Aerosol-generating device

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device is disclosed. The aerosol-generating device of the present disclosure includes a body having therein an elongated hollow portion; a cartridge coupled to the body and comprising: a first chamber configured to store a liquid; a second chamber disposed adjacent to the first chamber; a wick disposed in the second chamber to receive the liquid from the first chamber; and a heater configured to heat the wick; a connection passage configured to allow communication between the hollow portion and the second chamber of the cartridge; an inflow passage formed at the cartridge to allow external air to enter the second chamber; and a sensor disposed adjacent to the inflow passage and configured to sense flow of air passing through the inflow passage.

1 . An aerosol-generating device comprising:
 a body having therein an elongated hollow portion;   a cartridge coupled to the body and comprising:
 a first chamber configured to store a liquid; 
 a second chamber disposed adjacent to the first chamber; 
 a wick disposed in the second chamber to receive the liquid from the first chamber; and 
 a heater configured to heat the wick; 
   a connection passage configured to allow communication between the hollow portion and the second chamber of the cartridge;   an inflow passage formed at the cartridge to allow external air to enter the second chamber; and   a sensor disposed adjacent to the inflow passage and configured to sense flow of air passing through the inflow passage.   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second chamber is disposed below the first chamber, and
 wherein the inflow passage includes:   a first flow passage extending vertically; and   a second inlet disposed at an upper end of the first flow passage.   
     
     
         3 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 2 , wherein the body comprises:
 a lower body;   an upper body disposed above the lower body and laterally adjacent to the cartridge, wherein the hollow portion is formed at the upper body; and   a first extended portion extending from an upper portion of the upper body and configured to cover at least a portion of an upper portion of the cartridge, and   wherein the sensor is mounted at the first extended portion so as to be adjacent to the second inlet.   
     
     
         4 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 3 , wherein the first extended portion is disposed over an upper side of the second inlet, and is spaced apart from a portion of the cartridge adjacent to the second inlet to define a third inlet in communication with the second inlet, and
 wherein a direction of air flow through the third inlet intersects a direction of air flow through the second inlet.   
     
     
         5 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 4 , wherein the sensor is disposed at the first extended portion so as to be adjacent to the second inlet and the third inlet. 
     
     
         6 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 3 , wherein the first extended portion includes a first depressed portion at an end of the first extended portion, and
 wherein the first depressed portion is positioned above an upper side of the second inlet to define a third inlet in communication with the second inlet.   
     
     
         7 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 6 , wherein the sensor is disposed at the first depressed portion toward the third inlet. 
     
     
         8 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 4 , wherein the cartridge is configured to allow air to flow sequentially through the third inlet, the second inlet, the first flow passage, the second chamber, the connection passage, and the hollow portion, and
 wherein the sensor is disposed adjacent to the third inlet and the second inlet to sense flow of air passing through the third inlet and the second inlet.   
     
     
         9 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 6 , wherein the cartridge is configured to allow air to flow sequentially through the third inlet, the second inlet, the first flow passage, the second chamber, the connection passage, and the hollow portion, and
 wherein the sensor is disposed adjacent to the third inlet and the second inlet to sense flow of air passing through the third inlet and the second inlet.   
     
     
         10 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second chamber is disposed below the first chamber and comprises a second outlet in communication with the connection passage, and
 wherein the inflow passage includes a second inlet located opposite the second outlet with respect to the second chamber and configured to allow external air to flow therethrough in a horizontal direction.   
     
     
         11 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 10 , wherein the body comprises:
 a lower body;   an upper body disposed above the lower body and laterally adjacent to the cartridge, wherein the hollow portion is formed at the upper body; and   a second extended portion extending upwards from the lower body wherein the cartridge is secured between the upper body and the second extended portion, and   wherein the inflow passage includes a fourth inlet in communication with the second inlet and defined by an opening at the second extended portion.   
     
     
         12 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 10 , wherein a direction of air flow through the fourth inlet, the second inlet, and the second outlet are parallel to each other. 
     
     
         13 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 10 , wherein the cartridge is mounted or demounted at a position between the upper body and the second extended portion in an upward or downward direction. 
     
     
         14 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 10 , wherein the sensor is disposed at the second extended portion so as to be adjacent to the fourth inlet. 
     
     
         15 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 11 , wherein the cartridge is configured to allow air to flow sequentially through the fourth inlet, the second inlet, the second chamber, the connection passage, and the hollow portion, and
 wherein the sensor is disposed adjacent to the fourth inlet to sense flow of air passing through the fourth inlet.   
     
     
         16 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second chamber is disposed below the first chamber, and
 wherein the inflow passage includes:   a first flow passage extending vertically from a chamber inlet of the second chamber;   a second flow passage extending from an end of the first flow passage in a direction intersecting a direction in which the first flow passage extends; and   a second inlet disposed at an end of the second flow passage.   
     
     
         17 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 16 , wherein the sensor is mounted so as to face toward the second inlet. 
     
     
         18 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 17 , wherein the sensor is mounted at a position between the hollow portion in the body and the second inlet.