Aerosol generating device, current frequency optimization method and recording medium

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, a current frequency optimization method and a recording medium. The aerosol generating device comprises: a coil configured to generate a magnetic field by a current flowing through the coil; a heater configured to be inductively heated by the magnetic field; and a control unit configured to control the current, wherein the control unit is further configured to: change the frequency of the current flowing through the coil within a preset driving frequency range; and determine whether the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds a threshold value based on one or more changed frequencies of the current.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating method for optimizing the frequency of current flowing through a coil, and more specifically, to an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating method, wherein the aerosol generating device includes a coil for heating a heater by an induction heating method, and the aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating method are capable of optimizing the frequency of current flowing through the coil. Background Art

[0002] Recently, the demand for alternative methods that overcome the disadvantages of ordinary cigarettes is increasing. For example, the demand for methods that generate aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating substance in a cigarette rather than generating aerosol by burning the cigarette is increasing. Therefore, research on heated cigarettes or heated aerosol generating devices is actively being conducted.

[0003] The heater of the aerosol generating device can be implemented in various types. One type corresponds to a heater implemented by using a coil and a heat-sensitive body. Specifically, the heater using a coil and a heat-sensitive body is implemented based on the following principle: when an alternating current is allowed to pass through a coil having a unique inductance, an alternating magnetic field is generated to induce eddy currents in a nearby heat-sensitive body, thereby heating the heat-sensitive body by the induced eddy currents. Summary of the invention

[0004] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0005] When the frequency of the current flowing through the coil is optimized, the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil increases, and thus the heating efficiency of the heat-sensitive body (heater) is greatly improved. However, since the aerosol generating device includes various hardware that electrically influence each other, a method for efficiently searching for the optimal frequency is required.

[0006] Means used to solve problems

[0007] A technical purpose to be achieved by an embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating method capable of finding an optimal frequency of a current flowing through a coil included in an aerosol generating device implementing a heater applying an induction heating method.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a device for solving the above-mentioned technical problems includes: a coil, through which current flows; a heater, which is inductively heated by a magnetic field generated by the current; and a control unit, configured to control the current, and the control unit is further configured to: change the frequency of the current flowing through the coil within a preset driving frequency range; and determine whether the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds a threshold value based on one or more changed frequencies.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for solving the above-mentioned technical problem includes: monitoring the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil by changing the frequency within a preset driving frequency range; identifying the frequency when the magnitude of the current in the coil has a maximum value; and determining whether the magnitude of the current at the identified frequency exceeds a threshold.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for solving the above-mentioned technical problem includes: monitoring the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil by changing the frequency within a preset first frequency range; identifying the first frequency when the magnitude of the current in the coil has a maximum value; setting a second frequency range when the magnitude of the current at the identified first frequency is less than a threshold value; identifying the second frequency when the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil has a maximum value by changing the frequency within the second frequency range; and setting the second frequency to the optimal frequency of the current in the coil when the magnitude of the current at the second frequency exceeds the threshold value.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device includes: a coil, configured to generate a magnetic field by an electric current flowing through the coil; a heater, configured to be inductively heated by the magnetic field; and a control unit, configured to control the electric current, and the control unit is further configured to: change the frequency of the electric current flowing through the coil within a preset driving frequency range; determine whether the magnitude of the electric current flowing through the coil exceeds a threshold value based on one or more changed frequencies of the electric current, thereby judging whether the aerosol generating device has a defect; when the magnitude of the electric current flowing through the coil exceeds the threshold value and the aerosol generating device is determined to be normal, determine the frequency when the magnitude of the electric current of the coil has a maximum value as an optimal frequency, and set the optimal frequency to the frequency of the electric current flowing through the coil.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device includes: a coil, configured to generate a magnetic field by an electric current flowing through the coil; a heater, configured to be inductively heated by the magnetic field; and a control unit, configured to control the electric current, and the control unit is further configured to: change the frequency of the electric current flowing through the coil within a preset first frequency range; set a second frequency range for the frequencies included in the preset first frequency range based on the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil being less than a threshold; determine whether the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds the threshold for the frequencies included in the second frequency range, so as to judge whether the aerosol generating device has a defect; when the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds the threshold and the aerosol generating device is determined to be normal, determine the frequency when the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil has a maximum value as the optimal frequency, and set the optimal frequency to the frequency of the current flowing through the coil.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a current frequency optimization method is used to optimize the frequency of the current flowing through the coil of an aerosol generating device, and the current frequency optimization method includes the following steps: monitoring the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil by changing the frequency within a preset driving frequency range; identifying the frequency within the preset driving frequency range when the magnitude of the current in the coil has a maximum value; determining whether the magnitude of the current at the identified frequency exceeds a threshold value, thereby determining whether the aerosol generating device has a defect; and when the magnitude of the current exceeds the threshold value and the aerosol generating device is determined to be normal, determining the frequency when the magnitude of the current in the coil has a maximum value as an optimal frequency, and setting the optimal frequency as the frequency of the current flowing through the coil.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a current frequency optimization method is used to optimize the frequency of the current flowing through the coil of an aerosol generating device, and the current frequency optimization method includes the following steps: monitoring the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil by changing the frequency within a preset first frequency range; identifying a first frequency within the preset first frequency range when the magnitude of the current in the coil has a maximum value; setting a second frequency range based on the magnitude of the current at the identified first frequency being less than a threshold; identifying whether the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds the threshold by changing the frequency within the second frequency range, thereby determining whether the aerosol generating device has a defect; and when the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds the threshold and the aerosol generating device is determined to be normal, determining the second frequency when the magnitude of the current in the coil has a maximum value as the optimal frequency, and setting the optimal frequency as the frequency of the current flowing through the coil.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device that applies an induction heating method and includes various hardware can easily find an optimal frequency of flowing through a coil. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of inserting a cigarette into an aerosol generating device.

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of inserting a cigarette into an aerosol generating device.

[0019] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing yet another embodiment of inserting a cigarette into an aerosol generating device.

[0020] Figure 4is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a cigarette.

[0021] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of a cigarette.

[0022] Figure 6 It is shown in Figure 3 Schematic diagram of an embodiment of a dual-media cigarette used in an aerosol generating device.

[0023] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an aerosol generating device including a liquid cartridge.

[0024] Figure 8 is a perspective view of an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 Side view of the aerosol generating device described in .

[0026] Fig.10 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a control portion included in an aerosol generating device.

[0027] Fig.11 is a graph of an example of a frequency response of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Fig.12 is a graph for describing the frequency response of another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram for describing an embodiment of a method of determining a second frequency range performed by a control unit.

[0030] Fig.14 is a flowchart of an example of a method of performing multi-calibration on temperature values ​​measured by a temperature sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Fig.15 is a flowchart of another example of a method for performing multi-calibration on temperature values ​​measured by a temperature sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol generating device may be provided. The aerosol generating device may include: a coil configured to generate a magnetic field by a current flowing through the coil; a heater configured to be inductively heated by the magnetic field; and a control unit configured to control the current. The control unit is further configured to: change the frequency of the current flowing through the coil within a preset driving frequency range; and determine whether the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds a threshold value based on one or more changed frequencies of the current.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the control unit may be further configured to sequentially change the frequency of the current in preset units from a minimum frequency within the preset driving frequency range.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the threshold may be 4A.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the control unit can also be configured to: search for an optimal frequency when the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds the threshold and has a maximum value; and control the current to flow through the coil at the optimal frequency based on the input to the power button being sensed.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the control unit may be further configured to determine the preset driving frequency range based on hardware in the aerosol generating device.

[0037] According to one or more embodiments, an aerosol generating device may be provided. The aerosol generating device may include: a coil configured to generate a magnetic field by a current flowing through the coil; a heater configured to be inductively heated by the magnetic field; and a control unit configured to control the current, wherein the control unit is further configured to: change the frequency of the current flowing through the coil within a preset first frequency range; set a second frequency range for frequencies included in the preset first frequency range based on the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil being less than a threshold; and determine whether the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds the threshold for frequencies included in the second frequency range.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the control unit may be further configured to determine the preset first frequency range based on hardware in the aerosol generating device.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the threshold may be 4A.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the control unit may be further configured to determine a minimum frequency and a maximum frequency of the second frequency range based on a ratio of a magnitude of the current of the coil to a frequency of the current flowing through the coil.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the minimum frequency may be included in the preset first frequency range.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the maximum frequency may be determined based on the minimum frequency.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the maximum frequency may be included in the preset first frequency range.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the minimum frequency may be determined based on the maximum frequency.

[0045] According to one or more embodiments, a method for optimizing the frequency of a current flowing through a coil of an aerosol generating device may be provided. The method comprises the steps of: monitoring the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil by changing the frequency within a preset driving frequency range; identifying a frequency within the preset driving frequency range at which the magnitude of the current of the coil has a maximum value; and determining whether the magnitude of the current at the identified frequency exceeds a threshold.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the step of monitoring the magnitude of the current may include the following step: changing the frequency according to a preset unit frequency within the preset driving frequency range.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the method may further include the step of controlling the current to flow through the coil at the identified frequency based on the input to the power button being sensed.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the preset driving frequency range may be set based on hardware in the aerosol generating device.

[0049] According to one or more embodiments, a method for optimizing the frequency of the current flowing through the coil of an aerosol generating device may be provided. The method includes the following steps: monitoring the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil by changing the frequency within a preset first frequency range; identifying a first frequency at which the magnitude of the current of the coil has a maximum value within the preset first frequency range; setting a second frequency range based on the magnitude of the current at the identified first frequency being less than a threshold; identifying a second frequency at which the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil has a maximum value by changing the frequency within the second frequency range; and setting the second frequency as the optimal frequency of the current of the coil based on the magnitude of the current at the second frequency exceeding the threshold.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the minimum frequency and the maximum frequency of the second frequency range may be determined based on a ratio of a magnitude of the current of the coil to the frequency of the current flowing through the coil.

[0051] According to one or more embodiments, a computer-readable recording medium having stored thereon a program for executing the method of the present disclosure may be provided.

[0052] The terms used in the embodiments are currently widely used common terms selected as much as possible in consideration of the effects of the present invention, but the terms can be changed according to the intention of those skilled in the art, precedents or the emergence of new technologies in the field. In addition, some terms can be arbitrarily selected in specific cases, and in this case, the meaning of the selected terms will be recorded in detail in the description part of this specification. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the terms and the content of the entire specification, rather than simply the term names.

[0053] Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain element, unless there is a characteristic description to the contrary, it means that the part may also include other elements, rather than excluding other elements. In addition, the terms "part", "module" and the like recorded in the specification refer to a unit that performs at least one function or action, which can be implemented as hardware or software, or as a combination of hardware and software.

[0054] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the embodiments can be implemented in many different ways and are not limited to the exemplary embodiments described here.

[0055] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0056] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of inserting a cigarette into an aerosol generating device.

[0057] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The aerosol generating device 10 includes a battery 120, a control unit 110, a heater 130, and a vaporizer 180. In addition, a cigarette 200 may be inserted into the inner space of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0058] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The aerosol generating device 10 shown in the figure only shows the components related to the present embodiment. However, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the aerosol generating device 10 may also include components other than Figure 1 and Figure 2 Other common components other than the components shown in the figure.

[0059] in addition, Figure 1 and Figure 2The aerosol generating device 10 is shown to include a heater 130 , but the heater 130 may be omitted depending on the embodiment.

[0060] Figure 1 The battery 120, the control unit 110, the heater 130 and the vaporizer 180 are arranged in a row. Figure 2 1 and 130 are shown to be arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10 is not limited to Figure 1 or Figure 2 In other words, the arrangement of the battery 120 , the control unit 110 , the heater 130 , and the vaporizer 180 may be changed according to the design of the aerosol generating device 10 .

[0061] 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, so that aerosol can be generated from the cigarette 200 and / or the vaporizer 180. The aerosol generated by the vaporizer 180 passes through the cigarette 200 and is transferred to the user. The vaporizer 180 is described in more detail below.

[0062] The battery 120 supplies power required for the operation of the aerosol generating device 10. For example, the battery 120 can supply power to heat the heater 130 or the vaporizer 180, and can supply power required for the operation to the control unit 110. In addition, the battery 120 can supply power required for the operation of a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. provided in the aerosol generating device 10.

[0063] The control unit 110 controls the operation of the aerosol generating device 10 as a whole. Specifically, the control unit 110 controls not only the battery 120, the heater 130, and the vaporizer 180, but also controls the operation of other structures in the aerosol generating device 10. In addition, the control unit 110 can also check the status of each structure of the aerosol generating device 10 to determine whether the aerosol generating device 10 is in an operable state.

[0064] The control unit 110 includes at least one processor. The processor may be composed of an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that can be executed on the microprocessor. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the control unit of the present disclosure may also be implemented in other forms of hardware.

[0065] The heater 130 may be heated by the power supplied by the battery 120. For example, when the cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, the heater 130 may be located outside the cigarette. Therefore, the heated heater 130 may increase the temperature of the aerosol generating substance in the cigarette.

[0066] The heater 130 may be a resistive heater. For example, the heater 130 may include a conductive track, and the heater 130 may be heated as current flows in the conductive track. However, the heater 130 is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and there is no particular limitation as long as it can be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device 10, or the desired temperature may be set by the user.

[0067] On the other hand, as another embodiment, the heater 130 may be an induction heating heater. Specifically, the heater 130 may include a conductive coil for heating the cigarette in an induction heating manner, and the cigarette may include a heat-sensitive body that can be heated by the induction heating heater.

[0068] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 The heater 130 is shown to be 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. The inside or outside of the cigarette 200 may be heated by the heating element.

[0069] In addition, the aerosol generating device 10 may be provided with a plurality of heaters 130. In this case, the plurality of heaters 130 are arranged to be inserted into the cigarette 200 or arranged outside the cigarette 200. In addition, some of the plurality of heaters 130 may be arranged to be inserted into the cigarette 200, and the other heaters may be arranged outside the cigarette 200. In addition, the shape of the heater 130 is not limited to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The shape shown can also be made into many other shapes.

[0070] The vaporizer 180 can generate an aerosol by heating the liquid composition, and the generated aerosol can be delivered to the user via the cigarette 200. In other words, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 180 can move along the airflow path of the aerosol generating device 10, and the airflow path can be configured to enable the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 180 to be delivered to the user via the cigarette.

[0071] For example, the vaporizer 180 may include a liquid storage unit, a liquid transfer unit, and a heating element, but is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid storage unit, the liquid transfer unit, and the heating element may be provided in the aerosol generating device 10 as separate modules.

[0072] The liquid storage unit can store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition can be a liquid containing a tobacco substance containing a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance. The liquid storage unit can be made to be detachable from the vaporizer 180 or installed in the vaporizer 180, or can be made to be integrated with the vaporizer 180.

[0073] For example, the liquid composition may include water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, spices, flavoring agents, or vitamin mixtures. Spices may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruity ingredients, etc., but are not limited thereto. Fragrance agents may include ingredients that can provide a variety of fragrances or flavors to the user. Vitamin mixtures may be substances mixed with at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto. In addition, the liquid composition may include aerosol forming agents such as glycerol and propylene glycol.

[0074] 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 wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber or porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

[0075] The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition transferred by the liquid transfer unit. For example, the heating element can be a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, etc., but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heating element can include a conductive heating wire such as a nickel-chromium wire, which can be arranged to be wound around the structure of the liquid transfer unit. The heating element can be heated by supplying an electric current and transfers heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element to heat the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol can be generated.

[0076] For example, the vaporizer 180 may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but is not limited thereto.

[0077] On the other hand, the aerosol generating device 10 may also include other common structures in addition to the battery 120, the control unit 110, the heater 130 and the atomizer 180. For example, the aerosol generating device 10 may include a display that can output visual information and / or a motor for outputting tactile information. In addition, the aerosol generating device 10 may include at least one sensor (a puff sensor, a temperature sensor, a cigarette insertion sensor, etc.). In addition, the aerosol generating device 10 may be made into a structure that allows external air to flow in or internal gas to flow out even when the cigarette 200 is inserted.

[0078] Although Figure 1 and Figure 2 Although not shown, the aerosol generating device 10 may also constitute a system together with a separately provided bracket. For example, the bracket may be used to charge the battery 120 of the aerosol generating device 10. Alternatively, when the bracket is coupled to the aerosol generating device 10, the heater 130 may also be heated.

[0079] The cigarette 200 may be similar to a common combustion type cigarette. For example, the cigarette 200 may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating substance and a second portion including a filter and the like. Alternatively, the second portion of the cigarette 200 may also include an aerosol generating substance. For example, an aerosol generating substance in the form of particles or capsules may also be inserted into the second portion.

[0080] The entire first part may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, and the second part may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a portion of the first part may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, or the entire first part and a portion of the second part may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10. The user may inhale the aerosol while holding the second part in the mouth. At this time, the external air passes through the first part to generate the aerosol, and the generated aerosol is transmitted to the user's mouth via the second part.

[0081] As an example, external air may flow in through at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 10. For example, the opening and closing of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 10 and / or the size of the air passage may be adjusted by the user. Thus, the user may adjust the amount of atomization, the feeling of smoking, etc. As another example, external air may flow into the cigarette 200 through at least one hole formed on the surface of the cigarette 200.

[0082] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of inserting a cigarette into an aerosol generating device.

[0083] When the general Figure 3 The aerosol generating device and the Figure 1 and Figure 2 When compared with the aerosol generating device described above, it can be seen that the vaporizer 180 is omitted. Figure 3 The dual media cigarette 300 of the aerosol generating device shown includes components that perform the functions of the vaporizer 180 and is therefore similar to the aerosol generating device 100 of FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The aerosol generating devices shown are different. Figure 3 The aerosol generating device does not include a vaporizer 180 .

[0084] When the dual media cigarette 300 is inserted Figure 3 When the aerosol generating device 10 is used, the dual-medium cigarette 300 can be heated externally to generate an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user from the dual-medium cigarette 300. Figure 6 The dual-media cigarette 300 will be described in detail.

[0085] Below, refer to Figure 4 , an embodiment of the cigarette 200 is described.

[0086] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a cigarette.

[0087] Reference Figure 4 , the cigarette 200 includes a tobacco rod 210 and a filter rod 220. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The first part includes a tobacco rod 210 , and the second part includes a filter rod 220 .

[0088] Figure 4 The filter rod 220 shown in the figure is a single-segment structure, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod 220 may include a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod 220 may include a first segment for cooling the aerosol and a second segment for filtering the prescribed components contained in the aerosol. In addition, according to an embodiment, the filter rod 220 may also include at least one segment that performs other functions.

[0089] The cigarette 200 may be wrapped with at least one wrapping paper 240. The wrapping paper 240 may be formed with at least one hole for the inflow of external air or the outflow of internal gas. As an example, the cigarette 200 may be wrapped with one wrapping paper 240. As another example, the cigarette 200 may also be wrapped with two or more wrapping papers 240. For example, the tobacco rod 210 may be wrapped with a first wrapping paper, and the filter rod 220 may be wrapped with a second wrapping paper. In addition, the tobacco rod 210 and the filter rod 220 may be wrapped with separate wrapping papers, and then the cigarette 200 as a whole may be rewrapped with a third wrapping paper. If each of the tobacco rod 210 and the filter rod 220 includes a plurality of segments, each segment may be wrapped with a separate wrapping paper. Furthermore, the whole cigarette 200 formed by joining the segments wrapped with separate wrapping papers may be rewrapped with other wrapping papers.

[0090] The tobacco rod 210 includes an aerosol-generating substance. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may include at least one of glycerol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the tobacco rod 210 may contain other additives such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids. In addition, a flavoring liquid such as menthol or a humectant may be added to the tobacco rod 210 by spraying the tobacco rod 210.

[0091] The tobacco rod 210 can be made in a variety of ways. For example, the tobacco rod 210 can be made of a tobacco sheet or a tobacco strand. In addition, the tobacco rod 210 can be made of tobacco leaves obtained by cutting the tobacco sheet into small pieces. In addition, the tobacco rod 210 can be surrounded by a heat-conducting material. For example, the heat-conducting material can be a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but is not limited to this. As an example, the heat-conducting material surrounding the tobacco rod 210 can evenly disperse the heat transferred to the tobacco rod 210, thereby increasing the thermal conductivity applied to the tobacco rod, thereby improving the taste of the tobacco. In addition, the heat-conducting material surrounding the tobacco rod 210 can function as a heat-sensitive body heated by an induction heating heater. Although not shown in the figure, the tobacco rod 210 may include other heat-sensitive bodies in addition to the heat-conducting material surrounding the outside.

[0092] The filter rod 220 may be a cellulose acetate filter. In addition, the shape of the filter rod 220 is not particularly limited. For example, the filter rod 220 may be a cylindrical rod, or a tubular rod with a hollow interior. In addition, the filter rod 220 may also be a concave rod. If the filter rod 220 includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a shape different from that of the other segments.

[0093] The filter rod 220 may be made to generate a scent. For example, a scenting liquid may be sprayed onto the filter rod 220, or a separate fiber coated with a scenting liquid may be inserted into the filter rod 220.

[0094] In addition, the filter rod 220 may include at least one capsule 230. Here, the capsule 230 may generate a fragrance or may generate an aerosol. For example, the capsule 230 may be a structure in which a liquid containing a fragrance is wrapped with a film. The capsule 230 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0095] When the filter rod 220 includes a section for cooling the aerosol, the cooling section may include a polymer or a biodegradable polymer. For example, the cooling section may include only pure polylactic acid, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the cooling section may include a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality of holes. However, the cooling section is not limited to the above embodiments, and is not particularly limited as long as it can perform the function of cooling the aerosol.

[0096] Although not in Figure 4 2, but the cigarette 200 of one embodiment may further include a front filter. The front filter is located on the side of the tobacco rod 210 facing the filter rod 220. The front filter can prevent the tobacco rod 210 from detaching from the outside, and can prevent the liquefied aerosol from flowing from the tobacco rod 210 into the aerosol generating device 10 (see FIG. 1 ) during smoking. Figure 1 and Figure 2 )middle.

[0097] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of a cigarette.

[0098] Reference Figure 5 It can be seen that the cigarette 200 has a cross tube 205, a tobacco rod 210, a tube 220a, and a filter 220b wrapped by a plurality of wrapping papers 240 including a final wrapping paper 240a. Figure 5 In the figure, the multiple wrapping papers 240 include: separate wrapping papers, which wrap the cross tube 205, tobacco rod 210, tube 220a, and filter tip 220b respectively; and a final wrapping paper 240a, which wraps the cross tube 205, tobacco rod 210, tube 220a, and filter tip 220b as a whole.

[0099] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The first part includes the cross tube 205 and the tobacco rod 210, and the second part includes the filter rod 220. For ease of description, the following reference is omitted. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Description and Figure 4 The instructions in the description are repeated.

[0100] The cross tube 205 is a cross-shaped tube connected to the tobacco rod 210 .

[0101] The tobacco rod 210 includes an aerosol generating substrate that is heated by the heater 130 of the aerosol generating device 10 to generate aerosol.

[0102] The tube 220a has the function of transmitting the aerosol generated when the aerosol-generating substrate of the tobacco rod 210 receives a sufficient amount of energy from the heater 130 and is heated to the filter 220b. The tube 220a is a tube made by adding a predetermined amount of triacetin (TA) as a plasticizer to a cellulose acetate tow and molding it into a circle. Compared with the cross tube 205, it is different not only in shape but also in configuration in terms of connecting the tobacco rod 210 and the filter 220b.

[0103] The filter 220b has the function of passing the aerosol generated by the tobacco rod 210 through the tube 220a, thereby allowing the user to inhale the aerosol filtered by the filter 220b. The filter 220b may be a cellulose acetate filter made of cellulose acetate tow.

[0104] The final wrapper 240a is the paper that wraps the cross tube 205, tobacco rod 210, tube 220a and filter 220b, and may include a cross tube wrapper 240b, a tobacco rod wrapper 240c, a tube wrapper 240d and a filter wrapper 240e.

[0105] exist Figure 5 In the embodiment, the cross tube wrapping paper 240b is aluminum wrapping paper, the tube wrapping paper 240d is MFW or 24K wrapping paper, and the filter tip wrapping paper 240e is oil-resistant hard wrapping paper or laminated paper made of polylactic acid (PLA). The tobacco rod wrapping paper 240c and the final wrapping paper 240a are described in more detail below.

[0106] The tobacco rod wrapper 240c is a wrapper for wrapping the tobacco rod 210. In order to maximize the efficiency of the heat energy transferred by the heater 130, a thermal conductivity-enhancing substance may be coated. For example, the tobacco rod wrapper 240c may be made by coating silver foil (Ag), aluminum foil (Al), copper foil (Cu), carbon paper, filler, ceramic (AlN, Al2O3), silicon carbide, sodium citrate (Na citrate), potassium citrate (K citrate), aramid fiber, nanocellulose, mineral paper, glassine paper, and single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) on ordinary wrapper or release paper. Ordinary wrapper is a well-known wrapper suitable for cigarettes, and refers to a porous wrapper made of a material whose paper manufacturing operability and thermal conductivity exceed the specified value through handmade paper experiments.

[0107] In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the final packaging paper 240a can be made by coating at least one of the fillers, ceramics, silicon carbide, sodium citrate, potassium citrate, aramid fiber, nanocellulose, and SWNT among the multiple coating materials of the tobacco rod packaging paper 240c on the MFW (a sterile paper) base paper.

[0108] As reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As described, the heater 130 provided in the externally heated aerosol generating device 10 is an object controlled by the control unit 110, and is used to heat the aerosol generating substrate in the tobacco rod 210 to generate aerosol. At this time, the heat energy transferred to the tobacco rod 210 includes 75% radiation heat, 15% convection heat, and 10% conduction heat in terms of ratio. Depending on the embodiment, the ratio of radiation heat, convection heat, and conduction heat constituting the heat energy transferred to the tobacco rod 210 may be different.

[0109] In an embodiment of the present invention, in order to overcome the difficulty of quickly generating aerosol due to the characteristic that the heater 130 cannot directly contact the aerosol generating substrate to transfer heat energy, a thermal conductivity improving material is coated on the tobacco rod wrapping paper 240c and the final wrapping paper 240a, thereby promoting the effective transfer of heat energy to the aerosol generating substrate of the tobacco rod 210, thereby providing a sufficient amount of aerosol to the user even during the initial puff when the heater 130 is not fully heated.

[0110] According to an embodiment, a thermal conductivity enhancing substance can also be coated on only one of the tobacco rod wrapping paper 240c and the final wrapping paper 240a. In addition to the aforementioned examples, an embodiment of the present invention can also be achieved by coating an organic metal, inorganic metal, fiber, or polymer material having a preset thermal conductivity on the tobacco rod wrapping paper 240c or the final wrapping paper 240a.

[0111] Figure 6 is Figure 3 Embodiment of the dual media cigarette used in the device.

[0112] Figure 6 The dual media cigarettes are not only for Figure 4 and Figure 5 The present invention is distinguished from the cigarettes described in the present invention and is named for the purpose of briefly describing the embodiments of the present invention.

[0113] Reference Figure 6 The dual-media cigarette 300 has a shape in which the aerosol substrate part 310, the medium part 320, the cooling part 330 and the filter part 340 are wrapped by the final wrapping paper 350. The aerosol substrate part 310, the medium part 320 and the filter part 340 are wrapped by separate wrapping papers, and the final wrapping paper 350 wraps the separate wrapping papers. The separate wrapping papers may include a first wrapping paper 310a, a second wrapping paper 320a and a third wrapping paper 340a.

[0114] The aerosol substrate part 310 is a part that contains a humectant in a pulp base paper and is formed into a preset shape. The aerosol substrate part 310 may include propylene glycol or glycerin as a humectant. The humectant of the aerosol substrate part 310 may include propylene glycol and glycerin in a certain weight ratio relative to the weight of the base paper. When the dual-media cigarette 300 is inserted into Figure 3 When the aerosol generating device 10 is used, the aerosol substrate portion 310 is positioned closest to the heater 130 .

[0115] When the aerosol base material 310 is heated to a certain temperature by the heater 130 , moisturizing agent vapor is generated.

[0116] The medium portion 320 includes one or more of a sheet, a strand, and a tobacco shredded by cutting tobacco sheets, and is a portion that generates nicotine to provide a smoking experience to the user. Figure 3 In the aerosol generating device 10 , the medium portion 320 is not directly heated by the heater 130 .

[0117] The medium portion 320 can be indirectly heated by conduction, convection, and radiation through the medium wrapping paper (or final wrapping paper 350) that wraps the aerosol base portion 310 and the medium portion 320. In the embodiment of the present invention, considering the characteristic that the temperature to be reached by the medium included in the medium portion 320 is lower than the temperature to be reached by the moisturizing agent included in the aerosol base portion 310, the temperature of the medium portion 320 is indirectly increased after the aerosol base portion 310 is heated by the heater 130. When the medium portion 320 is heated to a certain temperature by the heater, nicotine vapor is generated from the medium portion 320.

[0118] According to certain embodiments, 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 .

[0119] The cooling part 330 is formed as a tube filter containing a predetermined weight of a plasticizer, and the moisturizing agent vapor from the aerosol base part 310 and the nicotine vapor from the medium part 320 are mixed and aerosolized, and are cooled while passing through the cooling part 330 .

[0120] Unlike other parts, the cooling part 330 is not wrapped by a separate wrapping paper.

[0121] The filter part 340 may be a cellulose acetate filter, and the shape of the filter part 340 is not limited. The filter part 340 may be a cylindrical rod, or may be a hollow tube. When the filter part 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 part 340 may also be made to generate a fragrance. As an example, a fragrance liquid may be sprayed onto the filter part 340, or a separate fiber coated with a fragrance liquid may be inserted into the interior of the filter part 340.

[0122] In addition, the filter unit 340 may include at least one capsule. Here, the capsule may generate a fragrance or may generate an aerosol. For example, the capsule may be a structure in which a liquid containing a fragrance is wrapped with a film, and may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0123] The final wrapping paper 350 is a wrapping paper that wraps the aerosol substrate unit 310 wrapped by the first wrapping paper 310a, the medium unit 320 wrapped by the second wrapping paper 320a, the cooling unit 330, and the filter unit 340 wrapped by the third wrapping paper 340a.

[0124] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an aerosol generating device including a liquid cartridge.

[0125] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the connection relationship between a replaceable cigarette cartridge 750 containing an aerosol generating substance and an aerosol generating device 700 including the same according to one embodiment. Figure 7 The aerosol generating device 700 of the illustrated embodiment includes a cartridge 750 containing an aerosol generating substance and a body 710 supporting the cartridge 750 .

[0126] The cartridge 750 may be coupled to the body 710 in a state where the aerosol generating material is accommodated therein. A portion of the cartridge 750 is inserted into the accommodation space of the body 710 so that the cartridge 750 may be mounted on the body 710.

[0127] The cigarette cartridge 750 may include an aerosol-generating substance in any state, such as a liquid, solid, gaseous, and gel state. The aerosol-generating substance may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may include a liquid containing a tobacco substance having a volatile tobacco aroma component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco substance.

[0128] For example, the liquid composition may include any one of water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, spices, flavoring agents, and vitamin mixtures. Spices may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruity ingredients, but are not limited thereto. Flavoring agents may include ingredients that can provide a variety of fragrances or flavors to the user. Vitamin mixtures may be substances mixed with at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto. In addition, the liquid composition may include aerosol forming agents such as glycerol and propylene glycol.

[0129] For example, the liquid composition may include a glycerol and propylene glycol solution in any weight ratio with a nicotine salt added. The liquid composition may include two or more types of nicotine salts. Nicotine salts may be formed by adding a suitable acid (including an organic acid or an inorganic acid) to nicotine. Nicotine may be naturally occurring nicotine or synthetic nicotine and may have any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

[0130] The acid used to form the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected in consideration of the nicotine absorption rate in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 700, the flavor or aroma, the solubility, etc. For example, the acid used to form the nicotine salt may be a single acid selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, sucrose acid, malonic acid, and malic acid, or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.

[0131] The cartridge 750 operates by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the body 710 to perform a function of generating aerosol by converting the phase of the aerosol generating substance inside the cartridge 750 into a gas phase. Aerosol may refer to a gas in which vaporized particles generated by the aerosol generating substance are mixed with air.

[0132] For example, the cartridge 750 may convert the phase of the aerosol-generating substance by receiving an electrical signal from the body 710 and heating the aerosol-generating substance, or by using an ultrasonic vibration method, or by using an induction heating method. As another embodiment, when the cartridge 750 includes its own power source, the cartridge 750 may be operated by an electrical control signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the body 710 to the cartridge 750, thereby generating an aerosol.

[0133] The cartridge 750 may include a liquid reservoir containing an aerosol generating substance therein and an atomizer that performs a function of converting the aerosol generating substance of the liquid reservoir into an aerosol.

[0134] When the liquid reservoir "contains an aerosol generating substance", this means that the liquid reservoir only functions as a container for containing the aerosol generating substance, and the liquid reservoir includes an element (such as sponge, cotton, fabric or more porous ceramic structure) impregnated with (containing) the aerosol generating substance.

[0135] The nebulizer may include, for example, a liquid delivery element (wick) for absorbing the aerosol-forming substance and maintaining it in an optimal state for conversion into an aerosol, and a heater for heating the liquid delivery element to generate the aerosol.

[0136] The liquid transport element may include, for example, at least one of cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, and porous ceramic.

[0137] The heater may include a metal substance, such as copper, nickel, tungsten, etc., to heat the aerosol generating substance transferred to the liquid transport element by generating heat using resistance. The heater may be implemented, for example, by a metal wire, a metal plate, a ceramic heating element, etc., and may be implemented by a conductive wire that is wound around the liquid transport element, or by using a substance such as a nichrome wire disposed adjacent to the liquid transport element.

[0138] Furthermore, the atomizer may be implemented by a heating element in the form of a grid or plate, which performs the function of absorbing the aerosol generating substance and maintaining it in an optimal state for conversion into aerosol without using a separate liquid transport element, and performs the function of generating aerosol by heating the aerosol generating substance.

[0139] At least a portion of the liquid reservoir of the cartridge 750 may include a transparent substance so that the aerosol generating substance contained in the cartridge 750 can be visually identified from the outside. The liquid reservoir includes a protruding window protruding from the liquid reservoir so that the liquid reservoir can be inserted into the groove of the body 710 when combined to the body 710. The mouthpiece and the liquid reservoir may be completely formed of transparent plastic or glass, or only the protruding window corresponding to a portion of the liquid reservoir may be formed of a transparent substance.

[0140] The body 710 includes a connection terminal disposed inside the accommodation space. When the liquid storage of the cartridge 750 is inserted into the accommodation space of the body 710, the body 710 can supply power to the cartridge 750 through the connection terminal, or provide the cartridge 750 with a signal related to the operation of the cartridge 750.

[0141] The mouthpiece is coupled to one end of the liquid reservoir of the cartridge 750. The mouthpiece is a part of the aerosol generating device 700 that will be inserted into the user's oral cavity. The mouthpiece includes a discharge hole for discharging the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substance inside the liquid reservoir to the outside.

[0142] The slider 730 is coupled to the body 710 to move relative to the body 710. The slider 730 covers at least a portion of the mouthpiece of the cartridge 750 coupled to the body 710, or exposes at least a portion of the mouthpiece to the outside by moving relative to the body 710. The slider 730 includes an elongated hole 7a that exposes at least a portion of the protruding window of the cartridge 750 to the outside.

[0143] The slider 730 has a container shape with a cavity space therein and openings at both ends. The structure of the slider 730 is not limited to the following. Figure 7 The container shape shown, and the slider 730 can be a bent plate structure with a clip-shaped cross-section, which can move relative to the body 710 when coupled to the edge of the body 710, or the slider 730 can be a structure with a bent semi-cylindrical and curved arc cross-section.

[0144] The slider 730 includes a magnetic body for maintaining the position of the slider 730 relative to the body 710 and the cartridge 750. The magnetic body may include a permanent magnet or a substance such as iron, nickel, cobalt, or an alloy thereof.

[0145] The magnetic body includes: two first magnetic bodies 8a facing each other, with the internal space of the slider 730 therebetween; and two second magnetic bodies 8b facing each other, with the internal space of the slider 730 located therebetween. The first magnetic body 8a and the second magnetic body 8b are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the main body 710, which is the moving direction of the slider 730, that is, the direction in which the main body 710 extends.

[0146] The body 710 includes a fixed magnetic body disposed on a path along which the first magnetic body 8a and the second magnetic body 8b of the slider 730 move when the slider 730 moves relative to the body 710. The two fixed magnetic bodies of the body 710 may be installed to face each other with a receiving space therebetween.

[0147] Depending on the position of the slider 730, the slider 730 can be stably maintained in such a position that the end of the mouthpiece is covered or exposed by the magnetic force acting between the fixed magnetic body and a first magnetic body 8a or between the fixed magnetic body and a second magnetic body 8b.

[0148] The body 710 includes a position change detection sensor disposed on a path along which at least one first magnetic body 8a and at least one second magnetic body 8b of the slider 730 move when the slider 730 moves relative to the body 710. The position change detection sensor may include, for example, a Hall IC using a Hall effect, which detects a change in a magnetic field and generates a signal.

[0149] In the aerosol generating device 700 according to the above-described embodiment, the main body 710, the smoke cartridge 750, and the slider 730 have a cross-sectional shape that is approximately rectangular in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, but in the embodiment, the shape of the aerosol generating device 700 is not limited. The aerosol generating device 700 may have a cross-sectional shape that is, for example, circular, elliptical, square, or various polygonal. In addition, the aerosol generating device 700 is not necessarily limited to a structure that extends linearly when extending longitudinally, and may be curved in a streamlined shape or curved at a preset angle in a specific area to facilitate the user's grip while extending a long distance.

[0150] Figure 8 is a perspective view of an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0151] Reference Figure 8It can be seen that the aerosol generating device 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit 110, a battery 120, a heater 130 and a cigarette 200. For the convenience of description, Figure 8 Only a partial configuration of the aerosol generating device 10 is shown. Therefore, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that other configurations may be added without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0152] In addition, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10 is not limited to Figure 8 The structure shown in FIG. 1 is different from that shown in FIG. 1 , and the arrangement of the control unit 110, the battery 120, the heater 130 and the cigarette 200 may be different depending on the implementation or design. Figures 1 to 6 Given Figure 8 The description of each element will therefore be omitted.

[0153] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 Side view of the device described in .

[0154] Reference Fig. 9 The aerosol generating device 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 11, a control unit 110, a battery 120, a heater 130, a display 150, and a cigarette insertion space 160. In the following, the aerosol generating device 10 may be omitted. Figure 1 The configuration described is the same as described.

[0155] The PCB 11 performs the function of electronically integrating various components that collect information of the aerosol generating device 10 while communicating with the control part 110. The control part 110 and the display 150 may be fixedly mounted on the surface of the PCB 11, and the battery 120 supplies power to the elements connected to the PCB 11.

[0156] The display 150 is a device that controls the output of user information among the information generated by the aerosol generating device 10 as visual information, and controls the information output to the LCD panel (or LED panel) provided on the front side of the aerosol generating device 10 based on the information received from the control unit 110 .

[0157] The cigarette insertion space 160 refers to a space that is recessed to a predetermined depth toward the inside of the aerosol generating device 10 to insert the cigarette 200. The cigarette insertion space 160 has a cylindrical shape similar to the shape of the cigarette 200 so as to stably install the rod-shaped cigarette 200, and the height (depth) of the cigarette insertion space 160a may vary according to the length of the region of the cigarette 200 containing the aerosol generating substance.

[0158] For example, if the reference Figure 6The described dual-media cigarette 300 is inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160, and the height of the cigarette insertion space 160 can be equal to the sum of the lengths of the aerosol substrate portion 310 and 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 aerosol can be generated.

[0159] Fig.10 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the control unit 110 included in the aerosol generating device 10 .

[0160] Reference Fig.10 , the control unit 110 included in the aerosol generating device 10 includes a frequency conversion processor 111, a threshold value exceeding determiner 113 and a driving frequency re-setter 115. The control unit 110 may include at least one processor to implement the frequency conversion processor 111, the threshold value exceeding determiner 113 and the driving frequency re-setter 115, or the frequency conversion processor 111, the threshold value exceeding determiner 113 and the driving frequency re-setter 115 may include at least one processor to perform their respective functions. The at least one 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 a program that can be executed in the microprocessor. In addition, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that Fig.10 The control section 110, the frequency conversion processor 111, the threshold value exceeding determiner 113 and the driving frequency resetting device 115 may be implemented as various forms of hardware.

[0161] The frequency conversion processor 111 changes the frequency of the current flowing through the coil within a preset driving frequency range. Here, the unit of the frequency change is based on a preset unit frequency value. For example, when the unit frequency is 500 Hz, the frequency conversion processor 111 can add an increment of 500 Hz to the minimum frequency included in the driving frequency range to sequentially or randomly change the frequency of the current flowing through the coil.

[0162] When the frequency is specified, and when a current of the specified frequency flows through the coil, the threshold-exceeding determiner 113 determines whether the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds the threshold.

[0163] When the frequency at which the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds the threshold value is not detected within the preset driving frequency range, the driving frequency resetter 115 performs an operation of setting a new driving frequency range.

[0164] The name of each module is given to intuitively describe the function performed by the control unit 110. According to the embodiment, the name of each module may be changed. In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the function performed by each module can be implemented only by the control unit 110. Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below, and for ease of explanation, unless otherwise defined, the object performing each function is regarded as the control unit 110.

[0165] The aerosol generating device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a coil, a heater and a control unit 110, wherein the control unit 110 is configured to control the current of the coil and generate various control signals. In the present disclosure, the heater may also be referred to as a heat-sensitive body, and the aerosol generating device is regarded as a device that generates aerosol by applying an induction heating method.

[0166] Fig.11 is a graph of an example of a frequency response of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0167] The aerosol generating device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include various hardware having resistance, inductance or capacitance. For example, the aerosol generating device may include a resistor, inductor or capacitor (RLC) circuit composed of passive devices. Fig.11 The frequency response in an RLC circuit is shown, with the x-axis representing the frequency of the current flowing through the coil and the y-axis representing the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil.

[0168] To analyze the graph 1110 showing the magnitude of the current changing according to the frequency, there is a tendency that as the frequency value increases, the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil also increases. However, when the frequency reaches the resonant frequency f c After that, there is a tendency that as the frequency value increases, the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil decreases instead. When various hardware in the aerosol generating device is configured as a passive device or an impedance corresponding thereto, the resonant frequency can be searched according to a known arithmetic formula. However, due to the consumables (aerosol generating substrate) in the aerosol generating device, the parts that can be removed from the aerosol generating device, and accessories, the hardware structure of the aerosol generating device may generate various changes, and whenever the structure generates a change, the resonant frequency f c Changes may also be generated.

[0169] exist Fig.11 In the frequency f act1 and f act2 The frequency range between can be called the "driving frequency range", the frequency f actl It can be called the minimum frequency among the frequencies included in the driving frequency range, and the frequency f act2 Can be referred to as the maximum frequency among the frequencies included in the driving frequency range.

[0170] Here, the driving frequency range may be a range of values ​​determined based on the sensing results of the control section 110 and the hardware in the aerosol generating device 10. For example, the control section 110 may manage the types and quantities of components in the aerosol generating device 10, and may calculate the driving frequency range by using a series of arithmetic formulas. When various accessories to be mounted on or released from the aerosol generating device 10 include conductive substances or electronic devices, the overall impedance of the aerosol generating device 10 may be affected, and thus, the driving frequency range may be changed. Once the driving frequency range is determined, the frequency of the current flowing through the coil may be limited to a frequency selected within the driving frequency range to ensure operational stability of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0171] The aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a coil through which current flows, an induction heater using a magnetic field generated by the current, and a control unit configured to control the current. Here, the control unit may change the frequency of the current flowing through the coil within a preset driving frequency range, and may determine whether the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds a threshold value based on one or more changed frequencies.

[0172] Reference Fig.11 , the drive frequency range can be preset to frequency f act1 and f act2 The control unit 110 can monitor the change of the current flowing through the coil by changing the frequency within the driving frequency range. Fig.11 In the embodiment of the present invention, when the threshold value is 4A, and when the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds 4A, the control unit 110 may determine that the magnitude of the voltage flowing through the coil exceeds the threshold value. In addition, the control unit 110 may set the frequency when the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds 4A as the frequency at which the aerosol generating device operates stably. In particular, the control unit 110 may determine the frequency when the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil has a maximum value as the resonant frequency, and may use the resonant frequency. In the following, the resonant frequency may be alternatively referred to as the optimal frequency.

[0173] When the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil at a specific frequency exceeds the threshold, the control unit 110 may determine that the heating efficiency of the aerosol generating device 10 is normal. When the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil at any frequency within the driving frequency range does not exceed the threshold, the control unit 110 may determine that the heating efficiency of the aerosol generating device 10 at the frequency is defective.

[0174] These determinations of the control section 110 may be performed while the aerosol generating device 10 is operating, that is, when the heater of the aerosol generating device 10 is heated. For example, when the user applies an input to the power button to smoke through the aerosol generating device 10, the control section 110 may sense the input to the power button and control the current flowing through the coil according to the optimal frequency. Here, as described above, the optimal frequency is a frequency value selected within the driving frequency range through the above series of processes.

[0175] Fig.12 is a graph for describing the frequency response of another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0176] exist Fig.12 , the first frequency response 1210 is a frequency response determined during the manufacturing process of the aerosol generating device 10, and is an ideal curve graph calculated in a state where no other hardware is installed in the aerosol generating device 10. Based on the first frequency response 1210, the optimal frequency is f c , the driving frequency range is Δf act In the first frequency response 1210, the threshold value |I th | is 4A, and when the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds the threshold, the control unit 110 can determine that the heating efficiency of the aerosol generating device 10 is good.

[0177] exist Fig.12 In FIG. 1 , the second frequency response 1230 is a frequency response of a state in which the optimal frequency is changed due to a change in hardware based on installation of additional hardware in the aerosol generating device 10 or other various factors. Fig.12 In the second frequency response 1230, when the threshold value |I th |Still 4A, the optimal frequency changes to f c ', the driving frequency range changes to Δf act' In more detail, in the state of calculating the second frequency response 1230, even when the frequency flowing through the coil is f c When the current flowing through the coil does not exceed the threshold value, the driving frequency range is changed. That is, when calculating the second frequency response 1230, the control unit 110 must control the current flowing through the coil within the new driving frequency range Δf act′ A new optimal frequency is found in order to restore the heating efficiency of the aerosol generating device 10 to be the same as the heating efficiency of the aerosol generating device 10 in the first frequency response 1210 .

[0178] The control unit 110 may change the frequency of the current flowing through the coil within a preset first frequency range, and when the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil is less than a threshold value for a frequency within the first frequency range, the control unit may set a second frequency range. The control unit 110 may determine whether the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds a threshold value for a frequency within the second frequency range, and when the magnitude exceeds the threshold value, the control unit 110 may consider that the optimal frequency has been found, and may determine that the heating efficiency of the aerosol generating device 10 is good.

[0179] In contrast, when the control portion 110 determines that the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil is less than the threshold for all frequencies within the second frequency range, the control portion 110 may determine that the aerosol generating device 10 is defective and cannot obtain a certain level of heating efficiency by operating only using software of the control portion 110 .

[0180] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram for describing an embodiment of a method for the control unit 110 to determine the second frequency range.

[0181] The control unit 110 may determine the minimum frequency f of the second frequency range based on the ratio of the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil to the frequency of the voltage flowing through the coil. act1′ and the maximum frequency f act2′ .exist Fig.13 The first point 1310 and the second point 1330 in FIG. 1 indicate the ratio of the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil to the frequency of the current flowing through the coil. Fig.13 For example, the control unit 110 may search for act1′ The magnitude of the current flowing through the coil changes to |I A |, and when the searched ratio corresponds to the preset reference, the control unit 110 can actl′ is determined as the minimum frequency of the second frequency range. In addition, by using substantially the same method, based on the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil being |I B |, the control unit 110 can determine the maximum frequency f of the second frequency range act2′ .

[0182] The second frequency range is different from the first frequency range. In order to reduce the search time for identifying the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil by changing the frequency, the control unit 110 changes the frequency only within the preset frequency range. Here, when the search area is changed from the first frequency range to the second frequency range, the optimal frequency f that is not searched within the first frequency range can be searched. c '.

[0183] like Fig.12 and 13 As shown, the minimum frequency f of the second frequency range act1′can be included in the first frequency range, in which case the maximum frequency f of the second frequency range act2′ is not included in the first frequency range. In contrast, the maximum frequency f of the second frequency range act2′ may be included in the first frequency range, in which case the minimum frequency f of the second frequency range act1′ Not included in the first frequency range.

[0184] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, when determining any one of the minimum frequency and the maximum frequency in the second frequency range, the control section 110 may apply a predetermined offset to the determined frequency to determine other frequencies and define the second frequency region, thereby minimizing the amount of calculation.

[0185] As reference Figures 11 to 13 As described above, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for optimizing the frequency of the current flowing through the coil in the induction heating aerosol generating device 10 is provided. Specifically, the method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include presetting a driving frequency range, and searching for various frequencies within the driving frequency range based on whether a current magnitude greater than a threshold is sensed. When a frequency when the current magnitude exceeds the threshold is searched, an optimal frequency is determined among these frequencies, and the heating efficiency of the aerosol generating device can be maximized based on the frequency.

[0186] According to an additional embodiment, a method of secondarily resetting the driving frequency range by performing a series of processes when the optimal frequency is not searched within the primarily set driving frequency range is provided. According to the additional embodiment, when the resonance frequency (optimal frequency) for maximizing the heating efficiency is changed due to a change in the hardware of the aerosol generating device 10, a new driving frequency range can be quickly set, a new optimal frequency can be searched within the range, and it can be determined whether the aerosol generating device 10 is good or defective.

[0187] Fig.14 is a flowchart of an example of a method of performing multi-calibration on temperature values ​​measured by a temperature sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0188] Fig.14 It may be implemented by the previously described aerosol generating device 10 or the control portion 110, and thus, a description will be given based on the aerosol generating device 10 or the control portion 110. Hereinafter, the same aspects as those described above will not be described.

[0189] The control portion 110 may monitor the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil by changing the frequency within a preset driving frequency ( S1410 ).

[0190] The control part 110 may identify a point at which the magnitude of the current has a maximum value (S1430).

[0191] The control unit 110 can determine whether the magnitude of the current at the point where the magnitude of the current has a maximum value exceeds a threshold value (S1450), and when the magnitude of the current exceeds the threshold value, the frequency when the magnitude of the current has a maximum value can be set as the frequency of the current flowing through the coil (S1470).

[0192] When the magnitude of the current at the point where the magnitude of the current has a maximum value is smaller than a threshold value, the control portion 110 may determine that the aerosol generating device is defective ( S1490 ).

[0193] Fig.15 is a flowchart of another example of a method of performing multi-calibration on temperature values ​​measured by a temperature sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0194] Fig.15 It may be implemented by the previously described aerosol generating device 10 or the control portion 110, and thus, a description will be given based on the aerosol generating device 10 or the control portion 110. Hereinafter, the same aspects as those described above will not be described.

[0195] The control unit 110 can monitor the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil by changing the frequency within the preset driving frequency (S1510). The control unit 110 can identify the point where the magnitude of the current has a maximum value (S1520), and when the magnitude of the identified current is less than a threshold value (S1530), the control unit 110 can reset the driving frequency range based on the magnitude of the current (S1540).

[0196] The control portion 110 may identify a point at which the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil has a maximum value within the newly set driving frequency range (second frequency range) ( S1550 ).

[0197] When the magnitude of the identified current exceeds the threshold value (S1560), the control unit 110 may set the frequency at which the magnitude of the current has a maximum value as the frequency of the current flowing through the coil (S1570). Fig.15 Schematic description and about Fig.12 and Fig.13 Same as the description.

[0198] The above-mentioned embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in the form of a computer program executable on a computer via various components, and the computer program can be recorded on a computer-readable medium. Here, the medium may include magnetic media, such as hard disks, floppy disks and tapes, optical recording media, such as compact disks (CDs), read-only memories (ROMs) and digital versatile disks (DVDs), magneto-optical media, such as floppy disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as read-only memories (RAMs), random access memories (RAMs) and flash memories.

[0199] The computer program can be specially designed and constructed for the embodiments of the present disclosure, and can be understood and used by ordinary technicians in the field of computer software. Embodiments of the computer program can include high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter and machine language codes generated by a compiler.

[0200] The specific execution described in the present disclosure is an embodiment and does not limit the scope of the technology in any way. For the sake of brevity, the conventional electronics, control system, software development and other functional aspects of the system may not be described. In addition, the connecting lines or connectors in the various figures shown are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and / or physical or logical combinations between various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections may exist in actual devices. In addition, unless specifically described, such as "indispensable", "important", etc., components may not be components necessary for the application of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0201] The term "said" and other similar illustrative terms used in the specification (and claims) of the present disclosure may correspond to singular and plural meanings. In addition, when describing a range in the present disclosure, the individual values ​​included in the range are included in the present disclosure (unless there is a description to the contrary), and should be understood to be the same as the case of describing individual values ​​in the detailed description of the present disclosure. Finally, the operations included in the method can be performed in any order, unless the operations included in the description method are performed only in a specific order, or the operations included in the description method are performed in other ways. The embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited to the described order of operations. All examples and exemplary statements ("for example", etc.) are only used to describe the present disclosure in detail, and these examples and exemplary statements do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications, combinations and changes can be made within the scope of the present disclosure and its equivalents.

[0202] Industrial Applicability

[0203] One embodiment of the present disclosure may be used to manufacture the next generation of electronic cigarettes.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, wherein: include: a coil configured to generate a magnetic field by a current flowing through the coil; a heater configured to be inductively heated by the magnetic field; as well as a control unit configured to control the current, The control unit is also configured to: changing the frequency of the current flowing through the coil within a preset driving frequency range; determining whether the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds a threshold value based on one or more frequencies of changes in the current, thereby determining whether the aerosol generating device is defective; When the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds the threshold and the aerosol generating device is determined to be normal, the frequency at which the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil has a maximum value is determined as an optimal frequency, and the optimal frequency is set as the frequency of the current flowing through the coil.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The control section is further configured to sequentially change the frequency of the current in preset units from a minimum frequency within the preset driving frequency range.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The threshold value is 4A.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit is also configured to: Based on the input to the power button being sensed, the current is controlled to flow through the coil at the optimal frequency.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit is further configured to determine the preset driving frequency range based on hardware in the aerosol generating device.

6. An aerosol generating device, wherein: include: a coil configured to generate a magnetic field by a current flowing through the coil; a heater configured to be inductively heated by the magnetic field; as well as a control unit configured to control the current, The control unit is also configured to: changing the frequency of the current flowing through the coil within a preset first frequency range; Based on the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil being less than a threshold, setting a second frequency range for the frequencies included in the preset first frequency range; determining, for frequencies included in the second frequency range, whether the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds the threshold, thereby determining whether the aerosol generating device has a defect; When the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds the threshold and the aerosol generating device is determined to be normal, the frequency at which the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil has a maximum value is determined as an optimal frequency, and the optimal frequency is set as the frequency of the current flowing through the coil.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein: The control unit is further configured to determine the preset first frequency range based on hardware in the aerosol generating device.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein: The threshold value is 4A.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein: The control section is further configured to determine a minimum frequency and a maximum frequency of the second frequency range based on a ratio of a magnitude of the current of the coil to a frequency of the current flowing through the coil.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein: The minimum frequency is within the preset first frequency range.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein: The maximum frequency is determined according to the minimum frequency.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein: The maximum frequency is within the preset first frequency range.

13. The aerosol generating device according to claim 12, wherein: The minimum frequency is determined according to the maximum frequency.

14. A method for optimizing the frequency of a current flowing through a coil of an aerosol generating device, wherein: The current frequency optimization method comprises the following steps: Monitoring the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil by changing the frequency within a preset driving frequency range; Identifying a frequency within the preset driving frequency range at which the magnitude of the current of the coil has a maximum value; determining whether the magnitude of the current at the identified frequency exceeds a threshold value, thereby determining whether the aerosol generating device is defective; as well as When the magnitude of the current exceeds the threshold and the aerosol generating device is determined to be normal, a frequency at which the magnitude of the current of the coil has a maximum value is determined as an optimal frequency, and the optimal frequency is set as the frequency of the current flowing through the coil.

15. The current frequency optimization method according to claim 14, wherein: The step of monitoring the magnitude of the current comprises the following steps: The frequency is changed according to a preset unit frequency within the preset driving frequency range.

16. The current frequency optimization method according to claim 14, wherein: The following steps are also included: Based on the input to the power button being sensed, the current is controlled to flow through the coil at the identified frequency.

17. The current frequency optimization method according to claim 14, wherein: The preset driving frequency range is based on a hardware setting in the aerosol generating device.

18. A method for optimizing the frequency of a current flowing through a coil of an aerosol generating device, wherein: The current frequency optimization method comprises the following steps: Monitoring the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil by changing the frequency within a preset first frequency range; Identifying a first frequency within the preset first frequency range at which the magnitude of the current of the coil has a maximum value; Based on the magnitude of the current at the identified first frequency being less than a threshold, setting a second frequency range; identifying whether the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds the threshold by changing the frequency within the second frequency range, thereby determining whether the aerosol generating device has a defect; as well as When the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil exceeds the threshold and the aerosol generating device is determined to be normal, a second frequency when the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil has a maximum value is determined as an optimal frequency, and the optimal frequency is set as the frequency of the current flowing through the coil.

19. The current frequency optimization method according to claim 18, wherein: The minimum frequency and the maximum frequency of the second frequency range are determined based on a ratio of a magnitude of the current of the coil to the frequency of the current flowing through the coil. 20 . A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing the current frequency optimization method according to claim 14 .

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