Aerosol-generating device and operating method thereof

Abstract

An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: an oscillation unit for generating microwaves; the resonance part comprises a containing space used for containing an aerosol generating article and enables the microwaves to generate resonance so as to heat the aerosol generating article; a sensor section for identifying a state of a medium of a tobacco rod included in the aerosol-generating article, and a processor for adjusting a frequency of the microwaves according to the identified state of the medium. The processor is configured to control the oscillation portion to generate microwaves having a first frequency corresponding to moisture included in the medium in a warm-up interval when a state of the medium is above a preset threshold value, and control the oscillation portion to generate microwaves having a second frequency corresponding to glycerin included in the medium in a smoking interval.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments relate to an aerosol generating apparatus and its operating method that can generate aerosols by heating aerosol generating articles by dielectric heating. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, there has been a growing demand for alternative methods to overcome the drawbacks of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is a growing need for systems that generate aerosols by heating cigarettes (or "aerosol-generating articles") using an aerosol-generating device, rather than by burning cigarettes.

[0003] Aerosol generating devices typically heat aerosol generating materials using resistance heating or induction heating to generate aerosols. However, a new aerosol generating device using a dielectric heating method that utilizes microwave heating of the aerosol generating materials has recently been proposed.

[0004] An aerosol generating device employing dielectric heating refers to a device that can generate heat in a dielectric material contained in the aerosol generating substance through microwave resonance, and use the heat generated by the dielectric material to heat the aerosol generating substance.

[0005] Depending on the state of the medium in which the aerosol-generating item is inserted into the aerosol generator, the power curve required to maintain optimal atomization performance may vary. Moisture has a higher specific heat capacity than air, and its heat capacity at the same temperature is also greater. Therefore, when a user inhales an aerosol with a high moisture content, they may feel hotter compared to inhaling air at the same temperature. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem the invention aims to solve According to an embodiment of the present invention, an aerosol generating apparatus may be provided, which employs an induction heating method capable of applying a temperature curve corresponding to the medium state of the aerosol generating article.

[0007] The problems to be solved by the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art to which the embodiments pertain will clearly understand the unmentioned problems through the description and drawings.

[0008] means for solving problems An aerosol generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an oscillation unit for generating microwaves; a resonant unit including a receiving space for accommodating an aerosol generating article and causing the microwaves to resonate to heat the aerosol generating article; a sensor unit for identifying the state of a medium including a tobacco stick in the aerosol generating article; and a processor for adjusting the frequency of the microwaves according to the identified state of the medium. The processor is configured to: when the state of the medium is above a preset threshold, in a preheating zone, control the oscillation unit to generate microwaves having a first frequency corresponding to moisture included in the medium; and in a smoking zone, control the oscillation unit to generate microwaves having a second frequency corresponding to glycerol included in the medium.

[0009] An operating method of an aerosol generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a step of identifying the state of a medium comprising a tobacco stick included in the aerosol generating article when the insertion of the aerosol generating article is detected; and a step of adjusting the microwave frequency according to the identified state of the medium. In the step of adjusting the microwave frequency, when the state of the medium is above a preset threshold, in a preheating zone, the oscillating unit is controlled to generate microwaves having a first frequency corresponding to the moisture contained in the medium; and in a smoking zone, the oscillating unit is controlled to generate microwaves having a second frequency corresponding to the glycerol contained in the medium.

[0010] The effects of the invention According to an embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generating apparatus can use a sensor that can identify the state of the aerosol generating article medium to measure the amount of water included in the aerosol generating article medium and provide a temperature profile corresponding to the amount of water included in the medium.

[0011] The effects of the embodiments are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art can clearly understand the effects not mentioned herein through this specification and the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0014] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Internal block diagram of the heater assembly.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to one embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 yes Figure 4A cross-sectional view of the heater assembly.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a schematic perspective view of a heater assembly according to another embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a block diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates the adjustment of microwave frequencies based on the medium state of tobacco sticks included in aerosol-generating articles.

[0020] Figure 9 It is a diagram used to illustrate a lookup table that includes a lookup table containing the electrical curve corresponding to each of the multiple aerosol-generating articles.

[0021] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of an aerosol generation device using dielectric heating. Detailed Implementation

[0022] In the following description, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar components will be assigned the same reference numerals, regardless of the reference numerals in the drawings, and their identical descriptions will be omitted. Regarding the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals may be used to denote the same or related elements.

[0023] The suffixes “module,” “unit,” “machine,” and “device” used in the following description are given or used interchangeably for ease of writing only, and they do not inherently have different meanings or functions. As used herein, the suffixes “module” or “unit” can include units implemented as hardware, software, or firmware. For example, the suffixes “module” or “unit” are used interchangeably with the terms “logic,” “logic block,” “component,” or “circuit.” A “module” or “unit” can be an integrally formed component, the smallest unit of a component performing one or more functions, or part of a smallest unit. For example, a “module” or “unit” can be implemented as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0024] Additionally, when describing embodiments of this disclosure, detailed descriptions of related known technologies that may obscure the subject matter of the embodiments may be omitted. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are intended only to facilitate understanding of the embodiments described herein, and the spirit of this disclosure is not limited to the drawings and should be understood to include all changes, equivalents, or alternatives included within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0025] Although terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe various elements or components, these elements or components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element or component from another.

[0026] When a component is described as "connected to" or "combined to" another component, it may be directly connected to or combined with the other component, or there may be intermediate components. In contrast, when a component is described as "directly connected to" or "directly combined to" another component, there are no intermediate components.

[0027] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well.

[0028] Various embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented as software including one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., a memory) readable by a machine (e.g., aerosol generating apparatus 1). For example, a processor (e.g., processor 170) of the machine (e.g., aerosol generating apparatus 1) can invoke and execute at least one instruction from one or more instructions stored in the storage medium. This enables the machine to perform at least one function according to the invoked at least one instruction. Examples of one or more instructions may include code created by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided as a non-transitory storage medium. “Non-transitory storage medium” is a tangible device and means only that it does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves). This term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently in the storage medium and cases where data is temporarily stored.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating apparatus 1 may include a control unit 10, a source unit 20, and a radiation unit 30. The control unit 10 may refer to a circuit for controlling the basic operation of the aerosol generating apparatus 1. The source unit 20 may refer to a circuit for generating a radio frequency (RF) signal under the control of the control unit 10. The radiation unit 30 may be a device for radiating the RF signal generated by the source unit 20 in the form of electromagnetic waves into the space into which the aerosol generating article is inserted (hereinafter referred to as the "insertion space"). The charge or ions of the dielectric (e.g., glycerol) included in the aerosol generating article may vibrate or rotate due to the radiated electromagnetic waves (e.g., the RF signal), and the aerosol generating article may be heated as the dielectric generates heat through frictional heat generated by the charge or ions during vibration or rotation. In other words, the aerosol generating apparatus 1 may be a device for generating aerosols by heating the aerosol generating article in a dielectric heating manner.

[0031] In one embodiment, the control unit 10 may include a power connector 110, a charging circuit 120, a power supply 130, a first power converter 140, a second power converter 150, a third power converter 160, and / or a processor 170. Additionally, the source unit 20 may include an RF signal generation circuit 210, a drive amplifier 220, a power amplifier 230, a directional coupler 240, and / or a temperature sensing circuit 250. However, those skilled in the art will understand that, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1, this can be omitted. Figure 1 This can be a subset of the constituent elements shown, or new constituent elements can be added.

[0032] Power connector 110 can refer to a physical connection device that is electrically connected to an external electronic device or system (e.g., an external power supply) of the aerosol generating device 1 and is used for transmitting and receiving power. For example, power connector 110 can receive power from an external power supply and can transmit the received power to a component that needs charging (e.g., power supply 130). Power connector 110 can also provide a path for data transmission. In this case, power connector 110 can be referred to as a data and power connector. The aerosol generating device 1 can transmit data to and receive data from external electronic devices or systems (e.g., smartphones, computers, etc.) via power connector 110. Power connector 110 may include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) power connector, a Direct Current (DC) power connector, etc. In one example, power connector 110 may include a USB-C connector capable of supplying a 9V DC voltage at a current of 1A, but is not necessarily limited to this. Power connector 110 may also include an interface for wirelessly transmitting and receiving power.

[0033] Charging circuit 120 can refer to circuitry used to charge power supply 130. Charging circuit 120 can charge power supply 130 using power transmitted from power connector 110. In one example, charging circuit 120 can be implemented as a charging integrated circuit (IC), which is an integrated circuit (IC) that performs functions for efficiently and safely charging power supply 130. Charging circuit 120 can monitor the charging status of power supply 130 or optimize the charging process by monitoring the voltage, current, and / or temperature of power supply 130. For example, charging circuit 120 can sense the status of power supply 130 and can prevent overcharging or over-discharging by providing appropriate charging voltage and current.

[0034] Power source 130 provides power for the operation of aerosol generating apparatus 1. Power source 130 may include one or more rechargeable batteries. Power source 130 can supply power to radiating section 30 so that radiating section 30 can radiate electromagnetic waves (e.g., RF signals) into the insertion space to heat the aerosol generating article. Here, supplying power to radiating section 30 can mean the same as supplying power to source section 20. In addition, power source 130 can supply the power required for the operation of processor 170, RF signal generation circuit 210, drive amplifier 220, power amplifier 230, temperature sensing circuit 250, etc. In one example, power source 130 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited to this. Power source 130 may be a replaceable (detachable) battery (hereinafter, removable battery). Removable battery may be installed in a battery housing provided in aerosol generating apparatus 1, or may be removed from the battery housing. Removable battery may also be charged in a wired and / or wireless manner.

[0035] The aerosol generating device 1 may include a power conversion circuit for converting the power supplied from the power source 130 into power (e.g., voltage and / or current) suitable for other components. The power conversion circuit may include at least one of a buck converter, a buck-boost converter, a boost converter, a Zener diode, and a low-dropout regulator (LDO). Additionally, the power conversion circuit may, as needed, include a DC / AC converter (e.g., an inverter).

[0036] In one example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a first power converter 140, a second power converter 150, and a third power converter 160. The first power converter 140 may be an LDO regulator for supplying power (e.g., 3.3V DC) suitable for the processor 170, the second power converter 150 may be a buck-boost converter for supplying power (e.g., 5V DC) suitable for the temperature sensing circuit 250, the RF signal generation circuit 210, and the drive amplifier 220, and the third power converter 160 may be a boost converter for supplying power (e.g., 12V / 25W DC) suitable for the power amplifier 230.

[0037] However, the first power converter 140, the second power converter 150, and the third power converter 160 are not limited to the examples described above, and may include other types of power conversion circuits. Additionally, although... Figure 1The illustration shows an aerosol generating apparatus 1 comprising three power converters; however, the aerosol generating apparatus 1 may include more than three power converters or may include fewer power converters. In one example, at least a portion of the first power converter 140, the second power converter 150, and the third power converter 160 may be integrated into a single power converter.

[0038] The processor 170 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the processor 170 can directly or indirectly control the charging and discharging of the power supply 130 using the charging circuit 120. Additionally, the processor 170 can control the voltage and / or current output from the power conversion circuit by controlling the frequency and / or duty cycle of the current pulses input to at least one switching element of the power conversion circuit. Besides the aforementioned components, the processor 170 can also comprehensively control the operation of other components, which will be described later.

[0039] The processor 170 may be implemented as an array of logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose microcontroller unit (MCU) (or microprocessor) and memory storing programs that can be executed in such an MCU. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the processor 170 may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

[0040] The RF signal generation circuit 210 can generate an RF signal based on power supplied from the power source 130 or the second power converter 150. An RF signal can refer to a signal having a frequency in the range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz. In one example, the RF signal can have a frequency from 1 GHz to 100 GHz. Additionally, the RF signal can have a frequency in the Industrial Scientific and Medical Equipment (ISM) band (e.g., 915 MHz, 2.45 GHz, and / or 5.8 GHz). In this embodiment, the RF signal can also be referred to as electromagnetic waves, microwaves, etc.

[0041] The RF signal generation circuit 210 may include a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), which generates RF signals of different frequencies based on the input voltage. The RF signal generation circuit 210 may receive control signals (e.g., DC signals) from the processor 170 and generate RF signals with frequencies corresponding to the received control signals. The processor 170 may store the control signals corresponding to the desired frequencies in the form of a lookup table, or may calculate the control signals corresponding to the desired frequencies in real time through at least one operation.

[0042] In one example, the aerosol generating apparatus 1 may further include a digital-to-analog converter (D / A converter) for converting digital control signals output from the processor 170 into analog control signals. The RF signal generation circuit 210 may receive the analog control signals and generate an RF signal having a frequency corresponding to the received analog control signals.

[0043] The driver amplifier 220 amplifies the RF signal generated by the RF signal generation circuit 210. For example, the driver amplifier 220 can provide an input signal suitable for a next-stage component (e.g., power amplifier 230) by amplifying the signal level (e.g., amplitude) of the RF signal. The driver amplifier 220 can minimize signal distortion by maintaining high linearity. However, since the driver amplifier 220 is an amplifier focused on increasing the signal level, it can provide relatively low output power.

[0044] Power amplifier 230 amplifies the power of the RF signal received from drive amplifier 220. Power amplifier 230 may be an amplifier focused on providing sufficient power to the final output device (e.g., radiator 30). For example, power amplifier 230 may provide an RF signal with high power to radiator 30, allowing radiator 30 to radiate electromagnetic waves into the insertion space to heat aerosol-generating articles. Power amplifier 230 may perform amplification by using power received through a third power converter 160, which provides higher power and / or voltage than the second power converter 150.

[0045] The driver amplifier 220 and power amplifier 230 may include transistors such as bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), field-effect transistors (FETs), or vacuum tubes. In one example, the driver amplifier 220 and power amplifier 230 may be gallium nitride (GaN) transistors capable of handling high efficiency, high speed, and high voltage, but are not limited thereto. The driver amplifier 220 and power amplifier 230 may also include operational amplifiers.

[0046] In addition, Figure 1 In this design, drive amplifier 220 and power amplifier 230 are shown as separate amplifiers, but they can be integrated into a single amplifier. Alternatively, drive amplifier 220 and / or power amplifier 230 can be configured as a series connection, a parallel connection, and / or a combination thereof of multiple amplifiers.

[0047] The radiating section 30 may include at least one antenna for radiating electromagnetic waves into space. The at least one antenna may have a size and shape suitable for the size and shape of the aerosol-generating article. For example, if the aerosol-generating article is cylindrical, then the at least one antenna may be a tubular shape surrounding the cylindrical aerosol-generating article. Here, the shape of the antenna being tubular can mean that the overall shape of the antenna is tubular. In other words, if the antenna is formed from a metal (e.g., SUS) track, then this can mean that the overall shape of the entire track is tubular. The shape of the at least one antenna is not limited to the examples described above and may include various shapes, such as a flat plate shape, a bent plate shape, etc.

[0048] The radiating section 30 heats the aerosol-generating article by radiating electromagnetic waves (e.g., amplified or transmitted RF signals) into the insertion space. To maximize the heating efficiency of the aerosol-generating article, electromagnetic wave resonance should occur within the insertion space. The resonance conditions of the insertion space (e.g., resonant frequency) can vary depending on the type or amount of dielectric contained in the inserted aerosol-generating article. The processor 170 can control the frequency of the RF signal generated by the RF signal generation circuit 210 by adjusting the control signal input to the RF signal generation circuit 210, so that the frequency of the RF signal generated by the RF signal generation circuit 210 corresponds to or is close to the resonance conditions of the insertion space. The processor 170 can use the directional coupler 240 to obtain information about the resonance conditions of the insertion space.

[0049] The directional coupler 240 can refer to a passive element having a waveguide structure that separates the incident wave and the reflected wave from each other. The directional coupler 240 can receive RF signals transmitted from the power amplifier 230 to the radiating section 30, as well as electromagnetic waves reflected from the insertion space after being radiated by the radiating section 30. The directional coupler 240 can separate the transmitted RF signals and the reflected electromagnetic waves and provide them to the processor 170.

[0050] In one example, the aerosol generating apparatus 1 may further include an analog-to-digital converter (A / D converter) for converting the analog output of the directional coupler 240 into a digital output. The A / D converter may be integrated into the processor 170 or may exist as a separate component external to the processor 170. The processor 170 can analyze the characteristics of the transmitted RF signal (e.g., current, voltage, power, phase, and / or frequency) and the characteristics of the reflected electromagnetic waves (e.g., current, voltage, power, phase, and / or frequency) by monitoring the output of the directional coupler 240.

[0051] Processor 170 can determine whether the operation of source unit 20 is being performed as expected based on the characteristics of the transmitted RF signal. Furthermore, the characteristics of the transmitted RF signal, together with the characteristics of the reflected electromagnetic waves, can be used to determine the heating efficiency of source unit 20 or radiator 30. Processor 170 can control source unit 20 to maximize the heating efficiency of source unit 20 or radiator 30. For example, processor 170 can adjust the frequency of the RF signal generated by RF signal generation circuit 210 to minimize the power of the reflected electromagnetic waves. Minimizing the power of the reflected electromagnetic waves may mean that the frequency of the RF signal approaches the resonance condition of the insertion space. The characteristics of the transmitted RF signal provide a reference for whether the power of the reflected electromagnetic waves is minimized.

[0052] Since electromagnetic wave resonance can occur in the insertion space according to the frequency of the RF signal, the insertion space can be referred to as a resonant section. At least a portion of the insertion space may be surrounded by at least one shielding component to prevent electromagnetic waves from leaking to the outside of the aerosol generating apparatus 1. In one embodiment, the insertion space may further include physical structures for ensuring that the resonance conditions are within the controllable range of the processor 170. The physical structure may include at least one conductor, and the resonance conditions of the insertion space may vary depending on the arrangement, thickness, and length of the conductor. Additionally, the physical structure may include a space for accommodating a dielectric material with low electromagnetic absorption, unlike the dielectric material contained in the aerosol generating article. A dielectric material with low electromagnetic absorption can alter the resonant frequency of the entire resonant section without absorbing energy to be transferred to the heated material. Therefore, even if the size of the resonant section is reduced, the resonance conditions can be determined within the controllable range of the processor 170.

[0053] The temperature sensing circuit 250 may be in contact with or adjacent to the components included in the source section 20 to measure the temperature of the source section 20. For example, the temperature sensing circuit 250 may be arranged in contact with or adjacent to at least one of the RF signal generation circuit 210, the drive amplifier 220, and the power amplifier 230. Due to the limited efficiency in generating and / or amplifying the RF signal, heat may be generated, and if excessive heat is generated, this heat may negatively affect the components included in the source section 20 or other components included in the aerosol generation apparatus 1. The temperature measured by the temperature sensing circuit 250 can be used to prevent overheating of the source section 20.

[0054] The processor 170 can receive the temperature (or a value corresponding to the temperature) measured by the temperature sensing circuit 250, and if it determines that the source unit 20 is overheating, the processor 170 can stop the operation of the source unit 20. For example, the processor 170 can stop the operation of the source unit 20 by cutting off the power supply to the source unit 20 or transmitting a control signal. In the following text, the term "power supply to the source unit 20" is used to indicate whether the source unit 20 is operating.

[0055] The temperature sensing circuit 250 may include at least one of the following temperature sensors: a thermocouple, a resistance temperature detector (RTD), a thermistor, a semiconductor temperature sensor, and an optical temperature sensor. In one example, the temperature sensing circuit 250 may be implemented as a chip-type sensor (e.g., a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) sensor) to minimize the area occupied, but is not limited thereto.

[0056] Aerosol generating device 1 includes, in addition to Figure 1 In addition to the components shown, other components may be included. For example, the aerosol generating apparatus 1 may also include a sensor unit, an output unit, an input unit, a communication unit, and a memory. Furthermore, if the aerosol generating apparatus 1 is a hybrid device using both an aerosol generating article and a cartridge, the aerosol generating apparatus 1 may also include a cartridge heater. The cartridge heater receives power from the power source 130 to heat the medium and / or aerosol generating substance within the cartridge.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit can sense the state of the aerosol generating device 1 or the state around the aerosol generating device 1, and transmit the sensed information to the processor 170. For example, the sensor unit may include a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, an insertion sensor, a reuse sensor, an overly moist sensor, a cigarette identification sensor, a cartridge sensor, a cap sensor, and / or a motion sensor. The sensor unit may also include various sensors such as a liquid level sensor for sensing the remaining liquid in the cartridge and a water immersion sensor for sensing the immersion of the aerosol generating device 1 in water.

[0058] In one embodiment, a temperature sensor can sense the temperature of the insertion space or the aerosol-generating article. The temperature sensor may be arranged in contact with or adjacent to the insertion space or the aerosol-generating article to directly measure its temperature. Alternatively, the temperature sensor may be arranged spaced apart from the insertion space or the aerosol-generating article to indirectly (e.g., non-contactly) measure its temperature. In one example, the temperature sensor may include an optical temperature sensor (e.g., an infrared temperature sensor).

[0059] In one embodiment, a temperature sensor can sense the temperature of the power supply 130. The temperature sensor may be arranged adjacent to the power supply 130. For example, the temperature sensor may be attached to a surface of the power supply 130 (e.g., a battery) and / or mounted on a surface of a printed circuit board. For example, the aerosol generating apparatus 1 may include a protection circuit module (PCM), and the temperature sensor may be arranged together with the protection circuit module adjacent to the power supply 130.

[0060] According to one embodiment, a temperature sensor may also be arranged inside the housing (not shown) of the aerosol generating device 1 to sense the temperature inside the housing (not shown).

[0061] In one embodiment, the suction sensor can sense the user's suction.

[0062] As an example, the suction sensor may include a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may output a signal corresponding to the internal pressure of the aerosol generating device 1, and the processor 170 may detect user suction based on the signal corresponding to the internal pressure. Here, the internal pressure of the aerosol generating device 1 may correspond to the pressure of the gas flow path. The suction sensor may be arranged to correspond to the gas flow path in the aerosol generating device 1.

[0063] As another example, the suction sensor may include a temperature sensor. When a user suctions, a temporary temperature drop may occur in the airflow path, insertion space, aerosol-generating articles, etc. The processor 170 may detect the user suction based on a signal output from the temperature sensor corresponding to the temperature of the airflow path, etc.

[0064] As another example, the suction sensor may include both a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor. In this case, the temperature sensor measures the temperature used to correct the internal pressure measured by the pressure sensor. As an example, the suction sensor may correct the signal corresponding to the internal pressure based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and output the corrected signal. As another example, the suction sensor may output a signal corresponding to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and a signal corresponding to the internal pressure measured by the suction sensor. In this case, the processor 170 may receive the signals and correct the signal corresponding to the internal pressure based on the signal corresponding to the temperature.

[0065] As another example, the suction sensor may include a capacitive sensor. In this disclosure, a capacitive sensor may also be referred to as a capacitive sensor. When user suction occurs, temperature changes and / or aerosol flow may occur within the insertion space, thereby altering the dielectric constant inside the insertion space. The processor 170 may detect user suction based on a signal output from the capacitive sensor that corresponds to the dielectric constant inside the insertion space.

[0066] Suction sensors are not limited to the examples above, and can be implemented using various sensors to detect a user's suction.

[0067] In one embodiment, an insertion sensing sensor can sense the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol-generating article. The insertion sensing sensor may be mounted around the insertion space.

[0068] As an example, the insertion sensing sensor may include a capacitive sensor. The capacitive sensor may include at least one conductor, wherein the at least one conductor may be arranged adjacent to the insertion space. The dielectric constant around the conductor may change when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into or removed from the insertion space. The processor 170 may detect the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol-generating article based on a signal output from the capacitive sensor corresponding to the dielectric constant inside the insertion space.

[0069] As another example, the insertion-sensing sensor may include an inductive sensor. The inductive sensor may include at least one coil, wherein the at least one coil may be arranged adjacent to the insertion space. When the aerosol-generating article (e.g., a wrapper of the aerosol-generating article) contains a conductor, a change in the magnetic field may occur around the current-carrying coil when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into or removed from the insertion space. The processor 170 may sense the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol-generating article, including the conductor, based on the characteristics of the current output from or detected by the inductive sensor (e.g., the frequency, current value, voltage value, inductance value, impedance value, etc. of the alternating current). Alternatively, the aerosol-generating article (e.g., the dielectric portion of the aerosol-generating article) may include a susceptor (e.g., SUS), etc. Even in this case, a change in the magnetic field around the coil may occur based on the insertion or removal of the susceptor, etc., within the insertion space, and the processor 170 may also sense the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol-generating article based on the characteristics of the current from the inductive sensor.

[0070] Insertion sensing sensors are not limited to the examples described above, and can be implemented using a variety of sensors (e.g., proximity sensors, etc.) for sensing the insertion and / or removal of aerosol-generated articles. Additionally, insertion sensing sensors can include any combination of the examples described above. In one embodiment, the insertion sensing sensor may also include a switch, etc., for sensing a press of an aerosol-generated article.

[0071] In one embodiment, a reuse sensing sensor can detect whether an aerosol-generated article is reused. As an example, the reuse sensing sensor could be a color sensor for sensing the color of the aerosol-generated article. If a user uses the aerosol-generated article, the color of a portion of the outer casing surrounding the article may change due to the generated aerosol or heating. The color sensor can output a signal corresponding to the optical characteristics (e.g., wavelength of light) corresponding to the color of the casing based on light reflected from the casing. If a color change in a portion of the casing is detected, the processor 170 can determine that the aerosol-generated article inserted into the insertion space has been used.

[0072] According to one embodiment, an over-humidity sensing sensor can sense whether an aerosol-generating article is in an over-humid state. For example, the over-humidity sensing sensor may include a capacitive sensor. The capacitive sensor may include at least one conductor arranged adjacent to the insertion space. The processor 170 can detect that the aerosol-generating article is in an over-humid state based on the level of a signal corresponding to a dielectric constant, etc., output from the capacitive sensor. As an example, the processor 170 can determine a range of levels including the signal level based on a lookup table, and determine the moisture content of the aerosol-generating article based on the determined range of levels.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the cigarette identification sensor can sense whether the aerosol-generating article is genuine and / or sense the type of the aerosol-generating article.

[0074] As an example, a cigarette identification sensor may include an optical sensor for sensing an identification substance (or identification mark) located on the outer surface of an aerosol-generating article (e.g., a packaging component). The optical sensor may illuminate the identification substance (or identification mark) of the aerosol-generating article, and the processor 170 may sense the authenticity and / or type of the aerosol-generating article based on the reflected light. For example, the identification substance may include a substance that emits light of a specific wavelength based on the illuminated light. The processor 170 may detect the authenticity and / or type of the aerosol-generating article based on the range of said wavelengths.

[0075] As another example, the cigarette identification sensor may include a capacitive sensor. The dielectric constant within the insertion space may vary depending on the type of aerosol-generating article inserted into the insertion space. The processor 170 may detect the authenticity and / or type of the aerosol-generating article based on a signal output from the capacitive sensor corresponding to the dielectric constant within the insertion space.

[0076] As another example, the cigarette identification sensor may include an inductive sensor. Where a conductor is included in the packaging and / or interior (e.g., the dielectric portion) of the aerosol-generating article inserted into the insertion space, the characteristics of the current sensed by the inductive sensor (e.g., frequency, current value, voltage value, inductance value, impedance value, etc. of alternating current) when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the insertion space may vary depending on the type of aerosol-generating article inserted into the insertion space. The processor 170 may detect the authenticity and / or type of the inserted aerosol-generating article based on the characteristics of the current output from or sensed by the inductive sensor.

[0077] Cigarette identification sensors are not limited to the examples above and can be implemented using various sensors used to sense whether an aerosol-generating article is genuine and / or to sense the type of aerosol-generating article. Additionally, cigarette identification sensors can include any combination of the examples above.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the cartridge sensing sensor can sense the installation and / or removal of the cartridge. For example, the cartridge sensing sensor may include an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a Hall effect sensor (HAL IC), and / or an optical sensor.

[0079] According to one embodiment, a cap sensing sensor can sense the installation and / or removal of a cap. For example, the cap sensing sensor may include an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a contact sensor, a Hall effect sensor (HAL IC), and / or an optical sensor. The cap may include a structure that covers at least a portion of a cartridge mounted or inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, or covers at least a portion of the housing of the aerosol generating device 1. If the cap is installed in or removed from the housing, the cap sensing sensor may output a signal corresponding to the installation or removal, and the processor 170 may sense the installation or removal of the cap based on the signal corresponding to the installation or removal.

[0080] According to one embodiment, a motion sensing sensor can sense the motion of the aerosol generating device 1. The motion sensing sensor can be implemented using at least one of an accelerometer or a gyroscope sensor.

[0081] According to one embodiment, in addition to the sensors described above, the sensor unit may also include at least one of a humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a position sensor (Global Positioning System (GPS)), or a proximity sensor. Those skilled in the art can intuitively understand the function of each sensor based on its name; therefore, a detailed description is omitted here.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the output unit can output information about the status of the aerosol generating device 1. The output unit may include a display, a haptic unit, and / or an audio output unit. For example, the information about the aerosol generating device 1 may include the charging / discharging status of the power supply 130, the operating status of the source unit 20 or the radiation unit 30, the insertion / removal status of the aerosol generating article and / or cartridge, the installation and / or removal status of the cap, or a status where the use of the aerosol generating device 1 is restricted (e.g., an abnormal object is detected). The display can visually provide the user with information about the status of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the display may include a light-emitting diode (LED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), etc. If the display includes a touchpad, the display can also be used as an input unit. The haptic unit can tactilely provide the user with information about the status of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the tactile component may include a vibration motor, a piezoelectric element, an electrical stimulation device, etc. The sound output component can provide the user with auditory information about the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the sound output component can convert electrical signals into audio signals and output them to the outside.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the input unit can receive information input by a user. For example, the input unit may include a touch panel, buttons, a keyboard, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the memory, as hardware storing various data processed within the aerosol generating apparatus 1, can store data processed by the processor 170 and data to be processed. For example, the memory may include at least one type of storage medium selected from flash memory, hard disk, multimedia card micro, card-type memory (e.g., SD (Secure Digital) or XD (Extreme Digital) memory), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), magnetic storage, magnetic disk, and optical disk. For example, the memory may store data regarding the operating time of the aerosol generating apparatus 1, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the communication unit may include at least one component for communicating with other electronic devices (e.g., portable electronic devices). For example, the communication unit may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication unit, an Ultra Wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ (Adaptive Network Topology) communication unit, a Cellular Network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a Computer Network (e.g., a Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN)) communication unit, etc.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the processor 170 can control the temperature of the insertion space or aerosol-generating article by controlling the amplification factor of the source unit 20 (e.g., power amplifier 230). The processor 170 can control the amplification factor of the source unit 20 (e.g., power amplifier 230) based on the temperature of the insertion space or aerosol-generating article sensed using a temperature sensor. The processor 170 can also control the amplification factor of the source unit 20 (e.g., power amplifier 230) based on temperature profiles and / or power profiles stored in memory.

[0087] Additionally, the processor 170 can control the temperature of the cartridge heater by controlling the power supply from the power source 130 to the cartridge heater. The processor 170 can control the temperature of the cartridge heater and / or the power supplied to the cartridge heater based on the temperature of the cartridge heater sensed using a temperature sensor. The processor 170 can also control the temperature of the cartridge heater and / or the power supplied to the cartridge heater based on temperature and / or power curves stored in memory.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the processor 170 can prevent overheating of the insertion space, the aerosol generating article, and / or the cartridge heater. For example, the processor 170 can control the operation of the power conversion circuit based on whether the temperature of the insertion space, the aerosol generating article, and / or the cartridge heater exceeds a preset limit temperature, so as to reduce the power supplied to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater, or stop the power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the processor 170 can control the power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater based on the results sensed by the sensor unit.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the processor 170 can control the power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater based on whether the aerosol generating article is inserted into and / or removed from the insertion space. For example, if the insertion sensing sensor determines that the aerosol generating article has been inserted into the insertion space, the processor 170 can control the power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater. If the insertion sensing sensor determines that the aerosol generating article has been removed from the insertion space, the processor 170 can cut off the power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater. If the temperature of the insertion space or the aerosol generating article is above a limit temperature, or if the slope of the temperature change of the insertion space or the aerosol generating article is at a set slope, the processor 170 can determine that the aerosol generating article has been removed from the insertion space.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the processor 170 can control the power supply time and / or power supply amount to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater based on the state of the aerosol generating article. For example, if the processor 170 determines that the aerosol generating article is in an over-humid state using an over-humidity sensing sensor, the processor 170 can increase the power supply time to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater (e.g., preheating time).

[0092] According to one embodiment, the processor 170 can control the power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater based on whether the aerosol generating article has been reused. For example, if it is determined that the aerosol generating article has been used, the processor 170 can cut off the power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the processor 170 can control the power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater based on whether the cartridge is attached and / or removed. For example, if the cartridge sensing sensor determines that the cartridge is removed, the processor 170 can stop supplying power to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater, or control the power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater to be stopped.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the processor 170 can control the power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater based on whether the aerosol-generating material of the cartridge is depleted. For example, during the preheating of the cartridge heater (i.e., during the preheating period), if it is determined that the temperature of the cartridge heater exceeds a limit temperature, the processor 170 can determine that the aerosol-generating material of the cartridge is depleted. If it is determined that the aerosol-generating material of the cartridge is depleted, the processor 170 can cut off the power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the processor 170 can control the power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater based on whether the cartridge is available or not. For example, if it is determined based on data stored in the memory that the current number of puffs exceeds the maximum number of puffs set for the cartridge, the processor 170 can determine that the cartridge is no longer usable. Alternatively, if the total heating time of the cartridge heater exceeds a preset maximum time or the total power supplied to the cartridge heater exceeds a preset maximum power, the processor 170 can determine that the cartridge is unusable. In this case, the processor 170 can stop supplying power to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater, or control the power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater to be stopped.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the processor 170 can control the power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater based on the user's inhalation. For example, the processor 170 can use an inhalation sensor to determine whether an inhalation has occurred and / or the intensity of the inhalation. If the number of inhalations reaches a preset maximum number of inhalations and / or no inhalation is detected within a preset time period, the processor 170 can cut off the power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater. When an inhalation is detected, the processor 170 can also control the power supply to the source unit 20 or the cartridge heater.

[0097] According to one embodiment, processor 170 can control the power supply to source unit 20 or cartridge heater based on the authenticity and / or type of the aerosol-generating article (or cartridge). For example, processor 170 can utilize a cigarette identification sensor to detect the authenticity and / or type of the aerosol-generating article (or cartridge). For example, if the aerosol-generating article (or cartridge) is detected as counterfeit, processor 170 can cut off the power supply to source unit 20 or cartridge heater. If the aerosol-generating article (or cartridge) is detected as genuine, processor 170 can control (e.g., start) the power supply to source unit 20 or cartridge heater. As another example, processor 170 can control the power supply to source unit 20 or cartridge heater differently depending on the type of aerosol-generating article (or cartridge). More specifically, if an aerosol-generating article (or cartridge) is detected as a first aerosol-generating article (or first cartridge), the processor 170 can control the amplification factor of the source unit 20 or the temperature and / or power of the cartridge heater based on a first temperature curve (or first power curve). If an aerosol-generating article (or cartridge) is detected as a second aerosol-generating article (or second cartridge), the processor 170 can control the amplification factor of the source unit 20 or the temperature and / or power of the cartridge heater based on a second temperature curve (or second power curve).

[0098] According to an embodiment, the processor 170 can control the output unit based on the results sensed by the sensor unit. For example, if the number of puffs counted by the puff sensor reaches a preset number, the processor 170 can control the output unit to provide visual, tactile, and / or audible information indicating that the aerosol generating device 1 is about to terminate operation. For example, the processor 170 can control the output unit to provide visual, tactile, and / or audible information about the temperature of the insertion space, the aerosol generating article, or the cartridge heater.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the processor 170 can store and update a history of events in memory based on the occurrence of predetermined events. For example, an event may include operations performed in the aerosol generating device 1 such as: sensing the insertion of an aerosol generating article, starting heating the aerosol generating article, sensing inhalation, terminating inhalation, sensing overheating, sensing overvoltage applied to the cartridge heater, terminating heating of the aerosol generating article, switching the power supply of the aerosol generating device 1 on / off, starting charging the power supply 130, sensing overcharging of the power supply 130, and terminating charging the power supply 130. For example, the history of events may include the date and time of the event, log data corresponding to the event, etc. For example, if the predetermined event is sensing the insertion of an aerosol generating article, the log data corresponding to the event may include data regarding the detection value of the insertion sensing sensor, etc. For example, if the predetermined event is sensing overheating of the cartridge heater, the log data corresponding to the event may include data regarding the temperature of the cartridge heater, the voltage applied to the cartridge heater, the current flowing through the cartridge heater, etc.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the processor 170 can control the communication unit to form a communication link with an external device such as a user's mobile terminal.

[0101] According to one embodiment, if authentication data is received from an external device via a communication link, the processor 170 can remove restrictions on the use of at least one function (e.g., heating function) of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the authentication data may include the user's date of birth, the user's unique identification number, and whether the user has completed authentication.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the processor 170 can transmit data regarding the status of the aerosol generating apparatus 1 (e.g., remaining capacity of the power supply 130, operating mode, etc.) to an external device via a communication link. The transmitted data can be output via a display or the like on the external device.

[0103] According to one embodiment, if a location search request for the aerosol generating device 1 is received from an external device via a communication link, the processor 170 can control the output unit to perform an operation corresponding to the location search. For example, the processor 170 can control the tactile unit to vibrate, or control the display to output content corresponding to the location search and search termination.

[0104] According to one embodiment, if firmware data is received from an external device via a communication link, the processor 170 can perform a firmware update.

[0105] According to one embodiment, processor 170 can transmit data about the detection values ​​of at least one sensor unit to an external server (not shown) via a communication link, and receive and store a learning model generated by learning the detection values ​​using machine learning (such as deep learning) from the server. Processor 170 can use the learning model received from the server to perform operations such as determining the user's inhalation pattern and generating a temperature profile.

[0106] Although Figure 1 Not shown, but the aerosol generating apparatus 1 may also include a power protection circuit. The power protection circuit may include at least one switching element and may disconnect the current path to the power supply 130 in response to overcharging and / or over-discharging of the power supply 130.

[0107] The aerosol generating articles mentioned in this disclosure may include at least one aerosol generating rod (e.g., a medium section) and at least one filter rod. A radiating section 30 may be arranged corresponding to at least one aerosol generating rod and may be designed differently depending on the arrangement order and / or position of the aerosol generating rod and the filter rod. The aerosol generating rod may include at least one of nicotine, an aerosol generating substance, and additives. For example, the aerosol generating substance may include glycerol (e.g., vegetable glycerin (VG)) and / or propylene glycol (PG), in addition to various other substances. For example, additives may include flavoring agents and / or organic acids, in addition to various other substances. For example, the aerosol generating rod may include an aerosol generating substrate (e.g., a sheet) impregnated with a liquid non-tobacco substance (e.g., an aerosol generating substance and / or nicotine), and / or may include a solid tobacco substance (e.g., tobacco leaves, reconstituted tobacco, etc.). The tobacco substance may be included in the aerosol generating rod in various forms such as shredded, granulated, or powdered. According to one embodiment, the additives in the aerosol generating rod may include an alkaline substance. Based on the alkaline substance, the nicotine of the tobacco material included in the aerosol generating rod may have an alkaline pH (e.g., pH 7.0 or higher). In this case, freebase nicotine can be released from the aerosol generating rod even at low temperatures. According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating rod may include two or more aerosol generating rods, wherein the two or more aerosol generating rods may each include tobacco material and / or non-tobacco material. Additionally, although not shown, at least one aerosol generating rod and at least one filter rod may be individually and / or integrally wrapped by at least one wrapping component. In this disclosure, the aerosol generating article may also be referred to as a stick.

[0108] The cartridges mentioned in this disclosure may contain an aerosol-generating substance in any of the following states: liquid, solid, gaseous, or gel. The aerosol-generating substance may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing tobacco-containing substances, including volatile tobacco flavor components, or the liquid composition may be a liquid containing non-tobacco substances. The cartridge may include a storage portion containing the aerosol-generating substance and / or a liquid delivery member impregnated with (containing) the aerosol-generating substance. For example, the liquid delivery member may include a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic. The cartridge heater may be included in the cartridge in the form of a coil surrounding (or winding) the liquid delivery member or in a structure contacting one side of the liquid delivery member. Alternatively, the cartridge heater may also be included in an aerosol-generating device 1 that can be separated from the cartridge.

[0109] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0110] Reference Figure 2 According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating apparatus 1 may include a housing 100 capable of containing an aerosol generating article 2 and a heater assembly 50 for heating the aerosol generating article 2 contained in the housing 100.

[0111] The housing 100 can form the overall appearance of the aerosol generating device 1, and the components of the aerosol generating device 1 can be arranged in the internal space (or "mounting space") of the housing 100. For example, a heater assembly 50, a battery, a processor and / or a sensor can be arranged in the internal space of the housing 100, but the components arranged in the internal space are not limited to this.

[0112] An insertion port 100h may be formed in a region of the housing 100, through which at least one region of the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into the interior of the housing 100. For example, the insertion port 100h may be formed in a region of the top surface of the housing 100 (e.g., the surface facing the y direction), but the location of the insertion port 100h is not limited to this. In another embodiment, the insertion port 100h may also be formed in a region of the side surface of the housing 100 (e.g., the surface facing the x direction).

[0113] The heater assembly 50 is disposed within the interior space of the housing 100 and is capable of heating the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into or contained within the housing 100 via the insertion port 100h. For example, the heater assembly 50 may be configured to surround at least one region of the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into or contained within the housing 100, thereby heating the aerosol generating article 2.

[0114] According to one embodiment, heater assembly 50 can heat aerosol-generating article 2 via dielectric heating. "Dielectric heating" in this disclosure refers to a method of heating a dielectric material as a heated object using the resonance of microwaves and / or the electric field (including magnetic field) of microwaves. Microwaves, as an energy source for heating the heated object, are generated by high-frequency electricity; therefore, in the following text, microwaves may be used interchangeably with microwave power.

[0115] Inside the heater assembly 50, under the action of microwave resonance, the charges or ions of the dielectric material, including inside the aerosol generating article 2, can vibrate or rotate, and the frictional heat generated during the vibration or rotation of the charges or ions causes the dielectric material to generate heat, thereby heating the aerosol generating article 2.

[0116] As the aerosol generating article 2 is heated by the heater assembly 50, the aerosol generating article 2 can generate aerosols. In this disclosure, "aerosol" may refer to gaseous particles formed by the mixing of vapor generated as the aerosol generating article 2 is heated with air.

[0117] The aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article 2 can pass through the aerosol generating article 2 or be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 through the empty space between the aerosol generating article 2 and the insertion port 100h. The user can smoke by contacting an area of ​​the aerosol generating article 2 exposed to the outside of the housing 100 with their mouth and inhaling the aerosol discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0118] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating apparatus 1 may further include a cover 101 movably disposed on the housing 100 to open or close the insertion port 100h. For example, the cover 101 may be slidably coupled to the top surface of the housing 100, thereby allowing the insertion port 100h to be exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating apparatus 1, or covering the insertion port 100h to prevent the insertion port 100h from being exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating apparatus 1.

[0119] In one example, the cover 101 may expose the insertion port 100h to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 in a first position (or "open position"). When the insertion port 100h is exposed to the outside, the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into the interior of the housing 100 through the insertion port 100h.

[0120] In another example, cover 101 may cover the insertion port 100h in a second position (or "closed position") to prevent the insertion port 100h from being exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device 1. In this case, cover 101 prevents external foreign matter from flowing into the heater assembly 50 through the insertion port 100h when the aerosol generating device 1 is not in use.

[0121] Figure 2 Only the aerosol generating apparatus 1 for heating the solid aerosol generating article 2 is shown, but the aerosol generating apparatus 1 is not limited to the embodiment shown.

[0122] According to another embodiment, the aerosol generating apparatus can also generate aerosols by heating a liquid or gel-state aerosol generating substance with a heater assembly 50 instead of a solid-state aerosol generating substance.

[0123] According to another embodiment, the aerosol generating apparatus may further include: a heater assembly 50 for heating the aerosol generating article 2; and a cartridge (or "vaporizer") comprising an aerosol generating substance in a liquid or gel state, and heating the aerosol generating substance. The aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substance can move along an airflow channel connecting the cartridge and the aerosol generating article 2 to the aerosol generating article 2, mix with the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating article 2, and then be delivered to the user through the aerosol generating article 2.

[0124] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Internal block diagram of the heater assembly.

[0125] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 The heater assembly 50 may include an oscillation section 510, an isolation section 540, a power monitoring section 550, a matching section 560, a microwave output section 530, and a resonant section 520.

[0126] The oscillation unit 510 can generate high-frequency microwave power. At this time, the oscillation unit 510 can be... Figure 1 The configuration includes a radio frequency (RF) signal generation circuit 210, a driver amplifier 220, and a power amplifier 230.

[0127] The oscillation unit 510 may include a solid-state RF generation device and utilize it to generate microwave power. The solid-state RF generation device may be implemented using semiconductors. When the oscillation unit 510 is implemented using semiconductors, it has the advantages of miniaturizing the heater assembly 50 and extending the device life.

[0128] The oscillation unit 510 can output microwave power to the resonant unit 520. The oscillation unit 510 includes a power amplifier that increases or decreases the microwave power, and the power amplifier can adjust the magnitude of the microwave power according to the control of the processor 170. For example, the power amplifier can decrease or increase the amplitude of the microwave. The microwave power can be adjusted by adjusting the amplitude of the microwave. The processor 170 can adjust the microwave frequency output by the oscillation unit 510 based on a pre-stored power curve (or temperature curve). For example, the power curve includes target temperature information for the preheating zone and the smoking zone, allowing the oscillation unit 510 to supply microwaves with a first frequency in the preheating zone and microwaves with a second frequency lower than the first frequency in the smoking zone.

[0129] The processor 170 can adjust the magnitude and / or frequency of the microwave power output by the oscillation unit 510 according to the operating mode of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 can operate in standby mode and heating mode. Standby mode refers to the state where the power supply to the aerosol generating device 1 is turned on but the heater assembly 50 is not heating. Heating mode is the stage where the heater assembly 50 heats, and can be divided into a preheating zone and a smoke extraction zone. The oscillation unit 510 can supply microwave power with a first power in standby mode and supply microwave power with a second power greater than the first power in heating mode.

[0130] In standby mode, the processor 170 can identify the state of the medium included in the aerosol-generating article 2 and determine the type of aerosol-generating article 2.

[0131] In heating mode, the oscillation unit 510 can adjust the magnitude and / or frequency of the microwave power output by the oscillation unit 510 based on the type of aerosol generating article 2 determined in standby mode and / or the temperature curve corresponding to the state of the medium included in the aerosol generating article 2.

[0132] For example, the heating curve includes target temperature information for the preheating zone and the smoking zone, allowing the oscillation unit 510 to supply microwave power at a second-first power in the preheating zone and at a second-second power (less than the second-first power) in the smoking zone. Furthermore, the heating curve includes frequency information for the preheating zone and the smoking zone, allowing the oscillation unit 510 to supply microwaves with a first frequency in the preheating zone and microwaves with a second frequency (less than the first frequency) in the smoking zone.

[0133] The isolation section 540 can block microwave power input from the resonant section 520 to the oscillator section 510. Most of the microwave power output from the oscillator section 510 is absorbed by the heated body, but depending on the heating status of the heated body, a portion of the microwave power may be reflected by the heated body and transmitted back towards the oscillator section 510. This is because as the heated body heats up, polar molecules are depleted, causing a change in the impedance from the oscillator section 510 to the resonant section 520. The meaning of "a change in impedance from the oscillator section 510 to the resonant section 520" can be the same as the meaning of "a change in the resonant frequency of the resonant section 520." When microwave power reflected from the resonant section 520 is input to the oscillator section 510, it not only causes the oscillator section 510 to malfunction but also prevents it from achieving its expected output performance. The isolation section 540 does not return the microwave power reflected from the resonant section 520 to the oscillator section 510; instead, it can guide and absorb it in a predetermined direction. For this purpose, the isolation section 540 may include a circulator and a dummy load.

[0134] The power monitoring unit 550 can monitor the incident microwave power output from the oscillation unit 510 and the reflected microwave power reflected from the resonant unit 520, respectively. The power monitoring unit 550 can send information about the incident microwave power and the reflected microwave power to the matching unit 560.

[0135] The microwave reflection characteristics within the resonant section 520 can vary depending on the dielectric constant within the resonant section 520. The dielectric constant is an important characteristic value representing the electrical properties of a dielectric material (i.e., an insulator). The dielectric constant does not characterize the electrical properties with respect to direct current, but is directly related to the properties of alternating current (especially alternating electromagnetic waves). Specifically, the magnitude of the reflected microwave from the resonant section 520 can vary depending on the complex dielectric constant within the resonant section 520. The microwave absorption within the resonant section 520 can be represented by the loss tangent, which is the ratio of the real part to the imaginary part of the complex dielectric constant. Furthermore, the phase of the reflected microwave from the resonant section 520 can vary depending on the dielectric constant within the resonant section 520. Since the type of aerosol-generating article 2 inserted into the accommodating space 520h of the resonant section 520 varies, and the dielectric material included also differs, the dielectric constant of the resonant section 520 may also differ. Therefore, the type of aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the accommodating space of the resonant part 520 can be determined by analyzing the reflected microwaves reflected from the resonant part 520.

[0136] The matching unit 560 matches the impedance from the oscillating unit 510 to the resonant unit 520 with the impedance from the resonant unit 520 to the oscillating unit 510, thereby minimizing reflected microwave power. Impedance matching can be achieved by aligning the frequency of the oscillating unit 510 with the resonant frequency of the resonant unit 520. Therefore, the matching unit 560 can change the frequency of the oscillating unit 510 to match the impedance. In other words, the matching unit 560 can adjust the frequency of the microwave power output from the oscillating unit 510 to minimize reflected microwave power. The impedance matching of the matching unit 560 can be performed in real time, independent of the temperature profile.

[0137] On the other hand, the aforementioned oscillation unit 510, isolation unit 540, power monitoring unit 550, and matching unit 560 are separate configurations distinct from the microwave output unit 530 and resonant unit 520 described later, and can be implemented using a microwave source in the form of a chip. Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the aforementioned oscillation unit 510, isolation unit 540, power monitoring unit 550, and matching unit 560 can also be implemented as part of the processor 170.

[0138] The microwave output unit 530 is configured to input microwave power to the resonant unit 520, and it can be a configuration corresponding to... Figure 3 The configuration of the coupler shown in subsequent figures is also described. The microwave output unit 530 can be implemented using SMA, SMB, MCX, or MMCX connectors. The microwave output unit 530 can transfer microwave power generated by the microwave source to the resonator unit 520 by connecting a chip-type microwave source and the resonator unit 520.

[0139] The resonant section 520 can heat the heated object by generating microwaves within the resonant structure. The resonant section 520 includes a receiving space 520h for accommodating the aerosol-generating article 2, which can be exposed to microwaves and dielectrically heated. For example, the aerosol-generating article 2 may include a polar substance, and the molecules within the polar substance can be polarized within the resonant section 520 by microwaves. The molecules can vibrate or rotate through the polarization phenomenon, and the frictional heat generated in this process can heat the aerosol-generating article 2.

[0140] The resonant section 520 includes at least one internal conductor to enable microwaves to resonate. The microwaves can resonate inside the resonant section 520 depending on the configuration, thickness, and length of the internal conductor.

[0141] The resonant section 520 can be designed with the wavelength of microwaves in mind so that microwaves can resonate within the resonant section 520. For microwaves to resonate within the resonant section 520, a short end with a closed cross-section and an open end with at least one open region in the cross-section opposite to the short end are required. Furthermore, the length between the short end and the open end should be set to an integer multiple of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength. The resonant section 520 of this disclosure is designed with a length of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength for device miniaturization. In other words, the length between the short end and the open end of the resonant section 520 can be set to 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength.

[0142] The resonant section 520 may include a dielectric accommodating space. This dielectric accommodating space is a separate configuration from the accommodating space 520h of the aerosol generating article 2, and contains a material that allows for miniaturization of the resonant section 520 by changing the overall resonant frequency of the resonant section 520. In one embodiment, a dielectric with low microwave absorptivity may be accommodated in the dielectric accommodating space. This is to prevent energy that should be transferred to the heated body from being transferred to the dielectric, causing the dielectric itself to heat up. Microwave absorptivity can be represented by the loss tangent, which is the ratio of the real part to the imaginary part of the complex dielectric constant. In one embodiment, the dielectric accommodating space may accommodate a dielectric with a loss tangent of less than a predetermined size, and the predetermined size may be 1 / 100. For example, the dielectric may be at least any one of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and alumina, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0143] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a heater assembly according to one embodiment.

[0144] Reference Figure 4 According to one embodiment, the heater assembly 50 may include an oscillation section 510 and a resonant section 520. Figure 4 This can be one embodiment of the heater assembly 50 described above, and repeated descriptions will be omitted below.

[0145] When powered, the oscillator 510 can generate microwaves in a specified frequency band. The microwaves generated by the oscillator 510 can be transmitted to the resonator 520 through a coupler (not shown).

[0146] The resonant section 520 may include a receiving space 520h for accommodating at least one region of the aerosol generating article 2, and resonates the microwaves generated by the oscillation section 510 to heat the aerosol generating article 2. For example, under the action of microwave resonance, the charge of glycerol included in the aerosol generating article 2 may vibrate or rotate, and the frictional heat generated during the vibration or rotation of the charge may heat the glycerol, thereby achieving heating of the aerosol generating article 2.

[0147] According to one embodiment, the resonant section 520 may be formed of a material with low microwave absorptivity to prevent microwaves generated by the oscillation section 510 from being absorbed by the resonant section 520.

[0148] The following will refer to Figure 5 The specific structure of the resonant part 520 of the heater assembly 50 is explained.

[0149] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the heater assembly. Figure 5 It shows that Figure 4 The cross-section obtained by cutting the heater assembly 50 along the IV-IV' direction.

[0150] Reference Figure 5 According to one embodiment, the heater assembly 50 may include an oscillating section 510, a resonant section 520, and a coupler 530. The constituent elements of the heater assembly 50 may be similar to... Figure 4 At least one of the constituent elements of the heater assembly 50 is the same or similar, and repeated descriptions are omitted below.

[0151] When an AC voltage is applied, the oscillation unit 510 can generate microwaves in a specified frequency band. The microwaves generated by the oscillation unit 510 can be transmitted to the resonator 520 through the coupler 530.

[0152] According to one embodiment, the oscillating part 510 can be fixed to the resonant part 520 to prevent separation during use of the aerosol generating device. In one example, the oscillating part 510 can be fixed to the resonant part 520 by a bracket 520b protruding in the x-direction in a region of the resonant part 520. In another example, the oscillating part 510 can also be fixed to the resonant part 520 by attaching to a region of the resonant part 520 without the bracket 520b.

[0153] The figure only shows an embodiment where the oscillating part 510 is fixed in a region of the resonant part 520 facing the x-direction, but the position of the oscillating part 510 is not limited to the embodiment shown in the figure. In another embodiment, the oscillating part 510 may also be fixed in another region of the resonant part 520 facing the -z-direction.

[0154] The resonant section 520 is configured to surround at least one region of the aerosol generating article 2 inserted inside the aerosol generating apparatus, and can heat the aerosol generating article 2 by microwaves generated by the oscillation section 510. For example, the dielectric material included in the aerosol generating article 2 can be heated by the electric field generated by the microwaves inside the resonant section 520, thereby heating the aerosol generating article 2 by the heat generated by the dielectric material.

[0155] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating article 2 may include a tobacco stick 21 and a filter stick 22.

[0156] The tobacco stick 21 includes an aerosol-generating substance, which may be made of sheet or strand tobacco or shredded tobacco. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may include, but is not limited to, at least one of glycerol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. Furthermore, the tobacco stick 21 may include other additives such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids. Additionally, the tobacco stick 21 may be infused with flavoring liquids such as menthol or humectants via spraying.

[0157] The filter rod 22 can be a cellulose acetate filter tip. On the other hand, the shape of the filter rod 22 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 22 can be a cylindrical rod or a hollow tubular rod. Furthermore, the filter rod 22 can also be a recessed rod. If the filter rod 22 is composed of multiple segments, at least one of the segments can be made into a different shape.

[0158] At least a portion of the aerosol generating substance included in the aerosol generating article 2 (e.g., glycerol) may be a dielectric material that is polar in an electric field, and at least a portion of such aerosol generating substance may generate heat by dielectric heating to heat the aerosol generating article 2.

[0159] According to one embodiment, the resonant part 520 may include an outer conductor 521, a first inner conductor 523, and a second inner conductor 525.

[0160] The outer conductor 521 can form the overall appearance of the resonant part 520, having a hollow shape with an empty interior, so that the constituent elements of the resonant part 520 are arranged inside the outer conductor 521. The outer conductor 521 may include a receiving space 520h capable of accommodating the aerosol generating article 2, through which the aerosol generating article 2 can be inserted into the interior of the outer conductor 521.

[0161] According to one embodiment, the outer conductor 521 may include a first surface 521a, a second surface 521b disposed opposite to the first surface 521a, and a side surface 521c surrounding the empty space between the first surface 521a and the second surface 521b. At least a portion of the constituent elements of the resonant portion 520 (e.g., the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525) may be disposed in the internal space of the resonant portion 520 formed by the first surface 521a, the second surface 521b, and the side surface 521c.

[0162] The first inner conductor 523 is a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the first surface 521a of the outer conductor 521 in a direction toward the internal space of the outer conductor 521. As microwaves generated by the oscillation unit 510 are transmitted, an electric field can be generated inside the first inner conductor 523. According to an embodiment, the first inner conductor 523 may also be referred to as a "first resonator" that generates an electric field through the resonance of microwaves.

[0163] According to one embodiment, a region of the first inner conductor 523 may be in contact with a coupler 530 connected to the oscillation unit 510. As microwaves transmitted through the coupler 530 resonate, an electric field can be generated inside the first inner conductor 523. For example, the coupler 530 may be configured to pass through the outer conductor 521, with one end in contact with the oscillation unit 510 and the other end in contact with a region of the first inner conductor 523. As microwaves generated by the oscillation unit 510 are transmitted to the first inner conductor 523 through the coupler 530, an electric field can be generated inside the first inner conductor 523.

[0164] The second inner conductor 525 may be a hollow cylindrical shape extending from the second surface 521b of the outer conductor 521 in a direction toward the inner space of the outer conductor 521. The second inner conductor 525 may be arranged in the inner space of the outer conductor 521 at a predetermined distance from the first inner conductor 523, and a gap 526 may be formed between the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525.

[0165] The second inner conductor 525 can achieve inductive coupling with the first inner conductor 523. Therefore, when an electric field is generated inside the first inner conductor 523, an induced electric field can also be generated inside the second inner conductor 525. In this disclosure, "inductive coupling" can refer to the relationship in which energy is transferred electromagnetically through the mutual inductance between two conductors.

[0166] For example, as microwaves generated by the oscillation unit 510 are transmitted to the first inner conductor 523, an electric field may be generated inside the first inner conductor 523 due to resonance, and an induced electric field may be generated inside the second inner conductor 525 that is inductively coupled to the first inner conductor 523. According to an embodiment, the second inner conductor 525 may also be referred to as a "second resonator" that generates an electric field through resonance of microwaves.

[0167] According to an embodiment, the resonance unit 520 may include: a closed end (short end) whose cross-section is closed and has a length of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength (λ / 4); and an open end located in the opposite direction of the closed end and having at least one region of the cross-section open.

[0168] In one example, the resonance unit 520 may include a closed portion 524 located inside the first inner conductor 523 and closing the cross-section of the first inner conductor 523. As the cross-section of the first inner conductor 523 is closed by the closed portion 524, a closed end may be formed in the first region 5231 of the first inner conductor 523 where the closed portion 524 is disposed. In a second region 5232 spaced apart from the first region 5231 of the first inner conductor 523, there is no closed portion 524, so the cross-section of the second region 5232 may be open. As a result, an open end may be formed in the second region 5232 of the first inner conductor 523. That is, when observed in the xz plane, the first inner conductor 523 as a whole has a "匚" shape and may include a closed end and an open end. Through the above structure of the first inner conductor 523, the first inner conductor 523 may act as a resonator having a length of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength.

[0169] In another example, an accommodation space 520h is formed in a region of the second inner conductor 525 opposite to the closed end, so that the cross-section of the second inner conductor 525 can be opened. As a result, when the resonance unit 520 is observed as a whole, a closed end is formed in the first region 5231 of the first inner conductor 523, and an open end is formed at one end of the second inner conductor 525 opposite to the closed end, so that a resonance having a length of 1 / 4 wavelength can be formed within the resonance unit 520.

[0170] According to the resonance structure of the above resonance unit 520, in a region where there are no conductors such as the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525 (i.e., the outer region of the resonance unit 520), the electric field may not be able to propagate. Therefore, even without a separate shielding member for electric field shielding, the heater assembly 50 can prevent the electric field from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly 50.

[0171] The aerosol-generating article 2, inserted into the inner space of the outer conductor 521 by the receiving space 520h, is surrounded by the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525, and can thus be heated by dielectric heating. For example, a portion of the aerosol-generating article 2 inserted into the inner space of the outer conductor 521 may be disposed inside the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525, and another portion may be disposed outside the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525. The dielectric material included in the aerosol-generating article 2 is heated by the electric field generated inside and outside the first inner conductor 523 and / or the second inner conductor 525.

[0172] According to one embodiment, when the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the resonant part 520 through the receiving space 520h, the tobacco stick 21 of the aerosol generating article 2 can be positioned at a position corresponding to the gap 526 between the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525.

[0173] A resonant peak is formed at the end of the first inner conductor 523, which acts as a first resonator, and at the end of the second inner conductor 525, which acts as a second resonator, thereby generating a stronger electric field than in other regions. As a result, the strongest electric field is generated in the gap 526 between the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525 in the inner region of the resonant section 520. In the heater assembly 50 according to one embodiment, the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heater assembly 50 can be improved by placing the tobacco stick 21, which includes a dielectric material that generates heat due to the electric field, at a position corresponding to the gap 526 where the electric field is strongest.

[0174] According to one embodiment, the resonant portion 520 may further include a dielectric receiving space 527 for accommodating a dielectric. The dielectric receiving space 527 may be formed in the empty space between the outer conductor 521 and the first inner conductor 523 and the second inner conductor 525, and may accommodate a dielectric with low microwave absorption. For example, the dielectric may be at least any one of quartz, tetrafluoroethylene, and alumina, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0175] According to one embodiment, the heater assembly 500, by disposing a dielectric material inside the dielectric material receiving space 527, can generate an electric field corresponding to the resonant portion excluding the dielectric material while reducing the overall size of the resonant portion 520. That is, by using a dielectric material disposed inside the dielectric material receiving space 527, the heater assembly 500 according to one embodiment can reduce the size of the resonant portion 520, thereby reducing the installation space of the resonant portion 520 within the aerosol generation device, and consequently, miniaturization of the aerosol generation device can be achieved.

[0176] Figure 6This is a schematic perspective view of a heater assembly according to another embodiment.

[0177] according to Figure 6 The heater assembly 300 of the illustrated embodiment may include a resonant section 320 that generates microwave resonance and a coupler 311 that supplies microwaves to the resonant section 320.

[0178] The resonant part 320 may include a housing 321, a plurality of plates 323a, 323b and a connecting part 322 connecting the plurality of plates 323a, 323b and the housing 321.

[0179] Coupler 311 can supply microwaves to at least one of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b so that microwave resonance occurs in the resonant section 320.

[0180] The resonant section 320 can surround at least one region of the aerosol generating article 2 inserted inside the aerosol generating apparatus. The coupler 311 can supply microwaves generated by the oscillating section (not shown) to the resonant section 320. When microwaves are supplied to the resonant section 320, microwave resonance occurs in the resonant section 320, allowing the resonant section 320 to heat the aerosol generating article 2. For example, the dielectric material included in the aerosol generating article 2 can be heated by the electric field generated by the microwaves inside the resonant section 320, thereby heating the aerosol generating article 2 by the heat generated by the dielectric material.

[0181] The outer shell 321 of the resonant part 320 acts as an "outer conductor". The outer shell 321 is formed as a hollow structure with an empty interior, so the constituent elements of the resonant part 320 can be arranged inside the outer shell 321.

[0182] The outer casing 321 may include a receiving space 320h capable of accommodating the aerosol generating article 2 and an opening 321a for insertion of the aerosol generating article 2. The opening 321a is connected to the receiving space 320h. Since the opening 321a is open to the outside of the outer casing 321, the receiving space 320h is connected to the outside through the opening 321a. Therefore, the aerosol generating article 2 can be inserted into the receiving space 320h of the outer casing 321 through the opening 321a of the outer casing 321.

[0183] The outer shell 321 shown in the figure has a square cross-sectional shape, but the shape of the outer shell 321 can be deformed into various shapes. For example, the structure of the outer shell 321 can be deformed into various cross-sectional shapes such as rectangle, ellipse or circle. The outer shell 321 can extend in a long strip along one direction.

[0184] Multiple plates 323a and 323b that act as "internal conductors" for the resonant part 320 can be arranged inside the housing 321.

[0185] Multiple plates 323a and 323b may be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article 2 housed in the housing space 320h. The multiple plates 323a and 323b may include a first plate 323a configured to surround one region of the aerosol generating article 2 and a second plate 323b configured to surround another region of the aerosol generating article 2.

[0186] Multiple plates 323a and 323b can be connected to the housing 321 via connecting portions 322. Furthermore, one end of the first plate 323a and one end of the second plate 323b can be connected to each other via connecting portions 322. Therefore, a closed end can be formed at one end of each of the multiple plates 323a and 323b via connecting portions 322.

[0187] The other ends 323af of the first plate 323a and 323b of the second plate 323b can be spaced apart from each other to achieve an open end. Since the other ends of the multiple plates 323a and 323b are spaced apart from each other, an open end can be formed at the other ends of the multiple plates 323a and 323b.

[0188] The resonator assembly can be completed by connecting multiple plates 323a, 323b and connecting part 322 to each other. The cross-sectional shape of the resonator assembly along its length direction may include a "horseshoe shape".

[0189] Multiple plates 323a and 323b extend toward the length direction of the aerosol generating article 2. At least a portion of the multiple plates 323a and 323b can be bent in a manner that protrudes outward from the center in the length direction of the aerosol generating article 2.

[0190] For example, when the aerosol generating article 2 is manufactured in a cylindrical shape, the plurality of plates 323a and 323b can be formed to be bent in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol generating article 2. The radius of curvature of the cross-sections of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b can be the same as the radius of curvature of the aerosol generating article 2. The radius of curvature of the cross-sections of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b can have various variations. For example, the radius of curvature of the cross-sections of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b can be greater than or less than the radius of curvature of the aerosol generating article 2.

[0191] The structure formed by bending multiple plates 323a and 323b along the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol-generating article 2 in the circumferential direction creates a more uniform electric field in the resonant section 320, thereby enabling the heater assembly 300 to heat the aerosol-generating article 2 uniformly.

[0192] The open ends of the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may be disposed toward the opening 321a of the housing 321. The openings 321a of the housing 321 may be spaced apart in a direction away from the ends of the other ends of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b.

[0193] The open ends of the other ends of the multiple plates 323a, 323b can be aligned with the opening 321a of the housing 321. Therefore, when the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted through the opening 321a of the housing 321 and is located in the receiving space 320h, a portion of the aerosol generating article 2 located in the receiving space 320h can be surrounded by the multiple plates 323a, 323b.

[0194] Two of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b are arranged at symmetrical positions relative to the center of the aerosol generating article 2 along its length. The embodiment is not limited to the number of plurality of plates 323a and 323b, and the number of plurality of plates 323a and 323b may be, for example, three or four or more.

[0195] Multiple plates 323a and 323b can be arranged symmetrically with reference to the central axis of the aerosol generating article 2 along its length direction, i.e., the direction of extension of the aerosol generating article 2.

[0196] At least one of the plurality of plates 323a, 323b may come into contact with a coupler 311 connected to the oscillating section (not shown). Specifically, at least a portion of the first plate 323a may come into contact with the coupler 311. As microwaves transmitted to the first plate 323a through the coupler 311 resonate within the plurality of plates 323a, 323b, an electric field may be generated within the plurality of plates 323a, 323b and the connecting section 322.

[0197] Coupler 311 passes through housing 321. One end of coupler 311 can contact the oscillator (not shown), and the other end of coupler 311 can contact a region of the first plate 323a. As microwaves generated by the oscillator (not shown) are transmitted through coupler 311 to multiple plates 323a, 323b and connecting portion 322, an electric field can be generated inside the assembly of multiple plates 323a, 323b and connecting portion 322.

[0198] Furthermore, based on the structure of the resonant section 320 of the heater assembly 300, a triple resonant mode can be formed in the resonant section 320. Transverse electric and magnetic mode (TEM) resonances of microwaves are formed between the multiple plates 323a and 323b. Additionally, TEM mode resonances are formed between the first plate 323a and the upper side plate of the housing 321, and between the second plate 323b and the lower side plate of the housing 321, respectively. These resonances differ from the resonances formed between the multiple plates 323a and 323b.

[0199] Because triple resonance occurs in the resonant section 320 of the heater assembly 300, the aerosol generating article 2 can be heated more effectively and uniformly.

[0200] The resonant portion 320 associated with the above embodiment may include: a short end, the cross-section of which is closed and has a length of 1 / 4 of the microwave wavelength (λ) (λ / 4); and an open end, which is located in the opposite direction to the short end and at least one region of the cross-section is open.

[0201] Figure 6 The resonant section 320 corresponding to the left side region has a closed end formed by connecting one end of multiple plates 323a and 323b and the outer shell 321 through a connecting part 322. Figure 6 The region corresponding to the other end of the resonant section 320 in the right-hand region is open to the outside through the opening 321a of the housing 321, forming an open end. Through the structure of the resonant section 320, the resonant section 320 can operate as a resonator with a microwave wavelength of 1 / 4 wavelength.

[0202] Based on the resonant structure of the resonant section 320 described above, the electric field may not propagate to the external region of the resonant section 320. Therefore, even without a separate shielding member for electric field shielding, the heater assembly 300 can prevent the electric field from leaking to the outside of the heater assembly 300.

[0203] The aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the receiving space 320h of the housing 321 can be surrounded by the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b, thereby being heated by dielectric heating. For example, in the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the receiving space 320h of the housing 321, a portion of its dielectric can be disposed in the space between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b. The dielectric material included in the aerosol generating article 2 is heated by the electric field generated in the space between the first plate 323a and the second plate 323b, thereby heating the heated aerosol generating article 2.

[0204] When the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the resonant part 320 through the receiving space 320h, the tobacco stick 21 of the aerosol generating article 2 can be located between multiple plates 323a, 323b.

[0205] The length L4 of the tobacco stick 21 can be made longer than the length L1 of the multiple plates 323a, 323b.

[0206] Therefore, the front end 21f of the tobacco stick 21 connected to the filter rod 22 is located in a position that protrudes more than the other end 323af of the first plate 323a and the other end 323bf of the second plate 323b in the direction toward the opening 321a of the outer casing 321.

[0207] A resonant peak is formed at the other end of the multiple plates 323a, 323b that act as resonators, thereby generating a stronger electric field than in other regions. When the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the heater assembly 300, the heating efficiency (or "dielectric heating efficiency") of the heater assembly 300 can be improved by configuring the tobacco stick 21, which includes a dielectric material capable of generating heat due to the electric field, to correspond to the region with the strongest electric field.

[0208] Reference Figure 6 The length L1 of the multiple plates 323a and 323b can be set to be less than the length L1+L2 of the internal space of the outer casing 321. Therefore, the other end of the multiple plates 323a and 323b can be located further inside the outer casing 321 than the opening 321a. That is, the other end of the multiple plates 323a and 323b can be spaced apart from the rear end of the opening 321a by a distance L2.

[0209] The length from the rear end of the opening 321a, which connects to the outer shell 321, to the front end of the opening 321a when it is open, can be L3. The total length of the outer shell 321 along its length direction can be L. The total length L of the outer shell 321 can be determined by the sum of the lengths L1 of the plurality of plates 323a and 323b, the distance L2 between the plurality of plates 323a and 323b and the rear end of the opening 321a, and the length L3 by which the opening 321a protrudes from the outer shell 321.

[0210] To prevent microwave leakage, the front end of the open opening 321a protrudes from the housing 321 by a length L3. The opening 321a, protruding from the housing 321, serves to prevent microwaves inside the housing 321 of the resonant part 320 from leaking to the outside of the housing 321.

[0211] The resonant section 320 may further include a dielectric receiving space 327 for accommodating a dielectric material. The dielectric receiving space 327 may be formed in the empty space between the housing 321 and the plurality of plates 323a, 323b. A dielectric material with low microwave absorption may be accommodated in the dielectric receiving space 327.

[0212] By placing a dielectric material inside the dielectric material housing space 327, the heater assembly 300 can generate an electric field at the same level as that generated in a resonant section excluding the dielectric material, while reducing the overall size of the resonant section. In other words, by placing the dielectric material inside the dielectric material housing space 327, the size of the resonant section 320 can be reduced, thus reducing the installation space for the resonant section 320 within the aerosol generation device, thereby enabling miniaturization of the aerosol generation device.

[0213] Figure 7 This is a block diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment. Figure 8 This diagram illustrates the adjustment of microwave frequencies based on the medium state of tobacco sticks included in aerosol-generating articles. Figure 9 It is a diagram used to illustrate a lookup table that includes a lookup table containing the electrical curve corresponding to each of the multiple aerosol-generating articles.

[0214] Figure 7 Only the aerosol generating apparatus 1 is shown. Figures 3 to 6 The configuration includes components for adjusting the microwave power magnitude and / or frequency in the output of the oscillation unit 510. Therefore, details related to this are omitted below. Figures 3 to 6 Repeated explanation.

[0215] Reference Figures 3 to 7 The aerosol generating device 1 may include an oscillation unit 510, an electric monitoring unit 550, a resonant unit 520, a sensor unit 180, and a processor 170.

[0216] The oscillator 510 can output microwaves with a preset frequency range and a preset power level, under the control of the processor 170. The oscillator 510 includes at least one switching element, and the processor 170 can adjust the ON / OFF state of the switching element to change the microwave output frequency. For example, the processor 170 can control the oscillator 510 to output microwaves with any output frequency selected from the range of 2.15 GHz to 2.75 GHz or 615 MHz to 1.245 GHz.

[0217] Furthermore, the oscillation unit 510 includes a power amplifier that can increase or decrease the amplitude of the microwaves under the control of the processor 170, thereby adjusting the power level of the output microwaves. For example, the processor 170 can control the oscillation unit 510 to output microwaves with any power level selected from the range of 3W to 20W.

[0218] The microwave output from the oscillator 510 can be output to the resonator 520.

[0219] The resonant section 520 is used to contain the aerosol-generating article 2, and can resonate the microwaves provided by the oscillation section 510, thereby heating the aerosol-generating article 2. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The structures shown are the same.

[0220] The sensor unit 180 may be disposed inside the resonant unit (e.g., 320, 520). Therefore, the sensor unit 180 may be protected by an electromagnetic shielding material for preventing electronic interference caused by microwaves and a heat-resistant material for preventing high-temperature damage caused by heating of the tobacco stick 21.

[0221] The sensor unit 180 can identify the state of the medium included in the tobacco stick 21 of the aerosol generating article 2. The aerosol generating article 2 may include the tobacco stick 21 and the filter rod 22, and the tobacco stick 21 may include an aerosol generating substance. The aerosol generating substance may be in the form of sheets, filaments, or tobacco shreds, and the types of aerosol generating substances may include at least one of glycerol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. In addition, the tobacco stick 21 may also include at least one of flavoring agents, humectants, organic acids, and flavoring liquids.

[0222] At this time, the state of the medium can refer to its excessively humid state. For example, when the state of the medium of the tobacco stick 21 is above a preset threshold, the processor 170 can determine that the aerosol generating article 2 is in an excessively humid state (in other words, an excessively humid cigarette). When it is below the threshold, the aerosol generating article 2 can be determined as being in a normal state (in other words, a regular cigarette). At this time, the threshold can be determined through experimental and statistical methods.

[0223] Reference Figure 8 When the state of the medium in the tobacco stick 21 is above a preset threshold (i.e., an overly wet cigarette), the processor 170 can generate microwaves with a first frequency F1 corresponding to the moisture included in the medium in the preheating zone PR1 control oscillation unit 510, and generate microwaves with a second frequency F2 corresponding to the glycerol included in the medium in the smoking zone PR2 control oscillation unit 510.

[0224] On the other hand, when the state of the medium in the tobacco stick 21 is less than a threshold (i.e., a regular cigarette), the processor 170 can control the oscillation unit 510 to generate microwaves with a second frequency F2 in both the preheating zone PR1 and the smoking zone PR2.

[0225] At this point, the second frequency F2 can be lower than the first frequency F1. For example, the first frequency F1 can correspond to the range of 2.15 GHz to 2.75 GHz, and the second frequency F2 can correspond to the range of 615 MHz to 1.245 GHz. Preferably, the first frequency F1 can be 2.45 GHz, and the second frequency F2 can be 915 MHz. That is, the first frequency F1 can be the optimal frequency set to make water molecules vibrate for effective heating, and the second frequency F2 can be the optimal frequency set to make glycerol molecules vibrate for effective heating.

[0226] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit 180 may be an ultrasonic sensor. When the sensor unit 180 is an ultrasonic sensor, if the time it takes for the sound wave emitted to the medium of the tobacco stick 21 to reflect back is less than a preset time, the processor 170 may determine that the state of the medium of the tobacco stick 21 is above the threshold (i.e., an overly wet cigarette). Generally, the more moisture contained in the medium, the shorter the sound wave return time may be.

[0227] According to another embodiment, the sensor unit 180 may be a near-infrared sensor. When the sensor unit 180 is a near-infrared sensor, it emits light (i.e., near-infrared light in the range of 700nm to 2500nm) and measures the reflected light returned after being reflected by the medium of the tobacco stick 21. When the absorption rate of the reflected light at a specific wavelength (e.g., 970nm, 1450nm, 1940nm) is above a preset value, the processor 170 may determine that the state of the medium of the tobacco stick 21 is above the threshold (i.e., an overly wet cigarette).

[0228] On the other hand, the power monitoring unit 550 can measure the incident microwave W1 output from the oscillation unit 510 or the reflected microwave W2 input to the oscillation unit 510 after being reflected by the resonant unit 520. In one embodiment, the magnitude of the incident microwave W1 may correspond to the magnitude of the power input to the resonant unit 520 after being output from the oscillation unit 510, and the magnitude of the reflected microwave W2 may correspond to the magnitude of the power input to the oscillation unit 510 after being reflected by the resonant unit 520.

[0229] The aerosol-generating article 2 includes dielectrics such as aerosol-generating substances, flavoring agents, humectants, organic acids, and fragrance liquids. Depending on the type of aerosol-generating article 2, the dielectric constant of the dielectrics included in the tobacco stick 21 may differ. Therefore, depending on the type of aerosol-generating article 2 inserted into the resonant section 520, the dielectric constant of the dielectric in the resonant section 520 will change. That is, depending on the type of aerosol-generating article 2 inserted into the resonant section 520, the impedance of the resonant section 520 may differ. Even if the incident microwave W1 incident into the resonant section 520 is the same, if the impedance of the resonant section 520 is different, the degree of reflection will be different, and therefore the magnitude of the reflected microwave W2 may be different.

[0230] Even if the impedances of the resonant section 520 are different, if the oscillation section 510 is still controlled at a fixed output, the first impedance Zeq1 viewed from the oscillation section 510 towards the resonant section 520 and the second impedance Zeq2 viewed from the resonant section 520 towards the oscillation section 510 may not be consistent. In other words, the first impedance Zeq1 and the second impedance Zeq2 may not match each other. Furthermore, impedance matching is related to the maximum power transmission condition, so the maximum power transmission condition may not be met. If the maximum power transmission condition cannot be met, the aerosol generating device 1 cannot achieve optimal atomization performance.

[0231] The following will detail the configuration of adjusting the magnitude of microwave power output to the oscillation unit 510 based on different power curves according to the type of aerosol-generated article 2.

[0232] First, in standby mode, the aerosol generating device 1 can detect whether the aerosol generating item 2 is inserted into the receiving space. Figure 4 (550h).

[0233] According to one embodiment, the processor 170 can use an insertion detection sensor to identify whether the aerosol-generating article 2 is inserted into the receiving space. Figure 4 (550h). At this time, the insertion detection sensor may include at least one of a thin-film sensor, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor.

[0234] According to another embodiment, the processor 170 can also determine whether the aerosol generating article 2 has been inserted based on the reflected microwave. When the magnitude of the reflected microwave W2 is less than a first threshold, the processor 170 can determine that the aerosol generating article 2 has been inserted into the receiving space 520h of the resonant part 520. In this case, the first threshold can be determined based on the dielectric constant and the amount of dielectric material included in the aerosol generating article 2. For example, if the dielectric constant of the aerosol generating article 2 is large, most of the incident microwave W1 will be absorbed, so the first threshold can be inversely proportional to the dielectric constant of the aerosol generating article 2. The first threshold can be calculated experimentally. The first threshold can be pre-stored in the memory 190.

[0235] When the insertion of the aerosol generating article 2 is detected, the processor 170 can output the incident microwave W1 using the oscillation unit 510 and measure the reflected microwave W2, which is reflected by the resonant unit 520 and input to the oscillation unit 510, using the power monitoring unit 550. At this time, the processor 170 can receive the measured incident microwave W1 and reflected microwave W2 from the power monitoring unit 550.

[0236] The processor 170 can then determine the type of aerosol-generating article 2 based on the measured reflected microwaves W2. According to one embodiment, the aerosol-generating apparatus 1 may include a memory 190 that stores, in the form of a lookup table, the relationships between a plurality of reflected microwaves W2 and aerosol-generating articles 2.

[0237] Each of the plurality of aerosol generating articles 2 may have a fixed dielectric constant of dielectric material depending on the composition of the tobacco stick 21. Therefore, each of the plurality of aerosol generating articles 2 may have different reflected microwave W2 sizes in response to incident microwave W1 of the same size.

[0238] For example, refer to Figure 9 Multiple aerosol generating articles 2 may include a first aerosol generating article, a second aerosol generating article, and a third aerosol generating article. In this case, the dielectric constant of the dielectric material included in the aerosol generating article 2 may decrease in the order of the third aerosol generating article, the second aerosol generating article, and the first aerosol generating article (i.e., the first aerosol generating article has the smallest dielectric constant, and the third aerosol generating article has the largest dielectric constant). The larger the dielectric constant of the aerosol generating article 2, the more incident microwaves W1 it absorbs. Therefore, for the same magnitude of incident microwaves W1, the reflected microwaves W2 may decrease in the order of the first aerosol generating article, the second aerosol generating article, and the third aerosol generating article (i.e., the first aerosol generating article has the largest reflected microwave W2, and the third aerosol generating article has the smallest reflected microwave W2).

[0239] Next, in heating mode, the processor 170 can adjust the magnitude of the microwave power output by the oscillation unit 510 based on the power curve corresponding to the type of aerosol-generating article 2 determined in standby mode.

[0240] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating apparatus 1 may include a memory 190 that stores the relationships between a plurality of aerosol generating articles 2 (or the size of reflected microwaves W2) and power curves in the form of a lookup table. That is, the lookup table stored in the memory 190 may consist of a first lookup table including aerosol generating articles 2 corresponding to the size of reflected microwaves W2 and a second lookup table including power curves corresponding to aerosol generating articles 2. However, it is not limited to this, and may also consist only of a lookup table including power curves corresponding to the size of reflected microwaves W2.

[0241] For example, refer to Figure 9The first heating curve corresponding to the first aerosol generating article includes target temperature information (or target power information) based on the preheating zone PR1 and the smoking zone PR2. The oscillation unit 510 can supply microwave power at a power level of 2-11 in the preheating zone PR1, and at a power level of 2-21 (smaller than 2-11) in the smoking zone PR2. The processor 170 can progressively increase the amount of microwave power in the smoking zone PR2.

[0242] Furthermore, the second heating curve corresponding to the second aerosol generating article includes target temperature information (or target power information) for the preheating zone PR1 and the smoking zone PR2. The oscillation unit 510 can supply microwave power at a power level of 2-12 in the preheating zone PR1, and at a power level of 2-22 (lower than 2-12) in the smoking zone PR2. The processor 170 can progressively increase the amount of microwave power in the smoking zone PR2.

[0243] Similarly, the third heating curve corresponding to the third aerosol generating article includes target temperature information (or target power information) for the preheating zone PR1 and the smoking zone PR2. The oscillation unit 510 can supply microwave power at a power level of 2-13 in the preheating zone PR1, and at a power level of 2-23 (lower than 2-13) in the smoking zone PR2. The processor 170 can progressively increase the amount of microwave power in the smoking zone PR2.

[0244] At this time, since the dielectric constant of the heated body (or aerosol generating item 2) is larger, it is necessary to heat it to a higher temperature. Therefore, the power can be set in the order of the power of the 2nd-13th power, the power of the 2nd-12th power, and the power of the 2nd-11th power, and in the order of the power of the 2nd-23rd power, the power of the 2nd-22nd power, and the power of the 2nd-21st power.

[0245] On the other hand, the processor 170 can also determine whether the aerosol-generating item 2 is reused based on the reflected microwave W2 measured in standby mode.

[0246] Specifically, when the reflected microwave W2 measured in standby mode is above a preset threshold, the processor 170 can interrupt the microwave generation of the oscillation unit 510. That is, since the aerosol generating substances included in the tobacco stick 21 of the reused aerosol generating article 2 have been exhausted, its dielectric constant may be significantly lower than that of the unused aerosol generating article 2. As a result, the reflected microwave W2 of the reused aerosol generating article 2 may be greater than that of the unused aerosol generating article 2. At this time, the preset threshold can be calculated experimentally and statistically and stored in advance in the memory 106.

[0247] According to one embodiment, the power monitoring unit 550 can track the resonant frequency change of the resonant unit 520 in real time during heating mode.

[0248] More specifically, as the dielectric material included in the aerosol generating article 2 is consumed by microwave heating, the impedance of the resonant section 520 may change. Even if the impedance of the resonant section 520 changes, if the oscillation section 510 is still controlled in a fixed output state, the first impedance Zeq1 viewed from the oscillation section 510 towards the resonant section 520 and the second impedance Zeq2 viewed from the resonant section 520 towards the oscillation section 510 may not be consistent. In other words, the first impedance Zeq1 and the second impedance Zeq2 may not match each other. Furthermore, impedance matching is related to the maximum power transmission condition, so the maximum power transmission condition may not be met. In heating mode, in order to match this first impedance Zeq1 and second impedance Zeq2, the power monitoring section 550 can measure the power output from the oscillation section 510 and input to the resonant section 520, as well as the power reflected by the resonant section 520 and input to the oscillation section 510.

[0249] The processor 170 can adjust the output frequency of the oscillation unit 510 so that the difference between the power output from the oscillation unit 510 and input to the resonant unit 520 and the power input to the oscillation unit 510 after reflection by the resonant unit 520 is within a preset reference power range. For example, the reference power range may be between 0W and 1W, but is not limited thereto.

[0250] The processor 170 can scan the output frequency of the oscillator 510 within a preset reference frequency band, while controlling the oscillator 510 to ensure that the difference between the power output from the oscillator 510 and input to the resonator 520 and the power reflected by the resonator 520 and input to the oscillator 510 is within a preset range. For example, the reference frequency band can be 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz or 5.7 GHz to 5.9 GHz, but is not limited to these ranges.

[0251] The output frequency adjustment of the processor 170 can be performed in real time. In other words, the processor 170 can adjust the output frequency of the oscillator 510 independently of the power adjustment of the oscillator 510. That is, the processor 170 can adjust the magnitude of the microwave power output from the oscillator 510 according to the power curve corresponding to the type of aerosol generating article 2, regardless of the output frequency adjustment of the oscillator 510.

[0252] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of an aerosol generation device using dielectric heating. At this point, not only... Figure 10 The embodiment shown, Figures 2 to 9 The embodiments described can also be applied to the operating methods of aerosol generating devices.

[0253] Reference Figures 2 to 10 A method of operating an aerosol generating device 1, the aerosol generating device 1 comprising: an oscillation unit 510 for generating microwaves; and a resonance unit 520 including a receiving space 520h for accommodating an aerosol generating article 2 and resonating the microwaves to heat the aerosol generating article 2; the method may include: a step S10 of identifying whether the aerosol generating article 2 has been inserted into the receiving space 520h in a standby mode; a step S20 of identifying the state of a medium including a tobacco stick 21 in the aerosol generating article 2 when the insertion of the aerosol generating article 2 is detected; and a step S30 of adjusting the frequency of the microwaves output from the oscillation unit 510 according to the state of the medium identified in the standby mode in a heating mode.

[0254] The processor 170 can adjust the magnitude and / or frequency of the microwave power output by the oscillation unit 510 according to the operating mode of the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 can operate in standby mode and heating mode. Standby mode refers to the state where the power supply to the aerosol generating device 1 is turned on but the heater assembly 50 is not heating. Heating mode is the stage where the heater assembly 50 heats, which can be divided into a preheating zone and a smoke extraction zone.

[0255] The oscillation unit 510 can supply microwave power with a first power in standby mode (e.g., S10, S20) and supply microwave power with a second power greater than the first power in heating mode (e.g., S30).

[0256] Specifically, in step S10, the processor 170 can use an insertion detection sensor in standby mode to identify whether the aerosol-generated article 2 has been inserted into the receiving space. Figure 4 (550h). At this time, the insertion detection sensor may include at least one of a thin-film sensor, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor.

[0257] Subsequently, in step S20, when the insertion of the aerosol generating article is detected, the sensor unit 180 can identify the state of the medium included in the tobacco stick 21 of the aerosol generating article 2. At this time, the state of the medium can refer to an overly moist state. For example, when the state of the medium of the tobacco stick 21 is above a preset threshold, the processor 170 can determine that the aerosol generating article 2 is in an overly moist state (in other words, an overly moist cigarette); when it is below the threshold, it can be determined that the aerosol generating article 2 is in a normal state (in other words, a regular cigarette). At this time, the threshold can be determined through experimental and statistical methods.

[0258] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit 180 may be an ultrasonic sensor. When the sensor unit 180 is an ultrasonic sensor, if the time for the sound wave emitted into the medium of the tobacco stick 21 to return is less than a preset time, the processor 170 may determine that the state of the medium of the tobacco stick 21 is above the threshold (i.e., an overly wet cigarette). Generally, the more moisture contained in the medium, the shorter the sound wave return time may be.

[0259] According to another embodiment, the sensor unit 180 may be a near-infrared sensor. When the sensor unit 180 is a near-infrared sensor, it emits light (i.e., near-infrared light in the range of 700nm to 2500nm) and measures the reflected light reflected back from the medium of the tobacco stick 21. When the absorption rate of the reflected light at a specific wavelength (e.g., 970nm, 1450nm, 1940nm) is above a preset value, the processor 170 can determine the state of the medium of the tobacco stick 21 as being above the threshold (i.e., an overly wet cigarette).

[0260] Subsequently, in step S30, when the state of the medium in the tobacco stick 21 is above a preset threshold (i.e., an overly wet cigarette), the processor 170 can generate microwaves with a first frequency F1 corresponding to the moisture included in the medium in the preheating zone PR1 control oscillation unit 510, and generate microwaves with a second frequency F2 corresponding to the glycerol included in the medium in the smoking zone PR2 control oscillation unit 510.

[0261] On the other hand, when the state of the medium in the tobacco stick 21 is less than a threshold (i.e., a regular cigarette), the processor 170 can control the oscillation unit 510 to generate microwaves with a second frequency F2 in both the preheating zone PR1 and the smoking zone PR2.

[0262] At this point, the second frequency F2 can be lower than the first frequency F1. For example, the first frequency F1 can correspond to the range of 2.15 GHz to 2.75 GHz, and the second frequency F2 can correspond to the range of 615 MHz to 1.245 GHz. Preferably, the first frequency F1 can be 2.45 GHz, and the second frequency F2 can be 915 MHz. That is, the first frequency F1 is the optimal frequency set to make water molecules vibrate for effective heating, and the second frequency F2 is the optimal frequency set to make glycerol molecules vibrate for effective heating.

[0263] According to one embodiment, between step S20, which identifies the state of the medium of the tobacco stick 21, and step S30, which adjusts the microwave frequency, the following steps may be included: generating input microwave W1 that is output from oscillation unit 510 and input to resonator unit 520; measuring reflected microwave W2 that is reflected by resonator unit 520 and input to oscillation unit 510; and determining the type of aerosol generating article 2 based on the measured reflected microwave W2. When processor 170 detects the insertion of aerosol generating article 2 in standby mode, it may output incident microwave W1 using oscillation unit 510.

[0264] Subsequently, in standby mode, the processor 170 can use the power monitoring unit 550 to measure the reflected microwave W2 that is reflected by the resonant unit 520 and input to the oscillation unit 510, and determine the type of aerosol generating article 2 based on the measured reflected microwave W2. According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating apparatus 1 may include a memory 190 that stores the relationship between the magnitude of the reflected microwave W2 and the power curve in the form of a lookup table. Each of the plurality of aerosol generating articles 2 may have a fixed dielectric constant of the dielectric material depending on the composition of the tobacco stick 21. Therefore, each of the plurality of aerosol generating articles 2 may have a different magnitude of reflected microwave W2 in response to the same magnitude of incident microwave W1.

[0265] Subsequently, in heating mode, the processor 170 can adjust the magnitude of the microwave power output by the oscillation unit 510 based on the power curve corresponding to the type of aerosol-generating item 2 determined in standby mode.

[0266] According to one embodiment, an aerosol generating apparatus 1 may include a memory 190 that stores, in the form of a lookup table, the relationships between a plurality of aerosol generating articles 2 and power curves. For example, see... Figure 9 The first heating curve corresponding to the first aerosol generating article includes target temperature information (or target power information) based on the preheating zone PR1 and the smoking zone PR2. The oscillation unit 510 can supply microwave power at a power level of 2-11 in the preheating zone PR1, and at a power level of 2-21 (smaller than 2-11) in the smoking zone PR2. The processor 170 can progressively increase the amount of microwave power in the smoking zone PR2.

[0267] Furthermore, the second heating curve corresponding to the second aerosol generating article includes target temperature information (or target power information) for the preheating zone PR1 and the smoking zone PR2. The oscillation unit 510 can supply microwave power at a power level of 2-12 in the preheating zone PR1, and at a power level of 2-22 (lower than 2-12) in the smoking zone PR2. The processor 170 can progressively increase the amount of microwave power in the smoking zone PR2.

[0268] Similarly, the third heating curve corresponding to the third aerosol generating article includes target temperature information (or target power information) for the preheating zone PR1 and the smoking zone PR2. The oscillation unit 510 can supply microwave power at a power level of 2-13 in the preheating zone PR1, and at a power level of 2-23 (lower than 2-13) in the smoking zone PR2. The processor 170 can progressively increase the amount of microwave power in the smoking zone PR2.

[0269] At this time, since the dielectric constant of the heated body (or aerosol generating item 2) is larger, it is necessary to heat it to a higher temperature. Therefore, the power can be set in the order of the power of the 2nd-13th power, the power of the 2nd-12th power, and the power of the 2nd-11th power, and in the order of the power of the 2nd-23rd power, the power of the 2nd-22nd power, and the power of the 2nd-21st power.

[0270] The embodiments or other embodiments of this disclosure described above are not exclusive or different from each other. In the embodiments or other embodiments of this disclosure described above, various components or functions may be used in combination with each other.

[0271] For example, component A, described in a particular embodiment and / or figure, and component B, described in another embodiment and / or figure, can be combined with each other. In other words, connections can be made even when the connection between components is not directly described, unless the connection is described as infeasible.

[0272] The above description should not be construed as limiting in all respects, but should be considered illustrative. The scope of this disclosure should be determined by a logical interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of this disclosure are included within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, characterized in that, include: The oscillator section is used to generate microwaves. The resonant section includes a receiving space for accommodating the aerosol-generating article, the resonant section causing the microwaves to resonate in order to heat the aerosol-generating article. The sensor unit is used to identify the state of the medium included in the aerosol-generating article, and The processor adjusts the frequency of the microwaves based on the identified state of the medium; The processor is configured to: When the state of the medium is above a preset threshold In the preheating zone, the oscillation unit is controlled to generate microwaves with a first frequency corresponding to the moisture contained in the medium. In the smoking zone, the oscillation unit is controlled to generate microwaves with a second frequency corresponding to the glycerol contained in the medium.

2. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processor is configured to: When the state of the medium is less than the threshold In the preheating zone and the smoking zone, the oscillation section is controlled to generate microwaves with the second frequency.

3. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second frequency is lower than the first frequency, where the first frequency is from 2.15 GHz to 2.75 GHz and the second frequency is from 615 MHz to 1.245 GHz.

4. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the sensor is an ultrasonic sensor, if the time for the return of the sound wave emitted into the medium is less than a preset time, the processor determines that the state of the medium is above the threshold.

5. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the sensor is a near-infrared sensor, the sensor emits light and measures the reflected light reflected back by the medium. When the absorption rate of the reflected light at a specific wavelength is greater than or equal to a preset value, the processor determines that the state of the medium is greater than or equal to the threshold value.

6. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The power monitoring unit measures the input microwaves output from the oscillation unit and input to the resonant unit, as well as the reflected microwaves reflected from the resonant unit and input to the oscillation unit. The processor is configured to: The type of aerosol-generating article is determined based on the reflected microwaves measured by the power monitoring unit.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, include: The memory stores the relationship between multiple aerosol-generating items and the power curve in the form of a lookup table.

8. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The processor adjusts the magnitude of the microwave power output by the oscillator based on the lookup table and according to the power curve corresponding to the determined aerosol generating article.

9. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tobacco stick includes one or more dielectrics selected from aerosol-generating substances and flavoring liquids, and the reflected microwaves vary depending on the type and amount of the dielectric.

10. A method of operating an aerosol generating apparatus, the aerosol generating apparatus comprising an oscillating section for generating microwaves and a resonant section comprising a receiving space for accommodating an aerosol generating article and resonating the microwaves to heat the aerosol generating article, characterized in that, The action method includes: The step of identifying whether the aerosol-generating article has been inserted into the receiving space. When the insertion of the aerosol-generating article is detected by the sensor unit, the step of identifying the medium state of the tobacco stick included in the aerosol-generating article, and The step of the processor adjusting the frequency of the microwave based on the identified state of the medium; In the step of adjusting the microwave frequency When the state of the medium is above a preset threshold, in the preheating zone, the oscillation unit is controlled to generate microwaves with a first frequency corresponding to the moisture contained in the medium, while in the smoking zone, the oscillation unit is controlled to generate microwaves with a second frequency corresponding to the glycerol contained in the medium.

11. The method of operating the aerosol generating device according to claim 10, characterized in that, In the step of adjusting the microwave frequency When the state of the medium is less than the threshold, the oscillation section is controlled to generate microwaves with the second frequency in the preheating zone and the smoking zone.

12. The method of operating the aerosol generating device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second frequency is lower than the first frequency, where the first frequency is from 2.15 GHz to 2.75 GHz and the second frequency is from 615 MHz to 1.245 GHz.

13. The method of operating the aerosol generating device according to claim 10, characterized in that, When the sensor is a near-infrared sensor, the sensor emits light and measures the reflected light reflected back by the medium. When the absorption rate of the reflected light at a specific wavelength is greater than or equal to a preset value, the processor determines that the state of the medium is greater than or equal to the threshold value.

14. The method of operating the aerosol generating device according to claim 10, characterized in that, Between the step of identifying the medium state of the tobacco stick and the step of adjusting the microwave frequency, the method further includes: The step of generating input microwaves that are output from the oscillation section and input to the resonant section. The steps of measuring the reflected microwaves reflected from the resonant section and input to the oscillating section, and The step of determining the type of aerosol-generating article based on the measured reflected microwaves.

15. The method of operating the aerosol generating device according to claim 14, characterized in that, include: The step involves adjusting the magnitude of the microwave power output by the oscillator based on a lookup table containing power curves corresponding to multiple aerosol generating articles, according to the power curves corresponding to the determined aerosol generating articles.

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