Patent Description:
Recently, the demand for an alternative to a traditional cigarette has increased. For example, there is growing demand for a general aerosol generating article that generates aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in the aerosol generating article (i.e., cigarette), rather than by combusting the aerosol generating article. Accordingly, studies on a heating-type aerosol generating article or a heating-type aerosol generating device have been actively conducted. <CIT> relates to an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol. The device comprises a heating chamber configured to receive a planar aerosol-generating article containing aerosol-generating substrate and a heating element. The heating element has an essentially planar shape and is configured to heat a planar aerosol-generating article. At least a heating surface of the heating element comprises a surface structure which is configured for enabling lateral airflow between the heating surface and a planar aerosol-generating article after insertion of the planar aerosol-generating article into the heating chamber.

Moreover, <CIT> discloses an aerosol-generating device comprising an internal heating element and two external heating elements extending around the perimeter of a substrate receiving cavity.

Recently, a method of heating an aerosol generating article by using an aerosol generating device has been studied. In particular, there is a need to heat a plurality of areas of an aerosol generating article at different temperatures to improve the quality and taste of an aerosol. However, it is difficult to implement such features due to structural complexity of a device, an increase in manufacturing costs, and the like.

The technical problems are not limited to those described above, and other technical problems may be inferred from the following examples.

According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol generating device may heat respective portions of an aerosol generating article at different temperatures. Therefore, a smoker may be provided with a better smoking sensation by the aerosol generating article.

The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above and may include all effects that may be inferred from a configuration that will be described later.

According to the invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device as set out in independent claim <NUM>.

The heating element may have a cylindrical shape and may be arranged to surround the accommodation space such that the first portion and the second portion are continuously arranged in a longitudinal direction of the heating element.

The heating element may have an elongated shape and may be arranged inside the accommodation space such that the first portion and the second portion are continuously arranged in a longitudinal direction of the elongated shape extends.

At least one of the first portion and the second portion of the heating element may have an inner surface including a plurality of grooves or a plurality of protrusions.

The grooves may have a depth of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and the protrusions may have a height of about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The inner surface may include an oxide layer having a thickness of about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The plurality of grooves or the plurality of protrusions may be regularly arranged.

One of the first portion and the second portion may have higher heat conductivity than the other.

According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol generating system includes: an aerosol generating device; and an aerosol generating article including a first area including an aerosol generating material and a second area including a tobacco material, wherein the first portion heats the first area, and the second portion heats the second area.

The first area may be heated at about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and the second area may be heated at about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

According to the invention, there is provided a method of processing a heating element for an aerosol generating device as set out in independent claim <NUM>.

The processing of the inner surface may include forming a plurality of grooves by oxidizing the inner surface.

The processing of the inner surface may include forming a plurality of protrusions by depositing particles on the inner surface.

According to one or more embodiments, the first portion and the second portion have different surface areas.

The first portion and the second portion may have the same thermal mass.

The first portion may have grooves, and the second portion may have protrusions.

At least one of the first portion and the second portion may be embossed, and the other of the first portion and the second portion may be engraved.

At least one of the first portion and the second portion may have a streamlined flexure.

The aerosol generating article may include a first area corresponding to the first portion; and a second area corresponding to the second portion, wherein an amount of heat transferred by the first portion to the first area is different from an amount of heat transferred by the second portion to the second area.

The aerosol generating article may include a first area corresponding to the first portion; and a second area corresponding to the second portion, wherein an amount of heat transferred by the first portion to the first area is greater than an amount of heat transferred by the second portion to the second area.

The technical problems to be solved are not limited to those described above and may include all matters which may be inferred throughout by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The invention is defined in the appended independent claims; preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. Different embodiments of the present disclosure are further discussed; these embodiments are not necessarily covered by the claims.

With respect to the terms in the various embodiments, the general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various 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.

As used herein, "a longitudinal direction of an aerosol generating article" refers to a lengthwise direction of the aerosol generating article or a direction in which the aerosol generating article is inserted into an aerosol generating device.

In addition, "a longitudinal direction of a heating element" refers to a lengthwise direction of the heating element. In the case of an external heating-type heating element, it may also refer to a direction in which an aerosol generating article is inserted into the external heating-type heating element.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an example in which an aerosol generating article <NUM> is inserted into an aerosol generating device <NUM>, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a battery <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a heater <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an example in which an aerosol generating article <NUM> is inserted into an aerosol generating device <NUM>, according to another embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> further includes a vaporizer <NUM>. Also, the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

Components of the aerosol generating device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are only an example. Therefore, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art associated with the present embodiment that other general-purpose components may be further included in the aerosol generating device <NUM>, in addition the components illustrated in <FIG>.

In addition, <FIG> illustrate that the heater <NUM> is included in the aerosol generating device <NUM>. However, as needed, the heater <NUM> may be omitted.

<FIG> illustrates that the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> are arranged in a line. Also, <FIG> illustrates that the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, the vaporizer <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> are arranged in a line. In addition, <FIG> illustrates that the vaporizer <NUM> and the heater <NUM> are arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device <NUM> is not limited to those illustrated in <FIG>. In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the arrangement of the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, the heater <NUM>, and the vaporizer <NUM> may be changed.

When the aerosol generating article <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may operate the heater <NUM> and/ or the vaporizer <NUM> to generate aerosol from the aerosol generating article <NUM> and/or the vaporizer <NUM>. The aerosol generated by the heater <NUM> and/or the vaporizer <NUM> passes through the aerosol generating article <NUM> and is delivered to a user.

As needed, even if the aerosol generating article <NUM> is not inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may heat the heater <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> supplies power used to operate the aerosol generating device <NUM>. 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 battery <NUM> may supply power for operating a display, a sensor, a motor, and the like installed in the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> generally controls operation of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In detail, the controller <NUM> controls not only operations of the battery <NUM>, the heater <NUM>, and the vaporizer <NUM>, but also operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In addition, the controller <NUM> may identify 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.

A processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored.

The heater <NUM> may be heated by power supplied from the battery <NUM>. For example, when the aerosol generating article <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the heater <NUM> may be located outside the aerosol generating article <NUM>. Therefore, the heated heater <NUM> may increase a temperature of an aerosol generating material in the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

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

In detail, the heater <NUM> may include an electrically conductive coil for heating the aerosol generating article <NUM> by an induction heating method, and the aerosol generating device <NUM> or the aerosol generating article <NUM> may include a susceptor that may be heated by the electrically conductive coil.

Examples of the heater <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, and a rod-type heating element. The heater <NUM> may heat the inside or the outside of the aerosol generating article <NUM>, according to the shape of the heating element.

Here, the plurality of heaters <NUM> may be inserted into the aerosol generating article <NUM> or may be arranged outside the aerosol generating article <NUM>. Also, some of the plurality of heaters <NUM> may be inserted into the aerosol generating article <NUM> and the others may be arranged outside the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

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

The liquid storage may be formed to be detachable from the vaporizer <NUM>, or may be formed integrally with the vaporizer <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> is an element for heating the liquid composition delivered by the liquid delivery element. For example, the heater <NUM> may include a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate, a ceramic heater, or the like but is not limited thereto. Also, the heater <NUM> may include a conductive filament such as nichrome wire and may be located as being wound around the liquid delivery element. The heater <NUM> may be heated by a current supply and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heater <NUM>, 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>, the heater <NUM>, and the vaporizer <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 (e.g., 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 aerosol generating article <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged.

At least a portion of a first area of the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, and a second area and a third area of the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be exposed to the outside. Also, the first area or at least a portion of the second area of the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The user may inhale aerosol while holding the third area by the mouth of the user. Here, aerosol may be generated as external air passes through the first area, and the generated aerosol may be delivered to the mouth of the user by passing through the second area and the third area.

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

The descriptions provided above with reference to <FIG> may be analogously applied to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>. However, in the case of the embodiment of <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a needle-shaped heater <NUM> such that the heater <NUM> may be inserted into the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a simplified configuration of an aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> may include: a housing <NUM> having an open end; a battery <NUM> arranged at the other end of the housing <NUM> and supplying power to the aerosol generating device <NUM>; an accommodation space <NUM> accommodating the aerosol generating article <NUM>; and a heating element <NUM> heating the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may form an external appearance of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may include components such as a battery <NUM>, a controller, a heating element <NUM> (i.e., a heater), a vaporizer <NUM>, or the like as described above. The housing <NUM> may be formed of a metal material or a plastic material. However, the material of the housing <NUM> is not limited thereto and may include any materials capable of firmly maintaining the external appearance of the housing <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may have the open end. The accommodation space <NUM> that accommodates the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be arranged at the open end of the housing <NUM>. A direction in which the aerosol generating article <NUM> is inserted into the accommodation space <NUM> may be the same as a lengthwise direction of the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> may be arranged at the other end of the housing <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may store power and then supply power to operate the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In detail, the battery <NUM> may supply power to the heating element <NUM> that will be described later. Although not illustrated in <FIG>, power stored in the battery <NUM> may be transferred to the heating element <NUM> through an electrical wire (not shown) or an electrode (not shown).

The accommodation space <NUM> may accommodate the aerosol generating article <NUM>. The accommodation space <NUM> may be divided into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber may be surrounded by a first portion <NUM> of the heating element <NUM>, and the second chamber may be surrounded by a second portion <NUM> of the heating element <NUM>. In an example, when the aerosol generating device <NUM> operates, temperature ranges in which the first chamber and the second chamber are heated may be different from each other.

In one or more embodiments, the heating element <NUM> may include the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> that are continuously arranged in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may be physically connected to each other. The first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may be arranged in series to surround the accommodation space <NUM> while being physically connected to each other. As a detailed example, the second portion <NUM> may be processed while being physically connected to the first portion <NUM>. Therefore, the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may have different surface structures.

In one or more embodiments, when the aerosol generating article <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, at least a portion of the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be heated. This is because the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the heating element <NUM> are arranged to surround the aerosol generating article <NUM>. Because the surface structures of the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> are different from each other, an area of the aerosol generating article <NUM> surrounded by the first portion <NUM> and an area of the aerosol generating article <NUM> surrounded by the second portion <NUM> may be heated at different temperatures. For example, the area of the aerosol generating article <NUM> surrounded by the first portion <NUM> may be heated at a temperature of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and the area of the aerosol generating article <NUM> surrounded by the second portion <NUM> may be heated at a temperature of about <NUM> to about <NUM> °. Therefore, a smoker may be provided with a better smoking sensation from the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

The surface structures of the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> included in the heating element <NUM> will be described in detail below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a heating element <NUM> of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

In one or more embodiments, the heating element <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape arranged to surround an accommodation space <NUM>. The heating element <NUM> may include a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> continuously arranged in a longitudinal direction of the heating element <NUM> having the cylindrical shape. As described above, the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may be physically connected to each other.

The first portion <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape. According to an embodiment, processing may not be performed on an inner surface and an outer surface of the first portion <NUM>, and the first portion <NUM> may have a smooth inner surface structure or a smooth outer surface structure. For example, when the heating element <NUM> is supplied with power and resistively heated or when an electromagnetic field is applied to heat the heating element <NUM> by induction heating, the first portion <NUM> may transfer heat to the accommodation space <NUM> through the inner surface thereof. When an aerosol generating article is inserted into the accommodation space <NUM> and heated, an aerosol may be generated.

The second portion <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape. For example, the second portion <NUM> may have a shape similar to that of the first portion <NUM>, but an inner surface structure of the second portion <NUM> may be transformed due to separate post-processing, unlike the first portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the second portion <NUM> may have an inner surface including a plurality of grooves or a plurality of protrusions <NUM>. The inner surface of the second portion <NUM> may be processed, for example, by an anodizing method, a forging processing method, a die casting method, or a vacuum evaporation method. After going through one or more of the above-mentioned processing methods, the inner surface structure of the second portion <NUM> may be different from the inner surface structure of the first portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross sectional view of a second portion <NUM> of a heating element, according to an embodiment.

<FIG> illustrates the second portion <NUM> as an example, but a first portion may also be processed to have a surface like that of the second portion <NUM>.

The second portion <NUM> may be processed, for example, by an anodizing method. According to the anodizing method, the inner surface <NUM> of the second portion <NUM> may be oxidized. As a detailed example, when the second portion <NUM> is formed of a metal material before being processed, the second portion <NUM> may be transformed in a metal oxide material after anodizing. Examples of a metal material may include, but are not limited to, aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), chrome (Cr), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), stainless steel, copper (Cu), and a combination thereof. Therefore, the second portion <NUM> may include oxides of the aforementioned metals.

In one or more embodiments, the second portion <NUM> may have the inner surface <NUM> including a plurality of grooves <NUM> that are spaced apart from each other. The plurality of grooves <NUM> may be regularly arranged. However, the plurality of grooves <NUM> are not limited thereto and may be spaced apart from each other at irregular distances. Also, the inner surface <NUM> may include an oxide layer having a thickness of about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The groove <NUM> may be formed to have a depth d of about <NUM> to about <NUM> from the inner surface <NUM>. While the first portion has a smooth inner surface structure, the second portion <NUM> includes the plurality of grooves <NUM>. Therefore, an amount of heat transferred from the second portion <NUM> to the accommodation space <NUM> may be less than an amount of heat transferred from the first portion to the accommodation space <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross sectional view of a second portion <NUM> of a heating element, according to another embodiment. In one or more embodiments, at least one of a first portion and a second portion of a heating element may have an inner surface including a plurality of grooves or a plurality of protrusions that are spaced apart from each other.

Referring to <FIG>, the second portion <NUM> of the heating element may have the inner surface <NUM> including a plurality of protrusions <NUM> that are spaced apart from each other. The plurality of protrusions <NUM> may be regularly arranged. However, the plurality of protrusions <NUM> are not limited thereto and may be spaced apart from each other at irregular distances.

The protrusion <NUM> may have a height h of about <NUM> to about <NUM> from the inner surface <NUM>. While the first portion have a smooth inner surface, the second portion <NUM> includes the plurality of protrusions. Therefore, an amount of heat transferred from the second portion <NUM> to an accommodation space <NUM> may be less than an amount of heat transferred from the first portion to the accommodation space <NUM>. Also, when an aerosol generating article is inserted into the heating element, the protrusion <NUM> may physically maintain the aerosol generating article inside the accommodation space <NUM>.

In the case of the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the second portion <NUM> may be processed and manufactured by a forging processing method, a die casting method, or a vacuum evaporation method.

The aforementioned processing methods will be described in detail later with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> of a heating element <NUM>, according to another embodiment.

Unlike the above-described embodiments, the heating element <NUM> in the embodiment of <FIG> may have a needle shape. The heating element <NUM> may be arranged inside an accommodation space of an aerosol generating device. When an aerosol generating article is inserted into the accommodation space, the heating element <NUM> may be inserted into the aerosol generating article.

In detail, the heating element <NUM> may have an elongated shape arranged in the accommodation space. The heating element <NUM> may include the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> that are continuously arranged in a direction in which the heating element <NUM> having the elongated shape extends. In addition, the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the heating element <NUM> may have different surface structures.

Referring to <FIG>, the second portion <NUM> may have an outer surface including a plurality of grooves <NUM> or a plurality of protrusions <NUM> that are spaced apart from each other. The outer surface of the second portion <NUM> may be processed, for example, by an anodizing method, a forging processing method, a die casting method, or a vacuum evaporation method. Based on which of the above processing methods is used, an outer surface structure of the second portion <NUM> may differ.

In one or more embodiments, one of the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may have higher heat conductivity than the other. For example, when an aerosol generating article is inserted into an aerosol generating device, the first portion <NUM> may have higher heat conductivity than the second portion <NUM>. Accordingly, different areas of the aerosol generating article may be heated at different temperatures.

Although not illustrated in <FIG>, a first portion of the heating element may also be processed to have a particular surface structure. For example, the first portion may be processed by an anodizing method to have a plurality of grooves, and the second portion may be processed by a forging processing method to have a plurality of protrusions. Surface structures of the first portion and the second portion may be different such that the first portion and the second portion may be heated at different temperatures.

A general combustion-type cigarette or a general heating-type cigarette may be inserted into an aerosol generating device according to one or more embodiments and heated. Also, an aerosol generating article that will be described later may be inserted into an aerosol generating device according to one or more embodiments and heated.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an aerosol generating article <NUM> according to an embodiment.

According to one or more embodiments, the aerosol generating article <NUM> may include a first area <NUM>, a second area <NUM>, a third area <NUM>, and a fourth area <NUM> that are arranged in a longitudinal direction. As an example, the first area <NUM> may include an aerosol generating material, the second area <NUM> may include a tobacco material, the third area <NUM> may cool an air flow passing through the first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM>, and the fourth area <NUM> may include a filter material.

In one or more embodiments, the first area <NUM>, the second area <NUM>, the third area <NUM>, and the fourth area <NUM> may be sequentially arranged in a longitudinal direct of the aerosol generating article <NUM>. Therefore, aerosol generated in at least one of the first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM> may generate an air flow by sequentially passing through the first area <NUM>, the second area <NUM>, the third area <NUM>, and the fourth area <NUM>. As a result, a smoker may inhale the aerosol from the fourth area <NUM>.

In one or more embodiments, the first area <NUM> may have a length of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and the second area <NUM> may have a length of about <NUM> to about <NUM>. However, the first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM> are not limited to such a numerical range, and the lengths of the first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM> may be appropriately adjusted as necessary.

In detail, the first area <NUM> may include an aerosol generating material. Here, the aerosol generating material may include, for example, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol.

The second area <NUM> may include a tobacco material. The tobacco material may be, for example, tobacco leaves, tobacco side veins, expanded tobacco, cut tobacco leaves, reconstituted tobacco sheets, reconstitute tobacco, or a combination thereof.

The third area <NUM> may cool the air flow passing through the first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM>. The third area <NUM> may be made of a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material and have a cooling function. For example, the third area <NUM> may be made of a polylactic acid (PLA) fiber but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the third area <NUM> may include a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality of holes. However, the material of the third area <NUM> is not limited to the above-described example and may include all materials that may cool aerosol. For example, the third area <NUM> may be a tube filter or a paper tube filter having a hollow.

The fourth area <NUM> may include a filter material. For example, the fourth area <NUM> may be a cellulose acetate filter. A shape of the fourth area <NUM> is not limited. For example, the fourth area <NUM> may be a cylinder-type rod or a tube-type rod having a hollow inside. As another example, the fourth area <NUM> may be a recess-type rod. The fourth area <NUM> may include a plurality of segments, and at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape.

The fourth area <NUM> may be formed to generate flavors. As an example, a flavoring liquid may be injected onto the fourth area <NUM>, or an additional fiber coated with a flavoring liquid may be inserted into the fourth area <NUM>.

The aerosol generating article <NUM> may include a wrapper <NUM> that partially or fully surrounds the first area <NUM> through the fourth area <NUM>. The wrapper <NUM> may be located at the outermost portion of the aerosol generating article <NUM>. The wrapper <NUM> may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. The wrapper <NUM> may be a single wrapper or a combination of a plurality of wrappers.

As an example, the first area <NUM> of the aerosol generating article <NUM> may include a crimped wrinkled sheet including an aerosol generating material, and the second area <NUM> may include a tobacco material such as reconstituted tobacco sheets. The third area <NUM> may include polylactide acid (PLA) fiber, and the fourth area <NUM> may include a cellulose acetate (CA) fiber, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In one or more embodiments, when the aerosol generating article <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the first portion <NUM> of the heating element <NUM> may surround the first area <NUM> of the aerosol generating article <NUM>, and the second portion <NUM> of the heating element <NUM> may surround the second area <NUM> of the aerosol generating article <NUM>. When the aerosol generating device <NUM> operates, for example, the first portion <NUM> may heat the first area <NUM> at a temperature of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and the second portion <NUM> may heat the second area <NUM> at a temperature of about <NUM> to about <NUM>. Therefore, an aerosol generating material and a tobacco material may be respectively heated at appropriate temperatures, and a smoker may be provided with a better smoking sensation by inhaling the aerosol.

An aerosol generating system according to an embodiment may include the aerosol generating device <NUM> and the aerosol generating article <NUM> including both the first area <NUM> including an aerosol generating material and the second area <NUM> including a tobacco material. The first portion <NUM> may heat the first area <NUM>, and the second portion <NUM> may heat the second area <NUM>.

The descriptions of the above-described embodiment may be analogously applied to the present embodiment.

As described above, the first area <NUM> may be heated at a temperature of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and the second area <NUM> may be heated at a temperature of about <NUM> to about <NUM>. Respective areas of the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be heated at different temperatures, and thus, a smoker may feel the rich flavor of the aerosol generating article <NUM> and may be provided with a better smoking sensation.

<FIG> are views illustrating surfaces of a heating element according to various embodiments. For example, an inner surface and/or an outer surface of a second portion of a heating element may have one of the surface structures illustrated in <FIG>. The inner surface and/or the outer surface of the second portion of the heating element may include grooves or protrusions that are regularly arranged as illustrated in <FIG>. Also, the inner surface and/or the outer surface of the second portion of the heating element may include grooves or protrusions that are irregularly arranged as illustrated in <FIG>. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described surface structures and may differ according to embodiments.

Each of the first portion and the second portion of the heating element may have one of inner surfaces illustrated in <FIG>. For example, the first portion may have an inner surface as illustrated in <FIG>, and the second portion may have an inner surface as illustrated in <FIG>. However, the embodiments not limited to the above-described example and, the inner surface structures of the first portion and the second portion may have any combination of inner surfaces illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of processing a heating element, according to one or more embodiments.

One or more embodiments may include a method of processing a heating element for an aerosol generating device, the method including: operation <NUM> of preparing the heating element having a cylindrical shape; operation <NUM> of dividing the heating element into a first portion and a second portion that are continuously arranged in a longitudinal direction of the heating element having the cylindrical shape; and operation <NUM> of processing an inner surface of at least one of the first portion and the second portion.

The descriptions of the above-described embodiments may be analogously applied to the present embodiment.

In one or more embodiments, the method of processing the heating element for the aerosol generating device may include operation <NUM> of preparing the heating element having the cylindrical shape.

Also, the method of processing the heating element for the aerosol generating device may include operation <NUM> of dividing the heating element into the first portion and the second portion that are continuously arranged in the longitudinal direction of the heating element having the cylindrical shape. In detail, the heating element having the cylindrical shape may include the first portion and the second portion. The first portion and the second portion may be continuously arranged in the longitudinal direction of the heating element having the cylindrical shape. Also, referring to <FIG> again, the heating element <NUM> may be divided into the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>. Before operation <NUM> of processing the inner surface, the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may have smooth inner surfaces and outer surfaces.

In one or more embodiments, the method of processing the heating element for the aerosol generating device may include operation <NUM> of processing the inner surface of at least one of the first portion and the second portion. Operation <NUM> of processing the inner surface may include operation of forming a plurality of grooves by oxidizing the inner surface or operation of forming a plurality of protrusions by depositing particles on the inner surface. For example, as described above, operation <NUM> of processing the inner surface may include operation of processing the inner surface by an anodizing method, a forging processing method, a die casting method, or a vacuum evaporation method.

According to the anodizing method, for example, the inner surface of the second portion may be oxidized. When the second portion is formed of an aluminum (Al) material before being processed, the second portion may be formed of an aluminum oxide (Al<NUM>O<NUM>) material after being processed by the anodizing method. As in the example illustrated in <FIG>, the inner surface <NUM> that is oxidized may include the plurality of grooves <NUM>. Processing by the anodizing method may be performed within a temperature range lower than or equal to about <NUM>.

According to the forging processing method, for example, the inner surface of the second portion may be physically transformed. The outer appearance of the second portion may be transformed by an external force such that a plurality of grooves or protrusions that are formed by a tapping or pressing method. As in the example illustrated in <FIG>, the inner surface <NUM> that is transformed may include the plurality of protrusions <NUM>.

According to the die casting method, for example, the inner surface of at least one of the first portion and the second portion may be manufactured to have a plurality of grooves or protrusions. Once a corresponding mold corresponding to a heating element having a desired shape is manufactured, a heating element having a desired shape may be manufactured by injecting molten metal into the mold and cooling the injected metal.

According to the vacuum evaporation method, a plurality of protrusions may be formed on the inner surface of at least one of the first portion and the second portion. For example, the vacuum evaporation method may include sputtering, physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), or atomic layer deposition (ALD). For example, when the vacuum evaporation method is used, deposition may be performed with respect to the first portion or the second portion at an operation temperature of about <NUM>.

When the vacuum evaporation method is used, a surface shape or a surface color of at least one of the first portion and the second portion may differ according to a deposited material. For example, the entire heating element may be formed of stainless steel, titanium carbide (TiC) may be deposited on the surface of the first portion, and titanium nitride (TiN) may be deposited on the surface of the second portion. In this case, the first portion and the second portion may have different surface structures and thus may be heated at different temperatures.

Also, in the above-described example, the surface of the first portion may be black, and the surface of the second portion may be yellow. Therefore, radiant heat received by the first portion is greater than radiant heat received by the second portion, and the first portion may be heated at a higher temperature than the second portion. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described example and various types of heating elements that may be manufactured by processing the first portion and the second portion by various combinations of the above-described methods.

<FIG> are views illustrating respective surfaces of a heating element according to various embodiments.

Each of a first portion and a second portion of a heating element may have an inner surface corresponding to one of inner surfaces illustrated in <FIG>. Therefore, the first portion and the second portion of the heating element may have an inner surface structure according to any combination of the inner surfaces illustrated <FIG>. For example, the first portion may have a streamlined flexure as illustrated in <FIG>, and the second portion may have an inner surface having a shape as illustrated in <FIG>.

The first portion and the second portion may have different inner surface areas.

Also, the first portion and the second portion may have the same thermal mass. Here, "the thermal mass" is obtained by multiplying the mass (i.e., weight) of an object by the heat capacity of the object.

For example, if the first portion and the second portion have an inner surface of the same material and weight, the first portion and the second portion have the same thermal mass.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an aerosol generating article <NUM> and a heating element <NUM> contacting each other, according to an embodiment.

The aerosol generating article <NUM> may include a first area <NUM> and a second area <NUM>. The first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM> may include materials having different components and weights.

Referring to <FIG>, the heating element <NUM> may include a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> having different inner surfaces. The first portion <NUM> may have the inner surface illustrated in <FIG>, and the second portion <NUM> may have the inner surface illustrated in <FIG>.

According to an embodiment, the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may be designed to have the same thermal mass.

Also, the first portion <NUM> may be engraved to have a plurality of grooves, and the second portion <NUM> may be embossed to have a plurality of protrusions.

The first portion <NUM> may be arranged to cover the first area <NUM>, and the second portion <NUM> may be arranged to cover the second area <NUM>. However, the size of a contacting area between the first portion <NUM> and the first area <NUM> may be different from the size of the contacting area between the second portion <NUM> and the second area <NUM>. Therefore, an amount of heat transferred by the first portion <NUM> to the first area <NUM> may be different from an amount of heat transferred by the second portion <NUM> to the second area <NUM>.

For example, the amount of heat transferred by the first portion <NUM> to the first area <NUM> may be greater than the amount of heat transferred by the second portion <NUM> to the second area <NUM>. In this case, the first area <NUM> may be heated at a higher temperature than the second area <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An aerosol generating device (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) having an open end;
a battery (<NUM>, <NUM>) arranged at another end of the housing (<NUM>) and configured to supply power;
an accommodation space (<NUM>) arranged at the open end of the housing (<NUM>) and configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
a heating element (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configured to heat the aerosol generating article (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and including a first portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and a second portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) continuously arranged in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
characterised in that the first portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the second portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are arranged in series to surround the accommodation space (<NUM>), and in that the first portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the second portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) have different surface structures.