Aerosol-generating device

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device is disclosed. The aerosol-generating device includes a body and a cartridge coupled to the body. The cartridge includes a cartridge body containing an aerosol-generating substance, an absorbent member accommodated in the cartridge body, at least partially exposed to the outside of the cartridge body, and configured to absorb the aerosol-generating substance, and a locking portion protruding in the inward direction of the cartridge body and inserted into the absorbent member to be coupled to the absorbent member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aerosol-generating device comprising:
 a body; and   a cartridge coupled to the body,   wherein the cartridge comprises:   a cartridge body containing an aerosol-generating substance;   an absorbent member accommodated in the cartridge body and at least partially exposed to an outside of the cartridge body, the absorbent member being configured to absorb the aerosol-generating substance; and   a locking portion protruding in an inward direction of the cartridge body and inserted into the absorbent member to be coupled to the absorbent member.   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking portion is configured to damage at least a portion of the absorbent member during extraction of the absorbent member out of the cartridge body or insertion of the absorbent member into the cartridge body. 
     
     
         3 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent member comprises:
 an absorbent body at least partially exposed to an outside of the cartridge body; and   a leg protruding from the absorbent body, the leg having an end exposed to a storage chamber containing the aerosol-generating substance, and   wherein the locking portion is inserted into the leg to be engaged with the leg.   
     
     
         4 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 3 , wherein the locking portion comprises at least one locking protrusion protruding in a pointed shape from the cartridge body in a direction intersecting with a protruding direction of the leg. 
     
     
         5 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one locking protrusion gradually increases in protruding height in the protruding direction of the leg. 
     
     
         6 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 5 , wherein the leg comprises:
 a first leg protruding from the absorbent body; and   a second leg protruding from the absorbent body and spaced apart from the first leg, and   wherein the at least one locking protrusion comprises:   a first locking protrusion inserted into the first leg and formed to gradually increase in protruding height in a protruding direction of the first leg; and   a second locking protrusion inserted into the second leg and formed to gradually increase in protruding height in a protruding direction of the second leg.   
     
     
         7 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 6 , wherein the first leg and the second leg protrude in opposite directions. 
     
     
         8 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 6 , wherein the first leg and the second leg protrude in the same direction. 
     
     
         9 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one locking protrusion comprises:
 an inclined surface extending from the cartridge body and forming a first angle with respect to the protruding direction of the leg; and   a locking surface extending from the cartridge body, connected to the inclined surface, and forming a second angle with respect to a direction opposite the protruding direction of the leg, and   wherein the second angle is greater than the first angle.   
     
     
         10 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 9 , wherein the first angle is an acute angle and the second angle is a right angle or an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         11 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent member is at least partially exposed outside through a body hole formed in one side of the cartridge body, and
 wherein the locking portion is disposed adjacent to the body hole and comprises at least one locking protrusion protruding in a pointed shape from the cartridge body in a direction intersecting with an opening direction of the body hole.   
     
     
         12 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one locking protrusion gradually increases in protruding height in the opening direction of the body hole. 
     
     
         13 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 11 , wherein the absorbent member is elongated toward the body hole from an interior of the cartridge body, and
 wherein the at least one locking protrusion comprises a plurality of locking protrusions spaced apart from each other around a periphery of the absorbent member.   
     
     
         14 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking portion has a poly-pyramidal shape or a semi-conical shape. 
     
     
         15 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent member is formed of at least one of cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or felt.