US20240389653A1

US20240389653A1 - Device for generating aerosol

Info

Publication number: US20240389653A1
Application number: US18/695,748
Authority: US
Inventors: Taehun Kim; Jueon Park; Hyungjin JUNG; Jungho Han
Original assignee: KT&G Corp
Current assignee: KT&G Corp
Priority date: 2021-10-20
Filing date: 2022-10-12
Publication date: 2024-11-28
Also published as: WO2023068636A1; EP4418895A1; EP4418895A4; JP2024534685A; JP7686883B2

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device is disclosed. The aerosol-generating device comprising: a pipe part defining an insertion space and comprising a seating part extending from a lower portion and an extension part extending from an upper portion; and a cartridge configured to be seated on the seating part, wherein a lower surface of the extension part is adjacent to an upper surface of the cartridge when the cartridge is seated on the seating part, wherein the lower surface of the extension part comprises an inclined surface such that a gap between the cartridge and the lower surface is gradually increased toward an end of the extension part.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device.

BACKGROUND ART

An aerosol-generating device is a device that extracts certain components from a medium or a substance by forming an aerosol. The medium may contain a multicomponent substance. The substance contained in the medium may be a multicomponent flavoring substance. For example, the substance contained in the medium may include a nicotine component, an herbal component, and/or a coffee component. Recently, various research on aerosol-generating devices has been conducted.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

It is an object of the present disclosure to solve the above and other problems.
It is another object of the present disclosure to easily mount the cartridge to the main body.
It is another object of the present disclosure to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of sensors that detect air flow.
It is another object of the present disclosure to prevent droplets from entering the sensor.

Solution to Problem

According to one aspect of the present disclosure for achieving the above object, the aerosol-generating device may include a pipe part defining an insertion space and comprising a seating part extending from a lower portion and an extension part extending from an upper portion; and a cartridge configured to be seated on the seating part, wherein a lower surface of the extension part is adjacent to an upper surface of the cartridge when the cartridge is seated on the seating part, wherein the lower surface of the extension part comprises an inclined surface such that a gap between the cartridge and the lower surface is gradually increased toward an end of the extension part.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to easily mount the cartridge to the body.
According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to be improved the sensitivity and accuracy of a sensor for detecting a flow of air.
According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent a droplet from flowing into the sensor.
Additional applications of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. However, because various changes and modifications will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific embodiments, such as preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are merely given by way of example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features, and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 to 12 are views showing examples of an aerosol-generating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in different drawings, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.
In the following description, with respect to constituent elements used in the following description, the suffixes “module” and “unit” are used only in consideration of facilitation of description, and do not have mutually distinguished meanings or functions.
In addition, in the following description of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when the same may make the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification rather unclear. In addition, the accompanying drawings are provided only for a better understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification and are not intended to limit the technical ideas disclosed in the present specification. Therefore, it should be understood that the accompanying drawings include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions within the scope and sprit of the present disclosure.
It will be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, etc., may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component.
It will be understood that when a component is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another component, it may be directly connected to or coupled to another component, or intervening components may be present. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another component, there are no intervening components present.
As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
Referring to FIG. 1 , the aerosol-generating device may include at least one of a battery 10, a control unit 20, a heater 30, or a cartridge 300. At least one of the battery 10, the controller 20, the heater 30, or the cartridge 300 may be disposed inside the aerosol-generating device. The cartridge 300 and the heater 30 may be arranged side by side to face each other. The internal structure of the aerosol-generating device is not limited to that shown.
The aerosol-generating device may include an insertion space 124 into which the stick 400 may be inserted. The stick 400 and the insertion space 124 may extend long in a cylindrical shape. The insertion space 124 may be formed around the heater 30. The stick 400 may be inserted into the insertion space 124 and exposed to the outside of the aerosol-generating device. The inside of the stick 400 may include a medium formed of cut tobacco leaf, granules, platelets, and the like. The medium may be filled with about 70% of the granules therein. As the medium, granules and platelets may be mixed, or cut leaf and platelets may be mixed. The stick 400 may be referred to as an aerosol-generating member 200.
The battery 10 may supply power to operate at least one of the controller 20, the heater 30, or the cartridge 300. The battery 10 may supply power required to operate a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. installed in the aerosol-generating device.
The control unit 20 may control the overall operation of the aerosol-generating device. The controller 20 may control the operation of at least one of the battery 10, the heater 20, or the cartridge 300. The control unit 20 may control the operation of a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. installed in the aerosol-generating device. The control unit 20 may determine whether the aerosol-generating device is in an operable state by checking the state of each of the components of the aerosol-generating device.
The heater 30 may generate heat by electric power supplied from the battery 10. The heater 30 may heat the stick 400 inserted into the aerosol-generating device.
Cartridge 300 may store liquid. Cartridge 300 may generate an aerosol. The cartridge 300 may include a wick supplied with the liquid, and a heater configured to heat the wick to generate an aerosol in the cartridge 300. The aerosol generated in the cartridge 300 may be delivered to the user through the stick 400 inserted in the aerosol-generating device.
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , the body 100 may include an upper body 120 and a lower body 110. The upper body 120 may be located above the lower body 110. The lower body 110 may extend vertically. The body 100 may accommodate components for driving the device therein. The upper body 120 may provide an insertion space 124 opened upward. The insertion space 124 may be located inside the upper body 120. The insertion space 124 may extend vertically. The insertion space 124 may be formed inside the upper body 120. The upper body 120 may be referred to as a pipe part 120.
The upper case 200 may have a hollow shape with an open lower portion. The pipe part 120 may be inserted into the hollow of the upper case 200. The upper case 200 may be detachably coupled to the body 100. The upper case 200 may cover the pipe part 120 to surround it. A lateral part 211 of the upper case 200 may surround and cover the lateral wall 121 of the pipe part 120. The upper part 212 of the upper case 200 may cover the upper part 180 of the pipe part 120 or the outer cover 180. When the upper case 200 is coupled to the body 100, the upper case 200 may cover the body 100 and the cartridge 300 together. The cartridge 300 may be disposed inside the upper case 200.
The insertion hole 214 may be formed by opening the upper part 212 of the upper case 200. The insertion hole 214 may correspond to the opening of the insertion space 124. The cap 215 may be movably installed on the upper part 212 of the upper case 200. The slide hole 213 may be formed to extend to one side from the insertion hole 214 in the upper part 212 of the upper case 200. The cap 215 may move along the slide hole 213. The cap 215 may open and close the insertion hole 214 and the insertion space 124. The stick 400 may be inserted into the insertion space 124 through the insertion hole 214.
The lateral wall 121 and the partition wall 122 may form a lateral portion of the pipe part 120. The lateral wall 121 and the partition wall 122 may be connected to each other. The lateral wall 121 may be covered by the inner surface of the upper case 200. The partition wall 122 may separate the coupling space S and the insertion space 124 (see FIG. 5 ).
The pipe part 100 may include a seating part 130. The seating part 130 may extend to one side from a lower portion of one side of the pipe part 120 or a lower portion of the partition wall 122. The seating part 130 may be formed above of the lower body 110. The bottom surface 321 (refer to FIG. 5 ) of the cartridge 300 may be supported by being seated on the seating part 130.
The pipe part 100 may include an extension part 140. The extension part 140 may extend from an upper portion of the partition wall 122 to one side. The extension part 140 may cover the upper surface 322 of the cartridge 300 (refer to FIG. 5 ). The extension part 140 may extend in a direction in which the seating part 130 is formed.
Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , the coupling space S may be formed on one side of the pipe part 120. The coupling space S may be defined by the seating part 130 of the pipe part 120, the partition wall 122, and the extension part 140. The bottom of the coupling space S may be covered by the seating part 130. A lateral side of the coupling space S may be covered by the partition wall 122 of the pipe part 120. The upper side of the coupling space S may be covered by the extension part 140. The coupling space S may be opened to the outside between the seating part 130 and the extension part 140.
The cartridge 300 may be inserted into the coupling space S and coupled to one side of the pipe part 120. The bottom of the cartridge 300 may be seated on the seating part 130. One lateral side wall 323 of the cartridge 300 may face the partition wall 122 of the pipe part 120. The coupler 125 may be formed on the partition wall 122. One lateral side wall 323 of the cartridge 300 may be coupled to the coupler 125. The other lateral side 324 of the cartridge 300 is exposed to the outside of the pipe part 120, and may be covered by the inner surface of the upper case 200. The upper surface 322 of the cartridge 300 may be covered by the extension part 140.
The cartridge 300 may have a first inlet 3011. The first inlet 3011 may be formed by opening the upper end of the cartridge 300. The first inlet 3011 may communicate with the outside of the cartridge 300. The extension part 140 may cover the first inlet 3011 and the periphery of the first inlet 3011. The extension part 140 may be spaced apart from the first inlet 3011 by a predetermined distance to form a gap 146 or a flow space 146 through which air can flow.
The user may put the stick 400 inserted into the insertion space 124 into the mouth and inhale the air. In a state in which the upper case 200 is coupled to the body 100, air may be introduced into the aerosol-generating device through the opening 201 formed in the upper case 200. The introduced air may be introduced into the first inlet 3011 through the gap 146. Air may be introduced into the cartridge 300 through the first inlet 3011.
Referring to FIG. 5 , the partition wall 122 of the pipe part 120 may partition the insertion space 124 and the coupling space S. The partition wall 122 may be disposed between the insertion space 124 and the coupling space S. The partition wall 122 may extend vertically. One lateral side wall 323 of the cartridge 300 may face one surface of the partition wall 122. One lateral side wall 323 of the cartridge 300 may be coupled to a coupler 125 (refer to FIG. 3 ) formed on the partition wall 122.
The pipe part 120 may provide an insertion space 124. The insertion space 124 may be formed inside the outer wall 121 and the partition wall 122 of the pipe part 120. The insertion space 124 may have a cylindrical shape elongated vertically. The upper end of the insertion space 124 may be opened to the outside. The lower end of the insertion space 124 may be opened and connected to the connection passage 123.
The cartridge 300 may include a first chamber C1. The first chamber C1 may store a liquid. The cartridge 300 may include a second chamber C2. The second chamber C2 may be separated from the first chamber C1. The second chamber C2 may be disposed below the first chamber C1.
The wick 311 may be disposed in the second chamber C2. The wick 311 may be connected to the first chamber C1. The wick 311 may receive a liquid from the first chamber C1. The heater 312 may be disposed in the second chamber C2. The heater 312 may wind the wick 311. The heater 312 may receive power from the battery 10 (refer to FIG. 1 ). The heater 312 may heat the wick 311. When the heater 312 heats the wick 311 supplied with the liquid, an aerosol may be generated in the second chamber C2.
The cartridge 300 may have a first inlet 3011. The first inlet 3011 may be formed by opening one side of the upper surface 322 of the cartridge 300. The first inlet 3011 may be formed at a position shifted from the first chamber C1 in the vertical direction.
Cartridge 300 may have a second inlet 3012. The second inlet 3012 may be formed by opening one side of the second chamber C2 and may communicate with the second chamber C2.
The cartridge 300 may include an inflow passage 302. The inflow passage 302 may be positioned between the first inlet 3011 and the second inlet 3012. The inflow passage 302 may connect the first inlet 3011 and the second inlet 3012. The inflow passage 302 may extend long in the vertical direction. The inflow passage 302 may be formed in parallel with the first chamber C1.
The cartridge 300 may have an outlet 303. The outlet 303 may be formed by opening the second chamber C2. The outlet 303 may communicate the outside of the cartridge 300 and the second chamber C2. The outlet 303 may be positioned to face the second inlet 3012 with respect to the second chamber C2. When the cartridge 300 is coupled to the pipe part 120, the outlet 303 may be connected to the connection passage 123. The outlet 303 may communicate the connection passage 123 with the second chamber C2. The discharge port 323 a forming the outlet 303 may protrude from one side of the cartridge 300. When the cartridge 300 is coupled to the pipe part 120, the discharge port 323 a may be inserted into one end of the connection passage 123.
The extension part 140 may be formed to extend from an upper portion of the pipe part 120 to one side. The upper surface 322 of the cartridge 300 may be covered by the extension part 140. The lower surface 141 of the extension part 140 may face the upper surface 322 of the cartridge 300. The lower surface 141 of the extension part 140 may cover the first inlet 3011 and the periphery of the first inlet 3011. a gap 146 may be formed Between the lower surface 141 of the extension part 140 and the first inlet 3011 and between the lower surface 141 of the extension part 140 and the upper surface 322 of the cartridge 300. The gap 146 may communicate with the first inlet 3011. The gap 146 may communicate with the sensing hole 144.
The sensor 143 may be installed inside the extension part 140. The sensor 143 may be disposed between the lower surface 141 and the upper surface 142 of the extension part 140. The sensor 143 may sense a surrounding air flow. When air flows into the inlet 3011, the sensor 143 may sense the flow of air. The sensor 143 may be a pressure sensor. The sensor 143 may sense the flow of air through a change in ambient pressure. The sensor 143 may be mounted on the substrate 145 disposed inside the extension part 140 and may be electrically connected to the controller 20 (refer to FIG. 1 ).
The sensing hole 144 may be formed by opening the lower surface 141 of the extension part 140. The sensing hole 144 may be formed at a position corresponding to the sensor 143. The sensing hole 144 may communicate the gap 146 and the sensor 143. The sensor 143 may sense a change in air pressure in the sensing hole 144 so that the control unit 20 (refer to FIG. 1 ) determines the inflow of air into the first inlet 3011.
Air may flow from the gap 146 to the first inlet 3011. The air introduced into the first inlet 3011 may sequentially pass through the inflow passage 302 and the second inlet 3012 to be introduced into the second chamber C2. The air introduced into the second chamber C2 may be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 300 through the outlet 303 accompanying the aerosol-generated in the vicinity of the wick 311. The air discharged through the outlet 303 may be supplied to the insertion space 124 and the stick 400 inserted into the insertion space 124 through the connection passage 123.
Referring to FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 , the lower surface 141 of the extension part 140 may include an inclined surface 1411. The inclined surface 1411 may be inclined from the end toward the pipe part 120 so that the interval with the cartridge 300 is gradually narrowed. Accordingly, the gap 146 may gradually become narrower as it approaches the pipe part 120. The inclined surface 1411 may be inclined so as to extend from the upper side to the lower side, from one end of the inclined surface 1411 toward the pipe part 120.
The lower surface 141 of the extension part 140 may include a flat surface 1412. The flat surface 1412 may extend from an end of the inclined surface 1411 adjacent to the pipe part 120 to the pipe part 120. The flat surface 1412 may extend horizontally to the upper surface 322 of the cartridge 300.
Accordingly, it may be easier to insert the cartridge 300 into the coupling space S to couple it with the body 100. The inclined surface 1411 may guide the cartridge 300 so that the cartridge 300 is inserted into the coupling space S. When the cartridge 300 is inserted into the coupling space S, even if the cartridge 300 is in contact with the extension part 140, the cartridge 300 is in contact with the inclined surface 1411 and slides to guide the coupling space S. The cartridge 300 may be guided to the coupling space S by the inclined surface 1411 and coupled with the coupler 125 (see FIG. 3 ).
Referring to FIG. 8 , based on the vertical direction, a first distance t1 of the gap 146 from the inclined surface 1411 to the upper surface 322 of the cartridge 300 is from the flat surface 1412 to the cartridge 300 It may be larger than a second distance t2 of the gap 146 to the top surface 322 of the. The first inlet 3011 formed on the top surface 322 of the cartridge 300 may be located below the inclined surface 1411. The first inlet 3011 may be located at non-align position with the flat surface 1412 with respect to the vertical direction.
Accordingly, resistance to air flowing from the gap 146 to the first inlet 3011 may be reduced, and air may be introduced more smoothly into the first inlet 3011. In addition, it is possible to prevent a droplet leaking from the cartridge 300 from flowing into the sensor 143 through the sensing hole 144.
The sensing hole 144 may be formed by opening the flat surface 1412. The sensing hole 144 may communicate with the gap 146. The sensor 143 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the sensing hole 144. The sensor 143 may sense a change in air pressure of the sensing hole 144. The change in air pressure, as air flows from the gap 146 to the first inlet 3011, may be larger at the gap 146 between the flat surface 1412 and the upper surface 322 of the cartridge 300 than at the gap 146 between the inclined surface 1411 and the upper surface 322 of the cartridge 300. Accordingly, the sensitivity and accuracy of the sensor 143 may be improved.
Accordingly, the coupling of the cartridge 300 is convenient, air can be smoothly introduced into the interior of the cartridge 300, and the accuracy of the sensor 143 can be maintained or improved.
Referring to FIG. 9 , the first inlet 3011 may be formed by opening the upper surface 322 of the cartridge 300. The first inlet 3011 may be disposed above the first chamber C1. The first inlet 3011 may be located below the flat surface 1412. The sensing hole 144 may be formed by opening the flat surface 1412. The first inlet 3011 may face the sensing hole 144 formed in the flat surface 1412.
The inflow passage 302 may include a first inflow passage 3021 and a second inflow passage 3022. One end of the first inflow passage 3021 may be connected to the first inlet 3011. The first inflow passage 3021 may extend left and right above the first chamber C1. The first inflow passage 3021 may extend from the first inlet 3011 to the second inflow passage 3021. The second inflow passage 3022 may extend vertically along a lateral portion of the first chamber C1. The upper end of the second inflow passage 3022 may be connected to the other end of the first inflow passage 3021. Air may sequentially flow through the first inlet 3011, the first inflow passage 3021, and the second inflow passage 3022 from the gap 146.
Accordingly, when air flows into the first inlet 3011 from the gap 146, the change in air pressure of the sensing hole 144 may be greater. In addition, coupling of the cartridge 300 can be convenient, and the sensitivity and accuracy of the sensor 143 can be improved.
Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 , the lower surface 141 of the extension part 140 may include a flat surface 1412 and an inclined surface 1411. The inclined surface 1411 may be formed at a position corresponding to the first inlet 3011, and the flat surface 1412 may be formed at a position corresponding to the first chamber C1. A gap 146 may be formed between the inclined surface 1411 and the upper surface 322 of the cartridge 300. The spacing of the gap 146 between the inclined surface 1413 and the upper surface 322 of the cartridge 300 is greater than the spacing between the gap 146 between the flat surface 1412 and the upper surface 322 of the cartridge 300.
The sensing hole 144 may be formed in the flat surface 1412 and may be adjacent to the inclined surface 1411. Alternatively, the sensing hole 144 may be formed in the inclined surface 1411. The first inlet 3011 may be formed below the inclined surface 1413. The sensing hole 144 and the first inlet 3011 may face each other. The inclined surface 1411 may guide the inflow of air into the sensing hole 144 and the first inlet 3011.
Accordingly, air may be smoothly introduced into the cartridge 300, and the sensitivity and accuracy of the sensor 143 may be improved.
Referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 , the layer 147 may block the sensing hole 144. The layer 147 may be disposed between the sensing hole 144 and the sensor 143. The layer 147 may be in contact with a sensing portion of the sensor 143. Layer 147 may be breathable. Layer 147 may be a porous layer. Air A may pass through layer 147. When air is introduced from the gap 146 into the first inlet 3011, the ambient air passes through the layer 147, and a change in air pressure around the sensing hole 144 may be increased.
Accordingly, in order to improve the mountability of the cartridge 300, the inclined surface 1411 is formed and even if the change in ambient air pressure is reduced due to the increase of the size of the gap 146, the sensitivity and accuracy of the sensor 143 can be improved.
The layer 147 may be a film having waterproof properties. Each of the plurality of holes 1474 formed in the layer 147 has a size sufficient to allow air A to pass through, but may be formed smaller than particles of the liquid B. For example, the layer 147 may be a membrane film that selectively allows certain components to pass therethrough. For example, the layer 147 may be a GORE-TEX membrane.
Accordingly, the air A passes through the layer 147, but the liquid B layer 147 may prevent the liquid 147 from passing through the layer 147 and flowing into the sensor 143. In addition, it is possible to prevent the malfunction of the sensor 143 from being caused by the liquid in the air flowing into the sensor 143 and accumulating.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 12 , according to one aspect of the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating device comprising: a pipe part defining an insertion space and comprising a seating part extending from a lower portion and an extension part extending from an upper portion; and a cartridge configured to be seated on the seating part, wherein a lower surface of the extension part is adjacent to an upper surface of the cartridge when the cartridge is seated on the seating part, wherein the lower surface of the extension part comprises an inclined surface such that a gap between the cartridge and the lower surface is gradually increased toward an end of the extension part.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the cartridge may comprise an inlet at the upper surface of the cartridge.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may further comprise a sensor disposed at the extension part and configured to sense air flow.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may further comprise a sensing hole formed at the lower surface of the extension part at a position corresponding to the sensor.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the lower surface of the extension part may further comprise a flat surface extending horizontally between the inclined surface and a portion of the pipe part which meets the extension part.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein a first distance between the inclined surface and the upper surface of the cartridge at the end of the extension part may be greater than a second distance between the flat surface and the upper surface of the cartridge.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the sensing hole may be formed at the flat surface.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the inlet may be formed at a position corresponding to the inclined surface and is misaligned with the sensing hole.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the cartridge may comprise: a first chamber configured to store a liquid; a second chamber disposed below the first chamber; a wick disposed in the second chamber and configured to receive the liquid from the first chamber; a heater configured to heat the wick; an outlet leading from the second chamber to the insertion space; and an inflow passage extending from the inlet to the second chamber in a direction parallel with a longitudinal direction of the first chamber.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the inlet may be positioned to face the sensing hole.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the cartridge may comprise: a first chamber configured to store a liquid, wherein the inlet is positioned above the first chamber; a second chamber disposed below the first chamber; a wick disposed in the second chamber and configured to receive the liquid from the first chamber; a heater configured to heat the wick; an outlet leading from the second chamber to the insertion space; a first inflow passage extending in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the first chamber and leading to the second chamber; and a second inflow passage formed above the first chamber and connecting the inlet to the first inflow passage.
Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Any or all elements of the embodiments of the disclosure described above may be combined with another or combined with each other in configuration or function.
For example, a configuration “A” described in one embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings and a configuration “B” described in another embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings may be combined with each other. Namely, although the combination between the configurations is not directly described, the combination is possible except in the case where it is described that the combination is impossible.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device comprising:

a pipe part defining an insertion space and comprising a seating part extending from a lower portion and an extension part extending from an upper portion; and

a cartridge configured to be seated on the seating part, wherein a lower surface of the extension part is adjacent to an upper surface of the cartridge when the cartridge is seated on the seating part,

wherein the lower surface of the extension part comprises an inclined surface such that a gap between the cartridge and the lower surface is gradually increased toward an end of the extension part.

2. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge comprises an inlet at the upper surface of the cartridge.

3. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, further comprising a sensor disposed at the extension part and configured to sense air flow.

4. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 3, further comprising a sensing hole formed at the lower surface of the extension part at a position corresponding to the sensor.

5. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 4, wherein the lower surface of the extension part further comprises a flat surface extending horizontally between the inclined surface and a portion of the pipe part which meets the extension part.

6. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, wherein a first distance between the inclined surface and the upper surface of the cartridge at the end of the extension part is greater than a second distance between the flat surface and the upper surface of the cartridge.

7. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, wherein the sensing hole is formed at the flat surface.

8. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 4, wherein the inlet is formed at a position corresponding to the inclined surface and is misaligned with the sensing hole.

9. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 8, wherein the cartridge comprises:

a first chamber configured to store a liquid;

a second chamber disposed below the first chamber;

a wick disposed in the second chamber and configured to receive the liquid from the first chamber;

a heater configured to heat the wick;

an outlet leading from the second chamber to the insertion space; and

an inflow passage extending from the inlet to the second chamber in a direction parallel with a longitudinal direction of the first chamber.

10. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 7, wherein the inlet is positioned to face the sensing hole.

11. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 10, wherein the cartridge comprises:

a first chamber configured to store a liquid, wherein the inlet is positioned above the first chamber;

a second chamber disposed below the first chamber;

a heater configured to heat the wick;

an outlet leading from the second chamber to the insertion space;

a first inflow passage extending in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the first chamber and leading to the second chamber; and

a second inflow passage formed above the first chamber and connecting the inlet to the first inflow passage.