Aerosol-generating device

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device is disclosed. The aerosol-generating device of the disclosure includes a body; a cartridge coupled to the body and configured to store a liquid; and a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly disposed at the body and positioned adjacent to the cartridge, wherein the PCB assembly comprises: a PCB; at least one light source mounted on the PCB; and a first sensor mounted on the PCB at a region of the PCB different than the at least one light source.

1 . An aerosol-generating device comprising:
 a body;   a cartridge coupled to the body and configured to store a liquid; and   a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly disposed at the body and positioned adjacent to the cartridge,   wherein the PCB assembly comprises:   a PCB;   at least one light source mounted on the PCB; and   a first sensor mounted on the PCB at a region of the PCB different than the at least one light source.   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises:
 a lower body; and   an upper body disposed above the lower body,   wherein the upper body comprises an elongated column configured to face a side wall of the cartridge, and   wherein the PCB assembly is disposed at the column.   
     
     
         3 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a window covering the PCB assembly and configured to allow light to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         4 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 3 , wherein the window is configured to contact a side wall of the cartridge. 
     
     
         5 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 3 , wherein the cartridge comprises a first chamber configured to store the liquid and an insertion space formed separately from the first chamber, and
 wherein the window has a concave shape corresponding to a convex outer side of the cartridge adjacent to the insertion space.   
     
     
         6 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 3 , wherein the window comprises at least one recess configured to accommodate the at least one light source. 
     
     
         7 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 3 , wherein the column comprises a flange protruding inward to form an edge and configured to allow a surface of the window to be attached thereto. 
     
     
         8 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 3 , wherein the PCB comprises a plurality of through-holes formed therein, and
 wherein the window comprises a plurality of penetrating protrusions configured to be inserted into the through-holes.   
     
     
         9 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 2 , wherein the PCB assembly is elongated along a lengthwise direction of the column. 
     
     
         10 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 9 , wherein the PCB assembly comprises one end exposed downwards from the upper body to electrically connect the PCB assembly to a device provided at the lower body. 
     
     
         11 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge comprises a first chamber configured to store the liquid and an insertion space formed separately from the first chamber,
 wherein the first sensor faces the cartridge at a position corresponding to the insertion space, and   wherein the at least one light source includes a plurality of light sources respectively disposed on opposite sides of the first sensor.   
     
     
         12 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plate attached to the PCB assembly to cover a region of the PCB while leaving the at least one light source exposed. 
     
     
         13 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 12 , wherein the first sensor is configured to sense a change in electromagnetic characteristics caused by a neighboring object, and
 wherein the plate is configured to allow electromagnetic waves to pass therethrough.   
     
     
         14 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises:
 a lower body; and   an upper body disposed above the lower body and configured to allow the cartridge to be coupled thereto,   wherein the upper body comprises a mount configured to receive a lower portion of the cartridge.   
     
     
         15 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 14 , wherein the cartridge is configured to be detachably coupled to the mount in a snap-fit manner. 
     
     
         16 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 14 , wherein the upper body comprises a column extending upwards adjacent to the mount and configured to face a side wall of the cartridge, and
 wherein the PCB assembly is disposed at the column.   
     
     
         17 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 14 , wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge inlet,
 wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a second sensor disposed at the lower body and adjacent to the cartridge inlet, and configured to sense flow of air passing through the cartridge inlet, and   wherein the upper body comprises a sensor accommodation portion adjacent to the mount and configured to accommodate the second sensor when the upper body is coupled to the lower body.