Patent Description:
Recently, the demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of general cigarettes has increased. Accordingly, there is growing demand for a method of generating aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in cigarettes, rather than by burning cigarettes.

Research has actively been conducted lately on a method of generating an aerosol within a heating-type aerosol generating device by applying a magnetic field to a susceptor such that the susceptor is heated by electromagnetic induction to generate an aerosol. <CIT> relates to an induction heating assembly for a vapour generating device, the heating assembly comprises a rechargeable power source and an induction coil. The induction coil is arranged to heat, in use, a susceptor and is also arranged to receive, in use, an electromagnetic field generated by an external source to charge the power source. <CIT> relates to electronic aerosol provision systems such as electronic nicotine delivery systems. <CIT> relates to a charging station for an electrically heated aerosol-generating device which is adapted for stationary arrangement in a vehicle. The charging station comprises a docking port for removably receiving the aerosol-generating device and a charging circuit operatively connectable to the aerosol-generating device when being received in the docking port for charging an electrical power supply of the aerosol-generating device. The charging station further comprises a releasable retaining device configured for securely retaining the aerosol-generating device in the docking port such as to allow for one-handed removing of an aerosol-forming substrate from the aerosol-generating device. <CIT> relates to a wireless charging system for charging a chargeable electrical energy source of a heating device for aerosol-generating articles that comprises: a charging device comprising a planar flat transmitter coil, configured to supply an alternating current to the planar flat transmitter coil; a wirelessly chargeable electrical energy source of a heating device for aerosol-generating articles, comprising an electrical energy storage and a tubular receiver coil connected to the electrical energy storage, wherein the tubular receiver coil has a longitudinal axis and is adapted to be arranged in a charging position relative to the planar flat transmitter coil, wherein in the charging position the longitudinal axis of the tubular receiver coil extends in a plane parallel to the planar flat transmitter coil and in radial direction relative to the planar flat transmitter coil, and wherein the tubular receiver coil is arranged to overlap at least a portion of the planar flat transmitter coil.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aerosol generating system including an aerosol generating device including a coil that performs a charging operation for receiving electric power to charge a power supply and a heating operation for heating a susceptor, and a charging device for transmitting electric power.

It is to be appreciated that other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and the accompanying drawings of the present disclosure described herein.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating system including an aerosol generating device including an induction coil that performs a heating operation for heating a susceptor arranged in a cigarette insertion portion and a charging operation for receiving electric power from the outside to charge a power supply, and a charging device including a transmission coil that transmits electric power to the induction coil.

The aerosol generating device may selectively perform the heating operation or the charging operation through the induction coil.

The charging device may further include a first impedance matching portion connected to the transmission coil, the aerosol generating device may further include a second impedance matching portion connected to the induction coil, and an impedance value of the second impedance matching portion may be a value between an impedance value of the susceptor and an impedance value of the first matching portion.

The aerosol generating device may further include a heating impedance matching portion having a first impedance value for applying a magnetic field to the susceptor during the heating operation, and a reception impedance matching portion having a second impedance value for receiving electric power from the charging during the charging operation, and the charging device may further include a transmission impedance matching portion that is connected to the transmission coil and has the second impedance value.

For the charging operation, the induction coil and the transmission coil may be aligned such that their central axes coincide with each other.

In addition, for the charging operation, the induction coil and the transmission coil may be arranged to overlap at least in part.

Moreover, for the charging operation, the transmission coil may be inserted into the cigarette insertion portion.

The cigarette insertion portion of the aerosol generating device may include a first empty space, the susceptor may protrude from a bottom surface of the first empty space, the charging device may include a protrusion portion around which the transmission coil is wound and a second empty space formed in the protrusion portion, and for the charging operation, the protrusion portion may be inserted into the first empty space, and the susceptor may be inserted into the second empty space.

When the charging device is coupled for the charging operation, the induction coil and the transmission coil may be separated by a certain distance from each other in an axial direction.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating device including: a cigarette insertion portion into which a cigarette is inserted; a susceptor arranged in the cigarette insertion portion; a power supply; an induction coil that performs a heating operation for heating the susceptor by applying a magnetic field to the susceptor and a charging operation for receiving electric power to charge the power supply according to a magnetic field applied from an external power source; and a controller for controlling operation of the induction coil.

The aerosol generating device may further include a heating impedance matching portion having a first impedance value for applying a magnetic field to the susceptor during the heating operation, and a reception impedance matching portion having a second impedance value for receiving electric power from the external power source during the charging operation.

The aerosol generating device may further include a switch that selectively connects the induction coil to the heating impedance matching portion or the reception impedance matching portion.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a charging device including a transmission coil that transmits electric power by generating a magnetic field according to flow of a current; and a controller that transmits electric power to an induction coil of an aerosol generating device by controlling the current, wherein the induction coil of the aerosol generating device performs a heating operation for heating a susceptor and a charging operation for receiving electric power to charge a power supply according to an applied magnetic field.

The charging device may further include: a protrusion portion around which the transmission coil is wound; an empty space formed in the protrusion portion; and a shield member arranged along an inner surface of the empty space to prevent the magnetic field generated by the transmission coil from being transmitted into the empty space.

The charging device may include the shield member including the transmission coil, and the transmission coil may be separated by a certain distance from the induction coil in an axial direction for the charging operation.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of operation of an aerosol generating device, the method including selecting any one of a charging mode for receiving electric power from the outside through an induction coil to charge a power supply or a heating mode for heating a susceptor by generating a magnetic field in the induction coil, and receiving electric power through the induction coil or heating the susceptor through the induction coil, according to a selected mode.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating system including a holder that heats an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol, and a cradle that includes a cavity in which the holder is accommodated, wherein the holder may include a holder battery and a holder power receiver connected to the holder battery, and the cradle may include a cradle battery and a cradle power transmitter connected to the cradle battery. The holder power receiver may receive electric power wirelessly from the cradle power transmitter to charge the holder battery, and the location of the cradle power transmitter may be changed according to whether the holder is accommodated in the cavity or not.

The cradle may include a first side in parallel to a lengthwise direction of the cradle and a second side perpendicular to the first side, and the cradle power transmitter may be moved between a first position inside the cradle opposite the first side and a second position inside the cradle opposite the second side.

As the cradle power transmitter is moved between the first position and the second position, the shape of the cradle power transmitter may be changed.

When the holder is accommodated in the cavity, the cradle power transmitter is located at the first position inside the cradle opposite the first side, and when the holder is not accommodated in the cavity, the cradle power transmitter is located at the second position inside the cradle opposite the second side.

The cradle may further include a holder accommodation detection sensor for detecting whether the holder is accommodated in the cavity or not, and when the holder accommodation detection sensor detects that the holder is accommodated in the cavity, the cradle power transmitter may be moved from the second position to the first position.

The holder may include a third side on which the holder power receiver is positioned, and when the holder is not accommodated in the cavity, as the third side of the holder is positioned on the second side of the cradle such that the holder power receiver faces the cradle power transmitter, the holder power receiver may receive electric power wirelessly from the cradle power transmitter.

The holder may include the third side on which the holder power receiver is positioned, and when the holder is accommodated in the cavity, as the third side of the holder is positioned on the first side of the cradle such that the holder power receiver faces the cradle power transmitter, the holder power receiver may receive electric power wirelessly from the cradle power transmitter.

A first seating groove corresponding to the curvature of the holder may be formed on the second side of the cradle such that the holder is seated.

The cradle power transmitter may include a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), and a coil on the FPCB, and when the cradle power transmitter is located at the first position, the FPCB may have a curved shape to correspond to the curvature of the first side, and when the cradle power transmitter is located at the second position, the FPCB may have a flat shape.

The first seating groove corresponding to the curvature of the holder may be formed on the second side of the cradle such that the holder is seated.

The cradle power transmitter may include a FPCB, and a coil on the FPCB, and when the cradle power transmitter is located at the first position, the FPCB may have a curved shape to correspond to the curvature of the first side, and when the cradle power transmitter is located at the second position, the FPCB may have a flat shape.

The holder power receiver may include a FPCB, and a coil on the FPCB, and the FPCB may have a curved shape to correspond to the curvature of the third side.

The cradle power transmitter may include a FPCB, and a coil on the FPCB, and when the cradle power transmitter is located at the first position, the FPCB may have a curved shape to correspond to the curvature of the first side, and when the cradle power transmitter is located at the second position, the FPCB may have a curved shape to correspond to the curvature of the first seating groove.

The aerosol generating device may further include a wireless charging pad including an external power transmitter, and the cradle may further include a cradle power receiver. As the holder or the cradle is seated on one side of the wireless charging pad, the holder power receiver or the cradle power receiver may receive electric power wirelessly from the external power transmitter to charge the holder battery or the cradle battery.

A second seating groove corresponding to the curvature of the holder or the cradle may be formed on one side of the wireless charging pad such that the holder or the cradle is seated.

The external power transmitter may include a FPCB, and a coil on the FPCB, and the FPCB may have a curved shape to correspond to the curvature of the second seating groove.

As the cradle in which the holder is accommodated is seated on one side of the wireless charging pad, the holder power receiver may receive electric power wirelessly from the cradle power to charge the holder battery, and the cradle power receiver may receive electric power wirelessly from the external power transmitter to charge the cradle battery.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cradle including: a cavity in which a holder is accommodated; a battery; and a power transmitter connected to the battery, wherein the location of the power transmitter is changed according to whether the holder is accommodated in the cavity or not.

According to an embodiment, a charging operation for receiving electric power and a heating operation for heating a susceptor are performed through a coil of an aerosol generating device, thus the aerosol generating device may be simplified and miniaturized, and user convenience may be improved.

According to an embodiment, a power transmitter of a cradle is moved according to whether a holder is accommodated in a cavity of the cradle, so that a power receiver of the holder and the power transmitter of the cradle may be arranged to face each other in either case. Thus, when the power receiver of the holder receives electric power wirelessly from the power transmitter of the cradle, charging efficiency of a holder battery may be improved.

According to an embodiment, the power receiver of the holder and the power transmitter of the cradle include FPCBs, so that the power receiver of the holder and the power transmitter of the cradle may be curved. Thus, a corresponding area between the power receiver of the holder and the power transmitter of the cradle is increased, so that charging efficiency of a holder battery is increased when the power receiver of the holder receives electric power wirelessly from the power transmitter of the cradle.

Throughout the specification, an aerosol generating device may include a device that uses an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol that is directly inhaled into user's lungs through the user's mouth. For example, the aerosol generating device may include a holder.

In the specification, the term "puff" refers to inhalation of the user, and the inhalation may refer to a situation in which the user pulls the aerosol into the user's mouth, nasal cavity, or lungs through the user's mouth or nose.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generating system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating system may include an aerosol generating device <NUM> and a charging device <NUM>. The aerosol generating device <NUM> may include an induction coil <NUM>, a susceptor <NUM>, a power supply <NUM>, and a controller <NUM>. The charging device <NUM> may include a transmission coil <NUM>.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> may receive electric power from the charging device <NUM> through the induction coil <NUM> by using electromagnetic induction to charge the power supply <NUM>. In addition, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may heat the susceptor <NUM> through the induction coil <NUM> by using electromagnetic induction to heat an aerosol generating material.

In the operation of charging the aerosol generating device <NUM> through the induction coil <NUM>, the transmission coil <NUM> may operate as a transmission coil Tx that transmits electric power, and the induction coil <NUM> may operate as a reception coil Rx that receives the electric power transmitted by the transmission coil <NUM>.

Reception and transmission of the electric power between the induction coil <NUM> and the transmission coil <NUM> may be performed in a wireless or non-contact way. The induction coil <NUM> and the transmission coil <NUM> may use a charging method using electromagnetic induction, or a magnetic field resonance method in which electric power is transferred at a resonance frequency of the transmission coil <NUM> and the reception coil. As for the details, a configuration commonly used in the art may be employed.

For example, according to the charging method using electromagnetic induction, the charging device <NUM> may control a current flowing through the transmission coil <NUM> to generate an alternating magnetic field. Eddy current may be induced to the induction coil <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> because of the alternating magnetic field generated by the transmission coil <NUM>. The aerosol generating device <NUM> may supply electric power to the power supply <NUM> and charge the power supply <NUM> by using the eddy current flowing through the induction coil <NUM>. In other words, the transmission coil <NUM> transmits electric power to the induction coil <NUM> by applying the magnetic field to the induction coil <NUM> such that the eddy current is induced in the induction coil <NUM>.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> may further include a charger for supplying electric power to the power supply <NUM>, and a regulator for controlling the voltage supplied to the charger.

In an operation of heating the aerosol generating device <NUM> through the induction coil <NUM>, the controller <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may control the current flowing through the induction coil <NUM> to generate a magnetic field, and an induced current may be generated in the susceptor <NUM> because of the magnetic field. The induction heating is a well-known phenomenon that can be explained by Faraday's Law of induction and Ohm's Law, and refers to a phenomenon that when magnetic induction in a conductor changes, a changing electric field is generated in the conductor.

As described above, if the electric field is generated in the conductor, the eddy current flows in the conductor according to Ohm's law, and the eddy current generates heat proportional to current density and conductor resistance. Heat generated from the susceptor <NUM> may be transferred to the aerosol generating material and vaporize the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol.

In other words, when electric power is supplied to the induction coil <NUM>, a magnetic field may be generated in the induction coil <NUM>. When an alternating current is applied to the induction coil <NUM> by the power supply <NUM>, the magnetic field generated in the induction coil <NUM> may periodically change its direction. When the susceptor <NUM> is exposed to the alternating magnetic field generated in the induction coil <NUM> that periodically changes a direction, the susceptor <NUM> may generate heat to heat a cigarette <NUM>.

When an amplitude or frequency of the alternating magnetic field formed by the induction coil <NUM> changes, a temperature at which the susceptor <NUM> heats the cigarette <NUM> may also change. The controller <NUM> may control electric power supplied to the induction coil <NUM> to regulate the amplitude or frequency of the alternating magnetic field generated by the induction coil <NUM>, and thus the temperature of the susceptor <NUM> may be controlled.

According to an embodiment, the induction coil <NUM> and the transmission coil <NUM> may be implemented as a solenoid. Material of a conductor constituting the solenoid may include copper (Cu). The material of the conductor constituting the solenoid may include any one of silver (Ag), gold (Au), aluminum (Al), tungsten (W), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) that have a low specific resistance value to allow a high current to flow, or an alloy including at least one thereof.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the susceptor <NUM> may include a magnetic material. When an alternating magnetic field is applied to a magnetic material, energy may be lost from the magnetic material due to eddy current loss and hysteresis loss, and the lost energy may be released from the magnetic material as thermal energy. The greater the amplitude or frequency of the alternating magnetic field applied to the magnetic material is, the more thermal energy may be released from the magnetic material.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the susceptor <NUM> may include a metal or carbon. The susceptor <NUM> may include at least one of ferrite, a ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum. Alternatively, the susceptor <NUM> may include at least one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, a nickel alloy, a metal film, ceramic such as zirconia or the like, a transition metal such as nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), or the like, and a metalloid such as boron (B) or phosphorus (P).

According to an embodiment, the susceptor <NUM> may be included in the aerosol generating material in the form of fragments, flakes, strips, or the like. According to another embodiment, the susceptor <NUM> may be arranged in the aerosol generating device <NUM>. An embodiment in which the susceptor <NUM> is arranged in a cigarette insertion portion <NUM> will be described later in greater detail with reference to <FIG>.

The power supply <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may supply electric power needed for each component of the aerosol generating device <NUM> to operate. For example, the power supply <NUM> may supply electric power needed for the induction coil <NUM> to generate the magnetic field. Magnitude of the electric power supplied to the induction coil <NUM> may be regulated by a control signal generated by the controller <NUM>.

The power supply <NUM> may be charged by the electric power received through the induction coil <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> may include, for example, a nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) rechargeable battery, an alkaline rechargeable battery, a nickel hydrogen (Ni-H) rechargeable battery, a sealed lead acid (SLA) rechargeable battery, a lithium ion (Li-ion) rechargeable battery, a lithium polymer (Li-polymer) rechargeable battery, and the like.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the power supply <NUM> may include a battery for supplying a direct current and a converter for converting the direct current supplied by the battery into an alternating current supplied to the induction coil <NUM>, or for converting an alternating current received through the transmission coil <NUM> into the direct current.

According to one or more embodiments, the power supply <NUM> may include a regulator that is disposed between the battery and the controller <NUM> to maintain a voltage of the battery constant.

The controller <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may generate and transmit a control signal to control the overall components such as the induction coil <NUM>, the power supply <NUM>, the susceptor <NUM>, and the like included within the aerosol generating device <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may use electric power from the power supply <NUM> to apply current to the induction coil <NUM>, or may use the electric power received through the induction coil <NUM> to charge the power supply <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may operate a heating mode for heating the susceptor <NUM> and a charging mode for charging the power supply <NUM>. The heating mode and the charging mode may be selectively operated. The heating mode and the charging mode will be described later in greater detail with reference to <FIG>.

The controller <NUM> may be implemented with an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented with a combination of a memory in which a general-purpose microprocessor and a program capable of being executed in the microprocessor are stored. Alternatively, the controller <NUM> may include a plurality of processing elements.

Although not shown, the controller <NUM> may further include an input receiver for receiving a user's button input or touch input, a communication unit capable of communicating with an external communication device such as a user terminal, a display for displaying information on the state of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, and a pulse width modulation processer for controlling pulse width of the electric power applied to the induction coil <NUM>.

A controller <NUM> of the charging device <NUM> may control the overall operation of components such the transmission coil <NUM>, a power supply <NUM>, and the like. For example, the controller <NUM> may transform an external power source into an appropriate form to apply an alternating current to the transmission coil <NUM>. In addition, the controller <NUM> may store the external power source in the power supply <NUM>, and may apply current from the power supply <NUM> to the transmission coil <NUM>, if necessary.

The controller <NUM> may be implemented with various numbers of hardware and/or software configurations that execute functions. Alternatively, the controller <NUM> may be implemented by microprocessors, or by circuit configurations for a certain function. For example, the controller <NUM> may be implemented in various programming or scripting languages.

The power supply <NUM> of the charging device <NUM> may supply electric power to the induction coil <NUM>, if necessary. According to an embodiment, the power supply <NUM> may include a battery for storing electric power to be transmitted to the aerosol generating device <NUM>. According to another embodiment, the power supply <NUM> may receive electric power from the external power source such as an outlet and supply the electric power to the transmission coil <NUM>. In that case, the power supply <NUM> may include electronic devices such as a converter, an adapter, and a rectifier to receive electric power from the external power source such as the outlet and supply the electric power to the transmission coil <NUM> in an appropriate form.

The power supply <NUM> may further include a power receiver (not shown) that receives electric power from an external power source (not shown). The power receiver may receive electric power in a wireless charging method or a wired charging method. In the case of the wireless charging method, the power receiver may be in the form of a coil. In the case of the wired charging method, the power receiver may be combined with the external power source. The power supply may receive electric power from the external power source through the power receiver and charge a battery. An operation of charging the power supply <NUM> of the charging device <NUM> will be described later in greater detail with reference to <FIG>.

According to an embodiment, the charging device <NUM> may be in the form of a cradle to which the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be coupled. When the aerosol generating device <NUM> is mounted on the cradle, electrodes of the aerosol generating device <NUM> and electrodes of the cradle are connected to each other, and electric power may be supplied to the power supply <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> through the power supply <NUM>.

When the charging device <NUM> is in the form of a cradle, a cavity in which the aerosol generating device <NUM> is accommodated may be formed in the charging device <NUM>. Coupling of the charging device <NUM> and the aerosol generating device <NUM> will be described later in greater detail with reference to <FIG>.

According to another embodiment, the charging device <NUM> may be a portable device that is not restricted by the location of the external power source. The power supply <NUM> may include a battery built into the charging device <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> may include a rechargeable battery.

Although not shown, the charging device <NUM> may include an input unit for receiving an input related to operations such as on-off, setting of charging intensity, and the like from the user, and an LED or a display for displaying information on remaining capacity of the battery, charging intensity, and the like of the charging device <NUM>.

Although not shown, the aerosol generating system may further include an external power source for supplying electric power to the charging device <NUM>. The external power source may supply electric power to the charging device <NUM> in a wireless charging method or a wired charging method.

The external power source may include an external power transmitter for transmitting electric power. In the case of the wireless charging method, the external power transmitter may be in the form of a coil. In the case of the wired charging method, the external power transmitter may be combined with the charging device <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> may receive electric power from the external power source through a power receiver and charge the battery. The external power source will be described later in greater detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating an aerosol generating device, according to another embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include an impedance matching portion <NUM> for receiving electric power from the transmission coil <NUM> through the induction coil <NUM>, or for transmitting electric power to the induction coil <NUM> for the susceptor <NUM> to be heated. In other words, the impedance matching portion <NUM> may be a power receiver and also a power transmitter. One end of the impedance matching portion <NUM> may be connected to the induction coil <NUM>, and the other end of the impedance matching portion <NUM> may be connected to the controller <NUM> or to the power supply <NUM>.

The impedance matching portion <NUM> may include a variety of electronic devices including resistors, coils, capacitors, and the like. Alternatively, the impedance matching portion <NUM> may include a conductor including a quarter-wave transformer or a stub.

An impedance value of the impedance matching portion <NUM> may be appropriately set such that a charging operation for receiving electric power from the transmission coil <NUM> and a heating operation for transmitting electric power to the susceptor <NUM> are efficiently performed.

In particular, the impedance value of the impedance matching portion <NUM> may be set such that the susceptor <NUM> is prevented from being heated by the electric power transmitted by the transmission coil <NUM> during the charging operation.

More specifically, the charging device <NUM> may include an impedance matching portion <NUM>. An impedance value of the impedance matching portion <NUM> and the impedance value of the impedance matching portion <NUM> may be set such that transmission and reception of electric power between the impedance matching portion <NUM> and the impedance matching portion <NUM> may be efficiently performed.

The susceptor <NUM> has its own impedance value. Here, the impedance value of the susceptor <NUM> refers to an impedance value that is determined by the susceptor <NUM> and electronic devices connected to the susceptor <NUM> to perform the heating operation.

If the impedance value of the impedance matching portion <NUM> of the charging device <NUM> and the impedance value of the susceptor <NUM> are similar to each other, electric power transmitted by the charging device <NUM> may also be transmitted to the susceptor <NUM>. As a result, the charging operation and the heating operation may occur simultaneously. In order to prevent such a case, the impedance value of the impedance matching portion <NUM> and the impedance value of the susceptor <NUM> are adopted to be different from each other.

The more the impedance value of the impedance matching portion <NUM> and the impedance value of the impedance matching portion <NUM> are similar to each other, the higher efficiency of power transfer between the impedance matching portion <NUM> and the impedance matching portion <NUM> may be achieved. On the other hand, the more the impedance value of the impedance matching portion <NUM> and the impedance value of the susceptor <NUM> are similar to each other, the higher electromagnetic induction efficiency and heating efficiency may be achieved.

The impedance value of the impedance matching portion <NUM> may be between the impedance value of the impedance matching portion <NUM> and the impedance value of the susceptor <NUM> such that electric power transfer between the impedance matching portion <NUM> and the susceptor <NUM> is prevented while achieving satisfactory power transfer efficiency with respect to the impedance matching portion <NUM> and electromagnetic induction efficiency with respect to the susceptor <NUM>. In other words, the impedance value of the impedance matching portion <NUM> may be a value between the impedance value of the susceptor <NUM> and an impedance value of the charging device <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be provided with a heating impedance matching portion <NUM> for applying a magnetic field to the susceptor <NUM>, and a reception impedance matching portion <NUM> for receiving electric power from the transmission coil <NUM>. A first impedance value of the heating impedance matching portion <NUM> and a second impedance value of the reception impedance matching portion <NUM> may be different from each other.

The first impedance value of the heating impedance matching portion <NUM> may be similar or equal to the impedance value of the susceptor <NUM>. Thus, the transmission and reception of electric power between the induction coil <NUM> and the susceptor <NUM>, and the corresponding heating operation may be efficiently performed through the heating impedance matching portion <NUM>.

The second impedance value of the reception impedance matching portion <NUM> may be similar or equal to the impedance value of the impedance matching portion <NUM> within the charging device <NUM>. Therefore, the transmission and reception of electric power between the induction coil <NUM> and the transmission coil <NUM>, and the corresponding charging operation may be efficiently performed through the reception impedance matching portion <NUM>.

Depending on the configuration and arrangement of RLC elements constituting each of the heating impedance matching portion <NUM> and the reception impedance matching portion <NUM>, or a value of the conductor such as the stub, the heating impedance matching portion <NUM> and the reception impedance matching portion <NUM> may have impedance values different from each other.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a switch (not shown) capable of selectively choosing an impedance matching portion connected to the induction coil <NUM>. The aerosol generating device <NUM> may operate the switch to selectively connect any one of the heating impedance matching portion <NUM> and the reception impedance matching portion <NUM> to the induction coil <NUM>, and the heating impedance matching portion <NUM> or the reception impedance matching portion <NUM> that is not connected to the induction coil <NUM> may be electrically disconnected from the induction coil <NUM>.

Thus, an impedance value of the impedance matching portion connected to the induction coil <NUM> may be adjusted to a different value. Accordingly, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may selectively perform the heating operation and the charging operation according to the operation of the switch.

Since the first impedance value of the susceptor <NUM> and the second impedance value of the impedance matching portion <NUM> within the charging device <NUM> are different from each other, the susceptor <NUM> may be prevented from being heated by the charging device <NUM>.

For example, the switch may include a field-effect transistor (FET). The switch may also include a P channel FET or an N channel FET. As another example, the switch may include a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), or a thyristor. The switch may be a single electronic element, or a circuit including multiple electronic elements.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method of operation of an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may select any one of a charging mode and a heating mode, in S1100.

The charging mode is a mode in which electric power is supplied by the charging device <NUM> through the induction coil <NUM> to charge electric power of the power supply <NUM>, and the heating mode is a mode in which the susceptor <NUM> is heated through the induction coil <NUM> to vaporize an aerosol generating material.

Descriptions given with reference to <FIG> may apply to the charging mode and the heating mode. Descriptions to be given later with reference to <FIG> may also apply to the charging mode and the heating mode.

Each mode may include an algorithm, code, or a program for the aerosol generating device <NUM> to execute a specific function, and a mode may be operated by executing the algorithm, code, program, and the like.

The charging mode and the heating mode are merely examples of modes that the aerosol generating device <NUM> may select and operate, and the operation modes of the aerosol generating device <NUM> are not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may select a mode that operates according to a user input received through an input unit. The aerosol generating device <NUM> may select the heating mode when receiving the user input for heating the cigarette <NUM> to smoke. The aerosol generating device <NUM> may also select the charging mode when receiving the user input for charging the power supply <NUM>.

In addition, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may select an operation mode according to a signal detected by a sensor. For example, the sensor may detect whether the cigarette <NUM> is inserted into the cigarette insertion portion <NUM> or not. The sensor may include a proximity sensor arranged in the cigarette insertion portion <NUM>, a touch sensor, a limit switch, a sensor for detecting a change in capacitance, an optical sensor, and the like.

The sensor may also detect whether the aerosol generating device <NUM> and the charging device <NUM> are coupled to each other or not. In that case, the sensor may include a proximity sensor arranged at a coupling portion between the aerosol generating device <NUM> and the charging device <NUM>, a touch sensor, a limit switch, a sensor for detecting a change in capacitance, an optical sensor, an energizing sensor for detecting connection of electrodes, and the like.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> may receive electric power through the induction coil <NUM> or heat the susceptor <NUM> through the induction coil <NUM> according to a selected mode, in S1200.

The descriptions given with reference to <FIG> and descriptions to be given later with reference to <FIG> may apply to the aerosol generating device <NUM> performing the charging operation and the heating operation.

To perform the selected mode, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may restrict operation of the mode that is not selected. For example, as described above with reference to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may operate a switch to connect the induction coil <NUM> to only one of the heating impedance matching portion <NUM> and the reception impedance matching portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating the aerosol generating device <NUM> into which a cigarette is inserted. Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include the cigarette insertion portion <NUM> into which the cigarette <NUM> including an aerosol generating material may be inserted. The susceptor <NUM> may be arranged in the cigarette insertion portion <NUM>.

When the cigarette <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the cigarette <NUM> may contact the susceptor <NUM> or be arranged proximate to the susceptor <NUM>. The aerosol generating device <NUM> may heat the susceptor <NUM> through the induction coil <NUM>, and heat from the susceptor <NUM> may be transferred to the cigarette <NUM> to generate an aerosol. The aerosol passes through the cigarette <NUM> to be delivered to a user.

The susceptor <NUM> may be arranged on a bottom surface formed at an inner end portion of the cigarette insertion portion <NUM>. The susceptor <NUM> may be in a rod shape protruding from a bottom surface of an empty space. The cigarette <NUM> may be inserted into the susceptor <NUM> from an upper end portion of the susceptor <NUM>, and accommodated to the bottom surface of the cigarette insertion portion <NUM>.

The induction coil <NUM> may be wound along a side surface of the cigarette insertion portion <NUM> and arranged at a position corresponding to the susceptor <NUM>. The induction coil <NUM> may be supplied with electric power by the power supply <NUM>.

As the susceptor <NUM> is provided in the aerosol generating device <NUM>, there may be various advantages compared to the case where the susceptor <NUM> is provided in the cigarette <NUM>. For example, when the susceptor <NUM> material is not uniformly distributed inside the cigarette <NUM>, the aerosol and flavor are generated non-uniformly. This problem may be solved if the susceptor <NUM> is provided in the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In addition, since the aerosol generating device <NUM> is provided with the susceptor <NUM>, a temperature of the susceptor <NUM> that generates heat through induction heating may be directly measured and provided to the aerosol generating device <NUM>. Accordingly, the temperature of the susceptor <NUM> may be precisely controlled.

The cigarette insertion portion <NUM> may be located at a proximal end of the aerosol generating device <NUM> facing the user when smoking. The cigarette insertion portion <NUM> may include an empty space that extends toward a distal end from the proximal end of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The cigarette insertion portion <NUM> may include an opening that opens to the outside of the cigarette insertion portion <NUM>. The cigarette <NUM> may be inserted into the empty space through the opening of the cigarette insertion portion <NUM>. The empty space may include a hollow.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the cigarette insertion portion <NUM> may be the proximal end of the aerosol generating device <NUM> including the empty space, or may be the empty space itself formed at the proximal end of the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

The empty space of the cigarette insertion portion <NUM> may include a cross section that corresponds to a shape of the cigarette <NUM>. For example, the cross section of the empty space of the cigarette insertion portion <NUM> may be in a circular shape. A diameter of the empty space of the cigarette insertion portion <NUM> may have a value similar to a diameter of the cigarette <NUM>.

According to one or more embodiments, a vaporizer including a liquid storage, a liquid delivery means, and a heating element may be included in the aerosol generating device <NUM> as an independent module.

For example, the liquid composition may include a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance containing a volatile tobacco flavor ingredient, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance. The liquid storage may be manufactured to be detachably attached to a vaporizer <NUM>, or may be manufactured to be integral with the vaporizer <NUM>.

For example, the vaporizer <NUM> may be referred to as a cartomizer or atomizer.

A portion of the cigarette <NUM> may be inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, and the rest portions may be exposed to the outside. The user may inhale the aerosol by biting a portion exposed to the outside. The aerosol is generated as air from the outside passes through an end portion of the cigarette <NUM> inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, and the generated aerosol passes through the other end portion of the cigarette <NUM> to be delivered to the user.

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

<FIG> shows a view showing an example of a cigarette. Referring to <FIG>, the cigarette <NUM> includes a tobacco rod <NUM> and a filter rod <NUM>. The filter rod <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is illustrated as a single segment, but is not limited thereto, and the filter rod <NUM> may include a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod <NUM> may include a first segment configured to cool an aerosol and a second segment configured to filter a certain component included in the aerosol. Also, the filter rod <NUM> may further include at least one segment configured to perform other functions.

The cigarette <NUM> may be packaged by at least one wrapper <NUM>. The wrapper <NUM> may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the cigarette <NUM> may be packaged by one wrapper <NUM>. As another example, the cigarette <NUM> may be double-packaged by at least two wrappers <NUM>. More specifically, the tobacco rod <NUM> may be packaged by a first wrapper, and the filter rod <NUM> may be packaged by a second wrapper. The tobacco rod <NUM> and the filter rod <NUM>, which are respectively packaged by wrappers, may be coupled to each other, and the entire cigarette <NUM> may be packaged by a third wrapper.

the tobacco rod <NUM> may include other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic acid.

For example, the tobacco rod <NUM> may be formed using a sheet or strands.

The heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod <NUM> may uniformly distribute heat transmitted to the tobacco rod <NUM>. As such, the heat conductivity of the tobacco rod may be increased, and flavors of aerosol generated from the tobacco rod <NUM> may be improved.

A shape of the filter rod <NUM> is not limited. Also, the filter rod <NUM> may include a recess-type rod including a cavity therein. When the filter rod <NUM> includes a plurality of segments, the plurality of segments may have a different shape each other.

The filter rod <NUM> may include at least one capsule <NUM>. The capsule <NUM> may generate a flavor or an aerosol.

Although not shown, the cigarette <NUM> may further include a front end plug. The front end plug may be located on one side of a tobacco rod <NUM> opposite the filter rod <NUM>. The front end plug may prevent the tobacco rod <NUM> from falling out of the cigarette <NUM>, and may also prevent the liquefied aerosol from leaking into the aerosol generating device <NUM> from the tobacco rod <NUM> during smoking.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a charging device, according to an embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the charging device <NUM> may further include a protrusion portion <NUM> around which the transmission coil <NUM> is wound.

The protrusion portion <NUM> may protrude outward from one end of the charging device <NUM> in one direction. The protrusion portion <NUM> may provide a space around which the transmission coil <NUM> is wound. The transmission coil <NUM> may be wound along a circumference of the protrusion portion <NUM>. The transmission coil <NUM> may be wound around an outer surface of the protrusion portion <NUM>. Alternatively, when the protrusion portion <NUM> includes an empty space <NUM>, the transmission coil <NUM> may be wound along an inner surface of the empty space <NUM>.

The protrusion portion <NUM> may protrude by a certain length so that the transmission coil <NUM> has a certain number of windings extending by a certain distance. The greater the number of second windings is, the greater magnitude of electromotive force is induced in the induction coil <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the protrusion portion <NUM> may include a metal object or a magnetic object having a certain magnetic permeability to amplify the effect of electromagnetic induction. Accordingly, the transmission coil <NUM> may be in the form of a solenoid including a metal object or a magnetic object therein.

The charging device <NUM> may be coupled to the aerosol generating device <NUM> to charge the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In that case, the charging device <NUM> may be arranged such that the protrusion portion <NUM> faces the cigarette insertion portion <NUM>.

According to one or more embodiments, the transmission coil <NUM> may be inserted into the induction coil <NUM>. Alternatively, the induction coil <NUM> may be inserted into the transmission coil <NUM>. The induction coil <NUM> and the transmission coil <NUM> may be separated by a certain distance from each other in an axial direction. According to one or more embodiments in which the charging device <NUM> and the aerosol generating device <NUM> are coupled to each other, a length and diameter of the protrusion portion <NUM> may be different. Embodiments in which the charging device <NUM> and the aerosol generating device <NUM> are coupled to each other will be described later in detail with reference to <FIG>.

Hereinafter, embodiments in which the charging device <NUM> and the aerosol generating device <NUM> are coupled to each other will be described with reference to <FIG>. Embodiments show in common that when the charging device <NUM> and the aerosol generating device <NUM> are coupled to each other, a central axis of the induction coil <NUM> and a central axis of the transmission coil <NUM> may be in parallel with each other. The central axis of the induction coil <NUM> and the central axis of the transmission coil <NUM> may be aligned to be located on the same line. Thus, the induction coil <NUM> may efficiently receive electric power transmitted by the transmission coil <NUM>, and power loss may be minimized, accordingly.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state in which an aerosol generating device and a charging device are coupled to each other for a charging operation, according to an embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the protrusion portion <NUM> of the charging device <NUM> may be inserted into the cigarette insertion portion <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> to be coupled thereto.

In that case, the transmission coil <NUM> may be located inside the induction coil <NUM>. A diameter of the induction coil <NUM> may be greater than a diameter of the transmission coil <NUM>, and the induction coil <NUM> may surround the transmission coil <NUM>.

A length in an axial direction of the induction coil <NUM> and a length in an axial direction of the transmission coil <NUM> may be similar or equal to each other. When the protrusion portion <NUM> is inserted into the cigarette insertion portion <NUM>, the induction coil <NUM> and the transmission coil <NUM> may overlap partially or completely when viewed from a side. The greater the overlapping portions are, the more efficiently the induction coil <NUM> receives electric power transmitted by the transmission coil <NUM>.

The empty space <NUM> extending in an axial direction may be formed in the protrusion portion <NUM>. The empty space <NUM> may be a hollow. When the protrusion portion <NUM> is inserted into the cigarette insertion portion <NUM>, the susceptor <NUM> may be inserted into the empty space <NUM> to be accommodated therein. In that case, the protrusion portion <NUM> may be inserted into an empty space of the cigarette insertion portion <NUM>.

A length in an axial direction of the empty space <NUM> may be greater than or equal to a length of the susceptor <NUM> such that the susceptor <NUM> is mounted on a bottom surface. A diameter of the empty space <NUM> may be greater than or equal to a diameter of the susceptor <NUM>. Since residual substances of a cigarette may remain on the susceptor <NUM> after smoking, the diameter of the empty space <NUM> may be greater than the diameter of the susceptor <NUM> by a certain difference value, accordingly.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a shield member formed in a charging device coupled in the manner according to <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, a shield member <NUM> may be arranged on an inner surface of the empty space <NUM> along a circumference of the empty space <NUM>. When the protrusion portion <NUM> is inserted into the cigarette insertion portion <NUM>, the susceptor <NUM> may be inserted into the shield member <NUM> to be accommodated therein. In that case, the shield member <NUM> may prevent a magnetic field generated from the transmission coil <NUM> from being transferred into the empty space <NUM>. Accordingly, the magnetic field generated from the transmission coil <NUM> may be prevented from affecting the susceptor <NUM>. As such, the susceptor <NUM> may be prevented from being heated.

The shield member <NUM> may include, for example, a conductor such as aluminum and copper. Alternatively, the shield member <NUM> may include a carbon material such as carbon fiber, carbon nanotube (CNT), carbon black, graphene, and the like. Alternatively, the shield member <NUM> may include a polymer composite material or a combination of the polymer composite material and carbon, ceramic, a metal, or the like.

The shield member <NUM> may be, for example, in the form of a sheet metal, mesh, or ionized gas. The shield member <NUM> may be attached to an inner surface of the empty space <NUM> by, for example, sputtering, plating, or spray coating.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state in which an aerosol generating device and a charging device are coupled to each other for a charging operation, according to another embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the cigarette insertion portion <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be inserted into the empty space <NUM> formed in the protrusion portion <NUM> of the charging device <NUM> to be coupled thereto. A diameter of the empty space <NUM> may be greater than or equal to a diameter of the cigarette insertion portion <NUM>.

In that case, the induction coil <NUM> may be located inside the transmission coil <NUM>. A diameter of the transmission coil <NUM> may be greater than a diameter of the induction coil <NUM>, and the transmission coil <NUM> may surround the induction coil <NUM>. A length in an axial direction of the transmission coil <NUM> and a length in an axial direction of the induction coil <NUM> may be similar or equal to each other. Thus, electric power may be efficiently transmitted from the transmission coil <NUM> to the induction coil <NUM>.

Residual substances of a cigarette may remain on the susceptor <NUM> after smoking. If the cigarette insertion portion <NUM> is inserted into the protrusion portion <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, a possibility of contamination of the charging device <NUM> due to the residual substances of a cigarette attached to the susceptor <NUM> may be reduced.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state in which an aerosol generating device and a charging device are coupled to each other for a charging operation, according to another embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, while the aerosol generating device <NUM> and the charging device <NUM> may be coupled to each other for a charging operation, the cigarette insertion portion <NUM> and the protrusion portion <NUM> may be aligned side by side in an axial direction, separated by a certain distance from each other in the axial direction. Accordingly, the induction coil <NUM> and the transmission coil <NUM> may be separated by a certain distance from each other in an axial direction. Thus, a possibility of contamination of the charging device <NUM> due to residual substances of a cigarette remaining in the cigarette insertion portion <NUM> may be reduced.

The charging device <NUM> may include a support <NUM> to secure a certain distance between the protrusion portion <NUM> and the cigarette insertion portion <NUM>. When the aerosol generating device <NUM> and the charging device <NUM> are coupled to each other, the support <NUM> may support the cigarette insertion portion <NUM> to prevent the cigarette insertion portion <NUM> and the protrusion portion <NUM> from being disposed within a certain distance from each other. A length of the support <NUM> may be the sum of a length of the protrusion portion <NUM>, a length of the cigarette insertion portion <NUM>, and the certain distance.

Although not shown, according to another embodiment, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include the support <NUM> that supports the protrusion portion <NUM> to secure a certain distance between the protrusion portion <NUM> and the cigarette insertion portion <NUM>.

A diameter of the cigarette insertion portion <NUM> and a diameter of the protrusion portion <NUM> may be similar or equal to each other. Accordingly, a diameter of the induction coil <NUM> and a diameter of the transmission coil <NUM> may be similar or equal to each other. The more equal the diameter of the induction coil <NUM> and the diameter of the transmission coil <NUM> aligned side by side in an axial direction, the more efficiently the induction coil <NUM> receives electric power transmitted by the transmission coil <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a shield member formed in a charging device coupled to the aerosol generating device in the manner according to <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the charging device <NUM> may include a shield member <NUM> that surrounds the transmission coil <NUM>. The shield member <NUM> may be in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the transmission coil <NUM>.

Thus, the shield member <NUM> may prevent electric power from being radiated in a radial direction of the transmission coil <NUM>, and may increase directivity of electric power such that the electric power is transmitted in an axial direction of the induction coil <NUM>. As a result, the induction coil <NUM> may efficiently receive electric power transmitted by the transmission coil <NUM>.

The shield member <NUM> may include, for example, a conductor such as aluminum and copper. Alternatively, the shield member <NUM> may include a carbon material such as carbon fiber, carbon nanotube (CNT), carbon black, graphene, and the like. Alternatively, the shield member <NUM> may be made of a polymer composite material or a combination of a polymer composite material and carbon, ceramic, a metal, or the like.

In addition, the shield member <NUM> may be, for example, in the form of a sheet metal, mesh, or ionized gas. The shield member <NUM> may be applied to a shield structure surrounding the transmission coil <NUM> by sputtering, plating, or spray coating.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an operation of charging an aerosol generating device through a charging device, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be a holder <NUM> that holds an aerosol generating material inserted therein. The charging device <NUM> may be a cradle <NUM> including a cavity in which the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be accommodated. Descriptions on the aerosol generating device <NUM> given with reference to <FIG> may apply to the holder <NUM>, and descriptions on the charging device <NUM> given with reference to <FIG> may apply to the cradle <NUM>. In addition, descriptions on the holder <NUM> to be given with reference to <FIG> may apply to the aerosol generating device <NUM>, and descriptions on the cradle <NUM> to be given with reference to <FIG> may apply to the charging device <NUM>.

The holder <NUM> may include a holder battery <NUM>, a holder controller <NUM>, a heater <NUM>, and a power receiver <NUM>. Descriptions on the power supply <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> given with reference to <FIG> may apply to the holder battery <NUM>, descriptions on the controller <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> given with reference to <FIG> may apply to the holder controller <NUM>, and descriptions on the susceptor <NUM> given with reference to <FIG> may apply to the heater <NUM>. In addition, descriptions on the holder battery <NUM> to be given with reference to <FIG> may apply to the power supply <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, descriptions on the holder controller <NUM> to be given with reference to <FIG> may apply to the controller <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, and descriptions on the heater <NUM> to be given with reference to <FIG> may apply to the susceptor <NUM>.

The cradle <NUM> may include a cradle battery <NUM>, a cradle controller <NUM>, and a power transmitter <NUM>. Descriptions on the power supply <NUM> of the charging device <NUM> given with reference to <FIG> may apply to the cradle battery <NUM>, descriptions on the controller <NUM> given with reference to <FIG> may apply to the cradle controller <NUM>, and descriptions on the transmission coil <NUM> given with reference to <FIG> may apply to the power transmitter <NUM>. In addition, descriptions on the cradle battery <NUM> to be given with reference to <FIG> may apply to the power supply <NUM> of the charging device <NUM>, descriptions on the cradle controller <NUM> to be given with reference to <FIG> may apply to the controller <NUM>, and descriptions on the power transmitter <NUM> to be given with reference to <FIG> may apply to the transmission coil <NUM>.

Internal structure of the holder <NUM> and the cradle <NUM> is not limited to the illustration of <FIG>. Those skilled in the art may understand that depending on the design of the holder <NUM> and the cradle <NUM>, some of the hardware components illustrated in <FIG> may be omitted, or a new component may be added thereto.

An inner space may be formed around the heater <NUM> of the holder <NUM>, and a cigarette may be inserted into the inner space. When the cigarette is inserted into the holder <NUM>, the holder <NUM> controls an output voltage of the holder battery <NUM> so that a temperature of the heater <NUM> rises. As an aerosol generating material in the cigarette is heated by the heater <NUM>, an aerosol is generated.

A cavity <NUM> for accommodating the holder <NUM> may be formed in the cradle <NUM>. The cavity <NUM> may be formed in a lengthwise direction of the cradle <NUM>, and the holder <NUM> may be accommodated in the cavity <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the cradle <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. Alternatively, the holder <NUM> may be accommodated in the cavity <NUM> in a direction parallel to the lengthwise direction of the cradle <NUM>.

The holder battery <NUM> supplies electric power needed for the holder <NUM> to operate. For example, the holder battery <NUM> may supply electric power for the heater <NUM> to be heated. The holder battery <NUM> may also supply electric power needed for other hardware components provided within the holder <NUM> such as a sensor, user interface, memory, the holder controller <NUM>, and the like to operate.

The cradle battery <NUM> supplies electric power needed for the cradle <NUM> to operate. For example, the cradle battery <NUM> may supply electric power to the holder battery <NUM> to charge the holder battery <NUM>. When the holder <NUM> and the cradle <NUM> are coupled to each other, the cradle battery <NUM> may supply electric power needed for the holder <NUM> to operate. For example, when a terminal of the holder <NUM> and a terminal of the cradle <NUM> are coupled to each other, regardless of whether the holder battery <NUM> has discharged or not, the holder <NUM> may use electric power supplied by the cradle battery <NUM> to operate.

The holder battery <NUM> and the cradle battery <NUM> may include a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the holder battery <NUM> and the cradle battery <NUM> may include a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) battery, a lithium titanate battery, and a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery.

The heater <NUM> is supplied with electric power by the holder battery <NUM> under the control of the holder controller <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be supplied with electric power by the holder battery <NUM> to heat the cigarette inserted into the holder <NUM>.

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

According to an embodiment, the heater <NUM> may heat the cigarette inserted into an accommodation space of the holder <NUM>. As the cigarette is accommodated in the accommodation space of the holder <NUM>, the heater <NUM> may be located inside and/or outside the cigarette. Thus, the heater <NUM> may heat the aerosol generating material in the cigarette to generate the aerosol.

For example, the heater <NUM> may have a shape of a cylinder and a cone combined with each other. The heater <NUM> may be in a cylindrical shape having a diameter of about <NUM> and a length of about <NUM>, and an end of the heater <NUM> may have an acute angle.

The heater <NUM> may include an induction heating-type heater. The heater <NUM> may include an electrically resistive coil for heating the cigarette through induction heating, and the cigarette may include a susceptor capable of being heated by the induction heating-type heater.

The holder <NUM> may include at least one sensor. A result sensed by the at least one sensor may be transmitted to the holder controller <NUM>, and according to the sensed result, the holder controller <NUM> may control the holder <NUM> to execute a variety of functions such as control of the operation of the heater, restriction of smoking, determining of whether the cigarette is inserted or not, display of notification, and the like.

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

The at least one sensor may also include a temperature detection sensor. The temperature detection sensor may detect a temperature at which the heater <NUM> (or, the aerosol generating material) is heated. The holder <NUM> may include a separate temperature detection sensor for detecting the temperature of the heater <NUM>, or instead of the holder <NUM> including a separate temperature detection sensor, the heater <NUM> may serve as a temperature detection sensor. Alternatively, the holder <NUM> may further include a separate temperature detection sensor even if the heater <NUM> is able to serve as a temperature detection sensor.

The holder <NUM> may include a user interface. The user interface may provide a user with information on the state of the holder <NUM>.

The user interface may include various interfacing means such as a display or lamp for outputting visual information, a motor for outputting tactile information, a speaker for outputting sound information, an input/output (I/O) interfacing means (e.g., button or touch screen) for receiving information input from the user or outputting information to the user, terminals for data communication or for receiving charging power, a communication interfacing module for performing wireless communication with an external device (e.g., Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity), Wi-Fi direct, blue-tooth, NFC (near-field communication)), and the like.

However, only some of the various user interface examples described above may be selected and implemented in the holder <NUM>.

The holder controller <NUM> is hardware for controlling the overall operation of the holder <NUM>. The holder controller <NUM> includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented with an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented with a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. In addition, those skilled in the art may understand that the processor may also be implemented with other types of hardware.

The holder controller <NUM> analyzes the result sensed by the at least one sensor and controls processes to be subsequently executed.

The holder controller <NUM> may control electric power supplied to the heater <NUM> such that the heater <NUM> starts or terminates operation, based on the result sensed by the at least one sensor. The holder controller <NUM> may control an amount of electric power supplied to the heater <NUM> and a period of time for which electric power is supplied to the heater <NUM> such that the heater <NUM> is heated to a certain temperature or maintains an appropriate temperature, based on the result sensed by the at least one sensor.

The holder controller <NUM> may control the user interface, based on the result sensed by the at least one sensor. For example, when the number of puffs is counted by the puff detection sensor reaches a preset number, the holder controller <NUM> may use at least any one of the lamp, motor, and speaker to notify the user that the holder <NUM> will be terminated soon.

The cradle controller <NUM> is hardware for controlling the overall operation of the cradle <NUM>. The cradle <NUM> includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented with an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented with a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. In addition, those skilled in the art to which the present embodiment belongs may understand that the processor may also be implemented with other types of hardware.

The cradle controller <NUM> may control operation of all components of the cradle <NUM>. In addition, the cradle controller <NUM> may determine whether the holder <NUM> and the cradle <NUM> are coupled to each other or not, and may control operation of the cradle <NUM> according to coupling or separation of the cradle <NUM> and the holder <NUM>.

For example, when the holder <NUM> and the cradle <NUM> are coupled to each other, the cradle controller <NUM> may supply electric power of the cradle battery <NUM> to the holder <NUM> to charge the holder battery <NUM> or supply the electric power to the heater <NUM>. Therefore, even when remaining capacity of the holder battery <NUM> is little, the user may couple the holder <NUM> to the cradle <NUM> to continue smoking.

The cradle <NUM> may include a display capable of outputting visual information. In this case, the cradle controller <NUM> may generate a signal to be displayed on the display to provide the user with information related to the cradle battery <NUM> (e.g., remaining capacity, availability, and the like of the cradle battery <NUM>), information related to resetting of the cradle <NUM> (e.g., timing for resetting, progress of resetting, completion of resetting, and the like), information related to cleaning of the holder <NUM> (e.g., timing for cleaning, need of cleaning, progress of cleaning, completion of cleaning, and the like), information related to charging of the cradle <NUM> (e.g., need of charging, progress of charging, completion of charging, and the like), and the like.

In addition, the cradle <NUM> may include at least one input device (for example, a button) which allows the user to control functions of the cradle <NUM>, a terminal for coupling with the holder <NUM>, and/or an interface (for example, a universal serial bus (USB) port, etc.) for charging the cradle battery <NUM>.

For example, the user may use the input device to execute various functions. The user may regulate a frequency of pressing the input device or a period of time for which the input device is pressed to execute desired functions of a plurality of functions of the cradle <NUM>. As the user operates the input device, the cradle <NUM> may perform a function of preheating the heater <NUM> of the holder <NUM>, a function of regulating the temperature of the heater <NUM> of the holder <NUM>, a function of cleaning a space within the holder <NUM> into which the cigarette is inserted, and a function of checking whether the cradle <NUM> is operable or not. In addition, a function of displaying the remaining capacity (available power) of the cradle battery <NUM>, a function of resetting the cradle <NUM>, and the like may be executed. However, the functions of the cradle <NUM> are not limited thereto.

The holder <NUM> may include the power receiver <NUM>, and the cradle <NUM> may include the power transmitter <NUM>. The power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may use one or more wireless power transmission methods to wirelessly transmit electric power to the power receiver <NUM> of the holder <NUM> without any mutual contact. Examples of the wireless power transmission methods include, but are not limited to, inductive coupling and magnetic resonance coupling.

The power receiver <NUM> of the holder <NUM> is connected to the holder battery <NUM>, and the power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> is connected to the cradle battery <NUM>. The power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> wirelessly transmits electric power to the power receiver <NUM> of the holder <NUM>, so that the holder battery <NUM> is charged.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the location of the power transmitter <NUM> may be changed according to whether the holder <NUM> is accommodated in the cavity <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> or not. This will be described later with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a conceptual diagram of a power transmitter and a power receiver used for wireless charging, according to an embodiment.

A power transmitter <NUM> may use one or more wireless power transmission methods to wirelessly transmit electric power to a power receiver <NUM> without any mutual contact.

According to an embodiment, the power transmitter <NUM> may transmit electric power to the power receiver <NUM> by one or more methods from among inductive coupling based on magnetic induction by a wireless power signal and magnetic resonance coupling based on electromagnetic resonance by a wireless power signal of a specific frequency.

The wireless power transmission through the inductive coupling is a technique of wirelessly transmitting electric power using a primary coil and a secondary coil. In this case, a current is induced in a coil according to magnetic induction by an alternating magnetic field applied by the other coil, such that electric power is transferred.

The wireless power transmission through the magnetic resonance coupling refers to a method in which resonance occurs in the power receiver <NUM> by the wireless power signal transmitted by the power transmitter <NUM>, and electric power is transmitted from the power transmitter <NUM> to the power receiver <NUM> by the resonance.

<FIG> illustrates that electric power is transmitted from the power transmitter <NUM> to the power receiver <NUM> by using the inductive coupling. The power transmitter <NUM> includes a transmission coil (i.e., Tx coil) <NUM> that operates as the primary coil in the magnetic induction, and the power receiver <NUM> includes a reception coil (i.e., Rx coil) <NUM> that operates as the secondary coil in the magnetic induction.

When the intensity of a current flowing through the transmission coil <NUM> of the power transmitter <NUM> changes, a magnetic field passing through the transmission coil <NUM> changes. The change of the magnetic field passing through the transmission coil <NUM> generates an induced electromotive force on the reception coil <NUM> of the power receiver <NUM>. The electromotive force induced to the reception coil <NUM> may be used to charge a battery of the power receiver <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of an aerosol generating system before a holder is accommodated in a cradle, according to an embodiment.

The cradle <NUM> includes a first side <NUM> in parallel with a lengthwise direction of the cradle <NUM>, and a second side <NUM> perpendicular to the first side <NUM>. When the holder <NUM> is not accommodated in the cavity <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>, the power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may be located to face the second side <NUM>.

The holder <NUM> may include a third side <NUM> on which the power receiver <NUM> is located. For example, when the holder <NUM> is in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the third side <NUM> may include a rectangular cross section. Alternatively, when a cross section of the holder <NUM> is in a cylindrical shape, the third side <NUM> may include a portion of a circumferential surface of the holder <NUM>.

When the third side <NUM> of the holder <NUM> is placed on the second side <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>, the power receiver <NUM> of the holder <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may face each other. If the power receiver <NUM> receives electric power wirelessly from the power transmitter <NUM> while the power receiver <NUM> of the holder <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> are arranged to face each other, the charging efficiency of the holder battery <NUM> may be enhanced.

According to an embodiment, a first seating groove <NUM> in which the holder <NUM> is able to be seated may be formed on the second side <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>. The first seating groove <NUM> may prevent the holder <NUM> from being separated from the cradle <NUM>. Even when the holder <NUM> is not accommodated in the cavity <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>, the holder <NUM> may be seated in the first seating groove <NUM>, so that the power receiver <NUM> receives electric power wirelessly from the power transmitter <NUM>.

Although not shown in <FIG>, magnetic materials may be present inside the third side <NUM> where the power receiver <NUM> is located and inside the first seating groove <NUM>. The power receiver <NUM> may be seated on the first seating groove <NUM> to face the inside of the first seating groove <NUM>, by electromagnetic force of the magnetic materials. In addition, the holder <NUM> may be seated firmly in the first seating groove <NUM> by the electromagnetic force of the magnetic materials. The magnetic materials may include materials such as permanent magnets, iron, nickel, cobalt, an alloy thereof, or the like.

When the holder <NUM> is in a cylindrical shape, the first seating groove <NUM> may be formed to correspond to the curvature of the circumferential surface of the holder <NUM>. Alternatively, when the holder <NUM> is in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the first seating groove <NUM> may be formed to correspond to a rectangular cross section of the holder <NUM>. In other words, a shape of the first seating groove <NUM> may be determined according to the shape of the holder <NUM>.

The power receiver <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> may include a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), and a coil on the FPCB. For example, the FPCB may include polyimide. As the power receiver <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> include FPCBs, the power receiver <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> may maintain a flat shape or may be curved flexibly.

When the holder <NUM> is in a cylindrical shape, the power receiver <NUM> of the holder <NUM> may be in a curved shape to correspond to the curvature of the third side <NUM>. When the first seating groove <NUM> is formed on the second side <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>, the power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may be in a curved shape to correspond to the curvature of the first seating groove <NUM>. In that case, as the first seating groove <NUM> is formed to correspond to the curvature of the third side <NUM>, the curvature of the power receiver <NUM> of the holder <NUM> and the curvature of the power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may correspond to each other. Accordingly, a corresponding area between the power receiver <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> is maximized. Therefore, when the power receiver <NUM> receives electric power wirelessly from the power transmitter <NUM>, charging efficiency of the holder battery <NUM> may be enhanced.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating examples of an aerosol generating system before and after a holder is accommodated in a cradle, according to an embodiment.

<FIG> illustrates an aerosol generating system before the holder <NUM> is accommodated in the cavity <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>.

The cradle <NUM> includes the first side <NUM> in parallel with a lengthwise direction of the cradle <NUM>, and the second side <NUM> perpendicular to the first side <NUM>. The holder <NUM> may include the third side <NUM> on which the power receiver <NUM> is located. For example, when the holder <NUM> is in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the third side <NUM> may include a rectangular cross section. Alternatively, when a cross section of the holder <NUM> is in a cylindrical shape, the third side <NUM> may include a portion of a circumferential surface of the holder <NUM>.

When the holder <NUM> is not accommodated in the cavity <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>, the power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may be located to face the second side <NUM> (hereinafter referred to as the second position) as illustrated in <FIG>.

As such, even when the holder <NUM> is not accommodated in the cavity <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>, the power receiver <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> located on the second position may be arranged to face each other by placing the third side <NUM> of the holder <NUM> on the second side <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>. Since the power receiver <NUM> of the holder <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> are arranged to face each other, when the power receiver <NUM> receives electric power wirelessly from the power transmitter <NUM>, charging efficiency of the holder battery <NUM> may be enhanced.

Although not shown in <FIG>, the first seating groove <NUM> in which the holder <NUM> is able to be seated may be formed on the second side <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>. The first seating groove <NUM> may prevent the holder <NUM> from being separated from the cradle <NUM>.

The cradle <NUM> may include a holder accommodation detection sensor <NUM> for detecting whether or not the holder <NUM> is accommodated in the cavity <NUM>. When the holder accommodation detection sensor <NUM> detects that the holder <NUM> has been accommodated in the cavity <NUM>, the location of the power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may be changed.

For example, if the holder accommodation detection sensor <NUM> includes a push-type switch, when the holder <NUM> is inserted into the cavity <NUM>, the holder accommodation detection sensor <NUM> may be pushed into the cradle <NUM>. In this case, the cradle <NUM> may detect that the holder <NUM> is accommodated in the cavity <NUM>, and change the location of the power transmitter <NUM>.

The holder accommodation detection sensor <NUM> may include a capacitance detection sensor, a hall-effect sensor, a magneto-resistor, or the like.

<FIG> illustrates an aerosol generating system after the holder <NUM> is accommodated in the cavity <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>.

When the holder <NUM> is accommodated in the cavity <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>, the power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may be located to face the first side <NUM> (hereinafter referred to as the first position), as illustrated in <FIG>.

That is, when the holder <NUM> is accommodated in the cavity <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>, the third side <NUM> of the holder <NUM> may be located on the first side <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>, such that the power receiver <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> at the first position are arranged to face each other. Since the power receiver <NUM> of the holder <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> are arranged to face each other, when the power receiver <NUM> receives electric power wirelessly from the power transmitter <NUM>, charging efficiency of the holder battery <NUM> may be enhanced.

Although not illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, magnetic materials may be present inside the third side <NUM> on which the power receiver <NUM> is located and inside the first side <NUM> of the cavity <NUM>. The power receiver <NUM> may be accommodated in the cavity <NUM> to face the inside of the first side <NUM>, by electromagnetic force of the magnetic materials. In addition, the holder <NUM> may be accommodated firmly in the cavity <NUM> by the electromagnetic force of the magnetic materials. The magnetic materials may include materials such as permanent magnets, iron, nickel, cobalt, an alloy thereof, or the like.

The power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may be movable between the first position where the power transmitter <NUM> faces the first side <NUM> inside the cradle <NUM> and the second position where the power transmitter <NUM> faces the second side <NUM> inside the cradle <NUM>. As the power transmitter <NUM> is moved between the first position and the second position, a shape of the power transmitter <NUM> may be changed.

According to an embodiment, the power receiver <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> may include a FPCB and a coil on the FPCB. As the power receiver <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> include FPCBs, the power receiver <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> may maintain a flat shape, or may be curved flexibly.

When the second side <NUM> is flat, the power transmitter <NUM> at the second position may be in a flat shape. As the holder <NUM> is accommodated in the cavity <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>, the power transmitter <NUM> may be moved from the second position to the first position, and the power transmitter <NUM> may be in a curved shape to correspond to the curvature of the first side <NUM>. In other words, as the power transmitter <NUM> is moved from the second position to the first position, the power transmitter <NUM> may be changed from the flat shape to the curved shape.

Alternatively, if the first seating groove <NUM> is formed on the second side <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the power transmitter <NUM> at the second position may be in a curved shape to correspond to the curvature of the first seating groove <NUM>. As the holder <NUM> is accommodated in the cavity <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>, the power transmitter <NUM> may be moved from the second position to the first position, and the power transmitter <NUM> may be in a curved shape to correspond to the curvature of the first side <NUM>. In that case, depending on the difference between the curvature of the first seating groove <NUM> and the curvature of the first side <NUM>, a degree to which the power transmitter <NUM> is curved may be changed, or may remain the same.

According to the present embodiment, the location of the power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may be changed according to whether or not the holder <NUM> is accommodated in the cavity <NUM> of the cradle <NUM>. As such, the power receiver <NUM> of the holder <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may be arranged to face each other, whether or not the holder <NUM> is accommodated in the cavity <NUM>. Thus, when the power receiver <NUM> receives electric power wirelessly from the power transmitter <NUM>, charging efficiency of the holder battery <NUM> may be enhanced.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the power receiver <NUM> of the holder <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may include FPCBs, so that a degree to which the power receiver <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> are curved is changed to increase the corresponding area. Therefore, when the power receiver <NUM> receives electric power wirelessly from the power transmitter <NUM>, charging efficiency of the holder battery <NUM> may be enhanced.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example in which a cradle is seated on a wireless charging pad, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an external power source may include a wireless charging pad <NUM>, according to an embodiment. However, the external power source is not limited to the wireless charging pad <NUM>, and may include various power storage devices such as a rechargeable battery that may be recharged by a wire.

The cradle <NUM> includes the first side <NUM> in parallel with a lengthwise direction of the cradle <NUM>, and the second side <NUM> and a fourth side <NUM> that are perpendicular to the first side <NUM>. In other words, the second side <NUM> and the fourth side <NUM> are located to face each other.

The cradle <NUM> includes the cradle battery <NUM>, the cradle controller <NUM>, the power transmitter <NUM>, and a power receiver <NUM>. However, internal configuration of the cradle <NUM> is not limited to the illustration of <FIG>.

The power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may be located to face the second side <NUM>, and the power receiver <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may be located to face the fourth side <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the power receiver <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> may be located practically in parallel with each other within the cradle <NUM>.

As described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the power transmitter <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may transmit electric power wirelessly to the power receiver <NUM> of the holder <NUM> to charge the holder battery <NUM>.

The power receiver <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may receive electric power wirelessly from an external power transmitter to charge the cradle battery <NUM>. The external power transmitter may be a power transmitter <NUM> included within the wireless charging pad <NUM>.

The power receiver <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may receive electric power wirelessly from the wireless charging pad <NUM> including the power transmitter <NUM>. When the fourth side <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> is located on one side of the wireless charging pad <NUM>, the power receiver <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> of the wireless charging pad <NUM> may be arranged to face each other.

According to an embodiment, a second seating groove <NUM> in which the cradle <NUM> is able to be seated may be formed on one side of the wireless charging pad <NUM>. The second seating groove <NUM> may prevent the cradle <NUM> from being separated from the wireless charging pad <NUM>.

When the cradle <NUM> is in a cylindrical shape, the second seating groove <NUM> may be formed to correspond to the curvature of a circumferential surface of the cradle <NUM>. Alternatively, when the cradle <NUM> is in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the second seating groove <NUM> may be formed to correspond to a rectangular cross section of the cradle <NUM>. In other words, depending on the shape of the cradle <NUM>, a shape of the second seating groove <NUM> may be determined.

Although not illustrated in <FIG>, magnetic materials may be present inside the fourth side <NUM> on which the power receiver <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> is located, and inside the second seating groove <NUM>. The power receiver <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may be seated in the second seating groove <NUM> to face the inside of the second seating groove <NUM>, by electromagnetic force of the magnetic materials. In addition, the cradle <NUM> may be seated firmly in the second seating groove <NUM> by the electromagnetic force of the magnetic materials. The magnetic materials may include materials such as permanent magnets, iron, nickel, cobalt, an alloy thereof, or the like.

The power receiver <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> of the wireless charging pad <NUM> may include a FPCB, and a coil on the FPCB. For example, the FPCB may include polyimide. As the power receiver <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> of the wireless charging pad <NUM> include FPCBs, the power receiver <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> may maintain a flat shape, or may be curved flexibly.

According to an embodiment, when the cradle <NUM> is in a cylindrical shape, the power receiver <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may be in a curved shape to correspond to the curvature of the fourth side <NUM>. In addition, the power transmitter <NUM> of the wireless charging pad <NUM> may be in a curved shape to correspond to the curvature of the second seating groove <NUM>. If the second seating groove <NUM> is formed to correspond to the curvature of the fourth side <NUM>, the curvature of the power receiver <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> and the curvature of the power transmitter <NUM> of the wireless charging pad <NUM> may correspond to each other. Accordingly, a corresponding area between the power receiver <NUM> and the power transmitter <NUM> is maximized. Thus, when the power receiver <NUM> receives electric power wirelessly from the power transmitter <NUM>, charging efficiency of the cradle battery <NUM> may be enhanced.

Although not illustrated in <FIG>, while the holder <NUM> is accommodated in the cradle <NUM>, the cradle <NUM> and the holder <NUM> may be placed on one side of the wireless charging pad <NUM>.

In that case, the power receiver <NUM> of the cradle <NUM> may receive electric power wirelessly from the power transmitter <NUM> of the wireless charging pad <NUM> to charge the cradle battery <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An aerosol generating system comprising:
an aerosol generating device (<NUM>) comprising an induction coil (<NUM>) configured to perform a heating operation for heating a susceptor (<NUM>) arranged in a cigarette insertion portion (<NUM>) and a charging operation for receiving electric power to charge a power supply (<NUM>),
a charging device (<NUM>) comprising a transmission coil (<NUM>) configured to transmit electric power to the induction coil (<NUM>), and
a heating impedance matching portion (<NUM>) having a first impedance value for applying a magnetic field to the susceptor (<NUM>) during the heating operation, and a reception impedance matching portion (<NUM>) having a second impedance value for receiving electric power from the charging device (<NUM>) during the charging operation.