AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE AND OPERATION METHOD THEREOF

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2023-0080561, filed on Jun. 22, 2023, and 10-2023-0109866, filed on Aug. 22, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by references herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device including a cartridge and an operation method of thereof. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device that may check, with low power, whether a cartridge has been replaced.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of regular cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for a method of generating an aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating material in a cigarette, rather than a method of generating an aerosol by burning a cigarette. Accordingly, research on heating type cigarettes or heating type aerosol generating devices is actively underway.

An aerosol generating device may include a cartridge for generating an aerosol. The cartridge may include a storage portion that stores the aerosol-generating material and an atomizer that vaporizes the aerosol-generating material. In order for the aerosol generating device to operate safely and normally, information on whether the cartridge should be replaced and the amount of liquid remaining in the cartridge may be required.

SUMMARY

Provided are an aerosol generating device that may accurately check, with low power consumption, whether a cartridge has been replaced and an operation method thereof.

The problems to be solved through the embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and problems not mentioned may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the attached drawings.

Additional aspects 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 presented embodiments of the disclosure.

According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating device may include a main body including a main body portion having an accommodation space into which an aerosol-generating article is inserted; a cap detachably coupled to the main body;

• • a cartridge detachably coupled to the main body portion; a first sensor configured to detect whether the cap is attached or detached; a second sensor configured to detect whether the cartridge is attached or detached;
  • a third sensor configured to detect a remaining amount of liquid in the cartridge; and a microcontroller electrically connected to the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor.

The microcontroller is configured to wake up when a measurement value detected by the first sensor changes to a preset value or more and determine whether the cap is attached or detached,

• • when it is determined that the cap has been removed from the main body, detect whether the cartridge is attached or detached by using the second sensor during a preset grace time, wherein, when attachment or detachment of the cartridge is not detected during the preset grace time, the microcontroller switches to a sleep mode when the preset grace time has elapsed, and
  • during the sleep mode, wake up when a measurement value detected by the third sensor changes to a preset value or more, and re-detect whether the cartridge is attached or detached by using the second sensor.

According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating device may include an aerosol generating device a main body including a main body portion having an accommodation space into which an aerosol-generating article is inserted; a cap detachably coupled to the main body; a cartridge detachably coupled to the main body portion; a first sensor that detects whether the cap is attached or detached; a second sensor that detects whether the cartridge is attached or detached; a third sensor that detects remaining amount of liquid in the cartridge; and a microcontroller electrically connected to the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor.

The microcontroller wakes up when a measurement value detected by the first sensor changes to a preset value or more and determines whether the cap is attached or detached, when it is determined that the cap is separated from the main body, the microcontroller detects whether the cartridge is detached or not using the second sensor during a preset grace time, but when the microcontroller does not detect attachment or detachment of the cartridge during the grace time, the microcontroller switches to sleep mode when the grace time elapses, and during the sleep mode, the microcontroller wakes up at a preset cycle and re-detects whether the cartridge is detached or not using the second sensor.

According to an embodiment, a method of operating an aerosol generating device may include waking up the microcontroller when a measurement value detected by a first sensor that detects whether the cap is attached or detached changes to a preset value or more, and determining whether the cap is attached or detached;

• • when it is determined that the cap has been removed from the main body, detecting whether the cartridge is attached or detached using a second sensor that detects whether the cartridge is attached or detached during a preset grace period, but when detachment of the cartridge is not detected during the grace time, switching the microcontroller to a sleep mode when the grace time elapses; and during the sleep mode, when a measurement value detected by the third sensor that detects remaining amount of liquid in the cartridge changes to a preset value or more, waking up the microcontroller and re-detects whether the cartridge is attached or detached using the second sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of an aerosol generating device;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a hardware configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method of determining a coupling state of a main body and a cap;

FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining a structure of a third sensor, according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 5B to 5E are diagrams for explaining a method of driving a third sensor;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an electrode unit arranged in a main body portion, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an electrode unit arranged in a main body portion, according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a method of determining whether a cartridge is attached or detached to or from an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the present embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects of the present description. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

Regarding the terms in the various embodiments, the general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of a new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, terms which can be arbitrarily selected by the applicant in particular cases. In such a case, the meaning of the terms will be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms “-er”, “-or”, and “module” described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of an aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an aerosol generating device 100 may include a main body portion 10 including a semi-exterior portion 13, an electrode unit 150, a sensing unit 140, a microcontroller 130, a battery 120, and a housing unit 14. In addition, the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a cap 30.

A cartridge 20 may be detachably mounted on the semi-exterior portion 13. The semi-exterior portion 13 may include a fixing means physically connected to the cartridge 20 and an electrical contact 18 electrically connected to the cartridge 20. The cartridge 20 may be electrically connected to the sensing unit 140, the battery 120, and the microcontroller 130 through the electrical contact 18. Power may be supplied to an atomizer 22 from the battery 120 through the electrical contact 18. The microcontroller 130 may determine whether the cartridge 20 is mounted in the semi-exterior portion 13 through the electrical contact 18 or the fixing means. In this case, the cartridge 20 may include a liquid storage portion 21 that store a liquid composition and the atomizer 22. The electrode unit 150 may be disposed adjacent to the liquid storage portion 21.

The aerosol generating device 100 may be implemented to further accommodate an aerosol-generating article (7, for example, a cigarette) in addition to the cartridge 20. For example, the semi-exterior portion 13 may include an article accommodating portion 12 for accommodating the aerosol-generating article 7. The article accommodating portion 12 is a space for accommodating the aerosol-generating article 7, and a heater 110 disposed in the circumferential direction of the side of the article accommodating portion 12 may be further included in the semi-exterior portion 13.

The main body portion 10 may further include airflow paths 15 and 16. The airflow paths 15, 16 may be passages for introducing outside air into the aerosol-generating article 7 so that an aerosol may be generated from the aerosol-generating article 7. The airflow paths 15 and 16 may be passageways connecting the aerosol generating article 7 and the cartridge 20 to each other. Accordingly, the aerosol generated by the cartridge 20 may be transferred to the aerosol-generating article 7 via the airflow paths 15 and 16. The aerosol-generating article 7 may generate the aerosol independently of the cartridge 20. Accordingly, the aerosol generated by the cartridge 20 may be delivered to a user through the aerosol-generating article 7 together with the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating article 7.

The cap 30 may be detachably coupled to the main body portion 10. The cap 30 may be coupled to the main body portion 10 so as to cover at least a portion of the cartridge 20 mounted on the semi-exterior portion 13. The cap 30 is coupled to the main body portion 10 to prevent the cartridge 20 from being unintentionally separated from the aerosol generating device 100. The cap 30 may further include an insertion hole 31 disposed at a position corresponding to the article accommodating portion 12 and a slide cover 32 capable of opening and closing the insertion hole 31.

The cap 30 may include an electromagnetic wave blocking material. When the cap 30 is combined with the main body portion 10, electromagnetic waves are blocked from the outside, so the reliability of the capacitance measurement value obtained by the sensing unit 140 measuring the capacitance of the electrode unit 150 may be increased.

When the aerosol generating device 100 further includes the article accommodating portion 12, the heater 110, and the airflow paths 15 and 16, the aerosol generating device 100 may generate an aerosol from both the cartridge 20 and the aerosol generating article 7 and provide the generated aerosol to the user. Accordingly, the aerosol provided from the aerosol generating device 100 can be diversified, and a flavor and smoking sensation of the aerosol may be improved.

The sensing unit 140 may obtain a capacitance measurement value by measuring the capacitance of the electrode unit 150. For example, when the electrode unit 150 includes a plurality of electrodes, a capacitance measurement value may be obtained by measuring the capacitance between the electrodes. For another example, when the electrode unit 150 includes one electrode, a capacitance measurement value may be obtained by measuring the capacitance between the one electrode and a ground.

The sensing unit 140, the microcontroller 130, and the battery 120 may be disposed inside the housing unit 14. The electrode unit 150 may be arranged to be spaced apart from the cartridge 20 mounted on the semi-exterior portion 13.

An input interface means and an output interface means may be disposed outside the housing unit 14. In the aerosol generating device 100 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a button 161 that may be operated by the user may be installed as an input interface, and a light emitting diode (LED) 162 and a screen 163 that display the internal operating state of the aerosol generating device 100 may be installed as output interface means. The screen 163 may be a touch screen as an input interface.

By emitting the LED 162, the microcontroller 130 may display a ‘normal operating state’ based on conditions, such as normal operation of the heater 110, a sufficient remaining state of the battery, and a sufficient remaining state of the cartridge. The LED 162 may display the internal operating state of the aerosol generating device 100 by emitting one of several predetermined colors.

When the user presses the button 161, the LED 162 emits light, allowing the user to check the remaining battery capacity, total number of puffs, number of used puffs, or remaining puffs from the color of the LED 162. For example, when the LED 162 emits green light, this may mean that the number of remaining puffs is sufficient to provide the user with a predetermined number of smokes, and when the LED 162 emits red light, this may mean that the number of remaining puffs is insufficient to provide the user with a predetermined number of smokes.

In addition, the state of the aerosol generating device 100, such as remaining battery capacity, total number of puffs, number of used puffs, or remaining number of puffs, may be displayed on the screen 163. For example, the total number of puffs, the number of used puffs, or the remaining number of puffs may be displayed on the screen 163 based on various notation systems, such as Arabic numerals.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating hardware components of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a heater 110, a battery 120, a microcontroller 130, a sensor 140, a user interface 160, and a memory 170. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to the structures illustrated in FIG. 3. According to the design of the aerosol generating device 100, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that some of the hardware components shown in FIG. 3 may be omitted or new components may be added.

The aerosol generating device 100 may generate an aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating article. For example, the aerosol-generating article may be a cigarette 7 Alternatively, the aerosol generating device 100 may generate an aerosol by heating the liquid composition in the cartridge Alternatively, the aerosol generating device 100 may generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol generating article and the liquid composition in the cartridge.

The liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material. The liquid composition may include, for example, any one component of water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, spices, flavorings, and vitamin mixtures, or a mixture thereof. In addition, the liquid composition may include an aerosol forming agent such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

• • the aerosol generating device 100 may include a cartridge 20. The cartridge 20 may be detachably coupled to the aerosol generating device 100. Cartridges may be disposable or reusable.
  • the aerosol generating device 100 may include a heater 110. The heater 110 receives power from the battery 120 under the control of the microcontroller 130. The heater 110 may receive power from the battery 120 and heat a aerosol-generating article inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, or heat a liquid composition in the cartridge.

The heater 110 may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, the suitable electrically resistive material may be a metal or a metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, or nichrome, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater 110 may be implemented by a metal wire, a metal plate on which an electrically conductive track is arranged, or a ceramic heating element, but is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the heater 110 may be a component included in the cartridge. The cartridge may include the heater 110, the liquid delivery element, and the liquid storage. The aerosol generating material accommodated in the liquid storage may be moved to the liquid delivery element, and the heater 110 may heat the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery element, thereby generating aerosol. For example, the heater 110 may include a material such as nickel chromium and may be wound around or arranged adjacent to the liquid delivery element.

In another embodiment, the heater 110 may heat the aerosol-generating article inserted into the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device 100. As the aerosol-generating article is accommodated in the accommodation space of the aerosol generating device 100, the heater 110 may be located inside and/or outside the cigarette. Accordingly, the heater 110 may generate aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material in the cigarette.

Meanwhile, the heater 110 may include an induction heater. The heater 110 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating the aerosol-generating article in an induction heating method, and the aerosol-generating article or the cartridge may include a susceptor which may be heated by the induction heater 110.

The battery 120 supplies power to be used for the aerosol generating device 100 to operate. In other words, the battery 120 may supply power such that the heater 110 may be heated. In addition, the battery 120 may supply power required for operation of other hardware components included in the aerosol generating device 100, that is, the microcontroller 130, the sensor 140, the user interface 160, and the memory. The battery 120 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 120 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating device 100 may include the sensing unit 140. The results sensed by the sensing unit 140 are transmitted to the microcontroller 130, and depending on the sensing results, the microcontroller 130 may control the aerosol generating device 100 to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater 110, restricting smoking, determining whether the cap is attached or detached, determining whether or not to insert an aerosol-generating article (or cartridge), determining the amount of liquid remaining in the cartridge, notification display, and determining the number of puffs, etc.

The sensing unit 140 according to an embodiment may include a first sensor 141 that detects whether the cap 30 is attached or detached, a second sensor 142 that detects whether the cartridge (20 in FIG. 3) is attached or detached, and a third sensor 143 that detects the remaining amount of liquid in the cartridge.

For example, the first sensor 141 may be an inductive sensor that detects a change in inductance of the coil (19 in FIG. 6). The inductive sensor may detect whether the cap 30 has been removed or mounted on the main body portion 10 of the aerosol generating device 100. The inductive sensor may detect a change in the inductance of the coil that occurs as the cap 30 is removed from or mounted on the main body portion 10. In this case, the cap 30 may include an electromagnetic conductor.

In addition, the second sensor 142 may be a cartridge detection sensor that determines whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached through current sensing. The current sensing may be performed at a preset cycle. For example, the second sensor 142 may perform current sensing at a cycle of 500 ms, and the activation time of the sensor may be 200 μs.

The cartridge detection sensor may include two terminals connected to the cartridge 20 and may transmit pulse current through one terminal connected to the cartridge. In this case, the cartridge detection sensor may detect whether the cartridge is connected based on whether a pulse current is received through another terminal. For example, when pulse current transmitted through one terminal is received through the other terminal, the second sensor 142 (or cartridge detection sensor) may determine that the cartridge 20 is mounted on the main body 10. Conversely, when the pulse current is not received through the other terminal, the second sensor (or cartridge detection sensor) may determine that the cartridge 20 has been removed from the main body 10. When receiving consecutive result values from the second sensor 142 in the following order: the state in which the cartridge 20 is mounted on the main body portion 10, the state in which the cartridge is removed from the main body portion 10, and the state in which the cartridge 20 is attached to the main body portion 10, the microcontroller 130 may determine that the cartridge 20 has been replaced.

In addition, the third sensor 143 may be a capacitance sensor that obtains a capacitance measurement value by measuring the capacitance of the electrode unit 150. The capacitance sensor may measure the capacitance of the electrode unit 150. For example, the electrode unit 150 may include a first electrode, and the capacitance sensor may measure capacitance between the first electrode and ground. For another example, the electrode unit 150 may include a first electrode and a second electrode, and the capacitance sensor may measure capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

When the cap 30 is mounted on the main body portion 10, the capacitance sensor may be used as a level sensor to measure the water level using capacitance, and when the cap 30 is removed from the main body portion 10, the capacitance sensor may be used as a proximity sensor that detects nearby objects using electrostatic capacitance. With the cap 30 removed from the main body portion 10, the capacitance measurement may change when a part of the user's body (e.g., a finger) approaches or leaves the electrode unit 150.

In addition, the sensing unit 140 may include a puff sensor (not shown). The puff sensor may detect the user's puff based on various physical changes in an airflow passage or an airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor may detect the user's puff based on any one of temperature change, flow change, voltage change, and pressure change.

The user interface 160 may provide the user with information about the state of the aerosol generating device 100. The user interface 160 may include various interfacing devices, such as a display or a light emitter for outputting visual information, a motor for outputting haptic information, a speaker for outputting sound information, input/output (I/O) interfacing devices (e.g., a button or a touch screen) for receiving information input from the user or outputting information to the user, terminals for performing data communication or receiving charging power, and communication interfacing modules for performing wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, Bluetooth, near-field communication (NFC), etc.) with external devices.

However, the aerosol generating device 100 may be implemented by selecting only some of the above-described examples of various user interface 160.

The microcontroller 130 may generally control operations of the aerosol generating device 100. The microcontroller 130 may refer to a computer that performs a specified function by combining a microprocessor and an input/output module into one chip.

The microcontroller 130 analyzes a result of the sensing by at least one sensor 140, and controls the processes that are to be performed subsequently.

The microcontroller 130 may control power supplied to the heater 110 so that the operation of the heater 110 is started or terminated, based on the result of the sensing by the at least one sensor 140. In addition, based on the result of the sensing by the at least one sensor 140, the microcontroller 130 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 110 and the time at which the power is supplied, so that the heater 110 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

In an embodiment, the microcontroller 130 may set a mode of the heater 110 to a pre-heating mode to start the operation of the heater 110 after receiving a user input to the aerosol generating device 100. In addition, the microcontroller 130 may switch the mode of the heater 110 from the pre-heating mode to an operation mode after detecting a user's puff by using the puff detecting sensor. In addition, the microcontroller 130 may stop supplying power to the heater 110 when the number of puffs reaches a preset number after counting the number of puffs by using the puff detecting sensor.

The microcontroller 130 may control the user interface 160 based on the result of the sensing by the at least one sensor 140. For example, when the number of puffs reaches the preset number after counting the number of puffs by using the puff detecting sensor, the microcontroller 130 may notify the user by using at least one of a light emitter, a motor, or a speaker that the aerosol generating device 100 will soon be terminated.

According to one embodiment, the microcontroller 130 may wake up from the sleep mode when the measurement value detected by the first sensor 141 changes more than a preset value and can determine whether the cap 30 is attached or detached.

When it is determined that the cap 30 has been removed from the main body 10, the microcontroller 130 detects whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached by using the second sensor 142 during a preset grace time, wherein, when attachment or detachment of the cartridge 20 is not detected during the preset grace time, the microcontroller 130 switches to a sleep mode when the preset grace time has elapsed.

During the sleep mode, the microcontroller 130 wakes up when a measurement value detected by the third sensor 143 changes to a preset value or more, and re-detect whether the cartridge is attached or detached by using the second sensor 142.

The microcontroller 130 may determine the total number of puffs capable of generating aerosol from the cartridge mounted on the aerosol generating device 100 based on the measured value of the capacitance sensor. Additionally, the microcontroller 130 may determine the number of puffs to use based on the user's inhalation detected by the puff detection sensor. Additionally, the microcontroller 130 may determine the remaining number of puffs by subtracting the number of used puffs from the total number of puffs. The microcontroller 130 may inform the user of the total number of puffs, the number of puffs used, and the number of remaining puffs using an output interfacing means.

The memory 170, as a hardware component configured to store various pieces of data processed in the aerosol generating device 100, may store data processed or to be processed by the controller 130. The memory 170 may include various types of memories; random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and static random access memory (SRAM), etc.; read-only memory (ROM); electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc.

The memory 170 may store an operation time of the aerosol generating device 100, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, data on a user's smoking pattern, etc.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method of determining a coupling state of a main body and a cap.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a main body portion 10 may include a coil 19 for determining engagement with a cap 30 and an aerosol-generating article 7.

The first sensor 141 may detect a change in the current flowing in the coil caused by electromagnetic induction between the coil 19 and an electromagnetic inductor 33 depending on the coupling state of the main body portion 10 and the cap 30.

When the cap 30 is coupled to the main body portion 10, the distance between the electromagnetic conductor 33 and the coil 19 may become closer. As the electromagnetic conductor 33 approaches the coil 19, a current change may occur in the coil 19, and the first sensor 141 may detect the current change. The microcontroller 130 may determine coupling of the cap 30 to the main body portion 10 based on the change in current.

Conversely, when the cap 30 is separated from the main body portion 10, a current change may occur in the coil 19 as the distance between the electromagnetic inductor 33 and the coil 19 increases. The microcontroller 130 may determine that the cap 30 has been separated from the main body portion 10 based on the current change detected through the first sensor 141.

In addition, the first sensor 141 may detect a change in the current flowing in the coil generated by electromagnetic induction between the coil 19 and an electromagnetic inductor 71 depending on the insertion state of the aerosol-generating article 7.

When the aerosol-generating article 7 is inserted into the main body portion 10, the distance between the electromagnetic conductor 71 and the coil 19 may become closer. As the electromagnetic inductor 71 approaches the coil 19, a current change may occur in the coil 19, and the first sensor 141 may detect the current change. Microcontroller 130 may determine whether the aerosol-generating article 7 is inserted or not, based on the current change.

Conversely, when the aerosol-generating article 7 is separated from the main body portion 10, a current change may occur in the coil 19 as the distance between the electromagnetic conductor 71 and the coil 19 increases. The microcontroller 130 may determine that the aerosol-generating article 7 has been separated from the main body portion 10 based on the change in current detected through the first sensor 141.

The change in current in the coil caused by the electromagnetic conductor 33 relative to the cap 30 may be different from the change in current in the coil caused by the electromagnetic conductor 71 relative to the aerosol-generating article 7. For example, the change in frequency of the current that occurs upon coupling of the cap 30 with the main body portion 10 may be greater than the change in the frequency of the current that occurs upon insertion of the aerosol-generating article 7 into the main body portion 10. Through this, the microcontroller 130 may distinguish between the coupled state of the cap 30 and the inserted state of the aerosol-generating article 7 and specify one of the coupled state of the cap 30 and the inserted state of the aerosol-generating article 7.

The first sensor 141 according to an embodiment may transmit the amount of change in current in the coil generated by attachment and detachment of the cap 30 to the microcontroller 130 as an interrupt signal. In other words, the microcontroller 130 wakes up from sleep mode when the measurement value detected by the first sensor 141 changes to a preset value or more, and may determine whether the cap 30 is attached or detached. Here, the sleep mode may refer to a mode in which power is cut off for components (e.g., heater 110) excluding components (e.g., sensing unit 140, memory 170, etc.) for detecting whether the cap 30 is attached or detached.

When it is determined that the cap 30 has been removed from the main body portion 10, the microcontroller 130 may detect whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached using the second sensor 142 for a preset grace period (e.g., 5 seconds). However, when the microcontroller 130 may not detect whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached during the grace period, the microcontroller 130 may switch to the sleep mode when the grace period elapses. In this case, the sleep mode may refer to a mode in which power is cut off for components (e.g., heater 110) excluding components (e.g., sensing unit 140, memory 170, etc.) for detecting objects approaching the cartridge 20.

This is a configuration to reduce power consumption because it is difficult to predict when the cartridge 20 is actually replaced even if the user removes the cap 30 from the main body portion 10 to replace the cartridge 20. For example, when the user does not replace the cartridge 20 immediately after removing the cap 30, and attempts to sense current using the second sensor 142 are allowed indefinitely without a grace period, unnecessary power consumption may occur, resulting in battery 120 discharge.

Moreover, whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached may be detected using the third sensor 143 (e.g., a capacitance sensor). Even when the liquid in the cartridge 20 is completely exhausted, the cartridge 20 itself has a dielectric constant, so the capacitance sensor may detect whether the cartridge is attached or detached based on the difference between the capacitance measurement value when the cartridge 20 is mounted on the main body portion 10 and the capacitance measurement value when the cartridge 20 is removed from the main body portion 10. However, when the cap 30 is removed, the electrode unit 150 may be affected by external noise, so there may be a risk of error in determining whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached based on the difference in capacitance measurements due to attachment and detachment of the cartridge 20.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5E, an embodiment that may accurately measure whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached with low power is described below. A general driving method of the third sensor 143 (or capacitance sensor) is described through FIGS. 5A to 5D, and a driving method of the third sensor 143 in sleep mode is described through FIG. 5E.

FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining a structure of a third sensor, according to an embodiment. FIGS. 5B to 5E are diagrams for explaining a method of driving a third sensor.

Referring to FIG. 5A, a third sensor 143 according to one embodiment may include a transmitting portion TDC, a receiving portion TRC, and an output portion INF.

The transmitting portion TDC may be configured to supply a driving signal to an electrode unit 150. The transmitting portion TDC may be configured to supply a driving signal to the electrode unit 150 during a first period.

The receiving portion TRC may be configured to receive a detection signal from the electrode unit 150. The receiving portion TRC may be configured to receive the detection signal from the electrode unit 150 during a second period after the first period.

The first period and the second period may not overlap with each other.

The output unit INF may be configured to transmit a detection signal to the microcontroller 130. The output unit INF may be configured to transmit the detection signal to the microcontroller 130 during the second period.

The transmitting unit TDC may include a power supply PSP and a first switch SW1. The first switch SW1 may connect the power supply PSP to the electrode unit 150. The power supply PSP may supply a driving signal VDD or initialization signal VSS. A voltage level of the driving signal VDD may be greater than a voltage level of the initialization signal VSS. For example, the power supply PSP may supply the driving signal VDD to the output terminal when a third switch SW3 is turned on and may supply the initialization signal VSS to the output terminal when a fourth switch SW4 is turned on.

The receiving unit TRC may include an integrator ITG and a second switch SW2. The integrator ITG may output a voltage signal at a voltage level corresponding to the amount of charge charged in the electrode unit 150 to an output terminal OUT1. In other words, the integrator ITG may function as a kind of sensor channel. The second switch SW2 may connect the integrator ITG to the electrode unit 150.

For example, the integrator ITG may include an amplifier AMP, a capacitor Ca, and a reset switch SWr. The amplifier AMP may include a first input terminal IN1 connected to the second switch SW2, a second input terminal IN2 receiving a reference voltage Vref, and the output terminal OUT1. For example, the amplifier AMP may be an operational amplifier. For example, the first input terminal IN1 may be an inverting terminal, and the second input terminal IN2 may be a non-inverting terminal. A voltage level of the reference voltage Vref may be greater than the voltage level of the initialization signal VSS and may be lower than the voltage level of the driving signal VDD. The capacitor Ca may connect the first input terminal IN1 to the output terminal OUT1. The reset switch SWr may connect the first input terminal IN1 to the output terminal OUT1.

The output unit INF may include an analog-to-digital converter ADC. The analog-to-digital converter ADC may receive an output signal of the integrator ITG. The analog-to-digital converter ADC may convert an analog voltage level output by the integrator ITG into a digital value and output the digital value to the microcontroller 130.

The microcontroller 130 may receive an output signal of the analog-to-digital converter ADC. The microcontroller 130 may calculate the capacitance of the electrode unit 150 using the received digital value.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the first period for charging the electrode unit 150 is described.

The power supply PSP may supply the driving signal VDD to the electrode unit 150 during the first period. For example, when the third switch SW3 is turned on during the first period, the power supply PSP may supply the driving signal VDD to the electrode unit 150.

The first switch SW1 may electrically connect the power supply PSP to the electrode unit 150 during the first period. That is, the first switch SW1 may be turned on during the first period. Accordingly, the driving signal VDD may be applied to the electrode unit 150 during the first period. In this case, the second switch SW2 may electrically separate the integrator ITG to the electrode unit 150 during the first period. That is, the second switch SW2 may be turned off during the first period.

In this case, depending on the remaining amount of aerosol-generating material (or liquid) in the cartridge 20, the self-electrostatic capacity between the electrode unit 150 and the cartridge 20 may vary, resulting in a difference in the amount of charge charged to the electrode unit 150. The capacitance between electrode unit 150 and cartridge 20 may depend on the amount of aerosol-generating material stored within cartridge 20. For example, the capacitance may decrease as the amount of aerosol-generating material stored within cartridge 20 decreases.

Referring to FIG. 5C, the second period for sensing the electrode unit 150 is described.

The second switch SW2 may electrically connect the integrator ITG to the electrode unit 150 during the second period after the first period. That is, the second switch SW2 may be turned on during the second period.

The integrator ITG may receive a detection signal SI from the electrode unit 150 during the second period. For example, the integrator ITG may output a voltage signal corresponding to the amount of charge charged in the electrode unit 150 to the output terminal OUT1. At an end of the second period, a voltage level of the electrode unit 150 may be equal to the voltage level of the reference voltage Vref.

In this case, the first switch SW1 may electrically separate the power supply PSP from the electrode unit 150 during the second period. That is, the first switch SW1 may be turned off during the second period.

The analog-to-digital converter ADC may convert the voltage signal received from the integrator ITG into a digital value and transmit the digital value to the microcontroller 130. The microcontroller 130 may calculate the capacitance of the electrode unit 150 using the received digital value. In this case, the capacitance of the electrode unit 150 refers to the total amount of capacitance between the electrode unit 150 and the aerosol generating material.

Referring to FIG. 5D, a third period for initializing the electrode unit 150 is described.

The first switch SW1 may electrically connect the power supply PSP to the electrode unit 150 during the third period after the second period. That is, the first switch SW1 may be turned on during the third period.

The power supply PSP may supply the initialization signal VSS to the electrode unit 150 during the third period. For example, by turning on the fourth switch SW4 for the third period, the power supply PSP may supply the initialization signal VSS to the electrode unit 150. Accordingly, at the end of the third period, the voltage level of the electrode unit 150 may be the same as the voltage level of the initialization signal VSS. For example, the voltage level of the initialization signal VSS may be lower than the voltage level of the reference voltage Vref.

In addition, by turning on the reset switch SWr during the third period, the charge amount of the capacitor Ca may be initialized. In another embodiment, the reset switch SWr may be turned on in a period other than the third period.

Meanwhile, as described above in the description of FIG. 4, when the microcontroller 130 does not detect whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached during the grace period, the microcontroller 130 may switch to a sleep mode when the grace period elapses. During sleep mode, when the measured value detected by the third sensor 143 changes to the preset value or more, the microcontroller 130 may wake up from sleep mode and re-determine whether the cartridge is attached or detached using the second sensor 142. In this case, the preset value may be set as the difference between the amount of charge charged to the electrode unit 150 when an empty cartridge 20 is mounted and the amount of charge charged to the electrode unit 150 when a part (e.g., finger) of the user's body approaches (or leaves) the mounted empty cartridge 20.

As described above in the description of FIG. 5B, the amount of charge charged to the electrode unit 150 generally varies depending on the remaining amount of aerosol-generating material (or liquid) in the cartridge 20, but as shown in FIG. 5E, the amount of charge charged to the electrode unit 150 may be additionally changed by an external object OBJ that approaches or leaves the electrode unit 150 (or the cartridge 20). For example, the external object OBJ may be a part of the user's body, such as a finger.

Accordingly, the third sensor 143 may transmit the change in capacitance generated by an external object OBJ approaching or leaving the electrode unit 150 to the microcontroller 130 as an interrupt signal. This to release the sleep mode of the microcontroller 130 by considering the user's finger approaching or leaving the electrode unit 150 as an action to replace an empty cartridge 20 when the microcontroller 130 is operating in sleep mode due to the grace period elapsed with the cap removed and re-perform the determination of whether the cartridge is attached or detached using the second sensor 142.

The second sensor 142 may be a cartridge detection sensor that determines whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached through current sensing. The current sensing may be performed at a preset cycle. The cartridge detection sensor may include two terminals connected to the cartridge 20 and may transmit pulse current through one terminal connected to the cartridge. In this case, the cartridge detection sensor may detect whether the cartridge is connected based on whether a pulse current is received through another terminal. For example, when pulse current transmitted through one terminal is received through the other terminal, the second sensor 142 (or cartridge detection sensor) may determine that the cartridge 20 is mounted on the main body 10. Conversely, when the pulse current is not received through the other terminal, the second sensor (or cartridge detection sensor) may determine that the cartridge 20 has been removed from the main body 10. When receiving consecutive result values from the second sensor 142 in the following order: the state in which the cartridge 20 is mounted on the main body portion 10, the state in which the cartridge is removed from the main body portion 10, and the state in which the cartridge 20 is mounted on the main body portion 10, the microcontroller 130 may determine that the cartridge 20 has been replaced.

Because of this, even if the user does not replace the cartridge immediately after removing the cap 30, instead of attempting to sense current using the second sensor 142 indefinitely without a grace period, thereby generating unnecessary power consumption, by operating the second sensor 142 when the user has a clear intention to replace the cartridge (i.e., during sleep mode, when the measured value detected by the third sensor 143 changes to a preset value or more), power consumption may be reduced and the effect of accurately determining whether the cartridge should be replaced may be expected using a current sensing method that is robust to external noise.

Meanwhile, according to another embodiment, when the measurement value detected by the first sensor 141 changes to a preset value or more, the microcontroller 130 may wake up and determine whether the cap 30 is attached or detached, and when it is determined that the cap 30 is separated from the main body portion 10, the microcontroller may detect whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached using the second sensor 142 during a preset grace period, but when the microcontroller does not detect attachment or detachment of the cartridge 20 during the grace time, the microcontroller 130 may enter sleep mode when the grace time has elapsed.

When the microcontroller 130 does not detect whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached during the grace period, the microcontroller 130 may switch to sleep mode when the grace period elapses. During the sleep mode, the microcontroller 130 may wake up at a preset cycle and re-perform detection of whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached using the second sensor 142. In this case, the wake-up of the microcontroller 130 may be repeated multiple times until the cap 30 is mounted on the main body portion 10.

In this way, the effect of simply waking up the sleep mode of the microcontroller 130 not by an interrupt signal from the third sensor 143 but by the microcontroller 130's own signal may be expected.

When the microcontroller 130 determines that the cap 30 is mounted after replacing the cartridge 20, the microcontroller 30 may determine the total number of puffs capable of generating aerosol by the cartridge 20 based on the capacitance measurement value.

In detail, by calculating the difference between a first capacitance measurement value and a second capacitance measurement value, the microcontroller 130 may obtain a capacitance difference value and determine the total number of puffs for the second time point based on the capacitance difference value, wherein the first capacitance measurement value may be obtained by measuring the capacitance of the electrode unit 150 at a first time point when the cap 30 is removed from the main body portion 10, and the second capacitance measurement value may be obtained by measuring the capacitance of the electrode unit 150 at a second time point when the cap 30 is mounted on the main body portion 10.

The first time point may be when the cap 30 is separated from the main body portion 10 or a time point before the cap 30 is separated from the main body portion 10. The microcontroller 130 may obtain a first capacitance measurement value by measuring the capacitance of the electrode unit 150 at a first time point through the third sensor 143. For example, the third sensor 143 may measure the capacitance of the electrode unit 150 at predetermined times, and the microcontroller 130 may obtain the last measured capacitance before the cap 30 is separated from the main body portion 10 as the first capacitance measurement value.

Alternatively, the first time point may be a time point when the cartridge 20 is separated from the semi-exterior portion 13 or a time point before the cartridge 20 is separated from the semi-exterior portion 13. The microcontroller 130 may obtain a first capacitance measurement value by measuring the capacitance of the electrode unit 150 at a first time point. For example, the microcontroller 130 may obtain the last measured capacitance before the first cartridge is separated from the semi-exterior portion 13 as the first capacitance measurement value.

Because the cap 30 is coupled to the main body portion 10 so as to cover at least a portion of the cartridge 20 mounted on the semi-exterior portion 13, the time point at which the cap 30 is separated from the main body portion 10 may be the same as the time point at which the cartridge 20 is separated from the semi-exterior portion 13.

The second time point may be a time point when the cap 30 is mounted on the main body portion 10 or a time point after the cap 30 is mounted. The microcontroller 130 may obtain a second capacitance measurement value by measuring the capacitance of the electrode unit 150 at a second time point through the third sensor 143. For example, the third sensor 143 may measure the capacitance of the electrode unit 150 at predetermined times, and the microcontroller 130 may obtain the first capacitance measured after the cap 30 is mounted on the main body portion 10 as a second capacitance measurement value.

Alternatively, the second time point may be a time point when the second cartridge is mounted on the semi-exterior portion 13 or a time point after the second cartridge is mounted. The microcontroller 130 may obtain a second capacitance measurement value by measuring the capacitance of the electrode unit 150 at the second time point. For example, the microcontroller 130 may obtain the first capacitance measured after the second cartridge is mounted on the semi-exterior portion 13 as a second capacitance measurement value. Because the cap 30 is coupled to the main body portion 10 so as to cover at least a portion of the cartridge 20 mounted on the semi-exterior portion 13, the time point at which the cap 30 is mounted on the main body portion 10 may be the same as the time point at which the cartridge is mounted on the semi-exterior portion 13.

The microcontroller 130 may obtain a capacitance difference value by calculating the difference between the first capacitance measurement value and the second capacitance measurement value.

The capacitance difference value may be a value obtained by subtracting the second capacitance measurement value from the first capacitance measurement value. Alternatively, the capacitance difference value may be a value obtained by subtracting the first capacitance measurement value from the second capacitance measurement value. Alternatively, the capacitance difference value may be an absolute value of the difference between the first capacitance measurement value and the second capacitance measurement value.

The microcontroller 130 may determine the total number of puffs capable of generating aerosol by the cartridge mounted on the aerosol generating device 100 based on the capacitance difference value.

The microcontroller 130 may determine the total number of puffs for the second time point. In this case, the total number of puffs for the second time point may be the number of puffs capable of generating aerosol expected by the cartridge 20 mounted on the semi-exterior portion 13 at the second time point. In the same way, the total number of puffs for the first time point may be the number of puffs capable of producing aerosol expected by the cartridge 20 mounted on the semi-exterior portion 13 at the first time point.

The microcontroller 130 may determine the remaining number of puffs by subtracting the number of puffs used based on the user's inhalation from the total number of puffs. In this case, the number of puffs used may be the number of puffs counted by the user's inhalation as the user uses the aerosol generating device 100. For example, when the total number of puffs is 450 and the number of used puffs counted as the user inhales 80 times is 80, the remaining number of puffs may be 370.

The microcontroller 130 may determine the remaining number of puffs for the second time point by subtracting the number of used puffs for the second time point from the total number of puffs for the second time point. In this case, the number of puffs used for the second time point may be the number of puffs depending on the user's inhalation counted based on the second time point. In addition, the microcontroller 130 may determine the remaining number of puffs for the first time point by subtracting the number of used puffs for the first time point from the total number of puffs for the first time point. In this case, the number of puffs used for the first time point may be the number of puffs depending on the user's inhalation counted based on the first time point.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an electrode unit disposed in a main body portion, according to another embodiment.

An electrode unit 150 may be placed inside a housing unit 14 to be spaced apart from a cartridge 20. A first electrode 151 and a second electrode 152 may be disposed toward the cartridge 20. In addition, the first electrode 151 and the second electrode 152 may be disposed in a longitudinal direction X of an aerosol generating device 100.

The first electrode 151 and the second electrode 152 may be mounted on a PCB 155. The PCB 155 may be electrically connected to a sensing unit 140 and a microcontroller 130.

A main body portion 10 may include a shield 17 disposed between the electrode unit 150 and an article accommodating portion 12. The shield 17 may include an electromagnetic wave blocking material to block electromagnetic interference between a coil 19 for detecting whether the cap (30 in FIG. 4) is attached or detached and/or whether an aerosol generating article 7 is inserted, and the electrode unit 150. For example, the shield 17 may include a material capable of blocking electro-magnetic interference (EMI).

In one embodiment, the first electrode 151 may be charged with a positive charge, and the second electrode 152 may be charged with a negative charge. The capacitance between the first electrode 151 and the second electrode 152 may vary depending on the amount of liquid composition stored in the cartridge 20 and/or the presence/absence of an external object approaching the cartridge 20.

A third sensor 143 may obtain a capacitance measurement value by measuring the capacitance of the electrode unit 150. Based on the capacitance measurement value, the microcontroller 130 may wake up from sleep mode or determine a total number of puffs.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an electrode unit disposed in a main body portion, according to another embodiment.

An electrode unit 150 may be placed inside a housing unit 14 to be spaced apart from a cartridge 20. A first electrode 153 may be disposed toward the cartridge 20, and a second electrode 154 may be disposed toward the first electrode 153. In addition, the first electrode 153 and the second electrode 154 may be disposed in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction X of the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the first electrode 153 and the second electrode 154 may be disposed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X of the aerosol generating device 100.

Although omitted in FIG. 7, the main body portion 10 may further include a shield 17 and a coil 19 as shown in FIG. 6.

In one embodiment, the first electrode 153 may be charged with a positive charge, and the second electrode 154 may be grounded. The capacitance between the first electrode 153 and the second electrode 154 may vary depending on the amount of liquid composition stored in the cartridge 20 and/or the presence/absence of an external object approaching the cartridge 20.

The third sensor 143 may obtain a capacitance measurement value by measuring the capacitance of the electrode unit 150. Based on the capacitance measurement value, the microcontroller 130 may wake up from sleep mode or determine a total number of puffs.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a method of determining whether a cartridge is attached or detached to or from an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. In this case, of course, the embodiments described above in FIGS. 1 to 7 as well as an embodiment shown in FIG. 8 may be applied to the operating method of the aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, the method of operating the aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment may include waking up the microcontroller 130 when a measurement value detected by a first sensor 141 that detects whether the cap 30 is attached or detached changes to a preset value or more, and determining whether the cap 30 is attached or detached (operation S10), when it is determined that the cap 30 has been removed from the main body portion 10, detecting whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached using a second sensor 142 that detects whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached during a preset grace period, but when detachment of the cartridge 20 is not detected during the grace time, switching the microcontroller 130 to a sleep mode when the grace time elapses (operation S20), and during the sleep mode, when a measurement value detected by the third sensor 143 that detects remaining amount of liquid in the cartridge 20 changes to a preset value or more, waking up the microcontroller 130 and re-detects whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached using the second sensor 142.

In operation S10, the first sensor 141 may detect changes in the current flowing in the coil 19 caused by electromagnetic induction between the coil 19 and the electromagnetic inductor 33 depending on the coupling state of the main body portion 10 and the cap 30.

When the cap 30 is coupled to the main body portion 10, the distance between the electromagnetic conductor 33 and the coil 19 may become closer. As the electromagnetic conductor 33 approaches the coil 19, a change in current may occur in the coil 19, and the first sensor 141 may detect the change in current. The microcontroller 130 may determine the coupling of the cap 30 and the main body 10 based on the change in current.

Conversely, when the cap 30 is separated from the main body portion 10, the change in current may occur in the coil 19 as the distance between the electromagnetic inductor 33 and the coil 19 increases. The microcontroller 130 may determine that the cap 30 has been separated from the main body portion 10 based on the change in current change detected through the first sensor 141.

The first sensor 141 according to an embodiment may transmit the amount of change in current in the coil generated by attachment and detachment of the cap 30 to the microcontroller 130 as an interrupt signal. In other words, the microcontroller 130 wakes up from the sleep mode when the measurement value detected by the first sensor 141 changes to a preset value or more and may determine whether the cap 30 is attached or detached. In this case, the sleep mode may refer to a mode which cuts off power to the remaining components (e.g., heater 110) excluding components (e.g., sensing unit 140, memory 170, etc.) for detecting whether the cap 30 is attached or detached.

In operation S20, when it is determined that the cap 30 has been removed from the main body portion 10, the microcontroller 130 may detect whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached using a second sensor 142 for a preset grace period (e.g., 5 seconds). For example, the second sensor 142 may be a cartridge detection sensor that determines whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached using the current sensing. The current sensing may be performed at a preset cycle. For example, the second sensor 142 performs current sensing at a cycle of 500 ms, and the activation time of the sensor may be 200 μs. The cartridge detection sensor may include two terminals connected to the cartridge 20 and may transmit pulse current through one terminal connected to the cartridge. In this case, the cartridge detection sensor may detect whether the cartridge is connected based on whether a pulse current is received through another terminal. For example, when pulse current transmitted through one terminal is received through the other terminal, the second sensor 142 (or cartridge detection sensor) may determine that the cartridge 20 is mounted on the main body 10. Conversely, when the pulse current is not received through the other terminal, the second sensor (or cartridge detection sensor) may determine that the cartridge 20 has been removed from the main body 10. When receiving consecutive result values from the second sensor 142 in the following order: the state in which the cartridge 20 is mounted on the main body portion 10, the state in which the cartridge is removed from the main body portion 10, and the state in which the cartridge 20 is mounted on the main body portion 10, the microcontroller 130 may determine that the cartridge 20 has been replaced.

However, when the microcontroller 130 may not detect whether the cartridge 20 is attached or detached during the grace period, the microcontroller 130 may switch to sleep mode when the grace period elapses. In this case, the sleep mode may refer to a mode in which power is cut off for components (e.g., heater 110) excluding components (e.g., sensing unit 140, memory 170, etc.) for detecting objects approaching the cartridge 20.

This is a configuration to reduce power consumption because it is difficult to predict when the cartridge 20 is actually replaced even if the user removes the cap 30 from the main body portion 10 to replace the cartridge 20. For example, when the user does not replace the cartridge 20 immediately after removing the cap 30, and attempts to sense current using the second sensor 142 are allowed indefinitely without a grace period, unnecessary power consumption may occur, resulting in battery 120 discharge

In operation S30, during sleep mode, when the measured value detected by the third sensor 143 changes to the preset value or more, the microcontroller 130 may wake up from sleep mode and re-determine whether the cartridge is attached or detached using the second sensor 142. In this case, the preset value may be set as the difference between the amount of charge charged to the electrode unit 150 when an empty cartridge 20 is mounted and the amount of charge charged to the electrode unit 150 when a part (e.g., finger) of the user's body approaches (or leaves) the mounted empty cartridge 20.

The third sensor 143 may be a capacitance sensor that obtains a capacitance measurement value by measuring the capacitance of the electrode unit 150. The capacitance sensor may measure the capacitance of the electrode unit 150.

The third sensor 143 may transmit the change in capacitance generated by an external object OBJ approaching or leaving the electrode unit 150 to the microcontroller 130 as an interrupt signal. This to release the sleep mode of the microcontroller 130 by considering the user's finger approaching or leaving the electrode unit 150 as an action to replace an empty cartridge 20 when the microcontroller 130 is operating in sleep mode due to the grace period elapsed with the cap removed and re-perform the determination of whether the cartridge is attached or detached using the second sensor 142.

Because of this, even if the user does not replace the cartridge immediately after removing the cap 30, instead of attempting to sense current using the second sensor 142 indefinitely without a grace period, thereby generating unnecessary power consumption, by operating the second sensor 142 when the user has a clear intention to replace the cartridge (i.e., during sleep mode, when the measured value detected by the third sensor 143 changes to a preset value or more), power consumption may be reduced and the effect of accurately determining whether the cartridge should be replaced may be expected using a current sensing method that is robust to external noise.

An embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as program modules executed by a computer. Computer-readable media may be any available media that may be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. Additionally, the computer-readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media. The computer storage media includes both volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. The communication media typically includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data of modulated data signals, such as program modules or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information delivery medium.

Those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiments may understand that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the scope of the characteristics described above. Therefore, the disclosed methods should be considered in a descriptive point of view, not a restrictive point of view. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present disclosure.

An aerosol generating device and method according to various embodiments of disclosure may accurately check, with low power, whether a cartridge has been replaced by generating an interrupt signal that releases a sleep mode based on a measurement value of a capacitance sensor configured to detect a remaining amount of liquid in the cartridge.

It should be understood that embodiments described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other embodiments. While one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.