KR102630241B1 - Body for aerosol generating device and aerosol generating device comprising thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The main body for the aerosol generating device includes a housing assembly including an accommodating space into which at least a portion of the cartridge can be inserted, a battery for supplying power to the cartridge inserted into the accommodating space, and a first printed circuit located inside the housing assembly. It is located inside the substrate and the housing assembly, and may include a bracket for supporting the first printed circuit board and the battery.

Description

Body for aerosol generating device and aerosol generating device including same {BODY FOR AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE AND AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE COMPRISING THEREOF}

Embodiments relate to a main body for an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating device including the same, and more particularly, to a main body for an aerosol generating device that can be combined with a cartridge and an aerosol generating device including the same.

Recently, the demand for technology to replace the method of supplying aerosol by burning a typical cigarette is increasing. For example, an aerosol can be produced from an aerosol-generating material in a liquid state or a solid state, or an aerosol with a flavor can be supplied by generating vapor from an aerosol-generating material in a liquid state and then passing the generated vapor through a solid-state scent medium. Research on methods such as these is in progress.

Recently, an aerosol-generating device has been proposed, comprising a cartridge capable of storing aerosol-generating material, atomizing the stored aerosol-generating material, and a body capable of accommodating the cartridge and supplying power to the received cartridge.

In the case of an aerosol generating device that includes a conventional cartridge and a main body, the cartridge may be separated from the main body during use, resulting in damage to the cartridge or poor power supply to the cartridge, thereby supplying aerosol to the user. A situation could arise where this could not be done.

Accordingly, the present disclosure aims to prevent the cartridge from being separated from the main body of the aerosol generating device during use of the aerosol generating device by providing a main body for an aerosol generating device that can stably accommodate a cartridge and an aerosol generating device including the same. do.

The problems to be solved through the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and the problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the present specification and the attached drawings. It could be.

The main body for an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment includes a housing assembly including a receiving space into which at least a portion of the cartridge can be inserted, a battery for supplying power to the cartridge inserted into the receiving space, and a battery located inside the housing assembly. It is located inside the first printed circuit board and the housing assembly, and may include a bracket for supporting the first printed circuit board and the battery.

The aerosol generating device according to one embodiment includes a main body for the aerosol generating device described above and a cartridge detachably coupled to the main body for the aerosol generating device, the cartridge having a reservoir in which the aerosol generating material is stored, and a reservoir that generates vibration to generate vibration in the reservoir. It may include a vibrator for atomizing the stored aerosol-generating material into an aerosol and a liquid delivery means for transferring the aerosol-generating material stored in the reservoir to the vibrator.

The main body for the aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating device including the same according to the above-described embodiments can prevent the cartridge from being unintentionally separated from the main body for the aerosol generating device during use.

In addition, the main body for the aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating device including the same according to the above-described embodiments can reduce the overall size while securing space for placement of parts for driving the aerosol generating device.

In addition, the main body for the aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating device including the same according to the above-described embodiments can prevent the internal temperature of the main body for the aerosol generating device from rapidly rising.

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

Figure 1 is a diagram schematically showing an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a state in which the mouthpiece of the cartridge shown in FIG. 2 is disposed in a first position.
FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing a state in which the mouthpiece of the cartridge shown in FIG. 2 is disposed in a second position.
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the main body for the aerosol generating device shown in Figure 2.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing some components of the main body for the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 4.
Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the inner housing and components disposed in the inner housing of the main body for an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the first housing of the main body for the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 6 and components disposed around the first housing.
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the second housing and components disposed around the second housing of the main body for the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 6.
Figure 9 is a diagram for explaining the coupling relationship between the bracket, the first printed circuit board, and the guide member in the main body for the aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of area A of the main body for the aerosol generating device of FIG. 9.
Figure 11 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

The terms used in the embodiments are general terms that are currently widely used as much as possible while considering the function in the present invention, but this may vary depending on the intention or precedent of a person skilled in the art, the emergence of new technology, etc. In addition, in certain cases, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the relevant invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention, rather than simply the name of the term.

When it is said that a part "includes" a certain element throughout the specification, this means that, unless specifically stated to the contrary, it does not exclude other elements but may further include other elements. Additionally, terms such as “-unit” and “-module” used in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software, or as a combination of hardware and software.

As used herein, when an expression such as “at least any one” precedes arranged elements, it modifies all of the arranged elements rather than each arranged element. For example, the expression “at least one of a, b, and c” should be interpreted to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c. do.

In one embodiment, an aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol using a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material.

An aerosol generating device may include a cartridge holding an aerosol generating material and a body supporting the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably coupled to the main body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be formed or assembled integrally with the main body, and may be fixed so as not to be detached or detached by the user. The cartridge may be mounted on the main body while containing the aerosol-generating material therein. However, it is not limited to this, and an aerosol-generating material may be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the main body.

The cartridge may contain an aerosol-generating material in any one of various states, such as liquid state, solid state, gas state, and gel state. Aerosol-generating materials may include liquid compositions. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing tobacco-containing substances, including volatile tobacco flavor components, or may be a liquid containing non-tobacco substances.

The cartridge is operated by an electric signal or wireless signal transmitted from the main body, thereby converting the phase of the aerosol-generating material inside the cartridge into a gas phase to generate an aerosol. In the present disclosure, 'aerosol' may refer to a gas in a mixed state of vaporized particles generated from an aerosol-generating material and air.

For example, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol from an aerosol generating material using an ultrasonic vibration method. At this time, the ultrasonic vibration method may refer to a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing the aerosol-generating material with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

The aerosol generating device may include a vibrator, and may generate short-period vibration through the vibrator to atomize the aerosol-generating material. The vibration generated from the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibration may be from about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating device may further include a wick that absorbs the aerosol generating material. For example, the wick may be arranged to surround at least one area of the vibrator or may be arranged to contact at least one area of the vibrator.

As a voltage (e.g., alternating voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and/or ultrasonic vibration may be generated from the vibrator, and the heat and/or ultrasonic vibration generated from the vibrator may be transmitted to the aerosol-generating material absorbed by the wick. . The aerosol-generating material absorbed into the wick may be converted into a gas phase by heat and/or ultrasonic vibration transmitted from the vibrator, and as a result, an aerosol may be generated.

For example, the viscosity of the aerosol-generating material absorbed into the wick may be lowered by the heat generated from the vibrator, and the aerosol-generating material with the lowered viscosity due to ultrasonic vibration generated from the vibrator may be converted into fine particles, thereby generating an aerosol. , but is not limited to this.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a cradle.

The aerosol generating device can form a system with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle can charge the battery of an aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the heater may be heated while the cradle and the aerosol generating device are combined.

Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. The present disclosure may be implemented in a form that can be implemented in the aerosol generating devices of various embodiments described above, or may be implemented in various different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Figure 1 is a diagram schematically showing an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 1000 according to an embodiment may include a main body 10 and a cartridge 20 detachably coupled to the main body 10.

According to one embodiment, the body 10 (or 'main body for an aerosol generating device') may include a housing assembly 100, a battery 101, and a processor 102. The components of the main body 10 are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and at least one component may be added or at least one component may be omitted depending on the embodiment.

The housing assembly 100 forms the overall appearance of the main body 10 and may include a receiving space 100i into which at least a portion of the cartridge 20 can be inserted. For example, the cartridge 20 may be coupled to the main body 10 by being inserted into the receiving space 100i. At this time, the main body 10 and the cartridge 20 may be coupled through at least one of a snap-fit method, a screw coupling method, a magnetic coupling method, or an interference fit method, but the main body 10 ) and the cartridge 20 are not limited to the above-described example. As another example, the cartridge 20 may be separated from the receiving space 100i of the main body 10 by a user's manipulation.

The battery 101 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1000. For example, battery 101 may supply designated power to cartridge 20 to enable cartridge 20 to atomize aerosol-generating materials. As another example, the battery 101 may supply power necessary for the operation of other components of the aerosol generating device 1000. For example, the battery 101 may supply power required for the operation of the processor 102, a sensor (not shown), and/or a memory (not shown), but is not limited thereto.

The battery 101 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 101 may be a nickel-based battery (e.g., nickel-metal hydride battery, nickel-cadmium battery), or a lithium-based battery (e.g., lithium-cobalt battery, lithium-phosphate battery, lithium titanate batteries, lithium-ion batteries, or lithium-polymer batteries). However, the type of battery 101 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and depending on the embodiment, the battery 101 may include an alkaline battery or a manganese battery.

The processor 102 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1000. At this time, the processor 102 may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that can be executed on the microprocessor. However, the processor 102 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented with different types of hardware depending on the embodiment.

According to one embodiment, the processor 102 may control power supplied to the cartridge 20 through the battery 101. For example, processor 102 may receive user input and determine the amount of power to be supplied to cartridge 20 and/or the amount of power to be supplied such that an aerosol may be generated in cartridge 20 based on the received user input. Time can be controlled, but is not limited to this. As another example, the processor 102 may control the amount and/or time for which power is supplied from the battery 101 to the cartridge 20 based on a result sensed by a sensor (not shown).

According to another embodiment, the processor 102 may detect the user's puff motion through a sensor and provide a notification to the user based on the user's puff motion. For example, the processor 102 counts the user's puff movements and then, when the user's puff count reaches a specified number, uses at least one of a light source, a motor, and a speaker to inform the user that the aerosol generating device 1000 is terminated. A notification can be provided indicating that:

The cartridge 20 may include a cartridge housing 21, a reservoir 22, a liquid delivery means 23, an atomizer 24, a discharge passage 25, and a mouthpiece 26. The components of the cartridge 20 are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and at least one component may be added or at least one component may be omitted depending on the embodiment.

The cartridge housing 21 may form the overall appearance of the cartridge 20, and an arrangement space in which the components of the cartridge 20 can be formed may be formed inside the cartridge housing 21. For example, a reservoir 22, a liquid delivery means 23, an atomizer 24, and a discharge passage 25 may be disposed inside the cartridge housing 21, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The reservoir 22 is located inside the cartridge housing 21 and can accommodate aerosol-generating substances. In the present disclosure, the expression 'the storage tank accommodates the aerosol-generating material' refers to the fact that the storage tank 22 performs the function of simply containing the aerosol-generating material, such as the use of a container, and the inside of the storage tank 22, for example. For example, it means including an element that impregnates (contains) an aerosol-generating material such as a sponge, cotton, cloth, or porous ceramic structure.

The storage tank 22 may contain, for example, an aerosol-generating material in any one state, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gas state, or a gel state.

According to one embodiment, the aerosol-generating material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing tobacco-containing substances, including volatile tobacco flavor components, or may be a liquid containing non-tobacco substances.

The liquid composition may include, for example, any one or a mixture of water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, fragrances, flavors, and vitamin mixtures. Fragrances may include, but are not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit flavor ingredients. Flavoring agents may include ingredients that can provide various flavors or flavors to the user. 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. The liquid composition may also contain aerosol formers such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

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

The acid for forming nicotine salt may be appropriately selected considering the absorption rate of nicotine in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 1000, flavor or flavor, solubility, etc. 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 malic acid or a single acid selected from the group consisting of 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 23 may serve to deliver the aerosol generating material contained or stored in the reservoir 22 to the atomizer 24. For example, the liquid delivery means 23 may be a wick containing at least one of cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, and porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

The atomizer 24 can generate an aerosol by converting the phase of the aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol-generating material stored in the reservoir 22 may be supplied to the atomizer 24 through the liquid delivery means 23, and the atomizer 24 atomizes the supplied aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol. can do.

According to one embodiment, the atomizer 24 can change the phase of the aerosol-generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method to atomize the aerosol-generating material with ultrasonic vibration.

For example, the atomizer 24 may include a vibrator that generates vibration of a short period, and the vibration generated from the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibration. The frequency of ultrasonic vibration may be about 100 kHz to 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

The aerosol-generating material supplied to the atomizer 24 through the liquid delivery means 23 may be vaporized and/or particleized by a short period of vibration generated from the vibrator and atomized into an aerosol.

The vibrator may include, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic. The piezoelectric ceramic generates electricity (voltage) by physical force (pressure) and conversely generates vibration (mechanical force) when electricity is applied, thereby generating electricity and electricity. It can be a functional material that can mutually convert mechanical forces. In other words, as electricity is applied to the vibrator, a short period of vibration (physical force) may be generated, and the generated vibration may break the aerosol-generating material into small particles and atomize it into an aerosol.

According to one embodiment, the vibrator may be electrically connected to other components of the aerosol generating device 1000 through an electrical connection member. For example, the vibrator may be electrically connected to the battery 101 and/or the processor 102 of the main body 10 through an electrical connection member, but the components electrically connected to the vibrator are not limited to the examples described above. no. At this time, the vibrator may receive current or voltage from the battery 101 through an electrical connection member to generate ultrasonic vibration, or its operation may be controlled by the processor 102.

The electrical connection member may include, for example, at least one of a pogo pin or a C-clip, but the electrical connection member is not limited to the examples described above. As another example, the electrical connection member may include at least one of a cable and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

In another embodiment (not shown), the atomizer 24 also has the function of maintaining the aerosol-generating material in an optimal condition for absorbing and converting the aerosol-generating material into an aerosol without using a separate liquid delivery means 23. It may be implemented as a mesh-shaped or plate-shaped vibration receiving part that performs both the function of generating aerosol by transmitting vibration to the body.

In the drawing, only an embodiment in which the liquid delivery means 23 and the atomizer 24 are disposed on the cartridge 20 is shown, but the arrangement structure of the liquid delivery means 23 and the atomizer 24 is shown in the embodiment. It is not limited to. In another embodiment, the liquid delivery means 23 may be disposed in the cartridge 20 and the atomizer 24 may be disposed in the body 10.

The discharge passage 25 may serve as a passage for the aerosol generated inside the cartridge 20 to be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 20. For example, the discharge passage 25 may be connected or communicated with the discharge port 26e of the atomizer 24 and the mouthpiece 26, and the aerosol generated by the atomizer 24 may pass through the discharge passage 25. It moves along and can be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 20 through the discharge port 26e.

According to one embodiment, the discharge passage 25 may be arranged to be surrounded by the reservoir 22 inside the cartridge 20, but the arrangement structure of the discharge passage 25 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. .

The mouthpiece 26 is disposed in one area combined with the main body 10 of the cartridge 20 and another area located in the opposite direction, and discharges the aerosol generated inside the cartridge 20 to the outside of the cartridge 20. It may include an outlet (26e) for. For example, as a user touches the mouthpiece 26 with his or her mouth and performs a suction or puff motion, a pressure difference may occur between the outside and inside of the cartridge 20. The aerosol generated inside the cartridge 20 may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 20 through the outlet 26e due to a pressure difference between the outside and inside of the cartridge 20. That is, the user can receive aerosol discharged to the outside of the cartridge 20 through the outlet 26e by contacting the mouthpiece 26 with the mouth and inhaling.

In the aerosol generating device 1000, the cross-sectional shape in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the main body 10 and the cartridge 20 may be approximately circular, oval, square, rectangular, or polygonal in various shapes. However, the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 1000 is not limited to the above-described shape, or the aerosol generating device 1000 does not necessarily have to be formed into a structure that extends linearly when extending in the longitudinal direction.

In another embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 1000 may be curved in a streamlined shape for the user to easily hold by hand, or may be bent at a predetermined angle in a specific area and extended long, and the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 1000 may be It may also change along the length direction.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 1000 according to one embodiment includes a main body 10 (e.g., the main body 10 of FIG. 1) and a cartridge that can be inserted into the receiving space 100i of the main body 10. (20) (e.g., cartridge 20 of FIG. 1). At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 according to an embodiment may be the same or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 of FIG. 1, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted below. Let's do it.

The housing assembly 100 of the main body 10 (or 'main body for aerosol generating device') forms the overall appearance of the main body 10 and has a receiving space 100i into which at least a portion of the cartridge 20 can be inserted. It can be included. In one example, the housing assembly 100 may be formed into a pillar shape with an overall rectangular cross-section as shown in FIG. 2, but the shape of the housing assembly 100 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. In another example (not shown), the housing assembly 100 may be formed in a pillar shape with a circular or elliptical cross-section, or a pillar shape with a polygonal cross-section.

According to one embodiment, the housing assembly 100 may include an inner housing 110, an outer housing 120, and a cover 130.

The inner housing 110 may provide a placement space (or 'mounting space') in which the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 can be placed. For example, components (e.g., battery, processor) of the aerosol generating device 1000 for operating the cartridge 20 may be placed in the arrangement space of the inner housing 110, and the inner housing 110 Components placed in the deployment space can be protected.

In one embodiment, the receiving space 100i may be disposed in at least one area of the inner housing 110. For example, the receiving space 100i is formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the inner housing 110 and can accommodate at least a portion of the inserted cartridge 20. At this time, the receiving space 100i is formed in a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the cartridge 20 and can accommodate at least a portion of the cartridge 20. However, the shape of the receiving space 100i is limited to the illustrated embodiment. That is not the case.

According to one embodiment, the receiving space 100i is spaced from the center of the inner housing 110 and is disposed to be biased toward one side of the inner housing 110 in order to secure placement space for the components of the main body 10. However, the arrangement position of the accommodation space 100i is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

The outer housing 120 may be connected or coupled to the inner housing 110 to form at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the main body 10. According to one embodiment, the outer housing 120, when connected or coupled to the inner housing 110, includes the inner housing 110 and the components of the aerosol generating device 1000 disposed in the arrangement space of the inner housing 110. It can be protected. For example, the outer housing 120 is arranged to surround at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 110 to protect the inner housing 110 and the components arranged in the arrangement space of the inner housing 110. , but is not limited to this.

According to one embodiment, the outer housing 120 may include an opening 120h that exposes at least one area of the inner housing 110 to the outside of the main body 10. For example, an area of the inner housing 110 where the accommodation space 100i is disposed may be exposed to the outside of the main body 10 through the opening 120h. As one area of the inner housing 110 where the receiving space 100i is disposed is exposed to the outside of the main body 10, the cartridge 20 is stored even when the outer housing 120 is connected or coupled to the inner housing 110. Can be inserted into the receiving space (100i).

The cover 130 may be detachably coupled to a region of the inner housing 110 that is exposed to the outside of the main body 10 through the opening 120h of the outer housing 120, and is one part of the inner housing 110. A region of the inner housing 110 that is attached to the region and exposed to the outside of the main body 10 can be protected. For example, the cover 130 may be detachably coupled to an area of the inner housing 110 that is exposed to the outside of the main body 10 through magnetic force, but one area of the cover 130 and the inner housing 110 The method of combining regions is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

According to one embodiment, the cover 130 may include a cover opening 130h disposed at a position corresponding to the accommodation space 100i of the internal housing 110. In the present disclosure, the expression 'the cover opening is disposed at a position corresponding to the accommodation space' may mean that the cover opening is arranged to overlap the accommodation space or that the cover opening is arranged to include the outer peripheral surface of the accommodation space.

As the cover opening 130h is disposed at a position corresponding to the receiving space 100i, the receiving space 100i is located outside the main body 10 even when the cover 130 is attached to one area of the inner housing 110. may be exposed to Even when the cover 130 is attached to one area of the inner housing 110, the receiving space 100i is exposed to the outside of the main body 10, so the cartridge 20 is independent of the μ attachment state of the cover 130. It can be inserted into the receiving space 100i.

The main body 10 for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment may further include a button assembly 600 for receiving a user's input.

According to one embodiment, the button assembly 600 may be disposed in at least one area of the external housing 120, and a user may input a user input through the button assembly 600. For example, the user may enter a user input by pressing or touching the button assembly 600 disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 10, and the processor of the main body 10 (e.g., processor 102 in FIG. 1). Can receive user input input through the button assembly 600. At this time, the processor may control the operation of the aerosol generating device 1000 based on user input, but a detailed description of this will be provided later.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, we will look in detail at the cartridge 20 that is detachably coupled to the main body 10.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the mouthpiece of the cartridge shown in FIG. 2 disposed in the first position, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the mouthpiece of the cartridge shown in FIG. 2 disposed in the second position.

3A and 3B, the cartridge 20 according to one embodiment includes a cartridge housing 21 (e.g., the cartridge housing 21 of FIG. 1) and a mouthpiece 26 (e.g., the mouthpiece of FIG. 1). (26)). Components of the cartridge 20 according to one embodiment may be the same or similar to at least one of the components of the cartridge 20 shown in FIG. 1, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted below.

The cartridge housing 21 forms the overall appearance of the cartridge 20, and components for generating aerosol may be disposed inside the cartridge housing 21. For example, inside the cartridge housing 21, there is a storage tank in which the aerosol-generating material is stored (e.g., the storage tank 22 in FIG. 1) and an atomizer for atomizing the aerosol-generating material into an aerosol (e.g., the atomizer in FIG. 1). (24)) and a liquid delivery means (e.g., liquid delivery means 23 in FIG. 1) for supplying the aerosol generating material stored in the reservoir to the atomizer may be disposed, but is disposed inside the cartridge housing 21. The elements are not limited to this.

The mouthpiece 26 is movably coupled to an area of the cartridge housing 21 and moves between the first position (or 'open position') and the second position (or 'closed position') according to the user's operation. You can move. For example, the mouthpiece 26 may be rotatably coupled to one area of the cartridge housing 21 and may rotate between the first position and the second position, but the mouthpiece 26 is not limited thereto. In another example, mouthpiece 26 may slide between a first position and a second position.

In the present disclosure, the 'first position' means that the mouthpiece 26 is positioned in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge housing 21 so that the user's mouth can easily contact the mouthpiece 26, as shown in FIG. 3A. It may mean a state of being arranged parallel to or coincident with.

Additionally, in the present disclosure, the 'second position' refers to a position in which the mouthpiece 26 is placed in a cartridge so that the mouthpiece 26 can be received or stored in the main body (e.g., the main body 10 of FIG. 2), as shown in FIG. 3B. This may mean a state in which the housing 21 is arranged in a direction transverse to its longitudinal direction. For example, when the mouthpiece 26 is placed in the second position, the mouthpiece 26 is accommodated or housed in the main body 10 and the area of the mouthpiece 26 exposed to the outside of the main body 10 is This can be minimized, and as a result, the portability of the aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device 1000 of FIG. 2) can be improved.

That is, when smoking, the user places the mouthpiece 26 in the first position to facilitate contact between the mouthpiece 26 and the mouth, and when smoking is completed, the user moves the mouthpiece 26 from the first position to the second position. The portability of the aerosol generating device can be improved by moving it to a different location.

Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 4 and 5, we will look in detail at the main body (or 'main body for aerosol generating device') that can accommodate the above-described cartridge 20.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the main body for the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a view showing some components of the main body for the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 4. At this time, FIG. 5 is a diagram omitting the second external housing 122 and the third external housing 123 from the main body 10 of FIG. 4.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the main body 10 (or 'main body for aerosol generating device') according to one embodiment may include an inner housing 110, an outer housing 120, and a cover 130. . The main body 10 according to one embodiment may be an example of the main body 10 that can be applied to the aerosol generating device 1000 of FIG. 2, and redundant description will be omitted below.

According to one embodiment, the inner housing 110 may include a first housing 111 and a second housing 112 connected or coupled to the first housing 111.

The first housing 111 may be located at the top of the main body 10 (e.g., z-direction in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5), and at least one area of the first housing 111 has a cartridge (e.g., the cartridge in FIG. 2). An accommodating space 100i into which (20)) can be inserted may be disposed. For example, the receiving space 100i may be formed in a shape extending in the -z direction from a region facing the z direction of the first housing 111, but the shape and arrangement position of the receiving space 100i are as described above. It is not limited to examples.

The second housing 112 is located at the bottom of the main body 10 (eg, -z direction in FIG. 4 or 5) and may be connected or coupled to at least one area of the first housing 111. For example, the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 may be connected or coupled through a screw coupling method, but the connection or coupling method of the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 is this. It is not limited. As another example, the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 may be coupled through at least one of a snap-fit method, a magnetic coupling method, and a fitting method.

According to one embodiment, the first housing 111 is overall formed in an “L” shape, and the second housing 112 is entirely formed in an “L” shape, so that the first housing 111 and the second housing ( 112) may be interconnected or combined, and thus a space in which the components of the main body 10 can be arranged can be secured between the first housing 111 and the second housing 112. However, the above-described embodiment is an example of the shape of the first housing 111 and the second housing 112, and the shape of the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 is limited to the above-described embodiment. It doesn't work.

When the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 are connected or combined, an arrangement space may be formed between the first housing 111 and the second housing 112, and the main body 10 is located in the arrangement space. Components can be arranged. For example, the battery 101 for supplying power to the cartridge inserted into the receiving space 100i and the bracket 200 for supporting the battery 101 may be placed in the above-described arrangement space, but are disposed in the arrangement space. The components are not limited to the above-described embodiments.

In the drawing, only an embodiment in which the internal housing 110 includes a separately distinguished first housing 111 and a second housing 112 is shown, but depending on the embodiment, the first housing 111 and the second housing (112) may also be formed integrally.

The outer housing 120 is arranged to surround at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 110, and includes the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 and the first housing 111 and the second housing 112. Components placed in the arrangement space between them can be protected.

According to one embodiment, the external housing 120 may include a first external housing 121, a second external housing 122, and a third external housing 123.

The first external housing 121 is arranged to surround at least one area of the edge of the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 when viewed on the y-axis or -y-axis, so as to protect the first external housing 121 from external shock or foreign substances. Components disposed in the arrangement space between the housing 111 and the second housing 112 and the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 can be protected.

In one embodiment, the first external housing 121 is connected or coupled to the first housing 111 and the second housing 112, and is connected to at least one edge of the first housing 111 and the second housing 112. It can cover an area. For example, the first external housing 121 is connected to the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 through the first screw (S ₁ ) and the second screw (S ₂ ) as shown in FIG. 5 . It can be connected or coupled by a screw connection method. However, the coupling method of the first external housing 121, the first housing 111, and the second housing 112 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and depending on the embodiment, the first external housing 121 and the second housing 112 are not limited to the above-described embodiment. The first housing 111 and the second housing 112 may be coupled by a snap-fit method or a magnetic coupling method.

An opening 120h exposing at least a portion of the inner housing 110 to the outside of the main body 10 may be disposed in one area of the first external housing 121 . For example, the opening 120h is disposed in an area of the first external housing 121 corresponding to the receiving space 100i of the first housing 111, so that the receiving space 100i is placed on the outside of the main body 10. can be exposed to.

Additionally, the button assembly 600 may be disposed in another area of the first external housing 121. For example, the button assembly 600 may be disposed in an area facing the x direction of the first external housing 121 and exposed to the outside of the main body 10, and the user may input a user input to the button assembly 600. You can enter it. The processor of the main body 10 (e.g., processor 102 in FIG. 1) can control power supply to the battery 101 based on user input input through the button assembly 600, and a detailed description of this is provided in This will be described later.

The second outer housing 122 and the third outer housing 123 are connected or coupled to the first outer housing 121 to cover other areas of the inner housing 110 that are not surrounded by the first outer housing 121. It can protect against external shocks or foreign substances. For example, the second outer housing 122 is connected or coupled to the first outer housing 121 and disposed on the inner housing 110 and the inner housing 110 that are not surrounded by the first outer housing 121. It is possible to protect one area of the components. As another example, the third outer housing 123 is connected or coupled to the first outer housing 121 to face the second outer housing 122, so that the inner housing 110 is not surrounded by the first outer housing 121. ) and other areas of the components placed in the internal housing 110 can be protected.

According to one embodiment, the second external housing 122 and the third external housing 123 may be connected or coupled to the first external housing 121 through an adhesive member (eg, adhesive tape). The method of coupling the housing 121, the second external housing 122, and the third external housing 123 is not limited to this. Depending on the embodiment, the second external housing 122 and the third external housing 123 may be connected or coupled to the first external housing 121 by at least one of a screw coupling method, a magnetic coupling method, and a fitting method. It may be possible.

The cover 130 is detachably coupled to a region of the inner housing 110 exposed to the outside of the main body 10 through the opening 120h, and can protect a region of the inner housing 110. For example, the cover 130 may be detachably coupled to one area of the inner housing 110 through magnetic coupling, but a detailed description of this will be provided later.

According to one embodiment, the cover 130 may include the receiving space 100i and/or a cover opening 130h disposed at a position corresponding to the opening 120h of the first external housing 121. In the present disclosure, the expression 'the cover opening is disposed at a position corresponding to the receiving space and/or the opening' means that, when viewed on the z-axis, the cover opening is disposed at a position overlapping with the receiving space and/or the opening, or the receiving space and/or the opening. /Or it may mean arranged to include the outer peripheral surface of the opening.

As the cover opening 130h is disposed in a position corresponding to the receiving space 100i and/or the opening 120h of the first external housing 121, the cover 130 is coupled to one area of the internal housing 110. Even in this state, the receiving space 100i may be exposed to the outside of the main body 10. Accordingly, the user can insert the cartridge into the receiving space 100i of the main body 10 even when the cover 130 is coupled.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 , the components of the main body 10 disposed in the inner housing 110 will be looked at in detail.

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the inner housing and components disposed in the inner housing of the main body for an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. At this time, FIG. 6 shows a state in which the external housing 120 and the cover 130 are removed from the main body 10 shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5.

Referring to Figure 6, the main body 10 (or 'main body for aerosol generating device') according to one embodiment includes a battery 101, a first housing 111, a second housing 112, a bracket 200, and It may include a first printed circuit board 300. At least one of the components of the main body 10 according to one embodiment may be the same or similar to at least one of the components of the main body 10 of FIGS. 4 and/or 5, and overlapping descriptions below will be provided. Please omit it.

When the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 are combined, the battery 101 is disposed in the arrangement space formed between the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 and forms the main body 10. It can supply the power needed for operation. For example, the battery 101 is electrically connected to the first printed circuit board 300, and is necessary for the operation of the processor (e.g., processor 102 in FIG. 1) disposed on the first printed circuit board 300. Power can be supplied. As another example, when a cartridge (e.g., cartridge 20 of FIG. 2) is inserted into the main body 10, the battery 101 is electrically connected to the inserted cartridge and operates the atomizer of the cartridge (e.g., the atomizer of FIG. 1). (24)) can supply the power required for operation. In another example, the battery 101 is electrically connected to the charging module 410 through the first printed circuit board 300 and can receive power from an external power source connected to the charging module 410. Additionally, the battery 101 may be electrically connected to the switch module 510 and/or the light source 520 to supply power required for the operation of the switch module 510 and/or the light source 520.

The bracket 200 may be disposed in an arrangement space formed between the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 to support the battery 101 and the first printed circuit board 300. For example, the first printed circuit board 300 is disposed on the first side of the bracket 200 (e.g., the side facing the -x direction), and the second printed circuit board 300 of the bracket 200 is located in the opposite direction to the first side. A battery 101 may be disposed on a surface (e.g., a surface facing the I can support it.

That is, the bracket 200 is located between the battery 101 and the first printed circuit board 300 and can support the battery 101 and the first printed circuit board 300, resulting in an aerosol generating device. During use, the positions of the battery 101 and the first printed circuit board 300 may be maintained or fixed.

The first printed circuit board 300 includes a processor (e.g., processor 102 in FIG. 1) for controlling the components of the main body 10, and is disposed adjacent to the receiving space 100i into which the cartridge is inserted. You can. In one example, the processor is electrically connected to the battery 101 and can control power supplied from the battery 101 to the cartridge inserted into the receiving space 100i. In another example, the processor may be electrically connected to the switch module 510, detect user input through the switch module 510, and control power supply to the battery 101 based on the user input.

According to one embodiment, the main body 10 includes a first magnetic coupling portion 210 for detachably connecting or coupling a cover (e.g., cover 130 in FIG. 4) to the first housing 111, and a magnetic cover. It may further include (211) and a second magnetic coupling portion (220).

The first magnetic coupling portion 210 includes at least one magnet, and is disposed in an area of the first housing 111 corresponding to an area of the cover when the first housing 111 and the cover are coupled. Thus, the cover can be coupled to the first housing 111. For example, the first magnetic coupling portion 210 may be disposed in an area facing the -x direction of the first housing 111 as shown in FIG. 6, but the location of the first magnetic coupling portion 210 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

The magnet cover 211 is arranged to surround the outer peripheral surface of the first magnetic coupling portion 210, and can protect the first magnetic coupling portion 210. As the magnetic cover 211 is arranged to surround the outer peripheral surface of the first magnetic coupling part 210, the first magnetic coupling part 210 is covered by the magnetic cover 211 and is not exposed to the outside of the main body 10. You can. At this time, one area of the cover may be magnetically coupled to the first magnetic coupling portion 210 surrounded by the magnetic cover 211 and attached to the first housing 111.

The second magnetic coupling portion 220 includes at least one magnet, and is disposed in another area of the first housing 111 corresponding to another area of the cover when the first housing 111 and the cover are coupled to the cover. It can be coupled to the first housing 111. For example, the second magnetic coupling portion 220 may be disposed in another area of the first housing 111 facing the z direction, but is not limited thereto. According to one embodiment, the second magnetic coupling unit 220 may be disposed inside the first housing 111 spaced apart from the first magnetic coupling unit 210 by a predetermined distance, and thus the second magnetic coupling unit 220 220 may be covered by the first housing 111 and not exposed to the outside of the main body 10. At this time, another area of the cover may be magnetically coupled to the second magnetic coupling portion 220 disposed inside the first housing 111 and attached to the first housing 111.

In the drawing, only the embodiment in which the first magnetic coupling part 210 and/or the second magnetic coupling part 220 includes two magnets is shown, but the first magnetic coupling part 210 and/or the second magnet The number of magnets in the coupling portion 220 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

According to one embodiment, the main body 10 may further include a second printed circuit board 400, a third printed circuit board 500, and a button assembly 600. However, the configuration of the main body 10 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the main body 10 according to another embodiment (not shown) includes a second printed circuit board 400 and a third printed circuit board 500. and button assembly 600 may be omitted.

The second printed circuit board 400 is disposed in an area of the second housing 112 spaced apart from the first printed circuit board 300 by a predetermined distance and may be electrically connected to the first printed circuit board 300. there is. For example, the second printed circuit board 400 is located inside the second housing 112, and a first flexible printed circuit connects the first printed circuit board 300 and the second printed circuit board 400. It may be electrically connected to the first printed circuit board 300 through the substrate 400a, but is not limited to this. In another example, the second printed circuit board 400 may be electrically connected to the first printed circuit board 300 through a cable or C-clip.

According to one embodiment, the second printed circuit board 400 may include a charging module 410 for charging the battery 101. The charging module 410 may be exposed to the outside of the main body 10 and connected to a connector of an external power source, and may charge the battery 101 through power supplied from an external power source. For example, the charging module 410 may be connected to a USB-C type connector, micro 5-pin type connector, or micro 8-pin type connector of an external power source to charge the battery 101, but the charging module 410 may be connected to the USB-C type connector, micro 5-pin type connector, or micro 8-pin type connector of an external power source. It is not limited to one embodiment.

According to one embodiment, the second printed circuit board 400 may further include an electrical connection member 420 that is electrically connected to the cartridge inserted into the receiving space 100i. The electrical connection member 420 may be disposed in an area adjacent to the receiving space 100i of the second printed circuit board 400 and electrically connected to the cartridge inserted into the receiving space 100i. The inserted cartridge may be electrically connected to the second printed circuit board 400 and the first printed circuit board 300, which is electrically connected to the second printed circuit board 400, through an electrical connection member 420. Accordingly, the processor disposed on the first printed circuit board 300 may be electrically connected to the cartridge inserted into the receiving space 100i and control the operation of the cartridge.

In one example, the electrical connection member 420 may include a pogo pin, but the electrical connection member 420 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. In another example, electrical connection member 420 may include C-clips or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

The second printed circuit board 400 is disposed in a direction crossing the first printed circuit board 300 to prevent the internal temperature of the main body 10 from rapidly rising. For example, the first printed circuit board 300 is formed to extend along the z-axis direction, and the second printed circuit board 400 is formed to extend along the x-axis direction, so that the first printed circuit board 300 and the second printed circuit board 400 may be arranged perpendicular to each other.

When the first printed circuit board 300 and the second printed circuit board 400 are arranged in parallel, the As heat accumulates, the internal temperature of the main body 10 may rise rapidly, and as a result, internal parts of the main body 10 may malfunction or be damaged due to the heat.

In the main body 10 according to one embodiment, the first printed circuit board 300 is disposed in a direction crossing the second printed circuit board 400, so that the components and/or components of the first printed circuit board 300 2 Heat generated from components of the printed circuit board 400 may be dispersed. Accordingly, the main body 10 can prevent the internal temperature of the main body 10 from rapidly rising during the operation of the aerosol generating device.

The third printed circuit board 500 is disposed in an area of the second housing 112 spaced apart from the first printed circuit board 300 and the second printed circuit board 400 by a predetermined distance, and is the first printed circuit board 500. It may be electrically connected to the substrate 300. For example, the third printed circuit board 500 is disposed in an area facing the x-axis direction of the second housing 112, and connects the first printed circuit board 300 and the third printed circuit board 500. It may be electrically connected to the first printed circuit board 300 through the second flexible printed circuit board 500a. Accordingly, the processor disposed on the first printed circuit board 300 may be electrically connected to components of the third printed circuit board 500 (e.g., switch module 510 and/or light source 520), As a result, the processor can control the operation of the components of the third printed circuit board 500.

According to one embodiment, the third printed circuit board 500 may include a switch module 510 and a light source 520.

The switch module 510 is disposed in an area facing the x direction of the third printed circuit board 500 and can detect a user input input through the button assembly 600. For example, the switch module 510 may include a tact switch electrically connected to the processor of the first printed circuit board 300, and the processor inputs input to the button assembly 600 through the tact switch. User input can be detected. In the present disclosure, a tact switch refers to a switch that operates in a button or key manner and can generate an on signal and an off signal by a user's pressing operation.

The processor may control the amount and/or power supply time of power supplied from the battery 101 to the atomizer of the cartridge inserted into the receiving space 100i based on the user input, but is not limited to this.

The light source 520 may be placed adjacent to the switch module 510 in an area facing the x direction of the third printed circuit board 500 and may emit light as power is supplied from the battery 101. . At this time, the light emitted from the light source 520 may pass through the button assembly 600 and be emitted to the outside of the main body 10, and the processor controls the power supplied to the light source 520 through the battery 101. can do. For example, the processor may adjust the intensity and/or color of light emitted from the light source 520 by adjusting the amount and/or power supply time of power supplied to the light source 520 through the battery 101.

The light source 520 may include, for example, at least one of a light emitting diode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), and a polymer LED. ) is not limited to the above-described examples.

The button assembly 600 is disposed in an area of the external housing (e.g., the external housing 120 in FIG. 4 or 5) adjacent to the third printed circuit board 500, receives user input, and uses the light source 520. The light emitted from can be discharged to the outside of the main body 10.

According to one embodiment, the button assembly 600 may include a button portion 610, a diffusion member 620, and an elastic member 630.

The button portion 610 may be disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the external housing and exposed to the outside of the main body 10, and the user may input user input through the button portion 610. For example, the user input may include at least one of a touch input and a hovering input, but is not limited thereto. In the present disclosure, 'touch input' may be an input in which the user's body directly contacts the button unit 610, and 'hovering input' may be an input in which the user's body and the button unit 610 are in direct contact. This may be an input in which the user's body approaches an area adjacent to the button portion 610 without direct contact.

The diffusion member 620 is located between the button portion 610 and the elastic member 630 and can diffuse light emitted from the light source 520 of the third printed circuit board 500. The diffusion member 620 can diffuse the light emitted from the light source 520 to minimize illuminance deviation. The diffusion member 620 may include, for example, polycarbonate (PC) capable of diffusing light, but the material of the diffusion member 620 is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

The elastic member 630 is arranged to surround at least one area of the third printed circuit board 500 to protect the third printed circuit board 500, and transmits user input to the button unit 610 to the third printed circuit board 500. It can be transmitted to the switch module 510 of the substrate 500. For example, when a user input is input to the button unit 610, the button unit 610 may be pressed, and the pressure applied to the button unit 610 is transmitted through the diffusion member 620 and the elastic member 630. It may be transmitted to the switch module 510.

According to one embodiment, the elastic member 630 may include at least one hole through which light emitted from the light source 520 passes. At least one hole may be placed in a position corresponding to the light source 520 of the third printed circuit board 500, and the light emitted from the light source 520 passes through the at least one hole and then passes through the diffusion member 620. ) can be moved to .

The main body 10 according to one embodiment may further include a coupling member 700 for maintaining the cartridge inserted into the receiving space 100i within the receiving space 100i.

The coupling member 700 is disposed in an area adjacent to the receiving space 100i between the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 to maintain or fix the position of the cartridge inserted into the receiving space 100i. You can.

In one example, the coupling member 700 may include at least one magnet that can be magnetically coupled to the cartridge inserted into the receiving space 100i, but the coupling member 700 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. no. In another example (not shown), the coupling member 700 is located inside the receiving space 100i and may include a hook member that can be coupled to the cartridge inserted into the receiving space 100i in a snap-fit manner. there is.

That is, the main body 10 according to one embodiment fixes or maintains the position of the cartridge inserted into the receiving space 100i through the coupling member 700, thereby preventing the cartridge from being unintentionally separated during use of the aerosol generating device. can be prevented.

In addition, the main body 10 according to one embodiment can secure sufficient space in which the components of the main body 10 can be arranged through the above-described arrangement structure, while miniaturizing the overall size of the main body 10.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the first housing of the main body for the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 6 and components disposed around the first housing.

Referring to FIG. 7, a battery 101, a bracket 200, a first magnetic coupling portion 210, and a second magnetic coupling portion ( 220) and the first printed circuit board 300 may be disposed. At least one of the components of the main body 10 according to one embodiment may be the same or similar to at least one of the components of the main body 10 of FIG. 6, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted below.

The bracket 200 is connected or coupled to the first housing 111 and can support the battery 101 and the first printed circuit board 300. For example, the bracket 200 may be screwed to the first housing 111 through a third screw (S ₃ ), but the method of coupling the bracket 200 to the first housing 111 is as described above. It is not limited to examples. In another example (not shown), the first housing 111 and the bracket 200 may be coupled by a snap-fit method or a magnetic coupling method.

According to one embodiment, the bracket 200 may include a first surface 200a for supporting the first printed circuit board 300 and a second surface 200b for supporting the battery 101. For example, the first printed circuit board 300 may be placed on the first side 200a of the bracket 200, and the position of the first printed circuit board 300 is maintained or fixed by the bracket 200. It can be. As another example, the battery 101 may be placed on the second surface 200b of the bracket 200, and the position of the battery 101 may be maintained or fixed by the bracket 200.

The first magnetic coupling portion 210 and/or the second magnetic coupling portion 220 are coupled or fixed to the inside of the first housing 111 and magnetically coupled to the cover (e.g., cover 130 in FIG. 4). It can be. For example, the first magnetic coupling part 210 and/or the second magnetic coupling part 220 may be coupled or fixed to the inside of the first housing 111 through adhesive or adhesive tape, but is not limited thereto. no.

The main body 10 according to one embodiment may further include at least one cushion member to protect the battery 101. For example, the main body 10 includes a first cushion member 101a and a first cushion member 101a that are attached or coupled to the top of the battery 101 (e.g., z direction in FIG. 6) to protect the top area of the battery 101. ) may include a second cushion member 101b that is attached or coupled to the bottom (e.g., -z direction in FIG. 6) to protect the bottom area of the battery 101. The battery 101 to which the first cushion member 101a and/or the second cushion member 101b is coupled may be coupled to the bracket 200 through an adhesive member (e.g., adhesive tape), and may have the above-described coupling structure. Through this, the battery 101 can be firmly supported by the bracket 200.

The main body 10 according to one embodiment may further include an air detection sensor 103 and a protection member 104.

The air detection sensor 103 (or 'air detection microphone') is disposed in an area adjacent to the accommodation space 100i of the first housing 111 and flows into the accommodation space 100i from the outside of the main body 10. The air can be sensed. For example, the air detection sensor 103 is disposed adjacent to the receiving space 100i so that air flows from the outside of the main body 10 into the space between the receiving space 100i and the cartridge inserted into the receiving space 100i. The flow rate and/or flow rate of air can be sensed. At this time, the air detection sensor 103 may be electrically connected to a processor disposed on the first printed circuit board 300, and the processor operates the overall operation of the main body 10 based on the detection result of the air detection sensor 103. can be controlled. For example, the processor may detect the user's puff motion or count the number of puffs based on the detection result of the air detection sensor 103, but is not limited to this.

The protection member 104 may be disposed to surround at least one area of the air detection sensor 103 to protect the air detection sensor 103. For example, the protection member 104 is arranged to surround the air detection sensor 103 to prevent external foreign substances from entering the air detection sensor 103. Additionally, the protection member 104 is arranged to surround the air detection sensor 103 to prevent malfunction or damage to the air detection sensor 103 due to heat generated inside the main body 10. That is, in the main body 10 according to one embodiment, the precision of the detection result of the air detection sensor 103 can be improved through the protection member 104.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the second housing and components disposed around the second housing of the main body for the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 8 , a second printed circuit board 400 and a motor M may be disposed around the second housing 112 of the main body 10 according to one embodiment.

The second printed circuit board 400 may be connected or coupled to at least one area of the second housing 112, and may be connected to the first printed circuit board (e.g., FIG. 6, FIG. 6 ) through the first flexible printed circuit board 400a. It may be electrically connected to the first printed circuit board 300 of 7). For example, the second printed circuit board 400 may be screw-coupled to the second housing 112 through the fourth screw (S ₄ ) and/or the fifth screw (S ₅ ), but the second The method of coupling the housing 112 and the second printed circuit board 400 is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

According to one embodiment, the second printed circuit board 400 is connected to an external power source and includes a charging module 410 for charging the battery of the main body 10 (e.g., the battery 101 in FIGS. 6 and 7) and It may include an electrical connection member 420 that electrically connects the cartridge and the second printed circuit board 400.

The charging module 410 may be disposed in one area of the second printed circuit board 400, and at least a portion of the charging module 410 may be exposed to the outside of the main body 10 and connected to a connector of an external power source. For example, the charging module 410 is connected to a USB-C type connector of an external power source and can charge the battery through power supplied from an external power source.

The electrical connection member 420 is disposed in an area adjacent to the receiving space (e.g., receiving space 100i in FIGS. 6 and 7) of the second printed circuit board 400 and connects the cartridge and the second printed circuit to be inserted into the receiving space. The substrate 400 can be electrically connected. In one example, the electrical connection member 420 may include a pogo pin disposed in a direction toward the receiving space as shown in FIG. 8, and the pogo pin is a cartridge inserted into the receiving space through a hole formed in the receiving space. can be electrically connected to. In another example, the electrical connection member 420 may include at least one of a C-clip or a cable coupled to a cartridge inserted into the receiving space, but is not limited thereto.

According to one embodiment, the main body 10 may further include a fixing member 421 coupled to the electrical connection member 420. The fixing member 421 may be coupled to the electrical connection member 420 to fix the position of the electrical connection member 420. For example, the fixing member 421 may be arranged to surround the electrical connection member 420 to fix the position of the electrical connection member 420, but is not limited thereto. The main body 10 according to one embodiment can stably maintain the electrical connection between the cartridge and the second printed circuit board 400 by fixing the position of the electrical connection member 420 through the fixing member 421.

The motor M is disposed in the second housing 112 and can generate vibration through power supplied from the battery. In one embodiment, the motor M may be accommodated in a recess 112r formed in one area of the second housing 112 and supported by the second housing 112 . At this time, the recess 112r may be formed in a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the motor M, but is not limited thereto. Additionally, the motor M may be attached or coupled to the recess 112R of the second housing 112 through an adhesive member (eg, adhesive tape), but is not limited thereto.

According to one embodiment, the motor M may be electrically connected to the processor of the first printed circuit board, and the processor may provide a notification (or 'user notification') to the user through the motor. For example, when a user input is input through the button assembly, the processor may generate vibration through the motor M to notify the user that the input has been received. As another example, the processor may detect the remaining battery capacity and, if the remaining battery capacity is below a specified value, generate vibration through the motor (M) to notify the user that the battery needs to be recharged.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the coupling relationship between the bracket, the first printed circuit board, and the guide member in the main body for the aerosol generating device according to one embodiment, and FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of area A of the main body for the aerosol generating device in FIG. 9. This is a drawing shown.

At least one of the components of the main body 10 of FIGS. 9 and/or 10 may be the same or similar to at least one of the components of the main body 10 of FIGS. 5 and/or 6, and hereinafter duplicated. Any necessary explanations should be omitted.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the main body 10 (or 'main body for aerosol generating device') according to one embodiment includes a guide member for maintaining or fixing the first printed circuit board 300 to the bracket 200. It may include (800).

The guide member 800 is coupled to at least one area of the bracket 200 to position the first printed circuit board 300 on the first side of the bracket 200 (e.g., the first side 200a in FIG. 7). It can be fixed or maintained. For example, the guide member 800 may be coupled to one area of the bracket 200 in a screw coupling manner through the sixth screw S ₆ . At this time, the sixth screw S ₆ may pass through the guide member 800 and be fastened to one area of the bracket 200, and as a result, one area of the guide member 800 may be connected to one area of the bracket 200. can be combined with

According to one embodiment, the guide member 800 may include a protrusion 800p coupled to the coupling hole 300h of the first printed circuit board 300. For example, the protrusion 800p of the guide member 800 is inserted into the coupling hole 300h of the first printed circuit board 300 to adjust the position of the first printed circuit board 300 to the first position of the bracket 200. It can be fixed or maintained on the surface. At this time, the coupling hole 300h of the first printed circuit board 300 is formed in a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 800p of the guide member 800, so that the protrusion 800p moves within the coupling hole 300h. You can prevent it from happening. For example, the coupling hole 300h may be formed in a polygonal (eg, square) or elliptical shape corresponding to the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 800p, but the shape of the coupling hole 300h is not limited thereto.

The guide member 800 may be coupled to one area of the bracket 200 with the protrusion 800p coupled to the coupling hole 300h of the first printed circuit board 300, and as a result, the aerosol generating device can be used. Even during the process, the position of the first printed circuit board 300 may be fixed or maintained on the first surface of the bracket 200.

That is, the main body 10 according to one embodiment can fix or maintain the position of the first printed circuit board 300 through the bracket 200 and the guide member 800 coupled to the first printed circuit board 300. As a result, the electrical connection relationship between the first printed circuit board 300 and other components (e.g., the second printed circuit board, the third printed circuit board) can be stably maintained during the use of the aerosol generating device. .

Figure 11 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 11, the aerosol generating device 1100 includes a processor 1110, a sensing unit 1120, an output unit 1130, a battery 1140, an atomizer 1150, a user input unit 1160, and a memory 1170. ) and a communication unit 1180. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1100 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 11. That is, those skilled in the art can understand that, depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 1100, some of the configurations shown in FIG. 11 may be omitted or new configurations may be added. there is.

The sensing unit 1120 may detect the state of the aerosol generating device 1100 or the state surrounding the aerosol generating device 1100 and transmit the sensed information to the processor 1110. Based on the sensed information, the processor 1110 performs various functions such as controlling the operation of the atomizer 1150, limiting smoking, determining whether to insert an aerosol-generating article (e.g., cigarette, cartridge, etc.), displaying a notification, etc. The aerosol generating device 1100 can be controlled as much as possible.

The sensing unit 1120 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 1122, an insertion detection sensor 1124, and a suction detection sensor 1126, but is not limited thereto.

The temperature sensor 1122 can detect the temperature at which the atomizer 1150 (or an aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 1100 may include a separate temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the atomizer 1150, or the atomizer 1150 itself may serve as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 1122 may be disposed around the battery 1140 to monitor the temperature of the battery 1140.

Insertion detection sensor 1124 may detect insertion and/or removal of an aerosol-generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 1124 may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and the aerosol-generating article may be inserted and/or Signal changes can be detected as it is removed.

The suction detection sensor 1126 can detect the user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or airflow channel. For example, the suction detection sensor 1126 may detect the user's puff based on any one of temperature change, flow change, voltage change, and pressure change.

In addition to the sensors 1122 to 1126 described above, the sensing unit 1120 includes a temperature/humidity sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., GPS), It may further include at least one of a proximity sensor and an RGB sensor (illuminance sensor). Since the function of each sensor can be intuitively deduced by a person skilled in the art from its name, detailed descriptions may be omitted.

The output unit 1130 may output information about the status of the aerosol generating device 1100 and provide it to the user. The output unit 1130 may include at least one of a display unit 1132, a haptic unit 1134, and an audio output unit 1136, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 1132 and the touch pad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 1132 can be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display unit 1132 can visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 1100 to the user. For example, information about the aerosol generating device 1100 may include the charging/discharging state of the battery 1140 of the aerosol generating device 1100, the operating state of the atomizer 1150, and the insertion/removal state of the cartridge or aerosol generating article. Alternatively, it may refer to various information such as a state in which the use of the aerosol generating device 1100 is restricted (e.g., abnormal item detection), and the display unit 1132 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 1132 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) or an organic light emitting display panel (OLED). Additionally, the display unit 1132 may be in the form of an LED light-emitting device.

The haptic unit 1134 may convert an electrical signal into mechanical stimulation or electrical stimulation and tactilely provide information about the aerosol generating device 1100 to the user. For example, the haptic unit 1134 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound output unit 1136 can provide information about the aerosol generating device 1100 audibly to the user. For example, the audio output unit 1136 may convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

The battery 1140 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1100. The battery 1140 may supply power so that the atomizer 1150 can be heated. In addition, the battery 1140 includes other components provided in the aerosol generating device 1100 (e.g., sensing unit 1120, output unit 1130, user input unit 1160, memory 1170, and communication unit 1180). ) can supply the power required for operation. Battery 1140 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 1140 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The atomizer 1150 can heat the aerosol-generating material by receiving power from the battery 1140. Although not shown in FIG. 11, the aerosol generating device 1100 may further include a power conversion circuit (eg, DC/DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 1140 and supplies it to the atomizer 1150. Additionally, when the aerosol generating device 1100 generates an aerosol by induction heating, the aerosol generating device 1100 may further include a DC/AC converter that converts the direct current power of the battery 1140 into alternating current power.

The processor 1110, the sensing unit 1120, the output unit 1130, the user input unit 1160, the memory 1170, and the communication unit 1180 may perform their functions by receiving power from the battery 1140. Although not shown in FIG. 11 , it may further include a power conversion circuit that converts the power of the battery 1140 and supplies it to each component, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit.

In one embodiment, the atomizer 1150 may be a resistance heating type heater. The heater may be formed from any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. It may be a metal or metal alloy containing, but is not limited thereto. Additionally, the heater may be implemented as a metal hot wire, a metal plate with electrically conductive tracks, a ceramic heating element, etc., but is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the atomizer 1150 may be an induction heating type heater. For example, the atomizer 1150 may include a susceptor that heats the aerosol-generating material by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by the coil.

In another embodiment, the atomizer 1150 may be a vibrator that generates ultrasonic vibration. The vibrator may include, for example, piezoelectric ceramic. As electricity is applied to the vibrator, short high-frequency vibrations may occur, and the generated vibrations can break aerosol-generating materials into small particles and atomize them into aerosols.

The user input unit 1160 may receive information input from the user or output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 1160 includes a key pad, a dome switch, and a touch pad (contact capacitive type, pressure resistance type, infrared detection type, surface ultrasonic conduction type, and integral type). Tension measurement method, piezo effect method, etc.), jog wheel, jog switch, etc., but are not limited thereto. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 11, the aerosol generating device 1100 further includes a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and is connected to other external devices through a connection interface such as a USB interface. In this way, information can be transmitted and received or the battery 1140 can be charged.

The memory 1170 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device 1100, and can store data processed by the processor 1110 and data to be processed. The memory 1170 is a flash memory type, hard disk type, multimedia card micro type, card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory, etc.), RAM. (RAM, random access memory) SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), PROM (programmable read-only memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk , and may include at least one type of storage medium among optical disks. The memory 1170 may store the operation time of the aerosol generating device 1100, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data on the user's smoking pattern.

The communication unit 1180 may include at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 1180 may include a short-range communication unit 1182 and a wireless communication unit 1184.

The short-range wireless communication unit 1182 includes a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, and an infrared (IrDA) communication unit. , infrared Data Association) communication unit, WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, Ant+ communication unit, etc., but is not limited thereto.

The wireless communication unit 1184 may include, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, and a computer network (eg, LAN or WAN) communication unit. The wireless communication unit 1184 may identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 1100 within the communication network using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

The processor 1110 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1100. In one embodiment, processor 1110 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that can be executed on the microprocessor. Additionally, those skilled in the art can understand that this embodiment may be implemented with other types of hardware.

The processor 1110 may control the temperature or vibration frequency of the atomizer 1150 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 1140 to the atomizer 1150. For example, the processor 1110 may control power supply by controlling the switching of a switching element between the battery 1140 and the atomizer 1150. In another example, the heating direct circuit may control power supply to the atomizer 1150 according to the control command of the processor 1110.

The processor 1110 may analyze the results sensed by the sensing unit 1120 and control subsequent processing. For example, the processor 1110 may control the power supplied to the atomizer 1150 to start or end the operation of the atomizer 1150 based on the results detected by the sensing unit 1120. For another example, based on the results detected by the sensing unit 1120, the processor 1110 heats the atomizer 1150 to a predetermined temperature or supplies the atomizer 1150 to maintain an appropriate temperature. You can control the amount of power and the time it is supplied.

The processor 1110 may control the output unit 1130 based on the results detected by the sensing unit 1120. For example, when the number of puffs counted through the suction detection sensor 1126 reaches a preset number, the processor 1110 performs at least one of the display unit 1132, the haptic unit 1134, and the sound output unit 1136. It is possible to notify the user that the aerosol generating device 1100 will soon be terminated.

One embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium containing instructions executable by a computer, such as program modules executed by a computer. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. Additionally, computer-readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Communication media typically includes computer readable instructions, data structures, other data such as program modules, modulated data signals, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information delivery medium.

Those skilled in the art related to the present embodiment will understand that the above-described substrate can be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential characteristics. Therefore, the disclosed methods should be considered from an explanatory rather than a restrictive perspective. The scope of the present invention is indicated in the claims, not the foregoing description, and all differences within the equivalent scope should be construed as being included in the present invention.

10: Main body 20: Cartridge
21: cartridge housing 22: reservoir
23: Liquid delivery means 24: Atomizer
25: discharge passage 26: mouthpiece
100: housing assembly 101: battery
102: Processor 110: Internal housing
111: first housing 112: second housing
120: external housing 130: cover
200: Bracket 300: First printed circuit board
400: second printed circuit board 410: charging module
500: third printed circuit board 510: switch module
520: Light source 600: Button assembly
700: Coupling member 800: Guide member
1000: Aerosol generating device

Claims (15)

In the main body for an aerosol generating device,
A housing assembly including a receiving space into which at least a portion of the cartridge can be inserted;
a battery for supplying power to the cartridge inserted into the receiving space;
a first printed circuit board located inside the housing assembly; and
It is located inside the housing assembly and includes a bracket for supporting the first printed circuit board and the battery,
The housing assembly,
a first housing in which the accommodation space is disposed;
a second housing connected to at least one area of the first housing;
an external housing disposed to surround at least a portion of outer peripheral surfaces of the first housing and the second housing, and including an opening exposing a portion of the first housing to the outside; and
It includes a cover detachably coupled to a region of the first housing exposed through the opening,
The first housing is,
a first magnetic coupling portion magnetically coupled to one area of the cover;
A magnetic cover disposed to surround the first magnetic coupling part to protect the first magnetic coupling part; and
The main body for an aerosol generating device is located between the first housing and the battery and includes a second magnetic coupling portion that is magnetically coupled to another area of the cover. According to paragraph 1,
The main body for an aerosol generating device, wherein the battery, the first printed circuit board, and the bracket are disposed in an arrangement space formed between the first housing and the second housing. According to paragraph 2,
One area of the first printed circuit board is disposed on the first side of the bracket,
The main body for an aerosol generating device, wherein the battery is disposed on a second side of the bracket located in a direction opposite to the first side. According to paragraph 1,
The main body for an aerosol generating device is coupled to at least one area of the bracket, further comprising a guide member for maintaining the first printed circuit board on the bracket. According to paragraph 4,
The first printed circuit board includes a coupling hole,
The main body for an aerosol generating device, wherein the guide member includes a protrusion inserted into the coupling hole. According to paragraph 1,
an air detection sensor disposed in one area of the receiving space of the first housing and configured to detect air flowing into the receiving space from the outside; and
The main body for an aerosol generating device further includes a protection member disposed to surround at least one area of the air detection sensor and protecting the air detection sensor. According to paragraph 1,
a second printed circuit board disposed in the second housing and including a charging module; and
The main body for an aerosol generating device further comprising a first flexible printed circuit board electrically connecting the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board. In clause 7,
The main body for an aerosol generating device, wherein the second printed circuit board includes at least one electrical connection member for electrically connecting the cartridge inserted into the receiving space and the second printed circuit board. According to paragraph 1,
a third printed circuit board located between the external housing and the second housing and including a switch module for receiving a user input and a light source for emitting light as power is supplied from the battery; and
The main body for an aerosol generating device further comprising a second flexible printed circuit board for electrically connecting the first printed circuit board and the third printed circuit board. According to clause 9,
Further comprising a button assembly disposed in an area of the external housing corresponding to the third printed circuit board,
A main body for an aerosol generating device, wherein the switch module receives user input input to the button assembly. According to clause 10,
The button assembly is,
a button portion disposed in at least one area of the external housing;
an elastic member disposed to surround at least one area of the third printed circuit board and including at least one hole through which light emitted from the light source passes; and
The main body for an aerosol generating device is located between the button portion and the elastic member and includes a diffusion member for diffusing light emitted from the light source. According to paragraph 1,
The main body for an aerosol generating device is located inside the housing assembly and further includes a coupling member coupled with a cartridge inserted into the receiving space to maintain the cartridge within the receiving space. A main body for the aerosol generating device of any one of claims 1 to 12; and
Comprising a cartridge detachably coupled to the main body for the aerosol generating device,
The cartridge is,
A reservoir in which aerosol-generating substances are stored;
A vibrator for generating vibration to atomize the aerosol-generating material stored in the storage tank into an aerosol; and
Liquid delivery means for delivering the aerosol-generating material stored in the storage tank to the vibrator. delete delete