Aerosol generating apparatus and its operating method

Abstract

An aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment includes a battery detachably disposed in a battery housing and having unique identification information, a battery monitoring unit that acquires battery operation information, a memory that stores multiple SOH (State of Health) calculation profiles, and a control unit that acquires identification information and operation information of a battery installed in the battery housing, and calculates the SOH of the battery installed in the battery housing based on the SOH calculation profile corresponding to the identification information and the operation information from among the multiple SOH calculation profiles.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating apparatus and a method of operating the same, and more specifically to an aerosol generating apparatus including a detachable battery and a method of operating the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative smoking methods to conventional cigarettes. For example, there is growing demand for methods that generate aerosols by heating the aerosol products within a cigarette, rather than by burning the cigarette to produce the aerosol. As a result, research into heated cigarettes or heated aerosol generators is progressing actively.

[0003] Aerosol generators can be powered by batteries for the overall operation of the device and for heating the heater. Recently, countries have shown a trend towards requiring environmental friendliness and stability throughout the entire lifecycle of electronic devices, including batteries, from battery production to recycling, in order to improve the global environment. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] The objective of the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device and a method for operating the same that can calculate the State of Health (SOH) of a removable battery with greater accuracy.

[0005] The problems to be addressed through these embodiments are not limited to those described above, and any problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which these embodiments belong, based on this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes a battery that is detachably disposed in a battery housing portion and has unique identification information, a battery monitoring unit that acquires operation information of the battery, a memory in which a plurality of SOH (State Of Health) calculation profiles are stored, and a control unit that acquires identification information and operation information of the battery mounted in the battery housing portion, and calculates the SOH of the battery mounted in the battery housing portion based on the SOH calculation profile corresponding to the identification information and the operation information among the plurality of SOH calculation profiles.

[0007] An operation method of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes steps of acquiring operation information of the battery, acquiring identification information and operation information of the battery mounted in the battery housing portion, and calculating the SOH of the battery mounted in the battery housing portion based on the SOH calculation profile corresponding to the identification information and the operation information among the plurality of SOH calculation profiles.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] The aerosol generating device and its operation method according to various embodiments of the present invention can improve the accuracy of SOH by assigning unique identification information to a detachable battery, acquiring the identification information of the battery mounted on the main body, and calculating the SOH based on the corresponding SOH (Stage Of Health) calculation profile.

[0009] The effects according to the embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the embodiments belong from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2A]The drawings show embodiments of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 embodied in various types. [Figure 2B] The drawings show embodiments of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 embodied in various types. [Figure 2C] The drawings show embodiments of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 embodied in various types. [Figure 2D] The drawings show embodiments of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 embodied in various types. [Figure 2E] The drawings show embodiments of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1 embodied in various types. [Figure 3] The drawing is for explaining the operation of the power management unit according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] The drawing is for explaining the operation of the identification information calculation unit according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] The drawing is for explaining the SOH calculation profile included in the memory according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] The drawing is for explaining the operation of the charging unit controlled based on the calculated SOH of the detachable battery. [Figure 7] The drawing is a schematic diagram for explaining the reference voltage calculation unit and the control signal generation unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] The graph shows the relationship between SOH and OCV in the charging state according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] The flowchart is for explaining the operation method of the aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an aerosol generator according to one embodiment.

[0016] 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.

[0017] In the following, the operation of each component in the aerosol generator 100 will be described without limiting the spatial location of each component.

[0018] 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. The removable battery 110 can also supply power necessary for the operation of other hardware components within the aerosol generator 100, namely 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 thereto.

[0019] The detachable battery 110 is a replaceable (separable) 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 may be electrically connected to electrical contacts (or main connection terminals) provided in the aerosol generator 100 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 may differ depending on the power supply method supported by the detachable battery 110.

[0020] 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 in the first charging mode) or while removed from the aerosol generator 100 (uninstalled) (or in the second charging mode).

[0021] The detachable battery 110 can be manufactured in various forms with different capacities and / or output levels. For example, the detachable battery 110 included with the purchase of the aerosol generator 100 is a basic type with a capacity of approximately 3000 mAh and an output of approximately 10 W. On the other hand, detachable batteries 110 purchased additionally by the user may have different capacities and outputs than the basic type. The detachable battery 110 according to one embodiment may include at least one battery cell. The battery cell may be formed in a cylindrical 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 formed in a rectangular or pouch shape.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] The heater 120 can be embodied in 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 in, but is not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate on which conductive tracks are arranged, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0025] The heater 120 may be embodied in an induction heating type heater. The heater 120 corresponds to a heater assembly embodied in a set of conductive coil and susceptor for heating a cigarette or cartridge by induction heating.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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 in an array of numerous logic gates, or in a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and memory where the program executed by this microprocessor is stored. It can also be understood by those ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs that it may be embodied in other forms of hardware.

[0029] 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 supplied to the heater 120 and the power supply duration 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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 will immediately shut down.

[0032] 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 sound 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.

[0033] 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 types such as RAM (random access memory) such as DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), and EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory).

[0034] 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.

[0035] Furthermore, the memory 150 may contain multiple SOH (State of Health) calculation profiles. In the case of removable batteries 110, the characteristics (e.g., capacity, output power, etc.) differ for each battery type, making consistent and accurate SOH calculation difficult. Therefore, after pre-saving SOH calculation profiles corresponding to each battery type, the SOH calculation profile can be matched for each battery installed in the aerosol generator 100 during SOH calculation.

[0036] The power management unit 170 monitors battery operation information necessary for calculating the battery's State of Health (SOH) based on the control of the main processor 130, and can identify the removable battery 110 installed in the battery housing. Further details will be described in detail below through Figures 3 to 8.

[0037] On the other hand, although not shown in Figure 1, the aerosol generator 100 may be configured with a separate cradle to form an aerosol generation system. For example, the cradle can be used to charge the removable battery 110 of the aerosol generator 100 while storing the aerosol generator 100. In other words, 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 power is supplied from the cradle's battery to charge the removable battery 110 of the aerosol generator 100.

[0038] Figures 2A to 2E are drawings illustrating various embodiments of the aerosol generator of Figure 1. Referring to Figures 2A to 2E, the aerosol generator 100 can be embodied as various types of aerosol generators 200a to 200e, such as utilizing an electric resistance heating method or an induction heating method, or a method further equipped with a vaporizer, or a cartridge method. Figures 2A to 2E show only some elements necessary to describe 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] Referring to Figure 2A, the aerosol generator 200a may include a removable battery 110, a heater 120a, and a main processor 130.

[0042] 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.

[0043] Heater 120a can be heated by power supplied from the removable battery 110. Heater 120a is an electrical resistive heater. For example, heater 120a includes a conductive track, and as current flows through the conductive track, heater 120a can be heated.

[0044] 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.

[0045] Due to its temperature coefficient of resistance characteristic, the conductive track's internal resistance can increase as the temperature rises. For example, within a given temperature range, the temperature and resistance of the conductive track are proportional. Utilizing this principle, a heater 120a made of a conductive track can heat a cigarette 20a using an electrical resistance method.

[0046] 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 contain alloys.

[0047] 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.

[0048] The detachable battery 110 is separated from or attached to the aerosol generator 200a, and when the detachable battery 110 is attached to the aerosol generator 200a, the heater 12 0a For the heating operation, power is supplied to the heater 120a from the removable battery 110, and the temperature of the conductive track can be controlled.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] Figure 2B shows the steamer 125b and heater 120b arranged in a single row. However, Figure 2C shows the steamer 125c and heater 120c arranged in parallel. In other words, the aerosol generators 200b and 200c can be distinguished by the arrangement of the steamer 125b.

[0053] 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.

[0054] Unlike heater 120a described in Figure 2A, heaters 120b and 120c in Figures 2B and 2C can be implemented by an external heating method, where heaters are positioned around the outside of the cigarettes 20b and 20c and heat the outer surface of the cigarettes 20b and 20c.

[0055] 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.

[0056] The vaporizers 125b and 125c may include a liquid storage unit, a liquid transfer means, and a heating element (or vaporization element). However, the liquid storage unit, liquid transfer means, and heating element may each be an independent module and may be located in other locations within the aerosol generator 100, not inside the vaporizers 125b and 125c.

[0057] The liquid storage section can store a liquid composition. 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 detach from / adhere to 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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 an electric current supply, 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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 may be 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.

[0065] 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 quasimetallics such as boron (B) and phosphorus (P).

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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 a periodically changing alternating magnetic field, the susceptor 122d may generate heat, and the cigarette 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.

[0069] The detachable battery 110 can be separated from or attached to the aerosol generator 200d, and 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.

[0070] 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 magnetic field strength induced by the coil 121d using a temperature profile.

[0071] Figure 2E is a diagram illustrating an aerosol generator 200e equipped with a replaceable cartridge 210e holding an aerosol generating substance 20e according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0072] The aerosol generator 200e in Figure 2E includes a cartridge 210e holding 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.

[0073] Cartridge 210e can be attached to the main body 220e with the aerosol-generating substance 20e contained inside. Cartridge 210e can be attached to the main body 210 by inserting a portion of cartridge 210e into the receptacle of the main body 210.

[0074] The cartridge 210e holds an aerosol-generating substance 20e of a liquid composition, but is not limited to holding an aerosol-generating substance 20e having any one of the following states: solid, gaseous, or gel-like. For example, the liquid composition is a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance that includes volatile tobacco flavor components, and is also a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0075] 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, which can generate an aerosol.

[0076] The heater 120e generates heat through electrical resistance to heat the aerosol-generating substance transferred to the liquid transfer means. It is embodied by conductive filaments of metal materials such as copper, nickel, or tungsten, or by ceramic heating elements, and may be wound around the liquid transfer means or positioned adjacent to the liquid transfer means.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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 temperature at which the aerosol-generating substance 20e is heated by the heater 120e using a temperature profile.

[0079] On the other hand, although not shown in Figures 2A to 2E, the aerosol generators 200a to 200e may be configured as a system 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.

[0080] According to various embodiments, the aerosol generator 100 in Figure 1 is embodied by at least one of the types of aerosol generators 200a to 200e shown in Figures 2A to 2E, but is not necessarily limited to these and can be embodied by other types as well.

[0081] 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.

[0082] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the power management unit according to one embodiment. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the identification information calculation unit according to one embodiment. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the SOH calculation profile contained in the memory according to one embodiment.

[0083] Referring to Figures 1, 3 to 5, the power management unit 170 may include a battery monitoring unit 172 and an identification information calculation unit 174. In one embodiment, the battery monitoring unit 172 and the identification information calculation unit 174 each include an analog-to-digital converter, and the operation information and identification information of the removable battery 110 can be converted into digital values ​​using the analog-to-digital converter.

[0084] The battery monitoring unit 172 can measure battery operation information under the control of the main processor 130 and transmit it to the main processor 130. In this case, the operation information of the removable battery 110 is measured values ​​taken to check the battery status for battery management / operation, and may include the voltage, current, temperature, etc. of the removable battery 110.

[0085] In one embodiment, the battery monitoring unit 172 can measure the voltage and current of the removable battery 110. For example, the battery monitoring unit 172 can measure the voltage of the removable battery 110 at predetermined intervals during rest periods when no charging or discharging occurs, and calculate the current based on the measured voltage. The battery monitoring unit 172 can also provide a temperature value of the removable battery 110 measured by a temperature sensor (not shown).

[0086] The identification information calculation unit 174 can calculate battery identification information under the control of the main processor 130 and transmit it to the main processor 130. In this case, the identification information of the removable battery 110 is a measured value taken for battery identification, which is the resistance value of its unique resistor. However, the identification information of the removable battery 110 is not limited to this, and is also the current value flowing through its unique resistor.

[0087] Referring to Figures 1, 3, and 4, the aerosol generator 100 includes a first resistor RD in the battery housing, and the removable battery 110 may include a second resistor R electrically connected to the first resistor RD as identification information.

[0088] The detachable battery 110 can be manufactured in various ways, with different capacities and / or output levels. For example, the detachable battery 110 included with the aerosol generator 100 is a basic type with a capacity of approximately 3000mAh and an output of approximately 10W. On the other hand, additional detachable batteries 110 purchased by the user as needed may have larger capacities and output levels than the basic type. In such cases, to distinguish between the basic battery and the additional battery, the magnitude of the second resistor R included in each battery can be made different. For example, the magnitude of the second resistor R in the basic battery may be 100Ω, and the magnitude of the second resistor R in the additional battery may be 200Ω. In this case, the first resistor RD is included in the battery housing of the aerosol generator 100 and can be electrically connected to the second resistor R of the detachable battery 110 through an electrical contact (or sub-connection terminal). For example, the magnitude of the first resistor RD is 100KΩ.

[0089] In Figure 4, for the sake of explanation, a circuit is shown in which the first resistor RD and the second resistor R are connected in series. However, the circuit is not limited to this configuration, and the first resistor RD and the second resistor R may be connected in parallel as necessary for the design.

[0090] One end of the first resistor RD is connected to the first terminal T1, and the other end of the first resistor RD may be connected to one end of the second resistor R. The other end of the second resistor R may be connected to the second terminal T2. The voltage drop V applied across the second resistor R is proportional to the product of the second resistor R and the current I flowing through the second resistor R. By measuring the magnitude of the current I passing through the second resistor R due to the given potential difference applied across the second resistor R, the identification information calculation unit 174 can determine the value of the second resistor R using the relationship R = V / I.

[0091] For example, when a voltage V is applied between the first terminal T1 and the second terminal T2 through a removable battery 110, the identification information calculation unit 174 can calculate the value of the second resistor R as identification information using the following formula 1.

[0092]

number

[0093] The main memory 150 may contain operational information, identification information, and multiple SOH calculation profiles for the removable battery 110.

[0094] The main memory 150 may include an SOH calculation profile that estimates the SOH of the removable battery 110 based on battery operation information using a predetermined algorithm.

[0095] Referring to Figure 5, a first SOH calculation profile and a second SOH calculation profile, i.e., two SOH calculation profiles, are illustrated, but the system is not limited to these and may include three or more SOH calculation profiles. For example, the main memory 150 may store a first SOH calculation profile that estimates SOH based on a known OCV-SOH relationship, a second SOH calculation profile that estimates SOH based on a SOC-SOH relationship, and a third SOH calculation profile that estimates SOH based on the battery's DC current internal resistance (DCIR).

[0096] The main processor 130 acquires battery operation information measured from the battery monitoring unit 172 and battery identification information measured from the identification information calculation unit 174, and can calculate the State of Health (SOH) of the removable battery 110 based on the acquired operation information and identification information.

[0097] The main processor 130 receives the value of the second resistance R of the removable battery 110 installed in the battery housing of the aerosol generator 100 from the identification information calculation unit 174, and can select the SOH calculation profile corresponding to the received second resistance R from among a plurality of SOH calculation profiles stored in the main memory 150.

[0098] The main processor 130 can calculate the State of Health (SOH) of the removable battery 110 installed in the battery housing based on the selected SOH calculation profile and operational information (e.g., battery voltage, current, and temperature) provided by the battery monitoring unit 172.

[0099] In this case, the detachable battery 110 may include a first battery containing a second-first resistor (e.g., 100Ω) and a second battery containing a second-second resistor (e.g., 200Ω) that is different from the second-first resistor. Furthermore, the multiple SOH calculation profiles may include a first SOH calculation profile corresponding to the second-first resistor and a second SOH calculation profile corresponding to the second-second resistor.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the SOH calculation profile that matches the second resistance R of the removable battery 110 may be stored in the main memory 150 in lookup table format. However, it is not limited to this, and the lookup table may also be stored in read-only memory (ROM) included in the main processor 130.

[0101] In this way, by using SOH calculation profiles optimized for each type of removable battery 110 to calculate the SOH of the removable battery 110, the aerosol generator 100 according to this embodiment can calculate the SOH of the removable battery 110 more consistently and accurately.

[0102] 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.

[0103] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the charging unit, which is controlled based on the calculated State of Health (SOH) of the removable battery.

[0104] Referring to Figures 1, 3, and 6, the aerosol generator 100 shown in Figure 6 differs from the aerosol generator 100 shown in Figure 3 in that it further includes a charging unit 180, and the main processor 130 further includes a reference voltage calculation unit 132 and a control signal generation unit 134; however, the remaining configuration is substantially the same.

[0105] The main processor 130 can perform CC-CV (Constant Current-Constant Voltage) control of the battery using a variable charging reference voltage based on the calculated SOH. Furthermore, the main processor 130 can acquire operational information (e.g., battery voltage, current, and temperature) of the removable battery 110 from the battery monitoring unit 172 and use it for CC-CV control.

[0106] The charging unit 180 may include a power factor compensation circuit (e.g., an AC / DC converter) and a DC / DC converter connected in series. In this case, the power factor compensation circuit receives an AC voltage from the power system, generates a DC voltage while compensating for the power factor, and the DC-DC converter receives the output DC voltage of the power factor compensation circuit and can charge the removable battery 110 based on the charging control performed by the main processor 130. The removable battery 110 deteriorates as it undergoes repeated charging and discharging. SOH is a performance index that indicates the degree of battery deterioration by comparing the battery's ideal state with its current state. That is, the SOH of the battery in its initial state (e.g., a new product) is represented as 100%, and the SOH of the battery decreases as the number of charge / discharge cycles increases. As the battery deteriorates, the OCV decreases during charging and increases during discharging.

[0107] Furthermore, the lower the battery's charge voltage, the longer its lifespan. Conversely, if the battery is overcharged using a charge voltage higher than the voltage of the removable battery 110 when the State of Charge (SOC) is 100% during each charging cycle, the battery will degrade rapidly, potentially leading to battery damage and even explosion.

[0108] Therefore, even though the OCV decreases due to the reduction in SOH of the removable battery 110, in existing charge control methods, the initial state OCV is the charge reference voltage V P Because it is used while remaining fixed in place, the risk of overcharging the battery increases.

[0109] The main processor 130 in this embodiment calculates a variable charging reference voltage V based on the calculated SOH. P It is possible to generate a variable charging reference voltage V. P By setting the voltage lower than the initial OCV, the main processor 130 can prevent the risk of overcharging.

[0110] The main processor 130 performs CC-CV control to generate a switching signal as a control signal for charge control, and then provides the switching signal to the DC / DC converter included in the charging unit 180.

[0111] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a reference voltage calculation unit and a control signal generation unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] The main processor 130 may further include a reference voltage calculation unit 132 and a control signal generation unit 134. The main processor 130 may also include a protection unit 136 to prevent accidents involving the removable battery 110.

[0113] The main processor 130 can obtain battery operation information from the battery monitoring unit 172 of the charging unit 180 and calculate the State of Health (SOH) using the SOH calculation profile corresponding to the identification information of the removable battery 110 obtained from the identification information calculation unit 174.

[0114] The reference voltage calculation unit 132 calculates the variable charging reference voltage V based on SOH. P It is possible to calculate this.

[0115] Figure 8 is a graph showing the relationship between SOH and OCV under different charging conditions, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0116] Referring to Figure 8, as the State of Charge (SOC) of the removable battery 110 increases, the OCV also increases. Furthermore, since this is a charging condition, assuming the same SOC, as the State of Health (SOH) of the removable battery 110 decreases, the OCV decreases. The reference voltage calculation unit 132 calculates the OCV based on the SOH for the case where the SOC is 100% in the example in Figure 8, and then calculates the variable charging reference voltage V PIt can be calculated as. For example, the reference voltage calculation unit 132 stores the relationship between SOH and OCV in the charging state according to the battery type (for example, a relational expression or a table) in the main memory 150, estimates the OCV based on the SOH using the stored relationship, and then uses this as the variable charging reference voltage V P It can be calculated as.

[0117] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the control signal generation unit 134 can perform CC-CV control based on the battery voltage V B , the current I B and the variable charging reference voltage V P to generate a control signal for controlling the charging unit 180. When performing CC-CV control, the control signal generation unit 134 uses a negative feedback method having a double loop of voltage and current. However, in the initial stage of charging, the CC mode can be used, and in the later stage of charging, the CV mode can be used.

[0118] The control signal generation unit 134 performs charging control in the CC mode until the battery voltage V B reaches the variable charging reference voltage V P . Using a first comparator and a PI (Proportional Integral) block, the control signal generation unit 134 generates a comparison value between the battery voltage V B and the variable charging reference voltage V P and inputs it to the limiter. In the initial stage of charging, since the difference between the battery voltage V B and the variable charging reference voltage V P is large, a large comparison value is formed and input to the limiter, and a fixed charging reference current I B * limited by the limiter is generated. The control signal generation unit 134 can generate a switching signal for controlling the charging unit 180 so as to estimate that the battery current I B is the fixed charging reference current I B * .

[0119] The control signal generation unit 134 generates the battery voltage V B Variable charging reference voltage V P After first reaching the battery voltage V, charging control can be performed in CV mode. Using the first comparator and PI block, the control signal generation unit 134 generates the battery voltage V B and variable charging reference voltage V P A comparison value is generated between and input to the limiter. In the later stages of charging, the battery voltage V B and variable charging reference voltage V P Because the difference between them is small, a small comparison value is formed and input to the limiter, resulting in a variable charging reference current I that is smaller than the fixed value limited by the limiter. B * The following can be generated. The control signal generation unit 134 uses the second comparator and the PI block to generate the battery current I B Variable charging reference current I B * The control signal generation unit 134 can generate a switching signal to control the charging unit 180 so as to estimate the battery voltage V B A stable variable charging reference voltage V P Control can be performed in CV mode until the condition is maintained.

[0120] On the other hand, the protection unit 136 controls the battery voltage V B , current I B and temperature T B Battery status information like this can be compared to a previously set reference value for battery safety. If the battery status information exceeds the reference value, the control signal generation unit 134 can maintain battery safety by further adjusting the switching signal transmitted to the charging unit 180.

[0121] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0122] Referring to Figures 1 to 9, the operation method of the aerosol generator according to one embodiment is as follows: Step (S10) to acquire identification information and operation information of the detachable battery 110 installed in the battery housing of the aerosol generator 1000 ), a step of selecting the SOH calculation profile that corresponds to the identification information from among multiple SOH calculation profiles (S20 0 ), and a step (S30) to calculate the SOH of the removable battery 110 installed in the battery housing based on the selected SOH calculation profile and operational information. 0 ) includes.

[0123] Furthermore, the operation method of the aerosol generator may further include the steps of calculating a charging reference voltage based on the calculated SOH (S400), and generating a charging control signal for the removable battery 110 based on the battery voltage, battery current, and charging reference voltage from the operational information (S500).

[0124] Specifically, S10 0 The battery monitoring unit 172 can measure battery operation information under the control of the main processor 130 and transmit it to the main processor 130. In this case, the operation information of the removable battery 110 is measured values ​​taken to check the battery status for battery management / operation, and may include the voltage, current, temperature, etc. of the removable battery 110.

[0125] Furthermore, the identification information calculation unit 174 can calculate battery identification information under the control of the main processor 130 and transmit it to the main processor 130. In this case, the identification information of the removable battery 110 is a measured value taken for battery identification, which is the resistance value of its unique resistor. However, the identification information of the removable battery 110 is not limited to this, and is also the current value flowing through its unique resistor.

[0126] The aerosol generator 100 includes a first resistor RD in its battery housing, and the removable battery 110 may include a second resistor R electrically connected to the first resistor RD as identification information.

[0127] One end of the first resistor RD is connected to the first terminal T1, and the other end of the first resistor RD may be connected to one end of the second resistor R. The other end of the second resistor R may be connected to the second terminal T2. The voltage drop V across the second resistor R is proportional to the product of the second resistor R and the current I flowing through the second resistor R. By measuring the magnitude of the current I passing through the second resistor R due to a given potential difference applied across the second resistor R, the identification information calculation unit 174 can determine the value of the second resistor R using the relationship R=V / I.

[0128] S20 0 The main memory 150 may include an SOH calculation profile that estimates the SOH of the removable battery 110 based on battery operation information using a predetermined algorithm. The main processor 130 receives the value of the second resistance R of the removable battery 110 installed in the battery housing of the aerosol generator 100 from the identification information calculation unit 174, and can select an SOH calculation profile corresponding to the received second resistance R from among a plurality of SOH calculation profiles stored in the main memory 150.

[0129] S30 0 The main processor 130 can then calculate the State of Health (SOH) of the removable battery 110 installed in the battery housing based on the selected SOH calculation profile and operational information (e.g., battery voltage, current, and temperature) provided by the battery monitoring unit 172. For example, the main processor 130 can estimate the SOH based on a known OCV-SOH relationship, an SOC-SOH relationship, or the battery's DC Current Internal Resistance (DCIR).

[0130] S40 0 Then, the reference voltage calculation unit 132 calculates the OCV based on the SOH when the SOC of the removable battery 110 is 100%, and sets the variable charging reference voltage V PIt can be calculated as follows. For example, the reference voltage calculation unit 132 stores the relationship between SOH and OCV in the charging status for each battery type (e.g., a relational expression or table) in the main memory 150, and after estimating the OCV by SOH using the stored relationship, it calculates this to the variable charging reference voltage V P It can be calculated as follows.

[0131] S50 0 The control signal generation unit 134 then generates the battery voltage V B , current I B and variable charging reference voltage V P Based on this, CC-CV control can be performed to generate a control signal for controlling the charging unit 180. When performing CC-CV control, the control signal generation unit 134 uses a negative feedback method with a double loop of voltage and current, but the CC mode can be used in the initial stages of charging and the CV mode can be used in the later stages of charging.

[0132] The control signal generation unit 134 generates the battery voltage V B Variable charging reference voltage V P The CC mode is used for charging control until the battery voltage V is reached. The control signal generation unit 134 generates the battery voltage V B Variable charging reference voltage V P After first arriving at the target location, charging control can be performed using CV mode.

[0133] 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 battery that is detachably disposed in the battery housing and has unique identification information, A battery monitoring unit that acquires operational information of the aforementioned battery, Memory containing multiple SOH (State of Health) calculation profiles, Aerosol generating apparatus, comprising: a control unit that acquires identification information and operational information of a battery installed in the battery housing, and calculates the SOH of the battery installed in the battery housing based on the SOH calculation profile corresponding to the identification information from among the plurality of SOH calculation profiles and the operational information.

2. The battery housing includes a first resistor, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the battery includes a second resistor electrically connected to the first resistor as the identification information.

3. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit senses a second resistance of a battery installed in the battery housing and calculates the SOH of the battery installed in the battery housing based on the SOH calculation profile corresponding to the sensed second resistance from among the plurality of SOH calculation profiles.

4. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the battery comprises a first battery including a second-first resistor and a second battery including a second-second resistor that is different from the second-first resistor.

5. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of SOH calculation profiles include a first SOH calculation profile corresponding to the second-first resistance and a second SOH calculation profile corresponding to the second-second resistance.

6. The control unit, Based on the calculated SOH, a reference voltage calculation unit calculates the charging reference voltage, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a signal generating unit that generates a control signal for charging the battery based on the battery voltage, the battery current, and the charging reference voltage from the aforementioned operational information.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the reference voltage calculation unit reduces the charging reference voltage due to the decrease in the SOH.

8. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the signal generating unit performs charging control using a constant current until the voltage of the battery reaches the charging reference voltage, and after the voltage of the battery reaches the charging reference voltage, it performs charging control using a constant voltage.

9. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operational information includes the voltage, current, and temperature of the battery installed in the battery housing.

10. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a heater that is powered by the battery and heats the aerosol product.

11. In a method for operating an aerosol generator that includes a battery detachably disposed in a battery housing and having unique identification information, and a memory that stores multiple SOH (State of Health) calculation profiles, The steps include obtaining operational information for the aforementioned battery, The steps include obtaining identification information and operational information for the battery installed in the battery housing, A method for operating an aerosol generating apparatus, comprising the step of calculating the SOH of a battery installed in the battery housing based on the SOH calculation profile corresponding to the identification information and the operation information from among the plurality of SOH calculation profiles.

12. The battery housing includes a first resistor, The method for operating an aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the battery includes a second resistor electrically connected to the first resistor as the identification information.

13. The method for operating an aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the step of calculating the SOH involves sensing the second resistance of a battery installed in the battery housing, and calculating the SOH of the battery installed in the battery housing based on the SOH calculation profile corresponding to the sensed second resistance from among the plurality of SOH calculation profiles.

14. Based on the calculated SOH, the step of calculating the charging reference voltage, A method for operating an aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising the step of generating a control signal for charging the battery based on the battery voltage, the battery current, and the charging reference voltage from the operational information.

15. The method of operating an aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the step of calculating the charging reference voltage is to reduce the charging reference voltage due to the decrease in the SOH.

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