AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0106553, filed on Aug. 9, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an aerosol-generating device that may more efficiently recognizes the insertion of an aerosol-generating article and a user's puff.

BACKGROUND

Conventional aerosol-generating devices have required separate sensing means for recognition of aerosol-generating articles, such as sticks, and for user puff recognition, respectively.

For example, for stick recognition, a sensor capable of recognizing a stick to which a material such as a pattern, a fluorescent ink, or a taggant is applied is used, and for puff recognition, a separate sensor based on the Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR) principle.

However, as the structure of the aerosol-generating device and components such as sensors become more diverse and complex, there is a problem that the efficiency of the device may be lowered and the manufacturing cost may be increased.

SUMMARY

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and an object is to provide an aerosol-generating device capable of both stick recognition and puff recognition using a single sensor.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the following description.

According to one or more example implementations of the present disclosure, an aerosol-generating device according to various embodiments of the present invention may include: a housing including an insertion space open to allow insertion of at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article; a sensor unit; an airflow channel through which air flows into the housing; and at least one processor configured to recognize an insertion of the aerosol-generating article through the sensor unit, detect a color change due to the inflow of the air through the sensor unit for at least a portion of the aerosol-generating device into which the aerosol-generating article is inserted, and recognize a puff of a user based on the detected color change.

In some embodiments, the sensor unit may include at least one sensor capable of sensing a color, and the at least one sensor may be positioned to look at at least a partial area of the aerosol-generating article within the housing.

In some embodiments, the at least one processor may be configured to: detect a first color change of the at least a partial area according to an event associated with preheating of the aerosol-generating device; detect a second color change of the at least a partial area according to an event related to the user puff; and recognize a state associated with aerosol generation based on at least one of the first color change and the second color change.

In some embodiments, the at least one processor may be configured to: further detect a third color change related to termination of use of the aerosol-generating device, and recognize a state associated with aerosol generation based on at least one of the first color change, the second color change, and the third color change.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating device may further include an output unit, and the at least one processor may be configured to: output, via the output unit, a state associated with aerosol generation recognized based on at least one of the first color change, the second color change, and the third color change.

In some embodiments, the at least some partial areas may be specific areas of the aerosol-generating article.

In some embodiments, the at least some partial areas may include at least a discoloration member that discolors according to a temperature change.

In some embodiments, the discoloration member may include: a transparent window; and a discoloration material bonded or applied to the transparent window.

In some embodiments, the discoloration member may be configured in an area adjacent to the airflow channel.

In some embodiments, the discoloration member may be configured in an area adjacent to an inlet of the airflow channel.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating device may further include: a heating body heated to a predetermined temperature or higher by the operation of the aerosol-generating device; and a temperature transmitter having a thermal conductivity greater than a predetermined value and connected to the heating body and the discoloration member to conduct heat from the heating body to the discoloration member.

A method according to various embodiments of the present invention is a control method of an aerosol-generating device including a housing including an insertion space open to allow insertion of at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article, a sensor unit, an airflow channel through which air flows into the housing, and at least one processor, the method including: a step of recognizing insertion of the aerosol-generating article through the sensor unit; a step of detecting, for at least a partial area of the aerosol-generating device into which the aerosol-generating article is inserted, a color change due to the inflow of the air through the sensor unit; and a step of recognizing a puff of a user based on the detected color change.

In some embodiments, the control method of an aerosol-generating device may further include: by the at least one processor, a step of detecting a first color change of the at least a partial area according to an event associated with preheating of the aerosol-generating device; a step of detecting a second color change of the at least a partial area according to an event related to the user puff; and a step of recognizing a state associated with aerosol generation based on at least one of the first color change and the second color change.

In some embodiments, the control method of an aerosol-generating device may further include: a step of detecting a third color change associated with termination of use of the aerosol-generating device, and wherein the step of recognizing a state associated with aerosol generation is further based on the third color change.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating device may further include an output unit, and the control method of an aerosol-generating device may further include a step of outputting, via the output unit, a state associated with aerosol generation recognized based on at least one of the first color change, the second color change, and the third color change.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, by enabling both stick recognition and puff recognition using a single component, a more economical and efficient aerosol-generating device may be provided.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 2 shows an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the contents of inserting an aerosol-generating article and recognizing a user's puff according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 5A-5D are illustrative diagrams of the internal structure of an aerosol-generating device according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts of recognizing and outputting a state of an aerosol-generating device based on a color change of a specific area according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in different drawings, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements.

In the following description, with respect to constituent elements used in the following description, the suffixes “module” and “unit” are used only in consideration of facilitation of description, and do not have mutually distinguished meanings or functions. As used herein, the suffix “module” or “unit” may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with other terms, for example, “logic,” “logic block,” “part,” or “circuitry.” A “module” or a “unit” may be a single integral component, or a minimum unit or part thereof, adapted to perform one or more functions. For example, the “module” or the “unit” may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

In addition, in the following description of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when the same may make the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification rather unclear. In addition, the accompanying drawings are provided only for a better understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification and are not intended to limit the technical ideas disclosed in the present specification. Therefore, it should be understood that the accompanying drawings include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

It will be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, etc., may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component.

It will be understood that when a component is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another component, it may be directly connected to or coupled to another component, or intervening components may be present. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another component, there are no intervening components present.

As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., a memory 17) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the aerosol-generating device 1). For example, a processor (e.g., the controller 12) of the machine (e.g., the aerosol-generating device 1) may invoke at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and may execute the same. This allows the machine to be operated to perform at least one function according to the at least one instruction invoked. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, the term “non-transitory” simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium.

In the present disclosure, the directions of the aerosol-generating device 1 may be defined based on the orthogonal coordinate system. In the orthogonal coordinate system, the x-axis direction may be defined as a leftward-rightward direction of the aerosol-generating device 1. The y-axis direction may be defined as a forward-backward direction of the aerosol-generating device 1. The z-axis direction may be defined as an upward-downward direction of the aerosol-generating device 1.

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

According to one embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 1 may include a power supply 11, a controller 12, a sensor unit 13, an output unit 14, an input unit 15, a communication unit 16, a memory 17, and/or a heater 18 and 24. However, the components included in the aerosol-generating device 1 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1. That is, it will be understood by those skilled in the art related to the present embodiment that some of the components shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted or new components may be further included depending on the design of the aerosol-generating device 1.

According to one embodiment, the sensor unit 13 may detect the state of the aerosol-generating device 1 or the state of the surroundings of the aerosol-generating device 1, and may transmit the detected information 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 overly moist state detection sensor, a cigarette identification sensor, a cartridge detection sensor, a cap detection sensor, and/or a movement detection sensor. Meanwhile, the sensor unit 13 may further include various sensors, such as a liquid residual quantity sensor for detecting the residual quantity of liquid in the cartridge and an immersion sensor for detecting immersion of the aerosol-generating device 1.

According to one embodiment, the temperature sensor may detect a temperature to which the heater 18 and 24 is heated. The aerosol-generating device 1 may include a separate temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heater 18 and 24, or the heater 18 and 24 itself may serve as a temperature sensor. In an example, the temperature sensor may be used to measure impedance for the heater 18. The impedance for the heater 18 may correlate with the temperature of the heater 18. The temperature sensor may measure current and/or voltage applied to the heater 18 (or an induction coil). The impedance for the heater 18 may be obtained based on the measured current and/or voltage. The controller 12 may estimate the temperature of the heater 18 based on the obtained impedance.

In an example, the temperature sensor may include a resistance element (e.g., a thermistor), the resistance value of which varies in response to changes in the temperature of the heater 18 and 24. The temperature sensor may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistance element, and the controller 12 may determine the temperature of the heater 18 and 24 and/or a change in the temperature of the heater 18 and 24 based on the signal corresponding to the resistance value.

In another example, the temperature sensor may include a sensor that detects the resistance value of the heater 18 and 24. The temperature sensor may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the heater 18 and 24, and the controller 12 may determine the temperature of the heater 18 and 24 and/or a change in the temperature of the heater 18 and 24 based on the signal corresponding to the resistance value.

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

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

According to one embodiment, the puff sensor may detect a user's puff.

In an example, the puff sensor may include a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may output a signal corresponding to the internal pressure of the aerosol-generating device 1, and the controller 12 may determine the user's puff based on the signal corresponding to the internal pressure. Here, the internal pressure of the aerosol-generating device 1 may correspond to the pressure of an airflow path through which gas flows. The puff sensor may be disposed corresponding to the airflow path through which gas flows in the aerosol-generating device 1.

In another example, the puff sensor may include a temperature sensor. When the user's puff occurs, temperature drop may temporarily occur in the airflow path, a space into which an aerosol-generating article is inserted (hereinafter referred to as an “insertion space”), and the heater 18 and 24. The controller 12 may determine the user's puff based on a signal corresponding to the temperature of the airflow path output from the temperature sensor.

In still another example, the puff sensor may include both a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor. In this case, the temperature sensor may measure temperature used to calibrate the internal pressure measured by the pressure sensor. In one example, the puff sensor may calibrate a signal corresponding to the internal pressure based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, and may output the calibrated signal. In another example, the puff sensor may output a signal corresponding to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and a signal corresponding to the internal pressure measured by the puff sensor. In this case, the controller 12 may receive the signals, and may calibrate the signal corresponding to the internal pressure based on the signal corresponding to the temperature.

In still another example, the puff sensor may include a capacitance sensor. The capacitance sensor may also be called a cap sensor or a capacitive sensor. When the user's puff occurs, a temperature change and/or aerosol flow may occur in the insertion space of the aerosol-generating article, and accordingly, a dielectric constant in the insertion space may change. The controller 12 may determine the user's puff based on a signal corresponding to the dielectric constant in the insertion space output from the capacitance sensor.

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

According to one embodiment, the insertion detection sensor may detect insertion and/or removal of the aerosol-generating article. The insertion detection sensor may be mounted adjacent to the insertion space. In addition, the insertion detection sensor may include any combination of the examples described above.

In an example, the insertion detection sensor may include a capacitance sensor. The capacitance sensor may include at least one conductor, and the at least one conductor may be disposed adjacent to the insertion space. When the aerosol-generating article is inserted into or removed from the insertion space, capacitance around the conductor may change. The controller 12 may determine insertion and/or removal of the aerosol-generating article based on a signal corresponding to the dielectric constant in the insertion space output from the capacitance sensor.

In another example, the insertion detection sensor may include an inductive sensor. The inductive sensor may include at least one coil, and the at least one coil may be disposed adjacent to the insertion space. If the aerosol-generating article (e.g., a wrapper of the aerosol-generating article) includes a conductor, when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into or removed from the insertion space, a change in magnetic field may occur around the coil through which current flows. The controller 12 may determine insertion and/or removal of the aerosol-generating article including a conductor based on the characteristics of the current output from or detected by the inductive sensor (e.g., frequency of alternating current, a current value, a voltage value, an inductance value, and an impedance value). Alternatively, a susceptor SUS or the like may be included in the aerosol-generating article (e.g., a medium portion of the aerosol-generating article). In this case, a change in magnetic field may also occur around the coil based on insertion or removal of the susceptor or the like into or from the insertion space, and the controller 12 may determine 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 examples described above, and may be implemented as various sensors (e.g., a proximity sensor) for detecting insertion and/or removal of the aerosol-generating article. In addition, the insertion detection sensor may include any combination of the examples described above. According to one embodiment, the insertion detection sensor may include a switch or the like for detecting pressing by the aerosol-generating article.

According to one embodiment, the reuse detection sensor may detect whether the aerosol-generating article is being reused. In an example, the reuse detection sensor may be a color sensor for detecting the color of the aerosol-generating article. If the aerosol-generating article is used by the user, a change in the color of a portion of the wrapper may occur due to the generated aerosol or heating. The color sensor may output a signal corresponding to an optical characteristic (e.g., wavelength of light) corresponding to the color of the wrapper based on the light reflected from the wrapper. When a change in the color of a 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 one embodiment, the overly moist state detection sensor may detect whether the aerosol-generating article is in an overly moist state. For example, the overly moist state 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 determine whether the aerosol-generating article is in an overly moist state based on the level of a signal corresponding to the dielectric constant or the like output from the capacitance sensor. In an example, the controller 12 may check a level range within which the level of the signal is included based on a look-up table, and may determine the moisture content of the aerosol-generating article based on the checked level range.

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

In an example, the cigarette identification sensor may include an optical sensor for detecting an identification material (or an identification mark) located on the outer surface (e.g., the 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 whether the aerosol-generating article is authentic and/or may detect the type of the aerosol-generating article based on the reflected light. For example, the identification material may include a material (i.e., a luminous material) that emits light of a specific wavelength band based on the light radiated thereto. The controller 12 may determine whether the aerosol-generating article is authentic and/or may determine the type of the aerosol-generating article based on the range of the wavelength.

In another example, the cigarette identification sensor may include a capacitance sensor. The dielectric constant in the insertion space may vary depending on the type of the aerosol-generating article inserted into the insertion space. The controller 12 may determine whether the aerosol-generating article is authentic and/or may determine the type of the aerosol-generating article based on a signal corresponding to the dielectric constant or the like in the insertion space output from the capacitance sensor.

In still another example, the cigarette identification sensor may include an inductive sensor. If a conductor is included in the wrapper and/or inner portion (e.g., the medium portion) of the aerosol-generating article inserted into the insertion space, when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the insertion space, the characteristics of the current detected by the inductive sensor (e.g., frequency of alternating current, a current value, a voltage value, an inductance value, and an impedance value) may vary depending on the type of the aerosol-generating article inserted into the insertion space. The controller 12 may determine whether the inserted aerosol-generating article is authentic and/or may determine the type of the inserted aerosol-generating article based on the characteristics of the current output from or detected by the inductive sensor.

The cigarette identification sensor is not limited to the examples described above, and may be implemented as various sensors for detecting whether the aerosol-generating article is authentic and/or detecting the type of the aerosol-generating article. In addition, the cigarette identification sensor may include any combination of the examples described above.

According to one embodiment, the cartridge detection sensor may detect mounting 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 (Hall IC), and/or an optical sensor.

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

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

According to one embodiment, the sensor unit 13 may further include at least one of a humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a position sensor (global positioning system (GPS)), or a proximity sensor in addition to the sensors described above. The functions of the sensors can be intuitively deduced by those skilled in the art from the names thereof, and thus detailed descriptions thereof may be omitted.

According to one embodiment, the output unit 14 may output information about the state of the aerosol-generating device 1 to provide the same to the user. The output unit 14 may include, but is not limited to, a display, a haptic unit, and/or a sound output unit. 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, a preheating state of the heater 18 and 24, an insertion/removal state of the aerosol-generating article and/or the cartridge, a mounting/removal state of the cap, or a state in which the use of the aerosol-generating device 1 is restricted (e.g., detection of an abnormal object). 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 panel (LCD), and an organic light-emitting diode panel (OLED). If the display includes a touchpad, the display may also be used as the input unit 15. The haptic unit may haptically provide the information about the aerosol-generating device 1 to the user. For example, the haptic unit may include a vibration motor, a piezoelectric element, and an electrical stimulation device. The sound output unit may audibly provide the information about the aerosol-generating device 1 to the user. For example, the sound output unit may convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and may output the acoustic signal to the outside.

According to one embodiment, the power supply 11 may supply power used for operation of 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 is heated. In addition, the power supply 11 may supply power necessary for operation of the other components included in the aerosol-generating device 1, such as the controller 12, the sensor unit 13, the output unit 14, the input unit 15, the communication unit 16, and the memory 17. 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 without being limited thereto. The power supply 11 may be a replaceable (separation-type) battery (hereinafter referred to as a “removable battery”). The removable battery may be mounted in a battery accommodation portion provided in the aerosol-generating device 1 or may be removed from the battery accommodation portion. The removable battery may be charged in a wired and/or wireless manner.

According to one embodiment, the heater 18 and 24 may receive power from the power supply 11 to heat the aerosol-generating article (e.g., a cigarette) and/or a medium and/or an aerosol-generating substance in the cartridge. 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 one embodiment, the heater 18 and 24 may be an electro-resistive heater. For example, the electro-resistive heater may include an electrically resistive material such as 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, and nichrome. The electro-resistive heater may be implemented as a metal wire, a metal plate having an electrically conductive track disposed thereon, or a ceramic heating element.

According to one embodiment, the heater 18 and 24 may be an induction heater. For example, the induction heater may include a susceptor that generates heat through a magnetic field. A magnetic field may be generated by an induction coil by alternating current flowing through the induction coil. The magnetic field may pass through the heater, and an eddy current may be generated in the susceptor. The susceptor may be heated based on generation of the eddy current. According to one embodiment, the susceptor may be included in the inner portion (e.g., the medium portion) of the aerosol-generating article. In this case, the susceptor included in the inner portion of the aerosol-generating article may also be heated by the induction coil.

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

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

According to one embodiment, the memory 17 may be hardware storing various pieces of data processed in the aerosol-generating device 1. The memory 17 may store data processed and to be processed by the controller 12. For example, the memory 17 may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type memory, a hard disk type memory, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disc. For example, the memory 17 may store data on an operation time of the aerosol-generating device 1, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

According to one embodiment, the communication unit 16 may include at least one component for communication with other electronic devices (e.g., a portable electronic device). For example, the communication unit 16 may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication unit, a near-field communication unit, a wireless local area network (WLAN) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, and a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN) communication unit.

According to one embodiment, the controller 12 may control the overall operation 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 may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microcontroller unit (MCU) (or a microprocessor) and a memory in which a program executable by the MCU is stored. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the controller may also be implemented as other forms of hardware.

According to one embodiment, the controller 12 may control the supply of power from the power supply 11 to the heater 18 and 24 to control the temperature of the heater 18 and 24. The controller 12 may control the temperature of the heater 18 and 24 and/or power supplied to the heater 18 and 24 based on the temperature of the heater 18 and 24 detected by the temperature sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13). The controller 12 may control the temperature of the heater 18 and 24 and/or power supplied to the heater 18 and 24 based on the temperature profile and/or the power profile stored in the memory 17.

According to one embodiment, the controller 12 may control a power conversion circuit (not shown) electrically connected to the heater 18 and 24 and the power supply 11 to control power (e.g., voltage and/or current) supplied to the heater 18 and 24. 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 to be supplied to the heater 18 and 24 and a DC/AC converter (e.g., an inverter) that converts power to be supplied to the induction coil (not shown). The DC/AC converter may be implemented as a full-bridge circuit or a 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) or a field effect transistor (FET).

According to one embodiment, the controller 12 may control the frequency and/or duty ratio of a current pulse input to at least one switching element of the power conversion circuit (not shown) to control the current and/or the voltage supplied to the heater 18 and 24. The duty ratio for the on/off operation of the switching element may correspond to a ratio of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit to the voltage output from the power supply 11.

According to one embodiment, the controller 12 may control power supplied to the heater 18 and 24 using at least one of a pulse width modulation (PWM) scheme or a proportional-integral-differential (PID) scheme. For example, the controller 12 may perform control using the PWM scheme such that a current pulse having a predetermined frequency and a predetermined duty ratio is supplied to the heater 18 and 24. The controller 12 may control the frequency and duty ratio of the current pulse to control power supplied to the heater 18 and 24. For example, the controller 12 may determine, based on the temperature profile, a target temperature to be controlled. The controller 12 may control power supplied to the heater 18 and 24 using the PID scheme, which is a feedback control scheme using a difference value between the temperature of the heater 18 and the target temperature, a value obtained by integrating the difference value with respect to time, and a value obtained by differentiating the difference value with respect to time.

According to one embodiment, the controller 12 may determine, based on the power profile, target power to be controlled. The controller 12 may control power supplied to the heater 18 and 24 so as to correspond to the preset target power over time.

According to one embodiment, the controller 12 may detect power supplied to the heater 18 and 24 to determine the user's puff. In more detail, the controller 12 may control power supplied to the heater 18 and 24 using the proportional-integral-differential (PID) scheme. When the user's puff occurs, temperature drop may temporarily occur in a space into which the aerosol-generating article is inserted (hereinafter referred to as an insertion space) and the heater 18 and 24. Accordingly, the power (or the current) supplied to the heater 18 and 24 may change during control of the power using the PID scheme. The controller 12 may determine the user's puff based on the change in the power controlled.

According to one embodiment, the controller 12 may prevent the heater 18 and 24 from overheating. For example, the controller 12 may control, based on the temperature of the heater 18 and 24 exceeding a preset limit temperature, operation of the power conversion circuit such that the amount of power supplied to the heater 18 and 24 is reduced or the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24 is interrupted.

According to one 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 using the temperature sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13). If the temperature of the power supply 11 is equal to or higher than a first limit temperature, the controller 12 may interrupt charging of the power supply 11. If the temperature of the power supply 11 is equal to or higher than a second limit temperature, the controller 12 may interrupt use of the power stored in the power supply 11 (e.g., discharging). The controller 12 may calculate the remaining amount 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 detection value of the power supply 11.

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

According to one embodiment, the controller 12 may control the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24 based on insertion and/or removal of the aerosol-generating article into and/or from the insertion space. For example, upon determining that the aerosol-generating article has been inserted into the insertion space using the insertion detection sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13), the controller 12 may perform control such that power is supplied to the heater 18 and 24. Upon determining that the aerosol-generating article has been removed from the insertion space using the insertion detection sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13), the controller 12 may interrupt the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24. The controller 12 may determine that the aerosol-generating article has been removed from the insertion space when the temperature of the heater 18 and 24 is equal to or higher than a limit temperature or when the temperature change slope of the heater 18 and 24 is equal to or greater than a preset slope.

According to one embodiment, the controller 12 may control, based on the state of the aerosol-generating article, a power supply time and/or the amount of power supplied to the heater 18 and 24. For example, upon determining that the aerosol-generating article is in an overly moist state using the overly moist state detection sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13), the controller 12 may increase a time during which power is supplied to the heater 18 and 24 (e.g., a preheating time).

According to one embodiment, the controller 12 may control the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24 based on whether the aerosol-generating article is being reused. For example, upon determining that the aerosol-generating article has already been used, the controller 12 may interrupt the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24.

According to one embodiment, the controller 12 may control the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24 based on whether the cartridge has been coupled and/or removed. For example, upon determining that the cartridge has been removed using the cartridge detection sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13), the controller 12 may interrupt the supply of power to the heater 18 or 24 or may perform control such that power is not supplied to the heater 18 and 24.

According to one embodiment, the controller 12 may control the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24 based on whether the aerosol-generating substance in the cartridge has been exhausted. For example, upon determining that the temperature of the heater 18 and 24 exceeds a limit temperature during preheating of the heater 18 and 24 (i.e., in the preheating section), the controller 12 may determine that the aerosol-generating substance in the cartridge has been exhausted. Upon determining that the aerosol-generating substance in the cartridge has been exhausted, the controller 12 may interrupt the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24.

According to one 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, upon determining, based on data stored in the memory 17, that the current number of puffs is equal to or greater than the maximum number of puffs set for the cartridge, the controller 12 may determine that use of the cartridge is impossible. Alternatively, when a total time period during which the heater 18 and 24 is heated is equal to or longer than a preset maximum time period or when the total amount of power supplied to the heater 18 and 24 is equal to or greater than a preset maximum amount of power, the controller 12 may determine that use of the cartridge is impossible. In this case, the controller 12 may interrupt the supply of power to the heater 18 or 24 or may perform control such that power is not supplied to the heater 18 and 24.

According to one 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 whether a puff occurs and/or the intensity of a puff using the puff sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13). When the number of puffs reaches a preset maximum number of puffs and/or when no puff is detected for a preset time period or longer, the controller 12 may interrupt the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24. When a puff is detected, the controller 12 may control the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24.

According to one embodiment, the controller 12 may control the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24 based on whether the aerosol-generating article (or the cartridge) is authentic and/or the type of the aerosol-generating article (or the cartridge). For example, the controller 12 may determine whether the aerosol-generating article is authentic and/or may determine the type of the aerosol-generating article using the cigarette identification sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13). In an example, upon determining that the aerosol-generating article (or the cartridge) is inauthentic, the controller 12 may interrupt the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24. Upon determining that the aerosol-generating article (or the cartridge) is authentic, the controller 12 may control (e.g., commence) the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24. In another example, the controller 12 may control the supply of power to the heater 18 and 24 differently depending on the type of the aerosol-generating article (or the cartridge). In more detail, upon determining that the aerosol-generating article (or the cartridge) is a first aerosol-generating article (or a first cartridge), the controller 12 may control the temperature of the heater 18 and 24 and/or power based on a first temperature profile (or a first power profile), and upon determining that the aerosol-generating article (or the cartridge) is a second aerosol-generating article (or a second cartridge), the controller 12 may control the temperature of the heater 18 and 24 and/or power based on a second temperature profile (or a second power profile).

According to one embodiment, the controller 12 may control the output unit 14 based on a result of detection 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, haptically, and/or audibly provide information that operation of the aerosol-generating device 1 will end soon. For example, the controller 12 may control the output unit 14 to visually, haptically, and/or audibly provide information about the temperature of the heater 18 and 24.

According to one embodiment, based on occurrence of a predetermined event, the controller 12 may store a history of the corresponding event in the memory 17 and may update the history. For example, the event may include events performed in the aerosol-generating device 1, such as detection of insertion of the aerosol-generating article, commencement of heating of the aerosol-generating article, detection of puff, termination of puff, detection of overheating of the heater 18 and 24, detection of application of overvoltage to the heater 18 and 24, termination of heating of the aerosol-generating article, on/off operation of the aerosol-generating device 1, commencement of charging of the power supply 11, detection of overcharging of the power supply 11, and termination of charging of the power supply 11. For example, the history of the event may include the occurrence date and time of the event and log data corresponding to the event. For example, when the predetermined event is detection of insertion of the aerosol-generating article, the log data corresponding to the event may include data on a value detected by the insertion detection sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13). For example, when the predetermined event is detection of overheating of the heater 18 and 24, the log data corresponding to the event may include data on 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 one embodiment, the controller 12 may control the communication unit 16 to form a communication link with an external device such as a user's mobile terminal.

According to one embodiment, upon receiving data on authentication from an external device via the communication link, the controller 12 may release restriction on 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, an identification number uniquely identifying the user, and whether authentication is completed by the user.

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

According to one embodiment, upon receiving a request to search for the location of the aerosol-generating device 1 from the external device via the communication link, the controller 12 may control the output unit 14 to perform an operation corresponding to location search. For example, the controller 12 may perform control such that the haptic unit generates vibration or the display outputs objects corresponding to location search and termination of search.

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

According to one embodiment, the controller 12 may transmit data on a value detected by the at least one sensor unit 13 to an external server (not shown) via the communication link, and may receive, from the server, and store a learning model generated by learning the detected value through machine learning such as deep learning. The controller 12 may perform the operation of determining the user's puff pattern and the operation of generating the temperature profile 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 supply protection circuit may include at least one switching element, and may block an electric 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 be connected to other external devices through the connection interface to transmit and receive information or charge the power supply 11.

The aerosol-generating article mentioned in the present disclosure may include at least one aerosol-generating rod (e.g., a medium portion) and at least one filter rod. The heater 18 may be disposed to correspond to the at least one aerosol-generating rod, and may be designed differently depending on the arrangement order and/or positions of the aerosol-generating rod and the filter rod. The aerosol-generating rod may contain at least one of nicotine, an aerosol-generating substance, and an additive. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may include glycerin (e.g., vegetable glycerin (VG)) and/or propylene glycol (PG) and may also include various other substances. For example, the additive may include a flavoring agent and/or an organic acid and may also include various other substances. For example, the aerosol-generating rod may include an aerosol-generating substrate (e.g., a sheet) impregnated with a liquid non-tobacco substance (e.g., an aerosol-generating substance and/or nicotine) and/or may contain a solid tobacco substance (e.g., leaf tobacco and reconstituted tobacco). The tobacco substance may be contained in the aerosol-generating rod in various forms, such as shredded tobacco, granules, and powder. According to one embodiment, the additive of the aerosol-generating rod may include an alkaline substance. Based on the alkaline substance, nicotine contained in the tobacco substance 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 a low temperature. According to one embodiment, the aerosol-generating rod may include two or more aerosol-generating rods, each of which may contain a tobacco substance and/or a non-tobacco substance. Meanwhile, although not shown, the at least one aerosol-generating rod and the at least one filter rod may individually and/or integrally be wrapped by at least one wrapper. In the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating article may be referred to as a stick.

The cartridge mentioned in the present disclosure may contain an aerosol-generating substance having any one state among a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, and a gel state. The aerosol-generating substance may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance including a volatile tobacco flavor component or may be a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance. Meanwhile, the cartridge may include a storage part that contains the aerosol-generating substance and/or a liquid delivery part that is impregnated with (contains) the aerosol-generating substance. For example, the liquid delivery part may include a wick formed of, e.g., cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic. The cartridge heater 24 may be included in the cartridge in a coil-shaped structure surrounding (or wound around) the liquid delivery part or a structure contacting one side of the liquid delivery part. Alternatively, the cartridge heater 24 may be included in the aerosol-generating device 1, which is removable from the cartridge.

FIG. 2 shows an aerosol-generating device 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 shows an aerosol-generating device 1 according to an embodiment.

According to one embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 1 may include a housing 10, a power supply 11, a controller 12, a sensor unit 13, and/or a heater 182 and 183 (e.g., the heater 18 in FIG. 1). However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art related to the present embodiment that the components included in the aerosol-generating device 1 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 and that some of the components may be omitted or new components may be further included. The aerosol-generating device 1 shown in FIG. 2 may be referred to as an “internal heating-type” aerosol-generating device that heats the inner side of an aerosol-generating article 2. The aerosol-generating device 1 shown in FIG. 3 may be referred to as an “external heating-type” aerosol-generating device that heats the outer side of the aerosol-generating article 2. In the drawings below, a description of configurations identical to those shown in FIG. 1 will be omitted.

According to one embodiment, the housing 10 may provide a space that is open upwardly to allow the aerosol-generating article 2 to be inserted thereinto. In the present disclosure, the space that is open upwardly may be referred to as an insertion space. The insertion space may be formed so as to be depressed in the housing 10 to a predetermined depth so that at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article 2 may be inserted thereinto. The depth of the insertion space may be equal to or greater than the length of a region of the aerosol-generating article 2 in which an aerosol-generating substance and/or a medium is contained. The lower end of the aerosol-generating article 2 may be inserted into the housing 10, and the upper end of the aerosol-generating article 2 may protrude outside the housing 10. A user may inhale an aerosol while holding the externally exposed upper end of the aerosol-generating article 2 in the mouth.

According to one embodiment, the heater 182 and 183 may heat the aerosol-generating article 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, the heater 182 may be an internal heating-type heater.

According to one embodiment, the internal heating-type heater may be elongated upwardly in the space into which the aerosol-generating article 2 is inserted (i.e., the insertion space). For example, as shown in the drawings, the internal heating-type heater may include a rod-shaped or needle-shaped heating element. Alternatively, the internal heating-type heater may include various other heating elements, such as a tubular heating element or a plate-shaped heating element. The internal heating-type heater may be inserted through the lower portion of the aerosol-generating article 2.

According to one embodiment, the internal heating-type heater may include an electro-resistive heater and/or an induction heater.

For example, the electro-resistive heater may include an electro-resistive material, which is provided on the inner side (e.g., in the cavity or on the inner surface) or outer side (e.g., on the outer surface) thereof, and may generate heat as current flows through the electro-resistive material. In this case, the electro-resistive heater may be electrically connected to the power supply 11, and may directly generate heat using current received from the power supply 11. Meanwhile, an induction coil 181 may be omitted.

For example, in the case of an induction heater, the aerosol-generating device 1 may include an induction coil 181 surrounding at least a portion of the internal heating-type heater (e.g., disposed outside the heater so as to correspond to the length of at least a portion of the heater). In this case, a magnetic flux concentrator may be further provided outside the induction coil 181 in order to increase efficiency of induction heating. The induction heater may include a susceptor, and may generate heat based on a magnetic field generated by the induction coil 181. According to one embodiment, the induction heater (e.g., the susceptor) (or a heater module including the same) may be disposed to be removable from the housing 10.

According to one embodiment, the heater 182 may be a multi-heater. The multi-heater may include a first heater and a second heater, and may be inserted into the aerosol-generating article 2. The first heater and the second heater may be disposed side by side in the longitudinal direction. The first heater and the second heater may operate as an electro-resistive heater and/or an induction heater, and may be heated sequentially or simultaneously. In this case, the first heater and the second heater may be disposed at positions corresponding to the positions of two or more aerosol-generating rods in the longitudinal direction, respectively. Alternatively, the first heater and the second heater may be disposed at positions corresponding to the positions of a first portion and a second portion of one aerosol-generating rod in the longitudinal direction, respectively. Meanwhile, if the heater 182 is an induction heater, the aerosol-generating device 1 may include a first induction coil and a second induction coil, and the first induction coil and the second induction coil may be disposed at positions corresponding to the positions of the first heater and the second heater in the longitudinal direction, respectively. Alternatively, the first heater and the second heater may be disposed at positions corresponding to the positions of a first portion and a second portion of one heater 182 in the longitudinal direction, respectively. In addition, three or more heaters and/or three or more induction coils may be included.

According to one embodiment, the susceptor may be disposed on (or included in) the inner side (e.g., the medium portion) of the aerosol-generating article 2. The susceptor included inside the aerosol-generating article 2 may be implemented to be heated based on a magnetic field generated by the induction coil 181.

Referring to FIG. 3, the heater 183 may be an external heating-type heater.

According to one embodiment, the external heating-type heater may be elongated upwardly around the space into which the aerosol-generating article 2 is inserted (i.e., the insertion space). For example, the external heating-type heater may be disposed so as to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. In an example, the external heating-type heater may include a tube shape (e.g., a cylindrical shape) with a cavity formed therein. The external heating-type heater may alternatively include a shape including a cavity formed therein and surrounding the cavity. In this case, the external heating-type heater may be supported by a polyimide film. The heater supported by this film may be referred to as a film heater. The external heating-type heater may be disposed so as to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The external heating-type heater may heat the outer side of the aerosol-generating article 2 inserted into the cavity.

According to one embodiment, the external heating-type heater may include an electro-resistive heater and/or an induction heater, and a description of configurations identical to those shown in FIG. 2 will be omitted. Meanwhile, in the case of an induction heater, the aerosol-generating device 1 may include an external heating-type heater implemented as a tubular susceptor and may include an induction coil 181 surrounding at least a portion of the external heating-type heater (e.g., disposed outside the heater so as to correspond to the length of at least a portion of the heater). In addition, the induction coil 181 may include a fan coil. Meanwhile, if the external heating-type heater is an electro-resistive heater, heat may be generated through current flow through the tubular electro-resistive heater (e.g., the film heater), and thus a separate induction coil 181 may be omitted. Meanwhile, a thermally insulating material may be disposed outside the external heating-type heater. Accordingly, the amount of heat emitted from the heater 183 in the radially outward direction and released outside the housing 10 may be reduced.

According to one embodiment, the heater 183 may be a multi-heater, and the first heater and the second heater may be disposed side by side in the longitudinal direction so as to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The first heater and the second heater may operate as an electro-resistive heater and/or an induction heater, and may be heated sequentially or simultaneously. Meanwhile, if the heater 183 is an induction heater, the aerosol-generating device 1 may include a first induction coil and a second induction coil. The first induction coil and the second induction coil may be disposed at positions corresponding to the positions of the first heater and the second heater in the longitudinal direction, respectively. Alternatively, the first heater and the second heater may be disposed at positions corresponding to the positions of a first portion and a second portion of one heater 183 in the longitudinal direction, respectively.

Unlike the configuration shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, both the heater 182 in FIG. 2 and the heater 183 in FIG. 3 may be included in the aerosol-generating device 1. In this case, the heater 182 may heat the inner side of the aerosol-generating article 2, and the heater 183 may heat the outer side of the aerosol-generating article 2.

According to one embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 1 may be provided with an airflow channel through which air flows. For example, the housing 10 may include a structure (e.g., a hole) through which outside air may be introduced into the housing 10. The air introduced into the housing 10 may be introduced into the aerosol-generating article 2 through the lower end (i.e., upstream side) of the aerosol-generating article 2. An aerosol generated based on heating of the aerosol-generating article 2 may be inhaled into the user's oral cavity together with the introduced air through the upper end (i.e., downstream side) of the aerosol-generating article 2.

In the following drawings, the insertion of the aerosol-generating article 2 in the aerosol-generating device 1 and the recognition of the user's puff will be described. At least some of the steps in the flow charts or sequence diagrams of this document may be omitted or the order may be changed from one to another. Further, content according to various embodiments of the present invention may be added to at least some of the respective steps in the flow charts or sequence diagrams.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the contents of inserting an aerosol-generating article 2 and recognizing a user's puff according to one embodiment. See FIGS. 5A-5D for a description of FIG. 4. FIGS. 5A to 5C are exemplary views of an internal structure of an aerosol-generating device 1 according to various embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 5D is an enlarged view of part B of FIG. 5C. These FIGS. 5A to 5D are shown in a form in which other configurations are omitted for convenience in order to describe some configurations of the aerosol-generating device 1.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 1 may recognize insertion of an aerosol-generating article 2 (S410).

Specifically, the control unit 12 may recognize the aerosol-generating article 2 inserted into the insertion space of the housing 10 through the sensor unit 13. The aerosol-generating article 2 may be formed, for example, from a stick (e.g., a cigarette).

According to an embodiment, the sensor unit 13 may include at least one sensor capable of sensing a color. Sensors capable of sensing a color may include, but are not limited to, color sensors, spectral sensors, optical sensors, RGB sensors, vision sensors, and the like, for example.

According to one embodiment, at least one sensor capable of sensing a color is implemented on the interior of the housing 10 and may be positioned to look at at least a partial area of the aerosol-generating article 2.

For example, in FIG. 5A a sensor 13_1 capable of sensing a color is shown. The sensor 13_1 capable of detecting a color will be hereinafter referred to as a “color detection sensor 131”. Although only one color detection sensor 13_1 is illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5D, a plurality of color detection sensors 13_1 may be configured. The color detection sensor 13_1 may be electrically or communicatively connected to the control unit 12, and may transmit the sensed color information to the control unit 12.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the color detection sensor 13_1 may be positioned to look at at least a partial area 2a of the aerosol-generating article 2 inserted into the insertion space of the housing 10. That is, the color detection sensor 13_1 may be positioned inside the housing 10 so as to be viewed in the A direction. For example, the partial area 2a of the aerosol-generating article 2 containing the discoloration material and the color detection sensor 13_1 may be located on a virtual straight line.

According to an embodiment, the at least partial area 2a of the aerosol-generating article 2 may be at least a partial area of a wrapper that wraps around the exterior of aerosol-generating article 2. The color detection sensor 13_1 may output a signal corresponding to a corresponding color based on light reflected from at least a partial area 2a of the wrapper, and may transmit the output content to the control unit 12. Thereby, the control unit 12 may recognize that the aerosol-generating article 2 has been inserted.

Next, the aerosol-generating device 1 may detect a color change due to the inflow of air for at least a partial area (S430).

Specifically, air may be introduced into the airflow channel of the aerosol-generating device 1 by a user puff operation. Referring to FIG. 5A, at least one airflow channel CN may be formed in the housing 10. After the outside air, that is, the external air is introduced into the housing 10 through the airflow channel CN by the user puff, the external air flows out to the outside of the housing 10 in the direction of the arrow and is sucked into the oral cavity of the user. When air is circulated through the airflow channel, a pressure change occurs inside the airflow channel and a temperature change occurs according to the pressure change. That is, by the user puff, the temperature of the airflow channel CN, the area adjacent to the air flow channel CN, and other areas in which air is circulated may be slightly lowered instantaneously.

According to one embodiment, a specific area 2a of the aerosol-generating article 2 of FIG. 5A may include a discoloration material that discolors with temperature change. For example, at least some areas of the wrapper may include a discoloration material depending on temperature. Materials that discolor with temperature changes may include, but are not limited to, materials such as discoloration inks such as thermosensitive inks, thermochromic materials, temperature sensitive paints, certain metal oxides, and the like.

In FIG. 5A, when air flows into the airflow channel CN, a temperature change may also occur in a specific area 2a of the aerosol-generating article 2 containing the discoloration material because the inflow air passes through the aerosol-generating article 2 inserted into the insertion space and flows out to the outside, Accordingly, the color of the discoloration material is changed, and the color change is sensed by the color detection sensor 13_1 that looks at the area including the discoloration material in the A direction. The color detection sensor 13_1 transmits the sensed color change to the control unit 12.

The aerosol-generating device 1 may then recognize a user's puff based on the color change of the particular area (S450).

Specifically, the control unit 12 may detect a user puff event through a color change for the particular area of the aerosol-generating article 2. For example, data on a color change for a specific area of the aerosol-generating article 2 as the aerosol-generating device 1 is preheated, and a color change for the specific area of the aerosol-generating article 2 as a user puff may be prestored in the memory 17. The control unit 12 may recognize the user's puff by referring to the stored color data. Details related to user puff recognition will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 7.

On the other hand, in the embodiment of FIG. 5A, since the color detection sensor 13_1 recognizes the insertion of the aerosol-generating article 2 and a user puff based only on the aerosol-generating article 2, the position of the airflow channel CN may be configured at any position regardless of the color detection sensor 13_1. For example, as in the embodiment of FIG. 5B, it is also possible for the airflow channel CN to be generated in another area.

In FIGS. 5A and 5B, since the color detection sensor 13_1 detects a color change due to the inflow of external air through the aerosol-generating article 2, it is possible to change various positions and shape changes of other configurations within a condition in which the color detection sensor 13_1 is positioned to look at the specific area 2a of the aerosol-generating article 2.

On the other hand, in FIGS. 5A and 5B, an embodiment in which a discoloration material is included in at least a partial area of the aerosol-generating article 2 has been described, whereas in FIGS. 5C to 5D, embodiments in which a discoloration member 100 including the discoloration material is included in an aerosol-generating device 1 itself separately from the aerosol-generating article 2 are disclosed.

Referring to FIG. 5C, an aerosol-generating device 1 may include a discoloration member 100 configured to include at least a discoloration material that is discolored according to a temperature change. Specifically, the interior of the housing 10 may include a discoloration member 100 configured to include at least a material that is discolored according to a temperature change. An enlarged view of area B of FIG. 5C is shown in FIG. 5D.

According to an embodiment, as in FIGS. 5C and 5D, the discoloration member 100 may include a transparent window 101 and a discoloration material 103 formed to have a transparency greater than or equal to a predetermined transparency. The discoloration material 103 may include, for example, but is not limited to, a discoloration ink such as a thermosensitive ink, a thermochromic material, a temperature-sensitive paint, a material such as a specific metal oxide, and the like. The discoloration material 103 may be implemented in a form of being bonded or applied to at least a part of the transparent window 101.

According to an embodiment, the transparent window 101 may have a transparency greater than or equal to a predetermined transparency so that the color detection sensor 13_1 does not interfere when the aerosol-generating article 2 is viewed in the A direction. The discoloration material 103 may likewise have a transparency greater than or equal to a predetermined transparency, and may be discolored to a form (e.g., color) in which the transparency gradually decreases as a temperature change is detected, and then discolored again to have a predetermined transparency at a specific temperature.

In FIGS. 5C-5D, the color detection sensor 13_1 may be positioned to look at both the aerosol-generating article 2 and the discoloration member 100. For example, for example, the aerosol-generating article 2, the discoloration member 100, and the color detection sensor 13_1 may be located on a virtual straight line.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5C-5D, the control unit 12 may recognize the insertion of the aerosol-generating article 2 via the color detection sensor 13_1. For example, when the aerosol-generating article 2 is inserted into the insertion space of the housing 10, the color detection sensor 13_1 may detect the aerosol-generating article 2. This detecting may be confirmed by the empty area prior to insertion of the aerosol-generating article 2 and the color that depends on the insertion of the aerosol-generating articles 2.

In FIGS. 5C to 5D, the discoloration member 100 may be discolored as the aerosol-generating device 1 is preheated. For example, a discoloration material 103 of the transparent window 101 may be discolored. The control unit 12 may confirm that the aerosol-generating device 1 is preheated through the discoloration time point and the discoloration degree of the discoloration member 100 recognized by the color detection sensor 13_1. However, the preheating of the aerosol-generating device 1 may be confirmed not only through the color detection sensor 13_1 but also through control log data of the sensor unit 130 or the control unit 12.

When air flows into the airflow channel CN by the user puff after the preheating, the temperature changes in the airflow channel CN or an area adjacent thereto. Accordingly, the discoloration material 103 that has been discolored due to the preheating may be slightly discolored again according to the temperature change according to the air inflow. The color detection sensor 13_1 may detect information on such a color change and transmit the sensed information to the control unit 12, and the control unit 12 may detected a user's puff event based on the detected data.

According to an embodiment, in FIGS. 5C to 5D, the discoloration member 100 may be configured in an area adjacent to the airflow channel CN. Since the air flows into the airflow channel CN, the temperature change due to the external air may increase as the airflow channel is adjacent to the airflow channel. In addition, due to the temperature inside the housing 10, the closer to the inlet CN_1 of the airflow channel CN, the better the temperature change due to the inflow of external air may occur. Thus, according to an embodiment, the discoloration member 100 may be located in the area CN_1 adjacent to the inlet of the airflow channel CN.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 1 may include a temperature transmitter 200 that transfers heat to the discoloration member 100.

Specifically, referring to FIGS. 5C to 5D, the temperature transmitter 200 may be formed such that one side is connected to or in contact with the heater 183, and the other side is in contact with or close to at least a partial area of the discoloration member 100.

The temperature transmitter 200 may have a predetermined thermal conductivity so as to transfer heat of a heating body to the discoloration member 100. For example, the temperature transmitter 100 may be made of a metal, but is not limited thereto.

The heating body may include, for example, a heater 183 as a configuration having a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature by operation of the aerosol-generating device 1. However, the heating body may include a configuration capable of being heated to a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature other than the heater 183. For example, the heating body may be an injection product or an area of an area adjacent to the heater 183.

The heat of the heater 183, which is the heating body, may be transferred to the discoloration member 100 by the above-described temperature transmitter 200. As the discoloration member 100 is located farther away from the heater 183, the temperature of the discoloration member 100 due to heater heating may be lowered. In addition, since the temperature is temporarily lowered due to the inflow of outside air, the amount of change in the temperature may be small as long as the temperature of the discoloration member 100 is low. Therefore, when the temperature of the discoloration member 100 is increased by the temperature transmitter 200, discoloration of the discoloring material 103 may be relatively better performed as external air flows into the airflow channel CN.

On the other hand, since the aerosol-generating device 1 of FIGS. 5C to 5D is an example of a front view, it may be seen that the temperature transmitter 200 interferes with the airflow channel CN, but the temperature transmitter 200 may be located in an area that does not interfere with the airflow channels CN. In addition, the shape and position of the temperature transmitter 200 shown in FIG. 5C are exemplary, and may be configured as various forms inside the housing 10.

Through the above-described exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 5A to 5D, it is possible to recognize two events of insertion of the aerosol-generating article 2 and user puff recognition with only one configuration of the color detection sensor 13_1. This makes it possible to use a more efficient sensor.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts of recognizing and outputting a state of an aerosol-generating device based on a color change of a specific area according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the descriptions of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, descriptions overlapping with those of FIG. 4 may be omitted.

In FIG. 6, an aerosol-generating device 1 may recognize the insertion of an aerosol-generating article 2 (S610). The control unit 12 may recognize insertion of the aerosol-generating article 2 based on the above-described discoloration information or an insertion detection sensor using various methods.

Next, the aerosol-generating device 1 may detect a first color change associated with preheating (S630).

The aerosol-generating article 2 may be inserted into the insertion space of the housing 10, or the aerosol-generating device 1 may be preheated by a user input. Thereby, the temperature of at least a partial area 2a of the aerosol-generating article 2 or the discoloration member 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is changed, and each discoloration material may be discolored according to the temperature change.

The color detection sensor 13_1 may transmit the discolored information to the control unit 12, and the control unit 12 may refer to the color information stored in the memory to recognize that the aerosol-generating device 1 is currently being preheated.

On the other hand, the control unit 12 is not limited to the above discoloration information, and may recognize the preheating state based on the temperature profile or data log related to the preheating stored in the memory.

Next, the aerosol-generating device 1 may detect a second color change associated with a user puff (S650).

The control unit 12 may detect a color change associated with the user puff based on the discoloration material included in the aerosol-generating article 2 and the color detection sensor 13_1 inside the aerosol-generating device 1. In addition, the control unit 12 may detect a color change related to the user puff based on the discoloration member 100 and the color detection sensor 13_1 inside the aerosol-generating device 1.

When the external air flows into the airflow channel CN inside the housing 10 according to the user puff, the temperature of the airflow channel and the insertion space may decrease slightly as the air flows out to the airflow channel (CN) and the insertion space connected thereto. Thereby, the discoloration material contained in the aerosol-generating article 2 or the discoloration member 100 in the aerosol-generating device 1 is discolored, and the control unit 12 may detect the user puff by the color detection sensor 13_1 looking at the discolored area.

Next, the aerosol-generating device 1 may recognize an aerosol-related state based on the first color change and the second color change (S670).

The control unit 12 may check various states related to aerosol generation based on a time point and a degree of color change of a specific area according to preheating, and a time point and the degree of color change in a specific area according to a user puff. Various states associated with aerosol generation may be checked, for example, insertion of the aerosol-generating article 2 described above, preheating of the aerosol-generating device 1, user puff events, and the like.

In addition, the control unit 12 may additionally check the degree of discoloration according to the number of times of user puffs and recognize a state such as the remaining number of times of puffs. The control unit 12 may recognize not only discoloration information, but also events related to aerosol generation collected through the sensor unit 13 or in association with log data.

Next, the aerosol-generating device 1 may output the recognized content through the output unit 14 (S690).

The control unit 12 may visualize a state associated with the recognized aerosol generation and output the state to the user via the output unit 14. For example, the output unit 14 may display at least one piece of content including information on whether the current puff progresses, the number of remaining puffs, and the like.

FIG. 7 discloses the content of additionally recognizing and outputting a third color change related to termination of use of the aerosol-generating device 1. As shown in FIG. 6 described above, the aerosol-generating device 1 may recognize the insertion of an aerosol-generating article 2 (S710), and may recognize the first color change related to the preheating (S730). In addition, a second color change related to the user puff may be recognized (S730).

According to an embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 1 may detect a third color change associated with termination of use of the aerosol-generating device 1, (S740).

Specifically, the control unit 12 may stop the power applied to the heaters 18, 24 as the user puff ends. That is, the control unit 12 may recognize that the vaping operation of the aerosol-generating device 1 is completed, and the aerosol-generating device is disused or deactivated. As the operation of the heaters 18, 24 ends, the temperature inside the aerosol-generating device 1 may gradually decrease. Accordingly, the discoloration material of the aerosol-generating article 2 or the discoloration member 100 of the aerosol-generating device 1 may be discolored. Based on the time point of discoloration and the degree of discoloration, the control unit 12 may recognize that the aerosol-generating device 1 is terminated.

Next, the aerosol-generating device 1 may check the aerosol-related state based on at least one of the first color change, the second color change, and the third color change (S750).

Specifically, the control unit 12 may further check the overall related state from the first color change to the third color change, that is, from the start to the end of the specific vaping, by further based on the third color change. For example, the control unit 12 may recognize a temperature change, a vaping time, and the like detected during the vaping and record the temperature change, the vaping time and the like as log data. When an additional preheating operation such as a temperature change or a color change in a specific area is detected after the third color change, the control unit 12 may start driving the aerosol-generating device 1 after a delay of a predetermined time to prevent continuous vaping. As described above, the control unit 12 may continuously monitor a temperature change, a color change, or the like for a predetermined time to provide a function such as continuous smoking time adjustment.

The aerosol-generating device 1 may output to the user through the output unit (140) based on the aerosol generation-related state recognized in step S750 (S760).

Additionally, the aerosol generation-related state recognized in FIGS. 6 to 7 may be transmitted or notified to the user terminal or the like through the communication unit 16.

Through the embodiments of the figures described above, in various embodiments of the present invention, one sensor may be used to recognize both the insertion of the aerosol-generating article 2 and the user puff. Thereby, it is possible to implement the aerosol-generating device 1 more efficiently and easily.

Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Any or all elements of the embodiments of the disclosure described above may be combined with another or combined with each other in configuration or function.

For example, a configuration “A” described in one embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings and a configuration “B” described in another embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings may be combined with each other. Namely, although the combination between the configurations is not directly described, the combination is possible except in the case where it is described that the combination is impossible.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.