Patent Description:
Recently, the demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of general cigarettes has increased. For example, there is an increasing demand for a method of generating aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in cigarettes, rather than by burning cigarettes. Accordingly, studies on a heating-type cigarette and a heating-type aerosol generating device have been actively conducted.

An aerosol generation device according to the related art includes an internal insertion-type heater inserted into a cigarette, but there is a problem in that when the internal insertion-type heater is inserted into the cigarette, foreign substances are discharged from the cigarette as one end of the cigarette penetrates. In order to solve such a problem, a cylindrical heater for heating the cigarette from the outside has been developed, but in the case of a cylindrical heater, there is a problem in that heat transfer to the cigarette is reduced as compared to the internal insertion-type heater directly inserted into the cigarette. Therefore, there may be a need for a technique for maximizing the efficiency of heat transfer to cigarettes in an aerosol generation device including a cylindrical heater. <CIT> relates to an electrically heated aerosol generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate. The system comprises at least one electric heater for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to form the aerosol. The heater comprises a heating element of a first cross section electrically connected to a plurality of elongate support elements. Each support element has a cross section greater than the first cross section. At least one of the support elements is integrally formed with the heating element. <CIT> relates to an electrically heated smoking system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate. The system comprises a heater for heating the substrate to form the aerosol, and the heater comprises a heating element. The electrically heated smoking system and the heating element are arranged such that, when the aerosol-forming substrate is received in the electrically heated smoking system, the heating element extends a distance only partially along the length of the aerosol forming-substrate, and the heating element is positioned towards the downstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate. <CIT> relates to the manufacturing of a removable cigarette for use in a smoking system which includes a lighter which has electrical heating means disposed in permanent cavity for delivering a flavored tobacco response to a smoker. To manufacture the cigarette a carrier web is provided which has regions of tobacco flavor material. Adhesive regions are applied from an adhesive applying station to the surface of the carrier web to form spaced regions of adhesive in between spaced regions of flavor material. A filter station attaches filters to the adhesive regions and a wrapping station wraps the web around the filters to form a continuous rod of alternating regions of filter and tobacco flavor material. Individual removable cigarettes are formed by severing the continuous rod at a severing station.

Provided are an aerosol generation device, a method for manufacturing a heater for the aerosol generation device and a heater for the aerosol generation device. The technical solution of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described technical problems, and other technical problems may be deduced from the following exemplary embodiments.

The present disclosure provides a heater for an aerosol generation device comprising the features of claim <NUM>.

A cylindrical heater included in an aerosol generation device according to the related art has a problem that it is difficult to directly print the electrically conductive track on the inner surface of a member having a cylindrical structure. On the contrary, according to the structure of the heater for the aerosol generation device according to the invention, the electrically conductive track is easily printed on the inner surface of each of the plurality of segments having a shape in which a member of a cylindrical structure is cut into a plurality of members, and then the plurality of segments are coupled to each other to form the cylindrical structure. Because the electrically conductive track is printed on the inner surface of the heater and in direct contact with the cigarette, the heat transfer efficiency with respect to the cigarette increases.

In addition, the heater for the aerosol generation device according to the invention includes the elastic member that applies elastic force to the plurality of segments such that the cigarette inserted into the insertion portion formed by coupling the plurality of segments with each other and the electrically conductive track printed on one surface of each of the plurality of segments may be in close contact with each other. Because the electrically conductive track and the cigarette are in close contact with each other, the heat transfer efficiency with respect to the cigarette further increases.

According to the invention, a heater for an aerosol generation device includes a plurality of segments combined together to form an insertion portion into which an object-to-be-heated is inserted; one or more electrically conductive tracks printed on one surface of each of the plurality of segments and disposed toward the object-to-be-heated; and an elastic member configured to surround at least a part of the plurality of segments.

The elastic member is configured to surround and compress the part of the plurality of segments to maintain a structure in which the plurality of segments are combined.

The elastic member includes a material having an elastic force in a direction of an inner surface of the elastic member.

For example, an inner diameter of the elastic member may be smaller than an outer diameter of a structure in which the plurality of segments is in close contact with each other along an outer circumference of the object-to-be-heated.

At least some of the plurality of segments may be spaced apart from each other by the object-to-be-heated inserted into the insertion portion.

A cross-sectional shape of the elastic member configured to surround the part of the plurality of segments viewed in a direction in which the object-to-be-heated is inserted may be at least one of a circle and a polygon.

The heater may further include a lower support portion disposed at a lower end of the plurality of segments to support the plurality of segments at a lower end thereof; and an upper support portion configured to support the plurality of segments at an upper end thereof, and including one or more wing portions bound to the lower support portion.

An inner surface of at least one of the lower support portion, the elastic member and the upper support portion may include at least one portion spaced apart from an outer surface of the plurality of segments.

An inner surface of at least one of the lower support portion, the elastic member and the upper support portion may be in contact with an outer surface of the plurality of segments by using a line contact method or a point contact method.

Meanwhile, the object-to-be-heated is a cigarette, and the one or more electrically conductive tracks are printed on a position corresponding to a tobacco rod of the cigarette inserted into the insertion portion.

The plurality of segments may be heated to different temperatures by the one or more electrically conductive tracks.

The heater may further include a coating layer formed on an inner surface of each of the plurality of segments to protect the one or more electrically conductive tracks.

The heater may further include one or more sensor tracks printed on an inner surface of each of the plurality of segments.

A temperature of each of the plurality of segments may be independently detectable by the one or more sensor tracks.

According to another aspect of the invention, an aerosol generation device is provided comprising the features of claim <NUM>.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a heater for an aerosol generation device according to claim <NUM> is provided.

With respect to the terms in the various exemplary embodiments, the general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of a new technology, and the like. Therefore, the terms used in the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.

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

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> are diagrams showing examples that do not fall under the scope of the claims, but are useful for understanding the invention, in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device.

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

<FIG> only illustrate some components of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, which are related to the present exemplary embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art related to the present exemplary embodiment that other general-purpose components may be further included in the aerosol generating device <NUM>, in addition to the components illustrated in <FIG>.

Also, <FIG> illustrate that the aerosol generating device <NUM> includes the heater <NUM>. However, as necessary, the heater <NUM> may be omitted.

<FIG> illustrates that the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, the vaporizer <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> are arranged in series. On the other hand, <FIG> illustrates that the vaporizer <NUM> and the heater <NUM> are arranged in parallel. In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, the vaporizer <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> may be differently arranged.

When the cigarette <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may operate the vaporizer <NUM> to generate aerosol. The aerosol generated by the vaporizer <NUM> is delivered to the user by passing through the cigarette <NUM>. The vaporizer <NUM> will be described in more detail later.

For example, the battery <NUM> may supply power to heat the heater <NUM> or the vaporizer <NUM> and may supply power for operating the controller <NUM>.

Also, the controller <NUM> may check a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device <NUM> to determine whether or not the aerosol generating device <NUM> is in an operable state.

For example, when the cigarette <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the heater <NUM> may be located outside the cigarette <NUM> and increase a temperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette <NUM>.

However, the heater <NUM> is not limited to the example described above and may include any other heaters which may be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device <NUM> or may be set by a user.

Here, the plurality of heaters <NUM> may be arranged outside the cigarette <NUM>.

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

In addition, the heating element may include a conductive filament such as nichrome wire and may be wound around the liquid delivery element. The heating element may be heated by electrical current and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition.

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

Although not illustrated in <FIG>, a cradle may be used with the aerosol generating device <NUM> to form a system.

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

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

For example, the external air may flow into at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device <NUM>. For example, opening and closing of the air passage and/or a size of the air passage may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount of smoke and smoking satisfaction 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> is a drawing illustrating an example of a cigarette.

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

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

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

For example, the heat conductive material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil.

Here, the capsule <NUM> may generate a flavor or aerosol.

When the filter rod <NUM> includes a segment configured to cool the aerosol, the cooling segment may include a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material. For example, the cooling segment may include pure polylactic acid alone, but the material for forming the cooling segment is not limited thereto. In some exemplary embodiments, the cooling segment may include a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality of holes. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the above-described example and any other cooling segment that is capable of cooling the aerosol may be used.

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

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a heater for an aerosol generation device according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, a heater <NUM> for the aerosol generation device includes a plurality of segments <NUM>, one or more electrically conductive tracks <NUM>, and an elastic member <NUM>. Meanwhile, only some elements related to the present exemplary embodiment are illustrated in the heater <NUM> for the aerosol generation device illustrated in <FIG>. Accordingly, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the general purpose elements other than the elements shown in <FIG> may be further included in the heater <NUM> for the aerosol generation device. For example, the heater <NUM> may include at least one electrical connector (not shown) for electrical connection between the electrically conductive track <NUM> and a battery <NUM>.

The plurality of segments <NUM> refers to a structure that the plurality of segments <NUM> are coupled to each other to form an insertion portion into which an object-to-be-heated is inserted. According to the invention, each of the plurality of segments <NUM> has a shape that is obtained by cutting a cylindrical structure into a plurality of parts. When the plurality of segments <NUM> are coupled to each other to form the cylindrical structure, an accommodation space, that is, the insertion portion, for accommodating the object-to-be-heated (e.g., a cigarette <NUM>) is formed.

As shown in <FIG>, the cross-sectional shape of the insertion portion formed by the structure in which the plurality of segments <NUM> are combined may be a circle that corresponds to a shape of the cigarette <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the cross-sectional shape of the insertion portion formed by the combined segments <NUM> may be a polygon or may have various sizes and shapes according to the shape of the cigarette <NUM>.

In addition, the plurality of segments <NUM> may include a heat resistant material to withstand heat generated from the electrically conductive track <NUM>, may include a heat insulating material to prevent the heat generated from the electrically conductive track <NUM> from being lost to the outside, and may have a thermal conductivity to evenly heat the object-to-be-heated inserted therein.

The plurality of segments <NUM> includes a rigid material to accommodate the cigarette <NUM> therein and maintain its shape. For example, the plurality of segments <NUM> may be a ceramic material or an electrically insulating material such as a heat resistant polymer material.

However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the plurality of segments <NUM> may include any suitable metal material such as copper, nickel, iron, chromium, or an alloy thereof. When the plurality of segments <NUM> include the metal material, a separate electrical insulation layer (not shown) capable of preventing the conduction of electricity may be further included between the plurality of segments <NUM> and the electrically conductive track <NUM>. The electrically insulating layer may be a heat resistant polymer material that may withstand the heat generated from the electrically conductive track <NUM> and have insulation, but is not limited thereto.

The electrically conductive track <NUM> may refer to an electrically resistive heating element that is supplied with power from the battery <NUM> and generates heat as current flows. The electrically conductive track <NUM> is printed on one surface of each of the plurality of segments <NUM> and disposed towards the cigarette <NUM>. According to the invention, the electrically conductive tracks <NUM> printed on one surface of each of the plurality of segments <NUM> are disposed to face each other. Accordingly, the cigarette <NUM> inserted into the insertion portion formed by coupling the plurality of segments <NUM> to each other may be adjacent to the electrically conductive track <NUM>.

According to the structure of the heater <NUM> for the aerosol generation device according to the present disclosure, the electrically conductive track <NUM> may be easily printed on one surface of each of the plurality of segments <NUM> having the shape obtained by cutting the cylindrical structure into the plurality of parts, that is, on the inner surface of the cylindrical structure. Because the electrically conductive track <NUM> is printed on the inner surface of the heater <NUM>, the electrically conductive track <NUM> and the cigarette <NUM> may be in direct contact, and the heat transfer efficiency with respect to the cigarette <NUM> may increase.

Meanwhile, the electrically conductive track <NUM> may be printed on a position corresponding to a tobacco rod <NUM> of the cigarette <NUM> inserted into the insertion portion. Accordingly, an aerosol generation material included in the tobacco rod <NUM> of the cigarette <NUM> may be effectively heated. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the electrically conductive track <NUM> may be printed on any suitable position of one surface disposed toward the object to-be-heated of the plurality of segments <NUM> constituting the heater <NUM>. Hereinafter, examples of the plurality of segments <NUM> having the electrically conductive tracks <NUM> printed on the respective inner surfaces thereof will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of segments in which electrically conductive tracks are printed on the respective inner surfaces thereof according to an exemplary embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating another example of a plurality of segments according to an exemplary embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating another example of a plurality of segments according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, the plurality of segments <NUM> may have a shape in which a member of a cylindrical structure is cut into two parts. For example, the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of segments <NUM> may be a semicircle. Because each of the plurality of segments <NUM> are formed by cutting the member of the cylindrical structure into two parts, the electrically conductive track <NUM> may be more easily printed on the inner surface of each of the plurality of segments <NUM> as compared with a cylindrical structure.

As shown in <FIG>, the plurality of segments <NUM> have a shape obtained by cutting a cylindrical structure into four parts. For example, the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of segments <NUM> may be a quadrant. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the plurality of segments <NUM> may have a shape obtained by cutting the cylindrical structure into any suitable number of parts. In addition, the plurality of segments <NUM> are formed by cutting a structure of a non-cylindrical shape into a plurality of parts.

The electrically conductive track <NUM> may be printed in a horizontal pattern as shown in <FIG>, or may be printed in a vertical pattern as shown in <FIG>. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples, and the pattern or shape of the electrically conductive track <NUM> may be variously implemented in an angular shape, a curved shape, a mesh shape, an atypical shape, etc..

Referring back to <FIG>, the plurality of segments <NUM> may be heated to different temperatures by the one or more electrically conductive tracks <NUM>. The separate electrically conductive track <NUM> is printed on each of the plurality of segments <NUM>, and thus the plurality of segments <NUM> may be heated to different temperatures by a controller <NUM> that controls power supply to the one or more electrically conductive tracks <NUM>. For example, one of the plurality of segments <NUM> located close to an external housing of the aerosol generation device <NUM> may be heated to a low temperature, and one of the plurality of segments <NUM> located far from the external housing of the aerosol generation device <NUM> may be heated to a high temperature. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the plurality of segments <NUM> may be heated to the same temperature.

Meanwhile, the heater <NUM> may further include one or more sensor tracks <NUM> printed on one surface of each of the plurality of segments <NUM>. The sensor track <NUM> may be printed in a similar manner as the electrically conductive track <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Because the sensor track <NUM> is printed on one surface of each of the plurality of segments <NUM>, the temperature of each of the plurality of segments <NUM> may be independently detectable. Similar to the electrically conductive track <NUM>, the sensor track <NUM> may include an electrically resistive element or an electrically conductive element. For example, the sensor track <NUM> may include tungsten, gold, platinum, silver, copper, nickel, palladium, or a combination thereof and may be doped with a suitable dopant or include an alloy. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In addition, the heater <NUM> may further include a coating layer (not shown) formed on one surface of each of the plurality of segments <NUM> to protect the electrically conductive track <NUM> or the sensor track <NUM>. The coating layer may include a heat resistant composition having a property of electrical insulation. For example, the coating layer may include one of a single coating layer of a glass film coating layer, a Teflon coating layer, and a Thermolon coating layer. In addition, the coating layer may include a composite coating layer composed of a combination of two or more layers of the glass film coating layer, the Teflon coating layer and the Thermolon coating layer. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The coating layer may include any suitable material for protecting the electrically conductive track <NUM> or the sensor track <NUM>. In addition, the coating layer may be formed on one surface of each of the plurality of segments <NUM> using any suitable method including deposition, spraying, lamination, etc..

The elastic member <NUM> has elasticity and surrounds at least some of the plurality of segments <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> surrounds and compresses at least a part of the plurality of segments <NUM> to maintain the coupling of the plurality of segments <NUM>. According to the invention, the elastic member <NUM> includes a material having elastic force in an inner surface direction of the elastic member <NUM>, that is, in a direction for pressing an object-to-be-heated inserted into an insertion portion formed by the plurality of segments <NUM>. The inner diameter of the elastic member <NUM> may be smaller than the outer diameter of a structure in which the plurality of segments <NUM> are closely combined along the outer circumference of the cigarette <NUM>.

Therefore, when the elastic member <NUM> surrounds the combined segments <NUM>, the elastic member <NUM> stretches from its original state, and in this case, the elastic member <NUM> applies the elastic force to the plurality of segments <NUM> so as to return to the original state. The structure in which the plurality of segments <NUM> are combined may be maintained by the elastic force of the elastic member <NUM> surrounding the plurality of segments <NUM>. The insert portion into which the cigarette <NUM> is inserted may be formed by maintaining the coupling of the segments <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the inner diameter of the structure in which the plurality of segments <NUM> are combined may be smaller than the outer diameter of the cigarette <NUM>. Therefore, by the cigarette <NUM> inserted into the insertion portion, at least some of the plurality of segments <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other, and the elastic member <NUM> applies the elastic force in a direction that keeps the plurality of segments <NUM> close. The electrically conductive track <NUM> printed on one surface of each of the plurality of segments <NUM> may be in close contact with the cigarette <NUM> by the elastic force applied by the elastic member <NUM> to the plurality of segments <NUM>. Because the electrically conductive track <NUM> and the cigarette <NUM> are in close contact with each other, the heat transfer efficiency with respect to the cigarette <NUM> may further increase.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating another example of a heater for an aerosol generation device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the heater <NUM> for the aerosol generation device may have the same configuration as that of <FIG>, except for a slight difference in the shape or material of the elastic member <NUM>. For example, although the electrically conductive track <NUM> is omitted in <FIG>, the heater <NUM> may include the electrically conductive track <NUM> printed on one surface of each of the plurality of segments <NUM>. Descriptions of the plurality of segments <NUM>, the electrically conductive track <NUM>, and the elastic member <NUM> have been provided above with reference to <FIG> and thus are omitted herein.

As shown in <FIG>, the elastic member <NUM> may not have a perfect circular cross-sectional shape, but may have a ring-shaped cross-sectional shape. In this case, the elastic member <NUM> may include a material having a relatively smaller elastic force and relatively more rigid compared to <FIG>. However, it is the same that the elastic member <NUM> serves to maintain a structure of the combined segments <NUM> by surrounding and compressing at least a part of the plurality of segments <NUM>. Hereinafter, the function of the elastic member <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a structure in which an elastic member and a plurality of segments are coupled viewed from a direction in which a cigarette is inserted according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, an inner diameter a of the elastic member <NUM> is smaller than an outer diameter b of a structure in which the plurality of segments <NUM> are closely combined. Accordingly, when the elastic member <NUM> surrounds the structure in which the plurality of segments <NUM> are combined, the elastic member <NUM> stretches from its original state, and in this case, the elastic member <NUM> applies elastic force to the plurality of segments <NUM> so as to return to the original state. The structure in which the plurality of segments <NUM> are combined may be maintained by the elastic force of the elastic member <NUM> surrounding at least a part of the plurality of segments <NUM>. The insert portion into which the cigarette <NUM> is inserted may be formed by maintaining the structure in which the plurality of segments <NUM> are combined.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating another example of a heater for an aerosol generation device according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, the heater <NUM> may further include a lower support portion <NUM> and an upper support portion <NUM> in addition to the plurality of segments <NUM>, the electrically conductive track <NUM>, and the elastic member <NUM>.

The lower support portion <NUM> may refer to a support structure disposed at a lower end of the plurality of segments <NUM> to support the plurality of segments <NUM> at the lower end. The upper support portion <NUM> may refer to a support structure disposed at an upper end of the plurality of segments <NUM> to support the plurality of segments <NUM> at the upper end. The upper support portion <NUM> may include one or more wing portion <NUM> bound to the lower support portion <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the lower support portion <NUM> may include one or more wing portion (not shown) bound to the upper support portion <NUM>. Meanwhile, because the wing portion <NUM> of the upper support portion <NUM> is bound to the lower support portion <NUM>, the vertical movement of the plurality of segments <NUM> may be prevented, and the heater <NUM> may have a more stable structure. Hereinafter, the function of the upper support portion <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a portion A of <FIG> taken along the line VIII-VIII'.

Referring to <FIG>, the upper support portion <NUM> may include a protrusion portion <NUM> protruding inward from an upper end thereof. An upward movement of the plurality of segments <NUM> may be prevented by the protrusion portion <NUM> of the upper support portion <NUM>. For example, the protrusion portion <NUM> may include a catch structure for preventing the upward movement of the plurality of segments <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the protrusion portion <NUM> may include any suitable structure for preventing the upward movement of the plurality of segments <NUM>.

Meanwhile, an edge portion <NUM> of the upper support portion <NUM> and an edge portion <NUM> of the plurality of segments <NUM> may have a tapered shape as illustrated in <FIG>. Therefore, as described above, even if the inner diameter of a structure in which the plurality of segments <NUM> are combined is smaller than the outer diameter of the cigarette <NUM>, the cigarette <NUM> may be easily inserted into the insertion portion formed by the structure in which the plurality of segments <NUM> are combined. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the edge portion <NUM> of the upper support portion <NUM> and the edge portion <NUM> of the plurality of segments <NUM> may have a round shape or any suitable shape that allows the cigarette <NUM> to be easily inserted.

Returning to <FIG>, the inner surface of at least one of the lower support portion <NUM>, the elastic member <NUM>, and the upper support portion <NUM> may include one or more portions spaced apart from the outer surface of the plurality of segments <NUM>. Accordingly, one or more air gaps may be formed between the outer surface of the plurality of segments <NUM> and the inner surface of at least one of the lower support portion <NUM>, the elastic member <NUM>, and the upper support portion <NUM>. Because the thermal conductivity of gases is smaller than that of solids, the transfer of heat generated from the electrically conductive track <NUM> to the outside of the heater <NUM> may be minimized by the one or more air gaps. Accordingly, the loss of heat generated from the electrically conductive track <NUM> may be minimized and the heat transfer efficiency with respect to the cigarette <NUM> may increase.

In addition, the inner surface of at least one of the lower support portion <NUM>, the elastic member <NUM>, and the upper support portion <NUM> may contact the outer surface of the plurality of segments <NUM> by using a line contact method or a point contact method. Because the thermal conductivity is more reduced when contacting by using the line contact method or the point contact method than when contacting by using a surface contact method, the transfer of the heat generated from the electrically conductive track <NUM> to at least one of the lower support portion <NUM>, the elastic member <NUM>, and the upper support portion <NUM> through the plurality of segments <NUM> may be minimized. Minimizing the transfer of the heat to at least one of the lower support portion <NUM>, the elastic member <NUM>, and the upper support portion <NUM> means minimizing of the transfer of the heat to the outside of the heater <NUM>. Hereinafter, a process of minimizing the transfer of the heat generated from the electrically conductive track <NUM> to the outside of the heater <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a lower support portion, an elastic member, and an upper support portion according to an exemplary embodiment, and <FIG> illustrates a contact method between the combined segments and one of the lower support portion, the elastic member, and the upper support portion, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a cross-sectional shape of the lower support portion <NUM>, the elastic member <NUM>, and the upper support portion <NUM>, which surround at least a part of the plurality of segments <NUM>, is not a circle but is a polygon, when viewed in a direction in which the cigarette <NUM> is inserted. Because the plurality of segments <NUM> are coupled to each other to form a cylindrical structure, at least one of the lower support portion <NUM>, the elastic member <NUM>, and the upper support portion <NUM> may be in contact with the combined segments <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, at least one of the lower support portion <NUM>, the elastic member <NUM>, and the upper support portion <NUM> may be in contact with the structure in which the plurality of segments <NUM> are combined using a line contact method rather than a surface contact method, and one or more air gaps may be formed between the combined segments <NUM> and at least one of the lower support portion <NUM>, the elastic member <NUM>, and the upper support portion <NUM>. As described above, the transfer of heat generated from the electrically conductive track <NUM> to the outside of the heater <NUM> may be minimized by the line contact method or the one or more air gaps.

However, as described with reference to <FIG>, the cross-sectional shape of the lower support portion <NUM>, the elastic member <NUM>, and the upper support portion <NUM> may not be a polygon. Instead, an air gap may be formed by one or more grooves formed in the inner surface of at least one of the lower support portion <NUM>, the elastic member <NUM>, and the upper support portion <NUM> Also, at least one of the lower support portion <NUM>, the elastic member <NUM>, and the upper support portion <NUM> may include a porous material. The lower support portion <NUM>, the elastic member <NUM>, and the upper support portion <NUM> may include any suitable structure for minimizing the transfer of the heat generated from the electrically conductive track <NUM> to the outside of the heater <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a heater for an aerosol generation device according to an exemplary embodiment.

The method of manufacturing the heater for the aerosol generation device of <FIG> may be performed by a device for manufacturing the heater for the aerosol generation device (hereinafter referred to as a 'heater manufacturing device'). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the heater manufacturing device may be any device commonly used in the art to manufacture heaters. The heater manufactured by the heater manufacturing device may be the same as the heater <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. Therefore, the redundant descriptions are omitted.

In operation <NUM>, the heater manufacturing device prints one or more electrically conductive tracks on one surface of each of a plurality of segments. The heater manufacturing device prints the electrically conductive track on one surface of each of the plurality of segments having a shape obtained by cutting a cylindrical structure into a plurality of parts, that is, an inner surface of the cylindrical structure, and thus the electrically conductive track may be more easily printed compared with the case of the intact cylindrical structure.

In operation <NUM>, the heater manufacturing device may place the plurality of segments such that the printed one or more electrically conductive tracks face each other, and install a lower support portion at a lower end of the plurality of segments to support the plurality of segments. Assuming that the number of the plurality of segments is two, the heater manufacturing device may place a first segment and a second segment such that one or more electrically conductive tracks printed on one surface of the first segment and one or more electrically conductive tracks printed on one surface of the second segment face each other. Accordingly, an object-to-be-heated inserted into an insertion portion formed by the combined first and second segments may be adjacent to the one or more electrically conductive tracks. Meanwhile, the lower support portion is installed at the lower end of the plurality of segments, thereby preventing a step between the plurality of segments from occurring in a process of surrounding the plurality of segments with an elastic member. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the heater manufacturing device may prevent the step between the plurality of segments from occurring by using a separate cigarette shape guide.

In operation <NUM>, the heater manufacturing device surrounds at least some of the plurality of segments with the elastic member. The elastic member surrounds and compresses at least a part of the plurality of segments to maintain a structure in which the plurality of segments are combined. The elastic member includes any suitable material having elastic force in its inner surface direction.

In operation <NUM>, the heater manufacturing device installs an upper support portion having one or more wing portions bound to the lower support portion on an upper end of the plurality of segments. Because the upper support portion and the lower support portion are bound to each other using the wing portion, the vertical movement of the plurality of segments may be prevented, and the heater manufactured by the heater manufacturing device may have a more stable structure.

Claim 1:
A heater for an aerosol generation device, the heater (<NUM>) comprising:
a plurality of segments (<NUM>) combined together to form an insertion portion into which an object-to-be-heated (<NUM>) is inserted;
one or more electrically conductive tracks (<NUM>) printed on one surface of each of the plurality of segments (<NUM>) and disposed toward the object-to-be-heated (<NUM>); and
an elastic member (<NUM>) configured to surround at least a part of the plurality of segments (<NUM>),
wherein the elastic member (<NUM>) comprises a material having an elastic force in a direction of an inner surface of the elastic member (<NUM>),
wherein each of the plurality of segments (<NUM>) has a shape that is obtained by cutting a cylindrical structure into a plurality of parts, and
wherein the plurality of segments (<NUM>) include a rigid material.