WO2023204510A1

WO2023204510A1 - Accessory for aerosol generating device and aerosol generating system including the same

Info

Publication number: WO2023204510A1
Application number: PCT/KR2023/004866
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dong Sung Kim; Young Bum Kwon; Yong Hwan Kim; Hun Il Lim; Seok Su Jang
Original assignee: Kt&G Corporation
Priority date: 2022-04-18
Filing date: 2023-04-11
Publication date: 2023-10-26
Also published as: US20240284990A1; CA3224605A1; JP2024526445A; EP4337047A1

Abstract

An accessory for an aerosol generating device includes a body, a guide unit arranged to surround at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the body, and a first remover arranged on one side of the body, and removing an aerosol generating article remaining in an accommodation space of the aerosol generating device, wherein the first remover includes a first end portion arranged to surround at least one region of one side of the body, and inserted into the aerosol generating article remaining in the accommodation space and a second end portion arranged in one region of the body spaced apart from the first end portion and supporting at least a portion of the aerosol generating article.

Description

ACCESSORY FOR AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE AND AEROSOL GENERATING SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME

The disclosure relates to an accessory for an aerosol generating device, for removing an aerosol generating article remaining within an accommodation space of an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system including the same.

Recently, the demand for alternative methods for overcoming the shortcomings of general cigarettes has increased. For example, there is an increasing demand for a system for generating aerosols by heating a cigarette or an aerosol generating material by using an aerosol generating device, rather than by burning cigarettes.

Recently, aerosol generating devices capable of generating aerosol by heating aerosol generating articles have been provided as a way to replace a method of supplying aerosol by burning cigarettes. For example, aerosol generating devices may refer to devices capable of generating aerosol by heating liquid or solid aerosol generating materials via heaters at a certain temperature.

The convenience of user's smoking may be improved, such as smoking without additional items, such as lighters, and smoking as much as the users want, by using aerosol generating devices. Therefore, recently, research on aerosol generating devices has been gradually increased.

An aerosol generating device may generate aerosol by heating an aerosol generating article inserted into an accommodation space, and a user may smoke by inhaling the generated aerosol.

The user may continue smoking by replacing the aerosol generating article inserted into the accommodation space with a new aerosol generating article when use of the aerosol generating article is completed, and in the process of replacing the aerosol generating article, a portion of the used aerosol generating article may remain within the accommodation space.

For example, the portion of the aerosol generating article may be broken in the process of removing, from the accommodation space, the aerosol generating article heated at a high temperature within the aerosol generating device, and the broken portion of the aerosol generating article may remain within the accommodation space.

When the aerosol generating article remains within the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device, a new aerosol generating article may not be inserted into the accommodation space, and thus, the aerosol generating device may not be used. Therefore, there is a need for a method of easily removing an aerosol generating article remaining within an accommodation space.

The disclosure may enable a user to easily remove an aerosol generating article remaining in an accommodation space by providing an accessory for an aerosol generating device, capable of removing the aerosol generating article remaining within the accommodation space of an aerosol generating device.

The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described description, and other technical problems may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the embodiments to be described hereinafter.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, an accessory for an aerosol generating device includes a body, a guide unit arranged to surround at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the body, and a first remover arranged on one side of the body, and removing an aerosol generating article remaining in an accommodation space of the aerosol generating device, wherein the first remover is arranged to surround at least one region of one side of the body, and includes a first end portion inserted into the aerosol generating article remaining in the accommodation space and a second end portion arranged in one region of the body spaced apart from the first end portion and supporting at least a portion of the aerosol generating article.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, an aerosol generating system includes an aerosol generating device including an accommodation space having an aerosol generating article accommodated therein, and a heater to heat the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodation space, and an accessory for an aerosol generating device, removing an aerosol generating article remaining in the accommodation space, wherein the accessory for an aerosol generating device includes a body, a guide unit arranged to surround at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the body, and a first remover arranged to surround at least one region of one side of the body, and includes a first end portion inserted into the aerosol generating article remaining in the accommodation space and a second end portion arranged in one region of the body spaced apart from the first end portion and supporting at least a portion of the aerosol generating article.

In various embodiments, an accessory for an aerosol generating device may effectively remove an aerosol generating article remaining in an accommodation space of an aerosol generating device.

Effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above effects, and effects that are not mentioned could be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an accessory for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a process of removing an aerosol generating article remaining in an accommodation space via a first remover of an accessory for an aerosol generating device in an aerosol generating system, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view illustrating the first remover of the accessory for an aerosol generating device illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating an accessory for an aerosol generating device, which is inserted into an accommodation space of an aerosol generating device in an aerosol generating system, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating an accessory for an aerosol generating device, which is inserted into an accommodation space of an aerosol generating device in an aerosol generating system, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a process of removing a remaining aerosol generating article via a second remover of an accessory for an aerosol generating device in an aerosol generating system, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an accessory for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a process of removing an aerosol generating article remaining in an accommodation space of an aerosol generating device via a first remover of the accessory for an aerosol generating device illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an accessory for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a process of removing an aerosol generating article remaining in an accommodation space of an aerosol generating device via a first remover of the accessory for an aerosol generating device illustrated in FIG. 9.

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

Regarding the terms in the various embodiments, the general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of a new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, terms which can be arbitrarily selected by the applicant in particular cases. In such a case, the meaning of the terms will be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms "-er", "-or", and "module" described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

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

In an embodiment, an aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols by electrically heating a cigarette accommodated in an interior space thereof.

The aerosol generating device may include a heater. In an embodiment, the heater may be an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track.

The heater may include a tube-shaped heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of a cigarette according to the shape of a heating element.

A cigarette may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod. The tobacco rod may be formed of sheets, strands, and tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod may be surrounded by a heat conductive material. For example, the heat conductive material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil.

The filter rod may include a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod may include at least one segment. For example, the filter rod may include a first segment configured to cool aerosols, and a second segment configured to filter a certain component in aerosols.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols by using a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material.

The aerosol generating device may include a cartridge that contains an aerosol generating material, and a main body that supports the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably coupled to the main body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be integrally formed or assembled with the main body, and may also be fixed to the main body so as not to be detached from the main body by a user. The cartridge may be mounted on the main body while accommodating an aerosol generating material therein. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. An aerosol generating material may also 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 a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, a gel state, or the like. The aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material.

The cartridge may be operated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body to perform a function of generating aerosols by converting the phase of an aerosol generating material inside the cartridge into a gaseous phase. The aerosols may refer to a gas in which vaporized particles generated from an aerosol generating material are mixed with air.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may generate aerosols by heating a liquid composition, and generated aerosols may be delivered to a user through a cigarette. That is, the aerosols generated from the liquid composition may move along an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device, and the airflow passage may be configured to allow aerosols to be delivered to a user by passing through a cigarette.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols from an aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method. At this time, the ultrasonic vibration method may mean a method of generating aerosols by converting an aerosol generating material into aerosols with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

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

The aerosol generating device may further include a wick that absorbs an 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 (for example, an alternating voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations may be generated from the vibrator, and the heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator may be transmitted to the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick. The aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick may be converted into a gaseous phase by heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the vibrator, and as a result, aerosols may be generated.

For example, the viscosity of the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick may be lowered by the heat generated by the vibrator, and as the aerosol generating material having a lowered viscosity is granulated by the ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator, aerosols may be generated, but is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates aerosols by heating an aerosol generating article accommodated in the aerosol generating device in an induction heating method.

The aerosol generating device may include a susceptor and a coil. In an embodiment, the coil may apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. As power is supplied to the coil from the aerosol generating device, a magnetic field may be formed inside the coil. In an embodiment, the susceptor may be a magnetic body that generates heat by an external magnetic field. As the susceptor is positioned inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied to the susceptor, the susceptor generates heat to heat an aerosol generating article. In addition, optionally, the susceptor may be positioned within the aerosol generating article.

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

The aerosol generating device may configure a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may charge a battery of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the heater may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device are coupled to each other.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be implemented in a form that can be implemented in the aerosol generating devices of the various embodiments described above or may be implemented in various different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

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

Referring to FIG. 1, an accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, may include a body 110, a guide unit 120, a first remover 130, and a second remover 140. The components of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device are not limited thereto, and according to embodiments, other components may be further included, in addition to the components described above, or at least one (e.g., the guide unit 120 and/or the second remover 140) of the components described above may be omitted.

The body 110 may extend in a longitudinal direction thereof, and may form the overall appearance of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device. In the disclosure, "the longitudinal direction of the body" may refer to a +z direction or a -z direction in FIG. 1, and the corresponding expression may be used in the same sense below.

According to an embodiment, a grip groove 111 may be formed in at least one region of the body 110, and a user may grip the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device via the grip groove 111. For example, the grip groove 111 may be formed in a streamlined shape so that the user may easily grip the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, but the shape of the grip groove 111 is not limited thereto.

The guide unit 120 may guide movement of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted into an accommodation space of the aerosol generating device. For example, the guide unit 120 may guide movement of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device so that the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device moves in a longitudinal direction of the accommodation space.

According to an embodiment, the guide unit 120 may be formed to protrude from an outer circumferential surface of the body 110 while arranged to surround at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the body 110 to guide the movement of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, but the shape of the guide unit 120 is not limited to the embodiment described above.

The first remover 130 may be arranged on one side of the body 110, and may operate to remove an aerosol generating article (or a cigarette) remaining within the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device. For example, in a process of replacing the aerosol generating article inserted into the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device with a new aerosol generating article, a portion of the inserted aerosol generating article may be broken and remain within the accommodation space.

The first remover 130 may be arranged on one side of the body 110 facing the -z direction to remove the aerosol generating article remaining within the accommodation space when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space.

According to an embodiment, the first remover 130 may include a first end portion 131 and a second end portion 132 for removing the aerosol generating article remaining within the accommodation space.

The first end portion 131 may pass through the aerosol generating article remaining within the accommodation space and be inserted into the aerosol generating article when the first remover 130 of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space.

The second end portion 132 may be arranged in one region of the body 110 spaced apart from the first end portion 131 by a predefined distance, and may support at least a portion of the aerosol generating article located between the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132 when the first remover 130 is inserted into the aerosol generating article.

In other words, the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, may be inserted into the aerosol generating article via the first end portion 131, and then may support, via the second end portion 132, the aerosol generating article located between the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132. As a result, when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is removed from the accommodation space, the aerosol generating article remaining within the accommodation space may be supported by the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132 of the first remover 130 to be removed from the accommodation space together with the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device.

The second remover 140 may be arranged on the other side located in the opposite direction to the one side of the body 110, and may operate to remove the aerosol generating article remaining within the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device. For example, the second remover 140 may be arranged on the other side of the body 110 facing the +z direction, and thus may remove the aerosol generating article remaining within the accommodation space when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space.

According to an embodiment, at least one region of the second remover 140 may be formed in a hook shape, and may be hooked on at least a portion of the aerosol generating article remaining within the accommodation space when the second remover 140 of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device.

Accordingly, when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is removed from the accommodation space, the aerosol generating article remaining within the accommodation space may be removed from the accommodation space together with the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device while hooked on the second remover 140.

Hereinafter, a process of removing an aerosol generating article remaining in an accommodation space of an aerosol generating device via an accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

Referring to FIG. 2, an aerosol generating system 1000 according to an embodiment may include an aerosol generating device 10 and an accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, for removing an aerosol generating article 20 within an accommodation space 10i of the aerosol generating device 10. At least one of components of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device illustrated in FIG. 1, and the same description thereof will be omitted below.

The aerosol generating device 10 may include the accommodation space 10i for accommodating at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 20 and a heater 12 for heating the aerosol generating article 20 accommodated or inserted in the accommodation space 10i.

The accommodation space 10i may be formed in a shape corresponding to an outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating article 20 to accommodate at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 20. For example, the accommodation space 10i may be formed in a cylindrical or elliptical column shape corresponding to a shape of the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating article 20, but the shape of the accommodation space 10i is not limited thereto.

A heater 12 may heat the aerosol generating article 20 accommodated or inserted in the accommodation space 10i by generating heat as power is supplied from a battery (not shown). When the aerosol generating article 20 is heated by the heater 12, aerosol may be generated inside the accommodation space 10i, and a user may contact the aerosol generating article 20 with the mouth and inhale the generated aerosol.

According to an embodiment, the heater 12 may include an induction heater. For example, the heater 12 may include a coil (or an electrically conductive coil) for generating an alternating magnetic field as power is supplied, and a susceptor for generating heat by the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil. The susceptor may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating article 20 accommodated or inserted in the accommodation space 10i to heat the inserted aerosol generating article 20.

According to an embodiment, the heater 12 may include an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater 12 may include a film heater arranged to surround at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating article 20 inserted into the accommodation space 10i. The film heater may include an electrically conductive track, and the film heater may generate heat as a current flows through the electrically conductive track to heat the aerosol generating article 20 inserted into the accommodation space 10i.

According to an embodiment, the heater 12 may include at least one of a needle-type heater, a rod-type heater, and a tube-type heater capable of heating the inside of the aerosol generating article 20 inserted into the accommodation space 10i. For example, the heater 12 may be inserted into at least one region of the aerosol generating article 20 to heat the inside of the aerosol generating article 20.

However, the heater 12 of the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the heater 12 may include other types of heaters that may heat the aerosol generating article 20 to a predefined temperature, in addition to the types of the embodiments described above. In the disclosure, the predefined temperature may refer to a temperature at which an aerosol generating material included in the aerosol generating article 20 may be heated to generate aerosol. The predefined temperature may be a temperature preset in the aerosol generating device 10, but the corresponding temperature may be changed by a type of aerosol generating device 10 and/or by an operation of the user.

The aerosol generating article 20, which is fully used, needs to be replaced with a new aerosol generating article to continue smoking, and when the aerosol generating article 20 is heated at a high temperature during use of the aerosol generating device 10, a portion of the aerosol generating article 20 may be broken during a removal process thereof.

The aerosol generating article 20 remaining within the accommodation space 10i may not be easily removed by the hands of the user alone, and thus, the broken portion of the aerosol generating article 20 may remain within the accommodation space 10i. When a portion of the aerosol generating article 20 remains in the accommodation space 10i, a new aerosol generating article may not be inserted into the accommodation space 10i, and thus, a method of removing the aerosol generating article 20 remaining within the accommodation space 10i is needed for the user to continue smoking.

The aerosol generating system 1000 according to an embodiment may provide the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, capable of removing the aerosol generating article 20 remaining in the accommodation space 10i, and as a result, the user may easily and efficiently remove the aerosol generating article 20 remaining within the accommodation space 10i.

When inserted into the accommodation space 10i, a first remover 130 of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device may pass through at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 20 remaining within the accommodation space 10i and be inserted into the aerosol generating article 20.

According to an embodiment, the first remover 130 may include a first end portion 131 arranged on one side of the body 110 and a second end portion 132 arranged in one region of the body 110 spaced apart from the first end portion 131 by a predefined distance.

When the first remover 130 of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space 10i, the first end portion 131 may operate to pass through at least one region of the aerosol generating article 20 remaining in the accommodation space 10i.

The second end portion 132 may be arranged in one region of the body 110 spaced apart from the first end portion 131 by the predefined distance, and may operate to support the aerosol generating article 20 pressurized between the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132 when the first remover 130 is inserted into the aerosol generating article 20 together with the first end portion 131.

In other words, the first remover 130 may pass through, via the first end portion 131, at least one region of the aerosol generating article 20 remaining within the accommodation space 10i, and then may support, via the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132, the aerosol generating article 20 accommodated between the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132.

Accordingly, when the first remover 130 is removed from the accommodation space 10i, the aerosol generating article 20 supported by the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132 may also be removed from the accommodation space 10i together with the first remover 130.

A guide unit 120 of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device may guide the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device to move in a longitudinal direction of the accommodation space 10i (e.g., in the +z direction or the -z direction in FIG. 2) when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space 10i.

For example, when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space 10i in a direction forming a certain angle with the longitudinal direction of the accommodation space 10i, the inside of the accommodation space 10i may be damaged by the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, or conversely, the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device may be damaged.

The accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, may prevent damage to the accommodation space 10i or the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, which may occur in an insertion process, by guiding, via the guide unit 120, the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device to move only in the longitudinal direction of the accommodation space 10i regardless of an insertion direction of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device.

Hereinafter, a process of inserting the first remover 130 into the aerosol generating article 20 remaining in the accommodation space 10i to support the aerosol generating article 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view illustrating a first remover of an accessory for an aerosol generating device, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Here, FIG. 3 illustrates that a first remover 130 is inserted into an aerosol generating article 20 remaining in an accommodation space 10i.

Referring to FIG. 3, an accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device (e.g., the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 or 2), according to an embodiment, may include a body 110 (e.g., the body 110 of FIG. 2) and the first remover 130 (e.g., the first remover 130 of FIG. 1) arranged on one side of the body 110 to remove the aerosol generating article 20.

The first remover 130 may include a first end portion 131 and a second end portion 132, and may pass through the aerosol generating article 20 remaining in the accommodation space (e.g., the accommodation space 10i of FIG.2) of an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device 10 of FIG. 2) and may be inserted into the aerosol generating article 20.

The first end portion 131 may be located at an end of one side of the body 110, and may pass through the aerosol generating article 20 remaining within the accommodation space and be inserted into the aerosol generating article 20 when the first remover 130 is inserted into the accommodation space.

The first end portion 131 may include a first inclined surface 131i forming a first angle θ₁ with a longitudinal direction L of the body 110 to effectively pass through the aerosol generating article 20 remaining within the accommodation space 10i.

In addition, the second end portion 132 may be spaced apart from the first end portion 131, and may include a second inclined surface 132i forming a second angle θ₂ with the longitudinal direction L of the body 110 to support aerosol generating article accommodated in a space (a region A in FIG. 3) between the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132 when the first remover 130 is inserted into the aerosol generating article 20.

θ₁ θ₂	5˚	10˚	20˚	30˚	40˚	50˚	55˚	60˚	70˚
30 ˚	5 %	37 %	51 %	72 %	90 %	87 %	0	0	0
40 ˚	3 %	36 %	54 %	73 %	92 %	90 %	0	0	0
50 ˚	2 %	40 %	57 %	76 %	93 %	91 %	0	0	0

Table 1 shows a ratio of a volume of the aerosol generating article 20 accommodated in the space A to a volume of the space A between the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132, according to sizes of the first angle θ₁ and the second angle θ₂.

Referring to Table 1, when the first angle θ₁ becomes less than 10˚ in a condition in which the second angle θ₂ is about 30˚ to about 50˚, the aerosol generating article 20 may little be accommodated in the space A between the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132. In contrast, when the first angle θ₁ is greater than 50˚, the first end portion 131 may not pass through the aerosol generating article 20, and thus, the aerosol generating article 20 may not be accommodated in the space A between the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132.

An amount of aerosol generating article 20, which is larger than or equal to a predefined amount, needs to be accommodated in the space A between the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132, so that the aerosol generating article 20 remaining in the accommodation space 10i is removed together when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is removed from the accommodation space.

In the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, the first angle θ₁ may be about 10˚ to about 50˚, and the second angle θ₂ may be about 30˚ to about 40˚, so that a predefined amount of aerosol generating article 20 may be accommodated in the space A between the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132. For example, the first angle θ₁ may be about 46˚ to about 48˚, and the second angle θ₂ may be about 42˚ to about 44˚, but is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the second end portion 132 may be arranged in one region of the body 110 spaced apart from the first end portion 131 by a predefined distance d, so that a sufficient amount of the aerosol generating article 20 is accommodated in the space A between the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132 when the first remover 130 is inserted into the aerosol generating article 20.

The space A between the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132 is great, and thus, the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132 may more strongly support the aerosol generating article 20 when a large amount of aerosol generating article 20 is accommodated in the space A.

In addition, as the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132 strongly support the aerosol generating article 20, the aerosol generating article 20 may not be separated from the first remover 130 and may be removed from the accommodation space 10i together with the first remover 130 when the first remover 130 is removed from the accommodation space 10i.

In the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, the second end portion 132 may be spaced apart from the first end portion 131 by the predefined distance d, and thus, a sufficient space may be formed between the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132. For example, the second end portion 132 may be spaced apart from the first end portion 131 by a distance of about 1 mm to about 1.6 mm, and as a result, a sufficient space may be formed between the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132.

In summary, the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, may enable a predefined amount of aerosol generating article to be accommodated in the space A between the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132, via the first end portion 131 having a first inclined surface 131i and the second end portion 132 spaced apart from the first end portion 131 by the predefined distance d and having a second inclined surface 132i.

Accordingly, when the first remover 130 of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, is removed from the accommodation space 10i, at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 20 remaining within the accommodation space 10i may be removed from the accommodation space 10i together with the first remover 130 while accommodated in the first remover 130.

In other words, a user may effectively remove the aerosol generating article 20 remaining in the accommodation space 10i, which may not be removed by the hands of the user, by inserting the first remover 130 of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device into the accommodation space 10i and then removing the first remover 130 from the accommodation space 10i.

Referring to FIG. 4, an aerosol generating system 1000 according to an embodiment may include an aerosol generating device 10 including an accommodation space 10i and an accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, for removing an aerosol generating article remaining in the accommodation space 10i.

The accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device may include a guide unit 120 for guiding movement of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device when inserted into the accommodation space 10i.

The guide unit 120 may be arranged to surround an outer circumferential surface of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, and may guide the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device to move in a longitudinal direction of the accommodation space 10i regardless of a direction in which the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space 10i.

The accommodation space 10i of the aerosol generating device 10 may have a guide groove 11 formed therein in a shape corresponding to an outer circumferential surface of the guide unit 120. The guide groove 11 may operate to prevent the guide unit 120 from deviating from the accommodation space 10i when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space 10i.

According to an embodiment, a diameter D₁ of the guide unit 120 of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device may be less than a diameter D₂ of the accommodation space 10i. In the disclosure, the diameter D₁ of the guide unit may refer to a diameter of a virtual circle connecting an outermost portion of the guide unit 120, and the diameter D₂ of the accommodation space 10i may refer a diameter of an inner surface of the accommodation space 10i. Here, the corresponding expressions may be used in the same sense hereinafter.

For example, the diameter D₁ of the guide unit 120 may be about 7 mm to about 8 mm, and a distance between the outermost portion of the guide unit 120 and the inner surface of the accommodation space 10i may be about 0.1 mm to about 0.2 mm while the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted in the center of the accommodation space 10i. However, the diameter D₁ of the guide unit 120 and/or the diameter D₂ of the accommodation space 10i are not limited to the embodiment described above.

According to an embodiment, the guide unit 120 may include at least one rib 121 protruding from a body (e.g., the body 110 of FIG. 2) of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device.

The at least one rib 121 may protrude from an outer circumferential surface of the body toward the inner surface of the accommodation space 10i, and may guide the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device to move in a longitudinal direction of the accommodation space 10i when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space 10i.

For example, the at least one rib 121 may be radially arranged on the basis of a longitudinal direction of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, but the arrangement structure of the at least one rib 121 is not limited thereto.

The accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, may guide, via the guide unit 120, a movement direction of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device within the accommodation space 10i, so that a first remover (the first remover 130 of FIG. 1) and/or a second remover (the second remover 140 of FIG. 1) may be inserted, in a predefined direction, into the aerosol generating article remaining within the accommodation space 10i.

Referring to FIG. 5, an aerosol generating system 1000 according to an embodiment may include an aerosol generating device 10 including an accommodation space 10i and an accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, for removing an aerosol generating article remaining in the accommodation space 10i.

The aerosol generating system 1000 according to an embodiment may be a system in which only the shape of the guide unit 120 is changed in the aerosol generating system 1000 of FIG. 4, and the same description thereof will be omitted below.

A guide unit 120 may include at least one rib 121 for guiding movement of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space 10i.

The at least one rib 121 may protrude from an outer circumferential surface of a body toward an inner surface of the accommodation space 10i, and may guide the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device to move in a longitudinal direction of the accommodation space 10i when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space 10i.

According to an embodiment, the at least one rib 121 may be arranged in a "+" shape on the basis of the body when viewed from the top of the aerosol generating system 1000 (e.g., in the +z direction in FIG. 2).

In addition, a guide groove 11 of the accommodation space 10i may have formed therein a recess groove 11h for accommodating the at least one rib 121 arranged in the "+" shape. For example, the recess groove 11h may be formed in a shape corresponding to the at least one rib 121 to accommodate the at least one rib 121.

As the at least one rib 121 of the guide unit 120 is accommodated in the recess groove 11h when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space 10i, the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device may move in a longitudinal direction of the accommodation space 10i without deviating from the accommodation space 10i.

Referring to FIG. 6, an aerosol generating system 1000 according to an embodiment may include an aerosol generating device 10 and an accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, for removing an aerosol generating article 20 remaining within an accommodation space 10i of the aerosol generating device 10. At least one of components of the aerosol generating system 1000 may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating system 1000 illustrated in FIG. 2, and the same description thereof will be omitted below.

The aerosol generating system 1000 may provide the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, capable of removing the aerosol generating article 20 remaining in the accommodation space 10i, and as a result, a user may easily and efficiently remove the aerosol generating article 20 within the accommodation space 10i, which may not be removed by the hands of the user.

According to an embodiment, the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device may include a body 110 and a second remover 140 arranged on the other side of the body 110 (e.g., on one side in the -z direction in FIG. 1).

The second remover 140 may operate to remove the aerosol generating article 20 remaining within the accommodation space 10i of the aerosol generating device 10. For example, the second remover 140 may be formed in a hook shape to be hooked on at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 20, but the shape of the second remover 140 is not limited thereto, and the second remover 140 may have any shape that may be hooked on the aerosol generating article 20.

Accordingly, when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is removed from the accommodation space 10i, the aerosol generating article 20 remaining within the accommodation space 10i may be removed from the accommodation space 10i together with the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device while hooked on the second remover 140.

In particular, when only an amount of aerosol generating article, in which a first remover may not be inserted, remains in the accommodation space 10i, the user may effectively remove, via the second remover 140 of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating article 20 remaining in the accommodation space 10i.

Referring to FIG. 7, an accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, may include a body 110, a guide unit 120, a first remover 130, a second remover 140, and at least one protrusion 150.

The accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, may be an accessory in which the at least one protrusion 150 is added to the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device illustrated in FIG. 1, and the same description thereof will be omitted below.

The at least one protrusion 150 may extend from one region of the guide unit 120 toward the first remover 130, and may support an aerosol generating article remaining in an accommodation space of an aerosol generating device, together with the first remover 130.

The accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, may prevent the aerosol generating article remaining in the accommodation space from deviating from the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, via the at least one protrusion 150 capable of supporting the aerosol generating article together with the first remover 130.

Hereinafter, a process of removing an aerosol generating article in an accommodation space via the first remover 130 and the at least one protrusion 150 of the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a process of removing an aerosol generating article remaining in an accommodation space of an aerosol generating device, via a first remover of an accessory for an aerosol generating device as illustrated in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 8, an accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, may include a body 110, a guide unit 120, a first remover 130, and at least one protrusion 150.

The first remover 130 and the at least one protrusion 150 may pass through at least a portion of an aerosol generating article 20 remaining in an accommodation space 10i of an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device 10 of FIG. 2) and be inserted into the aerosol generating article 20 when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted in the accommodation space 10i.

When the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space 10i, a first end portion 131 and a second end portion 132 of the first remover 130 may support at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 20 accommodated in a space (the region A of FIG. 3) between the first end portion 131 and the second end portion 132.

In addition, the at least one protrusion 150 may pressurize the aerosol generating article 20 remaining in the accommodation space 10i in a direction toward the body 110 (in a direction indicated by arrows in FIG. 8) when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space 10i, so that at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 20 may be accommodated between the body 110 and the at least one protrusion 150. The body 110 and the at least one protrusion 150 may support at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 20 accommodated between the body 110 and the at least one protrusion 150.

In other words, the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, may more strongly support the aerosol generating article 20 remaining in the accommodation space 10i, via the at least one protrusion 150 supporting the aerosol generating article 20 together with the first remover 130.

Accordingly, the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, may enable the aerosol generating article 20 to be removed from the accommodation space 10i together with the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device without deviating from the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is removed from the accommodation space 10i.

Referring to FIG. 9, an accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, may include a body 110, a guide unit 120, a first remover 130, a second remover 140, at least one protrusion 150, and a connector 160.

The accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, may be an accessory in which the connector 160 is added to the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device illustrated in FIG. 7, and the same description thereof will be omitted below.

The connector 160 may arranged to connect the body 110 to the at least one protrusion 150, so that the body 110 and the at least one protrusion 150 may strongly support an aerosol generating article. For example, when one end of the connector 160 is connected to the body 110 and the other end thereof is connected to the at least one protrusion 150, the body 110 and the at least one protrusion 150 may be connected to each other via the connector 160.

In addition, the connector 160 may prevent the at least one protrusion 150 from being damaged by the aerosol generating article when the at least one protrusion 150 is inserted into the aerosol generating article remaining in an accommodation space.

For example, when the at least one protrusion 150 is inserted into the aerosol generating article remaining in the accommodation space, stress (e.g., bending stress) may be applied to one end of the at least one protrusion 150 by the aerosol generating article, and thus, the at least one protrusion 150 may be bent or broken.

In addition, the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, may prevent the at least one protrusion 150 from being bent when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space, by connecting the body 110 to the at least one protrusion 150 via the connector 160.

Hereinafter, a process of removing an aerosol generating article remaining in an accommodation space of an aerosol generating device via the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a process of removing an aerosol generating article remaining in an accommodation space of an aerosol generating device via a first remover of an accessory for an aerosol generating device as illustrated in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 10, an accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, may include a body 110, a guide unit 120, a first remover 130, at least one protrusion 150, and a connector 160.

Bending stress may be applied to the at least one protrusion 150 when the at least one protrusion 150 passes through the aerosol generating article 20 remaining in the accommodation space 10i, and thus, the at least one protrusion 150 may be bent or damaged.

The accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, may prevent, via the connector 160 connecting the body 110 to the at least one protrusion 150, the at least one protrusion 150 from being bent by the bending stress applied to the at least one protrusion 150.

In addition, the connector 160 may pressurize the aerosol generating article 20 remaining in the accommodation space 10i into a space between the body 110 and the at least one protrusion 150 when the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space 10i, so that at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 20 may be accommodated between the body 110 and the at least one protrusion 150.

Accordingly, a larger amount of aerosol generating article 20 may be accommodated in a space between the body 110 and the at least one protrusion 150, and thus, the body 110 and the at least one protrusion 150 may more strongly support the aerosol generating article 20.

In other words, via the connector 160, the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment, may prevent the at least one protrusion 150 from being bent when using the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device, and may prevent the aerosol generating article 20 accommodated in the accommodation space 10i from deviating from the accessory 100 for an aerosol generating device.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. Here, an aerosol generating device 1100 of FIG. 11 may be substantially the same as or similar to the aerosol generating device 10 of the aerosol generating system 1000 illustrated FIG. 2.

The aerosol generating device 1100 may include a controller 1110, a sensing unit 1120, an output unit 1130, a battery 1140, a heater 1150, a user input unit 1160, a memory 1170, and a communication unit 1180. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1100 is not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 11. In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1100, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that some of the components shown in FIG. 11 may be omitted or new components may be added.

The sensing unit 1120 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device 1100 and a state around the aerosol generating device 1100, and transmit sensed information to the controller 1110. Based on the sensed information, the controller 1110 may control the aerosol generating device 1100 to perform various functions, such as controlling an operation of the heater 1150, limiting smoking, determining whether an aerosol generating article (e.g., a cigarette, a cartridge, or the like) is inserted, displaying a notification, or the like.

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

The temperature sensor 1122 may sense a temperature at which the heater 1150 (or an aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 1100 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater 1150, or the heater 1150 may serve as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 1122 may also be arranged around the battery 1140 to monitor the temperature of the battery 1140.

The insertion detection sensor 1124 may sense 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 may sense a signal change according to the insertion and/or removal of an aerosol generating article.

The puff sensor 1126 may sense a user's puff on the basis of various physical changes in an airflow passage or an airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor 1126 may sense a user's puff on the basis of any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

The sensing unit 1120 may include, in addition to the temperature sensor 1122, the insertion detection sensor 1124, and the puff sensor 1126 described above, at least one of a temperature/humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a location sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)), a proximity sensor, and a red-green-blue (RGB) sensor (illuminance sensor). Because a function of each of sensors may be intuitively inferred by one of ordinary skill in the art from the name of the sensor, a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

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

The display unit 1132 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 1100 to the user. For example, information about the aerosol generating device 1100 may mean various pieces of information, such as a charging/discharging state of the battery 1140 of the aerosol generating device 1100, a preheating state of the heater 1150, an insertion/removal state of an aerosol generating article, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generating device 1100 is restricted (e.g., sensing of an abnormal object), or the like, 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), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, or the like. In addition, the display unit 1132 may be in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) light-emitting device.

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

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

The battery 1140 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1100. The battery 1140 may supply power such that the heater 1150 may be heated. In addition, the battery 1140 may supply power required for operations of other components (e.g., the sensing unit 1120, the output unit 1130, the user input unit 1160, the memory 1170, and the communication unit 1180) in the aerosol generating device 1100. The 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 heater 1150 may receive power from the battery 1140 to heat an aerosol generating material. Although not illustrated in FIG. 11, the aerosol generating device 1100 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a direct current (DC)/DC converter) that converts power of the battery 1140 and supplies the same to the heater 1150. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 1100 generates aerosols in an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 1100 may further include a DC/alternating current (AC) that converts DC power of the battery 1140 into AC power.

The controller 1110, the sensing unit 1120, the output unit 1130, the user input unit 1160, the memory 1170, and the communication unit 1180 may each receive power from the battery 1140 to perform a function. Although not illustrated in FIG. 11, the aerosol generating device 1100 may further include a power conversion circuit that converts power of the battery 1140 to supply the power to respective components, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit, or a voltage regulator circuit.

In an embodiment, the heater 1150 may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, the suitable electrically resistive material may be a metal or a metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater 1150 may be implemented by a metal wire, a metal plate on which an electrically conductive track is arranged, a ceramic heating element, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

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

The user input unit 1160 may receive information input from the user or may output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 1160 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (a contact capacitive method, a pressure resistance film method, an infrared sensing method, a surface ultrasonic conduction method, an integral tension measurement method, a piezo effect method, or the like), a jog wheel, a jog switch, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, although not illustrated in FIG. 11, the aerosol generating device 1100 may further include a connection interface, such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may connect to other external devices through the connection interface, such as the USB interface, to transmit and receive information, or to charge the battery 1140.

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

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

The short-range wireless communication unit 1182 may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

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

The controller 1110 may control general operations of the aerosol generating device 1100. In an embodiment, the controller 1110 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The controller 1110 may control the temperature of the heater 1150 by controlling supply of power of the battery 1140 to the heater 1150. For example, the controller 1110 may control power supply by controlling switching of a switching element between the battery 1140 and the heater 1150. In another example, a direct heating circuit may also control power supply to the heater 1150 according to a control command of the controller 1110.

The controller 1110 may analyze a result sensed by the sensing unit 1120 and control subsequent processes to be performed. For example, the controller 1110 may control power supplied to the heater 1150 to start or end an operation of the heater 1150 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 1120. As another example, the controller 1110 may control, based on a result sensed by the sensing unit 1120, an amount of power supplied to the heater 1150 and the time the power is supplied, such that the heater 1150 may be heated to a certain temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

The controller 1110 may control the output unit 1130 on the basis of a result sensed by the sensing unit 1120. For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 1126 reaches a preset number, the controller 1110 may notify the user that the aerosol generating device 1100 will soon be terminated through at least one of the display unit 1132, the haptic unit 1134, and the sound output unit 1136.

One embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a computer-readable recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module executable by the computer. The computer-readable recording medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media. In addition, the computer-readable recording medium may include both a computer storage medium and a communication medium. The computer storage medium includes all of volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media implemented by any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The communication medium typically includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in modulated data signals such as program modules, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information transfer media.

The descriptions of the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and equivalents thereof may be made. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to those described in the claims will be construed as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

An accessory for an aerosol generating device, the accessory comprising:

a body;

a guide unit arranged to surround at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the body; and

a first remover arranged on one side of the body, and removing an aerosol generating article remaining in an accommodation space of the aerosol generating device,

wherein the first remover comprises: a first end portion arranged to surround at least one region of one side of the body, and inserted into the aerosol generating article remaining in the accommodation space; and a second end portion arranged in one region of the body spaced apart from the first end portion and supporting at least a portion of the aerosol generating article.
The accessory for an aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the first end portion includes a first inclined surface forming a first angle with a longitudinal direction of the body, and the second end portion includes a second inclined surface forming a second angle with the longitudinal direction of the body.
The accessory for an aerosol generating device of claim 2, wherein the first angle is about 10˚ to about 50˚.
The accessory for an aerosol generating device of claim 3, wherein the second angle is about 30˚ to about 40˚.
The accessory for an aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the second end portion is spaced apart from the first end portion by a predefined distance in the longitudinal direction of the body to accommodate the aerosol generating article between the first end portion and the second end portion.
The accessory for an aerosol generating device of claim 5, wherein the predefined distance is about 1 mm to about 1.6 mm.
The accessory for an aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising a second remover arranged on the other side of the body located in an opposite direction to the one side, and removing the aerosol generating article remaining in the accommodation space.
The accessory for an aerosol generating device of claim 7, wherein the second remover has a hook shape capable of being hooked on at least one region of the aerosol generating article remaining in the accommodation space.
The accessory for an aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the guide unit protrudes from an outer circumferential surface of the body, and includes at least one rib to guide movement of the accessory for an aerosol generating device when the accessory for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space.
The accessory for an aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the guide unit has a diameter of about 7 mm to about 8 mm.
The accessory for an aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising at least one protrusion extending from one region of the guide unit toward the first remover.
The accessory for an aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein the at least one protrusion pressurizes the aerosol generating article within the accommodation space in a direction toward the first remover when the accessory for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space.
An aerosol generating system comprising:

an aerosol generating device including an accommodation space having an aerosol generating article accommodated therein, and a heater to heat the aerosol generating article accommodated in the accommodation space; and

an accessory for an aerosol generating device, removing an aerosol generating article remaining in the accommodation space,

wherein the accessory for an aerosol generating device includes: a body; a guide unit arranged to surround at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the body; and a first remover comprising a first end portion arranged to surround at least one region of one side of the body and inserted into the aerosol generating article remaining in the accommodation space, and a second end portion arranged in one region of the body spaced apart from the first end portion and supporting at least a portion of the aerosol generating article.
The aerosol generating system of claim 13, wherein the accommodation space includes a guide groove formed in a shape corresponding to an outer circumferential surface of the guide unit.
The aerosol generating system of claim 13, wherein the guide unit is spaced apart from an inner surface of the accommodation space by about 0.1 mm to about 0.2 mm when the accessory for an aerosol generating device is inserted into the accommodation space.