Cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device

Abstract

According to one or more embodiments, a cartridge includes a connector including a plurality of terminals configured to provide electrical connection between the cartridge and an external device, a heater configured to be heated by current flowing through a first pair of terminals among the plurality of terminals, and a processor configured to count a number of times a signal is received through a second pair of terminals among the plurality of terminals, store the number of times corresponding to a result of the counting in a storage, and initialize the stored number of times when the plurality of terminals are short-circuited according to a predetermined pattern.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates to a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Recently, the demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes has increased. For example, the demand for aerosol-generating devices that generate aerosols by heating an aerosol-generating material instead of by burning a cigarette has increased. A cartridge including a liquid reservoir in which an aerosol-generating material is accommodated and an atomizer is detachably attached to an aerosol-generating device, and the aerosol-generating material accommodated in the cartridge is heated by power supplied from the aerosol-generating device to the cartridge.

[0003] When the aerosol-generating material accommodated in the liquid reservoir of the cartridge is completely consumed, the cartridge should be replaced. However, some users arbitrarily detach the spent cartridge and refill it with a liquid composition that is not a genuine product, which can be problematic in terms of hygiene. In addition, the cartridge and the aerosol can not work properly. SUMMARY

[0004] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0005] By recording the number of puffs in a storage embedded in a chip or a processor mounted in the cartridge and locking the cartridge based on the number of puffs, it is possible to prevent unauthorized users from repeatedly using the cartridge.

[0006] Although it is necessary to prevent the cartridge from being repeatedly used by unauthorized users, there is a demand to allow the cartridge to be properly recycled by authorized vendors in terms of the environment or policy. In order for the authorized vendors to collect the cartridges, inject a liquid composition into the collected cartridges, and resell the cartridges, a process of unlocking the cartridges is required. In this case, if there is a method of simply unlocking the cartridge instead of a complex method of, for example, replacing the chip or the processor in the cartridge, productivity can be improved.

[0007] TECHNICAL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0008] One or more embodiments will satisfy the foregoing requirements and provide a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device. The technical problems of the disclosure are not limited to the foregoing description, and other technical problems can be derived from the embodiments described below.

[0009] ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present disclosure provides a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device. In detail, the cartridge can include a connector including terminals for forming an electrical connection between the cartridge and an external device, and a processor for counting a number of times a signal is received through some of the terminals and storing information about the number of times corresponding to the count result. When the stored number of times is greater than a threshold value, the processor can lock the cartridge by blocking a current flowing to a heater, and thus can prevent the cartridge from being repeatedly used by an unauthorized user.

[0011] When the terminals of the connector are short-circuited according to a preset pattern, the processor can initialize the stored number of times. Since the cartridge can be unlocked by a simple method of short-circuiting the terminals of the connector according to a preset pattern, productivity can be improved in recycling the cartridge by an authorized vendor. In addition, the pattern for short-circuiting the terminals to unlock the cartridge is determined by the vendor in an initial process of supplying the cartridge, and thus arbitrary unlocking of the cartridge by an unauthorized user can be prevented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a coupling relationship between a replaceable cartridge containing an aerosol-generating material and an aerosol-generating device including the replaceable cartridge according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary operating state of an aerosol-generating device according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1

[0014] Figure 3 is another perspective view of an exemplary operating state of an aerosol-generating device according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1

[0015] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating hardware components of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a cartridge according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 6 is a view illustrating one end of a cartridge according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 is a view illustrating one end of a cartridge according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] ​​According to one or more embodiments, a cartridge includes a connector including a plurality of terminals configured to provide an electrical connection between the cartridge and an external device, a heater configured to be heated by a current flowing through a first pair of terminals among the plurality of terminals, and a processor configured to count a number of times a signal is received through a second pair of terminals among the plurality of terminals, store information about the number of times corresponding to a result of the counting in a storage, and control the storage to initialize the stored number of times when the plurality of terminals are short-circuited according to a preset pattern.

[0020] The processor can initialize the stored number of times when the first set of terminals are short-circuited and the second set of terminals are subsequently short-circuited within a preset period of time.

[0021] The first set of terminals can include a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal, the second set of terminals can include the third terminal and a fourth terminal, the first terminal and the third terminal can correspond to the first pair of terminals, and the second terminal and the fourth terminal can correspond to the second pair of terminals.

[0022] The first set of terminals can include a first terminal and a second terminal, the second set of terminals can include the second terminal and a third terminal, the first terminal and the second terminal can correspond to the first pair of terminals, and the first terminal and the third terminal can correspond to the second pair of terminals.

[0023] The first pair of terminals and the second pair of terminals can share a ground terminal.

[0024] A signal can be received through the second pair of terminals each time an operation associated with smoking by a user is detected by the aerosol-generating device.

[0025] A signal can be received through the second pair of terminals each time a puff is detected by the aerosol-generating device; and the processor is configured to block the current flowing through the first pair of terminals when the counted number of times reaches a threshold value.

[0026] Each of the plurality of terminals can have a pin structure including a spring.

[0027] Embodiments of the present application

[0028] As for the terms used in describing various embodiments, common terms which are currently widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can vary according to intentions of the applicant, judicial precedents, appearances of new technologies, and the like. In addition, in some cases, terms which are not commonly used can be selected. In such a case, the meanings of the terms will be described in detail at the corresponding portions in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.

[0029] In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms "-er", "-or", and "module" described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

[0030] As used herein, expressions such as "at least one of... " when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. For example, the expression "at least one of a, b, and c" should be understood as including only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, or all of a, b, and c.

[0031] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on", "above", "upper", "on top", "connected to", or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, above, or on top of the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers can be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on", "directly above", "directly connected to", or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like reference numerals denote like elements throughout.

[0032] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. The disclosure may, however, be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0033] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a coupling relationship between a replaceable cartridge containing an aerosol-generating material and an aerosol-generating device including the replaceable cartridge according to an embodiment.

[0035] According to Figure 1 The aerosol-generating device 5 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a cartridge 20 containing an aerosol-generating material and a main body 10 supporting the cartridge 20.

[0036] The cartridge 20 containing the aerosol-generating material can be coupled to the main body 10. A portion of the cartridge 20 is inserted into the accommodation space 19 of the main body 10 so that the cartridge 20 can be mounted on the main body 10.

[0037] The cartridge 20 can contain an aerosol-generating material in any one of, for example, a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, or a gel state. The aerosol-generating material can include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition can be a liquid including a tobacco-containing substance, a liquid having a volatile tobacco flavor component, and / or a liquid including a non-tobacco substance.

[0038] For example, the liquid composition can include one component of water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a flavoring, a flavoring agent, and a vitamin mixture, or a mixture of these components. The flavoring can include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit flavor components, but is not limited thereto. The flavoring agent can include a component capable of providing various flavors or tastes to a user. The vitamin mixture can be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the liquid composition can include an aerosol former such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0039] For example, the liquid composition can include a glycerin and propylene glycol solution to which a nicotine salt is added. The liquid composition can include two or more types of nicotine salts. The nicotine salt can be formed by adding a suitable acid including an organic acid or an inorganic acid to nicotine. The nicotine can be naturally generated nicotine or synthetic nicotine, and the nicotine can have any suitable weight concentration with respect to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

[0040] The acid used to form the nicotine salt can be appropriately selected in consideration of the rate of nicotine absorption in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol-generating device 5, the flavor or taste, the solubility, etc. For example, the acid used to form the nicotine salt can be a mono-acid selected from benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, decanoic 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, succonic acid, malonic acid, or malic acid, or the acid used to form the nicotine salt can be a mixture of two or more acids selected from the above, but is not limited thereto.

[0041] The cartridge 20 is operated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body 10 to perform a function of generating an aerosol by phase-transiting the aerosol-generating material within the cartridge 20 into a gas phase. The aerosol can refer to a gas in which vaporized particles generated from the aerosol-generating material are mixed with air.

[0042] For example, the cartridge 20 can transform the phase of the aerosol generating material by receiving an electrical signal from the main body 10 and heating the aerosol generating material, or by using an ultrasonic vibration method, or by using an induction heating method. As another example, when the cartridge 20 includes a power source of the cartridge itself, the cartridge 20 can generate an aerosol by being operated by an electrical control signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body 10 to the cartridge 20.

[0043] The cartridge 20 can include a liquid storage 21 in which the aerosol generating material is accommodated, and an atomizer that performs a function of transforming the aerosol generating material of the liquid storage 21 into an aerosol.

[0044] When the liquid storage 21 "accommodates the aerosol generating material", it means that the liquid storage 21 serves as a container that simply holds the aerosol generating material, and an element, such as a sponge, cotton, fabric, or porous ceramic structure, that includes (e.g., is impregnated with) the aerosol generating material is included in the liquid storage 21.

[0045] The atomizer can include, for example, a liquid transfer element (e.g., a wick) for absorbing the aerosol generating material and holding the aerosol generating material in an optimal state for transformation into an aerosol, and a heater that heats the liquid transfer element to generate an aerosol.

[0046] The liquid transfer element can include, for example, at least one of cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, and porous ceramic.

[0047] The heater can include a metal material such as copper, nickel, tungsten, or the like to heat the aerosol generating material transferred to the liquid transfer element by generating heat using electrical resistance. The heater can be implemented by, for example, a metal wire, a metal plate, a ceramic heating element, or the like, and can be implemented by a conductive wire wound around the liquid transfer element or disposed adjacent to the liquid transfer element, by using a material such as nichrome wire.

[0048] In addition, the atomizer can be implemented by a heating element in the form of a mesh or a plate that performs both a function of absorbing the aerosol generating material and holding the aerosol generating material in an optimal state for transformation into an aerosol without using a separate liquid transfer element, and a function of generating an aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material.

[0049] At least a portion of the liquid storage 21 of the cartridge 20 can include a transparent material so that the aerosol generating material accommodated in the cartridge 20 can be visually identified from the outside. The liquid storage 21 includes a protruding window 21a protruding from the liquid storage 21 so that the liquid storage 21 can be inserted into the groove 11 of the main body 10 when coupled to the main body 10. The mouthpiece 22 and the liquid storage 21 can be entirely formed of a transparent plastic or glass. Alternatively, only the protruding window 21a corresponding to a portion of the liquid storage 21 can be formed of a transparent material.

[0050] The main body 10 includes a connection terminal 10t disposed within the accommodation space 19. When the liquid storage 21 of the cartridge 20 is inserted into the accommodation space 19 of the main body 10, the main body 10 can supply power to the cartridge 20 through the connection terminal 10t, or the main body 10 can supply a signal related to the operation of the cartridge 20 to the cartridge 20.

[0051] The mouthpiece 22 is coupled to one end of the liquid storage 21 of the cartridge 20. The mouthpiece 22 is a portion of the aerosol generating device 5 to be inserted into the user's mouth. The mouthpiece 22 includes a discharge hole 22a for discharging the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material within the liquid storage 21 to the outside.

[0052] The slider 7 is coupled to the main body 10 to move relative to the main body 10. The slider 7 covers at least a portion of the mouthpiece 22 of the cartridge 20 coupled to the main body 10 or exposes at least a portion of the mouthpiece 22 to the outside by moving relative to the main body 10. The slider 7 includes an elongated hole 7a that exposes at least a portion of the protruding window 21a of the cartridge 20 to the outside.

[0053] The slider 7 has a container shape including a hollow space and two open ends. The structure of the slider 7 is not limited to the container shape as shown in the drawings, and the slider 7 can have a curved plate structure with a clip-shaped cross section capable of moving relative to the edge of the main body 10 while being coupled to the main body 10, or can have a structure with a curved half-cylinder and a curved arc-shaped cross section.

[0054] The slider 7 can include a magnetic body for maintaining the position of the slider 7 relative to the main body 10 and the cartridge 20. The magnetic body can include a permanent magnet or a material such as iron, nickel, cobalt, or an alloy thereof.

[0055] The magnetic bodies include two first magnetic bodies 8a facing each other with the inner space of the slider 7 interposed therebetween, and two second magnetic bodies 8b facing each other with the inner space of the slider 7 interposed therebetween. The first magnetic bodies 8a and the second magnetic bodies 8b are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the main body 10, which is a moving direction of the slider 7, i.e., a direction in which the main body 10 extends.

[0056] The main body 10 includes fixed magnetic bodies 9 arranged on a path along which the first magnetic bodies 8a and the second magnetic bodies 8b of the slider 7 move while the slider 7 moves with respect to the main body 10. The two fixed magnetic bodies 9 of the main body 10 can be mounted to face each other with the accommodation space 19 interposed therebetween.

[0057] Depending on the position of the slider 7, the slider 7 can be stably maintained in a position in which an end of the mouthpiece 22 is covered or exposed by a magnetic force acting between the fixed magnetic body 9 and the first magnetic body 8a or between the fixed magnetic body 9 and the second magnetic body 8b.

[0058] The main body 10 includes a position change detection sensor 3 arranged on a path along which the first magnetic bodies 8a and the second magnetic bodies 8b of the slider 7 move while the slider 7 moves with respect to the main body 10. The position change detection sensor 3 can include, for example, a Hall integrated circuit (IC) that detects a change in a magnetic field according to the Hall effect and generates a signal.

[0059] In the aerosol generating device 5 according to the above-described embodiments, the main body 10, the cartridge 20, and the slider 7 have a cross-sectional shape that is approximately rectangular in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, but the shape of the aerosol generating device 5 is not limited in the embodiments. The aerosol generating device 5 can have, for example, a cross-sectional shape that is circular, elliptical, square, or various polygonal. In addition, the aerosol generating device 5 need not be limited to a structure that extends linearly in a lengthwise direction, but can extend a long distance while being curved in a streamlined shape, or can be curved at a predetermined angle in a specific region to be easily held by a user.

[0060] Figure 2 is an example of an aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1

[0061] In Figure 2 ​In the middle, an operating state in which the slider 7 moves to a position in which the end of the mouthpiece 22 of the cartridge coupled with the main body 10 is covered is shown. In the state in which the slider 7 moves to the position in which the end of the mouthpiece 22 is covered, the mouthpiece 22 can be safely protected from external impurities and kept clean.

[0062] The user can check the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material contained in the cartridge by visually checking the protruding window 21a of the cartridge through the elongated hole 7a of the slider 7. The user can move the slider 7 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 10 to use the aerosol generating device 5.

[0063] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing another exemplary operating state of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1

[0064] In Figure 3 In the middle, an operating state in which the slider 7 moves to a position in which the end of the mouthpiece 22 of the cartridge coupled with the main body 10 is exposed to the outside is shown. In the state in which the slider 7 moves to the position in which the end of the mouthpiece 22 is exposed to the outside, the user can insert the mouthpiece 22 into his or her mouth and draw the aerosol discharged through the discharge hole 22a of the mouthpiece 22.

[0065] Even when the slider 7 moves to the position in which the end of the mouthpiece 22 is exposed to the outside, the protruding window 21a of the cartridge is exposed to the outside through the elongated hole 7a of the slider 7, and thus the user can visually check the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material contained in the cartridge.

[0066] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing hardware components of the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment.

[0067] Referring to Figure 4 , the aerosol generating device 400 can include a battery 410, a heater 420, a sensor 430, a user interface 440, a storage 450, and a controller 460. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 400 is not limited to the structure shown in Figure 4 , a person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that, Figure 4 some of the components shown in

[0068] ​In an embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 400 can include only the main body, in which case the components included in the aerosol-generating device 400 are located in the main body. In another embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 400 can include the main body and the cartridge, in which case the components included in the aerosol-generating device 400 are separately located in the main body and the cartridge. Alternatively, at least some of the components included in the aerosol-generating device 400 can be located in the main body and the cartridge, respectively.

[0069] Hereinafter, the operation of each of the components will be described without the location thereof in the aerosol-generating device 400.

[0070] The battery 410 supplies power used to operate the aerosol-generating device 400. In other words, the battery 410 can supply power so that the heater 420 can be heated. In addition, the battery 410 can supply power required for the operation of the other components included in the aerosol-generating device 400, i.e., the sensor 430, the user interface 440, the storage 450, and the controller 460. The battery 410 can be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 410 can be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0071] The heater 420 receives power from the battery 410 under the control of the controller 460. The heater 420 can receive power from the battery 410 and heat an aerosol-generating article inserted into the aerosol-generating device 400, or heat a cartridge mounted on the aerosol-generating device 400.

[0072] The heater 420 can be located in the main body of the aerosol-generating device 400. Alternatively, when the aerosol-generating device 400 includes the main body and the cartridge, the heater 420 can be located in the cartridge. When the heater 420 is located in the cartridge, the heater 420 can receive power from the battery 410 located in at least one of the main body and the cartridge.

[0073] The heater 420 can be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, the suitable electrically resistive material can be a metal or a metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, or nichrome, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heater 420 can be implemented by a metal wire, a metal plate on which an electrically conductive track is disposed, or a ceramic heating element, but is not limited thereto.

[0074] In an embodiment, the heater 420 can be a component included in a cartridge. The cartridge can include the heater 420, a liquid transfer element, and a liquid storage portion. An aerosol generating material accommodated in the liquid storage portion can move to the liquid transfer element, and the heater 420 can heat the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid transfer element, thereby generating an aerosol. For example, the heater 420 can include a material such as nickel-chromium, and can be wound around the liquid transfer element or disposed adjacent to the liquid transfer element.

[0075] The heater 420 can be an induction heating type heater. The heater 420 can include an electrically conductive coil for heating an aerosol generating article by an induction heating method, and the aerosol generating article or the cartridge can include a susceptor that can be heated by the induction heater.

[0076] The aerosol generating device 400 can include at least one sensor 430. A result sensed by the at least one sensor 430 is transmitted to the controller 460, and the controller 460 can control the aerosol generating device 400 to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater 420, limiting smoking, determining whether an aerosol generating article (or a cartridge) is inserted, and displaying a notification.

[0077] For example, the at least one sensor 430 can include a puff sensor. The puff detection sensor can detect a user's puff based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

[0078] In addition, the at least one sensor 430 can include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor can detect a temperature at which the heater 420 (or an aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 400 can include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater 420, or the heater 420 itself can function as a temperature sensor without including a separate temperature sensor. Alternatively, while the heater 420 functions as a temperature sensor, a separate temperature sensor can be further included in the aerosol generating device 400.

[0079] In addition, the at least one sensor 430 can include a position sensor. The position sensor can detect a change in a position of a slider coupled to a main body to move relative to the main body.

[0080] The user interface 440 can provide the user with information about the state of the aerosol generating device 400. The user interface 440 can include various interface devices such as a display or a light emitter for outputting visual information, a motor for outputting tactile information, a speaker for outputting sound information, an input / output (I / O) interface device (e.g., a button or a touch screen) for receiving information input from the user or outputting information to the user, a terminal for data communication or receiving charging power, and a communication interface module for wireless communication (e.g., WI-FI, WI-FI direct, Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), etc.) with an external device.

[0081] However, the aerosol generating device 400 can be implemented by selecting only some of the above-described examples of various user interfaces 440.

[0082] The storage 450, which is a hardware component configured to store various pieces of data processed in the aerosol generating device 400, can store data processed by or to be processed by the controller 460. The storage 450 can include various types of storage: a random access memory (RAM) such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and a static random access memory (SRAM), etc.; a read only memory (ROM); an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), etc.

[0083] The storage 450 can store an operation time of the aerosol generating device 400, a maximum number of puffs, a current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, data about a smoking pattern of a user, etc.

[0084] The controller 460 can generally control the operation of the aerosol generating device 400. The controller 460 can include at least one processor. The processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or can be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. It would be understood by those skilled in the art that the processor can be implemented in other forms of hardware.

[0085] The controller 460 analyzes the results sensed by the at least one sensor 430 and controls the process to be subsequently performed.

[0086] The controller 460 can control the power supplied to the heater 420 so that the operation of the heater 420 is started or terminated, based on the results sensed by the at least one sensor 430. In addition, based on the results sensed by the at least one sensor 430, the controller 460 can control the amount of power supplied to the heater 420 and the time of power supply so that the heater 420 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

[0087] The controller 460 can control the user interface 440 based on a result sensed by the at least one sensor 430. For example, when the number of puffs reaches a preset number after counting the number of puffs by using a puff sensor, the controller 460 can notify the user that the aerosol generating device 400 will soon be terminated by using at least one of a light emitter, a motor, or a speaker.

[0088] Although not shown in FIG. 4, Figure 4 The aerosol generating device 400 can form an aerosol generating system together with an additional cradle. For example, the cradle can be used to charge the battery 410 of the aerosol generating device 400. For example, when the aerosol generating device 400 is accommodated in an accommodation space of the cradle, the aerosol generating device 400 can receive power from a battery of the cradle so that the battery 410 of the aerosol generating device 400 can be charged.

[0089] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a cartridge according to an embodiment.

[0090] Referring to Figure 5 , the cartridge 50 can include a connector 510, a heater 520, and a processor 530. Figure 5 The cartridge 50 can correspond to the cartridge 20 of Figure 1 , and Figure 5 The heater 520 of the cartridge 50 can correspond to the heater 420 of Figure 4 . Thus, a repeated description thereof will be omitted. Figure 5 The processor 530 of the cartridge 50 can be different from the controller 460 that controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 400 of Figure 4 , and the processor 530 can be disposed within the cartridge 50.

[0091] Referring to Figure 5 , some components of the cartridge 50 are particularly relevant to the present embodiment. Thus, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that other components can be included in the cartridge 50 in addition to the components shown in Figure 5 .

[0092] The connector 510 can include various terminals for forming an electrical connection between the cartridge 50 and an external device. The external device can be any device that can be electrically connected to the cartridge 50. For example, the external device can be an aerosol generating device, or a separate computing device for performing a software task related to the processor 530 in the cartridge 50.

[0093] Each of the terminals included in the connector 510 can have a pin structure including a spring. For example, each terminal can correspond to a pogo pin, but is not limited thereto. Any other structure can be applied without limitation, as long as the structure has great durability and is suitable for forming an electrical connection with an external device.

[0094] The heater 520 can be heated by an electric current flowing through a first pair of terminals among the terminals included in the connector 510. Each of the first pair of terminals can correspond to a positive (+) terminal or a negative (-) terminal. However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. One of the first pair of terminals can be a ground terminal, and the other of the first pair of terminals can be a positive terminal or a negative terminal. For example, when the cartridge 50 is coupled to the aerosol generating device, the heater 520 can be heated by an electric current transferred from the aerosol generating device through the first pair of terminals.

[0095] The processor 530 can count the number of times a signal is received through a second pair of terminals, and can store the number of times corresponding to the counting result. Each of the second pair of terminals can correspond to a positive terminal or a negative terminal. However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, one of the second pair of terminals can correspond to a ground terminal, and the other of the second pair of terminals can correspond to a positive terminal or a negative terminal. When the cartridge 50 is coupled to the aerosol generating device, the processor 530 can receive a signal transmitted from the aerosol generating device through the second pair of terminals.

[0096] The processor 530 can be implemented by using at least one logic gate for performing counting, and can include a storage for storing the number of times corresponding to the counting result. The storage of the processor 530 can be a non-volatile storage, so as to store the stored number of times even when not powered. Although not shown in FIG. 5, the cartridge 50 can include a storage disposed outside the processor 530, and the counted number of times can be stored in the storage. Figure 5

[0097] When the cartridge 50 is electrically connected to the aerosol generating device through the connector 510, a signal can be received from the aerosol generating device through the second pair of terminals each time a user's action associated with smoking is detected by the aerosol generating device. For example, the action associated with smoking by the user can correspond to a puff of the user. The aerosol generating device can detect the puff of the user and transmit a signal to the cartridge 50 through the second pair of terminals. Accordingly, the number stored in the processor 530 can correspond to the number of puffs performed by the user with the cartridge 50, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0098] ​When the stored number of puffs reaches a threshold value, the processor 530 can block the current flowing through the first pair of terminals. The threshold value can be proportional to the total amount of the liquid composition initially accommodated in the cartridge 50. Based on the amount of the liquid composition consumed by a single puff of a normal user, the number of puffs corresponding to the total amount of the liquid composition initially accommodated in the cartridge 50 can be calculated, and the threshold value can be determined by increasing the calculated number of puffs by a certain margin.

[0099] When the current flowing through the first pair of terminals is blocked, the heating of the heater 520 can be stopped, and thus the user can be prevented from smoking with the cartridge 50. The current flowing through the first pair of terminals can be blocked under the control of the processor 530, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the current flowing through the first pair of terminals can be blocked by using a separate mechanical or physical device within the cartridge 50. As another example, the current flowing through the first pair of terminals can be blocked by the aerosol generating device coupled to the cartridge 50 rather than by the cartridge 50.

[0100] As described above, when it is determined that the liquid composition initially accommodated in the cartridge 50 is consumed, the cartridge 50 can be locked to prevent the use of the cartridge 50. Thus, unauthorized repeated use of the cartridge 50 can be prevented.

[0101] The processor 530 can initialize the number of puffs stored in the processor 530 when the terminals are short-circuited according to a preset pattern. For example, the processor 530 can initialize the number of puffs when the second set of terminals is short-circuited within a preset period of time after the first set of terminals is short-circuited. Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the number of puffs stored in the processor 530 is initialized when the terminals are short-circuited according to a preset pattern will be described in detail with reference to Figure 6 and Figure 7 An embodiment in which the number of puffs stored in the processor 530 is initialized when the terminals are short-circuited according to a preset pattern will be described in detail.

[0102] Figure 6 is a view illustrating one end of a cartridge according to an embodiment.

[0103] Figure 6 One end of a cartridge is illustrated. The illustrated end can be coupled to an aerosol generating device and can be an end in which a connector is disposed. Figure 6 It is illustrated that the connector of the cartridge includes four terminals, i.e., a first terminal 610, a second terminal 620, a third terminal 630, and a fourth terminal 640.

[0104] The first terminal 610 and the third terminal 630 can correspond to a first pair of terminals through which a current can flow to a heater to supply power, and the second terminal 620 and the fourth terminal 640 can correspond to a second pair of terminals through which a signal from an aerosol generating device is received.

[0105] If the first terminal 610, the second terminal 620, and the third terminal 630 ("first group of terminals") are first short-circuited and then the third terminal 630 and the fourth terminal 640 ("second group of terminals") are short-circuited within a preset period of time, the processor of the cartridge can initialize the number of times (i.e., the number of puffs of the user). When the number of puffs stored in the processor is initialized to 0, the number of puffs can become less than the threshold value and the cartridge can be unlocked accordingly. The short-circuiting of at least some of the terminals can be performed manually by an authorized vendor. However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. The short-circuiting of at least some of the terminals can be performed by a separate computing device for performing a software task related to the processor of the cartridge.

[0106] Figure 6 It is illustrated that the connector of the cartridge includes a total of four terminals, but the number of terminals included in the connector of the cartridge can be less than or greater than four. It can be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that, although the number of terminals included in the connector of the cartridge is changed, the initialization of the cartridge can still be performed when the terminals are short-circuited according to a preset pattern (e.g., by first short-circuiting a first group of terminals and then short-circuiting a second group of terminals within a preset period of time). Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the connector of the cartridge includes three terminals will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13. Figure 7 An embodiment in which the connector of the cartridge includes three terminals will be described.

[0107] Figure 7 is a view illustrating one end of a cartridge according to another embodiment.

[0108] Figure 7 One end of a cartridge is illustrated. The illustrated end can be coupled to an aerosol generating device and can correspond to an end in which a connector is disposed. Figure 7 It is illustrated that the connector of the cartridge includes three terminals, i.e., a first terminal 710, a second terminal 720, and a third terminal 730.

[0109] The first terminal 710 and the second terminal 720 can correspond to a first pair of terminals through which a current flows to a heater to supply power, and the first terminal 710 and the third terminal 730 can correspond to a second pair of terminals through which a signal from an aerosol generating device is received. The first pair of terminals and the second pair of terminals can collectively include the first terminal 710 as a ground terminal.

[0110] If the first terminal 710 and the second terminal 720 (i.e., the first group of terminals) are first short-circuited and then the second terminal 720 and the third terminal 730 (i.e., the second group of terminals) are short-circuited within a preset time period, the processor of the cartridge can initialize the stored number of puffs (e.g., the number of puffs of the user). When the number of puffs stored in the processor is initialized to 0, the number of puffs can become less than the threshold value and the cartridge can accordingly no longer be locked.

[0111] Figure 6 and Figure 7 An example in which the terminals are short-circuited according to a preset pattern to initialize the number of puffs stored in the processor is illustrated, and only the case in which two groups of terminals are sequentially short-circuited within a preset time period is illustrated. However, two or more groups of terminals can be continuously short-circuited within a preset time period.

[0112] When the terminals of the connector are short-circuited according to a preset pattern, the processor of the cartridge according to the present embodiment can initialize the stored number of puffs. As described above, since the cartridge can be unlocked by using a simple method of short-circuiting the terminals of the connector according to a preset pattern, productivity can be improved in terms of recycling the cartridge by an authorized vendor. In addition, the pattern for short-circuiting the terminals to unlock the cartridge is determined by the vendor, and thus it can not be possible for an unauthorized user to arbitrarily unlock the cartridge.

[0113] According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the components, elements, modules or units (collectively "components" in this paragraph) represented by a block in the drawings, such as the controller 460, can be implemented as various numbers of hardware, software and / or firmware structures that execute respective functions. For example, at least one of these components can use a direct circuit structure, such as a memory, a processor, a logic circuit, a look-up table, etc. that can execute the corresponding function by software. Further, the components can be implemented by modules, a program, or a part of code, which are executed by one or more processors or control devices equipped to perform one or more functions. Furthermore, at least one of the components can be implemented by a processor, a microprocessor, a microprocessing unit, etc. that constitutes a central processing unit (CPU) that performs various computations and controls. At least one of the components can be implemented by a controller or a microcontroller. At least one of the components can be implemented by a register, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, and an optical memory. Further, at least one of the components can be implemented by a program that is accessible to at least one processor or controller. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts illustrated and / or described herein, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, implement the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

[0114] One embodiment can also be implemented in a form of a computer readable recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module executable by a computer. The computer readable recording medium can be any available medium or media that can be accessed by a computer and includes volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media. Additionally, the computer readable recording medium can include computer storage media and communication media. The computer storage media includes all of volatile and non-volatile media, and removable and non-removable media implemented by any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. The communication media typically includes computer readable instructions, data structures, other data in modulated data signals, such as program modules or other transfer mechanisms, and includes any information delivery media.

[0115] The above-described embodiments are merely examples and it should be understood that various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should be defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A cigarette cartridge, wherein: The cigarette cartridge comprises: a connector comprising a plurality of terminals configured to provide an electrical connection between the cigarette cartridge and an external device; a heater configured to be heated by current flowing through a first pair of terminals among the plurality of terminals; and A processor configured to: counting the number of times a signal is received through a second pair of terminals among the plurality of terminals, storing information related to the number of times corresponding to the counting result in a memory, and When the terminals are short-circuited according to a preset pattern, the memory is controlled to initialize the number of times.

2. The cigarette cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is configured to: when the first group of terminals is short-circuited and the second group of terminals is short-circuited within a preset time period, control the memory to initialize the stored number of times; The first group of terminals includes a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal, The second group of terminals includes the third terminal and the fourth terminal, The first terminal and the third terminal correspond to the first pair of terminals, and the second terminal and the fourth terminal correspond to the second pair of terminals.

3. The cigarette cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is configured to: when the first group of terminals is short-circuited and the second group of terminals is short-circuited within a preset time period, control the memory to initialize the stored number of times; The first group of terminals includes a first terminal and a second terminal, The second group of terminals includes the second terminal and the third terminal, The first terminal and the second terminal correspond to the first pair of terminals, and the first terminal and the third terminal correspond to the second pair of terminals.

4. The cigarette cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The first pair of terminals and the second pair of terminals share a ground terminal.

5. The cigarette cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: Whenever an operation associated with smoking by a user is detected by the aerosol generating device, the signal is received from the aerosol generating device through the second pair of terminals.

6. The cigarette cartridge according to claim 5, wherein: receiving the signal via the second pair of terminals each time a puff is detected by the aerosol generating device, and The processor is configured to block current flowing through the first pair of terminals when the counted number of times reaches a threshold.

7. The cigarette cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of terminals has a pin structure including a spring.

Images