Aerosol generator

Abstract

In one embodiment of the aerosol generating apparatus, after the first susceptor has been extracted from the insertion space, if a second susceptor different from the first susceptor is inserted into the insertion space, the power supply unit is controlled by a pre-set power profile to obtain a calibration reference current corresponding to the calibration reference temperature of the second susceptor, and the temperature of the second susceptor is determined based on the calibration reference temperature and calibration reference current.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device capable of accurately determining the temperature of a replaceable heating unit.

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 an aerosol generating substrate using an aerosol generating device, rather than by burning a cigarette to generate an aerosol.

[0003] Such an aerosol generating device may be arranged such that the heating unit is in direct contact with the aerosol generating substance, such as when the heating unit is inserted inside the aerosol generating substance. Also, when the heating unit is arranged to be in direct contact with the aerosol generating substance, a part of the aerosol generating substance may be deposited on the heating unit as the usage period accumulates. Since such deposits are factors that inhibit the user's taste sensation, the aerosol generating device may have the heating unit arranged to be replaceable.

[0004] However, each of the replaceable heating units may have different optimal control criteria due to manufacturing tolerances and the like. However, the prior art has a problem that it does not calibrate the optimal control criteria for each of the replaceable heating units. Also, even if the prior art calibrates the optimal control criteria, there is a problem that such calibration work operates passively depending on the user's input. Also, when set to automatically perform the calibration work, there is a problem that power consumption increases in that the replacement of the heating unit must be periodically detected.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide an aerosol generating device that can accurately determine the temperature of a replaceable heating element.

[0006] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other technical problems can be inferred from the following examples. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment includes a power supply unit that outputs a DC power supply, a power conversion unit that converts the DC power supply into an AC power supply, an induction coil that generates an alternating magnetic field when supplied with the AC power supply, a first susceptor that is heated by the alternating magnetic field generated by the induction coil and is interchangeably inserted into an insertion space, and a control unit that determines the temperature of the first susceptor based on the DC current output by the power supply unit, wherein after the first susceptor has been removed from the insertion space, a second susceptor different from the first susceptor is inserted into the insertion space, the control unit controls the power supply unit according to a previously set power profile to obtain a calibration reference current corresponding to the calibration reference temperature of the second susceptor, and determines the temperature of the second susceptor based on the calibration reference temperature and the calibration reference current. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The aerosol generating device of the present invention can provide users with a uniform smoking experience by setting optimal control criteria for the replaced susceptor.

[0009] Furthermore, depending on the embodiment, the aerosol generator can automatically perform a calibration mode without user input, thereby minimizing user inconvenience.

[0010] Furthermore, since the susceptor is likely to need replacing when the upper case is separated from the main body, the aerosol generating device of the present invention reduces power consumption by determining whether or not to start the calibration mode depending on whether or not the upper case is separated and reattached.

[0011] Furthermore, the aerosol generator can easily determine through probe DC power whether the susceptor has not been replaced, and if the susceptor has not been replaced, it can terminate the calibration mode early, thereby further reducing power consumption.

[0012] Furthermore, since the replaceable susceptors are manufactured to converge to a specific temperature in response to a specific DC power, the aerosol generator can easily obtain calibration criteria without the need for additional configurations to calibrate the replaceable susceptors.

[0013] Furthermore, since the temperature at which the replaceable susceptor converges in calibration mode is set lower than the Curie temperature, this has the effect of extending the lifespan of the allosol generator.

[0014] Furthermore, the aerosol generator is configured so that the susceptor, which is the heating element, is replaceable, allowing it to provide the user with the optimal flavor profile.

[0015] Furthermore, since the aerosol generator's heating section is composed of an induction coil and a susceptor, the connection between the replaceable susceptor and the electrode is eliminated.

[0016] The effects of the invention are not limited to those exemplified above, and a wider variety of effects are included herein. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a drawing showing an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a drawing showing an aerosol generating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating the coupling relationship of the interchangeable susceptor of the present invention. [Figure 5] An integrally formed upper case sensing section and substrate sensing section according to one embodiment of the present invention are shown. [Figure 6] It is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a drawing for explaining the relationship between the direct current of the power supply unit, the temperature of the susceptor, and the presence or absence of replacement of the susceptor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of an aerosol generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a drawing for explaining a calibration reference temperature according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a drawing for explaining a control method in a calibration mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart for explaining an operation method in a calibration section according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] An aerosol generation device according to one aspect includes a power supply unit that outputs a direct current power supply, a power conversion unit that converts the direct current power supply into an alternating current power supply, an induction coil that generates an alternating magnetic field by being supplied with the alternating current power supply, a first susceptor that generates heat by the alternating magnetic field generated by the induction coil and is inserted into an insertion space in a replaceable manner, and a control unit that determines the temperature of the first susceptor based on the direct current output by the power supply unit. After the first susceptor is extracted from the insertion space, when a second susceptor different from the first susceptor is inserted into the insertion space, the control unit controls the power supply unit according to a preset power profile to obtain a calibration reference current corresponding to the calibration reference temperature of the second susceptor, and determines the temperature of the second susceptor based on the calibration reference temperature and the calibration reference current.

[0019] Further, the aerosol generation device further includes an input unit that receives user input. When the control unit receives the user input from the input unit for a time longer than a preset input time, it determines that it has entered a calibration mode and obtains the calibration reference current corresponding to the calibration reference temperature of the second susceptor.

[0020] Further, the aerosol generating device further includes a memory that stores information related to the DC power output by the power supply unit in each of the first section and the second section continuous with the first section. When the control unit enters the calibration mode, the control unit controls the power supply unit to output first DC power in the first section and second DC power smaller than the first DC power in the second section.

[0021] Further, the power supply unit includes a battery and a DC / DC converter connected to the battery. The control unit controls the DC / DC converter to output the first DC power and the second DC power by adjusting the DC voltage among the DC current and DC voltage output by the DC / DC converter.

[0022] Further, in the calibration mode, the control unit sets the first DC power and the second DC power output by the power supply unit so that the second susceptor converges to the calibration reference temperature.

[0023] <000010​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Furthermore, the control unit determines the temperature of the second susceptor based on the calibrated correspondence.

[0028] The embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the reference numerals used in the drawings, identical or similar components will be given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions of them will be omitted.

[0029] The suffixes "module" and "unit" used in the following description for the constituent elements are given or used interchangeably solely for the sake of ease of specification drafting and do not have any distinct meaning or role in themselves.

[0030] Furthermore, in describing the embodiments disclosed herein, if a specific description of the prior art relating thereto is deemed to obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, such detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are intended solely to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and it should be understood that the accompanying drawings do not limit the technical ideas disclosed herein and include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes that fall within the concept and technical scope of the present invention.

[0031] 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. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0032] When one component is described as being "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 one component is described as being "directly linked" or "directly connected" to another component, it must be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0033] A singular expression includes plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0034] In this invention, the direction of the aerosol generator 1 can be defined with reference to a Cartesian coordinate system. In the Cartesian coordinate system, the x-axis direction can be defined as the left-right direction of the aerosol generator 1. The y-axis direction can be defined as the front-back direction of the aerosol generator 1. The z-axis direction can be defined as the up-down direction of the aerosol generator 1.

[0035] Figure 1 is a drawing showing an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a drawing showing an aerosol generating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an aerosol generating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least one of a power supply unit 101, a control unit 102, a sensing unit 103, and a heating unit 108. At least one of the power supply unit 101, control unit 102, sensing unit 103, and heating unit 108 may be located inside the main body 10 of the aerosol generating device 1. The main body 10 may provide an upper-opening space into which an aerosol generating substrate S, which is an aerosol product, can be inserted. The upper-opening space may be referred to as an insertion space or cavity. The insertion space may be formed by recessing into the main body 10 to a predetermined depth so that at least a portion of the aerosol generating substrate S can be inserted. The depth of the insertion space may correspond to the length of the region in the aerosol generating substrate S that contains the aerosol generating substance and / or medium. The lower end of the aerosol generating substrate S may be inserted into the main body 10, and the upper end of the aerosol generating substrate S may protrude outside the main body 10. The user can inhale air by placing their mouth over the upper end of the aerosol-generating substrate S, which is exposed to the outside. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator 1 further includes a vaporizer (not shown) through which aerosols generated by the vaporizer can be transmitted to the user via the aerosol-generating substrate S. For this purpose, the vaporizer may include a liquid storage section, a liquid transfer means, and an additional heating element.

[0037] The heating section 108 can heat the aerosol-generating substrate S. The heating section 108 may extend upward from the space into which the aerosol-generating substrate S is inserted. For example, the heating section 108 may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element. The heating section 108 may be inserted below the aerosol-generating substrate S. In some embodiments, the heater differs from those in Figures 1 and 2 in that it includes a cylindrical heating element, which can house the aerosol-generating substrate S and heat at least a portion of the outer surface of the aerosol-generating substrate S.

[0038] The heating section 108 may include an electrical resistance heater and / or an induction heater. In this respect, the heating section 108 can be referred to as a heater.

[0039] For example, referring to Figure 1, the heating element 108 is also a resistive heater. For this reason, the heating element 108 includes a conductive track, and the heating element 108 can be heated by current flowing through the conductive track. The heating element 108 can be electrically connected to the power supply unit 101. The heating element 108 can be directly heated by current supplied from the power supply unit 101.

[0040] For example, the heating section 108 is also a multi-heater. The heating section 108 may include a first heater 108A and a second heater 108B. The first and second heaters 108A and 108B may be arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generator 1. The first and second heaters 108A and 108B may be heated sequentially or simultaneously.

[0041] For example, referring to Figure 2, the aerosol generator 1 may include an induction coil 15 surrounding the susceptor 50. The induction coil 15 can generate heat in the susceptor 50. In an example where the heating section 108 of the aerosol generator 1 is an induction heater, the induction coil 15 and the susceptor 50 may be referred to as the heating section 108. In this embodiment, only the susceptor 50 may be referred to as the heating section 108. Also, since the induction coil 15 and the susceptor 50 contribute to heating, they may also be referred to as heaters.

[0042] The susceptor 50 can be heated by a magnetic field generated by the AC current flowing through the induction coil 15. The magnetic field can penetrate the susceptor 50 and generate eddy currents within it. The current can generate heat in the susceptor 50. The susceptor 50 can be a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, but in some embodiments, the susceptor 50 can be cylindrical in shape, housing the aerosol-generating substrate S and heating at least a portion of the outer surface of the aerosol-generating substrate S. In other embodiments, the susceptor 50 is also a component included in the aerosol-generating substrate S, rather than being part of the aerosol-generating device 1.

[0043] The power supply unit 101 can supply power to enable the components of the aerosol generator 1 to operate. The power supply unit 101 can supply power to at least one of the control unit 102, the sensing unit 103, and the heating unit 108.

[0044] The control unit 102 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator 1. The control unit 102 can be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The control unit 102 can control the operation of at least one of the power supply unit 101, sensing unit 103, and heating unit 108. The control unit 102 can control the operation of the induction coil 15. The control unit 102 can control the operation of the display, motor, etc., provided in the aerosol generator 1. The control unit 102 can check the status of each component of the aerosol generator 1 and determine whether the aerosol generator 1 is in an operational state.

[0045] The control unit 102 can analyze the results sensed by the sensing unit 103 and control the processes to be performed thereafter. For example, based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 103, the control unit 102 can control the power supplied to the heating unit 108 so that the operation of the heating unit 108 starts or stops. For example, based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 103, the control unit 102 can control the amount of power supplied to the heating unit 108 and the duration for which power is supplied so that the heating unit 108 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintains an appropriate temperature.

[0046] The sensing unit 103 may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, an insertion sensor, or an acceleration sensor. For example, the sensing unit 103 may sense at least one of the following: the temperature of the heating unit 108, the temperature of the power supply unit 101, or the temperature inside or outside the main body 10. For example, the sensing unit 103 may sense the user's puff. For example, the sensing unit 103 may sense whether or not the aerosol generating substrate S has been inserted into the insertion space. For example, the sensing unit 103 may sense the movement of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0047] Figure 3 is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Referring to Figure 3, the upper case 40 may be detachably coupled to the main body 10. The upper case 40 may be coupled to the upper side of the main body 10. The upper case 40 may cover the upper periphery of the main body 10. The upper case 40 may be provided with an insertion opening 44. The aerosol-generating substrate S may be inserted into the insertion opening 44. The insertion opening 44 is also a configuration corresponding to the insertion space or cavity described in Figures 1 and 2. The upper case 40 may include a cover 45 that opens and closes the insertion opening 44. The cover 45 may slide laterally to open and close the insertion opening 44.

[0049] The upper case 40 may include upper case wings 42. The upper case wings 42 may extend downward from both sides of the upper case body 41. The upper case wings 42 may be named upper case grips 42.

[0050] The main body 10 may include a main body wing 17. The main body wing 17 may extend upward from the upper edge of the main body 10. The main body wing 17 may consist of a pair of opposing wings centered on the upper part of the main body 10. The main body wing 17 may be formed in a position offset from the upper case wing 42.

[0051] When the upper case 40 is coupled to the main body 10, the upper case 40 can form the upper exterior of the aerosol generator 1. When the upper case 40 is coupled to the main body 10, the main body wings 17 can cover the exposed sides of the upper case 40 between the upper case wings 42. When the upper case 40 is coupled to the main body 10, the upper case wings 42 can cover the outer walls of the main body 10.

[0052] Figure 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating the coupling relationship of the interchangeable susceptor of the present invention.

[0053] Referring to Figure 4, the main body 10 of the aerosol generator 1 may have a shape that extends vertically. The main body 10 may provide a first insertion space 14 inside. The first insertion space 14 may open upwards. The first insertion space 14 may have a vertically elongated cylindrical shape. The first insertion space 14 may be defined by a main body pipe 11 formed inside the main body 10. The main body pipe 11 may include a lateral wall 111 surrounding the first insertion space 14 and a bottom wall 112 covering the bottom of the first insertion space 14. The bottom wall 112 may be formed at the bottom of the main body pipe 11. The lateral wall 111 of the main body pipe 11 may be named the inner lateral wall 111 of the main body 10.

[0054] The heater holder 20 may be detachably inserted into the first insertion space 14. The pipe 20' may include vertically elongated side walls 21 and a bottom wall 22 formed at the lower end of the side walls 21. The pipe 20' is named the heater holder pipe 20'. The bottom wall 22 of the pipe 20' may be named the bottom 22 or mount 22. The bottom wall 22 of the pipe 20' may form the bottom 22 of the heater holder 20. The susceptor 50 may be coupled to or fixed to the heater holder 20. The susceptor 50 may be replaced together with the heater holder 20.

[0055] When the heater holder 20 is coupled with the extractor 30, it may provide a second insertion space. In one embodiment, when the heater holder 20 is coupled with the extractor 30, the side wall 21 of the heater holder 20 and the side wall 31 of the extractor 30 may define a second insertion space that opens upward. The side wall 21 of the heater holder 20 and the side wall 31 of the extractor 30 may each cover at least one side of the second insertion space. The side wall 21 of the heater holder 20 and the side wall 31 of the extractor 30 may together form the perimeter of the side of the second insertion space.

[0056] The side walls 31 of the extractor 30 may extend vertically. The side walls 21 of the heater holder 20 and the side walls 31 of the extractor 30 may be separated by approximately the same distance from the center of the second insertion space with respect to the radial direction. The side walls 21 of the heater holder 20 and the side walls 31 of the extractor 30 may be located on the same circumferential extension of the second insertion space. The side walls 21 of the heater holder 20 and the side walls 31 of the extractor 30 may extend in a circumferential curve along the perimeter of the second insertion space.

[0057] The side walls 21 of the heater holder 20 may be arranged in multiple rows along the perimeter of the lower wall 22 of the heater holder 20. Between each of the multiple side walls 21 of the heater holder 20, a first slit 214 extending vertically may be formed. The multiple side walls 21 and multiple first slits 214 of the heater holder 20 may be arranged alternately in the circumferential direction along the perimeter of the second insertion space.

[0058] The side walls 31 of the extractor 30 may be arranged in multiple rows along the periphery of the lower wall 32 of the extractor 30. Between each of the multiple side walls 31 of the extractor 30, a second slit 314 extending vertically may be formed. The multiple side walls 31 and the multiple second slits 314 of the extractor 30 may be arranged alternately in the circumferential direction along the periphery of the second insertion space.

[0059] The extractor 30 can be inserted into the heater holder 20. When the extractor 30 is inserted into the heater holder 20, the side wall 21 of the heater holder 20 may be positioned in the second slit 314, and the side wall 31 of the extractor 30 may be positioned in the first slit 214.

[0060] As a result, the side wall 21 of the heater holder 20 and the side wall 31 of the extractor 30 can form a second insertion space. Furthermore, by reducing the thickness of the wall between the induction coil 15 and the susceptor 50, the heating efficiency of the susceptor 50 can be improved.

[0061] The lower end of the aerosol-generating substrate S is inserted into the second insertion space, and the upper end of the aerosol-generating substrate S may protrude outside the aerosol generator 1. The susceptor 50 may heat the first insertion space 14 and the second insertion space.

[0062] The lower end of the susceptor 50 may be fixed to the mount 22. The susceptor 50 may extend elongated toward the opening of the second insertion space. The susceptor 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape, with its upper end pointed upwards. As another example, the susceptor 50 may have a circumferential shape and be coupled to the side wall 21 of the heater holder 20. However, this is merely an example, and the shape of the susceptor 50 is not limited to those described or illustrated above, as long as it is coupled to the heater holder 20 and capable of heating the aerosol-generating substrate S inserted into the second insertion space.

[0063] The heater holder 20 may be formed by insert injection molding into the susceptor 50. The heater holder 20 may have high heat resistance and excellent rigidity. For example, the heater holder 20 may be formed from polyetheretherketone (PEEK). However, the material of the heater holder 20 is not limited thereto.

[0064] The through-hole 35 may be formed by opening the lower wall 32 of the extractor 30. The through-hole 35 may be open both vertically and horizontally. When the extractor 30 is inserted into the heater holder 20, the susceptor 50 may protrude through the through-hole 35 into the second insertion space. When the aerosol-generating substrate S is inserted into the second insertion space, the susceptor 50 may be inserted below the aerosol-generating substrate S.

[0065] The induction coil 15 may surround the first insertion space 14. The induction coil 15 may be wound around the side wall 111 of the main pipe 11. The induction coil 15 may surround the susceptor 50. The induction coil 15 may cause the susceptor 50 to heat up. Depending on the embodiment, a substrate sensing unit 1031 may be positioned between the induction coil 15 and the side wall 111 of the main pipe 11. The substrate sensing unit 1031 may consist of a capacitance sensor. The capacitance sensor may be made of a thin film and cover at least a portion of the side wall 111 of the main pipe 11. The substrate sensing unit 1031 may be used to determine the presence or absence of an aerosol-generating substrate S inserted into the second insertion space.

[0066] The user can easily separate the aerosol-generating substrate S from the susceptor 50 by separating the extractor 30 and the heater holder 20 from each other. The aerosol-generating substrate S inserted inside the extractor 30 can be further easily separated from the extractor 30 by separating it from the susceptor 50. The aerosol-generating substrate S can also be separated even when the extractor 30 and the heater holder 20 are not separated from each other.

[0067] Furthermore, foreign matter generated from the aerosol-generating substrate S can be extracted through the extractor 30 without remaining around the susceptor 50 or in the heater holder 20. This makes it easier to clean the aerosol generator 1 around the susceptor 50, improving ease of management. It also reduces factors that degrade the performance of the susceptor 50, improves its durability, and increases its replacement cycle. Additionally, it reduces factors that alter the taste of the aerosol-generating substrate S.

[0068] The heater holder 20 may be positioned between the main body 10 and the extractor 30. The side wall 111 of the main body pipe 11 may surround the side wall 21 of the heater holder 20. The bottom wall 112 of the main body pipe 11 may face the bottom wall 22 of the heater holder 20. The side wall 21 of the heater holder 20 may surround the side wall 31 of the extractor 30. The bottom wall 22 of the heater holder 20 may face the bottom wall 32 of the extractor 30.

[0069] The side wall 31 of the extractor 30 may be separated inward from the side wall 21 of the heater holder 20. The lower wall 32 of the extractor 30 may be separated upward from the lower wall 22 of the heater holder 20. Air may flow between the extractor 30 and the heater holder 20, pass through the through-hole 35, and then be supplied to the aerosol-generating substrate S inserted into the second insertion space.

[0070] The upper wall 12 of the main body 10 may extend outward horizontally from the upper end of the main body pipe 11. The upper wall 12 of the main body 10 may cover the upper end of the induction coil 15. The outer lateral wall 13 of the main body 10 may extend downward from the outer end of the upper wall 12 of the main body 10. The outer lateral wall 13 of the main body 10 may face the side wall 111 of the main body pipe 11. The outer lateral wall 13 of the main body 10 may be spaced outward from the main body pipe 11. The induction coil 15 may be positioned between the main body pipe 11 and the outer lateral wall 13 of the main body 10.

[0071] The upper case 40 may be detachably coupled to the main body 10. The upper case 40 may be coupled to the upper side of the main body 10. The upper case 40 may cover the periphery of the first insertion space 14 and the upper periphery of the main body 10. The upper case 40 may be provided with an insertion port 44. The aerosol-generating substrate S may be inserted into the insertion port 44. The upper case 40 may include a cover 45 for opening and closing the insertion port 44. The cover 45 may slide laterally to open and close the insertion port 44. The heater holder 20 may be positioned between the main body 10 and the upper case 40.

[0072] The upper case 40 may include the upper case body 41. The insertion opening 44 may be formed by opening the upper case body 41 vertically. The insertion opening 44 may be formed off-center from the center of the upper case body 41. The lower surface of the upper case body 41 may have a shape corresponding to the upper wall 12 of the main body 10. The lower surface of the upper case body 41 may extend horizontally parallel to the upper wall 12 of the main body 10. The cover 45 may be slidably provided on the upper side of the upper case body 41.

[0073] The upper case 40 may include upper case wings 42. The upper case wings 42 may extend downward from both sides of the upper case body 41. Part of the sides of the upper case body 41 may be exposed between a pair of upper case wings 42. The upper case wings 42 may be named upper case grips 42.

[0074] The extractor 30 may be coupled to the upper case 40. The upper end of the extractor 30 may be coupled to the upper case 40, and the lower end of the extractor 30 may protrude below the upper case 40. The extractor 30 may be coupled to a position corresponding to the insertion port 44. The insertion port 44 may be located above the second insertion space. The insertion port 44 may connect the second insertion space to the outside of the aerosol generator 1.

[0075] The upper end of the extractor 30 may be coupled to the upper case body 41. The extractor 30 may extend downward from the upper case body 41. The extractor 30 may be positioned between a pair of upper case wings 42.

[0076] Once the upper case 40 is connected to the main body 10, the upper case 40 can form the upper exterior of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0077] The upper case 40 is equipped with upper case wings 42, which allows the user to separate the extractor 30 from the main body 10 more easily. The user can separate the extractor 30 from the main body 10 by taking the exterior of the upper case 40 and separating it, without the inconvenience of gripping the extractor 30 inserted into the second insertion space. For example, the user can easily separate the upper case 40 and the extractor 30 from the main body 10 by taking a pair of upper case wings 42 and pulling them away from the main body 10.

[0078] The heater holder 20 may include an extension 23. The extension 23 may be formed at the upper end of the heater holder 20. The extension 23 may extend outward horizontally from the upper end of the pipe 20'. The extension 23 may have a plate shape. The extension 23 may be formed to be longer on one side around the pipe 20'. The extension 23 may be named the heater holder extension 23.

[0079] The extension 23 may have a shape corresponding to the upper wall 12 of the main body 10. The extension 23 may be formed horizontally on the upper wall 12 of the main body 10. When the pipe 20' is inserted into the first insertion space 14, the extension 23 may be supported or rested on the upper wall 12 of the main body 10. The upper wall 12 of the main body 10 may support the extension, and the extension 23 may support the pipe 20'. The pipe 20' may be suspended from the extension 23 and spaced upward from the bottom 112 of the main body pipe 11 to form an air gap. The outer circumferential surface of the pipe 20' may be spaced inward from the side wall 111 of the main body pipe 11 to form an air gap.

[0080] The extension 23 may have a shape corresponding to the lower surface of the upper case body 41. The extension 23 may be formed horizontally on the lower surface of the upper case body 41. When the upper case 40 is coupled to the main body 10 and the extractor 30 is inserted into the inside of the pipe 20', the extension 23 may come into contact with the lower surface of the upper case body 41. No conductive material is placed on the extension 23. This is to allow for a more accurate determination of whether or not the upper case 40 is sensing, as will be described later.

[0081] The upper case 40 can be separated from the main body 10. The heater holder 20 can be detachably connected to the upper case 40. When the upper case 40 is separated from the main body 10, the heater holder 20 can be separated from the main body 10 together with the upper case 40 while still connected to it. When the upper case 40 to which the heater holder 20 is connected is separated from the main body 10, the heater holder 20 can be separated from the upper case 40.

[0082] As another example, the heater holder 20 may be detachably attached to the extractor 30. When the extractor 30 is separated from the main body 10, the heater holder 20 may be separated from the main body 10 together with the extractor 30 while still attached to it. When the extractor 30, to which the heater holder 20 is attached, is separated from the main body 10, the heater holder 20 may be separated from the extractor 30.

[0083] The heater holder 20 may be detachably coupled to the upper case 40 by a snap-fit ​​coupling method. In this case, either the heater holder 20 or the upper case 40 may be provided with coupling hooks, and the other may be provided with grooves into which the hooks are coupled. This is merely an example, and the method by which the heater holder 20 is detachably coupled to the upper case 40 is not limited to the above, and the heater holder 20 may be detachably coupled to the upper case 40 by a variety of known methods.

[0084] The heater holder 20, coupled to the upper case 40, may protrude downward from the upper case 40. The heater holder 20 may be positioned between a pair of upper case wings 42. The pipe 20' may protrude further downward from the upper case body 41 than the upper case wings 42. This makes it easier to grip the heater holder 20. It also allows for convenient replacement of the susceptor 50.

[0085] Furthermore, the aerosol-generating substrate S can be easily separated from the susceptor 50. The user can easily separate the aerosol-generating substrate S from the susceptor 50 by separating the extractor 30 and the heater holder 20 from each other. The aerosol-generating substrate S inserted inside the extractor 30 can be further easily separated from the extractor 30 by separating it from the susceptor 50.

[0086] The heater holder 20 can be detachably coupled to the main body 10. With the heater holder 20 coupled to the main body 10, the upper case 40 and / or extractor 30 can be separated from the main body 10 and the heater holder 20. With the upper case 40 and / or extractor 30 separated from the main body 10 and the heater holder 20, the heater holder 20 can be separated from the main body 10. The heater holder 20 can be detachably coupled to the main body 10 by a snap-fit ​​coupling method. In this case, either the heater holder 20 or the main body 10 may have a coupling hook, and the other may have a groove into which the hook is coupled. This is merely an example, and the method by which the heater holder 20 can be detachably coupled to the main body 10 is not limited to those described above; the heater holder 20 can be detachably coupled to the main body 10 by a variety of known methods.

[0087] On the other hand, at least one conductor 47 may be fixed inside the upper case body 41. The conductor 47 may be adjacent to the lower surface of the upper case body 41.

[0088] The upper case sensing unit 1032 may be positioned adjacent to the upper wall 12 of the main body 10. The upper case sensing unit 1032 may be formed at a position corresponding to the conductor 47. The upper case sensing unit 1032 is composed of an inductive sensor and may consist of a thin film. The upper case sensing unit 1032 may also be integrally formed with the substrate sensing unit 1031. The upper case sensing unit 1032 may be used to determine whether the upper case 40 has been detached or reattached by interacting with the conductor 47 of the upper case 40.

[0089] The extension 23, which is connected to the main body 10, may be exposed above the main body 10. The extension 23 may be positioned between a pair of main body wings 17. Between the pair of main body wings 17, the extension 23 may be positioned adjacent to the outer lateral wall 13 of the main body 10, or vertically aligned with the outer lateral wall 13. This makes it easier to grip the heater holder 20.

[0090] This allows the heater holder 20 to be easily separated from the main body 10 and to be stably attached to the main body 10. Furthermore, the susceptor 50 can be conveniently replaced.

[0091] Furthermore, the aerosol-generating substrate S can be easily separated from the susceptor 50. The user can easily separate the aerosol-generating substrate S from the susceptor 50 by separating the extractor 30 and the heater holder 20 from each other. The aerosol-generating substrate S inserted inside the extractor 30 can be further easily separated from the extractor 30 by being separated from the susceptor 50.

[0092] Figure 5 illustrates an integrally formed upper case sensing unit and substrate sensing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] Referring to Figure 5, the upper case sensing portion 1032 and the substrate sensing portion 1031 can be integrally formed. The upper case sensing portion 1032 and the substrate sensing portion 1031 can be realized on an insulating substrate by a pattern shape. For example, the upper case sensing portion 1032 and the substrate sensing portion 1031 can each be realized in a pattern shape on a single flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

[0094] The upper case sensing unit 1032 may include an interactive sensor. In embodiments in which the upper case sensing unit 1032 includes an interactive sensor, the upper case sensing unit 1032 may include a sensing coil 13b. The sensing coil 13b may be embodied on an insulating substrate by a pattern shape. The inductance of the upper case sensing unit 1032 can be varied by the approach and retraction of the upper case 40, and the varied inductance value can be transmitted to the control unit 102. For this purpose, the integrated upper case sensing unit 1032 and substrate sensing unit 1031 may further include a signal transmitting unit 13c. The signal transmitting unit 13c includes a first channel ch1 and a second channel ch2, and the signal transmitting unit 13c can transmit the varied inductance value to the control unit 102 through the first channel ch1.

[0095] The control unit 102 can determine whether the upper case 40 is attached to the main unit 10 based on the inductance value output by the upper case sensing unit 1032. For example, the control unit 102 can determine that the upper case 40 is attached to the main unit 10 if the amount of change per unit time of the inductance output by the upper case sensing unit 1032 is greater than or equal to a previously set reference inductance.

[0096] The substrate sensing unit 1031 may include at least one capacitor sensor. In embodiments in which the substrate sensing unit 1031 includes a capacitor sensor, the substrate sensing unit 1031 may include at least one electrode 13a. Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment in which there are three electrodes 13a, but the number of electrodes 13a is not limited thereto. The electrodes 13a may be embodied on an insulating substrate by a pattern shape. The electrodes 13a may surround at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the first insertion space 14 while in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the first insertion space 14.

[0097] Since electrode 13a surrounds the first insertion space 14, insertion spaces 14 and 24 can be understood as dielectric spaces that cause changes in capacitance. That is, when an aerosol-generating substrate S is inserted into insertion spaces 14 and 24, the dielectric constant of electrode 13a is varied, and the capacitance of the substrate sensing unit 1031 can be varied. In this way, the substrate sensing unit 1031 does not have a transmitting electrode and a receiving electrode separately, and can output a capacitance value that is varied by the capacitance change of electrode 13a itself. The substrate sensing unit 1031 can transmit the capacitance value to the control unit 102. The signal transmitting unit 13c can transmit the capacitance value to the control unit 102 through a second channel ch2 different from the first channel ch1.

[0098] The control unit 102 can determine the presence or absence of aerosol-generating substrate S inserted into the insertion spaces 14 and 24 based on the capacitance value output by the substrate sensing unit 1031. For example, the control unit 102 can obtain a monitoring value due to the capacitance change of the substrate sensing unit 1031 and determine the presence or absence of aerosol-generating substrate S inserted into the insertion spaces 14 and 24 based on the monitoring value. The monitoring value may include the charging time, discharge time, number of charge / discharge cycles, and capacitance change amount of the electrode 13a due to the capacitance change of the substrate sensing unit 1031. For example, if the monitoring value decreases by more than a predetermined amount within a set time, the control unit 102 can determine that aerosol-generating substrate S has been inserted into the cavity.

[0099] Since the upper case sensing unit 1032 and the substrate sensing unit 1031 are integrally formed as a thin film that shares the signal transmitting unit 13c, the size of the device can be significantly reduced.

[0100] Figure 6 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] Referring to Figure 6, the aerosol generator 1 may include at least one of the following: power supply unit 101, power conversion unit 107, heating unit 108, sensing unit 103, control unit 102, memory 104, input unit 105, and output unit 106. On the other hand, the aerosol generator 1 of the present invention may further include other general-purpose components in addition to the components shown in Figure 6. For example, the aerosol generator 1 may further include a communication unit (not shown) for communicating with an external device.

[0102] The power supply unit 101 supplies power used for the operation of the aerosol generator 1. For example, the power supply unit 101 can supply power to at least one of the following: the power conversion unit 107, the heating unit 108, the sensing unit 103, the control unit 102, the memory 104, the input unit 105, and the output unit 106.

[0103] The power supply unit 101 may include a battery (1011 in Figure 7) and a DC-DC converter (1012 in Figure 7). The DC / DC converter 1012 can boost or amplify the DC power supplied by the battery 1011 to supply power to the internal components of the aerosol generator 1.

[0104] The battery 1011 may consist of a removable battery that is detachably positioned in the aerosol generator 1. Alternatively, the battery 1011 may be fixed to the aerosol generator 1. In this case, the battery 1011 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the power supply 1011 may be, but is not limited to, a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery.

[0105] The DC / DC converter 1012 includes at least one switching element and can boost or enhance the DC power supplied from the battery 1011. For this purpose, the DC / DC converter 1012 may include at least one of a buck converter, a boost converter, and a buck-boost converter.

[0106] The power conversion unit 107 can convert the DC power output by the DC / DC converter 1012 into AC power. For this purpose, the power conversion unit 107 may include a DC / AC converter. The DC / AC converter includes at least one switching element and may consist of an E-class or D-class power converter. The power conversion unit 107 may supply the converted AC power to the heating unit 108.

[0107] The heating section 108 may include an induction coil 15 and a susceptor 50. The induction coil 15 can generate a variable magnetic field when AC power is supplied. The susceptor 50 is heated by the variable magnetic field, which can generate an aerosol.

[0108] The susceptor 50 may be arranged in a replaceable manner. The susceptor 50 may be coupled to the heater holder 20 and then interchangeably coupled to the main body 10. For example, a first heater module including a first susceptor 51 may be separated from the main body 10, and a second heater module including a second susceptor 52 may be coupled to the main body 10. Therefore, interchangeability as used below may include the replacement of the heater holder 20. For the sake of explanation, the following description will focus on the first susceptor 51 and the second susceptor 52, but it goes without saying that the following description is also applicable to the first heater module and the second heater module.

[0109] In one embodiment, a first susceptor 51 is coupled to the aerosol generator 1, and after the first susceptor 51 is extracted, a second susceptor 52 may be coupled to the aerosol generator 1. The first susceptor 51 or the second susceptor 52 coupled to the aerosol generator 1 may be considered an internal component of the aerosol generator 1. The first susceptor 51 is also a component provided together with the aerosol generator 1 at the time of manufacture. Alternatively, the first susceptor 51 may mean a susceptor that has undergone calibration as described later. The second susceptor 52 is a component that is coupled to the aerosol generator 1 continuously or discontinuously after the first susceptor 51 has been extracted, and may mean a susceptor to be calibrated.

[0110] The sensing unit 103 can sense various state information of the aerosol generator 1. The results sensed by the sensing unit 103 are transmitted to the control unit 102, and the control unit 102 can control the aerosol generator 1 so that various functions such as controlling the operation of the heating unit, restricting smoking, determining whether or not to insert the heating unit 108, and displaying notifications are performed based on the sensing results.

[0111] The sensing unit 103 may include a substrate sensing unit 1031, an upper case sensing unit 1032, and a current sensing unit 1033.

[0112] The substrate sensing unit 1031 and the upper case sensing unit 1032 may each be embodied in a pattern shape on a single insulating substrate. The substrate sensing unit 1031 may include a capacitance sensor containing at least one electrode. Therefore, the capacitance of the substrate sensing unit 1031 can be varied by inserting and removing an aerosol-generating substrate S into the cavity. The substrate sensing unit 1031 can transmit the capacitance value to the control unit 102 in real time or periodically.

[0113] The upper case sensing unit 1032 may include an inductive sensor. Therefore, the inductance of the upper case sensing unit 1032 can be varied as the upper case 40 approaches and retracts from the main body 10. The upper case sensing unit 1032 can transmit the inductance value to the control unit 102 in real time or periodically.

[0114] The current sensing unit 1033 can sense the DC current output by the DC / DC converter 1012. The current sensing unit 1033 can transmit information related to the DC current to the control unit 102 in real time or periodically. The sensed DC current can be used to determine the temperature of the susceptor 50.

[0115] On the other hand, Figure 6 shows the sensing unit 103, which includes components related to this embodiment. Therefore, a person with ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment will understand that other general-purpose components may be included in the sensing unit 103 in addition to those shown in Figure 6. For example, the sensing unit 103 may further include a water sensor for detecting water inside and / or outside the aerosol generator 1, a battery temperature sensor, and a puff sensor.

[0116] Memory 104 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generator 1, and memory 104 can store data processed by the control unit 102 and data to be processed. Memory 104 can be implemented by various types of RAM (random access memory) such as DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), and EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory). In one embodiment, memory 104 may include DC current-temperature information for the first susceptor 51 and / or the second susceptor 52. The DC current-temperature information can be used for temperature control for each susceptor 50.

[0117] The input unit 105 can receive user input. The input unit 105 can be embodied by physical keys and / or touch sensors for receiving user input. For example, the input unit 105 includes, but is not limited to, buttons, keypads, dome switches, jog wheels, jog switches, etc.

[0118] The output unit 106 may include a display that outputs visual information related to the aerosol generator 1. The output unit 106 may also include a motor that outputs tactile information related to the aerosol generator 1. Here, the visual and tactile information related to the aerosol generator 1 includes all information related to the operation of the aerosol generator 1. For example, the output unit 106 may output information related to the insertion and extraction of the aerosol generating substrate S visually and tactilely via predetermined means. For this purpose, the output unit 106 may include a display and a haptic motor. The display may be a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) or an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED). On the other hand, if the display and touchpad form a layered structure to constitute a touchscreen, the display may be used as an input device in addition to an output device. The haptic motor can convert electrical signals into mechanical or electrical stimuli to provide information related to the aerosol generator 1 to the user tactilely.

[0119] The control unit 102 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generator 1. In one embodiment, the control unit 102 may include at least one processor. The processor may be embodied by an array of numerous logic gates and may be embodied by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and memory storing a program that can be executed by the microprocessor. It will also be understood by those ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs that it may be embodied in other forms of hardware.

[0120] The control unit 102 can control the heating unit 108 to heat the aerosol-generating substrate S when the aerosol-generating substrate S is inserted into the cavity. In one embodiment, the control unit 102 can control the DC power output from the power supply unit 101 and / or the AC power supplied to the induction coil 15 so that the induction coil 15 generates a variable magnetic field. The susceptor 50 is heated by the variable magnetic field generated by the induction coil 15, thereby generating an aerosol. Thus, the aerosol generator 1 of the present invention can automatically start heating the aerosol-generating substrate S when the aerosol-generating substrate S is inserted into the cavity, even without user input.

[0121] Once the control unit 102 starts heating the aerosol-generating substrate S, it can control the power supplied to the heating unit 108 based on the temperature profile stored in the memory 104. The control unit 102 can use the DC current output from the DC / DC converter 1012 to determine the temperature of the susceptor 50 that is in direct contact with the aerosol-generating substrate S, without the need for a separate temperature sensor. In one embodiment, the DC current output from the DC / DC converter 1012 may decrease as the temperature of the susceptor 50 increases. That is, there may be a linear relationship between the DC current output from the DC / DC converter 1012 and the temperature of the susceptor 50. Based on this linear relationship between the DC current and the susceptor 50, the control unit 102 can determine the temperature of the susceptor 50 and control the power supplied to the heating unit 108 by comparing the determined temperature with the temperature profile.

[0122] On the other hand, during the manufacturing stage, the relationship between the actual temperature and DC current of the susceptor 50 can be mapped and the unit shipped out. However, if the replaced susceptor 50 is heated using this original mapping information, accurate temperature control becomes impossible. This is because the relationship between the actual temperature and DC current differs for each susceptor 50 due to manufacturing tolerances and other factors. This also applies to susceptor 50 that has undergone calibration (described later) and those that have not.

[0123] To solve these problems, the present invention allows updating the mapping information stored in memory 104 for a susceptor 50 that has been replaced through calibration values.

[0124] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the DC current of the power supply, the temperature of the susceptor, and whether or not the susceptor has been replaced, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0125] Referring to Figure 7, the power supply unit 101 can output a DC power supply Pdc. For this purpose, the power supply unit 101 may include a battery 1011 and a DC-DC converter 1012. The battery 1011 outputs DC power, and the DC-DC converter 1012 can boost or enhance the DC power. The boosted or enhanced DC power is expressed as a DC voltage Vdc and a DC current Idc, and the DC voltage Vdc and DC current Idc can be provided to the power conversion unit 107 as a DC power supply Pdc. The DC power supply Pdc output by the power supply unit 101 can be adjusted by the control unit 102.

[0126] The power conversion unit 107 can convert a DC power supply Pdc into an AC power supply Pac. For this purpose, the power conversion unit 107 may include a DC / AC converter. The DC / AC converter includes at least one switching element and may consist of an E-class or D-class power converter. The power conversion unit 107 converts the DC power supply Pdc into an AC power supply Pac by switching the switching element on and off and outputs it.

[0127] The heating section 108 may include an induction coil 15 and a susceptor 50. The induction coil 150 generates an alternating magnetic field when supplied with an AC power supply Pac, and the susceptor 50 generates heat due to the alternating magnetic field to heat the aerosol-generating substrate S.

[0128] The current sensing unit 1033 can sense the DC current Idc output by the DC-DC converter 1012. For this purpose, the current sensing unit 1033 may include at least one shunt resistor. However, the current sensing method of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0129] The control unit 102 can determine the temperature of the susceptor 50 based on the DC current Idc sensed by the current sensing unit 1033. In one embodiment, the susceptor 50 may correspond to an impedance component when viewed from the input terminal, the DC-DC converter 1012. Furthermore, as the temperature of the susceptor 50 increases, the magnitude of the resistance component increases. As a result, the DC current Idc sensed by the current sensing unit 1033 decreases as the temperature of the susceptor 50 increases. In other words, a linear relationship may be formed between the temperature of the susceptor 50 and the DC current Idc. The control unit 102 can determine the temperature of the susceptor 50 based on this linear relationship between the temperature of the susceptor 50 and the DC current Idc. Information relating to the relationship between the temperature of the susceptor 50 and the DC current Idc may be stored in the memory 104 as a lookup table.

[0130] The control unit 102 can determine the temperature of the susceptor 50 from the DC current Idc and control the DC power supply Pdc output by the DC-DC converter 1012 based on the determined temperature. The control unit 102 can control the DC power supply Pdc output by the DC-DC converter 1012 via the control signal S1. On the other hand, since the DC current Idc is used to determine the temperature of the susceptor 50, the control unit 102 can adjust the DC voltage Vdc in order to adjust the DC power supply Pdc. That is, the control unit 102 can adjust the DC power output by the DC-DC converter 1012 by adjusting the DC voltage Vdc.

[0131] On the other hand, the susceptor 50 of the present invention can be interchangeably coupled to the aerosol generator 1. For example, after the first susceptor 51 is removed from the insertion space, a second susceptor 52, which is different from the first susceptor 51, can be inserted into the insertion space. In this case, the first susceptor 51 is either the susceptor 50 coupled to the aerosol generator 1 during the manufacturing stage or a calibrated susceptor 50, while the second susceptor 52 is an uncalibrated susceptor 50. When the second susceptor 52 is inserted, the control unit 102 can perform a calibration operation on the second susceptor 52 in calibration mode.

[0132] Such calibration work can be performed when the input unit 105 receives user input. This is to prevent inconvenience and danger to the user if the calibration work proceeds regardless of the user's intention. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator 1 of the present invention can automatically perform calibration work without user input. This is to minimize user inconvenience. On the other hand, in an example where calibration work is performed without user input, it is possible to periodically determine whether or not to replace the susceptor 50 in order to automatically perform the calibration work, but such a method has the problem of significantly increasing power consumption. To solve this problem, the present invention performs calibration work only when the upper case 40 has been separated from the main body 10 and then reconnected to the main body 10. This is because if the upper case 40 is separated from the main body 10, there is a high possibility that the heater holder 20 including the susceptor 50 will also be separated from the main body 10. Also, if the heater holder 20 is separated from the main body 10, there is a high possibility that the susceptor 50 will need to be replaced.

[0133] If the upper case 40 is separated from the main body 10 in this manner, there is a high probability that the susceptor 50 needs to be replaced. However, in some cases, only the upper case 40 may be separated from the main body 10 and then reattached to the main body 10. The present invention makes it easy to determine, through the probe DC power Pp, whether the susceptor 50 has not been replaced.

[0134] More specifically, the control unit 102 can control the DC-DC converter 1012 to output a probe DC power Pp. The probe DC power Pp may be set lower than the DC power in the calibration mode described later. In one embodiment, the probe DC power Pp may be set to less than 5W. For example, the probe DC power Pp may be set to 2W, but is not limited to that.

[0135] The output method of the probe DC power Pp of the control unit 102 is the same as the output method of the DC power supply Pdc. That is, the control unit 102 can control the DC-DC converter 1012 so that the DC power output by the DC-DC converter 1012 follows the probe DC power Pp by adjusting the probe DC voltage Vp of the DC-DC converter 1012.

[0136] On the other hand, the susceptor 50 may correspond to an impedance component when viewed from the DC-DC converter 1012, which is the input terminal. Furthermore, such an impedance component is unique to each susceptor 50. The present invention makes it possible to easily determine whether or not to replace the susceptor 50 based on such unique characteristics of the susceptor 50. For this purpose, the current sensing unit 1033 can acquire the probe DC current Ip. Information related to the probe DC current Ip can be transmitted to the control unit 102.

[0137] Information relating to the probe DC current Ip for the first susceptor 51 can be stored in advance in the memory 104. The probe DC current Ip for the first susceptor 51 can also be called the reference DC current. The control unit 102 can determine that the first susceptor 51 has not been replaced if the probe DC current Ip sensed by the current sensing unit 1033 is the same as the reference DC current. As a result, the control unit 102 can terminate the calibration mode early by transmitting the second control signal S2 to the DC / DC converter 1012. Therefore, power consumption can be significantly reduced. The conditions for starting and ending such a calibration mode will be described in more detail below.

[0138] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0139] Referring to Figure 8, at step S911, the upper case sensing unit 1032 senses whether the upper case 40 is attached or detached.

[0140] The upper case sensing unit 1032 may include an inductive sensor. Therefore, the inductance of the upper case sensing unit 1032 can be varied as the upper case 40 approaches and retracts from the main body 10. The upper case sensing unit 1032 can transmit the inductance value to the control unit 102 in real time or periodically.

[0141] The control unit 102 can determine whether the upper case 40 has been separated from the main body 10 based on the inductance value output by the upper case sensing unit 1032. For example, the control unit 102 can determine that the upper case 40 has been separated from the main body 10 if the amount of change per unit time of the inductance output by the upper case sensing unit 1032 is less than a previously set reference inductance.

[0142] At step S912, the control unit 102 determines whether the upper case 40 and the main body 10 are reconnected.

[0143] The control unit 102 can determine whether the upper case 40 has recoupled to the main body 10 based on the inductance value output by the upper case sensing unit 1032. For example, the control unit 102 can determine that the upper case 40 has recoupled to the main body 10 if the amount of change per unit time of the inductance output by the upper case sensing unit 1032 is greater than or equal to a previously set reference inductance.

[0144] If the control unit 102 determines that the upper case 40 is still separated from the main body 10, it controls the upper case sensing unit 1032 to sense in real time or periodically whether the upper case 40 is reattached.

[0145] At step S913, if the control unit 102 determines that the upper case 40 has been reattached to the main body 10, it starts the calibration mode.

[0146] The calibration mode may include a probe section and a calibration section following the probe section. The control unit 102 can perform calibration work on the susceptor 50 by controlling the power supply unit 101 according to the power profile set in the calibration mode.

[0147] At stage S914, the current sensing unit 1033 can sense the Prob DC current corresponding to the Prob DC power.

[0148] The control unit 102 can determine whether or not to replace the susceptor 50 by controlling the power supply unit 101 to output probe DC power at the start of the calibration mode. To this end, the control unit 102 can adjust the probe DC voltage of the DC-DC converter 1012 to output probe DC power. In addition, the current sensing unit 1033 can sense the probe DC current corresponding to the probe DC power.

[0149] At step S915, the control unit 102 can compare the probe DC current with a reference DC current.

[0150] The reference DC current may refer to the probe DC current for the first susceptor 51. That is, information related to the probe DC current may be stored in the memory 104 in advance before the susceptor 50 is replaced. When calibration mode is started, the control unit 102 may compare the probe DC current sensed by the current sensing unit 1033 with the reference current. If the susceptor 50 has not been replaced, the probe DC current sensed by the current sensing unit 1033 is also the same as the reference current.

[0151] The control unit 102 may terminate the calibration mode if the probe DC current is the same as the reference current.

[0152] At step S916, if the control unit 102 determines that the probe DC current is not the same as the reference current, it may determine that the susceptor 50 has been replaced and whether or not the first user input has been received.

[0153] The first user input may represent user input to exit calibration mode. The input unit 105 is provided in the form of a single key and can receive user input. The control unit 102 may set user input that is longer than or equal to a previously set first input time as the first user input. For example, the first input time may be 5 seconds, but is not limited to that.

[0154] At step S917, if the first user input has not been received, the control unit 102 may perform calibration of the replaced susceptor 50. The calibration of the susceptor 50 will be described in more detail in Figure 9 and subsequent figures.

[0155] At step S918, the control unit 102 may terminate the calibration mode if it receives the first user input.

[0156] As soon as the user replaces the susceptor 50, they may want to heat the aerosol-generating substrate S. In this case, starting the calibration mode would be inconvenient for the user. Therefore, the aerosol generator 1 of the present invention can increase user satisfaction by immediately ending the calibration mode in response to such user input.

[0157] At step S919, the control unit 102 can determine whether or not a second user input has been received while the calibration mode has ended.

[0158] The second user input may represent user input for restarting the calibration mode. The control unit 102 may set a user input of a duration greater than or equal to the previously set second input time as the first user input. For example, the second input time may be 8 seconds, but is not limited to that.

[0159] The control unit 102 maintains the end of calibration mode if it has not received a second user input.

[0160] At step S920, if the control unit 102 receives a second user input, it may restart the calibration mode.

[0161] Users may desire that the calibration process be performed at a specific time for a uniform flavor profile, and the aerosol generator 1 of the present invention may be designed to restart the calibration mode upon user request. Such user-input-based calibration of the susceptor 50 will be described later with reference to Figure 9 and subsequent figures.

[0162] On the other hand, if the control unit 102 has calibrated the correspondence between the DC current output by the power supply unit 101 and the temperature of the susceptor 50 in calibration mode, it will not enter calibration mode until the upper case 40 is separated from the main unit 10 again, unless it has received a second user input.

[0163] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the calibration reference temperature according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0164] In Figure 9, the x-axis represents time, and the y-axis represents temperature. Figure 9 also shows the saturation temperature graphs 1010 for the first susceptor 51 and 1020 for the second susceptor 52 over time when the same power is supplied.

[0165] Referring to Figure 9, both the first susceptor 51 and the second susceptor 52 are manufactured to converge to a predetermined saturation temperature Ts within a pre-set power range. This is to ensure that the replaced susceptor 50 also exhibits uniform performance. Furthermore, as will be described later, this facilitates calibration by comparing the DC currents obtained when the same saturation temperature Ts is reached.

[0166] The first susceptor 51 and the second susceptor 52 may be manufactured to have an energy per mm² (W / mm³) within a predetermined reference range in order to converge to a predetermined saturation temperature Ts within a pre-defined power range. This can be achieved by performing a heat treatment step, a magnetic field supply step, and a gas (e.g., nitrogen and argon) supply step during the manufacture of the first susceptor 51 and the second susceptor 52. In one embodiment, the first susceptor 51 and the second susceptor 52 may be manufactured to converge within the range of 330°C to 340°C when supplied with DC power of 5W to 12W. For example, if the supplied DC power is 10W, the first susceptor 51 and the second susceptor 52 may converge to 335°C.

[0167] The present invention calibrates the temperature judgment criterion by considering that both the first susceptor 51 and the second susceptor 52 converge from a specific DC power to a specific temperature. That is, since both the first susceptor 51 and the second susceptor 52 have the same saturation temperature Ts, the calibration reference temperature Tcf is set to this saturation temperature Ts, and the calibration work for the second susceptor 52 can be performed by comparing the first measurement parameter measured when the first susceptor 51 is inserted with the second measurement parameter measured when the second susceptor 52 is inserted, with the calibration reference temperature Tcf as the center.

[0168] On the other hand, in this invention, the temperature of the susceptor 50 can be determined by sensing the DC current output by the DC / DC converter 1012, so the first measurement parameter and the second measurement parameter may represent the DC current measured when each susceptor 50 is inserted. Also, in this invention, the temperature of the susceptor 50 can be determined by sensing the DC current output by the DC / DC converter 1012, so the saturation of the temperature of the susceptor 50 is equivalent to the retention of the DC current. Therefore, the control unit 102 can determine that the temperature of the susceptor 50 has reached the calibration reference temperature Tcf if the DC current is maintained within the reference range for a pre-set reference time. In one embodiment, the control unit 102 can obtain information relating to the DC current output by the current sensing unit 1033 at the time the temperature of the susceptor 50 reaches the calibration reference temperature Tcf.

[0169] In Figure 9, the control unit 102 can confirm that the first susceptor 51 reached the calibration reference temperature Tcf at the first time point t1 through the first DC current I1 output by the current sensing unit 1033. Furthermore, the control unit 102 can confirm that the second susceptor 52 reached the calibration reference temperature Tcf at the second time point t2 through the second DC current I2 output by the current sensing unit 1033. Thus, even though the temperatures of the first susceptor 51 and the second susceptor 52 are the same as the calibration reference temperature Tcf, a difference of a(A) can occur between the first DC current I1 and the second DC current I2. The present invention performs calibration work based on such a difference of a(A).

[0170] On the other hand, the first susceptor 51 is provided together with the aerosol generator 1 during manufacturing, and the relationship between actual temperature and DC current is accurately mapped. Alternatively, the first susceptor 51 is the susceptor 50 that has already undergone calibration, and the relationship between temperature and DC current is also accurate. Therefore, in Figure 9, the saturation temperature graph 1010 of the first susceptor 51 is merely a diagram to show the DC current difference with the second susceptor 52, and information related to the first DC current I1 can be stored in memory 104 beforehand. The control unit 102 can determine the temperature of the first susceptor 51 based on the mapped linear relationship between DC current and temperature until the second susceptor 52 is inserted. However, when the second susceptor 52 is inserted, a difference of a(A) between the DC currents occurs as shown in Figure 9, so the control unit 102 can calibrate the mapping relationship stored in memory 104 in calibration mode.

[0171] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating a control method in calibration mode according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0172] In Figure 10, the x-axis represents time, and the y-axis represents temperature or power. Figure 10 also shows a power profile graph 1110 over time in calibration mode and a temperature change graph 1120 of the second susceptor 52 based on the power profile. However, the probe interval included in the calibration mode is omitted in Figure 10. That is, the calibration mode may include both the probe interval and the calibration interval. The probe interval is a section for easily determining whether or not the susceptor has been replaced, as explained in Figure 7. The calibration interval is the section following the probe interval and corresponds to the section for calibrating the replaced susceptor 50. Although the following diagrams show the calibration mode as including only the calibration interval, the calibration mode may include the probe interval.

[0173] Referring to Figure 10, the aerosol generator 1 can accommodate a second susceptor 52, which is different from the first susceptor 51, after the first susceptor 51 has been extracted from the insertion space.

[0174] The control unit 102 may enter calibration mode when it receives user input. In this case, the user input may refer to the second user input shown in Figure 8. The aerosol generator 1 is equipped with a single button key-type input unit 105, and may enter calibration mode when it receives user input longer than a pre-set input time. In one embodiment, the pre-set input time may be set to 5 seconds or more. For example, the input time may be 8 seconds, but is not limited to that. Limiting the input time to a relatively long time in this way is to prevent entering calibration mode against the user's intention.

[0175] In this embodiment, the control unit 102 may automatically enter calibration mode if the upper case 40 is detached from the main body 10 and then reattached to the main body 10. With calibration mode started, the control unit 102 may confirm the replacement of the susceptor 50 through the probe section. Furthermore, if the control unit 120 confirms the replacement of the susceptor 50 and does not receive a user input requesting the end of calibration mode, it may perform the following control in the calibration section.

[0176] The control unit 102 can control the power supplied to the heating unit 108 by a power profile, not a temperature profile, in calibration mode. The control unit 102 can supply DC power to the heating unit 108 by a power profile for a first section and a second section continuous with the first section in calibration mode. The power profiles for the first section and the second section can be stored in advance in the memory 104.

[0177] When entering calibration mode, the control unit 102 can control the power supply unit 101 in the first section to output a first DC power P1. The control unit 102 can also control the power supply unit 101 in the second section to output a second DC power P2 smaller than the first DC power P1. The control unit 102 can provide the first DC power P1 or the second DC power P2 to the power conversion unit 107 by boosting or increasing the voltage of the DC power output from the battery 1011 through the DC / DC converter 1012 included in the power supply unit 101. On the other hand, since the DC current output by the DC / DC converter 1012 can be varied by the temperature of the susceptor 50, the control unit 102 can control the DC voltage output by the DC / DC converter 1012 so that the DC power output by the DC / DC converter 1012 follows the first and second DC powers, despite such variation in DC current.

[0178] On the other hand, in Figure 10, the first DC power P1 and the second DC power P2 can be set so that they converge to the calibration reference temperature Tcf even if the susceptor 50 is replaced. In one embodiment, the control unit 102 can set the first DC power P1 and the second DC power P2 in the range of 5W to 12W. For example, the first DC power P1 may be 10W and the second DC power P2 may be 7W. Setting the first DC power P1 to be greater than the second DC power P2 in the first section, which is the initial section of the calibration mode, is to allow the susceptor 50 to reach the calibration reference temperature Tcf more quickly. Also, setting the second DC power P2 to be lower than the first DC power P1 in the second section, which is the later section of the calibration mode, helps to minimize the load on the susceptor 50 while also reducing power consumption. The control unit 102 may set the first interval to be sufficiently long so that the second susceptor 52 converges to the calibration reference temperature Tcf during the first interval. However, in order to minimize the load on the instrument, the length of the first interval may be set to be shorter than the length of the second interval. For example, the length of the first interval may be set to 2 minutes or less, and the combined length of the first and second intervals may be set to 5 minutes or less, but is not limited thereto.

[0179] Figure 10 illustrates an example in which the second susceptor 52 reaches the calibration reference temperature Tcf in the first interval. In Figure 10, the second susceptor 52 converges to a temperature lower than the calibration reference temperature Tcf in the second interval due to a decrease in DC power. However, since the aerosol generator 1 of the present invention does not have a separate temperature sensor, the convergence to the calibration reference temperature Tcf can be estimated from the DC current output by the DC / DC converter 1012. The control unit 102 can determine that the second susceptor 52 has reached the calibration reference temperature Tcf if the DC current output by the DC / DC converter 1012 is maintained within the reference range for a predetermined reference time. For example, the reference time is 3 seconds and the reference range is 0 to 100 mA, but it is not limited to these.

[0180] In Figure 10, the second susceptor 52 reaches the calibration reference temperature Tcf from the second time point t2, and the current sensing unit 1033 can output the second DC current I2 as a sensed value. The second DC current I2 is the DC current corresponding to the calibration reference temperature Tcf, and is therefore also called the calibration reference current. The control unit 102 calibrates the current-temperature relationship for the second susceptor 52 based on this calibration reference temperature Tcf and calibration reference current, and determines the temperature of the second susceptor 52 based on the calibrated relationship.

[0181] More specifically, the control unit 102 pre-stores information related to the first DC current (I1 in Figure 9) output by the DC / DC converter 1012 when the first susceptor 51 reaches the calibration reference temperature Tcf in the memory 104, and the control unit 102 can obtain a calibration value based on the difference between the second DC current I2, which is the calibration reference current, and the first DC current I1. For example, the difference between the second DC current I2 and the first DC current I1 is a(A) as shown in Figure 9, and the control unit 102 can obtain a(A) as the calibration value.

[0182] The control unit 102 can calibrate the temperature matching information for the second susceptor 52 based on the calibration value. The control unit 102 can modify the DC current-temperature information for the first susceptor 51 stored in the memory 104. For example, the control unit 102 can add the calibration value (a) to the first DC current I1 and map the added value (I1+a) to the calibration reference temperature Tcf. Since the DC current and the temperature of the susceptor 50 have a linear relationship, the control unit 102 can calibrate the correspondence between the second DC current I2 and the temperature of the second susceptor 52 around the added value (I1+a) and the calibration reference temperature Tcf. For example, the linear relationship between the second DC current I2 and the temperature of the second susceptor 52 can increase overall by the calibration value (a) of the linear relationship between the first DC current I1 and the first susceptor 51. The control unit 102 can determine the temperature of the second susceptor 52 based on the calibrated correspondence.

[0183] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method in the calibration section according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0184] The control unit 102 can enter calibration mode passively in response to user input and / or automatically depending on whether or not the upper case 40 is detected.

[0185] In an example where the control unit 102 passively enters calibration mode in response to user input, after the first susceptor 51 is removed from the insertion space, a second susceptor 52, different from the first susceptor 51, is inserted into the insertion space. The present invention features an easy replacement structure for the susceptor 50, and the first susceptor 51 can be discarded after separation or reinserted into the insertion space after cleaning. The first susceptor 51 has a structure that makes it easy to clean when removed from the insertion space, and the user can heat the aerosol-generating substrate S while replacing the susceptor 50 for a uniform taste. The structure of the replaceable susceptor 50 is as described above in Figure 4. The input unit 105 may be provided in the form of a single button key. The control unit 102 may enter calibration mode when it receives continuous user input for a period longer than a pre-set input time. Continuous user input for a period longer than a pre-set input time is also called long key input. In one embodiment, the pre-set input time may be set to 5 seconds or more. For example, the input time can be 8 seconds, but it is not limited to that. Limiting the input time to a relatively large period in this way is to prevent the system from entering proofreading mode against the user's intention.

[0186] In an example where the system automatically enters calibration mode based on whether or not the upper case 40 is detected, the upper case sensing unit 1032 may be equipped with an inductive sensor. The inductance of the upper case sensing unit 1032 can be varied as the upper case 40 approaches and retracts from the main body 10. The upper case sensing unit 1032 may transmit the inductance value to the control unit 102 in real time or periodically. The control unit 102 may determine whether or not the upper case 40 has separated from the main body 10 based on the inductance value output by the upper case sensing unit 1032. If the control unit 102 determines that the upper case 40 has reconnected to the main body 10, it may enter calibration mode.

[0187] When the control unit 102 enters calibration mode passively and / or automatically based on user input and / or sensing of the upper case 40, it can perform the following steps.

[0188] Referring to Figure 11, in step S1210, the control unit 102 acquires a calibration reference current corresponding to the calibration reference temperature of the second susceptor 52.

[0189] The control unit 102 can control the power supplied to the heating unit 108 by a power profile, not a temperature profile, in calibration mode. The memory 104 can store information related to the DC power output by the power supply unit 101 in the probe section, the first section, and the second section, respectively. When entering calibration mode, the control unit 102 can control the power supply unit 101 in the first section after the probe section to output a first DC power. The control unit 102 can also control the power supply unit 101 in the second section to output a second DC power that is smaller than the first DC power.

[0190] The power supply unit 101 includes a battery 1011 and a DC / DC converter 1012 connected to the battery 1011. The control unit 102 can control the DC / DC converter 1012 so that it outputs a first DC power and a second DC power by controlling the DC voltage among the DC current and DC voltage output by the DC / DC converter 1012.

[0191] On the other hand, in calibration mode, the control unit 102 can set the first DC power and the second DC power output by the power supply unit so that the second susceptor 52 converges to the calibration reference temperature. The second susceptor 52 converges to the calibration reference temperature because it is manufactured to have an energy content per mm² (W / mm³) within a predetermined reference range, as described above in Figure 9.

[0192] In this invention, the temperature of the second susceptor 52 can be determined by sensing the second DC current output by the power supply unit 101. Therefore, when the temperature of the second susceptor 52 converges to the calibration reference temperature, it is equivalent to the second DC current being maintained within a previously set range. Accordingly, the control unit 102 can determine that the temperature of the second susceptor 52 has converged to the calibration reference temperature if the second DC current is maintained within the reference range for a previously set reference time. The control unit 102 can acquire information related to the second DC current output by the current sensing unit 1033 at the time the temperature of the second susceptor 52 reaches the calibration reference temperature and set this as the calibration reference current.

[0193] In step S1220, the control unit obtains a calibration value based on the calibration reference current.

[0194] The control unit 102 may store in the memory 104 information relating to the first DC current output by the power supply unit 101 when the first susceptor 51 reaches the calibration reference temperature. The control unit 102 may obtain a calibration value based on the difference between the first DC current and the second DC current, which is the calibration reference current. In one embodiment, the control unit 102 may obtain a calibration value by subtracting the first DC current by the second DC current, which is the calibration reference current.

[0195] In step S1230, the control unit calibrates the relationship between the DC current output by the power supply and the temperature of the second susceptor based on the calibration value.

[0196] The control unit 102 can obtain the correspondence between the second susceptor 52 and the temperature of the second susceptor 52 by correcting the correspondence between the first DC current of the first susceptor 51 and the temperature of the first susceptor 51 based on the calibration value. In other words, the control unit 102 can calibrate the temperature matching information for the first susceptor 51 to the temperature matching information for the second susceptor 52 based on the calibration value.

[0197] Memory 104 can store a first correspondence between DC current and temperature for the first susceptor 51. The first correspondence for the first susceptor 51 has a linear relationship centered on the first DC current corresponding to the calibration reference temperature, and such a linear relationship can be stored in memory 104 in the form of a lookup table. The control unit 102 can obtain calibration values ​​from the calibration reference temperature and calibration reference current for the second susceptor 52 and calibrate the first correspondence based on the calibration values. For example, the control unit 102 can add the calibration value to the first DC current corresponding to the calibration reference temperature in the first correspondence and associate the added first DC current with the calibration reference temperature. The added first DC current corresponds to the second DC current, and a second correspondence can be obtained that has a linear relationship centered on the calibration reference temperature corresponding to the second DC current. That is, the first correspondence can be calibrated to the second correspondence and stored in memory 104 in the form of a lookup table. The second correspondence is information for determining the temperature of the second susceptor 52, and the control unit 102 can determine the temperature of the second susceptor 52 based on the second correspondence.

[0198] At step S1240, the control unit determines the temperature of the second susceptor 52 based on the calibrated correspondence.

[0199] The calibrated correspondence in step S1240 may represent the second correspondence. Throughout steps S1210 to S1230, the correspondence between the second DC current and the temperature of the second susceptor 52 was calibrated by the calibration reference current corresponding to the calibration reference temperature of the second susceptor 52. In other words, the calibration reference current corresponding to the calibration reference temperature was calibrated to the second DC current obtained by adding the calibration value to the first DC current, and the linear relationship between DC current and temperature was also calibrated around the calibration reference current-calibration reference temperature. Therefore, the control unit 102 can accurately determine the temperature of the second susceptor 52 despite the replacement of the susceptor 50.

[0200] Any or other embodiments of the present invention described above are mutually exclusive or indistinguishable from each other. Any or other embodiments of the present invention described above may be used in combination or in combination with each other in terms of their respective configurations or functions.

[0201] For example, it means that configuration A described in a particular embodiment and / or drawing may 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 it is possible to combine them unless it is stated that such combination is impossible.

[0202] The foregoing description should not be interpreted restrictively in any way and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the invention are included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. In an aerosol generating device, A power supply unit that outputs DC power, A power conversion unit that converts the DC power supply into an AC power supply, An induction coil that generates an alternating magnetic field when supplied with the aforementioned AC power, A first susceptor, which is heated by the alternating magnetic field generated by the induction coil and is removably inserted into the insertion space, The system includes a control unit that determines the temperature of the first susceptor based on the DC current output by the power supply unit, The control unit, An aerosol generator that, after the first susceptor has been removed from the insertion space, and a second susceptor different from the first susceptor has been inserted into the insertion space, controls the power supply unit according to a pre-set power profile to obtain a calibration reference current corresponding to the calibration reference temperature of the second susceptor, and determines the temperature of the second susceptor based on the calibration reference temperature and the calibration reference current.

2. It further includes an input section for receiving user input, The control unit, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the input unit receives user input for a previously set input time or longer, it determines that it has entered calibration mode and obtains the calibration reference current corresponding to the calibration reference temperature of the second susceptor.

3. The system further includes a memory for storing information relating to the DC power output by the power supply unit in the first section and the second section adjacent to the first section, The control unit, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when entering calibration mode, the power supply unit is controlled to output a first DC power in the first section and a second DC power smaller than the first DC power in the second section.

4. The aforementioned power supply unit is Includes a battery and a DC / DC converter connected to the battery, The control unit, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the DC / DC converter is controlled by adjusting the DC voltage among the DC current and DC voltage output by the DC / DC converter so that the DC / DC converter outputs the first DC power and the second DC power.

5. The control unit, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in calibration mode, the first DC power and the second DC power output by the power supply unit are set so that the second susceptor converges to the calibration reference temperature.

6. The control unit, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in calibration mode, if the DC current output by the power supply unit is maintained within a reference range for a previously set reference time, the second susceptor determines that it has reached the calibration reference temperature.

7. The control unit, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the DC current output by the power supply unit is determined to be the calibration reference current when the second susceptor reaches the calibration reference temperature.

8. The control unit, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first DC current output by the power supply unit is obtained in advance when the first susceptor reaches the calibration reference temperature, and a calibration value is obtained based on the difference between the calibration reference current and the first DC current.

9. The control unit, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the relationship between the DC current output by the power supply unit and the temperature of the second susceptor is calibrated based on the calibration value.

10. The control unit, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the temperature of the second susceptor is determined based on the calibrated correspondence.

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