Patent Description:
Electronic cigarettes include a storage, a heating or vaporizing device, and a battery. The storage stores a processed material or extract of a leaf tobacco including nicotine, a nicotine-free liquid material, or the like. Electronic cigarette devices are known from <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. <CIT> discloses an electronic cigarette including a storage tank filled with extractant and an atomization device. The electronic cigarette of <CIT> further comprises a device for heating tobacco, which includes a heating mechanism and a heated chamber for loading cigarette or tobacco. The heating mechanism comprises a heating element and a heater circuit for controlling the heating element to be heated to a set temperature range. An inlet of the heated chamber is connected to an outlet of the atomization device, and its outlet is connected with an opening for a suction nozzle. When the electronic cigarette is working, the extractant is atomized by the atomization device and then guided into the heated chamber. The heat produced by the heating element is applied to the cigarette or tobacco in the heated chamber to generate nicotine. The nicotine and atomized extractant are mixed together and then sucked out through the opening for the suction nozzle.

Such an electronic cigarette may generate an aerosol by heating or vaporizing the material stored in the storage so that a user may inhale the aerosol through an intake of the electronic cigarette.

Accordingly, when the user holds the electronic cigarette with his or her hand and puffs on the electronic cigarette through the intake with a user's mouth, the aerosol generated inside the electronic cigarette may be discharged to the user's mouth through the intake, and the user may have a similar feeling to smoking a general cigarette through the inhalation of the aerosol.

However, the conventional electronic cigarettes use a liquid method in which an undiluted nicotine solution and a liquid are separately purchased and mixed. Accordingly, there is a potential risk of misuse if a user uses the purchased undiluted nicotine solution for other purposes rather than smoking. In an example, there may be a problem such as a bombing that uses an undiluted nicotine solution. For this reason, the undiluted nicotine solution requires active management in handling when using the undiluted nicotine solution.

In order to solve such problems, cigarette-shaped electronic cigarettes, which generate smoking vapor by heating a solid stick made of tobacco leaves unlike the conventional liquid electronic cigarettes, have been proposed. Since such a cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette uses a method of generating vapor by heating a solid stick inserted thereinto using a heater, the cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette may solve a risk of misuse of an undiluted nicotine solution and may taste similar to the conventional cigarette.

However, since the conventional cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette uses a method of simply heating the solid stick, the conventional cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette may not generate an abundant amount of vapor. Accordingly, there is a problem in that a user is less satisfied than when smoking a general tobacco cigarette.

In addition, the conventional cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette uses a method in which a heater for heating a solid stick is implemented in the form of a plate and is partially inserted into the solid stick. Therefore, it is difficult to uniformly heat an entirety of the solid stick.

The present invention is directed to providing a heater assembly for a cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette, which allows an abundant amount of vapor to be inhaled and exhaled during smoking, and a cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette including the same.

In addition, the present invention is directed to providing a heater assembly for a cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette, which is capable of widening a heated area of a cigarette inserted thereinside and uniformly heating the cigarette, and a cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette including the same.

The above formulated problem is solved by a heater assembly for a cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette according to claim <NUM>. The heater assembly according to the invention comprises:.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the heater assembly may further include a supporting part to which each of the smoking vapor generation part and the smoky vapor generation part is coupled. The supporting part may include a movement passage through which the smoky vapor generated in the smoky vapor generation part is moved to the smoking vapor generation part.

Preferably, the supporting part includes a protrusion in a hollow form which protrudes in one direction and to which the smoky vapor generation part is coupled. A communication passage may be formed in a bottom surface of the protrusion and connected to the movement passage.

The smoky vapor generation part may be detachably coupled to the supporting part.

An accommodation groove may be formed in one surface of the supporting part to accommodate a circuit board, and the circuit board may be electrically connected to the first heater.

The first heater may be formed to have a hollow cylindrical shape of which upper and lower portions are open such that the portion of the cigarette is inserted thereinto, and the first heater may heat an outer surface of the cigarette.

The first heater may include a support made of a ceramic material and formed to have a hollow form, an electrode pattern patterned on one surface of the support to generate heat, and a protective layer having an insulating property and a heat insulating property and covering the electrode pattern.

According to the invention, the smoking vapor generation part includes the first heater. The heat insulating member is preferably wound in a circumferential direction of the first heater. The fixing member is preferably configured to surround the heat insulating member to protect the first heater and fix the heat insulating member.

The heat insulating member may include a graphite material to reduce heat generated in the first heater from being dissipated in a radial direction of the first heater.

The smoking vapor generation part may include a first cover member detachably coupled to the supporting part, and a gap may be formed between the first cover member and the fixing member in a radial direction of the first heater.

The smoky vapor generation part may include a body having an air passage formed in a length direction thereof such that outside air passes through the air passage, a coupling member coupled to the body, a second cover member coupled to the coupling member to form a storage space in which the liquid material is accommodated in a certain amount, an absorption member disposed in the air passage to absorb the liquid material introduced from the storage space, and a second heater wound a plurality of times in a length direction of the absorption member to generate the smoky vapor by vaporizing the liquid material absorbed by the absorption member when power is applied.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette includes the heater assembly, a case which has an inlet for inserting the cigarette in a region corresponding to the smoking vapor generation part and in which the heater assembly is embedded, a control part disposed inside the case to control an overall operation of the heater assembly, and a power supply part configured to supply driving power to the control part.

The case may include a cover member configured to open or close the inlet.

A charging port configured to recharge power of the power supply part may be provided at one side of the case.

Since smoky vapor is additionally generated through a smoky vapor generation part during smoking, a user can inhale and exhale an abundant amount of vapor, thereby increasing user satisfaction.

In addition, if a heater has a cylindrical shape, a heated area of a cigarette inserted thereinto can be widened, and the cigarette can be uniformly heated.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so as to be easily practiced by a person of ordinary skill in the art. It should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in different ways and is not limited to the following exemplary embodiments. Parts irrelevant to description are omitted in the drawings in order to clearly explain the present invention, and like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

As shown in <FIG>, a heater assembly <NUM> for a cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be applied to a cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette <NUM> which generates smoking vapor by heating a cigarette <NUM> produced as a solid stick.

Accordingly, the cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette <NUM>, to which the heater assembly <NUM> for a cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied, may generate not only smoking vapor including nicotine but also smoky vapor, thereby emitting vapor in an amount that is greater than or equal to an amount of smoke generated during smoking of an actual cigarette.

To this end, as shown in <FIG>, the heater assembly <NUM> for a cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a smoking vapor generation part <NUM> and a smoky vapor generation part <NUM>.

During smoking, the smoking vapor generation part <NUM> may heat the cigarette <NUM> to generate smoking vapor including nicotine. To this end, the smoking vapor generation part <NUM> may include a first heater <NUM> configured to heat the cigarette <NUM> when power is applied.

In this case, as shown in <FIG>, the first heater <NUM> may be formed to have a hollow cylindrical shape of which upper and lower portions are open such that a portion of the cigarette <NUM> is insertable thereinto.

Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, the cigarette <NUM> inserted into a hollow portion may be heated through heat that is generated and supplied by the first heater <NUM>. Since an entire circumferential surface of the cigarette <NUM> may be heated, a heated area of the cigarette <NUM> may be widened, and concurrently, an entirety of the cigarette <NUM> may be uniformly heated.

The first heater <NUM> may have a form in which a known heater is formed in a cylindrical shape. Meanwhile, in order to increase reliability and a life cycle of a product and rapidly move heat generated from a heat generating source under operating conditions in which heating and cooling are repeatedly performed, the first heater <NUM> may include a ceramic material.

In an example, as shown in <FIG>, the first heater <NUM> may include a support 111a, an electrode pattern 111b, and a protective layer 111c.

In this case, the support 111a may be made of a ceramic material, and the electrode pattern 111b may be patterned and formed on one surface of the support 111a.

Accordingly, heat generated in the electrode pattern 111b when power is applied may be moved to the support 111a made of a ceramic material and then may be rapidly transferred to an entire area of the support 111a. Thus, the first heater <NUM> may widen a heated area and concurrently uniformly heat an entirety of the heated area.

The support 111a may be made of a ceramic material having a heat resisting property to withstand a high temperature of <NUM> or more when the electrode pattern 111b generates heat. In a specific example, the support 111a may be made of a ceramic material such as alumina (Al<NUM>O<NUM>), magnesium oxide (MgO), silicon nitride (Si<NUM>N<NUM>), silicon carbide (SiC), aluminum nitride (AlN), or the like, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Any known ceramic material may be applied.

However, the material of the support 111a is not limited thereto, and any material may be applied as long as the material may have an insulating property and a heat resisting property to prevent a short circuit with the electrode pattern 111b and to withstand a high temperature of <NUM> or more when the electrode pattern 111b generates heat.

In addition, the electrode pattern 111b may serve as a heating element which generates heat when power is applied. The electrode pattern 111b may be patterned and formed on one surface of the support 111a.

The electrode pattern 111b may be a printed pattern formed through a conductive paste or may have a form of a conductive member which is patterned and formed through shape processing such as etching or punching and attached to the support 111a. In an example, the conductive paste may be silver (Ag), tungsten, molybdenum, or a mixed component thereof but is not limited thereto. Among typically used electrode materials, any known electrode material may be used that is appropriately selected according to a heat-generating temperature required when power is applied.

On the other hand, the protective layer 111c may be made of a material having an insulating property to prevent the electrode pattern 111b from being externally exposed and also to prevent the electrode pattern 111b from being shorted with other components. In addition, the protective layer 111c may also have a heat resisting property and a thermosetting property to be prevented from being destroyed by heat generated from the electrode pattern 111b.

In an example, the protective layer 111c may be a coating layer which is made of a resin having an insulating property, a thermosetting property, and a heat resisting property and is applied at a certain thickness on at least one surface of the support 111a. Accordingly, the electrode pattern 111b may be blocked from being externally exposed through the protective layer 111c.

In a specific example, the protective layer 111c may be a coating layer made of liquid polyimide or polyamideimide, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Any known material may be used as long as the material has an insulating property, a thermosetting property, and a heat resisting property.

In this case, the protective layer 111c may be formed only on one surface of the support 111a to cover the electrode pattern 111b or may also be formed to cover both surfaces of the support 111a. Accordingly, even when the support 111a is made of a ceramic material having high brittleness, an impact caused by an external force may be absorbed through the protective layer 111c, thereby preventing the support 111a from being damaged by the external force.

The first heater <NUM> may be electrically connected to a circuit board <NUM> to be described below through a plurality of lead portions 111d, and thus, the electrical operation thereof may be controlled.

Meanwhile, as shown in <FIG>, the smoking vapor generation part <NUM> may further include a heat insulating member <NUM>, a fixing member <NUM>, and a first cover member <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the smoking vapor generation part <NUM> may be detachably coupled to one side of a supporting part <NUM> through the first cover member <NUM>.

That is, the heat insulating member <NUM>, the fixing member <NUM>, and the first cover member <NUM> may be sequentially disposed to surround the first heater <NUM>, and the smoking vapor generation part <NUM> may be maintained in a state of being coupled to the supporting part <NUM> through the first cover member <NUM> detachably coupled to the supporting part <NUM> or may be separated from the supporting part <NUM>.

The heat insulating member <NUM> may be disposed to surround an outer surface of the first heater <NUM>, thereby blocking heat generated in the first heater <NUM> from being dissipated to the outside or being transferred to other peripheral components.

Accordingly, heat generated in the first heater <NUM> may be concentrated in the first heater <NUM> and may be concentrated to the cigarette <NUM> inserted into the hollow portion of the first heater <NUM>.

In this case, any heat insulating material that is typically used may be applied to the heat insulating member <NUM>. On the other hand, the heat insulating member <NUM> may include a graphite material to reduce the heat generated in the first heater <NUM> being dissipated in a radial direction of the first heater <NUM> and to facilitate a heat transfer in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the radial direction.

In an example, as shown in <FIG>, the heat insulating member <NUM> may include a first sheet 112a and a second sheet 112b which have a certain area and are attached to each other. In this case, any one of the first sheet 112a and the second sheet 112b may be a plate-shaped graphite sheet, and the other thereof may be a polyimide (PI) film member.

In general, a graphite sheet has a high heat transfer rate in a horizontal direction corresponding to a length or width direction thereof but has a very low heat transfer rate in a vertical direction corresponding to a thickness direction thereof.

The heat insulating member <NUM> may be disposed outside the first heater <NUM> in consideration of the above-described heat transfer characteristics of the graphite sheet.

That is, the heat insulating member <NUM> may have a form in which a plate-shaped graphite sheet and a PI film member are attached to each other. The heat insulating member <NUM> may be disposed outside the first heater <NUM> such that a thickness direction of the graphite sheet is parallel to the radial direction of the first heater <NUM>. Accordingly, the heat insulating member <NUM> may minimize the heat generated in the first heater <NUM> being dissipated to the outside, thereby concentrating the heat generated in the first heater <NUM> to the first heater <NUM>.

That is, even when the heat generated in the first heater <NUM> is transferred to the heat insulating member <NUM>, the heat may be prevented from being dissipated to the outside due to the graphite sheet having a low heat transfer rate in a thickness direction thereof.

In addition, even when a portion of the heat is transferred to the graphite sheet, the heat transferred to the graphite sheet may be dispersed in a horizontal direction so that the graphite sheet may serve to insulate the first heater <NUM>.

Furthermore, a portion of the heat transferred to the graphite sheet may be secondarily blocked from being moved by the PI film member, thereby securing a more excellent heat insulating property.

The heat insulating member <NUM> may be attached to the outer surface of the first heater <NUM> through an adhesive layer and may also be fixed through the hollow fixing member <NUM>.

That is, as shown in <FIG>, the heat insulating member <NUM> may be wound one or more times to cover the outer surface of the first heater <NUM> in a circumferential direction of the first heater <NUM>. The heat insulating member <NUM> may be fixed through the fixing member <NUM> surrounding the heat insulating member <NUM>.

Accordingly, the heat insulating member <NUM> may be disposed between the first heater <NUM> and the fixing member <NUM>, and both surfaces of the heat insulating member <NUM> may be maintained in a state of being in contact with the outer surface of the first heater <NUM> and an inner surface of the fixing member <NUM>.

Here, the fixing member <NUM> may be made of a material having rigidity to perform a function of protecting the first heater <NUM> as well as a function of fixing the heat insulating member <NUM> such that the heat insulating member <NUM> is maintained in a state of being pressed against the outer surface of the first heater <NUM>. In an example, the fixing member <NUM> may be made of a metal material.

A lower edge of the fixing member <NUM> may be supported by one side of the supporting part <NUM>.

One side of the first cover member <NUM> may be coupled to the supporting part <NUM>. As a result, the first cover member <NUM> may protect the fixing member <NUM> and the first heater <NUM> from an external environment and may also maintain mounting positions of the fixing member <NUM> and the first heater <NUM>.

To this end, the first cover member <NUM> may be formed to have a hollow form to wrap the fixing member <NUM>, and a region of the first cover member <NUM> corresponding to the hollow portion of the first heater <NUM> may be open such that the cigarette <NUM> inserted from the outside enters into the first heater <NUM>.

A lower portion of the first cover member <NUM> may be detachably coupled to the supporting part <NUM>. Thus, when the fixing member <NUM> and/or the first heater <NUM> require replacement, a component requiring replacement may be easily replaced by separating the first cover member <NUM> from the supporting part <NUM>.

In this case, in the heater assembly <NUM> for a cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention as shown in <FIG>, a gap d may be formed between an inner surface of the first cover member <NUM> and an outer surface of the fixing member <NUM> which face each other. The gap d may be formed in a height direction of the fixing member <NUM>.

Accordingly, an air layer may be formed in the gap d. The air layer formed in the gap d may implement a heat insulating effect. Thus, the heat generated in the first heater <NUM> may be blocked twice from being transferred in a direction parallel to the radial direction of the first heater <NUM> through the heat insulating member <NUM> and the air layer. As a result, the heat generated in the first heater <NUM> may be further concentrated to the hollow portion of the first heater <NUM>, and a raise in temperature of the first cover member <NUM> may be minimized.

The smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may generate smoky vapor not including nicotine during smoking and may supply the smoky vapor to the smoking vapor generation part <NUM>.

Accordingly, during smoking, a user may inhale smoking vapor generated from the cigarette <NUM> inserted into the smoking vapor generation part <NUM> and smoky vapor generated in the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> together.

That is, when a user uses the cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette <NUM> to which the heater assembly <NUM> for a cigarette-type electronic cigarette according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied, the user may additionally inhale and then exhale the smoky vapor not including nicotine generated in the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> together with the smoking vapor including nicotine generated in the smoking vapor generation part <NUM>.

As a result, the user may inhale and exhale vapor in an abundant amount greater than or equal to an amount of smoke generated during smoking using a typical cigarette, and thus, it is possible to increase satisfaction with smoking.

To this end, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may include a second cover member <NUM> which has a storage space 122a for storing a liquid material converted into smoky vapor when being heated, and a second heater <NUM> which vaporizes the liquid material introduced from the storage space 122a to generate the smoky vapor. In addition, the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may include an absorption member <NUM> which supplies the liquid material stored in the storage space 122a to the second heater <NUM>.

Accordingly, when power is supplied to the second heater <NUM>, the liquid material may be supplied to the second heater <NUM> through the absorption member <NUM>. The liquid material supplied to the second heater <NUM> may be vaporized through heat supplied from the second heater <NUM>. As a result, the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may generate the smoky vapor.

Here, the liquid material may not include nicotine and may be a material vaporized at a temperature of <NUM> or less. In an example, the liquid material may be a liquid material including glycerin but is not limited thereto. Any liquid material may be applied as long as the material may be vaporized at a temperature of <NUM> or lower, and preferably, at a temperature of <NUM> or less. In addition, the liquid material may also include a nicotine material used to generate smoking vapor in a typical electronic cigarette.

In addition, the absorption member <NUM> may be a glass fiber, cotton, or a fabric, but the material of the absorption member <NUM> is not limited thereto. Any material may be applied as long as the material may smoothly absorb a liquid material.

In addition, the second heater <NUM> may be a coil member wound a plurality of times in a length direction of the absorption member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may be disposed to be parallel with the smoking vapor generation part <NUM>, and smoky vapor generated through the second heater <NUM> may be supplied to the smoking vapor generation part <NUM>.

To this end, the heater assembly <NUM> for a cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include the supporting part <NUM> to which the smoking vapor generation part <NUM> and the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> are coupled. The smoking vapor generation part <NUM> and the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may be coupled to one side of the supporting part <NUM> in parallel.

In this case, the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may be provided in a form fixed to the supporting part <NUM>. When the liquid material stored in the storage space 122a is completely exhausted, a liquid material may be replenished through an inlet or the like (not shown) communicating with the storage space 122a.

Alternatively, as shown in <FIG>, the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may be detachably coupled to the supporting part <NUM>. Thus, when the liquid material stored in the storage space 122a is completely exhausted, the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> itself may be replaced by separating the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> from the supporting part <NUM>.

Thus, according to the heater assembly <NUM> for a cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the need to inject a liquid material, and it is possible to increase reliability and stability of a product by inducing a user to use the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> including a prescribed liquid material.

In a specific example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may have a module form which further includes a body <NUM> and a coupling member <NUM> in addition to the second cover member <NUM>, the absorption member <NUM>, and the second heater <NUM>.

Thus, the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may be detachably coupled to one side of the supporting part <NUM> through the coupling member <NUM>.

Here, the body <NUM> may have an air passage <NUM> formed to pass through the body <NUM> in a length direction thereof such that outside air passes through the air passage <NUM>. The body <NUM> may be detachably coupled to the coupling member <NUM>.

In addition, the second cover member <NUM> may be detachably coupled to the coupling member <NUM> to surround at least a portion of the body <NUM>. Accordingly, the storage space 122a may be defined through the coupling member <NUM> and the body <NUM>, and an inlet passage 122b for introducing outside air may be formed in a height direction of the body <NUM> so as to be connected to the air passage <NUM> formed in the body <NUM> (see <FIG>).

In addition, the second heater <NUM> and the absorption member <NUM> may be disposed in the air passage <NUM>. In this case, the second heater <NUM> may be disposed in a form which is wound a plurality of times in the length direction of the absorption member <NUM>. The absorption member <NUM> may be fixed to the body <NUM> such that both end portions thereof protrude to the storage space 122a to smoothly absorb the liquid material stored in the storage space 122a.

Furthermore, the coupling member <NUM> may be formed to have a hollow form such that the body <NUM> and the second cover member <NUM> are detachably coupled to an inner surface and an outer surface thereof. A flange 126a protruding outward may be formed at a lower edge of the coupling member <NUM>. Thus, the coupling member <NUM> may be installed to be caught on a latch portion <NUM> formed to protrude from one surface of the supporting part <NUM>.

In this case, the body <NUM> may have a form in which a plurality of members are coupled to each other.

In an example, the body <NUM> may include a first body 124a, a second body 124b, an insulating member 124c, and a first electrode member 124d. In this case, the first body 124a may be provided in a hollow form of which upper and lower portions are open. The second body 124b may be coupled to an upper portion of the first body 124a. The insulating member 124c to which the first electrode member 124d is coupled may be coupled to a lower portion of the first body 124a.

As a result, hollow portions of the second body 124b, the first body 124a, and the first electrode member 124d may communicate with each other to form the air passage <NUM>. Both end portions of the absorption member <NUM> on which the second heater <NUM> is wound may be fixed to the first body 124a when the first body 124a and the second body 124b are coupled to each other.

In addition, the first body 124a, the first electrode member 124d, and the coupling member <NUM> may be made of a conductive material such as a metal, and both end portions of a coil constituting the second heater <NUM> may connected to the first body 124a and the first electrode member 124d.

Accordingly, when the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> is coupled to the supporting part <NUM>, the second heater <NUM> may be electrically connected through two electrode members <NUM> and <NUM> provided in the supporting part <NUM>.

However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the body may have a form in which an appropriate number of members are coupled to each other or may be one hollow member in which an air passage is formed in a length direction thereof. In addition, when the body is formed as one member, the body may have a form in which two through-holes are formed in the body in a direction perpendicular to the air passage <NUM> and both end portions of the absorption member <NUM> are inserted into and then fixed in the through-holes.

Furthermore, the configuration of the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> is not limited to the above-described structure, and the detailed configuration of the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may be appropriately modified according to design conditions as long as the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may use a method in which the liquid material supplied from the storage space 122a is heated through the second heater <NUM> to generate smoky vapor.

Meanwhile, the supporting part <NUM> may support the smoking vapor generation part <NUM> and the smoky vapor generation part <NUM>. As described above, the smoking vapor generation part <NUM> and the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may each be detachably coupled to the supporting part <NUM>.

In this case, the smoking vapor generation part <NUM> and the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may each be coupled onto a horizontal surface of the supporting part <NUM>. However, the smoking vapor generation part <NUM> and the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may be coupled to portions protruding from the horizontal surface by a certain height so as to prevent smoky vapor generated through the second heater <NUM> from leaking to the outside and to increase coupling performance.

In an example, as shown in <FIG>, the supporting part <NUM> may include a first protrusion <NUM> in a hollow form and a second protrusion <NUM> in a hollow form which extend upward from one surface thereof by a certain height.

Accordingly, in the smoking vapor generation part <NUM>, a lower portion of the first cover member <NUM> may be coupled to the first protrusion <NUM>, and a lower edge of the fixing member <NUM> may be supported by an upper edge of the first protrusion <NUM>.

In addition, in the smoky vapor generation part <NUM>, the second protrusion <NUM> may be inserted into a lower portion of the coupling member <NUM>. Therefore, the inside of the second protrusion <NUM> may communicate with the air passage <NUM>.

Here, as shown in <FIG>, the first electrode member 124d may have a cutout groove 124e which is recessed from a lower portion to an inner side thereof. Accordingly, air moving in a length direction or height direction of the first electrode member 124d may move in a horizontal direction through the cutout groove 124e and thus be introduced into the second protrusion <NUM>.

In this case, as shown in <FIG>, a second electrode member <NUM> may be provided in the second protrusion <NUM> in order for an electrical connection with the second heater <NUM> when the smoky vapor generator <NUM> and the supporting part <NUM> are coupled to each other.

In an example, an electrode arrangement hole <NUM> for placing the second electrode member <NUM> may be formed to pass through the second protrusion <NUM>, and the second electrode member <NUM> may be detachably inserted into the electrode arrangement hole <NUM>. Accordingly, when the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> is coupled to the second protrusion <NUM>, a lower end of the first electrode member 124d included in the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may be in contact with the second electrode member <NUM>, and the first electrode member 124d and the second electrode member <NUM> may be electrically connected to each other through the contact.

In addition, a contact electrode <NUM> may be provided on one surface of the supporting part <NUM> to be externally exposed in a region corresponding to the lower edge of the coupling member <NUM> when the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> is coupled to the second protrusion <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> is coupled to the second protrusion <NUM>, the coupling member <NUM> made of a conductive material and the contact electrode <NUM> may be in contact with each other. Thus, the coupling member <NUM> and the contact electrode <NUM> may be electrically connected to each other. Here, the contact electrode <NUM> may be a ball plunger, and the second electrode member <NUM> and the contact electrode <NUM> may be electrically connected to a main substrate <NUM> constituting a control part of the cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette <NUM>.

Meanwhile, according to the heater assembly <NUM> for a cigarette-type electronic cigarette according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when a user puffs on the cigarette <NUM>, smoking vapor generated in the smoking vapor generation part <NUM> and smoky vapor generated in the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may be concurrently supplied to the user. In this case, the smoking vapor and the smoky vapor may be supplied to the user by a suction force of the user.

To this end, the supporting part <NUM> may include a movement passage <NUM> through which the smoky vapor generated in the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> is moved to the smoking vapor generation part <NUM>.

In an example, as shown in <FIG>, the movement passage <NUM> may be formed inside the supporting part <NUM>, and the movement passage <NUM> may connect the inside of the first protrusion <NUM> and the inside of the second protrusion <NUM>.

In this case, a communication passage <NUM> may be formed in a bottom surface of the second protrusion <NUM> and connected to the movement passage <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the user puffs on the cigarette <NUM> through an end portion thereof inserted into the smoking vapor generation part <NUM>, the smoky vapor generated in the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may be moved downward along the air passage <NUM> by the suction force of the user and then may be moved to a hollow portion of the second protrusion <NUM> through the cutout groove 124e formed in the first electrode member 124d.

Thereafter, the smoky vapor moved to the hollow portion of the second protrusion <NUM> may be introduced into the smoking vapor generation part <NUM> via the communication passage <NUM> and the movement passage <NUM>. Thus, the smoky vapor may be combined with the smoking vapor generated in the smoking vapor generation part <NUM> and may be discharged to the outside together with the smoking vapor through the cigarette.

Accordingly, the user may concurrently inhale the smoking vapor and the smoky vapor. When the user exhales the inhaled vapor to the outside, an amount of the exhaled vapor may be increased by an amount which is as much as an amount corresponding to the smoky vapor. As a result, when the user smokes, an abundant amount of vapor may be discharged to the outside, thereby increasing user satisfaction with smoking.

However, a method of supplying the smoky vapor is not limited thereto, and the smoky vapor generated in the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may also be supplied to a path, to which smoking vapor is supplied, through other methods.

In addition, as described above, the inlet passage 122b, which is formed in the height direction in the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> such that outside air is introduced therethrough, may be connected to the air passage <NUM>. Thus, the smoky vapor generated in the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> may be smoothly moved to the smoking vapor generation part <NUM> through the movement passage <NUM> by the suction force of the user.

Meanwhile, the circuit board <NUM> electrically connected to the first heater <NUM> may be disposed on one surface of the supporting part <NUM>. The circuit board <NUM> may be fixed to the supporting part <NUM>.

In an example, as shown in <FIG>, the supporting part <NUM> may include an accommodation groove <NUM> formed to be recessed from one surface thereof to accommodate the circuit board <NUM>, and the circuit board <NUM> may be fitted into and disposed in the accommodation groove <NUM>.

Here, the plurality of lead portions 111d protruding from the first heater <NUM> to have a certain length may be connected to the circuit board <NUM>. The circuit board <NUM> may be electrically connected to the main substrate <NUM> constituting the control part of the cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette <NUM> through a separate case (not shown).

In addition, lead portion arrangement holes <NUM> through which the plurality of lead portions 111d pass may be formed to pass through the supporting part <NUM>. Accordingly, the lead portions 111d inserted into the lead portion arrangement holes <NUM> may be protected from an external force through the supporting part <NUM>.

Thus, when the first heater <NUM> is electrically connected to the circuit board <NUM> fixed to one surface of the supporting part <NUM> through the lead portions 111d passing through the lead portion arrangement holes <NUM>, even when an external impact occurs due to a drop, the lead portions 111d may be prevented from being disconnected from the circuit board <NUM>. As a result, various problems such as electrical disconnection may be solved, and reliability of a product may be improved.

The heater assembly <NUM> for a cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette may be implemented into the cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette <NUM> according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include the heater assembly <NUM> for a cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette, a case <NUM>, the control part, and a power supply part <NUM>.

That is, the heater assembly <NUM> may be accommodated inside the case <NUM> together with the control part and the power supply part <NUM> and may use power provided from the power supply part <NUM> as driving power. That is, in the heater assembly <NUM>, the first heater <NUM> and the second heater <NUM> may be operated by driving of the control part, and smoking vapor and smoky vapor may be generated from the cigarette inserted into the smoking vapor generation part <NUM> and the liquid material included in the smoky vapor generation part <NUM>, respectively.

Here, the power supply part <NUM> may be a known battery, and the battery may be a primary battery or may be a rechargeable secondary battery. In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the control part may have a form in which a chipset <NUM> such as a main control unit (MCU) is mounted on one surface of the main substrate <NUM>, and the main substrate <NUM> may include various circuits for electrical or electronic driving.

Specifically, the case <NUM> may include a first case <NUM> configured to accommodate the smoking vapor generation part <NUM> and the smoky vapor generation part <NUM> therein and a second case <NUM> configured to accommodate the control part and the power supply part <NUM> therein. In addition, the supporting part <NUM> may be detachably fixed to an upper edge of the second case <NUM>.

In this case, as shown in <FIG>, a pair of magnet members <NUM> and <NUM> corresponding to each other may be provided in the first case <NUM> and the supporting part <NUM>. Accordingly, the pair of magnet members <NUM> and <NUM> may provide a binding force caused by a magnetic force, and the first case <NUM> may be prevented from being easily separated from the second case <NUM> through the binding force. However, the shape of the case <NUM> is not limited thereto, and the case <NUM> may be formed as one member.

In this case, the first case <NUM> may include an inlet <NUM> formed to pass through a region corresponding to the smoking vapor generation part <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the cigarette <NUM> is inserted into the inlet <NUM>, the cigarette <NUM> may be inserted into the hollow portion of the first heater <NUM> formed to have a hollow form and may be heated by heat generated in the first heater <NUM>.

On the other hand, the case <NUM> may further include a cover member <NUM> for opening or closing the inlet <NUM>. Thus, when the cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette <NUM> is not in use, the cover member <NUM> may close the open inlet <NUM> to prevent the first heater <NUM> from being externally exposed. Accordingly, the first heater <NUM> may be prevented from being contaminated from an external environment.

In an example, as shown in <FIG>, the cover member <NUM> may be implemented in a sliding manner in which the cover member <NUM> reciprocates along one surface of the case <NUM>, but the present invention is not limited thereto. All various known manners such as a hinge manner and an insertion manner may be applied as long as the cover member <NUM> may have a form which seals the inlet <NUM>.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, a charging port <NUM> for recharging the power supply part <NUM> may be externally exposed from one side of the case <NUM>. The charging port <NUM> may be mounted on the main substrate <NUM>.

For example, the charging port <NUM> may be a known Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector, and a known charging cable may be connected thereto. Thus, when the power supply part <NUM> needs to be charged, the charging port <NUM> may be connected to an external power supply source through a charging cable to receive power, and thus, the power supply part <NUM> may be recharged.

In addition, the cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette <NUM> may include a notification part which outputs a certain signal such that a user recognizes a variety of information such as turn-on/off, an operating time of the first and second heaters <NUM> and <NUM>, and a smokable state or a non-smokable state.

In an example, as shown in <FIG>, the notification part may be a vibration motor <NUM> which is electrically connected to the control part to generate a vibration when a notification is required.

However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the notification part may use a method of outputting a sound, a method of displaying a text, a method of turning on/off a light, or a method in which two or more methods are combined with each other.

In addition, the cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette <NUM> may have a wireless communication function of transmitting and receiving information related to a state of a device or smoking such as the number of instances of inhalations to and from an external device through wireless communication. For example, the wireless communication function may use a Bluetooth or near field communication (NFC) method, but the present invention is not limited thereto. All of various known wireless communication methods may be applied.

Claim 1:
A heater assembly (<NUM>) for a cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette (<NUM>), comprising:
a smoking vapor generation part (<NUM>) including a first heater (<NUM>) configured to generate smoking vapor by heating a portion of a cigarette (<NUM>) inserted thereinto; and
a smoky vapor generation part (<NUM>) including a second heater (<NUM>) configured to generate smoky vapor by heating a liquid material when the cigarette (<NUM>) is puffed on;
wherein the smoky vapor passes through the cigarette (<NUM>) by a suction force generated when the cigarette (<NUM>) is puffed on and then is inhaled concurrently with the smoking vapor,
wherein the smoking vapor generation part (<NUM>) includes:
the first heater (<NUM>);
a heat insulating member (<NUM>) disposed to surround an outer surface of the first heater (<NUM>); and
characterized in that a fixing member (<NUM>) is disposed to surround an outer surface of the heat insulating member (<NUM>) and press the heat insulating member (<NUM>) against the outer surface of the first heater (<NUM>).