AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0106850, 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 more efficiently controls continuous heating of the aerosol-generating device.

BACKGROUND

In recent years there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the drawbacks of conventional cigarettes. For example, studies on aerosol-generating devices have been actively conducted.

In an existing aerosol-generating device, when a user vapes continuously, the temperature of the aerosol-generating device is controlled in the same manner regardless of the number of times and timing of vaping.

However, when the aerosol-generating device is continuously heated according to repeated vaping, temperature control in a specific area adjacent to a heater deviates from a design value.

In particular, in the case of an internal injection product formed of a specific material such as plastic or rubber, since a substance harmful to the human body is generated at a predetermined temperature or higher, there is a need to control the continuous heating of the aerosol-generating device.

SUMMARY

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to solve the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol-generating device capable of selectively determining a specific temperature profile among a plurality of temperature profiles based on the temperature of a specific area at a specific point in time.

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 is an aerosol-generating device including an insertion space into which an aerosol-generating article may be inserted, and may include: a housing; a heater; a sensor unit; a memory in which a plurality of temperature profiles are stored; and at least one processor configured to, when a signal for heating an aerosol-generating article inserted into the insertion space is sensed, check a temperature of a specific area adjacent to the heater through the sensor unit, determine a specific temperature profile of the plurality of temperature profiles based on the checked temperature, and control power supplied to the heater according to the determined specific temperature profile.

A temperature control method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a temperature control method of an aerosol-generating device including an insertion space into which an aerosol-generating article may be inserted, and may include: a step of sensing a signal for heating an aerosol-generating article inserted into the insertion space; a step of checking a temperature of a specific area adjacent to the heater through a sensor unit of the aerosol-generating device; a step of determining a specific temperature profile of a plurality of temperature profiles based on the checked temperature; and a step of controlling power supplied to the heater according to the determined specific temperature profile.

Effects of the Invention

According to an embodiment of the present invention, heating of an aerosol-generating device is controlled by a specific temperature profile based on a temperature of a specific area at a specific point in time, thereby minimizing the generation of harmful substances even when the aerosol-generating device is repeatedly heated.

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 illustrates an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment.

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

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an operation of determining a temperature profile, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an operation of selecting a specific temperature profile of two temperature profiles according to various embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an operation of selecting a specific temperature profile from among three temperature profiles according to various embodiments.

FIGS. 7A-7E are graphs showing temperature changes in a specific area adjacent to a heater.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an operation in which temperature control is activated under certain conditions, according to an embodiment.

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.

With reference to the following drawings, details of determining and controlling a temperature profile in the aerosol-generating device 1 will be described. At least some of the steps in the flow charts of this document may be omitted or the order may be changed from one to another. Further, content in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention may be added to at least some of the respective steps of the flowcharts.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an operation of determining a temperature profile, according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 1 may detect a signal for heating an aerosol-generating article (S410). For example, the control unit 12 may detect that the aerosol-generating article 2 is inserted into the insertion space of the housing 10 through the sensor unit 13.

Next, the aerosol-generating device 1 may check the temperature of a specific area adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 of the aerosol-generating device 10 (S430).

Specifically, the control unit 12 may check the temperature of a specific area such as an injection product located in an area adjacent to the heaters 18, 24, that is, an area within a predetermined distance from the heaters 18, 24.

The injection product in the areas adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 may include, for example, at least some areas of a heater assembly (not shown) configured to include the heater 182 in the internally heated heater 182 as shown in FIG. 2, at least some areas of a lower surface of the heater 182 or a flange adjacent thereto, a mount, at least one sensor located in an area adjacent to the heater 182 among at least one sensor included in the sensor unit 13, and the like. In addition, in the external heating type heater 183 as shown in FIG. 3, at least a part of an inner area including a hollow, a heat insulating material, a specific area inside a housing adjacent thereto, and the like may be included.

According to an embodiment, the reference for the area adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 may be preset based on the temperature-related data of the aerosol-generating device 1 in log data recorded in the memory 17. In the temperature-related data, information related to heating during operation of the aerosol-generating device 1 may be accumulated and recorded in the memory 17 through at least one temperature sensor, and information on an area (e.g., an injection product) rising above a predetermined temperature inside the housing 10 may be stored in the memory 17.

Various embodiments of the present invention do not limit the illustration of specific areas adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 as above, but may include various areas and configurations that may be heated by the heaters 18, 24 to a predetermined value or more to release hazardous substances. These specific areas (e.g., injections) may be formed from a variety of materials, such as, but not limited to, plastics, metals, silicones, coils, ceramics, rubber, or glass components. In addition, the specific area adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 may be calculated in various ways in consideration of information such as the type of the aerosol-generating device 1, the type of the internal configuration of the aerosol-generating devices 1, and the distance between the injection projection and the heaters 18, 24.

The temperature of a specific area adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 may be detected through at least one temperature sensor included in the sensor unit 13. In this case, the at least one temperature sensor may be distinguished from a sensor for checking the temperature of the heaters 18, 24 and a sensor capable of detecting a specific area (e.g., an injection product) adjacent to the heaters 18, 24.

In addition, when an induction heating type heater (e.g., a susceptor) (or a heater module including the same) is disposed to be detachable from the housing 10, the temperature sensor may check the temperature of a specific area adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 through a resistance, current, and voltage measurement method such as a Thevenin's equivalent circuit.

According to an embodiment, in accordance with a temperature profile policy of the aerosol-generating device 1 preset in the memory 17, the temperature of the area adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 may be set in a manner that is pre-specified as the temperature of the at least one injection product. In this case, at least one temperature sensor capable of sensing the temperature of a pre-specified injection product may be located within a predetermined distance from the injection product.

Next, the aerosol-generating device 1 may determine a specific temperature profile among a plurality of temperature profiles (S450).

According to an embodiment, the control unit 12 may determine a specific temperature profile of the plurality of temperature profiles based on the temperature of the specific area adjacent to the heaters 18, 24. The temperature of the specific area may be compared with at least one preset threshold value, a detailed description of which will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 6.

Next, the aerosol-generating device 1 may control power supplied to the heater according to the determined temperature profile (S470).

According to an embodiment, a plurality of different temperature profiles may be stored in the memory 17 of the aerosol-generating device 1.

The plurality of temperature profiles may include a first section set to control the heaters 18, 24 based on a target temperature and a second section set to control them based on a holding temperature. The first section may be, for example, a section for heating the heaters 18, 24 by a target temperature as a preheating section. According to an embodiment, the target temperature of the preheating interval may include two or more target temperatures. Further, the second section may be, for example, a section in which the heaters 18, 24 are controlled such that the heaters 18, 24 temperature is substantially maintained at a specific holding temperature for puffing of the aerosol-generating article 2 as a holding section. The second section is set after the first section, and the holding temperature may be set lower than the target temperature.

In the following FIGS. 5 to 7E, descriptions of a plurality of temperature profiles and content of selecting a specific temperature profile from among the plurality of temperature profiles will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an operation of selecting a specific temperature profile of two temperature profiles according to various embodiments. Descriptions overlapping with those of FIG. 4 in the contents of FIG. 5 may be omitted. Further, for description of FIG. 5, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7C. FIGS. 7A-7C are graphs showing the change in temperature of a specific area adjacent to the heaters as the heaters 18, 24 are heated after the aerosol-generating article 2 is inserted. The temperature graphs of FIGS. 7A-7C are graphs showing changes in the temperature of certain injection product adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 rather than the temperature of the heaters 18, 24 themselves.

Referring to FIG. 5, a temperature according to detection of a heating signal may be checked (S510).

For example, when an aerosol-generating article (e.g., a stick) is detected to be inserted into the insertion space of the aerosol-generating device 1 or an input signal (e.g., a button, a touch, or the like) of a user is received, the aerosol-generating device 1 may recognize a signal (e.g., a heating signal) for heating the aerosol-generating article 2. For example, when the time point at which the heating signal of the aerosol-generating article 2 is recognized in FIG. 7A is t0, the control unit 12 may check the temperature state of the specific injection product at t0.

Next, the aerosol-generating device 1 may check whether the temperature of the specific injection product adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value Tth1 (S520).

When the temperature of the specific injection product adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 is less than the first threshold value Tth1 (S520: No), the aerosol-generating device 1 may select a first temperature profile that is a default temperature profile from among a plurality of temperature profiles (S530). Then, the heating of the heaters 18, 24 may be controlled by controlling the power applied to the heaters 18, 24 according to the setting of the selected first temperature profile (S550).

The temperature change of the injection product detected by this first temperature profile control is shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. 7A is a graph where the temperature of a specific injection product adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 is in the normal range. That is, the aerosol-generating article 2 may be inserted in a state in which the existing vaping has ended before a relatively long time. In this case, the temperature of the injection product at the time t0 at which the heating signal of the aerosol-generating article 2 is perceived may not be detected as shown in FIG. 5A or may be detected at a relatively low temperature. In the present disclosure, “vaping” may mean a series of heating operations from the time point when heating of the aerosol-generating article 2 is started to the time point when the heating is finished. For example, the aerosol-generating device 1 may initiate heating of the aerosol-generating article 2 based on a heating signal. Thereafter, when a specified number of puffs are detected for the aerosol-generating article 2, and/or heating is performed for a specified time, the aerosol-generating device 1 may terminate heating for the aerosol-generating article 2. When the aerosol-generating article 2 is removed from the insertion space or a user's input signal (e.g., a button, a touch, etc.) is received, the aerosol-generating device 1 may terminate heating of the aerosol-generating article 2. In addition, in the present disclosure, “termination of vaping” may mean that heating of the aerosol-generating article 2 is terminated. In addition, in the present disclosure, “continuous vaping” (or repetitive vaping) may mean that, after the heating of the first vaping is completed, the second vaping is started based on a heating signal or the like.

A temperature change PT1 of the injection product as shown in FIG. 7A is detected according to the control of the heaters 18, 24 according to the first temperature profile. For example, the heating of the heaters 18, 24 is controlled according to the target temperature and the holding temperature set in the first temperature profile, and the temperature of the specific injection product may be detected by the temperature change PT1 in the form of a graph as shown in FIG. 7A according to the heating of the heaters 18, 24.

More specifically, as the heaters 18, 24 are heated by the first temperature profile, the temperature of the injection product adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 may be raised to Ta. The heating of the heaters 18, 24 may then be maintained so that the puff for the aerosol-generating article 2 may continue until the point in time t1 at which use of the aerosol-generating article 2 ends. Thereby, the temperature of the injection product may also converge close to any temperature Tb, or may be maintained above that temperature Tb. Finally, when the use of the aerosol-generating article ends at time t1, the temperature of the injection product also decreases to Tb or less as the heating by the heaters 18, 24 ends.

On the other hand, the first temperature profile may include a first section (e.g., a preheating section, 601) set based on a target temperature of the first temperature profile, and a second section (e.g., a holding section, 603) set based on a holding temperature of the first temperature profile.

Referring again to FIG. 5, when the temperature of the specific injection product is equal to or higher than the first threshold value (S520: Yes), the aerosol-generating device 1 may select a second temperature profile from among a plurality of temperature profiles (S540). Then, the control unit 12 may control the heating of the heaters 18, 24 by controlling power applied to the heaters 18, 24 according to the setting of the selected second temperature profile (S550).

The temperature change of the injection product detected by this second temperature profile control is shown in FIG. 7B. In FIG. 7B, a graph is additionally shown in a case where the temperature of a specific injection product is out of the normal range after the temperature change point of the existing FIG. 7A. That is, the aerosol-generating article 2 may be inserted and heated in a state in which a predetermined time has not elapsed since the time t1 at which the heating of the existing aerosol-generating article 2 is completed. In this case, it may be confirmed that the temperature T3 of the injection product at the time point t3 at which the heating signal is recognized again according to the continuous vaping is detected to be equal to or higher than the first threshold value Tth1.

Since the temperature T3 of the injection product at the time point t3 at which the second heating signal is recognized is equal to or higher than the first threshold value Tth1, the control unit 12 may select the second temperature profile from among the plurality of temperature profiles. The control unit 12 may control heating of the heaters 18, 24 according to the target temperature and the holding temperature set in the second temperature profile, and after the time t3 at which additional heating is recognized according to the heating of the heater 18, 24, the temperature of the specific injection product may be detected by a temperature change PT2 in the form of a graph as shown in FIG. 7B.

According to an embodiment, a target temperature of the second temperature profile may be set lower than a target temperature of a first temperature profile, and a holding temperature of the second temperature profile may be set equal to a holding temperature of the first temperature profile. That is, the first temperature profile and the second temperature profile are temperature profiles that have the same holding temperature, but are set such that only the target temperature is different from each other. Therefore, when the temperature change PT2 of the injection after the time point t3 in FIG. 7B is examined, it may be confirmed that the temperature rises lower than the temperature change PT1 controlled by the first temperature profile, and the temperature converged in the holding section is the same as Tb.

On the other hand, in FIG. 7C, the temperature change of the injection product is shown at the point in time when the second heating is started after a sufficient time has elapsed since the end of the first heating, although a continuous vaping event has taken place.

In FIG. 7C, the time point t4 at which the second heating signal is recognized may be the time point later than the time point t3 at which the second heat signal is recognized in FIG. 7B described above. After the time t1 at which the first heating is completed, the temperature of the injection product gradually decreases. Then, at the time point t4 at which the heating to the second aerosol-generating article 2 is recognized, the control unit 12 may recognize that the temperature T4 of the injection is less than the first threshold value Tth1. Therefore, in the case of FIG. 7C, the first temperature profile other than the second temperature profile is selected, and the heating of the heaters 18, 24 may be controlled by the first temperature profile setting. Thus, the temperature change of the injection product after the time point t4 may be sensed to follow the temperature change PT1 detected according to the first temperature profile control of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an operation of selecting a specific temperature profile from among three temperature profiles according to various embodiments. Descriptions overlapping with those of FIGS. 4 and 5 in the contents of FIG. 6 may be omitted. Further, for description of FIG. 6, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 7D to 7E. The temperature graphs of FIGS. 7D-7E are also temperature graphs of certain injection products adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 and not the temperatures of the heaters 18, 24 themselves.

First, according to the detection of the heating signal for the aerosol-generating article 2, the temperature of a specific area adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 may be checked (S610).

When the temperature of the checked specific area is less than the first threshold value Tth1 (S620: No), the first temperature profile is determined (S630), and the heaters 18, 24 are controlled according to the determined first temperature profile (S670).

When the temperature of the checked specific area is greater than or equal to the first threshold value Tth1 (S620: Yes) and less than the second threshold value (S640: No), the second temperature profile is determined (S650), and the heaters 18, 24 are controlled according to the determined second temperature profile (S670). The control of the heaters 18, 24 according to the first temperature profile and the second temperature profile as described above may be carried out in the same manner as in FIG. 5 described above.

When the temperature of the checked specific area is equal to or higher than the second threshold value Tth2 (S620: Yes), the third temperature profile is determined (S660), and the heaters 18, 24 may be controlled according to the determined third temperature profile (S670).

An example of temperature control according to this third temperature profile is shown in FIG. 7D. FIG. 7D shows a graph of the temperature change when the temperature of an aerosol-generating article 2 is outside the normal range at the time point t2 when an additional heating signal of the aerosol-generating article 2 has been recognized after the temperature change of a specific injection product of the existing FIG. 7A. In this case, it may be confirmed that the temperature T2 of the injection product at the time point t2 at which the heating signal is again recognized according to the continuous vaping event is equal to or higher than the second threshold value Tth2.

According to an embodiment, the second threshold value Tth2 may be a temperature higher than the first threshold value Tth1. That is, heating is performed on the aerosol-generating article 2 within a shorter time, so that the temperature of the injection product adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 is higher than the temperature in FIGS. 7B-7C at the time t2 when the heating signal is detected. In this case, the cumulative amount of hazardous substances discharged from the injection product may be greater than the situation in FIGS. 7B-7C. Thus, the heater 18, 24 may be controlled by a third temperature profile having a lower target temperature or a lower holding temperature than the second temperature profile.

Specifically, in FIG. 7D, since the temperature T2 of the injection product at the time point t2 at which the second heating signal is recognized is equal to or higher than the second threshold value Tth2, the control unit 12 may select the third temperature profile from among the plurality of temperature profiles. The control unit 12 may control heating of the heaters 18, 24 according to the target temperature and the holding temperature set in the third temperature profile, and the temperature of the specific injection product may be detected by the temperature change PT3 in the form of a graph as shown in FIG. 7D according to the heating of the heater 18, 24. As shown in FIG. 7D, it may be seen that the temperature change PT3 of the injection product after the time point t2 is detected at an overall lower temperature than the temperature change PT1 of the injection product detected according to the first temperature profile control and the temperature change PT2 of the injection product detected according to the second temperature profile control.

According to an embodiment, the target temperature of the third temperature profile may be set to be lower than the target temperatures of the first temperature profile and the second temperature profile, and the holding temperature of the third temperature profile may be set equal to the holding temperatures of the first temperature profile and the second temperature profile. That is, the first temperature profile, the second temperature profile, and the third temperature profile have the same holding temperature, but the target temperatures may be set differently. Therefore, the temperature change PT3 detected in the injection product after the time point t2 in FIG. 7D is heated lower than the temperature change PT1 of the injection product detected by the first temperature profile control and the temperature change PT2 of the injection product detected by the second temperature profile control, and the temperature Tb converged in the holding section may be the same as the convergence temperature of the injection product in FIGS. 7B and 7C.

On the other hand, in FIG. 7E, a temperature change of the injection product detected through control of a plurality of more diverse temperature profiles is disclosed.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of temperature profiles may differ in at least some of the holding temperatures of each of the plurality of temperature profile. The temperature change of the injection product shown as in FIGS. 7A-7D described above was detected by temperature profile control set such that the holding temperature of each of the plurality of temperature profiles was the same and only the target temperature was different. However, the holding temperature of the temperature profiles may each be different. In this case, the holding temperature of the temperature profile may be set to a temperature at which a user puff is possible, that is, a predetermined temperature or more at which the medium portion of the aerosol-generating article 2 may be sufficiently heated.

According to an embodiment, when at least some of the target temperatures of each of the plurality of temperature profiles are the same as each other, the time to reach the same target temperature may be set to be different from each other. Further, when at least some of the holding temperatures of each of the plurality of temperature profiles are the same as each other, the time to reach the same holding temperature may be set to be different from each other.

For example, referring to FIG. 7E, according to the control of the heaters 18, 24 according to the fourth temperature profile selection, a temperature change PT4 of the injection product adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 is detected. The fourth temperature profile has the same target temperature and the same holding temperature as the first temperature profile, but may be set such that the points in time at which the target temperature and the reach temperature are reached are different from each other.

More specifically, in FIG. 7E, the temperature change PT1 of the injection product detected according to the first temperature profile control reaches the maximum temperature Ta at the time point ta. In contrast, the temperature change PT4 of the injection product detected according to the fourth temperature profile control reaches the maximum temperature Ta at the time point ta1. This difference in temperature change of the injection product is due to the fact that the temperature control over time is set to be different even when at least some of the plurality of temperature profiles are set to have the same target temperature or the same holding temperature as each other.

According to an embodiment, a fifth temperature profile may be set to have a target temperature different from the first temperature profile and a holding temperature different from each other. Referring to FIG. 7E, a temperature change PT5 of the injection product detected according to the fifth temperature profile control is shown. The fifth temperature profile may have a lower target temperature and a lower holding temperature than the first temperature profile and the second temperature profile. It may be seen that the temperature change PT5 of the injection product according to the fifth temperature profile control reaches a lower maximum temperature and is maintained at a lower temperature Tc compared to the temperature change PT4 detected according to the fourth temperature profile control.

On the other hand, the criteria for selecting the fourth temperature profile and the fifth temperature profile as described above may be selected in the manner described above, i.e., based on whether the fourth temperature profile or the fifth temperature profile is equal to or greater than any temperature threshold value, but may also be selected based on various criteria such as the type of the aerosol-generating device, the log data accumulated for each user, and the like.

FIG. 8 discloses that temperature control is activated under certain conditions according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the content of FIG. 8, content overlapping with the content of FIGS. 4 to 6 described above may be omitted.

In the foregoing FIGS. 4-6, a temperature check operation was performed for a specific area at a specific point in time regardless of whether it was continuous vaping. In contrast, FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which the occurrence of a continuous vaping event to specifically control the temperature is first determined and then the temperature of a specific area is checked to select a specific temperature profile.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 1 may confirm the end of the first heating (S810). The end of the first heating may mean, for example, that the heating for the first aerosol-generating article 2 ends.

Next, the aerosol-generating device 1 may check whether the second heating is started within a predetermined time after the end of the first heating (S820). This second heating may mean, for example, that the user initiates heating on the second aerosol-generating article 2 for further vaping. In this case, a predetermined time for determining continuous vaping may be preset and stored in the memory 17 or set by a user.

When the second heating is started after a predetermined time has elapsed (S820: No), the aerosol-generating device 1 may select a first temperature profile that is a default temperature profile (S830) and control the power supplied to the heaters 18, 24 according to the selected first temperature profile (S860).

Alternatively, when the second heating is started within a predetermined time after the end of the first heating (S820: Yes), the aerosol-generating device 1 may check the temperature of a specific area adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 (S840), select a specific temperature profile from among the plurality of temperature profiles (S850), and then control the heaters 18, 24 according to the selected specific temperature profile (S860). The contents of steps S840 to S860 may be performed in the same manner as in FIGS. 5 to 6 described above.

In the present invention, through the above-described embodiments, even when the heating of the continuous aerosol-generating article 2 proceeds, the most efficient temperature profile may be selected to control the heating of the heaters 18, 24. Thereby, generation of a hazardous substance in a specific area (e.g., an injection product) adjacent to the heaters 18, 24 may be minimized.

An aerosol-generating device according to various embodiments of the present invention is an aerosol-generating device including an insertion space into which an aerosol-generating article may be inserted, and may include: a housing; a heater; a sensor unit; a memory in which a plurality of temperature profiles are stored; and at least one processor configured to, when a signal for heating an aerosol-generating article inserted into the insertion space is sensed, check a temperature of a specific area adjacent to the heater through the sensor unit, determine a specific temperature profile of the plurality of temperature profiles based on the checked temperature, and control power supplied to the heater according to the determined specific temperature profile.

In some embodiments, the sensor unit may include at least one temperature sensor capable of sensing a temperature of the specific area, and the at least one temperature sensor may be disposed inside the housing of the aerosol-generating device and is positioned in an area within a predetermined distance from the heater.

In some embodiments, the at least one temperature sensor may be configured separately from a temperature sensor for checking a temperature of the heater.

In some embodiments, the plurality of temperature profiles may include: a first section set to control the heater based on a target temperature; and a second section set after the first section and set to control the heater based on a holding temperature that is a temperature lower than the target temperature.

In some embodiments, the plurality of temperature profiles may include a first temperature profile and a second temperature profile, the at least one processor may be configured to: select the first temperature profile when a temperature of the specific area is less than a first threshold; and select the second temperature profile when a temperature of the specific area is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and a target temperature of the second temperature profile may be set to be lower than a target temperature of the first temperature profile, or a holding temperature of the second temperature profile is set to be lower than a holding temperature of the second temperature profile.

In some embodiments, the plurality of temperature profiles may further include a third temperature profile, the at least one processor may be configured to: select the third temperature profile when a temperature of the specific area is greater than or equal to a second threshold value higher than the first threshold, and a target temperature of the third temperature profile may be set to be lower than the target temperature of the second temperature profile, or a holding temperature of the third temperature profile is set to be lower than the holding temperature of the second temperature profile.

In some embodiments, the plurality of temperature profiles may be set such that at least some of the target temperatures of each of the plurality of temperature profiles are different from each other, or at least some of the holding temperatures of each of the plurality of temperature profiles are different from each other.

In some embodiments, the plurality of temperature profiles may be set such that the time to reach the same target temperature is different from each other when at least some of the target temperatures of each of the plurality of temperature profiles are the same as each other.

In some embodiments, the plurality of temperature profiles may be set such that the time to reach the same holding temperature is different from each other when at least some of the holding temperatures of each of the plurality of temperature profiles are the same as each other.

In some embodiments, the at least one processor may be configured to: check the temperature of the specific area and determine the specific temperature profile when a second heating is started within a predetermined time after the end of a first heating of the aerosol-generating device.

A temperature control method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a temperature control method of an aerosol-generating device including a heater and an insertion space into which an aerosol-generating article may be inserted, and may include: a step of sensing a signal for heating an aerosol-generating article inserted into the insertion space; a step of checking a temperature of a specific area adjacent to the heater through a sensor unit of the aerosol-generating device; a step of determining a specific temperature profile of a plurality of temperature profiles based on the checked temperature; and a step of controlling power supplied to the heater according to the determined specific temperature profile.

In some embodiments, the plurality of temperature profiles may include: a first section set to control the heater based on a target temperature; and a second section set after the first section and set to control the heater based on a holding temperature that is a temperature lower than the target temperature.

In some embodiments, the plurality of temperature profiles may include a first temperature profile and a second temperature profile, the step of determining a specific temperature profile of the plurality of temperature profiles may include a step of selecting the first temperature profile when a temperature of the specific area is less than a first threshold; and a step of selecting the second temperature profile when a temperature of the specific area is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and a target temperature of the second temperature profile may be set to be lower than a target temperature of the first temperature profile, or a holding temperature of the second temperature profile is set to be lower than a holding temperature of the second temperature profile.

In some embodiments, the plurality of temperature profiles may further include a third temperature profile, the step of determining a specific temperature profile of the plurality of temperature profiles may further include: a step of selecting the third temperature profile when a temperature of the specific area is greater than or equal to a second threshold value higher than the first threshold, and a target temperature of the third temperature profile may be set to be lower than the target temperature of the second temperature profile, or a holding temperature of the third temperature profile is set to be lower than the holding temperature of the second temperature profile.

In some embodiments, the step of checking a temperature of a specific area adjacent to the heater may be performed when a second heating is started within a predetermined time after the end of a first heating of the aerosol-generating device.

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.