AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0118797, filed on Sep. 2, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

One or more embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device capable of detecting over-wet and over-dry states of a cigarette through a humistor sensor.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, there has been an increasing demand for an alternative method of overcoming the disadvantages of normal cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for a method of generating aerosols by heating an aerosol generating material, rather than by burning cigarettes. Accordingly, research on heating-type aerosol generating devices has been actively conducted.

When an aerosol generating article is inserted into an accommodation space, an aerosol generating device may heat the aerosol generating article according to a preset temperature profile. The temperature profile may refer to temperature change data of a heater or aerosol generating article during a smoking operation. Aerosols generated as the aerosol generating article is heated may vary according to components of an aerosol generating material included in the aerosol generating article. For example, the temperature and amount of the generated aerosols may vary according to the amount of moisture included in the aerosol generating material.

SUMMARY

When an aerosol generating article includes a certain amount of moisture, aerosols of an appropriate temperature and amount may be generated as the aerosol generating article is preheated. However, when the amount of moisture included in the aerosol generating article exceeds an appropriate range during preheating, as the heating rate of a heater decreases due to moisture, excessive water vapor may be generated, thereby generating high-temperature aerosols. Also, when the amount of moisture included in the aerosol generating article is below the appropriate range during preheating, it may be difficult to generate a sufficient amount of aerosols. Accordingly, an aerosol generating device capable of differently setting a preheating temperature profile according to the amount of moisture in an aerosol generating article is required.

However, the objectives to be achieved by the embodiments are not limited to those described above, and other objectives that are not described may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments of the disclosure.

According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating device includes a housing including an accommodation portion into which an aerosol generating article is inserted, a heater arranged on one surface of a film and configured to heat the aerosol generating article when power is supplied thereto, a humistor sensor arranged on the one surface of the film and configured to detect humidity of the aerosol generating article, and a processor electrically connected to the heater and the humistor sensor, wherein the processor is configured to control power supply to the heater, based on the humidity of the aerosol generating article detected by the humistor sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

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

FIG. 2A illustrates an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2B illustrates an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

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

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement structure of a heater and a humistor sensor in a state in which a film is unfolded, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an arrangement structure of a heater and a humistor sensor in a state in which the film shown in FIG. 5 is completely rolled;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a film arranged to surround an aerosol generating article, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a film arranged to surround an aerosol generating article, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a film arranged to surround an aerosol generating article, according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a control operation based on humidity detected by a humistor sensor of an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIG. 2A illustrates an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2B illustrates an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a housing 10, the power supply 11, the controller 12, the sensor unit 13, and/or a heater 182 or 183 (e.g., the heater 18 of FIG. 1). However, the components included in the aerosol generating device 1 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 2A or 2B. It may be understood by those skilled in the art that some of the components shown in FIG. 2A or 2B may be omitted or new components may be added. The aerosol generating device 1 illustrated in FIG. 2A may be referred to as an ‘internal heating type’ aerosol generating device that heats the inside of an aerosol generating article 2. The aerosol generating device 1 illustrated in FIG. 2B may be referred to as an ‘external heating type’ aerosol generating device that heats the outside of the aerosol generating article 2. In the drawings below, any description that overlaps with FIG. 1 will be omitted.

According to an embodiment, the housing 10 may provide a space opened upward so that the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted. In the disclosure, the upwardly-opened space may be referred to as an insertion space. The insertion space may be recessed toward the inside of the body 10 by a certain 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 a length of a region in the aerosol generating article 2, in which an aerosol generating material and/or a medium is included. A lower end of the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into the housing 10, and an upper end of the aerosol generating article 2 may protrude to the outside of the housing 10. A user may inhale aerosol by holding, in his or her mouth, the upper end of the aerosol generating article 2 exposed to the outside.

According to an embodiment, the heaters 182 and 183 may heat the aerosol generating article 2.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the heater 182 may be implemented as an internal heating heater.

According to an embodiment, the internal heating heater may extend long upward in a space (i.e., the insertion space) into which the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the internal heating heater may include a rod-shaped heating element or a needle-shaped heating element. However, the internal heating heater may include any of various heating elements, such as a tube-shaped heating element or a plate-shaped heating element. The internal heating heater may be inserted through a lower side of the aerosol generating article 2.

According to an embodiment, the internal heating heater may include an electrically resistive heater and/or an induction heating heater.

For example, the electrically resistive heater may include an electrically resistive material on the inside (e.g., an inner hollow or an inner surface) or the outside (e.g., an outer surface), and may be heated as a current flows through the electrically resistive material. In this case, the electrically resistive heater may be electrically connected to the power supply 11, and may directly generate heat by receiving a current from the power supply 11. An induction coil 181 may be omitted.

For example, in the case of induction heating heaters, the aerosol generating device 1 may include the induction coil 181 surrounding at least a portion of the internal heating heater (e.g., being positioned outside to correspond to a length of at least a portion of the heater). In this case, a magnetic flux concentrator, etc. may be further included on the outside of the induction coil 181 in order to increase the efficiency of induction heating. An induction heating heater may include a susceptor, and may generate heat based on a magnetic field generated by the induction coil 181. According to an embodiment, the induction heating heater (e.g., a susceptor) (or a heater module including the induction heating heater) may be arranged to be detachable from the housing 10.

According to an embodiment, the heater 181 may be multiple heaters. The multiple heaters 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 arranged in parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction. The first heater and the second heater may operate as electrically resistive heaters and/or induction heating heaters, and may be sequentially heated or may be simultaneously heated. In this case, the first heater and the second heater may be respectively arranged at locations corresponding to longitudinal locations of two or more aerosol generating rods. Alternatively, the first heater and the second heater may be respectively arranged at locations corresponding to longitudinal locations of a first portion and a second portion of one aerosol generating rod. When the heater 182 is an induction heating 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 respectively arranged at locations corresponding to longitudinal locations of the first heater and the second heater. Alternatively, the first heater and the second heater may be respectively arranged at locations corresponding to longitudinal locations of a first portion and a second portion of the one heater 182. Three or more heaters and/or three or more induction coils may be included.

According to an embodiment, a susceptor may be disposed (or included) in the inside (e.g., the medium portion) of the aerosol generating article 2, and the susceptor included within the aerosol generating article 2 may be implemented to generate heat, based on the magnetic field generated by the induction coil 181.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the heater 183 may be an external heating heater.

According to an embodiment, the external heating heater may extend long upward around a space (i.e., the insertion space) into which the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted. For example, the external heating heater may be disposed to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. For example, the external heating heater may include a tubular shape (e.g., a cylindrical shape) including a hollow therein. The external heating heater may have a shape including a hollow on the inside and surrounding the hollow. In this case, the external heating heater may be supported by a polyimide film. A heater supported by such a film may be referred to as a film heater. The external heating heater may be disposed to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The external heating heater may heat the outside of the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the hollow.

According to an embodiment, the external heating heater may include an electrically resistive heater and/or an induction heating heater. A description of FIG. 2B that overlaps with FIG. 2A will be omitted. In the case of induction heating heaters, the aerosol generating device 1 may include an external heating heater implemented as a tube-shaped susceptor, and may include the induction coil 181 surrounding at least a portion of the external heating heater (e.g., being positioned outside to correspond to a length of at least a portion of the heater). The induction coil 181 may include a fan coil. When the external heating heater is an electrically resistive heater, heat generation is possible through a current flow on a tube-shaped electrically resistive heater (e.g., a film heater), and thus the separate induction coil 181 may be omitted. Insulation may also be disposed on the outside of the external heating heater. Accordingly, the heat radiated outward by the heater 183 and applied to the outside of the housing 10 may be reduced.

According to one embodiment, the heater 183 may be multiple heaters, and the first heater and the second heater may be arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction so as to each surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The first heater and the second heater may operate as electrically resistive heaters and/or induction heating heaters, and may be sequentially heated or may be simultaneously heated. When the heater 183 is an induction heating 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 respectively arranged at locations corresponding to longitudinal locations of the first heater and the second heater. Alternatively, the first heater and the second heater may be respectively arranged at locations corresponding to longitudinal locations of a first portion and a second portion of the one heater 183.

Unlike what shown in FIG. 2A or FIG. 2B, the heater 182 of FIG. 2A and the heater 183 of FIG. 2B may be included together in the aerosol generating device 1. In this case, the heater 182 may heat the inside of the aerosol generating article 2, and the heater 183 may heat the outside of the aerosol generating article 2.

According to an 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) in which air may be introduced from the outside 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., an upstream side) of the aerosol generating article 2. Aerosol generated based on the heating of the aerosol generating article 2, together with the introduced air, may be inhaled into the user's mouth through the upper end (i.e., the downstream side) of the aerosol generating article 2.

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

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 may include the housing 10, the power supply 11, the controller 12, the sensor unit 13, and/or the heaters 183 and 24 (e.g., the heater 18 or 24 of FIG. 1). However, the components included in the aerosol generating device 1 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 3. It may be understood by those skilled in the art that some of the components shown in FIG. 3 may be omitted or new components may be added. In the drawings below, any description that overlaps with FIG. 1 will be omitted.

According to an embodiment, the housing 10 may provide a space (hereinafter, an insertion space) opened upward so that the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted. The insertion space may be recessed toward the inside of the body 10 by a certain 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 to the outside of the housing 10.

Unlike the illustration, the cartridge 19 may provide an insertion space for accommodating the aerosol generating article 2. In this case, the insertion space may be recessed toward the inside of the cartridge 19 by a certain 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 to the outside of the cartridge 19. In this case, the aerosol generating device 1 may not include the heater 183.

According to an embodiment, the depth of the insertion space may be equal to or greater than a length of a region in the aerosol generating article 2, in which an aerosol generating material and/or a medium is included. A user may inhale aerosol by holding, in his or her mouth, the upper end of the aerosol generating article 2 exposed to the outside.

According to an embodiment, the heater 183 may heat the aerosol generating article 2. The heater 183 may extend long upward around the space (i.e., the insertion space) into which the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted. For example, the heater 183 may have a tubular shape (e.g., a cylindrical shape) including a hollow therein. The heater 183 may have a shape including a hollow on the inside and surrounding the hollow. In this case, the heater 183 may be supported by a polyimide film. A heater supported by such a film may be referred to as a film heater. The heater 183 may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The heater 183 may heat the outside of the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the hollow. In the disclosure, the heater 183 may be referred to as an external heating heater that heats the outside of the aerosol generating article 2. Insulation may also be disposed on the outside of the heater 183. Accordingly, the heat radiated outward by the heater 183 and applied to the outside of the housing 10 may be reduced.

According to an embodiment, the heater 183 may include an electrically resistive heater and/or an induction heating heater.

For example, the electrically resistive heater may include an electrically resistive material, and may be heated as a current flows through the electrically resistive material. In this case, the electrically resistive heater may be electrically connected to the power supply 11, and may generate heat directly by receiving a current from the power supply 11.

For example, in the case of induction heating heaters, the aerosol generating device 1 may include an induction coil (not shown) surrounding at least a portion of the heater 183 (e.g., being disposed outside to correspond to a length of at least a portion of the heater 183). In this case, a magnetic flux concentrator, etc. may be further included on the outside of the induction coil (not shown) in order to increase the efficiency of induction heating. An induction heating heater may include a susceptor, and may generate heat based on a magnetic field generated by the induction coil (not shown).

According to an embodiment, the heater 183 may be multiple heaters. The multiple heaters 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 arranged in parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction. The first heater and the second heater may operate as electrically resistive heaters and/or induction heating heaters, and may be sequentially heated or may be simultaneously heated. In this case, the first heater and the second heater may be respectively arranged at locations corresponding to longitudinal locations of two or more aerosol generating rods. Alternatively, the first heater and the second heater may be respectively arranged at locations corresponding to longitudinal locations of a first portion and a second portion of one aerosol generating rod. When the heater 183 is an induction heating 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 respectively arranged at locations corresponding to longitudinal locations of the first heater and the second heater. Alternatively, the first heater and the second heater may be respectively arranged at locations corresponding to longitudinal locations of a first portion and a second portion of the one heater 183. Three or more heaters and/or three or more induction coils may be included.

Unlike the illustration, the aerosol generating device 1 may not include the heater 183. The aerosol generating article 2 may be heated directly or indirectly by the cartridge heater 24, or may not be substantially heated. The indirect heating may mean that the aerosol generating article 2 is heated by receiving heat contained in the aerosol, while the aerosol generated by the cartridge heater 24 is passing through the aerosol generating article 2. In this case, the aerosol generating device 1 may be referred to as a non-heating (or indirect heating) aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating rod of the aerosol generating article 2 may contain additives such as an alkaline substance. Based on the basic material, nicotine included in the aerosol generating rod may have an alkaline pH (e.g., pH 7.0 or higher). This alkaline nicotine may flow into the user's mouth, together with the aerosol flowing from the cartridge 19, which will be described later, into the aerosol generating article 2.

Unlike the illustration, the heater 183 may include an internal heating heater. For example, the internal heating heater may include any of various heating elements, such as a rod-shaped heating element, a tube-shaped heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, or a needle-shaped heating element. The internal heating heater may be inserted through a lower side of the aerosol generating article 2, and may be set to heat the inside of the aerosol generating article 2.

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

According to an 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 in which air may be introduced from the outside into the housing 10 while the cartridge 19 is being inserted into the housing 10. The introduced air may pass through the cartridge 19 and be introduced into the insertion space through an airflow channel CN, and may flow into the user's mouth. The airflow channel CN may include various structures for reducing residual droplets or facilitate airflow.

In FIG. 3, the cartridge 19 is shown as being positioned on a lateral side with respect to the aerosol generating article 2, and the airflow channel CN is shown as being formed from a lateral surface of the aerosol generating article 2 to the lower end (i.e., the upstream side) of the aerosol generating article 2. However, the locations 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., the 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., the upstream side) of the aerosol generating article 2.

According to an embodiment, the cartridge 19 may include a storage CO containing an aerosol generating material, the cartridge heater 24, and/or a liquid delivery unit impregnated with (containing) the aerosol generating material. The liquid delivery unit may be impregnated with the aerosol generating material supplied by the storage CO. For example, the liquid delivery unit may include a wick or the like, such as a cotton fiber, a ceramic fiber, a glass fiber, or porous ceramic.

According to an embodiment, the cartridge heater 24 may heat the aerosol generating material included in the cartridge 19. For example, the cartridge heater 24 may include an electrically resistive heater and/or an induction heating heater.

For example, the electrically resistive heater may include an electrically resistive material, and may generate heat as a current flows through the electrically resistive material. As another example, in the case of induction heating heaters, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include an induction coil (not shown) around the induction heating heater. The induction heating 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 the shape of a coil that surrounds (or is wound around) the liquid delivery unit and/or in a shape (e.g., a pattern shape) in contact with one side of the liquid delivery unit.

Unlike the illustration, 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 from each other by removing the cartridge 19.

According to an embodiment, aerosol may be generated based on the heat generation of the cartridge heater 24. For example, as the aerosol generating material impregnated in the liquid delivery unit is heated by the cartridge heater 24, vapor may be generated from the aerosol generating material, and, as the generated vapor is mixed with outside air introduced into the cartridge 19, aerosol may be generated. The aerosol generated by the cartridge heater 24 may be introduced into the aerosol generating article 2 through the airflow channel CN. Tobacco or a flavoring agent may be added to the aerosol while the aerosol is passing through the aerosol generating article 2, and the aerosol to which tobacco or a flavoring agent has been added may be inhaled into the user's mouth through one end of the aerosol generating article 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, an aerosol generating device 400 according to an embodiment may include a housing 410, at least one humistor sensor 440, and a heater 450. The components of the aerosol generating device 400 may be identical or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, or FIG. 3, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted below. In this regard, the humistor sensor, which is capable of detecting humidity, may be referred to as a humidity sensor.

In an embodiment, the housing 410 may form the overall exterior of the aerosol generating device 400, and an inner space may be formed within the housing 410 in which components of the aerosol generating device 400 may be arranged. For example, the humistor sensor 440 and the heater 450 may be arranged in the inner space of the housing 410, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the housing 410 may include an opening 405, and at least a portion of an aerosol generating article M may be inserted or accommodated into the housing 410 through the opening 405. Although the drawing only shows an embodiment in which the opening 405 is arranged in an upper end region of the housing 410, embodiments are not limited thereto. According to embodiments, the opening 405 may be arranged on a side surface of the housing 410.

In an embodiment, a film 460 (alternatively referred to as a “base film”) may include polyimide (PI) having heat resistance or insulating properties. For example, the film 460 may form a base of the heater 450 and the humistor sensor 440, and may be arranged to surround an outer peripheral surface of the aerosol generating article M inserted through an accommodation portion 415.

In an embodiment, the heater 450 may be arranged on one surface of the film 460 and located in the inner space of the housing 410, and may generate aerosols by heating the aerosol generating article M inserted or accommodated into the accommodation portion 415 of the housing 410 through the opening 405. For example, the heater 450 may generate heat as power is supplied thereto, to heat the aerosol generating article M inserted or accommodated into the accommodation portion 415, and vaporized particles generated by the heating of the aerosol generating article M may be mixed with air to generate aerosols.

In an embodiment, the humistor sensor 440 may be arranged on the one surface of the film 460, like the heater 450, and located in the inner space of the housing 410, and may detect the humidity of the aerosol generating article M inserted or accommodated into the accommodation portion 415 of the housing 410 through the opening 405. For example, the humistor sensor 440 may detect humidity according to moisture included in the aerosol generating article M through two electrodes, and may convert the detected humidity into an electrical signal.

In an embodiment, the humistor sensor 440 may include a resistive humistor sensor. For example, the humistor sensor 440 may include two electrodes and a conductive layer including a low-resistivity material. The conductive layer may be deposited to cover upper portions of the two electrodes, and the two electrodes may be arranged in an interlocking pattern to increase a contact area therebetween. Also, as the conductive layer absorbs moisture included in the aerosol generating article M, resistance between the two electrodes may change, and the humistor sensor 440 may detect relative humidity through the change in resistance.

In another embodiment, the humistor sensor 440 may include a capacitive humistor sensor. For example, the humistor sensor 440 may include two electrodes and a dielectric layer (or an insulating layer) including a non-conductive polymer. The dielectric layer may be deposited so as to be arranged between the two electrodes, and the two electrodes may be arranged in an interlocking pattern to increase a contact area therebetween. Also, as the dielectric layer absorbs moisture included in the aerosol generating article M, a dielectric constant may change, and the humistor sensor 440 may detect relative humidity through a change in voltage between the two electrodes according to the change in the dielectric constant.

In another embodiment, the humistor sensor 440 may include a heat-conductive humistor sensor. For example, the humistor sensor 440 may include a first thermistor sealed in a chamber filled with dry nitrogen, and a second thermistor arranged in an open chamber. As power is supplied to the humistor sensor 440, the resistance of each of the first thermistor and the second thermistor may be calculated, and absolute humidity may be detected through a difference between the calculated resistances.

In an embodiment, the humistor sensor 440 may include a first sensor arranged in a first portion of the film 460 and spaced apart from the heater 450 in a first direction (e.g., a y-direction in FIG. 4), and a second sensor arranged in a second portion of the film 460 and spaced apart from the heater 450 in a second direction (e.g., a −y-direction in FIG. 4). A detailed description in this regard will be provided below with reference to FIG. 5.

In an embodiment, the humistor sensor 440 may be arranged on the film 460 so as not to overlap the heater 450, and may serve to detect the humidity of the aerosol generating article M inserted into the accommodation portion 415. For example, the humistor sensor 440 may include at least one electrode pattern arranged not to overlap a heating pattern of the heater 450.

The expression “the humistor sensor 440 is arranged not to overlap the heater 450” as used herein may refer to a structure in which the humistor sensor 440 and the heater 450 are arranged not to overlap each other when viewed in a radial direction of the film 460.

In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 400 may further include a battery 420 and a processor 430.

The battery 420 may supply power required for operation of the aerosol generating device 400. For example, the battery 420 may supply power to the heater 450 so that the heater 450 may be heated. As another example, the battery 420 may supply power required for operation of the processor 430, or may supply power required for operation of the humistor sensor 440.

The processor 430 may control overall operations of the aerosol generating device 400.

For example, the processor 430 may be electrically connected and/or operatively connected to the heater 450 to control operation thereof. That is, the processor 430 may control power to be supplied to the heater 450, based on a predetermined heating temperature profile.

The expression “operably connected” as used herein may refer to a state in which components are connected to each other so as to be able to exchange signals via wireless communication, or to exchange optical signals and/or magnetic signals, and this expression may be used with the same meaning hereinafter.

As another example, the processor 430 may be electrically connected and/or operatively connected to the humistor sensor 440 to control operation thereof. That is, based on the humidity of the aerosol generating article M detected by the humistor sensor 440, the processor 430 may determine a heating temperature profile to be applied to the heater 450, or may control power supply to the heater 450 to be cut off.

In an embodiment, the processor 430 may be arranged or mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) (not shown) located in the inner space of the housing 410, and may be electrically or operatively connected to the heater 450 and/or the humistor sensor 440 through an electrical connection element (e.g., a cable, a C-clip, a flexible PCB (FPCB), etc.) that connects the PCB to the heater 450 and/or the humistor sensor 440. However, the arrangement structure of the processor 430 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the arrangement structure of the processor 430 may be changed according to embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement structure of a heater and a humistor sensor in a state in which a film is unfolded, according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an arrangement structure of a heater and a humistor sensor in a state in which the film shown in FIG. 5 is completely rolled.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an array 500 including a heater (e.g., the heater 450 of FIG. 4) and a humistor sensor (e.g., the humistor sensor 440 of FIG. 4) may be formed by arranging a heater 540 and two humistor sensors, that is, first and second humistor sensors 520 and 530, on a film 510. The array 500 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be an example of a heater applicable to the aerosol generating device 1 of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3, and redundant descriptions thereof may be omitted below.

In an embodiment, the array 500 may include the film 510, the first humistor sensor 520, the second humistor sensor 530, and the heater 540.

In an embodiment, when the array 500 is in an unfolded state as shown in FIG. 5, the heater 540 may be arranged in one region of the film 510. For example, the heater 540 may include an electrically resistive pattern including a metal material, and a first terminal 542 and a second terminal 544 at two ends of the heater 540 may be electrically connected to a battery (e.g., the battery 420 of FIG. 4) to receive power from the battery. Also, the heater 540 may be arranged in a center of the film 510.

In an embodiment, when the array 500 is in an unfolded state as shown in FIG. 5, the first humistor sensor 520 and the second humistor sensor 530 may be arranged in a first portion and a second portion of the film 510, respectively. For example, the first humistor sensor 520 and the second humistor sensor 530 may each include a first electrode and a second electrode each having a comb shape. The first electrode and the second electrode each having a comb shape may be arranged to be interlocked with each other, so as to face each other.

A first terminal 522 and a second terminal 524 at two ends of the first humistor sensor 520, and a first terminal 532 and a second terminal 534 at two ends of the second humistor sensor 530 may be electrically connected to the battery 420 to receive power from the battery 420. Also, the first humistor sensor 520 may be arranged in an upper end region of the film 510 and spaced apart from the heater 540 in a first direction (e.g., a y-direction in FIG. 5), and the second humistor sensor 530 may be arranged in a lower end region of the film 510 and spaced apart from the heater 540 in a second direction (e.g., a −y-direction in FIG. 5) that is opposite to the first direction.

However, the arrangement structure of the array 500 is not limited thereto, and in another embodiment, at least one of the first humistor sensor 520 and the second humistor sensor 530, when arranged not to overlap the heater 540, may be arranged to extend to the center of the film 510.

In an embodiment, the first humistor sensor 520 and the second humistor sensor 530 may serve to detect the humidity of an inserted aerosol generating article (e.g., the aerosol generating article M of FIG. 4). For example, the first humistor sensor 520 and the second humistor sensor 530 may each include two electrodes printed or mounted on the film 510, and an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device 400 of FIG. 4) may detect a humidity change and/or a humidity value based on the magnitude and/or frequency of an electrical signal detected by the two electrodes.

In an embodiment, the first humistor sensor 520 and the second humistor sensor 530 may be arranged not to overlap the heater 540. When the first humistor sensor 520 and the second humistor sensor 530 overlap the heater 540, the sensing sensitivity of the first humistor sensor 520 and the second humistor sensor 530 may decrease due to heat generated from the heater 540, and damage to the sensors may occur. In contrast, when the first humistor sensor 520 and the second humistor sensor 530 are arranged not to overlap the heater 540, as in the array 500 according to an embodiment, damage to the sensors, malfunction, decrease in sensing sensitivity, etc. due to heat generated from the heater 540 may be prevented.

In an embodiment, the array 500 may be formed by rolling the film 510 in an unfolded state into a cylindrical shape so as to have an inner hollow.

For example, in the film 510 of FIG. 5, one end of the film 510, at which the first humistor sensor 520 and the heater 540 are arranged adjacent to each other, and the other end of the film 510, at which the second humistor sensor 530 and the heater 540 are arranged adjacent to each other, may be rolled.

In this regard, FIG. 6 shows that the film 510 is rolled such that a surface thereof on which the first humistor sensor 520, the second humistor sensor 530, and the heater 540 are exposed forms an outer peripheral surface of the array 500, but embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the film 510 may be rolled such that the surface thereof on which the first humistor sensor 520, the second humistor sensor 530, and the heater 540 are exposed forms an inner peripheral surface of the array 500.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the film 510 is completely rolled, the array 500 may be formed into a tube shape having a circular or oval cross-section. The array 500 having a cylindrical shape with an inner hollow may be arranged to surround the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol generating article M inside the aerosol generating device 400, and may heat the aerosol generating article M as power is supplied to the heater 540.

Through the arrangement structure of the array 500 described above, the aerosol generating device 400 according to an embodiment may not have a separate configuration in which the first and second humistor sensors 520 and 530 may be arranged, and thus may be economical in terms of manufacturing cost. Also, a space occupied by the first and second humistor sensors 520 and 530 inside the aerosol generating device 400 may be reduced, thereby facilitating miniaturization of the device.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a film arranged to surround an aerosol generating article, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, an aerosol generating article 750 may include a medium portion 752 including a tobacco material and a filter portion 754 coupled to a downstream end of the medium portion 752, and an array 700 may be formed by arranging a heater 720 and one humistor sensor 730 on a film 710.

In an embodiment, the medium portion 752 may include an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but embodiments are not limited thereto. Also, the medium portion 752 may include other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic acid. Also, a flavoring liquid, such as menthol or a moisturizer, may be added to the medium portion 752 by being sprayed thereon.

In an embodiment, the medium portion 752 may be manufactured in various forms. For example, the medium portion 752 may be formed as a sheet or a strand. Also, the medium portion 752 may be formed as a pipe tobacco, which is formed of tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet. Also, the medium portion 752 may be surrounded by a heat-conductive material. For example, the heat-conductive material may be metal foil such as aluminum foil, but embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the heat-conductive material surrounding the medium portion 752 may uniformly distribute heat transferred to the medium portion 752, and thus, the heat conductivity applied to the medium portion 752 may be increased, thereby improving the taste of a tobacco. Also, the heat-conductive material surrounding the medium portion 752 may function as a susceptor heated by an induction coil.

In an embodiment, the filter portion 754 may include cellulose acetate. Also, the shape of the filter portion 754 is not limited. For example, the filter portion 754 may be a cylindrical rod or a tubular rod including a hollow therein. Also, the filter portion 754 may be a recessed rod. When the filter portion 754 includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape.

In an embodiment, the filter portion 754 may be formed to generate flavors. For example, a flavoring liquid may be sprayed onto the filter portion 754, or an additional fiber coated with a flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter portion 754.

In an embodiment, when the filter portion 754 includes a cooling segment for cooling aerosols, the cooling segment may include a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material. For example, the cooling segment may be formed by a weaving process on a bundle of fibers including a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material. The cooling segment may include pure polylactic acid alone, but embodiments are not limited thereto. Alternatively, the cooling segment may include a cellulose acetate filter having at least one hole. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the above-described examples, and may be applied without limitation as long as it performs an aerosol-cooling function.

In an embodiment, the filter portion 754 may include a moisture-sensitive material (not shown). The moisture-sensitive material may include a material that absorbs ambient moisture, and may be a conductive polymer. For example, the moisture-sensitive material may include at least one of lithium chloride (LiCl) and aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), but embodiments are not limited thereto.

Because the filter portion 754 as described herein includes a moisture-sensitive material, the sensing sensitivity of the humistor sensor 730 may be improved. Materials forming the filter portion 754 may have a substantially lower degree of absorption of ambient moisture than materials forming the medium portion 752. As the humistor sensor 730 is arranged to surround the filter portion 754 of the aerosol generating article 750, the humistor sensor 730 may detect the humidity of the filter portion 754 of the aerosol generating article 750. In this regard, as the filter portion 754 includes a moisture-sensitive material that absorbs ambient moisture (e.g., moisture included in the medium portion 752, moisture absorbed from the outside, etc.), the moisture-sensitive material may act as a wick for moisture, and the humistor sensor 730 may detect the humidity of the moisture-sensitive material containing moisture, thereby detecting the humidity of the filter portion 754 with relatively high sensing sensitivity.

Also, the aerosol generating device as described herein (e.g., the aerosol generating device 400 of FIG. 4) may accurately determine, based on the detected humidity, whether the aerosol generating article 750 is in an over-wet state, a normal state, or an over-dry state.

In an embodiment, the moisture-sensitive material may be included in the filter portion 754 in various shapes and at various locations. For example, the moisture-sensitive material may be included in the filter portion 754 in a cylindrical shape penetrating a center of the filter portion 754 in a length direction of the aerosol generating article 750. As another example, the moisture-sensitive material may be included in the filter portion 754 in a tube shape surrounding an outer peripheral surface of the filter portion 754. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the moisture-sensitive material may be arranged in various shapes at a location that allows for absorption of ambient moisture.

In an embodiment, the array 700 having a cylindrical shape, which is formed by rolling the film 710 in one direction, may be arranged to surround the aerosol generating article 750. The heater 720 may be arranged to surround the medium portion 752 of the aerosol generating article 750, and the humistor sensor 730 may be arranged to surround the filter portion 754 of the aerosol generating article 750.

For example, the heater 720 may be arranged in a first portion of the film 710 surrounding the medium portion 752 of the aerosol generating article 750, so as to heat the medium portion 752 to generate aerosols. Also, the humistor sensor 730 may be arranged in a second portion of the film 710 surrounding the filter portion 754 of the aerosol generating article 750, so as to sense the humidity of the filter portion 754.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a film arranged to surround an aerosol generating article, according to another embodiment. In the detailed description of FIG. 8, descriptions corresponding to, identical to, or similar to those provided above may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 8, an aerosol generating article 850 may include a front-end plug 852, a medium portion 854 including a tobacco material, and a filter portion 856 arranged at a location facing the front-end plug 852 with the medium portion 854 therebetween, and an array 800 may be formed by arranging a heater 840 and two humistor sensors, that is, first and second humistor sensors 820 and 830, on a film 810. In this regard, the medium portion 854 and the filter portion 856 may be the same components as the medium portion 752 and the filter portion 754 of FIG. 7.

In an embodiment, the front-end plug 852 may include a hollow through which outside air is introduced to form mainstream smoke inside the aerosol generating article 850. For example, the hollow formed in the front-end plug 852 may have a circular cross-section. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the hollow formed in the front-end plug 852 may have various cross-sections. For example, the hollow formed in the front-end plug 852 may have a Y-shaped cross-section.

In an embodiment, the front-end plug 852 may include cellulose acetate. For example, the front-end plug 852 may be formed by adding a plasticizer, such as triacetin, to cellulose acetate tow. The front-end plug 852 may prevent the medium portion 854 from detached outwards, and may prevent impurities from entering the medium portion 854 from the outside.

In an embodiment, at least one of the front-end plug 852 and the filter portion 856 may include a moisture-sensitive material (not shown). The moisture-sensitive material may include a material that absorbs ambient moisture, and may be a conductive polymer. For example, the moisture-sensitive material may include at least one of lithium chloride (LiCl) and aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), but embodiments are not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the moisture-sensitive material may be included in various shapes and at various locations in the front-end plug 852 and/or the filter portion 856. For example, the moisture-sensitive material may be arranged in the front-end plug 852 in a tube shape penetrating the hollow of the front-end plug 852. As another example, the moisture-sensitive material may be included in the filter portion 856 in a cylindrical shape penetrating a center of the filter portion 856 in a length direction of the aerosol generating article 850. As another example, the moisture-sensitive material may be included in the front-end plug 852 and/or the filter portion 856 in a tube shape surrounding an outer peripheral surface of the front-end plug 852 and/or the filter portion 856. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the moisture-sensitive material may be arranged in various shapes at a location that allows for absorption of ambient moisture.

In an embodiment, the array 800 having a cylindrical shape, which is formed by rolling the film 810 in one direction, may be arranged to surround the aerosol generating article 850. The heater 840 may be arranged to surround the medium portion 854 of the aerosol generating article 850, and the first humistor sensor 820 and the second humistor sensor 830 may be arranged to surround the front-end plug 852 and the filter portion 856 of the aerosol generating article 850, respectively.

For example, the heater 840 may be arranged in a central portion of the film 810 surrounding the medium portion 854 of the aerosol generating article 850, so as to heat the medium portion 854 to generate aerosols.

Also, the first humistor sensor 820 may be arranged in a first portion of the film 810 surrounding the front-end plug 852 of the aerosol generating article 850, so as to sense the humidity of the front-end plug 852. In this regard, the first portion may refer to a portion spaced apart in a first direction (e.g., the y-direction in FIG. 5) from the central portion of the film 810 in which the heater 840 is arranged.

Also, the second humistor sensor 830 may be arranged in a second portion of the film 810 surrounding the filter portion 856 of the aerosol generating article 850, so as to sense the humidity of the filter portion 856. In this regard, the second portion may refer to a portion spaced apart in a second direction (e.g., the −y-direction in FIG. 5) from the central portion of the film 810 in which the heater 840 is arranged.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a film arranged to surround an aerosol generating article, according to another embodiment. In the detailed description of FIG. 9, descriptions corresponding to, identical to, or similar to those provided above may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 9, an aerosol generating article 950 may include a front-end plug 952, a medium portion 954 including a tobacco material, and a filter portion 956 arranged at a location facing the front-end plug 952 with the medium portion 954 therebetween, and an array 900 may be formed by arranging a heater 940 and two humistor sensors, that is, first and second humistor sensors 920 and 930, on a film 910. In this regard, the front-end plug 952, the medium portion 954, and the filter portion 956 may be the same components as the front-end plug 952, the medium portion 854, and the filter portion 856 of FIG. 8.

In an embodiment, the array 900 having a cylindrical shape, which is formed by rolling the film 910 in one direction, may be arranged to surround the aerosol generating article 950. The heater 940 may be arranged to surround a portion of the medium portion 954 of the aerosol generating article 950, and the first humistor sensor 920 and the second humistor sensor 930 may be arranged to surround the front-end plug 952 and the filter portion 956 of the aerosol generating article 950, respectively. Also, the first humistor sensor 920 may be arranged to surround a portion adjacent to the front-end plug 952 in the remaining portion of the medium portion 954, and the second humistor sensor 930 may be arranged to surround a portion adjacent to the filter portion 956 in the remaining portion of the medium portion 954.

For example, the heater 940 may be arranged in a central portion of the film 910 surrounding a portion of the medium portion 954 of the aerosol generating article 950, so as to heat the medium portion 954 to generate aerosols.

Also, the first humistor sensor 920 may be arranged in a first portion of the film 910 surrounding the front-end plug 952 of the aerosol generating article 950 and a portion of the medium portion 954 adjacent to the front-end plug 952, so as to sense the humidities of the front-end plug 952 and the portion of the medium portion 954. In this regard, the first portion may refer to a portion spaced apart in a first direction (e.g., the y-direction in FIG. 5) from the central portion of the film 910 in which the heater 940 is arranged.

Also, the second humistor sensor 930 may be arranged in a second portion of the film 910 surrounding the filter portion 956 of the aerosol generating article 950 and a portion of the medium portion 954 adjacent to the filter portion 956, so as to sense the humidities of the filter portion 956 and the portion of the medium portion 954. In this regard, the second portion may refer to a portion spaced apart in a second direction (e.g., the −y-direction in FIG. 5) from the central portion of the film 910 in which the heater 940 is arranged.

Because the first humistor sensor 920 and the second humistor sensor 930 are each arranged to surround a portion of the medium portion 954, the humidity of the aerosol generating article 950 may be more accurately sensed. Materials forming the medium portion 954 may have a substantially higher degree of absorption of ambient moisture than materials forming the front-end plug 952 and the filter portion 956, and thus, a change in humidity of the aerosol generating article 950 may be sensitively applied to the medium portion 954. In the case of the array 900 having an arrangement structure as shown in FIG. 9, because humidity sensing may be performed for the medium portion 954 as well as the front-end plug 952 and the filter portion 956, the accuracy of humidity sensing may be improved.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a control operation based on humidity detected by a humistor sensor of an aerosol generating device, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, in operation 1010, a processor (e.g., the processor 430 of FIG. 4) may detect the humidity of an aerosol generating article (e.g., the aerosol generating article M of FIG. 4) through a humistor sensor (e.g., the humistor sensor 440 of FIG. 4). For example, the processor 430 may detect humidity according to moisture included in the aerosol generating article M through electrodes included in the humistor sensor 440, and may convert the detected humidity into an electrical signal.

According to an embodiment, in operation 1020, the processor 430 may control power supply to a heater (e.g., the heater 450 of FIG. 4), based on the detected humidity of the aerosol generating article M.

In an embodiment, the processor 430 may determine whether the detected humidity of the aerosol generating article M is within a preset range. In this regard, the preset range may refer to a humidity range in which the humidity state of an aerosol generating article is determined to be normal, and may be an electrical signal range (e.g., a resistance value, a voltage value, etc.).

In an embodiment, when the detected humidity of the aerosol generating article M is within the preset range, the processor 430 may supply power to the heater 450, based on a first temperature profile, and when the detected humidity of the aerosol generating article M is below or above the preset range, the processor 430 may supply power to the heater 450, based on a second temperature profile that is different from the first temperature profile.

For example, before a heating operation for an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device 400 of FIG. 4) is initiated, when the humidity of the aerosol generating article M is detected through the humistor sensor 440 and the detected humidity of the aerosol generating article M is within the preset range, the processor 430 may supply power to the heater 450, based on the first temperature profile. In this regard, the first temperature profile may be a temperature profile for heating the aerosol generating article M in a normal state, and may include a temperature rise section, a temperature maintenance section, and a temperature drop section.

As another example, before a heating operation for the aerosol generating device 400 is initiated, when the humidity of the aerosol generating article M is detected through the humistor sensor 440 and the detected humidity of the aerosol generating article M is below or above the preset range, the processor 430 may supply power to the heater 450, based on the second temperature profile. In this regard, the second temperature profile may be a temperature profile for heating the aerosol generating article M in an over-wet state or an over-dry state, and may include a temperature rise section, a temperature maintenance section, and a temperature drop section.

Also, at least one of the temperature rise section, the temperature maintenance section, and the temperature drop section of the second temperature profile may be longer or shorter than the temperature rise section, the temperature maintenance section, and the temperature drop section of the first temperature profile. For example, the temperature rise section of the second temperature profile may be longer than the temperature rise section of the first temperature profile.

However, the first temperature profile and the second temperature profile described above are only examples, and embodiments are not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the first temperature profile and the second temperature profile may be variously changed according to the manufacturer's design.

In an embodiment, when the detected humidity of the aerosol generating article M is within a preset range, the processor 430 may supply power to the heater 450, and when the detected humidity of the aerosol generating article M is below or above the preset range, the processor 430 may cut off power supply to the heater 450.

For example, after a heating operation for the aerosol generating device 400 has been initiated, when the humidity of the aerosol generating article M is detected through the humistor sensor 440 and the detected humidity of the aerosol generating article M is within the preset range, the processor 430 may supply power to the heater 450.

As another example, after a heating operation for the aerosol generating device 400 has been initiated, when the humidity of the aerosol generating article M is detected through the humistor sensor 440 and the detected humidity of the aerosol generating article M is below or above the preset range, the processor 430 may cut off power supply to the heater 450.

Certain embodiments or other embodiments described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Certain embodiments or other embodiments described above may be used together or combined with each other in configuration or function.

For example, configuration A described in a particular embodiment and/or drawing and configuration B described in another embodiment and/or drawing may be combined with each other. That is, even when the combination between the configurations is not directly described, the combination is possible unless it is described that the combination is impossible.

The above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in any respect and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the disclosure should be determined by a rational interpretation of the attached claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the disclosure are included in the scope of the disclosure.

According to one or more embodiments, due to the arrangement of a humistor sensor on a film on which a heater is arranged, an aerosol generating device may detect the humidity of an aerosol generating article inserted into an accommodation portion, without the addition of a separate configuration in which the humistor sensor is arranged.

However, the effects of the embodiments are not limited to those described above, and other effects that are not described may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.