Aerosol generating device

Abstract

An aerosol generating device is provided. The aerosol generating device includes: a body; a first container configured to be coupled to the body and comprising a wick and a heater, a second container configured to be detachably coupled to the first container and configured to supply a liquid to the wick; and a sensor installed in the body and configured to detect whether the first container and the second container are coupled to each other.

1 . An aerosol generating device comprising:
 a body;   a first container configured to be coupled to the body and comprising a wick and a heater;   a second container configured to be detachably coupled to the first container and configured to supply a liquid to the wick; and   a sensor installed in the body and configured to detect whether the first container and the second container are coupled to each other.   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured as a contact sensor to sense physical contact thereon when the second container is coupled to the first container. 
     
     
         3 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a pusher disposed to be movable along a pusher movement path between the second container and the sensor,   wherein the second container pushes the pusher toward the sensor when the second container is coupled to the first container.   
     
     
         4 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 3 , wherein the sensor comprises an actuator that is pressed by the pusher and is configured to provide a force to the pusher in a direction away from the sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 4 , further comprising a stopper configured to limit a movement range of the pusher along the pusher movement path. 
     
     
         6 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 5 , wherein the pusher comprises:
 a first pusher part disposed proximal to the second container; and   a second pusher part disposed proximal to the sensor,   wherein the stopper is disposed between the first pusher part and the second pusher part.   
     
     
         7 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 3 , wherein the first container has a first chamber at which the wick and the heater are disposed, and
 wherein the pusher movement path is laterally adjacent to and partitioned from the first chamber.   
     
     
         8 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 4 , further comprising a deformable sealing membrane covering the sensor to provide a seal between the pusher and the actuator. 
     
     
         9 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to sense an electromagnetic change caused by proximity of an element caused by the second container being coupled to the first container. 
     
     
         10 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 9 , wherein the sensor is disposed adjacent to the first container.