Patent Application
20250049116
The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device.
An aerosol-generating device is a device that extracts certain components from a medium or a substance by forming an aerosol. The medium may contain a multicomponent substance. The substance contained in the medium may be a multicomponent flavoring substance. For example, the substance contained in the medium may include a nicotine component, an herbal component, and/or a coffee component. Recently, various research on aerosol-generating devices has been conducted.
It is an object of the present disclosure to solve the above and other problems.
It is another object of the present disclosure to improve the efficiency of use of a space in which a substrate is mounted.
It is still another object of the present disclosure to improve the structural stability of a substrate.
It is still another object of the present disclosure to increase the accuracy of a sensor mounted in a substrate.
It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device in which a plurality of sensors performing independent functions is mounted.
It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device in which a plurality of sensors is mounted so as not to interfere with each other.
It is an object of the present disclosure to solve the above and other problems.
It is another object of the present disclosure to improve the efficiency of use of a space in which a substrate is mounted.
It is still another object of the present disclosure to improve the structural stability of a substrate.
It is still another object of the present disclosure to increase the accuracy of a sensor mounted in a substrate.
It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device in which a plurality of sensors performing independent functions is mounted.
It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device in which a plurality of sensors is mounted so as not to interfere with each other.
According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, it may be possible to improve the efficiency of use of a space in which a substrate is mounted.
According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, it may be possible to improve the structural stability of a substrate.
According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, it may be possible to increase the accuracy of a sensor mounted in a substrate.
According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, it may be possible to provide an aerosol-generating device in which a plurality of sensors performing independent functions is mounted.
According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, it may be possible to provide an aerosol-generating device in which a plurality of sensors is mounted so as not to interfere with each other.
Additional applications of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. However, because various changes and modifications will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific embodiments, such as preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are merely given by way of example.
Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in different drawings, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.
With respect to constituent elements used in the following description, the suffixes “module” and “unit” are used only in consideration of facilitation of description, and do not have mutually distinguished meanings or functions.
In addition, in the following description of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when the same may make the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification rather unclear. In addition, the accompanying drawings are provided only for a better understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification and are not intended to limit the technical ideas disclosed in the present specification. Therefore, it should be understood that the accompanying drawings include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions within the scope and sprit of the present disclosure.
It will be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, etc., may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component.
It will be understood that when a component is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another component, it may be directly connected to or coupled to another component, or intervening components may be present. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another component, there are no intervening components present.
As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
Referring to
An insertion space 54 (refer to
Referring to
The battery 10 may supply power to operate at least one of the controller 20, the heater 30, or the cartridge 40. The battery 10 may supply power required for driving a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. mounted in the aerosol-generating device 100.
The controller 20 may control the overall operation of the aerosol-generating device 100. The controller 20 may control the operation of at least one of the battery 10, the heater 20, or the cartridge 40. The controller 20 may control the operation of the display, the sensor, the motor, etc. mounted in the aerosol-generating device 100. The controller 20 may check the state of each of the components of the aerosol-generating device 100 to determine whether the aerosol-generating device 100 is in an operable state.
The heater 30 may generate heat using power supplied from the battery 10. The heater 30 may heat the stick 200 inserted into the aerosol-generating device 100.
The cartridge 40 may generate an aerosol. The aerosol generated in the cartridge 40 may be delivered to a user via the stick 200 inserted into the aerosol-generating device 100. The cartridge 40 or the heater 30 may not be included in the aerosol-generating device.
Referring to
The cartridge 40 may have therein a first chamber C1. The liquid may be stored in the first chamber C1. The cartridge 40 may have therein a second chamber C2. The second chamber C2 may be separated from the first chamber C1. The second chamber C2 may be disposed below the first chamber C1.
A wick 451 may be disposed in the second chamber C2. The wick 451 may be connected to the first chamber C1. The wick 451 may receive liquid from the first chamber C1. A heating coil 452 may be disposed in the second chamber C2. The heating coil 452 may be wound around the wick 451. The heating coil 452 may heat the wick 451. When the heating coil 452 heats the wick 451 having the liquid received therein, an aerosol may be generated in the second chamber C2.
The cartridge 40 may have a first inlet 441. The first inlet 441 may be formed in such a manner that the upper end of the cartridge 40 is open. The first inlet 441 may communicate with the outside of the cartridge 40. The cartridge 40 may have a second inlet 442. The second inlet 442 may be formed in such a manner that one side of the second chamber C2 is open, and may communicate with the second chamber C2. An inflow passage 443 may allow the first inlet 441 and the second inlet 442 to communicate with each other. The inflow passage 443 may be located between the first inlet 441 and the second inlet 442. The inflow passage 443 may extend vertically from the first inlet 441 to the second inlet 442. The inflow passage 443 may be formed parallel to the first chamber C1. The cartridge 40 may have an outlet 444. The outlet 444 may be formed in such a manner that a portion of the second chamber C2 is open, and may allow the second chamber C2 to communicate with the outside of the cartridge 40. The outlet 444 may be located opposite the second inlet 442 with respect to the second chamber C2. When the cartridge 40 is coupled to the body 110, the outlet 444 may be connected to a connecting passage 53.
The pipe 50 may be coupled to the inside of the body 110. The insertion space 54 may be defined in the pipe 50 so as to be elongated. The pipe 50 may surround the insertion space 54. The pipe 50 may be elongated in the vertical direction. The pipe 50 may be disposed parallel to the partition wall 111. The pipe 50 may be disposed parallel to the cartridge 40.
The insertion space 54 may be elongated in the vertical direction. The insertion space 54 may have a cylindrical shape. The upper end of the insertion space 54 may be open to communicate with the outside. The lower end of the insertion space 54 may communicate with the connecting passage 53. The connecting passage 53 may allow the outlet 444 and the lower end of the insertion space 54 to communicate with each other. The connecting passage 53 may be located below the insertion space 54. The connecting passage 53 may be located below the partition wall 111. The stick 200 may be inserted into the insertion space 54, and may project to the outside of the aerosol-generating device 100.
The user may inhale air in the state of holding the stick 200 inserted into the insertion space 54 in the mouth. The air may be introduced into the cartridge 40 through the first inlet 441. The air may sequentially pass through the first inlet 441, the inflow passage 443, the second inlet 442, the second chamber C2, the outlet 444, and the connecting passage 53, and may then be supplied to the stick 200 inserted into the insertion space 54. The air may pass through the second chamber C2 together with an aerosol. Both the air and the aerosol may pass through the stick 200, and may then be provided to the user.
An upper case 120 may cover the upper portion of the body 110 so as to surround the same. The upper case 120 may cover the cartridge 40. The upper case 120 may cover the pipe 50 and the insertion space 54. The upper case 120 may be detachably coupled to the body 110. An insertion hole 124 may be formed in such a manner that the upper portion of the upper case 120 is open. The insertion hole 124 may be formed at a position corresponding to the opening in the insertion space 54. The insertion hole 124 may communicate with the insertion space 54. A cap 123 may be movably mounted on the upper portion of the upper case 120. The cap 123 may move to open or close the insertion hole 124. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent foreign substances from entering the insertion space 54 from the outside and to protect the aerosol-generating device 100.
Referring to
First couplers 513 and 523 may couple the first pipe portion 51 and the second pipe portion 52 to each other. The first couplers 513 and 523 may include a first coupling hole 513 and a first coupling protrusion 523. The first coupling protrusion 523 may be inserted into the first coupling hole 513 to couple the first pipe portion 51 and the second pipe portion 52 to each other. The first coupling protrusion 523 may be coupled to the first coupling hole 513 in a snap-fit manner so as not to be separated therefrom.
For example, the first coupling hole 513 may be formed in the first pipe portion 51, and the first coupling protrusion 523 may be formed at the second pipe portion 52. In another example, the first coupling hole 513 may be formed in the second pipe portion 52, and the first coupling protrusion 523 may be formed at the first pipe portion 51. Each of the first coupling hole 513 and the first coupling protrusion 523 may be provided in a pair. The pair of first coupling holes 513 and the pair of first coupling protrusions 523 may be disposed at positions corresponding to each other.
The heater 30 may surround the upper portion of the insertion space 54. The heater 30 may have a cylindrical shape. The heater 30 may be fixed to the inside of the first pipe portion 51 of the pipe 50. The heater 30 may extend in the circumferential direction along the inner circumferential surface of the first pipe portion 51. The heater 30 may heat the upper portion of the insertion space 54. The heater 30 may be located at a height corresponding to the medium included in the stick 200 inserted into the insertion space 54. The heater 30 may heat the medium in the stick 200.
The lower end of the heater 30 may be supported by the second pipe portion 52. The inner circumferential surface of the upper end of the first pipe portion 51 may protrude inwards to cover the upper end of the heater 30. The first pipe portion 51 and the second pipe portion 52 may be coupled to each other through the first couplers 513 and 523. Accordingly, the convenience of assembly may be improved, and the heater 30 may be stably located.
A first sensor, which senses change in capacitance around the same, may be mounted in a first substrate 61. The first substrate 61 may cover one side of the pipe 50. The first substrate 61 may face the insertion space 54. The first substrate 61 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the lower portion of the insertion space 54 to face the lower portion of the insertion space 54. When the stick 200 is inserted into the insertion space 54, the first substrate 61 may face the lower portion of the stick 200. The first substrate 61 may be disposed below the heater 30. The first substrate 61 may be bent in a first bending direction BD1 so as to surround the circumference of one side of the insertion space 54 at a predetermined curvature (refer to
The first substrate 61 may be adjacent to the partition wall 111 and/or the cartridge 40. The first substrate 61 may face the lower portion of the partition wall 111. The first substrate 61 may be disposed between the pipe 50 and the partition wall 111. The first substrate 61 may be disposed between the pipe 50 and the cartridge 40. The first substrate 61 may face the lower portion of the first chamber C1 of the cartridge 40. One surface of the first substrate 61 may face the insertion space 54, and the other surface of the first substrate 61 may face the cartridge 40.
A second sensor, which senses change in inductance around the same, may be mounted in a second substrate 70. The second substrate 70 may cover the other side of the pipe 50. The second substrate 70 may face the insertion space 54. The surface substrate 70 may be elongated in the vertical direction along the insertion space 54. The second substrate 70 may be formed to be longer than the first substrate 61 in the vertical direction. The second substrate 70 may cover the upper portion and the lower portion of the other side of the insertion space 54. The second substrate 70 may be bent in a second bending direction BD2 so as to surround the circumference of the other side of the insertion space 54 at a predetermined curvature (refer to
The second substrate 70 may be located farther away from the cartridge 40 than the first substrate 61. The second substrate 70 may be adjacent to the inner surface of the body 110. The second substrate 70 may be disposed between the body 110 and the pipe 50.
The first substrate 61 may cover the outer wall of a portion of the pipe 50, and the second substrate 70 may cover the outer wall of another portion of the pipe 50. The first substrate 61 and the second substrate 70 may include portions that do not overlap each other. Alternatively, the first substrate 61 and the second substrate 70 may be formed such that the regions thereof that do not overlap each other are larger than the regions thereof that overlap each other.
For example, the first substrate 61 and the second substrate 70 may be disposed opposite each other with respect to the insertion space 54. The first substrate 61 may cover the outer circumferential surface of one side of the pipe 50, and the second substrate 70 may cover the outer circumferential surface of the other side of the pipe 50. The first substrate 61 may face the circumference of one side of the insertion space 54, and the second substrate 70 may face the circumference of the other side of the insertion space 54.
For example, the second substrate 70 may be disposed vertically in the longitudinal direction of the insertion space 54. The second substrate 70 may cover the outer circumferential surface of the upper portion of the pipe 50, and the first substrate 61 may be disposed below the second substrate 70 to cover the outer circumferential surface of the lower portion of the pipe 50. The second substrate 70 may face the upper side of the insertion space 54, and the first substrate 61 may face the lower portion of the insertion space 54.
Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the first substrate 61 and the second substrate 70 from interfering with each other and to separate the function of the first substrate 61 and the function of the second substrate 70 from each other. In addition, it is possible to improve sensing accuracy according to the functions inherent to the first substrate 61 and the second substrate 70. Hereinafter, the functions of the sensors will be described.
The first substrate 61 may detect change in capacitance to detect change in the surroundings. The first substrate 61 may be referred to as a capacitance sensor. The change in capacitance may occur according to change in the state of an object near the first substrate 61.
For example, in the case of the stick 200 inserted into the insertion space 54, the degree of humidification in the lower portion of the stick 200 may vary depending on the degree of use thereof, and accordingly, the capacitance sensed by the first substrate 61 may change. Accordingly, the first substrate 61 may detect the extent to which the stick 200 is used.
For example, the capacitance sensed by the first substrate 61 when the stick 200 is inserted into the insertion space 54 and the capacitance sensed by the first substrate 61 when the stick 200 is not inserted into the insertion space 54 may differ from each other. Accordingly, the first substrate 61 may detect whether the stick 200 is inserted into the insertion space 54.
For example, the capacitance sensed by the first substrate 61 when the cartridge 40 is coupled to the body 110 and the capacitance sensed by the first substrate 61 when the cartridge 40 is not coupled to the body 110 may differ from each other. Accordingly, the first substrate 61 may detect whether the cartridge 40 is coupled to the body 110.
For example, the capacitance sensed by the first substrate 61 may vary depending on the amount of liquid remaining in the first chamber C1 of the cartridge 40. Accordingly, the first substrate 61 may detect the amount of liquid remaining in the cartridge 40.
The second substrate 70 may detect change in the surroundings based on change in inductance. The second substrate 70 may be referred to as an inductance sensor. The change in inductance may occur according to change in an object near the second substrate 70. For example, the inductance of the second substrate 70 when the stick 200 is inserted into the insertion space 54 and the inductance of the second substrate 70 when the stick 200 is not inserted into the insertion space 54 may differ from each other. Accordingly, the second substrate 70 may detect whether the stick 200 is inserted into the insertion space 54.
For example, variation in the inductance of the second substrate 70 in the case of a certain stick may differ from that in the case of another stick according to the inner substance thereof. Accordingly, the second substrate 70 may detect whether the certain stick is inserted into the insertion space 54. Alternatively, the second substrate 70 may detect which type of stick is inserted into the insertion space 54 based on variation in inductance caused by insertion of the stick into the insertion space 54.
For example, the inductance of the second substrate 70 may vary depending on whether the upper case 120, which is detachably mountable to the body 110, is mounted to the body 110. Accordingly, the second substrate 70 may detect whether the upper 120 is mounted to the body 110.
The first substrate 61 may be more suitable for detecting the extent to which the stick 200 is used or the amount of liquid remaining in the cartridge 40. The second substrate 70 may be more suitable for detecting a specific type of stick or mounting of the upper case 120.
The functions of the first substrate 61 and the second substrate 70 are not limited to those described above. The first substrate 61 or the second substrate 70 may be utilized in various other manners, so long as the same is capable of determining the state of the surroundings through nearby elements causing change in capacitance or change in inductance. To this end, a lookup table indicating the capacitance values sensed by the first substrate 61 and changes in the surrounding environment corresponding thereto may be stored in a memory. Alternatively, a lookup table indicating the inductance values sensed by the second substrate 70 and changes in the surrounding environment corresponding thereto may be stored in the memory.
Referring to
The first substrate 61 may be implemented as a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), and may have the shape of a flexible film. The first substrate 61 may cover the outer circumferential surface of one side of the pipe 50 at a predetermined curvature. The first substrate 61 may be disposed so as to cover the outer circumferential surface of the second pipe portion 52. The first substrate 61 may be bent at a predetermined curvature in the first bending direction BD1 along the circumference of one side of the insertion space 54.
The insertion recess 524 may be formed in one side of the pipe 50 so as to be bent at a predetermined curvature in the first bending direction BD1 along the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 50. The first substrate 61 may extend so as to have a shape corresponding to the insertion recess 524. The first substrate 61 may be bent in the first bending direction BD1 so as to surround the outer circumferential surface of one side of the pipe 50 at a predetermined curvature. The first substrate 61 may surround the circumference of one side of the insertion space 54 at a predetermined curvature.
An elastic member 62 may cover the first substrate 61. The elastic member 62 may seal the insertion recess 524. The elastic member 62 may be flexible. The elastic member 62 may be bent at a predetermined curvature in the first bending direction BD1 so as to surround the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 50 and may be in close contact with the periphery of the insertion recess 524. For example, the elastic member 62 may be made of rubber or silicone and thus may be elastic.
A frame portion 525 may be formed so as to surround the periphery of the first substrate 61 inserted into the insertion recess 524. The frame portion 525 may protrude from the circumference of the insertion recess 524. The edge of one surface of the elastic member 62 may be in close contact with one surface of the frame portion 525. One surface of the first substrate 61 may be in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 50 at a position inside the insertion recess 524, and the other surface of the first substrate 61 may be in contact with the elastic member 62.
The cover 63 may cover the first substrate 61. The cover 63 may cover the insertion recess 524. The cover 63 may be in close contact with the elastic member 62. The elastic member 62 may be disposed between the first substrate 61 and the cover 63. The elastic member 62 may be disposed between the insertion recess 524 and the cover 63. The elastic member 62 may be in close contact with the cover 63 and the frame portion 525, thereby sealing the insertion recess 524.
The cover 63 may surround the outer circumferential surface of one side of the pipe 50 at a predetermined curvature. The cover 63 may have a shape that is bent at a predetermined curvature along the outer circumferential surface of one side of the pipe 50. The cover 63 may be bent in the first bending direction BD1 so as to surround the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 50.
The cover 63 and the pipe 50 may be coupled to each other by means of second couplers 527 and 634. Each of the second couplers 527 and 634 may be provided in a pair at positions corresponding to the two ends of the cover 63 in the first bending direction BD1. The second couplers 527 and 634 may include a second coupling hole 634 and a second coupling protrusion 527. The second coupling protrusion 527 may be inserted into the second coupling hole 634 to couple the cover 63 and the pipe 50 to each other. The second coupling protrusion 527 may be coupled to the second coupling hole 634 in a snap-fit manner so as not to be separated therefrom.
For example, the second coupling hole 634 may be formed in the cover 63, and the second coupling protrusion 527 may be formed at the pipe 50. In another example, the second coupling hole 634 may be formed in the pipe 50, and the second coupling protrusion 527 may be formed at the cover 63. Each of the second coupling hole 634 and the second coupling protrusion 527 may be provided in a pair. The pair of second coupling holes 634 and the pair of second coupling protrusions 527 may be disposed at positions corresponding to each other. The pair of second coupling holes 634 may be formed in the two ends of the cover 63 in the first bending direction BD1. The pair of second coupling protrusions 527 may be formed at positions opposite each other with respect to the insertion space 54.
Accordingly, the first substrate 61 may be disposed closer to the insertion space 54, or may have an increased sensing area, whereby the accuracy of the sensor may be increased. Further, the efficiency of use of the space in which the first substrate 61 is mounted may be improved. Furthermore, the first substrate 61 may be protected from external foreign substances or liquid, and the structural stability thereof may be improved.
Referring to
The second substrate 70 may be implemented as an FPCB, and may have the shape of a flexible film. The second sensor mounted in the second substrate 70 may be an inductance sensor, and may be formed in the shape of at least one coil inside the FPCB. The second substrate 70 may cover the outer circumferential surface of the other side of the pipe 50 at a predetermined curvature. The second substrate 70 may cover the outer circumferential surfaces of the first pipe portion 51 and the second pipe portion 52. The second substrate 70 may be elongated in the vertical direction, and may have the shape of a film that is bent at a predetermined curvature in the circumferential direction along the circumference of the other side of the insertion space 54. The second substrate 70 may be bent in a second bending direction BD2 so as to surround the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 50.
The second substrate 70 may be coupled to the pipe 50. The second substrate 70 may include a portion that is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 50 by means of an adhesive member. For example, the adhesive member may be a sheet of double-sided adhesive tape, one surface of which is attached to the second substrate 70 and the other surface of which is attached to the outer wall of the pipe 50.
Third couplers 517 and 74 may couple the pipe 50 and the second substrate 70 to each other. The third couplers 517 and 74 may include a third coupling protrusion 517 and a third coupling hole 74. The third coupling protrusion 517 may be inserted into the third coupling hole 74 to couple the second substrate 70 and the pipe 50 to each other. The third coupling protrusion 517 may be coupled to the third coupling hole 74 in a snap-fit manner so as not to be separated therefrom.
The coupling hole 74 may be formed in each of the corner portions of the second substrate 70. A pair of coupling holes 74 may be formed in each of the upper end and the lower end of the second substrate 70. The coupling holes 74 may include a pair of upper coupling holes 74a. The pair of upper coupling holes 74a may be formed in two opposite corners of the upper end of the second substrate 70 in the second bending direction BD2. The coupling holes 74 may include a pair of lower coupling holes 74b. The pair of lower coupling holes 74b may be formed in two opposite corners of the lower end of the second substrate 70 in the second bending direction BD2. For example, four coupling holes 74 may be formed.
A plurality of coupling protrusions 517 may be formed at positions corresponding to the coupling holes 74. The coupling protrusions 517 may include a pair of upper coupling protrusions 517a formed at positions corresponding to the pair of upper coupling holes 74a. The coupling protrusions 517 may include a pair of lower coupling protrusions 517b formed at positions corresponding to the pair of lower coupling holes 74b. The pair of upper coupling protrusions 517a may be formed opposite each other with respect to the insertion space 54, and the pair of lower coupling protrusions 517b may be formed opposite each other with respect to the insertion space 54. For example, four coupling protrusions 517 may be formed. The coupling protrusions 517 may be formed so as to protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 50. The coupling protrusions 517 may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the first pipe portion 51.
The coupling protrusion 517 may have a hook shape. The coupling protrusion 517 may be elastic. The coupling protrusion 517 may include a protruding portion 5171 protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 50 in the radial direction. The protruding portion 5171 may be tiltable about one end thereof, which is supported by the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 50. The coupling protrusion 517 may include a bent portion 5172, which is bent and extends from the distal end of the protruding portion 5171 in a direction opposite the second substrate 70. When the coupling protrusion 517 is inserted into the coupling hole 74, the coupling protrusion 517 may be prevented from being separated from the coupling hole 74 due to the hook shape thereof.
When the second substrate 70 is coupled to the pipe 50, the two opposite end portions of the second substrate 70 in the second bending direction BD2 may cover the two opposite end portions of the cover 63 in the first bending direction BD1. The two opposite end portions of the second substrate 70 in the second bending direction BD2 may cover the second couplers 527 and 634.
One surface of the first pipe portion 51 may be recessed in the radially inward direction in a shape corresponding to the second substrate 70. The second substrate 70 may be bent at a predetermined curvature to cover one surface of the first pipe portion 51.
Support portions 518 may protrude from the outer surfaces of the upper and lower ends of the pipe 50 to support the upper and lower ends of the second substrate 70. A pair of support portions 518 may be formed on the upper and lower ends of the recessed surface of the first pipe portion 51. The support portions 518 may protrude from the outer surface of the first pipe portion 51 in the radial direction. The support portions 518 may extend in the circumferential direction or the second bending direction BD2. The support portions 518 may support the upper and lower ends of the second substrate 70 coupled to the pipe 50. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the second substrate 70 from being separated in the vertical direction.
One of the support portions 518 at the upper side may be referred as a first support portion. And another one of the support portions 518 at the lower side may be referred as a second support portion. The first support portion may protrude from an upper end of the side of the pipe. The first support portion may extend along the direction of the bent shape of the substrate to support the upper end of the substrate. the second support portion may protrude from a lower end of the side of the pipe. the second support portion may extend along the direction of the bent shape of the substrate to support the lower end of the substrate.
Accordingly, the second substrate 70 may be stably fixed to the pipe 50. In addition, it is possible to prevent the second substrate 70 from being detached or separated from the pipe 50 by being unfolded due to deterioration in adhesive strength of the adhesive member. In addition, the accuracy of the second substrate 70 sensing the insertion space 54 may be improved. In addition, the sensing area of the second substrate 70 may be increased.
Referring to
In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the substrate may have a shape of a film bent at a predetermined curvature, and surround an outer circumferential surface of the side of the pipe.
In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the coupler may include coupling holes located at an upper end and a lower end of the substrate with respect to a direction of the bent shape of the substrate; and coupling protrusions protruding from the pipe at positions corresponding to the coupling holes to be inserted into the coupling holes to couple the pipe and the substrate to each other.
In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the substrate may extend vertically along the longitudinal direction of the insertion space to be disposed at a height corresponding to the insertion space, and wherein the coupling holes may comprise: a pair of upper coupling holes at two opposite corners of the upper end of the substrate; and a pair of lower coupling holes at two opposite corners of the lower end of the substrate.
In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, each of the coupling protrusions may have a hook shape.
In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein each of the coupling protrusions may comprise: a protruding portion protruding along a radially outward direction of the pipe; and a bent portion bent and extending from a distal end of the protruding portion along a direction opposite the substrate.
In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may further include a first support portion protruding from an upper end of the side of the pipe and extending along the direction of the bent shape of the substrate to support the upper end of the substrate; and a second support portion protruding from a lower end of the side of the pipe and extending along the direction of the bent shape of the substrate to support the lower end of the substrate.
In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the substrate may have a first sensor mounted therein to sense a change in inductance around the substrate.
In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, and the aerosol-generating device may further include a second substrate, which is disposed opposite the substrate with respect to the insertion space to cover the outer wall of the other side of the pipe and has a second sensor mounted therein to sense change in capacitance around the second substrate.
In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the substrate may have a surface attached to the outer wall of the pipe via an adhesive member.
Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Any or all elements of the embodiments of the disclosure described above may be combined with another or combined with each other in configuration or function.
For example, a configuration “A” described in one embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings and a configuration “B” described in another embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings may be combined with each other. Namely, although the combination between the configurations is not directly described, the combination is possible except in the case where it is described that the combination is impossible.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2021-0140607 | Oct 2021 | KR | national |
| 10-2022-0004282 | Jan 2022 | KR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/KR2022/015640 | 10/14/2022 | WO |
