, and may be crumpled so as to he wrinkled, and a plurality
of gaps
may be formed between the wrinkles so that air flows therethrough. Each of the
gaps
may be smaller than each of the granules of the medium 411. The length Li of
the first
medium cover 413 may be shorter than the length L2 of the medium 411. The
length
L3 of the second medium cover 415 may be shorter than the length L2 of the
medium
411. The length Li of the first medium cover 413 may be 7 mm. The length L2 of
the
second medium cover 415 may be 7 mm.
[224] Accordingly, each of the granules of the medium 411 may be prevented
from being
separated from the medium portion 410 and the stick 400.
[225] The cooling portion 420 may have a cylindrical shape. The cooling
portion 420 may
have a hollow shape. The cooling portion 420 may be disposed between the
medium
portion 410 and the filter portion 430. The cooling portion 420 may be
disposed
between the second medium cover 415 and the filter portion 430. The cooling
portion
420 may be formed in the shape of a tube that surrounds a cooling path 424
formed
therein. The cooling portion 420 may be thicker than the wrapper 440. The
cooling
portion 420 may be made of a paper material thicker than that of the wrapper
440. The
length L4 of the cooling portion 420 may be equal or similar to the length L2
of the
medium 411. The length L4 of each of the cooling portion 420 and the cooling
path
424 may be 10 mm. When the stick 400 is inserted into the aerosol-generating
device
(refer to FIG. 3), at least part of the cooling portion 420 may be exposed to
the outside
of the aerosol-generating device.
12261 Accordingly, the cooling portion 420 may support the medium
portion 410 and the
filter portion 430, and may secure the rigidity of the stick 400. In addition,
the cooling
portion 420 may support the wrapper 440 between the medium portion 410 and the
filter portion 430, and may provide a portion to which the wrapper 440 is
adhered. In
addition, the heated air and aerosol may be cooled while passing through the
cooling
path 424 in the cooling portion 420.
[227] The filter portion 430 may be composed of a filter made of
an acetate material. The
filter portion 430 may be disposed at the other end of the stick 400. When the
stick 400
is inserted into the aerosol-generating device (refer to FIG. 3), the filter
portion 430
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may be exposed to the outside of the aerosol-generating device. The user may
inhale
air in the state of holding the filter portion 430 in the mouth. The length L5
of the filter
portion 430 may be 14 rum.
[228] The wrapper 440 may wrap or surround the medium portion 410, the
cooling portion
420, and the filter portion 430. The wrapper 440 may form the external
appearance of
the stick 400. The wrapper 440 may be made of a paper material. An adhesive
portion
441 may be formed along one edge of the wrapper 440. The wrapper 440 may
surround the medium portion 410, the cooling portion 420, and the filter
portion 430,
and the adhesive portion 441 formed along one edge of the wrapper 440 and the
other
edge thereof may be adhered to each other. The wrapper 440 may surround the
medium portion 410, the cooling portion 420, and the filter portion 430, but
may not
cover one end or the other end of the stick 400.
[229] Accordingly, the wrapper 440 may fix the medium portion 410, the
cooling portion
420, and the filter portion 430, and may prevent these components from being
separated from the stick 400.
[230] A first thin film 443 may be disposed at a position corresponding to
the first medium
cover 413. The first thin film 443 may be disposed between the wrapper 440 and
the
first medium cover 413, or may be disposed outside the wrapper 440. The first
thin
film 443 may surround the first medium cover 413. The first thin film 443 may
be
made of a metal material. The first thin film 443 may be made of an aluminum
material. The first thin film 443 may be in close contact with the wrapper
440, or may
be coated thereon.
[231] A second thin film 445 may be disposed at a position corresponding to
the second
medium cover 415. The second thin film 445 may be disposed between the wrapper
440 and the second medium cover 415, or may be disposed outside the wrapper
440.
The second thin film 445 may be made of a metal material. The second thin film
445
may be made of an aluminum material. The second thin film 445 may be in close
contact with the wrapper 440, or may be coated thereon.
[232] When a capacitance sensor for recognizing the stick is inserted in
the aerosol-
generating device, the capacitance sensor may sense whether the stick 400 is
inserted
into the aerosol-generating device.
[233] FIG. 27 is a block diagram of an aerosol-generating device according
to an em-
bodiment of the present disclosure.
[234] Referring to FIG. 27, an aerosol-generating device 1000 may include a
commu-
nication interface 1100, an input/output interface 1200, an aerosol-generating
module
1300, a memory 1400, a sensor module 1500, a battery 1600, and/or a controller
1700.
[235] In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may be composed
only of a
body 100. In this case, components included in the aerosol-generating device
1000
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may be located in the body 100. In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating
device
1000 may be composed of a cartridge 200, which contains an aerosol-generating
substance, and a body 100. In this case, the components included in the
aerosol-
generating device 1000 may be located in at least one of the body 100 or the
cartridge
200.
[236] The communication interface 1100 may include at least one
communication module
for communication with an external device and/or a network. For example, the
com-
munication interface 1100 may include a communication module for wired commu-
nication, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB). For example, the communication
interface 1100 may include a communication module for wireless communication,
such as Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluctooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE),
ZigBee,
or Near-Field Communication (NFC).
[237] The input/output interface 1200 may include an input device for
receiving a
command from a user and/or an output device for outputting information to the
user.
For example, the input device may include a touch panel, a physical button, a
mi-
crophone, or the like. For example, the output device may include a display
device for
outputting visual information, such as a display or a light-emitting diode
(LED), an
audio device for outputting auditory infoinaation, such as a speaker or a
buzzer, a
motor for outputting tactile inforination such as haptic effect, or the like.
[238] The input/output interface 1200 may transmit data corresponding to a
command
input by the user through the input device to another component (or other
components)
of the aerosol-generating device 1000. The input/output interface 1200 may
output in-
formation corresponding to data received from another component (or other
components) of the aerosol-generating device 1000 through the output device.
[239] The aerosol-generating module 1300 may generate an aerosol from an
aerosol-
generating substance. Here, the aerosol-generating substance may be a
substance in a
liquid state, a solid state, or a gel state, which is capable of generating an
aerosol, or a
combination of two or more aerosol-generating substances.
[240] According to an embodiment, the liquid aerosol-generating substance
may be a liquid
including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor
component.
According to another embodiment, the liquid aerosol-generating substance may
be a
liquid including a non-tobacco material. For example, the liquid aerosol-
generating
substance may include water, solvents, nicotine, plant extracts, flavorings,
flavoring
agents, vitamin mixtures, etc.
[241] The solid aerosol-generating substance may include a solid material
based on a
tobacco raw material such as a reconstituted tobacco sheet, shredded tobacco,
or
granulated tobacco. In addition, the solid aerosol-generating substance may
include a
solid material having a taste control agent and a flavoring material. For
example, the
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taste control agent may include calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium
oxide,
etc. For example, the flavoring material may include a natural material such
as herbal
granules, or may include a material such as silica, zeolite, or dextrin, which
includes an
aroma ingredient.
[242] In addition, the aerosol-generating substance may further include an
aerosol-forming
agent such as glycerin or propylene glycol.
[243] The aerosol-generating module 1300 may include at least one heater.
[244] The aerosol-generating module 1300 may include an electro-resistive
heater (for
example, the heater 262, refer to FIG. 2). For example, the electro-resistive
heater may
include at least one electrically conductive track. The electro-resistive
heater may be
heated by current flowing through the electrically conductive track. In this
case, the
aerosol-generating substance may be heated by the heated electro-resistive
heater.
[245] The electrically conductive track may include an electro-resistive
material. In one
example, the electrically conductive track may be formed of a metal material.
In
another example, the electrically conductive track may be formed of a ceramic
material, carbon, a metal alloy, or a composite of a ceramic material and
metal.
[246] The electro-resistive heater may include an electrically conductive
track that is
formed in any of various shapes. For example, the electrically conductive
track may be
formed in any one of a tubular shape, a plate shape, a needle shape, a rod
shape, and a
coil shape.
[247] The aerosol-generating module 1300 may include a heater that uses an
induction-
heating method. For example, the induction heater may include an electrically
conductive coil. The induction heater may generate an alternating magnetic
field,
which periodically changes in direction, by adjusting the current flowing
through the
electrically conductive coil. In this case, when the alternating magnetic
field is applied
to a magnetic body, energy loss may occur in the magnetic body due to eddy
current
loss and hysteresis loss, and the lost energy may be released as thermal
energy. Ac-
cordingly, the aerosol-generating substance located adjacent to the magnetic
body may
be heated. Here, an object that generates heat due to the magnetic field may
be referred
to as a susceptor.
[248] Meanwhile, the aerosol-generating module 1300 may generate ultrasonic
vibrations
to thereby generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substance.
[249] The aerosol-generating module 1300 may be referred to as a
cartomizer, an atomizer,
or a vaporizer.
[250] The memory 1400 may store therein a program for processing and
controlling each
signal in the controller 1700. The memory 1400 may store therein processed
data and
data to be processed.
[251] For example, the memory 1400 may store therein applications designed
for the
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purpose of performing various tasks that can be processed by the controller
1700. For
example, the memory 1400 may selectively provide some of the stored
applications in
response to the request from the controller 1700.
[252] For example, the memory 1400 may store therein data on the operation
time of the
aerosol-generating device 1000, the maximum number of puffs, the current
number of
puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's inhalation pattern.
Here, "puff"
means inhalation by the user, and "inhalation" means the user's act of taking
air or
other substances into the user's oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs through
the user's
mouth or nose.
[253] The memory 1400 may include at least one of volatile memory (e.g.
dynamic random
access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), or synchronous
dynamic random access memory (SDRAM)), nonvolatile memory (e.g. flash memory),
a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid-state drive (SSD).
[254] The memory 1400 may be disposed in at least one of the body 100, the
cartridge 200,
or the cap 300. The memory 1400 may be disposed in each of the body 100 and
the
cartridge 200. For example, the memory of the body 100 may store information
about
components disposed in the body 100, for example, information about the full
charge
capacity of the battery 190, and the memory of the cartridge 200 may store
information
about components disposed in the cartridge 200, for example, information about
the re-
sistance of the heater 262.
[255] The sensor module 1500 may include at least one sensor.
[256] For example, the sensor module 1500 may include a sensor for sensing
a puff
(hereinafter referred to as a "puff sensor"), for example, the second sensor
180 (refer to
FIG. 2). In this case, the puff sensor may be implemented as a proximity
sensor such as
an IR sensor, a pressure sensor, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a
magnetic field
sensor, or the like.
[257] For example, the sensor module 1500 may include a sensor for sensing
the tem-
perature of the heater 262 included in the aerosol-generating module 1300 and
the tem-
perature of the aerosol-generating substance (hereinafter referred to as a
"temperature
sensor").
[258] In this case, the heater 262 included in the aerosol-generating
module 1300 may also
serve as the temperature sensor. For example, the electro-resistive material
of the
heater 262 may be a material having a temperature coefficient of resistance
(TCR). The
sensor module 1500 may measure the resistance of the heater 262, which varies
according to the temperature, to thereby sense the temperature of the heater
262.
[259] For example, when a stick is capable of being inserted into the body
100 of the
aerosol-generating device 1000 and/or the cartridge 200, the sensor module
1500 may
include a sensor for sensing insertion of the stick (hereinafter referred to
as a "stick
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41
detection sensor").
[260] For example, when the aerosol-generating device 1000 includes a
cartridge 200, the
sensor module 1500 may include a sensor for sensing mounting/demounting of the
cartridge 200 to/from the body 100 and the position of the cartridge 200
(hereinafter
referred to as a "cartridge detection sensor").
[261] Tn this case, the stick detection sensor and/or the cartridge
detection sensor may be
implemented as an inductance-based sensor, a capacitance sensor, a resistance
sensor,
or a Hall sensor using a Hall effect. According to an embodiment of the
present
disclosure, the first sensor 154 (refer to FIG. 17) may be implemented as a
stick
detection sensor. In addition, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure, the
cartridge detection sensor may include the first connection terminal 191
(refer to FIG.
21).
[262] For example, the sensor module 1500 may include a voltage sensor for
sensing a
voltage applied to a component (e.g. the battery 1600) provided in the aerosol-
generating device 1000 and/or a current sensor for sensing a current.
[263] For example, the sensor module 1500 may include at least one sensor
(hereinafter
referred to as a "motion sensor") configured to detect a motion or movement of
the
aerosol generating device 1000. Here, the motion sensor may be implemented by
at
least one of a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor.
[264] The battery 1600 may supply power used for the operation of the
aerosol-generating
device 1000 under the control of the controller 1700. The battery 1600 may
supply
power to other components provided in the aerosol-generating device 1000, for
example, the communication module included in the communication interface
1100,
the output device included in the input/output interface 1200, and the heater
included
in the aerosol-generating module 1300. For example, the battery 1600 may be
the
battery 190 accommodated in the lower body 110.
[265] The battery 1600 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable
battery. For example,
the battery 1600 may be implemented as a lithium-ion battery, a lithium
polymer
(Li-polymer) battery, a lithium-ion phosphate battery, or the like. However,
the present
disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the battery 1600 may be
implemented as
a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCo02) battery, a lithium titanate battery, or the
like.
[266] The aerosol-generating device 1000 may further include a battery
protection circuit
module (PCM), which is a circuit for protecting the battery 1600. The battery
protection circuit module (PCM) may be disposed adjacent to the upper surface
of the
battery 1600. For example, in order to prevent overcharging and
overdischarging of the
battery 1600, the battery protection circuit module (PCM) may cut off the
electrical
path to the battery 1600 when a short circuit occurs in a circuit connected to
the battery
1600, when overvoltage is applied to the battery 1600, or when excessive
current flows
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42
through the battery 1600.
[267] The aerosol-generating device 1000 may further include a
charging terminal to which
power supplied from the outside is input. For example, a charging terminal
(e.g. the
charging port 119, refer to FIG. 2) may be formed at one side of the body 100
of the
aerosol-generating device 1000, and the aerosol-generating device 1000 may
charge
the battery 1600 using the power supplied through the charging terminal. In
this case,
the charging terminal may be implemented as a wired terminal for USB commu-
nication, a pogo pin, or the like.
[262] The aerosol-generating device 1000 may wirelessly receive
power supplied from the
outside through the communication interface 1100. For example, the aerosol-
generating device 1000 may wirelcssly receive power using an antenna included
in the
communication module for wireless communication. For example, the aerosol-
generating device 1000 may charge the battery 1600 using the wirelessly
supplied
power.
[269] The controller 1700 may control the overall operation of the aerosol-
generating
device 1000. For example, the controller 1700 may include the control device
193 ac-
commodated in the lower body 110.
[270] The controller 1700 may be connected to each of the components
provided in the
aerosol-generating device 1000. The controller 1700 may transmit and/or
receive a
signal to and/or from each of the components, thereby controlling the overall
operation
of each of the components.
[271] The controller 1700 may include at least one processor. The
controller 1700 may
control the overall operation of the aerosol-generating device 1000 using the
processor
included therein. Here, the processor may be a general processor such as a
central
processing unit (CPU). Of course, the processor may be a dedicated device such
as an
application-specific integrated circuit (AS1C), or may be any of other
hardware-based
processors.
[272] The controller 1700 may perform any one of a plurality of functions
of the aerosol-
generating device 1000. For example, the controller 1700 may perform any one
of a
plurality of functions of the aerosol-generating device 1000 (e.g. a
preheating function,
a heating function, a charging function, and a cleaning function) according to
the state
of each of the components provided in the aerosol-generating device 1000 and
the
user's command received through the input/output interface 1200.
[273] The controller 1700 may control the operation of each of the
components provided in
the aerosol-generating device 1000 based on data stored in the memory 1400.
For
example, the controller 1700 may perform control such that a predetermined
amount of
power is supplied from the battery 1600 to the aerosol-generating module 1300
for a
predetermined time based on data stored in the memory 1400, such as the
temperature
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43
profile and the user's inhalation pattern.
[274] The controller 1700 may determine the occurrence or non-occurrence of
a puff using
the puff sensor included in the sensor module 1500. For example, the
controller 1700
may check a temperature change, a flow change, a pressure change, and a
voltage
change in the aerosol-generating device 1000 based on the values sensed by the
puff
sensor. For example, the controller 1700 may determine the occurrence or non-
occurrence of a puff based on the result of the checking.
[275] The controller 1700 may control the operation of each of the
components provided in
the aerosol-generating device 1000 according to the occurrence or non-
occurrence of a
puff and/or the number of puffs. For example, the controller 1700 may perform
control
such that the temperature of the heater is changed or maintained based on the
tem-
perature profile stored in the memory 1400.
[276] The controller 1700 may perform control such that the supply of power
to the heater
is interrupted according to a predetermined condition. For example, the
controller 1700
may perform control such that the supply of power to the heater is interrupted
when the
stick 400 is removed from the insertion space 214, when the cartridge 200 is
separated
from the body 100, when the number of puffs reaches the predetermined maximum
number of puffs, when a puff is not sensed for a predetermined period of time
or
longer, or when the remaining capacity of the battery 1600 is less than a
predetermined
value.
[277] The controller 1700 may calculate the remaining capacity with respect
to the full
charge capacity of the battery 1600. For example, the controller 1700 may
calculate the
remaining capacity of the battery 1600 based on the values sensed by the
voltage
sensor and/or the current sensor included in the sensor module 1500.
[278] The controller 1700 may perform control such that power is supplied
to the heater
using at least one of a pulse width modulation (PWM) method or a proportional-
integral-differential (PID) method.
[279] For example, the controller 1700 may perform control such that a
current pulse
having a predetermined frequency and a predetermined duty ratio is supplied to
the
heater using the PWM method. In this case, the controller 1700 may control the
amount of power supplied to the heater by adjusting the frequency and the duty
ratio of
the current pulse.
[280] For example, the controller 1700 may determine a target temperature
to be controlled
based on the temperature profile. In this case, the controller 1700 may
control the
amount of power supplied to the heater using the PID method, which is a
feedback
control method using a difference value between the temperature of the heater
and the
target temperature, a value obtained by integrating the difference value with
respect to
time, and a value obtained by differentiating the difference value with
respect to time.
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[281] Although the PWM method and the PID method are described as examples
of
methods of controlling the supply of power to the heater, the present
disclosure is not
limited thereto, and may employ any of various control methods, such as a pro-
portional-integral (PT) method or a proportional-differential (PD) method.
[282] Referring to FIG. 28, when the body 100 and the cartridge 200 are
coupled to each
other, a resistance detection sensor 197 of the body 100 may be electrically
connected
to the heater 262 of the cartridge 200. For example, the resistance detection
sensor 197
may be a current sensor for detecting current.
[283] A power supply circuit 195, which is disposed in the body 100, may
supply power to
the heater 262 using the power stored in the battery 190. In this case, the
amount of
power supplied from the power supply circuit 195 to the heater 262 may be
adjusted
under the control of the controller 1700.
[284] The power supply circuit 195 may include at least one switching
element, which is
operated under the control of the controller 1700. In this case, power may be
supplied
to the heater 262 in response to operation of the switching element. For
example, the
switching element may be a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) or a field effect
transistor
(FET).
[285] When the heater 262 and the resistance detection sensor 197 are
electrically
connected to each other, current having the same magnitude may flow through
the
heater 262 and the resistance detection sensor 197. Here, the resistance Rs of
the shunt
resistor provided in the resistance detection sensor 197 may be a value that
does not
change with temperature.
[286] The controller 1700 may determine the voltage V1 applied to the
heater 262 and the
resistance detection sensor 197 based on the power supplied from the power
supply
circuit 195 to the heater 262 and the current flowing through the heater 262
and the re-
sistance detection sensor 197. The controller 1700 may calculate the voltage
V2
applied to the shunt resistor of the resistance detection sensor 197 based on
the current
flowing through the shunt resistor and the resistance Rs of the shunt
resistor. In this
case, the controller 1700 may calculate the voltage applied to the heater 262
as the
difference (V1-V2) between the voltage V1 applied to the heater 262 and the
resistance
detection sensor 197 and the voltage V2 applied to the shunt resistor. In
addition, the
controller 1700 may calculate the resistance Rh of the heater 262 based on the
voltage
applied to the heater 262 and the current flowing through the heater 262.
[287] Accordingly, the controller 1700 may determine the temperature of the
heater 262 in
real time based on the current flowing through the heater 262, which is
calculated by
the resistance detection sensor 197, even while the wick 261 is being heated
by the
heater 262.
[288] Meanwhile, the resistor of the heater 262 may be a material having a
temperature co-
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efficient of resistance, and the resistance Rh of the heater 262 may vary
depending on
changes in the temperature of the resistor. The controller 1700 may calculate
the tem-
perature of the heater 262 based on the temperature coefficient of resistance
of the
heater 262. the resistance Rh of the heater 262, and the resistance of the
heater 262 at a
reference temperature using a heater temperature calculation equation. Here,
the heater
temperature calculation equation used to calculate the temperature of the
heater 262
may be expressed using the following Equation 1.
[289] [Equation 11
[290] TCR=(R1-R0)/R 0 (T 1-TO)
[291] In Equation 1 above, TCR represents the temperature coefficient of
resistance of the
heater 262. Ti represents the temperature of the heater 262, R1 represents the
re-
sistance of the heater 262, TO represents the reference temperature, and RO
represents
the resistance of the heater 262 at the reference temperature. Here, TO is 25
C, and RO
is the resistance of the heater 262 at 25 C.
[292] Although the current sensor is illustrated in this drawing as being
connected in series
to the heater 262, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. A
temperature sensor
disposed adjacent to the heater 262 to detect the temperature of the heater
262 or a
voltage sensor for detecting the voltage applied to the heater 262 may be
provided as
the resistance detection sensor 197.
[293] FIGs. 29 and 30 are flowcharts showing an operation method of an
aerosol-
generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[294] Referring to FIG. 29, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may
determine whether use
of the stick 400 ends in operation S2910. For example, upon determining that
the stick
400 has been removed from the insertion space 214 using the first sensor 154,
the
aerosol-generating device 1000 may determine that use of the stick 400 has
ended. For
example, when the aerosol-generating device 1000 is powered off in the state
in which
the stick 400 is inserted into the insertion space 214, the aerosol-generating
device
1000 may determine that use of the stick 400 has ended. For example, when the
number of puffs corresponding to inhalation detected after insertion of the
stick 400
into the insertion space 214 is greater than or equal to the number of times
prede-
termined for the stick 400, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may determine
that use
of the stick 400 has ended.
[295] When use of the stick 400 ends, the aerosol-generating device 1000
may interrupt the
supply of power to the heater 262 in operation S2920. For example, when use of
the
stick 400 ends, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may control the operation
of the
switching element of the power supply circuit 195 to interrupt the supply of
power to
the heater 262.
[296] The aerosol-generating device 1000 may determine whether use of the
stick 400
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46
starts in operation S2930. For example, upon determining that the stick 400
has been
inserted into the insertion space 214 using the first sensor 154 in the state
in which the
stick 400 is removed from the insertion space 214, the aerosol-generating
device 1000
may determine that use of the stick 400 has started. For example, when the
aerosol-
generating device 1000 is powered on in the state in which the stick 400 is
inserted into
the insertion space 214, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may determine that
use of
the stick 400 has started.
[297] When use of the stick starts, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may
determine a
reference resistance, which is a criterion for determining the temperature of
the heater
262, in operation S2940. For example, the reference resistance may be the
resistance of
the heater 262 at the reference temperature, which is used in the heater
temperature cal-
culation equation. A description of determination of the reference resistance
will be
given in detail with reference to FIG. 30.
[298] Referring to FIG. 30, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may check an
elapsed time
period from the point in time of end of use of the stick 400 to the point in
time of start
of use of the stick 400 in operation S3010. For example, the elapsed time
period may
be a time period from the point in time of removal of the stick 400 from the
insertion
space 214 to the point in time of re-insertion of the stick 400 into the
insertion space
214. For example, the elapsed time period may be a time period from the point
in time
of power-off of the aerosol-generating device 1000 in the state in which the
stick 400
is inserted into the insertion space 214 to the point in time of power-on of
the aerosol-
generating device 1000 in the state in which the stick 400 is inserted into
the insertion
space 214. For example, the elapsed time period may be a time period from the
point in
time of power-off of the aerosol-generating device 1000 in the state in which
the stick
400 is inserted into the insertion space 214 to the point in time of insertion
of the stick
400 into the insertion space 214 after power-on of the aerosol-generating
device 1000.
For example, the elapsed time period may be a time period from the point in
time at
which the number of puffs corresponding to inhalation detected after insertion
of the
stick 400 into the insertion space 214 is greater than or equal to the number
of times
predetermined for the stick 400 to the point in time of re-insertion of the
stick 400 into
the insertion space 214 after removal thereof from the insertion space 214.
[299] Meanwhile, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may deteimine a time
period from
the point in time of interruption of the supply of power to the heater 262 to
the point in
time of start of use of the stick 400 to be the elapsed time period.
[300] The aerosol-generating device 1000 may determine whether the elapsed
time period
is longer than or equal to a predetermined time period in operation S3020.
Here, the
predetermined time period may be a time period required for the temperature of
the
heater 262 to be lowered to a predetermined temperature after being increased
by the
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47
power supplied to the heater 262. For example, the predetermined time period
may be
a time period required for the temperature of the heater 262 to be lowered
from a tem-
perature at the point in time of interruption of the supply of power to the
heater 262 to
a temperature corresponding to the reference temperature.
[301] In this case, the predetermined time period may be changed depending
on the tem-
perature of the heater 262 at the point in time of end of use of the stick
400. For
example, the higher the temperature of the heater 262 at the point in time of
end of use
of the stick 400, the longer the predetermined time period may be.
[302] When the elapsed time period is longer than or equal to the
predetermined time
period, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may calculate the resistance of the
heater
262 in operation S3030. For example, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may
calculate the resistance of the heater 262 based on the current flowing
through the
heater 262, which is detected by the resistance detection sensor 197.
[303] The aerosol-generating device 1000 may change the reference
resistance based on the
resistance of the heater 262 in operation S3040. For example, the aerosol-
generating
device 1000 may determine the resistance of the heater 262 calculated by the
resistance
detection sensor 197 to be the reference resistance. In this case, the aerosol-
generating
device 1000 may substitute the reference resistance stored in the memory 1400
with
the resistance of the heater 262 calculated by the resistance detection sensor
197.
[304] Meanwhile, when the elapsed time period is shorter than the
predetermined time
period, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may maintain the currently set
reference re-
sistance in operation S3050.
[305] Referring to FIG. 31, the temperature 3100 of the heater 262 may be
gradually
lowered over time from TO, which is the temperature at the point in time of in-
terruption of the supply of power to the heater 262, from the point in time of
in-
terruption of the supply of power to the heater 262 due to end of use of the
stick 400.
[306] When use of the stick 400 starts at a point in time ti prior to a
point in time t2 at
which the predetermined time period elapses, the temperature of the heater 262
may be
higher than T2, which is a temperature corresponding to the reference
temperature. For
example, in the case in which the user consecutively uses a plurality of
sticks 400, the
stick 400 may be re-inserted into the insertion space 214 before the heater
262 is
cooled to the temperature T2. In this case, because the elapsed time period is
shorter
than the predetermined time period, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may
maintain
the currently set reference resistance.
[307] Meanwhile, when use of the stick 400 starts after the point in time
t2 at which the
predetermined time period elapses, the temperature of the heater 262 may be
equivalent to the temperature T2. In this case, because the elapsed time
period is longer
than or equal to the predetermined time period, the aerosol-generating device
1000
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48
may calculate the resistance of the heater 262 and may determine the same to
be the
reference resistance.
[308] FIGs. 32 and 33 are flowcharts showing an operation method of an
aerosol-
generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A
detailed de-
scription of the same content as that described with reference to FIGs. 29 to
31 will be
omitted.
[309] Referring to FIG. 32, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may
determine whether use
of the stick 400 ends in operation S3210.
[310] When use of the stick 400 ends, the aerosol-generating device 1000
may monitor the
resistance of the heater 262 in operation S3220. For example, the aerosol-
generating
device 1000 may calculate the resistance of the heater 262 based on the
current flowing
through the heater 262, which is detected by the resistance detection sensor
197.
[311] The aerosol-generating device 1000 may calculate the resistance of
the heater 262 in
a prescribed cycle. For example, when use of the stick 400 ends, the aerosol-
generating
device 1000 may switch the mode of the aerosol-generating device 1000 from a
use
mode to a standby mode. In this case, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may
switch
the mode of the aerosol-generating device 1000 to the use mode in a prescribed
cycle
in order to calculate the resistance of the heater 262. Here, the standby mode
may be a
mode in which the supply of power to the heater 262 is interrupted in order to
minimize use of the power stored in the battery 1600. The use mode may be a
mode in
which power is supplied to the heater 262 as needed so that the aerosol-
generating
device 1000 performs the function thereof.
[312] The aerosol-generating device 1000 may check the elapsed time period
from the
point in time at which use of the stick 400 ends in operation S3230.
[313] The aerosol-generating device 1000 may determine a reference
resistance, which is a
criterion for determining the temperature of the heater 262, based on at least
one of the
monitored resistance of the heater 262 or the elapsed time period in operation
S3240.
For example, the reference resistance may be a resistance of the heater 262 at
the
reference temperature, which is used in the heater temperature calculation
equation. A
description of detennination of the reference resistance will be given in
detail with
reference to FIG. 33.
[314] Referring to FIG. 33, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may
determine whether the
resistance of the heater 262 corresponds to the reference resistance in
operation S3310.
For example, when the monitored resistance of the heater 262 is within a
resistance
range corresponding to the currently set reference resistance, the aerosol-
generating
device 1000 may determine that the resistance of the heater 262 corresponds to
the
reference resistance.
[315] When the resistance of the heater 262 does not correspond to the
reference resistance,
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the aerosol-generating device 1000 may determine whether the elapsed time
period is
longer than or equal to the predetermined time period in operation S3320.
[316] When the elapsed time period is shorter than the predetermined time
period, the
aerosol-generating device 1000 may determine whether use of the stick 400
starts in
operation S3330. For example, upon determining that the stick 400 has been
inserted
into the insertion space 214 using the first sensor 154 in the state in which
the stick 400
is removed from the insertion space 214, the aerosol-generating device 1000
may
determine that use of the stick 400 has started. For example, when the aerosol-
generating device 1000 is powered on in the state in which the stick 400 is
inserted into
the insertion space 214, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may determine that
use of
the stick 400 has started.
[317] When use of the stick 400 starts in the state in which the elapsed
time period is
shorter than the predetermined time period, the aerosol-generating device 1000
may
maintain the currently set reference resistance in operation S3340. For
example, in the
case in which the user consecutively uses a plurality of sticks 400, the stick
400 may
be re-inserted into the insertion space 214 before the heater 262 is
sufficiently cooled.
In this case, because the resistance of the heater 262 does not correspond to
the
reference resistance and the elapsed time period is shorter than the
predetermined time
period, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may maintain the currently set
reference re-
sistance.
[318] Meanwhile, when the resistance of the heater 262 corresponds to the
reference re-
sistance in the state in which the elapsed time period is shorter than the
predeteimined
time period, or when the elapsed time period is longer than or equal to the
prede-
termined time period, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may terminate
monitoring of
the resistance of the heater 262 in operation S3350. For example, when the
aerosol-
generating device 1000 terminates monitoring of the resistance of the heater
262, the
aerosol-generating device 1000 may remain in the standby mode.
[319] The aerosol-generating device 1000 may determine whether use of the
stick 400
starts in operation S3360.
[320] When use of the stick 400 starts, the aerosol-generating device 1000
may calculate
the resistance of the heater 262 in operation S3370.
[321] The aerosol-generating device 1000 may change the reference
resistance based on the
resistance of the heater 262 in operation S3380. For example, the aerosol-
generating
device 1000 may determine the resistance of the heater 262 calculated by the
resistance
detection sensor 197 to be the reference resistance. In this case, the aerosol-
generating
device 1000 may substitute the reference resistance stored in the memory 1400
with
the resistance of the heater 262 calculated by the resistance detection sensor
197.
[322] Referring to FIG. 34, the temperature 3400 of the heater 262 may be
gradually
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lowered over time from TO, which is the temperature at the point in time of in-
terruption of the supply of power to the heater 262, from the point in time of
in-
terruption of the supply of power to the heater 262 due to end of use of the
stick 400.
[323] When use of the stick 400 starts at a point in time tl prior to a
point in time t2 at
which the predetermined time period elapses, the temperature of the heater 262
may be
Ti, which is higher than T2, which is a temperature corresponding to the
reference
temperature. For example, in the case in which the user consecutively uses a
plurality
of sticks 400, the stick 400 may be re-inserted into the insertion space 214
before the
heater 262 is cooled to the temperature T2. In this case, because use of the
stick 400
starts in the state in which the elapsed time period is shorter than the
predetermined
time period, the aerosol-generating device 1000 may maintain the currently set
reference resistance.
[324] Meanwhile, monitoring of the resistance of the heater 262 may be
terminated at the
point in time t2 at which the predetermined time period elapses. In this case,
the tem-
perature of the heater 262 may be equivalent to the temperature T2.
[3251 When use of the stick 400 starts after the point in time t2
at which monitoring of the
resistance of the heater 262 is terminated, the aerosol-generating device 1000
may
calculate the resistance of the heater 262 and may detatrnine the same to be
the
reference resistance.
[326] Referring to FIG. 35, when use of the stick 400 starts at
the point in time ti before
the predetermined time period elapses, the temperature of the heater 262 may
be Ti',
which is higher than T2, which is a temperature corresponding to the reference
tem-
perature. In this case, because use of the stick 400 starts in the state in
which the
elapsed time period is shorter than the predetermined time period, the aerosol-
generating device 1000 may maintain the currently set reference resistance.
[3271 Meanwhile, the temperature 3500 of the heater 262 may be
equivalent to T2, which
is a temperature corresponding to the reference temperature, at a point in
time t3 prior
to the point in time t2 at which the predetermined time period elapses. In
this case, the
resistance of the heater 262 may correspond to the reference resistance. When
the re-
sistance of the heater 262 corresponds to the reference resistance at the
point in time t3
before the predetermined time period elapses, the aerosol-generating device
1000 may
terminate monitoring of the resistance of the heater 262.
[328] When use of the stick 400 starts after the point in time t3 at which
monitoring of the
resistance of the heater 262 is terminated, the aerosol-generating device 1000
may
calculate the resistance of the heater 262 and may detetnaine the same to be
the
reference resistance.
[329] As described above, according to at least one of the embodiments of
the present
disclosure, gas flow efficiency may be improved, and thus the efficiency of
transfer of
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51
heat from an aerosol to the stick 400 may be improved.
[330] In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the
present disclosure, a
reference resistance, which is a criterion for determining the temperature of
the heater
262, may be accurately determined.
[331] In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the
present disclosure,
the temperature of the heater 262 may he accurately detected based on the
resistance of
the heater 262.
[332] Referring to FIGs. 1 to 35, an aerosol-generating device 1000 in
accordance with one
aspect of the present disclosure may include a cartridge 200 having an
insertion space
214 defined therein so as to be elongated, a body 100 coupled to the cartridge
200, a
heater 262 configured to heat an aerosol-generating substance, a stick
detection sensor
154 configured to output a signal corresponding to a stick 400 inserted into
the
insertion space 214, a resistance detection sensor 197 configured to output a
signal cor-
responding to the resistance of the heater 262, and a controller 1700. The
controller
1700 may determine a reference resistance, which is a criterion for
determining the
temperature of the heater 262, based on at least one of an elapsed time period
from the
point in time of end of use of the stick 400 or the resistance of the heater
262
monitored from the point in time of end of use of the stick 400.
[333] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, the controller
1700 may interrupt the supply of power to the heater 262 when use of the stick
400
ends, and the elapsed time period may be a time period elapsed from the point
in time
of interruption of the supply of power to the heater 262 to the point in time
of start of
use of the stick 400.
[334] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, when the
elapsed time period is longer than or equal to a predetermined time period,
the
controller 1700 may determine the resistance of the heater 262 detected by the
re-
sistance detection sensor 197 to be the reference resistance.
[335] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, the controller
1700 may maintain the reference resistance when use of the stick 400 starts in
the state
in which the elapsed time period is shorter than the predetermined time
period.
[336] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, the prede-
termined time period may correspond to the temperature of the heater 262 at
the point
in time of end of use of the stick 400.
[337] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, the controller
1700 may determine whether to terminate monitoring of the resistance of the
heater
262 based on at least one of the elapsed time period or the resistance of the
heater 262
while monitoring the resistance of the heater 262. When use of the stick
starts after
monitoring of the resistance of the heater 262 is terminated, the controller
1700 may
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52
determine the resistance of the heater 262 detected by the resistance
detection sensor
197 to be the reference resistance.
[338] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, the controller
1700 may determine whether the resistance of the heater 262 corresponds to the
reference resistance while monitoring the resistance of the heater 262. When
the re-
sistance of the heater 262 corresponds to the reference resistance in the
state in which
the elapsed time period is shorter than the predetermined time period, or when
the
elapsed time period is longer than or equal to the predetermined time period,
the
controller 1700 may terminate monitoring of the resistance of the heater 262.
[339] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, upon de-
termining that the stick 400 has been removed from the insertion space 214
using the
stick detection sensor 154, the controller 1700 may determine that use of the
stick 400
has ended.
[340] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, the controller
1700 may determine that use of the stick 400 has ended when the aerosol-
generating
device 1000 is powered off in the state in which the stick 400 is inserted
into the
insertion space 214.
[341] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, the aerosol-
generating device 1000 may further include a puff sensor 180 configured to
output a
signal corresponding to inhalation of a user, and the controller 1700 may
determine
that use of the stick 400 has ended when the number of puffs corresponding to
the in-
halation detected by the puff sensor is greater than or equal to a
predetermined number
of times in the state in which the stick 400 is inserted into the insertion
space 214.
[342] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, upon de-
termining that the stick 400 has been inserted into the insertion space 214
using the
stick detection sensor 154 in the state in which the stick 400 is removed from
the
insertion space 214, the controller 1700 may determine that use of the stick
400 has
started.
[343] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, the controller
1700 may determine that use of the stick 400 has started when the aerosol-
generating
device 1000 is powered on in the state in which the stick 400 is inserted into
the
insertion space 214.
[344] In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present
disclosure, the cartridge
200 may include a chamber Cl storing a liquid, a first container 210 provided
therein
with the chamber Cl, a second container 220 coupled to the first container
210, a wick
261 connected to the chamber Cl, and the heater 262. The heater 262 may heat
the
wick 261. The first container 210 may include an inner wall 212, defining the
insertion
space 214 formed to be elongated, and an outer wall 211, surrounding the inner
wall
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53
212. The chamber CI may be formed between the inner wall 212 and the outer
wall
211, and the wick 261 may be mounted in the second container 220.
[345] Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described
above are 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.
[346] For example, a configuration "A" described in one embodiment and/or
drawings may
be combined with a configuration "B" described in another embodiment and/or
drawings. 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.
[347] 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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