AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Applications No. 10-2024-0116526, filed on Aug. 29, 2024, No. 10-2024-0116528, filed on Aug. 29, 2024, No. 10-2024-0116527, filed on Aug. 29, 2024, and No. 10-2024-0160798, filed on Nov. 13, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device.

2. Description of the Related Art

An aerosol-generating device is a device that extracts certain components from a medium or a substance through an aerosol. The medium may contain a multicomponent substance. The substance contained in the medium may be a multicomponent flavoring substance. For example, the substance contained in the medium may include a nicotine component, an herbal component, and/or a coffee component. Recently, various studies on aerosol-generating devices have been conducted.

A plurality of sensors has been used in the aerosol-generating device to detect insertion or removal of a stick, puffs, etc. Among these sensors, a capacitive sensor has been widely used as a stick detection sensor that detects insertion or removal of a stick.

In a conventional aerosol-generating device, there is a problem in that the stick detection sensor may erroneously detect that the stick has been inserted or removed, even though the stick has not been inserted or removed, due to another factor such as an external environment or a user. For example, erroneous detection by the stick detection sensor occurs when liquid droplets accumulated in a space where the stick is inserted move in the space, when a puff is generated by the user, or when the user turns the inserted stick.

Even when the stick is not inserted, the device may unnecessarily operate a heater based on a detection result of the stick detection sensor in response to erroneous detection by the stick detection sensor. Unnecessary operation of the heater may cause the heater or the device to overheat, and there is a risk of breakdown of the heater or the device. In addition, even when the stick is not removed, the device may unnecessarily stop operation of the heater based on a detection result of the stick detection sensor in response to erroneous detection by the stick detection sensor. Unnecessary operation stop of the heater may cause a problem in that heating of the stick stops, so that the user cannot inhale aerosol.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is an object of the present disclosure to solve the above and other problems.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device configured to determine whether there is erroneous detection of a stick detection sensor based on a signal detected by a sensor other than the stick detection sensor.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device configured to cancel determination according to a detection result of a stick detection sensor based on a puff of a user detected by a puff sensor.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device configured to cancel determination according to a detection result of a stick detection sensor based on temperature change of a heater detected by a temperature sensor.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating device configured to control power supplied to a heater based on whether there is erroneous detection of a stick detection sensor.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure for accomplishing the above objects, an aerosol-generating device includes a body providing an insertion space in which a stick is accommodated, a heater configured to heat the stick, a stick detection sensor disposed adjacent to the insertion space, a puff sensor configured to detect inhalation, a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the heater, and a controller configured to determine whether the stick is inserted into or removed from the insertion space, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the stick is inserted into or removed from the insertion space based on a signal detected by the stick detection sensor, and cancel insertion determination or removal determination based on at least one of a signal detected by the puff sensor or a signal detected by the temperature sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIGS. 2 to 4 illustrate the aerosol-generating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. flowchart illustrating control on insertion determination for a stick and cancellation of determination of the aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates that signals are output from a stick detection sensor and a puff sensor in relation to insertion or removal of the stick;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a direction of airflow occurring in an insertion space when a puff is generated;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating control on insertion determination for the stick and cancellation of determination of the aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates that signals are output from the stick detection sensor and a temperature sensor in relation to insertion or removal of the stick;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating droplet movement in the insertion space; and

FIGS. 11 to 13 illustrate that signals are output from the stick detection sensor and the temperature sensor in relation to insertion or removal of the stick.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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.

FIGS. 2 to 4 illustrate the aerosol-generating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

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.

Referring to FIG. 3, 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 183 and 24 (e.g., the heater 18 and 24 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. 4 and that some of the components may be omitted or new components may be further included. 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 (hereinafter 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 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.

Unlike the configuration shown in the drawings, the cartridge 19 may provide an insertion space for receiving the aerosol-generating article 2. In this case, the insertion space may be formed so as to be depressed in the cartridge 19 to a predetermined depth so that at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article 2 may be inserted thereinto. The lower end of the aerosol-generating article 2 may be inserted into the cartridge 19, and the upper end of the aerosol-generating article 2 may protrude outside the cartridge 19. In this case, the aerosol-generating device 1 may not include the heater 183.

According to one embodiment, 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. A user may inhale air while holding the externally exposed upper end of the aerosol-generating article 2 in the mouth.

According to one embodiment, the heater 183 may heat the aerosol-generating article 2. The heater 183 may be elongated upwardly around the space into which the aerosol-generating article 2 is inserted (i.e., the insertion space). In an example, the heater 183 may have a tube shape (e.g., a cylindrical shape) with a cavity formed therein. The heater 183 may include a shape including a cavity formed therein and surrounding the cavity. In this case, the heater 183 may be supported by a polyimide film. The heater supported by this film may be referred to as a film heater. The heater 183 may be disposed so as to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The heater 183 may heat the outer side of the aerosol-generating article 2 inserted into the cavity. In the present disclosure, the heater 183 may be referred to as an external heating-type heater, which heats the outer side of the aerosol-generating article 2. Meanwhile, a thermally insulating material may be disposed outside the heater 183. 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 include an electro-resistive heater and/or an induction heater.

For example, the electro-resistive heater may include an electro-resistive material, 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.

For example, in the case of an induction heater, the aerosol-generating device 1 may further include an induction coil (not shown) surrounding at least a portion of the heater 183 (e.g., disposed outside the heater 183 so as to correspond to the length of at least a portion of the heater 183). In this case, a magnetic flux concentrator may be further provided outside the induction coil (not shown) 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 (not shown).

According to one embodiment, the heater 183 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 183 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 183 in the longitudinal direction, respectively. In addition, three or more heaters and/or three or more induction coils may be included.

Unlike the configuration shown in the drawings, the aerosol-generating device 1 may not include the heater 183. The aerosol-generating article 2 may be directly or indirectly heated by the cartridge heater 24 or may not be substantially heated. Indirect heating may mean that the aerosol-generating article 2 is heated by receiving heat contained in the aerosol during the process in which the aerosol generated by the cartridge heater 24 passes through the aerosol-generating article 2. In this case, the aerosol-generating device 1 may be referred to as a non-heating-type (or indirect heating-type) aerosol-generating device. An additive such as an alkaline substance may be contained in the aerosol-generating rod of the aerosol-generating article 2. Based on the alkaline substance, nicotine contained in the aerosol-generating rod may have an alkaline pH (e.g., pH 7.0 or higher). This alkaline nicotine may flow to the user's oral cavity together with the aerosol introduced into the aerosol-generating article 2 from the cartridge 19 to be described later.

Unlike the configuration shown in the drawings, the heater 183 may include an internal heating-type heater. For example, the internal heating-type heater may include various heating elements, such as a rod-shaped heating element, a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, or a needle-shaped heating element. The internal heating-type heater may be inserted through the lower portion of the aerosol-generating article 2, and may be set to heat the inner side of the aerosol-generating article 2.

According to one embodiment, the cartridge 19 may be removably coupled to the housing 10. For example, a space may be formed in one side of the housing 10, and at least a portion of the cartridge 19 may be inserted into the space formed in one side of the housing 10 so that the cartridge 19 is mounted to the housing 10. Alternatively, the cartridge 19 may be integrally formed with the housing 10.

According to one embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 1 and/or the cartridge 19 may be provided with an airflow channel through which air flows. For example, the housing 10 may include a structure allowing outside air to be introduced into the housing 10 in the state in which the cartridge 19 is inserted thereinto. The introduced air may pass through the cartridge 19, may be introduced into the insertion space through the airflow channel CN, and then may flow to the user's oral cavity. The airflow channel CN may include various structures for reducing residual droplets or making the flow of air smooth.

Although it is illustrated in FIG. 4 that the cartridge 19 is located beside the aerosol-generating article 2 and the airflow channel CN is formed from the side surface of the aerosol-generating article 2 to the lower end (i.e., upstream side) of the aerosol-generating article 2, the positions of the cartridge 19 and the airflow channel CN are not limited thereto. For example, the cartridge 19 may be located adjacent to the lower end (i.e., upstream side) of the aerosol-generating article 2. In this case, the airflow channel CN may be formed in a substantially straight shape to connect the cartridge 19 to the lower end (i.e., upstream side) of the aerosol-generating article 2.

According to one embodiment, the cartridge 19 may include a storage part CO that contains an aerosol-generating substance, a cartridge heater 24, and/or a liquid delivery part that is impregnated with (contains) the aerosol-generating substance. The liquid delivery part 25 may be impregnated with the aerosol-generating substance supplied from the storage part CO. For example, the liquid delivery part may include a wick formed of, e.g., cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic.

According to one embodiment, the cartridge heater 24 may heat the aerosol-generating substance contained in the cartridge 19. For example, the cartridge heater 24 may include an electro-resistive heater and/or an induction heater.

In an example, the electro-resistive heater may include an electro-resistive material, and may generate heat as current flows through the electro-resistive material. In another example, in the case of an induction heater, the aerosol-generating device 1 may further include an induction coil (not shown) provided around the induction heater. The induction heater may include a susceptor, and may generate heat based on a magnetic field generated by the induction coil (not shown). The cartridge heater 24 may be formed in a coil shape surrounding (or wound around) the liquid delivery part and/or in a shape (e.g., a patterned shape) contacting one side of the liquid delivery part.

Unlike the configuration shown in the drawings, the cartridge heater 24 may be included in the aerosol-generating device 1. For example, the cartridge heater 24 may be included inside the housing 10. In this case, the cartridge 19 and the cartridge heater 24 may be separated by removal of the cartridge 19.

According to one embodiment, an aerosol may be generated based on generation of heat by the cartridge heater 24. For example, as the aerosol-generating substance impregnated in the liquid delivery part is heated by the cartridge heater 24, vapor may be generated from the aerosol-generating substance, and an aerosol may be generated as the generated vapor is mixed with the outside air introduced into the cartridge 19. The aerosol generated by the cartridge heater 24 may be introduced into the aerosol-generating article 2 through the airflow channel CN. While the aerosol passes through the aerosol-generating article 2, tobacco or a flavoring substance may be added to the aerosol, and the aerosol containing the tobacco or the flavoring substance may be inhaled into the user's oral cavity through one end of the aerosol-generating article 2.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating control on insertion determination for the stick and cancellation of determination of the aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 6 illustrates that signals are output from a stick detection sensor and a puff sensor in relation to insertion or removal of the stick, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a direction of airflow occurring in an insertion space when a puff is generated.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the controller 12 (see FIG. 1) of the aerosol-generating device 1 may determine whether the stick 2 (e.g., the aerosol-generating article 2) is inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43 provided in the body 10 (e.g., the housing 10). For example, the controller 12 may determine whether the stick 2 is inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43 based on a signal detected by or output from a stick detection sensor 131.

The sensor unit 13 (see FIG. 1) may include the stick detection sensor 131. The stick detection sensor 131 (e.g., the insertion detection sensor) may detect insertion and/or removal of the stick 2. The stick detection sensor 131 may be arranged adjacent to the insertion space 43. The stick detection sensor 131 may include a capacitive sensor. The capacitive sensor may include at least one conductor, and the at least one conductor may be arranged adjacent to the insertion space 43. When the stick 2 is inserted or removed inside the insertion space 43, a dielectric constant around the conductor may change. The stick detection sensor 131 may be referred to as a cigarette detection sensor, an insertion detection sensor, etc.

The stick detection sensor 131 may include two sensing electrodes 1311 and 1312 and an insulator 1313. The sensing electrodes 1311 and 1312 may include a first electrode 1311 and a second electrode 1312.

The first electrode 1311 may extend in a longitudinal direction of the insertion space 43 and may extend along a perimeter of the insertion space 43. The first electrode 1311 may be bent or have a bent shape to correspond to a shape of a side of the insertion space 43. The first electrode 1311 may be referred to as a first antenna or a first channel.

The second electrode 1312 may have a shape corresponding to the first electrode 1311. The second electrode 1312 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the insertion space 43 and may extend along the perimeter of the insertion space 43. The second electrode 1312 may be spaced apart from the first electrode 1311 in a radial direction of the insertion space 43. The second electrode 1312 may surround an outer side of the first electrode 1311. The second electrode 1312 may be referred to as a second antenna or a second channel.

The first electrode 1311 and the second electrode 1312 may be connected to a sensor driving circuit (not shown). The sensor driving circuit may be a component included in the first sensor 131, or may be provided separately from the first sensor 131 and connected to the first sensor 131. A set voltage may be applied to the first electrode 1311 and the second electrode 1312 by the sensor driving circuit. When the set voltage is applied, current may flow to the first electrode 1311 and the second electrode 1312. The current flowing to the first electrode 1311 and the second electrode 1312 may vary depending on whether an object is present around the first sensor 131, the type of object, etc. A difference between the current flowing to the first electrode 1311 and the current flowing to the second electrode 1312 may change in response to the type of object present around the stick detection sensor 131.

The insulator 1313 may be placed between the first electrode 1311 and the second electrode 1312. The insulator 1313 may have an inner surface in contact with the first electrode 1311 and an outer surface in contact with the second electrode 1312. The insulator 1313 may be bent together with the first electrode 1311 and the second electrode 1312 or may have a bent shape.

The first electrode 1311 and the second electrode 1312 may include a metal material. For example, the first electrode 1311 and the second electrode 1312 may include copper. However, the material of the sensing electrode is not limited thereto, and may include other metals or metal mixtures having electrical conductivity.

The insulator 1313 may include an insulating material. For example, the insulator 1313 may include polyimide. However, the material of the insulator 1313 is not limited thereto, and may include other materials having elasticity, heat resistance, and electrical insulation.

The stick detection sensor 131 may output a value corresponding to the current flowing to the first electrode 1311 and the current flowing to the second electrode 1312 as a signal. For example, the stick detection sensor 1311 may output a first signal corresponding to the current flowing to the first electrode 1311 and a second signal corresponding to the current flowing to the second electrode 1312, respectively. For example, the stick detection sensor 1311 may output a value corresponding to a difference between the first signal corresponding to the current flowing to the first electrode 1311 and the second signal corresponding to the current flowing to the second electrode 1312 as a signal.

The sensor unit 13 may further include at least one of a puff sensor 132 or a temperature sensor 133 in addition to the stick detection sensor 131.

The puff sensor 132 may detect inhalation by the user. The puff sensor 132 may be arranged to correspond to an airflow path through which gas flows in the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the puff sensor 132 may be arranged adjacent to the insertion space 43. The puff sensor 132 may output a signal corresponding to the internal pressure of the aerosol generating device 1, and the controller 12 may detect a puff of the user based on the signal corresponding to the internal pressure. The puff sensor 132 may include a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a capacitive sensor, etc., but the puff sensor 132 is not limited thereto and may be implemented as various sensors for detecting a puff of the user.

The temperature sensor 133 may detect a temperature of the heater 182. The temperature sensor 133 may be provided as a separate temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heater 182, or the heater 182 may serve as a temperature sensor. The controller 12 may detect or determine the temperature of the heater 182 based on the signal output from the temperature sensor 113. For example, the temperature sensor 133 may output a signal corresponding to the impedance of the heater, which is correlated with the temperature of the heater 182. For example, the temperature sensor 133 may include a resistance element (e.g., a thermistor) whose resistance value changes in response to change in the temperature of the heater 182, and may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistance element. However, the temperature sensor 133 is not limited thereto, and may be implemented as various sensors for detecting the temperature of the heater 182.

The controller 12 may receive a signal detected by or output from the stick detection sensor 131, and determine whether the stick 2 is inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43 based on the signal (S510). For example, the controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been inserted into the insertion space 43 when a positive (+) signal greater than a certain magnitude is output from the stick detection sensor 131 or when the difference between the first signal and the second signal output from the stick detection sensor 131 has a positive (+) value greater than the certain magnitude. For example, the controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been removed from the insertion space 43 when a negative (−) signal greater than the certain magnitude is output from the stick detection sensor 131 or when the difference between the first signal and the second signal output from the stick detection sensor 131 has a negative (−) value greater than the certain magnitude.

The controller 12 may receive a signal detected by or output from the puff sensor 132 and determine whether a puff has been generated based on the signal (S520). For example, the controller 12 may determine that a puff has been generated by the user when the magnitude of the signal output from the puff sensor is greater than a preset value.

The controller 12 may cancel determination made in the S510 process that the stick 2 has been inserted into the insertion space 43 (hereinafter, “insertion determination”) or that the stick 2 has been removed from the insertion “removal space 43 (hereinafter, determination”) based on whether a puff has been generated.

The controller 12 may cancel insertion determination or removal determination based on detection of inhalation by the user by the puff sensor 132 at the time when insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected by the stick detection sensor 131 or within a certain time from the detection time. For example, when a signal corresponding to inhalation by the user is output from the puff sensor 132 at the same time that insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected by the stick detection sensor 131, or when a signal corresponding to inhalation by the user is output from the puff sensor 132 within a relatively significantly short time (e.g., 0.1 seconds) from the time that insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected by the stick detection sensor 131, the controller 12 may cancel insertion determination or removal determination.

Accordingly, in a normal situation where a puff is generated by the user after the stick 2 is inserted into the insertion space 43, insertion determination for the stick 2 may be prevented from being canceled.

When a puff has been generated (“Yes” of S530), the controller 12 may cancel insertion determination or removal determination (S540). Accordingly, it may be considered that an event of the stick 2 being inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43 has not been occurred.

When a puff has not been generated (“No” in S530), the controller 12 may maintain insertion determination or removal determination (S550). Accordingly, it may be considered that the event of the stick 2 being inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43 has occurred.

In order to assist in understanding control of FIG. 5, FIG. 6 illustrates various cases in which signals are output from the stick detection sensor 131 and the puff sensor 132 in relation to an insertion or removal event of the stick 2.

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, at a first time point t11, the stick 2 is inserted into the insertion space 43. In this instance, no puff is generated by the user. At the first time point t11, a signal S1 may be output from the stick detection sensor 131. The output signal S1 may have an absolute value greater than a preset first value and having the positive (+) sign. The controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been inserted into the insertion space 43 based on the signal S1 output from the stick detection sensor 131. In FIG. 6, one signal is output as an example, but two signals may be output from the stick detection sensor 131, and the controller 12 may determine the magnitude of the output and whether the output is positive or negative based on a difference between output values of the two signals.

A signal S2 may be output from the puff sensor 132 or the output signal may change within a certain time from the first time point t11. The magnitude of change in the output signal S2 may be less than a preset second value. The controller 12 may determine that no puff has been generated based on the signal output from the puff sensor 132.

The controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been inserted based on a signal detected by or output from the stick detection sensor 131, and maintain insertion determination for the stick 2 without cancellation based further on a signal detected by or output from the puff sensor 132. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately detect that an insertion event of the stick 2 has occurred.

At a second time point t12, a puff is generated by the user. Regardless of insertion/removal of the stick 2, the signal S1 may be output from the stick detection sensor 131. Due to the puff of the user, airflow may be generated in a space inside the stick 2, inside the insertion space 43, inside the aerosol-generating device 1 connected to the insertion space 43, etc. For example, airflow may be generated in one direction F1 (see FIG. 7) or the opposite direction F2 in the longitudinal direction of the insertion space 43. Even when the stick 2 is not inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43, the signal S1 may be output from the stick detection sensor 131 positioned adjacent to the insertion space 43 by the airflow generated by the puff of the user.

The output signal S1 at this time is a signal output due to erroneous detection by the stick detection sensor 131. The output signal S1 may have an absolute value greater than the preset first value and have the positive (+) sign. The controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been inserted into the insertion space 43 based on the signal S1 output from the stick detection sensor 131.

At the second time point t12 or within a certain time from the second time point t12, the signal S2 may be output from the puff sensor 132, or the output signal may change. The magnitude of change in the output signal S2 may be greater than the preset second value. The controller 12 may determine that a puff has been generated based on the signal output from the puff sensor 132.

The controller 12 determines that the stick 2 is inserted based on a signal detected by or output from the stick detection sensor 131, and may cancel insertion determination for the stick 2 based further on a signal detected by or output from the puff sensor 132. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent erroneously determining that an insertion event of the stick 2 has occurred even though the event has not occurred.

At a third time point t13, a puff is generated by the user. A signal may not be output from the stick detection sensor 131 at the third time point t13. At the third time point t13 or within a certain time from the third time point t13, the signal S2 may be output from the puff sensor 132, or the output signal may change. The magnitude of change in the output signal S2 may be greater than the preset second value. The controller 12 may determine that a puff has been generated based on a signal output from the puff sensor 132.

At a fourth time point t14, a puff is generated by the user. At the fourth time point t14, regardless of insertion/removal of the stick 2, the signal S1 may be output from the stick detection sensor 131. The output signal S1 at this time is a signal output by the stick detection sensor 131 by the puff of the user. The output signal S1 may have an absolute value greater than the preset first value and have the negative (−) sign. The controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been removed from the insertion space 43 based on the signal S1 output from the stick detection sensor 131.

At the fourth time point t14 or within a certain time from the fourth time point t14, a signal S2 may be output from the puff sensor 132, or the output signal may change. The magnitude of change in the output signal S2 may be greater than the preset second value. The controller 12 may determine that a puff has been generated based on a signal output from the puff sensor 132.

The controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been removed based on a signal detected by or output from the stick detection sensor 131, and may cancel removal determination for the stick 2 based further on a signal detected by or output from the puff sensor 132. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent erroneously determining that a removal event of the stick 2 has occurred even though the event has not occurred.

At a fifth time point t15, the stick 2 is removed from the insertion space 43. In this instance, no puff is generated by the user. At the fifth time point t15, the signal S1 may be output from the stick detection sensor 131. The output signal S1 may have an absolute value greater than the preset first value and have the negative (−) sign. The controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been removed from the insertion space 43 based on the signal S1 output from the stick detection sensor 131.

At the fifth time point t15 or within a certain time from the fifth time point t15, the signal S2 may not be output from the puff sensor 132, or the output signal may not change. The controller 12 may determine that the puff has not been generated based on the signal output from the puff sensor 132.

The controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been removed based on the signal detected by or output from the stick detection sensor 131, and may maintain removal determination for the stick 2 without cancellation based further on the signal detected by or output from the puff sensor 132. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately detect that a removal event of the stick 2 has occurred. In this way, according to an embodiment, by determining whether the stick 2 is inserted or removed based on the signals detected by or output from the stick detection sensor 131 and the puff sensor 132, it is possible to prevent erroneously determining that the stick 2 is inserted or removed by a puff of the user even though the stick 2 is not inserted or removed, and to accurately detect whether the stick 2 is inserted or removed.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating control on insertion determination for the stick and cancellation of determination of the aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 9 illustrates that signals are output from the stick detection sensor and the temperature sensor in relation to insertion or removal of the stick, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating droplet movement in the insertion space, and FIGS. 11 to 13 illustrate that signals are output from the stick detection sensor and the temperature sensor in relation to insertion or removal of the stick.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 13, the controller 12 may determine whether the stick 2 is inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43 based on a signal detected by or output from the stick detection sensor 131.

The controller 12 may receive a signal detected by or output from the stick detection sensor 131 and determine whether the stick 2 is inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43 based on the signal (S810). For example, the controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been inserted into the insertion space 43 when a positive (+) signal greater than or equal to a certain magnitude is output from the stick detection sensor 131 or when a difference between the first signal and the second signal output from the stick detection sensor 131 has a positive (+) value greater than or equal to the certain magnitude. For example, the controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been removed from the insertion space 43 when a signal having a negative (−) value greater than or equal to the certain magnitude is output from the stick detection sensor 131 or when the difference between the first signal and the second signal output from the stick detection sensor 131 has a negative (−) value greater than or equal to the certain magnitude.

The controller 12 may repeatedly receive a signal detected by or output from the temperature sensor 133, and determine the temperature of the heater 182 and a temperature-related parameter PM based thereon (S820). For example, the controller 12 may determine the temperature of the heater 182 by comparing the signal output from the temperature sensor 133 with data stored in the memory 17. The controller 12 may store temperature values of the heater 182 corresponding to a plurality of time points in the memory 17, and determine the temperature-related parameter PM from the stored temperature values of the heater 182.

The temperature-related parameter PM may include a first parameter PM1 and a second parameter PM2. The first parameter PM1 may be a value determined by temperature values of the heater 182 before a time point when insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected by the stick detection sensor 131. The second parameter PM2 may be a value determined by temperature values of the heater 182 after a time point when insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected by the stick detection sensor 131.

For example, the first parameter PM1 may be an average change amount or average slope of the temperature of the heater 182 until a certain time before a time point when insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected, and the second parameter PM2 may be an average change amount or average slope of the temperature of the heater 182 until the certain time after the time point when insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected. For example, the first parameter PM1 may be e a standard deviation of the temperature values of the heater 182 until the certain time before the time point when insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected, and the second parameter PM2 may be a standard deviation of the temperature values of the heater 182 until the certain time after the time point when insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected. Here, the certain time may be determined in advance by an experiment, etc. For example, the certain time may be 5 to 15 seconds.

The controller 12 may compare the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2. The controller 12 may cancel insertion determination or removal determination based on a result of comparison between the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2.

The controller 12 may determine a difference between the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2. The controller 12 may determine a ratio of the difference between the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2 to the first parameter PM1 PM1−PM2/PM1. The controller 12 may compare the ratio of the difference between the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2 to the first parameter PM1 with a first threshold value.

When the ratio is less than the first threshold value (“Yes” in S830), the controller 12 may cancel insertion determination or removal determination (S840). Accordingly, it is possible to consider that an event in which the stick 2 is inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43 has not occurred.

The first threshold value may be determined in advance by an experiment, etc. For example, the first threshold value may be 0.05 to 0.15 (5% to 15%). The first threshold value being 0.05 may mean that the magnitude or standard deviation of the average change amount in temperature of the heater 182 until a certain time after a time point when insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected is 5% greater than the magnitude or standard deviation of the average change amount in temperature of the heater 182 until the certain time before the time point when insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected.

When the ratio is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (“No” in S830), the controller 12 may maintain insertion determination or removal determination (S850). Accordingly, it is possible to consider that an event in which the stick 2 is inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43 has occurred.

In order to assist in understanding control of FIG. 8, FIGS. 9 and 11 illustrate various cases in which signals are output from the stick detection sensor 131 and the temperature sensor 132 in relation to the insertion event of the stick 2.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the insertion space 43 is maintained in an empty state without the stick 2 inserted thereinto from a sixth time point t22 to an eighth time point t23. In this state, the signal S1 may be output from the stick detection sensor 131 regardless of insertion/removal of the stick 2 at a seventh time point t21. When droplets D, etc. accumulated inside the insertion space 43 move inside the insertion space 43 (see FIG. 10), the signal S1 may be output from the stick detection sensor 131 positioned adjacent to the insertion space 43 due to movement of the droplets D, etc.

The output signal S1 at this time is a signal output due to erroneous detection by the stick detection sensor 131. The output signal S1 may have an absolute value greater than the preset first value and have the positive (+) sign. The controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been inserted into the insertion space 43 based on the signal S1 output from the stick detection sensor 131.

The controller 12 may determine a first average change amount or a first average slope Tp1/P1 of the temperature of the heater 182 until the sixth time point t22 which is a certain time P1 before the seventh time point t21. The first average change amount or the first average slope corresponds to the first parameter PM1. The controller 12 may determine a second average change amount or a second average slope Tp2/P1 of the temperature of the heater 182 until an eighth time point t23 which is the certain time P1 after the seventh time point t21. The second average change amount or the second average slope corresponds to the second parameter PM2.

The controller 12 may compare the ratio of the difference between the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2 to the first parameter PM1 with the first threshold value. Since the insertion space 43 is maintained in an empty state without the stick 2 inserted thereinto from the sixth time point t22 to the eighth time point t23, the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2 may have the same or significantly similar values. Therefore, the ratio of the difference between the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2 to the first parameter PM1 becomes less than the first threshold value.

The controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been inserted based on the signal detected by or output from the stick detection sensor 131, and may cancel insertion determination for the stick 2 based further on the signal detected by or output from the temperature sensor 133. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent erroneously determining that an insertion event of the stick 2 has occurred even though the event has not occurred.

Referring to FIG. 11, when the insertion space 43 is in an empty state without the stick 2 inserted thereinto, the stick 2 may be inserted into the insertion space 43 at the seventh time point t21. In this instance, the signal S1 may be output from the stick detection sensor 131 at the seventh time point t21.

The signal S1 output from the stick detection sensor 131 may have an absolute value greater than the preset first value and have the positive (+) sign. The controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been inserted into the insertion space 43 based on the signal S1 output from the stick detection sensor 131.

The controller 12 may determine the first average change amount or the first average slope Tp1/P1 of the temperature of the heater 182 until the sixth time point t22 which is the certain time P1 before the seventh time point t21. The first average change amount or the first average slope corresponds to the first parameter PM1. The controller 12 may determine the second average change amount or the second average slope Tp2/P1 of the temperature of the heater 182 until the eighth time point t23 which is the certain time P1 after the seventh time point t21. The second average change amount or the second average slope corresponds to the second parameter PM2.

The controller 12 may compare the ratio of the difference between the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2 to the first parameter PM1 with the first threshold value. Since the stick 2 is inserted into the insertion space 43 at the seventh time point t21, the temperature of the heater 182 may be reduced more quickly by the inserted stick 2 than when the stick 2 is not inserted. Therefore, the ratio of the difference between the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2 to the first parameter PM1 becomes greater than the first threshold value.

The controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been inserted based on the signal detected by or output from the stick d sensor 131, and may maintain insertion determination the for stick 2 without cancellation based further on the signal detected by or output from the temperature sensor 133. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately detect that the insertion event of the stick 2 has occurred.

In order to assist in understanding control of FIG. 8, FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate various cases in which signals are output from the stick detection sensor 131 and the temperature sensor 132 in relation to the removal event of the stick 2.

Referring to FIG. 12, a state in which the stick 2 is inserted into the insertion space 43 is maintained from the sixth time point t22 to the eighth time point t23. In this state, the signal S1 may be output from the stick detection sensor 131 regardless of insertion/removal of the stick 2 at the seventh time point t21. When the liquid droplets D accumulated inside the insertion space 43 move inside the insertion space 43 or the user turns the inserted stick 2 inside the insertion space 43, the signal S1 may be output from the stick detection sensor 131 located adjacent to the insertion space 43.

The output signal S1 in this instance is a signal output by the detection of the stick detection sensor 131. The output signal S1 may have an absolute value greater than a preset first value and have the negative (−) sign. The controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been removed from the insertion space 43 based on the signal S1 output from the stick detection sensor 131.

The controller 12 may determine the first average change amount or the first average slope Tp1/P1 of the temperature of the heater 182 until the sixth time point t22 which is the certain time P1 before the seventh time point t21. The first average change amount or the first average slope corresponds to the first parameter PM1. The controller 12 may determine the second average change amount or the second average slope Tp2/P1 of the temperature of the heater 182 until the eighth time point t23 which is the certain time P1 after the seventh time point t21. The second average change amount or the second average slope corresponds to the second parameter PM2.

The controller 12 may compare the ratio of the difference between the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2 to the first parameter PM1 with the first threshold value. Since a state in which the stick 2 is inserted into the insertion space 43 is maintained from the sixth time point t22 to the eighth time point t23, the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2 may have the same or significantly similar values. Therefore, the ratio of the difference between the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2 to the first parameter PM1 becomes less than the first threshold value.

The controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been removed based on a signal detected by or output from the stick detection sensor 131, and may cancel removal determination for the stick 2 based further on a signal detected by or output from the temperature sensor 133. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent erroneously determining that a removal event of the stick 2 has occurred even though the event has not occurred.

Referring to FIG. 13, from the state in which the stick 2 is inserted into the insertion space 43, the stick 2 may be removed from the insertion space 43 at the seventh time point t21. In this instance, the signal S1 may be output from the stick detection sensor 131 at the seventh time point t21.

The signal S1 output from the stick detection sensor 131 may have an absolute value greater than the preset first value and have the negative (−) sign. The controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been removed from the insertion space 43 based on the signal S1 output from the stick detection sensor 131.

The controller 12 may determine the first average change amount or the first average slope Tp1/P1 of the temperature of the heater 182 until the sixth time point t22 which is the certain time P1 before the seventh time point t21. The first average change amount or the first average slope corresponds to the first parameter PM1. The controller 12 may determine the second average change amount or the second average slope Tp2/P1 of the temperature of the heater 182 until the eighth time point t23 which is the certain time P1 after the seventh time point t21. The second average change amount or the second average slope corresponds to the second parameter PM2.

The controller 12 may compare the ratio of the difference between the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2 to the first parameter PM1 with the first threshold value. Since the stick 2 is removed from the insertion space 43 at the seventh time point t21, the temperature of the heater 182 may decrease more quickly than when the stick 2 is inserted. Therefore, the ratio of the difference between the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2 to the first parameter PM1 becomes greater than the first threshold value.

The controller 12 may determine that the stick 2 has been removed based on the signal detected by or output from the stick detection sensor 131, and may maintain removal determination for the stick 2 without cancellation based further on the signal detected by or output from the temperature sensor 133. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately detect that the removal event of the stick 2 has occurred.

Referring back to FIG. 8, the controller 12 may perform an operation of canceling insertion determination or removal determination for the stick 2 based on a signal output from the temperature sensor 133 only when the temperature of the heater 182 is greater than a second threshold value. That is, in a process of S820, the controller 12 may compare the temperature of the heater 182 with the second threshold value, and may compare the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2 based on the temperature of the heater 18 being greater than the second threshold value.

When the heater 182 in the aerosol-generating device 1 is not heated and is unused for a certain period of time or longer, the temperature of the heater 182 may be the same as or similar to the temperature around or outside the aerosol-generating device 1. In this case, even when the stick 2 is inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43, the temperature of the heater 182 may hardly change.

Therefore, control to cancel or maintain insertion determination or removal determination for the stick 2 based on the signal output from the temperature sensor 133 may be performed by the controller 12 in a state in which the temperature is decreasing after the heater 182 is heated. The second threshold value may be determined as a temperature between the temperature at which the heater 182 heats an aerosol-generating substance to generate aerosol (e.g., 300° C. to 400° C.) and room temperature (e.g., 10° C. to 30° C.). For example, the second threshold value may be 40° C. to 60° C.

Referring again to FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, when insertion determination for the stick 2 is canceled (S540 and S840), the controller 12 may control power supplied to the heater 18 in response to cancellation of determination. For example, the controller 12 may control the power source 11 so that power supplied to the heater 18 is interrupted based on cancellation of insertion determination for the stick 2.

Accordingly, the heater 182 may be prevented from being unnecessarily heated even when the stick 2 is not inserted into the insertion space 43, and the heater 182 or the aerosol-generating device 1 may be prevented from failing due to overheating of the heater 182 or the aerosol-generating device 1.

When removal determination for the stick 2 is cancelled (S540 and S840), the controller 12 may control power supplied to the heater 18 in response to cancellation of determination. For example, the controller 12 may control the power source 11 so that power is supplied to the heater 18 based on cancellation of removal determination for the stick 2.

Accordingly, heating of the heater 182 may be prevented from being unnecessarily stopped even when the stick 2 is not removed from the insertion space 43, and a situation in which the user cannot inhale aerosol may be prevented.

Meanwhile, upon determining that the stick 2 has been inserted or removed, the controller 12 may store information about insertion determination and information about removal determination in the memory 17. When insertion determination or removal determination for the stick 2 is cancelled, the controller 12 may delete the corresponding insertion determination information or removal determination information stored in the memory 17. Accordingly, insertion determination information indicating that insertion is determined and then the determination has not been canceled and removal determination information indicating that removal is determined and then the determination has not been canceled may be stored in the memory 17 in chronological order.

When insertion determination for the stick 2 is cancelled (S540 and S840), the controller 12 may check insertion determination information or removal determination information at a time point closest to a current time point or an immediately previous time point stored in the memory 17.

When information at the closest time point or the immediately previous time point is the insertion determination information, the controller 12 may control the power source 11 based on cancellation of insertion determination for the stick 2 so that power supply to the heater 18 is maintained. When information at the closest time point or the immediately previous time point is the insertion determination information, this means that the stick detection sensor 131 erroneously detects that the stick 2 is inserted in a state in which the stick 2 has been inserted into the insertion space 43, and thus the controller 12 may perform a control operation so that the aerosol-generating device 1 normally operates by maintaining power supply to the heater 18.

When information at the closest time point or the immediately previous time point is the removal determination information, the controller 12 may interrupt power supply to the heater 18 by controlling the power source 11 based on cancellation of insertion determination for the stick 2. When information at the closest time point or the immediately previous time point is the removal determination information, this means that the stick detection sensor 131 erroneously detects that the stick 2 is inserted in a state in which the stick 2 has been removed from the insertion space 43, and thus the controller 12 may perform a control operation so that the aerosol-generating device 1 normally operates by interrupting power supply to the heater 18.

When removal determination for the stick 2 is cancelled (S540 and S840), the controller 12 may check insertion determination information or removal determination information at a time point closest to a current time point or an immediately previous time point stored in the memory 17.

When information at the closest time point or the immediately previous time point is the insertion determination information, the controller 12 may maintain power supply to the heater 18 by controlling the power source 11 based on cancellation of removal determination for the stick 2. When information at the closest time point or the immediately previous time point is the insertion determination information, this means that the stick detection sensor 131 erroneously detects that the stick 2 is removed in a state in which the stick 2 has been inserted into the insertion space 43, and thus the controller 12 may perform a control operation so that the aerosol-generating device 1 normally operates by maintaining power supply to the heater 18.

When information at the closest time point or the immediately previous time point is the removal determination information, the controller 12 may interrupt power supply to the heater 18 by controlling the power source 11 based on cancellation of removal determination for the stick 2. When information at the closest time point or the immediately previous time point is the removal determination information, this means that the stick detection sensor 131 erroneously detects that the stick 2 is removed in a state in which the stick 2 has been removed from the insertion space 43, and thus the controller 12 may perform a control operation so that the aerosol-generating device 1 normally operates by interrupting power supply to the heater 18.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 8 illustrate embodiments in which the controller 12 cancels insertion determination or removal determination for the stick 2 based on the signal output from the puff sensor 132 or the temperature sensor 133. However, the controller 12 may cancel insertion determination or removal determination for the stick 2 based on the signals output from the puff sensor 132 and the temperature sensor 133.

For example, the controller 12 may determine whether the stick 2 has been inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43 based on the signal detected by the stick detection sensor 131. The controller 12 may determine whether a puff has been generated based on a signal detected by or output from the puff sensor 132, compare the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2 related to the temperature of the heater 182 based on a signal detected by or output from the temperature sensor 133, and cancel insertion determination or removal determination when a puff has been generated or the ratio of the difference between the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2 to the first parameter PM1 is less than the first threshold value.

For example, the controller 12 may determine whether the stick 2 has been inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43 based on a signal detected by the stick detection sensor 131. The controller 12 may determine the temperature of the heater 182 based on the signal detected by or output from the temperature sensor 133, and may cancel insertion determination or removal determination based on whether a puff has been generated when the temperature of the heater 182 is less than or equal to the second threshold value, and cancel insertion determination or removal determination based on a result of comparison between the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2 when the temperature of the heater 182 is greater than the second threshold value.

As described above, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to accurately detect the insertion event and the removal event of the stick by determining whether the stick detection sensor erroneously operates based on a signal detected by a sensor other than the stick detection sensor.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the insertion event or the removal event of the stick from being erroneously detected due to an external factor by cancelling determination according to a detection result of the stick detection sensor based on a puff of the user detected by the puff sensor.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the insertion event or the removal event of the stick from being erroneously detected due to an external factor based on the temperature change of the heater detected by the temperature sensor.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent unnecessary operation or operation stop of the heater and prevent a failure of the device by controlling power supplied to the heater based on whether there is erroneous detection by the stick detection sensor.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 13, an aerosol-generating device 1 may include a body 10 providing an insertion space 43 in which a stick 2 is accommodated, a heater 18 configured to heat the stick 2, a stick detection sensor 131 disposed adjacent to the insertion space 43, a puff sensor 132 configured to detect inhalation, a temperature sensor 133 configured to detect a temperature of the heater 18, and a controller 12 configured to determine whether the stick 2 is inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43, wherein the controller 12 may be configured to determine whether the stick 2 is inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43 based on a signal detected by the stick detection sensor 131, and cancel insertion determination or removal determination based on at least one of a signal detected by the puff sensor 132 or a signal detected by the temperature sensor 133.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the controller 12 may be configured to determine whether inhalation by a user is detected by the puff sensor 132 when insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected by the stick detection sensor 131, and cancel the insertion determination or the removal determination based on inhalation by the user being detected by the puff sensor 132.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the controller 12 may be configured to cancel the insertion determination or the removal determination based on inhalation by the user being detected by the puff sensor 132 at a time point when insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected by the stick detection sensor 131 or within a certain time from the time point.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the controller 12 may be configured to determine the temperature of the heater 18 by repeatedly receiving the signal detected by the temperature sensor 133, determine that the stick 2 is inserted or removed when insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected by the stick detection sensor 131, compare a first parameter PM1 related to the temperature of the heater 18 before a time point when the insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected by the stick detection sensor 131, with a second parameter PM2 related to the temperature of the heater 18 after the time point when the insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected, and cancel the insertion determination or the removal determination based on a result of comparison between the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the controller 12 may be configured to compare a ratio of a difference between the first parameter PM1 and the second parameter PM2 to the first parameter PM1 with a first threshold value, and cancel the insertion determination or the removal determination based on the ratio being less than the first threshold value.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the first threshold value may be 5 to 15%.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the first parameter PM1 may be an average change amount of the temperature of the heater 18 during a certain period of time before a time point when the insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected, and the second parameter PM2 may be an average change amount of the temperature of the heater 18 during the certain period of time after the time point when the insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the first parameter PM1 may be a standard deviation of the temperature of the heater 18 during a certain period of time before a time point when the insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected, and the second parameter PM2 may be a standard deviation of the temperature of the heater 18 during the certain period of time after the time point when the insertion or removal of the stick 2 is detected.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the certain period of time may be 5 to 15 seconds.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the controller 12 may be configured to compare the temperature of the heater 18 with a second threshold value, and compare the first parameter PM1 with the second parameter PM2 based on the temperature of the heater 18 being greater than the second threshold value.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the second threshold value may be 40° C. to 60° C.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may include a power source 11 configured to supply power to the heater 18, wherein the controller 12 may be configured to interrupt power supply to the heater 18 by controlling the power source 11 based on canceling the insertion determination.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may include a power source 11 configured to supply power to the heater 18, wherein the controller 12 may be configured to supply power to the heater 18 by controlling the power source 11 based on canceling the removal determination.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the stick detection sensor 131 may include a capacitive sensor.

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.