Patent Description:
In recent years, there is an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of general cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for a method for generating an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in a cigarette instead of a method for generating an aerosol by combusting the cigarette. Accordingly, researches on a heating-type cigarette or a heating-type aerosol generating apparatus have been actively conducted.

An aerosol generating apparatus is a new type of smoking apparatus, and forms a new market of replacing conventional cigarettes. The aerosol generating apparatus includes a liquid nicotine vaporizing device for vaporizing a liquid tobacco or an aerosol generating apparatus for generating smoking gas by a fumigation method by heating a cigarette.

When using an aerosol generating apparatus having a heater that heats a cigarette by using electricity, the cigarette which is heated by the heater to generate the smoking gas is separated and discarded from the aerosol generating apparatus and then a new cigarette may be inserted into the aerosol generating apparatus.

<CIT> relates to an aerosol generating apparatus for generating smoking gas by heating a cigarette, and describes a structure of a holder that assists an operation of inserting the cigarette into the aerosol generating apparatus or separating the cigarette from the aerosol generating apparatus.

When a user uses the aerosol generating apparatus having such a structure, an operation of pushing the holder and the cigarette to the aerosol generating apparatus by inserting the cigarette into the holder that is extracted to the outside of the aerosol generating apparatus is performed during smoking, and then a preliminary operation of pressing a heating button is required to start heating. In addition, in order to terminate smoking before a predetermined heating time, when the cigarette is removed, the heating button needs to be pressed to stop heating, and if the button is not pressed, heating is continued for a predetermined heating time by an internal timer.

As described above, since a conventional aerosol generating apparatus does not determine whether or not a cigarette is inserted, an operation of pressing the heating button is required for starting and ending heating. In addition, even when the cigarette is not inserted, the heating button may be pressed and the heater is heated due to user's carelessness, and if a heating end button is not pressed, the heater is continuously heated, and thus, there is a problem of unnecessary battery consumption.

<CIT> presents a cigarette heating device for heating a cigarette includes a main sleeve unit, a central heater, a movable element, an internal cup, and a restoring element. The main sleeve unit presets a first position and a second position along an axial direction. The movable element is movable between the first position and the second position. The internal cup is configured for receiving the cigarette. The internal cup is in linkage relation with the movable element. When the movable element is in the first position, the internal cup is adjacent to the central heater, so that the central heater heats the cigarette. When the movable element is in the second position, the internal cup is away from the central heater, so that the central heater is separated from the cigarette. The restoring element is configured for driving the movable element to restore from the second position to the first position.

<CIT> presents a system that includes a container housing an aerosol generating substrate and a product identifying compound associated with the container. The system further includes an electronic article configured to receive the container. The electronic article includes a sensor configured to detect the product identifying compound.

As described above, in order to solve the problems of the conventional aerosol generating apparatus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an aerosol generating apparatus in which a heater is heated when a cigarette is inserted by detecting whether the cigarette is inserted or not and the heating of the heater is terminated when the cigarette is removed.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an aerosol generating apparatus as set out in independent claim <NUM>.

The aerosol generating apparatus of the present invention may automatically heat or terminate a heater by detecting whether or not a cigarette is inserted, and thus, a preliminary operation of pressing a heating button is not required, thereby increasing the user's convenience and may prevent an operation of pressing the heating button due to the user's carelessness, thereby reducing unnecessary battery consumption.

The terms used in the embodiments were selected from general terms that are currently widely used as possible by considering functions in the present invention, but the terms may vary depending on an intention of those skilled in the art, a precedent, emergence of new technology, etc. Further, in a specific case, there are also terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant and in this case, the meaning of the terms will be described in detail in a corresponding description part of the invention. Accordingly, the term used in the present invention should be defined based on not just a name of the term but a meaning of the term and contents throughout the present invention.

Throughout the specification, when any part "comprises" a certain component, it is meant that other components may be further included instead of excluding other components, unless specifically stated otherwise. In addition, terms of "part', "module" and the like described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented in hardware or software or implemented in a combination of hardware and software.

However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and are not limited to embodiments described herein.

<FIG> is a perspective view exemplarily illustrating an operating state of an aerosol generating apparatus according to an embodiment and <FIG> and <FIG> are cross-sectional views illustrating a state in which a cigarette is not inserted into the aerosol generating apparatus according to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>.

An aerosol generating apparatus according to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> includes a case <NUM>, a container <NUM> installed inside the case <NUM> so as to be movable in a longitudinal direction of the case <NUM> and including a receiving space 20v receiving a cigarette <NUM>, a heater <NUM> disposed inside the case <NUM> so that a front end <NUM> is inserted into the receiving space 20v of the container <NUM> and heating the cigarette <NUM>, an elastic support part <NUM> supporting elastically the container <NUM> with respect to the case <NUM>, and a switch <NUM> detecting whether the cigarette is inserted or not to apply electricity to the heater.

The case <NUM> forms an appearance of the aerosol generating apparatus and performs a function of receiving and protecting various components in an inner space 10v formed therein. The case <NUM> has a hollow cylindrical shape with an empty inside, and has an opening 10i into which the cigarette <NUM> may be inserted by opening to the outside at the front end <NUM>. The case <NUM> may be made of a plastic material that does not transfer electricity and heat or a metallic material coated with a plastic material on the surface.

The container <NUM> is installed inside the case <NUM> so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the case <NUM>. The cigarette <NUM> may be formed in a cylindrical shape, and the container <NUM> and the case <NUM> also extend in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette <NUM> in response to the shape of the cigarette <NUM>.

The container <NUM> is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and includes an opening 10i opened in a front end so that the cigarette <NUM> is inserted, a through hole 20r through which the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> passes at a rear end, and a receiving space 20v receiving the cigarette <NUM> therein.

The container <NUM> receives and supports the cigarette <NUM> while received inside the case <NUM> and performs a function of moving in the longitudinal direction of the case <NUM> together with the cigarette <NUM>. Accordingly, the container <NUM> is not separated from the outside of the case <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> that performs a function of heating the cigarette <NUM> is disposed inside the case <NUM>. The front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> is inserted into the inside of the container <NUM> through the through hole 20r of the container <NUM>, and when the cigarette <NUM> is received in the container <NUM>, the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> is inserted into the rear end of the cigarette <NUM>.

The size of the through hole 20r of the container <NUM> may correspond to the thickness of the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM>. For example, when the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> has a circular cross-section, the through hole 20r also has a circular cross-sectional shape, and an inner diameter of the through hole 20r is formed to correspond to an outer diameter of the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM>. Therefore, the inner surface of the through hole 20r maintains a state to be in contact with the outer surface of the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM>.

Accordingly, while the container <NUM> is moving, the through hole 20r may perform a function of scraping off a material attached to the outer surface of the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM>. Since the through hole 20r of the container <NUM> and the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> are in contact with each other and a relatively moving operation is repeatedly performed, a coating layer made of a wear-resistant material may be formed on the surface of the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM>. For example, the coating layer may include materials such as metal, alloy, ceramic, plastic, and glass.

The embodiment is not limited by the configuration in which the inner surface of the through hole 20r is in contact with the outer surface of the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> as described above. For example, the size of the through hole 20r is formed larger than the size of the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM>, so that the inner surface of the through hole 20r may be spaced apart from the outer surface of the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM>.

A rear end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> is electrically connected to an electricity supply device <NUM> disposed at the rear side of the case <NUM> through an electric wiring <NUM>. A base <NUM> surrounding the electricity supply device <NUM> is connected to the rear end of the case <NUM>. When the electricity of the electricity supply device <NUM> is supplied to the heater <NUM> while the cigarette <NUM> is inserted into the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM>, the heater <NUM> is heated to heat the cigarette <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a state in which the cigarette <NUM> is not inserted into the aerosol generating apparatus. In order for the cigarette <NUM> to be inserted into the aerosol generating apparatus and for the aerosol generating apparatus to perform a function of generating cigarette smoke, the cigarette <NUM> needs to be inserted to the position of the through hole 20r at the rear end of the container <NUM>. A total length of the heater <NUM> is about <NUM>, and a length of a portion of the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> inserted into the cigarette <NUM> is about <NUM>. In this state, since the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> is inserted into the rear end of the cigarette <NUM>, when the electricity is supplied to the heater <NUM>, the heater <NUM> heats the cigarette <NUM> to generate the cigarette smoke.

The case <NUM> includes a fixing part <NUM> that is coupled to the rear end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> to fix the position of the heater <NUM> to the case <NUM>. The fixing part <NUM> includes a space 50v having a hollow cylindrical shape with an opened upper end and receiving the container <NUM> therein. The fixing part <NUM> includes a hole 50r into which the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> is inserted at the rear end.

The front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> passes through the hole 50r of the fixing part <NUM>. The heater <NUM> has a flange 30p protruding from the outer surface. The position of the heater <NUM> may be fixed to the case <NUM> by fixing the flange 30p to the fixing part <NUM>.

The elastic support part <NUM> is disposed between the fixing part <NUM> and the container <NUM> to perform a function of elastically supporting the container <NUM> with respect to the case <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the elastic support part <NUM> has been implemented by a cylindrical compression coil spring, but the embodiment is not limited to the example of the elastic support part <NUM>. For example, the elastic support part <NUM> may be implemented by a compression cylinder using liquid or gas, rubber, or the like.

The container <NUM> includes an extension part 20f in which an inner diameter of one end is extended outward. The inner diameter of the extension part 20f is formed larger than the outer diameter of the cigarette <NUM>. The case <NUM> includes an insertion part <NUM> which is inserted between an inner wall surface 20w of the extension part 20f of the container <NUM> and the outer circumferential surface of the cigarette <NUM> to extend linearly in a moving direction of the container <NUM>. That is, while the extension part 20f of the container <NUM> is inserted into a guide space <NUM> formed between the extension part 20f of the case <NUM> and the inner wall surface 20w of the case <NUM>, the container <NUM> may move linearly in a longitudinal direction of the case <NUM>.

The container <NUM> includes a support projection <NUM> formed on a surface facing the fixing part <NUM> from the outside of the extension part 20f. The elastic support part <NUM> is disposed between the support projection <NUM> and the fixing part <NUM>, and one end 40f of the elastic support part <NUM> is supported by the support projection <NUM> of the container <NUM> and the other end 40r thereof is supported by the fixing part <NUM>.

The switch <NUM> includes a sensor <NUM> that receives an operation signal of the switch to apply electricity to the heater <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may be a micro controller unit (MCU), but is not limited thereto.

The switch <NUM> may be installed inside the case that guides the insertion of the cigarette when the cigarette is inserted, the inner wall surface of the container 20w, or a position pressed by a bottom surface of the container <NUM> at the time of completion of the movement of the container <NUM>. More specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, the switch <NUM> may be installed between the fixing part <NUM> and the container <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, or may be installed in the insertion part <NUM> to face the outer circumferential surface of the cigarette <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

In the present invention, the type of the switch <NUM> is not particularly limited, but for example, a push button switch, a tack switch, or the like may be used. As an example, when the switch <NUM> is installed between the fixing part <NUM> and the container <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the push button switch may be used, and when the switch <NUM> is installed in the insertion part <NUM> to face the outer circumferential surface of the cigarette <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the tack switch may be used.

The push button switch is a switch in which an on/off state is changed whenever the switch is pressed, and when the switch is in an on state by once pressing, the switch is maintained in the on state until the switch is pressed once again.

The tack switch is a switch in which an on state is maintained only when pressure is continuously applied to the switch, and is in an off state when no pressure is applied.

In order for the user to use the aerosol generating apparatus, the cigarette <NUM> needs to be inserted into the aerosol generating apparatus.

<FIG> illustrates an operating state in which the user presses the cigarette <NUM> to insert the cigarette <NUM> into the aerosol generating apparatus of <FIG> and <FIG>. When the user inserts the cigarette <NUM> into the receiving space 20v of the empty container <NUM> to insert the cigarette <NUM> into the aerosol generating apparatus and then presses the cigarette <NUM>, the container <NUM> presses the elastic support part <NUM> together with the cigarette <NUM> and moves linearly toward the rear side as illustrated in <FIG> to move to the pressed position. While the cigarette <NUM> and the container <NUM> are pressed, the heater <NUM> is maintained to be fixed to the fixing part <NUM>, and thus, the position of the heater <NUM> to the case <NUM> is not changed but maintained.

<FIG> is an operation for inserting the cigarette <NUM> into the aerosol generating apparatus, but even when the cigarette <NUM> is removed from the aerosol generating apparatus, the state may become an operation state similar to that illustrated in <FIG>. When the cigarette <NUM> is pressed to remove the cigarette <NUM> from the aerosol generating apparatus, the container <NUM> presses the elastic support part <NUM> together with the cigarette <NUM> and moves toward the rear side.

The switch <NUM> is in an off state while the cigarette <NUM> is not inserted or the cigarette <NUM> is removed, and is in an on state while the cigarette <NUM> is inserted. When the switch <NUM> is in the on state, the sensor <NUM> receives an operation signal in the on state of the switch <NUM> and applies electricity to the heater <NUM> to heat the cigarette <NUM>, and when the switch <NUM> is in the off state, the sensor <NUM> receives an operation signal in the off state of the switch <NUM> and stops the application of electricity to the heater <NUM> to terminate heating.

As described above, the switch <NUM> may be installed between the fixing part <NUM> and the container <NUM>, or may be installed in the insertion part <NUM> to face the outer circumferential surface of the cigarette <NUM>.

As an example, when the switch <NUM> is disposed between the fixing part <NUM> and the container <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the switch shows the off state while the cigarette <NUM> is not inserted and the sensor receives the off signal of the switch and does not apply the electricity to the heater. When the cigarette <NUM> is pressed to insert the cigarette <NUM>, the container <NUM> presses the elastic support part <NUM> together with the cigarette <NUM>, and the pressed elastic support part <NUM> presses the switch <NUM>. Since the pressure is applied to the switch <NUM>, the switch <NUM> detects the insertion of the cigarette <NUM> to be in the on state. The switch <NUM> in the on state means that the switch <NUM> is maintained in a pressed state, and is maintained in the on state until the switch <NUM> is pressed again. The sensor <NUM> receives the operation signal in the on state of the switch <NUM> and applies electricity to the heater <NUM> to heat the cigarette <NUM>. Further, when the cigarette <NUM> is pressed again to remove the cigarette <NUM>, the container <NUM> presses the elastic support part <NUM> together with the cigarette <NUM>, and the pressed elastic support part <NUM> presses the switch <NUM> in the on state. Since the switch <NUM> in the on state is pressed again, the switch <NUM> detects the removal of the cigarette <NUM> to be in the off state, and the sensor <NUM> receives the operation signal in the off state of the switch <NUM> and stops the application of electricity to the heater <NUM> to stop the heating. In order to remove the cigarette <NUM>, the switch <NUM> in the on state is pressed again to be in the off state, and the off state of the switch <NUM> means a state in which the switch <NUM> is not pressed. <FIG> illustrates a state for inserting or removing the cigarette <NUM>, which is a state in which the switch <NUM> is pressed.

As an example, when the switch <NUM> is disposed in the insertion part <NUM> to face the outer circumferential surface of the cigarette <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the switch shows the off state while the cigarette <NUM> is not inserted and the sensor receives the off signal of the switch and does not apply the electricity to the heater. When the cigarette <NUM> is pressed to insert the cigarette <NUM>, the outer circumferential surface of the cigarette <NUM> presses the switch <NUM> located in the insertion part <NUM> to face the outer circumferential surface of the cigarette <NUM>. Since the pressure is applied to the switch <NUM>, the switch <NUM> detects the insertion of the cigarette <NUM> to be in the on state. The switch <NUM> in the on state means a state in which pressure is continuously applied to the switch <NUM> by the cigarette <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> receives the operation signal in the on state of the switch <NUM> and applies electricity to the heater <NUM> to heat the cigarette <NUM>. In addition, when the cigarette <NUM> is removed by pressing the cigarette <NUM>, the pressure applied to the switch <NUM> is released, and thus, the switch <NUM> detects the removal of the cigarette <NUM> to be in the off state, and the sensor <NUM> receives the operation signal in the off state of the switch <NUM> and stops the application of electricity to the heater <NUM> to stop the heating. The off state of the switch <NUM> means a state in which the switch <NUM> is not pressed. <FIG> illustrates a state for inserting or removing the cigarette <NUM>, which is a state in which the switch <NUM> is pressed.

The switch <NUM> included in the aerosol generating apparatus of the present invention detects whether or not the cigarette <NUM> is inserted, and the sensor receives the detected operation signal to apply electricity to the heater for heating or to stop the application of electricity to terminate heating. In the conventional aerosol generating apparatus, a preliminary operation of pressing a separate heating button when starting or ending heating is necessarily required, but in the present invention, whether the cigarette is inserted or not is detected to automatically perform heating and heating termination of the heater and the preliminary operation is not required, thereby increasing convenience in use. In addition, it is possible to prevent an operation of pressing the heating button due to the user's carelessness, thereby reducing unnecessary battery consumption.

While the cigarette <NUM> is heated by the heater <NUM>, a tobacco material (residue) generated in the cigarette <NUM> is condensed and attached to a contact surface between the heater <NUM> and the cigarette <NUM>. As the cigarette <NUM> and the container <NUM> are pressed, the heater <NUM> maintains its position while the cigarette <NUM> and the container <NUM> move to the pressing position by linear motion as illustrated in <FIG>. The container <NUM> moves by about <NUM> by moving to the pressing position. Due to this operation, the contact surface between the cigarette <NUM> and the heater <NUM>, which has been maintained to be attached to each other by the tobacco material attached to the contact surface between the cigarette <NUM> and the heater <NUM>, may be easily separated.

In the state illustrated in <FIG>, if the user releases the cigarette <NUM> and the container <NUM> without pressing, the container <NUM> and the cigarette <NUM> move linearly toward to the front side by the restoring force of the elastic support part <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> and then the container <NUM> moves to an initial position, which is an original position, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. Thereafter, the user may completely separate the used cigarette <NUM> from the container <NUM> of the aerosol generating apparatus by grabbing the cigarette <NUM> and extracting the cigarette <NUM> out of the receiving space 20v of the container <NUM>.

In a conventional aerosol generating apparatus, when the cigarette is separated from the aerosol generating apparatus, the user simply removes the cigarette from the aerosol generating apparatus, and thus, the tobacco material existing between the cigarette and the heater is often attached to the heater.

However, in the aerosol generating apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, before separating the cigarette <NUM> from the aerosol generating apparatus, the cigarette <NUM> and the container <NUM> may first move to the pressing position, that is, to a position moving downward so that container <NUM> presses the elastic support part <NUM> to the end as illustrated in <FIG>.

While the container <NUM> and the cigarette <NUM> move to the pressing position, the position of the heater <NUM> to the case <NUM> is not changed by maintaining the heater <NUM> in the fixed state, so that the contact surface between the heater <NUM> and the cigarette <NUM> which have been fixed by the tobacco material may be easily separated.

In addition, by the operation in which the container <NUM> and the cigarette <NUM> move to the pressing position illustrated in <FIG> and the operation in which the container <NUM> and the cigarette <NUM> that have moved to the pressing position move to the initial positions illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the operation of separating the tobacco material which has been attached to the surface of the heater <NUM> from the heater <NUM> occurs. That is, while the container <NUM> and the cigarette <NUM> reach the pressing position illustrated in <FIG>, the cigarette <NUM> pushes the surface of the heater <NUM> to push out the residue attached to the surface of the heater <NUM>. While the container <NUM> pressed by the elastic support part <NUM> moves to the initial position illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> again, the container <NUM> and the cigarette <NUM> vibrates by the pressing force of the elastic support part <NUM>, and thus the vibration is transmitted between the surface of the heater <NUM> and the contact surface of the cigarette <NUM>, so that the residue attached to the surface of the heater <NUM> is separated from the surface of the heater <NUM>.

After the heater <NUM> is first separated from the cigarette <NUM> through the above-described operation, the user may grab the cigarette <NUM> to separate the cigarette <NUM> from the aerosol generating apparatus to easily discharge the residual attached to the cigarette <NUM> together with the cigarette <NUM> to the outside of the aerosol generating apparatus.

If there is no elastic support part <NUM> for supporting the container <NUM>, the user pressing the cigarette <NUM> cannot know whether the cigarette <NUM> is completely inserted into the container <NUM>, so that the user may continuously press the cigarette <NUM> with excessive force.

However, in the aerosol generating apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, while the user presses the cigarette <NUM>, the resistance force by the elastic support part <NUM> is applied to the container <NUM> moving along the case <NUM>. Therefore, the user may know that the cigarette <NUM> is completely inserted into the container <NUM> by feeling the resistance force transmitted from the container <NUM> and the cigarette <NUM>.

When the user who has pressed the container <NUM> and the cigarette <NUM> releases the cigarette <NUM>, the cigarette <NUM> and the container <NUM> move linearly toward the upper side, and the cigarette <NUM> and the container <NUM> move to the initial position as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. In the state illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the heater <NUM> heats the cigarette <NUM> to generate the cigarette smoke.

<FIG> and <FIG> are cross-sectional views of an aerosol generating apparatus according to another embodiment.

An aerosol generating apparatus according to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> includes a case <NUM>, a container <NUM> installed inside the case <NUM> so as to be movable in a longitudinal direction of the case <NUM> and including a receiving space 120v receiving a cigarette <NUM>, a heater <NUM> disposed inside the case <NUM> so that a front end <NUM> is inserted into the receiving space 120v of the container <NUM> and heating the cigarette <NUM>, and an elastic support part <NUM> supporting elastically the container <NUM> to the case <NUM>.

The case <NUM> forms an appearance of the aerosol generating apparatus and performs a function of receiving and protecting various components in an inner space 110v formed therein.

The case <NUM> has a hollow cylindrical shape with an empty inside, and has an opening 110i into which the cigarette <NUM> may be inserted by opening to the outside at the front end. The case <NUM> may be made of a plastic material that does not transfer electricity and heat or a metallic material coated with a plastic material on the surface.

The container <NUM> is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and includes an opening opened in a front end so that the cigarette <NUM> is inserted, a through hole 120r through which the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> passes at a rear end, and a receiving space 120v receiving the cigarette <NUM> therein.

The heater <NUM> that performs a function of heating the cigarette <NUM> is disposed inside the case <NUM>. The front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> is inserted into the inside of the container <NUM> through the through hole 120r of the container <NUM>, and when the cigarette <NUM> is received in the container <NUM>, the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> is inserted into the rear end of the cigarette <NUM>.

A rear end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> is electrically connected to an electricity supply device <NUM> disposed at the rear side of the case <NUM> through an electric wiring <NUM>. When the electricity of the electricity supply device <NUM> is supplied to the heater <NUM> while the cigarette <NUM> is inserted into the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM>, the heater <NUM> is heated to heat the cigarette <NUM>.

The case <NUM> includes a fixing part <NUM> that is coupled to the rear end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> to fix the position of the heater <NUM> to the case <NUM>. The fixing part <NUM> includes a space 150v having a hollow cylindrical shape with an opened upper end and receiving the container <NUM> therein. The fixing part <NUM> includes a hole 150r to which the front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> is inserted at the rear end.

The front end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> passes through the hole 150r of the fixing part <NUM>. The heater <NUM> includes a flange protruding from the outer surface. The position of the heater <NUM> may be fixed to the case <NUM> by fixing the flange to the fixing part <NUM>.

The elastic support part <NUM> is disposed between the fixing part <NUM> and the container <NUM> to perform a function of elastically supporting the container <NUM> with respect to the case <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the elastic support part <NUM> has been implemented by a compression coil spring having a cylindrical cross-sectional shape, but the embodiment is not limited to the example of the elastic support part <NUM>. For example, the elastic support part <NUM> may be implemented by a compression cylinder using liquid or gas, rubber, or the like.

The container <NUM> includes an extension part 120f in which an inner diameter of one end is extended outward. The inner diameter of the extension part 120f is formed larger than the outer diameter of the cigarette <NUM>. The case <NUM> includes an insertion part <NUM> which is inserted between an inner wall surface 120w of the extension part 120f of the container <NUM> and the outer circumferential surface of the cigarette <NUM> to extend linearly in a moving direction of the container <NUM>. That is, while the extension part 120f of the container <NUM> is inserted into a guide space <NUM> formed between the extension part 120f of the case <NUM> and the inner wall surface 120w of the case <NUM>, the container <NUM> may move linearly in a longitudinal direction of the case <NUM>.

One end 140f of the elastic support part <NUM> is supported by a lower surface of the container <NUM> and the other end 140r is supported by the fixing part <NUM>.

The switch <NUM> is disposed between the fixing part <NUM> and the elastic support part <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, or may be disposed between the insertion part <NUM> and the outer circumferential surface of the cigarette <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

The operation state of pressing the cigarette to insert or remove the cigarette in the aerosol generating apparatus of another embodiment is the same as that of the one embodiment described above. At this time, the operation state in which the switch <NUM> detects whether the cigarette is inserted or not and the state in which the sensor <NUM> receives the operation signal of the switch <NUM> to apply the electricity to the heater and then stops the heating or the application of the electricity to stop the heating are the same as those of the one embodiment described above.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operating state of the aerosol generating apparatus according to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> and <FIG> enlarge and illustrate a portion represented by F of <FIG> and <FIG>.

The aerosol generating apparatus has a stopper disposed between the container <NUM> and the case <NUM> to impart the resistance force against the movement of the container <NUM>. The stopper has a moving protrusion 129t protruding from an outer surface of the container <NUM> and a fixing protrusion 119t protruding from an inner surface of the case <NUM>.

When the user presses the container <NUM> downward, as illustrated in <FIG>, the moving protrusion 129t of the container <NUM> moves downward together with the container <NUM> to approach the fixing protrusion 119t.

When the user continuously presses the container <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, the moving protrusion 129t of the container <NUM> is inserted between the fixing protrusion 119t of the case <NUM>, so that the movement of the container <NUM> is limited by a coupling action of the moving protrusion 129t and the fixing protrusion 119t.

When a force of fixing the moving protrusion 129t by two fixing protrusions 119t is set to be larger than the pressing force of the elastic support part <NUM> by largely forming the sizes of the moving protrusion 129t and the fixing protrusion 119t, the stopper may perform a function of maintaining the container <NUM> in the pressing position illustrated in <FIG>. In this case, in order to move the container <NUM> upward from the pressing position illustrated in <FIG>, the user needs to release the coupling of the moving protrusion 129t and the fixing protrusion 119t by applying a force to the container <NUM>. When the moving protrusion 129t is removed from the fixing protrusion 119t, the container <NUM> moves upward by a restoring force of the elastic support part <NUM>.

When a force of fixing the moving protrusion 129t by two fixing protrusions 119t is set to be smaller than the pressing force of the elastic support part <NUM> by largely forming the sizes of the moving protrusion 129t and the fixing protrusion 119t, the stopper may not perform the function of maintaining the container <NUM> in the pressing position illustrated in <FIG>, and performs only a function of imparting the resistance force to the movement of the container <NUM> which has moved downward. That is, while the container <NUM> reaches the pressing position illustrated in <FIG> and then the moving protrusion 129t is inserted between the two fixing protrusions 119t, the resistance is transmitted to a hand of the user who has pressed the container <NUM>, so that the user may determine that the container <NUM> is sufficiently pressed.

In the above-described embodiment, the two fixing protrusions 119t have been illustrated, but the embodiment is not limited by the number, the shape, or the size of the fixing protrusion 119t. For example, only one fixing protrusion 119t is installed, but the moving protrusion 129t and the fixing protrusion 119t may perform a function of limiting the linear movement of the container <NUM> so that the container <NUM> cannot move further over the pressing position by making the sizes of the moving protrusion 129t and the fixing protrusion 119t large sufficiently so that the moving protrusion 129t cannot pass through the fixing protrusion 119t.

Embodiments illustrated in <FIG> below illustrate a modified aerosol generating apparatus that may be applied to the aerosol generating apparatus according to the embodiments illustrated in <FIG> described above.

<FIG> is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an aerosol generating apparatus.

Referring to <FIG>, an aerosol generating apparatus <NUM> (hereinafter, referred to as a 'holder') includes a battery <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a heater <NUM>. In addition, the holder <NUM> includes an inner space formed by a case <NUM>. A cigarette may be inserted into the inner space of the holder <NUM>.

Only components associated with the embodiment are illustrated in the holder <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. Accordingly, it may be understood to those skilled in the art associated with the embodiment that other universal components other than the components illustrated in <FIG> may be further included in the holder <NUM>.

When the cigarette is inserted into the holder <NUM>, the holder <NUM> heats the heater <NUM>. The temperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette rises by the heated heater <NUM>, and as a result, an aerosol is generated. The generated aerosol is transmitted to the user through a filter of the cigarette. However, even when the cigarette is not inserted into the holder <NUM>, the holder <NUM> may heat the heater <NUM>.

The case <NUM> may be separated from the holder <NUM>. For example, when the user rotates the case <NUM> in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the case <NUM> may be separated from the holder <NUM>.

In addition, the diameter of a hole formed by an end <NUM> of the case <NUM> may be made smaller than the diameter of a space formed by the case <NUM> and the heater <NUM>, and in this case, the hole may serve as a guide of the cigarette to be inserted to the holder <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> supplies power used for operating the holder <NUM>. For example, the battery <NUM> may supply power so that the heater <NUM> may be heated, and may supply power required for operating the controller <NUM>. In addition, the battery <NUM> may supply power required for operating a display, a sensor, a motor, and the like installed in the holder <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> may be a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO<NUM>) battery, but is not limited to the above-described example. For example, the battery <NUM> may correspond to a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO<NUM>) battery, a lithium titanate battery, or the like.

Further, the battery <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape having a diameter of <NUM> and a length of <NUM>, but is not limited thereto. The capacity of the battery <NUM> may be <NUM> mAh or more, and may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, when the battery <NUM> is rechargeable, a charging rate (C-rate) of the battery <NUM> may be <NUM> C, and a discharging rate (C-rate) of the battery <NUM> may be <NUM> C to <NUM> C, but is not limited thereto. In addition, for stable use, the battery <NUM> may be manufactured so that <NUM>% or more of the total capacity may be secured even when charging/discharging proceeds <NUM> times.

Here, whether the battery <NUM> is fully charged or discharged may be determined by the level of power stored in the battery <NUM> based on the total capacity of the battery <NUM>. For example, when the power stored in the battery <NUM> is <NUM>% or more of the total capacity, it may be determined that the battery <NUM> is fully charged. In addition, when the power stored in the battery <NUM> is <NUM>% or less of the total capacity, it may be determined that the battery <NUM> is fully discharged. However, a standard for determining whether the battery <NUM> is fully charged and discharged is not limited to the above-described example.

The heater <NUM> is heated by the power supplied from the battery <NUM>. When the cigarette is inserted into the holder <NUM>, the heater <NUM> is positioned inside the cigarette. Accordingly, the heated heater <NUM> may raise the temperature of the aerosol generating material in the cigarette.

The heater <NUM> may have a shape in which a cylinder and a cone are combined. For example, the heater <NUM> has a cylindrical shape having a diameter of about <NUM> and a length of about <NUM>, and the end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> may be finished at an acute angle, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the heater <NUM> may correspond to any form which may be inserted into the cigarette without limitation. In addition, only a portion of the heater <NUM> may also be heated. For example, if the length of the heater <NUM> is <NUM>, only <NUM> from the end <NUM> of the heater <NUM> is heated, and the remaining portion of the heater <NUM> may not be heated.

The heater <NUM> may be an electric resistive heater. For example, the heater <NUM> may include an electrically conductive track, and as the current flows through the electrically conductive track, the heater <NUM> may be heated.

For stable use, the heater <NUM> may be supplied with power according to the specifications of <NUM> V, <NUM> A, and <NUM> W, but is not limited thereto. For example, when the power is supplied to the heater <NUM>, the surface temperature of the heater <NUM> may rise to <NUM> or higher.

The surface temperature of the heater <NUM> may rise to about <NUM> before <NUM> seconds are exceeded from when the power starts to be supplied to the heater <NUM>.

A separate temperature sensor may be provided in the holder <NUM>. Alternatively, the holder <NUM> is not provided with a temperature sensor, and the heater <NUM> may also serve as a temperature sensor. For example, the heater <NUM> may further include a second electrically conductive track for sensing the temperature in addition to the first electrically conductive track for generating the heat.

For example, when a voltage applied to the second electrically conductive track and a current flowing through the second electrically conductive track are measured, a resistance R may be determined. At this time, a temperature T of the second electrically conductive track may be determined by Equation <NUM> below.

In Equation <NUM>, R means a current resistance value of the second electrically conductive track, R<NUM> means a resistance value at a temperature T<NUM> (e.g. <NUM>), and α means a resistance temperature coefficient of the second electrically conductive track. A conductive material (e.g. metal) has an intrinsic resistance temperature coefficient, and α may be predetermined depending on a conductive material constituting the second electrically conductive track. Accordingly, when the resistance R of the second electrically conductive track is determined, the temperature T of the second electrically conductive track may be calculated by Equation <NUM> above.

The heater <NUM> may be constituted by at least one electrically conductive track (the first electrically conductive track and the second electrically conductive track). For example, the heater <NUM> may be constituted by two first electrically conductive tracks and one or two second electrically conductive tracks, but is not limited thereto.

The electrically conductive track includes an electrically resistive material. As an example, the electrically conductive track may be made of a metallic material. As another example, the electrically conductive track may be made of an electrically conductive ceramic material, carbon, a metal alloy, or a composite material of a ceramic material and metal.

Further, the holder <NUM> may include both an electrically conductive track that serves as a temperature sensor and a temperature sensor.

The controller <NUM> generally controls the operation of the holder <NUM>. Specifically, the controller <NUM> controls the operations of other components included in the holder <NUM> as well as the battery <NUM> and the heater <NUM>. In addition, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the holder <NUM> is operable by checking a state of each of the components of the holder <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented by an array of multiple logic gates, or may also be implemented in a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which programs that may be executed in the microprocessor are stored. In addition, it may be understood to those skilled in the art to which the embodiment pertains that the processor may be implemented with other types of hardware.

For example, the controller <NUM> may control the operation of the heater <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may control an amount of power to be supplied to the heater <NUM> and a time at which the power is to be supplied so that the heater <NUM> may be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

In addition, the controller <NUM> may check the state of the battery <NUM> (e.g. the remaining amount of the battery <NUM>, etc.), and generate an alarm signal if necessary.

In addition, the controller <NUM> may check the presence or absence of the puff of the user and the strength of the puff, and count the number of puffs. In addition, the controller <NUM> may continuously check the time that the holder <NUM> is operating. In addition, the controller <NUM> checks whether the cradle <NUM> to be described below is coupled with the holder <NUM>, and may control the operation of the holder <NUM> according to the coupling or separation of the cradle <NUM> and the holder <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the holder <NUM> may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, and the heater <NUM>.

For example, the holder <NUM> may include a display capable of outputting visual information or a motor for outputting tactile information. As an example, when the display is included in the holder <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may deliver, to the user through the display, information about the state of the holder <NUM> (e.g. whether the holder is usable, etc.), information about the heater <NUM> (e.g. start of preheating, progression of preheating, completion of preheating, etc.), information about the battery <NUM> (e.g. a remaining capacity of the battery <NUM>, availability, etc.), information about reset of the holder <NUM> (e.g. reset timing, reset progression, reset completion, etc.), information about cleaning of the holder <NUM> (e.g. cleaning timing, need of cleaning, progression of cleaning, completion of cleaning, etc.), information about charging of the holder <NUM> (e.g. need of charging, progression of charging, completion of charging, etc.), information about the puff (e.g. the number of puffs, notice of puff termination, etc.), or information about safety (e.g. usage time elapsed, etc.). As another example, when the holder <NUM> includes the motor, the controller <NUM> may transmit the above-described information to the user by generating a vibration signal using the motor.

In addition, the holder <NUM> may include at least one input device (e.g., a button) that allows the user to control the function of the holder <NUM> and/or a terminal coupled with a cradle <NUM>. For example, the user may perform various functions using the input device of the holder <NUM>. The user may perform a desired function of multiple functions of the holder <NUM> by adjusting the number of times of pressing the input device (e.g. once, twice, etc.) or the time of pressing the input device (e.g. <NUM> sec, <NUM> sec, etc.). As the user operates the input device, the holder <NUM> may perform a function of preheating the heater <NUM>, a function of adjusting the temperature of the heater <NUM>, a function of cleaning a space into which the cigarette is inserted, a function of checking whether the holder <NUM> is in an operable state, a function of displaying the remaining amount (available power) of the battery <NUM>, a reset function of the holder <NUM>, and the like. However, the function of the holder <NUM> is not limited to the examples described above.

Further, the holder <NUM> may include a puff sensor or a temperature sensor. For example, the puff sensor may be implemented by a general pressure sensor. In addition, the holder <NUM> may be manufactured in a structure that allows external air to flow in/out even when the cigarette is inserted.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating an example of the holder in various aspects.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the holder <NUM> viewed from a first direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, the holder <NUM> may be formed in a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. The case <NUM> of the holder <NUM> may be separated by an operation of the user, and the cigarette may be inserted into the end <NUM> of the case <NUM>. In addition, the holder <NUM> may include a button <NUM> by which a user may control the holder <NUM> and a display <NUM> on which an image is output.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the holder <NUM> viewed from a second direction. The holder <NUM> may include a terminal <NUM> coupled with the cradle <NUM>. Since the terminal <NUM> of the holder <NUM> is coupled with the terminal of the cradle <NUM>, the battery <NUM> of the holder <NUM> may be charged by the power supplied by the battery <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>. Further, through the terminal <NUM> and the terminal, the holder <NUM> may be operated by the power supplied by the battery <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>, and communication between the holder <NUM> and the cradle <NUM> (signal transmission and reception) is enabled. For example, the terminal <NUM> may be constituted by four micro pins, but is not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of the cradle.

Referring to <FIG>, the cradle <NUM> includes a battery <NUM> and a controller <NUM>. In addition, the cradle <NUM> includes an inner space <NUM> into which the holder <NUM> may be inserted. For example, the inner space <NUM> may be formed on one side of the cradle <NUM>. Therefore, even if the cradle <NUM> does not include a separate lid, the holder <NUM> may be inserted and fixed into the cradle <NUM>.

Only components associated with the embodiment are illustrated in the cradle <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. Accordingly, it may be understood to those skilled in the art associated with the embodiment that other universal components other than the components illustrated in <FIG> may be further included in the cradle <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> supplies power used for operating the cradle <NUM>. In addition, the battery <NUM> may supply power for charging the battery <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. For example, when the holder <NUM> is inserted into the cradle <NUM> so that the terminal <NUM> of the holder <NUM> and the terminal of the cradle <NUM> are coupled to each other, the battery <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may supply power to the battery <NUM> of the holder <NUM>.

In addition, when the holder <NUM> and the cradle <NUM> are coupled to each other, the battery <NUM> may supply power used for operating the holder <NUM>. For example, when the terminal <NUM> of the holder <NUM> and the terminal of the cradle <NUM> are coupled with each other, regardless of whether the battery <NUM> of the holder <NUM> is discharged, the holder <NUM> may operate using the power supplied by the battery <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>.

An example of the type of the battery <NUM> may be the same as the example of the battery <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>. The capacity of the battery <NUM> may be larger than the capacity of the battery <NUM>, for example, the capacity of the battery <NUM> may be <NUM> mAh or more, but the capacity of the battery <NUM> is not limited to the above-described example.

The controller <NUM> generally controls the operation of the cradle <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may control operations of all components of the cradle <NUM>. In addition, the controller <NUM> determines whether the cradle <NUM> is coupled with the holder <NUM>, and may control the operation of the cradle <NUM> according to the coupling or separation of the cradle <NUM> and the holder <NUM>.

For example, when the holder <NUM> and the cradle <NUM> are coupled with each other, the controller <NUM> may charge the battery <NUM> or heat the heater <NUM> by supplying the power of the battery <NUM> to the holder <NUM>. Therefore, even when the remaining amount of the battery <NUM> is small, the user may continuously smoke by coupling the holder <NUM> and the cradle <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented by an array of multiple logic gates, or may also be implemented in a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which programs that may be executed in the microprocessor are stored. In addition, it can be understood to those skilled in the art to which the embodiment pertains that the processor may be implemented by other types of hardware.

Meanwhile, the cradle <NUM> may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery <NUM> and the controller <NUM>. For example, the cradle <NUM> may include a display capable of outputting visual information. For example, when the cradle <NUM> includes the display, the controller <NUM> may generate a signal to be displayed on the display to deliver to the user information about the battery <NUM> (e.g. a remaining capacity of the battery <NUM>, availability, etc.), information about reset of the cradle <NUM> (e.g. reset timing, reset progression, reset completion, etc.), information about cleaning of the holder <NUM> (e.g. cleaning timing, need of cleaning, cleaning progression, cleaning completion, etc.), and information about charging of the cradle <NUM> (e.g. need of charging, charging progression, charging completion, etc.).

In addition, the cradle <NUM> may also include at least one input device (e.g. a button) which allows the user to control the function of the cradle <NUM>, a terminal coupled with the holder <NUM>, and/or an interface (e.g. a USB port, etc.) for charging the battery <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An aerosol generating apparatus comprising:
a case (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a container (<NUM>, <NUM>) which is installed inside the case (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to move in a longitudinal direction of the case (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and includes a receiving space (20v, 120v) for receiving a cigarette (<NUM>);
a heater (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) which is disposed inside the case (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) so that a front end (<NUM>, <NUM>) is inserted into the receiving space (20v, 120v) of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) and heats the cigarette (<NUM>) when electricity is applied; and
an elastic support part (<NUM>, <NUM>) which elastically supports the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) with respect to the case (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
characterized in that:
the aerosol generating apparatus further comprises: a switch (<NUM>, <NUM>) which detects whether the cigarette (<NUM>) is inserted or not to apply electricity to the heater (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
wherein the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) further comprises an extension part (20f, 120f) in which an inner diameter of one end extends outward, and the case (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) further comprises an insertion part (<NUM>, <NUM>) which is inserted between an inner wall surface of the extension part (20f, 120f) of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>) and an outer circumferential surface of the cigarette (<NUM>) to extend linearly in a movement direction of the container (<NUM>, <NUM>).