Aerosol-generating device

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device is disclosed. The aerosol-generating device of the present disclosure includes a cartridge configured to accommodate an aerosol-generating substance, a housing including an inner wall forming therein an insertion space into which the cartridge is inserted, and at least one type detection sensor configured to output a signal indicating the type of the cartridge. The cartridge includes at least one feature portion formed in one of a plurality of outer surfaces thereof that is in contact with the inner wall. The feature portion has a shape corresponding to the type. The type detection sensor is disposed adjacent to the insertion space so as to be contact with the feature portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aerosol-generating device comprising:
 a cartridge configured to accommodate an aerosol-generating substance;   a housing including an inner wall defining an insertion space configured to accommodate insertion of the cartridge therein; and   at least one type detection sensor,   wherein the cartridge includes at least one feature portion configured to contact the at least one type detection sensor when the cartridge is inserted into the insertion space, wherein a shape of the at least one feature portion corresponds to a type of the cartridge, and   wherein the at least one type detection sensor is disposed adjacent to the insertion space so as to contact the at least one feature portion when the cartridge is inserted and configured to output a signal indicating the type of the cartridge based on the shape of the at least one feature portion.   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one feature portion is formed at an outer surface of the cartridge to face a direction in which the cartridge is inserted into the insertion space. 
     
     
         3 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one feature portion comprises at least one recessed region of an outer surface of the cartridge, wherein a depth of the at least one recessed portion corresponds to the type of the cartridge, and
 wherein the at least one type detection sensor comprises at least one protruding portion of the inner wall protruding into the insertion space to a predetermined height at a position corresponding to the at least one feature portion.   
     
     
         4 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 3 , wherein a shape of the at least one recessed region of the at least one feature portion corresponds to a shape of the at least one protruding portion of the at least one type detection sensor such that the at least one type detection sensor is insertable into the at least one feature portion. 
     
     
         5 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one feature portion comprises at least one protruding portion of an outer surface of the cartridge, wherein a height of the at least one protruding portion corresponds to the type of the cartridge, and
 wherein the at least one type detection sensor is disposed in at least one recessed region of the inner wall at a position corresponding to the at least one feature portion.   
     
     
         6 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one type detection sensor comprises a force sensor and the outputted signal is based on a magnitude of force applied to the at least one type detection sensor by the at least one feature portion in a predetermined direction. 
     
     
         7 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 6 , wherein each of the at least one type detection sensor comprises:
 a contact portion configured to come into contact with the at least one feature portion;   an elastic member configured to elastically support the contact portion; and   a signal generator configured to generate the signal indicating the type of the cartridge based on the magnitude of force by which the contact portion is moved in the predetermined direction.   
     
     
         8 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a heater configured to heat the aerosol-generating substance; and   a controller configured to determine a mode corresponding to the type of the cartridge based on the signal output by the at least one type detection sensor, and control the heater according to the determined mode from among a plurality of modes.   
     
     
         9 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a memory configured to store a plurality of temperature profiles,   wherein the controller is configured to:   determine a temperature profile corresponding to the determined mode from among the plurality of temperature profiles, and   control a temperature of the heater based on the determined temperature profile.   
     
     
         10 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cartridge detection sensor configured to sense insertion of the cartridge; and   a controller configured to determine the type of the cartridge in response to sensing the insertion of the cartridge by the cartridge detection sensor.   
     
     
         11 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge includes at least one guide slit formed at least one outer surface of the cartridge along a direction in which the cartridge is inserted,
 wherein the housing includes at least one inner peripheral protrusion formed at the inner wall and configured to be inserted along the at least one guide slit when the cartridge is inserted.