Aerosol Generator

Abstract

The aerosol generating device includes a housing including a storage space for storing an aerosol product, a heater for heating the aerosol product stored in the storage space, and a circuit board including a first sensor for detecting a change in capacitance of the storage space and a second sensor for detecting a change in inductance of the storage space.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly to an aerosol generating device including a structure in which a plurality of sensors are integrated. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the drawbacks of conventional cigarettes. For example, there has been an increasing demand for a system that generates an aerosol by heating a cigarette or an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol generating device, rather than a method of generating an aerosol by burning a cigarette. As a result, research into heated aerosol generating devices has been actively conducted.

[0003] Since the size of an aerosol generating device is limited, active research is being conducted into how to efficiently arrange components within the limited internal space. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The aerosol generating device may be equipped with additional functions that can provide convenience to the user.

[0005] In order to implement a compact design of the aerosol generating device while incorporating various functions into the aerosol generating device, components related to the various functions must be efficiently arranged in the limited space inside the aerosol generating device.

[0006] Embodiments provide an aerosol generating device having an improved structure associated with components that perform additional functions associated with heating the aerosol product.

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

[0008] An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment includes a housing including a storage space for storing an aerosol product, a heater for heating the aerosol product stored in the storage space, and a circuit board including a first sensor for detecting a change in capacitance of the storage space and a second sensor for detecting a change in inductance of the storage space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the aerosol generation device of the embodiment, it is possible to efficiently utilize the limited space inside the aerosol generation device.

[0010] Furthermore, according to the aerosol generation device according to the embodiment, the manufacturing process is simplified in terms of assembly of the aerosol generation device, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0011] The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of an aerosol generating device. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of an aerosol generating device. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing an example of an aerosol generating device.

[0013] [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. FIG.

[0014] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the inside of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG.

[0015] [Figure 6A] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a heater assembly of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 5.

[0016] [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view of the heater assembly shown in FIG. 6A.

[0017] [Figure 6C] 6B is a side cross-sectional view of the heater assembly shown in FIG. 6A taken along line VI-VI.

[0018] [Figure 7] FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the circuit board shown in FIG. 6B.

[0019] [Figure 8A] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the heater assembly shown in FIG. 6A with some components omitted. [Figure 8B] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the heater assembly shown in FIG. 6A with some components omitted.

[0020] [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The terms used in the embodiments are currently commonly used terms, and are selected as much as possible while taking into consideration the functions of the present invention. However, 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, their meanings 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.

[0022] Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, it does not mean that it excludes other components and may further include other components, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, terms such as "... unit" and "... module" used in the specification refer to 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.

[0023] As used herein, when a phrase such as "at least one of" precedes an array of elements, it modifies the entire array and not each individual element in the array. For example, the phrase "at least one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted as including a, b, and c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

[0024] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device is also a device that generates the aerosol by electrically heating a cigarette contained in the interior space.

[0025] The aerosol generating device includes a heater. In one embodiment, the heater is an electrically resistive heater. For example, the heater may include a conductive track, and when an electric current is passed through the conductive track, the heater may be heated.

[0026] The heater may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the interior or exterior of the cigarette depending on the shape of the heating element.

[0027] Cigarettes include tobacco rods and filter rods. Tobacco rods can be made in sheet or strand form, and tobacco sheets can be made from shredded tobacco. The tobacco rod is 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.

[0028] 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 include a first segment that cools the aerosol and a second segment that filters out specific components contained in the aerosol.

[0029] In other embodiments, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol using a cartridge that holds an aerosol generating substance.

[0030] The aerosol generating device includes a cartridge that holds an aerosol generating material and a body that supports the cartridge. The cartridge is detachably connected to the body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be formed integrally with the body or assembled and fixed so that it cannot be removed by a user. The cartridge may be attached to the body with the aerosol generating material stored therein. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and the aerosol generating material may be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is connected to the body.

[0031] The cartridge holds an aerosol-forming material in any one of a variety of states, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gas state, or a gel state. The aerosol-forming material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0032] The cartridge is activated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body, and functions to convert the phase of the aerosol-generating material inside the cartridge into a gas phase to generate an aerosol. The aerosol refers to a gas in which vaporized particles generated from the aerosol-generating material are mixed with air.

[0033] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device heats a liquid composition to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol can be 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 can be configured to deliver the aerosol through the cigarette to the user.

[0034] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol from an aerosol generating material using an ultrasonic vibration method. In this case, the ultrasonic vibration method refers to a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing an aerosol generating material using ultrasonic vibrations generated by a vibrator.

[0035] 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 about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

[0036] The aerosol generating device may further include a wick that absorbs the aerosol-generating substance, for example, the wick being positioned to surround or contact at least a region of the transducer.

[0037] 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.

[0038] For example, the viscosity of the aerosol-generating substance absorbed into the core is reduced by heat generated from the vibrator, and the reduced viscosity aerosol-generating substance is broken down into fine particles by ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator, thereby generating an aerosol, but this is not limited to this.

[0039] 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 by induction heating.

[0040] The aerosol generating device includes a susceptor and a coil. In one embodiment, the coil can apply 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. The susceptor is located inside the coil, and generates heat when a magnetic field is applied, thereby heating the aerosol product. Alternatively, the susceptor can be located inside the aerosol product.

[0041] In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a cradle.

[0042] The aerosol generating device may be configured as a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may charge a battery of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the heater may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device are coupled together.

[0043] 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 them. 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, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0044] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0045] 1 to 3 are diagrams showing an example of an aerosol generating device.

[0046] 1 to 3 are diagrams showing an example in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device.

[0047] 1, the aerosol generating device 1 includes a battery 11, a control unit 12, and a heater 13. 2 and 3, the aerosol generating device 1 further includes a vaporizer 14. An aerosol product 2 is inserted into the internal space of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0048] The components according to this embodiment are shown in the aerosol generation device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3. Therefore, it will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field according to this embodiment that the aerosol generation device 1 may further include other general-purpose components in addition to the components shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0049] 2 and 3 show that the aerosol generating device 1 includes the heater 13, but the heater 13 can be omitted as necessary.

[0050] Fig. 1 shows that the battery 11, the control unit 12, and the heater 13 are arranged in a row. Fig. 2 shows that the battery 11, the control unit 12, the vaporizer 14, and the heater 13 are arranged in a row. Fig. 3 shows that the vaporizer 14 and the heater 13 are arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generation device 1 is not limited to that shown in Figs. 1 to 3. That is, the arrangement of the battery 11, the control unit 12, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14 can be changed depending on the design of the aerosol generation device 1.

[0051] When the aerosol production product 2 is inserted into the aerosol generation device 1, the aerosol generation device 1 can activate the heater 13 and / or vaporizer 14 to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generated by the heater 13 and / or vaporizer 14 passes through the aerosol production product 2 and is delivered to the user.

[0052] If necessary, the aerosol generating device 1 can heat the heater 13 even when no aerosol product 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1 .

[0053] The battery 11 supplies power used to operate the aerosol generation device 1. For example, the battery 11 can supply power to heat the heater 13 or the vaporizer 14, and can supply power necessary for the operation of the control unit 12. The battery 11 can also supply power necessary for the operation of a display, a sensor, a motor, and the like provided in the aerosol generation device 1.

[0054] The control unit 12 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generation device 1. Specifically, the control unit 12 controls the operation of not only the battery 11, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14, but also the other components included in the aerosol generation device 1. The control unit 12 can also check the state of each component of the aerosol generation device 1 and determine whether the aerosol generation device 1 is in an operable state.

[0055] The control unit 12 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable by the microprocessor. Those skilled in the art will understand that the controller 12 may also be implemented by other forms of hardware.

[0056] The heater 13 can be heated by power supplied from the battery 11. For example, when a cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the heater 13 can be located outside the cigarette. Thus, the heated heater 13 can increase the temperature of the aerosol generating material inside the cigarette.

[0057] The heater 13 may also be an electrical resistance heater. For example, the heater 13 may include a conductive track, and the heater 13 may be heated when a current flows through the conductive track. However, the heater 13 is not limited to the above example, and may be any heater that can be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be preset in the aerosol generation device 1, or may be set to a desired temperature by a user.

[0058] On the other hand, as another example, the heater 13 may be an induction heater. Specifically, the heater 13 may include a conductive coil for heating the cigarette by induction heating, and the cigarette may include a susceptor heated by the induction heater.

[0059] For example, the heater 13 may include a tubular heating element, a plate heating element, a needle heating element, or a rod heating element, and may heat the interior or exterior of the aerosol production article 2 depending on the shape of the heating element.

[0060] A plurality of heaters 13 may be arranged in the aerosol generation device 1. In this case, the plurality of heaters 13 may be arranged so as to be inserted inside the aerosol product 2, or may be arranged outside the aerosol product 2. Furthermore, some of the plurality of heaters 13 may be arranged so as to be inserted inside the aerosol product 2, and the rest may be arranged outside the aerosol product 2. Furthermore, the shape of the heater 13 is not limited to the shapes shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and various shapes may be produced.

[0061] The vaporizer 14 heats the liquid composition to generate an aerosol, which is then transmitted to the user through the aerosol-producing article 2. That is, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14 travels along an airflow passage in the aerosol-generating device 1, and the airflow passage is configured to allow the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14 to pass through the cigarette and be transmitted to the user.

[0062] For example, the vaporizer 14 includes, but is not limited to, a liquid storage unit, a liquid transfer means, and a heating element. For example, the liquid storage unit, the liquid transfer means, and the heating element can be included in the aerosol generation device 1 as independent modules.

[0063] The liquid storage unit can store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance. The liquid storage unit may be configured to be detachable from / attachable to the vaporizer 14, or may be configured integrally with the vaporizer 14.

[0064] For example, the liquid composition may contain water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, fragrance, flavoring, or vitamin mixture. Flavoring includes, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit fragrance components. Flavoring includes components capable of providing the user with a variety of flavors or tastes. The vitamin mixture may include, but is not limited to, a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E. The liquid composition may also include an aerosol-forming agent such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0065] The liquid transfer means can transfer the liquid composition in the liquid reservoir to the heating element, for example, but not limited to, a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic.

[0066] The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition transferred by the liquid transfer means. For example, the heating element may be, but is not limited to, a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, or the like. The heating element may be made of a conductive filament such as a nichrome wire and arranged as a structure wound around the liquid transfer means. The heating element is heated by supplying an electric current and transfers heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol is generated.

[0067] For example, but not limited to, the vaporizer 14 may also be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer.

[0068] Meanwhile, the aerosol generator 1 may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery 11, the control unit 12, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14. For example, the aerosol generator 1 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and / or a motor for outputting tactile information. The aerosol generator 1 may also include at least one sensor (such as a puff sensor, a temperature sensor, or a cigarette insertion sensor). The aerosol generator 1 is fabricated to have a structure that allows external air to flow in or internal gas to flow out even when the aerosol product 2 is inserted.

[0069] Although not shown in Figures 1 to 3, the aerosol generation device 1 can also constitute a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle is used to charge the battery 11 of the aerosol generation device 1. Alternatively, the heater 13 can heat the aerosol generation device 1 while the cradle and the aerosol generation device 1 are coupled together.

[0070] The aerosol-producing product 2 is similar to a typical combustion-type cigarette. For example, the aerosol-producing product 2 is divided into a first portion 21 containing an aerosol-generating material and a second portion 22 containing a filter or the like. Alternatively, the second portion 22 of the aerosol-producing product 2 may also contain an aerosol-generating material. For example, the aerosol-generating material in granular or encapsulated form may be inserted into the second portion 22.

[0071] The entire first portion 21 is inserted into the aerosol generation device 1, and the second portion 22 is exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion 21 may be inserted into the aerosol generation device 1, or the entire first portion 21 and a portion of the second portion 22 may be inserted into the aerosol generation device 1. A user can inhale the aerosol with the second portion 22 held in their mouth. In this case, the aerosol is generated by external air passing through the first portion 21, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion 22 and is delivered to the user's mouth.

[0072] For example, external air may be introduced through at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generation device 1. For example, the opening and / or closing of the air passage formed in the aerosol generation device 1 and / or the size of the air passage may be adjusted by the user. This allows the user to adjust the amount of atomization, smoking sensation, etc. As another example, external air may be introduced into the aerosol product 2 through at least one hole formed in the surface of the aerosol product 2.

[0073] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 4, an aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment includes a housing 100 into which an aerosol product 2 is inserted.

[0075] The housing 100 forms the overall appearance of the aerosol generation device 1 and includes an internal space in which the components of the aerosol generation device 1 are disposed. Although the housing 100 is shown in the drawings as having a semicircular cross section, the shape of the housing 100 is not limited thereto. For example, 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).

[0076] The internal space of the housing 100 is provided with components for heating the aerosol product 2 inserted into the housing 100 to generate an aerosol, as well as components that perform additional functions in connection with heating the aerosol product, which will be described in detail below.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the housing 100 includes an opening 100h through which the aerosol product article 2 is inserted into the interior of the housing 100. At least a portion of the aerosol product article 2 is inserted or housed inside the housing 100 through the opening 100h.

[0078] The aerosol producing product 2 inserted or contained within the housing 100 is heated within the housing 100, resulting in the generation of an aerosol. The aerosol emitted from the aerosol producing product 2 can be inhaled by the user.

[0079] The aerosol generating device 1 may further include a display D on which visual information is displayed.

[0080] The display D is disposed so that at least a portion of the display D is exposed to the outside of the housing 100. The aerosol generating device 1 can provide a variety of visual information to a user through the display D.

[0081] For example, the aerosol generating device 1 can provide information regarding whether an aerosol product has been inserted or contained and / or information regarding whether the inserted aerosol product 2 has been overmoistured through the display D, but the information provided through the display D can be varied in various ways.

[0082] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the inside of the aerosol generation device shown in FIG. 4, and is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generation device 1 in the VV direction.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 5, an aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment includes a housing 100, a heater assembly 200, and a circuit board 300.

[0084] The housing 100 includes a storage space 100i for storing the aerosol product 2. The aerosol product is inserted into the aerosol generation device 1 through an opening (for example, the opening 100h in FIG. 4), and the aerosol product 2 is thereby stored in the storage space 100i of the housing 100.

[0085] The heater assembly 200 is located in the internal space of the housing and can generate aerosol by heating the aerosol product contained in the containing space 100i. The heater assembly 200 includes a heater 210 that heats the aerosol product when power is supplied. The heater 210 has the same configuration as the heater 13 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0086] At least a region of the aerosol product contained in the storage space 100i is heated by the heater 210, and the vaporized particles produced by heating the aerosol product mix with the air flowing into the interior space of the housing 100 through the air flow path to generate an aerosol.

[0087] The circuit board 300 includes electronic components necessary for the operation of the aerosol generating device 1. The circuit board may also be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The circuit board 300 is disposed inside the housing 100 so as to surround at least a portion of the receiving space 100i. Although FIG. 5 shows the circuit board 300 extending to surround a portion of the receiving space 100i, the circuit board 300 may also extend to surround the entire area of ​​the receiving space 100i.

[0088] The circuit board 300 includes components that perform functions that can provide convenience to the user. In this case, by integrating functionally related components into the circuit board 300, various functions can be efficiently implemented in the limited space inside the aerosol generating device. For example, when the circuit board 300 is disposed inside the heater assembly 200, components that perform additional functions related to heating the aerosol product can be integrated into the circuit board 300.

[0089] As an example of a component that performs an additional function related to heating, circuit board 300 includes a first sensor used to determine whether the aerosol product contained in storage space 100i is over-humidified. "Over-humidified" refers to a state in which the moisture content of the aerosol product is higher than a predetermined value or range. As another example, circuit board 300 includes a second sensor used to determine whether an aerosol product is contained in storage space 100i.

[0090] The components and functions included in the circuit board 300 are not limited to the examples described above. The following describes first and second sensors included in the circuit board that perform additional functions related to heating the aerosol product.

[0091] The first sensor is also a capacitance sensor, and the control unit can use the capacitance sensor to read the capacitance value that changes when the aerosol product 2 is contained in the containing space 100i.

[0092] The capacitance value varies depending on whether an aerosol product is contained in the containing space 100i and may vary depending on the moisture content of the aerosol product. The control unit can continuously read the capacitance value using the capacitance sensor in response to changes over time in the capacitance value of the containing space 100i and the aerosol product.

[0093] The capacitance sensor generates a signal corresponding to a change in the capacitance value of the receiving space 100i. For example, if the capacitance value satisfies a predetermined condition, the capacitance sensor generates a specific signal. Here, the "predetermined condition" refers to various conditions, such as the capacitance value falling within a predetermined range or exceeding a predetermined threshold. A controller electrically connected to the capacitance sensor can determine that the aerosol product is in an over-humidified state based on the specific signal from the capacitance sensor.

[0094] If the control unit determines that the aerosol product is in an overly humid state, the control unit may control the heater to heat the aerosol product for a predetermined time. Here, the "predetermined time" refers to a time sufficient to heat the aerosol product so that the moisture content of the aerosol product is reduced to a predetermined value or less. This allows the temperature of the aerosol inhaled by the user to be adjusted to a temperature suitable for the user's inhalation, thereby providing a satisfying smoking experience to the user.

[0095] The control unit may also provide a user-perceivable notification through a user interface (e.g., display D in FIG. 4) to prevent the user from inhaling the aerosol for a predetermined period of time during which the moisture content of the aerosol product decreases.

[0096] The second sensor is also an inductive sensor. The "LDC (inductance-to-digital converter) sensor" refers to an inductive sensor. The control unit can use the inductive sensor to read the inductance value that changes when the aerosol product 2 is contained in the containing space 100i.

[0097] The inductance value may vary depending on whether an aerosol product is contained in the containing space 100i. For example, the inductance value may vary depending on a metal material, such as aluminum, disposed inside or on the outer periphery of the aerosol product. In this case, the inductance value may vary depending on the type of metal material. The control unit may continuously read the inductance value in response to changes in the inductance value over time using an inductive sensor.

[0098] The inductive sensor generates a signal corresponding to a change in the inductance value of the receiving space 100i. For example, when the inductance value satisfies a predetermined condition, the inductive sensor generates a specific signal. A control unit electrically connected to the inductive sensor can determine that an aerosol product is contained in the receiving space 100i based on the specific signal from the inductive sensor.

[0099] If the control unit determines that the aerosol product is contained in the containing space 100i, it can control the heater to heat the aerosol product for smoking. This allows the user to start heating the aerosol product simply by inserting the aerosol product into the housing 100 without operating the heater.

[0100] The structure of the heater assembly 200 that houses the circuit board 300 including the first and second sensors will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6C.

[0101] Fig. 6A is a perspective view of the heater assembly of the aerosol generating device shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 6B is an exploded perspective view of the heater assembly shown in Fig. 6A. Fig. 6C is a side cross-sectional view of the heater assembly shown in Fig. 6A along the line VI-VI.

[0102] 6A to 6C, the heater assembly 200 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment includes a heater 210, an inner cylinder 220, an outer cylinder 230, a bottom wall 240, and an upper end connecting member 250. Hereinafter, descriptions overlapping with those in FIG. 5 will be omitted.

[0103] The heater 210 is disposed outside the inner cylinder 220. The circuit board 300 is disposed outside the heater 210. The outer cylinder 230 is disposed outside the circuit board 300. The bottom wall 240 is disposed at the bottom (e.g., in the -z direction) of the inner cylinder 220 and the outer cylinder 230. The upper end connecting member 250 is disposed at the top of the inner cylinder 220 and the outer cylinder 230. At least a portion of the upper end connecting member 250 extends between the inner cylinder 220 and the outer cylinder 230.

[0104] The heater 210 may include an induction heater. For example, the heater 210 may include a coil (or "conductive coil") that generates an alternating magnetic field when powered. The alternating magnetic field generated by the coil may cause the susceptor to generate heat and heat the aerosol product.

[0105] As an example, the heater assembly 200 may include a susceptor, where the inner cylinder 220 of the heater assembly 200 is also the susceptor. The susceptor is arranged to surround at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol product inserted into the housing (e.g., the housing 100 in FIG. 5 ), and can heat the aerosol product contained in the containing space 100i.

[0106] As another example, the aerosol product may include a susceptor without a separate susceptor disposed in the heater assembly 200. A metal material, such as aluminum, contained in the aerosol product also serves as a susceptor that generates heat due to the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil. The metal material that serves as the susceptor is disposed inside or on the outer periphery of the aerosol product.

[0107] When a susceptor is disposed inside the aerosol product, the susceptor is disposed in the form of a metal piece. When a susceptor is disposed on the outer surface of the aerosol product, the susceptor is disposed in the form of a metal foil, such as aluminum foil. The metal piece and metal foil are inductively heated by the magnetic field of the coil to generate heat. The metal piece and metal foil also cause a change in the inductive value read by the inductive sensor.

[0108] If the aerosol product includes a metal piece or metal foil, the aerosol generating device can inductively heat the aerosol product without including a separate susceptor, and can use an inductive sensor to determine whether the aerosol product is contained therein.

[0109] Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the heater 210 refers to the coil of the induction heater and may be referred to as "coil 210."

[0110] The coil 210 has a helical pancake shape that surrounds at least a portion of the receiving space 100i. Specifically, in relation to the internal cylinder 220 that includes the receiving space 100i, the pancake-shaped coil 210 is wound to form a plate shape that covers a portion of the outer surface of the internal cylinder 220, and the center of the helical coil 210 is located at one point on the outer surface of the internal cylinder 220.

[0111] "The coil 210 covers a part of the outer surface of the internal cylinder 220" means an arrangement structure in which the coil 210 is arranged so that the inner surface of the spiral coil 210 (hereinafter referred to as the "inner surface of the spiral coil") faces the outer surface of the internal cylinder 220. Therefore, "the coil 210 covers a part of the outer surface of the internal cylinder 220" includes both a structure in which the coil 210 contacts the outer surface of the internal cylinder 220 and a structure in which the coil 210 is spaced apart from the outer surface of the internal cylinder 220.

[0112] "Outer surface of the inner barrel 220" means the outer surface of the inner barrel 220 facing away from the center of the inner barrel 220 in the radial direction of the inner barrel 220. "Inner surface of the inner barrel 220" means the inner surface of the inner barrel 220 facing the aerosol product 2 contained in the inner barrel 220 in the radial direction of the inner barrel 220. These expressions are used in the same sense hereinafter.

[0113] The helical axis of the helical coil 210 is a direction that crosses the longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder 220. In this case, the "longitudinal direction" refers to the z-axis direction, that is, the direction extending longitudinally in one direction of the inner cylinder 220. The "longitudinal direction" also refers to the direction in which the aerosol product 2 is inserted into the inner cylinder 220. The "longitudinal direction" will be used in the same sense hereinafter.

[0114] When the outer surface of the inner cylinder 220 includes a curved surface, the coil 210 may have a curved plate shape along the outer surface of the inner cylinder 220. That is, the cross section of the inner cylinder 220 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder 220 may have an arc shape.

[0115] The coil 210 includes an insertion hole 210h at the center of the spirally wound coil 210. The coil 210 is coupled to the inner cylinder 220 through the insertion hole 210h and is supported by the inner cylinder 220.

[0116] The coil 210 may include a plurality of pancake-shaped portions. Referring to Fig. 6B, two pancake-shaped portions may be paired and electrically connected to form one coil 210. Based on the pancake-shaped portion, the coil 210 includes a first portion 210a and a second portion 210b.

[0117] The first portion 210a and the second portion 210b may have the same size and shape and be disposed symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the inner cylinder 220. The first portion 210a and the second portion 210b are electrically connected to each other by a third portion (not shown). The third portion may connect an edge of the first portion 210a to an edge of the second portion 210b.

[0118] The fourth portion 210d, which is disposed symmetrically with the third portion with respect to the central axis of the inner cylinder 220, is a space formed when the edges of the first portion 210a and the second portion 210b are spaced apart from each other. A portion of a circuit board is disposed in the fourth portion 210d.

[0119] Although not shown, both ends of the coil 210 may extend longitudinally along the outer surface of the inner tube 220 at the center of the spirally wound coil 210 and be connected to other components (e.g., a battery).

[0120] The inner cylinder 220 is disposed inside a housing (e.g., the housing 100 of FIG. 5) and can form a receiving space 100i for receiving at least a portion of the aerosol product 2 inserted into the housing through the opening. The inner surface of the inner cylinder 220 can support the outer surface of the aerosol product.

[0121] The internal cylinder 220 includes a protrusion 221 that protrudes outward. The protrusion 221 is inserted into an insertion hole 210h of the coil 210 that is arranged outside the internal cylinder 220. This allows the spiral coil 210 to be supported immovably by the internal cylinder 220. The shape of the protrusion 221 corresponds to the shape of the insertion hole 210h.

[0122] The inner cylinder 220 includes a groove 222 on the outside that can accommodate a portion of the circuit board 300. The groove 222 extends in the longitudinal and circumferential directions of the inner cylinder 220 to correspond to the size of the circuit board 300 to be accommodated in the groove 222.

[0123] The inner tube 220 may further include a guide portion 223 in at least one region of the lower portion to guide the coupling of the circuit board 300. The guide portion 223 may protrude from the outer surface of the inner tube 220 along the circumferential direction of the inner tube 220 so that the circuit board 300 can be coupled to the inner tube 220 at a predetermined position.

[0124] The inner cylinder 220 includes a support 224 that supports one end of the aerosol product therein. The support 224 may protrude from the inner surface of the inner cylinder 220. The support 224 may space the aerosol product 2 from the bottom surface of the inner cylinder 220.

[0125] The inner cylinder 220 includes an air inlet 225 on its outer surface for transferring air to the receiving space 100i. The air introduced into the inner cylinder 220 through the air inlet 225 can move to one end of the aerosol product contained in the receiving space 100i.

[0126] The outer casing 230 forms a part of the exterior of the heater assembly 200 (for example, the outer circumferential surface of the heater assembly 200) and can accommodate and protect the components of the heater assembly 200.

[0127] The outer cylinder 230 may be spaced apart from the outside of the inner cylinder 220 and the upper end coupling member 250 and may surround the inner cylinder 220 and the upper end coupling member 250. The outer cylinder 230 is open in the longitudinal direction (e.g., the z-axis direction) of the inner cylinder 220. Thus, the outer cylinder 230 has a pipe shape that is open in the z-axis direction. To allow air to flow into the heater assembly 200, the outer cylinder 230 may be open at a portion corresponding to the air inlet portion 225 of the inner cylinder 220.

[0128] The outer cylinder 230 can block heat generated inside the heater assembly 200 from being transferred to the outside. To improve the efficiency of heat insulation, the outer cylinder 230 can form an "insulation space" together with the bottom wall 240 and the upper connecting member 250. The outer cylinder 230 can be made of a plastic material that does not transfer heat well or a metal material whose surface is coated with a heat-blocking material. For example, the outer cylinder 230 can include an aluminum material.

[0129] The bottom wall 240 may be disposed at the bottom of the inner cylinder 220 and may form part of the exterior of the heater assembly 200 (e.g., the bottom wall of the heater assembly 200). The bottom wall 240 may be coupled to one side (e.g., the lower end) of the outer cylinder 230 and close one side of the insulating space.

[0130] The bottom wall 240 can support the inner tube 220 disposed inside the thermal insulation space. The bottom wall 240 includes a hole that opens toward the inner tube 220. A portion of the lower part of the inner tube 220 can be inserted into the hole of the bottom wall 240 to be coupled to the bottom wall 240.

[0131] The bottom wall 240 includes a passage 245 that connects the inside and outside of the heater assembly 200. A portion of the circuit board 300 disposed inside the heater assembly 200 passes through the passage 245 and is led out to the outside of the heater assembly 200.

[0132] A portion of the edge of the bottom wall 240 extends toward the inner tube 220. The extended portion of the bottom wall 240 may be engaged with the open portion of the outer tube 230 at a position corresponding to the air inlet portion 225 and may be disposed outside the air inlet portion 225 to support the air inlet portion 225. The extended portion of the bottom wall 240 may be open at a position corresponding to the air inlet portion 225 to allow air to flow in through the air inlet portion 225.

[0133] The upper end connecting member 250 is disposed on the upper part of the inner cylinder 220 and may form part of the exterior of the heater assembly 200 (e.g., the upper wall of the heater assembly 200). The upper end connecting member 250 may be connected to the other side (e.g., the upper end) of the outer cylinder 230 and may partially close the other side of the insulating space. A portion of the upper end connecting member 250 may be open to the outside so that the aerosol product can pass through and be received in the receiving space.

[0134] The upper end connecting member 250 includes a structure that engages with the upper end of the inner tube 220. Therefore, the inner tube 220 is supported by the upper end connecting member 250 inside the heat insulating space.

[0135] The upper end coupling member 250 includes a cover portion 255 extending in the longitudinal direction of the inner tube 220 to surround a portion of the outer periphery of the inner tube 220. The cover portion 255 may extend to a position corresponding to the air inlet portion 225 of the inner tube 220. Other components outside the cover portion 255 are in contact with a portion of the cover portion 255 and are supported by the cover portion 255.

[0136] A portion of the upper end coupling member 250 where the cover portion 255 is not disposed may be open. The open portion of the upper end coupling member 250 is used as a space in which other components inside the heater assembly 200 are disposed.

[0137] The term "thermal insulation structure" is used to collectively refer to the structure including the outer cylinder 230, the bottom wall 240, and the upper end connecting member 250. The thermal insulation structure seals the heater assembly 200 and can prevent droplets generated during the aerosol generation process through the heater from leaking out of the heater assembly 200. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the components of the aerosol generation device 1 from malfunctioning or being damaged by the droplets.

[0138] In addition, the heat insulating structure can seal the heater assembly 200 and prevent heat generated inside the heater assembly 200 from being transferred to the housing. The heat insulating structure can prevent high-temperature heat from being transferred to the body (e.g., palm) of the user holding the housing, even when the heater temperature is maintained at a high temperature.

[0139] The components of the heater assembly 200 and the corresponding structure of the circuit board 300 will now be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0140] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the circuit board shown in FIG. 6B.

[0141] 7, circuit board 300 includes extension portion 310, connecting portion 320, bent portion 330, and terminal portion 340. Reference numerals for components not shown in Fig. 7 may refer to heater assembly 200 in Figs. 6A to 6C. Components indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 7 represent a virtual inner cylinder 220 and bottom wall 240, which are shown in schematic form.

[0142] The circuit board 300 includes an extension 310 that extends circumferentially around the inner tube 220 to surround at least a portion of the inner tube 220, including the receiving space 100i. While FIG. 7 shows the circuit board 300 extending to surround a portion of the inner tube 220, the circuit board 300 may also extend to surround the entire area of ​​the inner tube 220.

[0143] The extension portion 310 includes a first extension portion 311 and a second extension portion 312 that are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder 220. Of the first extension portion 311 and the second extension portion 312, the portion of the extension portion 310 that is disposed closer to the inner cylinder 220 is referred to as the first extension portion 311.

[0144] A capacitance sensor serving as a first sensor is disposed on the first extension 311. An inductive sensor serving as a second sensor is disposed on the second extension 312. However, the arrangement of the sensors is not limited to the above example.

[0145] When the outer surface of the inner cylinder 220 includes a curved surface, the first extension 311 and the second extension 312 may have a plate shape curved along the outer surface of the inner cylinder 220. The cross section of the circuit board 300 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder 220 may have an arc shape due to the extension 310.

[0146] The first extension 311 and the second extension 312 are disposed opposite to each other based on the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder 220. In this case, the first sensor disposed in the first extension 311 is disposed adjacent to the lower part of the inner cylinder 220, and the second sensor disposed in the second extension 312 is disposed adjacent to the upper part of the inner cylinder 220. That is, the first sensor and the second sensor are disposed opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder 220. The arrangement of the first sensor and the second sensor is not limited to the above example.

[0147] The distance d1 from the longitudinal center axis of the inner cylinder 220 to the first extension portion 311 is smaller than the distance d2 from the longitudinal center axis of the inner cylinder 220 to the second extension portion 312. As a result, the first extension portion 311 of the circuit board 300 protrudes toward the inner cylinder 220 using the second extension portion 312 as a reference.

[0148] The first extension 311 is supported by the inner tube 220. For example, the first extension 311 is received in and supported by the groove 222. The second extension 312 is spaced a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the inner tube 220. In this case, the "predetermined distance" refers to the distance d2 from the longitudinal central axis of the inner tube 220 to the second extension 312 minus the distance d1 from the longitudinal central axis of the inner tube 220 to the first extension 311.

[0149] In the longitudinal direction of the inner tube 220, the length of the first extension portion 311 is smaller than the length of the second extension portion 312. For example, the second extension portion 312 extends further than the first extension portion 311 with respect to the bottom surface of the inner tube 220. In the circumferential direction of the inner tube 220, the width of the first extension portion 311 is smaller than the width of the second extension portion 312. As a result, the area of ​​the first extension portion 311 is smaller than the area of ​​the second extension portion 312.

[0150] The circuit board 300 includes a connecting portion 320 that connects the first extension portion 311 and the second extension portion 312 and surrounds the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 220. The connecting portion 320 includes a first connecting portion 321 that extends parallel to the inner cylinder 220 and a second connecting portion 322 that extends in a direction crossing the inner cylinder 220. The connecting portion 320 is coupled to a region of the lower part of the inner cylinder 220 and is supported by the inner cylinder 220.

[0151] The circuit board 300 includes a bent portion 330 bent at the lower end of the second extension portion 312 to face the bottom surface (e.g., the surface facing the z-axis direction) of the inner tube 220. One end of the bent portion 330 is connected to the second extension portion 312, and the bent portion 330 extends from the second extension portion 312 toward the inner tube 220. The bent portion 330 is coupled to the inner tube 220 and a portion of the bottom wall 240 located below the bent portion 330, and is supported by the bottom wall 240.

[0152] The circuit board 300 includes a terminal portion 340 extending from the other end of the bent portion 330 in a direction away from the lower surface of the bottom wall of the inner tube 220. The terminal portion 340 passes through a passage 245 in the bottom wall 240 and is drawn out to the outside of the heater assembly 200. The drawn terminal portion 340 extends in a direction away from the bottom of the housing along the longitudinal direction of the housing (e.g., the housing 100 in FIG. 5). The terminal portion 340 is electrically connected to other components of the aerosol generating device (e.g., a main circuit board including a control unit).

[0153] The positional relationship between the circuit board 300 and the components of the heater assembly 200 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B.

[0154] Fig. 8A is a perspective view of the heater assembly shown in Fig. 6A, in which the outer cylinder is omitted. Fig. 8B is a perspective view of the heater assembly shown in Fig. 8A, in which the upper end connecting member is omitted.

[0155] 8A and 8B, an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes a heater assembly 200 and a circuit board 300. The heater assembly 200 includes a coil 210, an inner cylinder 220, an outer cylinder 230, a bottom wall 240, and an upper end coupling member 250. Reference numerals for components not shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B may refer to the heater assembly 200 in FIGS. 6A to 6C and the circuit board 300 in FIG. 7.

[0156] With respect to the positional relationship between the circuit board 300 and the coil 210, the first extension 311 is disposed in the fourth portion 210d, which is the space between the first portion 210a and the second portion 210b of the spiral pancake-shaped coil 210. The first sensor, which is a capacitance sensor, is disposed between the two pancake-shaped portions of the coil 210. Since the capacitance sensor is disposed to be coupled to the inner cylinder 220 including the receiving space, the performance of the capacitance sensor may be improved.

[0157] The second extension 312 is disposed on the outside of the coil 210. In this case, the second extension 312 may extend along the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder 220 from a position corresponding to the center of the spirally wound coil 210.

[0158] Regarding the positional relationship between the circuit board 300 and the internal cylinder 220, the first extension 311 can be accommodated in the groove 222 of the internal cylinder 220 and coupled to the internal cylinder 220. In this case, the groove 222 is disposed at a position corresponding to the fourth portion 210d of the coil 210. Since the groove 222 of the internal cylinder 220, which can accommodate the first extension 311, is disposed between the two pancake shapes of the coil 210, the capacitance sensor is disposed close to the aerosol product contained in the containing space.

[0159] The second extension part 312 is disposed spaced apart from the inner tube 220. The first connection part 321 may be coupled to the outer surface of the inner tube 220 while extending along the guide part 223 from a lower part of the guide part 223. Since the guide part 223 is not disposed in the portion where the groove part 222 is disposed, the first extension part 311 and the first connection part 321 may be coupled to engage with the groove part 222 and the guide part 223.

[0160] The second connecting portion 322 extends in a direction crossing the inner tube 220. The second connecting portion 322 may be coupled to a portion of the inner tube 220 protruding from the lower portion of the guide portion 223 to the outside of the inner tube 220.

[0161] Regarding the positional relationship between the circuit board 300 and the external cylinder 230 , the circuit board 300 is disposed inside the external cylinder 230 .

[0162] Regarding the positional relationship between the circuit board 300 and the bottom wall 240, the first extension 311 and the second extension 312 may extend from the bottom wall 240 toward the inner tube 220. In this case, the second extension 312 may extend to a position adjacent to the upper end coupling member 250.

[0163] A portion of the folded portion 330 is supported by a portion of the bottom wall 240 that protrudes toward the upper portion of the bottom wall 240 at the edge of the bottom wall 240. The terminal portion 340 can extend toward the lower portion of the aerosol generation device 1 through the passage 245 in the bottom wall 240.

[0164] Regarding the positional relationship between the circuit board 300 and the upper end coupling member 250, the second extension portion 312 is coupled to the outside of the cover portion 255 of the upper end coupling member 250 and is supported by the upper end coupling member 250. The second extension portion 312 may extend along the longitudinal direction of the inner tube 220 from one end of the cover portion 255 located at the top of the inner tube 220 to the other end of the cover portion 255 adjacent to the air inlet portion 225 of the inner tube 220.

[0165] The circuit board 300 of the aerosol generation device 1 according to one embodiment includes a first sensor which is a capacitance sensor and a second sensor which is an inductive sensor. The first sensor is disposed on the first extension portion 311. The second sensor is disposed on the second extension portion 312.

[0166] The circuit board 300 of the aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment is supported by the components of the heater assembly 200. The first extension 311 and the connecting portion 320 are supported by the inner cylinder 220. The bent portion 330 is supported by the bottom wall 240. The second extension 312 is supported by the upper end connecting member 250.

[0167] According to the aerosol generating device of the embodiment, the capacitance sensor and the inductive sensor are integrated onto a single circuit board and arranged around the heater, thereby enabling efficient utilization of the limited space inside the aerosol generating device.

[0168] In addition, according to the aerosol generating device of the embodiment, the capacitance sensor and the inductive sensor are integrated onto a single circuit board, which simplifies the manufacturing process in terms of assembling the aerosol generating device and reduces manufacturing costs.

[0169] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 900 according to another embodiment.

[0170] The aerosol generating device 900 includes a control unit 910, a sensing unit 920, an output unit 930, a battery 940, a heater 950, a user input unit 960, a memory 970, and a communication unit 980. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 900 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 9. That is, a person skilled in the art of this embodiment can understand that some of the components shown in Fig. 9 may be omitted or new components may be added depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 900.

[0171] The sensing unit 920 can sense the state of the aerosol generating device 900 or the state around the aerosol generating device 900 and transmit the sensed information to the control unit 910. Based on the sensed information, the control unit 910 can control the aerosol generating device 900 to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater 950, restricting smoking, determining whether an aerosol product (e.g., cigarette, cartridge, etc.) is inserted, and displaying notifications.

[0172] The sensing unit 920 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of a temperature sensor 922, an insertion sensor 924, and a puff sensor 926.

[0173] The temperature sensor 922 can sense the temperature to which the heater 950 (or the aerosol-generating substance) is heated. The aerosol-generating device 900 can include a separate temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the heater 950, or the heater 950 itself can function as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 922 can be disposed around the battery 940 to monitor the temperature of the battery 940.

[0174] The insertion detection sensor 924 can detect the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol product article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 924 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 article.

[0175] The puff sensor 926 can sense a user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or channel, such as a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, or a pressure change.

[0176] The sensing unit 920 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 aforementioned temperature sensor 922, insertion sensor 924, and puff sensor 926. The function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred by a person skilled in the art from its name, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0177] The output unit 930 can output and provide to a user information about the status of the aerosol generating device 900. The output unit 930 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of a display unit 932, a haptic unit 934, and an audio output unit 936. When the display unit 932 and the touchpad are layered to form a touch screen, the display unit 932 is used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0178] The display unit 932 can visually provide a user with information about the aerosol generating device 900. For example, the information about the aerosol generating device 900 refers to various information such as the charge / discharge status of the battery 940 of the aerosol generating device 900, the preheating status of the heater 950, the insertion / removal status of an aerosol product, or a status in which use of the aerosol generating device 900 is restricted (e.g., abnormal item detection), and the display unit 932 can output the information to the outside. The display unit 932 can be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting display panel (OLED), or the like. The display unit 932 can also be in the form of an LED light emitting element.

[0179] The haptic unit 934 can convert an electrical signal into a mechanical or electrical stimulus and provide the user with tactile information about the aerosol generating device 900. For example, the haptic unit 934 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0180] The acoustic output unit 936 can audibly provide the user with information about the aerosol generating device 900. For example, the acoustic output unit 936 can convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

[0181] The battery 940 can supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device 900. The battery 940 can supply power to heat the heater 950. The battery 940 can also supply power necessary for the operation of other components included in the aerosol generating device 900 (e.g., the sensing unit 920, the output unit 930, the user input unit 960, the memory 970, and the communication unit 980). The battery 940 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 940 is a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0182] The heater 950 is supplied with power from the battery 940 and can heat the aerosol-generating material. Although not shown in Fig. 9, the aerosol-generating device 900 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC / DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 940 and supplies it to the heater 950. Furthermore, when the aerosol-generating device 900 generates an aerosol by an induction heating method, the aerosol-generating device 900 may further include a DC / AC converter that converts the DC power of the battery 940 into AC power.

[0183] The control unit 910, the sensing unit 920, the output unit 930, the user input unit 960, the memory 970, and the communication unit 980 can function by receiving power from a battery 940. Although not shown in FIG. 9 , 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 940 and supplies it to each component.

[0184] In one embodiment, heater 950 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 950 may be embodied by, but is not limited to, a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate with a conductive track disposed thereon, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0185] In other embodiments, heater 950 is an induction heater. For example, heater 950 may include a susceptor that generates heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil to heat the aerosol-generating material.

[0186] The user input unit 960 may receive information input by a user or output information to a user. For example, the user input unit 960 may be, but is not limited to, a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad (e.g., a contact-type capacitance type, a pressure-type resistive film type, an infrared sensing type, a surface ultrasonic conduction type, an integral tension measurement type, a piezoelectric effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. Although not shown in FIG. 9 , the aerosol generating device 900 may further include a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface. The aerosol generating device 900 may be connected to another external device via the connection interface such as a USB interface to transmit and receive information or charge the battery 940.

[0187] The memory 970 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device 900 and can store data that has been processed by the control unit 910 and data to be processed by the control unit 910. The memory 970 includes at least one type of recording medium selected from the group consisting of a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a micro multimedia card type, a card-type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), 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 970 can store data related to the operating time of the aerosol generating device 900, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

[0188] The communication unit 980 includes at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 980 includes a short-range communication unit 982 and a wireless communication unit 984.

[0189] The short-range wireless communication unit 982 includes, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee 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, etc.

[0190] The wireless communication unit 984 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 984 can also identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 900 within the communication network using subscriber information (e.g., an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)).

[0191] The control unit 910 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 900. In one embodiment, the control unit 910 includes at least one processor. The processor may be embodied as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be embodied by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable by the microprocessor. Those skilled in the art will understand that the processor may also be embodied by other forms of hardware.

[0192] The control unit 910 can control the temperature of the heater 950 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 940 to the heater 950. For example, the control unit 910 can control the power supply by controlling the switching of a switching element between the battery 940 and the heater 950. As another example, a heating direct circuit can control the power supply to the heater 950 according to a control command from the control unit 910.

[0193] The control unit 910 may analyze the results sensed by the sensing unit 920 and control subsequent processing. For example, the control unit 910 may control the power supplied to the heater 950 to start or stop operation of the heater 950 based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 920. As another example, the control unit 910 may control the amount of power and the power supply time supplied to the heater 950 based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 920 to heat the heater 950 to a predetermined temperature or maintain an appropriate temperature.

[0194] The control unit 910 can control the output unit 930 based on the result sensed by the sensing unit 920. For example, if the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 926 reaches a predetermined number, the control unit 910 can notify the user through at least one of the display unit 932, the haptic unit 934, and the audio output unit 936 that the aerosol generating device 900 will soon be shut down.

[0195] 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 both separate and non-separate media. Computer-readable media also include both computer recording media and communication media. Computer recording media include 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. Communication media typically include computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in a modulated data signal, such as a program module, or other transmission mechanism, and include any information delivery media.

[0196] The above-described embodiments are merely examples, 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 claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to the contents of the claims should be construed as being included in the scope of protection determined by the claims.

Claims

1. a housing including a storage space for storing an aerosol product; a heater for heating the aerosol product contained in the containing space; a circuit board including a first sensor for detecting a change in capacitance of the storage space and a second sensor for detecting a change in inductance of the storage space.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the circuit board is a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) that surrounds at least a portion of the accommodating space inside the housing.

3. the circuit board includes a first extension portion and a second extension portion extending inside the housing so as to surround at least a portion of the accommodating space, the first sensor being disposed on the first extension portion, and the second sensor being disposed on the second extension portion; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one region of the first extension portion is spaced apart from the second extension portion.

4. the circuit board includes a first extension portion and a second extension portion extending inside the housing so as to surround at least a portion of the accommodating space, the first sensor being disposed on the first extension portion, and the second sensor being disposed on the second extension portion; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein a distance from a central axis of the storage space in the longitudinal direction to the first extension portion is smaller than a distance from the central axis of the storage space in the longitudinal direction to the second extension portion.

5. the circuit board includes a first extension portion and a second extension portion extending inside the housing so as to surround at least a portion of the accommodating space, the first sensor being disposed on the first extension portion, and the second sensor being disposed on the second extension portion; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein a width of the first extension portion in the circumferential direction of the storage space is smaller than a width of the second extension portion in the circumferential direction of the storage space.

6. the circuit board includes a first extension portion and a second extension portion extending inside the housing so as to surround at least a portion of the accommodating space, the first sensor being disposed on the first extension portion, and the second sensor being disposed on the second extension portion; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the length of the first extension portion in the longitudinal direction of the storage space is smaller than the length of the second extension portion in the longitudinal direction of the storage space.

7. the circuit board includes a first extension portion and a second extension portion extending inside the housing so as to surround at least a portion of the accommodating space, the first sensor being disposed on the first extension portion, and the second sensor being disposed on the second extension portion; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the first extension portion and the second extension portion are arranged opposite to each other.

8. the heater includes a coil that generates an alternating magnetic field toward the accommodation space; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the circuit board includes an extension portion on which the second sensor is disposed and which is disposed outside the coil.

9. the heater includes a coil that generates an alternating magnetic field toward the accommodation space; the coil includes two or more spiral pancakes that surround at least a portion of the receiving space; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the circuit board includes an extension portion on which the first sensor is arranged and which is positioned between the two spiral pancake shapes in the circumferential direction of the storage space.

10. the heater includes a coil that generates an alternating magnetic field toward the accommodation space; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , further comprising a susceptor that includes the accommodation space and generates heat due to the magnetic field generated by the coil.

11. the heater includes a coil that generates an alternating magnetic field toward the accommodation space; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the coil generates an alternating magnetic field toward the containing space to inductively heat the metal foil of the aerosol product.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 11, wherein the second sensor detects a change in inductance due to a metal foil of the aerosol product when the aerosol product is accommodated in the accommodation space, and generates a signal.

13. an inner tube containing the receiving space and supporting the aerosol product contained in the receiving space; the inner cylinder further includes a groove for accommodating the circuit board; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the circuit board is accommodated in the groove and supported by the inner cylinder.

14. a bottom wall disposed at a lower portion of the inner tube and including a passage through which the circuit board passes; The aerosol generating device according to claim 13 , wherein the circuit board further includes a bent portion bent to face the bottom wall and supported by the bottom wall.

15. further comprising an upper end connecting member disposed at an upper portion of the inner tube and surrounding the aerosol product; the upper end coupling member includes a cover portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the inner tube to surround a portion of an outer periphery of the inner tube, The aerosol generating device according to claim 13 , wherein other portions of the circuit board are supported by the cover portion.

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