Aerosol generator

Abstract

An aerosol generating device is disclosed. The aerosol generating device of this disclosure includes a body having an insertion space, a heater for heating the insertion space, a first sensor for sensing when an object is inserted into or removed from the insertion space, and a control unit for controlling the power supplied to the heater, wherein the control unit controls the heater to turn on and off at predetermined intervals, and activates the first sensor while the heater is off, the predetermined interval may be 1 / 20000 sec or less.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device.

Background Art

[0002] An aerosol generating device is for extracting a predetermined component from a medium or a substance through an aerosol. The medium can contain substances with various components. The substances contained in the medium may be flavor substances with various components. For example, the substances contained in the medium can include a nicotine component, a herb component, and / or a coffee component, etc. In recent years, many studies have been conducted on such aerosol generating devices.

[0003] In an aerosol generating device, in order to supply a voltage to a heater stably, a capacitor can be used on the input side of the heater. When a ceramic type capacitor operates, vibration occurs due to the piezoelectric effect, and thus audible noise that can be heard by a person can be generated by the ceramic type capacitor. A conventional aerosol generating device using a ceramic type capacitor has a problem that audible noise occurs in the switching process for supplying voltage or power to the heater.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and other problems.

[0005] Another object is to provide an aerosol generating device that controls a heater to turn on and off at a predetermined cycle and activates a first sensor that senses the insertion or removal of an object while the heater is off.

[0006] Another objective is to provide an aerosol generating device that controls the heater to turn on and off at predetermined intervals when the stick is not removed, activates the first sensor while the heater is off, and controls the heater to turn off when the stick is removed, thereby activating the first sensor.

[0007] Another objective is to provide an aerosol generating device that allows for variable activation cycles of the first sensor.

[0008] Another objective is to provide an aerosol generating device that sets the activation cycle of the first sensor when puffs are generated and the activation cycle of the first sensor when puffs are not generated for a certain period of time to be different from each other.

[0009] Another objective is to provide an aerosol generating device that sets the activation cycle of the first sensor to be different when the number of puff generation cycles exceeds a certain number and when the number of puff generation cycles is less than a certain number.

[0010] Another objective is to provide an aerosol generating device that sets the activation period of the first sensor to be different when the distance between the body and an external object is above a certain level and when it is below that level. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] According to one aspect of this disclosure for achieving the above-mentioned objectives, an aerosol generating apparatus is provided, comprising a body having an insertion space, a heater for heating the insertion space, a first sensor for sensing when an object is inserted into or removed from the insertion space, and a control unit for controlling the power supplied to the heater, wherein the control unit controls the heater to turn on and off at predetermined intervals, and activates the first sensor while the heater is off, and the predetermined interval is 1 / 20000 sec or less. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the heater is controlled to turn on and off at a predetermined interval, and a first sensor that detects the insertion or removal of an object is activated while the heater is off, thereby preventing the heater from generating audible noise.

[0013] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the heater turns on and off at predetermined intervals when the stick is not removed, the first sensor is activated while the heater is off, and the heater turns off when the stick is removed, activating the first sensor again. This prevents the detection accuracy of the first sensor from decreasing due to the operation of the heater.

[0014] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the generation of audible noise can be controlled in response to the inhalation state of the device user by varying the activation period of the first sensor.

[0015] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, by setting the activation period of the first sensor when a puff occurs and the activation period of the first sensor when a puff does not occur for a certain period of time or longer to be different from each other, it is possible to prevent the generation of audible noise when the user of the device is inhaling.

[0016] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, by setting the activation period of the first sensor when the number of puffs exceeds a certain number and the activation period of the first sensor when the number of puffs is less than a certain number to be different from each other, it is possible to prevent the generation of audible noise in accordance with the number of puffs by the device user.

[0017] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the activation period of the first sensor when the distance between the body and the external object is above a certain level and the activation period of the first sensor when the distance is below a certain level are set to be different from each other, thereby preventing the generation of audible noise when the user of the device is inhaling.

[0018] Any additional applicable scope of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. However, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of this disclosure are readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the detailed description and specific embodiments, such as preferred embodiments of this disclosure, should be understood to be given only as examples. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This figure shows an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This figure shows an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a circuit diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This flowchart illustrates the operation control of the heater and the first sensor of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This flowchart illustrates the operation control of the heater and the first sensor of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This graph illustrates the operational control of the heater and the first sensor of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] This flowchart illustrates the setting of the sensing cycle of the first sensor of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] This graph illustrates the operational control of the heater and the first sensor of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] A flowchart illustrating the setting of the sensing period of the first sensor of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] A flowchart illustrating the setting of the sensing period of the first sensor of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For identical or similar components, the same reference numerals will be assigned even if they are illustrated in different drawings, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. In the description of the drawings, similar drawing reference numerals can be used for similar or related components.

[0021] The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are used or mixed only for the ease of description in the specification and do not have distinct meanings or roles from each other. On the other hand, the suffixes "module" or "unit" can include units implemented by hardware, software, or firmware, and can be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic blocks, components, or circuits. A "module" or "unit" can be an integrally configured component or the smallest unit or a part of the above components that performs one or more functions. For example, a "module" or "unit" can be implemented in the form of an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).

[0022] Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments disclosed herein, if a specific description of related known technology could obscure the essence of the embodiments disclosed herein, such detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are provided to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and should not be construed as limiting the technical ideas disclosed herein and including all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions included in the ideas and scope of this disclosure.

[0023] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., can be used to describe a variety of components, but it should be understood that the components are not limited by such terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0024] When we say that one component is "linked" or "connected" to another component, it can be understood that it may be directly linked or connected to the other component, but there may also be other components in between. On the other hand, when we say that one component is "directly linked" or "directly connected" to another component, it can be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0025] A singular expression includes plural expressions unless explicitly indicated otherwise in the context.

[0026] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be embodied by software comprising one or more instruction sets stored in a storage medium (e.g., memory 17) that can be read by a machine (e.g., aerosol generator 1). For example, the processor (e.g., control unit 12) of the machine (e.g., aerosol generator 1) can invoke and execute at least one instruction from among the one or more instruction sets stored in the storage medium. This allows the machine to operate to perform at least one function by the invoked at least one instruction set. The one or more instruction sets may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, “non-transitory” simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and this term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently and cases where it is stored temporarily.

[0027] In this disclosure, the orientation of the aerosol generator 1 can be defined with respect 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.

[0028] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generator 1 may include a power supply 11, a control unit 12, a sensor unit 13, an output unit 14, an input unit 15, a communication unit 16, a memory 17, and / or heaters 18, 24. However, it will be understood by those ordinary skill in the art relating to this embodiment that the design of the aerosol generator 1 may allow for the omission of some of the components shown in Figure 1 or the addition of new components.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit 13 can sense the state of the aerosol generator 1 or the state of the area around the aerosol generator 1 and transmit the sensed information to the control unit 12. For example, the sensor unit 13 may include a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, an insertion sensor, a reuse sensor, an overly moist sensor, a cigarette identification sensor, a cartridge sensor, a cap sensor, and / or a motion sensor. On the other hand, the sensor unit 13 may further include a variety of sensors such as a liquid level sensor for sensing the amount of liquid remaining in the cartridge and a water ingress sensor for sensing water ingress into the aerosol generator 1.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the temperature sensor can sense the temperature at which the heaters 18 and 24 are heated. The aerosol generator 1 may include a separate temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the heaters 18 and 24, or the heaters 18 and 24 themselves may act as temperature sensors. As an example, the temperature sensor can be used to measure the impedance to the heater 18. The impedance to the heater 18 may correlate with the temperature of the heater 18. The temperature sensor can measure the current and / or voltage applied to the heater 18 (or induction coil). Based on the measured current and / or voltage, the impedance to the heater 18 can be calculated. The control unit 12 can estimate the temperature of the heater 18 based on the calculated impedance.

[0032] As an example, the temperature sensor may include a resistive element (e.g., a thermistor) whose resistance changes in response to temperature changes in the heaters 18 and 24. The temperature sensor can output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistive element, and the control unit 12 can detect the temperature and / or temperature change of the heaters 18 and 24 in response to the signal corresponding to the resistance value.

[0033] As another example, the temperature sensor may include a sensor that detects the resistance values ​​of heaters 18 and 24. The temperature sensor may output a signal corresponding to the resistance values ​​of heaters 18 and 24, and the control unit 12 may detect the temperature and / or temperature change of heaters 18 and 24 in response to the signal corresponding to the resistance value.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the temperature sensor can sense the temperature of the power supply 11. The temperature sensor may be positioned adjacent to the power supply 11. For example, the temperature sensor may be attached to one side of the power supply 11 (e.g., a battery) and / or mounted on one side of a printed circuit board. As an example, the aerosol generator 1 may include a protection circuit module (PCM), and the temperature sensor may be positioned adjacent to the power supply 11 together with the protection circuit module.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the temperature sensor is placed inside the housing (not shown) of the aerosol generator 1, and can also sense the internal temperature of the housing (not shown).

[0036] According to one embodiment, the puff sensor can detect the user's puff.

[0037] As an example, the puff sensor may include a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor can output a signal corresponding to the internal pressure of the aerosol generator 1, and the control unit 12 can detect the user's puff in accordance with the signal corresponding to the internal pressure. Here, the internal pressure of the aerosol generator 1 may correspond to the pressure of the airflow path through which the gas flows. The puff sensor may be positioned in the aerosol generator 1 corresponding to the airflow path through which the gas flows.

[0038] As another example, the puff sensor may include a temperature sensor. When a user puffs, a temporary temperature drop may occur in the airflow path, the space into which the aerosol product is inserted (hereinafter referred to as the insertion space), heaters 18 and 24, etc. The control unit 12 can detect the user's puff in response to a signal corresponding to the temperature of the airflow path, etc., output from the temperature sensor.

[0039] As yet another example, the puff sensor may also include a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor together. In this case, the temperature sensor can measure the temperature used to calibrate the internal pressure measured by the pressure sensor. For example, the puff sensor can calibrate the signal corresponding to the internal pressure based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and output the calibrated signal. As yet another example, the puff sensor can output a signal corresponding to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and a signal corresponding to the internal pressure measured by the puff sensor. In this case, the control unit 12 can receive the signals and calibrate the signal corresponding to the internal pressure according to the signal corresponding to the temperature.

[0040] As yet another example, the puff sensor may include a capacitance sensor. In this disclosure, the capacitance sensor may also be called a capacitive sensor. When a user puffs, a temperature change and / or aerosol flow may occur within the insertion space of the aerosol product, and thus the dielectric constant inside the insertion space may change. The control unit 12 can detect the user's puff in accordance with a signal corresponding to the dielectric constant inside the insertion space output from the capacitance sensor.

[0041] The puff sensor is not limited to the examples given above, and can be implemented by a variety of sensors to detect the user's puff.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the insertion sensor can detect the insertion and / or removal of aerosol products. The insertion sensor can be installed around the insertion space.

[0043] As an example, the insertion sensing sensor may include a capacitance sensor. The capacitance sensor may include at least one conductor, which may be positioned adjacent to the insertion space. When an aerosol product is inserted into or removed from the insertion space, the dielectric constant around the conductor may change. The control unit 12 can detect the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol product in response to a signal corresponding to the dielectric constant inside the insertion space output from the capacitance sensor.

[0044] As another example, the insertion sensing sensor may include an inductive sensor. The inductive sensor may include at least one coil, which may be positioned adjacent to the insertion space. If the aerosol product (e.g., a wrapper for the aerosol product) includes a conductor, a change in the magnetic field may occur around the coil through which current flows when the aerosol product is inserted into or removed from the insertion space. The control unit 12 can sense the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol product containing a conductor based on the characteristics of the current output from or sensed by the inductive sensor (e.g., frequency, current value, voltage value, inductance value, impedance value, etc., of the alternating current). Alternatively, the aerosol product (e.g., the medium portion of the aerosol product) may include a susceptor (SUS), etc. In this case as well, a change in the magnetic field may occur around the coil due to the insertion or removal of the susceptor, etc., into or from the insertion space, and the control unit 12 can also sense the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol product based on the characteristics of the current from the inductive sensor.

[0045] The insertion sensing sensor is not limited to the examples given above and can be embodied by a variety of sensors (e.g., proximity sensors) for sensing the insertion and / or removal of aerosol products. Furthermore, the insertion sensing sensor may include any combination of the examples given above. According to one embodiment, the insertion sensing sensor may also include a switch for sensing pressure by the aerosol product.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the reuse detection sensor can detect whether or not an aerosol product has been reused. For example, the reuse detection sensor may be a color sensor for detecting the hue of the aerosol product. When an aerosol product is used by a user, the generated aerosol or heating may cause a partial change in the hue of the wrapper surrounding the outside of the aerosol product. The color sensor can output a signal corresponding to the optical properties (e.g., wavelength of light) corresponding to the hue of the wrapper based on the light reflected from the wrapper. When the control unit 12 detects a partial change in the hue of the wrapper, it can determine that the aerosol product inserted into the insertion space has already been used.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the over-humidity sensing sensor can sense whether the aerosol product is in an over-humid state. For example, the over-humidity sensing sensor may include a capacitance sensor. The capacitance sensor may include at least one conductor positioned adjacent to the insertion space. The control unit 12 can detect the over-humid state of the aerosol product based on the level of a signal corresponding to the dielectric constant output from the capacitance sensor. As an example, the control unit 12 can check the level range that includes the level of the signal based on a lookup table and determine the amount of moisture in the aerosol product based on the checked level range.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the cigarette identification sensor can sense whether the aerosol product is a normal product and / or sense the type of aerosol product.

[0049] As an example, the cigarette identification sensor may include an optical sensor for sensing an identification substance (or identification mark) located on the outer surface (e.g., the wrapper) of the aerosol product. The optical sensor can irradiate light onto the identification substance (or identification mark) of the aerosol product and sense the authenticity and / or type of the aerosol product based on the reflected light. For example, the identification substance may include a substance that emits light of a specific wavelength range based on the irradiated light. The control unit 12 can detect the authenticity and / or type of the aerosol product based on the wavelength range.

[0050] As another example, a cigarette identification sensor may include a capacitance sensor. The dielectric constant inside the insertion space may differ depending on the type of aerosol product inserted into the insertion space. The control unit 12 can detect the authenticity and / or type of the aerosol product in response to a signal corresponding to the dielectric constant inside the insertion space output from the capacitance sensor.

[0051] As yet another example, a cigarette identification sensor may include an inductive sensor. If the wrapper and / or interior (e.g., the medium portion) of the aerosol product inserted into the insertion space contains a conductor, the characteristics of the current sensed by the inductive sensor when the aerosol product is inserted into the insertion space (e.g., frequency, current value, voltage value, inductance value, impedance value, etc. of the AC current) may differ depending on the type of aerosol product inserted into the insertion space. The control unit 12 can detect the authenticity and / or type of the inserted aerosol product based on the characteristics of the current output from or sensed by the inductive sensor.

[0052] The cigarette identification sensor is not limited to the examples given above and can be embodied by a variety of sensors for sensing the authenticity of an aerosol product and / or the type of aerosol product. Furthermore, the cigarette identification sensor may include any combination of the examples given above.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the cartridge sensing sensor can detect the insertion and / or removal of a cartridge. For example, the cartridge sensing sensor may include an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a Hall sensor (Hall IC), and / or an optical sensor.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the cap sensing sensor can sense the attachment and / or removal of the cap. For example, the cap sensing sensor may include an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistance sensor, a contact sensor, a Hall sensor (Hall IC), and / or an optical sensor. The cap may include a structure that covers at least a portion of the cartridge attached to or inserted into the aerosol generator 1, or that covers at least a portion of the housing of the aerosol generator 1. When the cap sensing sensor is attached to or removed from the housing, it may output a signal corresponding to the attachment or removal, and the control unit 12 may sense the attachment or removal of the cap in accordance with the signal corresponding to the attachment or removal.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the motion sensing sensor can sense the movement of the aerosol generator 1. The motion sensing sensor can be implemented by at least one of an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor.

[0056] In one embodiment, the sensor unit 13 may further include at least one of the following sensors in addition to the aforementioned sensors: a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor, or a proximity sensor. The function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred by those skilled in the art from its name, so a detailed explanation can be omitted.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the output unit 14 can output information about the status of the aerosol generator 1. The output unit 14 may include, but is not limited to, a display, a haptic unit, and / or an acoustic output unit. For example, information about the aerosol generator 1 may include the charge / discharge status of the power supply 11 of the aerosol generator 1, the preheating status of the heaters 18 and 24, the insertion / removal status of the aerosol product and / or cartridge, the attachment and / or removal status of the cap, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generator 1 is restricted (e.g., detection of an abnormal item). The display can visually provide the user with information about the status of the aerosol generator 1. For example, the display may include an LED (light-emitting diode) light-emitting element, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and the like. If the display includes a touchpad, it can also be used as an input unit 15. The haptic unit can tactilely provide the user with information about the status of the aerosol generator 1. For example, the haptic section may include a vibration motor, a piezoelectric element, an electrical stimulator, etc. The acoustic output section can provide the user with auditory information about the aerosol generator 1. For example, the acoustic output section can convert electrical signals into acoustic signals and output them externally.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the power supply 11 can supply power for the operation of the aerosol generator 1. The power supply 11 may include one or more batteries. The power supply 11 can supply power so that the heaters 18 and 24 can be heated. The power supply 11 can also supply power necessary for the operation of other components included in the aerosol generator 1, such as the control unit 12, sensor unit 13, output unit 14, input unit 15, communication unit 16, and memory 17. The power supply 11 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the power supply 11 may be, but is not limited to, a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery. The power supply 11 may be a replaceable type (detachable battery) (hereinafter referred to as a removable battery). The removable battery may be installed in a battery housing provided in the aerosol generator 1 or removed from the battery housing. The removable battery may also be charged by wire and / or wirelessly.

[0059] According to one embodiment, heaters 18 and 24 can receive power from a power source 11 to heat the aerosol product and / or the medium and / or aerosol generating substance in the cartridge. The aerosol generating apparatus 1 may include a heater 18 for heating the aerosol product and / or a cartridge heater 24 for heating the cartridge (i.e., solid and / or liquid medium).

[0060] According to one embodiment, heaters 18 and 24 may be electrical resistance heaters. For example, electrical resistance heaters may include electrical resistance materials such as metals or metal alloys, including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, and nichrome. Electrical resistance heaters can be embodied by metal heating wires, metal heating plates on which electrical conductive tracks are arranged, ceramic heating elements, and the like.

[0061] According to one embodiment, heaters 18 and 24 may be induction heating heaters. For example, an induction heating heater may include a susceptor that generates heat in response to a magnetic field. An alternating current flowing through the induction coil can generate a magnetic field from the induction coil. The generated magnetic field can penetrate the heater and generate eddy currents in the susceptor. The generation of eddy currents can heat the susceptor. According to one embodiment, the susceptor may be contained inside the aerosol product (e.g., in the medium). In this case as well, the susceptor contained inside the aerosol product can be heated by the induction coil.

[0062] The heaters 18 and 24 are not limited to the examples given above and may include or be replaced by a variety of heating methods, structures, components, etc., for heating aerosol products and / or cartridges.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the input unit 15 can receive information entered by the user. For example, the input unit 15 may include a touch panel, buttons, a keypad, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the memory 17 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generator 1, and can store data processed by the control unit 12 and data to be processed. For example, the memory 17 can include at least one type of storage medium from among flash memory type, hard disk type, multimedia card micro type, card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), RAM (random access memory), SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), PROM (programmable read-only memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk. For example, the memory 17 can store data such as the operating time of the aerosol generator 1, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the communication unit 16 may include at least one component for communication with other electronic devices (e.g., portable electronic devices). For example, the communication unit 16 may include a Bluetooth® communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (wireless local area network) communication unit, a Zigbee® communication unit, an infrared (infrared Data Association, IrDA) communication unit, a WFD (Wireless Fidelity Direct) communication unit, a UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an Ant (Adaptive Network Topology) communication unit, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN) communication unit, and the like.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator 1. For example, the control unit 12 may include at least one processor. The control unit 12 may be embodied by an array of numerous logic gates, or by a combination of a general-purpose MCU (microcontroller unit) (or microprocessor) and memory storing a program executable by such an MCU. It will be understood by those ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs that it may also be embodied by other forms of hardware.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the temperature of heaters 18 and 24 by controlling the supply of power from the power supply 11 to heaters 18 and 24. The control unit 12 can control the temperature of heaters 18 and 24 and / or the power supplied to heaters 18 and 24 based on the temperature of heaters 18 and 24 sensed using a temperature sensor (e.g., sensor unit 13). The control unit 12 can control the temperature of heaters 18 and 24 and / or the power supplied to heaters 18 and 24 based on a temperature profile and / or power profile stored in memory 17.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power (e.g., voltage and / or current) supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 by controlling a power conversion circuit (not shown) electrically connected to the heaters 18 and 24 and the power supply 11. For example, the power conversion circuit may include a DC / DC converter (e.g., a buck converter, buck-boost converter, boost converter, Zener diode, etc.) that converts power to be supplied to the heaters 18 and 24, and a DC / AC converter (e.g., an inverter) that converts power to be supplied to an induction coil (not shown). The DC / AC converter can be embodied by a full-bridge circuit or a half-bridge circuit including a plurality of switching elements. For example, the power conversion circuit may include at least one switching element such as a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) or a field-effect transistor (FET).

[0069] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can adjust the current and / or voltage supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 by adjusting the frequency and / or duty cycle of the current pulse input to at least one switching element of a power conversion circuit (not shown). The duty cycle for the on / off operation of the switching element may correspond to the ratio of the output voltage of the power conversion circuit to the output voltage of the power supply 11.

[0070] In one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 using at least one of the following methods: pulse width modulation (PWM) and proportional-integral-differential (PID). For example, the control unit 12 can use the PWM method to control the supply of current pulses having a predetermined frequency and duty cycle to the heaters 18 and 24. The control unit 12 can control the power supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 by adjusting the frequency and duty cycle of the current pulses. For example, the control unit 12 can determine a target temperature for control based on a temperature profile. The control unit 12 can control the power supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 using the PID method, which is a feedback control method based on the difference between the temperature of the heaters 18 and 24 and the target temperature, the value obtained by integrating the difference over time, and the value obtained by differentiating the difference over time.

[0071] In one embodiment, the control unit 12 can determine a target power that will be the control target based on the power profile. The control unit 12 can also control the power supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 over time to correspond to the already set target power.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can detect the user's puff by sensing the power supplied to the heaters 18 and 24. More specifically, the control unit 12 can control the power supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 in a PID manner. When the user's puff occurs, a temporary temperature drop may occur in the space into which the aerosol product is inserted (hereinafter referred to as the insertion space), the heaters 18 and 24, etc. Therefore, a change in the power (or current) supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 may occur during PID power control. The control unit 12 can detect the user's puff based on the change in the controlled power.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can prevent the heaters 18 and 24 from overheating. For example, if the temperature of the heaters 18 and 24 exceeds a previously set limit temperature, the control unit 12 can control the operation of the power conversion circuit to reduce the amount of power supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 or to interrupt the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the charging and discharging of the power supply 11. For example, the control unit 12 can check the temperature of the power supply 11 using a temperature sensor (e.g., sensor unit 13). If the temperature of the power supply 11 is above a first limit temperature, the control unit 12 can cut off charging of the power supply 11. If the temperature of the power supply 11 is above a second limit temperature, the control unit 12 can interrupt the use (e.g., discharge) of the power stored in the power supply 11. The control unit 12 can calculate the remaining amount of power stored in the power supply 11. For example, the control unit 12 can calculate the remaining amount of power in the power supply 11 based on the sensed voltage and / or current of the power supply 11.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 based on the results sensed by the sensor unit 13.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 based on the insertion and / or removal of aerosol products into and from the insertion space. For example, the control unit 12 can use an insertion sensing sensor (e.g., sensor unit 13) to determine that aerosol products have been inserted into the insertion space and control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 to supply power. The control unit 12 can use an insertion sensing sensor (e.g., sensor unit 13) to determine that aerosol products have been removed from the insertion space and cut off the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24. The control unit 12 can also determine that aerosol products have been removed from the insertion space if the temperature of the heaters 18 and 24 is above a limit temperature or if the temperature change gradient of the heaters 18 and 24 is above a set gradient.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supply time and / or power supply amount to the heaters 18 and 24 based on the state of the aerosol product. For example, if the control unit 12 determines that the aerosol product is in an over-humidity state using an over-humidity sensing sensor (e.g., sensor unit 13), it can extend the power supply time (e.g., preheating time) to the heaters 18 and 24.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 based on whether or not the aerosol product has been reused. For example, if the control unit 12 determines that the aerosol product has been used, it can cut off the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 based on the coupling and / or removal of the cartridge. For example, if the control unit 12 determines, using a cartridge sensing sensor (e.g., sensor unit 13), that the cartridge is separated, it can interrupt the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 or control the system so that no power is supplied to the heaters 18 and 24.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 based on whether the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge has been exhausted. For example, the control unit 12 can determine that the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge has been exhausted if it determines that the temperature of the heaters 18 and 24 exceeds a limit temperature during preheating (i.e., in the preheating section). If it is determined that the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge has been exhausted, the control unit 12 can cut off the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24.

[0081] In one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 based on whether the cartridge is usable or not. For example, based on the data stored in the memory 17, the control unit 12 can determine that the cartridge is unusable if the current number of puffs is equal to or greater than the maximum number of puffs set for the cartridge. Alternatively, the control unit 12 can determine that the cartridge is unusable if the total time the heaters 18 and 24 have been heated is equal to or greater than the already set maximum time, or if the total amount of power supplied to the heaters 18 and 24 is equal to or greater than the already set maximum amount of power. In this case, the control unit 12 can interrupt the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 or control the system so that power is not supplied to the heaters 18 and 24.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 based on the user's puffs. For example, the control unit 12 can use a puff sensor (e.g., sensor unit 13) to determine whether or not a puff has occurred and / or the intensity of the puff. The control unit 12 can cut off the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 when the number of puffs reaches a previously set maximum number of puffs and / or when no puffs are detected for a previously set time or longer. The control unit 12 can also control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 when a puff is detected.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 based on the authenticity and / or type of the aerosol product (or cartridge). For example, the control unit 12 can detect the authenticity and / or type of the aerosol product using a cigarette identification sensor (e.g., sensor unit 13). As an example, if the control unit 12 detects that the aerosol product (or cartridge) is counterfeit, it can cut off the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24. If the control unit 12 detects that the aerosol product (or cartridge) is normal, it can control (e.g., start) the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24. As another example, the control unit 12 can control the power supply to the heaters 18 and 24 differently depending on the type of aerosol product (or cartridge). More specifically, when the control unit 12 detects an aerosol product (or cartridge) as a first aerosol product (or first cartridge), it can control the temperature and / or power of the heaters 18 and 24 based on a first temperature profile (or first power profile), and when it detects a second aerosol product (or second cartridge), it can control the temperature and / or power of the heaters 18 and 24 based on a second temperature profile (or second power profile).

[0084] In one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the output unit 14 based on the results sensed by the sensor unit 13. For example, the control unit 12 can control the output unit 14 to visually, tactilely, and / or audibly provide information that the aerosol generator 1 will immediately terminate when the number of puffs counted using the puff sensor (e.g., the sensor unit 13) reaches a previously set number. For example, the control unit 12 can also control the output unit 14 to visually, tactilely, and / or audibly provide information about the temperature of the heaters 18 and 24.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can store and update a history of events in the memory 17 based on the occurrence of a predetermined event. For example, an event may include operations performed by the aerosol generator 1, such as sensing the insertion of an aerosol product, starting the heating of the aerosol product, detecting puffing, ending puffing, detecting overheating of heaters 18 and 24, detecting the application of overvoltage to heaters 18 and 24, ending the heating of the aerosol product, turning the power of the aerosol generator 1 on / off, starting charging of the power supply 11, detecting overcharging of the power supply 11, and ending charging of the power supply 11. For example, the history of an event may include the date and time the event occurred, log data corresponding to the event, etc. For example, if a predetermined event is the sensing of the insertion of an aerosol product, the log data corresponding to the event may include data such as the sensing value of the insertion sensing sensor (e.g., sensor unit 13). For example, if a predetermined event is the detection of overheating in heaters 18 and 24, the log data corresponding to the event may include data such as the temperature of heaters 18 and 24, the voltage applied to heaters 18 and 24, and the current flowing through heaters 18 and 24.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can control the communication unit 16 to form a communication link with an external device such as the user's mobile terminal.

[0087] According to one embodiment, when the control unit 12 receives authentication data from an external device via a communication link, it can release the restriction on the use of at least one function of the aerosol generator 1 (e.g., heating function). For example, the authentication data may include the user's date of birth, a unique number identifying the user, and whether the user's authentication has been completed.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can transmit data about the status of the aerosol generator 1 (e.g., remaining power 11, operating mode, etc.) to an external device via a communication link. The transmitted data can be output via a display or the like on the external device.

[0089] According to one embodiment, when the control unit 12 receives a request from an external device via a communication link to locate the aerosol generator 1, it can control the output unit 14 to perform an operation corresponding to the location search. For example, the control unit 12 can control the haptic unit to generate vibrations or to output an object corresponding to the display location search and the end of the search.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can perform a firmware update when it receives firmware data from an external device via a communication link.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the control unit 12 can transmit data about the sensing values ​​of at least one sensor unit 13 to an external server (not shown) via a communication unit, learn the sensing values ​​from the server via machine learning such as deep learning, and receive and store the generated learning model. Using the learning model received from the server, the control unit 12 can perform operations such as determining the user's inhalation pattern and generating a temperature profile.

[0092] Although not shown in Figure 1, the aerosol generator 1 may further include a protection circuit module. The protection circuit module includes at least one switching element that can interrupt the circuit to the power supply 11 in response to overcharging and / or over-discharging of the power supply 11. The aerosol generator 1 may further include a connection interface, such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, which can connect to other external devices via the connection interface to send and receive information or charge the power supply 11.

[0093] The aerosol products referred to in this disclosure may include at least one aerosol-generating rod (e.g., a medium) and at least one filter rod. The heater 18 is arranged to correspond to at least one aerosol-generating rod and may be designed differently depending on the arrangement order and / or position of the aerosol-generating rod and the filter rod. The aerosol-generating rod may include at least one of nicotine, an aerosol-generating substance, and an additive. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may include glycerin (e.g., vegetable glycerin, VG) and / or propylene glycol (PG), and may also include a variety of other substances. For example, the additive may include flavoring agents and / or organic acids, and may also include a variety of other substances. For example, the aerosol-generating rod may include an aerosol-generating substrate (e.g., a sheet) impregnated with a liquid non-tobacco substance (e.g., an aerosol-generating substance and / or nicotine) and / or a solid tobacco substance (e.g., tobacco leaves, reconstituted tobacco, etc.). Tobacco substances can be contained in the aerosol-generating rod in various forms such as leaf pulp, granules, or powder. According to one embodiment, the additives to the aerosol-generating rod may include a basic substance. Based on the basic substance, the nicotine of the tobacco substance contained in the aerosol-generating rod may have a basic pH (e.g., pH 7.0 or higher). In this case, freebase nicotine can be released from the aerosol-generating rod even at low temperatures. According to one embodiment, the aerosol-generating rod may include two or more aerosol-generating rods, each containing tobacco substance and / or non-tobacco substance. On the other hand, although not shown, at least one aerosol-generating rod and at least one filter rod may each and / or collectively be surrounded by at least one wrapper. In this disclosure, the aerosol product can also be called a stick.

[0094] The cartridges referred to in this disclosure may contain an aerosol-generating substance having one of the following states: liquid, solid, gaseous, or gel. The aerosol-generating substance may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance that includes volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance. On the other hand, the cartridge may include a storage section containing the aerosol-generating substance and / or a liquid delivery means impregnated with (containing) the aerosol-generating substance. For example, the liquid delivery means may include a wick such as cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, or porous ceramic. The cartridge heater 24 may be included in the cartridge as a coil-shaped structure surrounding (or winding) the liquid delivery means or as a structure in contact with one side of the liquid delivery means. Alternatively, the cartridge heater 24 may be included in an aerosol generator 1 that is separable from the cartridge.

[0095] Figures 2 and 3 show an aerosol generating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generator 1 may include a housing 10, a power supply 11, a control unit 12, a sensor unit 13, and / or heaters 182, 183 (for example, heater 18 in Figure 1). However, it will be understood by those ordinary skill in the art relating to this embodiment that the components included in the aerosol generator 1 are not limited to those shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3, and that some components may be omitted or new configurations may be added. The aerosol generator 1 shown in Figure 2 can be described as an "internal heating type" aerosol generator that heats the inside of the aerosol product 2. The aerosol generator 1 shown in Figure 3 can be described as an "external heating type" aerosol generator that heats the outside of the aerosol product 2. In the following drawings, explanations that overlap with Figure 1 will be omitted.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the housing 10 may have an upwardly opening space into which an aerosol product 2 is inserted. In this disclosure, the upwardly opening space can be called an insertion space. The insertion space may be formed by recessing inward to a predetermined depth so that at least a portion of the aerosol product 2 can be inserted. The depth of the insertion space may be greater than or equal to the length of the region in the aerosol product 2 that contains the aerosol-generating substance and / or medium. The lower end of the aerosol product 2 is inserted into the housing 10, and the upper end of the aerosol product 2 may protrude outward from the housing 10. The user can inhale the aerosol by putting the exposed upper end of the aerosol product 2 in their mouth.

[0098] According to one embodiment, heaters 182 and 183 can heat the aerosol product 2.

[0099] Referring to Figure 2, the heater 182 may be an internal heating type heater.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the internal heating element can extend upward in the space into which the aerosol product 2 is inserted (i.e., the insertion space). For example, the internal heating element may include a rod-shaped or needle-shaped heating element as shown in the figure, but it may also include a variety of heating elements such as a tubular heating element or a plate-shaped heating element. The internal heating element can be inserted through the bottom of the aerosol product 2.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the internal heating type heater may include an electrical resistance heater and / or an induction heating type heater.

[0102] For example, an electrical resistance heater may contain an electrical resistance material inside (e.g., internal hollow or inner surface) or outside (e.g., outer surface), and be heated by an electric current flowing through the electrical resistance material. In this case, the electrical resistance heater can be electrically connected to a power supply 11 and can directly generate heat by receiving current from the power supply 11. The induction coil 181 may also be omitted.

[0103] For example, in the case of an induction heating type heater, the aerosol generator 1 may include an induction coil 181 that surrounds at least a portion of the internal heating type heater (for example, positioned externally to correspond to the length of at least a portion of the heater). In this case, the induction coil 181 may further include a magnetic flux concentrator or the like to increase the efficiency of induction heating. The induction heating type heater includes a susceptor and can generate heat through the magnetic field generated from the induction coil 181. According to one embodiment, the induction heating type heater (e.g., a susceptor) (or a heater module including the same) may be arranged to be separated from the housing 10.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the heater 182 may be a multi-heater. The multi-heater may include a first heater and a second heater and may be inserted into the aerosol product 2. The first heater and the second heater may be arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction. The first heater and the second heater may operate as an electrical resistance heater and / or an induction heating heater and may be heated sequentially or simultaneously. In this case, the first heater and the second heater may be positioned respectively at locations corresponding to the longitudinal positions of two or more aerosol generating rods. Alternatively, the first heater and the second heater may be positioned respectively at locations corresponding to the longitudinal positions of a first and second portion of a single aerosol generating rod. On the other hand, if the heater 182 is an induction heating heater, the aerosol generating device 1 includes a first induction coil and a second induction coil, and the first induction coil and the second induction coil may be positioned respectively at locations corresponding to the longitudinal positions of the first heater and the second heater. Alternatively, the first and second induction coils may be positioned corresponding to the longitudinal positions of the first and second portions of a single heater 182, respectively. Furthermore, the heater and / or induction coils may include three or more components.

[0105] According to one embodiment, the susceptor may be placed (or included) inside the aerosol product 2 (for example, in the medium portion), and the susceptor included inside the aerosol product 2 may be heated by the magnetic field generated from the induction coil 181.

[0106] Referring to Figure 3, the heater 183 may be an external heating type heater.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the external heating element can extend upward around the space into which the aerosol product 2 is inserted (i.e., the insertion space). For example, the external heating element may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. As an example, the external heating element may have a tubular form (e.g., cylindrical shape) with a hollow interior. The external heating element may also have a form that includes a hollow interior and surrounds the hollow. In this case, the external heating element may be supported by a polyimide film. A heater supported by such a film can be called a film heater. The external heating element may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The external heating element can heat the outside of the aerosol product 2 inserted into the hollow.

[0108] In one embodiment, the external heating element may include an electrical resistance heater and / or an induction heating element, and a description that overlaps with Figure 2 will be omitted. On the other hand, in the case of an induction heating element, the aerosol generator 1 includes an external heating element embodied by a tubular susceptor and may include an induction coil 181 surrounding at least a portion of the external heating element (for example, positioned externally to correspond to the length of at least a portion of the heater). On the other hand, if the external heating element is an electrical resistance heater, the induction coil 181 may be omitted because it can generate heat by the flow of current on the tubular electrical resistance heater (for example, a film heater). On the other hand, an insulating material may be placed outside the external heating element. This can reduce the heat that radiates radially outward from the heater 183 and is transferred to the outside of the housing 10.

[0109] In one embodiment, the heater 183 may be a multi-heater, and the first heater and the second heater may be arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction so as to surround at least a portion of the insertion space, respectively. The first heater and the second heater can operate as an electrical resistance heater and / or an induction heating heater, and can be heated sequentially or simultaneously. On the other hand, if the heater 183 is an induction heating heater, the aerosol generator 1 includes a first induction coil and a second induction coil, and the first induction coil and the second induction coil may be arranged respectively at positions corresponding to the longitudinal positions of the first heater and the second heater. Alternatively, the first induction coil and the second induction coil may be arranged at positions corresponding to the longitudinal positions of the first and second portions of a single heater 183, respectively.

[0110] Unlike those shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3, the heater 182 in Figure 2 and the heater 183 in Figure 3 may be included together in the aerosol generator 1. In this case, the heater 182 can heat the inside of the aerosol product 2, and the heater 183 can heat the outside of the aerosol product 2.

[0111] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generator 1 may be equipped with an airflow channel through which air flows. For example, the housing 10 may have a structure (e.g., a hole) through which air from the outside can flow into the housing 10. The air that flows into the housing 10 can flow into the aerosol product 2 through its lower end (i.e., upstream side). The aerosol generated by heating the aerosol product 2 can be inhaled into the user's mouth through its upper end (i.e., downstream side) along with the incoming air.

[0112] Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0113] Referring to Figure 4, the aerosol generator 1 may include at least one of the following: a power supply 11, a control unit 12, a heater 18, a sensor unit 13, and a heater drive circuit 200.

[0114] The heater 18 may be located in the body 10 (for example, the housing 10 in Figures 2 and 3). The heater 18 receives power from the power supply 11 and can heat the insertion space 43 provided in the body 10 and / or the stick 2 (for example, the aerosol product 2 in Figures 2 and 3) inserted into the insertion space 43. The heater 18 may have the features of the heater 18 described earlier in Figures 1 to 3.

[0115] The power supply 11 can supply power to the heater 18. The power supply 11 can supply power to the heater 18 under the control of the control unit 12.

[0116] The heater drive circuit 200 can be electrically connected to the heater 18, the power supply 11, and the control unit 12. The heater drive circuit 200 can supply power output from the power supply 11 to the heater 18 under the control of the control unit 12.

[0117] The heater drive circuit 200 may include a power conversion unit 210, a switching unit 220, and a capacitor 230. The heater drive circuit 200 can apply a voltage Vh (see Figure 7) and / or power to the heater 18 via the power conversion unit 210, the switching unit 220, and the capacitor 230.

[0118] The power conversion unit 210 can convert the voltage output from the power supply 11. For example, the power conversion unit 210 can be implemented as a buck converter, boost converter, or buck-boost converter that converts the voltage output from the power supply 11. The power conversion unit 210 can be described as a converter or a voltage transformer. The power conversion unit 210 can convert the voltage output from the power supply 11 and output the converted voltage. For example, the magnitude of the voltage output from the power conversion unit 210 may be the same as or greater than the magnitude of the voltage output from the power supply 11.

[0119] Capacitor 230 may be connected to the power conversion unit 210 and the switching unit 220. Capacitor 230 may be connected to the power supply 11 via the power conversion unit 210. Capacitor 230 may be mounted on a printed circuit board. Capacitor 230 may include at least one ceramic type capacitor. For example, capacitor 230 may include at least one multi-layered ceramic capacitor (MLCC). A multi-layered ceramic capacitor may include a number of ceramic dielectric material layers, a number of electrodes between the number of ceramic dielectric material layers, and two external electrodes connected in parallel to the number of electrodes. When the switching operation of the switching unit 220 occurs, the multi-layered ceramic capacitor can oscillate due to the piezoelectric response characteristics inherent to the dielectric material.

[0120] The switching unit 220 may have one end connected to the power conversion unit 210 and the capacitor 230, and the other end connected to the heater 18. The switching unit 220 can electrically connect the capacitor 230 and the heater 18 under the control of the control unit 12. A voltage output from the power conversion unit 210 and / or the capacitor 230 may be applied to one end of the switching unit 220. The switching unit 220 can supply the voltage output from the power conversion unit 210 and / or the capacitor 230 to the heater 18.

[0121] The control unit 12 can control the power supplied to the heater 18. By controlling the switching of the switching unit 220, the control unit 12 can control whether or not power is supplied to the heater 18. The heater 18 can generate heat when power is supplied, and cannot generate heat when power is not supplied. The state in which power is supplied to the heater 18 can be defined as the heater 18 being turned ON, and the state in which the power supply to the heater 18 is cut off can be defined as the heater 18 being turned OFF.

[0122] The control unit 12 can control the switching unit 220 so that pulses having a predetermined frequency and / or duty cycle are supplied to the heater 18. The control unit 12 can adjust the pulse frequency and / or duty cycle via the switching unit 220 to control the power supplied to the heater 18.

[0123] The control unit 12 can derive the temperature of the heater 18. The control unit 12 can determine the temperature of the heater 18 in response to a signal output from a temperature sensor (not shown). Based on the determined temperature of the heater 18, the control unit 12 can determine the power to be supplied to the heater 18. The control unit 12 can supply the determined power to the heater 18 by controlling the power supply 11 and the heater drive circuit 200.

[0124] The sensor unit 13 may include at least one sensor. For example, the sensor unit 13 may include a first sensor 131 that senses when an object is inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43. The first sensor 131 can be described as a stick sensing sensor or an insertion sensing sensor. The first sensor 131 can output a signal in response to the insertion and / or removal of the stick 2. The first sensor 131 may be installed around the insertion space 43. The first sensor 131 may include at least one of a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and a proximity sensor.

[0125] The control unit 12 can determine whether the stick 2 has been inserted into and / or removed from the insertion space 43 in response to the signal output from the first sensor 131. Based on whether the stick 2 has been inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43, the control unit 12 can control the heater 18 to supply power or to cut off the power supply. The operation of the control unit 12 in controlling the heater 18 and the first sensor 131 will be described in detail below.

[0126] Figures 5 and 6 are flowcharts illustrating the operational control of the heater 18 and the first sensor 131 of an aerosol generator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 7 is a graph illustrating the operational control of the heater 18 and the first sensor 131 of an aerosol generator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 is a flowchart that shows each stage of Figure 5 in more detail.

[0127] Referring to Figure 5, the control unit 12 can control the power supply 11 and the heater drive circuit 200 to supply power output from the power supply 11 to the heater 18 (S510). The control unit 12 can sense at predetermined intervals whether the stick 2 is removed from the insertion space 43 via the first sensor 131 (S520). The control unit 12 activates the first sensor 131 by controlling it so that a set voltage Vs (see Figure 7) is applied to the first sensor 131, and can sense whether the stick 2 is removed from the insertion space 43 in accordance with the signal output from the first sensor 131. The control unit 12 can control the power supplied to the heater 18 based on whether the stick 2 has been removed (S530).

[0128] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the control unit 12 can set the sensing period of the first sensor 131 to sense whether the stick 2 is removed from the insertion space 43 (S521). The sensing period of the first sensor 131 may correspond to the period in which the first sensor 131 is repeatedly activated. The sensing period of the first sensor 131 may correspond to the period in which the heater 18 is repeatedly turned on and off. For example, the control unit 12 can determine the sensing period of the first sensor 131 to be 1 / 20000 sec or less. The control unit 12 can determine the frequency at which the first sensor 131 is activated to be 20 kHz or higher. For example, the control unit 12 can determine the sensing period of the first sensor 131 to be 1 / 20 sec or higher. The control unit 12 can determine the frequency at which the first sensor 131 is activated to be 20 Hz or lower.

[0129] The control unit 12 can control the operation of the heater 18 based on a set sensing cycle. The control unit 12 can control the heater 18 to turn on and off according to the set sensing cycle and activate the first sensor 131. The control unit 12 can compare the time the heater 18 is on with the set sensing cycle (S522). If the time the heater 18 is on is the same as or greater than the set sensing cycle (yes in S522), the control unit 12 can turn off the heater 18 by controlling the power supply to the heater 18 to cut off the power. The control unit 12 can turn off the switching unit 220 to cut off the power supplied to the heater 18. The control unit 12 can activate the first sensor 131 and receive the signal output from the first sensor 131 (S523).

[0130] The control unit 12 can compare the amount of change in the signal output from the activated first sensor 131 with a first threshold (S524). For example, the first threshold may correspond to the minimum value of the inductance change or the capacitance change that occurs when the stick 2 is inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43.

[0131] The control unit 12 can determine that the stick 2 has been removed from the insertion space 43 if the output signal is greater than or equal to the first threshold (yes in S524). If the stick 2 has been removed from the insertion space 43, the control unit 12 can turn off the heater 18. The control unit 12 can turn off the switching unit 220 to cut off the power supplied to the heater 18 (S531).

[0132] Therefore, it is possible to sense whether the stick 2 is removed from the insertion space 43 at predetermined intervals, and to prevent the heater 18 from continuing to heat even after the stick 2 has been removed from the insertion space 43, thereby preventing the wasteful consumption of power and preventing the device 1 from malfunctioning due to unnecessary heating of the heater 18.

[0133] Furthermore, by activating the first sensor 131 when no power is supplied to the heater 18, it is possible to prevent the first sensor 131 from being unable to accurately detect the insertion and / or removal of the stick 2 due to the current flowing through the heater 18 or the heat generated from the heater 18.

[0134] After interrupting the power supplied to the heater 18 in process S531, the control unit 12 can activate the first sensor 131 at predetermined intervals to determine whether the stick 2 is inserted into the insertion space 43. Once the control unit 12 determines that the stick 2 is inserted into the insertion space 43, it can then supply power to the heater 18 again to heat it. That is, once the stick 2 is inserted into the insertion space 43, the control unit 12 can return to process S510 and re-execute the subsequent processes.

[0135] The control unit 12 can determine that the stick 2 was not removed from the insertion space 43 if the output signal is smaller than the first threshold (no in S524). If the stick 2 was not removed from the insertion space 43, the control unit 12 can turn the heater 18 on again. The control unit 12 can turn on the switching unit 220 to supply power to the heater 18 (S532). In other words, if the stick 2 was not removed from the insertion space 43, the control unit 12 can return to process S521 and re-execute the subsequent processes.

[0136] On the other hand, in process S522, if the time the heater 18 is turned on is shorter than the set sensing period (no in S522), the control unit 12 can repeat the process of comparing the time the heater 18 is turned on with the sensing period.

[0137] Referring to Figure 7, the control unit 12 can determine the sensing period to predetermined periods P1 and P3 in process S521. For example, the control unit 12 can determine the period during which the heater 18 repeatedly turns on and off as the first period P1. The control unit 12 can determine the period during which the first sensor 131 repeatedly activates as the third period P3. The first period P1 during which the heater 18 repeatedly turns on and off may be the same as the third period P3 during which the first sensor 131 repeatedly activates. The heater 18 and the first sensor 131 can repeatedly turn on and off at the same predetermined period. Within the predetermined period, the time during which the heater 18 is on may be the same as or shorter than the time during which the first sensor 131 is off or deactivated. Within the predetermined period, the time P11 during which the heater 18 is off may be the same as or longer than the time P31 during which the first sensor 131 is on or activated. In other words, the heater 18 and the first sensor 131 repeatedly turn on and off at the same predetermined cycle, and the heater 18 may turn off while the first sensor 131 is turned on or activated.

[0138] However, the graph illustrated in Figure 7 illustrates the operation of the first sensor 131 while the heater 18 is repeatedly turned on and off. When the stick 2 is removed from the insertion space 43, the heater 18 remains off, and only the first sensor 131 is repeatedly activated to detect the insertion and / or removal of the stick 2.

[0139] Therefore, when the stick 2 is not removed, the heater 18 turns on and off at a predetermined cycle, the first sensor 131 is activated while the heater 18 is off, and when the stick 2 is removed, the heater 18 turns off and the first sensor 131 is activated, thereby preventing the operation of the heater 18 from reducing the sensing accuracy of the first sensor 131.

[0140] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the setting of the sensing period of the first sensor 131 of an aerosol generator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 9 is a graph illustrating the operation control of the heater 18 and the first sensor 131 of an aerosol generator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Each process in Figure 8 is a flowchart that shows a more detailed breakdown of the sensing period setting process in Figure 6.

[0141] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the control unit 12 can set a variable sensing period. In process S521 of Figure 6, the control unit 12 can set the sensing period. The sensing period of the first sensor 131 may correspond to the period in which the first sensor 131 is repeatedly activated. The sensing period of the first sensor 131 may correspond to the period in which the heater 18 is repeatedly turned on and off.

[0142] The sensor unit 13 may include a puff sensor 132. The puff sensor 132 can detect the user's puff. The puff sensor 132 can output a signal corresponding to the user's puff. The puff sensor 132 may include at least one of a pressure sensor, a capacitance sensor, and a temperature sensor.

[0143] The control unit 12 can receive a signal output from the puff sensor 132 (S810). The control unit 12 can detect the last puff or the most recent puff in response to the signal output from the puff sensor 132. The control unit 12 can determine the time elapsed since the last puff or the most recent puff. The control unit 12 can determine whether any further puffs will occur after the last puff or the most recent puff.

[0144] The control unit 12 can compare the time elapsed since the last puff with a second threshold (S820). The second threshold can be set to a value greater than the average interval between puffs that occur during the user's aerosol inhalation process. For example, the second threshold may be, but is not limited to, 1 minute.

[0145] The control unit 12 can determine that no additional puffs were produced by the user during a certain period of time if the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the second threshold (yes in S820). The control unit 12 can determine the sensing cycle to the first cycle P1 if the elapsed time since the last puff is equal to or greater than the second threshold (S830). In other words, if a state in which no puffs are produced continues for a certain period of time, the control unit 12 can determine the sensing cycle to the first cycle P1.

[0146] The control unit 12 can determine that an additional puff has occurred by the user if the elapsed time is less than the second threshold (no in S820). The control unit 12 can determine the sensing cycle to the second cycle P2 if the elapsed time since the last puff is less than the second threshold (S840). In other words, if another puff occurs before a time equivalent to the second threshold has elapsed since the last puff, the control unit 12 can determine the sensing cycle to the second cycle P2.

[0147] Referring to Figure 9, the first period P1 may differ from the second period P2. The third period P3 may differ from the fourth period P4. The second period P2 may be shorter than the first period P1. The fourth period P4 may be shorter than the third period P3.

[0148] For example, the second period P2 and / or the fourth period P4 may be 1 / 20000 sec or less. When the control unit 12 sets the sensing period to the second period P2, the heater 18 can be switched on and off at a frequency of 20 kHz or higher. When the control unit 12 sets the sensing period to the fourth period P4, the first sensor 131 can be activated at a frequency of 20 kHz or higher. The control unit 12 can control the switching unit 220 to switch on and off at a frequency of 20 kHz or higher. Therefore, the ceramic type capacitor included in the capacitor 230 can supply power to the heater 18 at a frequency of 20 kHz or higher. Because the capacitor 230 supplies power to the heater 18 at a frequency of 20 kHz or higher, even if vibration occurs due to the piezoelectric response characteristics of the dielectric material included in the capacitor 230, the noise caused by such vibration may fall outside the audible frequency range and become inaudible to the user.

[0149] Therefore, it is possible to prevent audible noise from being generated by the operation of the heater 18.

[0150] For example, the second period P2 and / or the fourth period P4 may be 1 / 20000 sec or less, while the first period P1 and / or the third period P3 may be 1 / 20000 sec or more. When the control unit 12 sets the sensing period to the first period P1, the heater 18 can be switched on and off at a frequency of 20 kHz or less. When the control unit 12 sets the sensing period to the third period P3, the first sensor 131 can be activated at a frequency of 20 kHz or less. The control unit 12 can control the switching unit 220 to switch on and off at a frequency of 20 kHz or less. Therefore, the ceramic type capacitor included in the capacitor 230 can supply power to the heater 18 at a frequency of 20 kHz or less. When the capacitor 230 supplies power to the heater 18 at a frequency of 20 kHz or less, vibrations due to the piezoelectric response characteristics of the dielectric material included in the capacitor 230 occur, and the noise caused by these vibrations may be within the audible frequency range.

[0151] The longer the sensing period, the longer the time P31 and P41 that the first sensor 131 can be activated within a single sensing period can be. Conversely, the shorter the sensing period, the shorter the time P31 and P41 that the first sensor 131 can be activated within a single sensing period can be. The longer the first sensor 131 is activated, the easier and more accurate it can detect when the stick 2 is removed from the insertion space 43.

[0152] If no additional puffs are generated for a certain period of time after the last puff, it may mean that the user's inhalation has ended or been temporarily interrupted. The likelihood of the user removing stick 2 may be higher when the user's inhalation has ended or been temporarily interrupted than when the user is inhaling. Also, the distance between the user's face and the aerosol generator 1 may be greater when the user's inhalation has ended or been temporarily interrupted than when the user is inhaling.

[0153] In this way, by setting the sensing cycle to a longer duration, such that no additional puffs occur for a certain period of time after the last puff, it becomes easier and more accurate to detect when the stick 2 is removed from the insertion space 43.

[0154] Furthermore, if a puff occurs before a time equivalent to the second threshold has elapsed since the last puff, the detection period can be shortened, and the frequency corresponding to the detection period can be set to be above the audible frequency. This prevents the operation of the heater 18 from generating audible noise, thereby preventing the user from experiencing discomfort due to the audible noise.

[0155] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the setting of the sensing period of the first sensor 131 of an aerosol generator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Each step in Figure 10 is a flowchart that shows a more detailed breakdown of the sensing period setting process in Figure 6.

[0156] Referring to Figure 10 together with Figure 9, the control unit 12 can set a variable sensing period. In process S521 of Figure 6, the control unit 12 can set the sensing period. The sensing period of the first sensor 131 may correspond to the period in which the first sensor 131 is repeatedly activated. The sensing period of the first sensor 131 may correspond to the period in which the heater 18 is repeatedly turned on and off.

[0157] The sensor unit 13 may include a puff sensor 132. The control unit 12 can receive a signal output from the puff sensor 132 (S1010). The control unit 12 can determine whether a puff occurs based on the signal output from the puff sensor 132. The control unit 12 can count the number of times a puff occurs.

[0158] The control unit 12 can compare the number of puffs that have occurred with a third threshold (S1020). The third threshold can be set to a value smaller than the maximum number of puffs that the user can inhale using one stick 2. For example, the third threshold may be 10 days, but is not limited to this.

[0159] If the number of puffs is equal to or greater than the third threshold (yes in S1020), the control unit 12 can determine the current number of puffs to be close to the maximum number of puffs the user can inhale using one stick 2. If the number of puffs is equal to or greater than the third threshold, the control unit 12 can determine the sensing cycle to the first cycle P1 (S1030). In other words, if the current number of puffs is close to the maximum number of puffs using one stick 2, the control unit 12 can determine the sensing cycle to the first cycle P1.

[0160] If the number of puffs is less than the third threshold (no in S1020), the control unit 12 can determine that the current number of puffs is not close to the maximum number of puffs the user can inhale using one stick 2. If the number of puffs is less than the third threshold, the control unit 12 can determine the sensing cycle to the second cycle P2 (S1040). In other words, if the current number of puffs is not close to the maximum number of puffs using one stick 2, the control unit 12 can determine the sensing cycle to the second cycle P2.

[0161] For example, the second period P2 and / or the fourth period P4 may be 1 / 20000 sec or less. When the control unit 12 sets the sensing period to the second period P2, the heater 18 can be switched on and off at a frequency of 20 kHz or higher. When the control unit 12 sets the sensing period to the fourth period P4, the first sensor 131 can be activated at a frequency of 20 kHz or higher. The control unit 12 can control the switching unit 220 to switch on and off at a frequency of 20 kHz or higher.

[0162] For example, the second period P2 and / or the fourth period P4 may be 1 / 20000 sec or less, while the first period P1 and / or the third period P3 may be 1 / 20000 sec or more. When the control unit 12 sets the sensing period to the first period P1, the heater 18 can be switched on and off at a frequency of 20 kHz or less. When the control unit 12 sets the sensing period to the third period P3, the first sensor 131 can be activated at a frequency of 20 kHz or less. The control unit 12 can control the switching unit 220 to switch on and off at a frequency of 20 kHz or less.

[0163] The likelihood of a user removing Stick 2 is higher when the current number of puffs approaches the maximum number of puffs possible with a single Stick 2, compared to when it does not.

[0164] Thus, when the current number of puffs approaches the maximum number of puffs using one stick 2, setting a longer sensing cycle makes it easier and more accurate to detect when the stick 2 is removed from the insertion space 43.

[0165] Furthermore, if the current number of puffs does not approach the maximum number of puffs using one stick 2, the sensing period can be shortened and the frequency corresponding to the sensing period can be set to be above the audible frequency. This prevents audible noise from being generated by the operation of the heater 18, thereby preventing the user from experiencing discomfort due to the audible noise.

[0166] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the setting of the sensing period of the first sensor 131 of an aerosol generator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Each step in Figure 11 is a flowchart that shows a more detailed breakdown of the sensing period setting process in Figure 6.

[0167] Referring to Figure 11 together with Figure 9, the control unit 12 can set a variable sensing period. In process S521 of Figure 6, the control unit 12 can set the sensing period. The sensing period of the first sensor 131 may correspond to the period in which the first sensor 131 is repeatedly activated. The sensing period of the first sensor 131 may correspond to the period in which the heater 18 is repeatedly turned on and off.

[0168] The sensor unit 13 may include a distance sensor 133. The distance sensor 133 may be positioned to face outwards from the body 10. The distance sensor 133 can output a signal corresponding to the distance between the body 10 and an object located outside the body 10. For example, the distance sensor 133 can emit light outside the body 10 and sense the light signal reflected from the object. For example, the distance sensor 133 can be implemented as a near-illuminance sensor that measures the separation distance based on the brightness of the light signal reflected from the object, or as a TOF (Time Of Flight) sensor that measures the separation distance based on the time it takes for a light signal or ultrasonic signal to be reflected from the target object.

[0169] The control unit 12 can receive a signal output from the distance sensor 133 (S1110). The control unit 12 can determine the distance between the body 10 and an object outside the body 10 according to the signal output from the distance sensor 133. The control unit 12 can determine whether the object outside the body 10 is located adjacent to the body 10.

[0170] The control unit 12 can compare the determined distance with a fourth threshold (S1120). The fourth threshold can be set to a value corresponding to the distance between the user's face and / or body and the aerosol generator 1 when the user is not using the aerosol generator 1. For example, the fourth threshold may be, but is not limited to, 30 seconds.

[0171] If the determined distance is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold (yes in S1120), the control unit 12 can determine that no object outside the body 10 is located adjacent to the body 10. If the determined distance is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold, the control unit 12 can determine the sensing period to the first period P1 (S1130). In other words, if there are no objects outside the body 10 located adjacent to the body 10 at a certain distance or less, the control unit 12 can determine the sensing period to the first period P1.

[0172] If the determined distance is smaller than the fourth threshold (no in S1120), the control unit 12 can determine that an object outside the body 10 is located adjacent to the body 10. If the determined distance is smaller than the fourth threshold, the control unit 12 can determine the sensing period to the second period P2 (S1140). In other words, if there is an object outside the body 10 located adjacent to the body 10 at a certain distance or less, the control unit 12 can determine the sensing period to the second period P2.

[0173] For example, the second period P2 and / or the fourth period P4 may be 1 / 20000 sec or less. When the control unit 12 sets the sensing period to the second period P2, the heater 18 can be switched on and off at a frequency of 20 kHz or higher. When the control unit 12 sets the sensing period to the fourth period P4, the first sensor 131 can be activated at a frequency of 20 kHz or higher. The control unit 12 can control the switching unit 220 to switch on and off at a frequency of 20 kHz or higher.

[0174] For example, the second period P2 and / or the fourth period P4 may be 1 / 20000 sec or less, while the first period P1 and / or the third period P3 may be 1 / 20000 sec or more. When the control unit 12 sets the sensing period to the first period P1, the heater 18 can be switched on and off at a frequency of 20 kHz or less. When the control unit 12 sets the sensing period to the third period P3, the first sensor 131 can be activated at a frequency of 20 kHz or less. The control unit 12 can control the switching unit 220 to switch on and off at a frequency of 20 kHz or less.

[0175] The state in which there are no objects located adjacent to the body 10 at a certain distance or less from the body 10 means that the distance between the user's face and / or body and the aerosol generator 1 is greater than or equal to a certain distance, which may mean that the user does not inhale aerosol through the stick 2.

[0176] The likelihood of the user removing stick 2 may be higher when the user does not inhale the aerosol through stick 2 than when the user does inhale the aerosol. Also, the distance between the user's face and / or body and the aerosol generator 1 may be greater when the user does not inhale the aerosol through stick 2 than when the user does inhale the aerosol.

[0177] Thus, if there are no objects located adjacent to the body 10 at a certain distance or less from the body 10 outside of the body 10, setting a longer sensing period makes it easier and more accurate to detect when the stick 2 is removed from the insertion space 43.

[0178] Furthermore, when an object is located outside the body 10, adjacent to the body 10 at a certain distance or less, the sensing period can be set to be shorter, and the frequency corresponding to the sensing period can be set to be above the audible frequency, thereby preventing the operation of the heater 18 from generating audible noise and preventing the user from feeling discomfort due to the audible noise.

[0179] As described above, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the heater is controlled to turn on and off at a predetermined cycle, and a first sensor that detects the insertion or removal of an object is activated while the heater is off, thereby preventing the generation of audible noise due to the operation of the heater.

[0180] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the heater turns on and off at predetermined intervals when the stick is not removed, the first sensor is activated while the heater is off, and the heater turns off when the stick is removed, activating the first sensor again. This prevents the detection accuracy of the first sensor from decreasing due to the operation of the heater.

[0181] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the generation of audible noise can be controlled in response to the inhalation state of the device user by varying the activation period of the first sensor.

[0182] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, by setting the activation period of the first sensor when a puff occurs and the activation period of the first sensor when a puff does not occur for a certain period of time or longer to be different from each other, it is possible to prevent the generation of audible noise when the user of the device is inhaling.

[0183] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, by setting the activation period of the first sensor when the number of puffs exceeds a certain number and the activation period of the first sensor when the number of puffs is less than a certain number to be different from each other, it is possible to prevent the generation of audible noise in accordance with the number of puffs by the device user.

[0184] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the activation period of the first sensor when the distance between the body and the external object is above a certain level and the activation period of the first sensor when the distance is below a certain level are set to be different from each other, thereby preventing the generation of audible noise when the user of the device is inhaling.

[0185] Referring to Figures 1 to 11, an aerosol generating device 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a body 10 having an insertion space 43, a heater 18 for heating the insertion space 43, a first sensor 131 for sensing when an object is inserted into or removed from the insertion space 43, and a control unit 12 for controlling the power supplied to the heater 18, wherein the control unit 12 controls the heater 18 to turn on and off at predetermined intervals, and activates the first sensor 131 while the heater 18 is off, and the predetermined interval may be 1 / 20000 sec or less.

[0186] Furthermore, according to another aspect of this disclosure, the control unit 12 receives a signal output from the activated first sensor 131, determines whether to insert or remove the stick into or out of the insertion space 43 according to the output signal, controls the power supplied to the heater 18 to be cut off when the stick is removed from the insertion space 43, and activates the first sensor 131 at a predetermined cycle while the heater 18 is turned off.

[0187] Furthermore, according to another aspect of this disclosure, if the stick is not removed from the insertion space 43, the control unit 12 controls the heater 18 to turn on and off at predetermined intervals, and activates the first sensor 131 while the heater 18 is off.

[0188] Furthermore, according to another aspect of this disclosure, the system includes a power supply 11 for supplying power to the heater 18, a capacitor 230 connected to the power supply 11, and a switching unit 220 connected to the capacitor 230 and the heater 18, wherein the control unit 12 can control the switching of the switching unit 220 to supply power to or not supply power to the heater 18.

[0189] Furthermore, according to other aspects of this disclosure, the capacitor 230 may include at least one ceramic capacitor.

[0190] Furthermore, according to another aspect of this disclosure, the first sensor 131 is an induction sensor, and the control unit 12 receives a signal output from the activated first sensor 131, and can determine that the object has been removed from the insertion space 43 if the amount of change in the output signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0191] Furthermore, according to other aspects of this disclosure, the predetermined period may be 1 / 20 sec or longer.

[0192] Furthermore, according to another aspect of this disclosure, the control unit 12 can be set so that the predetermined period is variable.

[0193] Furthermore, according to another aspect of this disclosure, the control unit 12 includes a second sensor 132 for detecting puffs, and the control unit 12 determines whether a puff occurs in response to a signal output from the second sensor 132, whether an additional puff occurs after the initial puff occurs, and sets the predetermined period to a first period P1 if the additional puff does not occur until the elapsed time from the initial puff is equal to or greater than a second threshold, and sets the predetermined period to a second period P2 that is different from the first period P1 if the additional puff occurs before the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the second threshold.

[0194] Furthermore, according to other aspects of this disclosure, the second period P2 may be shorter than the first period P1.

[0195] Furthermore, according to other aspects of this disclosure, the second period P2 may be less than or equal to 1 / 20000 sec.

[0196] Furthermore, according to other aspects of this disclosure, the first period P1 may be 1 / 20000 sec or longer.

[0197] Furthermore, according to another aspect of this disclosure, the control unit 12 determines whether a puff occurs in response to a signal output from the second sensor 132, counts the number of puffs, compares the number of puffs with a third threshold, sets the predetermined period to the first period P1 if the number of puffs is equal to or greater than the third threshold, and sets the predetermined period to a second period P2 that is different from the first period P1 if the number of puffs is less than the third threshold.

[0198] Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the body 10 includes a third sensor 133 positioned toward the outside, the control unit 12 determines the distance between the body 10 and an external object in response to a signal output from the third sensor 133, compares the determined distance with a fourth threshold, and if the determined distance is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold, sets the predetermined period to a first period P1, and if the determined distance is less than the fourth threshold, sets the predetermined period to a second period P2 that is different from the first period P1.

[0199] The specific or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinguishable. The specific or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be used in combination or in combination with each other in terms of their respective configurations or functions.

[0200] For example, this means that configuration A described in a particular embodiment and / or drawing can be combined with configuration B described in other embodiments and / or drawings. In other words, even if a combination of configurations is not directly described, it means that such a combination is possible unless it is explicitly stated that such a combination is not possible.

[0201] The foregoing detailed 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 appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the invention are included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A body with an insertion space, A heater for heating the insertion space, A first sensor that senses when an object is inserted into or removed from the insertion space, The set includes a control unit that controls the power supplied to the heater, The control unit, The heater is controlled to turn on and off at predetermined intervals, and the first sensor is activated while the heater is off. An aerosol generating apparatus in which the predetermined period is 1 / 20000 sec or less.

2. The control unit, The system receives the signal output from the activated first sensor. Depending on the output signal, a decision is made to insert or remove the stick from the insertion space. When the stick is removed from the insertion space, the power supplied to the heater is controlled to be cut off. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heater is turned off and the first sensor is activated at a predetermined interval.

3. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the heater to turn on and off at predetermined intervals if the stick is not removed from the insertion space, and activates the first sensor while the heater is off.

4. A power supply that provides power to the heater, A capacitor connected to the aforementioned power supply, The capacitor and the heater are connected to a switching unit, The control unit, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching of the switching unit is controlled to supply power to the heater or to not supply power to the heater.

5. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the capacitor includes at least one ceramic capacitor.

6. The first sensor is an induction sensor, The control unit, The system receives the signal output from the activated first sensor. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the object has been removed from the insertion space when the amount of change in the output signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period is 1 / 20 sec or longer.

8. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is set to vary the predetermined period.

9. Includes a second sensor that detects puffing, The control unit, Depending on the signal output from the second sensor, it is determined whether a puff occurs, and whether an additional puff occurs after the puff has occurred. If no additional puff occurs until the time elapsed since the occurrence of the aforementioned puff exceeds the second threshold, the predetermined cycle is set to the first cycle. If the additional puff occurs before the elapsed time exceeds the second threshold, the predetermined period is set to a second period different from the first period, according to claim 8.

10. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second period is shorter than the first period.

11. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second period is 1 / 20000 sec or less.

12. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first period is 1 / 20000 sec or more.

13. Includes a second sensor that detects puffing, The control unit, Depending on the signal output from the second sensor, it is determined whether a puff occurs, and the number of puffs is counted. The number of puffs is compared with a third threshold, and if the number of puffs is equal to or greater than the third threshold, the predetermined period is set to the first period. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein if the number of puffs is less than the third threshold, the predetermined period is set to a second period different from the first period.

14. Includes a third sensor positioned toward the outside of the body, The control unit, The distance between the body and the external object is determined according to the signal output from the third sensor. The determined distance is compared with a fourth threshold, and if the determined distance is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold, the predetermined period is set to the first period. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein if the determined distance is less than the fourth threshold, the predetermined period is set to a second period different from the first period.

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