Aerosol generator

Abstract

The aerosol generator includes a housing containing an air inlet into which air flows; a heater located inside the housing for heating the aerosol-generating material; an airflow passage arranged to connect the air inlet and the aerosol-generating material and to move the air flowing in through the air inlet toward the aerosol-generating material; and pressure sensors arranged to connect with the airflow passage and to detect pressure changes in the airflow passage, the pressure sensors may be arranged alternately with the air inlet when viewed from the upper end surface of the aerosol generator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device that precisely detects a puff operation of a user.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there has been an increasing demand for a system that generates an aerosol by heating a cigarette or an aerosol generating substance using an aerosol generating device, rather than by burning a cigarette to generate an aerosol.

[0003] Due to the increasing demand for aerosol generating devices, there have emerged aerosol generating devices that not only heat a cigarette or an aerosol generating substance to generate an aerosol but also improve the smoking convenience of users. For example, there has been a proposal for an aerosol generating device that detects a puff operation of a user through a sensor and, when the puff operation of the user is detected, operates a heater without any operation by the user and supplies an aerosol to the user.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In general, an aerosol generating device detects the presence or absence of a puff operation of a user by detecting a pressure change in an air flow path through a pressure sensor disposed in the air flow path.

[0005] In an aerosol generating device including a pressure sensor, the amount of pressure change in the air flow path detected by the pressure sensor varies depending on the relative position of the air flow path and the pressure sensor. For example, in a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device, when the pressure sensor is located on a virtual horizontal or vertical line crossing an air inlet through which outside air flows into the air flow path, even if a puff operation of the user occurs and the difference in flow velocity around the air inlet and the pressure sensor is not large, the pressure change around the pressure sensor is insufficient.

[0006] Even if a user performs a puffing motion, if the pressure change detected by the pressure sensor is small, the aerosol generator may mistakenly perceive the pressure change as being due to noise, and thus incorrectly conclude that the user did not perform a puffing motion.

[0007] If an aerosol generator fails to recognize the user's puffing action, the heater will not activate, making it impossible for the user to smoke, thus reducing the usability of the aerosol generator. Therefore, there is an increasing need for improved airflow path and pressure sensor arrangement to enhance the precision of puffing action detection.

[0008] Thus, various embodiments of the present invention aim to provide an aerosol generating device that improves the precision of puff detection by increasing the amount of pressure change around pressure sensors through pressure sensors alternately arranged with respect to the air inlet in a cross-sectional view.

[0009] The problems to be solved through embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and any problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] An aerosol generator according to one embodiment includes a housing that includes an air inlet into which air flows; a heater located inside the housing for heating an aerosol generating substance; an airflow passage arranged to connect the air inlet and the aerosol generating substance and to move the air flowing in through the air inlet toward the aerosol generating substance; and a pressure sensor arranged to connect with the airflow passage and to detect pressure changes in the airflow passage, wherein the pressure sensor may be arranged alternately with the air inlet when viewed from the upper end surface of the aerosol generator. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The aerosol generation device according to various embodiments of the present invention can improve the precision of puff detection through a structure that increases the amount of pressure change in the air flow path around the pressure sensor during puff generation.

[0012] The effects according to the embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and the 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 attached drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] [Figure 1] It is a drawing showing an aerosol generation device according to an embodiment.

[0014] [Figure 2] It is a drawing showing an aerosol generation device according to another embodiment.

[0015] [Figure 3] It is a drawing showing an aerosol generation device according to still another embodiment.

[0016] [Figure 4] It is a drawing showing an aerosol generation device according to still another embodiment.

[0017] [Figure 5] It is a drawing showing an aerosol generation device according to still another embodiment.

[0018] [Figure 6] It is a front perspective view of an aerosol generation device according to an embodiment.

[0019] [Figure 7] It is a rear perspective view of the aerosol generation device of FIG. 6.

[0020] [Figure 8A] It is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generation device according to an embodiment.

[0021] [Figure 8B] It is a top view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 8A.

[0022] [Figure 9] It is a drawing showing a cross section of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment and the upper surface of a partial region.

[0023] [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to yet another embodiment.

[0024] [Figure 11] It is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, regardless of the reference numerals in the drawings, the same or similar components will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0026] The suffixes "module" and "section" for the components used in the following description are given or mixed only for the ease of preparing the specification, and do not have a meaning or role that distinguishes them from each other as such.

[0027] Also, in describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, when it is determined that a specific description of such known technology obscures the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also, the accompanying drawings are only for facilitating understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical idea disclosed in this specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and it must be understood that all modifications, equivalents, or alternatives included in the idea and technical scope of the present invention are included.

[0028] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., can be used to describe a variety of components, but the components are not limited by such terms. The terms are simply used to distinguish one component from another.

[0029] When it is mentioned that one component is "linked" or "connected" to another component, it must be understood that it is either directly linked to the other component, or connected but with other components in between. On the other hand, when it is mentioned that one component is "directly linked" or "directly connected" to another component, it must be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0030] A singular expression includes plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0031] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment, and Figure 2 is a diagram showing an aerosol generating apparatus according to another embodiment.

[0032] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an aerosol generator 1 according to one embodiment may include at least one of a battery 11, a control unit 12, a sensor unit 13, and a heater 18. At least one of the battery 11, the control unit 12, the sensor unit 13, and the heater 18 may be located inside the main body 10 of the aerosol generator. The main body 10 can provide an upwardly open space into which a stick S, which is an aerosol product (or "aerosol generating substance"), can be inserted. The upwardly open space is also referred to as the insertion space. The insertion space is formed by recessing into the main body 10 to a predetermined depth so that at least a portion of the stick S can be inserted. The depth of the insertion space corresponds to the length of the region in the stick S that contains the aerosol generating substance and / or medium. The lower end of the stick S is inserted into the main body 10, and the upper end of the stick S protrudes outside the main body 10. The user can inhale air by putting the upper end of the stick S, which is exposed to the outside, into their mouth.

[0033] The heater 18 can heat the stick S. The heater 18 may extend upward around the space into which the stick S is inserted. For example, the heater 18 is tubular with a hollow interior. The heater 18 may be positioned around the insertion space. The heater 18 may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The heater 18 can heat the insertion space or the stick S inserted into the insertion space. The heater 18 includes an electrical resistance heater and / or an induction heater.

[0034] In one example, referring to Figure 1, the heater 18 is also a resistive heater. For example, the heater 18 includes a conductive track, and the heater 18 is heated by the flow of current through the conductive track. The heater 18 may be electrically connected to a battery 11. The heater 18 may be directly heated by current supplied from the battery 11. The heater 18 may be a hollow heater positioned to cover at least a portion of the stick S inserted into the insertion space and heat the outside of the inserted stick S, or it may be a needle-shaped, rod-shaped, tubular, or other shaped heater that can be inserted inside the stick S inserted into the insertion space and heat the inside.

[0035] In another example, referring to Figure 2, the heater 18 is also an induction heater. For example, the aerosol generator 1 includes an induction coil 181 surrounding the heater 18. The induction coil 181 can cause the heater 18 to generate heat. The heater 18 is a susceptor, and the heater 18 can be heated by a magnetic field generated by an AC current flowing through the induction coil 181. The magnetic field penetrates the heater 18, generating eddy currents within the heater 18. The current generates heat in the heater 18.

[0036] On the other hand, a susceptor is included inside the stick S, and the susceptor inside the stick S may be heated by the magnetic field generated by the AC current flowing through the induction coil 181.

[0037] The battery 11 can supply power to the components of the aerosol generator 1 so that they can operate. The battery 11 can supply power to at least one of the control unit 12, the sensor unit 13, and the heater 18. If the aerosol generator 1 includes an induction coil 181, the battery 11 can supply power to the induction coil 181.

[0038] The control unit 12 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator 1. The control unit 12 may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The control unit 12 can control the operation of at least one of the battery 11 and the sensor unit 13. The control unit 12 can control the operation of the induction coil 181. The control unit 12 can control the operation of the display, motor, and other components provided in the aerosol generator 1. The control unit 12 can check the state of each component of the aerosol generator 1 and determine whether the aerosol generator 1 is in an operational state.

[0039] The control unit 12 can analyze the results sensed by the sensor unit 13 and control subsequent processing. For example, based on the results sensed by the sensor unit 13, the control unit 12 can control the power supplied to the heater 18 so that the heater 18 starts or stops operating. For example, based on the results sensed by the sensor unit 13, the control unit 12 can control the amount of power supplied to the heater 18 and the power supply time so that the heater 18 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintains an appropriate temperature.

[0040] The sensor unit 13 includes at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, and an insertion sensing sensor. For example, the sensor unit 13 can sense at least one of the following: the temperature of the heater 18, the temperature of the battery 11, and the internal and external temperatures of the main unit 10. For example, the sensor unit 13 can sense the user's puff. For example, the sensor unit 13 can sense whether or not the stick S has been inserted into the insertion space.

[0041] Figure 3 is a drawing showing an aerosol generating apparatus according to yet another embodiment, and Figure 4 is a drawing showing an aerosol generating apparatus according to yet another embodiment.

[0042] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, an aerosol generator 1 according to another embodiment includes at least one of a battery 11, a control unit 12, a sensor unit 13, a heater 18, and a cartridge 19. At least one of the battery 11, the control unit 12, the sensor unit 13, and the heater 18 may be located inside the main body 10 of the aerosol generator. The main body 10 can provide an upwardly open space into which a stick S, which is an aerosol product (or "aerosol generating substance"), can be inserted. The upwardly open space is also referred to as the insertion space. The insertion space is formed by recessing inward to a predetermined depth so that at least a portion of the stick S can be inserted. The depth of the insertion space corresponds to the length of the region in the stick S that contains the aerosol generating substance and / or medium. The lower end of the stick S is inserted into the main body 10, and the upper end of the stick S protrudes outward from the main body 10. The user can inhale air by putting the exposed upper end of the stick S into their mouth.

[0043] The heater 18 can heat the stick S. The heater 18 may extend upward around the space into which the stick S is inserted. For example, the heater 18 is tubular with a hollow interior. The heater 18 may be positioned around the insertion space. The heater 18 may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The heater 18 can heat the insertion space or the stick S inserted into the insertion space. The heater 18 includes an electrical resistance heater and / or an induction heater.

[0044] In one example, the heater 18 is also a resistive heater. For instance, the heater 18 includes a conductive track, and the heater 18 is heated by the flow of current through the conductive track. The heater 18 may be electrically connected to a battery 11. The heater 18 may be directly heated by current supplied from the battery 11.

[0045] In another example, the aerosol generator 1 includes an induction coil surrounding a heater 18. The induction coil can cause the heater 18 to generate heat. The heater 18 is a susceptor, and the heater 18 can be heated by a magnetic field generated by an AC current flowing through the induction coil. The magnetic field penetrates the heater 18 and generates eddy currents within the heater 18. The current generates heat in the heater 18.

[0046] On the other hand, a susceptor is included inside the stick S, and the susceptor inside the stick S may be heated by the magnetic field generated by the AC current flowing through the induction coil.

[0047] Cartridge 19 contains an aerosol-generating substance that is in one of the following states: liquid, solid, gaseous, or gel. The aerosol-generating substance may include a liquid composition. 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.

[0048] The cartridge 19 is either integrally formed with the main body 10 or detachably attached to the main body 10.

[0049] Referring to Figure 3, in one example, the cartridge 19 is integrally formed with the main body 10 and can communicate with the insertion space through the airflow channel CN.

[0050] Referring to Figure 4, in another example, a space is formed on one side of the main body 10, and at least a portion of the cartridge 19 is inserted into the space formed on one side of the main body 10, thereby mounting the cartridge 19 to the main body 10. The airflow channel CN ​​is defined by a portion of the cartridge and / or a portion of the main body 10, and the cartridge 19 can communicate with the insertion space through the airflow channel CN.

[0051] The main unit 10 may be constructed in such a way that outside air flows into the main unit 10 when the cartridge 19 is inserted. In this case, the outside air that flows into the main unit 10 can pass through the cartridge 19 and flow into the user's mouth.

[0052] The cartridge 19 includes a storage section C0 containing an aerosol-generating substance and / or a heater 24 for heating the aerosol-generating substance in the storage section C0. A liquid transfer means impregnated with (containing) the aerosol-generating substance is disposed inside the storage section C0. Here, the liquid transfer means includes a wick such as cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, or porous ceramic. The conductive track of the heater 24 may be formed as a coiled structure that winds the liquid transfer means, or as a structure that contacts one side of the liquid transfer means. The heater 24 is also referred to as the cartridge heater 24.

[0053] Cartridge 19 can generate an aerosol. The liquid transfer means is heated by the cartridge heater 24, generating an aerosol. The stick S is heated by the heater 18, generating an aerosol. As the aerosol generated by the cartridge heater 24 and heater 18 passes through the stick S, tobacco substances are added to the aerosol, and the aerosol with added tobacco substances is inhaled into the user's mouth through one end of the stick S.

[0054] The aerosol generator 1 is equipped only with a cartridge heater 24, and the main body 10 is not equipped with a heater 18. In this case, the aerosol generated by the cartridge heater 24 passes through the stick S, is mixed with tobacco substances, and is inhaled into the user's mouth.

[0055] The aerosol generator 1 includes a cap (not shown). The cap is detachably attached to the main body 10 so as to cover at least a portion of the cartridge 19 which is coupled to the main body 10. The stick S is inserted into the main body 10 through the cap.

[0056] The battery 11 can supply power to the components of the aerosol generator. The battery 11 can supply power to at least one of the control unit 12, the sensor unit 13, the cartridge heater 24, and the heater 18. If the aerosol generator 1 includes an induction coil, the battery 11 can supply power to the induction coil.

[0057] The control unit 12 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator. The control unit may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The control unit 12 can control the operation of at least one of the following: the battery 11, the sensor unit 13, the heater 18, and the cartridge 19. The control unit 12 can control the operation of a display, motor, and other components provided in the aerosol generator. The control unit 12 can check the status of each component of the aerosol generator and determine whether the aerosol generator is in an operational state.

[0058] The control unit 12 can analyze the results sensed by the sensor unit 13 and control subsequent processing. For example, based on the results sensed by the sensor unit 13, the control unit 12 can control the power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and / or heater 18 so that the operation of the cartridge heater 24 and / or heater 18 starts or stops. For example, based on the results sensed by the sensor unit 13, the control unit 12 can control the amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and / or heater 18 and the power supply time so that the cartridge heater 24 and / or heater 18 are heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature.

[0059] The sensor unit 13 includes at least one of the following: a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, an insertion sensor, a color sensor, a cartridge sensor, and a cap sensor. For example, the sensor unit 13 can sense at least one of the following: the temperature of the heater 18, the temperature of the battery 11, and the internal and external temperatures of the main unit 10. For example, the sensor unit 13 can sense the user's puff. For example, the sensor unit 13 can sense whether or not the stick S has been inserted into the insertion space. For example, the sensor unit 13 can sense whether or not the cartridge has been installed. For example, the sensor unit 13 can sense whether or not the cap has been installed.

[0060] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an aerosol generating apparatus according to yet another embodiment.

[0061] Referring to Figure 5, another embodiment of the aerosol generator 1 may include a main body 10 and a cartridge 19. The main body 10 may include at least one of a battery 11, a control unit 12, and a sensor unit 13. At least one of the battery 11, the control unit 12, and the sensor unit 13 may be located inside the main body 10. The main body 10 may be fitted with a cartridge 19 containing the aerosol product. The user can inhale the aerosol by putting the mouthpiece provided at one end of the cartridge 19 into their mouth.

[0062] The cartridge 19 contains an aerosol-generating substance in its internal chamber C0 that is in one of the following states: liquid, solid, gaseous, or gel. The aerosol-generating substance may include a liquid composition. 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.

[0063] The cartridge 19 can be detachably attached to the main unit 10. The cartridge 19 can be attached to the main unit 10 by being inserted into the main unit 10.

[0064] The main unit 10 may be configured such that outside air flows into the main unit 10 when the cartridge 19 is inserted. In this case, the outside air that flows into the main unit 10 can pass through the cartridge 19 and flow into the user's mouth through the airflow channel CN.

[0065] The cartridge 19 includes a chamber C0 containing an aerosol-generating material and / or a heater 24 for heating the aerosol-generating material in the chamber C0. A liquid transfer means 25 impregnated with (containing) the aerosol-generating material is disposed inside the chamber C0. Here, the liquid transfer means 25 includes a wick such as cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, or porous ceramic. The conductive track of the heater 24 may be formed as a coiled structure that winds the liquid transfer means 25, or as a structure that contacts one side of the liquid transfer means 25. The heater 24 is also referred to as a cartridge heater.

[0066] Cartridge 19 can generate an aerosol. The aerosol is generated when the liquid transfer means 25 is heated by the cartridge heater 24. The generated aerosol can be inhaled into the user's mouth through the airflow channel CN.

[0067] An airflow channel CN ​​is provided in the cartridge 19. The airflow channel CN ​​can communicate the chamber in which the heater 24 of the cartridge 19 is located with the outside of the cartridge. One end of the airflow channel CN ​​may open into the chamber in which the heater 24 is located, and the other end may communicate with the mouthpiece. For example, referring to Figure 3, the airflow channel CN ​​may extend for a long distance along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 19 from one side of the chamber C0 of the cartridge 19. Although not shown in the drawings, as another example, the airflow channel CN ​​may extend for a long distance along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 19, penetrating the chamber C0 of the cartridge 19.

[0068] The battery 11 can supply power to the components of the aerosol generator 1 so that they can operate. The battery 11 is also referred to as a battery. The battery 11 can supply power to at least one of the control unit 12, the sensor unit 13, and the cartridge heater 24.

[0069] The control unit 12 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator 1. The control unit may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The control unit 12 can control the operation of at least one of the following: the battery 11, the sensor unit 13, and the cartridge 19. The control unit 12 can control the operation of a display, motor, and other components provided in the aerosol generator. The control unit 12 can check the status of each component of the aerosol generator 1 and determine whether the aerosol generator 1 is in an operational state.

[0070] The control unit 12 can analyze the results sensed by the sensor unit 13 and control subsequent processing. For example, based on the results sensed by the sensor unit 13, the control unit 12 can control the power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 so that the operation of the cartridge heater 24 starts or stops. For example, based on the results sensed by the sensor unit 13, the control unit 12 can control the amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and the power supply time so that the cartridge heater 24 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintains an appropriate temperature.

[0071] The sensor unit 13 includes at least one of the following: a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, a cartridge sensing sensor, and a motion sensing sensor. For example, the sensor unit 13 can sense at least one of the following: the temperature of the cartridge heater 24, the temperature of the battery 11, and the internal and external temperatures of the main unit 10. For example, the sensor unit 13 can sense the user's puff. For example, the sensor unit 13 can sense whether a cartridge is installed or not. For example, the sensor unit 13 can sense the movement of the aerosol generator.

[0072] Figure 6 is a front perspective view of an aerosol generator according to one embodiment, and Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the aerosol generator of Figure 6. The aerosol generator 100 in Figures 6 and 7 is an embodiment of the aerosol generator 1 of Figures 1 to 4, and repeated explanations will be omitted below.

[0073] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, an aerosol generator 100 according to one embodiment may include at least one of a battery 140, a processor 150, and a sensor 160. At least one of the battery 140, processor 150, and sensor 160 may be located inside the housing 110 of the aerosol generator 100.

[0074] In this case, the battery 140, processor 150, and sensor 160 are substantially identical or similar to the battery 11, control unit 12, and sensor unit 13 in Figures 1 to 4, and redundant explanations are omitted. Furthermore, although not shown in the drawings, depending on the embodiment, the aerosol generator 100 may further include a cartridge (for example, the cartridge 19 in Figures 3 to 4).

[0075] The housing 110 forms the overall appearance of the aerosol generator 100 and may include an internal space where the components of the aerosol generator 100 are arranged. Although the drawings show only an embodiment in which the housing 110 is formed with a semicircular cross-section overall, the shape of the housing 110 is not limited thereto, and the housing 110 may be formed with a cylindrical shape overall or with a polygonal prism shape.

[0076] The housing 110 may include an upper end surface 110A, a lower end surface 110B opposite to the upper end surface 110A, and a side surface 110C surrounding the space between the upper end surface 110A and the lower end surface 110B.

[0077] Referring to Figure 6, the housing 110 may have an insertion space 112 formed inside. The insertion space 112 may be formed in the upper part of the housing 110. The insertion space 112 may open upwards (for example, in the z direction in Figure 6). The insertion space 112 may have a cylindrical shape that is elongated vertically. At least a portion of the aerosol-generating material M may be inserted into the housing 110 through the upper opening 110h of the insertion space 112. In this case, the aerosol-generating material M is cigarette-shaped, such as the stick S in Figures 1 and 2, but the shape of the aerosol-generating material M is not limited to this.

[0078] The heater 200 (for example, heater 18 in Figures 1 and 2) can surround at least a portion of the outside of the insertion space 112. The heater 200 can extend vertically along the insertion space 112. For example, the heater 200 is a cylindrical electrical resistive heater surrounding at least a portion of the insertion space 112. For example, the heater 200 may include a cylindrical susceptor surrounding at least a portion of the insertion space 112 and an induction coil surrounding the susceptor. The heater 200 can heat the outside of the aerosol-generating material M contained in the insertion space 112.

[0079] Aerosols are generated when vaporized particles produced by heating the aerosol-generating material M are mixed with air. The generated aerosols can be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generator 100 either by passing through the aerosol-generating material M or through the space between the aerosol-generating material M and the insertion space 112. For example, an air inlet 300i can be formed on the first main body surface 110A of the housing 110 through which outside air flows into the housing 110. The air that flows into the housing 110 through the air inlet 300i moves towards the aerosol-generating material M along an airflow passage (not shown) and then mixes with vaporized particles produced by heating the aerosol-generating material M to generate aerosols.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generator 100 may further include a display 130. The display 130 may be located on at least a portion of the side surface 110C of the housing 110. At least a portion of the display 130 may be exposed to the outside of the housing 110.

[0081] The display 130 can provide the user with a variety of visual information. The display 130 may include a display panel and / or a touch panel. The display 130 may include cover glass.

[0082] The cover glass, together with the housing 110, can form the appearance of the aerosol generator 100. The cover glass may come into contact with a part of the user's body. The cover glass can protect the display panel and / or touch panel from external impacts.

[0083] The display panel may be positioned in a direction toward the inside of the housing 110 from the cover glass. The display panel may be positioned parallel to the cover glass.

[0084] A touch panel can detect touches corresponding to contact with objects. For example, a touch panel can detect touches corresponding to contact with a part of the user's body. A touch panel can receive user input.

[0085] A cover 114 is provided on the upper end surface 110A of the housing 110. The cover 114 has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the opening 110h of the housing 110. For example, the opening 110h of the housing 110 is circular, and the cover 114 is circular, with a diameter larger than that of the opening 110h.

[0086] The cover 114 may be movably connected to a guide 113 formed on the upper end surface 110A of the housing 110. The cover 114 can move along the guide 113. For example, the guide 113 may be a groove formed on one surface of the housing 110, and the cover 114 may include a projection that slides while inserted into the groove of the housing 110. For example, the guide 113 may be a projection protruding from one surface of the housing 110, and the cover 114 may have a groove into which the projection is inserted and slide along the projection.

[0087] The cover 114 can open and close the opening 110h of the housing 110 by moving along the guide 113. For example, the cover 114 can close the opening 110h in a first position and open the opening 110h in a second position. The cover 114 can be moved passively by the user. Alternatively, the aerosol generator 100 may be equipped with a drive mechanism, and the cover 114 can be moved by the drive mechanism.

[0088] The housing 110 may include a connecting terminal (not shown). The connecting terminal may include a connector to which the aerosol generator 100 is physically connected to an external electronic device. For example, the connecting terminal may include at least one of the following, or a combination thereof: an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

[0089] In the following, the components of the aerosol generator 100, which are arranged inside the housing 110, will be described in detail with reference to Figures 8A and 8B.

[0090] Figure 8A is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generator according to one embodiment, and Figure 8B is a top view of the aerosol generator of Figure 8A. Figure 8A shows a cross-section of the aerosol generator 100 of Figures 6 and 7 cut along the yz plane according to one embodiment, and Figure 8B shows a view of the aerosol generator 100 of Figures 6 and 7 from above in the z direction.

[0091] Referring to Figures 8A and 8B, an aerosol generator 100 according to one embodiment may include a housing 110, a battery 140, a processor 150, a heater 200, an airflow passage 300, and a pressure sensor 400. The components of the aerosol generator 100 according to one embodiment are identical or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generator 100 shown in Figures 6 and 7. The components of the aerosol generator 100 are not limited to the configuration shown, and depending on the embodiment, the aerosol generator 100 may further include other components not shown (for example, the cartridge 19 in Figures 3 and 4).

[0092] The housing 110 forms the overall exterior of the aerosol generator 100, and an internal space may be formed inside the housing 110 where components of the aerosol generator 100 are arranged. For example, a heater 200, an airflow passage 300, a pressure sensor 400 and / or a shielding member 500 may be arranged inside the internal space of the housing 110, but are not limited to these.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the housing 110 includes an opening 110h, and at least a portion of the aerosol-generating material M can be inserted into or contained within the housing 110 through the opening 110h. The drawings show an embodiment in which the opening 110h is formed in a region of the housing 110 in the z-direction, but the arrangement of the opening 110h is not limited to the shown embodiment.

[0094] The battery 140 can supply the power necessary to operate the aerosol generator 100. For example, the battery 140 can supply power to the heater 200 to heat the heater. As another example, the battery 140 may supply the power necessary to operate the processor 150 or the pressure sensor 400.

[0095] The processor 150 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator 100. According to one embodiment, the processor 150 may be located on or mounted on a printed circuit board (not shown) located in the internal space of the housing 110 and may be electrically or operationally connected to the heater 200 and / or pressure sensor 400 through an electrical connecting member (e.g., a cable, C-clip, FPCB, etc.) that connects the printed circuit board to the heater 200 and / or pressure sensor 400. In the present invention, the expression "operatively connected" means a state in which components are connected to exchange signals wirelessly or to exchange optical signals and / or magnetic signals, etc., and this expression may be used with the same meaning below.

[0096] For example, the processor 150 can be electrically or operationally connected to the heater of the heater 200 and can control the operation of the heater 200.

[0097] As another example, the processor 150 is electrically or operationally connected to the pressure sensor 400 and can detect a user's puff action based on the pressure change in the airflow passage 300 detected by the pressure sensor 400. For example, the processor 150 can determine that a user's puff action has occurred if the amount of pressure change in the airflow passage 300 detected through the pressure sensor 400 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. In this invention, "predetermined value" means the amount of pressure change that serves as a criterion for detecting whether or not a puff has occurred. For example, a situation in which a pressure change is detected occurs due to noise generated from the pressure sensor 400 itself or noise generated during the transmission of data from the pressure sensor 400 to the processor 150, so the aerosol generator 100 can determine that a puff action has occurred only if the amount of pressure change in the airflow passage 300 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

[0098] The heater 200 is located in the internal space of the housing 110 and can heat the aerosol-generating material M inserted or contained in the insertion space 112 of the housing 110 through the opening 110h, thereby generating an aerosol. For example, the heater 200 generates heat when power is supplied, heating the aerosol-generating material M inserted or contained in the insertion space 112, and the vaporized particles generated by heating the aerosol-generating material M can be mixed with air to generate an aerosol.

[0099] For example, the heater of heater 200 may include an induction heater. For instance, the heater may include a coil (e.g., induction coil 181 in Figure 2) that generates an alternating magnetic field when power is supplied, and a susceptor (e.g., heater 18 in Figure 2) that generates heat due to the alternating magnetic field generated from the coil. The susceptor is positioned to cover at least a portion of the outer surface of the aerosol-generating material M inserted inside the housing 110, and can heat the inserted aerosol-generating material M.

[0100] As another example, the heater of heater 200 may include an electrical resistive heater. For example, the heater may include a film heater positioned to cover at least a portion of the outer surface of the aerosol-generating material M inserted inside the housing 110. The film heater includes a conductive track, and when an electric current flows through the conductive track, the film heater generates heat, which can heat the aerosol-generating material M inserted into the housing 110.

[0101] As yet another example, the heater 200 may include at least one of a needle-shaped heater, a rod-shaped heater, and a tubular heater that heats the inside of the aerosol-generating material M inserted into the housing 110. The aforementioned heaters can be inserted, for example, into at least one region of the aerosol-generating material M and heat the inside of the aerosol-generating material M.

[0102] The type of heater 200 is not limited to the embodiments described above. The aerosol generating device 100 may include other types of heater 200 besides those described above, depending on the embodiment, as long as the aerosol generating substance M is heated to a predetermined temperature.

[0103] In the present invention, "predetermined temperature" means the temperature at which the aerosol generating substance M is heated and vaporized particles are produced from the aerosol generating substance M. The predetermined temperature is a temperature already set in the aerosol generating device 100, but this temperature may be changed depending on the type of aerosol generating device 100 and / or user operation.

[0104] The airflow passage 300 can connect the internal space of the housing 110 to the outside of the aerosol generator 100. The housing 110 may include an air inlet 300i through which outside air flows into the interior of the housing 110 and an air outlet 300e through which the air that has flowed into the interior of the housing 110 moves to the insertion space 112.

[0105] The airflow passage 300 is arranged inside the housing 110 to connect an air inlet 300i and an air outlet 300e, and outside air flowing in through the air inlet 300i can travel along the airflow passage 300 and then flow into the insertion space 112 through the air outlet 300e. For example, the air inlet 300i is formed on the upper end surface 110A of the housing 110 facing the z direction, but the shape of the air inlet 300i is not limited thereto.

[0106] Due to the aforementioned arrangement structure of the airflow passage 300, the aerosol-generating substance M inserted into or contained in the air inlet 300i and the insertion space 112 are fluidly connected or fluidly coupled, and outside air can move along the airflow passage 300 toward the aerosol-generating substance M and flow into the aerosol-generating substance M.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the airflow passage 300 is formed in a "U" shape in a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generator 100, as shown in Figure 8A, but the shape of the airflow passage 300 is not limited to this. Depending on the embodiment, the airflow passage 300 may be formed in a straight line or in an "L" shape in a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generator 100.

[0108] The pressure sensor 400 (for example, sensor 160 in Figure 7) is positioned in the internal space of the housing 110 so as to be fluidly connected to or in fluid communication with the airflow passage 300, and can detect pressure changes in the airflow passage 300. For example, the pressure sensor 400 is housed inside a sensor housing chamber 400a adjacent to the air inlet 300i and connected to the airflow passage 300, and can detect pressure changes in the airflow passage 300 adjacent to the pressure sensor 400 or the sensor housing chamber 400a.

[0109] When a user performs a puffing motion, the pressure inside the airflow passage 300 changes, and the pressure sensor 400 can detect this pressure change in the airflow passage 300. The data on the amount of pressure change in the airflow passage 300 detected by the pressure sensor 400 is transmitted to the processor 150, and the processor 150 can detect whether or not a user has performed a puffing motion based on the transmitted amount of pressure change in the airflow passage 300.

[0110] Referring to Figure 8B, in one embodiment of the aerosol generator 100, in order to improve the precision of puff detection, the pressure sensor 400 may be arranged alternately with the air inlet 300i when viewed from above on the upper end surface 110A or in the z direction of the aerosol generator 100.

[0111] For example, the pressure sensor 400 can be positioned alternately with the air inlet 300i by being located at a position deviating from the vertical extension line V and the horizontal extension line H that cross the air inlet 300i when viewed from the upper end surface 110A of the aerosol generator 100. For example, the pressure sensor 400 can be positioned alternately with the air inlet 300i by being located on a virtual extension line EL that forms a first angle α with the horizontal extension line H of the air inlet 300i and a second angle 90°-α with the vertical extension line V of the air inlet 300i when viewed from the upper end surface 110A of the aerosol generator 100. In this invention, "vertical extension line V" and "horizontal extension line H" mean extension lines that cross the center of the air inlet 300i and are perpendicular to each other, and this expression can be used with the same meaning below.

[0112] When the pressure sensor 400 is positioned on a virtual extension line EL that forms an angle of approximately 35° to approximately 55° with the horizontal extension line H of the air inlet 300i, the amount of change in air velocity around the pressure sensor 400 increases compared to when the pressure sensor 400 is positioned in other locations (for example, on a virtual extension line EL that forms an angle of less than approximately 35° or more than approximately 55° with the horizontal extension line H). An aerosol generator 100 according to one embodiment can maximize the amount of change in air velocity around the pressure sensor 400 through a structure in which the pressure sensor 400 is positioned on a virtual extension line EL that forms an angle of approximately 35° to approximately 55° with the horizontal extension line H of the air inlet 300i.

[0113] When the pressure sensor 400 is viewed from the upper end surface 110A of the aerosol generator 100, and is positioned on the vertical extension line V or the horizontal extension line H of the air inlet 300i and connected to the airflow passage 300, the difference between the airflow velocity of the air flowing into the air inlet 300i and the airflow velocity around the pressure sensor 400 is not large.

[0114] According to Bernoulli's theorem, the greater the difference in air velocity, the greater the pressure difference. However, if the pressure sensor 400 is positioned on the vertical extension line V or the horizontal extension line H of the air inlet 300i, the amount of pressure change around the pressure sensor 400 will be small even when a user performs a puffing motion. In this case, the aerosol generator 100 may mistakenly interpret the pressure change detected by the pressure sensor 400 as a pressure change due to noise, resulting in a situation where the aerosol generator 100 cannot detect the puffing motion despite it occurring. For example, even though a user performs a puffing motion, the pressure change detected by the pressure sensor 400 is less than a predetermined value, leading the aerosol generator 100 to mistakenly conclude that no puffing motion occurred.

[0115] On the other hand, in the aerosol generating device 100 according to one embodiment, the precision of puff detection can be improved by increasing the amount of pressure change around the pressure sensor 400 when a user generates a puff, through a structure in which the air inlet 300i and the pressure sensor 400 are arranged alternately when viewed from the upper end surface 110A.

[0116] When air inlets 300i and pressure sensors 400 are arranged alternately, the air velocity can change significantly as the outside air flowing in through the air inlets 300i moves to the pressure sensors 400. For example, as the air flowing into the air inlets 300i reaches the air inlets 300i and the alternating pressure sensors 400, the air velocity can decrease, and the amount of change in air velocity can increase.

[0117] In other words, when the air inlets 300i and pressure sensors 400 are arranged alternately, the rate of change in air velocity increases compared to when the pressure sensors 400 are arranged on the vertical extension line V or the horizontal extension line H of the air inlets 300i, and according to Bernoulli's theorem, the rate of change in pressure around the pressure sensors 400 also increases.

[0118] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 has a structure in which air inlets 300i and pressure sensors 400 are arranged alternately. By ensuring that the amount of pressure change around the pressure sensor 400 due to the user's puffing action exceeds a predetermined value, the device can precisely detect whether or not a puffing action has occurred without misinterpreting the pressure change due to the user's puffing action as a pressure change due to noise.

[0119] Figure 9 is a drawing showing a cross-section and a partial upper surface of an aerosol generator according to another embodiment. Figure 9 is a drawing showing a cross-section of the aerosol generator 100 of Figures 6 and 7 cut along the yz plane, and an enlarged view of the area around the air inlet 300i and pressure sensor 400 on the upper end surface 110A of the aerosol generator 100 according to another embodiment.

[0120] Referring to Figure 9, the aerosol generator 100 according to other embodiments may include a housing 110, a battery 140, a processor 150, a heater 200, an airflow passage 300, and a pressure sensor 400. The aerosol generator 100 according to other embodiments is the aerosol generator 100 of Figures 8A to 8B, with only the shape of the airflow passage 300 and the arrangement of the pressure sensor 400 being changed, and redundant explanations will be omitted below.

[0121] The airflow passage 300 is located inside the housing 110 and connects the air inlet 300i to the aerosol-generating substance M inserted into the insertion space 112 of the housing 110. The pressure sensor 400 is connected to the airflow passage 300 and can detect pressure changes in the airflow passage 300.

[0122] According to one embodiment, the airflow passage 300 may include a first airflow passage 310, one end of which is connected to an air inlet 300i and the other end of which is connected to an air outlet 300e (for example, the air outlet 300e in Figure 8A), and a second airflow passage 320 that branches off from a point in the first airflow passage 310 and connects the first airflow passage 310 to the sensor housing chamber 400a.

[0123] At least a portion of the outside air flowing in through the air inlet 300i can move along the first airflow passage 310 toward the aerosol-generating substance M, and the other portion of the outside air can move along the second airflow passage 320 toward the pressure sensor 400. For example, a sensor housing chamber 400a is formed in a region adjacent to the second airflow passage 320 inside the housing 110 and is connected to or in fluid communication with the second airflow passage 320, so that air flowing into the second airflow passage 320 can flow along the second airflow passage 320 toward the pressure sensor 400 located inside the sensor housing chamber 400a.

[0124] According to one embodiment, the first airflow passage 310 may include a first portion 311, one end of which is connected to an air inlet 300i and extends along a first direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing 110 (e.g., the z direction), and a second portion 312, one end of which is connected to the other end of the first portion 311 and the other end of which is connected to an air outlet 300e, extending along a second direction (e.g., the -y direction) that crosses the first direction, and one end of which is connected to the other end of the first portion 311 and the other end of which is connected to an air outlet 300e. Although only embodiments in which the first and second directions are orthogonal are shown in the drawings, the angle between the first and second directions is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.

[0125] The second airflow passage 320 extends from a point in the first portion 311 of the first airflow passage 310 along a third direction (e.g., the y-direction) that is opposite to the second direction, and can connect the first airflow passage 310 with the pressure sensor 400 housed inside the sensor housing chamber 400a.

[0126] As the air that flows into the first airflow passage 310 through the air inlet 300i is branched into the second airflow passage 320 and flows toward the pressure sensor 400, the air velocity changes, and according to Bernoulli's theorem, the amount of pressure change around the pressure sensor 400 can also increase.

[0127] In another embodiment, the aerosol generator 100 can prevent misinterpretation of pressure changes caused by the user's puffing motion as pressure changes caused by noise by increasing the amount of pressure change around the pressure sensor 400 caused by the user's puffing motion through a structure in which the pressure sensor 400 is connected to a second airflow passage 320 that branches off from the first airflow passage 310.

[0128] Furthermore, in other embodiments of the aerosol generator 100, the pressure sensor 400 is connected to a second airflow passage 320 branched from the first airflow passage 310, and at the same time, the precision of puff detection can be improved through a structure in which the pressure sensor 400 is arranged alternately with the air inlet 300i when viewed from the upper end surface 110A of the aerosol generator 100.

[0129] According to one embodiment, the pressure sensor 400 may be positioned in a location within the sensor housing chamber 400a that deviates from the vertical extension line V and the horizontal extension line H that cross the air inlet 300i, when viewed from the upper end surface 110A of the aerosol generator 100. For example, the pressure sensor 400 is positioned alternately with the air inlet 300i by being located on a virtual extension line EL that forms a first angle β with the horizontal extension line H of the air inlet 300i and a second angle 90°-β with the vertical extension line V of the air inlet 300i, when viewed from the upper end surface 110A of the aerosol generator 100.

[0130] As the air flowing into the first airflow passage 310 through the air inlet 300i is branched into the second airflow passage 320, the air velocity changes firstly, and as the air flowing into the second airflow passage 320 moves toward the pressure sensors 400 which are alternately arranged with the air inlet 300i, the air velocity can change secondly. In other embodiments of the aerosol generator 100, through the aforementioned structure, the difference in air velocity between the air around the air inlet 300i and the air around the pressure sensor 400 can be increased, and as the difference in air velocity increases, according to Bernoulli's theorem, the amount of pressure change around the pressure sensor 400 can also increase (scale up) when a user's puffing action occurs. As a result, in other embodiments of the aerosol generator 100, the pressure change due to a user's puffing action can not be mistaken for a pressure change due to noise, and the presence or absence of a puffing action can be precisely detected.

[0131] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generator according to yet another embodiment. Figure 10 is a cross-section of the aerosol generator 100 cut along the yz plane and an enlarged view of the area around the air inlet 300i and the pressure sensor 400 on the upper end surface 110A of the aerosol generator 100.

[0132] Referring to Figure 10, an aerosol generator 100 according to another embodiment may include a housing 110, a storage tank 120, a battery 140, a processor 150, an airflow passage 300, and a pressure sensor 400.

[0133] The housing 110 forms the overall exterior of the aerosol generator 100, and an internal space may be formed inside the housing 110 where the components of the aerosol generator 100 are arranged. For example, the internal space of the housing 110 may contain, but is not limited to, a storage tank 120, a heater 200, an airflow passage 300, a pressure sensor 400, and / or a shielding member 500.

[0134] According to one embodiment, the housing 110 may include a mouthpiece 110m. Aerosol generated from inside the housing 110 is discharged to the outside of the housing 110 through the mouthpiece 110m, and the user can inhale the aerosol discharged to the outside of the housing 110 by bringing their mouth into contact with the mouthpiece 110m.

[0135] The storage tank 120 is located in the internal space of the housing 110, and a liquid aerosol-generating substance M can be stored in the storage tank 120. For example, the aerosol-generating substance M may include a tobacco-containing substance containing volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid composition containing non-tobacco substances.

[0136] According to one embodiment, the liquid composition may contain any one of the following components, or a mixture thereof: water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, fragrance, flavoring agent, and vitamin mixture. The fragrance may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit fragrance components. The flavoring agent may include components that can provide the user with a variety of flavors or aromas. The vitamin mixture may also be, but is not limited to, a mixture of at least one of vitamins A, B, C, and E. The liquid composition may also contain aerosol-forming agents such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0137] For example, the liquid composition may include a glycerin and propylene glycol solution in any weight ratio to which a nicotine salt has been added. The liquid composition may contain two or more nicotine salts. The nicotine salt can be formed by adding a suitable acid, including an organic or inorganic acid, to nicotine. The nicotine may be naturally occurring or synthetic nicotine, and may be present in any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

[0138] The acid for forming the nicotine salt can be appropriately selected considering the rate of nicotine absorption in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generator 1000, flavor or aroma, solubility, etc. For example, the acid for forming the nicotine salt may be a single acid selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid, or malic acid, or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but is not limited to these.

[0139] An outlet 120e is formed in a region of the storage tank 120 facing the heater 200, and the aerosol-generating substance M stored inside the storage tank 120 can be supplied to the heater 200 through the outlet 120e. For example, the aerosol-generating substance M stored inside the storage tank 120 may pass through the outlet 120e by gravity and then be supplied to the heater 200, but is not limited to this.

[0140] The heater 200 is located in the internal space of the housing 110 and can generate aerosols by heating the aerosol-generating material M supplied from the storage tank 120. For example, the heater 200 is positioned corresponding to the outlet 120e of the storage tank 120 and includes, but is not limited to, a wick 210 for absorbing the aerosol-generating material M supplied from the storage tank 120 and a heating element 220 for heating the aerosol-generating material M absorbed by the wick 210. In other examples, the heater 200 may include a mesh heater.

[0141] When the aerosol-generating substance M is heated by the heater 200, vaporized particles are generated and mixed with air to form an aerosol. The generated aerosol then moves along an aerosol discharge passage (not shown) toward the mouthpiece 110m, and can be discharged to the outside of the housing 110 through the mouthpiece 110m.

[0142] The airflow passage 300 can connect the internal space of the housing 110 to the outside of the aerosol generator 100. For example, the airflow passage 300 may be arranged to fluidly connect or communicate with an air inlet 300i through which outside air flows into the interior of the housing 110 and the heater 200.

[0143] Due to the aforementioned arrangement structure of the airflow passage 300, the air inlet 300i and the aerosol-generating substance M absorbed by the core 210 are fluidly connected or fluidly linked, and the outside air flowing in through the air inlet 300i can reach the aerosol-generating substance M absorbed by the core 210 along the airflow passage 300. At this time, the air that reaches the aerosol-generating substance M is mixed with vaporized particles generated by the heating of the aerosol-generating substance M, thereby generating an aerosol around the heater 200. The generated aerosol is discharged to the outside of the aerosol generator 100 through an aerosol passage (not shown) connecting the area around the heater 200 and the mouthpiece 110m, and the user can inhale the discharged aerosol.

[0144] The pressure sensor 400 is positioned within the internal space of the housing 110 so as to be fluidly connected to or in fluid communication with the airflow passage 300, and can detect pressure changes in the airflow passage 300. For example, the pressure sensor 400 is housed inside a sensor housing chamber 400a adjacent to the air inlet 300i and connected to the airflow passage 300, and can detect pressure changes in the airflow passage 300 adjacent to the pressure sensor 400 or the sensor housing chamber 400a.

[0145] When a user performs a puffing motion, the pressure inside the airflow passage 300 changes, and the pressure sensor 400 can detect this pressure change in the airflow passage 300. The data on the amount of pressure change in the airflow passage 300 detected by the pressure sensor 400 is transmitted to the processor 150, and the processor 150 can detect whether or not a user has performed a puffing motion based on the transmitted amount of pressure change in the airflow passage 300.

[0146] Furthermore, in other embodiments of the aerosol generator 100, the pressure sensor 400 may be arranged alternately with the air inlet 300i when viewed from the upper end surface 110A of the aerosol generator 100.

[0147] For example, the pressure sensor 400 may be positioned in a location that deviates from the vertical extension line V and the horizontal extension line H that cross the air inlet 300i within the internal space of the sensor housing chamber 400a, when viewed from the upper end surface 110A of the aerosol generator 100. For instance, the pressure sensor 400 may be positioned on a virtual extension line EL that forms a first angle γ with the horizontal extension line H of the air inlet 300i and a second angle 90°-γ with the vertical extension line V of the air inlet 300i, when viewed from the upper end surface 110A of the aerosol generator 100, thereby alternating with the air inlet 300i.

[0148] As the air flowing into the airflow passage 300 through the air inlet 300i moves toward the pressure sensors 400 which are alternately arranged with the air inlet 300i, the airflow velocity can change. Furthermore, in the aerosol generator 100 according to another embodiment, through the aforementioned structure, the difference in airflow velocity between the air around the air inlet 300i and the air around the pressure sensor 400 can be increased. As the difference in airflow velocity increases, according to Bernoulli's theorem, the amount of pressure change around the pressure sensor 400 can also increase when the user performs a puffing motion. As a result, the aerosol generator 100 according to yet another embodiment can accurately detect whether or not a puffing motion has occurred without misinterpreting the pressure change due to the user's puffing motion as a pressure change due to noise.

[0149] Figure 11 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0150] The aerosol generator 1 includes a battery 11, a control unit 12, a sensor unit 13, an output unit 40, an input unit 70, a communication unit 50, a memory 60, and at least one heater 15. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generator 1 is not limited to that shown in Figure 11. That is, a person with ordinary skill in the art according to this embodiment will understand that some of the components shown in Figure 11 may be omitted or new components may be added depending on the design of the aerosol generator 1.

[0151] The sensor unit 13 can sense the state of the aerosol generator 1 or the state of the area around the aerosol generator 1, and transmit the sensed information to the control unit 12. Based on the sensed information, the control unit 12 can control the aerosol generator 1 to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the cartridge heater 24 and / or stick heater 18, restricting smoking, determining whether a stick and / or cartridge is inserted, and displaying notifications.

[0152] The sensor unit 13 includes at least one of the following: a temperature sensor 131, a puff sensor 132, an insertion sensor 133, a reuse sensor 134, a cartridge sensor 135, a cap sensor 136, and a motion sensor 137.

[0153] The temperature sensor 131 can sense the temperature at which the cartridge heater 24 (e.g., heater 24 in Figure 3) and / or the stick heater 18 (e.g., heater 18 in Figures 1 and 2) are heated. The aerosol generator 1 may include a separate temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18, or the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18 themselves may act as temperature sensors.

[0154] The temperature sensor 131 can output a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18. For example, the temperature sensor 131 includes a resistive element whose resistance changes in response to temperature changes in the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18. This is embodied by an element such as a thermistor, which utilizes the property that resistance changes with temperature. In this case, the temperature sensor 131 can output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistive element as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18. For example, the temperature sensor 131 is composed of a sensor that detects the resistance value of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18. In this case, the temperature sensor 131 can output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18 as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18.

[0155] The temperature sensor 131 may be positioned around the battery 11 to monitor its temperature. The temperature sensor 131 may be positioned adjacent to the battery 11. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may be attached to one side of the battery. For example, the temperature sensor 131 may be mounted on one side of a printed circuit board.

[0156] The temperature sensor 131 is located inside the main unit and can sense the internal temperature of the main unit.

[0157] The puff sensor 132 can detect user puffs based on various physical changes in the airflow path. The puff sensor 132 can output a signal corresponding to a puff. For example, the puff sensor 132 is also a pressure sensor. The puff sensor 132 can output a signal corresponding to the internal pressure of the aerosol generator 1. Here, the internal pressure of the aerosol generator 1 corresponds to the pressure of the airflow path through which the gas flows. The puff sensor 132 can be positioned in the aerosol generator 1 corresponding to the airflow path through which the gas flows.

[0158] The insertion sensor 133 can detect the insertion and / or removal of the stick. The insertion sensor 133 can detect the signal change caused by the insertion and / or removal of the stick. The insertion sensor 133 can be installed around the insertion space. The insertion sensor 133 can detect the insertion and / or removal of the stick by the change in dielectric constant inside the insertion space. For example, the insertion sensor 133 is also an inductive sensor and / or a capacitance sensor.

[0159] An inductive sensor includes at least one coil. The coil of the inductive sensor is positioned adjacent to the insertion space. For example, if the magnetic field changes around a coil through which current flows, the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil may change according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. Here, the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil include the frequency of the alternating current, the current value, the voltage value, the inductance value, the impedance value, etc.

[0160] An inductive sensor can output a signal that corresponds to the characteristics of the current flowing through a coil. For example, an inductive sensor can output a signal that corresponds to the inductance value of a coil.

[0161] A capacitance sensor includes a conductor. The conductor of the capacitance sensor is positioned adjacent to the insertion space. The capacitance sensor can output a signal corresponding to the surrounding electromagnetic properties, such as the capacitance around the conductor. For example, if a stick including a metal ferrule is inserted into the insertion space, the ferrule of the stick can alter the electromagnetic properties around the conductor.

[0162] The reuse detection sensor 134 can detect whether the stick has been reused. The reuse detection sensor 134 is also a color sensor. The color sensor can detect the hue of the stick. The color sensor can detect the hue of a portion of the trumpet surrounding the outside of the stick. The color sensor can detect values ​​related to the optical properties corresponding to the hue of an object, based on the light reflected from the object. For example, the optical properties are also the wavelength of light. The color sensor may be implemented as a single configuration with the proximity sensor, or as a separate configuration distinct from the proximity sensor.

[0163] At least a portion of the flaps that make up the stick may change hue due to aerosols. The reuse sensing sensor 134 may be positioned in a location corresponding to where at least a portion of the flaps whose hue changes due to aerosols are located when the stick is inserted into the insertion space. For example, before the stick is used by a user, at least a portion of the flaps has a first hue. In this case, as the aerosol generated by the aerosol generator 1 passes through the stick, at least a portion of the flaps may be wetted by the aerosol, causing at least a portion of the flaps to change to a second hue. On the other hand, at least a portion of the flaps may remain at the second hue after being changed from the first hue to the second hue.

[0164] The cartridge sensing sensor 135 can detect the insertion and / or removal of a cartridge. The cartridge sensing sensor 135 can be implemented as an inductance substrate sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, or a Hall sensor (Hall IC) using the Hall effect.

[0165] The cap detection sensor 136 can detect the attachment and / or removal of the cap. When the cap is separated from the main body, the cartridge and part of the main body that were covered by the cap may be exposed to the outside. The cap detection sensor 136 can be implemented by a contact sensor, a Hall sensor (Hall IC), an optical sensor, or the like.

[0166] The motion sensing sensor 137 can detect the movement of the aerosol generator. The motion sensing sensor 137 is embodied by at least one of an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor.

[0167] In addition to the aforementioned sensors 131 to 137, the sensor unit 13 may further include at least one of the following: a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a position sensor (GPS), and a proximity sensor. The function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred by an average engineer from its name, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0168] The output unit 40 can output and provide to the user information about the status of the aerosol generator 1. The output unit 40 includes, but is not limited to, a display unit 41, a haptic unit 42, and an acoustic output unit 43. When the display unit 41 and the touchpad form a layered structure and constitute a touchscreen, the display unit 41 can be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0169] The display unit 41 (for example, the display 130 in Figure 4) can visually provide the user with information about the aerosol generator 1. For example, information about the aerosol generator 1 can include various types of information such as the charge / discharge status of the battery 11 of the aerosol generator 1, the preheating status of the stick heater 18, the insertion / removal status of the stick and / or cartridge, the attachment / removal status of the cap, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generator 1 is restricted (for example, detection of an abnormal object), and the display unit 41 can output this information to the outside. For example, the display unit 41 can also be in the form of an LED light-emitting element. For example, the display unit 41 can be a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED), etc.

[0170] The haptic unit 42 can convert electrical signals into mechanical or electrical stimuli, providing the user with tactile information about the aerosol generator 1. For example, if initial power is supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and / or stick heater 18 for a set time, the haptic unit 42 generates vibrations corresponding to the completion of initial preheating. The haptic unit 42 may include a vibration motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulator.

[0171] The acoustic output unit 43 can provide the user with auditory information about the aerosol generator 1. For example, the acoustic output unit 43 can convert electrical signals into acoustic signals and output them externally.

[0172] The battery 11 can supply power used to operate the aerosol generator 1. The battery 11 can supply power to heat the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18. The battery 11 can also supply power necessary for the operation of other components within the aerosol generator 1, namely the sensor unit 13, output unit 40, input unit 70, communication unit 50, and memory 60. The battery 11 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 11 is a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited to that.

[0173] Although not shown in Figure 11, the aerosol generator 1 may further include a power protection circuit. The power protection circuit is electrically connected to the battery 11 and may include a switching element.

[0174] The power protection circuit can shut off the circuit to the battery 11 under predetermined conditions. For example, the power protection circuit can shut off the circuit to the battery 11 if the voltage level of the battery 11 is equal to or greater than a first voltage corresponding to overcharging. For example, the power protection circuit can shut off the circuit to the battery 11 if the voltage level of the battery 11 is less than a second voltage corresponding to over-discharge.

[0175] The stick heater 18 can be powered by the battery 11 to heat the medium or aerosol-generating material inside the stick. Although not shown in Figure 11, the aerosol generator 1 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC / DC converter) that converts the power from the battery 11 and supplies it to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18. Also, if the aerosol generator 1 generates aerosols by induction heating, the aerosol generator 1 may further include a DC / AC converter that converts the DC power from the battery 11 to AC power.

[0176] The control unit 12, sensor unit 13, output unit 40, input unit 70, communication unit 50, and memory 60 can function by being powered by the battery 11. Although not shown in Figure 11, a power conversion circuit, such as an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, may be further included to convert the power from the battery 11 and supply it to each component. Also, although not shown in Figure 11, a noise filter may be provided between the battery 11 and the stick heater 18. The noise filter is also a low-pass filter. The low-pass filter may include at least one inductor and a capacitor. The cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter corresponds to the frequency of the high-frequency switching current applied from the battery 11 to the stick heater 18. The low-pass filter prevents high-frequency noise components from being applied to the sensor unit 13, such as the insertion sensing sensor 133.

[0177] In one embodiment, the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18 may consist of any suitable electrical resistant material. Suitable electrical resistant materials include, but are not limited to, metals or metal alloys, such as titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, and nichrome. The stick heater 18 may also be, but is not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate on which conductive tracks are arranged, or a ceramic heating element.

[0178] In other embodiments, the stick heater 18 is also an induction heating type heater. For example, the stick heater 18 may include a susceptor that generates heat via a magnetic field applied by a coil to heat the aerosol-generating material.

[0179] The input unit 70 can receive information input from the user or output information to the user. For example, the input unit 70 is also a touch panel. The touch panel may include at least one touch sensor that detects touch. For example, the touch sensor includes, but is not limited to, a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, an ultrasonic touch sensor (surface acoustic wave touch sensor), or an infrared touch sensor.

[0180] The display unit 41 and the touch panel can be realized as a single panel. For example, the touch panel can be inserted into the display unit 41 (on-cell type or in-cell type). For example, the touch panel can be added on top of the display unit 41 (add-on type).

[0181] On the other hand, the input section 70 includes, but is not limited to, buttons, keypads, dome switches, jog wheels, jog switches, etc.

[0182] Memory 60 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generator 1, and can store data processed by the control unit 12 and data being processed. Memory 60 includes at least one type of recording medium from among flash memory type, hard disk type, multimedia card micro type, card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), RAM (random access memory), SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), PROM (programmable read-only memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk. Memory 60 can store data such as the operating time of the aerosol generator 1, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data related to the user's smoking pattern.

[0183] The communication unit 50 includes at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 50 includes at least one of a short-range communication unit and a wireless communication unit.

[0184] The short-range wireless communication unit includes, but is not limited to, Bluetooth communication units, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication units, Near Field Communication units, WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication units, Zigbee communication units, infrared (IrDA: infrared Data Association) communication units, WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication units, UWB (ultra wideband) communication units, Ant+ communication units, etc.

[0185] The wireless communication unit includes, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN) communication unit.

[0186] Although not shown in Figure 11, the aerosol generator 1 further includes a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and can connect to other external devices via the USB interface to send and receive information or charge the battery 11.

[0187] The control unit 12 (for example, the processor 150 in Figures 6 and 7) can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator 1. In one embodiment, the control unit 12 includes at least one processor. The processor may be embodied as an array of numerous logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable by the microprocessor. It will be understood by those ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs that it may also be embodied by other forms of hardware.

[0188] The control unit 12 can control the temperature of the stick heater 18 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 11 to the stick heater 18. The control unit 12 can control the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18 based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18 sensed by the temperature sensor 131. The control unit 12 can adjust the power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18 based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18. For example, the control unit 12 can determine a target temperature for the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18 based on a temperature profile stored in the memory 60.

[0189] The aerosol generator 1 may include a power supply circuit (not shown) electrically connected to the battery 11 between the battery 11 and the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18. The power supply circuit may be electrically connected to the cartridge heater 24, the stick heater 18, or the induction coil 181. The power supply circuit includes at least one switching element. The switching element is embodied by a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), a field-effect transistor (FET), etc. The control unit 12 can control the power supply circuit.

[0190] The control unit 12 can control the power supply by controlling the switching of the switching elements in the power supply circuit. The power supply circuit is also an inverter that converts the DC power output from the battery 11 into AC power. For example, the inverter is composed of a full-bridge circuit or a half-bridge circuit that includes multiple switching elements.

[0191] The control unit 12 can turn on the switching element so that power is supplied from the battery 11 to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18. The control unit 12 can turn off the switching element so that the power supply to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18 is cut off. The control unit 12 can adjust the current supplied from the battery 11 by adjusting the frequency and / or duty cycle of the current pulse input to the switching element.

[0192] The control unit 12 can control the voltage output from the battery 11 by controlling the switching of the switching elements in the power supply circuit. The power conversion circuit can convert the voltage output from the battery 11. For example, the power conversion circuit includes a buck converter that steps down the voltage output from the battery 11. For example, the power conversion circuit is implemented through a buck boost converter, a Zener diode, etc.

[0193] The control unit 12 can control the on / off operation of the switching element included in the power conversion circuit and adjust the level of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit. When the switching element remains in the on state, the level of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit corresponds to the level of the voltage output from the battery 11. The duty cycle for the on / off operation of the switching element corresponds to the ratio of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit to the voltage output from the battery 11. The lower the duty cycle for the on / off operation of the switching element, the lower the level of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit may be. The stick heater 18 can be heated based on the voltage output from the power conversion circuit.

[0194] The control unit 12 can control the supply of power to the stick heater 18 using at least one of the following methods: pulse width modulation (PWM) and proportional-integral-differential (PID).

[0195] For example, the control unit 12 can use a PWM method to control the supply of current pulses having a predetermined frequency and duty cycle to the stick heater 18. The control unit 12 can adjust the frequency and duty cycle of the current pulses to control the power supplied to the stick heater 18.

[0196] For example, the control unit 12 can determine a target temperature for control based on the temperature profile. The control unit 12 can control the power supplied to the stick heater 18 using a PID method, which is a feedback control method that uses the difference between the temperature of the stick heater 18 and the target temperature, the integral of the difference over time, and the derivative of the difference over time.

[0197] The control unit 12 can prevent the cartridge heater 24 and / or stick heater 18 from overheating. For example, the control unit 12 can control the operation of the power conversion circuit so that the power supply to the cartridge heater 24 and / or stick heater 18 is interrupted based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or stick heater 18 exceeding a predetermined limit temperature. For example, the control unit 12 can reduce the amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 and / or stick heater 18 by a certain percentage based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or stick heater 18 exceeding a predetermined limit temperature. For example, the control unit 12 can determine that the aerosol-generating material contained in the cartridge has been exhausted based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 exceeding a limit temperature and cut off the power supply to the cartridge heater 24.

[0198] The control unit 12 can control the charging and discharging of the battery 11. The control unit 12 can check the temperature of the battery 11 based on the output signal of the temperature sensor 131.

[0199] When a power line is connected to the main body electrode of the aerosol generator 1, the control unit 12 can check whether the temperature of the battery 11 is equal to or above a first limiting temperature, which is the criterion for shutting off the charging of the battery 11. If the temperature of the battery 11 is below the first limiting temperature, the control unit 12 can control the battery 11 to be charged based on a predetermined charging current. If the temperature of the battery 11 is equal to or above the first limiting temperature, the control unit 12 can shut off the charging of the battery 11.

[0200] With the aerosol generator 1 powered on, the control unit 12 can check whether the temperature of the battery 11 is above the second limiting temperature, which is the criterion for shutting off the discharge of the battery 11. If the temperature of the battery 11 is below the second limiting temperature, the control unit 12 can control the system to use the power stored in the battery 11. If the temperature of the battery 11 is above the second limiting temperature, the control unit 12 can interrupt the use of the power stored in the battery 11.

[0201] The control unit 12 can calculate the remaining capacity of the battery 11 relative to the power stored in the battery 11. For example, the control unit 12 can calculate the remaining capacity of the battery 11 based on the voltage and / or current sensing values ​​of the battery 11.

[0202] The control unit 12 can determine whether or not a stick is inserted into the insertion space via the insertion sensing sensor 133. Based on the output signal of the insertion sensing sensor 133, the control unit 12 can determine that a stick has been inserted. If it determines that a stick has been inserted into the insertion space, the control unit 12 can control the supply of power to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18. For example, the control unit 12 can supply power to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18 based on a temperature profile stored in the memory 60.

[0203] The control unit 12 can determine whether or not the stick has been removed from the insertion space. For example, the control unit 12 can determine whether or not the stick has been removed from the insertion space through the insertion sensing sensor 133. For example, the control unit 12 can determine that the stick has been removed from the insertion space if the temperature of the stick heater 18 is above a limit temperature, or if the temperature change gradient of the stick heater 18 is above a set gradient. If the control unit 12 determines that the stick has been removed from the insertion space, it can cut off the power supply to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18.

[0204] The control unit 12 can control the power supply time and / or power supply amount to the stick heater 18 based on the state of the stick sensed by the sensor unit 13. The control unit 12 can check the level range that includes the level of the capacitance sensor signal based on a lookup table. The control unit 12 can determine the amount of moisture in the stick based on the checked level range.

[0205] If the stick is in an over-humidified state, the control unit 12 can control the power supply time to the stick heater 18, increasing the preheating time of the stick compared to normal conditions.

[0206] The control unit 12 can determine whether the stick inserted into the insertion space is to be reused through the reuse sensing sensor 134. For example, the control unit 12 can compare the sensing value of the reuse sensing sensor signal with a first reference range that includes a first hue, and if the sensing value falls within the first reference range, it can determine that the stick is not being used. For example, the control unit 12 can compare the sensing value of the reuse sensing sensor signal with a second reference range that includes a second hue, and if the sensing value falls within the second reference range, it can determine that the stick has been used. If it is determined that the stick has been used, the control unit 12 can cut off the power supply to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18.

[0207] The control unit 12 can determine whether to connect and / or remove the cartridge through the cartridge sensing sensor 135. For example, the control unit 12 can determine whether to connect and / or remove the cartridge based on the sensing value of the signal from the cartridge sensing sensor.

[0208] The control unit 12 can determine whether or not the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge has been exhausted. For example, the control unit 12 can preheat the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18 by applying power, and determine whether or not the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 exceeds a limit temperature during the preheating period. If the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 exceeds the limit temperature, the control unit 12 can determine that the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge has been exhausted. If the control unit 12 determines that the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge has been exhausted, it can cut off the power supply to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18.

[0209] The control unit 12 can determine whether or not the cartridge can be used. For example, based on the data stored in the memory 60, the control unit 12 can determine that the cartridge cannot be used if the current number of puffs is greater than or equal to the maximum number of puffs set for the cartridge. For example, the control unit 12 can determine that the cartridge cannot be used if the total time the cartridge heater 24 has been heated is greater than or equal to a predetermined maximum time, or if the total amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater 24 is greater than or equal to a predetermined maximum amount of power.

[0210] The control unit 12 can make decisions regarding the user's inhalation through the puff sensor 132. For example, the control unit 12 can determine whether or not a puff has occurred based on the sensing value of the signal from the puff sensor. For example, the control unit 12 can determine the intensity of the puff based on the sensing value of the signal from the puff sensor 132. If the number of puffs reaches a predetermined maximum number of puffs, or if no puff is detected for a predetermined time or longer, the control unit 12 can cut off the power supply to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18.

[0211] The control unit 12 can determine whether the cap is attached and / or removed via the cap sensing sensor 136. For example, the control unit 12 can determine whether the cap is attached and / or removed based on the sensing value of the signal from the cap sensing sensor.

[0212] The control unit 12 can control the output unit 40 based on the results sensed by the sensor unit 13. For example, if the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 132 reaches a predetermined number, the control unit 12 can notify the user that the aerosol generator 1 will soon shut off through at least one of the display unit 41, the haptic unit 42, and the acoustic output unit 43. For example, the control unit 12 can notify the user through the output unit 40 based on the determination that there is no stick in the insertion space. For example, the control unit 12 can notify the user through the output unit 40 based on the determination that the cartridge and / or cap is not installed. For example, the control unit 12 can transmit information about the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or stick heater 18 to the user through the output unit 40.

[0213] The control unit 12 can save and update a history of events in the memory 60 based on the occurrence of a predetermined event. Events include operations performed by the aerosol generator 1, such as detecting the insertion of a stick, starting the heating of the stick, detecting puffing, ending the puffing, detecting overheating of the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18, detecting the application of overvoltage to the cartridge heater 24 and / or the stick heater 18, ending the heating of the stick, turning the power of the aerosol generator 1 on / off, starting charging of the battery 11, detecting overcharging of the battery 11, and ending the charging of the battery 11. The history of events includes the date and time the event occurred, log data corresponding to the event, etc. For example, if a predetermined event is the detection of stick insertion, the log data corresponding to the event includes data such as the sensing value of the insertion detection sensor 133. For example, if a predetermined event is the detection of overheating in the cartridge heater 24 and / or stick heater 18, the log data corresponding to the event will include data on the temperature of the cartridge heater 24 and / or stick heater 18, the voltage applied to the cartridge heater 24 and / or stick heater 18, and the current flowing through the cartridge heater 24 and / or stick heater 18.

[0214] The control unit 12 can be controlled to form a communication link with an external device, such as a user's mobile terminal. Upon receiving authentication data from the external device via the communication link, the control unit 12 can remove the restriction on the use of at least one function of the aerosol generator 1. Here, the authentication data includes data indicating the completion of user authentication for the user corresponding to the external device. The user can perform user authentication through the external device. The external device can determine whether the user data is valid based on the user's date of birth, a unique number identifying the user, etc., and can receive data regarding the right to use the aerosol generator 1 from an external server. Based on the data regarding the right to use, the external device can transmit data indicating the completion of user authentication to the aerosol generator 1. Once user authentication is complete, the control unit 12 can remove the restriction on the use of at least one function of the aerosol generator 1. For example, once user authentication is complete, the control unit 12 can remove the restriction on the use of the heating function that supplies power to the stick heater 18.

[0215] The control unit 12 can transmit data related to the status of the aerosol generator 1 to the external device via a communication link formed with the external device. Based on the received status data, the external device can output the remaining capacity of the battery 11 of the aerosol generator 1, the operating mode, etc., through the external device's display.

[0216] An external device can transmit a location search request to the aerosol generator 1 based on an input that initiates a location search for the aerosol generator 1. When the control unit 12 receives a location search request from the external device, it can control at least one of the output devices to perform an operation corresponding to the location search based on the received location search request. For example, the haptic unit 42 may generate vibrations in response to the location search request. For example, the display unit 41 may output an object corresponding to the location search and the end of the search in response to the location search request.

[0217] The control unit 12 can control the aerosol generator 1 to perform a firmware update when it receives firmware data from an external device. The external device can check the current firmware version of the aerosol generator 1 and determine whether a new firmware version exists. When the external device receives an input requesting a firmware download, it can receive the new firmware version data and transmit the new firmware version data to the aerosol generator 1. Upon receiving the new firmware version data, the control unit 12 can control the aerosol generator 1 to perform a firmware update.

[0218] The control unit 12 can transmit data relating to the sensing values ​​of at least one sensor unit 13 to an external server (not shown) via the communication unit 50, and can receive and store a learning model generated by learning the sensing values ​​from the server through machine learning such as deep learning. Using the learning model received from the server, the control unit 12 can perform operations such as determining the user's inhalation pattern and generating a temperature profile. The control unit 12 can store sensing value data from at least one sensor unit 13 and data for learning an artificial neural network (ANN) in the memory 60. For example, the memory 60 can store a database relating to each component of the aerosol generator 1, weights and biases that make up the structure of the artificial neural network (ANN), for learning the artificial neural network (ANN). The control unit 12 learns data related to the sensing values ​​of at least one sensor unit 13, the user's inhalation pattern, temperature profile, etc., stored in the memory 60, and can generate at least one learning model used for determining the user's inhalation pattern, generating a temperature profile, etc.

[0219] The aforementioned embodiments of the present invention are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. The aforementioned embodiments of the present invention may be used in combination or in combination with each other, depending on their respective configurations or functions.

[0220] For example, it means that configuration A described in a particular embodiment and / or drawing can be combined with configuration B described in another embodiment and / or drawing. In other words, even if the combination of configurations is not directly described, it means that combination is possible unless it is stated that such combination is impossible.

[0221] The detailed description set forth herein should not be interpreted restrictively in any way, but should be considered illustrative. The scope of the invention shall be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the invention shall be included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. In an aerosol generating device, A housing including an air inlet into which air flows, A heater located inside the housing for heating the aerosol-generating material, An airflow passage is provided, which is arranged to connect the air inlet and the aerosol generating substance, and moves the air flowing in through the air inlet toward the aerosol generating substance. Includes a pressure sensor arranged to be connected to the airflow passage for detecting pressure changes in the airflow passage, The pressure sensor is arranged alternately with the air inlet when viewed from the upper end surface of the aerosol generating device.

2. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is positioned at a location deviating from the vertical extension line and the horizontal extension line crossing the air inlet when viewed from the upper end surface of the aerosol generating apparatus.

3. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pressure sensor is positioned on a virtual extension line that forms a predetermined angle with the vertical extension line and the horizontal extension line when viewed from the upper end surface of the aerosol generating apparatus.

4. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air inlet is located at the upper end of the housing.

5. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pressure sensor is arranged inside the housing adjacent to the air inlet.

6. The aforementioned airflow passage is A first airflow passage connecting the air inlet and the aerosol generating material, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second airflow passage branched from a point in the first airflow passage and connected to the first airflow passage.

7. The first portion of the first airflow passage is connected to the air inlet and extends along a first direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing, The second portion of the first airflow passage extends in a second direction that crosses the first direction, with one end connected to the first portion and the other end connected to the aerosol-generating material. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second airflow passage extends from a point in the first portion in a third direction opposite to the second direction.

8. The system further includes a sensor housing chamber connected to the second airflow passage, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the pressure sensor is disposed inside the sensor housing chamber.

9. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pressure sensor detects a change in pressure in the second airflow passage connected to the sensor housing chamber.

10. The housing further includes an insertion space for accommodating at least a portion of the aerosol-generating material, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heater heats the aerosol generating substance contained in the insertion space.

11. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the air that flows into the air passage through the air inlet passes through the aerosol generating substance contained in the insertion space and is discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating apparatus.

12. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the air inlet is arranged at a distance from the insertion space.

13. The housing further includes a storage tank located inside the housing, in which the aerosol-generating material is stored. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heater heats the aerosol generating substance supplied from the storage tank.

14. The system further includes a processor that is operationally coupled to the pressure sensor, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor detects the user's puffing action based on the pressure change in the airflow passage detected through the pressure sensor.

15. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the processor determines that a user's puffing action has occurred when the amount of pressure change in the airflow passage is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

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