EP4691291A1

EP4691291A1 - Aerosol generating device comprising heater module

Info

Publication number: EP4691291A1
Application number: EP24931134.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jongsub Lee; Minseok JEONG; Byungsung CHO; Jungyong YOON; Pillwon YOON; Jongik LEE
Original assignee: KT&G Corp
Current assignee: KT&G Corp
Priority date: 2024-03-21
Filing date: 2024-12-27
Publication date: 2026-02-11
Also published as: WO2025198138A1; CN121038637A; KR20250142014A

Abstract

The present invention provides a heater module for heating an aerosol generating material, comprising: a heater body having formed therein a first external air inlet; a heater arranged in the heater body; and a side cover detachably coupled to the heater body, wherein the side cover comprises a second external air inlet that is connected to the inner space of the side cover, and the first external air inlet, the inner space, and the second external air inlet are in communication with one another.

Description

Technical Field

An embodiment relates to an aerosol generating device including a heater module.

Background Art

An aerosol generating device includes a cartridge including a liquid storage unit containing an aerosol generating material and a heater. The cartridge is detachably coupled to the aerosol generating device. Power is transferred from the aerosol generating device to the cartridge. Accordingly, the aerosol generating material held in the cartridge is heated by the heater. When the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge is completely exhausted, the cartridge may be replaced. However, since the durability period of the heater is generally longer than the exhaustion cycle of the aerosol generating material, the heater may be unnecessarily replaced despite still being usable.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Technical Problem

Accordingly, the disclosure is intended to address the above problem, and its object is to provide an aerosol generating device including a heater module that may promote reuse of the heater by separating the heater from the cartridge.
Objects of the disclosure are not limited to the foregoing, and other objects not mentioned here will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Technical Solution

An embodiment may provide a heater module for heating an aerosol generating material, comprising a heater main body having a first external air inlet formed therein, a heater disposed inside the heater main body, and a side cover detachably coupled to the heater main body, wherein the side cover includes a second external air inlet connected to an inner space of the side cover, and wherein the first external air inlet, the inner space, and the second external air inlet communicate with each other.
The first external air inlet may be disposed on a side surface of the heater main body.
The second external air inlet may be disposed on a lower surface of the side cover.
The heater main body may include a first coupling portion protruding from a side surface of the heater main body, the side cover may include a second coupling portion protruding from an inside of the side cover, and the first coupling portion may be detachably coupled to the second coupling portion.
The first coupling portion may be a first hook, and the second coupling portion may be a second hook.
The first hook may include a 1-1 hook and a 1-2 hook spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction, and the second hook may include a 2-1 hook and a 2-2 hook spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction.
The 2-1 hook may be disposed above the 1-1 hook, and the 2-2 hook may be disposed below the 1-2 hook.
The first external air inlet may be disposed between the 1-1 hook and the 1-2 hook in a vertical direction.
The 2-2 hook may include a through hole communicating an upper space and a lower space of the 2-2 hook, and the through hole may be disposed in alignment with the second external air inlet.
The heater module may include a guide protruding from a side surface of the heater main body, the guide may be disposed along a vertical direction of the heater main body, and the first coupling portion may be disposed on the guide.
An embodiment may include a main body, a heater module detachably coupled to the main body, and a cartridge detachably coupled to the main body and containing an aerosol generating material. The heater module may include a heater main body having a first external air inlet formed therein, a heater disposed inside the heater main body and heating the aerosol generating material delivered from the cartridge, and a side cover detachably coupled to the heater main body. The side cover may include a second external air inlet connected to an inner space of the side cover, and the first external air inlet, the inner space, and the second external air inlet may communicate with each other.
In a vertical direction, a gap may be formed between the main body and the side cover, and the gap may communicate with the second external air inlet.
It may further include a battery and a controller, the main body may include a cover surrounding the battery and the controller, the cover may include a slot disposed along a vertical direction, and the side cover may be disposed inside the slot.
The side cover may be disposed to protrude beyond the cover.
A horizontal distance from an outermost portion of the side cover to a side surface of the cover in a width direction may be equal to or less than a horizontal distance from an outermost portion of the cartridge to the side surface of the cover in the width direction.
The main body may include a suction sensor measuring a suction pressure, and the side cover may be disposed to overlap the suction sensor in a width direction.
The main body may include a first flow path connected to the suction sensor, the heater module may include a second flow path connected to the first external air inlet and, when the heater module is assembled to the main body, the first flow path and the second flow path may be connected.
When the heater module is assembled to the main body, the first external air inlet may be disposed to overlap the main body in a width direction.
The first flow path and the first external air inlet may be disposed to overlap in a width direction.

Advantageous Effects

According to an embodiment, there is an advantage that reuse of the heater module may be promoted by separating the cartridge and the heater module.
According to an embodiment, there is an advantage that the side cover is utilized as a path through which external air flows in.
According to an embodiment, there is an advantage that the side cover forms portion of the exterior of the aerosol generating device.
According to an embodiment, there is an advantage that the side cover is easy to assemble through the first hook of the heater main body and the second hook of the side cover.
According to an embodiment, by forming the first external air inlet between the two second hooks of the heater main body, there is an advantage of implementing the assembly structure of the side cover while securing an airflow path guiding external air to the heater main body.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device including a heater module according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an aerosol generating device of an embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, taken along A-A of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an exploded view illustrating an aerosol generating device of an embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a heater module.
FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating the heater module illustrated in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a heater upper sealing member.
FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a first heater holder.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a heater.
FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a structure supplying electricity to a heater.
FIG. 11 is a view illustrating the direction of airflow and the direction of aerosol in a heater.
FIG. 12 is a side cross-section of a heater module taken along B-B of FIG. 5.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a cartridge.
FIG. 14 is a view illustrating the first hook of a heater main body.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view for a side cover illustrating the second hook of the side cover.
FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the second hook of a side cover.
FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a side cover is coupled to a heater main body.
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a heater module.
FIG. 19 is a view illustrating the gap between a side cover and a main body.
FIG. 20 is a view illustrating a side cover protruding from a cover.
FIG. 21 is a view illustrating the flow of air flowing into the interior of a heater main body through a side cover.
FIG. 22 is a plan view illustrating a heater module.
FIG. 23 is a side cross-sectional view of a heater module taken along X1-X1 of FIG. 22, illustrating the flow of air flowing into the interior of a heater main body and guided to a heater.
FIG. 24 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a heater module housing of a heater module.
FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating a heater lower sealing member.
FIG. 26 is a side cross-section of a heater module taken along X2-X2 of FIG. 22, illustrating the flow of air flowing into the interior of a heater main body and guided to a heater.
FIG. 27 is a side cross-section of a heater module taken along X3-X3 of FIG. 22, illustrating the flow of air flowing into the interior of a heater main body and guided to a heater.
FIG. 28 is a view illustrating the positions of a suction sensor and a side cover.

Mode for Carrying out the Invention

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same references may be used to denote the same or similar elements throughout the drawings and the specification, and no duplicate description is given of the elements.
As used herein, the terms "module" and "unit" are provided solely for ease of description and these terms may be used interchangeably but rather than being distinct in meaning or role.
Further, when determined to make the subject matter of the present invention unclear, the detailed description of the known art or functions may be skipped. Further, the accompanying drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the accompanying drawings, and should be understood to include all changes, equivalents, or substitutes included in the technical scope of the disclosure.
The terms coming with ordinal numbers such as 'first' and 'second' may be used to denote various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used to distinguish one component from another.
It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," "coupled to," or "adjacent to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected, coupled, or adjacent to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when a component is "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another component, no other intervening components may intervene therebetween.
As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device including a heater module according to an embodiment.
Hereinafter, in the drawings, the x-axis represents the width direction (x) of the aerosol generating device 1 including the heater module 20, the y-axis represents the thickness direction of the aerosol generating device 1 including the heater module 20, and the z-axis represents the length direction of the aerosol generating device 1 including the heater module 20.
Hereinafter, "vertical direction", "upper side", "upper end", "lower side", "lower end", "above", and "below" are based on the z-axis in the drawings.
Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 1 may include a main body 10, a heater module 20, and a cartridge 30.
The main body 10 may include at least one of a power source 11, a controller 12, and a sensor 13. The cartridge 30 may be mounted on the main body 10.
The power source 11 may supply power for the components of the aerosol generating device 1 to operate. The power source 11 may be referred to as a battery. The power source 11 may supply power to at least one of the controller 12, the sensor 13, and the heater module 20.
The controller 12 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. The controller 12 may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The controller 12 may control the operation of at least one of the power source 11, the sensor 13, and the cartridge 30. The controller 12 may control the operation of a display, motor, etc. installed in the aerosol generating device 1. The controller 12 may identify the status of each of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 to determine whether the aerosol generating device 1 is in an operable state.
The controller 12 may analyze the results detected by the sensor 13 and control subsequent processing. For example, the controller 12 may control the power supplied to the heater module 20 so that operation of the heater module 20 is initiated or terminated based on the results detected by the sensor 13. For example, the controller 12 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater module 20 and the time for which power is supplied so that the heater module 20 may be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintain an appropriate temperature based on the results detected by the sensor 13.
The sensor 13 may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, a cartridge detection sensor, and a motion detection sensor. For example, the sensor 13 may sense at least one of the temperature of the heater module 20, the temperature of the power source 11, and the temperature inside and outside the main body 10. For example, the sensor 13 may sense a user's puff. For example, the sensor 13 may sense whether the cartridge 30 is mounted. For example, the sensor 13 may sense movement of the aerosol generating device 1.
The heater module 20 may be detachably mounted on the main body 10. The heater module 20 may be positioned between the cartridge 30 and the main body 10 to convert the phase of the aerosol generating material to a gas phase to generate aerosol. The heater module 20 may generate aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge 30.
For example, the heater module 20 may heat the aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge 30 to generate vapor from the aerosol generating material. The generated vapor may be mixed with external air introduced into the heater module 20 from outside the heater module 20 to generate aerosol. In the embodiment, 'aerosol' may mean particles generated by mixing vapor generated by heating the aerosol generating material with air, and this expression may be used with the same meaning below.
The cartridge 30 may be detachably mounted on the main body 10. The cartridge 30 may be positioned over the heater module 20. The cartridge 30 stores an aerosol generating material inside. The aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 30 is supplied to the heater module 20. The cartridge 30 may include a mouthpiece 30a. A user may inhale the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 by sucking the mouthpiece 30a with their mouth.
External air introduced into the main body 10 may pass through the cartridge 30 and flow to the user's oral cavity through the airflow channel 31b.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment taken along A-A of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is an exploded view illustrating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may include a main body 10, a heater module 20, and a cartridge 30.
The main body 10 is positioned at the lower end of the heater module 20 and may support the heater module 20. A power source 11 and a controller 12 for operation of the aerosol generating device 1 may be disposed inside the main body 10. A user interface and display means for visually indicating an operation state or battery state may be disposed on the main body 10. A mouthpiece 31c may protrude from the upper end of the main body 10.
The heater module 20 may be disposed above the main body 10. The heater module 20 may be detachably coupled to the main body 10. A heater module 20 that has passed its target number of uses may be replaced with a new one. Such a heater module may include a heater (22 in FIG. 6).
The cartridge 30 may be disposed above the heater module 20. The cartridge 30 may be detachably coupled to the main body 10 with the heater module 20 therebetween.
An aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment may further include a cover 11a. The cover 11a may form a space receiving the main body 10, the heater module 20, and the cartridge 30 inside. The cover 11a may be formed to surround at least partial areas of the main body 10, the heater module 20, and the cartridge 30. Such a cover 11a determines the positions of the main body 10, the heater module 20, and the cartridge 30, respectively. And the cover 11a may serve to protect the main body 10, the heater module 20, and the cartridge 30, respectively, from external impact or infiltration of foreign objects.
The cover 11a may be formed integrally with the main body 10, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.
Hereinafter, the heater module 20 is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the heater module 20, and FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating the heater module 20 illustrated in FIG. 5.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the heater module 20 may include a heater main body 21, a heater 22, and a side cover 23.
The heater main body 21 may have a structure for fixing the heater 22. And the heater main body 21 may include a terminal connected to the heater 22, a flow path structure through which the aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge moves, or the like. An upper end portion of the heater main body 21 may include a connection structure for connection to the cartridge. A lower end portion of the heater main body 21 may include an accommodation structure in which a connector of the main body 10 (e.g., the connector CT of FIG. 4) is received.
The specific configuration of the heater main body 21 is as follows.
The heater main body 21 may include a heater module housing 21a, a heater cover 21b, a heater upper sealing member 21c, a first heater holder 21d, a second heater holder 21e, a heater housing 21f, and a heater lower sealing member 21g.
The heater module housing 21a may form the exterior of the heater module 20. The heater cover 21b may be coupled to the upper end of the heater module housing 21a. The heater upper sealing member 21c is fixed to the heater cover 21b. The heater upper sealing member 21c may be positioned inside the heater cover 21b. The first heater holder 21d may serve to fix the heater 22 and form a flow path through which aerosol passes. Such a first heater holder 21d may contact the heater upper sealing member 21c. And the first heater holder 21d may be coupled with the heater housing 21f. The second heater holder 21e may serve to surround the lower end portion of the heater 22. The second heater holder 21e may be formed of an elastically deformable material. The heater housing 21f may fix a terminal connected to the heater 22 and provide a space receiving a switch that recognizes the cartridge 30. Further, the heater housing 21f may serve to fix the heater 22. The heater lower sealing member 21g may be disposed between the heater module housing 21a and the heater housing 21f to prevent leakage due to liquefaction of residual aerosol. A substrate 24 is positioned inside the heater module housing 21a.
FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the heater upper sealing member 21c.
Referring to FIG. 7, the heater upper sealing member 21c may serve to seal the open upper end portion of the heater main body 21. The heater upper sealing member 21c may form a space receiving aerosol and seal the heater main body 21 so that the received aerosol does not leak.
And the heater upper sealing member 21c may contact the cartridge 30. The heater upper sealing member 21c may form a structure receiving the aerosol generating material supplied from the cartridge 30. The heater upper sealing member 21c may include a first conduit 21ca. The first conduit 21ca may be disposed at the center of the heater upper sealing member 21c. Such a first conduit 21ca may be connected to the airflow channel 31b disposed in the cartridge 30. And the heater upper sealing member 21c may include a through hole 21cb. For example, two through holes 21cb may be disposed with the first conduit 21ca therebetween. A portion of the heater 22 may be exposed to the outside of the heater module 20 through the through hole 21cb.
The heater upper sealing member 21c may include a side wall 21cd. The side wall 21cd may be disposed outside the through hole 21cb and the first conduit 21ca. The side wall 21cd may be disposed to surround the through hole 21cb and the first conduit 21ca. When the cartridge 30 is connected to the heater module 20, such a side wall 21cd may contact the lower surface of the second case 32 to seal the inner space of the side wall 21cd.
Meanwhile, the heater upper sealing member 21c may include a switch hole 21ce. The switch hole 21ce may be disposed outside the side wall 21cd. A recognition protrusion of the cartridge 30 may penetrate through the switch hole 21ce.
FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the first heater holder 21d.
Referring to FIG. 8, the first heater holder 21d may include a second conduit 21da. The second conduit 21da may contact the first conduit 21ca of the heater upper sealing member 21c. And the first heater holder 21d may include a through hole 21db. For example, two through holes 21db may be disposed with the second conduit 21da therebetween. The through hole 21db of the first heater holder 21d may be disposed in alignment with the through hole 21cb of the heater upper sealing member 21c. The first heater holder 21d may include a hook-shaped fastening portion 21dc. The fastening portion 21dc may be disposed at the edge of the first heater holder 21d. The first heater holder 21d may be coupled with the heater housing 21f through the fastening portion 21dc.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the heater 22.
The heater 22 may be fixed to the heater main body 21 such that a portion of the heater 22 is exposed to the outside of the heater module 20. The exposed portion of the heater 22 may contact the moisture absorber 34 of the cartridge 30.
The specific configuration of the heater 22 is as follows.
Referring to FIG. 9, the heater 22 may include a heater main body 22a having a hexahedral shape and side wall portions 22b protruding vertically upward from two opposite ends of the heater main body 22a, respectively. For example, the heater main body 22a and the side wall portions 22b may be disposed to have a "" shape when viewed from the front. End portions of the side wall portions 22b may penetrate through the through hole 21db of the first heater holder 21d and the through hole 22db of the heater upper sealing member 21c to protrude beyond the heater upper sealing member 21c. The protruding end portions of the side wall portions 22b may contact the moisture absorber 34 of the cartridge 30.
Such a heater 22 may be formed of any electrically resistive material. For example, the electrically resistive material may be a metal or metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, or the like. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the heater 22 may include at least one of a coil heater combined with a silica wick and a porous ceramic heater.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the side cover 23 may be detachably coupled to one side of the heater main body 21. The side cover 23 may include a groove portion for easy gripping and manipulation by a user. And the side cover 23 may form an inner space to induce external air to flow into the heater main body 21. A coupling structure for coupling with the side cover 23 may be provided on the side surface of the heater main body 21. The gap between the heater main body 21 and the side cover 23 may be utilized as an inlet path for external air.
FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a structure supplying electricity to the heater 22.
Referring to FIG. 10, the heater module 20 may include an electrode pattern 25. The electrode pattern 25 may be formed on the lower surface of the heater main body 22a of the heater 22. And the heater module 20 may include a heater terminal 26 contacting and connected to the electrode pattern 25. The heater terminal 26 may be electrically connected to the connector of the main body (CT of FIG. 4). When electricity is transferred to the heater 22 through the heater terminal 26 and the electrode pattern 25, the heater 22 generates heat and accordingly aerosol may be generated.
FIG. 11 is a view illustrating the direction of airflow and the direction of aerosol in the heater 22.
Referring to FIG. 11, the heater 22 may be disposed with the side wall portions 22b facing upward, and the heater main body 22a may be disposed horizontally. External air flowing into the heater module 20 may flow in facing the lower surface of the heater main body 22a as illustrated in P1 of FIG. 11. Thus, the external air flowing into the heater module 20 collides with the lower surface of the heater main body 22a. Since the airflow collides with the outer surface of the heater 22 rather than flowing along the outer surface of the heater 22, the generation of sludge may be greatly decreased.
As illustrated in P2 of FIG. 11, when the aerosol generating material is supplied to the heater 22 through the side wall portions 22b and the heater 22 is heated, an aerosol airflow path may be formed toward the center based on the width direction (x) of the heater 22 as illustrated in P3 of FIG. 11. As such, the aerosol generated by the heat generation of the heater 22 may be guided to the second conduit 21da of the first heater holder (21d of FIG. 8).
FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the heater module 20 taken along B-B of FIG. 5.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 12 together, the heater module 20 may include a substrate 24. The substrate 24 may be electrically connected to a switch SW. The switch SW is a component for recognizing the cartridge 30. And an element for counting the number of puffs and a heater resistance memory may be mounted on the substrate 24.
Meanwhile, the heater module housing 21a may form a space SP at the lower portion where a portion of the main body 10 and the connector (CT of FIG. 4) are inserted. The connector CT of the main body 1 may be electrically connected to the substrate 24 of the heater module 20. When the main body and the heater module 20 are assembled, the controller 12 of the main body 10 and the substrate 24 of the heater module 20 may be electrically connected.
The aerosol generating material may be supplied to the heater 22 through the cartridge 30.
Hereinafter, the side cover 23 of the heater module 20 is described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 20.
FIG. 13 is a view illustrating the side cover 23 and the heater main body 21, FIG. 14 is an enlarged view illustrating the first hook T1 of the heater main body 21 enlarging G of FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the interior of the side cover 23.
Referring to FIGS. 13 to 15, the side cover 23 may be coupled to the side surface of the heater main body 21. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the side cover 23 may be disposed to be exposed to the cover 11a of the main body 10. A user may push the side cover 23 while holding the side cover 23 to fit it into the cover 11a of the main body. Or the user may pull the side cover 23 while holding the cover 11a to separate it from the cover 11a of the main body.
Such a side cover 23 may be detachably coupled to the heater main body 21. Based on the width direction x, the side cover 23 may be coupled to side surface of the heater main body 21.
The specific coupling configuration of the side cover 23 and the heater main body 21 is as follows.
The heater main body 21 may include a first coupling portion. And the side cover 23 may include a second coupling portion. The side cover 23 may be coupled to the heater main body 21 by fastening the second coupling portion of the side cover 23 to the first coupling portion.
Here, the first coupling portion may be a first hook T1 protruding from the side surface of the heater main body 21, and the second coupling portion may be a second hook (T2 of FIG. 15) protruding from the inside of the side cover 23.
Hereinafter, the first hook T1 is described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.
FIG. 14 is a view illustrating the first hook T1 of the heater main body 21.
Referring to FIG. 14, the first hook T1 may be disposed on the side surface of the heater main body 21. The heater main body 21 includes a guide 20a protruding from the side surface of the heater main body 21. The guide 20a may be disposed longitudinally along the vertical direction (z) of the heater main body 21. And the heater main body 21 may include a recess 20b disposed adjacent to two opposite sides of the guide 20a. The recess 20b may be disposed longitudinally in the vertical direction (z). Such a guide 20a and recess 20b are for slide coupling of the heater main body 21 and the cover 11a.
The first hook T1 may be formed on the guide 20a. And the first external air inlet K1 of the heater main body 21 may also be formed on the guide 20a. The first external air inlet K1 may be formed to communicate the exterior and interior of the heater main body 21. Meanwhile, the first hook T1 may include a 1-1 hook T1a and a 1-2 hook T1b. The 1-1 hook T1a and the 1-2 hook T1b may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (z). The first external air inlet K1 may be disposed between the 1-1 hook T1a and the 1-2 hook T1b in the vertical direction (z).
The 1-1 hook T1a is positioned over the first external air inlet K1. The 1-1 hook T1a may include a body T1aa and a protrusion T1ab protruding from the body T1aa. The body T1aa may protrude outward from the guide 20a. And the body T1aa may be formed such that the horizontal width W1 increases upward. Such a body Tlaa may serve to increase the rigidity of the 1-1 hook T1a. The protrusion T1ab may protrude upward beyond the upper surface of the body T1aa. The protrusion Tlab may be where the 2-1 hook T2a of the second hook T2 of the side cover 11a catches.
The 1-2 hook T1b may be positioned below the first external air inlet K1. The 1-2 hook T1b may include a body T1ba and a protrusion T1bb protruding from the body T1ba. The body T1ba may protrude outward from the guide 20a. And the body T1ba may be formed such that the horizontal width W2 increases downward. Such a body T1ba serves to increase the rigidity of the 1-2 hook T1b. The protrusion T1bb may protrude downward beyond the lower surface of the body T1ba. The protrusion T1ba may be where the 2-2 hook T2b of the second hook T2 of the side cover 11a catches.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the side cover 23 illustrating the second hook T2 of the side cover 23, and FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the second hook T2 of the side cover 23.
Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the second hook T2 may be disposed in the inner space of the side cover 23. The side cover 23 may be formed with one side open and the interior empty. The second hook T2 may protrude horizontally from the inner surface of the side cover 23. The second hook T2 may include a 2-1 hook T2a and a 2-2 hook T2b. The 2-1 hook T2a and the 2-2 hook T2b may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (z).
The 2-1 hook T2a may include a body T2aa and a protrusion T2ab protruding from the body T2aa. The body T2aa may protrude from the inner surface of the side cover 23. The body T1aa of the 2-1 hook T2a may be formed on the inner surface of the side cover 23 in a cantilever form so that it may be deformed during contact with the 1-1 hook T1a of the heater main body 21. The protrusion T2ab may protrude downward beyond the lower surface of the body T2aa. The protrusion T2ab may be where the 1-1 hook T1a of the heater main body 21 catches.
The 2-2 hook T2b may include a body T2ba and a protrusion T2bb protruding from the body T2ba. The body T12ba may protrude from the inner surface of the side cover 23. The body T2ba of the 2-1 hook T2a may be formed on the inner surface of the side cover 23 in a cantilever form so that it may be deformed during contact with the 1-1 hook T1a of the heater main body 21. The protrusion T2bb may protrude downward beyond the lower surface of the body T2ba. The protrusion T2bb may be where the 1-2 hook T1b of the heater main body 21 catches.
Meanwhile, the body T2ba of the 2-2 hook T2b may include a through hole Ha. The through hole Ha serves to penetrate the upper and lower surfaces of the body T2ba of the 2-2 hook T2b to communicate the upper space and lower space of the 2-2 hook T2b. And the second external air inlet K2 may be disposed on the lower surface of the side cover 23. The second external air inlet K2 communicates with the lower space of the 2-2 hook T2b. And the second external air inlet K2 communicates with the through hole Ha, so that external air of the side cover 23 may enter the upper space of the 2-2 hook T2b through the second external air inlet K2 and the through hole Ha.
FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the side cover 23 is coupled to the heater main body 21.
Referring to FIG. 17, the 2-1 hook T2a may be positioned over the 1-1 hook T1a. The 2-2 hook T2b may be positioned below the 1-2 hook T1b. When the side cover 23 is coupled to the heater main body 21, the protrusion T2ab of the 2-1 hook T2a may catch on the protrusion T1ab of the 1-1 hook T1a, and the protrusion T2bb of the 2-2 hook T2b may catch on the protrusion T1bb of the 1-2 hook T1b.
When the side cover 23 is coupled to the heater main body 21 in this way, the inner space of the side cover 23 and the first external air inlet K1 may communicate.
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the heater module 20.
Referring to FIG. 18, the cover 11a may include a slide protrusion 11aa. And the slide protrusion 11aa may be disposed adjacent to the slot 11ab of the cover 11a. The slide protrusion 11aa may be disposed in the recess 20b of the heater main body 21.
And the side cover 23 may be disposed inside the slot 11ab of the cover 11a. When the heater main body 21 moves along the slot 11ab of the cover 11a, the side cover 23 may move along the slot 11ab.
FIG. 19 is a view illustrating the gap G between the side cover 23 and the main body.
Referring to FIG. 19, a gap G may be formed between the main body 10 and the lower end of the side cover 23 in the vertical direction (z). The gap G communicates with the second external air inlet K2. Such a gap G may be for guiding external air to the second external air inlet K2. As illustrated in FL1 of FIG. 19, external air flows in through the gap G, and the air introduced through the gap G may flow into the inner space of the side cover 23 through the second external air inlet K2.
FIG. 20 is a view illustrating the side cover 23 protruding from the cover 11a.
Referring to FIG. 20, the side cover 23 may be disposed to protrude beyond the cover 11a in the width direction (x). This is for gripping the heater module 20 when mounting or removing the heater module 20 to/from the cover 11a. And the horizontal distance W4 from the outermost portion of the side cover 23 to the side surface of the cover 11a in the width direction (x) may be equal to or less than the horizontal distance W3 from the outermost portion of the cartridge 30 to the side surface of the cover 11a in the width direction (x).
Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 21 to 27, the path through which external air enters the interior of the heater module 20 and is supplied to the heater 22 is described in detail.
FIG. 21 is a view illustrating the flow of air flowing into the interior of the heater main body 21 through the side cover 23.
Referring to FIGS. 19 and 21, external air flows in through the gap G, and the air introduced through the gap G may flow into the inner space of the side cover 23 through the second external air inlet K2. As illustrated in FL2 of FIG. 21, the air introduced through the second external air inlet K2 penetrates through the through hole Ha and flows into the inner space of the side cover 23, and the air introduced into the inner space of the side cover 23 may flow into the interior of the heater main body 21 through the first external air inlet K1.
As such, the air introduced into the interior of the heater main body 21 is ultimately guided to the lower space of the heater 22 as illustrated in FL6 of FIG. 21, and the specific airflow for this is described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 22 is a plan view illustrating the heater module 20, FIG. 23 is a side cross-section of the heater module 20 taken along X1-X1 of FIG. 22, illustrating the flow of air flowing into the interior of the heater main body 21 and guided to the heater, FIG. 24 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the heater module housing 21a of the heater module 20, and FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating the heater lower sealing member 21g.
As illustrated in FIG. 24, the heater module housing 21a may include a hole Hb disposed in the inner partition wall WA. The hole Hb may communicate the upper space of the heater module housing 21a and the lower space of the heater module housing 21a based on the partition wall WA. The first external air inlet K1 is disposed in the heater module housing 21a and may be positioned below the partition wall WA.
As illustrated in FIG. 25, the lower surface of the heater lower sealing member 21g may include a hole Hc. The hole Hc may communicate the exterior and interior of the heater lower sealing member 21g.
The hole Hb of the heater module housing 21a and the hole Hc of the heater lower sealing member 21g may be aligned.
As illustrated in FL3 of FIG. 23, the air introduced through the first external air inlet K1 may first penetrate through the hole Hb of the heater module housing 21a. The air that has penetrated through the hole Hb of the heater module housing 21a may penetrate through the hole Hc of the heater lower sealing member 21g and flow into the interior of the heater housing 21f. The air introduced into the interior of the heater housing 21f may be guided to the upper space M1 formed by the heater lower sealing member 21g and the heater housing 21f. As such, the heater main body 21 may form a first flow path U1 including the hole Hb of the heater module housing 21a, the hole Hc of the heater lower sealing member 21g, and the upper space M1 formed by the heater lower sealing member 21g and the heater housing 21f.
FIG. 26 is a side cross-section of the heater module 20 taken along X2-X2 of FIG. 22, illustrating the flow of air flowing into the interior of the heater main body 21 and guided to the heater, and FIG. 27 is a side cross-sectional view of the heater module 20 taken along X3-X3 of FIG. 22, illustrating the flow of air flowing into the interior of the heater main body 21 and guided to the heater.
As illustrated in FL4 of FIG. 26, the air introduced into the upper space M1 of the heater lower sealing member 21g may flow into the upper channel M2 of the heater housing 21f.
And as illustrated in FL5 of FIG. 27, the air introduced into the first upper channel M2 of the heater housing 21f may flow into the connection channel M3 of the heater housing 21f.
The air flowing along the connection channel M3 flows into the second upper channel M4 of the heater housing 21f. The air flowing along the second upper channel M4 may be guided to the lower portion of the heater 22 as illustrated in FL6 of FIG. 21.
As such, the side cover 23 serves to guide external air to the heater 22 in addition to its function for user gripping.
Meanwhile, the main body 10 may include a first flow path U2 connected to the suction sensor SS. When the heater module 20 is assembled to the main body 10, the first flow path U1 and the second flow path U2 may be connected.
FIG. 28 is a view illustrating the positions of the suction sensor SS and the side cover 23.
Referring to FIG. 28, the suction sensor SS may measure the internal pressure of the path through which airflow flows inside the heater module 20. The suction sensor SS communicates with the first upper channel (M2 of FIG. 26) of the heater housing 21f and may measure the pressure change of the airflow path in a normal state and when there is a user's puff.
Such a suction sensor SS is positioned in the main body 10 and may be positioned adjacent to the first external air inlet K1 of the heater main body 21. And the suction sensor SS may be disposed adjacent to the side cover 23. In particular, the side cover 23 may be disposed to overlap the suction sensor SS in the width direction (x). The first external air inlet K1 may be disposed not to overlap the suction sensor SS in the width direction (x).
As such, by disposing the suction sensor SS adjacent to the airflow path formed by the side cover 23, pressure changes inside the airflow path may be detected more precisely.
Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Any or all elements of the embodiments of the disclosure described above may be combined with another or combined with each other in configuration or function.
For example, a configuration "A" described in one embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings and a configuration "B" described in another embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings may be combined with each other. Namely, although the combination between the configurations is not directly described, the combination is possible except in the case where it is described that the combination is impossible.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

A heater module for heating an aerosol generating material, comprising:
a heater main body having a first external air inlet formed therein;

a heater disposed inside the heater main body;

a side cover detachably coupled to the heater main body, wherein the side cover includes a second external air inlet connected to an inner space of the side cover,

wherein the first external air inlet, the inner space, and the second external air inlet communicate with each other.
The heater module of claim 1, wherein the first external air inlet is disposed on a side surface of the heater main body.
The heater module of claim 1, wherein the second external air inlet is disposed on a lower surface of the side cover.
The heater module of claim 1, wherein the heater main body includes a first coupling portion protruding from a side surface of the heater main body, wherein the side cover includes a second coupling portion protruding from an inside of the side cover,
wherein the first coupling portion is detachably coupled to the second coupling portion.
The heater module of claim 4, wherein the first coupling portion is a first hook, and the second coupling portion is a second hook.
The heater module of claim 5, wherein the first hook includes a 1-1 hook and a 1-2 hook spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction, and
the second hook includes a 2-1 hook and a 2-2 hook spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction.
The heater module of claim 6, wherein the 2-1 hook is disposed above the 1-1 hook, and the 2-2 hook is disposed below the 1-2 hook.
The heater module of claim 6, wherein the first external air inlet is disposed between the 1-1 hook and the 1-2 hook in a vertical direction.
The heater module of claim 7, wherein the 2-2 hook includes a through hole communicating an upper space and a lower space of the 2-2 hook,
wherein the through hole is disposed in alignment with the second external air inlet.
The heater module of claim 4, comprising a guide protruding from the side surface of the heater main body, wherein the guide is disposed along a vertical direction of the heater main body, wherein the first coupling portion is disposed on the guide.
An aerosol generating device comprising:
a main body;

a heater module detachably coupled to the main body; and

a cartridge detachably coupled to the main body and containing an aerosol generating material, wherein the heater module includes:
a heater main body having a first external air inlet formed therein;

a heater disposed inside the heater main body and heating the aerosol generating material delivered from the cartridge;

a side cover detachably coupled to the heater main body, wherein the side cover includes a second external air inlet connected to an inner space of the side cover,

wherein the first external air inlet, the inner space, and the second external air inlet communicate with each other.
The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein a gap, in a vertical direction, is formed between the main body and the side cover,
wherein the gap communicates with the second external air inlet.
The aerosol generating device of claim 11, further comprising a battery and a controller,
wherein the main body includes a cover surrounding the battery and the controller,

wherein the cover includes a slot disposed along a vertical direction,

wherein the side cover is disposed inside the slot.
The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein the side cover is disposed to protrude beyond the cover.
The aerosol generating device of claim 11,
wherein the main body includes a suction sensor measuring a suction pressure,

wherein the side cover is disposed to overlap with the suction sensor in a width direction.