Patent Description:
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 in cigarettes, 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, liquid droplets and by-products of aerosol may be generated by heating an aerosol generating material, and may remain in a device after using a heated aerosol generating device. Since these by-products and other foreign substances may remain inside the device and leave odor, the aerosol generating device needs regular cleaning.

In cleaning the aerosol generating device, regular ventilation of airflow paths and an accommodation space in which a cigarette is inserted is one of the most effective ways to reduce odor. However, the accommodation space needs to be closed for protection of a heater while the aerosol generating device is not being used, and thus, it is difficult to clean the aerosol generating device by natural ventilation. <CIT> relates to an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device includes a cigarette containing cavity, a compressed air containing cavity is formed in the upstream portion of the cigarette containing cavity and communicated with the cigarette containing cavity through airflow circulation of an air circulating pipe; a one-way air inlet hole is formed in the side wall of a cavity body of the compressed air containing cavity for airflow circulation with exterior air, the compressed air containing cavity is electrically connected with a motor fan or a compressed air bottle, and the outer wall of the air circulating pipe is wrapped by a first heating strip or the outer wall of the compressed air containing cavity is wrapped by a second heating strip.

In order to solve the problems, an embodiment provides an aerosol generating device, a cleaning kit for an aerosol generating device, and an aerosol generating system. Further, the embodiments provide an aerosol generating device capable of cleaning or ventilating an accommodation space of the aerosol generating device by installing an air circulation device capable of discharging air in the accommodation space which accommodates a cigarette to the outside, a cleaning kit for the aerosol generating device, and a system for the aerosol generating device.

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

As technical means for solving the technical problems described above, an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment may include a case including an accommodation space for accommodating at least a part of an aerosol generating article; a heater that heats the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodation space to generate aerosol; and an air circulation device that generates air flow to discharge air in the accommodation space to outside.

An aerosol generating device according to embodiments may generate a flow of air to discharge air in an accommodation space to the outside, remove residual substances capable of remaining in the accommodation space for accommodating a cigarette, and ventilate the accommodation space to remove odor remaining in the accommodation space.

Further, foreign substances attached to a heater and the accommodation space may be effectively removed by a brush.

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

An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment includes a case including an accommodation space for accommodating at least a part of an aerosol generating article; a heater that heats the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodation space to generate aerosol; and an air circulator that generates air flow to discharge air in the accommodation space to outside.

Further, the air circulator moves in and out of the accommodation space.

Further, the aerosol generating device further includes a housing that forms an exterior of the aerosol generating device, a guide groove formed in the housing, and a protrusion formed in the air circulator to engage with the guide groove, wherein the protrusion is guided by the guide groove while the air circulator moves.

Further, the aerosol generating device further include an opening that exposes the accommodation space to the outside, and a cover that is movable between an open position where at least a part of the opening is exposed and a closing position where the opening is covered, wherein the air circulator moves together with the cover.

Further, the cover may include an air hole through which air in the accommodation space is discharged to the outside, and a ventilation cap capable of opening or closing the air hole.

Further, the aerosol generating device may further include a controller that controls operations of the heater and the air circulator.

Further, the controller may control an operation strength of an air circulator.

Further, the controller may independently control the air circulator and the heater.

Further, the air circulator may be detachable from an aerosol generating device.

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

In a cleaning kit for an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may include an accommodation space for accommodating an aerosol generating article and a heater for heating the aerosol generating article, the cleaning kit comprising: a main body having a shape that fits in the accommodating space; and an air circulator disposed in the main body and configured to generate air flow that discharges air in the main body to outside.

Further, the cleaning kit may include a brush disposed in the main body such that the brush contacts the heater while the cleaning kit is coupled to the aerosol generating device.

Further, the air circulator may include a fan and a motor for driving the fan, and the brush may be rotated together with the fan by the motor.

Further, the main body may further include an insertion tube of a shape corresponding to the case, and the brush may be disposed inside the insertion tube to be in contact with at least a part of the heater.

Further, the main body may further include one of a protrusion and a groove corresponding to the protrusion, and wherein the air circulator includes the other of the protrusion and the groove such that the air circulator is fixed to the main body by engagement of the protrusion with the groove.

An aerosol generating system according to another embodiment may include an aerosol generating device comprising: a case comprising an accommodation space for accommodating at least a part of an aerosol generating article; and a heater disposed in the accommodation space to heat the aerosol generating article; and a cradle comprising an inner space for accommodating the aerosol generating device and configured to charge a battery of the aerosol generating device, wherein the cradle includes an air circulator configured to discharge air in the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device to the outside when the aerosol generating device is accommodated in the inner space of the cradle.

Further, the air circulator may move between a first position outside at least a part of the inner space and a second position located in the inner space.

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.

Throughout the specification, an aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosol by using an aerosol generating material to generate aerosol that may be directly puffed into lungs of a user through a mouth of the user. For example, the aerosol generating device may be a holder.

In the specification, a term "puff" refers to inhalation of the user, and the inhalation may mean a situation of pulling into the oral cavity, the nasal cavity, or lungs of a user through the mouth or the nose of the user. Also, it is assumed that a cigarette is used as an aerosol generating article containing an aerosol generating material in the embodiments described below. However, an aerosol generating material may be provided in any other types of aerosol generating article (e.g., a cartridge) that may be coupled to an aerosol generating device.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a battery <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a heater <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may further include a vaporizer <NUM>. Also, the cigarette <NUM> may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

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 device <NUM>, in addition to the components illustrated in <FIG>.

When the cigarette <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may operate the heater <NUM> and/or the vaporizer <NUM> to generate aerosol from the cigarette <NUM> and/or the vaporizer <NUM>. The aerosol generated by the heater <NUM> and/or the vaporizer <NUM> is delivered to a user by passing through the cigarette <NUM>.

As necessary, even when the cigarette <NUM> is not inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may heat the heater <NUM>.

Further, the battery <NUM> may supply power necessary for operating an air circulation device <NUM> (i.e., an air circulator) which will be described below. Also, the battery <NUM> may supply power necessary for operating a display, a sensor, a motor, and so on installed in the aerosol generating device <NUM>. For example, the battery <NUM> may be a lithium-ion battery, a nickel-based battery (for example, a nickel-metal hydride battery or a nickelcadmium battery), or a lithium-based battery (for example, a lithium-cobalt battery, a lithium-phosphate battery, a lithium titanate battery, or a lithium-polymer battery).

The controller <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment may control the air circulation device <NUM> which will be described below. For example, the controller <NUM> may control an operating strength of the air circulation device <NUM>. Further, the controller <NUM> may control the air circulation device <NUM> independently from the battery <NUM> and the heater <NUM>. Accordingly, a user may operate only the air circulation device <NUM> while the heater is not operating. Residual substances of a cigarette that may remain in an accommodation space after use may be removed by an operation of the air circulation device <NUM>. Also, air in the accommodation space may be discharged to the outside by an operation of the air circulation device <NUM>. Thus, odor or the like that may cause an unpleasant feeling to a user may be removed by ventilating the accommodation space.

A processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or can be implemented as a combination of a microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored.

The heater <NUM> may heat a cigarette inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to power supplied from the battery <NUM>. For example, if the cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the heater <NUM> may be inserted into the cigarette or located outside the cigarette.

The vaporizer <NUM> may generate aerosol by heating a liquid composition and the generated aerosol may pass through the cigarette <NUM> to be delivered to a user. In other words, the aerosol generated via the vaporizer <NUM> may move along an air flow passage of the aerosol generating device <NUM> and the air flow passage may be configured such that the aerosol generated via the vaporizer <NUM> passes through the cigarette <NUM> to be delivered to the user.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> may further other components in addition to the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, the heater <NUM>, and the vaporizer <NUM>. For example, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting haptic information. Also, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include at least one sensor. Also, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be formed as a structure where, even when the cigarette <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged.

The cigarette <NUM> may be similar to a general combustive cigarette. For example, the cigarette <NUM> may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter, etc. Alternatively, the second portion of the cigarette <NUM> may also include an aerosol generating material. For example, an aerosol generating material made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.

Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>. Otherwise, the entire first portion and a portion of the second portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

For example, the external air may flow into at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device <NUM>. For example, the opening and closing and/or a size of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount of smoke and a smoking impression may be adjusted by the user. As another example, the external air may flow into the cigarette <NUM> through at least one hole formed in a surface of the cigarette <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a cigarette.

Referring to <FIG>, the cigarette <NUM> may include a tobacco rod <NUM> and a filter rod <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG> may include the tobacco rod, and the second portion may include the filter rod <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates that the filter rod <NUM> includes a single segment. However, the filter rod <NUM> is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod <NUM> may include a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod <NUM> may include a first segment configured to cool an aerosol and a second segment configured to filter a certain component included in the aerosol. Also, as necessary, the filter rod <NUM> may further include at least one segment configured to perform other functions.

The cigarette <NUM> may be packaged using at least one wrapper <NUM>. The wrapper <NUM> may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the cigarette <NUM> may be packaged using one wrapper <NUM>. As another example, the cigarette <NUM> may be double-packaged using at least two wrappers <NUM>. For example, the tobacco rod <NUM> may be packaged using a first wrapper, and the filter rod <NUM> may be packaged using a second wrapper. Also, the tobacco rod <NUM> and the filter rod <NUM>, which are respectively packaged using separate wrappers, may be coupled to each other, and the entire cigarette <NUM> may be packaged using a third wrapper. When each of the tobacco rod <NUM> and the filter rod <NUM> includes a plurality of segments, each segment may be packaged using a separate wrapper. Also, the entire cigarette <NUM> including 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.

For example, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod <NUM> may uniformly distribute heat transmitted to the tobacco rod <NUM>, and thus, the heat conductivity of the tobacco rod may be increased. As a result, the taste of the tobacco may be improved.

The filter rod <NUM> may include a segment for cooling the aerosol. The cooling segment may include a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material. For example, the cooling segment may include pure polylactic acid alone, but the material for forming the cooling segment is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the cooling segment may include a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality of holes. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the above-described example and is not limited as long as the cooling segment is capable of cooling the aerosol.

Although not illustrated in <FIG>, the cigarette <NUM> according to an embodiment may further include a front-end filter. The front-end filter may be located on a side of the tobacco rod <NUM>, the side not facing the filter rod <NUM>. The front-end filter may prevent the tobacco rod <NUM> from being detached outwards and prevent the liquefied aerosol from flowing into the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the tobacco rod <NUM>, during smoking.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an aerosol generating device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> that forms an exterior of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> may include a first housing 160a and a second housing 160b. The second housing 160b may be detachably coupled to one end of the first housing 160a, and thus, the first housing 160a and the second housing 160b forms an exterior of the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

The first housing 160a forms a part of the exterior of the aerosol generating device <NUM> and functions to accommodate various elements therein and protect the elements.

The first housing 160a and the second housing 160b may be manufactured with a plastic material that does not transfer heat well or a metal material coated with a thermal barrier material on a surface thereof. The first housing 160a and the second housing 160b may be manufactured by using, for example, an injection molding method, a 3D printing method, or a method of assembling small components formed by injection molding.

A holding device (not illustrated) for maintaining the coupling state of the first housing 160a and the second housing 160b may be installed between the first housing 160a and the second housing 160b. The holding device may include, for example, a protrusion and a groove. By maintaining a state in which the protrusion is inserted into the groove, the coupling state of the first housing 160a and the second housing 160b may be maintained. The protrusion may move to be separated from the groove when an operation button is pressed by a user.

Further, the holding device may include, for example, a magnet and a metal member. When a magnet is used for the holding device, a magnet may be installed in one of the first housing 160a and the second housing 160b and a metal member attracted to the magnet may be installed in the other. Alternatively, magnets may be installed in both the first housing 160a and the second housing 160b.

According to an embodiment, the second housing 160b may be omitted. Also, the first housing 160a and the second housing 160b may be integrally formed as the housing <NUM>.

An upper surface of the second housing 160b coupled to the first housing 160a has an opening <NUM> into which a cigarette <NUM> may be inserted. Further, a rail <NUM> is formed at a position adjacent to the opening <NUM> on the upper surface of the second housing 160b. A cover <NUM> may slide on the upper surface of the second housing 160b along the rail <NUM>.

As the cover <NUM> may move along the rail <NUM> in an arrow direction in <FIG>, the cover <NUM> may move between a closing position where the opening <NUM> is covered and an open position where at least a part of the opening <NUM> is exposed to the outside.

If the cover <NUM> moves to the open position, the opening <NUM> and an accommodation space are exposed to the outside so that the cigarette <NUM> may be inserted into the accommodation space capable of accommodating the cigarette <NUM>. If the opening <NUM> is exposed to the outside by the cover <NUM>, a user may insert the end of the cigarette <NUM> into the opening <NUM> such that the cigarette <NUM> is accommodated in the accommodation space formed inside the second housing 160b.

Further, if the cover <NUM> moves to the closing position where the opening <NUM> and the accommodation space are covered, the inside of the accommodation space may be safely protected from foreign substances. Accordingly, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be maintained clean while not in use.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the cover <NUM> is installed to move linearly with respect to the second housing 160b. However, the embodiment is not limited by the structure shown in <FIG>. For example, the cover <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the second housing 160b through a hinge assembly. When the hinge assembly is used, the cover <NUM> may rotate to the side of the opening <NUM> in a direction in which an upper surface of the second housing 160b extends, or the cover <NUM> may rotate in a direction in which the cover becomes distant from the upper surface of the second housing 160b.

The rail <NUM> has a concave groove shape, but the embodiment is not limited by the shape of the rail <NUM>. For example, the rail <NUM> may have a convex shape or may extend in a curved shape rather than a linear shape.

A button (not illustrated) may be installed in the first housing 160a so that a user controls an operation of the aerosol generating device <NUM> by using the button.

In a state in which the second housing 160b is coupled to the first housing 160a, an external air inlet gap (not illustrated) may be formed between the first housing 160a and the second housing 160b such that air may flow into the second housing 160b.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of one operation state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of another operation state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the cigarette <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM> and is heated by the heater <NUM>. The aerosol generating device <NUM> includes a case <NUM> that forms the accommodation space <NUM> for accommodating at least a part of the cigarette <NUM>, a heater <NUM> that heats the cigarette <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation space <NUM> to generate aerosol, and the air circulation device <NUM>.

The air circulation device <NUM> may generate a flow of air and may include a device capable of generating the flow of air, such as a fan and an air pump. In the operation state of <FIG>, the air circulation device <NUM> is at a first position outside the accommodation space.

Referring to <FIG>, a state in which the cigarette <NUM> is separated from the aerosol generating device <NUM> is illustrated. As shown in <FIG>, if the cigarette <NUM> is separated from the accommodation space <NUM>, the air circulation device <NUM> may be disposed in the accommodation space <NUM>. For example, a second position represents a state in which the air circulation device <NUM> is moved to be located in the accommodation space. Since the air circulation device <NUM> operates in the accommodation space <NUM>, air may be discharged to the outside of the accommodation space <NUM>. In other words, the air circulation device <NUM> may generate a flow of air directed outward, and thus, liquid droplets and by-products of the cigarette <NUM> may be discharged to the outside.

As described above, the first position and the second position may indicate a position of the air circulation device <NUM>. For example, at the first position, the air circulation device <NUM> is partially or entirely outside the accommodation space <NUM> so that the cigarette <NUM> may be accommodated inside the accommodation space <NUM>. At the second position, the air circulation device <NUM> is located in the accommodation space <NUM> to discharge air to the outside of the accommodation space <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the air circulation device <NUM> may move between the first position and the second position.

Moreover, although not illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a guide groove formed in the housing <NUM> and a protrusion formed in the air circulation device <NUM> to engage with the guide groove of the housing <NUM>. Accordingly, the protrusion of the air circulation device <NUM> is guided by the guide groove of the housing <NUM> while the air circulation device <NUM> moves, and thus, the air circulation device <NUM> may move stably in an inner space of the housing <NUM> between the first position and the second position.

Further, the air circulation device <NUM> may be separable from the aerosol generating device <NUM>. For example, the housing <NUM> may include an insertion opening through which the air circulation device <NUM> may be inserted. A user may remove a cover <NUM>, and assemble the air circulation device <NUM> to the aerosol generating device <NUM> or separate the air circulation device <NUM> from the aerosol generating device <NUM>, through the insertion opening.

Further, the air circulation device <NUM> may be a sub-assembly including a terminal (not illustrated) that receives power. When the air circulation device <NUM> is assembled to the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the terminal of the air circulation device <NUM> may be electrically connected to the aerosol generating device <NUM> to receive power from the battery <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the user wants to use the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the user can separate the air circulation device <NUM> from the aerosol generating device <NUM>. Also, after completion of using the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the user may assemble the air-circulating device <NUM> in the accommodation space <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> to ventilate the accommodation space <NUM>. Further, when the air circulation device <NUM> needs to be replaced, the user may separate the air circulation device <NUM> from the aerosol generating device <NUM> and install a new one.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a cover of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the air circulation device <NUM> may be coupled to the cover <NUM> so that the air circulation device <NUM> moves together with the cover <NUM>. Accordingly, if the cover <NUM> moves between the open position and the closing position, the air circulation device <NUM> may move between the first position and the second position together with the cover <NUM>. For example, when a user moves the cover <NUM> to the open position to insert the cigarette <NUM> into the opening <NUM>, the air circulation device <NUM> moves to the first position outside the accommodation space <NUM>. If the user moves the cover <NUM> to the closing position, the air circulation device <NUM> moves to the second position located in the accommodation space <NUM>. The air circulation device <NUM> at the second position may operate to discharge air in the accommodation space <NUM> to the outside.

The cover <NUM> may include an air hole <NUM> through which air is smoothly discharged from the accommodation space <NUM> to the outside. Also, the cover <NUM> may also include a ventilation cap <NUM> for opening or closing the air hole <NUM>. The air hole <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> has a fan shape, but it is not limited thereto. The ventilation cap <NUM> may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the air hole <NUM>. The ventilation cap <NUM> may rotate to open or close the air hole <NUM> The opening and closing operations of the ventilation cap <NUM> may be performed by a motor which may be driven by the controller <NUM>. Moreover, the shape and the opening and closing operations of the ventilation cap <NUM> are not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the ventilation cap <NUM> may have an aperture shape, and the ventilation cap <NUM> may be opened or closed in the same manner as an opening or closing method of an aperture.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically illustrating a cleaning kit for an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a side of the cleaning kit illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a cleaning kit <NUM> for an aerosol generating device may include a main body <NUM> that may be inserted into the accommodation space <NUM>. The main body <NUM> may have a shape that fits in the accommodation space <NUM>. The cleaning kit <NUM> may also include the air circulation device <NUM> that is installed in the main body <NUM> and discharges air in the main body <NUM> to the outside. Accordingly, after the cigarette <NUM> is removed from the accommodation space <NUM>, the cleaning kit <NUM> may be coupled to the accommodation space <NUM>, and the air circulation device <NUM> may discharge air from the accommodation space <NUM> to the outside.

The cleaning kit <NUM> may further include at least one brush <NUM>, which may be in contact with at least a part of the heater <NUM> when the cleaning kit <NUM> is coupled to the aerosol generating device <NUM>. Accordingly, the cleaning kit <NUM> may effectively remove foreign substances attached to the heater <NUM> by the brush <NUM>.

The air circulation device <NUM> may include a fan <NUM> and a motor (not illustrated) that drives the fan <NUM>. The brush <NUM> may be rotated together with the fan <NUM> by a motor. For example, the brush <NUM> may rotate around the heater <NUM> or may rotate about a longitudinal axis of the brush <NUM>. Further, the brush <NUM> may rotate about the longitudinal axis while rotating around the heater <NUM>. Accordingly, the cleaning kit <NUM> may further maximize a cleaning effect by the brush <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> of the cleaning kit <NUM> may include an insertion tube <NUM> having a shape corresponding to the case <NUM>. The brush <NUM> may be disposed inside the insertion tube <NUM> to be in contact with at least a part of the heater <NUM>. Since the heater <NUM> comes into contact with the aerosol generating material in the cigarette <NUM>, foreign substances often remain on the surface of the heater <NUM>. Accordingly, the main body <NUM> of the cleaning kit <NUM> may stably support the cleaning kit <NUM> while maintaining the cleaning effect of the brush <NUM>.

Further, the main body <NUM> of the cleaning kit <NUM> may further include a fixing portion for fixing the air circulation device <NUM>. For example, the fixing portion may include one of a protrusion supporting the air circulation device <NUM> and a groove capable of engaging with the protrusion, and the air circulation device <NUM> may include the other of the protrusion and the groove. The protrusion may extend along an inner circumferential surface of the main body <NUM>. However, the shape of protrusion is not limited thereto.

Further, the fixing portion for fixing the air circulation device <NUM> may also be included in the housing <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment.

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

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating system may include an aerosol generating device <NUM>' and a cradle <NUM> that accommodates the aerosol generating device <NUM>' and charges the battery <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM>'. The aerosol generating device <NUM>' according to the embodiment of <FIG> may be inserted into an inner space <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>. The aerosol generating device <NUM>' may be similar to those explained above with reference to <FIG>, so its detailed description will be omitted.

In an aerosol generating system according to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device <NUM>' may be accommodated in the cradle <NUM> and charged. The cradle <NUM> may include a battery <NUM> therein, and the aerosol generating device <NUM>' according to the embodiment may be inserted into the cradle <NUM> and electrically connected to the charging power supply <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>. Subsequently, the battery <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM>' according to the embodiments may be charged by the battery <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>.

The cradle <NUM> may include an inner space <NUM> that may accommodate the aerosol generating device <NUM>'. Also, the cradle <NUM> may include the air circulation device <NUM>.

The air circulation device <NUM> may generate a flow of air like the air circulation device <NUM> according to the embodiments described above. Accordingly, if the aerosol generating device <NUM>' is accommodated in the inner space <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>, the air circulation device <NUM> may be disposed in the inner space <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> to discharge air in the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device <NUM>' to the outside.

Further, a first position and a second position may be defined according to a position of the air circulation device <NUM> similarly to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. For example, at the first position, the air circulation device <NUM> may be located entirely or partially outside the inner space <NUM>. At the second position, the air circulation device <NUM> may be located in the inner space <NUM>. The air circulation device <NUM> may move between the first position and the second position.

Moreover, the heater of the aerosol generating device <NUM>' may be heated while the aerosol generating device <NUM>' is coupled to the cradle <NUM>. Although not illustrated in <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM>' may be tilted inside the cradle <NUM>. In other words, the aerosol generating device <NUM>' may be inclined at a certain angle in a state of being inserted into the cradle <NUM>.

The aerosol generating system according to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> may operate the air circulation device <NUM> located in the inner space <NUM> while the aerosol generating device <NUM>' is coupled to the cradle <NUM>. Specifically, the air circulation device <NUM> may be disposed above the opening of the aerosol generating device <NUM>' in the inner space <NUM> and generate a flow of air toward the outside such that air in the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device <NUM>' may be discharged to the outside. Accordingly, liquid droplets and by-products of a cigarette may be discharged to the outside, and odor remaining in the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device <NUM>' may be removed.

At least one of the components, elements, modules or units (collectively "components" in this paragraph) represented by a block in the drawings, such as the controller <NUM> in <FIG>, may be embodied as various numbers of hardware, software and/or firmware structures that execute respective functions described above, according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, at least one of these components may use a direct circuit structure, such as a memory, a processor, a logic circuit, a look-up table, etc. that may execute the respective functions through controls of one or more microprocessors or other control apparatuses. Also, at least one of these components may be specifically embodied by a module, a program, or a part of code, which contains one or more executable instructions for performing specified logic functions, and executed by one or more microprocessors or other control apparatuses. Further, at least one of these components may include or may be implemented by a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) that performs the respective functions, a microprocessor, or the like. Two or more of these components may be combined into one single component which performs all operations or functions of the combined two or more components. Also, at least part of functions of at least one of these components may be performed by another of these components. Further, although a bus is not illustrated in the above block diagrams, communication between the components may be performed through the bus. Functional aspects of the above exemplary embodiments may be implemented in algorithms that execute on one or more processors. Furthermore, the components represented by a block or processing steps may employ any number of related art techniques for electronics configuration, signal processing and/or control, data processing and the like.

Claim 1:
An aerosol generating device (<NUM>) comprising:
a case (<NUM>) including an accommodation space for accommodating at least a part of an aerosol generating article (<NUM>);
a heater (<NUM>) that heats the aerosol generating article (<NUM>) accommodated in the accommodation space to generate aerosol; and
an air circulator (<NUM>) that generates air flow to discharge air in the accommodation space to outside, wherein the air circulator (<NUM>) is configured to move in and out of the accommodation space;
wherein the aerosol generating device (<NUM>) further comprising:
- a housing (<NUM>) that forms an exterior of the aerosol generating device (<NUM>), a guide groove formed in the housing (<NUM>), and a protrusion formed in the air circulator (<NUM>) to engage with the guide groove, wherein the protrusion is guided by the guide groove while the air circulator (<NUM>) moves; or
- an opening (<NUM>) that exposes the accommodation space to the outside, and a cover (<NUM>) that is movable between an open position where at least a part of the opening (<NUM>) is exposed to the outside and a closing position where the opening (<NUM>) is covered by the cover (<NUM>), wherein the air circulator (<NUM>) moves together with the cover (<NUM>).