Aerosol generating device and aerosol generating system

An aerosol generating device includes a housing having an opening through which a cigarette is inserted and including a cavity formed therein, a heater heating the cigarette to generate an aerosol, an air flow channel in fluid communication with the outside of the housing to supply air to the cigarette, and an air circulation device arranged in the air flow channel to generate airflow in the air flow channel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/KR2020/006112 filed May 8, 2020, claiming priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0053897 filed May 8, 2019.

TECHNICAL FIELD

One or more embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system which include an air circulation device.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, the demand for an alternative to traditional cigarettes has increased. For example, there is growing demand for an aerosol generating device that generates aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material contained in an aerosol generating article (e.g., a cigarette), rather than by combusting cigarettes. Accordingly, studies on a heating-type cigarette and a heating-type aerosol generating device have been actively conducted.

In general, an aerosol generating device includes an air flow passage. A flow rate of air flowing through the air flow passage is directly related to the inhalation resistance of the aerosol generating device. Also, this greatly affects the amount of smoke in cigarettes. Therefore, an air flow passage that is an important element of an aerosol generating device. However, it is very difficult to design an air flow passage to have an appropriate flow rate of air by arrangements of components of the aerosol generating device. Also, it is difficult for the user to adjust a flow rate of air during smoking.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Solution

One or more embodiments include an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system. One or more embodiments include an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system capable of adjusting a flow rate of air flowing through an air flow passage by installing an air circulation device in the air flow passage.

The problems to be solved through embodiments are not limited to the problems described above, and unmentioned problems may be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol generating device includes a housing having an opening into which a cigarette is inserted and including a cavity formed therein, a heater heating the cigarette to generate an aerosol, an air flow channel in fluid communication with the outside of the housing to supply air to the cigarette, and an air circulation device arranged in the air flow channel to generate airflow in the air flow channel.

Advantageous Effects

An aerosol generating device according to one or more embodiments may adjust a flow rate of air supplied to an accommodation space by adjusting a flow rate of air flowing through an air flow passage by an air circulation device. Therefore, the aerosol generating device may adjust the amount and smoothness of aerosol during smoking.

A user may operate the air circulation device to remove a residue of a cigarette that may remain in an accommodation space of the cigarette after the cigarette is used. Since external air may be introduced into the accommodation space by the air circulation device, the accommodation space may be ventilated.

Since an air flow channel is formed between a battery and a controller that may be heated during use, the battery and the controller may be cooled by airflow in the air flow channel. Also, since air flowing into the accommodation space through the battery and the controller may receive heat from the battery and the controller and a temperature is elevated, the amount of heat transferred from a heater to the air in the accommodation space may be reduced. Therefore, heat loss occurring in the heater may be reduced.

The effects achieved by the embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and unmentioned effects may be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

BEST MODE

According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol generating device includes a housing having an opening into which a cigarette is inserted and including a cavity formed therein, a heater heating the cigarette to generate an aerosol, an air flow channel in fluid communication with the outside of the housing to supply air to the cigarette, and an air circulation device arranged in the air flow channel to generate airflow in the air flow channel.

The aerosol generating device may further include a base supporting the heater and a case arranged in the cavity to form an accommodation space accommodating at least a portion of the cigarette together with the base, wherein the air flow channel provides fluid communication between the outside of the housing and the accommodation space.

The air circulation device may be arranged to face the base to generate airflow toward the accommodation space.

The air flow channel may include an air inlet formed around the opening of the housing and an air flow passage providing fluid communication between the air inlet and the air circulation device.

The aerosol generating device may further include a battery supplying power to the heater and the air circulation device and a controller controlling an operation of the heater and driving of the air circulation device.

The air flow channel may include an air flow passage passing by the battery and

the controller.

The air flow channel may further include an air inlet formed at an end opposite to an end having the opening of the housing.

The controller may control the heater and the air circulation device independently.

The air circulation device may be detached from the aerosol generating device.

The air circulation device may be a sub-assembly including a terminal for receiving power, and, when the air circulation device is coupled to the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device may be electrically connected to the terminal of the air circulation device to supply power to the air circulation device.

The housing may include an insertion opening through which the air circulation device is inserted, and the air circulation device may be assembled into or disassembled from the aerosol generating device through the insertion opening.

The housing may include an internal space accommodating the air circulation device, and the internal space may include a fixing portion fixing the air circulation device.

The fixing portion may include any one of a protrusion supporting the air circulation device and a groove engaging with the protrusion, and the air circulation device may include the other one of the protrusion and the groove.

The fixing portion may form a point contact or a line contact with the air circulation device.

The fixing portion may have elasticity.

The aerosol generating device may further include an extractor arranged in the accommodation space and detachable from the accommodate space, wherein the air circulation device located between the extractor and the base to supply air into the extractor.

According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol generating device includes a first sub-assembly including a first housing having an opening through which a cigarette is inserted and including a cavity formed therein and a heater heating the cigarette to generate aerosol, a second sub-assembly including an air circulation device generating airflow, and a third sub-assembly including a battery supplying power to the heater and the air circulation device and a controller controlling an operation of the heater and driving of the air circulation device, wherein the first, second, and third sub-assemblies respectively include connection portions through which the first, second, and third sub-assemblies are assembled with one another, and, when the first, second, and third sub-assemblies are assembled with one another, the first, second, and third sub-assemblies are electrically connected to one another and form an air flow channel in fluid communication with the outside of the housing to supply air to the cigarette, and the air circulation device is arranged in the air flow channel to generate an air flow in the air flow channel.

According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol generating system includes an aerosol generating device and a cradle accommodating the aerosol generating device and charging a battery of the aerosol generating device, wherein the aerosol generating device includes a housing having an opening through which a cigarette is inserted and including a cavity formed therein, a heater heating the cigarette to generate aerosol, and a first air flow channel in fluid communication with the outside of the housing to supply air to the cigarette, and the cradle includes a second air flow channel in fluid communication with the first air flow channel of the aerosol generating device and an air circulation device arranged in the second air flow channel to generate airflow in the first air flow channel.

The aerosol generating device may further include a base supporting the heater and a case arranged in the cavity to form an accommodation space accommodating at least a portion of the cigarette together with the base, wherein the first air flow channel provides fluid communication between the second air flow channel and the accommodation space.

The first air flow channel may include a first air inlet formed at an end opposite to an end having the opening of the housing and an air flow passage communicating with the first air inlet and communicating with an interior of the accommodation space.

The aerosol generating device may further include a battery supplying power to the heater and the air circulation device and a controller controlling an operation of the heater and driving of the air circulation device, wherein the air flow passage passes by the battery and at least a portion of the controller.

MODE FOR INVENTION

With respect to the terms in the various embodiments, the general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of a new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, a term which is not commonly used can be selected. In such a case, the meaning of the term will be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “over,” “above,” “on,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly over, above, on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly over,” “directly above,” “directly on,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Throughout the specification, an aerosol generating device may be a device that heats an aerosol generating material to generate aerosol that may be directly inhaled into lugs of a user through the mouth of the user. For example, the aerosol generating device may be a holder.

Throughout the specification, “puff’ may refer to the inhalation of a user, and the “inhalation” may refer to an action in which the mouth or nose of the user pulls air into the oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs of the user.

Also, it is assumed that a cigarette is used as an aerosol generating article containing an aerosol generating material. However, an aerosol generating material may be provide in any other types of an aerosol generating article that may be coupled to an aerosol generating device.

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

An aerosol generating device100and a cigarette200will now be described in detail with reference toFIGS.1and2.

FIG.1is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the aerosol generating device100according to an embodiment. Referring toFIG.1, the aerosol generating device100includes a battery110, a controller120, a heater130, and a housing140.

FIG.1shows the aerosol generating device100with some elements related to the embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that other components may be further included in the aerosol generating device100, in addition to the components illustrated inFIG.1.

FIG.1illustrates that the battery110, the controller120, and the heater130are arranged in series, but the arrangement of these are not limited thereto. In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device100, the arrangement of the battery110, the controller120, and the heater130may be modified.

When the cigarette200is inserted into the aerosol generating device100, the aerosol generating device100heats the heater130. The temperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette200is raised by the heated heater130, and thus aerosol is generated. The generated aerosol is delivered to a user through a filter220of the cigarette200.

As necessary, even when the cigarette200is not inserted into the aerosol generating device100, the aerosol generating device100may heat the heater130.

The battery110may supply power to be used for the aerosol generating device100to operate. For example, the battery110may supply power for heating the heater130and supply power for operating the controller120. Also, the battery110may supply power for operations of a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. mounted in the aerosol generating device100. For example, the battery110may be a lithium ion battery, a nickel-based battery (e.g., a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, or the like), or a lithium-based battery (e.g., a lithium-cobalt battery, a lithium-phosphate battery, a lithium titanate battery, or a lithium-polymer battery).

The controller120may control overall operations of the aerosol generating device100. In detail, the controller120controls not only operations of the battery110and the heater, but also operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device100. Also, the controller120may check a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device100to determine whether or not the aerosol generating device100is able to operate.

Also, the controller120may control an air circulation device160that will be described later and may control only the air circulation device160separately from the control of the battery110and the heater130. Therefore, a user may operate only the air circulation device160after using the aerosol generating device100. A residue of a cigarette that may remain in an accommodation space after the cigarette is used may be removed by the operation of the air circulation device160. Also, since external air is introduced into the accommodation space, the accommodation space may be ventilated.

The controller120may include at least one processor. A processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or can be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor can be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The heater130may be heated by power supplied from the battery110and may heat the cigarette200inserted into the aerosol generating device100. The cigarette200may be inserted into the aerosol generating device100by the user, and the inserted cigarette200may contact the heater130.

For example, when the cigarette200is inserted into the aerosol generating device100, the heater130may be located inside the cigarette200. Thus, the heated heater130may increase a temperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette200.

The heater130may include an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater130may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater130may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater130is not limited to the example described above and may be implemented using any other heaters capable of being heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device50or may be set by a user.

As another example, the heater130may include an induction heater. In detail, the heater130may include an electrically conductive coil for heating a cigarette by an induction heating method, and the cigarette may include a susceptor which may be heated by the induction heater.

InFIG.1, the heater130is illustrated as being a needle-shaped type and being arranged along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device100, but the shape and arrangement of the heater130are not limited thereto. For example, the heater130may include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element, and may heat the inside or the outside of the cigarette200, according to the shape of the heating element.

Also, the aerosol generating device100may include a plurality of heaters130. Here, the plurality of heaters130may be inserted into the cigarette200or may be arranged outside the cigarette200. Also, some of the plurality of heaters130may be inserted into the cigarette200, and the others may be arranged outside the cigarette200. In addition, the shape of the heater130is not limited to the shape illustrated inFIG.1, and may include various shapes.

The housing140forms an exterior of the aerosol generating device100and accommodates and protects various elements in a space formed therein. The housing140has a hollow cylindrical shape that includes an opening141(refer toFIG.3) through which the cigarette200may be inserted.

The housing140may be formed of a plastic material or a metallic material coated with a plastic material such that housing140does not transmit electricity or heat. InFIG.1, the housing140has a cylindrical shape having a circular cross section, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the housing140may have a cylindrical shape having a polygonal cross section such as a square.

The aerosol generating device100may further include other components in addition to the battery110, the controller120, and the heater130. For example, the aerosol generating device100may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting haptic information. Also, the aerosol generating device100may include at least one sensor (e.g., a puff detecting sensor, a temperature detecting sensor, a cigarette insertion detecting sensor, etc.).

Also, the aerosol generating device100may be formed as a structure where, even when the cigarette200is inserted into the aerosol generating device100, external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged.

The cigarette200may be similar to a general combustive cigarette. For example, the cigarette200may be divided into a first portion210including an aerosol generating material and a second portion220including a filter or the like. Alternatively, the second portion220of the cigarette200may also include an aerosol generating material. For example, an aerosol generating material made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion220.

The first portion210may be completely inserted into the aerosol generating device100, and the second portion220may be exposed to the outside. In some embodiments, only a portion of the first portion210may be inserted into the aerosol generating device100. Alternatively, a portion of the first portion210and a portion of the second portion220may be inserted into the aerosol generating device100. The user may puff aerosol while holding the second portion220by the mouth of the user. In this case, the aerosol is generated by the external air passing through the first portion210, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion220and is delivered to the user's mouth.

For example, the external air may flow into at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device100. For example, opening and closing of the air passage and/or a size of the air passage may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount and smoothness of smoke may be adjusted by the user. As another example, the external air may flow into the cigarette200through at least one hole formed in a surface of the cigarette200.

FIG.2schematically illustrates a cigarette heated by an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.2, the cigarette200includes a tobacco rod210and a filter rod220. The first portion210described above with reference toFIG.1includes the tobacco rod210, and the second portion220includes the filter rod220.

The filter rod220illustrated inFIG.2is illustrated as a single segment, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod220may include a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod220may include a first segment configured to cool aerosol and a second segment configured to filter a certain component included in the aerosol. Also, as necessary, the filter rod220may further include at least one segment configured to perform other functions.

The cigarette200may be packaged using at least one wrapper240. The wrapper240may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the cigarette200may be packaged using one wrapper240. As another example, the cigarette200may be doubly packaged using at least two wrappers240. For example, the tobacco rod210may be packaged using a first wrapper, and the filter rod220may be packaged using a second wrapper. Also, the tobacco rod210and the filter rod220, which are respectively packaged using separate wrappers, may be coupled to each other, and the entire cigarette200may be packaged using a third wrapper. When each of the tobacco rod210and the filter rod220includes a plurality of segments, each segment may be packaged using a separate wrapper. Also, the entire cigarette200including the plurality of segments, which are respectively packaged using the separate wrappers and which are coupled to each other, may be re-packaged using another wrapper.

The tobacco rod210may include an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but it is not limited thereto. Also, the tobacco rod210may include other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic acid. Also, the tobacco rod210may include a flavored liquid, such as menthol or a moisturizer, which is injected to the tobacco rod210.

The tobacco rod210may be manufactured in various forms. For example, the tobacco rod210may be formed as a sheet or a strand. Also, the tobacco rod210may be formed as a pipe tobacco, which is formed of tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod210may be surrounded by a heat conductive material. For example, the heat-conducting material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil. For example, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod210may uniformly distribute heat transmitted to the tobacco rod210, and thus, the heat conductivity applied to the tobacco rod may be increased and taste of the tobacco may be improved. Also, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod210may function as a susceptor heated by the induction heater. Here, although not illustrated in the drawings, the tobacco rod210may further include an additional susceptor, in addition to the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod210.

The filter rod220may include a cellulose acetate filter. Shapes of the filter rod220are not limited. For example, the filter rod220may include a cylinder-type rod or a tube-type rod having a hollow inside. Also, the filter rod220may include a recess-type rod having a cavity inside. When the filter rod220includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape.

The filter rod220may be formed to generate flavors. For example, a flavoring liquid may be injected onto the filter rod220, or an additional fiber coated with a flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter rod220.

Also, the filter rod220may include at least one capsule230. Here, the capsule230may generate a flavor or aerosol. For example, the capsule230may have a configuration in which a liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. For example, the capsule230may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

When the filter rod220includes a segment configured to cool the aerosol, the cooling segment may include a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material. For example, the cooling segment may include pure polylactic acid alone, but the material for forming the cooling segment is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the cooling segment may include a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality of holes. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the above-described example and any other cooling segment that is capable of cooling the aerosol may be used.

Although not illustrated inFIG.2, the cigarette200may further include a front-end plug. The front-end plug may be located on a side of the tobacco rod210, the side not facing the filter rod220. The front-end plug may prevent the tobacco rod210from being detached from the cigarette200and prevent the liquefied aerosol from flowing into the aerosol generating device100from the tobacco rod210, during smoking.

FIG.3is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. Hereinafter, detailed description about components of the aerosol generating device100which have been described above will be omitted.

Referring toFIG.3, an aerosol generating device100includes a case150, a base151, an air circulation device160, and an air flow channel170.

The case150may be arranged in a cavity formed inside a housing140, and the base151may support the heater130. An accommodation space that accommodates at least a portion of the cigarette may be formed by the case150and the base151.

The air circulation device160may be arranged in the air flow channel170to have air flow along the air flow channel170. For example, the air circulation device160may include a device capable of generating airflow, such as a fan and an air pump.

As in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.3, the air circulation device160may be arranged to face the base151supporting the heater130. The air circulation device160may generate airflow in the air flow channel170, and the amount of air supplied to the accommodation space may be adjusted by adjusting a flow rate of air through the air circulation device160. After use of the aerosol generating device100is completed, only the air circulation device160may operate to ventilate the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device100and maintain cleanliness. The position where the air circulation device160is arranged is not limited by the above description, and the air circulation device160may be arranged in a position capable of generating airflow. For example, the aerosol generating device100may further include an extractor that is arranged in the accommodation space and is detachable from the accommodation space. the extractor may extract the aerosol generating article accommodated in the aerosol generating device. In this case, the air circulation device160may be arranged between the extractor and the base151to supply air into the extractor.

The air flow channel170includes a passage through which air introduced from the outside of the housing140flows. The air flow channel170may include an air flow passage formed by a gap between components arranged inside the housing140. For example, the air flow channel170may be formed between an inner wall of the housing140and an outer wall of the case150. Air introduced from the outside may flow into the accommodation space by flowing along the air flow channel170formed between the inner wall of the housing140and the outer wall of the case150.

Also, the air flow channel170may include air flow passages formed between components such as the inner wall of the housing140, the air circulation device160, a controller120, and a battery110. As illustrated in arrows illustrated inFIG.3, air introduced from the outside may form airflow between the components such as the battery110and the controller120. Therefore, the air flow channel170may communicate with the accommodation space through the air passages.

Commonly, the battery110and the controller120of the aerosol generating device100may be heated by an operation of the aerosol generating device100. For example, a temperature of circuit boards of the battery110and the controller120often increases to about 90° C. Therefore, the battery110and the controller120need to be prevented from overheating. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.3, since the air flow channel170may be formed beside components of the aerosol generating device100, in particular, the battery110and the controller120, the battery110and the controller120may be cooled by the airflow in the air flow channel170.

Also, since air flowing beside the battery110and the controller120may receive heat from the battery110and the controller120, air before entering the accommodation space may have a higher temperature than external air. Therefore, the amount of heat transferred from the heater130to air in the accommodation space may be reduced compared to a case where air entering the accommodation space is not heated by internal components of the aerosol generating device100. As a result, heat loss occurring in the heater130may be reduced.

FIG.4is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

Referring toFIG.4, an aerosol generating device100may include air inlets142through which external air flows, a through hole151formed in a base151and communicating with an interior of an accommodation space, and a blocking wall180.

A housing140may include the air inlets142formed around an opening141. External air flowing into the aerosol generating device100may flow into the housing140through the air inlets142. The air inlets142may have rectangular cross sections and be spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. However, the number, shape, and position of air inlets142are not limited to the examples described above and may be applicable without limitation as along as air is introduced from the outside of the housing140into the housing140. For example, cross-sectional shapes of the air inlets142may be circular.

The base151may include the through hole152that penetrates the base151. The accommodation space may communicate with the outside through the through hole152. The air circulation device160may be arranged to face the base151supporting the heater130, and airflow generated by the air circulation device160may be introduced into the accommodation space through the through hole152. However, the structure that guides airflow into the accommodation space from the air circulation device160is not limited to the example described above. For example, as in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.3, air may be introduced into the accommodation space through a space between the case150and the base151. Also, although not illustrated inFIG.4, the case150may have a double wall structure including a through hole through which the inner wall communicates with the accommodation space. In this case, air may be introduced between double walls and then introduced into the accommodation space through the through hole of the inner wall.

The aerosol generating device100may further include the blocking wall180blocking the air flow in the air flow channel170. As in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.4, the blocking wall180may be arranged such that the air flow channel170passes by only a portion of the battery110. Since the air flow channel170passes by a portion of the battery110, cooling efficiency of the battery110may be maintained. Also, although not illustrated inFIG.4, the blocking wall180may be arranged to block between the battery110and the controller120. When the blocking wall180is arranged between the battery110and the controller120, although the battery110leaks, damage to other components may be prevented.

FIG.5is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

Referring toFIG.5, an aerosol generating device100may include a second air inlet143through which external air is introduced. The second air inlet143is formed at of the bottom of the housing140. Therefore, an air flow channel170may communicate with an accommodation space, and external air may flow from the second air inlet143. As such, the airflow generated by the air circulation device160may be guided into the accommodation space after passing by the battery110and the controller120.

However, the position of the second air inlet143is not limited to the example described above. For example, the second air inlet143may be formed in an outer circumferential surface of the housing140such that air introduced through the second air inlet143flows into the accommodation space from the second air inlet143after passing by the battery110and the controller120.

FIG.6is a perspective view schematically illustrating a detachable air circulation device according to an embodiment.FIG.7is a perspective view schematically illustrating a detachable air circulation device according to another embodiment.

Referring toFIGS.6and7, an air circulation device160may be detached from an aerosol generating device160.

Also, the air circulation device160may be a sub-assembly including a terminal (not shown) for receiving power. When the air circulation device160is assembled into the aerosol generating device100, the terminal of the air circulation device160may be electrically connected to the aerosol generating device100to be supplied with power from a battery110.

Therefore, the air circulation device160may be assembled into the aerosol generating device100to adjust the amount of air supplied to an accommodation space. Also, after completing the use of the aerosol generating device100, the user may detach the air circulation device160from the aerosol generating device100. For example, when the air circulation device160needs to be replaced, the user may detach the air circulation device160from the aerosol generating device100and assemble a new air circulation device160into the aerosol generating device100.

As illustrated inFIG.6, a housing140may include an insertion opening144through which the air circulation device160may be inserted. Also, the housing140may include a cover145that opens or closes the insertion opening144. The user may open the cover145and assemble the air circulation device160into the aerosol generating device100through the insertion opening144or detach the air circulation device160from the aerosol generating device100through the insertion opening144.

As illustrated inFIG.7, the aerosol generating device100may include a plurality of sub-assemblies. For example, the plurality of sub-assemblies may include a first sub-assembly300, a second sub-assembly400, and a third sub-assembly500. Also, the first sub-assembly300may include a heater heating a cigarette to generate aerosol, a base supporting the heater, and a case forming an accommodation space accommodating at least a portion of the cigarette. The second sub-assembly400may include an air circulation device generating airflow. The third sub-assembly500may include a battery that supplies power to the heater and the air circulation device, and a controller that controls operations of the heater and the air circulation device.

The first, second, and third sub-assemblies300,400, and500may respectively include connection portions to be assembled with one another. For example, the first sub-assembly300may include a first male connection portion310for coupling with a first female connection portion405of the second sub-assembly400. Also, the second sub-assembly400may include a second male connection portion410for coupling with a second female connection portion505of the third sub-assembly500. For example, the first male connection portion310and the second male connection portion410may respectively have screw surfaces capable of engaging with the first female connection portion405and the second female connection portion505, respectively. Alternatively, the first male connection portion310, the second male connection portion410, the first female connection portion405, and the second female connection portion505may have interference fit structures.

The first, second, and third sub-assemblies300,400, and500may be electrically connected to one another when assembled together. For example, the first, second, and third sub-assemblies300,400, and500may respectively include terminals arranged in the same position to be electrically connected to one another when assembled with one another. Also, air flow passages may be in fluid communication between the first, second, and third sub-assemblies300,400, and500. For example, when the first, second, and third sub-assemblies300,400, and500are assembled with one another, the air flow passages respectively formed in the first, second, and third sub-assemblies300,400, and500may be formed in positions corresponding to one another to be in fluid communication with one another.

Therefore, the aerosol generating device100may operate not only when the first sub-assembly300, the second sub-assembly400, and the third sub-assembly500are assembled together but also when only the first sub-assembly300and the third sub-assembly500are assembled without the second sub-assembly400. The number, functions, types, and the like of sub-assemblies are not limited to the example described above. Therefore, in addition to the elements described above, other elements may be included in sub-assemblies without limitation.

FIG.8is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a structure of an air circulation device, according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.8, an insertion space in which an air circulation device160may be inserted and accommodated may be formed inside a housing140.

The insertion space may include a fixing portion for fixing the air circulation device160. For example, the fixing portion may include a protrusion146formed inside the housing140. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.8, the protrusions146has a shape extending along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device100but is not limited to the shape described above. For example, the protrusion146may have a shape extending along an inner circumferential surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device100or may have a shape protruding at one point.

The air circulation device160may include a groove161having a shape corresponding to the protrusion146of the housing140. The protrusion146of the housing140and the groove161of the air circulation device160may engage with each other, and thus, the circulation device160may be fixed in the insertion space of the housing140. The engaging structure of the protrusion146and the groove161is not limited toFIG.8and the embodiment described above. For example, a groove may be formed in the housing140and a protrusion engaging with the groove of the housing140may be formed at the air circulation device160such that the air circulation device160may be fixed in the insertion space of the housing140.

When an outer surface of the air circulation device160and an inner surface of the housing140have a surface contact, vibration or noise generated by an operation of the air circulation device160may be transmitted to the aerosol generating device100through the housing140. Therefore, to reduce the vibration that may be generated by the operation of the air circulation device160described above, it is desirable that the air circulation device160has a point contact or a line contact with the inner surface of the housing140, rather than a surface contact. Also, the fixing portion may have elasticity. For example, the fixing portion may include a material having elasticity so that the vibration of the air circulation device160is attenuated by the fixing portion having elasticity.

FIG.9is a perspective view schematically illustrating an aerosol generating system including an aerosol generating device and a cradle, according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.9, an aerosol generating system may include an aerosol generating device100and a cradle1000that accommodates the aerosol generating device100and charges a battery110of the aerosol generating device100.

Here, the structure and effects of the aerosol generating device100according to the embodiments are as described above, and thus, detailed descriptions thereof in the overlapping range will be omitted.

In an aerosol generating system according to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device100may be accommodated in the cradle1000and charged. Here, the cradle1000may include a charging power source1100therein, and the aerosol generating device100may be inserted into the cradle1000and electrically connected to the charging power source1100of the cradle1000. Thereafter, the battery110of the aerosol generating device100may be charged by the charging power source1100of the cradle1000.

The cradle1000may include an internal space1200capable of accommodating the aerosol generating device100. Also, the cradle1000may include a second air circulation device1300and a second air flow channel1400. As in the aerosol generating device100according to the embodiments described above, the second air circulation device1300may be arranged in the second air flow channel1400to generate airflow along the second air flow channel1400. Air flowing through the second air flow channel1400may be introduced from the outside through a third air inlet1410.

Similar to the embodiment illustrated inFIG.5, the aerosol generating device100may include a second air inlet143through which external air is introduced. The second air inlet143is formed at an end (e.g., the bottom) of the aerosol generating device100, which is opposite to an end having an opening of a housing140. However, the aerosol generating device100does not include the air circulation device160unlike the embodiment illustrated inFIG.5.

When the aerosol generating device100is accommodated in the cradle1000, the second air inlet143may communicate with the second air flow channel1400, and airflow generated by the second air circulation device1300may be introduced into the inside of the housing140of the aerosol generating device100through the second air inlet143. The air introduced into the aerosol generating device100may flow into an accommodation space after passing by a battery110and a controller120, through an air flow channel170.

A heater130of the aerosol generating device100may be heated when the aerosol generating device100is coupled to the cradle1000. Although not illustrated inFIG.9, the aerosol generating device100may be tilted inside the cradle1000. In other words, the aerosol generating device100may be inclined at a preset angle in the cradle1000. Here, a portion including the second air circulation device1300and the second air flow channel1400may also be tilted together with the aerosol generating device100.

When the aerosol generating device100is coupled to the cradle1000, the second air circulation device1300may operate to adjust the amount of air supplied to the accommodation space. Also, after the use is completed, only the second air circulation device1300may operate to ventilate the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device100to maintain cleanliness.

While the configurations and characteristics of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments, and it may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes or modifications may be made therein within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is revealed that such changes or modifications are within the scope of the appended claims.