Aerosol generating device and aerosol generating system including the same

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system including the same. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating system includes an aerosol generating product and an aerosol generating device that heats the aerosol generating product inserted into a cavity. The aerosol generating product includes a first susceptor arranged in a first portion and a second susceptor arranged in a second portion different from the first portion. The aerosol generating device includes a first coil arranged in a first region of the cavity and a second coil arranged in a second region of the cavity different from the first region, and a control unit that controls the power supplied to the first coil and the second coil.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of typical aerosol-producing products, such as methods that generate aerosols by heating an aerosol-forming material within the aerosol-producing product, rather than by burning the aerosol-producing product. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] When using aerosol generating devices, there is an increasing demand for customizing the atomization amount and tobacco flavor.

[0004] Various embodiments of the present invention allow for independent temperature control of the first and second portions of the aerosol product, allowing for the amount of atomization and tobacco taste to be customized to suit the user's preferences.

[0005] Various embodiments of the present invention may use an induction coil to sense the insertion of an aerosol product, without providing a separate sensor for sensing the insertion of an aerosol product.

[0006] Various embodiments of the present invention provide an aerosol generating device that can accurately measure the temperature of a heating element in a non-contact manner.

[0007] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other technical problems will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the examples described below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An aerosol generating system according to one embodiment includes an aerosol product and an aerosol generating device that heats the aerosol product inserted into a cavity, wherein the aerosol product includes a first susceptor arranged in a first portion and a second susceptor arranged in a second portion different from the first portion, wherein the aerosol generating device includes a first coil arranged in a first region of the cavity and a second coil arranged in a second region of the cavity different from the first region, and a control unit that controls power supplied to the first coil and the second coil, wherein the average thickness of the first susceptor is thicker than the average thickness of the second susceptor, and the control unit drives the first coil within a first frequency range in a first section and drives the second coil within a second frequency range in a second section, wherein the lower limit of the second frequency range is higher than the upper limit of the first frequency range.

[0009] An aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment includes a cavity for containing an aerosol product, a first susceptor disposed in a first region of the cavity, a second susceptor disposed in a second region of the cavity, a first coil wound around an outer surface of the first region of the cavity, a second coil wound around an outer surface of the second region of the cavity, and a control unit for controlling power supplied to the first coil and the second coil, wherein the average thickness of the first susceptor is greater than the average thickness of the second susceptor, and the control unit drives the first coil within a first frequency range in a first section and drives the second coil within a second frequency range in a second section, and the lower limit of the second frequency range is higher than the upper limit of the first frequency range. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] Various embodiments of the present invention allow for independent temperature control of the first and second portions of the aerosol product, allowing for the amount of atomization and tobacco taste to be customized to suit the user's preferences.

[0011] Various embodiments of the present invention may use an induction coil to sense the insertion of an aerosol product, without providing a separate sensor for sensing the insertion of an aerosol product.

[0012] Various embodiments of the present invention provide for accurate measurement of the temperature of the heating element in a non-contact manner.

[0013] However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above effects, and effects not mentioned above will also be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment;

[0015] [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol product according to one embodiment.

[0016] [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating components of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0017] [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating components of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

[0018] [Figure 5] 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating thicknesses of a first susceptor and a second susceptor according to an embodiment.

[0019] [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram illustrating a control period of a first coil and a second coil according to an embodiment.

[0020] [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram illustrating a control period of a first coil and a second coil according to another embodiment.

[0021] [Figure 8]8 is a diagram showing ranges of driving frequencies for driving the first coil and the second coil in the first to fourth sections of FIG. 7;

[0022] [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram illustrating a frequency response of a first coil according to an embodiment.

[0023] [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing a frequency response of a second coil according to a temperature change of a first susceptor according to an embodiment.

[0024] [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing a change in frequency response of a second coil due to a change in temperature of a first susceptor according to an embodiment.

[0025] [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] An aerosol generating system according to one embodiment includes an aerosol product and an aerosol generating device that heats the aerosol product inserted into a cavity, wherein the aerosol product includes a first susceptor arranged in a first portion and a second susceptor arranged in a second portion different from the first portion, wherein the aerosol generating device includes a first coil arranged in a first region of the cavity and a second coil arranged in a second region of the cavity different from the first region, and a control unit that controls power supplied to the first coil and the second coil, wherein the average thickness of the first susceptor is thicker than the average thickness of the second susceptor, and the control unit drives the first coil within a first frequency range in a first section and drives the second coil within a second frequency range in a second section, wherein the lower limit of the second frequency range is higher than the upper limit of the first frequency range.

[0027] An aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment includes a cavity for containing an aerosol product, a first susceptor disposed in a first region of the cavity, a second susceptor disposed in a second region of the cavity, a first coil wound around an outer surface of the first region of the cavity, a second coil wound around an outer surface of the second region of the cavity, and a control unit for controlling power supplied to the first coil and the second coil, wherein the average thickness of the first susceptor is greater than the average thickness of the second susceptor, and the control unit drives the first coil within a first frequency range in a first section and drives the second coil within a second frequency range in a second section, and the lower limit of the second frequency range is higher than the upper limit of the first frequency range.

[0028] The minimum thickness of the first susceptor is greater than the maximum thickness of the second susceptor.

[0029] The first susceptor and the second susceptor are formed in a thin film shape.

[0030] The first section does not overlap with the second section.

[0031] The control unit senses an inductance change through the first coil in a third section that does not overlap with the first section, or senses an inductance change through the second coil in a fourth section that does not overlap with the second section.

[0032] The control unit determines whether or not the aerosol product is inserted based on the change in inductance.

[0033] The first section and the second section do not overlap each other, and at least a portion of the second section and the third section overlap each other, or at least a portion of the first section and the fourth section overlap each other.

[0034] The control unit sweeps the driving frequency of the first coil within a third frequency range in a third interval not overlapping with the first interval, and senses a change in the resonant frequency of the first coil based on a result of the frequency sweep, and sweeps the driving frequency of the second coil within a fourth frequency range in a fourth interval not overlapping with the second interval, and senses a change in the resonant frequency of the second coil based on a result of the frequency sweep.

[0035] The control unit calculates the temperatures of the first susceptor and the second susceptor based on the change in the resonant frequency.

[0036] The upper limit of the third frequency range is lower than the lower limit of the first frequency range, and the lower limit of the fourth frequency range is higher than the upper limit of the second frequency range.

[0037] The terms used in the embodiments are generally used as widely as possible in consideration of their functions in the present invention, but these may change depending on the intentions of those skilled in the art, precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc.

[0038] In addition, in certain cases, the applicant may arbitrarily select certain terms, and in such cases, the meanings thereof will be described in detail in the description of the invention.

[0039] Therefore, the terms used in the present invention must be defined based on the meanings that the terms have and the overall content of the present invention, rather than simply by the names of the terms.

[0040] Throughout this specification, when a part "comprises" a certain element, this does not mean that it excludes other elements, but that it may further include other elements, unless otherwise specified.

[0041] In addition, terms such as "unit" and "module" used in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and this may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0042] As used herein, when phrases such as "at least one of" precede an array of elements, they modify the entire array and not each individual element of the array.

[0043] For example, the phrase "at least one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted as including a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

[0044] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates aerosol by electrically heating a cigarette contained in an internal space.

[0045] The aerosol generating device comprises a heater, in one embodiment the heater is an electrically resistive heater, for example the heater comprises a conductive track, and when an electric current is passed through the conductive track the heater is heated.

[0046] The heater may include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of the cigarette depending on the shape of the heating element.

[0047] Cigarettes include tobacco rods and filter rods. Tobacco rods can be made in sheet form, strand form, or shredded tobacco from a tobacco sheet. The tobacco rod can also be surrounded by a thermally conductive material. For example, the thermally conductive material can be a metal foil, such as aluminum foil, but is not limited to this.

[0048] The filter rod may also be a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod may be composed of at least one or more segments. For example, the filter rod may have a first segment that cools the aerosol and a second segment that filters out certain components contained in the aerosol.

[0049] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol using a cartridge containing an aerosol generating substance.

[0050] The aerosol generating device includes a cartridge containing an aerosol-generating material and a body supporting the cartridge. The cartridge is detachably connected to the body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be formed integrally with the body, incorporated therein, or fixed so as not to be detachable by a user. The cartridge is attached to the body with the aerosol-generating material contained therein. However, is not limited thereto, and the aerosol-generating material may be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is connected to the body.

[0051] The cartridge contains an aerosol-forming material in any one of various states, such as a liquid, solid, gas, or gel. The aerosol-forming material includes a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance that includes a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0052] The cartridge is activated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body to convert the phase of the aerosol-generating material inside the cartridge into a gas phase, thereby generating an aerosol. The aerosol refers to a gas mixture of vaporized particles generated from the aerosol-generating material and air.

[0053] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device heats a liquid composition to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol is delivered to the user through the cigarette, i.e., the aerosol generated from the liquid composition travels along an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device, and the airflow passage is configured to deliver the aerosol to the user through the cigarette.

[0054] In still another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol from an aerosol generating material using an ultrasonic vibration method, where the ultrasonic vibration method refers to a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing the aerosol generating material using ultrasonic vibrations generated by a vibrator.

[0055] The aerosol generating device includes a vibrator that generates short-period vibrations to atomize the aerosol generating material. The vibrations generated by the vibrator are ultrasonic vibrations, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibrations is, but is not limited to, about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz.

[0056] The aerosol generating device further includes a wick that absorbs the aerosol-generating substance, for example, the wick is positioned to surround or contact at least a region of the vibrator.

[0057] When a voltage (e.g., an AC voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations are generated from the vibrator, and the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator are transferred to the aerosol-forming substance absorbed in the wick. The aerosol-forming substance absorbed in the wick is converted into a gas phase by the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations transferred from the vibrator, resulting in the generation of an aerosol.

[0058] For example, the heat generated from the vibrator reduces the viscosity of the aerosol-generating substance absorbed in the core, and the ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator break the reduced viscosity aerosol-generating substance into fine particles, thereby generating an aerosol, but this is not limiting.

[0059] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol product contained in the aerosol generating device using an induction heating method.

[0060] The aerosol generating device includes a susceptor and a coil. In one embodiment, the coil applies a magnetic field to the susceptor. When power is supplied from the aerosol generating device to the coil, a magnetic field is formed inside the coil. In one embodiment, the susceptor is a magnetic material that generates heat when an external magnetic field is applied. When the susceptor is located inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied, the susceptor generates heat, thereby heating the aerosol product. Alternatively, the susceptor may be located inside the aerosol product.

[0061] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device further comprises a cradle.

[0062] The aerosol generating device may be combined with a separate cradle to form a system. For example, the cradle may charge a battery of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the heater may heat the aerosol generating device when the cradle and the aerosol generating device are combined.

[0063] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in a form that can be implemented in the aerosol generating device of the various embodiments described above, or may be embodied in various different forms, but is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0064] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 10 according to one embodiment includes a housing 100 into which an aerosol product 20 is inserted.

[0066] The housing 100 forms the overall appearance of the aerosol generating device 10 and has an internal space (or "arrangement space") in which the components of the aerosol generating device 10 are arranged. Although the drawings only show an embodiment in which the cross section of the housing 100 is formed in a semicircular shape, the shape of the housing 100 is not limited thereto. Depending on the embodiment (not shown), the housing 100 may be formed in an overall cylindrical shape or a polygonal prism shape (e.g., a triangular prism or a quadrangular prism).

[0067] The internal space of the housing 100 contains components for heating the aerosol product 20 inserted into the housing 100 to generate an aerosol, and components for sensing the moisture content of the aerosol product 20, which will be described in detail later.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the housing 100 comprises a cavity 100h in which the aerosol product article 20 can be inserted inside the housing 100. At least a portion of the aerosol product article 20 is inserted or accommodated inside the housing 100 through the cavity 100h.

[0069] The aerosol producing article 20 inserted or housed inside the housing 100 is heated inside the housing 100, resulting in the generation of an aerosol from the aerosol producing article 20. The aerosol generated from the aerosol producing article 20 is discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device 10 through the aerosol producing article 20 and / or the space between the aerosol producing article 20 and the cavity 100h, and the user inhales the aerosol discharged to the outside.

[0070] The aerosol generating device 10 according to one embodiment further comprises a display D on which visual information is displayed.

[0071] The display D is disposed such that at least a portion of the display D is exposed to the outside of the housing 100. For example, at least a portion of the display D is exposed to the outside of the housing 100 through a cover glass of the housing 100, but is not limited thereto.

[0072] The aerosol generating device 10 outputs various visual information via the display D or controls the operation of components of the aerosol generating device 10 based on user input to the display D.

[0073] In one example, the aerosol generating device 10 outputs information such as the preheating time and number of puffs of the aerosol product 20 inserted into the cavity 100h via the display D, but the information output via the display D is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0074] In another example, the aerosol generation device 10 can detect a user input entered on the display D and, based on the user input, control the power supplied to a heater (not shown) that heats the inserted aerosol product article 20, but this is not limiting. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an aerosol product article according to one embodiment. Figure 2 schematically shows the structure of the aerosol product article 20, and the aerosol product article 20 in Figure 2 is one example of an aerosol product article that can be inserted into the aerosol generation device 10 in Figure 1.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 2, an aerosol product 20 according to one embodiment comprises a first portion 21, a second portion 22, a third portion 23, and a fourth portion 24.

[0076] First portion 21, second portion 22, third portion 23, and fourth portion 24 each include an aerosol-generating element, a tobacco element, a cooling element, and a filter element. For example, first portion 21 includes an aerosol-generating material, second portion 22 includes a tobacco material and a humectant, third portion 23 cools airflow passing through first portion 21 and / or second portion 22, and fourth portion 24 includes a filter material.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the first portion 21, the second portion 22, the third portion 23, and the fourth portion 24 are aligned in order based on the longitudinal direction of the aerosol product product 20. In the present invention, the "longitudinal direction of the aerosol product product" means the direction in which the length of the aerosol product product 20 extends, and the longitudinal direction of the aerosol product product 20 means, for example, the direction from the first portion 21 to the fourth portion 24.

[0078] The first portion 21 and / or the second portion 22 of the aerosol production product 20 is heated by an aerosol generation device (e.g., the aerosol generation device 10 of FIG. 1 ) to generate an aerosol. The first portion 21, the second portion 22, the third portion 23, and the fourth portion 24 are aligned in order with respect to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol production product 20, and thus the aerosol generated from the first portion 21 and / or the second portion 22 passes through the first portion 21, the second portion 22, the third portion 23, and the fourth portion 24 in order to form an airflow. As a result, a user brings the fourth portion 24 into contact with their mouth and inhales the aerosol discharged from the fourth portion 24.

[0079] The first portion 21 includes an aerosol-generating element. The first portion 21 may also include other additives such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids, such as menthol or a moisturizing liquid. The aerosol-generating element may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. However, the aerosol-generating element is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the first portion 21 may further include various types of aerosol-generating elements according to the embodiments.

[0080] The first portion 21 comprises a crimped sheet, and the aerosol-generating elements are contained in the first portion 21 by being impregnated into the crimped sheet. Other additives and flavoring liquids, such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids, are also contained in the first portion 21 by being absorbed into the crimped sheet.

[0081] The crimped sheet may include at least one of paper, cellulose acetate, lyocell, and polylactic acid, for example, but is not limited to, a paper sheet that does not emit an unpleasant odor even when heated to a high temperature.

[0082] The second portion 22 includes tobacco elements. The tobacco elements are tobacco materials in a particular form. For example, the tobacco elements may be in the form of cut tobacco, tobacco particles, tobacco sheets, tobacco beads, tobacco granules, tobacco powder, or tobacco extract. The tobacco materials may also include, for example, one or more of tobacco leaf, tobacco veins, expanded tobacco, shredded tobacco, flat tobacco, and reconstituted tobacco.

[0083] The third portion 23 cools the airflow passing through the first portion 21. The third portion 23 is made of a polymeric material or a biodegradable polymeric material and has a cooling function. For example, the third portion 23 may be made of, but is not limited to, polylactic acid (PLA) fiber. Alternatively, the third portion 23 may be made of a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality of holes. However, the third portion 23 is not limited to the above examples, and any material that functions to cool the aerosol may be used without limitation. For example, the third portion 23 may be a hollow tube filter or a paper tube.

[0084] The third portion 23 comprises a structure in the form of a hollow tube, the inner surface of which is coated with one or more substances selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid and flavoring substances.

[0085] Polylactic acid is coated on the inner surface of the hollow tube, causing a phase transition, which cools the aerosol more effectively. For example, polylactic acid causes a phase transition, such as melting or glass transition, that absorbs thermal energy. The thermal energy of the aerosol passing through the inner surface of the hollow tube is used for the phase transition of polylactic acid, which effectively lowers the temperature of the aerosol.

[0086] The flavoring material coated on the inner surface of the hollow tube imparts a fragrance to the aerosol passing through the inner surface of the hollow tube. The flavoring material is a material that produces a specific fragrance. For example, the flavoring material includes botanical flavors such as cinnamon, sage, herbs, chamomile, hay, sweet tea, lavender, bergamot, lemon, orange, cinnamon, jasmine, ginger, vanilla, spearmint, peppermint, acacia, coffee, celery, sandalwood, and cocoa.

[0087] Other exemplary flavoring substances include animal flavors such as musk, ambergris, civet, castoreum, and the like.

[0088] As another example, the flavoring substance may be an alcohol compound such as menthol, geraniol, linalool, anethole, or eugenol. Alternatively, the flavoring substance may be an aldehyde compound such as vanillin, benzaldehyde, or anisaldehyde. Alternatively, the flavoring substance may be an ester compound such as isoamyl acetate, linalyl acetate, isoamyl propionate, or linalyl butyrate. The flavoring substance is preferably menthol.

[0089] The fourth portion 24 includes a filter material. For example, the fourth portion 24 is a cellulose acetate filter. However, the shape of the fourth portion 24 is not limited. For example, the fourth portion 24 may be a cylindrical rod, a hollow tubular rod, or a recessed rod. If the fourth portion 24 is composed of multiple segments, at least one of the multiple segments may be formed in a different shape.

[0090] The fourth portion 24 may be configured to release a flavor. For example, a liquid flavoring material may be sprayed into the fourth portion 24, or separate fibers impregnated with the flavoring material may be inserted into the fourth portion 24. For example, the separate fibers impregnated with the flavoring material may be arranged in the fourth portion 24 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol product 20. The separate fibers impregnated with the flavoring material may be made of, but are not limited to, cellulose acetate, cotton, polylactic acid, or the like. Furthermore, the amount of flavoring material impregnated in the separate fibers impregnated with the flavoring material may be adjusted by adjusting the fiber thickness, the number of strands, etc.

[0091] The fourth portion 24 also includes at least one capsule. For example, the capsule contains a flavoring substance, and the flavor is generated by the flavoring substance leaking when the capsule is broken. For another example, the capsule contains an aerosol-generating substance, and the aerosol is generated by the substance leaking when the capsule is broken. The capsule has a structure in which a liquid flavoring or an aerosol-generating substance is surrounded by a coating. The capsule has a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0092] In one embodiment, the aerosol product 20 further comprises a wrapper 25 and a thermally conductive thin film 26 that encase at least a portion of the first portion 21 through the fourth portion 24 .

[0093] The wrapper 25 is located at the outermost portion of the aerosol product 20 and is arranged to enclose at least a portion of the first portion 21 to the fourth portion 24, or all of the first portion 21 to the fourth portion 24, but is not limited to this. Also, the wrapper 25 is a single wrapper, but depending on the embodiment, the wrapper 25 may be a combination of multiple wrappers.

[0094] When inserted into the aerosol generating device, the thermally conductive thin film 26 is disposed at a position corresponding to the heater, and uniformly transfers the heat generated by the heater to the first portion 21 and / or the second portion 22.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the thermally conductive thin film 26 includes a material with excellent thermal conductivity and is arranged to surround the first portion 21 and / or the second portion 22 heated by the heater of the aerosol generating device, thereby uniformly transferring heat generated by the heater to the first portion 21 and / or the second portion 22. For example, the thermally conductive thin film 26 includes at least one of aluminum, platinum, and ruthenium, which have excellent thermal conductivity, but is not limited thereto.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the size, shape, material, etc. of the thermally conductive thin film 26 may vary depending on the type of aerosol product 20. As a result, the aerosol generating device detects the type of aerosol product 20 and / or the movement of the aerosol product 20 based on a change in electrical characteristics inside the aerosol generating device caused by the thermally conductive thin film 26 of the aerosol product 20, which will be described later.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the thermally conductive thin film 26 generates heat directly from the alternating magnetic field generated by the induction coil, i.e., the thermally conductive thin film 26 functions as a susceptor that is inductively heated by the induction coil.

[0098] The thermally conductive thin film 26 includes a first susceptor 261 disposed in the first portion and a second susceptor 262 disposed in the second portion. The first susceptor 261 and the second susceptor 262 are disposed a certain distance apart. The first susceptor 261 and the second susceptor 262 are independently heated and controlled, thereby independently controlling the temperatures of the first and second portions of the aerosol product. As a result, a user can customize the atomization amount and tobacco flavor to suit their preferences.

[0099] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the components of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0100] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generation device 10 of Fig. 1 taken along the A-A' direction, and shows some of the components arranged inside the housing 100. The aerosol product 20 inserted into the aerosol generation device 10 of Fig. 3 is the aerosol product 20 of Fig. 2, but overlapping descriptions will be omitted below.

[0101] 3, an aerosol generating device 10 (e.g., the aerosol generating device 10 of FIG. 1) according to one embodiment includes a housing 100 (e.g., the housing 100 of FIG. 1), a heater unit 110, a control unit 120, a battery 130, and a sensor 140. The components of the aerosol generating device 10 according to one embodiment are not limited thereto, and at least one component may be added to or omitted from the aerosol generating device 10 depending on the embodiment.

[0102] The housing 100 includes an internal space in which the components of the aerosol generation device 10 are disposed. For example, a heater unit, a control unit 120, a battery 130, and a sensor 140 are disposed in the internal space of the housing 100, but the components disposed in the internal space are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the housing 100 comprises a cavity 100h into which the aerosol product article 20 is inserted or housed. For example, at least a portion of the aerosol product article 20 is inserted or housed inside the housing 100 through the cavity 100h.

[0104] The heater unit is located in the interior space of the housing 100 and generates an aerosol by heating the aerosol production product 20 inserted or housed inside the housing 100. For example, the heater unit generates heat by receiving power from the battery 130 and heats at least a portion of the aerosol production product 20. Vaporized particles generated by heating the aerosol production product 20 are mixed with air flowing into the housing 100 to generate an aerosol.

[0105] According to one embodiment, the heater unit includes an induction heater. For example, the heater unit includes an induction coil that generates an alternating magnetic field when power is supplied, and a susceptor that generates heat due to the alternating magnetic field generated by the induction coil. According to one embodiment, at least two heater units are configured to independently heat two different regions of the cavity 100h into which the aerosol product is inserted.

[0106] The induction coil includes a first coil 111 and a second coil 112. The first coil 111 is disposed in a first region of the cavity 100h, and the second coil 112 is disposed in a second region of the cavity 100h that is different from the first region of the cavity 100h. The first region of the cavity 100h is adjacent to the first region of the aerosol product article 20 inserted in the cavity 100h, and the second region of the cavity 100h is adjacent to the second region of the aerosol product article 20 inserted in the cavity 100h. The control unit supplies independent alternating currents to the first coil 111 and the second coil 112. The control unit independently controls the alternating currents supplied to the first coil 111 and the second coil 112, thereby enabling independent heating control of the first susceptor 261 and the second susceptor 262. That is, the first and second portions of the aerosol-producing article 20 are independently temperature controlled, allowing the user to customize the amount of atomization and tobacco flavor to suit the user's preferences.

[0107] In one embodiment, the induction coils 111 and 112 are arranged to surround the outer circumferential surfaces of the susceptors 261 and 262, which are arranged to surround at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol production article 20 inserted or housed inside the housing 100. For example, the susceptors 261 and 262 may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the portion of the aerosol production article 20 containing the aerosol-forming substance (e.g., the first portion 21 in FIG. 2 ) and / or the portion of the aerosol production article 20 containing the tobacco substance (e.g., the second portion 22 in FIG. 2 ), but this is not limiting.

[0108] The control unit 120 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 10. In one example, the control unit 120 is electrically or operatively connected to the heater unit and the battery 130 and controls the power supplied from the battery 130 to the heater unit.

[0109] In the present invention, the expression "operatively connected" means a state in which components are connected to transmit and receive signals wirelessly, or to transmit and receive optical and / or magnetic signals, etc., and this expression will be used in the same sense hereinafter.

[0110] The battery 130 supplies the power necessary for the operation of the aerosol generating device 10. For example, the battery 130 supplies power to a heater unit for heating the aerosol product 20. As another example, the battery 130 may supply the power necessary for the operation of the control unit 120.

[0111] In one embodiment, induction coils 111 and 112 are utilized to detect whether an aerosol-producing article 20 has been inserted into cavity 100h.

[0112] In one embodiment, the induction coils 111 and 112 are used to detect the temperatures of the susceptors 262 and 261. Specifically, the temperatures of the susceptors 262 and 261 can be calculated from the amount of change in the resonant frequency of the induction coils 111 and 112. The resistance of the susceptors 262 and 261 changes depending on the temperature, and therefore the impedance value seen by the induction coils 111 and 112 changes. If the impedance value seen by the induction coils 111 and 112 changes, the resonant frequency of the induction coils 111 and 112 also changes. Therefore, the temperatures of the susceptors 262 and 261 can be inferred from the amount of change in the resonant frequency of the induction coils 111 and 112.

[0113] In one embodiment, the control unit 120 determines whether the aerosol product 20 has been inserted into the cavity 100h through the induction coils 111 and 112.

[0114] Because the aerosol product 20 includes a thermally conductive thin film 26 (e.g., the thermally conductive thin film 26 in FIG. 2 ) therein, when the aerosol product 20 is inserted into the cavity 100h, the electrical characteristics inside the cavity 100h change. Thus, the control unit 120 senses the change in the electrical characteristics inside the cavity 100h using the induction coils 111 and 112, and determines whether the aerosol product 20 has been inserted into the cavity 100h based on the sensing result. For example, the control unit 120 senses the change in inductance inside the cavity 100h using the induction coils 111 and 112, and determines whether the aerosol product 20 has been inserted into the cavity 100h based on the sensing result.

[0115] In one embodiment, the controller senses changes in the resonant frequency of the induction coils 111 and 112 to calculate the temperature of the susceptors 262 and 261 .

[0116] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating components of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

[0117] Unlike the embodiment of FIG. 3, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, a first susceptor 101 and a second susceptor 102 are disposed in a cavity 100h of the aerosol generating device.

[0118] Specifically, the first susceptor 101 is disposed in a first region of the cavity 100h, and the second susceptor 102 is disposed in a second region of the cavity 100h that is different from the first region. The first region of the cavity 100h is adjacent to the first region of the aerosol product article 20 inserted into the cavity 100h, and the second region of the cavity 100h is disposed adjacent to the second region of the aerosol product article 20 inserted into the cavity 100h.

[0119] The first coil 111 is wound around the outer surface of the first region of the cavity 100h, and the second coil 112 is wound around the outer surface of the second region of the cavity 100h.

[0120] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the susceptors 101 and 102 are disposed in the cavity 100h, and therefore the thermally conductive thin film 26 (see FIG. 2) is omitted from the aerosol product 20. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and although omitted in FIG. 4, the aerosol product 20 may include the thermally conductive thin film 26 (see FIG. 2). The thermally conductive thin film includes a metal material with excellent thermal conductivity and is directly heated by the induction coils 111 and 112. In addition, the thermally conductive thin film uniformly transfers the heat generated in the susceptor to the first and second portions of the aerosol product 20.

[0121] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating thicknesses of a first susceptor and a second susceptor according to an embodiment.

[0122] The first susceptor 501 and the second susceptor 502 shown in FIG. 5 represent the susceptors 261 and 262 included in the aerosol product shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, or the susceptors 101 and 102 included in the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 4.

[0123] 2 to 4, the aerosol generating device of the present invention generates aerosol by heating the aerosol product 20 using an induction heating method. In order to customize the atomization amount and tobacco flavor to suit the user's preferences, it is desirable to independently heat and control the temperatures of the first and second portions 21 and 22 of the aerosol product 20. However, since the embodiment of the present invention employs an induction heating method, the first and second portions 21 and 22 are electromagnetically coupled to each other, making it difficult to independently control the heating of the first and second portions 21 and 22.

[0124] 3, the heater section for heating the aerosol product 20 inserted into the aerosol generation device 10 includes a first heater section and a second heater section. The first heater section is composed of a first susceptor 261 included in the aerosol product 20 and a first coil 111 included in the aerosol generation device 10, and the second heater section is composed of a second susceptor 262 included in the aerosol product 20 and a second coil 112 included in the aerosol generation device 10.

[0125] In order to independently control the heating of the first heater unit and the second heater unit, it is desirable that the magnetic field generated by the first coil 111 affects only the first susceptor 261, and that the magnetic field generated by the second coil 112 affects only the second susceptor 262. However, the first coil 111 and the second coil 112 are disposed adjacent to each other, and the first susceptor 261 and the second susceptor 262 are also disposed adjacent to each other. Therefore, the magnetic field generated by the first coil 111 affects not only the first susceptor 261 but also the second susceptor 262. Similarly, the magnetic field generated by the second coil 112 affects not only the second susceptor 262 but also the first susceptor 261.

[0126] To solve this problem, the inventors of the present invention discovered that by utilizing the fact that the skin effect of induced current has frequency-dependent characteristics, it is possible to independently control the heating of the first heater section and the second heater section.

[0127] Induction heating utilizes the skin effect of induced current. When high-frequency current is applied to a coil, a high-frequency magnetic flux is generated that penetrates perpendicularly through the surface of the susceptor, which acts as an induction heating element. This high-frequency magnetic flux induces an induced current on the outer surface of the susceptor, which heats up due to Joule heating generated by the susceptor's resistance. This induced current has the characteristic of increasing in magnitude near the outer surface of the conductive material and decreasing exponentially toward the interior; this is the skin effect of induced current.

[0128] The current penetration depth P is an important index that indicates the depth from the outer peripheral surface of the susceptor that can be heated by the induced current. The current penetration depth P is defined as the distance to the point where the induced current strength (magnitude) attenuating from the outer peripheral surface to the inside decreases to 1 / e (0.368) times the induced current strength at the outer peripheral surface, and is expressed by the following mathematical formula 1.

number

[0129] (f: frequency, μ: magnetic permeability, σ: conductivity) According to Equation 1, the current penetration depth P decreases as the frequency f increases, and increases as the frequency f decreases.

[0130] By making the thicknesses of the first susceptor 261 and the second susceptor 262 different from each other and setting the frequencies of the alternating current supplied to the first coil 111 and the second coil 112 different from each other, the heating of the first heater section and the second heater section can be controlled independently.

[0131] 5, the average thickness of the first susceptor 261 is set to be thicker than the average thickness of the second susceptor 262, and the frequency of the AC current supplied to the first coil 111 is set to be lower than the frequency of the AC current supplied to the second coil 112. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. Contrary to the example of FIG. 5, the average thickness of the first susceptor 261 is set to be thinner than the average thickness of the second susceptor 262, and the frequency of the AC current supplied to the first coil 111 is set to be higher than the frequency of the AC current supplied to the second coil 112, but an effect similar to that of the example of FIG. 5 can be obtained.

[0132] The frequency of the AC current supplied to the first coil 111 is relatively low, and therefore the penetration depth is deep. Therefore, the second susceptor 262, which has a relatively thin average thickness, receives a small amount of induced current from the first coil 111. As a result, the amount of induced current induced in the second susceptor 262 from the first coil 111 is small, and the second susceptor 262 cannot be heated sufficiently.

[0133] In contrast, the frequency of the AC current supplied to the second coil 112 is relatively high, and therefore the penetration depth is shallow. Therefore, the induced current induced in the first susceptor 261 from the second coil 112 is not formed throughout the first susceptor 261, which has a relatively large average thickness, but is formed concentratedly on the surface, which is a portion of the first susceptor 261. However, since the first susceptor 261 is thick compared to the penetration depth, the resistance is very low. As a result, the induced current induced from the second coil 112 cannot sufficiently heat the first susceptor 261 due to the low resistance of the first susceptor 261.

[0134] The first coil 111 and the second coil 112 are driven at a single frequency, but may be driven within a certain frequency range. In this case, in order to minimize mutual influence between the first heater unit and the second heater unit, it is preferable to set the lower limit of the second frequency range for driving the second coil 112 higher than the upper limit of the first frequency range for driving the first coil 111.

[0135] 5, the first susceptor 501 and the second susceptor 502 do not have uniform thicknesses. In order to minimize the mutual influence of the first heater portion and the second heater portion, it is preferable that the minimum thickness t1_min of the first susceptor 501 is greater than the maximum thickness t2_max of the second susceptor 502.

[0136] In this manner, in this embodiment of the present invention, the thicknesses of the first susceptor 501 and the second susceptor 502 are made different from each other, and the frequencies of the AC currents supplied to the first coil 111 and the second coil 112 are set different from each other, thereby making it possible to independently control the heating of the first heater section and the second heater section.

[0137] As a result, the aerosol generating device 10 according to one embodiment can independently control the temperatures of the first and second portions of the aerosol product 20 inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, thereby allowing the user to customize the amount of atomization and tobacco flavor to suit the user's preferences.

[0138] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a control period of the first coil and the second coil according to an embodiment.

[0139] 3, 4 and 6, the first coil 111 and the second coil 112 are disposed close to each other, so that mutual induction inductance exists. If mutual induction inductance exists, the influence of mutual induction between the first coil 111 and the second coil 112 may cause unstable heating control.

[0140] In order to eliminate the influence of mutual induction between the first coil 111 and the second coil 112, the inventor of the present invention has devised a method of driving the first coil 111 and the second coil 112 to heat them in separate time intervals.

[0141] The control unit 120 drives the first coil 111 within a first frequency range in a first period, and drives the second coil 112 within a second frequency range in a second period. The first period is a heating period for the first coil 111, and the second period is a heating period for the second coil 112. As shown in FIG. 6, the first period does not overlap with the second period, so that the first coil 111 and the second coil 112 can be heated and driven in separate time periods.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 6, in one embodiment, a blank section is inserted between first sections. Similarly, a blank section is inserted between second sections. The controller 120 may use a portion of the blank section as a sensing section for detecting an inductance change or an impedance change. This will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 7.

[0143] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a control period of the first coil and the second coil according to another embodiment.

[0144] 3, 4 and 7, the control unit 120 drives the first coil 111 in a first period and a third period that does not overlap with the first period, and the control unit 120 drives the second coil 112 in a second period and a fourth period that does not overlap with the second period.

[0145] Here, the first section is a section in which an AC current in a first frequency range is supplied to the first coil 111, and the second section is a section in which an AC current in a second frequency range is supplied to the second coil 112. In other words, the first section is a heating section in which the first coil 111 inductively heats a susceptor (mainly the first susceptor), and the second section is a heating section in which the second coil 112 inductively heats a susceptor (mainly the second susceptor).

[0146] The third section is a sensing section in which the control unit 120 senses an inductance change or an impedance change through the first coil 111. The fourth section is a sensing section in which the control unit 120 senses an inductance change or an impedance change through the second coil 112. The control unit 120 determines whether the aerosol product 20 has been inserted into the cavity of the aerosol generating device 10 based on the inductance change sensed in the third or fourth section. The control unit 120 also calculates the temperatures of the first and second susceptors based on the impedance changes sensed in the third and fourth sections.

[0147] 7, it is preferable that the first and second sections do not overlap with each other. This is because if a change in inductance or a change in impedance is sensed through the first coil 111 in the first section where the first coil 111 inductively heats the susceptor (mainly the first susceptor), the change in inductance or the change in impedance may act as noise in the induction heating control of the first susceptor. For the same reason, it is also preferable that the second and fourth sections do not overlap with each other.

[0148] 7, it is preferable that the second and third control sections at least partially overlap each other, or that the first and fourth control sections at least partially overlap each other. This minimizes the idle section in which the first coil 111 and the second coil 112 do not perform heating, thereby preventing insufficient heating of the aerosol generation device 10. The idle section of the first coil 111 is the section that combines the third section and the blank space, and the idle section of the second coil 112 is the section that combines the fourth section and the blank space.

[0149] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the range of driving frequencies for driving the first coil and the second coil in the first to fourth sections of FIG.

[0150] The aerosol generating device 10 according to one embodiment controls the amplitude and frequency of the alternating current applied to the first coil and the second coil.

[0151] 3 to 8, the frequency increases in the following order: third frequency range fr3 for driving the first coil 111 in the third section, which is the lowest frequency band; first frequency range fr1 for driving the first coil 111 in the first section; second frequency range fr2 for driving the second coil 112 in the second section; and fourth frequency range fr4 for driving the second coil 112 in the fourth section. The example shown in Fig. 8 is based on an embodiment (see Figs. 3 to 5) in which the average thickness of the first susceptors 101 and 261 is greater than the average thickness of the second susceptors 102 and 262.

[0152] It is preferable that the first to fourth frequency ranges fr1 to fr4 are configured so as not to overlap with each other, because if the frequency ranges overlap with each other, they may interfere with each other when controlling the heating of the first coil 111 and the second coil 112, and to prevent unexpected induction heating operations when sensing inductance or impedance through the first coil 111 and the second coil 112, respectively.

[0153] In one embodiment, the control unit 120 detects insertion of the aerosol product 20 based on a change in inductance of the first coil 111 in the third period. The control unit 120 also detects insertion of the aerosol product 20 based on a change in inductance of the second coil 112 in the fourth period. Specifically, the control unit 120 determines whether the aerosol product 20 has been inserted into the cavity based on a change in frequency corresponding to the change in inductance of the first coil 111 or the second coil 112. At this time, the change in frequency corresponding to the change in inductance is calculated using Equation 2.

number

[0154] For example, the control unit 120 calculates the resonance frequency fo according to the inductance L of the first coil 111 or the second coil 112 using Equation 2. That is, when the aerosol product 20 is inserted into the induction coil, the inductance L value of the induction coil decreases and the resonance frequency fo value measured by the control unit 120 increases. In one embodiment, when the frequency value corresponding to the change in inductance of the first coil 111 or the second coil 112 increases by more than a predetermined frequency change, the control unit 120 determines that the aerosol product 20 has been inserted.

[0155] In one embodiment, the control unit 120 can detect a change in the resonant frequency of the first coil 111 in the third section and a change in the resonant frequency of the second coil 112 in the fourth section, and calculate the temperatures of the first susceptors 101 and 261 and the second susceptors 102 and 262.

[0156] Hereinafter, the principle of calculating the temperature of the first susceptor by sensing the change in the resonant frequency of the second coil will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0157] The control unit 120 drives the first coil 111 at a first driving frequency in a first period. The first driving frequency is included in a first frequency range fr1. The current applied to the first coil 111 varies depending on the first driving frequency for driving the first coil 111.

[0158] 9 shows a frequency response 910 of the first coil 111. In FIG. 9, the response characteristic of the first coil 111 is maximized at a first resonant frequency fo1. In other words, the current applied to the first coil 111 is maximized at the first resonant frequency fo1. The first resonant frequency fo1 is determined by the first coil 111 and a first capacitor (not shown) connected in series to the first coil 111.

[0159] Furthermore, the response characteristic of the first coil 111 gradually decreases as the frequency increases with respect to the first resonant frequency fo1. For example, the response characteristic h1 of the first coil 111 at a first frequency f1 greater than the first resonant frequency fo1 is greater than the response characteristic h2 of the first coil 111 at a second frequency f2 greater than the first frequency f1.

[0160] The control unit 120 varies the drive frequency within a first frequency range fr1 in the first section, thereby controlling the current applied to the first coil 111. When the current applied to the first coil 111 is varied, the temperature of the aerosol product 20 or the first susceptors 101 and 261 provided in the aerosol generation device 10 also varies.

[0161] For example, the control unit 120 can supply maximum power to the first coil 111 by setting the first driving frequency to the first resonant frequency fo1. As a result, the first susceptors 101 and 261 are heated to the maximum temperature. In another example, the control unit 120 can supply a first power that is smaller than the maximum power to the first coil 111 by setting the first driving frequency to a first frequency f1 that is larger than the first resonant frequency fo1. As a result, the first susceptors 101 and 261 are heated to a first temperature that is lower than the maximum temperature. In yet another example, the control unit 120 can supply a second power that is smaller than the first power to the first coil 111 by setting the first driving frequency to a second frequency f2 that is larger than the first frequency f1. As a result, the first susceptors 101 and 261 are heated to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature.

[0162] The control unit 120 detects a change in the resonant frequency of the second coil 112 based on a fourth frequency range fr4 in the fourth section. Specifically, Fig. 10 shows frequency responses 1010, 1020, and 1030 of the second coil 112 due to temperature changes of the first susceptors 101 and 261. In Fig. 10, when the first susceptors 101 and 261 are at a first temperature, the response characteristic of the second coil 112 is maximized at a second resonant frequency fo2. The second resonant frequency fo2 is determined by the second coil 112 and a second capacitor (not shown) connected in series to the second coil 112.

[0163] In addition, the second resonant frequency fo2 of the second coil 112 increases as shown by fo2" or decreases as shown by fo2' as the temperature of the first susceptors 101 and 261 increases. As the second resonant frequency fo2 varies, the frequency at which the maximum current is output also changes. The control unit 120 sweeps the fourth driving frequency of the second coil 112 within a fourth frequency range fr4 in the fourth section, and detects the second resonant frequency fo2 of the second coil 112 based on the frequency sweep result. For example, the control unit 120 sweeps the fourth driving frequency of the second coil 112 within the fourth frequency range fr4, and determines the driving frequency at which the current applied to the second coil 112 is maximum as the second resonant frequency fo2.

[0164] On the other hand, when the fourth frequency range fr4 overlaps with the first frequency range fr1, the first susceptors 101 and 261 are inductively heated by the second coil 112. Induction heating of the first susceptors 101 and 261 by the second coil 112 corresponds to unintended heating, and may cause inaccurate temperature control of the first susceptors 101 and 261. Therefore, it is desirable to set the fourth frequency range fr4 so that it does not overlap with the first frequency range fr1.

[0165] Assuming an embodiment in which the average thickness of the first susceptors 101 and 261 is configured to be thicker than the average thickness of the second susceptors 102 and 262 (see Figures 3 to 5), as shown in Figure 8, it is preferable to set the third frequency range fr3 for driving the first coil 111 in the third section to be the lowest frequency band, the first frequency range fr1 for driving the first coil 111 in the first section to be the next frequency band, the second frequency range fr2 for driving the second coil 112 in the second section to be the next frequency band, and the fourth frequency range fr4 for driving the second coil 112 in the fourth section to be the highest frequency band.

[0166] At the upper limit of the first frequency range fr1, the first susceptors 101 and 261 are heated to a first heating temperature by the induction heating of the first coil 111, and at the lower limit of the fourth frequency range fr4, the first susceptors 101 and 261 are heated to a second heating temperature lower than the first heating temperature by the induction heating of the second coil 112. The second heating temperature is a temperature at which no aerosol is generated.

[0167] Furthermore, if the lower limit of the fourth frequency range fr4 affects the temperature change of the first susceptors 101 and 261, the temperature of the first susceptors 101 and 261 may change even during the frequency sweep of the second coil 112. In this regard, the lower limit of the fourth frequency range fr4 is set to a frequency that does not affect the temperature change of the first susceptors 101 and 261. For example, if the first frequency range fr1 is 0.1 MHz to 0.3 MHz, the fourth frequency range fr4 is set to 2 MHz to 4 MHz, but this is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, considering the relationship between the current penetration depth P and frequency f in Equation 1, the average thickness of the first susceptors 101 and 261 can be designed so that the lower limit of the fourth frequency range fr4 does not affect the temperature change of the first susceptors 101 and 261.

[0168] The control unit 120 calculates the temperatures of the first susceptors 101 and 261 based on the change in the resonant frequency of the second coil 112 in the fourth section.

[0169] 11 shows changes in frequency responses 1110 and 1120 of the second coil 112 due to changes in the temperatures of the first susceptors 101 and 261. As the temperatures of the first susceptors 101 and 261 change, the frequency response of the second coil 112 changes from the first frequency response 1110 to the second frequency response 1120.

[0170] The control unit 120 calculates the temperatures of the first susceptors 101 and 261 based on the frequency difference fo2d between the third resonant frequency fo2a of the second coil 112 sensed at the first point in the fourth period and the fourth resonant frequency fo2b at the second point a predetermined time after the first point.

[0171] The control unit 120 calculates the temperatures of the first susceptors 101 and 261 based on the resonant frequency difference fo2d and matching data of the temperatures of the first susceptors 101 and 261. The matching data of the resonant frequency difference fo2d and the temperatures of the first susceptors 101 and 261 may be stored in advance in a memory in the form of a look-up table.

[0172] Next, a principle of calculating the temperatures of the second susceptors 102 and 262 by sensing a change in the resonant frequency of the first coil 111 will be described. The principle of calculating the temperatures of the second susceptors 102 and 262 by sensing a change in the resonant frequency of the first coil 111 is similar to the principle of calculating the temperatures of the first susceptors 101 and 261 by sensing a change in the resonant frequency of the second coil 112, as described above.

[0173] The control unit 120 drives the second coil 112 at a second driving frequency in the second period. The second driving frequency is included in the second frequency range fr2. The current applied to the second coil 112 varies depending on the second driving frequency for driving the second coil 112.

[0174] The control unit 120 detects a change in the resonant frequency of the first coil 111 based on the third frequency range fr3 in the third section. The resonant frequency of the first coil 111 is determined by the first coil 111 and a first capacitor (not shown) connected in series to the first coil 111.

[0175] The resonant frequency of the first coil 111 increases or decreases as the temperatures of the second susceptors 102 and 262 increase. The control unit 120 sweeps the third driving frequency of the first coil 111 within a third frequency range fr3 in the third section and detects the second resonant frequency of the first coil 111 based on the frequency sweep result. For example, the control unit 120 sweeps the third driving frequency of the first coil 111 within the third frequency range fr3 and determines the driving frequency at which the current applied to the first coil 111 is maximum as the second resonant frequency.

[0176] On the other hand, when the third frequency range fr3 overlaps with the second frequency range fr2, the second susceptors 102 and 262 are inductively heated by the first coil 111. Induction heating of the second susceptors 102 and 262 by the first coil 111 corresponds to unintended heating, and may cause inaccurate temperature control of the second susceptors 102 and 262. Therefore, it is desirable to set the fourth frequency range fr4 so that it does not overlap with the first frequency range fr1.

[0177] Assuming an embodiment in which the average thickness of the first susceptors 101 and 261 is configured to be thicker than the average thickness of the second susceptors 102 and 262 (see Figures 3 and 4), as shown in Figure 8, it is preferable to set the third frequency range fr3 for driving the first coil 111 in the third section to be the lowest frequency band, the first frequency range fr1 for driving the first coil 111 in the first section to be the next frequency band, the second frequency range fr2 for driving the second coil 112 in the second section to be the next frequency band, and the fourth frequency range fr4 for driving the second coil 112 in the fourth section to be the highest frequency band.

[0178] At the lower limit of the second frequency range fr2, the second susceptors 102 and 262 are heated to a third heating temperature by the induction heating of the second coil 112, and at the upper limit of the third frequency range fr3, the second susceptors 102 and 262 are heated to a fourth heating temperature, which is lower than the third heating temperature, by the induction heating of the first coil 111. The fourth heating temperature is a temperature at which no aerosol is generated.

[0179] Furthermore, if the upper limit of the third frequency range fr3 affects the temperature change of the second susceptors 102 and 262, there is a possibility that the temperature change of the second susceptors 102 and 262 may occur even during the frequency sweep of the first coil 111. In this regard, the upper limit of the third frequency range fr3 is set to a frequency that does not affect the temperature change of the second susceptors 102 and 262. Furthermore, taking into consideration the relationship between the current penetration depth P and the frequency f in Equation 1, the average thickness of the second susceptors 102 and 262 can be designed so that the upper limit of the third frequency range fr3 does not affect the temperature change of the second susceptors 102 and 262.

[0180] The control unit 120 calculates the temperatures of the second susceptors 102 and 262 based on the change in the resonant frequency of the first coil 111 in the third section.

[0181] The control unit 120 calculates the temperatures of the second susceptors 102 and 262 based on the frequency difference between the resonant frequency of the first coil 111 sensed at the first point in the third section and the resonant frequency at the second point a predetermined time after the first point.

[0182] The control unit 120 calculates the temperatures of the second susceptors 102 and 262 based on the matching data between the resonant frequency difference of the first coil 111 and the temperatures of the second susceptors 102 and 262. The matching data between the resonant frequency difference and the temperatures of the second susceptors 102 and 262 may be stored in advance in a memory in the form of a look-up table.

[0183] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 1200 according to another embodiment.

[0184] The aerosol generating device 1200 includes a control unit 1210, a sensing unit 1220, an output unit 1230, a battery 1240, a heater 1250, a user input unit 1260, a memory 1270, and a communication unit 1280. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1200 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 12. That is, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that some of the components shown in Fig. 12 may be omitted or new components may be added depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 1200.

[0185] The sensing unit 1220 senses the state of the aerosol generating device 1200 or the state around the aerosol generating device 1200, and transmits the sensed information to the control unit 1210. Based on the sensed information, the control unit 1210 controls the aerosol generating device 1200 to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater 1250, restricting smoking, determining whether or not to insert an aerosol product (e.g., cigarette, cartridge, etc.), and displaying notifications.

[0186] The sensing unit 1220 includes at least one of a temperature sensor 1222, an insertion sensor 1224, and a puff sensor 1226, but is not limited thereto.

[0187] The temperature sensor 1222 senses the temperature to which the heater 1250 (or the aerosol-generating substance) is heated. The aerosol-generating device 1200 may include a separate temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the heater 1250, or the heater 1250 itself may function as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 1222 may be disposed around the battery 1240 so as to monitor the temperature of the battery 1240.

[0188] The insertion detection sensor 1224 detects the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol product. For example, the insertion detection sensor 1224 may 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 detects a signal change caused by the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol product. Alternatively, the heater 1250 of the aerosol generating device 1200 may itself function as the insertion detection sensor 1224.

[0189] The puff sensor 1226 senses a user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or channel, such as a temperature change, a flow rate change, a voltage change, or a pressure change.

[0190] The sensing unit 1220 further includes 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-described sensors (temperature sensor 1222, insertion sensor 1224, and puff sensor 1226). The function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred by a skilled artisan from its name, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0191] The output unit 1230 outputs and provides to a user information about the status of the aerosol generating device 1200. The output unit 1230 includes at least one of, but is not limited to, a display unit 1232, a haptic unit 1234, and an audio output unit 1236. When the display unit 1232 and the touchpad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 1232 is used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0192] The display unit 1232 visually provides a user with information about the aerosol generating device 1200. For example, the information about the aerosol generating device 1200 refers to various information such as the charge / discharge status of the battery 1240 of the aerosol generating device 1200, the preheating status of the heater 1250, the insertion / removal status of an aerosol product, or a status that restricts the use of the aerosol generating device 1200 (e.g., detection of an abnormal item), and the display unit 1232 outputs the information to the outside. The display unit 1232 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting display panel (OLED), etc. The display unit 1232 may also be in the form of an LED light emitting element.

[0193] The haptic unit 1234 converts an electrical signal into a mechanical or electrical stimulus to tactilely provide the user with information about the aerosol generating device 1200. For example, the haptic unit 1234 includes a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0194] The acoustic output unit 1236 audibly provides the user with information about the aerosol generation device 1200. For example, the acoustic output unit 1236 converts an electric signal into an acoustic signal and outputs it to the outside.

[0195] The battery 1240 supplies power used for the operation of the aerosol generating device 1200. The battery 1240 supplies power to the heater 1250 so that it can be heated. The battery 1240 also supplies power necessary for the operation of other components included in the aerosol generating device 1200 (e.g., the sensing unit 1220, the output unit 1230, the user input unit 1260, the memory 1270, and the communication unit 1280). The battery 1240 is a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 1240 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0196] The heater 1250 receives power from the battery 1240 and heats the aerosol-generating material. Although not shown in Fig. 12, the aerosol-generating device 1200 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC / DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 1240 and supplies it to the heater 1250. Furthermore, when the aerosol-generating device 1200 generates aerosol by an induction heating method, the aerosol-generating device 1200 may further include a DC / AC converter that converts the DC power supply of the battery 1240 into AC power supply.

[0197] The control unit 1210, the sensing unit 1220, the output unit 1230, the user input unit 1260, the memory 1270, and the communication unit 1280 perform their functions by receiving power from the battery 1240. Although not shown in Fig. 12, the device further includes a power conversion circuit, such as an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, that converts the power of the battery 1240 and supplies it to each component.

[0198] In one embodiment, heater 1250 may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to, metals or metal alloys, including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. Additionally, heater 1250 may be embodied as, but is not limited to, a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate having conductive tracks disposed thereon, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0199] In another embodiment, heater 1250 is an induction heater, for example, heater 1250 includes a susceptor that generates heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil to heat the aerosol-generating material.

[0200] In one embodiment, the heater 1250 may be composed of two or more heaters. For example, the heater 1250 may include a first heater and a second heater. The first heater may include a first coil and a first susceptor inductively heated by the first coil, and the second heater may include a second coil and a second susceptor inductively heated by the second coil. By setting different driving frequencies for the first coil and the second coil and designing different average thicknesses for the first susceptor and the second susceptor, cross-heating, which occurs when the first coil inductively heats the second susceptor or the second coil inductively heats the first susceptor, can be minimized.

[0201] The user input unit 1260 receives information input by a user or outputs information to a user. For example, the user input unit 1260 may be, but is not limited to, a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad (such as a contact capacitance type, a pressure type resistive film type, an infrared sensing type, a surface ultrasonic conduction type, an integral tension measurement type, or a piezoelectric effect type), a jog wheel, or a jog switch. Although not shown in FIG. 12 , the aerosol generating device 1200 may further include a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, through which the aerosol generating device 1200 can connect to other external devices to send and receive information or charge the battery 1240.

[0202] The memory 1270 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating apparatus 1200, and stores data processed by the control unit 1210 and data to be processed. In one embodiment, matching data between the resonant frequency difference of the first coil and the temperature of the second susceptor is stored in the memory 1270 in the form of a lookup table. Matching data between the resonant frequency difference of the second coil and the temperature of the first susceptor is also stored in the memory 1270 in the form of a lookup table.

[0203] The memory 1270 includes at least one type of recording medium selected from the group consisting of flash memory, hard disk, micro-multimedia card, card-type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk. The memory 1270 stores data such as the operating time of the aerosol generating device 1200, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data regarding the user's smoking pattern.

[0204] The communication unit 1280 includes at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 1280 includes a short-range communication unit 1282 and a wireless communication unit 1284.

[0205] The short-range communication unit 1282 includes, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit, a short-range wireless communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a ZigBee communication unit, an infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, a UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, etc.

[0206] The wireless communication unit 1284 includes, 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 1284 can use subscriber information (e.g., an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)) to identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 1200 within the communication network.

[0207] The controller 1210 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1200. In one embodiment, the controller 1210 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executed by the microprocessor. Those skilled in the art will understand that the controller 1210 may also be implemented as other types of hardware.

[0208] The control unit 1210 controls the temperature of the heater 1250 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 1240 to the heater 1250. For example, the control unit 1210 controls the power supply by controlling the switching of a switching element between the battery 1240 and the heater 1250. In another example, a heating direct circuit may control the power supply to the heater 1250 in response to a control command from the control unit 1210.

[0209] The controller 1210 analyzes the results sensed by the sensing unit 1220 and controls subsequent processing. For example, the controller 1210 controls the power supplied to the heater 1250 to start or stop the operation of the heater 1250 based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 1220. As another example, the controller 1210 controls the amount of power supplied to the heater 1250 and the time for which the power is supplied based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 1220 so that the heater 1250 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

[0210] The control unit 1210 controls the output unit 1230 based on the result sensed by the sensing unit 1220. For example, when the number of puffs counted by the puff sensor 1226 reaches a predetermined number, the control unit 1210 notifies the user through at least one of the display unit 1232, the haptic unit 1234, and the audio output unit 1236 that the aerosol generating device 1200 will soon be finished.

[0211] 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. Computer-readable media are any available media accessible by a computer, including both volatile and nonvolatile media, and detachable and non-detachable media. Computer-readable media also include both computer recording media and communication media. Computer recording media include both volatile and non-volatile, detachable and non-detachable media embodied in any method or technology for storing information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically include computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, or other transmission mechanism, and include any information delivery media.

[0212] The above description of the embodiments is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the invention should be determined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope of the claims should be construed as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. an aerosol product; an aerosol generating device for heating the aerosol product article inserted into the cavity; the aerosol product article includes a first susceptor disposed in a first portion and a second susceptor disposed in a second portion different from the first portion; The aerosol generating device comprises: a first coil disposed in a first region of the cavity; a second coil disposed in a second region of the cavity, different from the first region; a control unit that controls power supplied to the first coil and the second coil, The average thickness of the first susceptor is greater than the average thickness of the second susceptor, the control unit drives the first coil within a first frequency range in a first period and drives the second coil within a second frequency range in a second period; An aerosol generating system, wherein the lower limit of the second frequency range is higher than the upper limit of the first frequency range.

2. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1 , wherein the minimum thickness of the first susceptor is greater than the maximum thickness of the second susceptor.

3. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1 , wherein the first susceptor and the second susceptor are formed in a thin film shape.

4. The aerosol generation system of claim 1 , wherein the first section does not overlap with the second section.

5. The controller sensing an inductance change through the first coil in a third section not overlapping with the first section; Alternatively, the aerosol generation system of claim 1 detects an inductance change via the second coil in a fourth section that does not overlap with the second section.

6. The controller The aerosol generating system of claim 5 , wherein whether or not the aerosol product is inserted is determined based on the change in inductance.

7. the first section and the second section do not overlap each other, The aerosol generation system of claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the second section and the third section overlap each other, or at least a portion of the first section and the fourth section overlap each other.

8. The controller sweeping a driving frequency of the first coil within a third frequency range in a third section not overlapping with the first section, and detecting a change in the resonant frequency of the first coil based on a frequency sweep result; The aerosol generation system of claim 1, wherein the drive frequency of the second coil is swept within a fourth frequency range in a fourth section that does not overlap with the second section, and the change in the resonant frequency of the second coil is sensed based on the frequency sweep results.

9. The aerosol generating system according to claim 8 , wherein the control unit calculates the temperatures of the first susceptor and the second susceptor based on a change in the resonant frequency of the first coil and a change in the resonant frequency of the second coil.

10. the upper limit of the third frequency range is lower than the lower limit of the first frequency range; 9. The aerosol generating system of claim 8, wherein the lower limit of the fourth frequency range is higher than the upper limit of the second frequency range.

11. a cavity for containing an aerosol-producing article; a first susceptor disposed in a first region of the cavity; a second susceptor disposed in a second region of the cavity, different from the first region; a first coil wound around an outer surface of the first region of the cavity; a second coil wound around an outer surface of the second region of the cavity; a control unit that controls power supplied to the first coil and the second coil, The average thickness of the first susceptor is greater than the average thickness of the second susceptor, the control unit drives the first coil within a first frequency range in a first period and drives the second coil within a second frequency range in a second period; An aerosol generating device, wherein the lower limit of the second frequency range is higher than the upper limit of the first frequency range.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 11 , wherein the minimum thickness of the first susceptor is greater than the maximum thickness of the second susceptor.

13. The controller sensing an inductance change through the first coil in a third section not overlapping with the first section; Alternatively, the aerosol generating device according to claim 11 , wherein the inductance change is sensed via the second coil in a fourth section that does not overlap with the second section.

14. The controller sweeping a driving frequency of the first coil within a third frequency range in a third section not overlapping with the first section, and detecting a change in the resonant frequency of the first coil based on a frequency sweep result; The aerosol generating device of claim 11, wherein the drive frequency of the second coil is swept within a fourth frequency range in a fourth section that does not overlap with the second section, and the change in the resonant frequency of the second coil is sensed based on the frequency sweep result.

15. the upper limit of the third frequency range is lower than the lower limit of the first frequency range; The aerosol generating device according to claim 14 , wherein the lower limit of the fourth frequency range is higher than the upper limit of the second frequency range.

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