Aerosol generating apparatus and its operating method

Abstract

An aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment includes a heater for heating an aerosol generating substance, a removable battery including at least one removable battery cell, and a control unit that determines the heating mode of the heater based on the number of battery cells and the coupling method between the battery cells.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device and an operation method thereof. Specifically, it relates to an aerosol generating device including a detachable battery having at least one battery cell and a generation method thereof.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, the demand for smoking methods as an alternative to common cigarettes has been increasing. For example, the demand for a method of generating an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating substance in a cigarette, rather than a method of generating an aerosol by burning a cigarette, has been increasing. As a result, research on heated cigarettes or heated aerosol generating devices has been actively conducted.

[0003] An aerosol generating device can be provided with power from a battery for the overall operation of the device and the heating of a heater. Recently, each country is in the process of requiring environmental friendliness and stability over the entire life cycle from the production to the recycling of batteries for electronic devices including batteries in order to improve the global environment.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] [[ID=...]] An object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device that can operate in various modes and a generation method thereof based on the number of battery cells included in a battery pack and the connection method between the battery cells.

[0005] The problems to be solved through the embodiments are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the accompanying drawings.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] It should be noted that the original text has some consecutive tags with no content between them (such as - , - , ). They are kept as they are in the translation. Also, the text "

発明が解決しようとする課題

[0007] An operating method for an aerosol generator according to one embodiment includes the steps of sensing the number of battery cells mounted on a removable battery and the coupling method between the battery cells, and determining the heating mode of the heater based on the number of battery cells and the coupling method between the battery cells. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The aerosol generating apparatus and method according to various embodiments of the present invention can rapidly generate aerosols or increase the operating time of the apparatus by operating in various modes based on the number of battery cells included in the battery pack and the method of connecting the battery cells.

[0009] The effects of the embodiments are not limited to those described above, and any effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This block diagram shows the hardware configuration of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0011] [Figure 2A] This diagram shows various embodiments of the aerosol generating apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 2B] This diagram shows various embodiments of the aerosol generating apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 2C] This diagram shows various embodiments of the aerosol generating apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 2D] This is a drawing showing embodiments of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 embodied in various types. [Figure 2E] This is a drawing showing embodiments of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 embodied in various types.

[0012] [Figure 3] This is a drawing for explaining the operations of the detachable battery and the power management unit.

[0013] [Figure 4] This is a drawing for explaining the power management unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] [Figure 5] This is a drawing for explaining the first mode operation of the power management unit according to the embodiment of FIG. 4.

[0015] [Figure 6] This is a drawing for explaining the second mode operation of the power management unit according to the embodiment of FIG. 4.

[0016] [Figure 7] This is a drawing for explaining the third mode operation of the power management unit according to the embodiment of FIG. 4.

[0017] [Figure 8] This is a drawing for explaining the power management unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] [Figure 9] This is a flowchart for explaining the operation method of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0019] The terminology used in the embodiments is selected as widely used and general terms as possible, taking into account the function of the present invention, although this may vary depending on the intent of the articulators in the field, case law, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In certain cases, the applicant may have arbitrarily selected terms, in which case their meaning will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention are not merely names of terms, but must be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention.

[0020] Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a component, it means, unless otherwise specified, that it does not exclude other components, but rather that it may include other components. Furthermore, terms such as "...part" and "...module" used in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which is embodied by hardware or software, or by a combination of hardware and software.

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, so that they can be easily implemented by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. However, the present invention can be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an aerosol generation device according to one embodiment.

[0024] Referring to Figure 1, the aerosol generator 100 may include a removable battery 110, a heater 120, a main processor 130, a user interface 140, a main memory 150, a sensor 160, and a power management unit 170. However, the internal hardware components of the aerosol generator 100 are not limited to those shown in Figure 1. A person with ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment will understand that the design of the aerosol generator 100 may omit some of the hardware configurations shown in Figure 1, or that new configurations (e.g., connecting ports, other communication modules, etc.) may be added.

[0025] In the following, the operation of each component in the aerosol generator 100 will be described without limiting the space in which each component is located.

[0026] The removable battery 110 supplies power used to operate the aerosol generator 100. For example, the removable battery 110 can supply power to heat the heater 120. It can also supply power necessary for the operation of other hardware components within the aerosol generator 100, such as the heater 120, main processor 130, user interface 140, main memory 150, sensor 160, or power management unit 170. The removable battery 110 is, for example, a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery or a lithium-ion battery, but is not limited to these.

[0027] The detachable battery 110 is a replaceable (separable) type power source that can be installed in a battery housing provided within the aerosol generator 100 or removed from the battery housing. The detachable battery 110 is equipped with electrical contacts, and when the detachable battery 110 is installed in the aerosol generator 100, the electrical contacts of the detachable battery 110 are electrically connected to electrical contacts provided in the aerosol generator 100, and can be configured to supply power to the aerosol generator 100. As another example, the detachable battery 110 may be equipped with a charging coil for supplying power to the aerosol generator 100 by wireless charging instead of separate electrical contacts. In other words, the power supply method of the detachable battery 110 is diverse, and the electrical connection method between the detachable battery 110 and the aerosol generator 100 changes depending on the power supply method supported by the detachable battery 110.

[0028] The removable battery 110 may be equipped with a charger interface that connects to an external charger. Power for charging the removable battery 110 may be supplied to the removable battery 110 through the charger interface. The removable battery 110 may be charged by an external charger while coupled to the aerosol generator 100 or while removed from the aerosol generator 100 (uninstalled).

[0029] The removable battery 110 may include at least one battery cell. The battery cell may be cylindrical in shape, with different electrodes formed at both ends along its longitudinal direction. However, the shape of the battery cell is not limited thereto. For example, the battery cell may be rectangular or pouch-shaped.

[0030] The heater 120 is powered by the removable battery 110 under the control of the main processor 130. The heater 120 can use the power supplied by the removable battery 110 to heat the cigarette inserted into the aerosol generator 100 or the cartridge attached to the aerosol generator 100. In other words, the heater 120 can generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating material contained in the cigarette or cartridge.

[0031] The heater 120 may be located in the body of the aerosol generator 100. Alternatively, if the aerosol generator 100 consists of a body and a cartridge, the heater 120 may be located in the cartridge. If the heater 120 is located in the cartridge, it may be powered by a removable battery 110 located in the body.

[0032] The heater 120 can be embodied as an electrically resistive heating heater made of an electrically resistive material. For example, the electrically resistive material is a metal or metal alloy including, but is not limited to, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. The heater 120 can be embodied as, but is not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate on which conductive tracks are arranged, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0033] The heater 120 may be implemented as an induction heating heater. The heater 120 corresponds to a heater assembly that is a set of conductive coil and susceptor for heating a cigarette or cartridge by induction heating.

[0034] The heater 120 can heat a cigarette inserted into a containment space provided within the aerosol generator 100. Because the cigarette is contained within the containment space of the aerosol generator 100, the heater 120 can be located inside and / or outside the cigarette. This allows the heater 120 to heat the aerosol-generating material inside the cigarette and generate an aerosol.

[0035] On the other hand, the heater 120 may be embodied as a coil heater provided only within the cartridge. The cartridge includes a coil heater, a liquid transfer means, and a liquid storage section, and can generate an aerosol by transferring an aerosol-generating substance contained in the liquid storage section through the liquid transfer means, and by heating the aerosol-generating substance absorbed by the liquid transfer means with the coil heater. For example, if the heater 120 is a coil heater, it may be made of a material such as nickel-chromium and may be wound around the liquid transfer means or positioned adjacent to the liquid transfer means.

[0036] The main processor 130 is hardware that controls the overall operation of the aerosol generator 100. The main processor 130 may include at least one processing unit, such as an MCU (Micro Controller Unit). The main processor 130 may be embodied as an array of numerous logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and memory storing a program executable by this microprocessor. It will be understood by those ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs that it may also be embodied as other forms of hardware.

[0037] The main processor 130 can analyze the results sensed by the sensor 160 and control subsequent processing based on the sensing results. In one embodiment, the main processor 130 can determine the coupling method between battery cells based on the results sensed by the sensor 160. For example, the sensor 160 is a humidity sensor. In this case, the humidity sensor is one of electrical resistance type, capacitive type, or optical type. The main processor 130 can use the humidity sensor to determine whether the cigarette inserted into the aerosol generator 100 is a normal cigarette with a moisture content below a pre-set threshold, or a humid cigarette with a moisture content above a pre-set threshold. When the removable battery 110 has multiple battery cells, the main processor 130 can connect multiple battery cells in parallel when it senses that the inserted cigarette is a normal cigarette, and connect multiple battery cells in series when it senses that the inserted cigarette is a humid cigarette.

[0038] However, the method for determining the coupling method of the battery cells attached to the removable battery 110 is not limited to this. For example, when the user interface 140 detects that multiple battery cells have been attached to the removable battery 110, it may display a message on the display asking whether to connect the multiple battery cells in series or in parallel. The user of the aerosol generator 100 may determine the coupling method of the multiple battery cells attached to the removable battery 110 by responding to the message.

[0039] The main processor 130 can analyze the results sensed by the sensor 160 and control subsequent processing based on the sensing results. For example, the main processor 130 can control the power supplied to the heater 120 so that the heater 120 starts or stops operating, based on the results sensed by the sensor 160. The main processor 130 can also control the amount of power and the time supplied to the heater 120 so that the heater 120 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintains an appropriate temperature, based on the results sensed by the sensor 160.

[0040] The main processor 130 can control the operation of the heater 120 based on a pre-stored temperature profile. The main processor 130 can also control the temperature of the heater 120 after sensing the user's puffs using the puff sensor in the sensor 160. Furthermore, the main processor 130 can count the number of puffs using the puff sensor, and if the number of puffs reaches a pre-set number, it can interrupt the power supply to the heater 120.

[0041] The main processor 130 may control the user interface 140 based on the sensing results. For example, after counting the number of puffs using the puff sensor, if the number of puffs reaches a pre-set number, the main processor 130 may use a lamp, motor, or speaker to notify the user that the aerosol generator 100 is finished.

[0042] On the other hand, the main processor 130 can determine the heating mode of the heater 120 based on the number of battery cells included in the removable battery 110 and the method of connection between the battery cells.

[0043] The user interface 140 can provide the user with information regarding the status of the aerosol generator 100. The user interface 140 may include a variety of interface means, such as a display or lamp that outputs visual information (UI screen), a motor that outputs tactile information, a speaker that outputs acoustic information, input / output (I / O) interface means (e.g., buttons or touchscreens) that receive information input from the user or output information to the user, and terminals for supplying charging power.

[0044] The main memory 150 is hardware that stores various types of data processed within the aerosol generator 100, and the main memory 150 can store data processed by the main processor 130 and data being processed. The main memory 150 can be implemented in various forms such as RAM (random access memory) including DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), and EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory).

[0045] The main memory 150 can store various types of information, such as the operating time of the aerosol generator 100, the maximum number of puffs, the temperature profile, the user's smoking information, and information for battery authentication.

[0046] The power management unit 170 can change the output level and capacity of the removable battery 110 by changing the coupling method between the battery cells installed in the removable battery 110, based on the control of the main processor 130. Further details will be described in detail below through Figures 3 to 7.

[0047] On the other hand, although not shown in Figure 1, the aerosol generator 100 may also constitute an aerosol generation system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle can be used to charge the removable battery 110 of the aerosol generator 100 while storing the aerosol generator 100. That is, the cradle is a dedicated device solely for the aerosol generator 100, powered by the cradle's battery while the aerosol generator 100 is housed in the storage space inside the cradle, and used to charge the removable battery 110 of the aerosol generator 100.

[0048] Figures 2A to 2E are drawings illustrating embodiments of the aerosol generator of Figure 1 in various types. Referring to Figures 2A to 2E, the aerosol generator 100 can be embodied in various types of aerosol generators 200a to 200e, such as utilizing an electric resistance heating method or an induction heating method, a method further equipped with a vaporizer, or a cartridge method. Figures 2A to 2E show only some elements to illustrate the types of aerosol generators 200a to 200e, and other general-purpose elements may be further included in the aerosol generators 200a to 200e in addition to the elements shown in Figures 2A to 2E.

[0049] In Figures 2A to 2E, the removable battery 110, heaters 120a to 120e, and main processor 130 are components corresponding to the removable battery 110, heater 120, and main processor 130 in Figure 1, respectively, and can perform the functions of the removable battery 110, heater 120, and main processor 130 described in Figure 1.

[0050] Figure 2A is a diagram illustrating an electrical resistance type aerosol generator 200a according to an exemplary embodiment. The aerosol generator 200a is a type of aerosol generator 100.

[0051] Referring to Figure 2A, the aerosol generator 200a may include a removable battery 110, a heater 120a, and a main processor 130.

[0052] A cigarette 20a can be inserted into the internal containment space of the aerosol generator 200a. Once the cigarette 20a is inserted into the aerosol generator 200a, the aerosol generator 200a can generate an aerosol from the cigarette 20a by heating it using the heater 120a. The generated aerosol is transmitted to the user through the cigarette 20a, allowing the user to smoke the cigarette 20a.

[0053] The heater 120a can be heated by power supplied from the removable battery 110. The heater 120a is an electrical resistive heater. For example, the heater 120a includes a conductive track, and the heater 120a can be heated by current flowing through the conductive track.

[0054] The conductive track of the heater 120a is made of an electrically resistive material, the heating temperature is determined by the power consumption of the resistor, and the resistance value of the conductive track can be set based on the power consumption of the resistor of the conductive track. The resistance value of the conductive track can be set in various ways depending on the constituent material, length, width, thickness, or pattern of the electrically resistive material.

[0055] Due to its temperature coefficient of resistance characteristic, the internal resistance of a conductive track increases as the temperature rises. For example, the temperature and resistance of a conductive track can be proportional within a given temperature range. Utilizing this principle, a heater 120a made of a conductive track can heat a cigarette 20a using an electrical resistance method.

[0056] Conductive tracks can be made from tungsten, gold, platinum, silver, copper, nickel-palladium, or combinations thereof. Conductive tracks may also be doped with appropriate doping materials and may include alloys.

[0057] The shape of the heater 120a can be varied, such as tubular, plate-shaped, needle-shaped, or rod-shaped. Multiple heaters 120a may also be arranged. The heater 120a can be inserted into the cigarette 20a and used in an internal heating method to heat the inside of the cigarette 20a.

[0058] The detachable battery 110 can be separated from or attached to the aerosol generator 200a. When the detachable battery 110 is attached to the aerosol generator 200a, power is supplied from the detachable battery 110 to the heater 120a for heating operation of the heater 120d, and the temperature of the conductive track can be controlled.

[0059] The main processor 130 can control the heating operation of the heater 120a by controlling the power supplied to the heater 120a. For example, the main processor 130 can control the temperature at which the cigarette 20a is heated by the heater 120a using a temperature profile.

[0060] Figures 2B and 2C are diagrams illustrating aerosol generators 200b and 200c further comprising vaporizers 125b and 125c according to exemplary embodiments. Each of the aerosol generators 200b and 200c is a type of aerosol generator 100.

[0061] Referring to Figures 2B and 2C, the aerosol generators 200b and 200c further include vaporizers 125b and 125c. Cigarettes 20b and 20c can be inserted into the internal space of the aerosol generators 200b and 200c.

[0062] Figure 2B shows that the steamer 125b and heater 120b are arranged in a single line. However, Figure 2C shows that the steamer 125c and heater 120c are arranged in parallel. In other words, the aerosol generators 200b and 200c can be distinguished according to the arrangement of the steamers 125b and 125c.

[0063] Heaters 120b and 120c may be heated by power supplied from a removable battery 110. Heaters 120b and 120c are electrically resistive heaters and may include, for example, conductive tracks.

[0064] Unlike heater 120a described in Figure 2A, heaters 120b and 120c in Figures 2B and 2C can be implemented as an external heating method, positioned on the outer periphery of cigarettes 20b and 20c, and heating the outer surface of cigarettes 20b and 20c.

[0065] The vaporizers 125b and 125c heat the liquid composition to generate an aerosol, which can then be transmitted to the user through the cigarettes 20b and 20c. That is, the aerosol generated by the vaporizers 125b and 125c is transported along the airflow passage of the aerosol generators 200b and 200c, and the airflow passage can be configured so that the aerosol generated by the vaporizers 125b and 125c is transmitted to the user through the cigarettes 20b and 20c.

[0066] The vaporizers 125b and 125c may include a liquid storage unit, a liquid transfer means, and a heating element (or vaporization element). However, each of the liquid storage unit, liquid transfer means, and heating element may be an independent module and located at another location within the aerosol generator 100, not inside the vaporizers 125b and 125c.

[0067] The liquid storage section can store liquid compositions. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing tobacco-containing substances, including volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid containing non-tobacco substances. The liquid storage section may be manufactured to be obliquely oriented with the vaporizers 125b and 125c, or it may be manufactured integrally with the vaporizers 125b and 125c. For example, the liquid composition may include water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, fragrances, flavorings, or vitamin mixtures. The liquid composition may also include aerosol-forming agents such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0068] The liquid transfer means can transfer the liquid composition of the liquid storage section to the heating element. For example, the liquid transfer means may be a wick made of cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, or porous ceramic, but is not limited to these.

[0069] The heating elements provided within the vaporizers 125b and 125c are for heating (vaporizing) the liquid composition transmitted by the liquid transmission means. For example, the heating elements may be metal heating wires, metal heating plates, ceramic heaters, etc., but are not limited to these. Alternatively, the heating elements may consist of conductive filaments such as nichrome wire and be arranged in a structure that is wound around the liquid transmission means. The heating elements are heated by the supply of electric current, and heat is transferred to the liquid composition in contact with the heating elements, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol may be generated. For this reason, the vaporizers 125b and 125c may also be referred to by other terms such as cartomizer or atomizer.

[0070] The detachable battery 110 can be separated from or attached to the aerosol generators 200b and 200c. When the detachable battery 110 is attached to the aerosol generators 200b and 200c, power can be supplied from the detachable battery 110 to the heaters 120b and 120c and the vaporizers 125b and 125c for heating operation.

[0071] The main processor 130 can control the heating operation of heaters 120b, 120c and vaporizers 125b, 125c by controlling the power supplied to these heaters. For example, the main processor 130 can control the heating temperature of cigarettes 20b, 20c using a temperature profile, with the heaters 120b, 120c and vaporizers 125b, 125c.

[0072] Figure 2D is a diagram illustrating an induction heating type aerosol generator 200d according to an exemplary embodiment. The aerosol generator 200d is a type of aerosol generator 100.

[0073] Referring to Figure 2D, the aerosol generator 200d may include a heater 120d with a coil 121d and a susceptor 122d, a removable battery 110, and a main processor 130.

[0074] The aerosol generator 200d can generate an aerosol by heating a cigarette 20d housed within it using an induction heating method. The induction heating method refers to a method of heating a magnetic material that generates heat in response to an external magnetic field by applying an alternating magnetic field that periodically changes direction. Therefore, the aerosol generator 200d can heat the cigarette 20d by applying an alternating magnetic field to the magnetic material, causing it to release thermal energy, and then transferring this released thermal energy to the cigarette. Here, the magnetic material that generates heat in response to the external magnetic field is a susceptor 122d. The susceptor 122d is provided in the aerosol generator 200d. Alternatively, instead of being provided in the aerosol generator 200d, the susceptor 122d may be provided inside the cigarette 20d in the form of a section, slice, or strip.

[0075] The susceptor 122d is made of a ferromagnetic material. For example, the material of the susceptor 122d may include metal or carbon. The material of the susceptor 122d may include at least one of ferrite, ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum (Al). In addition, the material of the susceptor 122d may include at least one of ceramics such as graphite and zirconia, transition metals such as nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co), and metalloids such as boron (B) and phosphorus (P).

[0076] The aerosol generator 200d can accommodate a cigarette 20d. The aerosol generator 200d may have a space for accommodating the cigarette 20d. A susceptor 122d may be positioned around the space for accommodating the cigarette 20d. For example, the susceptor 122d may have a cylindrical shape that surrounds the outside of the cigarette 20d. Therefore, when the cigarette 20d is accommodated in the aerosol generator 200d, the cigarette 20d is housed in the accommodation space of the susceptor 122d, and the susceptor 122d may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the outer surface of the cigarette 20d. However, the shape of the susceptor 122d is not limited to this and can be diverse.

[0077] The heater 120d uses an induction heating method and can heat the cigarette 20d contained in the aerosol generator 200d by utilizing a susceptor 122d that generates heat in response to an external magnetic field generated by the coil 121d.

[0078] The coil 121d is arranged to be wound along the outer surface of the susceptor 122d, and an alternating magnetic field can be applied to the susceptor 122d. When power is supplied to the coil 121d from the aerosol generator 200d, a magnetic field can be formed in the internal region of the coil 121d. When an alternating current is applied to the coil 121d, the direction of the magnetic field formed inside the coil 121d can be continuously changed. If the susceptor 122d is located inside the coil 121d and is exposed to an alternating magnetic field whose direction changes periodically, the susceptor 122d may generate heat, and the cigarette 20d housed in the susceptor 122d may be heated. The shape of the coil 121d is cylindrical, wound along the longitudinal direction of the cigarette 20d, but is not limited thereto, and the coil 121d may be embodied in various types, such as a planar coil.

[0079] The detachable battery 110 can be separated from or attached to the aerosol generator 200d. When the detachable battery 110 is attached to the aerosol generator 200d, it can, for example, supply power to the coil 121d for the heating operation of the heater 120d.

[0080] The main processor 130 can control the heating operation of the heater 120d by controlling the power supplied to the coil 121d. For example, the main processor 130 can control the heating temperature of the cigarette 20d by inductive heating of the susceptor 122d by adjusting the strength of the magnetic field induced by the coil 121d using a temperature profile.

[0081] Figure 2E is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generator 200e equipped with a replaceable cartridge 210e containing an aerosol generating substance 20e according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0082] The aerosol generator 200e in Figure 2E includes a cartridge 210e containing an aerosol generating substance 20e and a main body 220e supporting the cartridge 210e. The aerosol generator 200e is one type of the aerosol generator 100 in Figure 1. In this case, the hardware configuration included in the aerosol generator 100 in Figure 1 can be divided and located as the main body 220e and the cartridge 210e.

[0083] Cartridge 210e can be attached to the main body 220e with the aerosol-generating substance 20e contained inside. Cartridge 220e can be attached to the main body 210 by inserting a portion of cartridge 210e into the receptacle of the main body 220e.

[0084] Cartridge 210e contains an aerosol-generating substance 20e in liquid composition, but is not limited thereto; it may contain an aerosol-generating substance 20e in any one state, such as solid, gas, or gel. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance that includes volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0085] The heater 120e located inside the cartridge 210e performs a heating operation in response to an electrical signal or wireless signal transmitted from the main unit 220e. As a result, the aerosol-generating substance 20e inside the cartridge 210e is vaporized by the heating of the heater 120e, thereby generating an aerosol.

[0086] The heater 120e generates heat through electrical resistance to heat the aerosol-generating substance transmitted to the liquid transfer means. It is embodied in conductive filaments of metal materials such as copper, nickel, or tungsten, or ceramic heating elements, and may be wound around the liquid transfer means or positioned adjacent to the liquid transfer means.

[0087] The detachable battery 110 can be separated from or attached to the aerosol generator 200e, and when the detachable battery 110 is attached to the aerosol generator 200e, power can be supplied from the detachable battery 110 to the heater 120e for heating operation.

[0088] The main processor 130 can control the heating operation of the heater 120e by controlling the power supplied to the heater 120e. For example, the main processor 130 can control the heating temperature of the aerosol-generating substance 20e by the heater 120e using a temperature profile.

[0089] On the other hand, although not shown in Figures 2A to 2E, the aerosol generators 200a to 200e may be configured with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle can store the aerosol generators 200a to 200e or charge the removable batteries 110 of the aerosol generators 200a to 200e.

[0090] According to various embodiments, the aerosol generator 100 in Figure 1 is embodied in at least one of the types of aerosol generators 200a to 200e shown in Figures 2A to 2E, but is not necessarily limited thereto and can be embodied in other types as well.

[0091] The aerosol generators 200a to 200e shown in Figures 2A to 2E can all utilize a detachable battery 110 as a power source. The detachable battery 110 is a battery that is replaced by being attached to or detached from the aerosol generators 200a to 200e.

[0092] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the detachable battery and power management unit.

[0093] Referring to Figure 3, a battery cell 111 according to one embodiment can be attached to and detached from a detachable battery 110. For this purpose, the detachable battery 110 may have holders into which the battery cells 111 are mounted. There is at least one holder. This allows the user to selectively use a detachable battery 110 with a number of holders that matches their device usage pattern (e.g., rapid heating, ensuring long standby time). Furthermore, since each battery cell 111 is detachable, the overall lifespan of the detachable battery 110 can be efficiently managed by replacing only the malfunctioning or end-of-life battery cells 111.

[0094] Multiple battery cells 111 can be electrically connected to each other in series or parallel. For example, a parallel connection may be formed by connecting adjacent battery cells 111 with the same polarity to each other, or a series connection may be formed by connecting adjacent battery cells 111 with opposite polarities to each other.

[0095] When battery cells 111 are connected in series, the output voltage may be proportional to the number of battery cells 111 connected in series. For example, if the voltage of one battery cell 111 fluctuates in the range of 3V to 4V depending on the charge state, when two battery cells 111 are connected in series to a removable battery 110, the output voltage of the removable battery 110 may fluctuate in the range of 7V to 8V depending on the charge state. On the other hand, when battery cells 111 are connected in series, the total capacity is substantially the same as the capacity of a single battery cell 111. For example, if the capacity of one battery cell 111 is 3000mA, even if two battery cells 111 are connected in series to a removable battery 110, the total capacity of the removable battery 110 remains 3000mA.

[0096] Conversely, when battery cells 111 are connected in parallel, the output voltage is substantially the same as the voltage of a single battery cell 111. For example, if the voltage of a single battery cell 111 fluctuates within the range of 3.5V to 4V depending on the charge state, even if two battery cells 111 are connected in parallel to the removable battery 110, the output voltage of the removable battery 110 may fluctuate within the range of 3.5V to 4V depending on the charge state. On the other hand, when battery cells 111 are connected in parallel, the total capacity may be proportional to the number of battery cells 111 connected in parallel. For example, if the capacity of a single battery cell 111 is 3000mA, then if two battery cells 111 are connected in parallel to the removable battery 110, the total capacity of the removable battery 110 will be 6000mA.

[0097] The power management unit 170 can supply power from the removable battery 110 to the system load. Here, the system load can be understood as a general concept referring to the elements that consume power inside the aerosol generator (for example, the heater 120, main processor 130, user interface 140, main memory 150, sensor 160, etc. in Figure 1). Typically, an integrated circuit such as a PMIC (Power Management IC) is connected to the system node Nsys, and is configured to generate various voltages required from within the system and then supply them to the elements within the system.

[0098] The power management unit 170 can connect multiple battery cells 111 in series or in parallel and supply power to the system load by discharging at least one of the battery cells 111. To this end, the power management unit 170 may include a switch network that changes the connection relationship so that the multiple battery cells 111 are connected in series or in parallel with each other.

[0099] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a power management unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] Referring to Figure 4, the power management unit 170 may include a switch network SN and a buck boost converter BBC.

[0101] Furthermore, the power management unit 170 may include a first node Nc connected to one end (or input terminal) of the buck boost converter BBC, a system node Nsys connected to the system load, a first cell node Nb1 connected to the positive terminal of the first battery cell Cell 1 among the multiple battery cells 111, a second cell node Nb2 connected to the negative terminal of the first battery cell Cell 1 among the multiple battery cells 111, a third cell node Nb3 connected to the positive terminal of the second battery cell Cell 2 among the multiple battery cells 111, and a fourth cell node Nb4 connected to the negative terminal of the second battery cell Cell 2 among the multiple battery cells 111.

[0102] The switch network SN can selectively connect the second cell node Nb2 to either the third cell node Nb3 or the fourth cell node Nb4, and selectively connect the third cell node Nb3 to either the second cell node Nb2 or the first node Nc.

[0103] For this purpose, the switch network SN may, exemplary, include a first switch Q11 located between the second cell node Nb2 and the fourth cell node Nb4, a second switch Q12 located between the second cell node Nb2 and the third cell node Nb3, and a third switch Q13 located between the third cell node Nb3 and the first node Nc. The fourth cell node Nb4 may be connected to a reference potential GND.

[0104] Switches Q11 to Q13 included in the switch network SN can be implemented using semiconductor switching elements such as MOSFETs, IGBTs, MCTs, and BJTs, respectively.

[0105] A buck-boost converter (BBC) is placed between the first node Nc and the system node Nsys and can step down or step up the voltage of the first node Nc and provide it to the system node Nsys. A buck-boost converter (BBC) can use a step-down converter, such as a buck converter, or a step-up converter, such as a boost converter.

[0106] The main processor 130 can acquire at least one of the following pieces of information: the voltage Vc1 of the first battery cell Cell 1, the current Ic1 of the first battery cell Cell 1, the voltage Vc2 of the second battery cell Cell 2, and the current Ic2 of the second battery cell Cell 2, and control the operation of the switch network SN.

[0107] In this way, the power management unit 170 can provide power by connecting to the system load while swapping multiple battery cells 111 in series or parallel. The main processor 130 can determine the heating mode of the heater (120 in Figure 1) based on the number of battery cells 111 and the coupling method between the battery cells 111. For example, the heating modes may include a first mode (or standard mode) corresponding to the case where there is one battery cell 111, a second mode (or boost mode) corresponding to the case where there are two or more battery cells 111 connected in series, and a third mode (or long-life mode) corresponding to the case where there are two or more battery cells 111 connected in parallel.

[0108] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the first mode operation of the power management unit according to the embodiment shown in Figure 4.

[0109] Referring to Figures 3 and 5, the first mode can be understood as a mode in which the charged power is discharged to provide power to the system load when there is only one battery cell 111 (or first battery cell Cell 1) installed in the removable battery 110. For example, the first mode is a standard mode in which the heater 120 operates with a temperature profile corresponding to a typical cigarette lighter with a moisture content below a pre-set threshold.

[0110] The power management unit 170 can discharge the first battery cell Cell 1 while it is connected independently and provide power to the system load. Specifically, the main processor 130 can control the operation of the switch network SN such that when only the voltage Vc1 and current Ic1 information of the first battery cell Cell 1 is acquired, only the first switch Q11 is turned on, and the second switch Q12 and the third switch Q13 are turned off. When the first switch Q11 is turned on, the second cell node Nb2 and the fourth cell node Nb4 can be connected.

[0111] This switching operation allows the voltage of the first battery cell, Cell 1, to be provided as an input voltage to the input terminal of the buck boost converter BBC (or to the first node Nc). If the input voltage matches a pre-set output level, the buck boost converter BBC can provide it directly as the output voltage to the system node Nsys. Conversely, if the input voltage does not match a pre-set output level, the buck boost converter BBC can change the input voltage to the pre-set output level by stepping down or stepping up it before providing it as the output voltage to the system node Nsys. In this case, the buck boost converter BBC can adjust its output range through a program such as I2C communication.

[0112] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the second mode operation of the power management unit according to the embodiment shown in Figure 4.

[0113] Referring to Figures 3 and 6, the second mode can be understood as a mode in which the charged power is discharged and power is supplied to the system load when two battery cells 111 are mounted on the removable battery 110 and connected in series between the first battery cell Cell 1 and the second battery cell Cell 2. For example, the second mode is a boost mode in which the heater 120 is operated with a temperature profile corresponding to an over-humidified cigarette whose moisture content is above a pre-set threshold.

[0114] The power management unit 170 can discharge the first battery cell Cell 1 and the second battery cell Cell 2 in a series connection state and provide power to the system load. Specifically, the main processor 130 obtains information on all of the following: the voltage Vc1 of the first battery cell Cell 1, the current Ic1 of the first battery cell Cell 1, the voltage Vc2 of the second battery cell Cell 2, and the current Ic2 of the second battery cell Cell 2. If it determines that the first battery cell Cell 1 and the second battery cell Cell 2 are connected in series, the main processor 130 can control the operation of the switch network SN such that only the second switch Q12 is turned on, and the first switch Q11 and the third switch Q13 are turned off. When the second switch Q12 is turned on, the second cell node Nb2 and the third cell node Nb3 may be connected.

[0115] This switching operation allows a voltage equal to the sum of the voltages of the first battery cell Cell 1 and the second battery cell Cell 2 to be provided as an input voltage to the input terminal (or first node Nc) of the buck boost converter BBC. The buck boost converter BBC can operate as a buck converter in second mode. In other words, the buck boost converter BBC can step down the input voltage to generate an output voltage in second mode. For example, if the voltages of the first battery cell Cell 1 and the second battery cell Cell 2 are each in the range of approximately 3.5V to 4V, then when the two battery cells 111 are connected in series to the removable battery 110, the input voltage to the removable battery 110 may be in the range of approximately 7V to 8V. The magnitude of the voltage in boost mode is 120% of the magnitude of the voltage in standard mode. Therefore, the buck boost converter BBC can step down an input voltage that has been doubled relative to the voltage of a single battery cell 111 to 1.2 times that voltage relative to a single battery cell 111. In other words, the buck boost converter BBC can step down the input voltage, generate an output voltage, and then provide it to the system node Nsys.

[0116] On the other hand, when the first battery cell Cell 1 and the second battery cell Cell 2 are connected in series, the total capacity is substantially the same as the capacity of a single battery cell 111. For example, if the capacity of the first battery cell Cell 1 is 3000mA, even if two battery cells 111 are connected in series to the removable battery 110, the total capacity of the removable battery 110 is 3000mA.

[0117] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the third mode operation of the power management unit according to the embodiment shown in Figure 4.

[0118] Referring to Figures 3 and 7, the third mode can be understood as a mode in which the charged power is discharged and power is supplied to the system load when there are two battery cells 111 mounted on the removable battery 110, and they are connected in parallel between the first battery cell Cell 1 and the second battery cell Cell 2. For example, the third mode is a long-life mode that ensures a large battery capacity when long standby times are required, such as when long-term charging is not possible, like during travel, and the heater 120 operates in standard mode.

[0119] The power management unit 170 can discharge the first battery cell Cell 1 and the second battery cell Cell 2 in a parallel connection state and provide power to the system load. Specifically, the main processor 130 obtains information on the voltage Vc1 of the first battery cell Cell 1, the current Ic1 of the first battery cell Cell 1, the voltage Vc2 of the second battery cell Cell 2, and the current Ic2 of the second battery cell Cell 2, and if it determines that the first battery cell Cell 1 and the second battery cell Cell 2 are connected in parallel, it can control the operation of the switch network SN so that the first switch Q11 and the third switch Q13 are turned on and the second switch Q12 is turned off. When the first switch Q11 is turned on, the second cell node Nb2 and the fourth cell node Nb4 may be connected, and when the third switch Q13 is turned on, the first node Nc and the third cell node Nb3 may be connected.

[0120] This switching operation allows a voltage corresponding to the magnitude of the voltage of the first battery cell Cell 1 (or the voltage of the second battery cell Cell 2) to be provided as an input voltage to the input terminal of the buck boost converter BBC (or to the first node Nc). If the input voltage matches a pre-set output level, the buck boost converter BBC can provide it directly as the output voltage to the system node Nsys. Conversely, if the input voltage does not match a pre-set output level, the buck boost converter BBC can step down or step up the input voltage to change it to the pre-set output level before providing it as the output voltage to the system node Nsys.

[0121] On the other hand, when the first battery cell Cell 1 and the second battery cell Cell 2 are connected in parallel, the total capacity may be proportional to the number of battery cells 111 connected in parallel. For example, if the capacity of the first battery cell Cell 1 is 3000mA, then if two battery cells 111 are connected in parallel to the removable battery 110, the total capacity of the removable battery 110 will be 6000mA.

[0122] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a power management unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0123] Referring to Figures 3, 4, and 8, the removable battery 110 differs from the embodiment in Figure 4 in that it includes three battery cells, Cell 1, Cell 2, and Cell 3, and the switch network SN of the power management unit 170 is configured to correspond to the three battery cells, Cell 1, Cell 2, and Cell 3.

[0124] For example, the switch network SN of the power management unit 170 may include a first switch Q11 and a second switch Q12 that selectively connect the negative terminal of the first battery cell Cell 1 to the positive terminal of the second battery cell Cell 2 (or the third cell node Nb3) or a reference potential GND; a third switch Q13 that selectively connects the positive terminal of the second battery cell Cell 2 (or the third cell node Nb3) to a system node Nsys; a fourth switch Q14 and a fifth switch Q15 that selectively connect the negative terminal of the second battery cell Cell 2 (or the fourth cell node Nb4) to the positive terminal of the third battery cell Cell 3 (or the fifth cell node Nb5) or a reference potential GND; and a sixth switch Q16 that selectively connects the positive terminal of the third battery cell Cell 3 (or the fifth cell node Nb5) to a system node Nsys.

[0125] With such a configuration as the switch network SN, the power management unit 170 can discharge the three battery cells Cell 1, Cell 2, and Cell 3 in series or parallel in the first to third modes.

[0126] Other embodiments will be described below. In the following embodiments, the same configurations as those described above will be omitted or simplified in their explanation, and the focus will be on the differences.

[0127] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0128] Referring to Figures 1 to 9, the operation method of the aerosol generator according to one embodiment may include a step S10 of sensing the number of battery cells 111 mounted on the detachable battery 110 and the coupling method between the battery cells 111, and a step S20 of determining the heating mode of the heater 120 based on the number of battery cells 111 and the coupling method between the battery cells 111.

[0129] Specifically, in S10, the main processor 130 acquires voltage and current information of the battery cells 111, and based on the acquired information, can sense the number of battery cells 111 installed in the removable battery 110 and the coupling method between the battery cells 111.

[0130] The aerosol generator 100 may include a power management unit 170 which includes a switch network SN that changes the coupling method between battery cells 111 and a buck boost converter BBC that increases or decreases the output level.

[0131] The main processor 130 can acquire at least one of the following pieces of information: the voltage Vc1 of the first battery cell Cell 1, the current Ic1 of the first battery cell Cell 1, the voltage Vc2 of the second battery cell Cell 2, and the current Ic2 of the second battery cell Cell 2, and control the operation of the switch network SN.

[0132] The power management unit 170 can connect multiple battery cells 111 to the system load and provide power by switching between series and parallel connections. The main processor 130 can determine the heating mode of the heater (120 in Figure 1) based on the number of battery cells 111 and the coupling method between the battery cells 111. For example, the heating modes may include a first mode (or standard mode) corresponding to the case where there is one battery cell 111, a second mode (or boost mode) corresponding to the case where there are two or more battery cells 111 connected in series, and a third mode (or long-life mode) corresponding to the case where there are two or more battery cells 111 connected in parallel.

[0133] In S20, the main processor 130 can determine the heating mode of the heater 120 based on the number of battery cells 111 and the coupling between the battery cells 111.

[0134] The first mode can be understood as a mode in which the charged power is discharged and power is supplied to the system load when there is only one battery cell 111 (or first battery cell Cell 1) installed in the removable battery 110. For example, the first mode is a standard mode in which the heater 120 operates with a temperature profile corresponding to a typical cigarette lighter with a moisture content below a pre-set threshold.

[0135] The second mode can be understood as a mode in which the charged power is discharged and power is supplied to the system load when two battery cells 111 are attached to the removable battery 110 and connected in series between the first battery cell Cell 1 and the second battery cell Cell 2. For example, the second mode is a boost mode in which the heater 120 is operated with a temperature profile corresponding to an over-humidified cigarette whose moisture content is above a pre-set threshold.

[0136] The third mode can be understood as a mode in which the charged power is discharged and power is supplied to the system load when the removable battery 110 has two battery cells 111, which are connected in parallel between the first battery cell Cell 1 and the second battery cell Cell 2. For example, the third mode is a long-life mode that ensures a large battery capacity when long standby times are required, such as when long-term charging is not possible, like during travel, and the heater 120 operates in standard mode.

[0137] In this case, the output level of the removable battery 110 in the first mode is substantially the same as the output level of the removable battery 110 in the third mode, and the output level of the removable battery 110 in the second mode is higher than the output level of the removable battery 110 in the first mode. Furthermore, the capacity of the removable battery 110 in the first mode is substantially the same as the capacity of the removable battery 110 in the second mode, and the capacity of the removable battery 110 in the third mode is greater than the capacity of the removable battery 110 in the first mode.

[0138] Those with ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment will understand that it will be embodied in modified forms that do not deviate from the essential characteristics described above. Therefore, the disclosed method should be considered in an explanatory rather than restrictive view. The scope of the invention is expressed in the claims, not in the above description, and all differences within an equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the invention.

Claims

1. A heater for heating the aerosol-generating substance, A removable battery including at least one removable battery cell, an aerosol generating apparatus, comprising: a control unit that determines the heating mode of the heater based on the number of battery cells and the coupling method between the battery cells.

2. A switch unit for changing the coupling method between the battery cells, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a power management unit including a buck boost converter for increasing or decreasing the output level.

3. The aforementioned heating mode is A first mode corresponding to the case where there is one battery cell, A second mode corresponds to the case where there are two or more battery cells connected in series between them, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 2, comprising a third mode corresponding to the case where there are two or more battery cells connected in parallel between the battery cells.

4. The output level in the first mode is the same as the output level in the third mode. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the output level in the second mode is higher than the output level in the first mode.

5. The capacity of the removable battery in the first mode is the same as the capacity of the removable battery in the second mode. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the capacity of the removable battery in the third mode is greater than the capacity of the removable battery in the first mode.

6. The aforementioned detachable battery is Including a first battery cell and a second battery cell, The aforementioned switch section is A first switch connected between the negative terminal of the first battery cell and the negative terminal of the second battery cell, A second switch is connected between the negative terminal of the first battery cell and the positive terminal of the second battery cell, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a third switch connected between the first terminal of the buck boost converter and the positive terminal of the second battery cell.

7. The second terminal of the buck boost converter is connected to the system node. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the negative terminal of the second battery cell is connected to a reference potential.

8. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit turns on the first switch, turns off the second switch, and turns off the third switch in the first mode.

9. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit turns off the first switch, turns on the second switch, and turns off the third switch in the second mode.

10. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the buck boost converter operates as a buck converter in the second mode.

11. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit turns on the first switch, turns off the second switch, and turns on the third switch in the third mode.

12. A step of sensing the number of battery cells installed in a removable battery and the coupling method between the battery cells, A method for operating an aerosol generator, comprising the step of determining a heating mode for a heater based on the number of battery cells and the coupling method between the battery cells.

13. The coupling method between the battery cells is changed using a switch unit. The method of operating the aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the output level of the removable battery is increased or decreased by a back boost converter.

14. The aforementioned heating mode is A first mode corresponding to the case where there is one battery cell, A second mode corresponds to the case where there are two or more battery cells connected in series between them, A method for operating an aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 13, comprising a third mode corresponding to the case where there are two or more battery cells and they are connected in parallel.

15. The output level in the first mode is the same as the output level in the third mode. The output level in the second mode is higher than the output level in the first mode. The capacity of the removable battery in the first mode is the same as the capacity of the removable battery in the second mode. The method of operating the aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the capacity of the removable battery in the third mode is greater than the capacity of the removable battery in the first mode.

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