AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0083123, filed on Jun. 25, 2024, and 10-2024-0111625, filed on Aug. 20, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Various embodiments according to the disclosure relate to an aerosol generating device and a method of controlling the aerosol generating device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods of solving the shortcomings of general cigarettes. For example, there has been an increasing demand for a system that generates an aerosol by heating a cigarette or an aerosol generating material by using an aerosol generating device, rather than a method of generating an aerosol by burning a cigarette.

Two main methods for controlling an operation of the aerosol generating device include a control method based on a user's puff number and a control method based on an operation time.

According to the control method based on the puff number, heating ends when the accumulated puff number reaches a preset puff number, and accordingly, the control method may also provide a smoking time less than the smoking time desired by a user. In addition, according to the control method based on the operation time, once heating starts, the heating ends as the preset time elapses even when a user does not perform a puff motion, and accordingly, there may be a case where the cigarette has to be discarded due to the end of heating even though an aerosol generating material in the cigarette is not sufficiently exhausted.

SUMMARY

When a heater heats an aerosol generating substrate only for a preset time, a user may not be able to continue smoking even when the user can continue smoking by using the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substrate.

Also, a method of providing additional puffs based on a vaporization amount and remaining amount of the aerosol generating substrate or controlling the heating time of a heater does not consider a transfer amount of an effective ingredient of an aerosol generating article, and accordingly, there is a problem that a user's smoking taste sense is reduced when taking additional puffs.

Also, providing additional puffs based on a user's puff strength or inhalation intensity has a problem that not only is there a deviation in provision of additional puffs for each user, but also it is difficult for the user to easily check the provision of additional puffs.

An embodiment according to the disclosure provides an aerosol generating device and a method of controlling the aerosol generating device, which may increase user reliability by uniformly providing additional puffs based on the time for reaching a preset puff number without causing a decrease in smoking taste when taking additional puffs by considering the transfer amount of the effective ingredient included in an aerosol generating article.

Problems to be solved through the embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not described may be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong from the present 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 includes a heater configured to heat at least part of an aerosol generating article including an aerosol generating material, a storage storing a temperature profile of the heater and an operation time of the aerosol generating device, an output unit configured to output a notification corresponding to an operation state of the aerosol generating device, a puff sensor configured to detect a user's puff during the operation time, and a controller configured to control an output of the notification based on at least one of the operation time and a previously determined puff number, and control supplying of power of the heater to correspond to the temperature profile.

The controller determines an additional puff number provided in addition to the previously determined puff number based on a time taken to reach a preset puff number within the previously determined puff number, and controls the output unit to output a notification corresponding to the determined additional puff number.

The controller may determine the additional puff number when the time taken to reach the preset puff number is less than a first threshold time within the previously determined puff number.

The controller may calculate an average puff time based on the time taken to reach the preset puff number, and determine the additional puff number based on a remaining operation time obtained by subtracting the time taken to reach the preset puff number from the operation time and on the average puff time.

The average puff time may be a cumulative average value of time including an inhalation time of the user and an interval between inhalations.

The storage may store the average puff time previously calculated according to an accumulated use of the aerosol generating device.

The controller may determine the additional puff number based on the average puff time stored in the storage.

The temperature profile may include a plurality of temperature profiles, and the controller may determine the additional puff number differently according to the plurality of temperature profiles.

The plurality of temperature profiles may include a first mode for controlling the supplying of power of the heater according to a first temperature profile having a first average temperature; and a second mode for controlling the supplying of power of the heater according to a second temperature profile having a second average temperature higher than the first average temperature.

The controller may assign a weight to the first mode rather than to the second mode when determining the additional puff number.

The controller may cause the output unit to output a remaining puff number according to the previously determined puff number.

The controller may cause the output unit to output the determined additional puff number, when the additional puff number is determined.

The controller may cause the output unit to output a final remaining puff number obtained by adding the determined additional puff number to the remaining puff number.

The controller may determine the additional puff number based on a minimum transfer amount of the aerosol generating material according to the user's puff during the operation time.

The controller may determine the additional puff number based on intensity of the user's puff during the operation time.

The controller may determine the additional puff number as a minimum number when the time taken to reach the preset puff number within the previously determined puff number is less than a first threshold time.

According to another embodiment, a method of controlling an aerosol generating device includes determining a time taken to reach a preset puff number within a previously determined puff number, determining an additional puff number provided additionally to the previously determined puff number based on the time taken to reach the preset puff number, and outputting a notification corresponding to the determined additional puff number.

According to another embodiment, provided is a recording medium having recorded thereon a program for performing, on a computer, a method of controlling an aerosol generating device.

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:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 2A to 2H illustrate aerosol generating devices according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a nicotine transfer amount according to the puff number according to another embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an aerosol generating device, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of providing an additional puff according to another embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an output of a user notification for providing an additional puff according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an output of a user notification for providing an additional puff according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar components will be assigned the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals in the drawings, and the same descriptions thereof will be omitted. With regard to the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used to represent like or related elements.

The suffixes “module”, “-er”, and “-or” for the components used in the following description are given or used interchangeably by considering only the ease of writing the description, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves. The suffix “module” or “unit”, as used herein, may include a unit implemented as hardware, software, or firmware. For example, the suffix “module” or “unit” may be interchangeably used with the term a “logic”, a “logical block”, a “component”, or a “circuit”. The “module” or “unit” may be an integrally formed component, a minimum unit of the component performing one or more functions, or a part of the minimum unit. For example, the “module” or “unit” may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

In addition, when describing the embodiments of the disclosure, the detailed description of the related known art, which may obscure the subject matter of the embodiments, may be omitted. Also, the accompanying drawings are only intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiments described herein, and the spirit of the disclosure is not limited by the accompanying drawings and should be understood to include all changes, equivalents or alternatives included in the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements or components, these elements or components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element or component from another element or component.

When an element is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

The singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as software including one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., a memory 17) readable by a machine (e.g., an aerosol generating device 1). For example, a processor (e.g., a controller 12) of the machine (e.g., the aerosol generating device 1) may call at least one instruction among one or more instructions stored from the storage medium and execute the at least one instruction. This makes it possible for the machine to be operated to perform at least one function according to the called at least one instruction. Examples of the one or more instructions may include codes created by a compiler, or codes executable by an interpreter. A machine-readable storage medium may be provided as a non-transitory storage medium. The ‘non-transitory storage medium’ is a tangible device and only means that it does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic waves). This term does not distinguish a case in which data is stored semi-permanently in a storage medium from a case in which data is temporarily stored.

In the present disclosure, a direction of the aerosol generating device 1 may be defined based on an orthogonal coordinate system. The x-axis direction in the orthogonal coordinate system may be defined as a left-right direction of the aerosol generating device 1. The y-axis direction may be defined as a front-back direction of the aerosol generating device 1. The z-axis direction may be defined as an upward and downward direction of the aerosol generating device 1.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a power supply 11, the controller 12, a sensor unit 13, an output unit 14, an input unit 15, a communication unit 16, a memory 17, and/or heater 18 and 24. However, it may be understood by those skilled in the art that some of the components shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted or new components may be added, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1.

According to an embodiment, the sensor unit 13 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device 1 or a state of the surroundings of the aerosol generating device 1 and may transmit information corresponding to the sensed state to the controller 12. For example, the sensor unit 13 may include a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, an insertion detection sensor, a reuse detection sensor, an overwetting detection sensor, a cigarette identification sensor, a cartridge detection sensor, a cap detection sensor, and/or a movement detection sensor. The sensor unit 13 may further include various sensors, such as a liquid remaining amount sensor for detecting the liquid remaining amount of a cartridge and an immersion sensor for detecting immersion of the aerosol generating device 1.

According to an embodiment, the temperature sensor may detect the heating temperature of the heater 18 and 24. The aerosol generating device 1 may include a separate temperature sensor for detecting respective temperatures of the heater 18 and 24, or the heater 18 and 24 may serve as a temperature sensor. For example, the temperature sensor may be used to measure an impedance of the heater 18. The impedance of the heater 18 may be correlated with the temperature of the heater 18. The temperature sensor may measure a current and/or voltage applied to the heater 18 (or an induction coil). Based on the measured current and/or voltage, the impedance for the heater 18 may be calculated. The controller 12 may estimate the temperature of the heater 18, based on the calculated impedance.

For example, the temperature sensor may include a resistive element (e.g., a thermistor) whose resistance value changes in response to a change in temperatures of the heater 18 and 24. The temperature sensor may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistive element, and the controller 12 may detect the temperatures and/or temperature changes of the heater 18 and 24, based on the signal corresponding to the resistance value.

As another example, the temperature sensor may include a sensor for detecting the resistance values of the heater 18 and 24. The temperature sensor may output signals corresponding to the resistance values of the heater 18 and 24, and the controller 12 may detect the temperatures and/or temperature changes of the heater 18 and 24, based on the signals corresponding to the resistance values.

According to an embodiment, the temperature sensor may detect a temperature of the power supply 11. The temperature sensor may be disposed adjacent to the power supply 11. For example, the temperature sensor may be attached to one surface of the power supply 11 (e.g., a battery) and/or mounted on one surface of a printed circuit board. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a power protection circuit module (PCM), and the temperature sensor may be disposed adjacent to the power supply 11 together with the power PCM.

According to an embodiment, the temperature sensor may be disposed inside a housing (not shown) of the aerosol generating device 1 to detect an internal temperature of the housing.

According to an embodiment, the puff sensor may detect a puff of a user.

For example, the puff sensor may include a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may output a signal corresponding to an internal pressure of the aerosol generating device 1, and the controller 12 may detect the puff of the user, based on the signal corresponding to the internal pressure. The internal pressure of the aerosol generating device 1 may correspond to pressure of an airflow path along which gas flows. The puff sensor may be disposed to correspond to the airflow path along which gas flows, in the aerosol generating device 1.

As another example, the puff sensor may include a temperature sensor. When the user' puff occurs, a temporary temperature drop may occur in the airflow path, a space where an aerosol generating article is inserted (hereinafter, an insertion space), the heater 18 and 24, etc. The controller 12 may detect the user's puff, based on a signal corresponding to the temperature of the airflow path, etc. output from the temperature sensor.

As another example, the puff sensor may include both a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor. In this case, the temperature sensor may measure a temperature that is used to correct an internal pressure measured by the pressure sensor. For example, the puff sensor may correct the signal corresponding to the internal pressure, based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, and may output the corrected signal. As another example, the puff sensor may output the signal corresponding to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, and the signal corresponding to the internal pressure measured by the puff sensor. In this case, the controller 12 may receive the signals, and may correct the signal corresponding to the internal pressure, based on the signal corresponding to the temperature.

As another example, the puff sensor may include a capacitance sensor. In the present disclosure, the capacitance sensor may also be referred to as a cap sensor or a capacitive sensor. When the user's puff occurs, a temperature change and/or aerosol flow may occur within the insertion space of the aerosol generating article, and accordingly, an internal permittivity of the insertion space may change. The controller 12 may detect the user's puff, based on a signal corresponding to the internal permittivity, etc. of the insertion space output by the temperature sensor.

The puff sensor is not limited to the aforementioned examples, and may be implemented using various sensors for detecting the user's puff.

According to an embodiment, the insertion detection sensor may detect insertion and/or removal of the aerosol generating article. The insertion detection sensor may be provided around the insertion space. The insertion detection sensor may also include any combination of the aforementioned examples.

For example, the insertion detection sensor may include a capacitance sensor. The capacitance sensor may include at least one conductor. The at least one conductor may be arranged adjacent to the insertion space. When the aerosol generating article is inserted into or removed from the insertion space, a permittivity around the conductor may change. The controller 12 may detect the insertion and/or removal of the aerosol generating article, based on a signal corresponding to the internal permittivity, etc. of the insertion space output by the capacitance sensor.

As another example, the insertion detection sensor may include an inductive sensor. The inductive sensor may include at least one coil. The at least one coil may be disposed adjacent to the insertion space. When the aerosol generating article (e.g., a wrapper of the aerosol-generating article) includes a conductor and is inserted into or removed from the insertion space, a change in a magnetic field may occur around a coil where a current flows. The controller 12 may detect insertion and/or removal of the aerosol generating article including the conductor, based on the characteristics (e.g., a frequency, a current value, a voltage value, an inductance value, and an impedance value of an alternating current) of a current output or detected by the inductive sensor. Alternatively, the aerosol generating article (e.g., a medium portion of the aerosol generating article) may include a susceptor (SUS), etc. Even in this case, a change in the magnetic field around the coil may occur based on the insertion or removal of the susceptor, etc. within the insertion space, and the controller 12 may also detect the insertion and/or removal of the aerosol generating article, based on the characteristics of the current of the inductive sensor.

The insertion detection sensor is not limited to the aforementioned examples, and may be implemented using any of various sensors (e.g., a proximity sensor) for detecting insertion and/or removal of the aerosol generating article. The insertion detection sensor may also include any combination of the aforementioned examples. According to an embodiment, the insertion detection sensor may include a switch, etc. for detecting compression performed by the aerosol generating article.

According to an embodiment, the reuse detection sensor may detect whether the aerosol generating article is reused. For example, the reuse detection sensor may be a color sensor for detecting a color of the aerosol generating article. When the aerosol generating article is used by the user, a change in the color of a portion of the wrapper surrounding the outside of the aerosol generating article may occur due to generated aerosol or heating. The color sensor may output a signal corresponding to optical characteristics (e.g., a wavelength of light) corresponding to the color of the wrapper, based on light reflected by the wrapper. When a change in the color of the portion of the wrapper is detected, the controller 12 may determine that the aerosol generating article inserted into the insertion space has already been used.

According to an embodiment, the overwetting detection sensor may detect whether the aerosol generating article is in an overwetting state. For example, the overwetting detection sensor may include a capacitance sensor. The capacitance sensor may include at least one conductor disposed adjacent to the insertion space. The controller 12 may detect whether the aerosol generating article is in an overwetting state, based on the level of a signal corresponding to a permittivity, etc. output by the capacitance sensor. For example, the controller 12 may check a level range including the level of the signal, based on a look-up table, and may determine a moisture content for the aerosol generating article, based on the checked level range.

According to an embodiment, the cigarette identification sensor may detect whether the aerosol generating article is authentic, and/or detect the type of the aerosol generating article.

For example, the cigarette identification sensor may include an optical sensor for detecting an identification material (or an identification mark) located on an outer surface (e.g., a wrapper) of the aerosol generating article. The optical sensor may radiate light toward the identification material (or the identification mark) of the aerosol generating article, and may detect the authenticity and/or the type of the aerosol generating article, based on the reflected light. For example, the identification material may include a material that emits light of a wavelength in a specific band, based on the radiated light. The controller 12 may detect the authenticity and/or the type of the aerosol generating article, based on the range of the wavelength.

As another example, the cigarette identification sensor may include a capacitance sensor. According to the types of aerosol generating article inserted into the insertion space, the internal permittivity of the insertion space may vary. The controller 12 may detect the authenticity of and/or the type of the aerosol generating article, based on the signal corresponding to the internal permittivity, etc. of the insertion space output by the capacitance sensor.

As another example, the cigarette identification sensor may include an inductive sensor. When a conductor is included in the wrapper and/or interior (e.g., a medium portion) of the aerosol generating article inserted into the insertion space, the characteristics of a current detected by the inductive sensor (e.g., a frequency, a current value, a voltage value, an inductance value, and an impedance value of an AC current) may differ according to the types of aerosol generating article inserted into the insertion space. The controller 12 may detect the authenticity of and/or the type of the aerosol generating article, based on the characteristics of a current output by the capacitance sensor or detected by the inductive sensor.

The cigarette identification sensor is not limited to the aforementioned examples, and may be implemented using any of various sensors for detecting whether the aerosol generating article is authentic, and/or detecting the type of the aerosol generating article. The cigarette identification sensor may also include any combination of the aforementioned examples.

According to an embodiment, the cartridge detection sensor may detect insertion and/or removal of the cartridge. For example, the cartridge detection sensor may include an inductive sensor, a capacitance sensor, a resistance sensor, a hall sensor (a hall IC) using a hall effect, and/or an optical sensor.

According to an embodiment, the cap detection sensor may detect insertion and/or removal of the cap. For example, the cap detection sensor may include an inductive sensor, a capacitance sensor, a resistance sensor, a hall sensor (a hall IC), and/or an optical sensor. The cap may include a structure that covers at least a portion of the cartridge mounted on or inserted into the aerosol generating device 1 or covers at least a portion of the housing of the aerosol generating device 1. When the cap is mounted on or removed from the housing, the cap detection sensor may output a signal corresponding to the mounting or removal of the cap. The controller 12 may detect the mounting or removal of the cap, based on a signal corresponding to the mounting or removal.

According to an embodiment, the movement detection sensor may detect a motion of the aerosol generating device 1. The movement detection sensor may be implemented using at least one of an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor.

According to an embodiment, the sensor unit 13 may further include at least one of a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a global positioning sensor (GPS), or a proximity sensor, in addition to the above-described sensors. Functions of the sensors would be instinctively understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in view of their names and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted herein.

According to an embodiment, the output unit 14 may output information about the state of the aerosol generating device 1. The output unit 14 may include a display, a haptic unit, and/or a sound output unit, but embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, information about the aerosol generating device 1 may include a charging/discharging state of the power supply 11 of the aerosol generating device 1, preheating states of the heater 18 and 24, an insertion/removal state of the aerosol generating article and/or the cartridge, a mounting and/or removal state of the cap, or a state in which use of the aerosol generating device 1 is limited (e.g., detection of an abnormal article). The display may visually provide the information about the state of the aerosol generating device 1 to the user. For example, the display may include a light-emitting diode (LED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), etc. When the display includes a touch pad, the display may also be used as an input unit 15. A haptic unit may tactually provide the information about the state of the aerosol generating device 1 to the user. For example, the haptic unit may include a vibration motor, a piezoelectric element, an electrical stimulation device, etc. The sound output unit may acoustically provide the information about the aerosol generating device 1 to the user. For example, the sound output unit may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and may output the sound signal to the outside.

According to an embodiment, the power supply 11 may output power for operating the aerosol generating device 1. The power supply 11 may include one or more batteries. The power supply 11 may supply power so that the heater 18 and 24 may be heated. In addition, the power supply 11 may supply power required for operations of the controller 12, the sensor unit 13, the output unit 14, the input unit 15, the communication unit 16, the memory 17, etc. which are other components included in the aerosol generating device 1. The power supply 11 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the power supply 11 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but embodiments are not limited thereto. The power supply 11 may be a rechargeable (separate-type) battery (hereinafter, a detachable battery. The detachable battery may be mounted on a battery accommodation part provided within the aerosol generating device 1, or may be removed from the battery accommodation part. The detachable battery may be charged either via wire or wirelessly.

According to an embodiment, the heater 18 and 24 may heat a medium and/or an aerosol generating material within the aerosol generating article and/or the cartridge by receiving power from the power supply 11. The aerosol generating device 1 may include a heater 18 for heating the aerosol generating article and/or a cartridge heater 24 for heating the cartridge (i.e., a solid and/or liquid medium).

According to an embodiment, the heater 18 and 24 may be electro-resistive heaters. For example, the electro-resistive heaters may include an electro-resistive material, such as a metal including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, or the like, or a metal alloy. The electro-resistive heaters may be implemented using a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate on which an electric conductive track is disposed, a ceramic heating body, or the like.

According to an embodiment, the heaters 18 and 24 may be induction heating heaters. For example, the induction heating heaters may include a susceptor that generates heat through a magnetic field. The magnetic field may be generated from an induction coil by an AC current flowing through the induction coil. The generated magnetic field may penetrate a heater and an eddy current may be generated by the susceptor. The susceptor may be heated based on the generation of the eddy current. According to an embodiment, the susceptor may be included within the aerosol generating article (e.g., the medium portion). Even in this case, the susceptor included within the aerosol generating article may be heated by the induction coil.

The heater 18 and 24 are not limited to the aforementioned examples, and may include or be replaced with various heating methods, structures, components, etc. for heating the aerosol generating article and/or the cartridge.

According to an embodiment, the input unit 15 may receive information input by the user. For example, the input unit 15 may include a touch panel, a button, a keypad, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc.

According to an embodiment, the memory 17 is hardware for storing various kinds of data processed in the aerosol generating device 1, and may store pieces of data that have been processed and are to be processed by the controller 12. For example, the memory 17 may include at least one type of storage medium selected from among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, a secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD) memory), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. For example, the memory 17 may store data about an operating time of the aerosol generating device 1, a maximum number of puffs, a current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

According to an embodiment, the communication unit 16 may include at least one component for communication with another electronic device (e.g., a portable electronic apparatus). For example, the communication unit 16 may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, an Near Field Communication (NFC) communication unit, a wireless local area network (WLAN) communication unit, a ZigBee communication unit, an infrared Data Association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wireless Fidelity Direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Adaptive Network Topology (Ant)+ communication unit, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN) communication unit, etc.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may control overall operations of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the controller 12 may include at least one processor. The controller 12 may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or as a combination of a general-use micro controller unit (MCU) (or a microprocessor) and a memory in which a program executable by the general-use MCU is stored. It will also be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present embodiment pertains that the controller 12 may be implemented as other types of hardware.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may control supplying of the power of the power supply 11 to the heater 18 and 24, thereby controlling the temperatures of the heater 18 and 24. The controller 12 may control the temperatures of the heater 18 and 24 and/or power supplied to the heater 18 and 24, based on the temperatures of the heater 18 and 24 detected using the temperature sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13). The controller 12 may control the temperatures of the heater 18 and 24 and/or the power supplied to the heater 18 and 24, based on a temperature profile and/or a power profile stored in the memory 17.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may control power (e.g., a voltage and/or a current) supplied to the heater 18 and 24 by controlling a power conversion circuit (not shown) electrically connected to the heater 18 and 24 and the power supply 11. For example, the power conversion circuit may include a DC/DC converter (e.g., a buck converter, a buck-boost converter, a boost converter, or a Zener diode) that converts power that is to be supplied to the heater 18 and 24, and a DC/AC converter (e.g., an inverter) that converts power that is to be supplied to an induction coil (not shown). The DC/AC inverter may be implemented as a full-bridge circuit or half-bridge circuit including a plurality of switching elements. For example, the power conversion circuit may include at least one switching element, such as a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) and a field effect transistor (FET).

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may control the current and/or voltage supplied to the heater 18 and 24 by controlling the frequency and/or duty ratio of a current pulse input to the at least one switching element of the power conversion circuit. A duty ratio with respect to an on/off operation of the switching element may correspond to a ratio of an output voltage of the power conversion circuit to an output voltage of the power supply 11.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may control power that is supplied to the heater 18 and 24, by using at least one method among a pulse width modulation (PWM) method and a proportional-integral-differential (PID) method. For example, the controller 12 may control a current pulse having a certain frequency and a duty ratio to be supplied to the heater 18 and 24, by using the PWM method. The controller 12 may control the power supplied to the heater 18 and 24, by adjusting the frequency and duty ratio of the current pulse. For example, the controller 12 may determine a target temperature that is a target of control, based on the temperature profile. The controller 12 may control the power supplied to the heater 18 and 24, by using a PID method, which is a feedback control method using a difference value between the temperatures of the heater 18 and 24 and the target temperature thereof, a value obtained by integrating the difference value according to the flow of time, and a value obtained by differentiating the difference value according to the flow of time.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may determine target power that is a target of control, based on the power profile. The controller 12 may control the power supplied to the heater 18 and 24 to correspond to preset target power, according to the flow of time.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may detect the user's puff by detecting the power supplied to the heater 18 and 24. In more detail, the controller 12 may control the power supplied to the heater 18 and 24, by using the PID method. When the user' puff occurs, a temporary temperature drop may occur in a space where the aerosol generating article is inserted (hereinafter, the insertion space), the heater 18 and 24, etc. Accordingly, a change may occur in the power (or current) supplied to the heater 18 and 24 during power control using the PID method. The controller 12 may detect the user's puff, based on a change in the power that is controlled.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may prevent the heater 18 and 24 from being heated. For example, the controller 12 may control an operation of the power conversion circuit so that the amount of the power supplied to the heater 18 and 24 is reduced or the power supply to the heater 18 and 24 is stopped, based on the temperatures of the heater 18 and 24 exceeding a preset limit temperature.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may control charging/discharging of the power supply 11. For example, the controller 12 may check the temperature of the power supply 11 by using the temperature sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13). When the temperature of the power supply 11 is equal to or greater than a first limit temperature, the controller 12 may block charging of the power supply 11. When the temperature of the power supply 11 is greater than or equal to a second limit temperature, the controller 12 may stop using (e.g., discharging) the power stored in the power supply 11. The controller 12 may calculate the remaining capacity of the power stored in the power supply 11. For example, the controller 12 may calculate the remaining capacity of the power supply 11, based on a voltage and/or current sensing value of the power supply 11.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may control supply of power to the heater 18 and 24, based on a result of the sensing performed by the sensor 13.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may control supply of power to the heater 18 and 24, based on insertion and/or removal of the aerosol generating article into and/or the insertion space. For example, when it is determined using the insertion detection sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13) that the aerosol generating article has been inserted into the insertion space, the controller 12 may control power to be supplied to the heater 18 and 24. When it is determined using the insertion detection sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13) that the aerosol generating article has been removed from the insertion space, the controller 12 may block the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24. When the temperatures of the heater 18 and 24 are equal to or greater than a limit temperature or temperature change slopes of the heater 18 and 24 are equal to or greater than a set slope, the controller 12 may determine that the aerosol generating article has been removed from the insertion space.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may control power supply time periods and/or power supply amounts for the heater 18 and 24, based on the state of the aerosol generating article. For example, when it is determined using the overwetting detection sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13) that the aerosol generating article is in an overwetting state, the controller 12 may increase the power supply time periods (e.g., preheating time periods) for the heater 18 and 24.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may control supply of power to the heater 18 and 24, based on reuse or non-reuse of the aerosol generating article. For example, when it is determined that the aerosol generating article has been used, the controller 12 may block supply of power to the heater 18 and 24.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may control supply of power to the heater 18 and 24, based on attachment and/or removal of the cartridge. For example, when it is determined using the cartridge detection sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13) that the cartridge is in a separated state, the controller 12 may block supply of power to the heater 18 and 24 or may control power to be not supplied to the heater 18 and 24.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may control supply of power to the heater 18 and 24, based on whether the aerosol generating material of the cartridge has been exhausted. For example, when it is determined that the temperatures of the heater 18 and 24 exceed the limit temperature while the heater 18 and 24 are being preheated (i.e., in a preheating section), the controller 12 may determine that the aerosol generating material in the cartridge has been exhausted. When it is determined that the aerosol generating material of the cartridge has been exhausted, the controller 12 may cut off the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may control the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24, based on whether use of the cartridge is possible. For example, when it is determined based on data stored in the memory 17 that a current number of puffs is equal to or greater than a maximum number of puffs set in the cartridge, the controller 12 may determine that the use of the cartridge is not possible. For example, when a total time period during which the heater 18 and 24 are heated is greater than or equal to a preset maximum time period or a total amount of power supplied to the heater 18 and 24 is greater than or equal to a preset maximum power amount, the controller 12 may determine that the use of the cartridge is not possible. In this case, the controller 12 may block supply of power to the heater 18 and 24 or may control power to be not supplied to the heater 18 and 24.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may control the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24, based on the user's puff. For example, the controller 12 may determine occurrence or non-occurrence of a puff and/or the intensity of the puff, by using the puff sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13). When the number of puffs reaches the preset maximum of puffs or puffs are not sensed for a preset time period or more, the controller 12 may cut off the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24. When a puff is sensed, the controller 12 may control the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may control supply of power to the heater 18 and 24, based on authenticity of the aerosol generating article (or the cartridge) and/or the type of the aerosol generating article. For example, the controller 12 may detect authenticity or of the aerosol generating article and/or the type of the aerosol generating article, by using the cigarette identification sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13). For example, when the aerosol generating article (or the cartridge) is detected as counterfeit, the controller 12 may block supply of power to the heater 18 and 24. When the aerosol generating article (or the cartridge) is detected as authentic, the controller 12 may control (e.g., start) supply of power to the heater 18 and 24. As another example, the controller 12 may differently control power supply to the heater 18 and 24 according to the types of aerosol generating article (or cartridge). In more detail, when the aerosol generating article (or the cartridge) is detected as a first aerosol generating article (or a first cartridge), the controller 12 may control the temperatures and/or power of the heater 18 and 24, based on a first temperature profile (or a first power profile), and, when the aerosol generating article (or cartridge) is detected as a second aerosol generating article (or a second cartridge), may control the temperatures and/or power of the heater 18 and 24, based on a second temperature profile (or a second power profile).

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may control the output unit 14, based on a result of the sensing performed by the sensor unit 13. For example, when the number of puffs counted using the puff sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13) reaches a preset number, the controller 12 may control the output unit 14 to visually, tactually, and/or acoustically provide information indicating that the aerosol generating device 1 is about to be terminated. For example, the controller 12 may control the output unit 14 to visually, tactually, and/or acoustically provide information about the temperatures of the heater 18 and 24.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may store and update a history of an event occurred in the memory 17, based on certain event occurrence. For example, the event may include insertion detection of the aerosol generating article, heating start of the aerosol generating article, puff detection, puff end, overheat detection of the heater 18 and 24, detection of overvoltage application to the heater 18 and 24, heating end of the aerosol generating article, an operation such as power on/off of the aerosol generation device 1, charging start of the power supply 11, detection of overcharging of the power supply 11, and charging end of the power supply 11, which are performed by the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the history of the event may include, for example, a date and time of the event, and log data corresponding to the event. For example, when a predetermined event is insertion detection of the aerosol generating article, log data corresponding to the event may include data for a sensing value, etc. of the insertion detection sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13). For example, when the predetermined event is overheating detection of the heater 18 and 24, the log data corresponding to the event may include data about, for example, the temperature of the heater 18 and 24, the voltage applied to the heater 18 and 24, and the current flowing through the heater 18 and 24.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may control the communication unit 16 to form a communication link with an external device, such as the user's mobile terminal.

According to an embodiment, when receiving data on authentication from the external device through the communication link, the controller 12 may dismiss limitation of the use of at least one function (e.g., a heating function) of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the data on authentication may include the user's birthday, a unique number representing the user, and completion or non-completion of authentication of the user.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may transmit data on the state of the aerosol generating device 1 (e.g., a remaining capacity of the power supply 11, and an operating mode) to the external device via the communication link. The transmitted data may be output through, for example, a display of the external device.

According to an embodiment, when a request for a location search of the aerosol generating device 1 is received from the external device via the communication link, the controller 12 may control the communication unit 16 to perform an operation corresponding to the location search. For example, the controller 12 may control the haptic unit to generate vibration, or may control the display to output an object corresponding to the location search and a search end.

According to an embodiment, when receiving firmware data from the external device via the communication link, the controller 12 may perform firmware update.

According to an embodiment, the controller 12 may transmit data on a sensing value of at least one sensor unit 13 to an external server (not shown) through the communication link, and may receive and store a learning model generated by learning sensing values from a server through machine learning, such as deep learning. The controller 12 may perform, for example, an operation of determining the user's inhaling pattern and an operation of generating a temperature profile, by using the learning model received from the server.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a power supply protection circuit. The power protection circuit may include at least one switching element, and may cut off transmission path to the power supply 11 in response to overcharging and/or overdischarging of the power supply 11. The aerosol generating device 1 may further include a connection interface, such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may transmit/receive information by being connected to another external device through the connection interface, or may charge the power supply 11.

The aerosol generating article as described herein may include at least one aerosol generating rod (e.g., a medium portion) and at least one filter rod. The heater 18 may be arranged to correspond to the at least one aerosol generating rod, and may be designed differently according to arrangement orders and/or locations of the aerosol generating rod and the filter rod. The aerosol generating rod may include at least one of nicotine, an aerosol generating material, and additives. For example, the aerosol generating material may include glycerin (e.g., vegetable glycerin (VG)) and/or propylene glycol (PG), but may also include various other materials. For example, the additives may include flavors and/or organic acid, and may also include various other materials. For example, the aerosol generating rod may include an aerosol generating substrate (e.g., a sheet) impregnated with a liquid non-tobacco material (e.g., an aerosol generating material and/or nicotine), and/or may include a solid tobacco material (e.g., leaf tobacco and reconstituted tobacco). The tobacco material may be included in the aerosol generating rod in various forms, such as Cut Tobacco, granules, or powder. According to an embodiment, the additives of the aerosol generating rod may include an alkaline substance. Based on the basic material, the nicotine of the tobacco material included in the aerosol generating rod may have an alkaline pH (e.g., pH 7.0 or higher). In this case, freebase nicotine may be released from the aerosol generating rod even at low temperature. According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating rod may include two or more aerosol generating rods, wherein the two or more aerosol generating rods may include a tobacco material and/or a non-tobacco material, respectively. Although not shown, at least one aerosol generating rod and at least one filter rod may be individually and/or integrally wrapped by at least one wrapper. In the disclosure, the aerosol generating article may be referred to as a stick.

The cartridge mentioned in the disclosure may contain an aerosol generating material in any one state among a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, a gel state, and the like. The aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid including a non-tobacco material. The cartridge may include a storage containing an aerosol generating material and/or a liquid delivery unit impregnated with (containing) the aerosol-generating material. For example, the liquid delivery unit may include a wick or the like, such as a cotton fiber, a ceramic fiber, a glass fiber, or porous ceramic. The cartridge heater 24 may be included in the cartridge, as a coil-shaped structure that is wound around the liquid delivery unit or in a structure in contact with one side of the liquid delivery unit. Alternatively, the cartridge heater 24 may be included in an aerosol generating device 1 that is separable from the cartridge.

FIGS. 2A to 2H illustrate aerosol generating devices according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 2A, an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include at least one of a power supply 11, a controller 12, a sensor 13, and a heater 18. At least one of the power supply 11, the controller 12, the sensor 13, and the heater 18 may be arranged inside a body 10 of the aerosol generating device 1.

The body 10 may have a space opened upwardly to allow a stick S, which is an aerosol generating article (or a cigarette), to be inserted thereinto. The space opened upwardly may be referred to as an insertion space. The insertion space may be recessed toward the inside of the body 10 by a preset depth such that at least part of the stick S may be inserted thereinto. A depth of the insertion space may correspond to a length of a region including an aerosol generating material and/or medium in the stick S.

A lower end of the stick S may be inserted into the inside of the body 10, and an upper end of the stick S may protrude outside the body 10. A user may hold the upper end of the stick S exposed to the outside in the user's mouth and inhale an aerosol from the stick S.

The heater 18 may heat the stick S. The heater 18 may be extended upwardly in the space into which the stick S is inserted. For example, the heater 18 may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element. The heater 18 may be inserted into the lower end of the stick S. The heater 18 may include an electrical resistance heater and/or an induction heating-type heater.

For example, referring to FIG. 2A, the heater 18 may be a resistive heater. For example, the heater 18 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 18 may be heated as a current flows through the electrically conductive track. The heater 18 may be electrically connected to the power supply 11. The heater 18 may be directly heated by receiving a current from the power supply 11.

For example, the heater 18 may be a multi-heater. The heater 18 may include a first heater and a second heater. The first heater and the second heater may be arranged side by side along a length direction. The first heater and the second heater may be heated sequentially or simultaneously.

For example, referring to FIG. 2B, an aerosol generating device 1 may include an induction coil 181 surrounding the heater 18. The induction coil 181 may heat the heater 18. The heater 18 may be a susceptor, and the heater 18 may be heated by a magnetic field generated by an alternating current (AC) flowing through the induction coil 181. The magnetic field may pass through the heater 18 and generate an eddy current within the heater 18. The current may generate heat in the heater 18.

For example, referring to FIG. 2C, a susceptor SS may be included in the stick S, and the susceptor SS inside the stick S may be heated by a magnetic field generated by an AC current flowing through the induction coil 181. The susceptor SS is arranged inside the stick S and may not be electrically connected to the aerosol generating device 1. The susceptor SS may be inserted into an insertion space together with the stick S and may be removed from the insertion space together with the stick S. The stick S may be heated by the susceptor SS in the stick S. In this case, the aerosol generating device 1 may not include a separate heater 18.

The power supply 11 may supply power to operate the components of the aerosol generating device 1. The power supply 11 may be referred to as a battery. The power supply 11 may supply the power to at least one of the controller 12, the sensor 13, and the heater 18. When the aerosol generating device 1 includes the induction coil 181, the power supply 11 may supply power to the induction coil 181.

The controller 12 may control all operations of the aerosol generating device 1. The controller 12 may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The controller 12 may control the operation of at least one of the power supply 11, the sensor 13, and the heater 18. The controller 12 may control an operation of the induction coil 181. The controller 12 may control operations of a display, a motor, and so on installed in the aerosol generating device 1. The controller 12 may check states of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 to determine whether the aerosol generating device 1 is in an operable state.

The controller 12 may analyze results detected by the sensor 13 and control the processes to be performed thereafter. For example, the controller 12 may control the power supplied to the heater 18 such that an operation of the heater 18 starts or ends based on the result detected by the sensor 13. For example, the controller 12 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 18 and the time for which the power is supplied to the heater 18 such that the heater 18 may be heated to a preset temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature based on the result detected by the sensor 13.

The sensor 13 may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, an insertion detection sensor, a cigarette type identification sensor, and an acceleration sensor. For example, the sensor 13 may sense at least one of the temperature of the heater 18, the temperature of the power supply 11, and the temperature inside and outside the body 10. For example, the sensor 13 may sense a user's puff. For example, the sensor 13 may sense whether the stick S is inserted into the insertion space by using an insertion detection sensor implemented by a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, or so on. For example, the sensor 13 may identify the type of the stick S by using a cigarette type identification sensor implemented by a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, or so on. For example, the sensor 13 may sense the movement of the aerosol generating device 1.

Referring to FIG. 2D, the heater 18 may extend upwardly around a space into which the stick S is inserted. For example, the heater 18 may be a tube-shaped film heater including a hollow space therein. The heater 18 may be arranged around the insertion space. The heater 18 may be arranged to surround at least part of the insertion space. Here, the heater 18 may be implemented by an electric resistance heater to heat the outside of the stick S inserted into the insertion space. However, the heater 18 is not limited thereto, and may be implemented by an induction heating heater rather than the electric resistance heater.

Referring to FIG. 2E, ab aerosol generating device 1 may include the induction coil 181 surrounding the heater 18. Descriptions of the induction coil 181 are the same as the descriptions given above, and accordingly, the descriptions of the induction coil 181 are omitted.

Referring to FIG. 2F, an aerosol generating device 1 may further include a cartridge 19. The cartridge 19 may include an aerosol generating material having any one of a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, or a gel state. The aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavoring component, or may be a liquid including a non-tobacco material. For example, the liquid composition may include water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, flavoring, a flavoring agent, or a vitamin mixture. The flavoring agent may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit-flavoring ingredients, and so on but is not limited thereto. The flavoring agent may include an ingredient that may provide a variety of flavors or savors to a user. The vitamin mixture may include a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E but is not limited thereto. Also, the liquid composition may include an aerosol forming agent, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The cartridge 19 may be integrally formed with the body 10 or may be detachably coupled to the body 10. For example, the cartridge 19 may be mounted on the body 10 by being inserted into the body 10. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto and may be fixed so as not to be detached by a user.

The cartridge 19 may be mounted on the body 10 while accommodating an aerosol generating material therein. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and an aerosol generating material may also be injected into the cartridge 19 while the cartridge 19 is coupled to the body.

Referring to FIG. 2G, the cartridge 19 may be integrally formed with the body 10 and may be connected to the insertion space through an airflow channel CN.

Referring to FIG. 2G, a space is formed on one side of the body 10, and at least part of the cartridge 19 may be inserted into the space formed on one side of the body 10 such that the cartridge 19 may be mounted on the body 10. The airflow channel CN may be defined by a part of the cartridge and/or a part of the body 10, and the cartridge 19 may be connected to the insertion space through the airflow channel CN.

In addition, the aerosol generating device 1 illustrated in FIG. 2F may include components arranged in a row. An aerosol generating device 1 illustrated in FIG. 2G may include the cartridge 19 and the heater 18 arranged in parallel. However, an internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to what is illustrated. That is, depending on designs of the aerosol generating device 1, the arrangement of the power supply 11, the controller 12, the sensor 13, the heater 18, and the cartridge 19 may be changed.

The body 10 may have a structure in which external air may be introduced into the inside of the body 10 while the cartridge 19 is inserted therein. In this case, the external air introduced into the body 10 may flow into a user's oral cavity through the cartridge 19.

The cartridge 19 may include a storage CO including an aerosol generating material and/or a heater CH that heats an aerosol generating material in the storage CO. A liquid transfer unit impregnating (containing) an aerosol generating material may be placed inside the storage CO. Here, the liquid transfer unit may include a wick, such as a cotton fiber, a ceramic fiber, a glass fiber, porous ceramic, or so on. An electro-conductive track of the heater CH may be formed to have a coil-shaped structure that winds the liquid transfer unit or a structure in contact with one side of the liquid transfer unit. The heater CH may be referred to as a cartridge heater CH.

The cartridge 19 may operate in response to an electrical signal or wireless signal transmitted from the body 10 to convert a phase of an aerosol generating material inside the cartridge 19 into a gas phase to generate an aerosol. In this case, the aerosol may indicate gas in which vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating material and air are mixed.

As the liquid transfer unit and a liquid composition absorbed into the liquid transfer unit may be heated by the cartridge heater CH, an aerosol may be generated. In this case, an aerosol may also be generated by the heater 18 by heating the stick S. While the aerosol generated by the cartridge heater CH and the heater 18 passes through the stick S, a tobacco material may be added to the aerosol, and the aerosol added with the tobacco material may be inhaled into a user's mouth through one end of the stick S.

The aerosol generating device 1 may include only the cartridge heater CH, and the body 10 may not include the heater 18. In this case, the aerosol generated by the cartridge heater CH may pass through the stick S and be inhaled into a user's mouth with a tobacco material added thereto.

The aerosol generating device 1 may include a cap (not illustrated). The cap may be detachably coupled to the body 10 to cover at least part of the cartridge 19 coupled to the body 10. The stick S may be inserted into the body 10 by passing through the cap.

The power supply 11 may supply power to the cartridge heater CH in addition to the configuration described above. The controller 12 may control an operation of the cartridge 19 in addition to the configuration described above. The controller 12 may control the power supplied to the cartridge heater CH such that an operation of the cartridge heater CH and/or an operation of the heater 18 starts or ends based on the result detected by the sensor 13. For example, the controller 12 may control the amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater CH and the time for which the power is supplied such that the cartridge heater CH is heated to a preset temperature or maintains an appropriate temperature based on the result detected by the sensor 13.

In addition to the configuration described above, the sensor 13 may further include at least one of a color sensor, a cartridge detection sensor, and a cap detection sensor. For example, the sensor 13 may sense the temperature of the cartridge heater CH. For example, the sensor 13 may sense the color of a part of a wrapper that wraps the outside of the stick S. For example, the sensor 13 may sense whether the cartridge 19 is mounted. For example, the sensor 13 may sense whether the cap is mounted.

Referring to FIG. 2H, a space is formed on one side of the body 10, and at least part of the cartridge 19 is inserted into the space formed on one side of the body 10 such that the cartridge 19 may be mounted on the body 10. In this case, the aerosol generating device 1 may include only the cartridge heater CH, and the body 10 may not include a heater (for example, the heater 18 of FIG. 2F). That is, although the stick S is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the stick S may not be heated directly by the heater 18 (this means non-heating). However, steam may be generated from the stick as a hot aerosol generated from the cartridge heater CH passes through the stick.

While the aerosol (a primary aerosol) generated by the cartridge heater CH passes through the stick S, a tobacco material may be added to the aerosol, and a secondary aerosol may be generated from the stick S by a high-temperature aerosol. The primary aerosol may be mixed with the secondary aerosol, and an aerosol to which the tobacco material is added may be inhaled into a user's mouth through one end of the stick S. In addition, the embodiment is not limited to the omission of the heater 18. In another embodiment, the heater 18 may heat the stick S at a relatively low temperature to generate an aerosol (this means low-temperature heating).

The cartridge 19 may have a space (an insertion space) opened upwardly such that the stick S may be inserted into the space. That is, in the present embodiment, the cartridge 19 other than the body 10 may provide the insertion space, and the stick S may be inserted into the cartridge 19. Descriptions of the insertion space is the same as the descriptions given above, and accordingly, the descriptions of the insertion space are omitted.

The cartridge 19 may have a structure in which external air may be introduced into the inside of the cartridge 19 while the cartridge 19 is inserted into the body 10. The external air introduced into the cartridge 19 may move along the inside of the cartridge 19, and then pass through the stick S inserted into the cartridge 19 to flow into a user's mouth. In this case, the airflow channel CN may be defined by the cartridge 19, and the cartridge 19 may communicate with the insertion space through the airflow channel CN.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, the aerosol generating device 1 may also configure a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the power supply 11 of the aerosol generating device 1. Alternatively, the heater 18 may also be heated in a state where the cradle is coupled to the aerosol generating device 1.

The stick S may be similar to a general combustion-type cigarette. For example, the stick S may be divided into a first portion S1 including an aerosol generating material and a second portion S2 including a filter and so on.

The first portion S1 may be formed by a sheet, a strand, or a tobacco sheet cut into small pieces. Also, the first portion S1 may be surrounded by a heat-conducting material. For example, the heat-conducting material may be metal foil, such as aluminum foil, but is not limited thereto. The first portion S1 may be referred to as a “medium portion” or a “tobacco rod” hereinafter.

The second portion S2 may be a cellulose acetate filter. The second portion S2 may be composed of at least one segment. For example, the second portion S2 may include a first segment for cooling an aerosol and a second segment for filtering a preset component included in the aerosol. The second portion S2 may be referred to as a “filter rod” hereinafter.

According to an embodiment, the second portion S2 of the stick S may also include an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material made in the form of a granule or capsule may also be inserted into the second portion S2.

The first portion S1 may be entirely inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, and the second portion S2 may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a part of the first portion S1 may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, or the entirety of the first portion S1 and a part of the second portion S2 may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 1. A user may inhale an aerosol while holding the second portion S2 in a user's mouth. In this case, the aerosol may be generated as external air passes through the first portion S1, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion S2 and is transferred to the user's mouth.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, the aerosol generating device includes a controller 120, an output unit 140, a puff sensor 131, a memory 170, and a heater 180. Redundant descriptions made above with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 2H are omitted below, and only the parts related to an additional puff function according to the embodiment are described below. The heater 180 illustrated in FIG. 3 may adopt the configuration of the heater 18 described above with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 2H, or may be modified in other ways.

The heater 180 may heat at least part of an aerosol generating article including an aerosol generating material.

The memory 170 may store a temperature profile of the heater 180 and an operation time of the aerosol generating device.

The output unit 140 may output a notification corresponding to an operation state of the aerosol generating device.

The puff sensor 131 may detect a user's puff during the operation time of the aerosol generating device.

The controller 120 may control an output of the notification based on at least one of an operation time of the aerosol generating device and the previously determined puff number. Also, the controller 120 may control supplying of power of the heater 180.

In an embodiment, the controller 120 may determine an additional puff number additionally provided to the previously determined puff number based on the time taken to reach a preset puff number within the previously determined puff number. In this case, the controller 120 may control the output unit 140 to output a notification corresponding to the determined additional puff number. For example, in a case where the operation time of one smoking action or one smoking series is 4 minutes and the previously determined puff number is 14, when 11 puffs are performed and the time taken to reach 11 puffs is within 2 minutes and 30 seconds, an additional puff may be provided. That is, when 11 puffs are performed for 2 minutes and 30 seconds, the time required per puff is approximately 15 seconds, and 5 puffs may be performed during the remaining operation time of 1 minute and 30 seconds (the operation time ends when reaching 4 minutes), and accordingly, the additional puff number may be determined as 2. Here, although it is described that the calculation is based on 11 puffs and the previous average puff time is calculated, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications may also be derived therefrom.

In an embodiment, when the time required to reach the preset puff number is faster than the first threshold time within the previously determined puff number, the controller 120 may determine the additional puff number. For example, when the time taken up to 11 puffs is within 2 minutes and 30 seconds, the additional puff number is determined, but when the time taken up to 11 puffs exceeds 2 minutes and 30 seconds, no additional puffs may be provided, or only the minimum puff number, for example, 1 puff, may be additionally provided.

In an embodiment, the controller 120 may calculate an average puff time based on the time taken up to the preset puff number. Here, the average puff time means a cumulative average value of the times obtained by adding a user's inhalation time to an interval between inhalations, that is, the time taken up to the next inhalation. For example, when a user inhales for 2 seconds and starts to inhale 10 seconds later, the puff time may be 12 seconds, and an average time of the puff times up to 11 puffs may be the average puff time. The controller 120 may determine the additional puff number during the remaining operation time obtained by subtracting the taken time from the operation time based on the average puff time. For example, when the operation time is 4 minutes and the time required up to 11 puffs is 2 minutes and 12 seconds, the remaining operation time is 1 minute and 48 seconds. Therefore, when the average puff time is 12 seconds, approximately 8 puffs may be performed, and accordingly, 5 puffs may be determined as the additional puff number in addition to 14 puffs which are the previously determined puff number.

In an embodiment, the average puff time described above may be calculated in advance according to the accumulative use of an aerosol generating device. The memory 170 may store the pre-calculated average puff time. In an embodiment, the controller 120 may also determine the additional puff number based on the average puff time stored in the memory 170.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device may have a plurality of temperature profiles and may operate in different operation modes for each of the plurality of temperature profiles. For example, a first mode may be a mode in which power is supplied to the heater 180 according to a temperature profile having a low average temperature, and a second mode may be a mode in which power is supplied to the heater 180 according to a temperature profile having a high average temperature. Also, respective modes may be different in operation times as well as differences in average temperature. For example, the second mode may have a less operation time than the first mode.

In an embodiment, the controller 120 may determine the additional puff number differently depending on the respective modes or respective temperature profiles. For example, when 2 puffs are additionally provided in the first mode, 1 puff may be additionally provided in the second mode. Also, when determining the additional puff number, the controller 120 may also determine the additional puff number by assigning different weights to the respective modes or assigning weights when a low temperature profile is provided.

In an embodiment, the controller 120 may control the output unit 140 to output a remaining puff number according to the previously determined number of times. Also, the controller 120 may control the output unit 140 to output the additional puff number when the additional puff number is determined. Also, the controller 120 may control the output unit 140 to output the final remaining puff number, which is obtained by adding the additional puff number to the remaining puff number. For example, when the previously determined puff number is 14 puffs, a user's puff is performed together with one smoking action or one smoking series, and accordingly, the remaining puff number, for example, 3 puffs, may be output, and then, when the additional puffs are determined to be 2 puffs, additional 2 puffs may be output. Also, 5 puffs, which is obtained by adding additional 2 puffs to 3 puffs, may also be output as the remaining puff number. Therefore, the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment may not have any variation for each user and may allow a user to easily check the information on the additional puff number and the remaining puff number, and thus, the reliability of the aerosol generating device may be increased.

In an embodiment, the controller 120 may determine the additional puff number based on the minimum transfer amount of an aerosol generating material according to a user's puff during an operation time of the aerosol generating device.

In general, nicotine, which is a major component of the smoking taste that affects the satisfaction of smoking, shows a tendency to decrease in proportion to the operation time of a heater that is the heating time, rather than a user's inhalation amount according to the puff. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a nicotine transfer amount according to the puff number shows a tendency to increase and then gradually decrease according to the puff number. Here, each puff represents the result of an inhalation time of 2 seconds and an interval of 16 seconds between puffs, and it takes approximately 3 minutes and 55 seconds up to 14 puffs. That is, the minimum nicotine transfer amount, for example, 0.04 mg, may be satisfied up to 14 puffs in 4 minutes which is an operation time of the aerosol generating device.

In the embodiment, in light of the experimental results described above, by determining whether to provide additional puffs and the additional puff number based on the heating time of a heater, that is, an operation time of the aerosol generating device, rather than the puff inhalation intensity or the puff inhalation amount, it is possible to satisfy the minimum nicotine transfer amount even when additional puffs are provided. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, even when 1 to 3 puffs are additionally provided in addition to 14 puffs within the operation time of 4 minutes, the additional puff number may be determined based on the time required to reach a preset puff number, for example, 11 puffs, or the remaining operation time, and accordingly, the minimum nicotine transfer amount may be satisfied within the heating time of a heater or the operation time of an aerosol generating device. Therefore, the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment may provide a sufficient number of smoking times to a user without disturbing the user's smoking taste sense even when puffs are provided in addition to the previously set puff number. Also, the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment may increase the reliability of a device by providing the user with additional puff opportunities that are satisfactory without additional battery consumption by not increasing the operation time.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an aerosol generating device, according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, in operation 500, an operation of an aerosol generating device starts and one smoking action or one smoking series is performed. Here, the operation of the aerosol generating device may be immediately performed when a user presses an operation start button or power button after an aerosol generating article is inserted into the aerosol generating device, or when the aerosol generating article is inserted.

In operation 502, the time required to reach a preset puff number is determined within the previously determined puff number. The aerosol generating device sets an operation time and the previously determined puff number for one smoking operation or one smoking series. For example, the operation time may be limited to 4 minutes and the puff number may be limited to 14 but are not limited thereto. The preset puff number may be set randomly but may be determined based on the puff number in the middle or latter half of the previously set puff number. For example, the preset puff number may be determined based on the time required to reach 11 puffs among the total 14 puffs or based on the remaining time. Also, the aerosol generating device may notify the user of the remaining puff number or that it will soon end before one smoking series ends. The additional puff number may also be determined based on the current point in time or a puff point in time. Here, although descriptions are made above by using the preset puff number as an example, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications may be made therefrom.

In operation 504, the aerosol generating device determines the additional puff number based on the time required. That is, the additional puff number that may be provided during the remaining time may be calculated based on the average puff time until now.

In operation 506, the aerosol generating device outputs a notification corresponding to the determined additional puff number. Here, the additional puff number calculated in operation 504, the remaining puff number excluding the puff number performed in the previously determined puff number in operation 502, and the final remaining puff number reflecting the additional puff number may be output.

In operation 508, the aerosol generating device operates by reflecting the additional puff number as a new operation end condition. In addition, when a new operation condition, that is, the additional puff number, is completed or the operation time elapses, an operation of the aerosol generating device ends.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of providing an additional puff according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, in operation 600, an operation of the aerosol generating device starts.

In operation 601, the aerosol generating device determines whether an operation end condition is satisfied. Here, the operation end condition may include at least one condition among the previously determined puff number and the previously determined operation time.

In operation 602, the aerosol generating device determines whether to reach the preset puff number during an operation. When reaching the preset puff number in operation 602, it is determined in operation 604 whether additional puffs may be provided during the remaining time based on the time when reaching the preset puff number.

In operation 604, when the aerosol generating device may not provide additional puffs, the process returns to operation 600. Also, even when the additional puffs may not be provided optionally, the process may return to operation 600 after a minimum additional puff, for example, 1 puff is added.

In operation 604, when the aerosol generating device may provide additional puffs, the additional puff number is calculated in operation 606. The additional puff number may be calculated by calculating how many puffs may be performed within the remaining operation time based on the previous average puff time. Also, the previous average puff time may be used as the time obtained by cumulatively storing the total usage time of the aerosol generating device, that is, the accumulated average puff time of a user. Also, in addition to the average puff time of the user, the user's puff characteristic data may also be reflected and adjusted. For example, the puff intensity or puff amount may also be reflected to the average puff time as a weight.

In operation 608, the aerosol generating device changes an operation end condition including the remaining puff number. That is, the operation end condition may be changed by reflecting the additional puff number calculated in operation 606 to the previously set puff number, which is the operation end condition of operation 601.

In operation 610, the aerosol generating device may output a notification corresponding to the additional puff number and/or the remaining puff number. FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams in which a user notification for providing an additional puff is output, according to another embodiment. Although a display screen is illustrated as an example of an output unit, user notifications may be provided through a visual unit, an auditory unit, a tactile unit, and so on, and also, various forms of notifications may be provided.

Referring to FIG. 7, display screens 710 to 740 in the first mode are illustrated. First, the remaining puff number of 3 is output on the display screen 710. When 3 puffs remain (that is, when reaching 11 puffs), an aerosol generating device may perform an additional puff number calculation process of operation 602 to operation 606. The aerosol generating device outputs an additional puff number of +2 on the display screen 720. Then, the aerosol generating device outputs the final remaining puff number of 5 obtained by summing the additional puff number of +2 on the display screen 730. Then, the user's puff is performed, and the remaining puff number of 3 is output onto the display screen 740 to inform the user that 3 puffs are left until the end of the aerosol generating device.

FIG. 8 illustrates display screens 810 to 840 in the second mode which is different from the first mode described with reference to FIG. 7. First, the remaining puff number of 3 is output on the display screen 810. The aerosol generating device may perform an additional puff number calculation process of operation 602 to operation 606 when 3 puffs are left (that is, when reaching 11 puffs). The aerosol generating device outputs the additional puff number of +1 on the display screen 820. Here, the aerosol generating device may calculate the additional puff number differently for each mode previously set by a user. Then, the aerosol generating device outputs the final remaining puff number of 4 by summing the additional puff number of +1 onto the display screen 830. Subsequently, the user's puff is performed, and the remaining puff number of 3 is output onto the display screen 840 to inform the user that there are 3 puffs left until the end of the aerosol generating device.

As described above with reference to operation 610 and FIGS. 7 and 8, the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment determines provision of additional puffs based on the time to reach a preset puff number without providing the additional puffs based on puff intensity or inhalation strength of a user, and then outputs the additional puff number and the final remaining puff number, and thus, a deviation of the provision of additional puffs for each user may be reduced, and the user may easily check the provision of additional puffs.

Again, in operation 600, the remaining operation of the aerosol generating device is performed, and when the changed operation end condition, that is, the additionally provided puff number, is fully performed in operation 601, the aerosol generating device ends the operation.

Some embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure are not mutually exclusive or distinct. Configurations or functions of some embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used together or combined with each other.

For example, a configuration A described in a certain embodiment and/or illustrated in a drawing may be combined with a configuration B described in another embodiment and/or illustrated in another drawing. That is, even when the combination between components is not directly described, the combination may be made except a case where the combination is described as impossible.

The detailed description given above should not be construed as limiting in all aspects and be considered as illustrative. The scope of the disclosure should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the disclosure are included in the scope of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, by considering the transfer amount of effective ingredients included in an aerosol generating article, smoking taste is not reduced during additional puffs, and the additional puffs are provided uniformly based on the time to reach the previously determined puff number, and thus, a user's reliability may be increased.

Also, a user's experience and convenience may be improved by allowing the user to easily check the provision of additional puffs.

However, effects of the embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not described above may be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong from the specification of the disclosure and the attached drawings.