AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE AND AEROSOL GENERATING SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0013469 filed on Feb. 1, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0059829 filed on May 9, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The following embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system including the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Research on non-combusted cigarettes is being carried out. For example, a non-combustion type flavor inhaler, a flavor inhalation component source unit, and an atomizing unit are disclosed in Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2017-0132823.

SUMMARY

An aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system including the same according to an embodiment are intended to effectively determine whether an aerosol generating article to be used under non-heating conditions is reused.

An aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system including the same according to an embodiment are intended to accurately determine whether an aerosol generating article is reused even under an over-humidification condition.

An aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system including the same according to an embodiment are intended to effectively determine an over-humidification condition.

An aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system including the same according to an embodiment are intended to effectively determine or verify the type of aerosol generating article.

According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes a housing having an elongated cavity formed to accommodate an aerosol generating article, a controller accommodated in the housing, the controller including at least one processor, and a measurement unit configured to measure a state of use of the aerosol generating article. The measurement unit may include a first sensor configured to measure a state of the aerosol generating article at a first position in the elongated cavity, and a second sensor configured to measure a state of the aerosol generating article at a second position in the elongated cavity, and the first position and the second position may be spaced apart in a longitudinal direction along the elongated cavity.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a vaporizer configured to generate an aerosol by heating a liquid composition, and emit the aerosol toward the aerosol generating article.

In an embodiment, the measurement unit may include at least two capacitive sensors.

The measurement unit may include a first capacitive sensor disposed at the first position in the elongated cavity, and a second capacitive sensor disposed at the second position in the elongated cavity, and the first position and the second position may be spaced apart in a longitudinal direction along the elongated cavity.

The controller may be configured to determine whether the aerosol generating article is reused based on a difference between a first capacitance measured by the first capacitive sensor and a second capacitance measured by the second capacitive sensor.

The controller may be further configured to determine that the aerosol generating article is reused when an absolute value of the difference is beyond a set range.

The controller may be configured to determine the aerosol generating article to be under an over-humidification condition when a first capacitance variation measured by the first capacitive sensor or a second capacitance variation measured by the second capacitive sensor, between a first point in time and a second point in time, is beyond a set range.

The controller may be configured to determine that the aerosol generating article is reused when an absolute value of a difference between a first capacitance variation measured by the first capacitive sensor and a second capacitance variation measured by the second capacitive sensor, between a first point in time and a second point in time, is beyond a set range.

The controller may be configured to determine a type of the aerosol generating article based on a first capacitance variation measured by the first capacitive sensor or a second capacitance variation measured by the second capacitive sensor, between a first point in time and a second point in time.

According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating system includes an aerosol generating article, and an aerosol generating device including a housing having an elongated cavity formed to accommodate the aerosol generating article, a controller accommodated in the housing, the controller including at least one processor, a vaporizer configured to generate an aerosol by heating a liquid composition, and emit the aerosol toward the aerosol generating article, and a measurement unit configured to measure a state of use of the aerosol generating article, wherein the aerosol generating article may include a first segment, a medium segment disposed downstream of the first segment and configured to accommodate a medium, and a second segment disposed downstream of the medium segment.

In an embodiment, the medium segment may include a pH-treated tobacco medium, and nicotine transferred from the medium segment may be adsorbed into the first segment or the second segment.

In an embodiment, the measurement unit may include a first capacitive sensor disposed at a first position in the elongated cavity, and a second capacitive sensor disposed at a second position in the elongated cavity, and the first position and the second position may be spaced apart in a longitudinal direction along the elongated cavity.

The controller may be configured to determine that the aerosol generating article is reused when an absolute value of a difference between a first capacitance measured by the first capacitive sensor and a second capacitance measured by the second capacitive sensor is beyond a set range.

The controller may be configured to determine the aerosol generating article to be under an over-humidification condition when a first capacitance variation measured by the first capacitive sensor or a second capacitance variation measured by the second capacitive sensor, between a first point in time and a second point in time, is beyond a set range.

The controller may be configured to determine or verify a type of the aerosol generating article based on a first capacitance variation measured by the first capacitive sensor or a second capacitance variation measured by the second capacitive sensor, between a first point in time and a second point in time.

Additional aspects of embodiments will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

According to embodiments, it is possible to effectively determine whether an aerosol generating article to be used under non-heating conditions is reused.

According to embodiment, it is possible to accurately determine whether an aerosol generating article is reused even under an over-humidification condition.

According to an embodiment, it is possible to effectively determine an over-humidification condition.

According to an embodiment, it is possible to effectively determine or verify the type of aerosol generating article inserted into an aerosol generating device.

The effects of the aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating system including the same according to embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other unmentioned effects can be clearly understood from the following description by one of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an aerosol generating system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a view schematically illustrating the structure of an aerosol generating article included in an aerosol generating system according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate capacitance variations of unused and reused aerosol generating articles measured by an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment; and

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a capacitance variation of an over-humidified aerosol generating article measured by an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms used in the example embodiments are selected from among common terms that are currently widely used, in consideration of their function in the example embodiments. However, the terms may become different according to an intention of one of ordinary skill in the art, a precedent, or the advent of new technology. Also, in particular cases, the terms are discretionally selected by the applicant of the disclosure, and the meaning of those terms will be described in detail in the corresponding part of the detailed description. Therefore, the terms used in the disclosure are not merely designations of the terms, but the terms are defined based on the meaning of the terms and content throughout the disclosure.

It will be understood that when a certain part “includes” a certain component, the part does not exclude another component but may further include another component, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, terms such as “unit,” “module,” etc., as used in the specification may refer to a part for processing at least one function or operation and may be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

As used herein, an expression such as “at least one of” that precedes listed components modifies not each of the listed components but all the components. For example, the expression “at least one of a, b, or c” should be construed as including a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an aerosol generating system 1 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 11 according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view schematically illustrating the structure of an aerosol generating article 12 included in the aerosol generating system 1 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 3, the aerosol generating system 1 according to an embodiment may include the aerosol generating device 11 and the aerosol generating article 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, the aerosol generating device 11 according to an embodiment may include a housing 111, a controller 112, a vaporizer 113, a measurement unit 114, and a battery 115. An elongated cavity 1112 may be formed in the housing 111.

Only components related to the present embodiment are shown in the aerosol generating device 11 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Therefore, it is to be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that the aerosol generating device 11 may further include other general-purpose components in addition to the components shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In addition, the aerosol generating device 11 may be in the form of a stick or a holder.

In an embodiment, the battery 115 may supply power to be used to operate the aerosol generating device 11. For example, the battery 115 may supply current to the vaporizer 113 so that the vaporizer 113 may heat a liquid composition. In addition, the battery 115 may supply current to the measurement unit 114 so as to measure a capacitance. In addition, the battery 115 may supply power required to operate a display, a sensor, a motor, or the like installed in the aerosol generating device 11.

In an embodiment, the battery 115 may be a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) battery, but is not limited to the above example. For example, the battery 115 may correspond to a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) battery, a lithium titanate battery, a lithium ion battery, and the like. For example, the battery 115 may have a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 10 mm and a length of 37 mm, but is not limited thereto. For example, the capacity of the battery 115 may have a range of 120 mAh to 250 mAh, but is not limited thereto. Further, the battery 115 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, when the battery 115 is chargeable, the charge rate (C-rate) of the battery 115 may be 10 C, and the discharge rate (C-rate) thereof may be 10 C to 20 C, but is not limited thereto. In addition, for static use, the battery 115 may be manufactured so that 80% or more of the total capacity may be secured even when charging/discharging is performed 2000 times.

In an embodiment, the controller 112 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 11. Specifically, the controller 112 may control respective operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device 11, in addition to the vaporizer 113, the measurement unit 114, and the battery 115. In addition, the controller 112 may verify a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device 11 to determine whether the aerosol generating device 11 is in an operable state.

In an embodiment, the controller 112 may include at least one processor. The at least one processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored. In addition, it is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains that the processor may be implemented in other types of hardware.

In an embodiment, the vaporizer 113 may generate an aerosol by heating the liquid composition and emit the generated aerosol toward the aerosol generating article 12 inserted into the elongated cavity 1112 such that the generated aerosol may pass through the inserted aerosol generating article 12. Therefore, a tobacco flavor may be added to the aerosol that has passed through the aerosol generating article 12, and a user may suck one end of the aerosol generating article 12 through the mouth to inhale the aerosol with the tobacco flavor added. According to an embodiment, the vaporizer 113 may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer. According to an embodiment, the vaporizer 113 may be coupled to the aerosol generating device 11 in a replaceable manner. Meanwhile, if an atomization segment is provided at the front end of the aerosol generating article 12, the vaporizer 113 may be omitted from the aerosol generating device 11. At this time, a heater disposed on at least a portion of the circumference of the atomization segment or insertable into the atomization segment may be further included in the aerosol generating device 11.

Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 11 may further include general-purpose components in addition to the controller 112, the vaporizer 113, the battery 115, and the elongated cavity 1112. For example, the aerosol generating device 11 may include a sensing unit 116, an output unit 117, a user input unit 118, a memory 119, and a communication unit 120.

The sensing unit 116 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device 11 or a state of an environment around the aerosol generating device 11, and transmit sensed information to the controller 112. Based on the sensed information, the controller 112 may control the aerosol generating device 11 to restrict smoking, determine whether the aerosol generating article 12 (e.g., a stick, a cigarette, a cartridge, etc.) is inserted, display a notification, and perform other functions.

The sensing unit 116 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 1161, an insertion detection sensor 1162, or a puff sensor 1163, but is not limited thereto.

The temperature sensor 1161 may sense a temperature at which a heating element of the heater or the vaporizer 113 heats up. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 1161 may be arranged around the battery 115 to monitor the temperature of the battery 115.

The insertion detection sensor 1162 may sense an insertion and/or removal of the aerosol generating article 12. The insertion detection sensor 1162 may include, for example, at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and may sense a signal change caused when the aerosol generating article 12 is inserted and/or removed.

The puff sensor 1163 may sense a puff from the user based on various physical changes in an airflow path or airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor 1163 may sense the puff from the user based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

The sensing unit 116 may further include at least one of a temperature/humidity sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)), a proximity sensor, and a red, green, blue (RGB) sensor (e.g., an illuminance sensor), in addition to the sensors 1161 to 1163 described above. A function of each sensor may be intuitively inferable from its name by one of ordinary skill in the art, and thus, a more detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

The output unit 117 may output information about the state of the aerosol generating device 11 and provide the information to the user. The output unit 117 may include at least one of a display 1171, a haptic portion 1172, and a sound outputter 1173, but is not limited thereto. When the display 1171 and a touchpad are provided in a layered structure to form a touchscreen, the display 1171 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display 1171 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 11 to the user. The information about the aerosol generating device 11 may include, for example, a charging/discharging state of the battery 115 of the aerosol generating device 11, an insertion/removal state of the aerosol generating article 12, a limited usage state (e.g., an insertion of a reused aerosol generating article 12, or an abnormal article detected) of the aerosol generating device 11, or the like, and the display 1171 may externally output the information. The display 1171 may be, for example, a liquid-crystal display (LCD) panel, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panel, or the like. The display 1171 may also be in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) device.

The haptic portion 1172 may provide information about the aerosol generating device 11 to the user in a haptic way by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus. The haptic portion 1172 may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound outputter 1173 may provide information about the aerosol generating device 11 to the user in an auditory way. For example, the sound outputter 1173 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and externally output the sound signal.

The user input unit 118 may receive information input from the user or may output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 118 may include a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad (e.g., a contact capacitive type, a pressure resistive film type, an infrared sensing type, a surface ultrasonic conduction type, an integral tension measurement type, a piezo effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 11 may further include a connection interface such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may be connected to another external device through the connection interface such as a USB interface to transmit and receive information or to charge the battery 115.

The memory 119, which is hardware for storing various pieces of data processed in the aerosol generating device 11, may store data processed by the controller 112 and data to be processed thereby. The memory 119 may include at least one type of storage medium of a flash memory type memory, a hard disk type memory, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card type memory (e.g., an SD or XE memory), a random-access memory (RAM), a static random-access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. The memory 119 may store an operating time of the aerosol generating device 11, a maximum number of puffs, a current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, data associated with a smoking pattern of the user, and the like.

The communication unit 120 may include at least one component for communicating with another electronic device. For example, the communication unit 120 may include a short-range wireless communication unit 1201 and a wireless communication unit 1202.

The short-range wireless communication unit 1201 may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication unit, a near-field communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a ZigBee communication unit, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit, and an Ant+ communication unit, but is not limited thereto.

The wireless communication unit 1202 may include, for example, a cellular network communicator, an Internet communicator, a computer network (e.g., a local area network (LAN) or a wide-area network (WAN)) communicator, and the like, but is not limited thereto. The wireless communication unit 1202 mayuse subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) to identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 11 in a communication network.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 11 may include at least one input device (e.g., a button) through which the user may control functions of the aerosol generating device 11 and/or a terminal to be coupled with a cradle. For example, the user may execute various functions using the input device of the aerosol generating device 11. The user may execute a desired function among the plurality of functions of the aerosol generating device 11 by adjusting the number of times the user presses the input device (e.g., one time, two times, etc.) or the length of time the user presses the input device (e.g., 0.1 seconds, 0.2 seconds, etc.). As the user operates the input device, a function of preheating the heating element of the vaporizer 113, a function of adjusting the temperature of the heating element of the vaporizer 113, a function of cleaning the space in which the aerosol generating article is inserted, a function of inspecting whether the aerosol generating device 11 is in an operable state, a function of displaying the remaining level (available power) of the battery 115, a function of resetting the aerosol generating device 11, and the like may be performed. However, the functions of the aerosol generating device 11 are not limited to the examples described above.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 11 may include a vaporizer 113 and an elongated cavity 1112 arranged in series, as shown in FIG. 1A. According to another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 11 may include a vaporizer 113 and an elongated cavity 1112 arranged in parallel, as shown in FIG. 1B. In addition, the arrangement of the controller 112, the vaporizer 113, the battery 115, and the elongated cavity 1112 of the aerosol generating device 11 is not limited to FIGS. 1A and 1B, and may vary.

Through the airflow path in the aerosol generating device 11, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 113 may flow into the elongated cavity 1112 and pass through the aerosol generating article 12. Therefore, a tobacco flavor or nicotine may be added to the aerosol that has passed through the aerosol generating article 12, and the user may suck one end of the aerosol generating article 12 through the mouth to inhale the aerosol with the tobacco flavor or nicotine added.

The vaporizer 113 according to an embodiment may include a liquid storage, a liquid transfer means, a heating element, and an airflow path. The components of the vaporizer 113 may be formed of a material of polycarbonate, but are not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the liquid storage may store a liquid composition from which an aerosol may be generated when heated. According to an embodiment, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, and according to another embodiment, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a non-tobacco material. In addition, the liquid composition may store a liquid in a capacity of 0.1 to 2.0 mL, but is not limited thereto. Further, the liquid storage may be interchangeably coupled within the vaporizer 113.

The liquid composition may include, for example, water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a fragrance, a flavoring agent, or a vitamin mixture. The fragrance may include, for example, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavor ingredients, and the like, but is not limited thereto. The flavoring agent may include ingredients that provide a user with a variety of flavors or scents. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, or vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. The liquid composition may also include an aerosol former such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

In an embodiment, the liquid transfer means may transfer the liquid composition in the liquid storage to the heating element. In an embodiment, the liquid transfer means may be a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic, and may transfer the liquid composition in the liquid storage to the heating element using capillary action.

In an embodiment, the heating element may be an element for heating the liquid composition transferred by the liquid transfer means, and may be a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate, a ceramic heater, or the like. In addition, the heating element may include a conductive filament such as a nichrome wire, and may be arranged in a structure wound around the liquid transfer means. The heating element may be heated as a current is supplied and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, and may thereby heat the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol may be generated.

In an embodiment, the airflow path may be arranged such that the generated aerosol may be emitted toward the inserted aerosol generating article 12. That is, the aerosol generated by the heating element may be emitted through the airflow path.

In an embodiment, the controller 112 may control the temperature of the heating element by controlling the current supplied to the heating element. Accordingly, the controller 112 may control the amount of aerosol generated from the liquid composition by controlling the current supplied to the heating element. In addition, the controller 112 may control the current to be supplied to the heating element for a predetermined time when a puff of the user is sensed. For example, the controller 112 may control the current to be supplied to the heating element for 1 to 5 seconds from when a puff of the user is sensed.

In an embodiment, the controller 112 may control the amount of aerosol emitted from the vaporizer 113 by controlling the opening and closing state of the airflow path. Specifically, the controller 112 may increase the amount of aerosol emitted from the vaporizer 113 by increasing the size of an opening in the airflow path, and reduce the amount of aerosol emitted from the vaporizer 113 by reducing the size of the opening in the airflow path. For example, the controller 112 may control the opening in the airflow path by using a dial method.

In an embodiment, when the amount of the liquid composition in the liquid storage is less than a preset amount, the controller 112 may notify the user of information that the liquid composition is insufficient through a vibration motor or a display.

In an embodiment, the measurement unit 114 may measure a state of the aerosol generating article 12 inserted into the elongated cavity 1112. The measurement unit 114 may include a first sensor (e.g., a first capacitive sensor 1141) configured to measure the state of the aerosol generating article 12 at a first position in the elongated cavity 1112 and a second sensor (e.g., a second capacitive sensor 1142) configured to measure the state of the aerosol generating article at a second position in the elongated cavity 1112. The first sensor and the second sensor may be spaced apart in a longitudinal direction along the elongated cavity 1112. The measurement unit 114 will be described in detail later.

Referring to FIG. 3, the aerosol generating article 12 according to an embodiment may include a first segment 121, a medium segment 122, a second segment 123, and a wrapper 125.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating article 12 may be wrapped with at least one wrapper 125. The wrapper 125 may have at least one hole through which external air flows in or internal gas flows out. The wrapper 125 may include a material with high thermal conductivity.

For example, the first segment 121 may be wrapped with a first wrapper 1251, the medium segment 122 may be wrapped with a second wrapper 1252, and the second segment 123 may be wrapped with a third wrapper 1253. In addition, the aerosol generating article 12 may be entirely wrapped again with the fifth wrapper 1255.

In an embodiment, the first wrapper 1251, the second wrapper 1252, and the third wrapper 1253 may be formed with porous wrapping paper. For example, the porosity of each of the first wrapper 1251, the second wrapper 1252, and the third wrapper 1253 may be about 35000 CU, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the thickness of each of the first wrapper 1251, the second wrapper 1252, and the third wrapper 1253 may be in the range of 70 μm to 80 μm. In addition, the basis weight of each of the first wrapper 1251, the second wrapper 1252, and the third wrapper 1253 may be in the range of 20 g/m² to 25 g/m².

In an embodiment, the fifth wrapper 1255 may be formed of sterile paper (e.g., MFW). For example, the basis weight of the fifth wrapper 1255 may be in the range of 57 g/m² to 63 g/m². Also, the thickness of the fifth wrapper 1255 may be in the range of 64 μm to 70 μm.

In an embodiment, the first filter segment 121 may include a cellulose acetate filter. Alternatively, the first filter segment 121 may include a paper filter and a porous molding. For example, the length of the first segment 121 may be 4 to 15 mm, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the first segment 121 may be colored or flavored.

Meanwhile, the first segment 121 may include an atomization segment. For example, the atomization segment 121 may be filled with a moisturizing agent, and the moisturizing agent may include, for example, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but is not limited thereto. In the case where the first segment 121 includes an atomization segment, an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device 11 of FIG. 1A or 1B) may not be provided with a separate vaporizer (e.g., the vaporizer 113 of FIG. 1A or 1B) and may instead include a heater disposed around and/or in the first segment 121 including the atomization segment.

In an embodiment, the medium segment 122 may be filled with a medium. For example, the medium segment 122 may include a cavity, and the cavity may be filled with the medium. As another example, the medium segment 122 may include a cellulose acetate filter or a paper filter, and may be filled with the medium as the medium is inserted into the cellulose acetate filter or the paper filter.

For example, the medium used to fill the medium segment 122 may include at least one component of granular tobacco (tobacco granules), reconstituted tobacco, or cut tobacco leaves. For example, a desirable length of the medium segment 122 may be adopted from a range of 6 mm to 18 mm, but is not limited thereto.

Generally, tobacco granules have a significantly lower content of moisture and/or aerosol former than other types of tobacco materials (e.g., cut tobacco leaves, reconstituted tobacco, and the like) and thus, may greatly reduce the generation of visible smoke, which may facilitate the implementation of a smokeless function of the aerosol generating device 11. However, the tobacco granules may vary in diameter, density, filling rate, composition ratio of constituent materials, heating temperature, and the like, etc. depending on the embodiment. The diameter of tobacco granules may be about 0.3 mm to 1.2 mm. Within this numerical range, the proper hardness and ease of manufacture of the tobacco granules may be guaranteed, and the probability of vortex airstream in the cavity may be increased.

Further, the medium segment 122 may include other additives such as a flavoring agent, a humectant, and/or organic acid. In addition, the medium segment 122 may include a flavoring liquid such as menthol or a moisturizing agent that is added as being sprayed onto the medium segment 122.

In an embodiment, the medium used to fill the medium segment 122 may be pH-treated. For example, the medium may be pH-treated by a pH control agent to have basicity, and the pH control agent may be basic and may include, for example, at least one of potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), and calcium oxide (CaO). However, the material included in the pH control agent is not limited to the above examples, and a material that generates less negative odor during smoking may be used. A basic pH control agent may increase the pH of the medium included in the medium segment 122. Compared to a medium not treated with a basic pH control agent, a medium pH-treated with a basic pH control agent may increase the amount of nicotine released therefrom. That is, a medium pH-treated with a basic pH control agent may achieve a sufficient nicotine yield from the medium segment 122 even at a low temperature.

In an embodiment, the medium segment 122 may include slurry or paper-like reconstituted tobacco sheets having a pH adjusted to a range of 7.0 to 9.5, or may include tobacco granules having a pH adjusted to a range of 7.0 to 9.5. The medium may include nicotine, and when the medium is pH-treated with a basic pH control agent, free nicotine (e.g., nicotine in a gas state) may be transferred from the medium even under non-heating conditions or relatively low-temperature conditions. That is, by adjusting the pH of the medium in the medium segment 122 to a range of 7.0 to 9.5, volatile free nicotine may be transferred under non-heating conditions (or low-temperature conditions), and a sufficient level of intensity of smoking taste may be implemented.

In an embodiment, the second segment 123 may include a cellulose acetate filter. In addition, the second segment 123 may include at least one flavor capsule. For example, the second segment 123 may be a cellulose acetate filter into which at least one flavor capsule is inserted. In addition, the second segment 123 may include a cellulose acetate filter mixed with a flavored substance.

In an embodiment, nicotine may be adsorbed into at least one of the first segment 121 and the second segment 123. As the medium segment 122 is pH-treated to the range of 7.0 to 9.5, nicotine in the medium segment 122 may vigorously become free nicotine even under non-heating conditions and be transferred to the first segment 121 or the second segment 123, and the nicotine transferred from the medium segment 122 may be adsorbed into at least one of the first segment 121 and the second segment 123. As the first segment 121 or the second segment 123 also includes nicotine along with the medium segment 122, the aerosol generating article 12 may be used even without preheating the aerosol generating device 11. This may not only increase the convenience of the user, but also implement a transfer of sufficient nicotine even under non-heating (or low-temperature heating) conditions, thereby providing smoking taste satisfaction accordingly.

Referring back to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the measurement unit 114 may include at least two capacitive sensors (e.g., the first capacitive sensor 1141 and the second capacitive sensor 1142). Each capacitive sensor may include two conductors that are disposed apart from each other, and for example, the conductors may be disposed apart from each other with the elongated cavity 1112 interposed therebetween.

In an embodiment, the measurement unit 114 may include the first capacitive sensor 1141 and the second capacitive sensor 1142. The first capacitive sensor 1141 may be disposed at the first position in the elongated cavity 1112, and the second capacitive sensor 1142 may be disposed at the second position in the elongated cavity 1112. The first position and the second position may be positions spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (e.g., the ±X direction) of the elongated cavity 1112.

For example, the first capacitive sensor 1141 may be disposed adjacent to an opening of the elongated cavity 1112, and the second capacitive sensor 1142 may be disposed at a deeper position apart from the first capacitive sensor 1141 inside the elongated cavity 1112. As the first capacitive sensor 1141 and the second capacitive sensor 1142 are disposed in the longitudinal direction along the elongated cavity 1112, the measurement unit 114 may the respective states of the longitudinally spaced sections of the aerosol generating article 12. Although FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate two capacitive sensors, but three or more capacitive sensors may be disposed depending on the type of the aerosol generating article 12 or the structure of the aerosol generating device 11.

In an embodiment, a first capacitance value measured by the first capacitive sensor 1141 and a second capacitance value measured by the second capacitive sensor 1142 may be transmitted to the controller 112, and the controller 112 may determine whether the aerosol generating article 12 is reused based on the difference between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value.

For example, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 113 may enter the first segment 121 of the aerosol generating article 12 and travel through the medium segment 122 to the second segment 123. As the aerosol moves in an upstream direction (e.g., in the +X direction of FIGS. 1A and 1B) of the aerosol generating article 12, the downstream of the aerosol generating article 12 may be wet more than the upstream by the aerosol. Since the permittivity may change when the degree of wetness of the aerosol generating article 12 changes, the first capacitance value measured by the first capacitive sensor 1141 and the second capacitance value measured by the second capacitive sensor 1142 may change.

For example, before the aerosol generating article 12 is used (at a first point of time), the difference between the first capacitance value measured by the first capacitive sensor 1141 and the second capacitance value measured by the second capacitive sensor 1142 may be little or slight. After the aerosol generating article 12 is used (at a second point in time), the downstream of the aerosol generating article 12 may generally be more wet by the aerosol, so that the second capacitance value measured by the second capacitive sensor 1142 may be greater than the first capacitance value measured by the first capacitive sensor 1141. Alternatively, depending on the configuration of the aerosol generating article 12, the first capacitance value measured by the first capacitive sensor 1141 may be greater than the second capacitance value measured by the second capacitive sensor 1142. For example, in the case where the medium segment 122 includes a cavity, both the inside and the outside of the second wrapper 1252 of the medium segment 122 may be wet by the aerosol, so that the medium segment 122 may be wet more than the first segment 121. In either case, there may be a difference between the first capacitance and the second capacitance at the second point in time, or there may be a difference between the first capacitance variation and the second capacitance variation between the first point in time and the second point in time.

At this time, the controller 112 may determine whether the aerosol generating article 12 is reused based on the difference between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value.

For example, if the absolute value of the difference between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value is beyond a set range (|First capacitance−Second capacitance|≥a, where a is a set value), the controller 112 may determine that the aerosol generating article 12 is reused. Here, the set range may be defined by set values considering errors.

Alternatively, the controller 112 may determine whether the aerosol generating article 12 is reused based on the difference between the amount of the first capacitance change and the second capacitance change.

For example, if the absolute value of the difference between the first capacitance variation and the second capacitance variation is beyond a set range (|First capacitance variation−Second capacitance variation|≥b, where b is a set value), the controller 112 may determine that the aerosol generating article 12 is reused. Here, the set range may be defined by set values considering errors.

At this time, based on the absolute value of the difference, the confidence of determining whether the aerosol generating article 12 is reused may be determined. For example, as the absolute value of the difference increases, the accuracy of determining whether the aerosol generating article 12 is reused may increase. Thus, the controller 112 may define that the confidence of the reuse determination result is higher when the absolute value of the difference is greater.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate capacitance variations of unused and reused aerosol generating articles 12 measured by the aerosol generating device 11 according to an embodiment. Here, FIG. 4A shows a capacitance F of an unused aerosol generating article (unused stick) and a capacitance F of a reused aerosol generating article (reused stick) for hours, measured by the first capacitive sensor 1141, and FIG. 4B shows a capacitance of an unused aerosol generating article (unused stick) and a capacitance of a reused aerosol generating article (reused stick) for hours, measured by the second capacitive sensor 1142.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, it may be learned that in the case of an unused aerosol generating article (unused stick), the difference between a first capacitance value measured by the first capacitive sensor 1141 and a second capacitance value measured by the second capacitive sensor 1142 is not great. As described above, if the absolute value of the difference between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value is below a set range, the controller 112 may determine that the aerosol generating article is unused.

Conversely, it may be learned that in the case of a reused aerosol generating article (reused stick), the difference between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value increases. At this time, if the absolute value of the difference between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value is beyond the set range, the controller 112 may determine that the aerosol generating article is reused.

In addition, it may be learned that the second capacitance variation measured by the second capacitive sensor 1142 increases greatly, compared to the first capacitance variation measured by the first capacitive sensor 1141 before (the first point in time) and after (the second point in time) the aerosol generating article is used. At this time, if the absolute value of the difference between the first capacitance variation and the second capacitance variation is beyond a set range, the controller 112 may determine that the aerosol generating article is reused. Here, the capacitance of the unused aerosol generating article (unused stick) may be data that has already been measured and obtained at the first point in time for each type of aerosol generating article.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a capacitance variation of an over-humidified aerosol generating article 12 measured by the aerosol generating device 11 according to an embodiment. Here, FIG. 5A shows a capacitance F of an unused aerosol generating article (unused stick) and a capacitance F of an over-humidified aerosol generating article (over-humidified stick) for hours, measured by the first capacitive sensor 1141, and FIG. 5B shows a capacitance of an unused aerosol generating article (unused stick) and a capacitance of an over-humidified aerosol generating article (over-humidified stick) for hours, measured by the second capacitive sensor 1142.

In an embodiment, the controller 112 may determine the aerosol generating article to be under an over-humidification condition when the first capacitance variation measured by the first capacitive sensor 1141, between the first point in time and the second point in time, is beyond a set range. Similarly, the controller 112 may determine the aerosol generating article to be under the over-humidification condition when the second capacitance variation measured by the second capacitive sensor 1142, between the first point in time and the second point in time, is beyond the set range.

Referring to FIG. 5A, in a high-humidity environment, such as during the rainy season, an aerosol generating article may be over-humidified. Since the first capacitance variation may be beyond the set range under such an over-humidification condition, the controller 112 may determine the aerosol generating article to be under an over-humidification condition. Similarly, referring to FIG. 5B, since the second capacitance variation may be beyond the set range under an over-humidification condition, the controller 112 may determine the aerosol generating article to be under the over-humidification condition.

If only one capacitive sensor is provided (e.g., in the case of either FIG. 5A or 5B), it may not be determined whether an increase in the capacitance is due to the reuse or over-humidification condition. Since the aerosol generating device 11 according to an embodiment is provided with the first capacitive sensor 1141 and the second capacitive sensor 1142, errors in reuse determination caused by over-humidification may be prevented compared to the case where one capacitive sensor is provided. For example, under the over-humidification condition, the first capacitance variation measured by the first capacitive sensor 1141 and the second capacitance variation measured by the second capacitive sensor 1142 increase together. In this case, since the capacitance values measured by all capacitive sensors have increased, the difference between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value at the same point in time is insignificant, and the controller 112 may not recognize this situation as reuse.

In an embodiment, the controller 112 may determine the type of aerosol generating article based on the first capacitance variation measured by the first capacitive sensor 1141 between the first point in time (e.g., the point in time when the aerosol generating article is unused) and the second point in time (e.g., the time when the aerosol generating article is reused). Similarly, the controller 112 may determine the type of aerosol generating article based on the second capacitance variation measured by the second capacitive sensor 1142 between the first point in time and the second point in time.

For example, depending on the type of aerosol generating article 12, the capacitance variation before and after use may vary. For example, compared to the case where the medium segment 122 includes a cellulose acetate filter, the medium segment 122 including a cavity may be more wet by an aerosol. When the capacitance variation data for each type of aerosol generating article 12 is already obtained, the controller 112 may determine or verify the type of used aerosol generating article 12 by comparing the capacitance variation measured before and after the aerosol generating article 12 is used with the previously obtained capacitance variation data.

According to the aerosol generating device 11 and the aerosol generating system 1 according to embodiments, it is possible to effectively determine whether the aerosol generating article 12 to be used under non-heating conditions is reused and accurately determine whether the aerosol generating article 12 is reused even under the over-humidification condition. In addition, it is possible to effectively determine the over-humidification condition and effectively determine or verify the type of aerosol generating article 12 inserted into the aerosol generating device 11.

The descriptions of the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and equivalents may be made thereto. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to those described in the claims will be construed as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.