Aerosol generating device comprising multiple inductive pathways

Abstract

An aerosol generating device including an inductance path, the aerosol generating device comprising: a heater configured to generate aerosol by heating a cigarette; a cigarette insertion space into which the cigarette is inserted; a first inductance path; a second inductance path; and a controller configured to generate a control signal by using information received from the first inductance path and the second inductance path, wherein, when a change in the frequency of a current flowing through the first inductance path due to an object adjacent to the cigarette insertion space exceeds a first reference value, the controller measures a change in the frequency of a current flowing through the second inductance path, and when the measured change in the frequency of the current is less than a second reference value, the controller controls the power supply to the heater so that the power supply starts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One or more embodiments relate to an externally heated aerosol generating device including an inductive path, and more particularly to an aerosol generating device capable of generating aerosol by detecting a magnetic substance adjacent to the inductive path and heating a cigarette while a heater included in the aerosol generating device does not directly contact the cigarette. Background Art

[0002] Recently, there has been a growing demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is a growing demand for methods that generate aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating substance in a cigarette rather than burning the cigarette. Consequently, research into heated cigarettes or heated aerosol generators has been actively conducted.

[0003] Since aerosol-generating devices have become widely available, users of aerosol-generating devices tend to consider not only smoking satisfaction due to aerosol quality but also various aspects of ease of use. For example, users prefer to intuitively view meaningful statistical values, such as usage history, on a display device provided in the aerosol-generating device. When an aerosol-generating device is used for an extended period of time, it becomes necessary to regularly clean the device. Therefore, users prefer aerosol-generating devices that have features that allow for easy cleaning.

[0004] In addition, as part of increasing the ease of use of aerosol-generating devices, aerosol-generating devices with a smart-start function have also been released. Once an aerosol-generating substance is installed on an aerosol-generating device with a smart-start function, a preparation process for using the aerosol-generating device is performed, thereby significantly reducing the time required for the user to turn on the aerosol-generating device and inhale aerosol through the aerosol-generating device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] One or more embodiments include an aerosol generating device with a smart start function, which includes an inductive path to realize the smart start function and is capable of preventing the smart start function from being activated due to the influence of a magnetic substance close to the aerosol generating device. Even if the magnetic substance is not an aerosol generating substance, it is also possible to prevent the smart start function from being activated due to the influence of the magnetic substance close to the aerosol generating device.

[0007] Technical solutions to technical problems

[0008] According to one or more embodiments, an externally heated aerosol generating device including an inductive path includes: a heater configured to generate an aerosol by heating a cigarette; a cigarette insertion space into which the cigarette is inserted; a first inductive path; a second inductive path; and a controller configured to generate a control signal by using information received from the first inductive path and the second inductive path, wherein, when the amount of change in the frequency of the current flowing through the first inductive path due to an object adjacent to the cigarette insertion space exceeds a first reference value, the controller measures the amount of change in the frequency of the current flowing through the second inductive path, and when the measured amount of change in the frequency of the current is less than a second reference value, the controller controls the power supply to the heater so that the power supply starts.

[0009] According to one or more embodiments, an externally heated aerosol generating device including an inductive path includes: a heater configured to generate aerosol by heating a cigarette; a cigarette insertion space into which the cigarette is inserted; a first inductive path in which the frequency of the current is changed by an object inserted into the cigarette insertion space; a second inductive path shielded by the heater so that the frequency of the current flowing through the second inductive path is not changed by the object inserted into the cigarette insertion space; and a controller configured to generate a control signal by using information received from the first inductive path and the second inductive path, wherein, when the amount of change in the frequency of the current flowing through the first inductive path exceeds a first reference value and the amount of change in the frequency of the current flowing through the second inductive path is less than a second reference value, the controller controls the power supply to the heater so that the power supply starts.

[0010] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to one or more embodiments, although a magnetic substance that does not include an aerosol-generating substance is adjacent to an externally heated aerosol-generating device with a smart-on function, the smart-on function is not enabled, thereby significantly reducing battery waste and preventing the heater from overheating without being recognized by the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a cigarette being inserted into an aerosol generating device.

[0013] Figure 3 is a view showing another example of a cigarette being inserted into an aerosol generating device.

[0014] Figure 4 is a view showing an example of a cigarette.

[0015] Figure 5 is a view showing another example of a cigarette.

[0016] Figure 6 It shows that Figure 3 A view of an example of a dual-medium cigarette used in an aerosol-generating device.

[0017] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an example of an aerosol generating device according to one or more embodiments.

[0018] Figure 8 It is a reference Figure 7 Side view of an aerosol generating device as described.

[0019] Figure 9 It shows in detail Figure 7 A view of an example of a cigarette insertion space and an inductive pathway.

[0020] Figure 10 It is a reference Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the cigarette insertion space is depicted.

[0021] Figure 11 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an arrangement structure of an inductance path.

[0022] Figure 12 References are shown in different ways Figure 11 Schematic diagram depicting the combined structure of the cigarette insertion space and the inductive path.

[0023] Figure 13 is an example of a graph showing frequency changes detected by an inductive path.

[0024] Figure 14 is another example of a graph showing frequency changes detected by an inductive path.

[0025] Figure 15 is an example of a graph showing frequency changes of currents detected by the first inductive path and the second inductive path.

[0026] Figure 16 is a flow chart sequentially illustrating a process of operating an externally heated aerosol generating device according to one or more embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] According to one or more embodiments, an externally heated aerosol generating device including an inductive path includes: a heater configured to generate an aerosol by heating a cigarette; a cigarette insertion space into which the cigarette is inserted; a first inductive path; a second inductive path; and a controller configured to generate a control signal by using information received from the first inductive path and the second inductive path, wherein, when the amount of change in the frequency of the current flowing through the first inductive path due to an object adjacent to the cigarette insertion space exceeds a first reference value, the controller measures the amount of change in the frequency of the current flowing through the second inductive path, and when the measured amount of change in the frequency of the current is less than a second reference value, the controller controls the power supply to the heater so that the power supply starts.

[0028] The first inductive path may include two or more inductors.

[0029] The first inductive path may include two inductors, and the second inductive path may include one inductor.

[0030] The inductors of the first inductive path may be spaced apart from each other based on the second inductive path.

[0031] The winding direction of the inductor constituting the first inductive path may be different from the winding direction of the inductor constituting the second inductive path.

[0032] At least one of the first inductive path and the second inductive path may be arranged adjacent to the cigarette insertion space.

[0033] The cigarette insertion space may be recessed to have a cylindrical shape so that a portion of the cigarette is inserted into the cigarette insertion space and heated by the heater, and the first and second inductive paths may be arranged to have a shape surrounding an outer circumferential surface of the cigarette insertion space.

[0034] The heater may be a susceptor that is heated in response to changes in electric current.

[0035] The heater may be divided into a first heater and a second heater according to the height of the cigarette insertion space, and the first heater and the second heater may be heated to different temperatures.

[0036] The first inductive path may include two inductors, and the inductors included in the first inductive path may be arranged to correspond to the first heater and the second heater, respectively.

[0037] According to one or more embodiments, an externally heated aerosol generating device including an inductive path includes: a heater configured to generate aerosol by heating a cigarette; a cigarette insertion space into which the cigarette is inserted; a first inductive path in which the frequency of the current is changed by an object inserted into the cigarette insertion space; a second inductive path shielded by the heater so that the frequency of the current flowing through the second inductive path is not changed by the object inserted into the cigarette insertion space; and a controller configured to generate a control signal by using information received from the first inductive path and the second inductive path, wherein, when the amount of change in the frequency of the current flowing through the first inductive path exceeds a first reference value and the amount of change in the frequency of the current flowing through the second inductive path is less than a second reference value, the controller controls the power supply to the heater so that the power supply starts.

[0038] The first inductive path may include two or more inductors.

[0039] The first inductive path may include two inductors, and the second inductive path may include one inductor.

[0040] The inductors of the first inductive path may be spaced apart from each other based on the second inductive path.

[0041] The winding direction of the inductor constituting the first inductive path may be different from the winding direction of the inductor constituting the second inductive path.

[0042] At least one of the first inductive path and the second inductive path may be arranged adjacent to the cigarette insertion space.

[0043] The cigarette insertion space may be recessed to have a cylindrical shape so that a portion of the cigarette is inserted into the cigarette insertion space and heated by the heater, and the first and second inductive paths may be arranged to have a shape surrounding an outer circumferential surface of the cigarette insertion space.

[0044] The heater may be a susceptor that is heated in response to changes in electric current.

[0045] The heater may be divided into a first heater and a second heater according to the height of the cigarette insertion space, and the first heater and the second heater may be heated to different temperatures.

[0046] The first inductive path may include two inductors, and the inductors included in the first inductive path may be arranged to correspond to the first heater and the second heater, respectively.

[0047] Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0048] With respect to the terms used to describe the various embodiments, currently widely used general terms are selected taking into account the functions of the structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the meanings of these terms may change according to intention, judicial precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. There are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant in specific scenarios. These terms will be explained in detail in the relevant descriptions. Therefore, the terms used in this article are not just names, but should be defined based on the meaning of the terms and the entire content of this disclosure.

[0049] In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "include" and its variations, such as "include" and "comprising", will be understood to mean including the stated elements but not excluding any other elements. In addition, the terms "-device", "-component" and "module" described in this application document refer to a unit for processing at least one function and / or operation, and the unit can be implemented by hardware components, software components and their combination.

[0050] Reference is made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one or more embodiments in order to gain a full understanding of the advantages of one or more embodiments and the objectives achieved by the embodiments. However, the present disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0051] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a cigarette being inserted into an aerosol generating device.

[0053] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The aerosol generating device 10 includes a battery 120, a controller 110, a heater 130, and a vaporizer 180. A cigarette 200 may be inserted into the inner space of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0054] The elements related to this embodiment are Figures 1 to 2 Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the aerosol generating device 10 may also include Figures 1 to 2 Other common components other than those shown in FIG.

[0055] In addition, despite the Figure 1 and Figure 2 1 and 2. The heater 130 is shown to be included in the aerosol generating device 10, but the heater 130 may be omitted as desired.

[0056] exist Figure 1In FIG, the battery 120, the controller 110, the heater 130 and the vaporizer 180 are arranged in a row. Figure 2 The vaporizer 180 and the heater 130 are shown to be arranged in parallel with each other. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10 is not limited to Figure 1 or Figure 2 That is, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 10, the arrangement structure of the battery 120, the controller 110, the heater 130 and the vaporizer 180 may be changed.

[0057] When the cigarette 200 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, the aerosol generating device 10 operates the heater 130 and / or the vaporizer 180 to generate aerosol from the cigarette 200 and / or the vaporizer 180. The aerosol generated by the vaporizer 180 can be delivered to the user via the cigarette 200. The vaporizer 180 will be described in more detail below.

[0058] The battery 120 supplies power for operating the aerosol generating device 10. For example, the battery 120 can supply power for heating the heater 130 or the vaporizer 180 and supply power for operating the controller 110. In addition, the battery 120 can supply power for operating a display, a sensor, a motor, and the like installed in the aerosol generating device 10.

[0059] The controller 110 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 10. Specifically, the controller 110 may control the operation of the battery 120, the heater 130, the vaporizer 180, and other elements included in the aerosol generating device 10. In addition, the controller 110 may check the status of each component in the aerosol generating device 10 to determine whether the aerosol generating device 10 is in an operable state.

[0060] The controller 110 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing programs that can be executed by the microprocessor. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

[0061] The heater 130 may be heated by power supplied from the battery 120. For example, when a cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, the heater 130 may be located outside the cigarette. Thus, the heated heater 130 may increase the temperature of the aerosol generating substance in the cigarette.

[0062] The heater 130 may be a resistive heater. For example, the heater 130 may include a conductive trace, and the heater 130 may be heated when current flows through the conductive trace. However, the heater 130 is not limited to the above example, and any type of heater may be used as long as the heater is heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set on the aerosol generating device 10 or may be set by the user.

[0063] In another example, the heater 130 may include an induction heating type heater. Specifically, the heater 130 may include a conductive coil for heating the cigarette using an induction heating method, and the cigarette may include a base that can be heated by the induction heating type heater.

[0064] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment, the heater 130 is shown as being disposed outside the cigarette 200, but is not limited thereto. For example, the heater 130 may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element. In addition, the interior or exterior of the cigarette 200 may be heated by the heating element.

[0065] In addition, a plurality of heaters 130 may be provided in the aerosol generating device 10. Here, the plurality of heaters 130 may be arranged to be inserted into the cigarette 200 or arranged on the outside of the cigarette 200. In addition, some of the plurality of heaters 130 may be arranged to be inserted into the cigarette 200, while other heaters of the plurality of heaters 130 may be arranged on the outside of the cigarette 200. In addition, the shape of the heater 130 is not limited to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Rather than being the example shown in , it can be manufactured into various shapes.

[0066] The vaporizer 180 can generate an aerosol by heating the liquid composition, and the generated aerosol can be delivered to the user after passing through the cigarette 200. In other words, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 180 can move along the airflow channel of the aerosol generating device 10, and the airflow channel can be configured to deliver the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 180 to the user through the cigarette.

[0067] For example, the vaporizer 180 may include a liquid storage unit, a liquid delivery unit, and a heating element, but is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid storage unit, the liquid delivery unit, and the heating element may be included in the aerosol generating device 10 as separate modules.

[0068] The liquid storage unit can store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition can be a liquid containing a tobacco substance having a volatile tobacco aroma component, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance. The liquid storage unit can be attached to / detached from the vaporizer 180, or can be integrally manufactured with the vaporizer 180.

[0069] For example, the liquid composition may include water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a fragrance, a flavoring agent, or a vitamin mixture. Flavoring agents may include, but are not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruity ingredients. Flavoring agents may include ingredients that can provide a variety of aromas or flavors to the user. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the liquid composition may include an aerosol former, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0070] The liquid transfer unit can transfer the liquid composition of the liquid storage unit to the heating element. For example, the liquid transfer unit can be a core such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber or porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

[0071] The heating element is an element used to heat the liquid composition being transported by the liquid transport unit. For example, the heating element may be a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, etc., but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the heating element may include a conductive wire, such as a nichrome wire, and the heating element may be wound around the liquid transport unit. The heating element may be heated by a current supply device and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. This may result in the generation of an aerosol.

[0072] For example, the vaporizer 180 may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but is not limited thereto.

[0073] The aerosol generating device 10 may also include common elements other than the battery 120, the controller 110, the heater 130, and the vaporizer 180. For example, the aerosol generating device 10 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and / or a motor for outputting tactile information. Furthermore, the aerosol generating device 10 may include at least one sensor (a puff sensor, a temperature sensor, a cigarette insertion sensor, etc.). Furthermore, the aerosol generating device 10 may be manufactured with a structure that allows the introduction of external air or the exhaust of internal air even when the cigarette 200 is inserted.

[0074] Although not in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the aerosol generating device 10 may constitute a system together with an additional cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 120 of the aerosol generating device 10. Alternatively, the heater 130 may be heated in a state where the cradle and the aerosol generating device 10 are coupled to each other.

[0075] Cigarette 200 can be similar to a typical combustion cigarette. For example, cigarette 200 can include a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion contains an aerosol-generating substance and the second portion includes a filter, etc. Alternatively, the second portion of cigarette 200 can also include an aerosol-generating substance. For example, an aerosol-generating substance in the form of particles or capsules can be inserted into the second portion.

[0076] The entire first part can be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10 and the second part can be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a portion of the first part can be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, or a portion of the second part and the entire first part can be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10. The user can inhale the aerosol while holding the second part by the user's mouth. At this time, the aerosol is generated by the outside air passing through the first part, and the generated aerosol passes through the second part and is delivered to the user's mouth.

[0077] For example, external air can be introduced through at least one air channel formed in the aerosol generating device 10. For example, the opening and closing of the air channel formed in the aerosol generating device 10 and / or the size of the air channel can be adjusted by the user. Thus, the amount of puff and the smoking experience can be adjusted by the user. In another example, external air can be introduced into the cigarette 200 through at least one hole formed in the surface of the cigarette 200.

[0078] Figure 3 is a diagram showing another example of a cigarette being inserted into an aerosol generating device.

[0079] when Figure 3 With the help of Figure 1 and Figure 2 When compared to the aerosol generating device described above, it can be seen that the vaporizer 180 is omitted. Since the components performing the function of the vaporizer 180 are included in the insert Figure 3 In the dual-medium cigarette 300 in the aerosol generating device shown in FIG, Figure 3 The aerosol generating device shown in does not include a vaporizer 180 .

[0080] When the dual medium cigarette 300 is inserted Figure 3 When the aerosol generating device 10 is used, the dual-medium cigarette 300 is externally heated so that an aerosol inhalable by the user can be generated from the dual-medium cigarette 300 . Figure 3 The aerosol generating device 10 shown in FIG can have a heater 130 that is divided into two parts to heat the first medium part and the second medium part of the dual medium cigarette 300. The first medium part and the second medium part can be heated at different temperatures. A schematic description of this will be given in FIG. Figure 11 In addition, Figure 6 The dual-medium cigarette 300 is described in FIG.

[0081] In the following, reference will be made to Figure 4 An example of a cigarette 200 will be described.

[0082] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a cigarette.

[0083] Reference Figure 4 , the cigarette 200 includes a tobacco rod 210 and a filter rod 220. Figures 1 to 2 The first portion depicted comprises a tobacco rod 210 and the second portion comprises a filter rod 220 .

[0084] exist Figure 4 In the figure, filter rod 220 is shown as a single segment, but is not limited thereto. In other words, filter rod 220 may include multiple segments. For example, filter rod 220 may include a first segment for cooling the aerosol and a second segment for filtering a predetermined component contained in the aerosol. Furthermore, filter rod 220 may further include at least one segment that performs another function, as desired.

[0085] The cigarette 200 can be packaged by at least one packaging member 240. The packaging member 240 may include at least one hole through which external air is introduced or internal air is discharged. For example, the cigarette 200 can be packaged by one packaging member 240. In another example, the cigarette 200 can be packaged by two or more packaging members 240. For example, the tobacco rod 210 can be packaged by a first packaging member and the filter rod 220 can be packaged by a second packaging member. In addition, the tobacco rod 210 and the filter rod 220 can be packaged by a single packaging member, respectively, and then the cigarette 200 can be packaged again as a whole by a third packaging member. When each of the tobacco rod 210 and the filter rod 220 includes a plurality of segments, each segment in the segments can be packaged by a single packaging member. In addition, the cigarette 200 in which the segments packaged by the single packaging member are connected to each other can be packaged again by another packaging member.

[0086] The tobacco rod 210 includes an aerosol-generating substance. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the tobacco rod 210 may include other additives, such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids. Furthermore, flavoring liquids, such as menthol and humectants, may be added to the tobacco rod 210 by being sprayed onto the tobacco rod 210.

[0087] The tobacco rod 210 can be manufactured in various ways. For example, the tobacco rod 210 can be manufactured as a sheet or shred. In addition, the tobacco rod 210 can be made from tobacco leaves obtained by finely cutting tobacco sheets. In addition, the tobacco rod 210 can be surrounded by a heat-conducting material. For example, the heat-conducting material can be, but is not limited to, a metal foil, such as aluminum foil. For example, the heat-conducting material surrounding the tobacco rod 210 can improve the thermal conductivity applied to the tobacco rod by evenly distributing the heat transferred to the tobacco rod 210, thereby improving the taste of the tobacco. In addition, the heat-conducting material surrounding the tobacco rod 210 can serve as a base for heating by an induction heating heater. Although not shown in the figure, in addition to including the heat-conducting material surrounding the exterior of the tobacco rod 210, the tobacco rod 210 can also include a base.

[0088] The filter rod 220 may be a cellulose acetate filter. Furthermore, the filter rod 220 is not limited to a specific shape. For example, the filter rod 220 may be a cylindrical rod, or a tubular rod including a cavity. Furthermore, the filter rod 220 may be a concave rod. When the filter rod 220 includes multiple segments, at least one of the multiple segments may have a shape different from the other segments.

[0089] The filter rod 220 can be manufactured to generate a scent. For example, a scented liquid can be sprayed onto the filter rod 220, or separate fibers to which a scented liquid is applied can be inserted into the filter rod 220.

[0090] Furthermore, filter rod 220 may include at least one capsule 230. Capsule 230 may generate a fragrance or aerosol. For example, capsule 230 may be structured such that a liquid containing a fragrance substance is packaged in a film. Capsule 230 may be circular or cylindrical in shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0091] When the filter rod 220 includes a section for cooling the aerosol, the cooling section may be made of a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material. For example, the cooling section may be made solely of pure polylactic acid, but the materials used to form the cooling section are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the cooling section may include a cellulose acetate filter having multiple pores. However, the cooling section is not limited to the above examples and may be made of any material as long as it achieves the function of cooling the aerosol.

[0092] Although not in Figure 4 , but the cigarette 200 according to the embodiment may further include a front filter. The front filter is located at the side of the tobacco rod 210 facing the filter rod 220. The front filter can prevent the tobacco rod 210 from escaping to the outside and can prevent the liquefied aerosol from flowing from the tobacco rod 210 to the aerosol generating device 10 during smoking (see Figures 1 to 2 ).

[0093] Figure 5 is a view showing another example of a cigarette.

[0094] Reference Figure 5 , it can be seen that the cigarette 200 has the form of a cross tube 205, a tobacco rod 210, a tube 220a and a filter 220b packaged by a final package 240. Figure 5 In the embodiment, the packages include: individual packages individually wrapped around the cross tube 205, tobacco rod 210, tube 220a and filter 220b; and a final package collectively wrapped around the cross tube 205, tobacco rod 210, tube 220a and filter 220b.

[0095] Reference above Figure 1 and Figure 2 The first part of the description includes the cross tube 205 and the tobacco rod 210, and the second part includes the filter rod 220. For ease of description, reference will be made to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The following description will be made and reference will be omitted. Figure 4 The description of the repetition is repeated.

[0096] The cross tube 205 refers to a cross-shaped tube connected to the tobacco rod 210 .

[0097] The tobacco rod 210 includes an aerosol-generating substrate that generates an aerosol by being heated by the heater 130 of the aerosol-generating device 10 .

[0098] The tube 220a performs the function of transferring the aerosol generated when the aerosol-generating substrate of the tobacco rod 210 is heated by receiving a sufficient amount of energy from the heater 130 to the filter 220b. The tube 220a is manufactured by adding a certain amount of triacetin (TA), i.e., a plasticizer, to cellulose acetate tow to form a circular piece. Compared with the cross tube 205, the tube 220a is different not only in shape but also in arrangement structure, which is different in that the tobacco rod 210 and the filter 220b are connected to each other.

[0099] When the aerosol generated by the tobacco rod 210 passes through the tube 220a, the filter 220b performs the function of allowing the user to inhale the aerosol filtered by the filter 220b by allowing the aerosol to pass through the filter 220b. The filter 220b may include a cellulose acetate filter manufactured based on cellulose acetate tow.

[0100] Wrapper 240 is paper wrapped around cross tube 205, tobacco rod 210, tube 220a and filter 220b, and wrapper 240 may include all of cross tube wrapper 240b, tobacco rod wrapper 240c, tube wrapper 240d, filter wrapper 240e and final wrapper 240a.

[0101] exist Figure 5 In the embodiment of the present invention, the cross tube package 240b is packaged by an aluminum package, the tube 220a is packaged by an MFW or 24K package, and the filter 220b is packaged by an oil-resistant hard package or a polylactic acid (PLA) material laminate. The tobacco rod package 240c and the final package 240a will be described in more detail below.

[0102] The tobacco rod wrapper 240c is wrapped around the tobacco rod 210 and may be coated with a thermally conductive material to maximize the efficiency of the heat energy transferred by the heater 130. For example, the tobacco rod wrapper 240c may be manufactured in the following manner: a general wrapper or a special-shaped base paper is coated with at least one of silver foil (Ag), aluminum foil (Al), copper foil (Cu), carbon paper, filler, ceramics (AlN, Al2O3), silicon carbide, sodium citrate (Na citrate), potassium citrate (K citrate), polyaramid fiber, nanocellulose, mineral paper, cellophane, and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The general wrapper refers to a wrapper used for well-known cigarettes and refers to a porous wrapper made of a material that has been verified to have papermaking processability through a water-paper test and a thermal conductivity exceeding a certain value.

[0103] In addition, in the present disclosure, the final package 240a can be manufactured in the following manner: MFW (a sterile paper) base paper is coated with at least one of fillers, ceramics, silicon carbide, sodium citrate, potassium citrate, polyaramid fibers, nanocellulose and SWNTs among the various materials used to coat the tobacco rod package 240c.

[0104] Included in Figure 1 and Figure 2The heater 130 in the externally heated aerosol generating device 10 described in the foregoing is controlled by the controller 110, and the heater 130 heats the aerosol-generating substrate included in the tobacco rod 210 to generate an aerosol. At this time, the heat energy transferred to the tobacco rod 210 includes radiant heat at a ratio of 75%, convective heat at a ratio of 15%, and conductive heat at a ratio of 10%. The ratios of radiant heat, convective heat, and conductive heat constituting the heat energy transferred to the tobacco rod 210 may vary depending on the embodiment.

[0105] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to overcome the difficulty in quickly generating aerosol due to the fact that heat energy may not be transferred through the heater 130 that is in direct contact with the aerosol generating substrate, the tobacco rod package 240c and the final package 240a are coated with a thermal conductivity enhancing material to promote the effective transfer of heat energy to the aerosol generating substrate of the tobacco rod 210, so that a sufficient amount of aerosol can be provided to the user even during the initial puff before the heater 130 is fully heated.

[0106] Depending on the embodiment, only one of the tobacco rod wrapper 240c and the final wrapper 240a may also be coated with a thermal conductivity enhancing material, and in some embodiments, the tobacco rod wrapper 240c or the final wrapper 240a is coated with an organic metal, an inorganic metal, a fiber, or a polymer material having a predetermined value of thermal conductivity, as well as the above examples.

[0107] Figure 6 is Figure 3 An example of a dual-medium cigarette used in the device.

[0108] exist Figure 6 The name of dual-medium cigarettes is not only due to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The present invention is not intended to be confused with the cigarettes described herein and is intended to provide a brief description of the present invention.

[0109] Reference Figure 6 The dual-medium cigarette 300 has an aerosol base portion 310, a medium portion 320, a cooling portion 330, and a filter portion 340 packaged by a final package 350. The aerosol base portion 310, the medium portion 320, and the filter portion 340 are packaged by independent packages, and the final package 350 packages these independent packages.

[0110] The aerosol base portion 310 is formed into a predetermined shape by including a humectant in the pulp-based paper. The aerosol base portion 310 may include propylene glycol or glycerin as a humectant. The humectant of the aerosol base portion 310 may include propylene glycol and glycerin in a certain weight ratio to the weight of the base paper. When the dual-medium cigarette 300 is inserted into Figure 3 When the aerosol generating device 10 is used, the aerosol base portion 310 is positioned closest to the heater 130 .

[0111] When the aerosol base portion 310 is heated to a certain temperature by the heater 130 , the aerosol base portion 310 generates water vapor.

[0112] The medium portion 320 includes one or more of sheets, shreds, and leaves obtained by finely cutting tobacco sheets, and is a portion that generates nicotine to provide a smoking experience to the user. The medium portion 320 is not directly heated from the heater 130, even if the dual-medium cigarette 300 is inserted into the Figure 3 The same is true for the aerosol generating device 10.

[0113] The medium portion 320 can be indirectly heated by conduction, convection, and radiation from an intermediate package (or final package) that packages the aerosol base portion 310 and the medium portion 320. In the present invention, considering that the temperature of the medium contained in the medium portion 320 must be lower than the temperature of the moisturizing agent included in the aerosol base portion 310, the aerosol base portion 310 is heated by the heater 130 to indirectly increase the temperature of the medium portion 320. When the medium portion 320 is heated to a certain temperature by the heater 130, the medium portion 320 generates nicotine vapor.

[0114] According to a specific embodiment, when the dual-media cigarette 300 is inserted into Figure 3 When the aerosol generating device 10 is used, a portion of the medium portion 320 may face the heater 130 .

[0115] The cooling portion 330 is made of a tube filter containing a plasticizer having a predetermined weight. Water vapor from the aerosol base portion 310 and nicotine vapor from the medium portion 320 are mixed and aerosolized, and are cooled while passing through the cooling portion 330.

[0116] Unlike other parts, the cooling part 330 is not packaged by a separate package.

[0117] The filter portion 340 may be a cellulose acetate filter, and the filter portion 340 is not limited to a specific shape. For example, the filter portion 340 may be a cylindrical rod or a tubular rod including a cavity therein. When the filter portion 340 includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a shape different from that of the other segments. The filter portion 340 may be manufactured to generate a scent. For example, a scented liquid may be sprayed onto the filter portion 340, or independent fibers applied with the scented liquid may be inserted into the filter portion 340.

[0118] Furthermore, the filter portion 340 may include at least one capsule. Here, the capsule may generate a fragrance or aerosol. For example, the capsule may have a structure in which a liquid containing a fragrance substance is packaged with a film. The capsule may have a circular or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0119] The final package 350 refers to a package that packages the aerosol base part 310, the medium part 320, and the filter part 340 packaged by the independent packages, and the final package 350 packages these independent packages.

[0120] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an example of an aerosol generating device according to one or more embodiments.

[0121] Reference Figure 7 , the aerosol generating device 10 according to one or more embodiments may include a controller 110, a battery 120, a heater 130 and a cigarette 200. Although for the convenience of description, Figure 7 Only some components of the aerosol generating device 100 are shown, but it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that as long as the above components are included, other components may be added without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0122] In addition, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10 is not limited to Figure 7 The internal structure shown in FIG, and the arrangement structure of the controller 110, the battery 120, the heater 130 and the cigarette 200 can be changed according to the embodiment or design. Figures 1 to 3 right Figure 7 Each of the components in the components is described, so the description of Figure 7 A description of each component in the components.

[0123] Figure 8 It is a reference Figure 7 Side view of an aerosol generating device as described.

[0124] Reference Figure 8 The aerosol generating device 10 according to one or more embodiments may include a printed circuit board (PCB) 11, a controller 110, a battery 120, a heater 130, a display 150, and a cigarette insertion space 160. Figure 8 The components in Figure 1 The description of the components in the same description.

[0125] The PCB 11 communicates with the controller 110 and electronically integrates various types of components for collecting information about the aerosol generating device 10. The controller 110 and the display 150 may be fixed and mounted on a surface of the PCB 11, and a battery 120 for supplying power to elements connected to the PCB 11 is connected to the PCB 11.

[0126] The display 150 is a device that controls the information required by the user among the information generated by the aerosol generating device 10 to be output as visual information based on the information received from the controller 110, and controls the information output to the liquid crystal display (LCD) panel (or light-emitting diode (LED) panel) provided on the front surface of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0127] The cigarette insertion space 160 is a space recessed into the aerosol-generating device 10 to a certain depth to allow the cigarette 200 to be inserted therein. The cigarette insertion space 160 has a cylindrical shape similar to that of the rod-shaped cigarette 200, allowing the rod-shaped cigarette 200 to be stably installed therein. The height (depth) of the cigarette insertion space 160 can vary depending on the length of the region of the cigarette 200 containing the aerosol-generating substance.

[0128] For example, when Figure 6 When the dual-medium cigarette 300 shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160, the height of the cigarette insertion space 160 may be equal to the value obtained by adding the length of the aerosol substrate portion 310 and the length of the medium portion 320. When the cigarette 200 is inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160, the heater 130 adjacent to the cigarette insertion space 160 is heated, and thus aerosol may be generated in the cigarette 200.

[0129] The controller 110 can detect that a cigarette 200 compatible with the aerosol generating device 10 is inserted, so as to start supplying power to the heater 130. In one or more embodiments, in order to stably implement the smart start function, an inductive path other than the existing inductive path may be provided.

[0130] Figure 9 It shows in detail Figure 7 A view of an example of a cigarette insertion space and an inductive pathway.

[0131] For ease of description, Figure 9 Components other than the heater 130, the cigarette insertion space 160, the first inductance paths 910 and 930, and the second inductance path 920 are omitted, and the first inductance paths 910 and 930 and the second inductance path 920 are inductance paths including inductors.

[0132] The heater 130 is located between the cigarette insertion space 160 and the inductive path to heat the cigarette 200 inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160. Specifically, in the aerosol generating device 10 with the smart opening function, when the cigarette 200 is inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160, aerosol is generated in the following sequence: the inductive path detects that the cigarette 200 is inserted and transmits the detection result to the controller 110, and power is supplied to the heater 130.

[0133] The cigarette insertion space 160 has a cylindrical shape so that the cigarette 200 can be inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160. The cigarette insertion space 160 is a space recessed in the surface of the aerosol generating device 10 and is not an element made of a real material. However, for ease of description, when the cigarette insertion space 160 is a cylindrical member, as shown in FIG. Figure 9 As shown in FIG, the heater 130 may be arranged in a shape having an outer circumferential surface surrounding the cigarette insertion space 160.

[0134] The first inductance paths 910 and 930 are inductance paths including an inductor and are arranged upstream and downstream of the second inductance path 920 described later. When an object approaches (is inserted into) the interior of the cigarette insertion space 160, the first inductance paths 910 and 930 detect the current frequency that changes according to the object and transmit the detection result to the controller 110. The first inductance paths 910 and 930 have a cylindrical shape with open top and bottom ends and a hollow interior to surround the heater 130. Figure 9 Two first inductive paths are shown in FIG. , but according to one or more embodiments, the number of first inductive paths may be more or less than two. Figure 10 The structural characteristics of the first inductive paths 910 and 930 are described.

[0135] Like the first inductive path 910, the second inductive path 920 is also an inductive sensor. Figure 9 The second inductive path 920 is located between the two first inductive paths 910 and 930. In another embodiment, when one first inductive path is provided, the second inductive path 920 can be located upstream or downstream of the first inductive path according to the position of the first inductive path.

[0136] Compared to the first inductance paths 910 and 930, the second inductance path 920 is identical to the first inductance paths 910 and 930 in that it includes an inductor. However, the winding direction of the inductor of the second inductance path 920 is opposite to the winding direction of the inductor included in the first inductance paths 910 and 930. In addition, the inductor of the second inductance path 920 is shielded by the heater 130 so that even if a magnetic substance is inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160, the frequency of the alternating current flowing through the inductor does not change. The second inductance path 920 has a cylindrical shape (a hollow tubular shape) with open top and bottom ends and an empty interior to surround the heater 130. Figure 11 and Figure 12 In addition, a schematic description of the second inductive path 920 is given.

[0137] As described above, the aerosol generating device 10 according to one or more embodiments includes multiple inductive paths as components for implementing the smart start function. The inductive paths are passive component paths that include a coil made of a preset number of windings, a preset winding direction, and a preset material. To implement the smart start function, an alternating current having a preset frequency flows through the inductive paths, even when the aerosol generating device 10 is not generating aerosol. When an object adjacent to the cigarette insertion space 160 is a magnetic material, the frequency of the current flowing through the inductive path (the first inductive path) changes, and the amount of change in frequency exceeds a first reference value, the controller 110 detects the amount of change in the frequency of the current flowing through the inductive path, then monitors the amount of change in the frequency of the current flowing through another inductive path (the second inductive path), and then determines whether to supply power to the heater 130 based on the monitoring result.

[0138] When the change in the frequency of the current flowing through the second inductor path is less than a second reference value, the controller 110 controls the power supply to the heater 130 to start. If the change equals or exceeds the second reference value, the controller 110 determines that a cigarette is not inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160 and maintains a state where power is not supplied to the heater 130. The controller 110 can determine whether to start power supply to the heater 130 by pre-storing the first and second reference values or receiving the first and second reference values from a storage device (memory).

[0139] When the smart start function is implemented by including only one inductive path in the aerosol generating device 10, the controller 110 can supply power to the heater 130 upon detecting that the cigarette 200 is inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160 of the aerosol generating device 10. However, the smart start function may malfunction even if a magnetic substance that causes a frequency change in the inductive path is accidentally inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160 or the magnetic substance is not inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160 when the magnetic substance is close enough to cause a frequency change in the current flowing through the inductive path.

[0140] The aerosol generating device 10 according to one or more embodiments solves the malfunction of the smart start function by including an additional inductive path (second inductive path) in addition to the existing inductive path (first inductive path). In detail, in the aerosol generating device 10 according to one or more embodiments, the winding direction of the inductor included in the second inductive path is opposite to the winding direction of the inductor included in the first inductive path, and the second inductive path is shielded by a heater. Therefore, although a cigarette or other magnetic material including metal foil is inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160, the frequency of the current flowing through the inductor included in the second inductive path does not change. However, when the magnetic material is adjacent to the outside rather than adjacent to the cigarette insertion space 160, the malfunction of the smart start function can be prevented by causing the current frequency to change.

[0141] For example, when a cigarette 200 is inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160, the change in the frequency of the current flowing through the first inductance path exceeds a first reference value, while the change in the frequency of the current flowing through the second inductance path is less than a second reference value. Consequently, the controller 10 may control the supply of power to the heater 130 to initiate this power supply. As another example, when a magnetic substance that causes a change in the frequency of the current flowing through the inductor is adjacent to the aerosol generating device 10, the change in the frequency of the current flowing through the first inductance path exceeds a first reference value, while the change in the frequency of the current flowing through the second inductance path exceeds a second reference value. Consequently, the controller 100 maintains the current state of not supplying power to the heater 130.

[0142] In other words, the aerosol generating device 10 according to one or more embodiments also includes a defensive inductive path, so that when the cigarette 200 is not inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160, the smart opening function is not enabled, thereby fundamentally preventing the following accident from occurring: the accident is caused by overheating of the heater 130 due to the proximity of magnetic material to the aerosol generating device 10 in an unrecognized state by the user.

[0143] According to one or more embodiments, when the first inductance path does not determine that the frequency change exceeds the first reference value, the second inductance path may first measure the frequency change and transmit the measurement result to the controller 110. In addition, according to another embodiment, the controller 110 may identify the frequency change in the first inductance path after identifying that the frequency change in the second inductance path is less than the second reference value.

[0144] Figure 10 It is a reference Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the cigarette insertion space is depicted.

[0145] In detail, Figure 10 is schematically shown with reference to Figure 9 The view depicts the boundary between the heater 130, the cigarette insertion space 160 and the inductive path, and is a cross-sectional view taken transversely along the direction in which the aerosol moves in the combined structure of the heater 130 and the inductive path when the aerosol is generated in the cigarette 200 and inhaled by the user.

[0146] Figure 10 The first circle 1010 in the central portion has the shortest diameter and appears when the cigarette insertion space 160 is viewed from above. The first circle 1010 represents an empty space of the cigarette insertion space 160 so that a cigarette having a smaller diameter than the first circle 1010 can be installed in the cigarette insertion space 160.

[0147] When viewed from above Figures 7 to 9 The heater 130 is described as assuming a first ring 1030 having a shape surrounding the first circle 1010. As described above, the heater 130 has a ring shape having a hollow interior and a constant thickness to surround the outer circumferential surface of the cigarette insertion space 160.

[0148] Second ring 1050, which has a shape surrounding first ring 1030, represents a space or material between first ring 1030 and third ring 1070. Second ring 1050 is presented when a cross-sectional view is observed of the space or material provided to prevent the inductive path from being damaged by the heat of heater 130, which is activated when heater 130 is heated. Second ring 1050 can be made of a material with extremely low thermal conductivity, such as an insulating material.

[0149] The third ring 1070 has a shape surrounding the second ring 1050 and when viewed from above as shown in FIG. Figure 9 The inductive path is presented as described. The inductive path has a cylindrical shape that again surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the heater 130 surrounding the cigarette insertion space 160. Figure 10The inductive path may have a ring shape with a hollow interior and a constant thickness to surround the outer circumferential surface of the heater 130 . Figure 10 An example of a combined structure of the heater 130 and the inductive path is shown. According to one or more embodiments, the inductive path may be implemented as a cylindrical shape surrounding a portion of the cigarette insertion space 160 and the heater 130, as will be described later with reference to FIG. Figure 11 Descriptive.

[0150] Figure 11 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an arrangement structure of an inductance path.

[0151] Figure 11 Reference is shown Figure 9 The cross-sectional view of the combined structure of the heater 130, the cigarette insertion space 160, the first inductive paths 910 and 930, and the second inductive path 920 is described, and can be understood as a cross-sectional view along the Figure 10 The cross-sectional views are taken from different directions. Figure 11 References will be omitted Figure 10 The spacing (material) between the heater 130 and the inductive path is described.

[0152] Reference Figure 11 , the inductive path is formed by Figure 9 The cigarette 200 is inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160, and the heater 130 is located between the cigarette insertion space 160 and the inductive path. The heater 130 can be a base that can be heated by the coil of the inductive path to increase the temperature of the first dielectric portion 310 of the cigarette 200.

[0153] First inductive paths 910 and 930 are inductive paths and include inductors having the same winding direction. First inductive paths 910 and 930 have a detection area h oriented toward the center of cigarette insertion space 160, which is not shielded by heater 130. The dielectric portion of cigarette 200 inserted into cigarette insertion space 160 includes a metal foil having high thermal conductivity to increase the heating efficiency of the aerosol-forming substance. The magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the inductors included in first inductive paths 910 and 930 may be affected by the metal foil of cigarette 200 through detection area h, and the frequency of the current may be altered. As an example, detection area h may have a length of 4 mm.

[0154] Like first inductive paths 910 and 930, second inductive path 920 is an inductive sensor including an inductor. However, the inductor of second inductive path 920 is wound in a direction opposite to that of the inductors in first inductive paths 910 and 930. Second inductive path 920 is shielded by heater 130, and the inductor in second inductive path 920 detects magnetic material in a direction opposite to the center of cigarette insertion space 160, depending on the inductor's winding direction. Therefore, the frequency of the current flowing through the inductor of second inductive path 920 does not change due to the cigarette 200 inserted into cigarette insertion space 160, but may change when external magnetic material approaches.

[0155] Cigarettes 200 Figure 11 Although briefly shown in FIG. 2 , the cigarette 200 can be applied not only to reference Figure 4 The cigarette 200 described has a medium portion and can be applied to the cigarette 200 with reference to Figure 6 The dual-medium cigarette 300 described. When the dual-medium cigarette 300 is used, Figure 11 The heater 130 shown in FIG. 1 may be implemented as two heaters that may heat to different temperatures.

[0156] Summarize Figure 11 According to one or more embodiments, the aerosol generating device 10 is an externally heated aerosol generating device and includes a plurality of inductive paths. When the aerosol generating device 10 is implemented in a form including three inductive paths, the aerosol generating device 100 can be implemented in a form in which a second inductive path for detecting magnetic substances other than the cigarette 200 is located between two first inductive paths for detecting the insertion of the cigarette 200 into the cigarette insertion space 160. In addition, Figure 11 The embodiments of the present disclosure are shown, and therefore, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the number or arrangement of the inductive paths may be varied according to one or more embodiments. Figure 11 Expanded in ways not described in .

[0157] Figure 12 References are shown in different ways Figure 11 Schematic diagram depicting the combined structure of the cigarette insertion space and the inductive path.

[0158] In detail, Figure 12 The following structure is shown: in this structure, the first inductance paths 910 and 930 detect magnetic materials toward the center of the cigarette insertion space 160 by including inductors wound in the same winding direction, and the second inductance path 920 detects magnetic materials approaching from the outside by including inductors wound in a direction opposite to the inductors of the first inductance paths 910 and 930.

[0159] Figure 13 is an example of a graph showing frequency changes detected by an inductive path.

[0160] Reference Figure 13 , the alternating current flowing through the inductive path has a constant frequency in an initial period 1310, has a frequency change in a 6.2-second period 1330, and has a normal frequency in a 12.4-second period 1350. The controller 110 of the aerosol generating device 10 according to one or more embodiments determines whether a change in frequency exceeding a first reference range is detected while monitoring the change in the alternating current flowing through the inductive path. Figure 13 The current waveform of the inductor of the first inductive path for detecting the cigarette 200 inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160 is shown.

[0161] The controller 110 according to one or more embodiments does not determine whether to start supplying power to the heater 130 by using only the amount of change in the frequency in the first inductance path. Figure 13 , even if the frequency change exceeding the first reference value is detected within 6.2 seconds, the power supply to the heater 130 will not be started immediately by using only the detected frequency change.

[0162] Figure 14 is another example of a graph showing frequency changes detected by an inductive path.

[0163] Although the reference Figure 13 The described inductive path detects the oscillation of the maxima and minima in the sinusoidal current and transmits the measurement results to the controller 110, but with reference to Figure 14 The described inductive path includes an LDC (Inductance Digital Converter) sensor to instantly determine a change in the frequency (each frequency) of the alternating current and transmit the determination result to the controller 110 . Figure 14 The vertical axis represents the frequency value, not the current value. Figure 14 and Figure 13 , Figure 14 According to one or more embodiments, when an interruption occurs in the LDC sensor, the controller 110 may immediately determine whether the amount of change in frequency exceeds a first reference range via the interruption.

[0164] Figure 15 is an example of a graph showing changes in the frequency of current detected by the first inductive path and the second inductive path.

[0165] Reference Figure 15 , reference numerals 910 and 930 refer to reference Figure 11The first inductive paths 910 and 930 are depicted as corresponding inductive paths.

[0166] exist Figure 15 During the 6.2-second period, the frequency of the current flowing through the inductor of the first inductance path changes, but the frequency of the current flowing through the inductor of the second inductance path does not change. The controller 160 may start supplying power to the heater 130 based on the detection result during the 6.2-second period.

[0167] exist Figure 15 During the 12.4-second period, the frequency of the current flowing through the inductor of the first inductance path returns to the previous 6.2-second period, and the frequency of the current flowing through the inductor of the second inductance path changes significantly. Figure 15 As shown in FIG, the change in the frequency of the current flowing through the inductor of the second inductor path is due to the change in the magnetic flux of the inductor of the second inductor path caused by the cigarette 200 inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160 being disconnected from the cigarette insertion space 160. Furthermore, because the amount of change in the frequency of the current flowing through the first inductor path has reached zero, the controller 110 controls the power supply to the heater 130 from the 12.4 second period onward.

[0168] Figure 16 is a flow chart sequentially illustrating a process of operating an externally heated aerosol generating device according to one or more embodiments.

[0169] Figure 16 The method shown in can be referred to Figures 1 to 15 The externally heated aerosol generating device 10 described above is implemented, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted here. Figure 16 of and Figures 1 to 15 The same method is described in the following. In the following, the first direction inductance path refers to Figure 11 The first inductive paths 910 and 930, and the second directional inductive path refers to Figure 11 The second inductive path 920 is provided.

[0170] The controller 110 detects a change in the frequency of the current flowing through the first-directional inductance path in operation S1610 , and determines whether the change in the frequency exceeds a first reference value in operation S1620 .

[0171] When the frequency change exceeds the first reference value in operation S1620, the controller 110 detects the frequency change of the current flowing through the second-directional inductance path in operation S1630.

[0172] When the controller 110 determines in operation S1640 that the amount of change in the frequency detected in operation S1630 is less than the second reference value, the controller 110 starts supplying power to the heater 130 in operation S1650. When the amount of change in the frequency detected in operation S1630 is greater than or equal to the second reference value, the controller 110 determines that the cigarette 200 is not inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160 and does not start supplying power to the heater 130.

[0173] The specific implementations described in this disclosure are example implementations and do not limit the scope of this disclosure in any way. For the sake of brevity of the specification, descriptions of other functional aspects of existing electronic configurations, control systems, software, and systems may be omitted. The connections of lines or connecting members between components shown in the accompanying drawings illustrate functional connections and / or physical or circuit connections, and may be represented as alternative or additional various functional connections, physical connections, or circuit connections in actual devices. Unless specifically mentioned as "necessary", "important", etc., these components may not be necessary components for the application of this disclosure.

[0174] As used herein (particularly, in the claims), the use of the term "said" and similar indicative terms may correspond to both the singular and the plural. When a range is described in the present disclosure, the present disclosure may include inventions that apply to the various values belonging to the range (unless otherwise described), and each value constituting the range is the same as described in the detailed description of the present disclosure. Unless there is a clear description or contrary description of the order of the steps constituting the method according to the present disclosure, the steps may be performed in an appropriate order. The present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps are described. The use of all examples or example terms (such as, etc.) is only for describing the present disclosure in detail, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the examples or example terms, unless the examples or example terms are limited by the claims. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications, combinations and changes can be made according to design conditions and factors within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents of the claims.

[0175] Industrial Applicability

[0176] One or more embodiments may be used to manufacture next generation electronic cigarette devices.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device comprising an inductive path, wherein the externally heated aerosol generating device comprises: a heater configured to generate an aerosol by heating the cigarette; a cigarette insertion space into which the cigarette is inserted; a first inductive path in which a frequency of an electric current is changed by an object inserted into the cigarette insertion space; a second inductive path, the second inductive path being shielded by the heater so that a frequency of current flowing through the second inductive path is not changed by an object inserted into the cigarette insertion space but is changed when an external magnetic substance approaches; as well as a controller configured to generate a control signal by using information received from the first inductive path and the second inductive path, wherein When a change in the frequency of the current flowing through the first inductance path due to an object adjacent to the cigarette insertion space exceeds a first reference value, the controller measures a change in the frequency of the current flowing through the second inductance path, and When the amount of change in the measured frequency of the current is smaller than a second reference value, the controller controls power supply to the heater so that the power supply starts.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein The first inductive path includes two or more inductors.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein The first inductive path includes two inductors, and The second inductive path includes an inductor.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, wherein: The inductors of the first inductive path are spaced apart from each other based on the second inductive path.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein The winding direction of the inductor constituting the first inductance path is different from the winding direction of the inductor constituting the second inductance path.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the first inductive path and the second inductive path is arranged adjacent to the cigarette insertion space.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein The cigarette insertion space is recessed to have a cylindrical shape so that a portion of the cigarette is inserted into the cigarette insertion space and heated by the heater, and The first inductance path and the second inductance path are arranged in a shape having an outer circumferential surface surrounding the cigarette insertion space.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein The heater is a base that is heated according to changes in electric current.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The heater is divided into a first heater and a second heater according to the height of the cigarette insertion space, and The first heater and the second heater are heated to different temperatures.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein: The first inductive path includes two inductors, and the inductors included in the first inductive path are arranged to correspond to the first heater and the second heater, respectively.

11. An aerosol generating device comprising an inductive path, the aerosol generating device comprising: a heater configured to generate an aerosol by heating the cigarette; a cigarette insertion space into which the cigarette is inserted; a first inductive path in which a frequency of an electric current is changed by an object inserted into the cigarette insertion space; a second inductive path, the second inductive path being shielded by the heater so that a frequency of current flowing through the second inductive path is not changed by the object inserted into the cigarette insertion space but is changed when an external magnetic substance approaches; as well as a controller configured to generate a control signal by using information received from the first inductive path and the second inductive path, wherein The controller controls power supply to the heater to start when a change in frequency of current flowing through the first inductance path exceeds a first reference value and a change in frequency of current flowing through the second inductance path is less than a second reference value.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 11, wherein The first inductive path includes two or more inductors.

13. The aerosol generating device according to claim 11, wherein: The first inductive path includes two inductors, and The second inductive path includes an inductor.

14. The aerosol generating device according to claim 13, wherein: The inductors of the first inductive path are spaced apart from each other based on the second inductive path.

15. The aerosol generating device according to claim 11, wherein The winding direction of the inductor constituting the first inductance path is different from the winding direction of the inductor constituting the second inductance path.

16. The aerosol generating device according to claim 11, wherein At least one of the first inductive path and the second inductive path is arranged adjacent to the cigarette insertion space.

17. The aerosol generating device according to claim 11, wherein: The cigarette insertion space is recessed to have a cylindrical shape so that a portion of the cigarette is inserted into the cigarette insertion space and heated by the heater, and The first inductance path and the second inductance path are arranged in a shape having an outer circumferential surface surrounding the cigarette insertion space.

18. The aerosol generating device according to claim 11, wherein: The heater is a base that is heated according to changes in electric current.

19. The aerosol generating device according to claim 11, wherein: The heater is divided into a first heater and a second heater according to the height of the cigarette insertion space, and The first heater and the second heater are heated to different temperatures.

20. The aerosol generating device according to claim 19, wherein The first inductive path includes two inductors, and The inductors included in the first inductance path are arranged to correspond to the first heater and the second heater, respectively.

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