Aerosol-generating device

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device according to one aspect comprises: a power supply unit; a cartridge including a storage unit that stores an aerosol-generating substance, a liquid transfer unit that absorbs the aerosol-generating substance, and a heater that receives power from the power supply unit and heats the aerosol-generating substance absorbed in the liquid transfer unit; a resistance detection unit that detects a resistance value of the heater that changes in accordance with the heating of the heater; and a control unit that controls the power supply unit so as to supply reference power to the heater, and determines the depletion of the aerosol-generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery unit on the basis of a change in resistance of the heater in a state in which the reference power is supplied to the heater.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol-generating device that can determine a depletion state of a liquid transfer unit. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of conventional cigarettes. For example, there has been an increasing demand for systems that generate an aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating material (rather than a method of burning a cigarette to generate an aerosol) using an aerosol-generating device.

[0003] In such an aerosol-generating system, when the aerosol-generating material is a liquid, the aerosol-generating material is stored in a storage portion, and a liquid transfer unit is provided in the storage portion to absorb the aerosol-generating material. In addition, a heater is provided in a manner of wrapping the liquid transfer unit to heat the aerosol-generating material absorbed by the liquid transfer unit, thereby generating an aerosol. However, as the user uses it, the aerosol-generating material absorbed by the liquid transfer unit can be depleted, and if the liquid transfer unit is heated with the same power even in the case where the liquid transfer unit is depleted, the user can be dissatisfied due to a burnt taste and an odor, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to detect the depletion state of the liquid transfer unit and to control the power supplied to the heater accordingly. SUMMARY

[0004] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION The technical problem of the disclosure is to provide an aerosol-generating device that can detect a depletion state of a liquid transfer unit and control power supplied to a heater corresponding to the depletion state of the liquid transfer unit.

[0005] The technical problem of the disclosure is not limited to the above and can be inferred from the following examples.

[0006] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM The aerosol-generating device according to one aspect includes a power supply portion, a cartridge including a storage portion that stores an aerosol-generating material, a liquid transfer unit that absorbs the aerosol-generating material, and a heater that receives power from the power supply portion and heats the aerosol-generating material absorbed in the liquid transfer unit, a resistance detection portion that detects a resistance value of the heater that changes as the heater is heated, and a control portion that controls the power supply portion to supply reference power to the heater and determines a depletion state of the aerosol-generating material absorbed in the liquid transfer unit based on a change in the resistance of the heater in a state where the reference power is supplied to the heater.

[0007] EFFECT OF THE INVENTION The aerosol-generating device of the disclosure judges the depletion of the liquid transfer unit based on the resistance of the heater, and thus does not need to additionally provide a configuration for judging the depletion of the liquid transfer unit, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and achieving product miniaturization.

[0008] In addition, the aerosol-generating device judges the depletion of the liquid transfer unit according to the rate of change of the resistance of the heater, not the absolute value of the resistance of the heater, and thus does not need to correct the heater deviation for judging the depletion in the manufacturing process, and can more accurately judge the depletion of the liquid transfer unit.

[0009] In addition, the aerosol-generating device can control the power according to the depletion of the liquid transfer unit, and thus reduce the generation of a burnt taste and an odor, thereby increasing user satisfaction.

[0010] On the other hand, when the storage part storing the aerosol-generating material is depleted, the liquid transfer unit cannot further absorb the aerosol-generating material, and in this case, the depletion of the liquid transfer unit cannot be solved only by controlling the power. Thus, the aerosol-generating device of the disclosure can further increase user satisfaction by judging the depletion of the storage part and notifying the user.

[0011] In addition, the aerosol-generating device can notify the user when the storage part is depleted and require replacement of the storage part, and the user can easily replace the storage part to prevent carbonization of the liquid transfer unit.

[0012] The effects of the disclosure are not limited to the above-described exemplary effects, and more effects are included in the specification. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol-generating device according to another embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a partial circuit diagram for explaining a method of detecting the resistance of a heater according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a graph for explaining a change in resistance caused by the depletion of a liquid transfer unit.

[0018] Figure 6 FIG. 6 is a graph for explaining a method of judging the depletion of a liquid transfer unit in a first detection interval and a method of controlling power according to the method according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a method of judging a depletion state of a liquid transfer unit in a first detection section according to an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 8 FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of judging a depletion state of a liquid transfer unit in a first detection section according to an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 9 FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of judging a depletion state of a liquid transfer unit in a second detection section and a third detection section according to an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 10 FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of judging a depletion state of a liquid transfer unit and a method of controlling power according to a depletion state of the liquid transfer unit according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] An aerosol generating device according to an aspect includes a power supply, a cartridge including a storage that stores an aerosol generating material, a liquid transfer unit that absorbs the aerosol generating material, and a heater that receives power from the power supply and heats the aerosol generating material absorbed in the liquid transfer unit, a resistance detection section that detects a resistance value of the heater that changes as the heater is heated, and a control section that controls the power supply and supplies a reference power to the heater, and judges a depletion state of the aerosol generating material absorbed in the liquid transfer unit based on a change in the resistance of the heater in a state in which the reference power is supplied to the heater.

[0024] In addition, the aerosol generating device further includes a puff detection section that detects a puff of a user, and the control section judges the depletion state of the aerosol generating material absorbed in the liquid transfer unit in each puff section.

[0025] In addition, the control section is configured to divide one puff section including a puff start time point to a puff end time point into a plurality of detection sections, and judge the depletion state of the aerosol generating material absorbed in the liquid transfer unit based on a change in the resistance of the heater in a first detection section from the puff start time point to a first time.

[0026] In addition, the control section is configured to judge that the aerosol generating material absorbed in the liquid transfer unit is depleted when a unit time resistance change amount of the heater in the first detection section is greater than a reference change amount.

[0027] Further, the control section is configured to divide one puff interval including a puff start time point to a puff end time point into a first detection interval from the puff start time point to a first time and a plurality of subsequent detection intervals after the first detection interval, and determine the depletion of the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid transfer unit based on a change in the resistance of the heater in the plurality of subsequent detection intervals.

[0028] Further, the plurality of subsequent detection intervals include a second detection interval and a third detection interval continuous with the second detection interval, and the control section is configured to determine the depletion of the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid transfer unit based on a first change amount as a change amount of the resistance of the heater per unit time in the second detection interval and a second change amount as a change amount of the resistance of the heater per unit time in the third detection interval.

[0029] Further, the control section is configured to determine that the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid transfer unit in the third detection interval has been depleted when the second change amount is greater than the first change amount.

[0030] Further, the control section is configured to control the power supply section and supply a compensation power lower than the reference power to the heater in a compensation interval continuous with a current detection interval when it is determined that the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid transfer unit has been depleted in the current detection interval.

[0031] Further, the control section is configured to determine that the depletion of the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid transfer unit is resolved when the resistance of the heater decreases in correspondence with the compensation power in the compensation interval, and control the power supply section to supply the reference power to the heater in a detection interval continuous with the compensation interval.

[0032] Further, the control section is configured to determine that the aerosol generating material stored in the storage section has been depleted when the resistance of the heater increases in correspondence with the compensation power in the compensation interval.

[0033] Further, the control section is configured to block the power supplied to the heater by controlling the power supply section in a detection interval continuous with the compensation interval when it is determined that the aerosol generating material stored in the storage section has been depleted.

[0034] Further, the aerosol generating device further includes an output section that outputs a state of the aerosol generating device, and the control section is configured to output a depletion state of the aerosol generating material stored in the storage section by controlling the output section when it is determined that the aerosol generating material stored in the storage section has been depleted.

[0035] Embodiments of the present application Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0036] The suffixes "module" and "part" used in the following description are assigned or mixed only for convenience of description of the specification, and do not have meanings or roles of distinguishing each other by themselves.

[0037] In addition, in explaining the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, if it is judged that a detailed description of related known technology can obscure the gist of the disclosed embodiments, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only for the purpose of understanding the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and the technical idea disclosed in the present specification should not be limited by the drawings, and it should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, and even alternatives included in the scope of the disclosed idea and technology are encompassed.

[0038] The terms including ordinal numbers (such as first, second, etc.) can be used to explain various components, however, the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

[0039] When referring to a certain component being "connected" or "coupled" to another component, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other component, however, it should be understood that another component can be interposed therebetween. In contrast, when referring to a certain component being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another component, it should be understood that no other component is interposed therebetween.

[0040] The singular form includes the plural form unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0041] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a view showing an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a view showing an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

[0042] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the aerosol generating device 1 can include a main body 10 and a cartridge 18. The aerosol generating device 1 can include at least one of a power supply 11, a control 12, and a detection 13. At least one of the power supply 11, the control 12, and the detection 13 can be disposed inside the main body 10. The cartridge 18, which is an aerosol generating article, can be mounted on the main body 10. A user can hold a mouthpiece provided at one end of the cartridge 18 in the mouth and inhale an aerosol.

[0043] The cartridge 18 may contain an aerosol-generating substance in any of the following states within its internal chamber C0: liquid, solid, gaseous, or gel. The aerosol-generating substance may comprise a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing tobacco-containing substances that include volatile tobacco flavor components, or it may be a liquid containing non-tobacco substances.

[0044] The cartridge 18 is detachably attached to the body 10. The cartridge 18 can be installed on the body 10 by inserting it into the body 10.

[0045] The main body 10 can be configured to allow external air to flow into its interior when the cartridge 18 is inserted. At this time, the external air flowing into the main body 10 can pass through the cartridge 18 and then flow into the user's mouth through the airflow channel CN.

[0046] The cartridge 18 may include: a chamber C0 containing an aerosol-generating substance; and / or a heater 183 for heating the aerosol-generating substance in the chamber C0. A liquid delivery unit 182 for impregnating (containing) the aerosol-generating substance may be disposed inside the chamber C0. The liquid delivery unit 182 may include a core material, such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic. The electrical guide of the heater 183 may be formed as a coil wound around the liquid delivery unit 182 or in contact with one side of the liquid delivery unit 182. The heater 183 may also be referred to as a cartridge heater.

[0047] The cartridge 18 can generate an aerosol. As the liquid delivery unit 182 is heated by the heater 183, an aerosol is generated. The generated aerosol can be inhaled into the user's mouth through the airflow channel CN.

[0048] An airflow channel CN ​​can be provided in the cartridge 18. The airflow channel CN ​​connects the chamber C0 of the heater 183 containing the cartridge 18 to the outside of the cartridge. One end of the airflow channel CN ​​can open into the chamber C0 containing the heater 183, while the other end can communicate with the mouthpiece 19. For example, refer to... Figure 1 The airflow channel CN ​​can extend in a long strip along the length of the cartridge 18 from one side of the chamber C0 of the cartridge 18. For example, refer to... Figure 2 The airflow channel CN ​​can penetrate the chamber C0 of the smoke cartridge 18 and extend in a long strip along the length of the smoke cartridge 18.

[0049] The power supply unit 11 can supply electricity to operate the components of the aerosol generating device 1. The power supply unit 11 may include a battery ( Figure 4 (111). The power supply unit 11 can supply power to at least one of the control unit 12, the detection unit 13 and the heater 183.

[0050] The control portion 12 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. The control portion 12 can be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The control portion 12 can control the operation of at least one of the power supply portion 11, the detection portion 13, and the cartridge 18. The control portion 12 can control the operation of a display, a motor, or the like provided in the aerosol generating device 1. The control portion 12 can determine whether the aerosol generating device 1 is in an operable state by confirming the state of each component of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0051] The control portion 12 can analyze the result detected by the detection portion 13 and control a process to be performed thereafter. For example, the control portion 12 can control the power supplied to the heater 183 based on the result detected by the detection portion 13 to start or terminate the operation of the heater 183. For example, the control portion 12 can control the amount of power supplied to the heater 183 and the power supply time based on the result detected by the detection portion 13 to heat the heater 183 to a predetermined temperature or maintain an appropriate temperature.

[0052] The detection portion 13 can include at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, a cartridge detection sensor, and a movement detection sensor. For example, the detection portion 13 can sense at least one of the temperature of the heater 183, the temperature of the power supply portion 11, and the temperature of the inside and outside of the main body 10. For example, the detection portion 13 can sense a user's puff. For example, the detection portion 13 can sense whether a cartridge is installed. For example, the detection portion 13 can sense the movement of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0053] Figure 3 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0054] Referring to Figure 3 , the aerosol generating device 1 can include at least one of the power supply portion 11, the cartridge 18, the detection portion 13, the control portion 12, the memory 14, the input portion 15, and the output portion 16. On the other hand, the aerosol generating device 1 of the disclosure can include other general constituent elements in addition to the constituent elements as shown in Figure 3

[0055] The power supply portion 11 can supply power for operating the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the power supply portion 11 can supply power to at least one of the cartridge 18, the detection portion 13, the control portion 12, the memory 14, the input portion 15, and the output portion 16. The power supply portion 11 can include a battery (111) and a power conversion portion (112). Figure 4 Figure 4

[0056] ​​​Battery 111 may consist of a detachable battery that is detachably attached to aerosol generating device 1. Alternatively, battery 111 may be fixed to aerosol generating device 1. In this case, battery 111 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, battery 111 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0057] The power conversion unit 112 includes a DC-DC converter that can boost or buck DC power, which can supply the converted power to the internal components of the aerosol generating device 1. When the heater 183 of the smoke cartridge 18 is heated by induction heating, the power conversion unit 112 may also include a DC-AC converter that can convert DC power into AC power and supply it to the heater 183.

[0058] The cartridge 18 may include a storage unit 181, a liquid delivery unit 182, and a heater 183.

[0059] Storage unit 181 can store aerosol-generating substances. Figures 1-2 In the case where chamber C0 has the function of storing aerosol-generating substances, Figures 1-2 The chamber C0 can be with Figure 3 The configuration corresponds to the storage section 181. At least one side of the storage section 181 is open, and the opening is in communication with the airflow channel CN. The liquid transfer unit 182 may be disposed within the storage section 181 and exposed to the aerosol-generating substances stored in the storage section 181.

[0060] The liquid delivery unit 182 can absorb aerosol-generating substances. In one embodiment, the liquid delivery unit 182 may include a core material, such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, and porous ceramic.

[0061] The heater 183 may be configured as a coil wound around the liquid transfer unit 182 or as a structure in contact with one side of the liquid transfer unit 182. The heater 183 may include a resistance heater or an induction heater.

[0062] When the heater 183 is configured as a resistance heater, the heater 183 may include a conductive track and perform resistance heating by power received from the power supply unit 11.

[0063] When the heater 183 is configured as an induction heating type heater, the heater 183 can include at least one of ferrite, a ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum (Al). In addition, the heater 183 can include at least one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, a nickel alloy, a metal film, zirconia, and the like ceramic; a transition metal such as nickel (Ni) or cobalt (Co); a metalloid such as boron (B) or phosphorus (P). When the heater 183 is configured as an induction heating type heater, the aerosol generating device 1 can further include an induction coil for inductively heating the heater 183, and the heater 183 can be heated by an induced magnetic field generated in the induction coil. At this time, the induction coil can be provided in the cartridge 18 or on the main body 10.

[0064] The heater 183 can generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182. The generated aerosol can be inhaled into the user's oral cavity through the airflow passage CN.

[0065] The detection part 13 can detect various state information of the aerosol generating device 1. The result of the detection in the detection part 13 is transmitted to the control part 12, and the control part 12 can control the aerosol generating device 1 according to the detection result to perform various functions such as operation control of the heating part, restriction of smoking, determination of whether the cartridge 18 is inserted, and display of notification.

[0066] The detection part 13 can include a resistance detection part 161 and a puff detection part 162.

[0067] The resistance detection part 161 can detect a change in resistance of the heater 183. When the heater 183 is configured as an electrically conductive track, the resistance of the electrically conductive track can change according to the temperature, and the resistance detection part 161 can detect the resistance value according to the change in temperature of the heater 183. For example, the heater 183 can increase its resistance as the temperature increases, and the resistance detection part 161 can output the resistance value of the heater 183 at a predetermined period or in real time and transmit it to the control part 12. The resistance detection part 161 can include a shunt resistor connected in series or parallel to the heater 183, and the resistance detection part 161 can estimate the resistance of the heater 183 from the resistance value of the shunt resistor, thereby outputting the resistance value of the heater 183. Alternatively, the resistance detection part 161 can also measure the resistance of the heater 183 itself. However, the resistance measurement method of the heater 183 is not limited to the above example, and various resistance measurement methods of the heater 183 can be applicable.

[0068] The suction detection unit 162 can detect the user's suction. For this purpose, the suction detection unit 162 may include a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, an airflow sensor, and a microphone, etc. However, the suction detection unit is not limited to the above example. The suction detection unit 162 can detect suction by distinguishing individual suctions. Each suction can be represented as a continuous interval from the start time of suction to the end time of suction, and the suction detection unit 162 can count the number of suctions.

[0069] on the other hand, Figure 3 The detection unit 13 shows the constituent elements related to this embodiment. Therefore, those skilled in the art related to this embodiment will understand that, in addition to Figure 3 In addition to the components shown, the detection unit 13 may also include other general components. For example, the detection unit 13 may also include a water detection sensor for detecting water inside and / or outside the aerosol generating device 1, a cartridge insertion detection sensor, and additional temperature sensors, etc.

[0070] The memory 14 can be hardware used to process various data within the aerosol generating apparatus 1. The memory 14 can store data processed by the control unit 12 and data to be processed. The memory can be implemented using various methods such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc., including dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), etc. In one embodiment, the memory 14 can store information related to the reference power and compensation power supplied to the heater 183, or information related to the detection interval. Additionally, the memory 14 can store a reference for the resistance change related to each detection interval of the heater 183.

[0071] The input unit 15 can receive user input. The input unit 15 can be implemented via physical buttons and / or a touch sensor, which is used to receive user input. According to an embodiment, the input unit 15 may be omitted, in which case heating of the heater 183 can be achieved by the user's inhalation. For example, the input unit 15 may include buttons, a keyboard, a membrane switch, a scroll wheel, a toggle switch, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0072] The output portion 16 can include a display outputting visual information related to the aerosol generating device 1. In addition, the output portion 16 can include a motor outputting tactile information related to the aerosol generating device 1. Among them, the visual information and the tactile information related to the aerosol generating device 1 include all information related to the operation of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the output portion 16 can output information related to the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 and / or information related to the depletion of the storage portion 181. To this end, the output portion 16 can include a display and a tactile motor. The display can be a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting display panel (OLED), or the like. On the other hand, when the display and the touch panel form a layer structure to constitute a touch screen, the display can be used as an input device as well as an output device. The tactile motor can provide information related to the aerosol generating device 1 to the user in a tactile manner by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus.

[0073] The control portion 12 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. In an embodiment, the control portion 12 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 storing a program executable by the microprocessor. In addition, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present embodiment pertains that the processor can also be implemented as other types of hardware.

[0074] The control portion 12 can receive a user's input through the input portion 15 and control the power supplied to the heater 183 according to the user's input. According to an embodiment, when the puff detection portion 162 detects a user's puff, the control portion 12 can control the power supplied to the heater 183 by controlling the power supply portion 11. In addition, the control portion 12 can also control the output portion 16 to output information related to the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 heated by the heater 183 and / or information related to the depletion of the storage portion 181.

[0075] On the other hand, due to frequent puffs by the user, a decrease in the absorption force of the liquid transfer unit 182, long-term non-use of the device, and depletion of the storage portion 181, etc., the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182 can be insufficient. If the liquid transfer unit is heated with the same power even though the material absorbed by the liquid transfer unit is insufficient, the liquid transfer unit 182 is carbonized and provides a burnt taste and an off-taste to the user, etc. To solve this problem, the present disclosure detects the insufficiency of the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182 in advance and controls the power supplied to the heater 183 in correspondence to the insufficiency of the aerosol generating material. On the other hand, the "insufficiency" of the present disclosure can mean a case where the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182 is less than a preset reference absorption amount, and can be used with the same meaning as "depletion". For example, the reference absorption amount can be set to 9.16 mg.

[0076] Hereinafter, a depletion detection method of the liquid delivery unit 182 and a power control method according to the same will be described.

[0077] Figure 4 is a partial circuit diagram for explaining a method of detecting a resistance of a heater according to an embodiment.

[0078] Referring to Figure 4 , the power supply part 11 can include a battery 111 and a power conversion part 112. The battery 111 can output a direct current power source. The power conversion part 112 can include a DC-DC converter that steps up or steps down the direct current power source, and the DC-DC converter can output the stepped-up or stepped-down direct current power source. In Figure 4 , the converted direct current power source output by the power conversion part 112 is expressed as an input voltage V applied to a load R, Rs. The input voltage V is a constant voltage, and its magnitude can be adjusted by control of the control part 12.

[0079] An input current I can be applied to the heater 183 by the input voltage V output by the power conversion part 112. The heater 183 can be formed of a substance having a temperature coefficient of resistance (α). Thus, the resistance value R of the heater 183 can vary according to temperature. On the other hand, in order to distinguish from a reference resistance (R0) of the heater 183 described later, the resistance value R of the heater 183 can also be referred to as a current resistance value R.

[0080] As the resistance value R of the heater 183 varies according to temperature, the input current I can also vary with respect to the input voltage V that is a constant voltage. The resistance detection part 161 can include a shunt resistor by which the variation of such an input current I is detected. In addition, the resistance detection part 161 can obtain the resistance value R of the heater 183 from the input current I.

[0081] In Figure 4 , the shunt resistor is shown as a resistance element having a shunt resistance value Rs. In addition, in Figure 4 , the shunt resistor is shown as being connected in series with the heater 183, but according to an embodiment, the shunt resistor can also be connected in parallel with the heater 183.

[0082] Even if the temperature varies, the shunt resistor has a constant value, and can be set to be significantly smaller than the resistance value R of the heater 183. For example, the shunt resistance value Rs can be set to be less than 1 / 10 of the resistance value R of the heater 183, but is not limited thereto. The shunt resistance value Rs is set to be smaller in order to minimize consumption of power required in the heating process of the heater 183 by the shunt resistor.

[0083] A shunt resistor connected in series with the heater 183 can be used to detect the input current I. The resistance detection section 161 can include a voltmeter that can obtain a voltage Vs across the shunt resistor. The shunt resistance value Rs is constant regardless of temperature, so the resistance detection section 161 can obtain the input current I from the voltage Vs across the shunt resistor.

[0084] The voltage Vh across the heater 183 can be obtained by the difference between the input voltage V and the voltage Vs across the shunt resistor. Based on the voltage Vh across the heater 183 and the input current I, the resistance detection section 161 can obtain the current resistance value R of the heater 183.

[0085] On the other hand, the current resistance value R of the heater 183 can also be used to estimate the temperature of the heater 183. When the resistance temperature coefficient is a, the reference resistance (R0) of the heater 183 at a reference temperature (To) and the current resistance value R of the heater 183 at a current temperature (T) can satisfy the following mathematical expression 1.

[0086] Mathematical expression 1

[0087] At this time, the reference temperature (To) is 25°C, and the reference resistance (R0) can refer to the resistance value of the heater 183 at 25°C measured by repeated experiments. The control section 12 can also estimate the current temperature (T) of the heater 183 from the current resistance value R using the mathematical expression 1. As described above, when the control section 12 calculates the temperature of the heater 183 based on the resistance of the heater 183, an additional temperature sensor can not be needed.

[0088] Figure 5 is a graph for illustrating the change in resistance as the liquid delivery unit is depleted.

[0089] Figure 5 The curve 410 showing the change in resistance over time in one puff is shown in Figure 5 In the graph, the x-axis is time (sec), and the y-axis represents resistance (Ω).

[0090] Referring to Figure 5 When the puff detection section 162 detects the user's puff, the control section 12 can supply the reference power to the heater 183 from the puff start time point to the puff end time point. For example, from the puff start time point to the puff end time point can include a first time t1 to a fourth time t4, each of which can be set to 0.5 seconds. In addition, the reference power can be 7W, but is not limited thereto.

[0091] The resistance of the heater 183 can be proportional to the temperature, and when the heater 183 receives the reference power, the heater 183 generates heat, causing the temperature to increase, and thus the resistance of the heater 183 also increases over time. Hereinafter, the resistance of the heater 183 is taken as a reference, but the following description can also apply to the temperature of the heater 183.

[0092] The resistance of the heater 183 can rapidly increase at the initial stage according to the supply of the reference power. The reference power supplied to the heater 183 is set based on a normal state in which the liquid transfer unit 182 sufficiently absorbs the aerosol generating material, and thus even when the liquid transfer unit 182 is depleted at the initial stage of heating, when such reference power is supplied to the heater 183, the resistance of the heater 183 increases at a faster rate than the resistance of the heater 183 in the normal state. In an embodiment, when the liquid transfer unit 182 is depleted at the first time t1, the resistance of the heater 183 can increase at a faster rate than the reference change amount r f1. The reference change amount r f1may refer to the change amount of the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time, and thus the reference change amount r f1may be named a reference change rate and a reference slope. At this time, the unit time can be the first time t1. For example, the reference change amount can be set to 4 [Ω / sec], but is not limited thereto.

[0093] When the reference power is supplied to the heater 183 at the second time t2 to the fourth time t4, the change amount of the resistance of the heater 183 at the second time t2 to the fourth time t4 can be less than the change amount of the resistance of the heater 183 at the first time t1. This is because, not only when the critical resistance of the heater 183 is reached, the rate of increase of the resistance decreases, but also the liquid transfer unit 182 absorbs the aerosol generating material from the storage portion 181 corresponding to the heated aerosol generating material. The critical resistance can be set based on the maximum heating temperature of the heater 183, and can depend on the constituent components of the heater 183. However, the liquid transfer unit 182 can be temporarily or non-temporarily depleted due to frequent puffing by the user, a decrease in the absorption force of the liquid transfer unit 182, and depletion of the storage portion 181, etc. Such depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 can occur continuously at the initial stage of puffing, or can occur discontinuously at the initial stage of puffing. Figure 5 A portion of the curve df1 showing that the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 occurs discontinuously at the third time t3 to the fourth time t4 after the first time t1 at the initial stage of puffing is shown.

[0094] At Figure 5When the liquid transfer unit 182 is depleted in the third time t3 to the fourth time t4, the resistance of the heater 183 increases at a speed similar to that of the initial heating section (the first time t1). In particular, in the third time t3 to the fourth time t4 in which the liquid transfer unit 182 is depleted, the amount of heating substance is less than that of the previous heating section (the second time t2 to the third time t3), and thus the resistance of the heater 183 increases at a speed faster than that of the previous heating section (the second time t2 to the third time t3). However, the slope of the resistance of the heater 183 in the third time t3 to the fourth time t4 is less than the slope of the resistance of the heater 183 in the first time t1. This is because, not only does the speed of increase of the resistance decrease when the critical resistance of the heater 183 is reached, but also the liquid transfer unit 182 absorbs less amount of the aerosol generating substance from the storage portion 181 than in the normal state, corresponding to the heated aerosol generating substance. Thus, in the third time t3 to the fourth time t4, it is not possible to determine the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 based on the reference change amount r f1 in the same manner as in the first time t1.

[0095] On the other hand, if the same reference power is supplied to the heater 183 although the liquid transfer unit 182 is depleted in the puff initial section or the subsequent section after the puff initial section, the liquid transfer unit 182 can be carbonized. The present disclosure controls the power supplied to the heater 183 corresponding to the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 in order to solve this problem.

[0096] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a graph for explaining a method of determining the depletion of the liquid transfer unit in the first detection section of an embodiment and a power control method according to the method.

[0097] In Figure 6 the case in which the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 is not solved in the puff initial section (the first detection section se1), the heater 183 is supplied with the reference power (the graph 520).

[0098] Referring to Figure 6 , in the first detection section se1 of the graph 510 and the graph 520, the method of determining the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 is the same.

[0099] In the graph 510 and the graph 520, the control portion 12 can divide one puff interval (1 puff) including a puff start time point to a puff end time point into a plurality of detection intervals (se1 to se4). The plurality of detection intervals (se1 to se4, hereinafter, referred to as se in the case where it is not necessary to distinguish) can include a first detection interval se1 from the puff start time point to a first time t1, a second detection interval se2 from the first time t1 to a second time t2, a third detection interval se3 from the second time t2 to a third time t3, and a fourth detection interval se4 from the third time t3 to a fourth time t4. Each of the detection intervals can be set to the same length, for example, each of the detection intervals can be set to 0.5 seconds, but is not limited thereto. Figure 6 An example in which the plurality of detection intervals (se) is divided into 4 is shown, but the plurality of detection intervals (se) can include less than 4 or more than 4 detection intervals according to the length of a puff of a user and a setting.

[0100] There is no previous detection interval in the first detection interval se1 which is a puff initial stage, and a rapid temperature increase at a heating initial stage results in necessity to prevent carbonization of the liquid transfer unit 182 being greater than that of subsequent detection intervals (se2 to se4). Therefore, the control portion 12 can judge the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 in a single detection interval.

[0101] The control portion 12 can control the power supply portion 11 to supply a reference power w1 to the heater 183 in the first detection interval se1. In a state in which the reference power w1 is supplied to the heater 183, the resistance detection portion 161 can detect a change in resistance of the heater 183. In the state in which the reference power w1 is supplied to the heater 183, the control portion 12 can judge the depletion of the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182 based on the change in resistance of the heater 183.

[0102] When the amount of change in resistance per unit time of the heater 183 in the first detection section se1 is greater than the reference amount of change rf1, the control section 12 can determine that the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182 has been consumed. At this time, the unit time is the length of the first detection section se1, and can be the first time t1. That is, in the first detection section se1, the control section 12 can determine whether the liquid transfer unit 182 is consumed by linearly approximating the amount of change in resistance and the reference amount of change and comparing them. The reference amount of change rf1 can refer to the amount of change in resistance per unit time of the heater 183, and thus the reference amount of change rf1 can be named the reference rate of change and the reference slope. For example, the reference amount of change can be set to 4 [Ω / sec], but is not limited thereto. Thus, in an embodiment in which the reference amount of change rf1 is the reference slope, when the amount of change in resistance per unit time of the heater 183 is greater than the reference slope (but the reference slope is a positive number), the control section 12 can determine that the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182 has been consumed. In the graph 510 and the graph 520, the amount of change in resistance per unit time of the heater 183 in the first detection section se1 is greater than the reference slope rf1, and thus the control section 12 can determine that the liquid transfer unit 182 has been consumed.

[0103] In the graph 510 and the graph 520, when the control section 12 determines that the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182 in the current detection section has been consumed, the control section 12 can control the power supply section 11 in the compensation section, which is continuous with the current detection section, to supply the heater 183 with the compensation power w2, which is lower than the reference power w1. Figure 6 In the graph 510 and the graph 520, when the control section 12 determines that the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182 in the current detection section has been consumed, the control section 12 can control the power supply section 11 in the compensation section, which is continuous with the current detection section, to supply the heater 183 with the compensation power w2, which is lower than the reference power w1.

[0104] In the graph 510, when the resistance of the heater 183 decreases in correspondence with the compensation power w2 in the second detection section se2, the control section 12 can determine that the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182 has been consumed. The control section 12 can determine whether the consumption of the liquid transfer unit 182 is resolved by monitoring the resistance of the heater 183 in real time in correspondence with the compensation power w2 or monitoring the amount of change in resistance per unit time. In an embodiment in which the control section 12 monitors the amount of change in resistance per unit time, when the slope of the amount of change in resistance per unit time of the heater 183 is negative in correspondence with the compensation power w2, the control section 12 can determine that the consumption of the liquid transfer unit 182 is resolved. That is, the control section 12 can linearly approximate the amount of change in resistance in the second detection section se2, and determine whether the consumption of the liquid transfer unit 182 is resolved based on the sign of the slope of the linearly approximated amount of change in resistance.

[0105] As described later, in order to distinguish between depletion of the storage portion 181 and depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182, the control portion 12 can select the compensation electric power w2 in a range of 0.3 times to 0.6 times of the reference electric power wl. For example, when the reference electric power wl is 7 W, the compensation electric power w2 can be set to 4 W. As described above, when the set value of the reference electric power wl and the compensation electric power is not largely different, even if the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 is resolved, the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 has a positive slope, and thus it is difficult to distinguish between the depletion of the storage portion 181 and the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 described later. In addition, the lower limit of the compensation electric power w2 is set to 0.3 times of the reference electric power wl because the aerosol generating substance can be continuously heated to a temperature above the vaporization temperature even in the compensation interval.

[0106] When the control portion 12 determines that the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 in the compensation interval (the second detection interval se2) is resolved, the supply portion 11 in the third detection interval se3 continuous to the compensation interval can be controlled and the reference electric power wl can be supplied again to the heater 183. When the control portion 12 determines that the liquid transfer unit 182 is not depleted in the third detection interval se3, the reference electric power wl can be supplied to the heater 183 even in the fourth detection interval se4. The method of depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 in the subsequent interval after the puffing initial interval is described with reference to Figure 7 and described below.

[0107] In contrast to the graph 510, in the graph 520, even if the control portion 12 supplies the compensation electric power w2 less than the reference electric power wl to the heater 183 in the second detection interval se2, the resistance of the heater 183 can increase corresponding to the compensation electric power w2. When the resistance of the heater 183 increases corresponding to the compensation electric power w2 in the second detection interval se2, the control portion 12 can determine that the depletion of the storage portion 181, in which the liquid transfer unit 182 is depleted, cannot be resolved by power control. The control portion 12 can determine the depletion of the storage portion 181 by monitoring the resistance of the heater 183 corresponding to the compensation electric power w2 in real time or monitoring the amount of change in the resistance per unit time. In an embodiment in which the control portion 12 monitors the amount of change in the resistance per unit time, when the slope of the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time is positive corresponding to the compensation electric power w2, the control portion 12 can determine that the storage portion 181 is depleted. That is, the control portion 12 can linearly approximate the amount of change in the resistance in the second detection interval se2, and determine whether the storage portion 181 is depleted based on the sign of the slope of the amount of change in the resistance of the linear approximation.

[0108] When the control section 12 determines that the storage section 181 in the compensation section (second detection section se2) has also been depleted, since the depletion of the liquid delivery unit 182 cannot be resolved, the power supplied to the heater 183 can be blocked by controlling the power supply section 11 in the third detection section se3 continuous to the compensation section. That is, since the replacement of the cartridge does not occur in one puff section (1 puff), even in the fourth detection section se4 continuous to the third detection section se3, the control section 12 can block the power supplied to the heater 183 by controlling the power supply section 11.

[0109] On the other hand, when the control section 12 determines that the storage section 181 has been depleted, the user can be notified of the depleted state of the storage section 181 in a visual, auditory, and tactile manner by controlling the output section 16.

[0110] Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining a method of judging the depletion state of the liquid delivery unit in the second and third detection sections of an embodiment and a method of controlling the power according to the method.

[0111] Referring to Figure 7 As Figure 6 indicated, the control section 12 can divide one puff section (1 puff) including the puff start time point to the puff end time point into a plurality of detection sections (se1 to se4). The time and number of the plurality of detection sections (se) and the like are as described in Figure 6 .

[0112] The control section 12 can judge the depletion state of the liquid delivery unit 182 based on the change in the resistance of the heater 183 in the subsequent detection sections (se2 to se4) after the initial puff (first detection section se1).

[0113] On the other hand, unlike the initial puff (first detection section se1), the change in the resistance of the heater 183 in the subsequent detection sections (se2 to se4) is different from that in the first detection section se1, and there is no significant change. This is because, when the critical resistance of the heater 183 is reached, the rate of increase in the resistance decreases. Therefore, in the subsequent detection sections (se2 to se4), it is difficult to set a reference slope that can distinguish such a low slope. In addition, since the resistance of the heater 183 can vary in each section, it is difficult to set a reference slope that is commonly applicable to each section. The present disclosure, in order to solve such a problem, in the subsequent detection sections (se2 to se4), monitors the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 in a plurality of detection sections (rather than a single detection section), and judges the depletion state of the liquid delivery unit 182 based on the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 in such a plurality of detection sections.

[0114] In Figure 7The graph 610 shows a case where the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 is addressed by supplying compensation power to the heater 183 according to the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 in the subsequent detection intervals (se2 to se4) after the initial detection interval (se1), and the graph 620 shows a case where the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 is not addressed.

[0115] In the first to third detection intervals se1 to se3 of the graph 610 and the graph 620, the same method is used to judge the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182.

[0116] In the graph 610 and the graph 620, the control unit 12 can control the power supply unit 11 in the first detection interval se1 to supply the reference power wl to the heater 183. In the state where the reference power wl is supplied to the heater 183, the resistance detection unit 161 can detect the change in the resistance of the heater 183. In the state where the reference power wl is supplied to the heater 183, the control unit 12 can judge the depletion of the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182 based on the change in the resistance of the heater 183. When the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time in the first detection interval se1 is less than or equal to the reference change amount rfl, the control unit 12 can judge that the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182 is not depleted. At this time, the unit time is the length of the first detection interval se1, and can be the first time tl. That is, in the first detection interval se1, the control unit 12 can judge whether the liquid transfer unit 182 is depleted by linearly approximating the amount of change in the resistance and the reference change amount and comparing them. The reference change amount rfl can refer to the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time, and thus the reference change amount rfl can be named the reference change rate and the reference slope. For example, the reference change amount can be set to 4 [Ω / sec], but is not limited thereto. Thus, in an embodiment where the reference change amount rfl is the reference slope, when the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time is less than or equal to the reference slope (but the reference slope is a positive number), the control unit 12 can judge that the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182 is not depleted. In the graph 610 and the graph 620, the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time in the first detection interval se1 is less than or equal to the reference slope rfl, and thus the control unit 12 can judge that the liquid transfer unit 182 is not depleted.

[0117] When the control unit 12 judges that the liquid transfer unit 182 is not depleted in the first detection interval se1, the reference power wl can be supplied to the heater 183 even in the second detection interval se2 continuous to the first detection interval se1.

[0118] In the detection sections (se2 to se4) after the first detection section se1, the control section 12 does not determine the depletion state of the liquid transfer unit 182 only from the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 in a single section.

[0119] The control section 12 can control the power supply section 11 in the second detection section se2 continuous to the first detection section se1 to supply the reference power wl to the heater 183. In a state where the reference power wl is supplied to the heater 183, the resistance detection section 161 can detect the change in the resistance of the heater 183. In a state where the reference power wl is supplied to the heater 183, the control section 12 can obtain the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time (first change amount). At this time, the unit time is the length of the second detection section se2, and is the difference between the second time t2 and the first time tl, and can be the same as the first time tl. The first change amount can refer to the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time, and thus the first change amount can be named the first change rate and the first change slope. That is, the control section 12 can linearly approximate the first change amount in the second detection section se2.

[0120] The control section 12 can control the power supply section 11 in the third detection section se3 continuous to the second detection section se2 to supply the reference power wl to the heater 183. In a state where the reference power wl is supplied to the heater 183, the resistance detection section 161 can detect the change in the resistance of the heater 183. In a state where the reference power wl is supplied to the heater 183, the control section 12 can obtain the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time (second change amount). At this time, the unit time is the length of the third detection section se3, and is the difference between the third time t3 and the second time t2, and can be the same as the first time tl. The second change amount can refer to the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time, and thus the second change amount can be named the second change rate and the second change slope. That is, the control section 12 can linearly approximate the second change amount in the third detection section se3.

[0121] Based on the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time in the second detection section se2 (first amount of change) and the amount of change in the heater 183 per unit time in the third detection section se3 (second amount of change), the control section 12 can determine the depletion of the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182. When the second amount of change is greater than the first amount of change, the control section 12 can determine that the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182 in the third detection section se3 has been depleted. In an embodiment in which the first amount of change and the second amount of change are slopes, when the second change slope is greater than the first change slope, the control section 12 can determine that the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182 in the third detection section se3 has been depleted. That is, the control section 12 can determine whether the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182 is depleted by comparing the slopes of the linearly approximated first amount of change and the second amount of change in each section with each other (at this time, the linearly approximated first amount of change and the second amount of change are positive numbers). In the graph 610 and the graph 620, since the amount of change in the heater 183 per unit time in the third detection section se3 is greater than the amount of change in the heater 183 per unit time in the second detection section se2, the control section 12 can determine that the liquid transfer unit 182 in the third detection section se3 has been depleted.

[0122] On the other hand, in Figure 7 the second detection section se2 is shown as a section continuous with the first detection section se1, but according to an embodiment, the second detection section se2 can be a section discontinuous with the first detection section se1. In other words, the control section 12 can also determine the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 in the third detection section se3 and the fourth detection section se4. Also, the control section 12 can also determine the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 in the first detection section se1 and the second detection section se2.

[0123] In the graph 610 and the graph 620, when the control section 12 determines that the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182 in the current detection section has been depleted, the control section 12 can control the power supply section 11 in a compensation section continuous with the current detection section to supply the heater 183 with a compensation power w2 lower than the reference power w1. In Figure 7 the current detection section is the third detection section se3 in which the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 is detected, and the compensation section is the fourth detection section se4 in which the compensation power w2 lower than the reference power w1 is supplied to the heater 183.

[0124] In the graph 610, when the resistance of the heater 183 decreases corresponding to the compensation power w22 in the fourth detection section se4, the control portion 12 can determine that the depletion of the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182 is resolved. The control portion 12 can determine whether the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 is resolved by monitoring the resistance of the heater 183 corresponding to the compensation power w2 in real time or monitoring the amount of change in the resistance per unit time. In an embodiment in which the control portion 12 monitors the amount of change in the resistance per unit time, when the slope of the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time corresponding to the compensation power w2 is negative, the control portion 12 can determine that the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 is resolved. That is, the control portion 12 can linearly approximate the amount of change in the resistance in the compensation section, and determine whether the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 is resolved based on the sign of the slope of the linearly approximated amount of change in the resistance.

[0125] To distinguish between the depletion of the storage portion 181 and the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182, as shown in FIG. 6, the compensation power w2 can be selected in the range of 0.3 times to 0.6 times the reference power w1. Figure 6

[0126] When the control portion 12 determines that the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 in the compensation section (the fourth detection section se4) is resolved, as shown in FIG. 6, the power supply portion 11 in the detection section continuous to the compensation section can be controlled to supply the reference power w1 to the heater 183 again. In other words, when the control portion 12 determines that the liquid transfer unit 182 in the compensation section (the fourth detection section se4) has been depleted, the power supply portion 11 in the fifth detection section (not shown) continuous to the fourth detection section se4 can be controlled to supply the reference power w1 to the heater 183. Figure 6

[0127] ​​In contrast to the graph 610, in the graph 620, even if the control section 12 supplies the compensating electric power w2 smaller than the reference electric power wl to the heater 183 in the fourth detection section se4, the electric resistance of the heater 183 can increase corresponding to the compensating electric power w2. When the electric resistance of the heater 183 increases corresponding to the compensating electric power w2 in the fourth detection section se4, the control section 12 can determine that the depletion of the storage section 181 by the liquid transfer unit 182 cannot be resolved by the electric power control. The control section 12 can determine whether the depletion of the storage section 181 is resolved by monitoring the electric resistance of the heater 183 corresponding to the compensating electric power w2 in real time or monitoring the amount of change in the electric resistance per unit time. In an embodiment in which the control section 12 monitors the amount of change in the electric resistance per unit time, when the slope of the amount of change in the electric resistance per unit time of the heater 183 is positive corresponding to the compensating electric power w2, the control section 12 can determine that the storage section 181 has been depleted. That is, the control section 12 can linearly approximate the amount of change in the electric resistance in the compensating section, and determine whether the storage section 181 is depleted based on the sign of the slope of the amount of change in the electric resistance in the linear approximation.

[0128] When the control section 12 determines that the storage section 181 in the compensating section (the fourth detection section se4) is depleted, as shown in Figure 6 , the electric power supplied to the heater 183 is blocked by controlling the power supply section 11 in the detection section continuous to the compensating section. In other words, when the control section 12 determines that the storage section 181 in the compensating section (the fourth detection section se4) is depleted, the electric power supplied to the heater 183 can be blocked by controlling the power supply section 11 in the fifth detection section (not shown) continuous to the fourth detection section se4.

[0129] On the other hand, when the control section 12 determines that the storage section 181 is depleted, the user can be notified of the depletion state of the storage section 181 in a visual, auditory, and tactile manner by controlling the output section 16.

[0130] On the other hand, when the control section determines the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 and / or the storage section 181 in the last section of one puff (1 puff), since there is no subsequent detection section, there is no need to adjust the electric power supplied to the heater 183, and the method of Figures 6-7 is repeated in the subsequent puffs.

[0131] Figure 8 is a flowchart for explaining a method of determining the depletion state of the liquid transfer unit in the first detection section in an embodiment.

[0132] Referring to Figure 8 , in step S710, the puff detection section 162 can detect the puff of the user.

[0133] The puff detection part 162 can include at least one of a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, an airflow sensor, and a microphone, and transmit a puff detection result to the control part 12. The control part 12 can determine a depletion of the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid transfer unit 182 in each puff section in real time.

[0134] In step S720, the control part 12 can control the power supply part 11 to supply the reference power to the heater 183.

[0135] The power supply part 11 can include a battery 111 and a power conversion part 112, and the control part 12 can supply the reference power to the heater 183 according to the start of the puff.

[0136] In step S730, the resistance detection part 161 can detect a resistance change of the heater 183 in the first detection section.

[0137] The resistance detection part 161 can output the resistance value of the heater 183 in real time and transmit it to the control part 12. In a state where the reference power is supplied to the heater 183, the control part 12 can monitor the resistance change of the heater 183. The control part 12 divides one puff section including a puff start time point to a puff end time point into a plurality of detection sections, and detects the resistance change of the heater 183 in the first detection section from the puff start time point to a first time. The resistance change of the heater 183 can be expressed as a resistance change amount of the heater 183 per unit time, and the control part 12 can detect the resistance change amount of the heater 183 per unit time in the first detection section in real time. According to an embodiment, the resistance change amount of the heater 183 per unit time can be expressed as a slope of linear approximation.

[0138] In step S740, the control part 12 can compare the reference change amount with the resistance change amount of the heater 183 per unit time.

[0139] The control part 12 can compare the reference change amount with the resistance change amount of the heater 183 per unit time in the first detection section. In an embodiment in which the reference change amount and the resistance change amount of the heater 183 per unit time are slopes, the control part 12 can compare the reference slope with the resistance slope of the heater 183 with each other.

[0140] When the resistance change amount of the heater 183 per unit time in the first detection section se1 is less than or equal to the reference change amount, the control part 12 determines that the liquid transfer unit 182 is not depleted, and thus continues to supply the reference power to the heater 183. In an embodiment in which the reference change amount and the resistance change amount of the heater 183 per unit time are slopes, when the resistance slope of the heater 183 in the first detection section se1 is less than or equal to the reference slope, the control part 12 determines that the liquid transfer unit 182 is not depleted, and thus continues to supply the reference power to the heater 183.

[0141] In step S750, when the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time in the first detection section se1 is greater than the reference amount of change, the control unit 12 can determine that the liquid transfer unit 182 has been depleted.

[0142] In the embodiment in which the reference amount of change and the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time are the slopes, when the slope of the resistance of the heater 183 in the first detection section is greater than the reference slope, the control unit 12 can determine that the liquid transfer unit 182 has been depleted. When the liquid transfer unit 182 has been depleted, the power control method in the subsequent detection section will be described later with reference to Figure 10 .

[0143] On the other hand, at the initial stage of the puffing, the present disclosure determines whether the liquid transfer unit 182 has been depleted only by the change in the resistance of the heater 183 of a single detection section (the first detection section). This is because, at the initial stage of the puffing (the first detection section), there is no previous detection section, and the temperature is rapidly increased at the initial stage of the heating, and thus the necessity of preventing the carbonization of the liquid transfer unit 182 is greater than that of the subsequent detection sections.

[0144] In addition, when determining the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182, the aerosol-generating device 1 of the present disclosure compares the amounts of change (slopes) per unit time with each other, rather than comparing the absolute values. At this time, even in the initial state in which the heater 183 is not heated, each heater 183 can have a resistance value different from each other due to the error in the manufacturing process, and when the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 is determined by the same absolute reference value even in this case, it is not possible to make an accurate determination of the depletion state.

[0145] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of determining the depletion state of the liquid transfer unit in the second detection section and the third detection section according to an embodiment.

[0146] Referring to Figure 9 In step S810, the control unit 12 can control the power supply unit 11 in the second detection section and the third detection section continuous to the second detection section to supply the reference power to the heater 183.

[0147] The detection section can include the first detection section and a plurality of subsequent detection sections after the first detection section, and the control unit 12 can determine the depletion state of the liquid transfer unit 182 in the subsequent detection sections. The second detection section and the third detection section are not necessarily sections continuous to the first detection section of Figure 8 , and according to the embodiment, the second detection section can also refer to a section that has elapsed a predetermined time from the first detection section.

[0148] In step S820, the control section 12 can detect the change in the resistance of the heater 183 in the second detection section and the third detection section, respectively.

[0149] The resistance detection section 161 can output the resistance value of the heater 183 in real time and transmit it to the control section 12. In a state where the reference electric power is supplied to the heater 183, the control section 12 can monitor the change in the resistance of the heater 183. The control section 12 divides one puff section including the puff start time point to the puff end time point into a plurality of detection sections. In one embodiment, the control section 12 can divide one puff section into the first detection section from the puff start time point to the first time and a plurality of detection sections after the first detection section, and the control section 12 can monitor the change in the resistance of the heater 183 in the subsequent plurality of detection sections. The change in the resistance of the heater 183 can be expressed as the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time, and the control section 12 can monitor the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time in the subsequent plurality of detection sections in real time. According to the embodiment, the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time can be expressed as a linear approximation slope.

[0150] The control section 12 can obtain the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time in the second detection section (first change amount) and the amount of change in the resistance of the heater 183 per unit time in the third detection section (second change amount) from the resistance value of the heater 183 output from the resistance detection section 161.

[0151] In step S830, the control section 12 can compare the first change amount in the second detection section with the second change amount in the third detection section.

[0152] The control section 12 can store the first change amount in the second detection section in the memory 14 and compare the first change amount with the second change amount in the third detection section. In an embodiment in which the first change amount and the second change amount are slopes, the control section 12 can compare by the first change slope and the second change slope.

[0153] When the second change amount is less than or equal to the first change amount, the control section 12 determines that the liquid delivery unit 182 is not depleted, and thus continues to supply the reference electric power to the heater 183. In an embodiment in which the first change amount and the second change amount are slopes, when the second change slope in the third detection section is less than or equal to the first change slope, the control section 12 determines that the liquid delivery unit 182 is not depleted, and thus continues to supply the reference electric power to the heater 183.

[0154] In step S840, when the second change amount is greater than the first change amount, the control section 12 can determine that the liquid delivery unit 182 is depleted.

[0155] In the embodiment in which the first change amount and the second change amount are slopes, when the second change slope in the third detection interval is greater than the first change slope, the control section 12 can determine that the liquid transfer unit 182 has been depleted. When the liquid transfer unit 182 has been depleted, the power control method in the subsequent detection interval is described later. Figure 10

[0156] On the other hand, in the interval after the initial stage of suction (first detection interval), the present disclosure determines the depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 based on the resistance change amount in the plurality of detection intervals. This is because, unlike the initial stage of suction, in the subsequent detection interval, the resistance does not rapidly change through the critical resistance of the heater 183, and thus, in the subsequent detection interval, it is difficult to set a reference slope that can distinguish such a low slope. In addition, the resistance of the heater 183 is different in each interval, and thus, when the reference of each interval is set individually, it is difficult to effectively manage the limited memory 14 capacity.

[0157] Figure 10 is a flowchart for explaining an embodiment of a power control method according to depletion of a liquid transfer unit and a method of determining depletion of a storage section.

[0158] Referring to Figure 10 In step S910, when the liquid transfer unit 182 is depleted, the control section 12 can control the power supply section 11 in the compensation interval to supply the heater 183 with a compensation power lower than the reference power.

[0159] The compensation interval can refer to an interval after the detection interval in which it is determined that the liquid transfer unit 182 is depleted. In order to distinguish between depletion of the storage section 181 and depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182, the compensation power w2 can be selected in the range of 0.3 to 0.6 times the reference power w1.

[0160] In step S920, the resistance detection section 161 can detect a change in the resistance of the heater 183 corresponding to the compensation power.

[0161] The resistance detection section 161 can output the resistance value of the heater 183 in real time and transmit it to the control section 12. In a state in which the compensation power is supplied to the heater 183, the control section 12 can monitor the change in the resistance of the heater 183. The change in the resistance can be expressed as a resistance change amount per unit time, and the control section 12 can monitor the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater 183 in the compensation interval in real time. According to the embodiment, the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater 183 can be expressed as a slope.

[0162] In step S930, the control section 12 can determine whether the resistance of the heater 183 decreases according to the supply of the compensation power.

[0163] ​The control portion 12 can determine whether the depletion of the liquid delivery unit 182 is resolved by monitoring the resistance of the heater 183 corresponding to the compensation power in real time or monitoring the resistance change amount per unit time.

[0164] In step S940, when the resistance of the heater 183 decreases corresponding to the compensation power, the control portion 12 can determine that the depletion of the liquid delivery unit 182 is resolved.

[0165] In an embodiment in which the control portion 12 monitors the resistance change amount per unit time, when the slope of the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater 183 is negative corresponding to the compensation power, the control portion 12 can determine that the depletion of the liquid delivery unit 182 is resolved.

[0166] In step S950, when the control portion 12 determines that the depletion of the liquid delivery unit 182 in the compensation section is resolved, the power supply portion 11 in the detection section continuous to the compensation section can be controlled to supply the reference power to the heater 183 again.

[0167] When the control portion 12 determines that the depletion of the liquid delivery unit 182 in the compensation section is resolved, step S910 is repeated in a state in which the reference power is supplied to the heater 183.

[0168] In step S960, when the resistance of the heater 183 increases although the compensation power less than the reference power is supplied to the heater 183 in the compensation section, the control portion 12 can determine that the aerosol generating substance stored in the storage portion 181 is depleted.

[0169] In an embodiment in which the control portion 12 monitors the resistance change amount per unit time, when the slope of the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater 183 is positive corresponding to the compensation power, the control portion 12 can determine that the storage portion 181 is depleted.

[0170] In step S970, when the control portion 12 determines that the storage portion 181 is depleted, the power supplied to the heater 183 can be blocked by controlling the power supply portion 11.

[0171] When the control portion 12 determines that the storage portion 181 is depleted, even if the user's puff is detected, the power supplied to the heater 183 is blocked and the heating of the heater 183 is suspended until a new cartridge 18 is inserted. In addition, when the control portion 12 determines that the storage portion 181 is depleted, the depletion state of the storage portion 181 can be output by controlling the output portion 16 so that the cartridge is replaceable. The user can insert the new cartridge 18 into the main body 10 in response to the depletion state display of the storage portion 181.

[0172] On the other hand, the aerosol-generating device 1 of the disclosure can not only distinguish depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 but also distinguish depletion of the storage portion 181 through resistance change of the heater 183, and notify the user. In particular, when the storage portion 181 is depleted, depletion of the liquid transfer unit 182 cannot be resolved until the cartridge is replaced, and thus the disclosure further distinguishes depletion of the storage portion 181 and notifies the user, thereby more reliably preventing carbonization of the liquid transfer unit 182.

[0173] Some embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinguished. In some embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described above, each constituent or function can be used or combined with each other.

[0174] For example, constituent A described in a certain embodiment and / or a drawing can be combined with constituent B described in another embodiment and / or a drawing. That is, even if the combination between the constituents is not directly described, the combination can be made unless it is described as impossible.

[0175] The above detailed description should not be understood as being limiting in all aspects and should be considered as exemplary. The scope of the present application should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present application are included in the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, characterized in that, include: Power Supply Department The e-cigarette cartridge includes a storage section, a liquid delivery unit, and a heater. The storage section stores aerosol-generating substances, the liquid delivery unit absorbs the aerosol-generating substances, and the heater receives power from a power supply unit to heat the aerosol-generating substances absorbed in the liquid delivery unit. The resistance detection unit detects the change in the resistance value of the heater as the heater is heated, and The control unit controls the power supply unit to supply reference power to the heater, and determines the depletion status of the aerosol-generating substances absorbed by the liquid transfer unit based on the resistance change of the heater when the reference power is supplied to the heater.

2. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device further includes a suction detection unit for detecting the user's suction. The control unit determines the depletion status of the aerosol-generating substances absorbed by the liquid transfer unit in each suction zone.

3. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit is configured as follows: The aspiration interval, including the aspiration start time point to the aspiration end time point, is divided into multiple detection intervals. Based on the resistance change of the heater in the first detection interval from the aspiration start time point to the first time point, the depletion status of the aerosol-generating substances absorbed by the liquid transfer unit is determined.

4. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The control unit is configured as follows: When the change in resistance of the heater per unit time in the first detection interval is greater than the reference change, it is determined that the aerosol-generating substances absorbed by the liquid transfer unit are exhausted.

5. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit is configured as follows: The aspiration interval, including the aspiration start time point to the aspiration end time point, is divided into a first detection interval from the aspiration start time point to the first time point and multiple subsequent detection intervals after the first detection interval. Based on the resistance change of the heater in the multiple subsequent detection intervals, the depletion status of the aerosol-generating substances absorbed by the liquid transfer unit is determined.

6. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The plurality of subsequent detection intervals include a second detection interval and a third detection interval that is continuous with the second detection interval. The control unit is configured as follows: Based on the first change in the unit-time resistance change of the heater in the second detection interval and the second change in the unit-time resistance change of the heater in the third detection interval, the depletion status of the aerosol-generating substance absorbed by the liquid transfer unit is determined.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The control unit is configured as follows: When the second change is greater than the first change, it is determined that the aerosol-generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery unit in the third detection interval has been exhausted.

8. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit is configured as follows: When it is determined that the aerosol-generating substance absorbed by the liquid transfer unit has been exhausted in the current detection interval, the power supply unit is controlled to provide the heater with compensation power lower than the reference power in the compensation interval that is continuous with the current detection interval.

9. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The control unit is configured as follows: When the resistance of the heater decreases in accordance with the compensation power in the compensation interval, it is determined that the depletion of the aerosol-generating substances absorbed by the liquid transfer unit has been resolved. In the detection interval that is continuous with the compensation interval, the power supply unit is controlled to supply the reference power to the heater.

10. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The control unit is configured as follows: When the resistance of the heater increases in accordance with the compensation power in the compensation range, it is determined that the aerosol generating substance stored in the storage unit has been depleted.

11. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, The control unit is configured as follows: When it is determined that the aerosol generating substance stored in the storage unit has been depleted, the power supply unit is controlled to cut off the power supplied to the heater during the detection interval that is continuous with the compensation interval.

12. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, Also includes: An output section that displays the status of the aerosol generating device. The control unit is configured as follows: When it is determined that the aerosol generating substance stored in the storage unit has been exhausted, the depletion status of the aerosol generating substance stored in the storage unit is output by controlling the output unit.

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