Aerosol generation device that provides puff compensation and method thereof

Abstract

To provide an aerosol generation device that provides a user with puff compensation, and a method of implementing the device.SOLUTION: A device includes: a cigarette including an aerosol generation substrate; a puff sensor that senses a puff; and a control part that controls power supplied to a heater that heats the cigarette. The control part calculates a cumulative sucking amount up to a first time point on the basis of the puff sensed by the puff sensor, and determines whether to extend a preset smoking time on the basis of the calculated cumulative sucking amount at a second time point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device and a method thereof, and more specifically, to an aerosol generating device that senses that a user cannot be provided with a sufficient smoking experience through the aerosol generating device and compensates for the additional smoking experience, and a method for implementing the device.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for a method in which an aerosol is generated by heating an aerosol generating substance in a cigarette, rather than by burning a cigarette to generate an aerosol. Accordingly, research on heated cigarettes or heated aerosol generating devices has been actively conducted.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Although a heated aerosol generating device is designed to be able to provide a user with a sufficient amount of aerosol as set, due to the user's personal circumstances, if sufficient time is not ensured for the user, the user cannot completely inhale the aerosol provided by the aerosol generating device and will experience an unsatisfactory smoking experience.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] One or more embodiments include an aerosol generating device that monitors a user's puff state, determines that the user cannot sufficiently inhale aerosol through the aerosol generating device, and provides puff compensation to the user, and a method for implementing the device.

[0005] According to one embodiment, the device includes a cigarette containing an aerosol - generating substrate, a puff - sensing sensor that senses puffs, and a control unit that controls the power supplied to a heater for heating the cigarette. The control unit calculates the cumulative inhalation amount up to a first time point based on the puffs sensed by the puff - sensing sensor, and determines whether to extend a preset smoking time based on the calculated cumulative inhalation amount.

[0006] According to one or more embodiments, the control unit can determine the additional time added to the smoking time based on the difference between the cumulative inhalation amount up to the first time point and a preset reference inhalation amount.

[0007] According to one or more embodiments, the control unit can determine the additional number of puffs added to the smoking time based on the difference between the cumulative inhalation amount up to the first time point and a preset reference inhalation amount.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments, at a second time point, the control unit controls such that a guidance message regarding whether to extend the smoking time is output via an output unit, and can determine whether to extend the smoking time based on the user's input.

[0009] According to one or more embodiments, the first time point is a time point after 2 minutes to 3 minutes and 30 seconds have elapsed from the start time of the first puff, and the second time point is also a time point when there are 20 seconds to 40 seconds remaining until the end of the smoking time.

[0010] According to one or more embodiments, the first time point is a time point after 2 minutes to 3 minutes and 30 seconds have elapsed from the start time of the first puff, and the second time point is also a time point when the control unit determines the 11th puff based on the result sensed by the puff - sensing sensor.

[0011] According to one or more embodiments, the smoking time is also a time after 3 minutes to 6 minutes have elapsed from the start time of the first puff.

[0012] According to one or more embodiments, the puff - sensing sensor is also a pressure sensor.

[0013] According to the above embodiments, the puff sensing sensor is also a temperature sensor.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the method includes: calculating a cumulative inhalation amount up to a first time point based on a puff sensed by a puff sensing sensor; determining whether the calculated cumulative inhalation amount satisfies a condition for puff compensation; monitoring whether a preset number of puffs or a second time point is reached if the condition is satisfied; and changing a remaining number of puffs or a remaining time if the number of puffs or the second time point is reached.

[0015] According to one or more embodiments, if the condition is satisfied, it is possible to monitor whether a preset number of puffs or a second time point is reached, and if the number of puffs or the second time point is reached, change the remaining number of puffs or the remaining time.

[0016] According to one or more embodiments, the changed remaining time can be calculated based on a difference between the cumulative inhalation amount up to the first time point and a preset reference inhalation amount.

[0017] According to one or more embodiments, the changed remaining number of puffs can be calculated based on a difference between the cumulative inhalation amount up to the first time point and a preset reference inhalation amount.

[0018] According to one or more embodiments, the step of changing the remaining number of puffs or the remaining time controls to output a guidance message through an output unit at the second time point, and the remaining number of puffs or the remaining time can be changed according to a user input.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, when a user does not inhale an aerosol sufficiently, puff compensation can be stably provided to the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

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Figure 8

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Figure 18

[0021] According to one embodiment, the apparatus includes a cigarette containing an aerosol generation substrate, a puff sensing sensor that senses a puff, and a control unit that controls power supplied to a heater that heats the cigarette. The control unit calculates a cumulative inhalation amount up to a first time point based on the puff sensed by the puff sensing sensor, and determines whether to extend a preset smoking time based on the calculated cumulative inhalation amount.

[0022] The terms used in this embodiment are selected as general terms that are currently widely used as much as possible while considering the functions of structural elements in various embodiments. However, they also depend on the intentions of those skilled in the art, precedents, or the emergence of new technologies. In addition, in certain cases, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in that case, the meaning thereof is described in detail in the description part of the embodiment. Therefore, the terms used in various embodiments should be defined based not only on the name of the simple term but also on the meaning of the term and the content across all aspects of the various embodiments.

[0023] Throughout the specification, when a part includes a certain component, it means that, unless otherwise stated to the contrary, it does not exclude other components but also further includes other components. Also, terms such as "~ part" and "~ module" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and it can be implemented by hardware or software, or also by a combination of hardware and software.

[0024] Hereinafter, non-limiting embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains can easily implement them. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure can be embodied in various different forms and are not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0025] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are drawings illustrating an example in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the aerosol generating device 10 includes a battery 120, a control unit 110, a heater 130, and an atomizer 180. Also, a cigarette 200 can be inserted into the internal space of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0027] In the aerosol generating device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the components related to the present embodiment are illustrated. However, it will be understandable to those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field related to the present embodiment that, in addition to the components illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, general-purpose components are further included in the aerosol generating device 10.

[0028] Also, although FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate that the aerosol generating device 10 includes a heater 130, in some embodiments, the heater 130 can be omitted.

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates that the battery 120, the control unit 110, the atomizer 180, and the heater 130 are arranged in a row. Also, FIG. 2 illustrates that the atomizer 180 and the heater 130 are arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10 is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. In other words, depending on the embodiment of the aerosol generating device 10, the arrangement of the battery 120, the control unit 110, the atomizer 180, and the heater 130 can be changed.

[0030] When the cigarette 200 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, the aerosol generating device 10 can operate the vaporizer 180 and generate an aerosol from the vaporizer 180. The aerosol generated by the vaporizer 180 passes through the cigarette 200 and is transmitted to the user. The description related to the vaporizer 180 will be given in more detail below.

[0031] The battery 120 supplies the power used for the aerosol generating device 10 to operate. For example, the battery 120 can supply power so that the heater 130 or the vaporizer 180 can be heated, and can supply the power necessary for the control unit 110 to operate. In addition, the battery 120 can supply the power necessary for a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. provided in the aerosol generating device 10 to operate.

[0032] The control unit 110 generally controls the operation of the aerosol generating device 10. Specifically, the control unit 110 controls the operation of not only the battery 120, the heater 130, and the vaporizer 180, but also other components included in the aerosol generating device 10. In addition, the control unit 110 can check the state of each component of the aerosol generating device 10 and determine whether the aerosol generating device 10 is in a state where it can operate.

[0033] The control unit 110 includes at least one processor. The processor can also be implemented by an array of a large number of logic gates, and can also be implemented by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program that can be executed by the microprocessor is stored. Also, the fact that it can also be implemented by other forms of hardware will be understandable to those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present embodiment belongs.

[0034] The heater 130 can be heated by the power supplied from the battery 120. For example, if the cigarette 200 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, the heater 130 can be located outside the cigarette 200. Accordingly, the heated heater 130 can raise the temperature of the aerosol generating substance in the cigarette 200.

[0035] The heater 130 is also an electric resistance heater. For example, the heater 130 includes an electrically conductive track, and when an electric current flows through the electrically conductive track, the heater 130 can be heated. However, the heater 130 is not limited to the above example, and can be applicable without limitation as long as it can be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature is either a preset value in the aerosol generating device 10 or can be set to a desired temperature by the user.

[0036] As another example, the heater 130 is also an induction heating heater. Specifically, the heater 130 also includes an electrically conductive coil for heating the cigarette by induction heating, and the cigarette also includes a susceptor that can be heated by the induction heating heater.

[0037] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the heater 130 is illustrated as being arranged outside the cigarette 200, but is not limited thereto. For example, the heater 130 also includes a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and depending on the form of the heating element, the inside or outside of the cigarette 200 can be heated.

[0038] In addition, the aerosol generating device 10 may also be provided with a plurality of heaters 130. At this time, the plurality of heaters 130 may be arranged to be inserted inside the cigarette 200 and may also be arranged outside the cigarette 200. Also, some of the plurality of heaters 130 may be arranged to be inserted inside the cigarette 200, and the rest may be arranged outside the cigarette 200. Further, the shape of the heater 130 is not limited to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and it can be manufactured in various shapes.

[0039] The vaporizer 180 can heat the liquid composition to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol can pass through the cigarette 200 and be transmitted to the user. In other words, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 180 can move along the air flow path of the aerosol generating device 10, and the air flow path can be configured such that the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 180 passes through the cigarette 200 and is transmitted to the user.

[0040] For example, the vaporizer 180 includes a liquid storage part, a liquid transfer means, and a heating element, but is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid storage part, the liquid transfer means, and the heating element are also included in the aerosol generating device 10 as independent modules.

[0041] The liquid storage part can store the liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition is a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance containing a volatile tobacco flavor component or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance. The liquid storage part is also manufactured to be detachable / attachable from / to the vaporizer 180 and is also manufactured integrally with the vaporizer 180.

[0042] For example, the liquid composition may also contain water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a fragrance, a flavoring agent, or a vitamin mixture. The fragrance may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and the aroma components of various fruits. The flavoring agent may also include components that can provide a variety of fragrances or flavors to the user. The vitamin mixture may also be a mixture in which at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E is mixed, but is not limited thereto. Further, the liquid composition may also contain an aerosol-forming agent such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0043] The liquid transfer means can transfer the liquid composition in the liquid storage unit to the heating element. For example, the liquid transfer means may be, but is not limited to, a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramics.

[0044] The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition transferred by the liquid transfer means. For example, the heating element may be, but is not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, etc. Further, the heating element is also composed of a conductive filament such as a nichrome wire and is wound around the liquid transfer means. The heating element is heated by the supply of an electric current, transfers heat to the liquid composition in contact therewith, and can heat the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol can be generated.

[0045] For example, the vaporizer 180 is also referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but is not limited thereto.

[0046] In addition, the aerosol generating device 10 further includes a general configuration in addition to the battery 120, the control unit 110, and the heater 130. For example, the aerosol generating device 10 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and / or a motor for outputting tactile information. Further, the aerosol generating device 10 may include at least one sensor (for example, a puff sensing sensor, a temperature sensing sensor, a cigarette insertion sensing sensor, etc.). Further, the aerosol generating device 10 can be manufactured in a structure in which external air can flow in or internal gas can flow out even when the cigarette 200 is inserted.

[0047] Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the aerosol generating device 10 can also constitute a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle can be used to charge the battery 120 of the aerosol generating device 10. Or, when the cradle and the aerosol generating device 10 are coupled, the heater 130 is also heated.

[0048] The cigarette 200 is also similar to a general combustion-type cigarette. For example, the cigarette 200 can be divided into a first part containing an aerosol generating substance and a second part containing a filter or the like. Or, the second part of the cigarette 200 may also contain an aerosol generating substance. For example, an aerosol generating substance made in the form of granules or capsules is also inserted into the second part.

[0049] Inside the aerosol generating device 10, the entire first part can be inserted and the second part can be exposed to the outside. Or, only a part of the first part is inserted inside the aerosol generating device 10, and also a part of the first part and the second part are inserted. The user can inhale the aerosol with the second part in the mouth. At this time, the aerosol is generated by the external air passing through the first part, and the generated aerosol passes through the second part and is transmitted to the user's mouth.

[0050] As an example, the outside air can flow into the aerosol generating device 10 through at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 10. For example, the opening and closing of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 10 and / or the size of the air passage can be adjusted by the user. Thereby, the atomization amount, the smoking feeling, etc. can be adjusted by the user. As another example, the outside air also flows into the inside of the cigarette 200 through at least one hole formed on the surface of the cigarette 200.

[0051] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating another example in which a cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device.

[0052] Comparing FIG. 3 with the aerosol generating device described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the vaporizer 180 is omitted. Since the dual-medium cigarette 300 inserted into the aerosol generating device illustrated in FIG. 3 includes elements that perform the function of the vaporizer 180, the aerosol generating device according to FIG. 3 does not include the vaporizer 180, unlike the aerosol generating devices illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0053] When the dual-medium cigarette 300 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10 according to FIG. 3, an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user can be generated from the dual-medium cigarette 300 by externally heating the dual-medium cigarette 300. Further, the dual-medium cigarette 300 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0054] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4, an example of the cigarette 200 will be described.

[0055] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating an example of a cigarette.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 4, the cigarette 200 includes a tobacco rod 210 and a filter rod 220. The first part described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 includes the tobacco rod 210, and the second part includes the filter rod 220.

[0057] In FIG. 4, the filter rod 220 is illustrated as a single segment, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod 220 may also be composed of a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod 220 may also include a first segment for cooling the aerosol and a second segment for filtering a predetermined component contained in the aerosol. Further, according to one embodiment, the filter rod 220 may further include at least one segment for performing other functions.

[0058] The cigarette 200 may be wrapped by at least one wrapper 240. At least one hole through which outside air flows in or inside gas flows out may be formed in the wrapper 240. As an example, the cigarette 200 may be wrapped by one wrapper 240. As another example, the cigarette 200 may also be superposed and wrapped by two or more wrappers 240. For example, the tobacco rod 210 may be wrapped by the first wrapper, and the filter rod 220 may be wrapped by the second wrapper. Then, the tobacco rod 210 and the filter rod 220 wrapped by individual wrappers are combined, and the entire cigarette 200 may be further wrapped by the third wrapper. If each of the tobacco rod 210 or the filter rod 220 is composed of a plurality of segments, each segment may be wrapped by an individual wrapper. Then, the entire cigarette 200 in which the segments wrapped by individual wrappers are combined may be further wrapped by another wrapper.

[0059] The tobacco rod 210 contains aerosol generating substances. For example, the aerosol generating substances may include, but are not limited to, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. Further, the tobacco rod 210 may also contain other additive substances such as flavoring agents, wetting agents, and / or organic acids. Also, a flavoring liquid such as menthol or a humectant may be added to the tobacco rod 210 by spraying it onto the tobacco rod 210.

[0060] The tobacco rod 210 can be manufactured in various ways. For example, the tobacco rod 210 can be made by a sheet or by a strand. Also, the tobacco rod 210 can be made into shredded tobacco in which the tobacco sheet is finely shredded. Further, the tobacco rod 210 is also surrounded by a heat conductive substance. For example, the heat conductive substance may be a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but is not limited thereto. As an example, the heat conductive substance surrounding the tobacco rod 210 can uniformly disperse the heat transferred to the tobacco rod 210 and improve the thermal conductivity applied to the tobacco rod, thereby improving the tobacco flavor. Also, the heat conductive substance surrounding the tobacco rod 210 can function as a susceptor to be heated by an induction heating type heater. At this time, although not shown in the drawings, the tobacco rod 210 may further include an additional susceptor in addition to the heat conductive substance surrounding the outside.

[0061] The filter rod 220 is also a cellulose acetate filter. Note that there is no limitation on the shape of the filter rod 220. For example, the filter rod 220 can be a cylindrical type rod or a tube type rod with a hollow inside. Also, the filter rod 220 can be a recess type rod. If the filter rod 220 is composed of a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments can also be made in a different shape.

[0062] The filter rod 220 may also be made to generate a flavor. As an example, a flavoring liquid may be sprayed onto the filter rod 220, or a separate fiber coated with the flavoring liquid may be inserted inside the filter rod 220.

[0063] Also, the filter rod 220 may contain at least one capsule 230. Here, the capsule 230 can perform the function of generating a flavor and can also perform the function of generating an aerosol. For example, the capsule 230 can also be a structure in which a liquid containing a fragrance is covered with a film. The capsule 230 can have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0064] If the filter rod 220 contains a segment for cooling the aerosol, the cooling segment can be manufactured by a polymer substance or a biodegradable polymer substance. For example, the cooling segment can be made only of pure polylactic acid (PLA), but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the cooling segment can be made by a cellulose acetate filter with a plurality of holes. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the above examples, and can be applicable without limitation as long as it can perform the function of cooling the aerosol.

[0065] Note that although not shown in FIG. 4, the cigarette 200 according to one embodiment further includes a front filter. The front filter is located on one side of the tobacco rod 210 opposite to the filter rod 220. The front filter can prevent the tobacco rod 210 from being detached externally and can prevent the aerosol liquefied from the tobacco rod 210 from flowing out to the aerosol generating device 100 (FIGS. 1 and 2) during smoking.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating another example of a cigarette.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the cigarette 200 has a form in which the cross tube 205, the tobacco rod 210, and the tubes 220a and the filter 220b are covered by a plurality of wrappers 240 including the final wrapper 240a. In FIG. 5, the plurality of wrappers 240 include individual wrappers that respectively cover the cross tube 205, the tobacco rod 210, the tube 220a, and the filter 220b, and a final wrapper 240a that collectively covers the periphery of the cross tube 205, the tobacco rod 210, the tube 220a, and the filter 220b covered by the individual wrappers.

[0068] The first part described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 includes the cross tube 205 and the tobacco rod 210, and the second part includes the filter rod 220. For the convenience of explanation, hereinafter, reference will be made to FIGS. 1 and 2, but the explanations overlapping with those described in FIG. 4 will be omitted.

[0069] The cross tube 205 means a cross-shaped tube connected to the tobacco rod 210.

[0070] The cross-tube 205 is a part that is sensed by a cigarette sensor together with the tobacco rod 210 when the cigarette 200 is inserted into the aerosol generating device. It is covered with the same copper laminated paper trumpet as the tobacco rod 210, and can be used to determine whether the cigarette 200 inserted with the cigarette sensor is the type of cigarette (cigarette manufactured by the company itself) supported by the aerosol generating device. The copper laminated paper trumpet will be described later with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0071] The tobacco rod 210 contains an aerosol generating substrate that is heated by the heater 130 of the aerosol generating device 10 to generate an aerosol.

[0072] The tube 220a performs the function of transmitting the aerosol generated when the aerosol generating substrate of the tobacco rod 210 receives a sufficient amount of energy from the heater 130 and is heated to the filter 220b. The tube 220a is a tube manufactured by adding a certain amount or more of triacetin (TA), which is a plasticizer, to cellulose acetate tow and molding it into a circle. Compared with the cross-tube 205, not only is the form different, but there are also differences in arrangement in terms of connecting the tobacco rod 210 and the filter 220b.

[0073] The filter 220b performs the function of allowing the user to inhale the aerosol filtered by the filter 220b by passing the aerosol generated by the tobacco rod 210 through it when the aerosol is transmitted through the tube 220a. The filter 220b is also a cellulose acetate filter made based on cellulose acetate tow.

[0074] The final wrapper 240a is a paper that wraps the cross-tube 205, the tobacco rod 210, the tube 220a, and the filter 220b respectively, and also includes a cross-tube wrapper 240b, a tobacco rod wrapper 240c, a tube wrapper 240d, and a filter wrapper 240e.

[0075] In FIG. 5, the cross-shaped tube wrapper 240b is an aluminum wrapper, the tube wrapper 240d is an MFW wrapper or a 24K wrapper, and the filter wrapper 240e is an oil-resistant hard wrapper or a laminated paper made of polylactic acid (PLA) material. The tobacco rod wrapper 240c and the final wrapper 240 will be described in more detail later.

[0076] The tobacco rod wrapper 240c is a wrapper that surrounds the tobacco rod 210, and in order to maximize the efficiency of the thermal energy transmitted by the heater 130, it may also be coated with a heat-conductivity improving substance. For example, the tobacco rod wrapper 240c can be made by a method in which at least one of silver foil paper (Ag), aluminum foil paper (Al), copper foil paper (Cu), carbon paper, filler, ceramics (AlN, Al2O3), silicon carbide, sodium citrate (Na citrate), potassium citrate (K citrate), aramid fiber, nano cellulose, mineral paper, glassine paper, and single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) is coated on a general wrapper or a release base paper. The general wrapper means a wrapper applied to widely known cigarettes, and means a porous wrapper made of a material that has been verified through a hand sheet test to have both paper manufacturing workability and thermal conductivity exceeding certain values.

[0077] Also, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the final wrapper 240 can be made by a method in which at least one of filler, ceramics, silicon carbide, sodium citrate, potassium citrate, aramid fiber, nano cellulose, and SWNT among various substances coated on the tobacco rod wrapper 240c is coated on an MFW base paper.

[0078] The heater 130 included in the externally heated aerosol generating device 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 is an object to be controlled by the control unit 110, and heats the aerosol generating substrate included in the tobacco rod 210 so that aerosol is generated. At this time, the heat energy transmitted to the tobacco rod 210 is composed of radiant heat at 75%, convective heat at 15%, and conductive heat at 10%. According to one embodiment, the ratios of radiant heat, convective heat, and conductive heat that make up the heat energy transmitted to the tobacco rod 210 may vary.

[0079] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to overcome the difficulty of quickly generating aerosol due to the characteristic that the heater 130 cannot directly contact the aerosol generating substrate and transmit heat energy, as described above, the tobacco rod bellows 240c and the final bellows 240a are coated with a heat conductivity improving substance to promote the efficient transmission of heat energy to the aerosol generating substrate of the tobacco rod 210, so that even at the initial puff time before the heater 130 is sufficiently heated, a sufficient amount of aerosol can be provided to the user.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the heat conductivity improving substance is coated only on either the tobacco rod bellows 240c or the final bellows 240a, and the embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented in such a manner that an organometal, an inorganic metal, a fiber, or a polymer material having a preset thermal conductivity is coated on the tobacco rod bellows 240c or the final bellows 240a, not limited to the above example.

[0081] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating an example of a dual-medium cigarette used in the device of FIG. 3.

[0082] In FIG. 6, the name "dual-medium cigarette" is named not only for the purpose of distinguishing from the cigarette described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, but also to simplify the description according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. According to one embodiment, it may be called the same as a general cigarette.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 6, it can be understood that the dual-medium cigarette 300 has a form in which the aerosol base portion 310, the medium portion 320, the cooling portion 330, and the filter portion 340 are covered by the final wrapper 350. In FIG. 6, the final wrapper 350 means an outer cover that covers the individual wrappers that respectively cover the aerosol base portion 310, the medium portion 320, and the filter portion 340, and the aerosol base portion 310, the medium portion 320, and the filter portion 340 covered by the individual wrappers.

[0084] The aerosol base portion 310 is a portion formed by adding a humectant to pulp-based paper and shaping it into a preset form. The humectants (base materials) contained in the aerosol base portion 310 include propylene glycol and glycerin. The humectant of the aerosol base portion 310 contains propylene glycol and glycerin having a certain weight ratio based on the weight of the base paper. When the dual-medium cigarette 300 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10 of FIG. 3, the aerosol base portion 310 generates humectant vapor when heated to a certain temperature or higher by the heater 130.

[0085] The medium portion 320 includes one or more of a sheet, a strand, and shredded tobacco in which tobacco sheets are finely shredded, and is a portion that generates nicotine to provide a smoking experience to the user. The medium portion 320 is not directly heated by the heater 130 even when the dual-medium cigarette 300 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10 of FIG. 3, and can be indirectly heated by conduction, convection, and radiation from the medium wrapper (or the final wrapper) that covers the heated aerosol base portion 310 and the medium portion 320. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, considering the characteristic that the temperature that the medium contained in the medium portion 320 must reach is lower than the temperature that the humectant contained in the aerosol base portion 310 must reach, after heating the aerosol base portion 310 with the external heating type heater 130, the temperature of the medium portion 320 is increased circuitously. When the temperature of the medium contained in the medium portion 320 is raised to a certain temperature or higher, nicotine vapor is generated from the medium portion 320. When the temperature of the medium contained in the medium portion 320 is raised to a certain temperature or higher, nicotine vapor is generated from the medium portion 320.

[0086] According to one embodiment, when the dual-medium cigarette 300 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10 of FIG. 3, a part of the medium portion 320 faces the heater 130 and is also heated by the heater 130.

[0087] The cooling portion 330 is made of a tube filter containing a predetermined weight of plasticizer, and the moisturizing agent vapor and nicotine vapor generated from the aerosol base portion 310 and the medium portion 320 are mixed and aerosolized, and are cooled while passing through the cooling portion 330, and are not covered with an individual bellows so as to be different from the aerosol base portion 310, the medium portion 320, and the filter portion 340.

[0088] The filter portion 340 is also a cellulose acetate filter, but the shape of the filter portion 340 is not limited. The filter portion 340 is also a cylindrical rod and can also be a tube type including a hollow inside. If the filter portion 340 is composed of a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may be made in a different shape. The filter portion 340 may also be made so as to generate a fragrance. As an example, a flavoring liquid may be sprayed on the filter portion 340, and separate fibers coated with the flavoring liquid may be inserted inside the filter portion 340.

[0089] Further, the filter portion 340 may also include at least one capsule. Here, the capsule can also perform the function of generating a fragrance. For example, the capsule may also have a structure in which a liquid containing a fragrance is covered with a film and can have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0090] The final wrapper 350 means an outer cover that covers the aerosol base portion 310, the medium portion 320, and the filter portion 340 covered with individual wrappers together, and the final wrapper 350 can be composed of the same material as the medium wrapper described later.

[0091] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 7, it can be understood that the aerosol generating device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit 110, a battery 120, a heater 130, and a dual-medium cigarette 300. Since FIG. 7 shows only a partial configuration of the aerosol generating device 10 for convenience of explanation, even if other configurations are added, as long as they include the aforementioned configurations, it will be obvious to those with ordinary knowledge in the art that it does not fall outside the scope of this embodiment.

[0093] Also, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10 is not limited to what is shown in FIG. 7. According to one embodiment, the arrangements of the control unit 110, the battery 120, the heater 130, and the dual-medium cigarette 300 may be different. Since the explanations related to each configuration in FIG. 7 have already been described in FIGS. 1 to 3, they will be omitted.

[0094] FIG. 8 is a side view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 7.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 8, it can be understood that the aerosol generating device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 11, a control unit 110, a battery 120, a first heater 130A, a second heater 130B, a display 150, and a cigarette insertion space 160. In the following, explanations that overlap with those related to the configuration described in FIG. 1 will be omitted.

[0096] The PCB 11 performs the function of electronically integrating various components that collect information of the aerosol generating device 10 while communicating with the control unit 110. On the surface of the PCB 11, the control unit 110 and the display 150 are fixedly mounted, and a battery 120 for supplying power to the elements connected to the PCB 11 is connected.

[0097] The first heater 130A and the second heater 130B heat two medium parts of the dual-medium cigarette 300 inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160 of the aerosol generating device in FIG. 8 at different temperatures from each other. The first heater 130A and the second heater 130B may be composed of different substances, or even if they are composed of the same substance, they are transmitted different control signals from the control unit 110 and are heated to different temperatures from each other.

[0098] The display 150 is a device that controls, among the information generated by the aerosol generating device 10, the information to be output to the user as visual information. Based on the information received from the control unit 110, it controls the information output to the LCD panel (or LED panel) provided on the front surface of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0099] The cigarette insertion space 160 means a space that is dug in a concave shape to a certain depth toward the inside of the aerosol generating device 10 so that the cigarette 200 or the dual-medium cigarette 300 can be inserted. The cigarette insertion space 160 has a cylindrical shape so that the stick-shaped cigarette 200 or the dual-medium cigarette 300 can be stably mounted. The height (depth) of the cigarette insertion space 160 may vary depending on the length of the region containing the aerosol generating substance in the cigarette 200 or the dual-medium cigarette 300.

[0100] For example, if the dual-medium cigarette 300 described in FIG. 6 is inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160, the height of the cigarette insertion space 160 is also the same as the value obtained by adding the lengths of the aerosol base part 310 and the medium part 320. If the cigarette 200 or the dual-medium cigarette 300 is inserted into the cigarette insertion space 160, the first heater 130A and the second heater 130B adjacent to the cigarette insertion space 160 are heated, and thus aerosol can be generated.

[0101] FIG. 9 is a graph showing the temperature and the change in the inhalation amount with respect to time change for explaining an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 9, it can be known that the entire graph 900 shown in FIG. 9 includes an output unit 910 of the aerosol generating device, a temperature change curve 930 of the heater, a preheating completion point 950, and a pressure change curve 970.

[0103] First, the output unit 910 of the aerosol generating device means a display device such as an LCD panel (LED panel) located on one side surface of the aerosol generating device, and can receive a control signal of a control unit (processor) included in the aerosol generating device and visually provide various information to the user. In particular, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, when a certain time has elapsed since the pre-heating of the heater is completed and the time points t3' and t3'' are reached, the output unit 910 of the aerosol generating device performs a function of visually outputting a notification message regarding whether the smoking time is extended to the user.

[0104] After the user checks the notification message displayed on the output unit 910, the user can apply a certain input to the aerosol generating device to extend the smoking time. Also, after the user checks the notification message displayed on the output unit 910, by not applying any input to the aerosol generating device, the smoking time can also be prevented from being extended. The smoking time and the extension of the smoking time will be described later together with the explanation related to the pressure change curve 970.

[0105] In FIG. 9, the temperature change curve 930 of the heater means a graph visually showing the temperature profile of the heater stored in the control unit of the aerosol generating device with respect to the change in time. Specifically, the heater of the aerosol generating device starts to be supplied with power by the control signal of the control unit, and after starting from the initial temperature T0, passing through temperatures T1 to T4, and reaching the maximum temperature T5, it is controlled to be in a state where the temperature is reduced by a certain level so that aerosol can be generated from the cigarette. Here, the initial temperature T0 does not mean 0 °C, but the temperature of the heater at room temperature before the aerosol generating device operates, and T1 to T5 are 210 °C, 215 °C, 225 °C, 245 °C, and 265 °C respectively. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the above-mentioned temperature values of the heater may vary depending on the embodiment according to the characteristics of the aerosol generating device, the firmware version, and the medium characteristics of the cigarette used.

[0106] According to the temperature change curve 930 of the heater in FIG. 9, the temperature of the heater starts from the initial temperature T0, rises to the maximum temperature T5, and then the preheating is completed in a state where the temperature is reduced to T4, and it becomes available for the user to use. Subsequently, after the heater is cooled to the temperature T1, the control unit of the aerosol generating device controls the heater so that aerosol is stably generated while maintaining the temperature. Although the temperature change curve 930 of the heater in FIG. 9 is shown such that the temperature T1 at which aerosol is stably generated is maintained without change, substantially, every time the user's puff occurs, the temperature of the heater is temporarily cooled, and the control unit can use the PID (proportional-integral-differential) control technique to compensate the temperature of the cooled heater to be constant.

[0107] In FIG. 9, the preheating completion point 950 indicates the point at which the heater of the aerosol generating device has been heated to a temperature sufficient to heat the cigarette. In FIG. 9, the temperature at the preheating completion point 950 is illustrated as the point at which the temperature T4 is stably maintained, but according to one embodiment, it is also another temperature selected from among the temperatures T1 to T3.

[0108] In FIG. 9, the pressure change curve 970 means a graphical representation of the pressure sensed by a user using the aerosol generating device with respect to the change in time. The area between the pressure change curve 970 and the time axis means the total amount of air or aerosol inhaled by the user through the inhalation act of the user. For example, the area S1 in FIG. 9 means the amount of aerosol substantially provided to the user through the user's first puff when the preheating of the heater is completed.

[0109] Also, the pressure unit on the vertical axis in FIG. 9 is one of various units for measuring pressure and is not limited to a specific unit. In particular, in FIG. 9, the pressure change curve 970 is inverted with respect to the x-axis (time axis) for intuitive representation on a single drawing together with the temperature change curve 930 and does not indicate negative pressure.

[0110] Also, if the pressure change curve 970 illustrated in FIG. 9 is interpreted as a whole, it can be known that the user's puffs are made a total of 9 times until the time point t2 and the amounts of aerosol inhaled by the user through each puff are different from each other. In FIG. 9, the sum of the areas S1 to S9 is also referred to as the cumulative inhalation amount, and the cumulative inhalation amount also becomes a main parameter for determining the puff compensation described later.

[0111] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 9 as follows.

[0112] An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure preheats a heater in response to a user's power button input, and the user starts using the preheated aerosol generating device from time point t1. As an example, it is assumed that the smoking mode of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is automatically terminated by the control unit based on either 14 puffs being performed or a heating maintenance time of 4 minutes and 30 seconds (the time duration between time point t1 and temperature t4) elapsing.

[0113] The user takes 9 puffs through the aerosol generating device and interrupts the puff at time point t2. The control unit analyzes the pressure change curve 970 and calculates the user's cumulative inhalation amount. If the control unit determines that the cumulative inhalation amount has not reached the preset reference inhalation amount, the control unit calculates a puff compensation value. After the puff compensation value is calculated by the control unit, the control unit controls so that a notification message regarding the extension of the smoking time is output via the output unit 910 of the aerosol generating device at time point t3' or time point t3''.

[0114] Here, time point t3' is also the time point when the 11th puff ends and only 3 puffs remain until the automatic termination of the smoking mode, and time point t3'' is also the time point when 30 seconds remain until the automatic termination of the smoking mode. Also, due to the internal configuration, firmware version, temperature profile, etc. of the aerosol generating device, the above-mentioned specific values may vary.

[0115] If the user checks the notification message output via the output unit 910 and decides to extend the smoking time, at time point t4, which is the time point when the control unit controls to end the automatic use of the first smoking mode, the heating state of the heater does not end, and the smoking time is extended by the puff compensation value. For example, if the puff compensation value is 2 puffs and the time required for 1 puff is set to 15 seconds, the extended time is 30 seconds, and after 2 additional puffs are sensed in the smoking mode of the aerosol generating device, the control unit automatically terminates the use.

[0116] For the sake of convenience of explanation, the time point t2 in FIG. 9 is illustrated as the time point when the ninth puff is performed. However, the time point t2 only means the time point at which the cumulative inhalation amount is calculated in order to determine whether the control unit causes the output unit 910 to output a notification message, and does not mean the time point when the last puff is performed. For example, in FIG. 9, even if there are only three puffs, the time point at which the control unit calculates the cumulative inhalation amount is not the time point when the third puff ends, but the time point t2. As an example, the time point t2 is also a predetermined time point 1 minute and 45 seconds before the time point t4 (the time point exceeding 4 minutes and 30 seconds), which is the time point of automatic use end, and the time between the time point t2 and the time point t4 may be longer or shorter than 1 minute and 45 seconds according to one embodiment.

[0117] When the cumulative inhalation amount exceeds the preset reference inhalation amount or slightly fails to reach the reference inhalation amount, the control unit determines that the user has had a sufficient smoking experience through the aerosol generating device and does not calculate the puff compensation value. Here, not calculating the puff compensation value means that a notification message is not output to the output unit 910 at the time point t3' or t3''.

[0118] Summarizing the above content, the aerosol generating device (for example, the control unit of the aerosol generating device) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure determines whether the user has sufficiently inhaled aerosol through the aerosol generating device at the first time point (time point t2). If it is recognized that a puff compensation needs to be provided to the user based on the determination result, at the second time point (time point t3' or t3''), a guidance message related to puff compensation is output, so that puff compensation can be provided to the user who desires puff compensation. In the embodiment of the present disclosure The user who is provided with puff compensation may be a user who has performed puffs several times and then interrupted. Even if the number of puffs is sufficient, the user who performs puffs with a weak suction action and cannot be provided with sufficient aerosol may also be provided with puff compensation.

[0119] In the foregoing embodiments, the 14 puff counts or 4 minutes and 30 seconds when the smoking mode of the aerosol generating device is automatically terminated is an exemplary value. Therefore, the aerosol generating device according to the present disclosure may also be automatically terminated based on a number of puffs less than 14 or more, or a heating maintenance time (the time duration between t1 and t4) shorter or longer than 4 minutes and 30 seconds.

[0120] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a control unit included in the aerosol generating device.

[0121] Referring to FIG. 10, it can be understood that the control unit 110 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first condition determination unit 111, a second condition determination unit 113, a compensation determination unit 115, and a compensation processing unit 117. The names of the respective modules included in the control unit 110 are named according to their functions for the convenience of explanation. Therefore, depending on the embodiment, they are named differently from FIG. 10. If they perform the same function as the module, even if the names are different, it will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that they are substantially the same module. In the following, it will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0122] The control unit 110 calculates the cumulative inhalation amount up to the first time point based on the puffs sensed by the puff sensor included in the aerosol generating device, and at the second time point, based on the calculated cumulative inhalation amount, determines whether to extend the preset smoking time. It has already been explained via FIG. 9 that whether to extend the preset smoking time is also determined by the user's input.

[0123] The first condition determination unit 111 monitors the puff count of the aerosol generating device and determines whether the puff count has reached a certain number that is even less than the puff count for automatic end of use, and causes a notification message regarding whether the suction time is extended to be output to the output unit 910. For example, in FIG. 9, the first condition determination unit 111 determines that it has reached time point t2 which is 1 minute and 45 seconds ahead from time point t4, and based on the fact that the cumulative inhalation amount up to that time is determined to be insufficient (i.e., less than the predetermined inhalation amount), at time point t3' when the puff count reaches 11, a notification message is output to the output unit 910. At this time, the first condition determination unit 111 operates as a puff counter up to time point t3', and information regarding the cumulative inhalation amount can be transmitted from the compensation determination unit 115. counter) and information regarding the cumulative inhalation amount can be transmitted from the compensation determination unit 115.

[0124] The second condition determination unit 113 monitors the operation time of the aerosol generating device and determines whether it has reached a time point that is a certain time ahead from the automatic end of use time, and causes a notification message regarding whether the smoking time is extended to be output to the output unit 910. For example, in FIG. 9, the second condition determination unit 113 determines whether it has reached time point t2 which is 1 minute and 45 seconds ahead from time point t4, and based on the fact that the cumulative inhalation amount up to that time is determined to be insufficient (i.e., less than the predetermined inhalation amount), at time point t3'' which is 30 seconds ahead from the end time of the smoking mode use, a notification message is output to the output unit 910. At this time, the second condition determination unit 113 monitors the time with respect to time point t3'', and information regarding the cumulative inhalation amount can be transmitted from the compensation determination unit 115. According to one embodiment, time point t3'' at which the notification message is output to the output unit 910 is also a time point that is one of the times from 20 seconds to 40 seconds ahead from the end time of the smoking mode use.

[0125] According to one embodiment, the second condition determination unit 113 can also determine whether a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of the first puff while monitoring the operation time of the aerosol generating device. For example, in FIG. 9, the second condition determination unit 113 determines whether the time point t2, which is the time point when 2 minutes and 45 seconds have elapsed since the time point t1, has been reached. Based on the determination that the cumulative inhalation amount up to that time is insufficient (i.e., less than the predetermined inhalation amount), at the time point t3'', a notification message can be output to the output unit 910. According to one embodiment, the time point t2 determined by the second condition determination unit 113 can also be a time point that is earlier or later than the time point when 2 minutes and 45 seconds have elapsed since t1.

[0126] The compensation determination unit 115 calculates the cumulative inhalation amount of the user, compares it with the preset reference inhalation amount, and determines whether to extend the smoking time. As explained in FIG. 9, if sufficient aerosol is provided to the user even when the number of puffs reaches 11 or when 30 seconds remain until the end of the use of the smoking mode, there is no need to extend the smoking time, so a guidance message regarding whether to extend the smoking time is not output to the output unit 910. The extension of the smoking time determined by the compensation determination unit 115 will be specifically explained with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16.

[0127] When the compensation determination unit 115 determines an extension of the smoking time (puff compensation), the compensation processing unit 117 refers to a module that performs a function of adding additional smoking time or additional puff counts with respect to the end condition of the existing smoking time. When the compensation determination unit 115 determines an extension of the smoking time, the compensation processing unit 117 further includes an algorithm for calculating additional time or additional puff counts based on the difference between the calculated cumulative inhalation amount and the preset reference inhalation amount. For example, if the cumulative inhalation amount is 1,000, the preset reference inhalation amount is 1,600, the inhalation amount per puff is generally 200, and the time required per puff is generally 15 seconds, the compensation processing unit 117 can add 3 puff counts and further extend the end-of-use time by 45 seconds via the built-in algorithm.

[0128] FIG. 11 is a drawing showing an example of a guidance message output via the output unit.

[0129] Referring to FIG. 11, a guidance message for inquiring about whether to extend the smoking time is output to the output unit 1110 of the aerosol generator in FIG. 11, and the user can extend the smoking time by checking the guidance message and adding an appropriate input.

[0130] FIG. 12 is a drawing schematically showing where the user adds an input to the output unit.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 12, the user can check the guidance message via the output unit 1110, add an input within a certain time, and extend the smoking time. For example, the user can add an input 1210 to the portion displayed as "more" in FIG. 11 to extend the smoking time.

[0132] If the user does not add an input to extend the smoking time within a certain time, the user is provided with the initially set smoking time and the maximum number of puffs, and the smoking mode of the aerosol generator is terminated.

[0133] Figure 13 is a drawing showing the puff filter values in a graph.

[0134] More specifically, Figure 13 shows the result of filtering the values sensed by the puff sensor included in the aerosol generating device. The x-axis of the graph in Figure 13 represents time and the y-axis represents the filtering result value. Figure 13 is a graph for facilitating the explanation regarding the puff filter result, and it is assumed that the automatic end time of the heater use is not set separately. The puff sensor that can be used in the aerosol generating device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure includes not only a pressure sensor but also a temperature sensor, so the unit of the puff filter value is not limited to a specific physical quantity unit.

[0135] First, what is indicated by the solid line means the result value sensed by Filter A. Referring to Figure 13, it can be known that the puff filter value for Filter A varies from a minimum of -53 to a maximum of 20, reflecting the user's inhalation and exhalation, and that positive and negative values coexist.

[0136] What is indicated by the dotted line means the result value sensed by Filter B. Referring to Figure 13, it can be known that the puff filter value related to Filter B varies from a minimum of -55 to a maximum of 15, and that, like the result of Filter A, positive and negative values coexist.

[0137] The two results shown in Figure 13 do not mean that there are two puff sensors in the aerosol generating device. Instead, it means that when different puff patterns are applied by two different users, the puff sensing results are different as shown in Figure 13. Referring to Figure 13, generally speaking, it can be interpreted that the user related to Filter A puffs with a more periodic and similar intensity than the user for Filter B.

[0138] Figure 14 is a drawing showing an amplitude analysis graph related to the puff filter value in Figure 13.

[0139] Figure 14 shows the result of calculating the amplitude of the puff filter value described in Figure 13 by a preset algorithm. Since absolute values are applied, unlike Figure 13, it can be known that there are no positive and negative values mixed, and only one side (negative value) exists.

[0140] Figure 14 is another example of the pressure change curve described in Figure 9. Referring to Figure 14, it can be known that, as described in Figure 9, based on the pressure change curve, the inhalation area per puff and the cumulative inhalation volume can be calculated.

[0141] Since Figure 14 is a magnitude graph generated based on Figure 13, it can be known that the inhalation area per puff of the user related to Filter A is wider than that of the user related to Filter B. In other words, the graph in Figure 14 graphically shows that the puff behavior of the user of Filter A is more efficient than that of the user of Filter B.

[0142] Figure 15 is a drawing showing an interval analysis graph related to the puff filter value in Figure 13.

[0143] Figure 15 shows the result of calculating the interval of the puff filter value described in Figure 13 by a preset algorithm in the control unit. The shorter the interval between each puff, the more regular the puff is recognized, and the interval magnitude value in Figure 15 becomes larger. On the contrary, when the puff is interrupted early, the interval magnitude value in Figure 15 becomes smaller.

[0144] Figure 16 is a drawing graphically showing a graph of the cumulative inhalation volume determined by the control unit.

[0145] The cumulative inhalation volume according to Figure 16 shows the total inhalation volume due to the user's puff cumulative. It increases in value over time and has the same tendency as the result of summing the area per puff described in FIG. 14.

[0146]

Number

[0147] Equation 1 is an example of an equation related to the cumulative inhalation amount calculated by the control unit.

[0148] In Equation 1, AA means the cumulative inhalation amount, t1 means the time when the user starts the first puff, t2 means the time when the control unit determines whether to extend the smoking time, S(t) means the function of the pressure change curve 970, and Sk means the inhalation amount related to the k-th puff respectively. That is, Equation 1 mathematically shows that the cumulative inhalation amount can be calculated by integrating the inhalation amount sensed for each puff up to the first time point.

[0149] According to one embodiment, the cumulative inhalation amount also includes the analysis result related to the interval size described in FIG. 15.

[0150]

Number

[0151] Equation 2 is another example of an equation related to the cumulative inhalation amount calculated by the control unit. In Equation 2, I means the interval size value described in FIG. 15. The control unit utilizes Equation 1 or Equation 2 to calculate the cumulative inhalation amount as shown in FIG. 16, compares the calculated cumulative inhalation amount with a preset reference inhalation amount, and can determine the additional time or the additional number of puffs to be added to the condition for ending the smoking time based on the comparison result.

[0152] For example, based on the difference between the cumulative inhalation volume and the reference inhalation volume, the control unit can determine, at the second time point, the additional time added to the condition for ending the smoking time. If the user takes 8 puffs, does not take a puff for a certain period of time, and there are 30 seconds left until the end time of using the smoking mode, the control unit can further add additional time to the existing end condition of the smoking time and compensate so that the user can take additional puffs. In this embodiment, the user can fully enjoy smoking until the time obtained by adding the additional time to the originally remaining 30 seconds elapses by checking the guidance message output to the output unit 910 and making a corresponding input.

[0153] As another example, based on the difference between the cumulative inhalation volume and the reference inhalation volume, the control unit can determine, at the second time point, the additional number of puffs added to the condition for ending the smoking time. With the temperature profile set in the control unit, the maximum number of puffs of 14 times and the heating maintenance time of 4 minutes and 30 seconds are compensated. Assume that the user quickly takes 10 puffs, the cumulative inhalation volume calculated at time t2 is 1,400, and the preset reference inhalation volume is 2,000. In the above assumptions, if the inhalation volume inhaled by one puff is 200, the control unit can add 3 additional puffs to the end condition of the smoking time and apply it, and at the same time add the time for taking 3 puffs to the end condition of the smoking time.

[0154]

Number

[0155] Formula 3 is an example of a formula used by the control unit to calculate the additional puff count. In Formula 3, PN means the additional puff count, Quotient means a function that takes two parameters as factors and returns the result of dividing the first parameter by the second parameter, Inhalestandard means the preset reference inhalation amount, AA means the cumulative inhalation amount up to time t2, and Inhalepuff means the preset inhalation amount per puff respectively. Here, the preset reference inhalation amount is a unique value based on time t2. If only the reference inhalation amount at the end time (time t4) of the smoking mode is set in the control unit, the control unit can also calculate and obtain PN with the calculated value by adding the reference inhalation amount at time t2 through a proportional formula.

[0156] As an embodiment different from the above example, the control unit can determine the additional time or additional puff count added to the end condition of the smoking time at the second time point based on the difference between the cumulative inhalation amount and the reference inhalation amount, and can also consider the medium limit amount of the cigarette.

[0157] For example, when the user makes only 3 puffs, the control unit will calculate a very small cumulative inhalation amount at time t2, which is the puff compensation judgment time point, and there will be a problem that an overly long additional time or an overly large number of additional puff counts will be determined as the compensation value. Separately from the user's inhalation behavior, the aerosol generation substrate (medium) contained in the cigarette is heated by the heater and continuously consumed, so it is desirable that the puff compensation value be limited within a certain range. The control unit can refer to the data related to the medium limit amount at time t2 or set an upper limit value for the additional time or additional puff count in advance, so as to guide the user to stably inhale a certain quality of aerosol through the cigarette. The control unit further includes data related to the medium limit amount at time t2 and the upper limit value of the additional time or additional puff count to implement this embodiment.

[0158]

Table 1

[0159] Table 1 is a table that summarizes the foregoing embodiments as example values.

[0160] Referring to Table 1, the control unit can provide puff compensation to the user by calculating the additional time or the additional puff count via Formulas 1 to 3. Further, according to Case No. 4 in Table 1, the aerosol generation device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can provide appropriate puff compensation in consideration of the medium limit amount of the cigarette.

[0161] FIG. 17 is a drawing illustrating a flowchart of an example of a method for providing puff compensation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0162] Since the method according to FIG. 17 is implemented via the foregoing aerosol generation device, it will be described below with reference to the foregoing drawings. Hereinafter, it will be described with reference to the foregoing drawings, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

[0163] The control unit 110 accumulates the user's puff as characteristic data up to the first point in time (S1710), and determines whether the conditions for puff compensation are satisfied (S1730).

[0164] If the conditions for puff compensation are satisfied in step S1730, the control unit 110 compensates at least one of the puff count or the puff time (S1750).

[0165] If the conditions for puff compensation are not satisfied in step S1730, the control unit 110 controls the temperature of the heater according to the preset temperature profile (S1770).

[0166] FIG. 18 is a drawing illustrating a flowchart of another example of a method for providing puff compensation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0167] Since the method according to FIG. 18 is implemented via the foregoing aerosol generation device, it will be described below with reference to the foregoing drawings, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

[0168] The control unit 110 accumulates the user's puff as characteristic data until the first time point (S1810), and determines whether the conditions for puff compensation are satisfied (S1820). In step S1810, the user data accumulated as characteristic data means the cumulative inhalation amount.

[0169] In step S1820, if the control unit 110 determines that the conditions for puff compensation are satisfied, it waits until the preset remaining puff count is reached or until the second time point is reached (S1830).

[0170] When the preset puff count is reached or the second time point is reached (S1840), the control unit 110 outputs a guidance message via the output unit 910 to ask the user whether to receive puff compensation (S1850).

[0171] If the user checks the guidance message of the output unit 910 and makes an additional input (S1860), the control unit 110 compensates for at least one of the puff count or puff time (S1870). If the conditions for puff compensation are not satisfied, if the preset puff count is reached, if the second time point has not been reached, or if no further input from the user is detected, the control unit 110 controls the temperature of the heater according to the preset temperature profile (S1880).

[0172] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, comprehensively considering that the user may not be using the aerosol generating device stably, appropriate puff compensation can be provided to the user.

[0173] Also, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, even when the user interrupts puffing for a certain period, the cigarette does not need to be discarded, and the user can fully enjoy further puffs to the maximum extent, which is economical.

[0174] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, "smoking time" may mean a smoking mode of the aerosol generating device and conditions for ending the smoking mode. For example, the smoking mode is also a state in which a control unit of the aerosol generating device controls other components (e.g., a heater) of the aerosol generating device so that smoking of a cigarette becomes possible. According to this embodiment, the ending condition also includes the time until the smoking mode ends or the allowed puff count. According to this embodiment, the ending condition may also be changed to extend the smoking time.

[0175] The embodiments according to the present disclosure described above may be embodied in the form of a computer program executable on a computer via various components, and such a computer program may be recorded on a computer-readable medium. At that time, the medium includes magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical recording media such as CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory) and DVD (digital versatile disc); magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM (read-only memory), RAM (random access memory), and flash memory.

[0176] In addition, the computer program is also specially designed and configured for the embodiments of the present disclosure, or is also understandable to those skilled in the field of computer software. Examples of the computer program include not only machine language code created by a compiler but also high-level language code executable by a computer using an interpreter or the like.

[0177] The specific implementations described in this disclosure are one embodiment and do not limit the scope of this disclosure in any way. For the sake of brevity of the specification, descriptions of conventional electronic configurations, control systems, software, and other functional aspects of the system may be omitted. Also, the connections of the lines between the components illustrated in the drawings, or the connecting members, exemplarily show functional connections and / or physical or circuit connections, and in an actual device, they may be shown as various functional connections, physical connections, or circuit connections that can be replaced or added. Also, components that are not necessarily required for the application of this disclosure without specific mention, such as "essential" or "importantly".

[0178] In the content described in this disclosure (especially in the claims), the use of the term "the" and similar directive terms applies to both singular and plural. Also, in this disclosure, when a range is described, it includes embodiments in which individual values belonging to the range are applied (if there is no contrary description), and it is as described for each individual value constituting the range in the specification. Finally, for the steps constituting the method according to this disclosure, if the order is clearly described or there is no contrary description, the steps are to be performed in an appropriate order. The embodiments of this disclosure are not necessarily limited by the description of the steps. In this disclosure, the use of all examples or exemplary terms (such as "for example") is merely for explaining this disclosure in detail, and the scope of this disclosure is not limited by the foregoing examples or exemplary terms as long as it is not limited by the claims. Also, those skilled in the art will be able to know that various modifications, combinations, and changes can be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents, which can be constituted by design conditions and factors.

Claims

1. In an aerosol generating device, when a cigarette containing an aerosol generating substrate is inserted into the aerosol generating device, a heater that heats the inserted cigarette for aerosol generation while smoking is performed on the inserted cigarette; a puff sensing sensor that senses a user's puff for performing the smoking based on the temperature of the heater; and a control unit that controls the power supplied to the heater, wherein the control unit acquires characteristic data of the user related to the puff sensed by the puff sensing sensor, determines whether the acquired characteristic data satisfies a condition for extending a preset number of puffs for ending the smoking, when it is determined that the condition is satisfied, performs a process of providing a predetermined additional number of puffs, and when it is determined that the condition is not satisfied, controls the heater according to a preset temperature profile without providing the additional number of puffs, wherein the control unit ends the smoking when the number of puffs of the user reaches the provided additional number of puffs when the additional number of puffs is provided, and ends the smoking when the number of puffs of the user reaches the preset number of puffs when the additional number of puffs is not provided. An aerosol generating device.

2. The acquired characteristic data includes a cumulative inhalation amount up to a first time point calculated based on the puff sensed by the puff sensing sensor. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit determines whether the acquired characteristic data satisfies the condition based on a difference between the cumulative inhalation amount up to the first time point and a preset reference inhalation amount, and determines the additional number of puffs based on the difference. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2.

4. The puff sensing sensor includes a temperature sensor, wherein the control unit acquires the characteristic data based on the magnitude (amplitude) of a puff filter value indicating a result of filtering a value sensed from the puff sensing sensor. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1.

5. The control unit acquires the characteristic data based on the puff sensed up to the first number of puffs when the user smokes only the first number of puffs. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1.

6. The control unit determines the additional number of puffs based on the medium limit amount of the cigarette. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1.

7. When a cigarette containing an aerosol - generating substrate is inserted into the aerosol - generating device, obtaining characteristic data of the user related to the puff sensed by a puff - sensing sensor that senses the puff of the user based on the temperature of the heater of the aerosol - generating device; Determining whether the obtained characteristic data satisfies a condition for extending a preset number of puffs for the end of smoking; When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, providing a predetermined additional number of puffs, or when it is determined that the condition is not satisfied, performing a process of controlling the heater according to a preset temperature profile without providing the additional number of puffs, wherein the smoking ends when the number of puffs of the user reaches the provided additional number of puffs when the additional number of puffs is provided, and ends when the number of puffs of the user reaches the preset number of puffs when the additional number of puffs is not provided. A method for providing puff compensation in an aerosol - generating device.

8. The obtained characteristic data includes the cumulative inhalation amount up to a first time point calculated based on the puff sensed by the puff - sensing sensor. A method for providing puff compensation in an aerosol - generating device according to claim 7.

9. The determining step determines whether the obtained characteristic data satisfies the condition based on the difference between the cumulative inhalation amount up to the first time point and a preset reference inhalation amount, wherein the additional number of puffs is determined based on the difference. A method for providing puff compensation in an aerosol - generating device according to claim 8.

10. The puff - sensing sensor includes a temperature sensor, and the obtaining step obtains the characteristic data based on the magnitude (amplitude) of a puff - filter value indicating the result of filtering the value sensed from the puff - sensing sensor. A method for providing puff compensation in an aerosol - generating device according to claim 7.

11. The obtaining step obtains the characteristic data based on the puff sensed up to the first number of puffs when the user smokes the first number of puffs. A method for providing puff compensation in an aerosol - generating device according to claim 7.

12. The additional number of puffs is determined based on the medium limit amount of the cigarette. A method for providing puff compensation in an aerosol - generating device according to claim 7.

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