Cover assembly and aerosol generating device including the same

A cover assembly includes a mouthpiece including one end, that is configured to come into contact with a mouth of a user, and another end opposite to the one end, the mouthpiece configured to move to an open position and a closed position by rotation of the mouthpiece around the other end; and an accommodation unit for accommodating the one end of the mouthpiece in the closed position. The accommodation unit includes a button unit including a body, the button unit configured to contact the one end of the mouthpiece and to be displaced in a longitudinal direction based on the one end being pressed; and a locking unit including a body, the body of the locking unit including a first portion that is configured to contact the one end of the mouthpiece and a second portion that is configured to contact the button unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/KR2021/003410 filed Mar. 19, 2021, claiming priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0071866 filed Jun. 12, 2020.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cover assembly and an aerosol generating device to which the cover assembly is applied.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, various types of devices to which mouthpieces are applied have been used. However, foreign materials may flow into mouthpieces through an externally exposed mouth portion, and thus there is a problem in terms of hygiene.

In addition, there is a disadvantage in that an appearance is not good and portability of a user is poor due to the exposed mouth portion. Accordingly, there is a need for a cover assembly including a mouthpiece with improved hygiene, aesthetics, and portability.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

A cover assembly and an aerosol generating device to which the cover assembly is applied are provided. Specifically, when one end of the mouthpiece is pressed, the cover assembly may be opened or closed by rotating around the other end of the mouthpiece. Accordingly, the mouthpiece may be easily opened and closed, and when not in use, the mouthpiece may prevent foreign materials from entering the mouthpiece.

The problems to be solved by the embodiments are not limited to the above-described problems, and undescribed problems may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

Technical Solution

A cover assembly may include a mouthpiece that includes one end, which comes into contact with a mouth of a user, and another end, the one end being opened and closed by rotation of the mouthpiece around the other end, and an accommodation unit for accommodating the one end of the mouthpiece when the one end is closed, wherein the accommodation unit includes a button unit that is in contact with the one end of the mouthpiece and is displaced in a longitudinal direction when the one end is pressed, and a locking unit including a first portion in contact with the one end of the mouthpiece and a second portion in contact with the button unit.

Advantageous Effects

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a mouth portion of a mouthpiece may be in a closed position so as not to be exposed to the outside, and thus, hygiene may be improved, and a protrusion portion of the device is minimized to increase aesthetics and portability. In addition, a mouthpiece may be opened and closed semi-automatically, and thus, convenience of a user may be increased.

Effects of embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described effects, and undescribed effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

BEST MODE

According to one or more embodiments, a cover assembly is provided. The cover assembly includes: a mouthpiece including one end, that is configured to come into contact with a mouth of a user, and another end opposite to the one end, the mouthpiece configured to move to an open position and a closed position by rotation of the mouthpiece around the other end; and an accommodation unit for accommodating the one end of the mouthpiece in the closed position. The accommodation unit includes: a button unit including a body, the button unit configured to contact the one end of the mouthpiece and to be displaced in a longitudinal direction based on the one end being pressed; and a locking unit including a body, the body of the locking unit including a first portion that is configured to contact the one end of the mouthpiece and a second portion that is configured to contact the button unit.

According to an embodiment, the first portion of the locking unit is configured to be coupled to the mouthpiece such as to fix the mouthpiece, and is further configured to be separated from the mouthpiece by being moved in a transverse direction based on the second portion being pressed by the button unit being longitudinally displaced.

According to an embodiment, the one end of the mouthpiece is configured to move to the open position based on the locking unit being separated from the mouthpiece.

According to an embodiment, the first portion of the body of the locking unit includes a protrusion portion, and the mouthpiece includes a groove having a shape that is configured to couple to the protrusion portion.

According to an embodiment, the protrusion portion includes a curved surface.

According to an embodiment, the second portion of the body of the locking unit includes a sliding portion that is an inclined surface, and the body of the button unit includes an inclined surface that has a shape corresponding to the sliding portion.

According to an embodiment, the cover assembly further includes: a first elastic body in contact with at least a part of an outer surface of the locking unit; and a second elastic body coupled to the other end of the mouthpiece, wherein the first elastic body is configured to return the locking unit to a position after the locking unit is moved, and the second elastic body is configured to rotate the other end of the mouthpiece based on the mouthpiece being separated from the locking unit.

According to an embodiment, a speed at which the second elastic body is configured to rotate the other end of the mouthpiece is faster than a speed at which the first elastic body is configured to return the locking unit to the position.

According to an embodiment, the first elastic body is a compression spring, and the second elastic body is a torsion spring.

According to an embodiment, the accommodation unit further includes a guide unit including a body, the guide unit configured to limit displacement of the button unit to a predetermined range.

According to an embodiment, the mouthpiece further includes a passage extending from the one end to the other end such as to allow an aerosol to pass therethrough.

According to an embodiment, a cross-sectional area of the one end of the mouthpiece is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the other end of the mouthpiece.

According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol generating device is provided. The aerosol generating device includes the cover assembly and a medium storage.

According to an embodiment, the mouthpiece further includes a passage extending from the one end to the other end such as to allow an aerosol to pass therethrough, and the medium storage communicates with the passage based on whether the mouthpiece is in the open position or the closed position.

According to an embodiment, the medium storage includes a liquid cartridge or a granular cartridge.

MODE FOR INVENTION

With respect to the terms used to describe the various embodiments, general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of new technology, and the like. Also, in a special case, there may be terms that are arbitrarily selected by the applicant. In this case, the meanings of the terms will be described in detail in the description of the present disclosure. Thus, the terms used herein will be defined based on not simply the names of the terms but the meanings thereof and contents of the present disclosure.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “over,” “above,” “on,” “below,” “under,” “beneath,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it can be directly over, above, on, below, under, beneath, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly over,” “directly above,” “directly on,” “directly below,” “directly under,” “directly beneath,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

In addition, terms including ordinal numbers such as “first” or “second” used in the present specification may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. Terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

In addition, some of components in the drawings may be illustrated to be somewhat exaggerated in size or ratio. In addition, components illustrated in some drawings may not be illustrated in other drawings.

Hereinafter, example embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the example embodiments set forth herein.

FIG.1Ais a view illustrating a cover assembly coupled to an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, andFIG.1Bis an exploded view of the cover assembly ofFIG.1A.

Referring toFIG.1A, an aerosol generating device20according to an embodiment may include a case40, a medium storage30, and a cover assembly10. Specifically, the medium storage30may be included in the case40. In addition, the cover assembly10may be adjacent to at least part of the medium storage30, and at least some components of the cover assembly10are included in the case40, and at least part of a mouthpiece100(refer toFIG.1B) constituting the cover assembly10may be exposed to the outside of the case40.

Meanwhile, those skilled in the art related to the present embodiment will be able to understand without difficulty that the aerosol generating device20according to another embodiment may further include other general-purpose components for generating an aerosol as well as the components illustrated inFIG.1A.

Referring toFIG.1B, the cover assembly10may include the mouthpiece100, an accommodation unit200, a button unit210, a locking unit220, a guide unit230, a first elastic body300, a second elastic body400, a rotation shaft500, and a shaft support600. Hereinafter, a specific structure of each component and a coupling relationship with other components will be described.

The mouthpiece100may include one end110that comes into contact with a mouth of a user and the other end120opposite to the one end110, and as the mouthpiece100rotates around the other end120, the one end110may be moved to an opened or closed position. In addition, the other end120of the mouthpiece100may be coupled to a rotation shaft500and the second elastic body400.

In addition, the shaft support600may be in contact with at least part of the other end120of the mouthpiece100to be coupled to the other end120of the mouthpiece100together with the rotation shaft500.

The accommodation unit200may include the button unit210that is in contact with the one end110of the mouthpiece100and is displaced in a longitudinal direction by pressing the one end110. According to one embodiment, when the one end110of the mouthpiece100is pressed by a user, the button unit210in contact with the one end110of the mouthpiece100may also be pressed by the mouthpiece100to be displaced in the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction may be a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device20.

In addition, the accommodation unit200may include the locking unit220that includes a first portion in contact with the one end110of the mouthpiece100and a second portion in contact with the button unit210. According to one embodiment, as the first portion of the locking unit220is coupled to the mouthpiece100, the mouthpiece100may be fixed, and as the second portion is pressed by the longitudinal displacement of the button unit210to move the locking unit220in a transverse direction, the locking unit220may be separated from the mouthpiece100.

The transverse direction may be a direction crossing both a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device20and a direction facing the one end110of the closed mouthpiece100.

The locking unit220may be separated from the mouthpiece100by moving in the transverse direction by being pressed by the button unit210that is displaced in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, as the first portion of the locking unit220is separated from the mouthpiece100, the one end110of the mouthpiece100may be moved to an opened position. That is, as the one end110is pressed, the mouthpiece100may be separated from the locking unit220to be opened semi-automatically.

In contrast to this, when the mouthpiece100is closed, the one end110of the mouthpiece100and the locking unit220may be coupled to each other to fix the mouthpiece100in a closed state.

The locking unit220may include a protrusion portion221. Specifically, the locking unit220may include the protrusion portion221in at least part of the first portion, and the mouthpiece100may include a groove111having a shape couplable to the protrusion portion221.

In addition, the protrusion portion221may include a curved surface, and the groove111of the mouthpiece100may also include a curved surface having a shape corresponding to the curved surface of the protrusion portion221. Specifically, the curved surface of the protrusion portion221may be convex, and the curved surface of the groove111may be concave.

As the protrusion portion221and the groove111include the curved surfaces, the button unit210may be easily displaced by pressing the one end110of the mouthpiece100. Specifically, when the mouthpiece100is closed, the one end110of the mouthpiece100may be displaced within a predetermined range. For example, when the one end110of the mouthpiece100is pressed in the longitudinal direction, the protrusion portion221and the groove111may be finely separated, and the mouthpiece100may be displaced in the longitudinal direction, and accordingly, the button unit210may be pressed.

Meanwhile, the locking unit220may include a sliding portion222having the second portion formed as an inclined surface, and the button unit210may include an inclined surface having a shape corresponding to the sliding portion222. Specifically, when the button unit210is pressed by the mouthpiece100to be displaced in the longitudinal direction, sliding occurs on the inclined surface, and the sliding portion222of the locking unit220may be pressed in the transverse direction. Accordingly, as the locking unit220moves in the transverse direction, the mouthpiece100may be separated from the first portion, and the mouthpiece100no longer receives a binding force. Accordingly, the mouthpiece100rotates around the other end120, and the one end110of the mouthpiece100may be moved to the opened position.

The cover assembly10may further include the first elastic body300and the second elastic body400. The first elastic body300may be in contact with at least part of an outer surface of the locking unit220. Specifically, when the one end110of the mouthpiece100is in the closed position, the first elastic body300may be inserted in a finely deformed state into a space between the locking unit220and the case40to apply an elastic force to the locking unit220. For example, a direction of the elastic force of the first elastic body300may be the aforementioned transverse direction.

Here, a state in which the first elastic body300is finely deformed may mean a deformed state to the extent that the first elastic body300may apply a fine elastic force to the locking unit220so that the mouthpiece100and the locking unit220may be maintained in a coupled state in the first portion or the curved surface.

In addition, when the locking unit220is pressed by the button unit210to move, the first elastic body300may be further deformed. That is, the first elastic body300may be in a more deformed state than the finely deformed state described above. Because an elastic body generates an elastic force in proportion to the degree of deformation according to Hook's Law, when the locking unit220moves, the first elastic body300may apply a greater elastic force to the locking unit220to return the locking unit220to an original position.

Meanwhile, the first elastic body300may correspond to a compression spring or an elastic pad. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art related to the present embodiment may understand without difficulty that various types of elastic bodies capable of providing elasticity to the locking unit220may be included in the present disclosure.

As described above, the second elastic body400may be coupled to the other end120of the mouthpiece100together with a rotation shaft500. Specifically, when the one end110of the mouthpiece100is in the closed position, the second elastic body400may be coupled to the other end120of the mouthpiece100in a slightly deformed state to apply an elastic force to the other end120of the mouthpiece100.

Here, the slightly deformed state may refer to a state in which, when the mouthpiece100and the locking unit220are separated from each other, the second elastic body400applies a rotational force to the other end120of the mouthpiece100to move the one end110of the mouthpiece100to the opened position.

Meanwhile, the second elastic body400may be a torsion spring. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and various types of elastic bodies capable of providing a rotational force to the other end120of the mouthpiece100may be included in the present disclosure.

According to one embodiment, a speed at which the mouthpiece100is opened may be faster than a speed at which the locking unit220returns. For example, a speed at which the second elastic body400rotates the other end120of the mouthpiece100may be faster than a speed at which the first elastic body300returns the locking unit220.

Specifically, the second elastic body400may be made of a material or a dimension that generates a greater elastic force than the first elastic body300. For example, an elastic modulus of the second elastic body400may be an elastic body having a value greater than an elastic modulus of the first elastic body300.

The accommodation unit200may further include a guide unit230for limiting displacement of the button unit210to a predetermined range. The guide unit230may be located between the locking unit220and the button unit210, and a position of the guide unit230may be fixed by being in contact with at least part of the button unit210and/or at least part of the locking unit220.

The accommodation unit200may include an empty space between the button unit210and the locking unit220, and as the button unit210is displaced into the empty space due to impact or so on of the cover assembly10, the locking unit220may not move in the transverse direction and the mouthpiece100may not be opened.

In order to prevent this, the guide unit230may be located in at least part of the empty space, and the guide unit230may guide the button unit210so that the button unit210may be displaced within a certain range inside the accommodation unit200.

In addition, the guide unit230may include a locking projection231for limiting longitudinal displacement of the button unit210to a predetermined range, and the button unit210may include a protrusion211that may be caught on locking projection231. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the button unit210pressed by the locking unit220, which is returned to an original position again by receiving an elastic force of the first elastic body300, from being displaced to a position where the one end110of the mouthpiece100is accommodated, after the one end110of the mouthpiece100is moved to the opened position.

Referring to the above description, as the guide unit230is further included in the accommodation unit200, coupling between the locking unit220and the button unit210may be more solid, and the mouthpiece100may be semi-automatically opened and closed more smoothly.

FIG.2Ais a front cross-sectional view of a cover assembly according to an embodiment,FIG.2Bis a view illustrating one aspect of the cover assembly illustrated inFIG.2A, andFIG.2Cis a view illustrating another aspect of the cover assembly illustrated inFIG.2A.

The cover assembly according to an embodiment will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS.2A to2C.

Referring toFIG.2A, the mouthpiece100, the locking unit220, the button unit210, the guide unit230, the first elastic body300, and the case40are illustrated. Specifically, the mouthpiece100, while in the closed position, may be accommodated in the accommodation unit200comprising the locking unit220, the button unit210, and the guide unit230, and the protrusion portion221of the locking unit220and the groove111of the mouthpiece100may be combined and fixed in an accommodated state.

In addition, the mouthpiece100may further include a passage extending from the one end110to the other end120so that an aerosol may pass therethrough. A cross section of the passage is illustrated in a circular shape but is not limited thereto, and a passage having a cross section of various shapes may be included therein.

The locking unit220may include the protrusion portion221, including a curved surface, and a second portion that is spaced apart from the protrusion portion221and in contact with the button unit210. In addition, the second portion may include the sliding portion222. In addition, the locking unit220may be composed of two members having symmetrical properties.

When the locking unit220is composed of two members, the mouthpiece100and the button unit210may include two of the groove111and two of the inclined surface and two of the protrusion211, respectively. Accordingly, semi-automatic opening and closing of the mouthpiece100may be made more balanced.

Meanwhile, there may be a predetermined space between the locking unit220and an inner wall of the case40so that the locking unit220may move in the transverse direction. The first elastic body300may be inserted into at least part of the predetermined space.

The button unit210may include the two of the inclined surface and the two of the protrusion211. The inclined surfaces may each have a shape corresponding to a respective one of the sliding portion222of the locking unit220and may convert longitudinal displacement of the button unit210to a transverse movement of the locking unit220. In addition, the protrusion211may have a shape that may be caught on a respective one of the locking projection231included in the guide unit230.

As described above, the first elastic body300may be inserted into a space between the locking unit220and the inner wall of the case40. Specifically, the first elastic body300may be in contact with at least part of an outer surface of the locking unit220and in contact with at least part of the inner wall of the case40.

According toFIGS.2A to2C, two of the first elastic body300are illustrated to be provided in lower portions of spaces between the locking unit220and the case40but are not limited thereto, and the first elastic body300may be provided in another place where a position of the locking unit220moved by being pressed by the button unit210may be returned. In addition, more than two of the first elastic body300may be included in the cover assembly10.

Hereinafter, a semi-automatic opening/closing mechanism of the mouthpiece100included in the cover assembly10will be described with reference toFIGS.2B and2C.

Referring toFIG.2B, after the one end110of the mouthpiece100is pressed, a positional relationship of each component of the cover assembly10may be known.

Specifically, when the one end110of the mouthpiece100is pressed, slip occurs on the groove111of the mouthpiece100and on a curved surface of the protrusion portion221of the locking unit220, and at the same time, the mouthpiece100may press at least part of the button unit210to displace the button unit210in the longitudinal direction.

In addition, the button unit210is displaced in the longitudinal direction along the sliding portion222of the protrusion portion221by the mouthpiece100, and at the same time, the locking unit220is pressed on the sliding portion222by the protrusion portion221to move in the transverse direction, and thus, the mouthpiece100may be separated from the locking unit220.

Referring toFIG.2C, after the pressing on the one end110of the mouthpiece100is removed, a positional relationship of each component of the cover assembly10in which the mouthpiece100and the locking unit220are separated from each other may be seen.

As illustrated inFIG.2C, when the mouthpiece100and the locking unit220are separated from each other, the second elastic body400rotates the other end120of the mouthpiece100, and thus, the one end110of the mouthpiece100may be exposed.

In this case, a speed at which the second elastic body400rotates the other end120of the mouthpiece100may be faster than a speed at which the first elastic body300returns the moved locking unit220. Accordingly, only after the mouthpiece100is opened, the compressed first elastic body300may return the locking unit220to an original position thereof. In response to this operation, the button unit210may be returned to an original position thereof.

FIG.3Ais a side cross-sectional view of a cover assembly according to an embodiment,FIG.3Bis a partial plan view of the cover assembly illustrated inFIG.3A,FIG.3Cis a view illustrating one aspect of the cover assembly illustrated inFIG.3A,FIG.3Dis a partial plan view of the cover assembly illustrated inFIG.3C,FIG.3Eis a view illustrating another aspect of the cover assembly illustrated inFIG.3A,FIG.3Fis a partial plan view of the cover assembly illustrated inFIG.3E.

Hereinafter, a cover assembly according to an embodiment will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS.3A to3F. In order to aid understanding, the second elastic body400is enlarged.

Referring toFIG.3A, it can be seen that the mouthpiece100is closed and the one end110of the mouthpiece100is accommodated in the accommodation unit200. That is,FIG.3Amay correspond toFIG.2A, and illustrates a state in which the mouthpiece100is fixed by a locking unit.

In a state where the mouthpiece100is closed, the second elastic body400may be in a deformed state. That is, the second elastic body400applies a torque to the other end120of the mouthpiece100, but the locking unit is coupled to the mouthpiece100, and thus, the mouthpiece100may be in a fixed state so as not to rotate.

The mouthpiece100may include a passage130extending from the one end110to the other end120so that the aerosol may pass therethrough, and the passage130may further include a distal portion132arranged close to the other end120of the mouthpiece100and a proximal portion131arranged close to the one end110of the mouthpiece100.

Specifically, the proximal portion131refers to a hole through which an aerosol exits through the passage130of the mouthpiece100, and the distal portion132refers to a hole through which an aerosol generated from the medium storage30enters the passage130of the mouthpiece100.

Referring toFIG.3C, it can be seen that the one end110of the mouthpiece100is in a pressed state. In addition, it can be seen that the button unit210is displaced in the longitudinal direction when the mouthpiece100is pressed. That is,FIG.3Cmay correspond toFIG.2Band illustrates that the button unit210is displaced in the longitudinal direction, the locking unit moves in the transverse direction, and the mouthpiece100and the locking unit are separated from each other. In addition, the distal portion132of the mouthpiece100may be in a state in which the distal portion132is not connected to the medium storage30.

When the mouthpiece100is closed, the second elastic body400may be in a deformed state. For example, the second elastic body400may be in a state in which an arm is twisted by about 90 degrees. Specifically, the deformed second elastic body400applies a rotational force to the other end120of the mouthpiece100, but because the one end110of the mouthpiece100is pressed, the mouthpiece100is not in the opened state.

Referring to the plan view illustrated inFIG.3D, it can be seen that the second elastic body400having the number of turns of three is coupled to one end of the rotation shaft500in a deformed state. In addition, in order to adjust an opening speed of the mouthpiece100, the second elastic body400having the different number of turns may be coupled to the rotation shaft500, and an additional one of the second elastic body400may be further coupled to the other end of the rotation shaft500.

Referring toFIG.3E, it can be seen that the mouthpiece100is in an opened state. That is,FIG.3Emay correspond toFIG.2C, and illustrates a state in which the mouthpiece100rotates around the other end120to be opened. In addition, the distal portion132of the mouthpiece100may be connected to the medium storage30.

In a state in which the mouthpiece100is opened, the second elastic body400may be in a non-deformed state. For example, the arm of the second elastic body400may not be twisted. Specifically, the second elastic body400may be returned to an original shape, and the mouthpiece100may be opened by receiving a rotational force.

According to embodiments, the arm of the second elastic body400may be twisted by about 20 degrees. Accordingly, even in a state in which the mouthpiece100is opened, the second elastic body400may apply a predetermined rotational force to the other end120in a state of being deformed by a predetermined angle. Accordingly, when a user inhales an aerosol through the mouthpiece100, the mouthpiece100may not rotate easily in the direction in which the mouthpiece100is closed.

Referring to the plan view illustrated inFIG.3F, it can be seen that the second elastic body400having the number of turns of 3 is coupled to one end of the rotation shaft500in a non-deformed state.

FIG.4Ais a plan view of a cover assembly according to another embodiment.

Referring toFIG.4A, a cross-sectional area of one end110aof a mouthpiece may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the other end120athereof. Specifically, as the mouthpiece extends from the other end120ato one end110a, a width of the mouthpiece may be linearly narrowed. Accordingly, a more precise operation may be required to press the one end110aof the mouthpiece, and the one end110aof the mouthpiece may be prevented from being pressed accidentally.

For example, when a user does not intend to open the mouthpiece, it is possible to prevent the mouthpiece from being opened when the one end110aof the mouthpiece comes into contact with an object or a user. In addition, when a user intends to open the mouthpiece, the user may open the mouthpiece by precisely pressing the one end110aof the mouthpiece having a narrow cross-sectional area.

FIG.4Bis a plan view of a cover assembly according to another embodiment.

Referring toFIG.4B, a cross-sectional area of one end110bof a mouthpiece may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the other end120b. For example, a width of the mouthpiece may be changed based on a predetermined point between the other end120band the one end110b.

Specifically, the width of the mouthpiece is changed at a midpoint between the one end110band the other end120b, and thus the width of the one end110bmay be smaller than the width of the other end120b. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the mouthpiece from being opened again by excessively pressing the one end of the mouthpiece when a user moves the one end110bof the mouthpiece to the closed position with a finger.

For example, a user may press the one end110bof the mouthpiece with a finger to close the open mouthpiece. As the width of the one end110bis narrow, a finger may touch part of the case40at the time when a groove of the one end110band a protrusion of a locking unit are coupled to each other.

In this way, when the mouthpiece is closed, the one end110bof the mouthpiece is prevented from being excessively pressed, and thus, a button unit may be prevented from being displaced in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the mouthpiece may be pressed only until being coupled to the locking unit.

Meanwhile, the above-described effects are not limited to the shapes of the mouthpieces illustrated inFIGS.4A and4Band may be realized by various shapes of mouthpieces that facilitate opening and closing of the mouthpiece.

FIG.5Ais a view illustrating one aspect of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, andFIG.5Bis a view illustrating another aspect of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Hereinafter, an aerosol generating device20according to an embodiment to which a cover assembly10is applied will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS.5A and5B.

The aerosol generating device20according to the embodiment may include the cover assembly10and the medium storage30according to the above-described embodiments, and an aerosol generated from the medium storage30may exit to the outside through a mouthpiece100.

According to opening and closing of the mouthpiece100, the aerosol generating device20according to the embodiment may be changed from one aspect illustrated inFIG.5Ato another aspect illustrated inFIG.5B, and in contrast to this, the aerosol generating device20may be changed from the another aspect illustrated inFIG.5Bto the one aspect illustrated inFIG.5A.

Referring toFIG.5A, a cover structure in which the mouthpiece100is closed and a medium storage30are illustrated. The mouthpiece100may include a passage130connecting one end to the other end of the mouthpiece100to allow an aerosol to pass therethrough, and the passage130may include a distal portion132and a proximal portion131. The medium storage30may be located inside the case40and may further include at least one ejection port31.

According to one embodiment, the medium storage30may communicate with the mouthpiece100based on whether the mouthpiece100is opened or closed. Specifically, when the mouthpiece100is in a closed state, the distal portion132of the passage130of the mouthpiece100is not connected to the ejection port31of the medium storage30as illustrated inFIG.5A, and thus, the medium storage30may not communicate with the passage130, and an aerosol in the medium storage30may not exit to the outside of the aerosol generating device20.

Meanwhile, when the mouthpiece100is in an open state, the distal portion132of the passage130of the mouthpiece100is connected to the ejection port31of the medium storage30as illustrated inFIG.5B, and thus, the medium storage30and the passage130may communicate with each other, and an aerosol in the medium storage30may exit from the aerosol generating device20.

Power of the aerosol generating device20may be turned on/off based on whether the mouthpiece100is opened or closed. Specifically, when the mouthpiece100is in a closed state, the power may be turned off so that the aerosol generating device20does not operate to prevent an aerosol from being generated from the medium storage30. Meanwhile, when the mouthpiece100is in an open state, the power may be turned on so that the aerosol generating device20may operate.

For example, the aerosol generating device20may further include a sensor and a processor, and the sensor may detect a position change signal of a configuration of the aerosol generating device20that changes according to whether the mouthpiece100is opened or closed. The processor may turn on/off a power of the aerosol generating device20based on a signal detected by the sensor.

The medium storage30may include a liquid cartridge or a granular cartridge. The liquid cartridge may store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component or may be a liquid including a non-tobacco material. In addition, the granulation cartridge may store a material containing the same component as the liquid composition or a similar component to the liquid composition in the form of granules or capsules.

The aerosol generating device20may accommodate a liquid cartridge and may include a vaporizer that generates an aerosol by heating a liquid in the liquid cartridge. The vaporizer for heating a liquid may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer but is not limited thereto. The aerosol generating device20may generate an aerosol through the vaporizer after accommodating the liquid cartridge.

The medium storage30may be replaceable. Specifically, the medium storage30may also be manufactured to be detachable from/attachable to the aerosol generating device20or may also be manufactured integrally with the aerosol generating device20.

The aerosol generating device20according to an embodiment may further include components for generating an aerosol therein. For example, the aerosol generating device20may include a battery, a processor, and a heater or an ultrasonic vibrator.

The configuration and effects of the cover assembly10, which is included in the aerosol generating device20, may be the same as the cover assembly10described above with respect toFIGS.1A-4B, and detailed descriptions overlapping the configuration and effects are omitted.

Those skilled in the art related to embodiments of the present disclosure may understand without difficulty that general-purpose components for generating an aerosol may be further included in the aerosol generating device20.

Those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiments may understand that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the scope of the characteristics described above. The disclosed methods should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.