Aerosol generating device, control method thereof, and computer readable recording medium

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, a control method thereof, and a computer-readable recording medium. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for controlling an aerosol generating device is provided, wherein the aerosol generating device generates an aerosol based on ultrasonic vibrations of a vibrator in the aerosol generating device. The method comprises: based on the power of the aerosol generating device being turned on, the aerosol generating device is operated in a preheating mode to preheat the vibrator; based on the completion of the preheating mode, the aerosol generating device is operated in an electric power repetition control mode, in which the operation of supplying power to the vibrator and the operation of cutting off the power supply to the vibrator are repeated alternately; and based on the user's puff being sensed during operation in the electric power repetition control mode, the aerosol generating device is operated in a suction mode, in which the vibrator is powered to generate an aerosol.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an aerosol generating device and a method of controlling the aerosol generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device that generates aerosol by using ultrasonic vibration and a method of controlling the aerosol generating device. Background Art

[0002] There is an increasing demand for aerosol generating devices that generate aerosols in a non-combustion manner, which is used to replace the method of generating aerosols by burning cigarettes. For example, an aerosol generating device refers to a device that generates aerosols from an aerosol generating substance in a non-combustion manner and provides it to a user, or generates a flavored aerosol by passing vapor generated from an aerosol generating substance through a flavor medium.

[0003] Aerosol generating devices can be classified into various types based on differences in aerosol generating methods or aerosol generating units. Among them, an aerosol generating device that generates aerosol using ultrasonic vibration refers to a device that generates aerosol by applying an alternating voltage to a vibrator to generate ultrasonic vibration. In particular, it refers to an aerosol generating device based on ultrasonic vibration, which generates aerosol by reducing the viscosity of a liquid in contact with the vibrator by heat generated by the vibrator, and then splitting the liquid by ultrasonic vibration at an oscillation frequency of the frequency of the alternating voltage. Summary of the invention

[0004] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0005] The technical problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present disclosure include: the need for an aerosol generating device that can work stably, and a method for controlling the aerosol generating device.

[0006] Means used to solve problems

[0007] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for solving the above-mentioned technical problem includes: based on the power of the aerosol generating device being turned on, operating in a preheating mode to preheat the vibrator; when the preheating mode is completed, operating in a power repetition control mode, in which the operation of supplying power to the vibrator and the operation of cutting off the power supply to the vibrator are repeated alternately; and when the user's puff is sensed during operation in the power repetition control mode, operating in a puff mode, in which the vibrator is powered to generate an aerosol.

[0008] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a device for solving the above-mentioned technical problems includes: a cigarette cartridge, a vibrator configured to vibrate in response to a received control signal, a vibration containing unit configured to receive vibration from the vibrator and vibrate an aerosol generating matrix discharged from the cigarette cartridge to generate an aerosol, and a processor configured to generate a control signal for controlling the vibrator; the processor is also configured to: preheat the vibrator when the power of the aerosol generating device is turned on, and when the preheating is completed, make the aerosol generating device operate in a power repetition control mode, in which the operation of supplying power to the vibrator and the operation of cutting off the power supply to the vibrator are repeated alternately, and when a user's puff is sensed during operation in the power repetition control mode, a control signal for control is generated in the aerosol generating device to make the aerosol generating device operate in a puff mode, in which the vibrator is powered to generate an aerosol.

[0009] An embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing the above method.

[0010] Effects of the Invention

[0011] An aerosol generating device based on ultrasonic vibration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can work more stably than aerosol generating devices in the prior art, and can provide a constant amount of aerosol to a user from the first inhalation to the last inhalation.

[0012] In addition, an aerosol generating device based on ultrasonic vibrations can prevent damage to the vibrator in the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device in an embodiment;

[0014] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device of the illustrated embodiment;

[0015] Figure 3 is a flow chart showing an example of a method for controlling an aerosol generating device based on ultrasonic vibration in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 4 It is schematically shown Figure 3 A diagram of a method of controlling power supplied to a vibrator;

[0017] Figure 5 is a flow chart showing another example of a method for controlling an aerosol generating device based on ultrasonic vibration in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 6 schematically shows a graph of power versus time for a vibrator operating in suction mode;

[0019] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a situation where an event occurs in a high suction state;

[0020] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a situation where an event occurs in a low suction state;

[0021] Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing another example of a method for controlling an aerosol generating device based on ultrasonic vibration in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Fig.10 schematically illustrates a graph of power versus time with preheat mode omitted;

[0023] Fig.11 is a flow chart showing another example of a method for controlling an aerosol generating device based on ultrasonic vibration in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Fig.12 It is a schematic illustration Fig.11 A graph showing the number of puffs waiting to heat;

[0025] Fig.13 A graph showing power versus time for describing a situation in which power is supplied to a vibrator when a high suction time is set to 0;

[0026] Fig.14 Yes Description Figures 3 to 13 Flowchart of the embodiment shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] According to an embodiment, a method for controlling an aerosol generating device is provided, wherein the aerosol generating device generates aerosol based on ultrasonic vibration of a vibrator in the aerosol generating device. The method is executed by at least one processor, and the method includes: based on the power of the aerosol generating device being turned on, the aerosol generating device is operated in a preheating mode to preheat the vibrator, based on the completion of the preheating mode, the aerosol generating device is operated in a power repetition control mode, in which an operation of supplying power to the vibrator and an operation of cutting off power to the vibrator are alternately repeated, and based on a user's puff being sensed during operation in the power repetition control mode, the aerosol generating device is operated in a puffing mode, in which power is supplied to the vibrator to generate aerosol.

[0028] According to one or more embodiments, the method further includes switching from the power repetition control mode to the preheating mode based on repetition power control in which supplying power to the vibrator and cutting off power to the vibrator are repeated a prescribed number of times.

[0029] According to one or more embodiments, the preheat mode includes supplying a fixed amount of power to the vibrator during the preheat mode.

[0030] According to one or more embodiments, the voltage applied in the preheating mode is any voltage selected from 10V to 15V.

[0031] According to one or more embodiments, the suction mode sequentially includes: a first interval, applying a first voltage to the vibrator, a second interval, applying a second voltage less than the first voltage to the vibrator, and a blocking interval, blocking the application of voltage to the vibrator.

[0032] According to one or more embodiments, a ratio of the time lengths of the first interval, the second interval, and the blocking interval is a preset ratio value.

[0033] According to one or more embodiments, the ratio of the time lengths is 2:3:1.

[0034] According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprises: switching from the puff mode to the power repetition control mode based on the end of the user's inhalation before the end of the first interval.

[0035] According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprises: switching from the puff mode to the power repetition control mode based on the end of the user's inhalation before the end of the second interval.

[0036] According to one or more embodiments, the suction mode includes, in sequence: a second interval, applying a second voltage less than the first voltage to the vibrator, and a blocking interval, blocking the application of voltage to the vibrator; operating in the suction mode includes: based on the value obtained for determining the length of the first interval for applying the first voltage to the vibrator being less than or equal to 0, while operating in the first interval that is not before the second interval, operating by including the second interval and the blocking interval in the suction mode.

[0037] According to one or more embodiments, operating in the inhalation mode includes maintaining power blocking to the vibrator until a power blocking state ends, so that application of voltage to the vibrator is blocked even if inhalation blocking by a user is sensed during the power blocking state.

[0038] According to one or more embodiments, operating in the power repetitive control mode includes controlling the vibrator using a pulse width modulation signal having a duty cycle having a value selected from a range of 40% to 60%.

[0039] According to one or more embodiments, the method further includes: after the power supply of the aerosol generating device is turned on, detecting an idle period based on the last usage time of the aerosol generating device, and entering the power repetition control mode without the first preheating of the vibrator based on the detected idle period being less than a preset reference time.

[0040] According to an embodiment, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing the method of the embodiment.

[0041] According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating device is provided. The aerosol generating device comprises: a cartridge, a vibrator configured to vibrate in response to a received control signal, a vibration accommodating unit configured to receive vibration from the vibrator and vibrate an aerosol generating substrate discharged from the cartridge to generate an aerosol, and a processor configured to generate at least one control signal for controlling the vibrator; the processor is further configured to: based on the power of the aerosol generating device being turned on, make the aerosol generating device work in a preheating mode, the preheating mode including controlling the vibrator to perform preheating, based on the completion of the preheating mode, make the aerosol generating device work in a power repetition control mode, the power repetition control mode including alternately repeating the operation of supplying power to the vibrator and the operation of cutting off the power supply to the vibrator, and based on sensing the user's puff during operation in the power repetition control mode, make the aerosol generating device work in a puffing mode, the puffing mode including supplying power to the vibrator to generate an aerosol.

[0042] According to one or more embodiments, the processor is further configured to switch from the power repetition control mode to the preheating mode based on repeated power control in which the operation of supplying power to the vibrator and the operation of cutting off the power supply to the vibrator are repeated for a prescribed number of times.

[0043] According to one or more embodiments, the preheat mode includes supplying a fixed amount of power to the vibrator during the preheat mode.

[0044] According to one or more embodiments, the suction mode sequentially includes: a first interval, applying a first voltage to the vibrator, a second interval, applying a second voltage less than the first voltage to the vibrator, and a blocking interval, blocking the application of voltage to the vibrator.

[0045] According to one or more embodiments, the processor is further configured to switch from the puff mode to the power repetition control mode based on the end of the user's inhalation before the end of the first interval.

[0046] According to one or more embodiments, the processor is further configured to switch from the puff mode to the power repetition control mode based on the end of the user's inhalation before the end of the second interval.

[0047] Although commonly used terms are selected to describe the embodiments, the meaning of the terms may vary according to the intention of a technician in the technical field to which the embodiments belong, precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In addition, in certain cases, the terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant. In this case, the meaning of the terms will be described in detail in the corresponding parts of the present disclosure. Therefore, when interpreting the terms used to illustrate the embodiments, they should be defined based on the meaning of the terms and the content of the current specification, rather than simply limiting the terms to their names.

[0048] Throughout the description, when a part "includes" a specific component, unless otherwise specified, it means that other elements may also be included, rather than excluding other elements. In addition, terms such as "-part", "-device" and "-module" recorded in the specification refer to units for processing at least one function and / or operation, and these units can be implemented by hardware components, software components and combinations thereof.

[0049] Below, non-limiting example embodiments will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the accompanying drawings show non-limiting example embodiments so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily implement the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the non-limiting example embodiments described herein.

[0050] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device in one embodiment.

[0051] Reference Figure 1 The aerosol generating device 10000 may include a battery 11000, an atomizer 12000, at least one sensor 13000, a user interface 14000, a memory 15000, and a processor 16000. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited to Figure 1 According to some embodiments of the aerosol generating device 10000, a person skilled in the art will understand that the aerosol generating device 10000 may be omitted. Figure 1 Some of the hardware components shown may be changed or new components may be added.

[0052] For example, the aerosol generating device 10000 may include a body (eg, a smokeless cartridge), wherein hardware components in the aerosol generating device 10000 are located in the body.

[0053] As another embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10000 may include a main body and a smoke cartridge, and the hardware components in the aerosol generating device 10000 are respectively located in the main body and the smoke cartridge. Alternatively, at least a part of the hardware components in the aerosol generating device 10000 may be respectively located in the main body and the smoke cartridge.

[0054] Next, the operation of each component will be described, and the accommodation space of each component in the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited.

[0055] The battery 11000 supplies the power required for the aerosol generating device 10000 to work. That is, the battery 11000 can supply power so that the atomizer 12000 can convert the aerosol generating substance into an aerosol. In addition, the battery 11000 can supply the power required for the hardware components (e.g., at least one sensor 13000; user interface 14000; memory 15000 and processor 16000) in the aerosol generating device 10000 to work. The battery 11000 can be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.

[0056] For example, the battery 11000 may include a nickel-based battery (e.g., a nickel-hydrogen battery and a nickel-cadmium storage battery) or a lithium-based battery (e.g., a lithium cobalt oxide battery, a lithium phosphate battery, a lithium titanate battery, a lithium ion battery, or a lithium polymer battery), however, the type of battery 11000 that can be used in the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment, the battery 11000 may also include an alkaline battery or a manganese battery.

[0057] The atomizer 12000 receives power from the battery 11000 under the control of the processor 16000. The atomizer 12000 may convert an aerosol generating substance stored in the aerosol generating device 10000 into an aerosol by receiving power from the battery 11000.

[0058] The atomizer 12000 may be located in the body of the aerosol generating device 10000. Alternatively, when the aerosol generating device 10000 includes a body and a cartridge, the atomizer 12000 may be located in the cartridge or may be located in the body and the cartridge separately. When the atomizer 12000 is located in the cartridge, the atomizer 12000 may receive power from a battery 11000 located in at least one of the body or the cartridge. In addition, when the atomizer 12000 is located in the body and the cartridge separately, a component in the atomizer 12000 that requires power may receive power from a battery 11000 located in at least one of the body and the cartridge.

[0059] The atomizer 12000 generates an aerosol from the aerosol generating substance in the cigarette cartridge. Aerosol refers to a suspended substance in which liquid and / or solid fine particles are dispersed in a gas. Therefore, the aerosol generated from the atomizer 12000 may refer to a state in which vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating substance are mixed with air. For example, the atomizer 12000 may convert the phase of the aerosol generating substance into a gas phase by vaporization and / or sublimation. In addition, the atomizer 12000 may generate an aerosol by granulating a liquid phase and / or a solid phase aerosol generating substance and discharging it.

[0060] For example, the nebulizer 12000 may generate aerosol from an aerosol generating substance using an ultrasonic vibration method. The ultrasonic vibration method may refer to an aerosol generating method that converts an aerosol generating substance into an aerosol using ultrasonic vibrations generated by a vibrator.

[0061] Although not in Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the atomizer 12000 may optionally include a heater that can heat the aerosol-generating substance by generating heat. The aerosol-generating substance can be heated by the heater, resulting in the generation of an aerosol.

[0062] The heater may be formed of any suitable resistive material. For example, suitable resistive materials may be metals or metal alloys including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nickel-chromium-iron alloy, etc., but are not limited thereto. In addition, the heater may be implemented by metal wires, metal plates provided with conductive tracks, ceramic heating elements, etc., but are not limited thereto.

[0063] For example, in one embodiment, the heater may be part of the cartridge. In addition, the cartridge may include a liquid transport element and a liquid storage unit to be described below. The aerosol-generating substance contained in the liquid storage unit may be moved to the liquid transport element, and the heater may heat the aerosol-generating substance absorbed by the liquid transport element, thereby generating an aerosol. For example, the heater may be wrapped around the liquid transport element or disposed adjacent to the liquid transport element.

[0064] As another example, the aerosol generating device 10000 may include a housing space that may house a cigarette, and the heater may heat the cigarette inserted into the housing space of the aerosol generating device 10000. Since the cigarette is housed in the housing space of the aerosol generating device 10000, the heater may be located inside and / or outside the cigarette. Therefore, the heater may generate aerosol by heating the aerosol generating substance in the cigarette.

[0065] The heater may include an induction heater. The heater may include a conductive coil for heating the cigarette or the cigarette cartridge by an induction heating method, and the cigarette or the cigarette cartridge may include a heat-sensitive body that can be heated by the induction heater.

[0066] The aerosol generating device 10000 may include at least one sensor 13000. The result sensed by the at least one sensor 13000 may be transmitted to the processor 16000, and the processor 16000 may control the aerosol generating device 10000 to perform various functions according to the sensed result, such as controlling the operation of the atomizer 12000, restricting smoking, confirming whether a cartridge (or cigarette) is inserted, displaying a notification, etc.

[0067] For example, at least one sensor 13000 may include a suction detection sensor. The suction detection sensor may sense the user's suction based on at least one of flow changes, pressure changes, and sound sensing of an airflow introduced from the outside. The suction detection sensor may sense the start time and end time of the user's suction, and the processor 16000 may determine the suction cycle and the non-suction cycle according to the sensed suction start time and end time.

[0068] In addition, at least one sensor 13000 may include a user input sensor. The user input sensor may be a sensor such as a switch, a physical button, a touch sensor, etc. that can receive user input. For example, the touch sensor may be a capacitive sensor that can sense the user's input by sensing the capacitance change that occurs when the user touches a specific area formed by a metal material. The processor 16000 may determine whether the user input occurs by comparing the values ​​before and after the capacitance change received from the capacitive sensor. When the value obtained by comparing the values ​​before and after the capacitance change is greater than a preset threshold, the processor 16000 may determine that the user input occurs.

[0069] In addition, at least one sensor 13000 may include a motion sensor. Information about the motion of the aerosol generating device 10000 (such as the tilt, moving speed, acceleration, etc. of the aerosol generating device 10000) may be acquired through the motion sensor. For example, the motion sensor may measure information about the moving state of the aerosol generating device 10000, the stationary state of the aerosol generating device 10000, the state in which the aerosol generating device 10000 is tilted at an angle within a specific range for puffing, and the state in which the aerosol generating device 10000 is tilted at an angle different from that during the puffing operation between each puffing operation. The motion sensor may measure the motion information of the aerosol generating device 10000 by utilizing various known methods. For example, the motion sensor may include an acceleration sensor capable of measuring acceleration in three directions of the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis, and a gyroscope sensor capable of measuring angular velocity in three directions.

[0070] In addition, at least one sensor 13000 may include a proximity sensor. A proximity sensor is a sensor that detects the presence or distance of an object approaching or nearby using electromagnetic force, infrared light, etc. without mechanical contact. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether the user is approaching the aerosol generating device 10000.

[0071] In addition, at least one sensor 13000 may include an image sensor. For example, the image sensor may include a camera configured to acquire an image of an object. The image sensor may identify the object based on the image acquired by the camera. The processor 16000 may confirm whether the user is in a situation of using the aerosol generating device 10000 by analyzing the image acquired by the image sensor. For example, when the user uses the aerosol generating device 10000 by bringing the aerosol generating device 10000 close to his / her mouth, the image sensor may acquire a mouth image. When it is determined that the acquired image is a mouth, the processor 16000 may analyze the acquired image and determine that the user is in a situation of using the aerosol generating device 10000. Therefore, the aerosol generating device 10000 may operate the atomizer 12000 in advance, or may preheat the heater.

[0072] In addition, at least one sensor 13000 may include a consumable installation and removal sensor, which can sense the installation or removal of consumables (e.g., cigarette cartridges, cigarettes, etc.) that can be used in the aerosol generating device 10000. For example, the consumable installation and removal sensor can sense whether the consumable is in contact with the aerosol generating device 10000, or determine whether the consumable is installed or removed through an image sensor. In addition, the consumable installation and removal sensor can be an inductive sensor that senses changes in the inductance value of a coil, wherein the coil can interact with a mark of the consumable, or the consumable installation and removal sensor can be a capacitive sensor that senses changes in the capacitance value of a capacitor, wherein the capacitor can interact with a mark of the consumable.

[0073] In addition, at least one sensor 13000 may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may sense the heating temperature of the heater (or aerosol generating substance) of the atomizer 12000. The aerosol generating device 10000 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater, or the heater itself may serve as a temperature sensor without including a separate temperature sensor. Alternatively, even in the case where the heater serves as a temperature sensor, the aerosol generating device 10000 may further include a separate temperature sensor. In addition, the temperature sensor may sense not only the temperature of the heater but also the temperature of internal components of the aerosol generating device 10000 such as a printed circuit board (PCB), a battery, and the like.

[0074] In addition, the at least one sensor 13000 may include various sensors for measuring information related to the environment around the aerosol generating device 10000. For example, the at least one sensor 13000 may include: a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the environment; a humidity sensor for measuring the humidity of the environment; an air pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the environment, etc.

[0075] The at least one sensor 13000 in the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited to the above-mentioned types, and may also include various sensors. For example, the aerosol generating device 10000 may include: a fingerprint sensor that can obtain fingerprint information from a user's finger for user authentication and security purposes; an iris recognition sensor that analyzes the iris pattern of the pupil; a vein recognition sensor that senses the absorption amount of infrared light of reduced hemoglobin in the vein from a captured palm image; a face recognition sensor that recognizes feature points such as eyes, nose, mouth, face contours, etc. in a two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) manner; and a radio frequency (RFID) sensor, etc.

[0076] The aerosol generating device 10000 may be implemented by selecting only a portion of the various examples of the above-described at least one sensor 13000. In other words, the aerosol generating device 10000 may combine and use information sensed by at least one of the above-described sensors.

[0077] The user interface 14000 may provide the user with information related to the state of the aerosol generating device 10000. The user interface 14000 may include various interface units, such as a display or a light for outputting visual information, a motor for outputting tactile information, a speaker for outputting sound information, an input / output (I / O) interface unit (e.g., a button or a touch screen) for receiving information input by a user or outputting information to a user, a terminal for performing data communication or receiving charging power, and a communication interface module for wireless communication with an external device (e.g., Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), etc.).

[0078] According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10000 may be implemented by selecting only a portion of the various examples of the above-described user interface 14000 .

[0079] The memory 15000 may be a hardware component configured to store various data blocks processed in the aerosol generating device 10000, and the memory 15000 may store data processed or to be processed by the processor 16000. The memory 15000 may include various types of memories, for example, random access memories (RAMs) such as dynamic random access memories (DRAMs), static random access memories (SRAMs), read-only memories (ROMs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), and the like.

[0080] The memory 15000 may store data of the operation time of the aerosol generating device 10000, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature curve, a user's smoking pattern, and the like.

[0081] The processor 16000 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 10000. The processor 16000 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 executable by the microprocessor, which, when executed by the microprocessor, causes the processor 16000 to perform its functions described in the present disclosure. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the processor 16000 may be implemented in other hardware forms.

[0082] The processor 16000 analyzes a result sensed by the at least one sensor 13000 and controls a program to be subsequently executed.

[0083] The processor 16000 may control the power supplied to the nebulizer 12000 based on the result sensed by the at least one sensor 13000 to start or end the operation of the nebulizer 12000. In addition, the processor 16000 may control the amount of power supplied to the nebulizer 12000 and the power supply time based on the result sensed by the at least one sensor 13000 so that the nebulizer 12000 can generate an appropriate amount of aerosol. For example, the processor 16000 may control the current or voltage supplied to the vibrator of the nebulizer 12000 so that the vibrator of the nebulizer 12000 vibrates at a specific frequency.

[0084] In one embodiment, the processor 16000 may start operating the atomizer 12000 after receiving a user input of the aerosol generating device 10000. In addition, the processor 16000 may start operating the atomizer 12000 after sensing a user's puff using the puff detection sensor. In addition, when the number of puffs reaches a preset number after counting the number of puffs using the puff detection sensor, the processor 16000 may stop supplying power to the atomizer 12000.

[0085] Processor 16000 may control user interface 14000 based on the result sensed by at least one sensor 13000. For example, when the number of puffs reaches a preset number after counting the number of puffs using the puff detection sensor, processor 16000 may use at least one of a light, a motor, and a speaker to notify the user that aerosol generating device 10000 is about to stop working.

[0086] Although not in Figure 1 , the aerosol generating system may be composed of an aerosol generating device 10000 and a separately provided bracket. For example, the bracket may be used to charge the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating device 10000. For example, when the aerosol generating device 10000 is accommodated in the accommodating space of the bracket, the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating device 10000 may be charged by supplying power from the battery of the bracket to the aerosol generating device 10000.

[0087] An embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, which may include computer-executable instructions such as program modules that can be executed by a computer. Non-transitory computer-readable recording media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer, and includes all volatile and non-volatile media, as well as removable and non-removable media. In addition, non-transitory computer-readable recording media may include all computer storage media. Computer storage media include all volatile and non-volatile media, as well as removable and non-removable media that can be implemented by any method or technology for storing information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.

[0088] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device in the embodiment shown.

[0089] Figure 2 The aerosol generating device 10000 in the illustrated embodiment includes: a cartridge 2000 containing an aerosol generating substance; and a main body 1000 supporting the cartridge 2000. The main body 1000 may include a battery 1100, a processor 1200, and a vibrator 1300 that can generate ultrasonic vibrations under the control of the processor 1200. In addition, the cartridge 2000 may include a mouthpiece 2100, a liquid storage unit 2200, a vibration containing unit 2300, a liquid transmission element 2400, an aerosol discharge channel 2500, and an air flow channel 2600.

[0090] The cartridge 2000 may be combined with the main body 1000 in a state where the aerosol generating substance is contained. For example, since a portion of the cartridge 2000 is inserted into the main body 1000, or a portion of the main body 1000 is inserted into the cartridge 2000, the cartridge 2000 may be mounted on the main body 1000. At this time, the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 may be maintained in a combined state by a sliding fit method, a screw combination method, a magnetic coupling method, an interference fit method, etc., however, the combination method of the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 is not limited to the above methods.

[0091] The cartridge 2000 may include a mouthpiece 2100. The mouthpiece 2100 may be formed in a direction opposite to a portion coupled to the body 1000 and is a portion inserted into the user's mouth. The mouthpiece 2100 may include a discharge hole 2110 for discharging aerosol generated from an aerosol generating substance inside the cartridge 2000 to the outside.

[0092] The cigarette cartridge 2000 may include, for example, an aerosol-generating substance in any state of liquid, solid, gaseous, gel, etc. The aerosol-generating substance may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco material.

[0093] For example, the liquid composition may include one of water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, spices, flavorings and vitamin mixtures, or a mixture of these ingredients. Spices may include menthol, peppermint, peppermint oil, various fruit flavor ingredients, etc., but are not limited thereto. Flavorings may include ingredients that can provide various flavors or tastes to users. Vitamin mixtures may be a mixture of 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 substances such as glycerol and propylene glycol.

[0094] For example, the liquid composition may include a solution of glycerol and propylene glycol in any weight ratio with a nicotine salt added thereto. The liquid composition may include two or more types of nicotine salts. Nicotine salts may be formed by adding an appropriate amount of an acid including an organic acid or an inorganic acid to nicotine. Nicotine may be naturally occurring nicotine or synthetic nicotine and may have an appropriate weight concentration relative to the overall solution weight of the liquid composition.

[0095] The acid used to form the nicotine salt can be appropriately selected by considering the nicotine absorption rate in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 10000, the flavor or taste, the solubility, etc. For example, the acid used to form the nicotine salt can 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.

[0096] The cartridge 2000 may include a liquid storage unit 2200 containing an aerosol-generating substance therein. When the liquid storage unit 2200 "contains an aerosol-generating substance" therein, this means that the liquid storage unit 2200 functions as a container that simply holds the aerosol-generating substance, and the liquid storage unit 2200 contains therein an element impregnated with (containing) an aerosol-generating substance, such as a sponge, cotton, fabric, or porous ceramic structure.

[0097] The aerosol generating device 10000 may include an atomizer that generates an aerosol by converting the phase of an aerosol generating substance within the cartridge 2000 .

[0098] For example, the atomizer of the aerosol generating device 10000 may convert the phase of the aerosol generating substance using an ultrasonic vibration method, which refers to converting the aerosol generating substance into an aerosol by ultrasonic vibration. The atomizer may include: a vibrator 1300 for generating ultrasonic vibrations; a liquid transmission element 2400 for absorbing the aerosol generating substance and maintaining the aerosol generating substance in an optimal state for conversion into an aerosol; and a vibration accommodating unit 2300 for generating an aerosol by transmitting ultrasonic vibrations to the aerosol generating substance of the liquid transmission element 2400.

[0099] The vibrator 1300 may generate short-period vibrations. The vibrations generated from the vibrator 1300 may be ultrasonic vibrations, and for example, the frequency of the ultrasonic vibrations may be 100 kHz to 3.5 MHz. The aerosol-generating substance may be vaporized and / or granulated to be converted into an aerosol by the short-period vibrations generated from the vibrator 1300.

[0100] For example, the vibrator 1300 may include piezoelectric ceramics, and piezoelectric ceramics are functional materials that can generate electricity (voltage) through physical force (pressure), and conversely, when electricity is applied, convert the electricity into vibration (mechanical force). Therefore, vibration (physical force) can be generated by applying electricity to the vibrator 1300, and this small physical vibration can split the aerosol generating substance into small particles and convert the aerosol generating substance into aerosol.

[0101] The vibrator 1300 may be in electrical contact with the circuit through a spring pin or a C-clip. Therefore, the vibrator 1300 may generate vibration by receiving current from the spring pin or the C-clip. However, the type of element connected to the vibrator 1300 to provide current or voltage is not limited to the above description.

[0102] The vibration housing unit 2300 may receive vibration generated by the vibrator 1300 and convert the aerosol generating substance transmitted from the liquid storage unit 2200 into aerosol.

[0103] The liquid transmission element 2400 may transfer the liquid composition of the liquid storage unit 2200 to the vibration receiving unit 2300. For example, the liquid transmission element 2400 may be a core material including at least one of cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, and porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

[0104] In addition, the atomizer can be implemented by a vibration containing unit in a grid or plate form, which performs the function of absorbing the aerosol generating substance and maintaining the aerosol generating substance in an optimal state for conversion into aerosol without using a separate liquid transmission element, and performs the function of generating aerosol by transmitting vibration to the aerosol generating substance.

[0105] in addition, Figure 2 The vibrator 1300 of the atomizer in the illustrated embodiment is disposed in the main body 1000, and the vibration accommodation unit 2300 and the liquid transmission element 2400 are disposed in the cartridge 2000, but is not limited thereto. For example, the cartridge 2000 may include the vibrator 1300, the vibration accommodation unit 2300, and the liquid transmission element 2400, and when a portion of the cartridge 2000 is inserted into the main body 1000, the main body 1000 may supply power to the cartridge 2000 through a terminal (not shown), or supply the cartridge 2000 with a work-related signal of the cartridge 2000. Therefore, the work of the vibrator 1300 may be controlled.

[0106] At least a portion of the liquid storage unit 2200 of the cartridge 2000 may include a transparent material so that the aerosol generating substance contained in the cartridge 2000 can be visually identified from the outside. The mouthpiece 2100 and the liquid storage unit 2200 may be completely formed of a material such as transparent plastic, glass, etc., or only a portion of the liquid storage unit 2200 may be formed of a transparent material.

[0107] The cartridge 2000 of the aerosol generating device 10000 may include an aerosol discharge channel 2500 and an air flow channel 2600 .

[0108] The aerosol discharge channel 2500 may be formed in the liquid storage unit 2200 and may be in fluid communication with the discharge hole 2110 of the mouthpiece 2100. Therefore, the aerosol generated from the atomizer may move along the aerosol discharge channel 2500 and may be delivered to the user through the discharge hole 2110 of the mouthpiece 2100.

[0109] The airflow channel 2600 may be a channel for introducing external air into the aerosol generating device 10000. The external air introduced through the airflow channel 2600 may be introduced into the aerosol discharge channel 2500, or may be introduced into the aerosol generating space. Therefore, the aerosol may be formed by mixing vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating substance and the external air.

[0110] For example, Figure 2 As shown, the airflow channel 2600 may be formed to surround the outside of the aerosol discharge channel 2500. Therefore, the shape of the aerosol discharge channel 2500 and the airflow channel 2600 may be a sleeve-type shape, wherein the aerosol discharge channel 2500 is disposed on the inside, and the airflow channel 2600 is disposed on the outside of the aerosol discharge channel 2500. Therefore, external air may be introduced in a direction opposite to the direction in which the aerosol moves in the aerosol discharge channel 2500.

[0111] The structure of the airflow channel 2600 is not limited to the above description. For example, when the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 are combined, the airflow channel 2600 may be a space formed between the main body 1000 and the cartridge 2000 and is in fluid communication with the atomizer.

[0112] In the aerosol generating device 10000 of the above-described embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the main body 1000 and the cigarette cartridge 2000 in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction may be substantially circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, or a polygonal cross-sectional shape of various shapes. However, the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited to the above description, and the aerosol generating device 10000 is not necessarily limited to a structure that extends linearly when extending in the longitudinal direction. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 10000 may be bent into a streamlined shape or extend longer while being bent at a preset angle in a specific area for easy gripping by the user, and the cross-sectional shape may vary in the longitudinal direction.

[0113] Figure 3 is a flow chart showing an example of a method of controlling an aerosol generating device based on ultrasonic vibrations in the present disclosure.

[0114] Figure 3 Schematically showing the Figure 1 and Figure 2 The control method executed by the processor, wherein the processor can generate a control signal, and the vibrator can receive the control signal and work based on a series of instructions in the control signal. Figure 2 The description continues with the operation of the processor and the corresponding operation of the vibrator receiving the control signal.

[0115] First, in step S310, when the power of the aerosol generating device 10000 of an embodiment of the present disclosure is turned on, the processor 1200 sends a control signal, and the vibrator 1300 receiving the control signal starts preheating. In step S310, the step in which the vibrator 1300 receives the control signal from the processor 1200 can be called a preheating mode.

[0116] In step S310, a fixed amount of power may be provided to the vibrator 1300 during the duration of the preheating mode. Figure 4 A fixed amount of power supplied to the vibrator 1300 is described.

[0117] Then, in step S320, when the preheating of the vibrator 1300 is completed, the vibrator 1300 may receive a control signal from the processor 1200 to enter the power repetition control mode. In step S320, the power repetition control mode is a mode entered after the preheating is completed, and means a mode in which the operation of supplying power to the vibrator 1300 and cutting off the power supply to the vibrator 1300 is alternately repeated.

[0118] The power repetition control mode refers to a mode of waiting until the user takes a puff using the aerosol generating device 10000. When power is continuously supplied to the vibrator 1300 in the aerosol generating device 10000 (when the rated voltage is applied) even when preheating is completed, the vibrator 1300 may be damaged due to its exponential increase in temperature.

[0119] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to prevent the vibrator 1300 from being damaged, the power repetition control mode can be used as an intermediate mode, in which, when preheating is initially completed, the mode waits until the user's inhalation (puff) is sensed and aerosol is generated. In detail, the power repetition control mode repeats the operation of temporarily cutting off all power to the vibrator 1300 and then temporarily restoring the power to the vibrator 1300 before the preheating effect completely disappears, thereby preventing the vibrator 1300 from being damaged due to its exponential increase in temperature, and at the same time, when the user's inhalation is sensed, the aerosol can be quickly generated.

[0120] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the power repetition control mode is different from the method of the prior art in that the power repetition control mode has at least one interval in which the power supply to the vibrator 1300 is completely cut off after the preheating is initially completed. The conventional aerosol generating device using a heating type heater controls the heater in a manner that the temperature of the heater is steadily increased to a target temperature by a pulse width modulation (PWM) power signal or a ratio integral differential (PID) control method. In this operation, even when the preheating of the heater is completed, the power supply to the heater is not completely cut off (stopped). The reason is that the heating type heater can maintain a constant temperature by a ratio of a PWM power signal or PID control without cutting off the power supply.

[0121] Since the vibrator 1300 of the aerosol generating device 10000 based on ultrasonic vibration has the characteristic of vibrating at a preset frequency, after the vibrator 1300 is powered for a specific period of time and preheating is completed, when the user does not use the device, it is necessary to cut off the power supply to the vibrator 1300 for another specific period of time, thereby minimizing the situation where the vibrator 1300 is overheated and damaged. Figure 4 Schematic illustration describing the power repetitive control mode.

[0122] In step S330, the processor 1200 may determine whether the user's puff is sensed by the various puff detection sensors described above, and when the user's puff is sensed during the operation of the vibrator 1300 in the power repetition control mode, the power repetition control mode may be terminated, and the vibrator 1300 may be controlled to generate aerosol. In particular, when the user's puff is sensed, the processor 1200 transmits a control signal to the vibrator 1300 to control the vibrator 1300 to vibrate according to a preset temperature curve to generate aerosol.

[0123] In step S350, when the vibrator 1300 does not sense the user's suction during operation in the power repetition control mode, the processor 1200 may terminate the power repetition control mode after the power repetition control mode is repeated a certain number of times (fixed number of times) or after a certain time (fixed time).

[0124] Figure 4 It is schematically shown Figure 3 A diagram of a method of controlling power supplied to a vibrator is shown.

[0125] exist Figure 4 In the present invention, for convenience, the above-mentioned power repetition control mode is abbreviated as the suction waiting mode. Figure 4 , the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents power supplied to the vibrator 1300. Figure 4 2 shows that the power supplied to the vibrator 1300 in a specific interval is the same, but the voltage values ​​applied to the vibrator 1300 in the specific interval may be different from each other.

[0126] like Figure 4 As shown, the vibrator 1300 of the aerosol generating device in one embodiment of the present disclosure receives a control signal from the processor 1200 and operates in a manner of generating aerosol during the preheating mode 410, the puff waiting mode 430 and the puff mode 450. In particular, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As described above, when the vibration accommodation unit 2300 of the cartridge 2000 receiving the vibration of the vibrator 1300 vibrates the liquid composition immersed in the liquid transmission element 2400 , aerosol may be generated.

[0127] The vibrator 1300 may be preheated by receiving fixed power during a period set in the preheating mode. At this time, the voltage used to supply power to the vibrator 1300 may be any value selected from 10 volts (V) to 15 V. As an exemplary embodiment, the voltage supplied to the vibrator 1300 in the preheating mode may be 13 V.

[0128] When the preheating of the vibrator 1300 is completed, the preheating mode 410 is terminated and enters the puff waiting mode 430. In the puff waiting mode 430, the puff waiting OFF interval in which the power supply to the vibrator 1300 is temporarily cut off and the puff waiting heating interval after the puff waiting OFF interval in which the power supply to the vibrator 1300 is temporarily restored may be repeated alternately.

[0129] The puff waiting off interval is an interval in which the power supplied to the vibrator 1300 is temporarily cut off, which can prevent the vibrator 1300 from being damaged due to a sudden increase in temperature when vibrating excessively. The puff waiting heating interval refers to temporarily restoring the power supply to the vibrator 1300 to convert the state of the vibrator 1300 preliminarily preheated in the preheating mode 410 into a state that easily generates aerosol.

[0130] Since the suction waiting OFF interval and the suction waiting heating interval are intervals in which the power supplied to the vibrator 1300 is repeatedly turned on / off, the control signal for implementing the suction waiting mode 430 may be a PWM signal with a constant duty cycle. As an example, the processor 1200 may generate a PWM signal with a 50% duty cycle to implement the suction waiting mode 430, and the time lengths of the suction waiting OFF interval and the suction waiting heating interval of the vibrator 1300 receiving such a control signal are the same. As another example, the control signal for implementing the suction waiting mode 430 may also be a PWM signal having a duty cycle with a value selected from the range of 40% to 60%.

[0131] When the user's inhalation is sensed in the puff waiting mode 430, the vibrator 1300 may operate in the puff mode 450 by receiving a control signal from the processor 1200. In the puff mode 450, aerosol may be generated by supplying a fixed amount of power to the vibrator 1300. When a preset number of puffs is reached or a preset puff time has passed, the puff mode 450 of the vibrator 1300 ends.

[0132] like Figure 4 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the aerosol generating device 10000 based on ultrasonic vibration can receive a control signal from the processor 1200, and includes a vibrator 1300 that operates in a preheating mode 410, a puff waiting mode 430, and a puff mode 450 in sequence, so that the vibrator 1300 can be prevented from overheating, and aerosol can be stably provided to the user. In particular, the control method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure alternately repeats the puff waiting off interval and the puff waiting heating interval in the puff waiting mode 430 of the vibrator 1300, so that the vibrator 1300 can be prevented from being damaged.

[0133] Figure 5 is a flow chart showing another example of a method of controlling an aerosol generating device based on ultrasonic vibration in the present disclosure.

[0134] Figure 5 It is particularly shown that the above reference Figure 3 A flow chart of another example of a puffing mode 450 in the described control method. Figure 5In the embodiment, it is assumed that the user's suction is sensed in the suction waiting mode 430 and then the vibrator 1300 enters the suction mode 450. Figures 2 to 4 Give a description.

[0135] In step S510, the control signal of the puff mode 450 received from the processor 1200 may control the vibrator 1300 to enter the puff high state. In step S510, the puff high state refers to a state in which a relatively high power is supplied to the vibrator 1300 for a specific time so that the vibrator 1300 operating in the puff standby mode 430 vibrates to generate aerosol.

[0136] In the suction high state, a preset voltage may be applied to the vibrator 1300 for a preset time. For ease of explanation, in the suction high state, the preset voltage applied to the vibrator 1300 and the interval for maintaining the voltage for a preset time refer to a first voltage and a first interval, respectively. In addition, below, the occurrence of a timeout of a specific state refers to the passage of a preset maintenance time.

[0137] Then, in step S520, when the timeout of the suction high state occurs, in step S530, the vibrator 1300 may be controlled by the control signal to be in the suction low state. Here, in the suction low state, a preset voltage may be applied to the vibrator 1300 within a preset time. For ease of explanation, in the suction low state, the preset voltage applied to the vibrator 1300 and the interval in which the voltage is maintained within the preset time refer to the second voltage and the second interval, respectively.

[0138] The first voltage applied to the vibrator 1300 is greater than the second voltage. As an example, the first voltage may be a voltage value selected from 12V to 14V, and the second voltage may be a voltage value selected from 9V to 11V. According to an embodiment, the first voltage may be 13V, and the second voltage may be 10V.

[0139] The time length of the first interval may be the same as or different from the time length of the second interval. In addition, the time lengths of the first interval and the second interval may be affected by the time length of the blocking interval to be described below.

[0140] The processor 1200 determines whether the second interval, ie, the maintenance interval of the suction low state, has timed out, and when the second interval timeout occurs in step S540, the vibrator 1300 may receive a control signal from the processor 1200 to enter the suction blocking state in step S550.

[0141] No voltage is applied to the vibrator 1300 operating in the puff blocking state. In order to prevent the vibrator 1300 from being damaged by overheating in the step of generating aerosol by fully operating, in the puff blocking mode, even if there is any input, the external signal is blocked for a certain period of time, so that the vibrator 1300 does not operate. The interval in which the vibrator 1300 maintains the puff blocking state can be abbreviated as a blocking interval similar to the first interval and the second interval.

[0142] The processor 1200 determines whether the blocking interval has timed out. When the blocking interval has timed out in step S560, the vibrator 1300 may receive a control signal from the processor 1200 to enter the puff waiting mode in step S570. As another example of step S570, when the blocking interval has timed out, the aerosol generating device 10000 may enter a sleep mode or its power supply may be disconnected to minimize the power consumption of the battery 1100 in preparation for the user's next puff.

[0143] Next, we will refer to Figure 6 The principles of the first interval, the second interval and the blocking interval are described.

[0144] Figure 6 Schematically shown is a graph of power versus time for a vibrator operating in suction mode.

[0145] Due to the description and reference to the preheating mode 610 and the suction waiting mode 630 Figure 4 The descriptions of the preheating mode 410 and the suction standby mode 430 are the same, and therefore, duplicate descriptions will be omitted below.

[0146] Figure 6 The suction pattern shown in the figure is different from Figure 4 The suction pattern shown in the figure. Figure 4 In the puff mode 450, the same voltage is applied to the vibrator 1300 to generate aerosol during the puff mode, however, Figure 6 The puff mode 650 is divided into a puff high state 651, a puff low state 653, and a puff blocked state 655, wherein aerosol is generated only by applying voltage to the vibrator 1300 in the puff high state 651 and the puff low state 653, and in the puff blocked state 655, no voltage is applied to the vibrator 1300.

[0147] Figure 6 The suction mode 650 is characterized by being sequentially composed of a suction high state 651, a suction low state 653, and a suction blocking state 655. The voltages applied to the vibrator 1300 in the suction high state 651 and the suction low state 653 are respectively the first voltage and the second voltage, and as shown in FIG. Figure 5In the description made, the first voltage may be a voltage value selected from 12V to 14V, and the second voltage may be a voltage value selected from 9V to 11V. According to an embodiment, the first voltage may be 13V, and the second voltage may be 10V.

[0148] The ratio between the duration of the first interval (duration of the puff high state 651), the duration of the second interval (duration of the puff low state 653), and the duration of the blocking interval (duration of the puff blocking state 655) may be a preset value. For example, the ratio of the time lengths of the first interval, the second interval, and the blocking interval may be 2:3:1. Here, a suitable ratio may be selected as the ratio of the time lengths of the first interval, the second interval, and the blocking interval to prevent the vibrator 1300 from being damaged while stably generating the aerosol, and the ratio may be a value predetermined experimentally, empirically, and / or numerically.

[0149] exist Figure 6 In the aspect that the suction blocking state 655 is temporarily no voltage applied to the vibrator 1300, the suction blocking state 655 is similar to the suction waiting closing interval of the suction waiting mode 630. However, there are the following differences between the suction blocking state 655 and the suction waiting closing interval of the suction waiting mode 630. In the suction waiting closing interval, when the user's suction is sensed, the vibrator 1300 is immediately switched to the suction mode 650 and an aerosol is generated. However, the suction blocking state 655 is an interval in which the work of the vibrator 1300 is forcibly blocked. That is, in the suction blocking state 655, even if the user's suction is detected, all signals are blocked, so that no voltage is applied to the vibrator 1300 to drive the vibrator 1300. The reason is that an aerosol has been generated in the suction high state 651 and the suction low state 653 before the suction blocking state 655.

[0150] Vibrator 1300 Figure 6 The operation from the first interval to the blocking interval in the suction mode 650 is as follows. For convenience, it is assumed that the ratio of the time length from the first interval to the blocking interval is 2:3:1, and the first voltage and the second voltage are 13V and 10V, respectively.

[0151] The vibrator 1300 that enters the suction high state 651 operates for 2 seconds in a state where a 13V voltage is applied. Subsequently, when a timeout occurs after 2 seconds, the vibrator 1300 enters the suction low state 653 and operates for 3 seconds in a state where a 10V voltage is applied. When a timeout occurs after 3 seconds, the vibrator 1300 enters the suction blocking state 655, no voltage is applied to the vibrator 1300, and even if there is an external control signal, all signals are blocked, and the suction blocking state 655 is maintained for 1 second. When the suction blocking state 655 times out, the suction mode 650 can end, and as described with reference to Figure 5 For the purpose of illustration, the vibrator 1300 may be switched to the suction standby mode 630 .

[0152] Through the above operations, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the suction mode 650 can be reasonably controlled, and the vibrator 1300 can be prevented from being damaged, and a uniform amount of aerosol can be generated each time.

[0153] Figure 7 It is a diagram for explaining the situation where an event occurs in the high suction state.

[0154] especially, Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing that when Figure 6 FIG. 1300 is a diagram showing the working characteristics of the vibrator 1300 when the user's inhalation interruption 799 is sensed in the suction high state 651 of the suction mode 650 of FIG. Figure 7 is referred to as suction mode 750).

[0155] Due to the description and reference to the preheating mode 710 and the suction waiting mode 730 Figure 4 The descriptions of the preheating mode 410 and the suction standby mode 430 are the same, and therefore, duplicate descriptions will be omitted below.

[0156] exist Figure 7 In the process where the vibrator 1300 enters the suction mode 750 and is applied with the first voltage according to the suction high state and works, when the processor 1200 senses the interruption of the user's inhalation through the suction detection sensor, etc., the suction mode 750 is immediately terminated, and the working mode of the vibrator 1300 is switched to the suction standby mode 770. Here, the suction standby mode 770 entered after the suction mode 750 has the same characteristics as the suction standby mode 730 before the suction mode 750.

[0157] exist Figure 7 In the embodiment, the point where the user's inhalation interruption is sensed is before the timeout of the high suction state occurs. For example, after switching to the suction mode 750, the first voltage is maintained for 2 seconds in the high suction state. When the user's inhalation interruption is sensed within 1 second after switching to the suction mode 750, the vibrator 1300 can enter the suction waiting mode 770.

[0158] Figure 7 The switching algorithm of the puff waiting mode 770 shown can prevent the situation where an unnecessary voltage is applied to the vibrator 1300 to generate aerosol even when the user's inhalation is not sensed. In addition, since the puff low state and the puff blocking state are omitted and the vibrator 1300 is immediately switched to the puff waiting mode 770, the user can quickly inhale the aerosol again.

[0159] Figure 8 2 is a diagram showing a situation where an event occurs in a low suction state.

[0160] especially, Figure 8 It is schematically shown in Figure 6 Graph of operating characteristics of the vibrator 1300 when a user inhalation interruption 899 is sensed in the suction low state 653 of the suction mode 650.

[0161] Due to the description and reference to the preheating mode 810, the suction waiting mode 830 and the suction waiting mode 870 Figure 4 , the description of the preheating mode 410 and the suction waiting mode 430 is the same as that of the reference Figure 7 , the description of the suction waiting mode 770 is the same, so the repeated description will be omitted below.

[0162] exist Figure 8 In the process where the vibrator 1300 enters the suction mode 850 and is applied with the second voltage according to the suction low state, when the processor 1200 senses the interruption of the user's inhalation through the suction detection sensor, etc., the suction mode 850 is immediately terminated, and the working mode of the vibrator 1300 is switched to the suction waiting mode 870. Among them, the suction waiting mode 870 after the suction mode 850 has the same characteristics as the suction waiting mode 830 before the suction mode 850.

[0163] exist Figure 8 In the embodiment, the point where the user's inhalation interruption is sensed is before the timeout of the suction low state occurs. For example, after switching to the suction mode 850, the second voltage is maintained for 3 seconds in the suction low state, and when the user's inhalation interruption is sensed within 2 seconds after switching to the suction low state, the vibrator 1300 can enter the suction waiting mode 870.

[0164] Figure 8 The switching algorithm of the puff waiting mode 870 shown can prevent the situation where an unnecessary voltage is applied to the vibrator 1300 to generate aerosol even when the user's inhalation is not sensed. In addition, since the puff blocking state is omitted and the vibrator 1300 is immediately switched to the puff waiting mode 870, the user can quickly inhale the aerosol again.

[0165] Fig. 9is a flowchart showing another example of a method for controlling an aerosol generating device based on ultrasonic vibration in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0166] More specifically, Fig. 9 This is a diagram for explaining the operation of an ultrasonic vibration-based aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure omitting the preheating mode and immediately entering the inhalation waiting mode. Figure 2 right Fig. 9 Described.

[0167] First, in step S910, when a user turns on the power of the ultrasonic vibration-based aerosol generating device, in step S920, the processor 1200 determines whether an idle period of the aerosol generating device is less than a reference time.

[0168] In step S920, the idle period is a time value obtained by timing the time elapsed since the aerosol generating device was not used by the user, and the processor 1200 may detect the idle period based on the last use time of the aerosol generating device. The processor 1200 may detect the interval between the last use time of the aerosol generating device stored in the memory and the current time as the idle period. As another example, the processor 1200 may also directly obtain the idle period based on a timer provided separately for timing the idle period.

[0169] According to an embodiment, in step S920, the processor 1200 may also omit the preheating mode after determining whether the preset preheating time is set to a value greater than 0 seconds without detecting the idle period and comparing the idle period with the reference time. This embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig.14 Provide explanation.

[0170] When the idle period based on the size is less than the preset reference time, the processor 1200 can directly enter the suction waiting mode in step S320 by controlling the vibrator 1300 (refer to Figure 3 ), and in step S930, the preheating mode of the vibrator 1300 is omitted.

[0171] On the other hand, when the idle period is greater than the preset reference time, the processor 1200 may control the vibrator 1300 to enter the preheating mode in step S940 to improve the aerosol generation efficiency.

[0172] Fig.10 A diagram of time versus power is schematically shown with the preheating mode omitted.

[0173] Due to the description and reference to the suction waiting mode 1030 Figure 4The description of the suction standby mode 430 is the same, and the repeated description will be omitted below.

[0174] Reference Fig.10 In the timeline of the middle figure, when the power of the aerosol generating device is turned on, the processor 1200 determines whether to omit the preheating mode (1010), and it can be seen that since the preheating mode is omitted, the vibrator 1300 immediately enters the puff waiting mode 1030.

[0175] Fig.11 is a flowchart showing another example of a method for controlling an aerosol generating device based on ultrasonic vibration in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0176] More specifically, Fig.11 This is a flowchart showing an embodiment in which the number of times of entering the puff wait heating interval in the puff wait mode (power repetition control mode) is predetermined.

[0177] In step S1110 , when the power of the aerosol generating device 10000 based on ultrasonic vibration is turned on, the processor 1200 controls the vibrator 1300 to start preheating.

[0178] In step S1120, when the preheating of the vibrator 1300 is completed, the processor 1200 controls the vibrator 1300 to enter the power repetition control mode, and in step S1130, determines whether the preset puff waiting heating number is greater than the accumulated puff number.

[0179] In step S1130, the number of puff waiting heating times refers to the number of times the vibrator 1300 enters the puff waiting heating interval in the power repetition control mode, and can be set in advance. In step S1130, the cumulative number of puffs is the number of puffs accumulated by the user, and usually becomes 0 unless the user continuously uses the device without disconnecting the device power supply.

[0180] In step S1140, when the number of puff waiting heating times is set to an integer value greater than 0, the vibrator 1300 enters the puff waiting heating interval based on the preset number of puff waiting heating times. The situation in which the vibrator 1300 repeatedly and alternately enters the puff waiting heating interval and the puff waiting off interval in step S1140 has been referred to. Figure 4 Described.

[0181] On the other hand, in step S1150, when the puff waiting heating number is less than the cumulative puff number, the vibrator 1300 is maintained in the puff waiting off interval. In step S1150, the puff waiting off interval can be maintained until the user disconnects the power supply of the device, or the user's puff is sensed and the device switches to the puff mode.

[0182] Fig.12It is a schematic illustration Fig.11 A graph showing the number of puffs waiting to heat up.

[0183] Due to the description and reference of the preheating mode 1210 and the suction waiting mode 1230 Figure 4 The descriptions of the preheating mode 410 and the suction standby mode 430 are the same, so the repeated descriptions are omitted below.

[0184] Reference Fig.12 It can be seen that, in order to protect the device, the vibrator 1300 that has been preliminarily preheated enters the suction waiting closing interval once, and in step S1250, the processor 1200 determines the preset suction waiting heating number of times.

[0185] As an example, when the number of puff waiting heating determined by the processor 1200 is 4 times and the cumulative number of puffs is 0, the number of times the puff waiting heating interval is entered in the puff waiting mode 1230 is a total of 4 times. Fig.12 As shown, it can be known that the vibrator 1300 enters the suction waiting heating interval and the suction waiting closing interval alternately, and the number of times it enters the suction waiting heating interval is a total of 4 times.

[0186] Reference Fig.11 and Fig.12 The described embodiment is about the total number of times the puff waiting heating interval is generated until the user's puff is sensed in the state where the preheating of the vibrator 1300 is completed. When an appropriate number of puff waiting heating times is set, it is possible to minimize the length of the puff waiting mode while preventing the battery 1100 of the aerosol generating device from being wasted.

[0187] Fig.13 A graph showing time versus power supplied to the vibrator when the puff high time is set to zero.

[0188] Due to the description and reference to the preheating mode 1310 and the suction waiting mode 1330 Figure 4 The descriptions of the preheating mode 410 and the suction standby mode 430 are the same, and therefore, duplicate descriptions are omitted below.

[0189] As reference Figure 6 In the description, the suction mode may include a suction high state, a suction low state, and a suction blocking state. However, when the suction high time that determines the duration of the suction high state is set to 0, after the vibrator 1300 enters the suction mode, the vibrator 1300 may be immediately applied with a voltage in the suction low state and work.

[0190] Fig.13It is schematically shown that the puff high time is set to 0 and reaches the puff low state 1351 from the starting point of the puff mode 1350. In particular, the processor 1200 can check the puff high time at the time point 1399 when the puff is sensed, and control the vibrator 1300 to enter the puff low state 1351 and operate based on the puff high time being 0.

[0191] Fig.14 Yes Description Figures 3 to 13 Flowcharts of all embodiments shown.

[0192] especially, Fig.14 yes Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Fig. 9 as well as Fig.11 The flowchart is integrated into a flowchart diagram, and the processor 1200 can be based on Fig.14 The control algorithm shown in FIG. 1 sequentially and repeatedly controls the operation of the vibrator 1300 by generating a control signal. Fig.14 By controlling the vibrator 1300 in this way, the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be prevented from being damaged due to overheating of the vibrator 1300, and at the same time, the aerosol generating device can be controlled to generate a uniform amount of aerosol per inhalation.

[0193] First, in step S1410, the processor 1200 determines whether a preset preheating time is greater than 0, and when the preset preheating time is greater than 0, in step S1420, the vibrator 1300 is controlled to operate in a preheating mode.

[0194] In step S1430, when the preheating mode times out, the processor 1200 controls the vibrator 1300 to enter the power repetition control mode (puff waiting mode).

[0195] In step S1440, the processor 1200 can check whether the preset puff waiting heating number is greater than the cumulative puff number after the first puff waiting closing interval, and when the puff waiting heating number is greater than the cumulative puff number, in step S1450, the vibrator 1300 can be controlled to enter the puff waiting heating interval and work.

[0196] During the process of entering the puff waiting heating interval or the puff waiting closing interval and operating, when the user's puff is sensed, the processor 1200 can control the vibrator 1300 to enter the puff mode and operate.

[0197] In addition, in step S1460, before the vibrator 1300 enters the suction mode, the processor 1200 may determine whether the preset suction high time is greater than 0, and control the vibrator 1300 to enter the suction high state and operate only when the suction high time is greater than 0. In one embodiment, as described above, the vibrator 1300 may be applied with a 13V voltage for 2 seconds in the suction high state.

[0198] On the other hand, in step S1480, when the suction high time is not greater than 0 or the suction high state of the vibrator 1300 times out, the processor 1200 can control the vibrator 1300 to enter the suction low state and work. In one embodiment, as described above, the vibrator 1300 can be applied with a 10V voltage for 3 seconds in the suction low state.

[0199] In step S1490, when the suction low state of the vibrator 1300 times out, the processor 1200 may control the vibrator 1300 to enter the suction blocking state. As described above, the vibrator 1300 entering the suction blocking state may block the control signal to the vibrator 1300 for a specific period of time to prevent the vibrator 1300 from overheating during the process of generating aerosol.

[0200] The ultrasonic vibration-based aerosol generating device of the embodiment of the present disclosure is a device that operates in a preheating mode, a power repetition control mode (puff waiting mode) and a puff mode, and includes a control algorithm for preventing damage due to overheating of the vibrator and for ensuring that a uniform amount of aerosol is generated in each puff.

[0201] In particular, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the aerosol generating device based on ultrasonic vibration can prevent the vibrator from overheating by entering the puff waiting closed interval at least once after the first preheating is completed, and after the user's puffing is completed, the vibrator can be placed in the puff blocking state alone to block all user inputs and prevent the consumption of the aerosol generating device.

[0202] In addition, the ultrasonic vibration-based aerosol generating device of the embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a control algorithm that does not maintain an unnecessary puffing pattern when the user's inhalation is sensed and then quickly interrupted.

[0203] In particular, the embodiments described in the present disclosure are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure in any way. For the sake of brevity, traditional electronic products, control systems, software development, and other functional aspects of the system may not be described in detail. In addition, the connecting lines or connectors shown in the various drawings are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and / or physical or logical combinations between various elements. It should be noted that in the device of the embodiments of the present disclosure, many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections, or logical connections may exist. In addition, unless an element is explicitly described as "indispensable" or "critical", items or components are not essential in executing the concept of the present invention.

[0204] In the context of the description of the present disclosure (especially in the context of the appended claims), the terms "one", "a", "said" and similar referents are interpreted as including singular or plural. In addition, unless otherwise specified, the statement of the numerical range herein is only used as a shorthand method to refer to each individual value within the range, and each individual value is included in the specification, such as listed separately in this article. In addition, the steps of all methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order, unless otherwise specified in the text or there is a clear contradiction with the context. The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the order of the above steps. Herein, the use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (for example, "such as"), is intended only to better illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Various modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device generating an aerosol based on ultrasonic vibrations of a vibrator in the aerosol generating device, the method being executed by at least one processor, wherein: The method comprises: Based on the aerosol generating device being powered on, the aerosol generating device is operated in a preheating mode to preheat the vibrator, Based on the completion of the preheating mode, the aerosol generating device is operated in a power repetition control mode, in which the operation of supplying power to the vibrator and the operation of cutting off the power supply to the vibrator are repeated alternately, and Based on sensing a user's puff during operation in the power repetition control mode, the aerosol generating device is operated in a puff mode in which power is supplied to the vibrator to generate aerosol.

2. The method for controlling an aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The method further comprises: The power repetition control mode is switched to the preheating mode based on repeated power control in which an operation of supplying power to the vibrator and an operation of cutting off the power supply to the vibrator are repeated a predetermined number of times.

3. The method for controlling an aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The preheat mode includes supplying a fixed amount of power to the vibrator during the preheat mode.

4. The method of controlling an aerosol generating device according to claim 3, wherein: The voltage applied in the preheating mode is any voltage selected from 10V to 15V.

5. The method for controlling an aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The puffing mode includes the following intervals divided based on duration: In a first interval, a first voltage is applied to the vibrator. In a second interval, a second voltage lower than the first voltage is applied to the vibrator, and The blocking section blocks application of voltage to the vibrator.

6. The method of controlling an aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein: The ratio of the time lengths of the first interval, the second interval, and the blocking interval is a preset ratio value.

7. The method of controlling an aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein: The ratio of the time lengths is 2:3:

1.

8. The method of controlling an aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein: The method further includes switching from the puff mode to the power repetition control mode based on the user's inhalation ending before the first interval ends.

9. The method of controlling an aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein: The method further includes switching from the puff mode to the power repetition control mode based on the user's inhalation ending before the second interval ends.

10. The method of controlling an aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The puffing mode includes the following intervals divided based on duration: In a second interval, a second voltage lower than the first voltage is applied to the vibrator, and A blocking interval for blocking the application of voltage to the vibrator; Operating in the suction mode includes: based on the value obtained for determining the time length of the first interval for applying the first voltage to the vibrator being less than or equal to 0, operating in the first interval not before the second interval, by including the second interval and the blocking interval in the suction mode.

11. The method of controlling an aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein: The operation in the inhalation mode includes maintaining power blocking to the vibrator until a power blocking state ends, so that application of voltage to the vibrator is blocked even if inhalation of a user is sensed during the power blocking state.

12. The method of controlling an aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: Operating in the power repetitive control mode includes controlling the vibrator using a pulse width modulation signal having a duty cycle having a value selected from a range of 40% to 60%.

13. The method of controlling an aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The method further comprises: after the power supply of the aerosol generating device is turned on, detecting an idle period based on a last usage time of the aerosol generating device, and Based on the detected idle period being less than a preset reference time, the power repetition control mode is entered without first preheating the vibrator.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, wherein: A program for executing the method for controlling an aerosol generating device according to claim 1 is stored.

15. An aerosol generating device, wherein: include: Cigarette bomb, a vibrator configured to vibrate in response to a received control signal, a vibration receiving unit configured to receive vibration from the vibrator and vibrate the aerosol generating substrate discharged from the cartridge to generate an aerosol, and a processor configured to generate at least one control signal for controlling the vibrator; The processor is further configured to: Based on the aerosol generating device being powered on, the aerosol generating device is operated in a preheating mode, wherein the preheating mode includes controlling the vibrator to perform preheating, upon completion of the preheating mode, operating the aerosol generating device in a power repetition control mode, wherein the power repetition control mode includes alternately repeating an operation of supplying power to the vibrator and an operation of cutting off power to the vibrator, and Based on sensing a user's puff during operation in the power repetition control mode, the aerosol generating device is operated in a puff mode, the puff mode including supplying power to the vibrator to generate an aerosol.

Images