KR102503276B1 - Cartridge and Aerosol generating device comprising thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The cartridge according to the embodiment includes a storage unit for storing a liquid composition containing an aerosol generating material, a wick unit for absorbing the liquid composition, a heating unit for heating the liquid composition absorbed in the wick unit, and at least a portion of the wick unit and the heating unit. The receiving portion may be included, the wick portion may extend from the storage portion toward the receiving portion, and the heating portion may extend while surrounding at least a portion of the wick portion.

Description

Cartridge and aerosol generating device including the same {Cartridge and Aerosol generating device comprising thereof}

Embodiments relate to a cartridge and an aerosol generating device including the same, and more particularly, to a cartridge and an aerosol generating device including a wick and a heating unit extending and extending while surrounding the wick.

In recent years there has been a growing demand for alternative methods that overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for a method of generating an aerosol as an aerosol-generating material in the cigarette is heated, rather than a method of generating an aerosol by burning the cigarette. Accordingly, research on heated cigarettes or heated aerosol generating devices is being actively conducted.

Recently, an aerosol generating device that heats a liquid composition containing an aerosol generating material to atomize the liquid composition and then inhales the atomized vapor has been actively used. The aerosol generating device may include a cartridge capable of generating an aerosol, The cartridge has a liquid reservoir, and the liquid composition in the liquid reservoir can be absorbed into a wick such as a wick and heated by a heating element. The heating element atomizes the liquid composition absorbed into the wick to create an aerosol.

A flavoring component may be included in the liquid composition that may be used in the cartridge. Flavor components can provide a variety of flavors to users. However, when the liquid composition containing the flavor component is incompletely atomized, sludge may be generated.

The liquid composition is generally heated after being absorbed into the wick, and when the liquid composition is incompletely atomized, sludge may adhere to the wick. When the sludge adheres to the wick, the supply of liquid to the wick is reduced, so that the wick is carbonized by the heating element or the amount of atomization of the cartridge is reduced.

Embodiments provide a cartridge capable of preventing sludge from adhering to the wick by increasing the contact area between the heating unit and the wick.

The problems to be solved through the embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the accompanying drawings. There will be.

As a technical means for achieving the above technical problems, the cartridge according to an embodiment includes a storage unit for storing a liquid composition containing an aerosol generating material, a wick unit for absorbing the liquid composition, and heating the liquid composition absorbed in the wick unit. A heating part and at least a part of the wick part and a receiving part accommodating the heating part, the wick part extending in a direction from the storage part toward the receiving part, and the heating part is formed extending along the extending direction of the wick part while surrounding at least a part of the wicking part. can

A cartridge and an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment have a structure in which the heating part extends while surrounding at least a part of the wick part. Accordingly, a large contact area between the wick and the heating unit is secured, and incomplete atomization of the liquid composition can be prevented.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent sludge from adhering to the wick to maintain the amount of atomization of the cartridge, and to provide a cartridge that can be continuously used and has excellent durability.

The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the accompanying drawings. .

1 and 2 are diagrams illustrating examples in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device.
3 is a view showing an example of a cigarette.
4 is a diagram illustrating a cartridge according to an embodiment.
5 is an exploded perspective view of a heating unit and a wicking unit of the cartridge shown in FIG. 4;
6 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 4;
7 is a diagram showing a cartridge according to another embodiment.
8 is a plan view of a heating unit and a wicking unit of the cartridge shown in FIG. 7;
9 is a diagram schematically showing an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment including a cartridge according to the embodiments.
10 is a diagram schematically showing an example in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment including a cartridge according to the embodiments.

The terms used in the embodiments have been selected from general terms that are currently widely used as much as possible while considering the functions in the present invention, but they may vary depending on the intention of a person skilled in the art, precedent, or the emergence of new technologies. In addition, in a specific case, there is also a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the term used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention, not simply the name of the term.

When it is said that a certain part "includes" a certain component throughout the specification, it means that it may further include other components without excluding other components unless otherwise stated. In addition, terms such as “…unit” and “…module” described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software.

Terms including ordinal numbers such as 'first' or 'second' used in this specification may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms may be used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

Throughout the specification, the “longitudinal direction” of a component may be a direction in which the component extends along one axis of the component, where the one axis of the component extends longer than the other axis crossing the one direction axis. direction can mean.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

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

1 and 2 are diagrams illustrating examples in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the aerosol generating device 1000 includes a battery 110, a controller 120, a heater 130, and a vaporizer 140. In addition, the cigarette 200 may be inserted into the inner space of the aerosol generating device 1000.

Components related to the present embodiment are shown in the aerosol generating device 1000 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . Therefore, those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment can understand that other general-purpose components other than the components shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be further included in the aerosol generating device 1000. .

In addition, although FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the aerosol generating device 1000 includes the heater 130, the heater 130 may be omitted if necessary.

1 shows a battery 110, a controller 120, a vaporizer 140, and a heater 130 arranged in a line. In addition, in FIG. 2, the vaporizer 140 and the heater 130 are shown as being arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1000 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 . In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1000, the arrangement of the battery 110, the controller 120, the vaporizer 140, and the heater 130 may be changed.

When the cigarette 200 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1000, the aerosol generating device 1000 may operate the vaporizer 140 to generate an aerosol from the vaporizer 140. The aerosol generated by the vaporizer 140 passes through the cigarette 200 and is delivered to the user. A description of the vaporizer 140 will be described in more detail below.

The battery 110 supplies power used for the operation of the aerosol generating device 1000. For example, the battery 110 may supply power so that the heater 130 or the vaporizer 140 may be heated, and may supply power necessary for the controller 120 to operate. In addition, the battery 110 may supply power necessary for the display, sensor, motor, etc. installed in the aerosol generating device 1000 to operate.

The controller 120 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1000. Specifically, the controller 120 controls the operation of the battery 110, the heater 130, and the vaporizer 140 as well as other components included in the aerosol generating device 1000. In addition, the controller 120 may check the state of each component of the aerosol generating device 1000 to determine whether the aerosol generating device 1000 is in an operable state.

The controller 120 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which programs executable by the microprocessor are stored. Also, those having ordinary knowledge in the art to which this embodiment belongs can understand that it may be implemented in other types of hardware.

The heater 130 may be heated by power supplied from the battery 110 . For example, when a cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1000, the heater 130 may be located outside the cigarette. Thus, the heated heater 130 may raise the temperature of the aerosol generating material within the cigarette.

The heater 130 may be an electrical resistance heater. For example, the heater 130 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 130 may be heated as current flows through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater 130 is not limited to the above example, and may be applied without limitation as long as it can be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be previously set in the aerosol generating device 1000 or may be set to a desired temperature by the user.

Meanwhile, as another example, the heater 130 may be an induction heating type heater. Specifically, the heater 130 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating the cigarette by an induction heating method, and the cigarette 200 may include a susceptor capable of being heated by the induction heating type heater.

1 and 2, the heater 130 is illustrated as being disposed outside the cigarette 200, but is not limited thereto. For example, the heater 130 may include a tubular heating element, a plate heating element, a needle heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and the inside or outside of the cigarette 200 may be heated according to the shape of the heating element. can be heated

In addition, a plurality of heaters 130 may be disposed in the aerosol generating device 1000 . In this case, the plurality of heaters 130 may be disposed to be inserted into the cigarette 200 or may be disposed outside the cigarette 200. Also, some of the plurality of heaters 130 may be disposed to be inserted into the cigarette 200, and others may be disposed outside the cigarette 200. In addition, the shape of the heater 130 is not limited to the shape shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and may be manufactured in various shapes.

The vaporizer 140 may generate an aerosol by heating the liquid composition, and the generated aerosol may pass through the cigarette 200 and be delivered to the user. In other words, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 140 can move along the air flow path of the aerosol generating device 1000, and the air flow path allows the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 140 to pass through the cigarette and deliver to the user. It can be configured to be.

For example, the vaporizer 140 may include, but is not limited to, a liquid reservoir, a liquid delivery means, and a heating element. For example, the liquid reservoir, liquid delivery means and heating element may be included in the aerosol-generating device 1000 as independent modules.

The liquid reservoir may store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid containing a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage unit may be manufactured to be detachable from/attached to/from the vaporizer 140, or may be manufactured integrally with the vaporizer 140.

For example, liquid compositions may include water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, fragrances, flavors, or vitamin mixtures. Fragrance may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavor components, etc., but is not limited thereto.

Flavoring agents can include ingredients that can provide a variety of flavors or flavors to the user. For example, the flavoring agent may include components such as carbohydrates, organic acids, alkaloids, phenols, and inorganic substances.

The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. Liquid compositions may also contain aerosol formers such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

For example, a liquid composition may comprise a solution of glycerin and propylene glycol in any weight ratio to which a nicotine salt has been added. A liquid composition may also include two or more nicotine salts. Nicotine salts can be formed by adding a suitable acid, including organic or inorganic acids, to nicotine. The nicotine can be either naturally occurring nicotine or synthetic nicotine in any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

The acid for forming the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected in consideration of the absorption rate of nicotine in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 1000, flavor or taste, solubility, and the like. For example, acids for the formation of nicotine salts include benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid , citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid, or a single acid selected from the group consisting of malic acid or the above It may be a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.

The liquid delivery means may deliver the liquid composition of the liquid reservoir to the heating element.

The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition delivered by the liquid delivery means. For example, the heating element may be a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate, or a ceramic heater, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heating element may be composed of a conductive filament such as nichrome wire, and may be disposed in a structure wound around the liquid delivery means. The heating element may be heated by supplying current, and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element to heat the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol may be generated.

For example, the vaporizer 140 may be referred to as a cartomizer or atomizer, but is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 1000 may further include general-purpose components other than the battery 110, the controller 120, and the heater 130. For example, the aerosol generating device 1000 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting tactile information. In addition, the aerosol generating device 1000 may include at least one sensor (a puff detection sensor, a temperature detection sensor, a cigarette insertion detection sensor, etc.). In addition, the aerosol generating device 1000 may be manufactured in a structure in which external air may flow in or internal gas may flow out even when the cigarette 200 is inserted.

Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the aerosol generating device 1000 may constitute a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 110 of the aerosol generating device 1000. Alternatively, the heater 130 may be heated in a state in which the cradle and the aerosol generating device 1000 are coupled.

Cigarette 200 may be similar to a conventional combustion cigarette. For example, the cigarette 200 may be divided into a first part including an aerosol generating material and a second part including a filter and the like. Alternatively, the aerosol generating material may also be included in the second part of the cigarette 200 . An aerosol generating material, eg in the form of granules or capsules, may be inserted into the second part.

The entire first part may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 1000, and the second part may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a part of the first part may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 1000, or parts of the first part and the second part may be inserted. The user may inhale the aerosol while opening the second part. At this time, the aerosol is generated by passing the external air through the first part, and the generated aerosol passes through the second part and is delivered to the user's mouth.

As an example, external air may be introduced through at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 1000 . For example, the opening and closing of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 1000 and/or the size of the air passage may be controlled by the user. Accordingly, the amount of smoke and the feeling of smoking can be adjusted by the user. As another example, outside air may be introduced into the cigarette 200 through at least one hole formed on the surface of the cigarette 200.

Hereinafter, an example of the cigarette 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 .

3 is a view showing an example of a cigarette.

Referring to FIG. 3 , a cigarette 200 includes a tobacco rod 210 and a filter rod 220 . The first part described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 includes the tobacco rod 210 and the second part includes the filter rod 220 .

Although filter rod 220 is shown as a single segment in FIG. 3, it is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod 220 may be composed of a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod 220 may include a first segment that cools the aerosol and a second segment that filters certain components contained in the aerosol. Also, if necessary, the filter rod 220 may further include at least one segment performing other functions.

Cigarette 200 may be wrapped by at least one wrapper (240). At least one hole through which external air is introduced or internal gas is discharged may be formed in the wrapper 240 . As an example, the cigarette 200 may be wrapped by one wrapper 240 . As another example, the cigarette 200 may be overlappingly wrapped by two or more wrappers 240 . For example, the tobacco rod 210 may be wrapped by a first wrapper and the filter rod 220 may be wrapped by a second wrapper. Then, the tobacco rod 210 and the filter rod 220 wrapped by individual wrappers are combined, and the entire cigarette 200 can be repackaged by the third wrapper. If each of the tobacco rod 210 or the filter rod 220 is composed of a plurality of segments, each segment may be wrapped by an individual wrapper 240. In addition, the entire cigarette 200 in which the segments wrapped by the individual wrappers 240 are combined may be re-wrapped by another wrapper.

Tobacco rod 210 contains an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may include, but is not limited to, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol and oleyl alcohol. In addition, the tobacco rod 210 may contain other additive materials such as flavoring agents, humectants and/or organic acids. In addition, a flavoring liquid such as menthol or a moisturizer may be added to the tobacco rod 210 by spraying it to the tobacco rod 210 .

Tobacco rod 210 may be manufactured in various ways. For example, the tobacco rod 210 may be made of a sheet or may be made of a strand. In addition, the tobacco rod 210 may be made of a cut filler in which a tobacco sheet is chopped. Additionally, the tobacco rod 210 may be surrounded by a heat conducting material. For example, the thermal conduction material may be a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but is not limited thereto. For example, the heat conduction material surrounding the tobacco rod 210 can improve the thermal conductivity applied to the tobacco rod by evenly distributing the heat transmitted to the tobacco rod 210, thereby improving the taste of the tobacco. . In addition, the heat conducting material surrounding the tobacco rod 210 may function as a susceptor heated by an induction heating type heater. At this time, although not shown in the drawing, the tobacco rod 210 may further include an additional susceptor in addition to the heat conducting material surrounding the outside.

The filter rod 220 may be a cellulose acetate filter. Meanwhile, the shape of the filter rod 220 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 220 may be a cylindrical rod or a tubular rod having a hollow inside. Also, the filter rod 220 may be a recess type rod. If the filter rod 220 is composed of a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may be manufactured in a different shape.

The filter rod 220 may be manufactured to generate flavor. As an example, flavoring liquid may be sprayed onto the filter rod 220, or a separate fiber coated with flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter rod 220.

In addition, at least one capsule 230 may be included in the filter rod 220 . Here, the capsule 230 may function to generate a flavor or generate an aerosol. For example, the capsule 230 may have a structure in which a liquid containing a fragrance is wrapped in a film. The capsule 230 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

If the filter rod 220 includes a segment for cooling the aerosol, the cooling segment may be made of a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material. For example, the cooling segment may be made of only pure polylactic acid, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the cooling segment may be made of a cellulose acetate filter perforated with a plurality of holes. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the above example, and may be applicable without limitation as long as it can perform a function of cooling the aerosol.

Meanwhile, although not shown in FIG. 3 , the cigarette 200 according to an embodiment may further include a pre-filter. The front filter is located on one side opposite to the filter rod 220 in the tobacco rod 210. The pre-filter can prevent the tobacco rod 210 from escaping to the outside, and can prevent the aerosol liquefied from the tobacco rod 210 from flowing into the aerosol generating device (10000 in FIGS. 1 and 2) during smoking. there is.

4 is a diagram showing a cartridge 300 according to an embodiment. The cartridge 300 may correspond to the vaporizer 140 described above, and a description of a configuration overlapping with the above configuration will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cartridge 300 according to an embodiment includes a storage unit 310 for storing a liquid composition containing an aerosol generating material, a wick unit 320 for absorbing the liquid composition, and a heating unit for heating the liquid composition. A portion 330 may be included.

The storage unit 310 is a space in which the liquid composition is stored, but is shown as being disposed on one side of the cartridge 300, but is not limited thereto and surrounds the accommodation unit 350 with the accommodation unit 350 at the center. can be formed into shapes.

At least a portion of the heating unit 330 and the wicking unit 320 may be disposed inside the accommodating unit 350 . In addition, the liquid composition moved from the storage unit 310 to the accommodation unit 350 along the wick unit 320 may be atomized into an aerosol by the heating unit 330 inside the accommodation unit 350 . The accommodating part 350 may include a cavity accommodating at least a part of the wick part 320 and the heating part 330, but is not limited thereto.

One side of the wick part 320 may be in contact with the liquid composition of the storage part 310 . Also, the wick part 320 may absorb the liquid composition. The material of the core part 320 may include at least one selected from cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, porous ceramic, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

The wick portion 320 may extend from the storage portion 310 toward the receiving portion 350 . That is, the extension direction of the wick part 320 may be a direction from the storage part 310 toward the receiving part 350 . The wick unit 320 may absorb the liquid composition in the storage unit 310 and deliver the liquid composition to the heating unit 330 inside the housing unit 350 through capillarity.

The heating unit 330 is disposed inside the accommodating unit 350 and may extend while surrounding at least a portion of the wick unit 320 . The heating unit 330 may have a plate shape. However, the shape of the heating unit 330 is not limited to the plate shape, and may be changed to various shapes within a range in which it extends while surrounding at least a portion of the wick unit 320 .

The heating unit 330 may correspond to the aforementioned heating element. In addition, the heating unit 330 may include a susceptor. The susceptor is heated by an alternating magnetic field generated from the induction coil 370 and may include metal or carbon.

For example, the susceptor may include at least one selected from ferrite, ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, aluminum, or a combination thereof. However, the susceptor is not limited to the above example, and may be applicable without limitation as long as it can be heated to a desired temperature as an alternating magnetic field is applied.

The wick unit 320 may include a first wick unit 321 in contact with the liquid composition of the storage unit 310 and a second wick unit 322 in contact with the heating unit 330 . The second wick part 322 may be disposed inside the accommodating part 350 .

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the heating unit 330 and the core unit 320 of the cartridge shown in FIG. 4 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , the heating unit 330 may be disposed to cover one side of the wick unit 320 and the other side opposite to one side of the wick unit 320 . At least a part of the wick part 320 contacting the aforementioned heating part 330 may be the second wick part 322 .

The liquid composition may move to the second wick part 322 along the first wick part 321 . The liquid composition moved to the second wick 322 may be atomized by the heating unit 330 when the aerosol generating device 1000 operates. An aerosol may be created by atomizing the liquid composition.

The second wick part 322 may have a wider width than the first wick part 321 . The width may mean a length in a direction crossing the extension direction of the wick part 320 .

If the width of the second wick part 322 is wider than that of the first wick part 321, the contact area between the heating part 330 and the liquid composition may be widened, so that the amount of aerosol generated may increase. As the width of the first wick part 321 is wide, the supply of the liquid composition from the storage part 310 to the heating part 330 may be smooth. In addition, as the width of the second wick part 322 and the width of the heating part 330 are similar, the contact area between the heating part 330 and the liquid composition may increase.

In addition, a step may be formed between the second wick part 322 and the first wick part 321 . That is, the width of the second wick portion 322 and the width of the first wick portion 321 may be discontinuous, and a step according to a difference in width between the second wick portion 322 and the first wick portion 321 is determined. It may be formed between the second wick part 322 and the first wick part 321 .

The heating unit 330 may include at least one airflow hole 340 through which aerosol is discharged. In the cartridge 300 according to an embodiment, since the heating unit 330 surrounds the wick unit 320, a passage through which the aerosol generated on one side of the heating unit 320 in contact with the wick unit 320 can move may be required. there is.

The air flow hole 340 may be a passage through which the aerosol generated by the heating unit 330 can move. That is, as shown in FIG. 5 , the aerosol generated on one side of the heating unit 330 in contact with the second wick unit 322 may pass through the air flow hole 340 and move toward the other side of the heating unit 330. .

The air flow hole 340 may be formed such that a central axis of the air flow hole 340 is in a direction transverse to an extension direction of the wick part 320 . In addition, the air flow hole 340 may have a circular cross section, but is not limited thereto and may have a polygonal or elliptical cross section.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 300 shown in FIG. 4 .

Referring to Figure 6, the cartridge 300 may include a discharge portion 360 on one side. The discharge part 360 may communicate the receiving part 350 and the outside of the receiving part 350 . Accordingly, the atomized aerosol may be discharged to the outside of the accommodation unit 350 through the discharge unit 360 and then discharged to the outside of the cartridge 300 . At least one discharge unit 360 may be disposed on one side of the cartridge 300 according to the amount of atomization generated in the accommodation unit 350 .

The cartridge 300 may include a supply unit 380 between the storage unit 310 and the accommodation unit 350 . The supply unit 380 may contact the first wick unit 321 , and the liquid composition may move along the first wick unit 321 to the second wick unit 322 through the supply unit 380 .

The supply unit 380 may have a circular hole shape, but is not limited thereto and may be different according to the shape of the first wick unit 321 .

A sealing unit 390 may be disposed along the circumference of the supply unit 380 . Also, the sealing part 390 may be disposed to contact the first wick part 321 .

The sealing unit 390 may close the storage unit 310 by blocking the supply unit 380 together with the first wick unit 321 . That is, the sealing unit 390 may hermetically seal the supply unit 380 together with the first wick unit 321 to prevent the liquid composition of the storage unit 310 from leaking into the accommodation unit 350 . Accordingly, the sealing part 390 can prevent the liquid phase of the storage part 310 from leaking into the receiving part 350 when the cartridge 300 is tilted.

The sealing part 390 may include a silicon material. In addition, the shape of the sealing part 390 may be a hollow circular O-ring, but may be modified according to the shapes of the first wick part 321 and the supply part 380 .

The liquid composition that can be used in the cartridge 300 may include nicotine and flavor components such as carbohydrates, organic acids, alkaloids, and phenols. Since the flavor component is a material capable of providing various flavors to the user, a liquid composition including the flavor component is actively used in the cartridge 300 .

However, the higher the flavor component content of the liquid composition, the higher the viscosity or boiling point of the liquid composition, so the heating unit 330 may not completely atomize the liquid composition.

The sludge is a material that is formed when the liquid composition is incompletely atomized and some components of the liquid composition adhere to the wick part 320 . The sludge adheres to the wick part 320 and inhibits liquid supply, so that the wick part 320 may be carbonized by the heating part 330 or the amount of atomization of the cartridge 300 may be reduced.

In the cartridge 300 according to an embodiment, since the heating unit 330 extends while surrounding at least a portion of the wick unit 320 along the extending direction of the wick unit 320, the heating unit 330 and the wick unit ( 320) can be secured. Accordingly, the heat of the heating unit 330 is sufficiently transferred to the liquid composition absorbed by the wick unit 320 to prevent incomplete atomization from occurring, thereby preventing sludge from adhering to the wick unit 320. .

Therefore, in the cartridge 300 according to an embodiment, a wide contact area between the heating unit 330 and the wick unit 320 is secured, thereby preventing sludge generation. In addition, as the generation of sludge is prevented, it is possible to provide a rich amount of atomization to the user, and it is possible to secure durability of the cartridge 300 that can use the cartridge 300 for a long period of time.

The same reference numerals for components of one embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 may mean substantially the same components hereinafter, and components of one embodiment may be applied substantially the same to other embodiments. can

7 is a diagram showing a cartridge 300 according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the wick portion 320 may spirally extend around the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 300 inside the accommodating portion 350 .

In the cartridge 300 according to another embodiment, the liquid composition of the storage unit 310 is absorbed by the wick 320 and moves to the accommodating unit 350 along the wick 320 and moves to the accommodating unit 350. One liquid composition may spirally move along the extension direction of the wick part 320 .

The heating part 330 may be formed while extending while surrounding at least a portion of the wick part 320 . When the heating unit 330 is heated, the liquid composition absorbed in the spirally extended wick unit 320 is atomized at the same time, thereby providing a rich amount of atomization to the user. In addition, the heating unit 330 may include at least one air flow hole 340 through which the atomized aerosol passes.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the heating unit 330 and the core unit 320 of the cartridge 300 as viewed from the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 300 shown in FIG. 7 .

Referring to FIG. 8(a), the heating unit 330 may be disposed to cover one surface of the wick unit 320, and as shown in FIG. 8(b), the heating unit 330 is one surface of the wick unit 320. And it can be arranged to cover the other side opposite to it.

The rotation direction of the heating unit 330 and the wick unit 320 is illustrated as clockwise with respect to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 300, but the rotation direction is not limited thereto.

The heating unit 330 of the cartridge 300 according to another embodiment may be spirally formed around the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 300 while surrounding the wick 320, so that the space of the receiving unit 350 is limited. In one case, a large contact area between the wick part 320 and the heating part 330 may be secured.

In addition, since a large contact area between the wick part 320 and the heating part 330 is secured, as described above, it is possible to prevent sludge from adhering to the wick part 320, so that the durability of the cartridge 300 is excellent, The liquid composition absorbed in the spirally formed wick 320 is simultaneously vaporized to provide a rich amount of atomization to the user.

9 is a diagram schematically showing an aerosol generating device 1000 according to another embodiment including a cartridge 300 according to the embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 9 , an aerosol generating device 1000 according to another embodiment may include a main body 400 accommodating the cartridge 300 according to the above-described embodiments. Also, the main body 400 may include a battery 110 and a controller 120 .

Since the cartridge 300 according to the embodiments is the same as described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted in the overlapping range.

The body portion 400 may be electrically coupled to the cartridge 300 according to the embodiments. Also, the main body 400 may further include at least one sensor.

For example, at least one sensor may include a puff detection sensor. The puff sensor may detect a user's puff based on any one of temperature change, flow change, voltage change, and pressure change. When a user's puff is detected, the controller 120 may heat the heating unit 330 .

The induction coil 370 may generate an alternating magnetic field by receiving power from the battery 110 . The induction coil 370 may be disposed outside the accommodating part 350 . The heating unit 330 may be heated by an alternating magnetic field to atomize the liquid composition absorbed by the wick unit 320 .

The cartridge 300 according to the embodiments may further include a mouthpiece part 361 . The mouthpiece part 361 may be disposed on one side of the cartridge 300 while having a hollow communication with the discharge part 360 . The aerosol discharged through the mouthpiece part 361 may be delivered to the user.

The mouthpiece part 361 may have a hollow cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto, and may be adopted in various shapes for delivering aerosol to a user.

10 is a diagram schematically showing an example in which a cigarette 200 is inserted into an aerosol generating device 1000 according to another embodiment including a cartridge 300 according to the embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 10, an aerosol generating device 1000 according to another embodiment includes a cartridge accommodating portion 150 accommodating the cartridge 300 according to the above-described embodiments and a cigarette accommodating portion accommodating a cigarette 200. It may include a body portion 400 including (160).

The body part 400 may include a heater 130 for heating the cigarette 200 accommodated therein. In addition, the body portion 400 includes an air flow passage 170 extending from the cartridge accommodating portion 150 to the cigarette accommodating portion 160 to deliver the aerosol generated in the cartridge 300 to one end of the cigarette 200 can do.

The airflow passage 170 may be connected to the outlet 360 of the above-described cartridge 300, and the cartridge accommodating portion 150 and the cigarette accommodating portion 160 are shown as being located on a straight line, but are limited thereto It can be arranged in a variety of forms.

The aerosol atomized in the cartridge 300 moves to one end of the cigarette 200 through the air flow passage 170, and can be inhaled by the user together with the aerosol generated by the heater 130. That is, the aerosol generated in the cartridge 300 can be inhaled by the user together with the aerosol of the cigarette 200 through the air flow passage 170.

As described above, when the cartridge 300 according to the embodiments is used in the aerosol generating device 1000 capable of heating the cigarette 200, it is included in the storage unit 310 of the cartridge 300 according to the embodiments Ingredients of the liquid composition may be changed. For example, since the aerosol generated in the cartridge 300 and the aerosol generated in the cigarette 200 can be mixed and inhaled by the user, depending on the flavor of the cigarette 200 used, the liquid composition of the storage unit 310 Ingredients may change.

Those skilled in the art related to the present embodiment will be able to understand that it may be implemented in a modified form within a range that does not deviate from the essential characteristics of the above description. Therefore, the disclosed methods are to be considered in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the equivalent range should be construed as being included in the present invention.

1000: aerosol generating device 200: cigarette
110: battery 120: control unit
130: heater 140: vaporizer
150: cartridge accommodating portion 160: cigarette accommodating portion
170: air flow passage 210: tobacco rod
220: filter rod 230: capsule
240: wrapper 300: cartridge
310: storage unit 320: core unit
321: first wick part 322: second wick part
330: heating unit 340: air flow hole
350: receiving part 360: discharge part
361: mouthpiece part 370: induction coil
380: supply unit 390: sealing unit
400: body part

Claims (13)

a storage unit for storing a liquid composition containing an aerosol-generating substance;
a wick for absorbing the liquid composition;
a heating unit for heating the liquid composition absorbed in the wicking unit; and
A receiving portion accommodating at least a portion of the wick portion and the heating portion; includes,
The wick part includes a first wick part in contact with the liquid composition of the storage part and a second wick part extending from the first wick part along the longitudinal direction of the accommodating part and having a wider width than the first wick part,
The heating unit is disposed to surround one surface of the second wick and the other surface facing the opposite direction to the one surface, the cartridge. delete According to claim 1,
A cartridge comprising at least one air flow hole through which the heating unit passes the aerosol. delete According to claim 1,
A step difference is formed between the first wick portion and the second wick portion, the cartridge. According to claim 1,
A supply unit disposed between the receiving unit and the storage unit; further comprising,
wherein the liquid composition moves from the reservoir to the receiver along the wick through the supply unit. According to claim 6,
A cartridge further comprising; a sealing portion disposed along the circumference of the supply portion. According to claim 1,
a discharging unit disposed on one surface of the accommodating unit to discharge the aerosol to the outside of the accommodating unit; Further comprising a cartridge. According to claim 1,
Wherein the wick portion spirally extends around a central axis in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge inside the accommodating portion. delete According to claim 9,
A cartridge comprising at least one air flow hole through which the heating unit passes the aerosol. a cartridge according to any one of claims 1, 3, 5 to 9 and 11; and
Including; body portion for accommodating the cartridge,
The body part includes an induction coil disposed outside the accommodating part and generating an alternating magnetic field to heat the heating part,
An aerosol generating device is formed on one side of the cartridge; a mouthpiece portion through which the aerosol generated in the cartridge is discharged. a cartridge according to any one of claims 1, 3, 5 to 9 and 11; and
A body portion including a cartridge accommodating portion in which the cartridge is mounted and a cigarette accommodating portion accommodating a cigarette; including,
The main body unit includes a heater for heating the cigarette accommodated in the cigarette accommodating unit; and
An air flow passage extending from the cartridge receiving portion to the cigarette receiving portion to deliver the aerosol generated in the cartridge to one end of the cigarette.

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