Patent Description:
Recently, the demand for alternatives to traditional combustive cigarettes has increased. For example, there is growing demand for devices that generates aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in cigarettes or liquid storages, rather than by combusting cigarettes.

Among non-combustive type aerosol generating devices, some aerosol generating devices include cartridges that accommodate aerosol generating materials.

<CIT> presents a liquid storage component and an atomizer. The liquid storage component comprises: a fixing sleeve, a filter mouthpiece, and a liquid absorbing component. A sealing ring is provided between the filter mouthpiece and the liquid absorbing component. The outer periphery of the sealing ring elastically presses against the inner periphery of the fixing sleeve. The atomizer comprises: an atomizing sleeve component, the liquid storage component, and a heating component. The liquid storage component and the atomizing sleeve component are detachably connected to each other. When the liquid storage component and the atomizing sleeve component are connected, at least one end of the liquid storage component is inserted into a first receiving space. The heating component is inserted into a cigarette smoke pathway and contacts the liquid absorbing component. The liquid storage component is detachably connected to the atomizer and can be replaced.

<CIT> presents an electronic vapor provision device with absorbent element. A component of an electronic vapor provision device with a reservoir for storing source liquid, an atomizer for vaporizing source liquid from the reservoir and delivering vapor into an air flow path through the device, and an electrical power supply for providing electrical power to the atomizer comprises an absorbent element to collect source liquid escaped from the reservoir and located so as to be upstream of the atomizer with respect to an air flow direction along the air flow path when the component is assembled into the electronic vapor provision device.

<CIT> presents an electronic cigarette that includes a power supplying part, a cartridge, and a sucking part. The cartridge is combined with the upper side of the power supplying part and stores liquid. The liquid is converted into gas in the cartridge. The sucking part is combined with the upper side of the cartridge. The cartridge is composed of a vaporizing part, a liquid storing space, an introducing hole, and a discharging hole. The vaporizing part is in electric connection with the power supplying part. The introducing hole introduces external air. The discharging hole is in connection with the sucking part.

<CIT> presents a refillable e-cigarette. A method and device for providing a electronic cigarette or electronic vaporizer, intended for single use (disposable product), provided with non-rechargeable batteries, or not commonly provided with a battery within the device, with a reservoir, compartment or means for integrating a reservoir or compartment with the device, wherein the user is able to (re)fill the product with a liquid to be vaporized.

<CIT> presents a personal vaporizer including a pressure-induced liquid transport device that allows a user to draw liquid from a liquid reservoir through applying a suction force on the mouthpiece. The amount of liquid drawn is proportional to the pressure induced, and proportional to the amount of vaporization a user may desired.

<CIT> teaches an electronic cigarette including a liquid storage, an atomizing unit including a heater, and a mouthpiece, the liquid storage including a smoke delivery tube connecting the mouthpiece to an atomizing chamber of the atomizer, and the mouthpiece including a liquid absorbing component.

One or more embodiments include a cartridge capable of generating a high-quality aerosol and an aerosol generating device including the same.

One or more embodiments include a cartridge capable of improving an inhalation sensation of an aerosol and an aerosol generating device including the same.

According to one or more embodiments, a cartridge includes: a liquid storage configured to accommodate an aerosol generating material; an atomizer configured to receive the aerosol generating material from the liquid storage and generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material; a mouthpiece coupled to an end of the liquid storage and including a discharge hole through which the aerosol is discharged; a delivery tube arranged inside the liquid storage and connecting the discharge hole of the mouthpiece and the atomizer such that the aerosol generated in the atomizer is delivered to the discharge hole; and an absorbent element arranged on a delivery path of the aerosol between the delivery tube and the discharge hole, and configured to absorb a liquid.

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

A liquid idinary skill in then an aerosol generating device may arrive directly into an oral cavity of a user and give the user an unpleasant feeling. Such an unpleasant feeling of the user may be prevented by a cartridge and an aerosol generating device according to one or more embodiments.

The effects according to one or more embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by one of or art from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

The cartridge may further include a placement portion on which the absorbent element is disposed.

When the absorbent element may be fixed by coupling the mouthpiece to the liquid storage.

The absorbent element may be located in the discharge hole, and the cartridge further includes a fixing element configured to fix the absorbent element in the discharge hole.

A cross section of the cartridge may include two long sides facing each other and extending along a surface, and two short sides having lengths shorter than the long sides and respectively connecting both ends of the two long sides.

A cross-sectional shape of the absorbent element may correspond to a cross-sectional shape of the cartridge, and the absorbent element may include a through-hole through which the aerosol passes.

The absorbent element may include two absorbent element parts spaced apart from each other such that the delivery path is positioned between the two absorbent element parts.

The absorbent element may include at least one another absorbent element arranged to connect the two absorbent element parts.

A volume of the absorbent element may be between about <NUM><NUM> and about <NUM><NUM>.

The cartridge may further include a net arranged on the delivery path along which the aerosol is delivered and preventing movement of the liquid.

The absorbent element may include at least one of sponge, felt, and cotton.

The atomizer may include: a heater configured to heat the aerosol generating material; a lower cap that surrounds the heater and encloses another end of the liquid storage, thereby forming a chamber in which the aerosol is generated; and a liquid delivery element arranged in the chamber of the lower cap and configured to absorb the aerosol generating material and generate the aerosol when heated by the heater, wherein an end of the delivery tube communicates with the chamber.

According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol generating device includes: a cartridge; a main body including an accommodation space that allows the cartridge to be detachably coupled to the main body; and a slider movably coupled to the main body such that at least a portion of the mouthpiece is covered and exposed according to movement of the slider.

The disclosure can, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a coupling relationship between a replaceable cartridge containing an aerosol generating material and an aerosol generating device including the same, according to an embodiment.

An aerosol generating device <NUM> according to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> includes the cartridge <NUM> containing the aerosol generating material and a main body <NUM> supporting the cartridge <NUM>.

The cartridge <NUM> containing the aerosol generating material may be coupled to the main body <NUM>. A portion of the cartridge <NUM> may be inserted into an accommodation space <NUM> of the main body <NUM> so that the cartridge <NUM> may be coupled to the main body <NUM>.

The cartridge <NUM> may contain an aerosol generating material in any one of, for example, a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, or a gel state. The aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition.

For example, the liquid composition may include one component of water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, spices, flavorings, and vitamin mixtures, or a mixture of these components. In addition, the liquid composition may include an aerosol forming agent such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

For example, the liquid composition may include any weight ratio of glycerin and propylene glycol solution to which nicotine salts are added. The liquid composition may include two or more types of nicotine salts. Nicotine salts may be formed by adding suitable acids, including organic or inorganic acids, to nicotine. Nicotine may be a naturally generated nicotine or synthetic nicotine and may have any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

Acid for the formation of the nicotine salts may be appropriately selected in consideration of the rate of nicotine absorption in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the flavor or savor, the solubility, or the like. For example, the acid for the formation of nicotine salts may be a single acid selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid or malic acid, or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.

The cartridge <NUM> is operated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body <NUM> to perform a function of generating aerosol by converting the phase of the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge <NUM> to a gaseous phase. The aerosol may refer to a gas in which vaporized particles generated from an aerosol generating material are mixed with air.

For example, in response to receiving the electrical signal from the main body <NUM>, the cartridge <NUM> may convert the phase of the aerosol generating material by heating the aerosol generating material, using, for example, an ultrasonic vibration method or an induction heating method. In an embodiment, the cartridge <NUM> may include its own power source and generate aerosol based on an electric control signal or a wireless signal received from the main body <NUM>.

The cartridge <NUM> may include a liquid storage <NUM> accommodating the aerosol generating material therein, and an atomizer performing a function of converting the aerosol generating material of the liquid storage <NUM> to aerosol.

When the liquid storage <NUM> "accommodates the aerosol generating material" therein, it means that the liquid storage <NUM> functions as a container simply holding an aerosol generating material and that the liquid storage <NUM> includes therein an element containing an aerosol generating material, such as a sponge, cotton, fabric, or porous ceramic structure.

The atomizer may include, for example, a liquid delivery element (e.g., wick) for absorbing the aerosol generating material and maintaining the same in an optimal state for conversion to aerosol, and a heater heating the liquid delivery element to generate aerosol.

The liquid delivery element may include at least one of, for example, a cotton fiber, a ceramic fiber, a glass fiber, and porous ceramic.

The heater may include a metallic material such as copper, nickel, tungsten, or the like to heat the aerosol generating material delivered to the liquid delivery element by generating heat using electrical resistance. The heater may be implemented by, for example, a metal wire, a metal plate, a ceramic heating element, or the like. Also, the heater may be implemented by a conductive filament using a material such as a nichrome wire, and may be wound around or arranged adjacent to the liquid delivery element.

In addition, the atomizer may be implemented by a heating element in the form of a mesh or plate, which absorbs the aerosol generating material and maintains the same in an optimal state for conversion to aerosol, and generates aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material. In this case, a separate liquid delivery element may not be required.

At least a portion of the liquid storage <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> may include a transparent portion so that the aerosol generating material accommodated in the cartridge <NUM> may be visually identified from the outside. The liquid storage <NUM> includes a protruding window 21a protruding from the liquid storage <NUM>, so that the liquid storage <NUM> may be inserted into a groove <NUM> of the main body <NUM> when coupled to the main body <NUM>. A mouthpiece <NUM> and/or the liquid storage <NUM> may be entirely formed of transparent plastic or glass. Alternatively, only the protruding window 21a may be formed of a transparent material.

The main body <NUM> includes a connection terminal 10t arranged inside the accommodation space <NUM>. When the liquid storage <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the accommodation space <NUM> of the main body <NUM>, the main body <NUM> may provide power to the cartridge <NUM> or supply a signal related to an operation of the cartridge <NUM> to the cartridge <NUM>, through the connection terminal 10t.

The mouthpiece <NUM> is coupled to one end of the liquid storage <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>. The mouthpiece <NUM> is a portion of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, which is to be inserted into a user's mouth. The mouthpiece <NUM> includes a discharge hole 22a for discharging aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material inside the liquid storage <NUM> to the outside.

The slider <NUM> is coupled to the main body <NUM> in such a way that the slider <NUM> may move along the main body <NUM>. The slider <NUM> covers or exposes at least a portion of the mouthpiece <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> coupled to the main body <NUM> by moving with respect to the main body <NUM>. The slider <NUM> includes an elongated hole 7a exposing at least a portion of the protruding window 21a of the cartridge <NUM> to the outside.

As shown <FIG>, the slider <NUM> may have a shape of a hollow container with both ends opened, but the structure of the slider <NUM> is not limited thereto. For example, the slider <NUM> may have a bent plate structure having a clip-shaped cross-section, which is movable with respect to the main body <NUM> while being coupled to an edge of the main body <NUM>. In another example, the slider <NUM> may have a curved semi-cylindrical shape with a curved arc-shaped cross section.

The slider <NUM> may include a magnetic body for maintaining the position of the slider <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM> and the cartridge <NUM>. The magnetic body may include a permanent magnet or a material such as iron, nickel, cobalt, or an alloy thereof.

The magnetic body may include two first magnetic bodies 8a facing each other, and two second magnetic bodies 8b facing each other. The first magnetic bodies 8a may be spaced apart from the second magnetic bodies 8b in a longitudinal direction of the main body <NUM> (i.e., the direction in which the main body <NUM> extends), which is a moving direction of the slider <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> includes a fixed magnetic body <NUM> arranged on a path along which the first magnetic bodies 8a and the second magnetic bodies 8b of the slider <NUM> move as the slider <NUM> moves with respect to the main body <NUM>. Two fixed magnetic bodies <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may be mounted to face each other with the accommodation space <NUM> therebetween.

Depending on the position of the slider <NUM>, an end of the mouthpiece <NUM> is covered or exposed by a magnetic force acting between the fixed magnetic body <NUM> and the first magnetic body 8a or between the fixed magnetic body <NUM> and the second magnetic body 8b.

The main body <NUM> includes a position change detecting sensor <NUM> arranged on the path along which the first magnetic body 8a and the second magnetic body 8b of the slider <NUM> move as the slider <NUM> moves with respect to the main body <NUM>. The position change detecting sensor <NUM> may include, for example, a Hall integrated circuit (IC) that uses the Hall effect to detect a change in a magnetic field, and may generate a signal based on the detected change.

In the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to the embodiment described above, a horizontal cross section (i.e., a cross section viewed in the longitudinal direction) of the main body <NUM>, the cartridge <NUM>, and the slider <NUM> is an approximately rectangular shape. In other words, the cross section may include two long sides facing each other and extending along a surface, and two short sides having lengths shorter than the two long sides and respectively connecting both ends of the two long sides. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. The aerosol generating device <NUM> may have, for example, a cross-sectional shape of a circle, an ellipse, a square, or various polygonal shapes.

In addition, the aerosol generating device <NUM> is not necessarily limited to a structure that extends linearly in the longitudinal direction. For example, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be curved in a streamlined shape or bent at a preset angle in a specific area to be easily held by the user.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an exemplary operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>.

In <FIG>, the slider <NUM> is moved to a position where the end of the mouthpiece <NUM> of the cartridge coupled to the main body <NUM> is covered. In this state, the mouthpiece <NUM> may be safely protected from external impurities and kept clean.

The user may check the remaining amount of aerosol generating material contained in the cartridge by visually checking the protruding window 21a of the cartridge through the elongated hole 7a of the slider <NUM>. The user may move the slider <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the main body <NUM> to use the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of another exemplary operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>.

In <FIG>, the operating state is shown in which the slider <NUM> is moved to a position where the end of the mouthpiece <NUM> of the cartridge coupled to the main body <NUM> is exposed to the outside. In this state, the user may insert the mouthpiece <NUM> into his or her mouth and inhale aerosol discharged through the discharge hole 22a of the mouthpiece <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the protruding window 21a of the cartridge is still exposed to the outside through the elongated hole 7a of the slider <NUM> when the slider <NUM> is moved to the position where the end of the mouthpiece <NUM> is exposed to the outside. Thus, the user may visually check the remaining amount of aerosol generating material contained in the cartridge, regardless of the position of the slider <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include the position change detecting sensor <NUM>. The position change detecting sensor <NUM> may detect a change in a position of the slider <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the position change detecting sensor <NUM> may detect a change in an orientation, intensity or the like of magnetization or a magnetic field of a magnetic material. The slider <NUM> may include a magnet, and the position change detecting sensor <NUM> may detect a movement of the magnet included in the slider <NUM>.

For example, the position change detecting sensor <NUM> may include a Hall effect sensor, a rotating coil, a magnetoresistor, or a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, a position of the slider <NUM> covering an end of the mouthpiece <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> will be referred to as a first position, and a position of the slider <NUM> exposing the end of the mouthpiece <NUM> to the outside as illustrated in <FIG> will be referred to as a second position. While the slider <NUM> is coupled to the main body <NUM>, the user may move the slider <NUM> between the first position and the second position. The position change detecting sensor <NUM> may detect a change in the position of the slider <NUM> moving between the first position and the second position.

In an embodiment, when the slider <NUM> moves from the first position to the second position, a controller of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may receive an input signal from the position change detecting sensor <NUM>. In response to the input signal, the controller may set a mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> to a preheating mode.

Also, the controller may determine whether or not the cartridge <NUM> is coupled to the main body <NUM>. The aerosol generating device <NUM> may include an additional sensor for detecting whether or not the cartridge <NUM> is coupled to the main body <NUM>. Alternatively, the controller may periodically apply a current to an internal circuit of the main body <NUM> electrically connected to the heater of the cartridge <NUM> and receive an output value therefrom to thereby determine whether or not the cartridge <NUM> is mounted in the main body <NUM>.

In an embodiment, after the cartridge <NUM> is mounted in the main body <NUM>, the controller may set the mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> to the preheating mode, in response to the input signal received from the position change detecting sensor <NUM>. When the cartridge <NUM> is determined as being not mounted in the main body <NUM>, although the controller receives the input signal from the position change detecting sensor <NUM>, the controller may not set the mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> to the preheating mode.

Also, the controller may change the mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> to a sleep mode, on the basis of a change in the position of the slider <NUM>. In an embodiment, when the slider <NUM> moves from the second position to the first position, the controller may set the mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> to the sleep mode after receiving the input signal from the position change detecting sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating hardware components of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a battery <NUM>, a heater <NUM>, a sensor <NUM>, a user interface <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a controller <NUM>. According to the design of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that some of the hardware components shown in <FIG> may be omitted or new components may be added.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may only include a main body without a cartridge. In this case, the components of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be located in the main body. In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a main body and a cartridge, in which case the components of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be distributed between the main body and the cartridge. Also, at least some of the components of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be located in both the main body and the cartridge.

Hereinafter, an operation of each of the components will be described without limiting the location of each component.

The battery <NUM> supplies electric power to be used for the aerosol generating device <NUM> to operate. In other words, the battery <NUM> may supply power such that the heater <NUM> may be heated. In addition, the battery <NUM> may supply power required for operation of other hardware components included in the aerosol generating device <NUM>, such as the sensor <NUM>, the user interface <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, and the controller <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery <NUM> may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The heater <NUM> receives power from the battery <NUM> under the control of the controller <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may receive power from the battery <NUM> and heat a cigarette inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, or heat the cartridge coupled to the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> may be located in the main body of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. Alternatively, when the aerosol generating device <NUM> consists of the main body and the cartridge, the heater <NUM> may be located in the cartridge. When the heater <NUM> is located in the cartridge, the heater <NUM> may receive power from the battery <NUM> located in at least one of the main body and/or the cartridge.

The heater <NUM> may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, the suitable electrically resistive material may be a metal or a metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, or nichrome, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater <NUM> may be implemented by a metal wire, a metal plate on which an electrically conductive track is arranged, or a ceramic heating element, but is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the heater <NUM> may be a component included in the cartridge. The cartridge may include the heater <NUM>, the liquid delivery element, and the liquid storage. The aerosol generating material accommodated in the liquid storage may be absorbed and transferred by the liquid delivery element, and the heater <NUM> may heat the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery element, thereby generating aerosol. For example, the heater <NUM> may include a material such as nickel or chromium and may be wound around or arranged adjacent to the liquid delivery element.

In another embodiment, the heater <NUM> may heat the cigarette inserted into the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. As the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the heater <NUM> may be located inside and/or outside the cigarette. Accordingly, the heater <NUM> may generate aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material in the cigarette.

Meanwhile, the heater <NUM> may include an induction heater. The heater <NUM> may include an electrically conductive coil for heating a cigarette or the cartridge by an induction heating method, and the cigarette or the cartridge may include a susceptor which may be heated by the induction heater.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> may include at least one sensor <NUM>. A sensing result from the at least one sensor <NUM> is transmitted to the controller <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> may control the aerosol generating device <NUM> to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater, restricting smoking, determining whether a cigarette (or a cartridge) is inserted, and displaying a notification, according to the sensing result.

For example, the at least one sensor <NUM> may include a puff detecting sensor. The puff detecting sensor may detect a user's puff based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and/or a pressure change.

In addition, the at least one sensor <NUM> may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may detect a temperature at which the heater <NUM> (or an aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the heater <NUM>, or the heater <NUM> itself may serve as a temperature sensor instead of including a separate temperature sensor. Alternatively, a separate temperature sensor may be further included in the aerosol generating device <NUM> while the heater <NUM> also serves as a temperature sensor.

In addition, the at least one sensor <NUM> may include a position change detecting sensor. The position change detecting sensor may detect a change in a position of the slider that is movably coupled to the main body to move with respect to the main body.

The user interface <NUM> may provide the user with information about the state of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> may include various interfacing devices, such as a display or a light emitter for outputting visual information, a motor for outputting haptic information, a speaker for outputting sound information, input/ output (I/O) interfacing devices (for example, a button or a touch screen) for receiving information input from the user or outputting information to the user, terminals for performing data communication or receiving charging power, and communication interfacing modules for performing wireless communication (for example, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, Bluetooth, near-field communication (NFC), etc.) with external devices.

However, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be implemented by selecting only some of the above-described various interfacing devices.

The memory <NUM> may store data processed or to be processed by the controller <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may include various types of memories, such as random access memory, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), etc., read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc..

The memory <NUM> may store data about an operation time of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, at least one power profile, and a smoking pattern of the user, and the like.

The controller <NUM> may control overall operations of the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> analyzes a sensing result of the sensing by at least one sensor <NUM>, and controls subsequent processes that are to be performed subsequently.

The controller <NUM> may control power supplied to the heater <NUM> so that the operation of the heater <NUM> is started or terminated, based on the sensing result of the at least one sensor <NUM>. In addition, based on the sensing result from the at least one sensor <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may control the amount of power supplied to the heater <NUM> and the time at which the power is supplied, so that the heater <NUM> is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may have a plurality of modes. For example, a mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a preheating mode, an operation mode, an idle mode, and a sleep mode. However, the mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> is not limited thereto.

When the aerosol generating device <NUM> is not used, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may maintain the sleep mode, and the controller <NUM> may control output power of the battery <NUM> such that power is not supplied to the heater <NUM> in the sleep mode. For example, before the aerosol generating device <NUM> is used or after use of the aerosol generating device <NUM> is ended, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may operate in the sleep mode.

The controller <NUM> may set the mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> to the preheating mode (e.g., change the mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the sleep mode to the preheating mode) to start an operation of the heater <NUM> after receiving a user input for the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

Also, the controller <NUM> may detect a puff of the user by using the puff detecting sensor and then change the mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the preheating mode to a heating mode.

In addition, when the aerosol generating device <NUM> operates in the heating mode for longer than a preset time, the controller <NUM> may change the mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the heating mode to the idle mode.

Moreover, the controller <NUM> may count the number of puffs by using the puff detecting sensor. If the number of puffs reaches a predetermined maximum number of puffs, the controller <NUM> may stop supplying power to the heater <NUM>.

Temperature profiles respectively corresponding to the preheating mode, the operation mode, and the idle mode may be set. The controller <NUM> may control power supplied to the heater <NUM> on the basis of a power profile for each mode such that an aerosol generating material is heated according to a temperature profile for each mode.

The controller <NUM> may control the user interface <NUM> based on a sensing result from at least one sensor <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may count the number of puffs by using the puff detecting sensor. When the current number of puffs reaches a preset number, the controller <NUM> may notify the user that the aerosol generating device <NUM> is to shut down soon, by using at least one of a lamp, a motor, and a speaker.

In an embodiment, the preset number of puffs may be the number that is acquired by subtracting a certain number (e.g., one) from the predetermined maximum number of puffs. For example, when the maximum number of puffs is set to ten, the controller <NUM> may count the number of puffs by using the puff detecting sensor. When the current number of puffs reaches nine times, assuming that the certain number is set to one, the controller <NUM> may notify the user that the aerosol generating device <NUM> is to shut down shortly, by using at least one of the lamp, the motor, and the speaker.

Also, the controller <NUM> may count the number of puffs by using the puff detecting sensor. When the current number of puffs reaches the maximum number of puffs, the controller <NUM> may end the operation of the heater <NUM>. For example, when the current number of puffs reaches the maximum number of puffs, the controller <NUM> may set the mode of the aerosol generating device <NUM> to the sleep mode.

Although not illustrated in <FIG>, an aerosol generating system may be configured by the aerosol generating device <NUM> and a separate cradle. For example, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be supplied with power from a battery of the cradle to charge the battery <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> while being accommodated in an accommodation space of the cradle.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a cartridge according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, as described above, a cartridge <NUM> may include a liquid storage <NUM> and an atomizer.

The atomizer includes a heater <NUM> that is arranged in the liquid storage <NUM> and generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material, a lower cap <NUM> that surrounds the heater <NUM> and forms a chamber <NUM> in which the aerosol may be generated, and a liquid delivery element <NUM> that is arranged in the chamber <NUM> of the lower cap <NUM> to be heated by the heater <NUM> and absorbs the aerosol generating material. The liquid delivery element <NUM> may continuously keep absorbing the aerosol generating material. When the liquid delivery element <NUM> is heated by the heater <NUM>, the aerosol generating material kept in the liquid delivery element <NUM> is vaporized to generate the aerosol.

Structures of the heater <NUM>, the lower cap <NUM>, and the liquid delivery element <NUM> that are illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> are an example and may be modified into various shapes. For example, the heater <NUM> may be arranged adjacent to the liquid delivery element <NUM> without being wound around the liquid delivery element <NUM>. Also, the structure of the liquid delivery element <NUM> may be modified into a mesh shape or a plate shape. In an embodiment, the heater <NUM> and the liquid delivery element <NUM> may be integrated into a single body (e.g., a mesh-shaped heater formed of a metal material).

A mouthpiece <NUM> is coupled to an end of the liquid storage <NUM>, and the lower cap <NUM> is coupled to the other end of the liquid storage <NUM>. The lower cap <NUM> may support the liquid delivery element <NUM> and the heater <NUM>, and also seal the other end of the liquid storage <NUM>. The lower cap <NUM> may have support protrusions 30p at an upper end for supporting both ends of the liquid delivery element <NUM>.

The lower cap <NUM> may be inserted into the other end of the liquid storage <NUM>. Also, for effective sealing, a sealing ring <NUM> made of an elastic material, such as rubber or silicon, may be arranged between the lower cap <NUM> and the liquid storage <NUM>.

Also, the lower cap <NUM> may include an air passage <NUM> through which air is delivered to the chamber <NUM>. External air may be supplied to the liquid delivery element <NUM> by passing through the air passage <NUM> of the lower cap <NUM>.

The liquid storage <NUM> may include a delivery tube <NUM> for connecting a discharge hole 22a of the mouthpiece <NUM> to the chamber <NUM> in which the aerosol is generated. Thereby, the aerosol generated in the chamber <NUM> may be delivered to the discharge hole 22a. For example, an end of the delivery tube <NUM> may be connected to the chamber <NUM>, and the other end of the delivery tube <NUM> may be connected to the discharge hole 22a of the mouthpiece <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the arrows indicate a path along which the aerosol generated in the chamber <NUM> moves. The aerosol may be delivered to the discharge hole 22a through the delivery tube <NUM>. According to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the delivery tube <NUM> is arranged on a central axis line of the liquid storage <NUM> along a longitudinal direction in which the liquid storage <NUM> extends. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the delivery tube <NUM> may be arranged to be inclined toward an edge of the liquid storage <NUM>.

A pressurizer <NUM> is arranged between the delivery tube <NUM> and the liquid delivery element <NUM>. The pressurizer <NUM> is arranged between an end (i.e., bottom) of the delivery tube <NUM> facing the chamber <NUM> and the liquid delivery element <NUM> such that it presses the liquid delivery element <NUM> toward the lower cap <NUM>.

The pressurizer <NUM> may include a material having elasticity, such as rubber or silicon. As such, the pressurizer <NUM> may be arranged in a compressed state between the delivery tube <NUM> and the liquid delivery element <NUM> to thereby firmly press the liquid delivery element <NUM>. Due to the pressurization action of the pressurizer <NUM> as described above, even if an operation of generating an aerosol by heating the liquid delivery element <NUM> is repeatedly performed, the liquid delivery element <NUM> may be stably maintained in the chamber <NUM> of the lower cap <NUM>.

The pressurizer <NUM> includes a connection tube <NUM> that surrounds the bottom of the delivery tube <NUM> and connects the bottom of the delivery tube <NUM> to the chamber <NUM>. The delivery tube <NUM> includes a flange formed at the end thereof, which protrudes from an outside of the delivery tube <NUM> to be caught by the connection tube <NUM> of the pressurizer <NUM>.

The liquid storage <NUM> includes a support tube 22b that surrounds the other end (i.e., top) of the delivery tube <NUM> inside the liquid storage <NUM> and connects the bottom of the delivery tube <NUM> to the discharge hole 22a. Also, the liquid storage <NUM> includes a flange that protrudes from the outside of the delivery tube <NUM> at the top of the delivery tube <NUM> to be caught by the support tube 22b of the liquid storage <NUM>. Therefore, the delivery tube <NUM> may be firmly supported between the chamber <NUM> and the discharge hole 22a by the flanges respectively formed at both ends thereof.

The pressurizer <NUM> further includes a contact portion <NUM> and a material delivery hole 73a. The contact portion <NUM> that extends from an outside of the connection tube <NUM> toward the liquid delivery element <NUM> and directly contacts the liquid delivery element <NUM>. The material delivery hole <NUM> that provides fluid communication between the liquid storage <NUM> and the liquid delivery element <NUM>, such that the aerosol generating material accommodated in the liquid storage <NUM> is delivered to the liquid delivery element <NUM>. The liquid delivery element <NUM> may be manufactured in an approximately cylindrical shape, and a bottom surface of the contact portion <NUM> contacting the liquid delivery element <NUM> may have a curved shape to correspond to a shape of an outer surface of the liquid delivery element <NUM>.

Terminals 21t for an electrical connection to a main body may be installed at a lower end of the liquid storage <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> to be exposed to the outside. For example, the terminals 21t are installed at a lower end of the lower cap <NUM>. For the electrical connection to the main body, the terminals 21t are installed to be exposed outside the lower cap <NUM>. The terminals 21t deliver, to the heater <NUM>, electricity supplied from the main body. The terminals 21t include coupling pipes 21p that pass through terminal passages <NUM> and protrude toward the chamber <NUM>. The coupling pipes 21p are firmly coupled to the heater <NUM> (e.g., to the ends of a coil).

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example in which a liquid droplet is generated in the cartridge illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, an aerosol generated in a chamber may be cooled while being delivered to a discharge hole 22a through a delivery tube <NUM>. Cooling of the aerosol may generate a liquid droplet LQ on a delivery path along which the aerosol is delivered (e.g., inside the delivery tube <NUM>). When a user uses an aerosol generating device, the liquid droplet LQ generated inside the delivery tube <NUM> may be delivered directly into an oral cavity of the user by suction pressure of the user, which may cause displeasure to the user.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a discharge path of an aerosol in the cartridge illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, to solve the drawback described with reference to <FIG>, a cartridge <NUM> includes an absorbent element <NUM> capable of absorbing a liquid. The absorbent element <NUM> may be arranged on a delivery path along which an aerosol is delivered, between a delivery tube <NUM> and a discharge hole 22a of a mouthpiece <NUM>. The absorbent element <NUM> may have a shape that does not interrupt the delivery path.

For example, in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the absorbent element <NUM> may have a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the cartridge <NUM> described above. The absorbent element <NUM> may include a through-hole through which an aerosol passes such that the aerosol flow is not interrupted by the absorbent element <NUM>. In other words, two end portions of the absorbent element <NUM> which firsthand receives the aerosol generating material from the liquid storage <NUM> are connected to each other. As a result, even if a liquid is nonuniformly absorbed between the two portions of the absorbent element <NUM>, the liquid may be absorbed by using the entire absorbent element <NUM> because the two portions of the absorbent element <NUM> are connected to each other.

The absorbent element <NUM> may be arranged on a placement portion <NUM> arranged at the top of the delivery tube <NUM>. The absorbent element <NUM> may be stably fixed by coupling the mouthpiece <NUM> to the liquid storage <NUM> after the absorbent element <NUM> is placed on the placement portion <NUM>.

The absorbent element <NUM> may be formed of a material capable of absorbing a liquid. For example, the absorbent element <NUM> may be formed of felt, sponge, cotton, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

Also, the absorbent element <NUM> may have a volume of about <NUM><NUM> to about <NUM><NUM> to sufficiently absorb a liquid that may be generated during smoking.

<FIG> illustrates an example in which a liquid droplet is absorbed in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates an example in which the liquid droplet absorbed in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> is diffused in an absorbent element.

Referring to <FIG>, a liquid droplet LQ may contact an absorbent element <NUM> when a liquid droplet LQ is generated on a delivery path of an aerosol or when the liquid droplet LQ generated elsewhere is moved by inhalation of a user. Since the absorbent element <NUM> is a material capable of absorbing a liquid, the liquid droplet LQ may be absorbed into the absorbent element <NUM>, and thus it may be removed from the delivery path of the aerosol.

Referring to <FIG>, after the liquid droplet LQ is fully absorbed into the absorbent element <NUM>, the liquid droplet LQ may be diffused into the entire absorbent element <NUM>. Therefore, even if the liquid droplet LQ is absorbed through a portion of the absorbent element <NUM>, the liquid droplet LQ may be absorbed by the entire absorbent element <NUM>. Therefore, a total volume of the absorbent element <NUM> may be utilized to absorb the liquid droplet LQ.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a discharge path of an aerosol in the cartridge illustrated in <FIG>. Hereinafter, the detailed descriptions overlapping the above descriptions will be omitted.

Referring to <FIG>, a cartridge <NUM> includes a plurality of absorbent elements <NUM> capable of absorbing a liquid. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the plurality of absorbent elements <NUM> are illustrated as two absorbent elements 220a and 220b, but are not limited thereto. Thus, the number of the absorbent elements <NUM> may exceed two. For example, some absorbent elements 220a and 220b of the plurality of absorbent elements <NUM> are arranged apart from each other such that a delivery path of the aerosol is placed therebetween, as shown in <FIG>. Other absorbent elements may be arranged to connect the absorbent elements 220a and 220b. Therefore, as in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, even if a liquid is nonuniformly absorbed between the two absorbent elements 220a and 220b, the liquid may be absorbed by using the entire absorbent elements <NUM> since the two absorbent elements 220a and 220b are connected to each other.

The absorbent elements 220a and 220b are arranged in a placement space <NUM> arranged at the other end of a delivery tube <NUM>. After the absorbent elements 220a and 220b are accommodated in the placement space <NUM>, a mouthpiece <NUM> may be coupled to a liquid storage <NUM>, thereby stably fixing the absorbent elements 220a and 220b.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a discharge path of an aerosol in the cartridge illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, a cartridge <NUM> includes a plurality of absorbent elements <NUM> capable of absorbing a liquid. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the plurality of absorbent elements <NUM> are illustrated as two absorbent elements 220a and 220b, but are not limited thereto. Thus, the number of the absorbent elements <NUM> may exceed two. For example, some absorbent elements 220a and 220b of the plurality of absorbent elements <NUM> may be arranged apart from each other such that a delivery path of the aerosol is placed therebetween. Other absorbent elements may be arranged to connect the absorbent elements 220a and 220b spaced apart from each other.

The absorbent elements 220a and 220b may be arranged in a discharge hole 22a of a mouthpiece <NUM> through which an aerosol is discharged to the outside. In other words, the discharge hole 22a forms a placement space in which the absorbent elements 220a and 220b may be accommodated. To fix the absorbent elements 220a and 220b, a fixing element <NUM> may be fixedly coupled to the mouthpiece <NUM> in the discharge hole 22a after the absorbent elements 220a and 220b are accommodated in the discharge hole 22a. For example, the fixing element <NUM> may be fixedly coupled to the mouthpiece <NUM> by ultrasonic fusion, but is not limited to this fixedly coupling method. Therefore, the fixing element <NUM> may be fixed in the discharge hole 22a by various methods such as glue.

Although not illustrated in <FIG>, the cartridge <NUM> may further include a net that is arranged on the delivery path along which the aerosol is delivered, thereby preventing a movement of a liquid. When a user puffs an aerosol by using an aerosol generating device, a liquid may be filtered by the net, thereby preventing the liquid from being delivered to the user.

For convenience of description, <FIG> illustrate three examples in which the absorbent element <NUM> is arranged in the cartridge <NUM>, but the position where the absorbent element <NUM> is arranged is not limited thereto. Therefore, the absorbent element <NUM> may be located at other positions on a delivery path along which an aerosol is delivered to the outside, according to manufacture specifications of the cartridge <NUM>.

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

Claim 1:
A cartridge (<NUM>) comprising:
a liquid storage (<NUM>) configured to accommodate an aerosol generating material;
an atomizer configured to receive the aerosol generating material from the liquid storage (<NUM>) to generate an aerosol, wherein the atomizer comprises a heater (<NUM>) configured to heat the aerosol generating material, a lower cap (<NUM>) and a liquid delivery element (<NUM>) configured to absorb the aerosol generating material and generate the aerosol when heated by the heater (<NUM>);
a mouthpiece (<NUM>) coupled to an end of the liquid storage (<NUM>) and including a discharge hole (22a) through which the aerosol is discharged, wherein the lower cap (<NUM>) surrounds the heater (<NUM>) and encloses another end of the liquid storage (<NUM>), thereby forming a chamber (<NUM>) in which the aerosol is generated, and the liquid delivery element (<NUM>) is arranged in the chamber (<NUM>) of the lower cap (<NUM>);
a delivery tube (<NUM>) arranged inside the liquid storage (<NUM>) and connecting the discharge hole (22a) of the mouthpiece (<NUM>) with the atomizer, wherein the delivery tube (<NUM>) connects the discharge hole (22a) of the mouthpiece (<NUM>) to the chamber (<NUM>) in which the aerosol is generated such that the aerosol generated in the atomizer is delivered to the discharge hole (22a), wherein an end of the delivery tube (<NUM>) is connected to the chamber (<NUM>), and an other end of the delivery tube (<NUM>) is connected to the discharge hole (22a) of the mouthpiece (<NUM>);
a placement portion (<NUM>) arranged at a top of the delivery tube (<NUM>); and
an absorbent element (<NUM>) arranged on a delivery path of the aerosol between the delivery tube (<NUM>) and the discharge hole (22a), and configured to absorb a liquid, wherein the absorbent element (<NUM>) is disposed on the placement portion (<NUM>) and configured to absorb a liquid droplet generated inside the delivery tube (<NUM>).