KR20230022053A - Cartridge and aerosol generating device comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a housing including an inlet; a mouthpiece including an outlet; a storage unit containing an aerosol-generating material; a wick absorbing the aerosol-generating material stored in the storage unit; an atomizer generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material in the wick; an airflow passage connecting the inlet, the atomization space where the aerosol is generated, and the outlet, wherein the airflow is moved from the inlet in a forward direction toward the outlet through the atomization space; and a backflow preventing unit disposed in at least one area of the airflow passage to prevent the airflow from moving in the reverse direction as opposed to the forward direction. Accordingly, the liquefied residue of the aerosols can be prevented from being accumulated in the airflow passage.

Description

Cartridge and aerosol generating device including the same {CARTRIDGE AND AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE COMPRISING THE SAME}

Embodiments relate to a cartridge and an aerosol generating device including the same, and more particularly, to a cartridge having a structure for reducing leakage and an aerosol generating device including the same.

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

The heated aerosol-generating device may include, for example, a cartridge that stores the aerosol-generating material in a liquid or gel state and atomizes the stored aerosol-generating material. The cartridge is provided with an airflow passage through which air is introduced and generated aerosol is discharged, and the generated aerosol may flow backward through the airflow passage according to a pressure change inside the cartridge. The backflowing aerosol may be liquefied inside the airflow passage and accumulate in a portion of the airflow passage through which the air is introduced.

In this way, the aerosol liquefied in the air flow passage of the cartridge may accumulate on the inner wall of the air flow passage or the air inlet and block the passage. In addition to this, the liquefied aerosol leaks through a gap formed in the body of the aerosol generating device and the cartridge or a gap formed in the housing of the aerosol generating device, causing various problems such as contaminating the outside of the aerosol generating device. .

Embodiments are intended to provide a cartridge that prevents the aerosol generated from the cartridge from flowing backward in an airflow passage inside the cartridge and an aerosol generating device including the same.

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

A cartridge according to an embodiment includes a housing including an inlet, a mouthpiece including an outlet, a reservoir for storing an aerosol-generating material, a wick for absorbing the aerosol-generating material stored in the reservoir, and generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material in the wick. The atomizer, the inlet, the atomizing space where aerosol is generated, and the outlet are connected, and the air flow passes through the atomizing space from the inlet to the outlet and is disposed in at least one area of the air flow passage and moves in a forward direction, so that the air flow flows in the forward direction. It may include a backflow prevention unit that prevents movement in the opposite direction to the reverse flow.

An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes a cartridge and a main body coupled to the cartridge, and the main body may include a battery that supplies power to the atomizer included in the cartridge and a processor that controls the power.

The cartridge according to the above-described embodiments can prevent accumulation of liquefied aerosol residues on the airflow passage by preventing the generated aerosol from flowing backward.

In addition, the cartridge according to the above-described embodiment can reduce the amount of liquid droplets generated in the liquefied aerosol to prevent the aerosol generating device from being contaminated by the leaked liquid droplets.

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

1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.
2 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to one embodiment.
3 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge according to an embodiment.
4 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 2 taken in the direction IV-IV'.
5 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 2 cut in a direction VV′.
6A is a view showing one aspect of a backflow prevention unit according to an embodiment.
FIG. 6B is a view of the backflow preventer shown in FIG. 6A viewed from the direction in which air flow flows.
6C is a view showing another aspect of a backflow prevention unit according to an embodiment.
FIG. 6D is a view of the backflow preventer shown in FIG. 6C viewed from the direction in which air flow flows.
7A is a view showing one aspect of a backflow prevention unit according to an embodiment.
7B is a view showing another aspect of a backflow prevention unit according to an embodiment.
FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a flow of air current flowing in a forward direction through an air flow passage in which a backflow prevention unit according to another embodiment is disposed.
8B is a diagram showing a flow of air current flowing in a reverse direction through an air flow passage in which a backflow prevention unit is disposed according to another embodiment.
9 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

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

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

As used herein, when an expression such as “at least one of” precedes an array of components, it modifies the entire array rather than individual components. For example, the expression "at least one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted as including a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c. do.

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

Also, terms including ordinal numbers such as 'first' or 'second' used in this specification may be used to describe various components, but components should not be limited by the terms. Terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

In addition, the size or ratio of some components in the drawings may be slightly exaggerated. Also, a component shown in one drawing may not be shown in another drawing.

In addition, throughout the specification, the “longitudinal direction” of a component may be a direction in which the component extends along one direction axis of the component, wherein the one direction axis of the component is longer than the other direction axis crossing the one direction axis. It may mean a direction extending long. For example, the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device may mean a direction parallel to the direction in which the airflow passage shown in FIG. 1 extends.

Throughout the specification, 'embodiment' is an arbitrary division for easily describing the invention in the present disclosure, and each embodiment need not be mutually exclusive. For example, configurations disclosed in one embodiment may be applied and/or implemented in other embodiments, and may be modified and applied and/or implemented without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Also, terms used in this disclosure are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the embodiments. In the present disclosure, singular forms also include plural forms unless otherwise specified.

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

1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an aerosol generating device 1000 includes a cartridge 10 holding an aerosol generating material and a body 20 supporting the cartridge 10 .

The cartridge 10 may be coupled to the main body 20 while accommodating the aerosol generating material therein. For example, as at least a portion of the cartridge 10 is inserted into the main body 20, the cartridge 10 and the main body 20 may be coupled. As another example, by inserting at least a portion of the main body 20 into the cartridge 10, the cartridge 10 and the main body 20 may be coupled.

The cartridge 10 and the body 20 may be coupled by at least one of a snap-fit method, a screw coupling method, a magnetic coupling method, or an interference fit method, but the cartridge 10 and the body ( 20) is not limited to the above example.

According to one embodiment, the cartridge 10 may include a housing 100, a mouthpiece 160, a storage unit 200, a wick 300, an atomizer 400, and an electrical terminal 500.

The housing 100 may form the overall appearance of the cartridge 10 together with the mouthpiece 160, and components for operating the cartridge 10 may be disposed inside the housing 100. In one embodiment, the housing 100 may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the shape of the housing 100 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Depending on the embodiment, the housing 100 may be formed in the shape of a polygonal column (eg, a triangular column or a pentagonal column) or a cylindrical column.

The mouthpiece 160 is disposed in one area of the housing 100 and may include an outlet 160e for discharging aerosol generated from an aerosol generating material to the outside. In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 160 may be disposed in another area opposite to one area of the cartridge 10 coupled to the main body 20, and the user may contact the oral cavity with the mouthpiece 160. By inhaling, the aerosol can be supplied from the cartridge 10 .

A pressure difference may occur between the outside of the cartridge 10 and the inside of the cartridge 10 due to a user's inhalation or puff operation, and the inside of the cartridge 10 may be caused by the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the cartridge 10. The aerosol generated in may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 10 through the outlet 160e. That is, the user may be supplied with aerosol discharged to the outside of the cartridge 10 through the outlet 160e by bringing the mouth into contact with the mouthpiece 160 and inhaling.

The storage unit 200 is located in the inner space of the housing 100 and can accommodate an aerosol-generating substance. In the present disclosure, the expression 'the storage unit accommodates the aerosol generating material' means that the storage unit 200 simply performs a function of containing the aerosol generating material, such as the use of a container, and the inside of the storage unit 200 For example, it may mean including an element that impregnates (contains) an aerosol-generating material such as a sponge, cotton, cloth, or porous ceramic structure. In addition, the above expression may be used in the same meaning below.

The storage unit 200 may contain, for example, an aerosol generating material having any one state, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gas state, or a gel state.

In one embodiment, the aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition. The liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid containing a non-tobacco material.

The liquid composition may include, for example, any one of water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, fragrance, flavoring agent, and vitamin mixture, or a mixture of these ingredients. Fragrance may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavor components, etc., but is not limited thereto.

Flavoring agents can include ingredients that can provide a variety of flavors or flavors to the user. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. Liquid compositions may also contain aerosol formers such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

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

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

The wick 300 can absorb aerosol-generating substances. In one example, the aerosol-generating material stored or accommodated in the storage unit 200 may be transferred from the storage unit 200 to the atomizer 400 through the wick 300, and the atomizer 400 is the wick 300 An aerosol may be generated by atomizing the aerosol generating material of the aerosol generating material or the aerosol generating material delivered from the wick 300 . In this case, the wick 300 may include at least one of cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, and porous ceramic, but the wick 300 is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

The atomizer 400 is located inside the housing 100 and can generate an aerosol by converting a phase of an aerosol generating material stored inside the cartridge 10. The atomizer 400 may generate an aerosol, for example, by heating or vibrating the aerosol generating material.

According to one embodiment, the atomizer 400 of the aerosol generating device 1000 may change the phase of the aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method to atomize the aerosol generating material with ultrasonic vibration.

For example, the atomizer 400 may include a vibrator generating short-period vibration, and the vibration generated from the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibration. The frequency of the ultrasonic vibration may be about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

The aerosol-generating material supplied from the storage unit 200 to the atomizer 400 by the short-cycle vibration generated by the vibrator may be vaporized and/or made into particles to be atomized into an aerosol.

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

The vibrator may be electrically connected to other components of the aerosol generating device 1000 through the electrical terminal 500 . Electrical terminal 500 may be located on one side of the cartridge (10). For example, the electrical terminal 500 may be located on a coupling surface of the cartridge 10 where the cartridge 10 is coupled to the main body 20 of the aerosol generating device 1000. The electrical terminal 500 may be located on one side of the housing 100 opposite to the mouthpiece 160 .

According to one embodiment, the vibrator is connected to the battery 600 of the main body 20, the processor 700 and the aerosol generating device 1000 through the electrical terminal 500 located inside the housing 100 of the cartridge 10. It may be electrically connected to at least one of the driving circuits.

For example, the vibrator is electrically connected to the electrical terminal 500 located inside the cartridge 10 through a first conductor, and the electrical terminal 500 is connected to the battery 600 of the main body 20 through a second conductor. ), the processor 700 and/or electrically connected to other driving circuits. That is, the vibrator may be electrically connected to components of the main body 20 through the electrical terminal 500 .

The vibrator may receive current or voltage from the battery 600 of the main body 20 through the electrical terminal 500 to generate ultrasonic vibration. Also, the vibrator may be electrically connected to the processor 700 of the main body 20 through the electrical terminal 500, and the processor 700 may control the operation of the vibrator.

The electrical terminal 500 may include, for example, at least one of a pogo pin, a wire, a cable, a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), and a C-clip. It may include, but the electrical terminal 500 is not limited to the above examples.

According to another embodiment, the atomizer 400 may be a heater that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material. In one embodiment, the heater may be an electrical resistive heater. For example, the heater may include electrically conductive tracks, and the heater may be heated when current flows through the electrically conductive tracks.

The heater may include a tubular heating element, a plate heating element, a needle heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of the cigarette depending on the shape of the heating element.

In another embodiment, the heater may be an induction heater that heats the aerosol generating material by induction heating. The induction heating type heater may include a susceptor and a coil. The coil may apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. The susceptor may be a magnetic material that generates heat by an external magnetic field. The susceptor may be positioned around the coil and heated by an applied magnetic field.

In another embodiment (not shown), the atomizer 400 also has a function of absorbing the aerosol generating material without using a separate wick 300 and maintaining it in an optimal state for converting it into an aerosol and vibrating the aerosol generating material. It may also be implemented as a mesh shape or plate shape vibration receiving unit that performs all of the functions of generating aerosol by transmitting vibration.

The aerosol generated by the atomizer 400 may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 10 through the air flow passage 150 and supplied to the user.

According to one embodiment, the airflow passage 150 is located inside the cartridge 10 and may be connected to the atomizer 400 and the outlet 160e of the mouthpiece 160. Accordingly, the aerosol generated in the atomizer 400 may flow along the air flow passage 150 and may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 10 or the aerosol generating device 1000 through the outlet 160e. The user may receive an aerosol by bringing his/her mouth into contact with the mouthpiece 160 and inhaling the aerosol discharged from the outlet 160e.

Although not shown in the drawings, the airflow passage 150 may include at least one inlet through which air from the outside of the cartridge 10 is introduced into the cartridge 10 . The inlet may be located on at least a portion of the housing 100 of the cartridge 10 . For example, the inlet may be located on a coupling surface (eg, a bottom surface) of the cartridge 10 where the cartridge 10 and the main body 20 are coupled.

Since at least one gap may be formed in a portion where the cartridge 10 and the main body 20 are coupled, outside air is introduced into the gap between the cartridge 10 and the main body 20, and the cartridge 10 ) can be moved inside.

The airflow passage 150 may be connected from an inlet to a space where aerosol is generated by the atomizer 400, and may be connected to an outlet 160e in the corresponding space.

Accordingly, the air introduced through the inlet is transferred to the atomizer 400, and the delivered air moves along with the aerosol generated in the atomizer 400 to the outlet 160e, thereby increasing the flow of air in the cartridge 10. circulation can take place.

In one example, at least a portion of the air flow passage 150 may be disposed such that an outer circumferential surface thereof is surrounded by the storage unit 200 inside the housing 100 . In another example, at least a portion of the airflow passage 150 may be disposed between the inner wall of the housing 100 and the outer wall of the storage unit 200 . The arrangement structure of the air flow passage 150 is not limited to the above-described example, and the air flow passage 150 can be arranged in various structures that allow air flow to circulate between the inlet, the atomizer 400, and the outlet 160e. there is.

The main body 20 includes a battery 600 and a processor 700 therein, and one end of the main body 20 may be coupled with one end of the cartridge 10 . For example, the main body 20 may be coupled to the lower surface or coupling surface of the cartridge 10 .

The battery 600 supplies power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1000. For example, when the main body 20 is electrically coupled to the cartridge 10, the battery 600 may supply power to the atomizer 400.

In addition, the battery 600 may supply power necessary for the operation of other hardware elements (eg, a sensor, user interface, memory, and processor 700) included in the aerosol generating device 1000. The battery 600 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.

For example, the battery 600 may be a nickel-based battery (eg, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery), or a lithium-based battery (eg, a lithium-cobalt battery, a lithium-phosphate battery, or a lithium-based battery). titanate battery, lithium-ion battery or lithium-polymer battery).

The processor 700 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1000. For example, the processor 700 may control the amount of aerosol generated in the atomizer 400 by controlling power supplied from the battery 600 to the atomizer 400 . In one example, the processor 700 may control the current or voltage supplied to the vibrator of the atomizer 400 so that the vibrator vibrates at a predetermined frequency.

The processor 700 may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which programs executable by the microprocessor are stored. Also, those skilled in the art can understand that the processor 700 may be implemented in other types of hardware.

The processor 700 analyzes a result sensed by at least one sensor included in the aerosol generating device 1000 and controls subsequent processes. For example, the processor 700 may control power supplied to the atomizer 400 so that an operation of the atomizer 400 starts or ends based on a result sensed by at least one sensor. In addition, the processor 700 determines the amount of power supplied to the atomizer 400 and the amount of power supplied to the atomizer 400 so that the atomizer 400 can generate an appropriate amount of aerosol based on the result sensed by at least one sensor. You can control your time.

The aerosol generating device 1000 may further include a suction sensor (not shown). The inhalation sensor may sense whether a user inhales the aerosol generating device 1000 by detecting a change in internal pressure or a flow of air of the aerosol generating device 1000 .

The suction sensor may be located anywhere in the cartridge 10 or the main body 20 . Since the cartridge 10 may be a consumable item that is replaced when the aerosol generating material stored therein is exhausted, it may be preferable from an economic point of view that the suction sensor is located in the main body 20 .

The suction sensor may be positioned adjacent to a coupling surface (eg, an upper surface of the body 20) of the body 20 where the body 20 is coupled to the cartridge 10. Here, the coupling surface of the main body 20 may mean one surface facing the coupling surface of the cartridge 10 (eg, the bottom surface of the cartridge 10).

In one embodiment, the suction sensor is located adjacent to the coupling surface of the main body 20 coupled with the cartridge 10, the inlet of the cartridge 10 is on the coupling surface of the cartridge 10 coupled with the main body 20 can be located As the suction detection sensor is disposed adjacent to the area through which external air flows, it is possible to more accurately detect a change in pressure or flow of air within the main body 20 .

In one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 10 and/or body 20 of the aerosol-generating device 1000 is a cross-section of a circle, ellipse, square, rectangle, or polygon of various shapes. can be a shape. However, the shape of the cross section of the cartridge 10 and/or the main body 20 is not necessarily limited to the above-described shape, or when the aerosol generating device 1000 extends in the longitudinal direction, it is not necessarily formed in a structure that extends in a straight line. .

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

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to one embodiment, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge according to one embodiment, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge shown in Figure 2 cut in the direction VI-VI ', Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 2 cut in the direction V-V'.

The cartridge 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 may be an embodiment of the cartridge 10 of the aerosol generating device 1000 shown in FIG. 2, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted below.

2 to 5, the cartridge 10 according to one embodiment includes a housing 100, a mouthpiece 160, a storage unit 200, a wick 300, an atomizer 400, an air flow passage ( 150) and a backflow prevention unit (B). Components of the cartridge 10 according to an embodiment are not limited to the above-described examples, and depending on the embodiment, any one component is added or any one component (eg, the mouthpiece 160) is omitted. It could be.

The housing 100 may form an internal space in which components of the cartridge 10 may be disposed while forming the overall appearance of the cartridge 10 . In the drawing, the housing 100 of the cartridge 10 is shown only for an embodiment in which the overall rectangular pillar shape is shown, but is not limited thereto. In another embodiment (not shown), the housing 100 may be formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole, or may be formed in a polygonal column shape other than a quadrangular column (eg, a triangular column or a pentagonal column).

According to one embodiment, the housing 100 may include a first housing 110 and a second housing 120 connected to one area of the first housing 110, and the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 may be connected to each other. 2 housing 120 may protect the components of the cartridge 10 disposed in the inner space formed by the combination of the first housing 110 and the second housing 120

For example, a cartridge ( An internal space in which the components of 10) can be disposed may be formed, but is not limited thereto.

In the present disclosure, 'top' refers to the 'z' direction of FIGS. 2 to 5, and 'bottom' may mean the '-z' direction of FIGS. 2 to 5 pointing in the opposite direction to the top, and the expression These can be used in the same meaning below.

The housing 100 may include at least one inlet 120i through which air outside the cartridge 10 is introduced into the cartridge 10 . When the user brings his or her mouth into contact with the mouthpiece 160 and performs an inhalation operation, the internal pressure of the cartridge 10 becomes lower than atmospheric pressure, and external air is introduced into the cartridge 10 through the inlet 120i. can

The inlet 120i may be formed in at least one area of the second housing 120 . For example, the inlet 120i may be located on one surface of the second housing 120 where the cartridge 10 is coupled to the main body.

The housing 100 may form at least a part of the air flow passage 150, or a part of the structure of the housing 100 may function as an inner wall of the air flow passage 150. For example, the first housing 110 may include a tube portion 110t, a cavity portion 110c, a groove portion 110g, and a first passage portion 110p, and the second housing 120 may include a second passageway. A portion 120p may be included.

External air introduced into the second housing 120 through the inlet 120i may move to the first passage 110p along the second passage 120p. The first passage part 110p may be formed between the outer wall of the storage part 200 and the inner wall of the first housing 110 and transfer the introduced outside air to the groove part 110g.

The groove portion 110g may be formed at an upper end of the first housing 110 and connect the first passage portion 110p to the cavity portion 110c. The groove portion 110g may be a portion exposed to the outside of the first housing 110, but when the cartridge 10 is assembled, it is combined with other components (eg, the first supporter 330) to form an air flow passage 150. can form part of it.

The cavity 110c may be a portion surrounded by the storage unit 200 . The introduced outside air and the generated aerosol may be mixed in the cavity 110c. The pipe part 110t protrudes from the upper end of the first housing 110 and may be a part that transfers external air and aerosol mixed in the cavity part 110c to the outlet 160e of the mouthpiece 160.

In one embodiment, the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 may have a polygonal (eg, quadrangular) cross-section shape. At this time, the first passage 110p is located around the vertex of the polygonal cross section of the first housing 110, the cavity 110c and the tube 110t are located at the center of the polygonal cross section, and the groove 110g may be formed along a diagonal direction connecting the center from the vertex of the polygonal cross section.

As the first passage part 110p is located along the edge of the first housing 110, it is possible to arrange a space inside the housing 100 capable of optimizing the volume of the storage part 200.

The mouthpiece 160 is a part inserted into the user's oral cavity and may be connected to one area of the housing 100 . For example, the mouthpiece 160 may be connected to one area of the first housing 110 connected to the second housing 120 and another area (eg, an upper area of the first housing 110) located in the opposite direction. can

In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 160 may be detachably coupled to one area of the housing 100, but depending on the embodiment, the mouthpiece 160 may be integrally formed with the housing 100.

The mouthpiece 160 may include at least one outlet 160e for discharging aerosol generated inside the cartridge 10 to the outside of the cartridge 10 . The user may contact the oral cavity with the mouthpiece 160 and receive the aerosol discharged to the outside through the outlet 160e of the mouthpiece 160 .

The storage unit 200 may be disposed in the inner space of the first housing 110, and an aerosol generating material may be stored inside the storage unit 200. For example, a liquid aerosol generating material may be stored in the storage unit 200, but is not limited thereto.

The wick 300 may be positioned between the storage unit 200 and the atomizer 400, and the aerosol generating material stored in the storage unit 200 may be supplied to the atomizer 400 through the wick 300. there is.

According to one embodiment, the wick 300 may serve to receive an aerosol generating material from the storage unit 200 and deliver the supplied aerosol generating material to the atomizer 400 . For example, the wick 300 may absorb an aerosol-generating material moving in the direction of the wick 300 in the storage unit 200, and the absorbed aerosol-generating material moves along the wick 300 to form the atomizer 400. ) can be supplied.

The wick 300 may be disposed adjacent to the storage unit 200 to receive a liquid aerosol generating material from the storage unit 200 . For example, the aerosol generating material stored in the storage unit 200 is discharged to the outside of the storage unit 200 through a liquid supply port (not shown) formed in one area of the storage unit 200 toward the wick 300. The wick 300 may absorb the aerosol generating material from the storage unit 200 by absorbing at least a portion of the aerosol generating material discharged from the storage unit 200 .

According to one embodiment, the cartridge 10 is disposed to cover at least a portion of the atomizer 400 where the aerosol is generated, and the absorption plate transfers the aerosol generating material absorbed by the wick 300 to the atomizer 400. (320) may be further included.

The absorption plate 320 may be made of a material capable of absorbing aerosol-generating substances. For example, the absorption plate 320 may include at least one of SPL 30(H), SPL 50(H)V, NP 100(V8), SPL 60(FC), and melamine.

As the absorbent plate 320 is further included in the cartridge 10, the aerosol generating material can be absorbed not only by the wick 300 but also by the absorbent plate 320, so that the absorption amount of the aerosol generating material can be improved.

In addition, as the absorbing plate 320 is disposed to cover at least a portion of the atomizer 400, the absorbing plate 320 prevents particles that are not sufficiently atomized during the aerosol generating process from being immediately discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device. It can function as a physical barrier to prevent 'actic splash'. Here, 'action' means that particles of the aerosol generating material having a relatively large size because they are not sufficiently atomized are discharged to the outside of the cartridge 10 . As the absorbent plate 320 is further included in the cartridge 10, the possibility of an actuation occurrence is reduced, and the user's smoking satisfaction can be improved.

In one embodiment, the absorbing plate 320 is positioned between one side of the atomizer 400 where the aerosol is generated and the wick 300 to deliver the aerosol supplied to the wick 300 to the atomizer 400. can For example, one area of the absorber plate 320 is in contact with one area of the wick 300 facing the -z direction, and another area of the absorber plate 320 is in contact with the atomizer 400 facing the +z direction. area can be contacted. That is, the absorption plate 320 may be positioned on the top surface (eg, in the +z direction) of the atomizer 400 to supply the aerosol generating material absorbed by the wick 300 to the atomizer 400.

The wick 300, the absorber 320, and the atomizer 400 may be sequentially disposed along the longitudinal direction (eg, z-axis direction) of the cartridge 10 or the housing 100, and as a result, the atomizer ( 400, the absorption plate 320 and the wick 300 may be sequentially stacked.

At least a portion of the aerosol generating material supplied from the storage unit 200 to the wick 300 through the above-described arrangement structure moves to the absorption plate 320 in contact with the wick 300, and moves to the absorption plate 320. The aerosol-generating material may travel along the absorbent plate 320 to reach the atomizer 400 . Accordingly, the aerosol generating material is stably delivered to the atomizer 400, so that a uniform amount of aerosol can be continuously generated.

In addition, through the above-described arrangement structure, a physical double barrier for preventing the above-described action may be implemented by the wick 300 and the absorption plate 320 .

In the drawings, only one embodiment including one wick 300 and one absorption plate 320 is shown, but a cartridge according to another embodiment may include two or more of at least one of the wick 300 and the absorption plate 320. there is.

The atomizer 400 may generate an aerosol by atomizing the liquid aerosol generating material supplied from the wick 300 .

For example, the atomizer 400 may include a vibrator generating ultrasonic vibrations. The frequency of the ultrasonic vibration generated by the vibrator may be about 100 kHz to 10 MHz, preferably about 100 kHz to 3.5 MHz. As the vibrator generates ultrasonic vibration in the above-described frequency band, the vibrator may vibrate along the longitudinal direction (eg, z-axis direction) of the cartridge 10 or the housing 100 . However, the embodiments are not limited by the direction in which the vibrator vibrates, and the direction in which the vibrator vibrates can be changed in various directions (eg, any one of the x-axis direction, the y-axis direction, and the z-axis direction, or a combination of these directions). there is.

The atomizer 400 may generate an aerosol at a relatively low temperature compared to a method of heating the aerosol generating material by atomizing the aerosol generating material using an ultrasonic method. For example, in the case of a method of heating an aerosol generating material using a heater, a situation in which the aerosol generating material is unintentionally heated to a temperature of 200 °C or higher may occur, and the user may feel a burnt taste in the aerosol.

On the other hand, the cartridge 10 according to one embodiment can generate an aerosol at a temperature range of about 100 °C to 160 °C, which is a relatively low temperature compared to heating with a heater, by atomizing the aerosol generating material in an ultrasonic manner. there is. Accordingly, the feeling of burnt taste in the aerosol can be minimized, and the user's smoking satisfaction can be improved.

The atomizer 400 may be electrically connected to an external power source (eg, the battery 600 located inside the main body 20 of FIG. 1) through the electrical terminal 500, and by power supplied from the external power source. Ultrasonic vibrations can be generated. For example, the atomizer 400 is electrically connected to the electrical terminal 500 located inside the cartridge 10, and the electrical terminal 500 is electrically connected to the external power of the cartridge 10. , the atomizer 400 may receive power from an external power source.

Aerosol may be generated in the atomizing space (400v) located on one side of the atomizer 400 and communicating with the air flow passage 150. The aerosol generated in the atomization space 400v is mixed with external air introduced along the airflow passage 150 and may move in a direction toward the outlet 160e when the user inhales.

In one example, the atomizing space (400v) is located on one side of the atomizer 400 facing the outlet (160e), the atomizing space (400v) and the air flow passage 150 will be in communication at the top of the atomizer (400). can Accordingly, since the cartridge 10 has a straight aerosol discharge path, the generated aerosol can be easily discharged to the outside of the cartridge 10 .

According to one embodiment, the atomizer 400 may be electrically connected to the electrical terminal 500 through the first conductor 410 and the second conductor 420.

In one embodiment, the first conductor 410 includes a material (eg, metal) having electrical conductivity and is located on top of the atomizer 400 to electrically connect the atomizer 400 and the electrical terminal 500. can be connected to

For example, a portion (eg, an upper portion) of the first conductor 410 is arranged to surround at least one region of the outer circumferential surface of the atomizer 400 and contacts the atomizer 400, and the first conductor Another part (eg, lower part) of 410 may be formed to extend in a direction toward the electric terminal 500 from one part and contact one area of the electric terminal 500 . The atomizer 400 and the electrical terminal 500 may be electrically connected by the above-described contact structure of the first conductor 410 .

In one example, an opening 410h may be formed in a portion of the first conductor 410 so that at least a portion of the atomizer 400 may be exposed to the outside of the first conductor 410 . One area of the atomizer 400 exposed to the outside of the first conductor 410 through the opening 410h of the first conductor 410 comes into contact with the absorption plate 320 and releases aerosol from the absorption plate 320. production materials can be supplied.

In one embodiment, the second conductor 420 includes a material having electrical conductivity, and is located at the bottom of the atomizer 400 or between the atomizer 400 and the electrical terminal 500, so that the atomizer 400 ) and the electrical terminal 500 may be electrically connected. For example, as the second conductor 420 has one end in contact with the lower area of the atomizer 400 and the other end in contact with one area of the electrical terminal 500 toward the atomizer 400, the atomizer 400 and the electrical terminal 500 may be electrically connected.

According to one embodiment, the second conductor 420 includes a conductive material having elasticity and serves not only to electrically connect the atomizer 400 and the electrical terminal 500, but also to make the atomizer 400 elastic. It can even play a supporting role. For example, the second conductor 420 may include a conductive spring, but the second conductor 420 is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

The cartridge 10 according to one embodiment may further include a pressing body 430 positioned between the atomizer 400 and the electrical terminal 500 to support the second conductor 420 . The pressing body 430 includes, for example, a material having a flexible property, and is arranged to surround the outer circumferential surface of the second conductor 420 to elastically support the second conductor 420. . However, the embodiment of the cartridge 10 is not limited thereto, and the pressing body 430 may be omitted according to the embodiment.

According to one embodiment, the electrical terminal 500 is located inside the second housing 120 and is electrically connected to the atomizer 400 through the first conductor 410 and the second conductor 420. At the same time, it may be electrically connected to an external power source (eg, the battery 600 of FIG. 1) through a connection terminal (not shown) located on the main body of the aerosol generating device.

The connection terminal may include, for example, at least one of a pogo pin, a wire, a cable, a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), and a C-clip. However, the connection terminal is not limited to the above examples.

In one embodiment, the second housing 120 may include a plurality of through holes 121, 122, and 123 penetrating the inside of the second housing 120 and the outside of the cartridge 10, A connecting means of the main body of the aerosol generating device is connected to the hole so that the electrical terminal 500 located inside the cartridge 10 and the external power source of the cartridge 10 can be electrically connected.

The electrical terminal 500 is electrically connected to the atomizer 400 by the first conductor 410 and the second conductor 420, and electrically connected to the external power source of the cartridge 10 by the electrical connection member Accordingly, the atomizer 400 may be electrically connected to an external power source via the electrical terminal 500 to receive power from the external power source.

Unintended noise may occur in an electrical circuit between the atomizer 400 and an external power source at the time when power supply to the atomizer 400 starts or in the course of power supply. For example, noise may occur in the voltage signal supplied to the atomizer 400, and a voltage higher than a specified value may be applied to the atomizer 400, and accordingly, the temperature of the atomizer 400 rises rapidly ( Example: rise above the Curie temperature) and the atomizer 400 may be damaged.

According to one embodiment, the cartridge 10 may further include a resistor R for removing noise included in a signal applied to the atomizer 400. For example, in one area of the electrical terminal 500, a resistor R for removing or filtering noise generated in the process of supplying power to the atomizer 400 from an external power source is disposed. can

The electrical terminal 500 may be a printed circuit board, and the resistor R may be mounted on one area of the printed circuit board. Accordingly, the resistor R may remove noise generated during operation of the aerosol generating device (or "power on") so that a stable voltage is applied to the atomizer 400.

Here, 'the resistor R is mounted on one area of the printed circuit board' means, for example, a surface mount in which the resistor R is electrically connected to the printed circuit board in a way that protrudes from the surface of the printed circuit board ( It may refer to a method in which the resistor R is installed in a surface mount method or a method in which at least a portion of the resistor R is buried in one surface of the printed circuit board.

Cartridge 10 according to one embodiment can remove or filter the noise generated in the electrical circuit formed between the atomizer 400 and the external power source through the resistor (R), as a result of which the cartridge 10 or The aerosol generating device can be operated reliably.

In one embodiment, resistor R may form a feedback circuit (or “feedback circuit”) connected in parallel with atomizer 400. The resistor R may form a feedback circuit to remove noise included in a signal applied to the atomizer 400, so that a stable voltage is applied to the atomizer 400. As a result, since damage to the atomizer 400 due to noise is prevented, stable operation of the cartridge 10 or the aerosol generating device may be possible.

According to one embodiment, the electrical terminal 500 is disposed to be adjacent to the atomizer 400 inside the cartridge 10, the resistance (R) is a first toward the atomizer 400 of the electrical terminal 500 It can be placed or mounted on the surface.

A resistor (R) for removing noise included in the voltage signal applied to the atomizer 400 is disposed on the second surface of the electrical terminal 500, or a body other than the cartridge 10 (e.g., the body of FIG. 1) (20)), the electrical length of the feedback circuit may be increased.

When the electrical length of the feedback circuit is increased, noise is additionally generated in the process of feedback or feedback of the voltage signal applied to the atomizer 400, and the voltage containing noise in the atomizer 400 even though the feedback circuit is formed A situation in which a signal is applied may occur.

On the other hand, in the cartridge 10 according to one embodiment, the electrical terminal 500 is disposed within a specified distance from the atomizer 400, and the resistor R forming the feedback circuit is connected to the atomizer 400 and the adjacent electrical terminal ( 500), the electrical length of the feedback circuit can be reduced. Here, the 'designated distance between the electrical terminal 500 and the atomizer 400' may mean a distance that prevents noise from being generated in the process of feeding back the voltage signal.

As a result, it is possible to prevent additional noise from being generated during the feedback process of the voltage signal applied to the atomizer 400 so that a stable voltage signal can be supplied to the atomizer 400.

That is, the cartridge 10 according to one embodiment can ensure that a stable voltage is supplied to the atomizer 400 by disposing the resistor R inside the cartridge 10 rather than the main body, and as a result, the atomizer ( 400) may be prevented from being damaged and stable operation of the cartridge or aerosol generating device may be possible.

The resistor R is formed to have a resistance value of about 0.8MΩ to about 1.2MΩ to remove noise included in a voltage signal applied to the atomizer 400 . However, the resistance value of the resistor R may be partially changed according to embodiments.

The aerosol atomized by the ultrasonic vibration generated by the atomizer 400 may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 10 through the air flow passage 150 and supplied to the user. For example, the airflow passage 150 is formed to connect or communicate the inner space of the housing 100 and the outlet 160e of the mouthpiece 160, so that the aerosol generated by the atomizer 400 passes through the airflow passage ( After flowing along 150, it may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 10 through the outlet 160e.

The airflow passage 150 may connect the inlet 120i, the atomization space 400v where aerosol is generated, and the outlet 160e. The air flow passage 150 may be formed by at least one component of the cartridge 10, but the air flow passage 150 is not limited thereto and may be formed of a tube inserted into the housing 100.

An airflow (eg, air or aerosol) may move forward from the inlet 120i through the atomization space 400v toward the outlet 160e. That is, 'forward direction' may refer to a direction in which airflow moves when the user sucks in the mouthpiece 160 . For example, the forward direction may mean a direction from the inlet 120i toward the atomizing space 400v and a direction from the atomizing space 400v toward the outlet 160e.

According to one embodiment, the air flow passage 150 is a first air flow passage 150a connecting the inlet 120i and the atomizing space 400v and a second air flow passage connecting the atomizing space 400v and the outlet 160e. can include

The first airflow passage 150a may be connected from the inlet 120i to the atomizing space 400v along the internal structure of the second housing 120 and the first housing 110. For example, the first air flow passage 150a may include at least a portion of the second passage part 120p, the first passage part 110p, the groove part 110g, and the hollow part 110c. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first airflow passage 150a may refer to a passage through which external air introduced into the cartridge 10 through the inlet 120i moves to the atomization space 400v.

The second airflow passage 150b may be connected to the outlet 160e along the internal structures of the first housing 110 and the mouthpiece 160 in the atomizing space 400v. For example, the second airflow passage 150b may include at least a portion of the cavity 110c, a tube portion 110t, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece 160. Referring to FIG. 5 , the second airflow passage 150b may mean a passage through which aerosol mixed with outside air moves from the atomization space 400v to the outlet 160e.

The air flow passage 150 may be sharply curved at a portion where the first air flow passage 150a and the second air flow passage 150b communicate with the atomization space 400v. Due to the curved portion, the airflow may change its path abruptly in the portion where the atomizing space 400v is located. Due to this, the time the airflow stays in the atomizing space 400v can be increased and the possibility of generating vortices can be improved. As a result, mixing of the outside air introduced into the atomization space 400v and the generated aerosol can be made more easily.

During a user's inhalation operation, outside air is introduced into the cartridge 10 through the inlet 120i and can move forward along the first air flow passage 150a and the second air flow passage 150b.

However, the air flow may move in a 'reverse direction' opposite to the forward direction according to pressure conditions inside and outside the cartridge 10 . For example, when a user who has been inhaling the mouthpiece 160 stops the inhalation operation, the internal/external pressure gradient of the cartridge 10 is momentarily changed and the air around the mouthpiece 160 becomes relatively pressured. It can move into the interior of the cartridge 10 in a lowered state.

Due to this, some of the aerosol not discharged from the cartridge 10 may move in the reverse direction. A part of the backflowing aerosol may remain inside the airflow passage 150 and be liquefied. The liquefied aerosol may form droplets inside the air flow passage 150 to block the air flow passage 150 or flow out of the cartridge 10 through the inlet 120i. As a result, the droplets may leak out of the aerosol generating device, contaminate the aerosol generating device, and further provide discomfort to the user.

In order to solve this problem, the cartridge 10 according to one embodiment may include a backflow prevention unit (B). The backflow prevention unit B may be disposed in at least one area of the airflow passage 150 to prevent the airflow from moving in a reverse direction in the airflow passage 150 .

In one embodiment, the backflow prevention unit (B) may include a one-way valve (one-way valve) that is opened only by the air flow flowing in the forward direction in the air flow passage (150). One-way valves can be designed to open in only one direction. For example, the one-way valve may be normally closed to prevent a flow of air flowing in a reverse direction, and may be opened during a user's inhalation operation to allow a flow of air flowing in a forward direction.

One-way valves can be made of resilient materials or metals. For example, the one-way valve is deformed in the direction of opening the air flow passage 150 by the air flow moving in one direction, and in the direction of closing the air flow passage 150 by the air flow moving in the opposite direction. It may be made of an elastic material having a deformable valve structure. As another example, the one-way valve is made of a metal plate fixed to a rotating shaft capable of rotating in only one direction, and can control the opening and closing of the air flow passage 150 according to the direction of the air flow.

In another embodiment, the backflow prevention unit B may include a porous membrane that passes only air components by filtering the airflow moving in the reverse direction. The aerosol particles filtered by the porous membrane or the aerosol droplets liquefied therefrom are transferred to at least one absorber (eg, first absorbers A1 and A1') or second absorbers A2 positioned around the air flow passage 150. By being absorbed, contamination of the inside of the airflow passage 150 by liquid droplets can be prevented.

In another embodiment, the backflow prevention unit B includes both a one-way valve and a porous membrane to more effectively prevent the backflow of aerosol in the airflow passage 150 and reduce the amount of leakage of the cartridge 10. there is.

The backflow prevention unit B may be disposed in at least one area of the first airflow passage 150a. The backflow prevention part B may be disposed in one area of at least one of the first passage part 110p, the groove part 110g, the hollow part 110c, and the second passage part 120p.

In one embodiment, the backflow prevention unit B may be disposed at one end of the first airflow passage 150a connected to the inlet 120i. For example, the backflow prevention part B may be disposed in the second passage part 120p of the second housing 120 to prevent the liquefied liquid from leaking through the inlet 120i. Compared to the first passage part 110p, the second passage part 120p has a relatively short path and is located close to the outside of the cartridge 10, so assembling or installing the backflow prevention part B is relatively difficult. can be facilitated by

A specific embodiment of the backflow prevention unit (B) will be described later in more detail through other drawings.

On the other hand, as at least a portion of the air flow passage 150 is arranged to be covered by the storage unit 200, the aerosol generating material leaking from the storage part 200 flows into the air flow passage 150, reducing the user's smoking satisfaction. cases may occur.

The cartridge 10 according to an embodiment may further include a sealing part 130 to prevent the aerosol generating material from leaking from the storage part 200 and flowing into the air flow passage 150 .

The sealing unit 130 may seal a gap around the liquid supply port of the storage unit 200 (eg, a gap between the liquid supply port and the wick 300). Accordingly, in the cartridge 10 according to an embodiment, the sealing part 130 blocks leakage of the aerosol-generating material of the storage part 200 into the air flow passage 150, thereby preventing the user from deteriorating the satisfaction of smoking. can do.

In one embodiment, the sealing part 130 is located in the inner space of the housing 100 (eg, the cavity 110c of the first housing 110) so that the aerosol generating material leaks into the airflow passage 150. can prevent it from happening. For example, the sealing part 130 may have a hollow tube shape. The sealing part 130 may be fitted into the hollow part of the housing 100 and closely adhered to the outer wall of the storage part 200 .

Since the hollow tube-shaped sealing part 130 has a passage part therein, it prevents the aerosol generating material from the storage part 200 from flowing into the air flow passage 150, and at the same time, the atomizer 400 generates It may form part of the air flow passage 150 through which the aerosol moves.

In one embodiment, the hollow tubular sealing part 130 may include a first hole 131 and a second hole 132 .

The first hole 131 may be formed so that a part of the first airflow passage 150a is not blocked by the sealing part 130 located in the cavity 110c. For example, the first hole 131 may be formed outside the sealing part 130 . External air introduced into the cavity 110c along the groove 110g may move to the atomization space 400v through the first hole 131 .

The second hole 132 may be formed such that the aerosol generated in the atomizing space 400v is guided to the pipe part 110t and discharged to the outside of the cartridge 10 . For example, the second hole 132 may be formed in the center of the sealing part 130 and connected to one end of the pipe part 110t.

The outside air introduced into the airflow passage 150 moves to the atomizing space 400v through the first hole 131, changes its path in the atomizing space 400v, and passes through the second hole 132 to the cartridge 10 ) can be moved out of As the sealing portion 130 is further included, air introduced into the cartridge 10 may be introduced to a position closer to the atomizer 400 than when the sealing portion 130 is not present. Accordingly, the introduced air and the generated aerosol are more effectively mixed, so that the user's smoking satisfaction can be improved.

In addition, the sealing part 130 may absorb ultrasonic vibration generated from the atomizer 400 by including a material having elasticity (eg, rubber), and as a result, the ultrasonic vibration generated from the atomizer 400 It is possible to minimize the transfer of the cartridge 10 to the user through the housing 100 .

The sealing part 130 is located at the upper end of the wick 300 and presses the wick 300 in a direction toward the atomizer 400, thereby maintaining contact between the wick 300 and the atomizer 400. For example, the sealing part 130 may maintain contact between the wick 300 and/or the absorbing plate 320 by pressing the wick 300 and/or the absorbing plate 320 in the -z direction, thereby maintaining contact between the absorbing plate 320 and the atomizer 400 .

The cartridge 10 according to one embodiment may further include a first supporter 330 for maintaining the wick 300 and/or the atomizer 400 inside the first housing 110 .

The first support 330 is disposed to surround at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the wick 300, the absorption plate 320, and/or the atomizer 400, and the wick 300, the absorption plate 320, and/or the atomizer 400. (400) can be accommodated.

In one embodiment, the first supporter 330 may be disposed between the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 . As a result, the wick 300 , the absorption plate 320 and/or the atomizer 400 may be held or fixed in a region between the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 .

Although the first support 330 may be coupled to the first housing 110 in such a way that at least a portion of the first support 330 is press-fitted to the first housing 110, the first housing 110 and The coupling method of the first support 330 is not limited to the above example. In another example, the first housing 110 and the first support 330 may be coupled by at least one of a snap-fit method, a screw coupling method, and a magnetic coupling method.

According to one embodiment, the first support 330 includes a material (eg, rubber) having water resistance while having a predetermined rigidity, and the wick 300 and the atomizer 400 are attached to the first housing 110. In addition to fixing it, it is possible to prevent leakage of the aerosol-generating material from the reservoir 200. For example, the first support 330 seals an area adjacent to the storage unit 200 and the wick 300 or the atomizer 400, thereby preventing leakage of aerosol-generating substances.

A first absorber A1 for absorbing droplets generated on the first air flow passage 150a may be disposed between the inlet 120i and the atomization space 400v. For example, at least a portion of the first absorber A1 may be located in the inner space of the housing 100 and connected to at least one area of the first air flow passage 150a. Accordingly, the liquid droplets generated on the first air flow passage 150a are absorbed by the first absorber A1, so that the inner wall of the air flow passage 150 is prevented from being narrowed or blocked by the liquid droplets.

According to one embodiment, the first absorber A1 may be disposed between the first support 330 and the second housing 120, and one area of the first air flow passage 150a adjacent to the inlet 120i. can be connected with Accordingly, the droplet generated in one area of the first air flow passage 150a adjacent to the inlet 120i is absorbed by the first absorber A1, so that the amount of leakage through the inlet 120i can be reduced.

In addition, the first absorber (A1) may be located adjacent to the backflow prevention part (B). Accordingly, even if liquefied aerosol droplets are generated on the first air flow passage 150a, they are absorbed by the first absorber A1, so that the first air flow passage 150a can be kept clean.

Meanwhile, the first airflow passage 150a may include a detour 150d extending along the outside of the storage unit 200 . For example, the bypass 150d may refer to a path formed by at least a part of the first passage 110p, the groove 110g, and the cavity 110c.

The bypass 150d may be located at a relatively deep position from the outside (eg, the inlet 120i or the outlet 160e) of the airflow passage 150 .

The first absorber A1' according to another embodiment may be disposed in an area adjacent to the bypass 150d. For example, the first absorber A1' may be disposed at a portion where the first housing 110 and the mouthpiece 160 are coupled to be connected to one area of the bypass 150d. Accordingly, liquid droplets of the aerosol liquefied in the area adjacent to the bypass 150d may be absorbed by the first absorber A1'. As a result, a larger amount of liquid droplets can be removed from the detour 150d, and the amount of leakage of the cartridge 10 can be reduced.

During the process of atomizing the aerosol-generating material by the atomizer 400, some of the aerosol-generating material may not be sufficiently atomized and droplets having relatively large particles may be generated. In addition, some of the atomized aerosol may be liquefied in the second air flow passage 150b to generate droplets. The generated liquid droplets block the second airflow passage 150b or leak to the outside of the mouthpiece 160 through the outlet 160e, thereby reducing the user's satisfaction with smoking.

The second absorber A2 according to an embodiment may be disposed between the atomization space 400v and the outlet 160e. The second absorber A2 may absorb droplets generated on the second air flow passage 150b.

At least a portion of the second absorber A2 may be located in the inner space of the housing 100 and connected to at least one area of the second air flow passage 150b. For example, at least a part of the second absorber A2 may be connected to the second air flow passage 150b through a gap formed between the pipe portion 110t and the outlet 160e.

The second absorber A2 is disposed adjacent to the second air flow passage 150b and absorbs droplets, thereby limiting the movement or flow of the droplets in the direction toward the outlet 160e of the mouthpiece 160. . Accordingly, the liquid droplets generated on the second air flow passage 150b are absorbed into the second absorber A2, and the aforementioned problem can be prevented.

The first absorbents A1 and A1' and the second absorbents A2 may include at least one of felt, cotton, cloth, and activated carbon that absorbs or adsorbs liquid or solid residues, but is not limited thereto. no.

The cartridge 10 according to one embodiment maintains the coupling between the first housing 110 and the mouthpiece 160, and maintains the first absorber A1' and/or the second absorber A2 for supporting the second absorber A2. A support 140 may be further included.

The second support body 140 accommodates at least one area of the first absorbent body A1' and/or the second absorbent body A2, and removes the accommodated first absorbent body A1' and/or the second absorbent body A2. 1 can be maintained or fixed in one area of the housing 110. For example, the second supporter 140 may hold or fix the second absorber A2 to a region (eg, upper region) adjacent to the mouthpiece 160 of the first housing 110, but is limited thereto. it is not going to be

In one embodiment, the second supporter 140 is disposed to surround at least one area of the second absorbent body A2 to accommodate the second absorbent body A2, and the second absorbent body A2 to accommodate the second support body 140. As the support 140 is coupled to one region of the first housing 110 (eg, a region in the +z direction), the second absorber A2 is fixed between the first housing 110 and the mouthpiece 160. It can be.

The second support 140 and the first housing 110 may be coupled in such a way that at least a portion of the second support 140 is press-fitted to the first housing 110, but the first housing 110 and the The coupling method of the two supports 140 is not limited to the above-described example. In another example, the first housing 110 and the second support 140 may be coupled by at least one of a snap-fit method, a screw coupling method, and a magnetic coupling method.

The second support body 140 includes a material (eg, rubber) having a predetermined rigidity and water resistance, and not only fixes the second absorber A2 to the first housing 110, but also the air flow passage 150. ) may form part of the inner wall of the

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 6A to 8B , the operation of the backflow prevention unit B controlling the flow of air and aerosol flowing in the airflow passage 150 will be described in detail.

6A is a view showing an aspect of a backflow prevention unit according to an embodiment, FIG. 6B is a view of the backflow prevention unit shown in FIG. 6A as viewed from the direction in which air flows, and FIG. 6C is another view of the backflow prevention unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 6D is a view of the anti-backflow unit shown in FIG. 6C viewed from the direction in which the air flow flows.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, an aspect of the backflow prevention unit B1 in a deformed state opening the airflow passage 150 is shown, and referring to FIGS. 6C and 6D, the airflow passage 150 is closed. Another aspect of the non-deformed backflow preventer B1 is shown.

In the present disclosure, the moving direction of the airflow indicated by a 'dotted line' may mean a forward direction, and the moving direction of the airflow indicated by a 'solid line' may mean a reverse direction, and the expression may be used in the same meaning below.

The backflow prevention unit B1 may be disposed in at least one region of the airflow passage 150 . Referring to FIGS. 6B and 6D , the cross section of the air flow passage 150 is shown in a circular shape, but is not limited thereto, and may have various shapes depending on the structure and shape of components forming the air flow passage 150. .

The backflow prevention unit B1 may include at least one elastic member and have a valve structure. For example, the backflow prevention unit B1 may include four elastic members, and each elastic member may be disposed to partially overlap each other in a bent state.

When pressure is applied to the backflow prevention unit B1 in the forward direction by airflow, at least one elastic member may be partially deformed, and the respective elastic members may be spaced apart from each other to open the airflow passage 150 . Accordingly, the air flowing in the forward direction through the air flow passage 150 may pass through the backflow prevention unit B1.

Conversely, when pressure is applied to the backflow prevention unit B1 in the opposite direction by airflow, at least one elastic member maintains a state of being overlapped with each other, or is deformed to overlap each other more, so that the airflow passage 150 can be closed. Accordingly, the aerosol flowing in the reverse direction inside the air flow passage 150 may be blocked by the reverse flow prevention unit B1.

As such, the backflow prevention unit (B1) according to one embodiment allows the flow of air in the forward direction formed when the user inhales the aerosol generating device, and is instantaneously formed when the user stops inhaling the aerosol generating device. The flow of reverse airflow (or aerosol) can be blocked to prevent the aerosol from flowing backward inside the cartridge. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent droplets from being generated by the aerosol that flowed back, so that the amount of leakage of the aerosol generating device can be reduced.

The backflow prevention unit B1 may be fixed to the airflow passage 150 by being installed, fastened or attached to the inner wall of the airflow passage 150 . For example, the backflow prevention unit B1 may be force-fitted to the inner wall of the airflow passage 150. As another example, the backflow prevention unit B1 may be coupled to the inner wall of the airflow passage 150 by a fastening element. As another example, the backflow prevention unit B1 may be adhered to the inner wall of the airflow passage 150 by an adhesive material. However, the fixing method of the backflow prevention unit B1 is not limited to the above example and may be variously modified.

Although not shown, the backflow prevention unit according to another embodiment may have a duckbill valve structure. Since the duckbill valve structure has a shape gradually narrowing along one direction, it can be opened by pressure applied in one direction and maintained in a closed state by pressure applied in the opposite direction. The reverse flow preventing part of the duckbill valve structure can be easily installed and fixed inside the air flow passage 150 .

7A is a view showing one aspect of a backflow prevention unit according to an embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a view showing another aspect of a backflow prevention unit according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7A, one aspect of the backflow prevention unit B2 in a rotational state opening the airflow passage 150 is shown, and referring to FIG. 7B, another non-rotational state of closing the airflow passage 150 is shown. Another aspect of the backflow preventer B2 of the embodiment is shown.

The backflow prevention unit B2 according to another embodiment may include at least one plate. For example, the backflow prevention unit B2 may include a rotating shaft RS fixed to at least one region of the airflow passage 150 and a rotating plate RP connected to the rotating shaft RS. Rotating plate (RP) may have a shape corresponding to the cross section of the air flow passage (150). The rotating shaft RS may be manufactured such that at least a portion of the rotating plate RP is rotatable in only one direction.

When pressure is applied to the backflow prevention unit B2 in the forward direction, at least a portion of the rotating plate RP may rotate in the direction of the applied pressure to open the airflow passage 150 . Conversely, when pressure is applied to the backflow prevention unit B2 in the reverse direction, the rotating plate RP maintains a non-rotating state, and thus the airflow passage 150 can be maintained in a closed state.

As such, the backflow prevention unit B2 according to another embodiment allows air flow in the forward direction and blocks the flow of aerosol in the reverse direction, thereby preventing the aerosol from flowing backward inside the cartridge.

FIG. 8A is a view showing the flow of air flowing in a forward direction through an air flow passage in which a backflow prevention unit is disposed according to another embodiment, and FIG. It is a diagram showing the flow.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the flow of airflow passing through the backflow prevention unit B3 is shown, and referring to FIG. 8B, the flow of airflow filtered by the backflow prevention unit B3 is allowed and the flow of aerosol in the reverse direction. is blocked to prevent the aerosol from flowing back inside the cartridge.

FIG. 8A is a view showing the flow of air flowing in a forward direction through an air flow passage in which a backflow prevention unit is disposed according to another embodiment, and FIG. It is a diagram showing the flow.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the flow of airflow passing through the backflow prevention unit B3 is shown, and referring to FIG. 8B, the flow of airflow filtered by the backflow prevention unit B3 is shown.

The backflow prevention unit B3 according to another embodiment may be made of at least one porous film. The porous membrane may have a mesh structure. For example, the porous membrane may be manufactured to pass only particles having a size of about 0.05 μm to 5 μm or less, so that aerosol having a relatively large particle size may be filtered out of an airflow in which air and aerosol are mixed.

The porous membrane may be made of, for example, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (eTPFE) material. The ePTFE material can pass only particles having a size of about 0.2 μm to 5 μm or less. However, the material of the porous membrane is not limited to the above examples, and any material capable of filtering relatively large aerosol particles may be used for the production of the porous membrane.

The backflow prevention unit B3 according to another embodiment is disposed inside the airflow passage 150 to filter substances having relatively large particle sizes. For example, when the flow of air flows through the airflow passage 150 where the backflow prevention part B3 is disposed, air molecules can easily pass through the backflow prevention part B3 because they are smaller than the holes formed in the porous membrane. . However, when the air flow containing aerosol and air flows through the airflow passage 150 disposed in the backflow prevention unit B3, the aerosol having relatively large particles is filtered by the backflow prevention unit B3, Only the air component can pass through the backflow prevention part (B3).

As such, the backflow prevention unit (B3) according to another embodiment allows the flow of air flowing in the forward direction and blocks the flow of aerosol flowing in the reverse direction when the user inhales the aerosol generating device, so that the aerosol is generated inside the cartridge. backflow can be prevented. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent droplets from being generated by the aerosol that flowed back, so that the amount of leakage of the aerosol generating device can be reduced.

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

The aerosol generating device 900 includes a processor 910, a sensing unit 920, an output unit 930, a battery 940, an atomizer 950, a user input unit 960, a memory 970, and a communication unit 980. can include However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 900 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 9 . That is, those skilled in the art can understand that some of the components shown in FIG. 9 may be omitted or new components may be further added according to the design of the aerosol generating device 900. there is.

The sensing unit 920 may detect a state of the aerosol generating device 900 or a state around the aerosol generating device 900 and transmit the detected information to the processor 910 . Based on the detected information, the processor 910 performs various functions such as controlling the operation of the atomizer 950, restricting smoking, determining whether an aerosol generating article (eg, cigarette, cartridge, etc.) is inserted, displaying a notification, etc. The aerosol generating device 900 may be controlled so as to be.

The sensing unit 920 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 922, an insertion detection sensor 924, and a suction detection sensor 926, but is not limited thereto.

The temperature sensor 922 may detect the temperature at which the atomizer 950 (or aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 900 may include a separate temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the atomizer 950, or the atomizer 950 itself may serve as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 922 may be disposed around the battery 940 to monitor the temperature of the battery 940 .

Insertion sensor 924 can detect insertion and/or removal of an aerosol-generating article. For example, insertion detection sensor 924 can include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, wherein the aerosol-generating article is inserted and/or The signal change as it is removed can be detected.

The inhalation sensor 926 may detect a user's puff based on various physical changes in the air flow path or air flow channel. For example, the inhalation sensor 926 may detect a user's puff based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

In addition to the sensors 922 to 926 described above, the sensing unit 920 includes a temperature/humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (eg, GPS), It may further include at least one of a proximity sensor and an RGB sensor (illuminance sensor). Since a person skilled in the art can intuitively infer the function of each sensor from its name, a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

The output unit 930 may output and provide information about the state of the aerosol generating device 900 to the user. The output unit 930 may include at least one of a display unit 932, a haptic unit 934, and a sound output unit 936, but is not limited thereto. For example, the output unit 930 may further include a driving unit 938 that drives at least one component (eg, the backflow preventing unit B of FIG. 4 ) of the aerosol generating device 900 . When the display unit 932 and the touch pad form a layer structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 932 may be used as an input device as well as an output device.

The display unit 932 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 900 to the user. For example, the information about the aerosol generating device 900 may include the charging/discharging state of the battery 940 of the aerosol generating device 900, the operating state of the atomizer 950, the insertion/removal state of the aerosol generating article, or the aerosol generating device 900. It may refer to various information such as a state in which use of the generating device 900 is restricted (eg, detection of an abnormal item), and the display unit 932 may output the information to the outside. The display unit 932 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) or an organic light emitting display panel (OLED). Also, the display unit 932 may be in the form of an LED light emitting device.

The haptic unit 934 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or electrical stimulus to tactilely provide information about the aerosol generating device 900 to the user. For example, the haptic unit 934 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The audio output unit 936 may audibly provide information about the aerosol generating device 900 to the user. For example, the sound output unit 936 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and output it to the outside.

The battery 940 may supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 900 . The battery 940 may supply power so that the atomizer 950 can be heated. In addition, the battery 940 may include other components (eg, a sensing unit 920, an output unit 930, a user input unit 960, a memory 970, and a communication unit 980) provided in the aerosol generating device 900. ) can supply the power required for operation. The battery 940 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 940 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The atomizer 950 may receive power from the battery 940 to heat the aerosol generating material. Although not shown in FIG. 9 , the aerosol generating device 900 may further include a power conversion circuit (eg, a DC/DC converter) that converts power of the battery 940 and supplies it to the atomizer 950 . In addition, when the aerosol generating device 900 generates aerosol using an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 900 may further include a DC/AC converter that converts DC power of the battery 940 into AC power.

The processor 910 , the sensing unit 920 , the output unit 930 , the user input unit 960 , the memory 970 , and the communication unit 980 may receive power from the battery 940 to perform functions. Although not shown in FIG. 9 , a power conversion circuit that converts power of the battery 940 and supplies it to respective components, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit may be further included.

In one embodiment, the atomizer 950 may be a resistive heating type heater. heater is It can be formed from any suitable electrically resistive material. for example, Suitable electrically resistive materials include metals including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, and the like. Or it may be a metal alloy, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater may be implemented as a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate on which an electrically conductive track is disposed, a ceramic heating element, etc., but is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the atomizer 950 may be an induction heating type heater. For example, the atomizer 950 may include a susceptor that heats an aerosol-generating material by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil.

In another embodiment, the atomizer 950 may be a vibrator that generates ultrasonic vibrations. The vibrator may include, for example, piezoelectric ceramics. As electricity is applied to the vibrator, short high-frequency vibrations may be generated, and the generated vibrations may break the aerosol-generating material into small particles and atomize them into aerosols.

The user input unit 960 may receive information input from the user or output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 960 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (contact capacitance method, pressure resistive film method, infrared sensing method, surface ultrasonic conduction method, integral type tension measurement method, piezo effect method, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like, but are not limited thereto. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 9, the aerosol generating device 900 further includes a connection interface such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface and is connected to other external devices through the connection interface such as a USB interface. Thus, information may be transmitted/received or the battery 940 may be charged.

The memory 970 is hardware that stores various data processed in the aerosol generating device 900, and may store data processed by the processor 910 and data to be processed. The memory 970 is a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (eg SD or XD memory, etc.), RAM (RAM, random access memory) SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (ROM, read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), PROM (programmable read-only memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk , and an optical disk may include at least one type of storage medium. The memory 970 may store the operating time of the aerosol generating device 900, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data on the user's smoking pattern.

The communication unit 980 may include at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 980 may include a short range communication unit 982 and a wireless communication unit 984 .

The short-range wireless communication unit 982 includes a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, and an infrared (IrDA) communication unit. , Infrared Data Association (WFD) communication unit, WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, Ant+ communication unit, etc. may be included, but is not limited thereto.

The wireless communication unit 984 may include, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (eg, LAN or WAN) communication unit, and the like. The wireless communication unit 984 may identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 900 within the communication network using subscriber information (eg, International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

The processor 910 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 900. In one embodiment, the processor 910 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 programs executable by the microprocessor are stored. In addition, those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which this embodiment belongs can understand that it may be implemented in other types of hardware.

The processor 910 may control the temperature or vibration frequency of the atomizer 950 by controlling supply of power from the battery 940 to the atomizer 950 . For example, the processor 910 may control power supply by controlling switching of a switching element between the battery 940 and the atomizer 950 . In another example, the heating direct circuit may control power supply to the atomizer 950 according to the control command of the processor 910 .

The processor 910 may analyze a result sensed by the sensing unit 920 and control processes to be performed thereafter. For example, the processor 910 may control power supplied to the atomizer 950 so that an operation of the atomizer 950 starts or ends based on a result detected by the sensing unit 920 . For another example, the processor 910 is supplied to the atomizer 950 so that the atomizer 950 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintains an appropriate temperature based on the result detected by the sensing unit 920. You can control the amount of power and the time the power is supplied.

The processor 910 may control the output unit 930 based on a result detected by the sensing unit 920 . For example, when the number of puffs counted through the suction sensor 926 reaches a preset number, the processor 910 outputs at least one of the display unit 932, the haptic unit 934, and the sound output unit 936. Through this, it is possible to notify the user that the aerosol generating device 900 will soon end.

As another example, when a user's puff or inhalation is sensed through the inhalation sensor 926, the processor 910 may control driving of at least one component of the aerosol generating device 900 through the driving unit 938. . For example, the processor 910 may control the opening and closing operation of the backflow prevention unit based on the detection signal of the suction sensor 926 . The opening/closing prevention unit is opened only when the user's inhalation is sensed and closed when the user's inhalation is not sensed, thereby effectively preventing the backflow of aerosol.

An embodiment may be implemented in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as program modules executed by a computer. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. Also, computer readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Communication media typically includes computer readable instructions, data structures, other data in a modulated data signal such as program modules, or other transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media.

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

10: cartridge
20: body
100: housing
110: first housing
120: second housing
120i: inlet
150: air flow passage
150a: first air flow passage
150b: second airflow passage
150d: Detour
160: mouthpiece
160e: outlet
200: storage unit
300: wick
400: atomizer
1000: aerosol generating device
A1, A1': first absorber
A2: 2nd absorber
B, B1, B2, B3: backflow prevention

Claims (15)

a housing including an inlet;
a mouthpiece including an outlet;
a storage unit for storing an aerosol-generating substance;
a wick for absorbing the aerosol-generating material stored in the storage unit;
an atomizer generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material of the wick;
an airflow passage connecting the inlet, the atomizing space in which the aerosol is generated, and the outlet, and allowing air to move in a forward direction from the inlet through the atomizing space toward the outlet; and
A cartridge comprising: a backflow prevention unit disposed in at least one area of the airflow passage to prevent airflow from moving in a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction. According to claim 1,
The air flow passage includes a first air flow passage connecting the inlet and the atomizing space and a second air flow passage connecting the atomizing space and the outlet. According to claim 2,
The cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the backflow prevention unit is disposed in the first airflow passage. According to claim 3,
The cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the backflow preventer is disposed at one end of the first airflow passage connected to the inlet. According to claim 1,
The atomizing space is located on one side of the atomizer facing the outlet, the cartridge. According to claim 2,
A cartridge further comprising a first absorber disposed between the inlet and the atomizing space to absorb liquid droplets generated on the first air flow passage. According to claim 6,
The first air flow passage includes a bypass extending along the outside of the storage unit,
The cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the first absorber is disposed in an area adjacent to the bypass. According to claim 2,
A cartridge further comprising a second absorber disposed between the atomizing space and the outlet and absorbing liquid droplets generated on the second air flow passage. According to claim 1,
The backflow prevention unit,
and a one-way valve that is opened only by said forward-flowing airflow. According to claim 1,
The backflow prevention unit,
and a porous membrane that filters the airflow moving in the reverse direction and passes only air components. According to claim 1,
A cartridge further comprising: an absorption plate disposed to cover at least a portion of the atomizer and to transfer the aerosol-generating material absorbed by the wick to the atomizer. According to claim 1,
A cartridge further comprising a; resistor for removing noise included in the signal applied to the atomizer. a cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 12; and
A body coupled to the cartridge; includes,
The main body includes a battery for supplying power to the atomizer included in the cartridge and a processor for controlling the power, an aerosol generating device. According to claim 13,
The main body further includes a suction sensor,
The aerosol generating device, wherein the suction sensor is located adjacent to a coupling surface of the main body coupled to the cartridge, and the inlet is located on a coupling surface of the cartridge coupled to the main body. 15. The method of claim 14,
Further comprising a drive unit for transmitting power to the backflow prevention unit;
the processor,
When a user's inhalation signal is received through the inhalation sensor, the aerosol generating device controls the driving unit to open the backflow prevention unit.

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