Patent Description:
Recently, demand for alternatives to traditional cigarettes has increased. For example, there is growing demand for aerosol generating devices that generate aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material contained in an aerosol generating article (e.g., a cigarette) rather than by combusting an aerosol generating article. Accordingly, studies on a heating-type aerosol generating article and a heating-type aerosol generating device have been actively conducted. <CIT> relates to an aerosol-generating device comprising a housing having a chamber for receiving an aerosol-generating article and an induction heater for heating an aerosol-forming article received within the chamber of the housing.

An aerosol generating article accommodated in an aerosol generating device may include, for example, a liquid portion including a liquid composition and a medium portion including a tobacco material. In this case, the flavor and taste of an aerosol generated when the aerosol generating article is heated by the aerosol generating device may be determined by internal components of the aerosol generating article.

That is, the flavor and taste of the generated aerosol may be changed according to types of components that constitute the inside of the aerosol generating article, arrangement thereof, heated parts thereof, and a heating profile of the aerosol generating device. In an aerosol generating device according to the related art, a plurality of separate heaters are used to provide an aerosol having an excellent flavor and taste.

In this case, a plurality of heaters are heated to different temperatures to heat the aerosol generating article with various heating profiles.

However, in an aerosol generating device including a plurality of divided heaters according to the related art, all of the plurality of heaters need to be positioned inside the aerosol generating device, but an aerosol generating device has limited space. Moreover, the consumption of energy in the aerosol generating device may be increased by the plurality of heaters. Thus, miniaturization of an aerosol generating device including a plurality of divided heaters according to the related art is difficult, and energy efficiency is lowered since a lot of energy is consumed from the limited
capacity of the battery. This low energy efficiency requires frequent charging of the battery and thus may cause inconvenience of a user.

Furthermore, an aerosol generating device including a plurality of divided heaters according to the related art may have shortcomings, such as external heat generation, low internal durability, difficulty in assembly, and an increase in the cost of components, which may cause disadvantageous conditions for the manufacture and use of the aerosol generating device.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device includes an accommodation portion configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article through an opening, a heater configured to heat the accommodation portion and move along a longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion; and a heater support that supports the heater and move the heater along the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion, wherein the heater moves between a first position corresponding to a first point of the aerosol generating article and a second position corresponding to a second point of the aerosol generating article, and wherein the first position and the second position differ according to specifications of the aerosol generating article. The present invention is directed to an aerosol generating device according to independent claim <NUM>.

An aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system including the same according to embodiments include a heater that may detect an aerosol generating article and is movable to a position corresponding to a certain point of the aerosol generating article according to the detected aerosol generating article.

In the aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating system including the same according to embodiments, the aerosol generating article may be heated with various heating profiles without a plurality of separate heaters according to the related art. Various heating profiles of the aerosol generating device may effectively heat the aerosol generating article so that the flavor and taste of the generated aerosol may be improved.

In addition, the aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating system including the same according to embodiments may increase energy use efficiency through effective heating. This may increase the user's convenience by reducing the charging frequency of the aerosol generating device, and the stability of the aerosol generating device and safety of a user may be improved by preventing external heat generation more effectively.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device includes an accommodation portion configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article through an opening, a heater configured to heat the accommodation portion and move along a longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion; and a heater support that supports the heater and move the heater along the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion, wherein the heater moves between a first position corresponding to a first point of the aerosol generating article and a second position corresponding to a second point of the aerosol generating article, and wherein the first position and the second position differ according to specifications of the aerosol generating article.

The aerosol generating device further includes a detecting sensor configured to detect the specifications of the aerosol generating article.

The second position may be between the first position and the opening of the accommodation portion.

The heater may surround at least part of the accommodation portion and may slide in the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion.

The aerosol generating device may further include a puff sensor configured to measure a duration of a single puff of a user, and the heater may move from the first position to the second position over the duration.

The heater may move from the first position to the second position over a duration of user's smoking on a single aerosol generating article.

The heater may move from the first position to the second position over a predetermined time period.

The aerosol generating article may include a first section in which the first point is located, and a second section in which the second point is located.

The heater may surround at least part of the first section and at least part of the second section, when the heater is at the first position.

The size of an area of the first section surrounded by the heater may be greater than the size of an area of the second section surrounded by the heater, when the heater is at the first position. The heater may surround at least part of the first section and the second section, when the heater is at the second position.

The size of an area of the second section surrounded by the heater may be greater than the size of an area of the first section surrounded by the heater, when the heater is at the second position.

The heater may include a plurality of heating compartments, and the plurality of heating compartments may have respective movement mechanisms.

The movement mechanisms may include at least one of a first movement mechanism for moving from the first position to the second position, and a second movement mechanism for moving from the second position to the first position.

The heater support may include a plurality of support members which respectively support and move the plurality of heating compartments along the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion, and the heating compartments may be moved by the support members.

The plurality of heating compartments may be partitioned in a circumferential direction of the heater.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating system includes an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment and according to another embodiment, and an aerosol generating article accommodated in the aerosol generating device.

The aerosol generating article may include a first section and a second section, and the first section may be a material portion including an aerosol generating material, and the second section may be a medium portion including a medium.

Through the specification, a "longitudinal direction" of a component may be a direction in which the component extends along a longitudinal axis of the component (i.e., in the direction of the length of the component), as widely used in the art.

The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein but as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an aerosol generating device <NUM> in which an aerosol generating article <NUM> is accommodated, according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the aerosol generating device <NUM> in which the aerosol generating article <NUM> is accommodated, according to another embodiment. For example, one aspect of the aerosol generating device <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a cross-sectional view when a heater <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> is at a first position, and another aspect of the aerosol generating device <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a cross-sectional view when the heater <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> is at a second position.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment includes an accommodation potion <NUM> for accommodating an aerosol generating article <NUM> through an opening <NUM>, a heater <NUM> that transfers heat to the accommodation portion <NUM> and is movable along a longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion <NUM>, and a heater support <NUM> that supports the heater <NUM> and moves the heater <NUM> along the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion <NUM>. The heater <NUM> moves between the first position and the second position in the aerosol generating article <NUM>. The arrangement of the first position and the second position may differ according to the design of the aerosol generating article <NUM>. The aerosol generating device <NUM> may include at least one processor to control the heater support <NUM> to move the heater <NUM> or to directly control movement of the heater <NUM>.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment includes the accommodation portion <NUM> for accommodating the aerosol generating article <NUM> through the opening <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> that transfers heat to the accommodation portion <NUM> and is movable along the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion <NUM>.

The opening <NUM> through which the aerosol generating article <NUM> is inserted into the accommodation portion <NUM> may be formed at one end of the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment, and the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be inserted into the accommodation portion <NUM> through the opening <NUM>. A cavity may be formed inside the accommodation portion <NUM> so as to accommodate the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

The accommodation portion <NUM> may have the shape and size corresponding to the aerosol generating article <NUM> so as to accommodate the aerosol generating article <NUM>. For example, when the aerosol generating article <NUM> has a cylindrical shape, the accommodation portion <NUM> may also have a cylindrical shape cavity so as to accommodate the aerosol generating article <NUM>. However, the shapes of the aerosol generating article <NUM> and the accommodation portion <NUM> are not limited thereto, and may be changed according to necessity.

The aerosol generating article <NUM> may be inserted into the accommodation portion <NUM> through the opening <NUM> and then may be heated by the heater <NUM>. The opening <NUM> may be aligned with the cavity inside the accommodation portion <NUM>, and the sizes and shapes of the cross-section of the opening <NUM> and the cross-section of the aerosol generating article <NUM> may correspond to each other.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment may generate aerosol by heating the aerosol generating article <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation portion <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> for heating the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be arranged in the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The heater <NUM> is configured to transfer heat to the accommodation portion <NUM> and is movable in the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion <NUM>.

Components of the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment are not limited to the components shown in the drawings, and may further include other components as long as the resulting embodiment is encompassed by the scope of the appended claims.

For example, in the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment may further include a battery (not shown) for supplying power to the heater <NUM>.

The battery may supply power to be used for the aerosol generating device <NUM> to operate. For example, the battery may supply power for the heater <NUM> to be heated. Also, the battery may supply power for operations of a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. of the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> may be heated by the power supplied from the battery and may transfer heat to the accommodation portion <NUM> so as to heat the aerosol generating article <NUM> inserted into the accommodation portion <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

For example, when the aerosol generating article <NUM> is inserted into the accommodation portion <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the heater <NUM> may be positioned close to an outer surface of the aerosol generating article <NUM>. Thus, the heater <NUM> heated by receiving the power from the battery may increase the temperature of a material portion or a medium portion in the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> may be an electro-resistive heater. However, the heater <NUM> is not limited to the example described above and may include any 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 the 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 article <NUM> may include a susceptor which may be hated by the induction heater <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> may include at least one from among a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, and a rod-type heating element. Also, the heater <NUM> may heat the inside or the outside of the aerosol generating article <NUM>, according to the shape of the heating element.

The heater <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment is movable along the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

For example, the heater <NUM> may be movable from one end of the accommodation portion <NUM> to the other end of the accommodation potion <NUM> along the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The heater <NUM> may have a shape surrounding the outer surface of the accommodation portion <NUM>. As the heater <NUM> moves along the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion <NUM>, heat transferred from the heater <NUM> to the accommodation portion <NUM> is movable along the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion <NUM> together with the heater <NUM>.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment includes the heater support <NUM> that supports the heater <NUM> and moves the heater <NUM> along the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion <NUM>. The heater support <NUM> may guide the movement of the heater <NUM> along the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be supported by the heater support <NUM> and may slide along the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion <NUM> at predetermined speed.

The heater <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment is configured to be movable from the first position corresponding to the first point of the aerosol generating article <NUM> to the second position corresponding to the second point of the aerosol generating article <NUM>. The arrangement of the first position and the second position may be changed according to the specifications of the aerosol generating article <NUM>. Positions of the first point and the second point indicated in the drawings are just exemplary positions and may be changed.

The heater <NUM> may be supported by the heater support <NUM> and may be movable from the first position corresponding to the first point of the aerosol generating article <NUM> to the second position corresponding to the second point of the aerosol generating article <NUM>. As an example, the position of the heater <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be the first position corresponding to the first point of the aerosol generating article <NUM>, and the position of the heater <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be the second position corresponding to the second point of the aerosol generating article <NUM>. However, the first position and the second position of the heater <NUM> described above are not limited to those shown in the drawings, and may be changed according to embodiments.

In the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment, the first position and the second position of the heater <NUM> may be changed according to the specifications of the aerosol generating article <NUM>. That is, since the first position and the second position correspond to the first point and the second point of the aerosol generating article <NUM>, respectively, the first position and the second position may differ according to the specifications of the aerosol generating article <NUM> inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

The first point and the second point of the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be changed according to the types, arrangement, sizes, etc. of components of the aerosol generating article <NUM>. For example, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion <NUM>, the positions of a first point and a second point of one aerosol generating article <NUM> may be different from positions of a first point and a second point of another aerosol generating article <NUM>.

Also, as another example, a distance between the first point and the second point of one aerosol generating article <NUM> may be greater than a distance between the first point and the second point of another aerosol generating article <NUM>.

Therefore, the specifications of the aerosol generating article <NUM> need to be detected to match the first position and the second position of the heater <NUM> to the first point and the second point of the aerosol generating article <NUM>, respectively. The aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment further includes a detecting sensor <NUM> that detects the specifications (e.g., dimensions) of the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

The detecting sensor <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment may be, for example, arranged adjacent to the aerosol generating article <NUM> inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, and may detect and recognize the specifications of the inserted aerosol generating article <NUM>. The detecting sensor <NUM> is configured to detect and recognize the specifications of the aerosol generating article <NUM>. The heater <NUM> is configured to be displaced so that the first and second positions of the heater <NUM> corresponds to the first and second points of the aerosol generating article <NUM>, respectively, based on the sensing result from the detecting sensor <NUM>.

The detecting sensor <NUM> may include, for example, a pressure sensor, a hardness measurement sensor (e.g., push-pull gauge), a resistance measurement sensor, an image sensor, and/or a capacitive measurement sensor. The detecting sensor <NUM> may sense certain physical properties of the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

Physical properties of the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be pre-stored in a memory unit (not shown) of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The physical properties of the aerosol generating article <NUM> measured through the detecting sensor <NUM> may be compared with the physical properties stored in the memory unit. As such, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may detect and distinguish the specifications of the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

The second position of the heater <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment may be between the first position and the opening <NUM> of the accommodation portion <NUM>. In other words, the second position of the heater <NUM> may be closer to the opening <NUM> of the accommodation portion <NUM> than the first position is. When the user smokes, the heater <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may move from the first position to the second position, which means that the heater <NUM> moves closer to the opening <NUM> of the accommodation portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the heater <NUM> and the heater support <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> shown in <FIG> according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a perspective view of the heater <NUM> and the heater support <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The heater <NUM> and the heater support <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

In the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment, the heater <NUM> is supported by the heater support <NUM> and is configured to move from the first position corresponding to the first point of the aerosol generating article <NUM> to the second position corresponding to the second point of the aerosol generating article <NUM>. As an example, the position of the heater <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be the first position corresponding to the first point of the aerosol generating article <NUM>, and the position of the heater <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be the second position corresponding to the second point of the aerosol generating article <NUM>. However, the first position and the second position of the heater <NUM> described above are not limited to those shown in the drawings, and may be changed as necessary.

In the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment, the first position and the second position of the heater <NUM> may be changed according to the specifications of the aerosol generating article <NUM>, as described above. Thus, a detailed description thereof in an overlapping range will be omitted.

The heater <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment may surround at least part of the accommodation portion <NUM> and may slide in the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion <NUM>. That is, the heater <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment may be an external heating-type heater that surrounds at least part of the accommodation portion <NUM> and transfers heat to the inside of the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> according to an embodiment may surround at least part of the accommodation portion <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> and may slide in the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion <NUM> based on electrical signals indicating the specifications of the aerosol generating article <NUM> which is detected by the detecting sensor <NUM>. In this case, the electrical signals may be generated by a processor (not shown) electrically connected to the detecting sensor <NUM>. The detecting sensor <NUM>, the processor, and the heater <NUM> may be electrically connected to one another.

The heater <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be supported by the heater support <NUM> and may slide in the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion <NUM>. As an example, the movement of the heater <NUM> may be performed by a mechanical mechanism. The mechanical mechanism may include a spring structure formed on the heater support <NUM>, for example.

The mechanical mechanism may include a plate spring structure formed on the heater support <NUM>, for example. The plate spring formed on the heater support <NUM> may be released from a compressed state and when the user smokes. As the plate spring is released, the heater <NUM> may slide in the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion <NUM>. In this case, the movement speed of the heater <NUM> may be adjusted by adjusting the release speed of the plate spring. For example, the heater <NUM> may be set to move at a certain time when the aerosol generating article <NUM> is used.

As another example, the movement of the heater <NUM> may be performed by an electronic mechanism. The electronic mechanism may include a motor installed in the heater support <NUM>, for example. The motor may operate to move the heater <NUM>. As the motor rotates, the heater <NUM> connected to the motor may slide in the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion <NUM>. In this case, the rotation speed of the motor may be adjusted so that the movement speed of the heater <NUM> may be adjusted. The motor formed in the heater support <NUM> may include a coil motor, a piezo motor, and/or a servo motor, for example.

In the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment, the heater <NUM> may move from the first position to the second position during a single puff by the user. The aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a puff sensor that measures the duration of a single puff by the user. The heater <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may move from the first position to the second position over the measured duration of a single puff by the user. The movement of the heater <NUM> may be repeatedly performed during the user's smoking time.

The heater <NUM> may return to the first position after the user's puff ends. That is, the heater <NUM> may repeatedly move between the first position and the second position, and may transfer heat to the aerosol generating article <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation portion <NUM>. Thus, aerosol may be generated in the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

In the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment, the heater <NUM> may move from the first position to the second position over the duration of smoking on a single aerosol generating article <NUM> by the user. In this case, the duration of smoking may be a time period from the beginning to the end of smoking on a single aerosol generating article <NUM>. The aerosol generating device <NUM> may repeatedly measure the duration of user's smoking on a single aerosol generating article <NUM>, and set or update the duration of smoking on one aerosol generating article <NUM> accordingly through an internal processor.

The heater <NUM> may move from the first position to the second position over the duration of smoking on one set aerosol generating article <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be located at the first position when the user starts smoking. When the user's smoking is finished, the heater <NUM> may be located at the second position.

As an example, when the heater <NUM> moves by the mechanical mechanism of the heater support <NUM>, the plate spring of the heater support <NUM> may be released according to the trigger signal of the aerosol generating article <NUM>. The plate spring having a certain tensile force may be released over the duration of smoking on a single aerosol generating article <NUM> by the user, i.e., a time period from the beginning to the end of smoking on one aerosol generating article <NUM>.

As the plate spring is released over a time corresponding to the duration of smoking of one aerosol generating article <NUM> by the user, the heater <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may move from the first position to the second position over the duration of smoking on one aerosol generating article <NUM> by the user. In this case, the heater <NUM> may move from the first position to the second position at a certain speed, which may be adjusted by adjusting the release speed of the plate spring.

As another example, when the heater <NUM> moves using the electrical mechanism of the heater support <NUM>, the motor may be set to rotate over the duration of smoking of one aerosol generating article <NUM> by the user. In this case, the heater <NUM> may move in the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion <NUM> at a speed corresponding to the rotation speed of the motor, and the movement speed of the heater <NUM> may be changed by adjusting the rotation speed of the motor.

In the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment, the heater <NUM> may move from the first position to the second position over a predetermined time period. In this case, the predetermined time period may be appropriately determined to optimize the flavor and taste of the generated aerosol. The predetermined time may be automatically changed according to the specifications of the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

As described above, the heater <NUM> may move from the first position to the second position over the predetermined time period. This time period may differ according to the specifications of the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the aerosol generating article <NUM> accommodated in the aerosol generating article <NUM> according to an embodiment.

The aerosol generating article <NUM> accommodated in the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a plurality of sections. As an example, as shown in <FIG>, the aerosol generating article <NUM> may include the first section <NUM>, the second section <NUM>, a third section <NUM>, and a fourth section <NUM>.

The aerosol generating article <NUM> accommodated in the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a first section <NUM> and a second section <NUM>.

The first point may be at the first section <NUM> of the aerosol generating article <NUM>, and the second point may be at the second section <NUM>.

The first section <NUM> of the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be a material portion including an aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating material included in the first section <NUM> may be at least one from among glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but is not limited thereto.

The second section <NUM> of the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be a medium portion including a medium. The medium portion may be tobacco including nicotine. Also, the second section <NUM> may include other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic acid. Also, the second section <NUM> may include a flavoring liquid, such as menthol or a moisturizer.

The second section <NUM> may be manufactured in various forms. The second section <NUM> may be formed using a sheet or strands, for example. Also, the second section <NUM> may be formed using tiny tobacco bits which are cut from a tobacco sheet.

The third section <NUM> of the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be a cooling portion. The third section <NUM> may generate an aerosol cooling effect. Thus, the user may inhale the aerosol cooled to a suitable temperature. As an example, the third section <NUM> may be formed of cellulose acetate and may be a tube-shaped structure including a hollow inside. The third section <NUM> may be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to a cellulose acetate tow. As an example, the third section <NUM> may be formed of paper and may have a tube-shaped structure including a hollow inside.

The fourth section <NUM> of the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be a filter portion. The fourth section <NUM> may be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to an acetate tow. The fourth section <NUM> may also be manufactured to generate a flavor. As an example, a flavoring liquid may be injected onto the fourth section <NUM>, or an additional fiber coated with a flavoring liquid may be inserted into the inside of the fourth section <NUM>.

Also, the fourth section <NUM> may include at least one capsule. Here, the capsule may generate a flavor or an aerosol. For example, the capsule may have a configuration in which a liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. The capsule may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating one aspect of the aerosol generating device <NUM> in which the aerosol generating article <NUM> shown in <FIG> is accommodated, according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating another aspect of the aerosol generating device <NUM> in which the aerosol generating article <NUM> shown in <FIG> is accommodated, according to another embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, when the aerosol generating article <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the position of the heater <NUM> corresponding to each section of the aerosol generating article <NUM> will be described in more detail.

As shown in <FIG>, when the heater <NUM> is at the first position, the heater <NUM> may surround, fully or partially, the first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM>. That is, the heater <NUM> at the first position may be in contact with the first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM>. When the heater <NUM> is at the first position, the size of an area of the first section <NUM> surrounded by the heater <NUM> may be greater than the size of an area of the second section <NUM> surrounded by the heater <NUM>.

In the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment, when the heater <NUM> is at the second position, the heater <NUM> may surround, fully or partially, the first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM>. That is, the heater <NUM> at the second position may be in contact with the first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM>. When the heater <NUM> is at the second position, the size of an area of the second section <NUM> surrounded by the heater <NUM> may be greater than the size of an area of the first section <NUM> surrounded by the heater <NUM>.

That is, in the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment, the heater <NUM> may be in contact with all of the first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM>, while moving from the first position to the second position. Thus, a plurality of sections of the aerosol generating article <NUM> may be heated with various heating profiles without a plurality of separate heaters. By heating the aerosol generating article <NUM> according to the plurality of heating profiles using the movable heater <NUM>, the flavor and taste of the aerosol may be improved.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an aerosol generating device <NUM> in which an aerosol generating article <NUM> is accommodated, according to another embodiment. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a heater <NUM> and a heater support <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, according to another embodiment. The aerosol generating device <NUM> according to another embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

The heater <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to another embodiment may include a plurality of heating compartments 120a and 120b, and the plurality of heating compartments 120a and 120b may have respective movement mechanisms.

In this case, the movement mechanism may include at least one of first movement from the first position to the second position and second movement from the second position to the first position.

In the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to another embodiment, the heater <NUM> may include a plurality of heating compartments 120a and 120b. The number of the plurality of heating compartments 120a and 120b may be two, for example, as shown in <FIG>.

In this case, the plurality of heating compartments 120a and 120b may have respective movement mechanisms. The respective movement mechanisms may be different from each other. For example, the first heating compartment 120a may execute a first movement mechanism of moving from the first position to the second position, while the second heating compartment 120b executes a second movement mechanism of moving from the second position to the first position.

The movement mechanisms of the plurality of heating compartments 120a and 120b may be alternately changed. For example, the first heating compartment 120a may move from the first position to the second position through the first movement mechanism and then may move from the second position to the first position through the second movement mechanism. Also, the second heating compartment 120b may move from the second position to the first position through the second movement mechanism and then may move from the first position to the second position through the first movement mechanism.

As described above, the first heating compartment 120a and the second heating compartment 120b may have different movement mechanisms. Thus, the first heating compartment 120a and the second heating compartment 120b may heat different positions of the aerosol generating article <NUM>. The plurality of heating compartments 120a and 120b may form a plurality of heating points, which may enable various flavors.

The heater support <NUM> of the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to another embodiment may include support members which correspond to the plurality of heating compartments, respectively. For example, when there are two heating compartments, the heater support <NUM> may include two support members so as to support the heating compartments separately. For example, the heater support <NUM> may include a first support member 130a corresponding to the first heating compartment 120a, and a second support member 130b corresponding to the second heating compartment 120b.

The support members 130a and 130b may move the heating compartments 120a and 120b by different movement mechanisms. The support members 130a and 130b may move the heating compartments 120a and 120b by mechanical mechanisms or electronic mechanisms. In this case, the mechanisms in which the support members 130a and 130b move the heating compartments 120a and 120b, are the same as the mechanism in which the heater support <NUM> moves the heater <NUM>. Thus, a detailed description thereof in an overlapping range will be omitted.

The plurality of heating compartments of the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to another embodiment may be arranged in a circumferential direction of the heater <NUM>. That is, the plurality of heating compartments may extend along the circumference of the heater <NUM> by a certain angle. For example, the circumference may be equally divided so that a surface area of the aerosol generating article covered by each heating compartment may have the same size. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the size and shape of the heating compartment are not limited thereto, and may be changed as necessary.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an aerosol generating system according to an embodiment.

An aerosol generating system <NUM> according to an embodiment may include an aerosol generating device <NUM> and an aerosol generating article <NUM> accommodated in the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> and the aerosol generating article <NUM> accommodated in the aerosol generating device <NUM> may have similar configurations and features described above, and thus, a detailed description thereof in an overlapping range will be omitted.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a heater <NUM> that is capable of detecting the aerosol generating article <NUM> and moving to a position corresponding to a certain heating point of the aerosol generating article <NUM>.

As such, the moveable heater <NUM> may heat the aerosol generating article <NUM> with various heating profiles without a plurality of separate heaters. By heating the aerosol generating device <NUM> according to various heating profiles, the flavor and taste of the aerosol may be improved.

Also, the aerosol generating device <NUM> and the aerosol generating system <NUM> including the same according to embodiments may increase energy use efficiency through effective heating. As such, g the charging frequency of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be reduced, thereby improving the user's convenience. Also, external heat generation may be effectively reduced, thereby improving stability of the aerosol generating device <NUM> and safety of the user.

Claim 1:
An aerosol generating device comprising:
an accommodation portion (<NUM>) configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article (<NUM>) through an opening (<NUM>);
a heater (<NUM>) configured to heat the accommodation portion (<NUM>) and move along a longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion (<NUM>);
a heater support (<NUM>) that supports the heater (<NUM>) and is configured to move the heater (<NUM>) along the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion (<NUM>); and
a detecting sensor (<NUM>) configured to detect specifications of the aerosol generating article (<NUM>);
wherein the heater (<NUM>) is configured to move between a first position corresponding to a first point of the aerosol generating article (<NUM>) and a second position corresponding to a second point of the aerosol generating article (<NUM>), based on a sensing result from the detecting sensor(<NUM>),
wherein the first position and the second position differ according to the specifications of the aerosol generating article (<NUM>).