Aerosol generating device and method

Abstract

An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a main body including a quasi-external part having a 1-1 contact electrode and a 1-2 contact electrode isolated from each other formed on one surface, a cover that is detachably connected to the main body and includes a 2-1 contact electrode corresponding to the 1-1 contact electrode, and a 2-2 contact electrode corresponding to the 1-2 contact electrode, and a control unit that determines that the cover is attached to the main body when the 1-1 contact electrode and the 1-2 contact electrode are electrically connected.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device and a method thereof, and more particularly to an aerosol generating device and a method thereof that can physically determine whether a cover is attached or detached. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for smoking methods that can replace conventional cigarettes. For example, there has been an increasing demand for methods that generate aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in a cigarette, rather than a method that generates aerosol by burning a cigarette. As a result, research into heated cigarettes or heated aerosol generating devices has been actively conducted.

[0003] The aerosol generating device may include a main body and a cover. The main body includes a heater for heating the cigarette, and if the heater operates with the cover removed, there is a risk of the user being burned.

[0004] However, when an inductive sensor is used to determine whether the cover is attached or detached, a recognition error may occur due to heating noise. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention provides an aerosol generating device capable of determining whether a cover is attached or detached in a physical manner, and an operating method thereof.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT The present invention provides an aerosol generating device and an operating method thereof, which improve the connection accuracy between an electrode disposed in a semi-external portion and an electrode disposed in a cover.

[0007] The problems to be solved through the embodiments are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a main body including a quasi-external part having a 1-1 contact electrode and a 1-2 contact electrode isolated from each other formed on one surface, a cover detachably connected to the main body and including a 2-1 contact electrode corresponding to the 1-1 contact electrode and a 2-2 contact electrode corresponding to the 1-2 contact electrode, and a control unit that determines that the cover is attached to the main body when the 1-1 contact electrode and the 1-2 contact electrode are electrically connected.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating an aerosol generating device including a body including a quasi-external portion having a 1-1 contact electrode connected to a ground terminal and a 1-2 contact electrode connected to a general-purpose input / output terminal formed on one surface, and a cover detachably connected to the body and including a 2-1 contact electrode corresponding to the 1-1 contact electrode, and a 2-2 contact electrode corresponding to the 1-2 contact electrode, includes the steps of transmitting a high-level output signal to the general-purpose input / output terminal, receiving an input signal via the general-purpose input / output terminal, and determining whether the cover is connected to the body based on a change in the input signal. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The aerosol generating device and method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can determine whether the cover is detached or removed in a physical manner by connecting an electrode arranged in the semi-exterior portion to an electrode arranged in the cover and sensing a change in the signal level of one electrode.

[0011] In addition, the aerosol generating device and method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can improve the connection accuracy between the electrode arranged in the semi-exterior part and the electrode arranged in the cover by adding a magnetic material to the inside of the electrode.

[0012] The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment with an aerosol production article inserted therein. [Diagram 2] 1 is an exploded side view illustrating an external appearance of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the shape of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 2 with the cover separated from the main body. [Figure 4A] FIG. 13 is a plan view of the upper plate of the semi-appearance part. [Figure 4B] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the upper plate of the semi-exterior portion. [Figure 5A] FIG. [Figure 5B] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cover with the top plate removed. [Figure 6] A cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment to illustrate the coupling state between contact electrodes when the cover is coupled to the main body. [Figure 7] A cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment, illustrating the coupling state between the contact electrodes when the cover is coupled to the main body. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart for explaining a method for determining whether a cover and a main body are detached from each other in the aerosol generating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The terms used in the embodiments are currently widely used and common terms as much as possible while considering the functions of the present invention, but this may vary depending on the intentions or precedents of engineers in the field, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In addition, in certain cases, the applicant may arbitrarily select terms, and in such cases, the meanings of the terms will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention must be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of the present invention, rather than simply the names of the terms.

[0015] Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, it does not mean excluding other components, but may further include other components, unless otherwise specified to the contrary. Furthermore, the terms "... unit" and "... module" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and may be realized by hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment with an aerosol production article inserted therein.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 100 according to one embodiment includes a cover 1000 and a body 1100 .

[0020] The cover 1000 is coupled to one end of the body 1100, so that the body 1100 and the cover 1000 together form the exterior of the aerosol generating device 100. An external hole 1000h into which the aerosol generating product 200 is inserted is formed on the upper surface of the cover 1000 coupled to the body 1100.

[0021] The main body 1100 forms a part of the exterior of the aerosol generating device 100 and can perform the function of housing and protecting the components of the aerosol generating device 100. For example, but not limited to, a battery (not shown), a processor (not shown) and / or a heater (not shown) can be housed inside the main body 1100. The main body 1100 also houses the aerosol product 200 inserted through the external hole 1000h.

[0022] The main body 1100 and the cover 1000 may be made of a plastic material that does not transmit heat well, or a metal material coated with a heat insulating material on the surface. The main body 1100 and the cover 1000 may be made by, for example, an injection molding method, a 3D printing method, or a method of assembling small parts made by injection molding.

[0023] A holding device (not shown) for holding the body 1100 and the cover 1000 in a connected state may be provided between the body 1100 and the cover 1000. The holding device may include, for example, a protrusion and a groove. A structure may be used in which the connected state of the cover 1000 and the body 1100 is held by holding the protrusion inserted into the groove, and the protrusion is moved by an operation button to which a user input is applied, and the protrusion is separated from the groove.

[0024] An external hole 1000h into which the aerosol product 200 is inserted is formed on the upper surface of the cover 1000 coupled to the main body 1100. A rail 1000r is formed on the upper surface of the cover 1000 at a position adjacent to the external hole 1000h. A door 1000d that is slidable along the upper surface of the cover 1000 is provided on the rail 1000r. The door 1000d slides linearly along the rail 1000r. An upper plate 1000t having an opening formed therein may be disposed on the upper surface of the cover 1000 along the movement path of the door 1000d.

[0025] The door 1000d moves along the rail 1000r to expose the external hole 1000h to the outside, allowing the aerosol production product 200 to pass through the cover 1000 and be inserted into the main body 1100.

[0026] When the external hole 1000h is exposed to the outside by the door 1000d, the user can insert the aerosol product 200 into the external hole 1000h and the insertion hole (1100h in FIG. 3) and attach the aerosol product 200 to the receiving passage (1100p in FIG. 3) formed inside the cover 1000.

[0027] Although the rail 1000r has a concave groove shape, the embodiment is not limited by the shape of the rail 1000r. For example, the rail 1000r may have a convex shape and extend in a curved shape rather than a straight line.

[0028] An operation button 1100bu is provided on the main body 1100. The operation of the aerosol generation device 100 can be controlled by operating the operation button 1100bu.

[0029] FIG. 2 is an exploded side view that illustrates a schematic external view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, an aerosol generating device 100 according to one embodiment includes a cover 1000, a body 1100, a button 1200 and a cartridge 2000.

[0031] The main body 1100 may be composed of a semi-external part 1100a into which the aerosol product 200 is inserted and to which the cartridge 2000 is coupled, and a lower case 1100b that supports and protects various components installed inside. Hereinafter, the term "main body 1100" is meant to include both the semi-external part 1100a and the lower case 1100b.

[0032] The cover 1000 may be released from the body 1100 and separated from the body 1100. For example, the cover 1000 may be separated from the body 1100 in the +z direction. When the cover 1000 is separated from the body 1100, the semi-exterior portion 1100a, the button 1200, and the cartridge 2000 of the body 1100 may be exposed to the outside.

[0033] The button 1200 is disposed such that at least a portion thereof is exposed to the outside of the semi-exterior part 1100a, and serves to release the fastening relationship between the main body 1100 and the cartridge 2000 in response to a user's input. For example, when a user's input is applied to the button 1200, the cartridge 2000 may be detached from the semi-exterior part 1100a.

[0034] The cartridge 2000 stores an aerosol generating substance and can be detachably coupled to one end of the semi-exterior portion 1100a.

[0035] The aerosol generating material may be in any one of a variety of states, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gas state, a gel state, etc. The aerosol generating material includes a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco material.

[0036] The cartridge 2000 performs a function of generating an aerosol by converting the phase of the aerosol generating material inside the cartridge 2000 into a gas phase by operating according to an electric signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body 1100. The aerosol refers to a gas in which vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating material and air are mixed together.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the cartridge 2000 may be combined with the main body 1100 including a processor (not shown) and / or a battery (not shown) to be used as a component of an aerosol generating device. For example, a heating element (not shown) included in the cartridge 2000 may be electrically connected to the main body 1100 and may be powered by the battery, with the power supply being controlled by the processor.

[0038] That is, in the aerosol generating device 100 including the cartridge 2000, aerosol can be generated from a liquid or gel-like aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 2000 by supplying and controlling power to the heating element.

[0039] According to another example, the cartridge 2000 may be combined with a main body 1100 which further includes a storage space (not shown) in which the aerosol product is stored and a heater (not shown) for heating the aerosol product stored in the storage space.

[0040] That is, the aerosol generating device including the cartridge 2000 can generate aerosol not only by heating the aerosol generating material stored in the cartridge 2000 but also by heating the inserted aerosol product (200 in FIG. 1) to generate aerosol, thereby realizing a hybrid type aerosol generating device.

[0041] 2, the cartridge 2000 is depicted as being coupled to the body 1100 by approaching from the side of the semi-exterior part 1100a, but the coupling method between the cartridge 2000 and the body 1100 is not limited thereto. For example, the cartridge 2000 may be coupled to the body 1100 by approaching in the -z direction from a position spaced apart from the body 1100 in the +z direction, like the cover 1000.

[0042] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a shape of the aerosol generating device shown in Fig. 2 with the cover separated from the main body. Fig. 4A is a plan view of the upper plate of the semi-exterior part, and Fig. 4B is a bottom view of the upper plate of the semi-exterior part.

[0043] 3, the aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment includes a main body 1100 and a cartridge 2000. At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment is the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 100 illustrated in FIG. 2, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0044] The semi-exterior portion 1100a includes a 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and a 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 on one surface. The 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 may be formed to face a 2-1 contact electrode and a 2-2 contact electrode formed on the inner surface of the cover 1000, which will be described later.

[0045] 3 illustrates that the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 are formed on the top plate TP of the quasi-external part 1100a, but the positions at which the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 are formed are not limited thereto. The positions at which the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 are formed may be freely designed as long as they face the 2-1 contact electrode and the 2-2 contact electrode formed on the inner surface of the cover 1000. For example, the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 may be formed on the side plate SP of the quasi-external part 1100a.

[0046] The 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 may be formed on one surface of the semi-exterior portion 1100a to be isolated from each other. In this case, being isolated from each other means that the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 are not electrically and physically connected to each other.

[0047] 4A and 4B, the upper plate TP of the semi-external part includes a 1-1 magnetic body MG11 and a 1-2 magnetic body MG12. For example, the upper plate TP of the semi-external part may have a 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and a 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 arranged on an upper surface TP_S1, and a 1-1 magnetic body MG11 corresponding to the 1-1 contact electrode and a 1-2 magnetic body MG12 corresponding to the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 arranged on a lower surface TP_S2. According to an embodiment, a first electrical conductive wire W11 connected to the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and a second electrical conductive wire W12 connected to the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 may be arranged on a lower surface TP_S2 of the upper plate TP. In this case, the upper plate TP includes a first contact hole (CH1 in FIG. 6) and a second contact hole (CH2 in FIG. 6) penetrating the upper surface TP_S1 and the lower surface TP_S2. The 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and the first electrical conductor W11 may be connected through a first contact hole (CH1 in FIG. 6), and the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 and the second electrical conductor W12 may be connected through a second contact hole (CH2 in FIG. 6). Referring again to FIG. 3, the semi-external part 1100a includes a button 1200 on the side plate SP. When a user input is applied to the button 1200, an operation of fastening or separating the semi-external part 1100a and the cartridge 2000 may be performed.

[0048] FIG. 5A is a bottom view of the cover, and FIG. 5B is a top view of the cover with the top plate removed.

[0049] 4A and 5A, the cover 1000 includes a 2-1 contact electrode CTE21 and a 2-2 contact electrode CTE22. For example, the 2-1 contact electrode CTE21 and the 2-2 contact electrode CTE22 may be disposed on a lower surface 1000_S2 of the cover 1000, and the 2-1 contact electrode CTE21 and the 2-2 contact electrode CTE12 may be formed to face the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 formed on an upper surface TP_S1 of the semi-exterior portion, respectively.

[0050] The 2-1 contact electrode CTE21 and the 2-2 contact electrode CTE22 may be electrically connected to each other by a connecting portion CM. The connecting portion CM includes a 1-1 connecting portion CM11, a 1-2 connecting portion CM12, and a second connecting portion CM2. The 1-1 connecting portion CM11, the 1-2 connecting portion CM12, and the second connecting portion CM2 may be made of a conductive material. The conductive material may include a metal material having a conductive property. For example, the conductive material may include one or more of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), gold (Au), and chromium (Cr).

[0051] The second connecting portion CM2 may be formed on the entire inner surface of the side surface 1000_S3 of the cover 1000. The 1-1 connecting portion CM11 and the 1-2 connecting portion CM12 may be formed on the lower surface 1000_S2, and the 1-1 connecting portion CM11 may connect the 2-1 contact electrode CTE21 and the second connecting portion CM2, and the 1-2 connecting portion CM12 may connect the 2-2 contact electrode CTE22 and the second connecting portion CM2.

[0052] In FIG. 5A, for the sake of convenience, the 2-1 contact electrode CTE21, the 2-2 contact electrode CTE22, the 1-1 connecting portion CM11, the 1-2 connecting portion CM12, and the second connecting portion CM2 are illustrated as separate components; however, in the manufacturing process, the 2-1 contact electrode CTE21, the 2-2 contact electrode CTE22, the 1-1 connecting portion CM11, the 1-2 connecting portion CM12, and the second connecting portion CM2 may be formed integrally.

[0053] 5A and 5B, the cover 1000 includes a 2-1 magnetic body MG21 and a 2-2 magnetic body MG22. For example, the 2-1 contact electrode CTE21 and the 2-2 contact electrode CTE22 may be disposed on a lower surface 1000_S2 of the cover 1000, and the 2-1 magnetic body MG21 corresponding to the 2-1 contact electrode CTE21 and the 2-2 magnetic body MG22 corresponding to the 2-2 contact electrode CTE22 may be disposed on an upper surface 1000_S1 from which an upper plate (1000t in FIG. 1) of the cover 1000 is removed. By applying a tensile force between the 1-1 magnetic body MG11 and the 2-1 magnetic body MG21, it is possible to accurately connect the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and the 2-1 contact electrode CTE21, and similarly, by applying a tensile force between the 1-2 magnetic body MG12 and the 2-2 magnetic body MG22, it is expected that the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 and the 2-2 contact electrode CTE22 will be accurately connected.

[0054] 6 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment for explaining a coupling state between contact electrodes when the cover is coupled to the body. Hereinafter, the same components as those described in Figs. 1 to 5 will not be described in detail, and a method for determining whether the cover 1000 and the body 1100 are detached will be described in detail.

[0055] 1 and 6, the semi-external part 1100a includes a printed circuit board PCB on which a control part CTR is disposed or mounted.

[0056] The control unit CTR includes at least one processor. The processor may be realized as an array of a number of logic gates, and may be realized by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executed by the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present embodiment pertains that the processor may also be realized by other hardware such as a microcontroller unit.

[0057] In FIG. 6, for convenience of explanation, the printed circuit board PCB is illustrated as being disposed on the top of the semi-exterior part 1100a, but this is not limited thereto, and it may be disposed on the bottom of the semi-exterior part 1100a or on the bottom case 1100b, etc., taking into consideration the connection relationship with other components.

[0058] The control unit CTR includes a ground terminal GND connected to a reference power supply (e.g., 0 [V]) and a general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO used for controlling input / output of signals. The ground terminal GND may be electrically connected to a first pad electrode PE1 of the printed circuit board PCB, and the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO may be electrically connected to a second pad electrode PE2 of the printed circuit board PCB. According to an embodiment, the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 may be connected to the first pad electrode PE1 via the third connection part CM3, and the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 may be connected to the second pad electrode PE2 via the fourth connection part CM4. In other words, the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 may be connected to the ground terminal GND, and the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 may be connected to the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO.

[0059] In this case, the third connecting part CM3 and the fourth connecting part CM4 may be, but are not limited to, a conductive clip or a C-clip. For example, the third connecting part CM3 and the fourth connecting part CM4 may be a wire, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) or a cable.

[0060] The control unit CTR generally controls the operation of the aerosol generating device 100. According to an embodiment, the control unit CTR can determine whether the cover 1000 and the main body 1100 are detached from each other based on a change in an input signal received via a general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO.

[0061] The control unit CTR according to an embodiment can transmit an output signal of a high level (for example, 1.8 [V]) via the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO.

[0062] When the cover 1000 is attached to the main body 1100 (or the quasi-external portion 1100a), the 2-1 contact electrode CTE21 of the cover 1000 may be electrically and physically connected to the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 of the quasi-external portion 1100a, and the 2-2 contact electrode CTE22 of the cover 1000 may be electrically and physically connected to the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 of the quasi-external portion 1100a.

[0063] When the cover 1000 is attached to the body 1100, the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 are electrically connected by the connection part CM, so that the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 can be shorted with the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11. That is, since the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 is connected to a reference power supply (e.g., 0 [V]), the signal of the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO can be changed from a high level to a low level. At this time, the low level signal has a voltage value substantially the same as the voltage value of the reference power supply (e.g., 0 [V]).

[0064] On the other hand, when the cover 1000 is separated from the main body 1100, no short circuit occurs between the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12, so the signal of the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO can be maintained at a high level.

[0065] When the signal of the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO is at a high level (e.g., 1.8 [V]), the control unit CTR determines that the cover 1000 is separated from the main body 1100. On the other hand, when the signal of the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO is changed from a high level to a low level (e.g., 0 [V]), the control unit TR determines that the cover 1000 is attached to the main body 1100.

[0066] In this way, when determining whether the cover 1000 and the body 1100 are attached or detached based on a change in voltage caused by the physical connection of electrodes arranged on the cover 1000 and the body 1100, respectively, it is expected to have the effect of reducing errors caused by the generation of heating noise, compared to when determining whether the cover 1000 and the body 1100 are attached or detached based on a change in mutual inductance.

[0067] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment for illustrating a coupling state between contact electrodes when the cover is coupled to the main body.

[0068] 6 and 7, the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 differs from the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 in that an analog-to-digital converter ADC is further included on the printed circuit board PCB, and the remaining configuration is substantially the same. Hereinafter, the overlapping description will be omitted and the description will be focused on the method of determining whether the cover 1000 and the body 1100 are detached or attached using the analog-to-digital converter ADC.

[0069] The printed circuit board PCB (or the aerosol generating device 100) may further include an analog-digital converter ADC for converting an analog input signal into a digital input signal between the second pad electrode PE2 (or the first-second contact electrode CTE12) and the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO. The analog-digital converter ADC may convert an analog signal value in a certain range (for example, 0 [V] to 1.8 [V]) into a digital signal value.

[0070] The control unit CTR can transmit an output signal of a high level (for example, 1.8 [V]) via the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO.

[0071] When the cover 1000 is attached to the main body 1100 (or the quasi-external portion 1100a), the 2-1 contact electrode CTE21 of the cover 1000 may be electrically and physically connected to the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 of the quasi-external portion 1100a, and the 2-2 contact electrode CTE22 of the cover 1000 may be electrically and physically connected to the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 of the quasi-external portion 1100a.

[0072] When the cover 1000 is attached to the body 1100, the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 are electrically connected by the connection part CM, so that the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 may be shorted to the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11. That is, since the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 is connected to a reference power supply (e.g., 0 [V]), a signal of the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO may be changed from a high level to a low level. In this case, when the cover 1000 is actually attached to the body 1100 but the connection between the electrodes is incomplete, the low level signal may have a voltage value higher than the voltage value of the reference power supply (e.g., 0 [V]).

[0073] When the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO receives a digital input signal below a preset threshold (for example, a digital signal value corresponding to 0.7 [V]), the control unit CTL determines that the cover 1000 is attached to the main body 1100. The preset threshold can be optimized experimentally / statistically.

[0074] On the other hand, when the cover 1000 is separated from the main body 1100, no short circuit occurs between the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12, so the signal of the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO can be maintained at a high level.

[0075] The control unit CTR determines that the cover 1000 has been separated from the main body 1100 when the signal of the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO is at a high level (for example, a digital signal value corresponding to 1.8 [V]).

[0076] In this way, when an analog-to-digital converter ADC is used to allow for margin for low-level signals, the coupling between the electrodes is imperfect, but the operation of the aerosol generating device 100 can be ensured when the cover 1000 and the main body 1100 are substantially coupled.

[0077] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

[0078] The aerosol generating device 8000 includes a control unit 8100, a sensing unit 8200, an output unit 8300, a battery 8400, a heater 8500, a user input unit 8600, a memory 8700, and a communication unit 8800. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 8000 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 8. That is, a person having ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment would understand that some of the components shown in Fig. 8 may be omitted or new components may be added depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 8000.

[0079] The sensing unit 8200 may sense the state of the aerosol generating device 8000 or the state around the aerosol generating device 8000, and transmit the sensed information to the control unit 8100. The control unit 8100 may control the aerosol generating device 8000 to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater 8500, restricting smoking, inserting or removing an aerosol product (e.g., cigarette, cartridge, etc.), and displaying a notice based on the sensed information.

[0080] The sensing unit 8200 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 8220, an insertion detection sensor 8240, and a puff sensor 8260, but is not limited thereto.

[0081] The temperature sensor 8220 senses the temperature to which the heater 8500 (or the aerosol generating substance) is heated. The aerosol generating device 8000 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater 8500, or the heater 8500 itself may function as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 8220 may be disposed around the battery 8400 to monitor the temperature of the battery 8400.

[0082] The insertion detection sensor 8240 can detect the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol product. For example, the insertion detection sensor 8240 can include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and can detect a signal change due to the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol product.

[0083] The puff sensor 8260 may detect a user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or channel. For example, the puff sensor 8260 may detect a user's puff based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

[0084] The sensing unit 8200 may further include at least one of a temperature / humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., GPS), a proximity sensor, and an RGB (illuminance) sensor, in addition to the above-mentioned temperature sensor 8220, the insertion detection sensor 8240, and the puff sensor 8260. A person skilled in the art can intuitively infer the function of each sensor from its name, so a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0085] The output unit 8300 may output information related to the state of the aerosol generating device 8000 to provide it to a user. The output unit 8300 may include, but is not limited to, at least one of a display unit 8320, a haptic unit 8340, and an audio output unit 8360. When the display unit 8320 and the touchpad are configured as a touch screen by forming a layered structure, the display unit 8320 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0086] The display unit 8320 visually provides a user with information related to the aerosol generating device 8000. For example, the information related to the aerosol generating device 8000 means various information such as a charge / discharge state of the battery 8400 of the aerosol generating device 8000, a preheat state of the heater 8500, an insertion / removal state of an aerosol product, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generating device 8000 is restricted (e.g., abnormal item detection), and the display unit 8320 can output the information to the outside. The display unit 8320 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting display panel (OLED), etc. Also, the display unit 8320 may be in the form of an LED light emitting element.

[0087] The haptic unit 8340 converts an electrical signal into a mechanical or electrical stimulus to tactilely provide a user with information related to the aerosol generating device 8000. For example, the haptic unit 8340 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0088] The acoustic output unit 8360 audibly provides the user with information related to the aerosol generating device 8000. For example, the acoustic output unit 8360 can convert an electric signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

[0089] The battery 8400 can supply power used for the operation of the aerosol generating device 8000. The battery 8400 can supply power so that the heater 8500 is heated. The battery 8400 can also supply power necessary for the operation of other components (e.g., the sensing unit 8200, the output unit 8300, the user input unit 8600, the memory 8700, and the communication unit 8800) included in the aerosol generating device 8000. The battery 8400 is a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 8400 can be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0090] The heater 8500 can heat the aerosol-generating material by receiving power from the battery 8400. Although not shown in Fig. 8, the aerosol generating device 8000 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC / DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 8400 and supplies the converted power to the heater 8500. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 8000 generates an aerosol by an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 8000 may further include a DC / AC converter that converts the DC power supply of the battery 8400 into an AC power supply.

[0091] The control unit 8100, the sensing unit 8200, the output unit 8300, the user input unit 8600, the memory 8700, and the communication unit 8800 may perform their functions by receiving power from a battery 8400. Although not shown in FIG 8, the device may further include a power conversion circuit, for example, an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, that converts the power of the battery 8400 and supplies it to each component.

[0092] In one embodiment, the heater 8500 may be made of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials may be metals or metal alloys including, but not limited to, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. The heater 8500 may also be embodied by, but not limited to, a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate having a conductive track disposed thereon, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0093] In another embodiment, the heater 8500 is an inductively heated heater. For example, the heater 8500 can include a susceptor that generates heat via a magnetic field applied by a coil to heat the aerosol generating material.

[0094] The user input unit 8600 receives information input by a user or outputs information to a user. For example, the user input unit 8600 may be, but is not limited to, a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (a touch pad using a contact type capacitance type, a pressure type resistive film type, an infrared sensing type, a surface ultrasonic conduction type, an integral type tension measurement type, a piezoelectric effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 8, the aerosol generating device 8000 may further include a connection interface such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may be connected to another external device via a connection interface such as a USB interface to transmit and receive information or charge the battery 8400.

[0095] The memory 8700 is hardware that stores various data processed in the aerosol generating device 8000, and can store data processed by the control unit 8100 and data to be processed. The memory 8700 can include at least one type of recording medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory 8700 can store the operation time of the aerosol generating device 8000, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data related to the smoking pattern of the user.

[0096] The communication unit 8800 may include at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 8800 may include a short-range communication unit 8820 and a wireless communication unit 8840.

[0097] The short-range wireless communication unit 8820 may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee (registered trademark) communication unit, an IrDA (infrared Data Association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, a UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, and the like.

[0098] The wireless communication unit 8840 may include, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN) communication unit, etc. The wireless communication unit 8840 may identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 8000 within the communication network using subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)).

[0099] The control unit 8100 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 8000. In one embodiment, the control unit 8100 can include at least one processor. The processor can be realized by an array of a number of logic gates, and can be realized by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executed by the microprocessor is stored. In addition, a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present embodiment belongs will understand that the processor can also be realized by other types of hardware.

[0100] The control unit 8100 can control the temperature of the heater 8500 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 8400 to the heater 8500. For example, the control unit 8100 can control the power supply by controlling the switching of a switching element between the battery 8400 and the heater 8500. In another example, a heating direct circuit may control the power supply to the heater 8500 according to a control command from the control unit 8100.

[0101] The control unit 8100 may analyze the result sensed by the sensing unit 8200 and control subsequent processing. For example, the control unit 8100 may control power supplied to the heater 8500 so that the operation of the heater 8500 is started or ended based on the result sensed by the sensing unit 8200. As another example, the control unit 8100 may control the amount of power and the power supply time supplied to the heater 8500 so that the heater 8500 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature based on the result sensed by the sensing unit 8200.

[0102] The control unit 8100 may control the output unit 8300 based on the result sensed by the sensing unit 8200. For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 8260 reaches a preset number, the control unit 8100 notifies the user through at least one of the display unit 8320, the haptic unit 8340, and the audio output unit 8360 that the aerosol generating device 8000 will soon be shut down.

[0103] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a method for determining whether the cover and the main body are attached or detached in the aerosol generating device.

[0104] 1 to 9, an operating method of an aerosol generating device 100 according to one embodiment may include a step of outputting an output signal through a general-purpose input / output port GPIO (S100), a step of receiving an input signal through the general-purpose input / output port GPIO (S200), and a step of determining whether the cover 1000 and the body 1100 are connected (S300).

[0105] In this case, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a main body 1100, a cover 1000, and a control unit CTR. The main body 1100 may include a semi-external part 1100a on one surface of which a first-1 contact electrode CTE11 connected to a ground terminal GND of the control unit CTR and a first-2 contact electrode CTE12 connected to a general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO are formed.

[0106] The cover 1000 is detachably coupled to the body 1100 and may include a 2-1 contact electrode CTE21 corresponding to the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and a 2-2 contact electrode CTE22 corresponding to the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12. The 2-1 contact electrode CTE21 and the 2-2 contact electrode CTE22 may be electrically connected to each other by a connecting portion CM. The connecting portion CM may include a 1-1 connecting portion CM11, a 1-2 connecting portion CM12, and a second connecting portion CM2. The 1-1 connecting portion CM11, the 1-2 connecting portion CM12, and the second connecting portion CM2 may be made of a conductive material. The conductive material may include a metallic material having a conductive property. For example, the conductive material may include one or more of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), gold (Au), and chromium (Cr). The control unit CTR may include a ground terminal GND connected to a reference power supply (eg, 0 [V]) and a general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO used for controlling input / output of signals.

[0107] Specifically, in the step (S100) of outputting an output signal through the general-purpose input / output port GPIO, the control unit CTR can transmit an output signal of a high level (e.g., 1.8 [V]) through the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO.

[0108] In the step (S200) of receiving an input signal through the general-purpose input / output port GPIO, when the cover 1000 is attached to the body 1100, the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 are electrically connected to each other by the connection part CM, so that the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 may be shorted to the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11. That is, since the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12 is connected to a reference power supply (e.g., 0 [V]), a signal of the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO may be changed from a high level to a low level. In this case, the low level signal may have a voltage value substantially equal to the voltage value of the reference power supply (e.g., 0 [V]).

[0109] On the other hand, when the cover 1000 is separated from the main body 1100, no short circuit occurs between the 1-1 contact electrode CTE11 and the 1-2 contact electrode CTE12, so the signal of the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO can be maintained at a high level.

[0110] In the step (S300) of determining whether the cover 1000 and the body 1100 are coupled, the control unit CTR determines that the cover 1000 is separated from the body 1100 if the signal of the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO is at a high level (e.g., 1.8 [V]). On the other hand, the control unit CTR determines that the cover 1000 is attached to the body 1100 if the signal of the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO is changed from a high level to a low level (e.g., 0 [V]).

[0111] On the other hand, when the cover 1000 is actually attached to the main body 1100 but the coupling between the electrodes is incomplete, the low-level signal has a voltage value higher than the voltage value of the reference power supply (e.g., 0 [V]). The aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment may further include an analog-to-digital converter ADC for converting an analog input signal into a digital input signal between the first-second contact electrode CTE12 and the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO. The control unit CTL determines that the cover 1000 is attached to the main body 1100 when the general-purpose input / output terminal GPIO receives a digital input signal equal to or lower than a preset threshold (e.g., a digital signal value corresponding to 0.7 [V]). The preset threshold may be optimized experimentally / statistically.

[0112] An embodiment may also be embodied in the form of a recording medium containing computer executable instructions such as a program module executed by a computer. A computer readable medium is any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, and includes both volatile and non-volatile media, and separate and non-separate media. In addition, a computer readable medium may include both a computer recording medium and a communication medium. A computer recording medium includes both volatile and non-volatile, separate and non-separate media embodied in any method or technology for storing information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. A communication medium typically includes computer readable instructions, data structures, other data in a modulated data signal such as a program module, or other transmission mechanism, and includes any information delivery medium.

[0113] The above description of the embodiment is merely an example, and a person having ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the invention should be determined by the claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to the contents described in the claims should be interpreted as being included in the scope of protection determined by the claims.

Claims

1. a body including a quasi-exterior portion on one surface of which a first-1 contact electrode and a first-2 contact electrode are formed, the first-1 contact electrode and the first-2 contact electrode being isolated from each other; a cover detachably coupled to the body, the cover including a second-first contact electrode corresponding to the first-first contact electrode and a second-second contact electrode corresponding to the first-second contact electrode; a control unit that determines that the cover is attached to the main body when the first-1 contact electrode and the first-2 contact electrode are electrically connected.

2. The cover includes an upper surface corresponding to one surface of the semi-exterior portion, and a side surface extending in a thickness direction along the periphery of the upper surface. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the second-1 contact electrode and the second-2 contact electrode are disposed on the inner surface of the upper surface and are electrically connected to each other.

3. The aerosol generating device of claim 2, wherein the cover includes a connecting portion that electrically connects the 2-1 contact electrode and the 2-2 contact electrode to each other, the connecting portion being formed on the entire inner surface of the side surface.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit includes a ground terminal connected to the 1-1 contact electrode and a general-purpose input / output terminal connected to the 1-2 contact electrode.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4 , wherein the control unit transmits a high-level output signal via the general-purpose input / output terminal.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit determines that the cover is attached to the main body when a low level input signal is received via the general-purpose input / output terminal.

7. The aerosol generating device described in claim 5, further comprising an analog-to-digital converter between the first-second contact electrode and the general-purpose input / output terminal for converting an analog input signal into a digital input signal.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7 , wherein the control unit determines that the cover is attached to the main body when the general-purpose input / output terminal receives the digital input signal that is equal to or lower than a preset threshold value.

9. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the quasi-external portion includes a 1-1 magnetic body arranged on the inside of the 1-1 contact electrode and a 1-2 magnetic body arranged on the inside of the 1-2 contact electrode.

10. The aerosol generating device of claim 9, wherein the cover includes a 2-1 magnetic body arranged inside the 2-1 contact electrode and generating a tensile force between the 1-1 magnetic body, and a 2-2 magnetic body arranged inside the 2-2 contact electrode and generating a tensile force between the 1-2 magnetic body.

11. A method for operating an aerosol generating device including a body including a quasi-external part on one surface of which a first-1 contact electrode connected to a ground terminal and a first-2 contact electrode connected to a general-purpose input / output terminal are formed, and a cover detachably coupled to the body, the cover including a second-1 contact electrode corresponding to the first-1 contact electrode and a second-2 contact electrode corresponding to the first-2 contact electrode, transmitting a high level output signal to the general-purpose input / output terminal; receiving an input signal via the general-purpose input / output terminal; and determining whether the cover and the body are coupled together based on a change in the input signal.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second-1 contact electrode and the second-2 contact electrode are electrically connected to each other.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of determining whether the cover and the body are coupled comprises determining that the cover is attached to the body when the input signal is at a low level.

14. The method for operating an aerosol generating device according to claim 11 , wherein the aerosol generating device further includes an analog-to-digital converter for converting an analog input signal into a digital input signal between the first-second contact electrode and the general-purpose input / output terminal.

15. The method for operating an aerosol generating device according to claim 14 , wherein the step of determining whether the cover and the body are coupled comprises determining that the cover is attached to the body when the digital input signal is equal to or lower than a preset threshold value.

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