Method for determining susceptor change and aerosol generator for performing that method

Abstract

A method for determining whether a susceptor has been modified according to one embodiment includes: applying a first signal to a heater coil so as to generate an alternating magnetic field having a first frequency; determining a first value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor indicated by the first signal; applying a second signal to the heater coil so as to generate an alternating magnetic field having a second frequency; determining a second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor indicated by the second signal; and determining whether the susceptor is a modified susceptor based on the first and second values.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following embodiments relate to a technique for controlling an aerosol generating device, and more particularly, to a technique for controlling an aerosol generating device that heats an aerosol generating article using an induction heating method.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, the demand for electronic cigarette devices has been gradually increasing. Also, due to the increasing demand for such electronic cigarette devices, the functions related to electronic cigarette devices have been continuously developed. In particular, the related functions depending on the type and characteristics of the electronic cigarette device have been continuously developed.

[0003] Generally, an electronic cigarette device for heating a wrapped cigarette using an induction heating method may generate an alternating magnetic field using a coil in order to generate an eddy current in a susceptor adjacent to the wrapped cigarette. The temperature of the susceptor increases due to the eddy current generated in the susceptor.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] One embodiment is to provide an aerosol generating device that determines whether a susceptor located within the aerosol generating device is a different susceptor from a previous susceptor.

[0005] One embodiment is to provide an aerosol generating device that acquires control characteristics of a susceptor located within the aerosol generating device and controls a signal applied to a coil of a heater.

[0006] However, the technical problems are not limited to the above-described technical problems, and further technical problems may exist.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A method for determining a susceptor modification according to one embodiment may include: applying a first signal to the coil of a heater so as to generate an alternating magnetic field having a first frequency; determining a first value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor indicated by the first signal; applying a second signal to the coil of the heater so as to generate an alternating magnetic field having a second frequency; determining a second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor indicated by the second signal; and determining whether the susceptor is a modified susceptor based on the first and second values.

[0008] An aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment includes a coil that generates an alternating magnetic field and a control unit that controls the aerosol generating apparatus, the control unit being able to perform the following operations: applying a first signal to the coil so as to generate an alternating magnetic field having a first frequency; determining a first value of the electrical characteristics of a susceptor indicated by the first signal; applying a second signal to the coil so as to generate an alternating magnetic field having a second frequency; determining a second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor indicated by the second signal; and determining whether or not the susceptor is a modified susceptor based on the first and second values. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, an aerosol generator can be provided that can acquire the electrical characteristics of a susceptor coupled to the aerosol generator and determine whether or not the susceptor has been changed.

[0010] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the susceptor coupled to the aerosol generator is a new susceptor different from the previous susceptor, an aerosol generator can be provided in which the signal applied to the heater coil is controlled based on the control characteristics of the new susceptor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1]It is a diagram showing an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an aerosol generating device related to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an aerosol generating device related to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] [Figure 4] It is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view of an upper case and a body of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a disassembled state.

[0016] [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view of an upper case, a body, and a heater holder of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a disassembled state.

[0017] [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view of an upper case, a body, and a heater holder of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a combined state.

[0018] [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view of a heater holder of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] [Figure 9] It is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] [Figure 10] It is a flowchart of a method for determining whether a susceptor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a modified susceptor.

[0021] [Figure 11] Shows the eddy current trajectory of the susceptor indicated by the frequency of the signal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] [Figure 12] It is a flowchart of a method for obtaining control characteristics of a susceptor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] [Figure 13] It is a flowchart of a method for determining whether a susceptor is a susceptor in which the susceptor is changed at a target time among the first temperature profiles according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] [Figure 14] Shows the first temperature profile and the target time according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] [Figure 15] Shows the signal applied to the heater coil based on the first temperature profile according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] [Figure 16] It is a flowchart of a method for controlling the signal applied to the heater coil according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] [Figure 17] It is a flowchart of a method for controlling the signal applied to the heater coil according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] [Figure 18] Shows the power consumed by the heater coil and the threshold power according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] [Figure 19] It is a flowchart of a method for obtaining control characteristics of a susceptor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] [Figure 20] When a calibration signal according to one embodiment of this disclosure is applied, it shows a temperature change of the susceptor. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] The embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the reference numerals used in the drawings, identical or similar components will be given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0032] The suffixes "module" and "part" used with respect to the constituent elements in the following description are added or used interchangeably solely for the purpose of facilitating the creation of the specification, and do not inherently possess a distinct meaning or role from one another.

[0033] Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments disclosed herein, if it is determined that a specific description of the relevant prior art would obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, such detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are merely for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and should be understood that the accompanying drawings do not limit the technical ideas disclosed herein, and include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes that fall within the idea and scope of this disclosure.

[0034] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe multiple components, but the components are not limited by such terms. The terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0035] If it is stated that one component is “linked” or “connected” to another component, it should be understood that it may also be directly linked or connected to that different component, and that other components may exist in between. On the other hand, if it is stated that one component is “directly linked” or “directly connected” to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0036] A singular expression includes plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0037]

[0038] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate aerosol generating apparatus according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0039] Referring to Figure 1, an aerosol generator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of a power supply 11, a control unit 12, a sensor 13, and a heater 18. At least one of the power supply 11, control unit 12, sensor 13, and heater 18 may be located inside the body 10 of the aerosol generator 1. The body 10 provides an upwardly open space into which a stick S, which is an aerosol product, is inserted. The upwardly open space is referred to as the insertion space. The insertion space may be formed by recessing inward to a predetermined depth so that at least a portion of the stick S can be inserted. The depth of the insertion space corresponds to the length of the region in the stick S that contains the aerosol generating material and / or medium. The lower part of the stick S may be inserted inside the body 10, and the upper part of the stick S may protrude outside the body 10. The user can bite the exposed upper part of the stick S with their mouth and inhale air.

[0040] The heater 18 heats the stick S. The heater 18 may extend upward in the space into which the stick S is inserted. For example, the heater 18 may include a tubular heating element, a plate heating element, a needle heating element, or a rod heating element. The heater 18 may be inserted at the bottom of the stick S. The heater 18 may include an electrical resistance heater and / or an induction heating heater.

[0041] For example, referring to Figure 1, the heater 18 may be a resistive heater. For example, the heater 18 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 18 may be heated by current flowing through the electrically conductive track. The heater 18 may be electrically connected to a power supply 11. The heater 18 may be directly heated by current supplied from the power supply 11.

[0042] For example, heater 18 may be a multi-heater. Heater 18 includes a first heater 18A and a second heater 18B. The first and second heaters 18A and 18B may be arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction. The first and second heaters 18A and 18B may be heated sequentially or simultaneously.

[0043] For example, referring to Figure 2, the aerosol generator 1 includes an induction coil 181 surrounding a heater 18. The induction coil 181 generates heat in the heater 18. The heater 18 may also be a susceptor, and may be heated by a magnetic field generated by an AC current flowing through the induction coil 181. The magnetic field penetrates the heater 18 and can generate eddy currents within the heater 18. The current can generate heat in the heater 18.

[0044] For example, referring to Figure 3, a susceptor SS may be included inside the stick S, and the susceptor SS inside the stick S may be heated by the magnetic field generated by the AC current flowing through the induction coil 181. The susceptor SS is located inside the stick S and does not need to be electrically connected to the aerosol generator 1. The susceptor SS may be inserted into the insertion space together with the stick S and removed from the insertion space together with the stick S. The stick S may be heated by the susceptor SS inside the stick S. Here, the aerosol generator 1 does not need to be equipped with a heater 18.

[0045] Power supply 11 provides power to the components of the aerosol generator 1 to operate. Power supply 11 is referred to as a battery. Power supply 11 may supply power to at least one of the control unit 12, sensor 13, and heater 18. Power supply 11 may also supply power to the induction coil 181.

[0046] The control unit 12 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generator 1. The control unit may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The control unit 12 may control the operation of at least one of the power supply 11, sensor 13, and heater 18. The control unit 12 may also control the operation of the induction coil 181. The control unit 12 may also control the operation of a display, motor, etc., installed in the aerosol generator 1. The control unit 12 checks the status of each component of the aerosol generator 1 and determines whether the aerosol generator 1 is in an operational state.

[0047] The control unit 12 may analyze the results detected by the sensor 13 and control the processing to be performed thereafter. For example, the control unit 12 may control the power supplied to the heater 18 so that the operation of the heater 18 is disclosed or terminated based on the results detected by the sensor 13. For example, the control unit 12 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 18 and the duration of power supply so that the heater 18 heats up to a predetermined temperature or maintains an appropriate temperature, based on the results detected by the sensor 13.

[0048] Sensor 13 includes at least one of the following: a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, an insertion detection sensor, and an acceleration sensor. For example, sensor 13 may detect at least one of the following: the temperature of the heater 18, the temperature of the power supply 11, or the temperature inside or outside the body 10. For example, sensor 13 may detect a user's puff. For example, sensor 13 may detect whether or not the stick S has been inserted into the insertion space. For example, sensor 13 may detect the movement of the aerosol generator 1.

[0049]

[0050] Figure 4 is a front perspective view of an aerosol generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Referring to Figure 4, the upper case 40 of the aerosol generator (e.g., aerosol generator 1 in Figures 1-3) is detachably coupled to the body 10. The upper case 40 may be coupled to the upper side of the body 10. The upper case 40 can cover the upper periphery of the body 10. The upper case 40 is provided with an insertion opening 44. The stick S may be inserted into the insertion opening 44. The upper case 40 includes a cap 45 that opens and closes the insertion opening 44. The cap 45 slides laterally to open and close the insertion opening 44.

[0052] The upper case 40 includes upper case wings 42. The upper case wings 42 may extend downward from both sides of the upper case body 41. The upper case wings 42 may be named, for example, upper case grips 42.

[0053] The body 10 includes body wings 16. The body wings 16 may extend upward from the upper end of the body 10. The body wings 16 may be formed as a pair facing each other, centered on the upper part of the body 10. The body wings 16 may be formed in a position offset from the upper case wings 42.

[0054] Once the upper case 40 is coupled to the body 10, the upper case 40 forms the upper exterior of the aerosol generator. Once the upper case 40 is coupled to the body 10, the body wings 16 can cover the side portions of the upper case 40 that are exposed between the upper case wings 42. Once the upper case 40 is coupled to the body 10, the upper case wings 42 can cover the outer walls of the body 10.

[0055]

[0056] Figure 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the upper case and body of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] Referring to Figure 5, an aerosol generator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of a battery A101, a control unit A102, and a sensor A103. At least one of the battery A101, control unit A102, and sensor A103 may be located inside the body A10 of the aerosol generator. The features of the battery A101, control unit A102, and sensor A103 can be the same as those described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0058] Body A10 includes pipes A11 and A12 that form a first insertion space A14. The first insertion space A14 may be formed in the upper part of body A10. The first insertion space A14 may open upwards. The first insertion space A14 may have a cylindrical shape that extends vertically. The first side walls A11 of pipes A11 and A12 surround the sides of the first insertion space A14. The first flanges A12 of pipes A11 and A12 can cover the lower part of the first insertion space A14.

[0059] The extractor A20 includes a second insertion space A24 inside. The second insertion space A24 may open on the upper side of the extractor A20. The second insertion space A24 may have a cylindrical shape that extends vertically. The second side wall A21 of the extractor A20 surrounds the side of the second insertion space A24. The second flange A22 of the extractor A20 covers the lower part of the second insertion space A24. The through hole A23 may be formed by opening the center of the second flange A22.

[0060]

[0061] Figure 6 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the upper case C40 (e.g., upper case 40), body C10 (e.g., body 10), and heater holder C20 of an aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 7 is a combined cross-sectional view of the upper case C40, body C10, and heater holder C20 of an aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the heater holder C20 of an aerosol generating device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the body C10 may have a shape that extends vertically. The body C10 provides a first insertion space C14 inside. The first insertion space C14 may open upwards. The first insertion space C14 may have a vertically elongated cylindrical shape. The first insertion space C14 is defined by a body pipe C11 formed inside the body C10. The body pipe C11 includes a lateral wall C111 surrounding the periphery of the first insertion space C14 and a bottom wall C112 covering the bottom of the first insertion space C14.

[0063] The heater holder C20 and the extractor C30 are detachably inserted into the first insertion space C14. The pipe C20' includes a long, vertically extending side wall C21 and a bottom wall C22 formed below the side wall C21. The bottom wall C22 of the pipe C20' may be named the bottom or mount. The bottom wall C22 of the pipe C20' forms the bottom of the heater holder C20. The heater C50 (e.g., heater 18) may be coupled to or fixed to the heater holder C20.

[0064] The side walls C21 of the heater holder C20 and C31 of the extractor C30 both define a second insertion space C24 that opens upward. Each of the side walls C21 of the heater holder C20 and C31 of the extractor C30 can cover at least one side of the second insertion space C24. The side walls C21 of the heater holder C20 and C31 of the extractor C30 may together form a secondary periphery of the second insertion space C24.

[0065] The side wall C31 of the extractor C30 extends vertically. The side wall C21 of the heater holder C20 and the side wall C31 of the extractor C30 may be separated by the same distance from the center of the second insertion space C24 with respect to the radial direction. The side wall C21 of the heater holder C20 and the side wall C31 of the extractor C30 may be positioned on the same peripheral extension line of the second insertion space C24. The side wall C21 of the heater holder C20 and the side wall C31 of the extractor C30 may extend so as to be circumferentially curvilinear along the periphery of the second insertion space C24.

[0066] The side walls C21 of the heater holder C20 may be arranged in multiple rows along the periphery of the lower wall C22 of the heater holder C20. Between each of the multiple side walls C21 of the heater holder C20, a first slit C214 that extends vertically is formed. The multiple side walls C21 and the multiple first slits C214 of the heater holder C20 may be arranged alternately with each other in the circumferential direction along the periphery of the second insertion space C24.

[0067] The side walls C31 of the extractor C30 may be arranged in multiple rows along the periphery of the lower wall C32 of the extractor C30. Between each of the multiple side walls C31 of the extractor C30, a second slit C314 extending vertically may be formed. The multiple side walls C31 and the multiple second slits C314 of the extractor C30 may be arranged alternately to each other in the circumferential direction along the periphery of the second insertion space C24.

[0068] The extractor C30 may be inserted into the heater holder C20. If the extractor C30 is inserted into the heater holder C20, the side wall C21 of the heater holder C20 may be positioned in the second slit C314, and the side wall C31 of the extractor C30 may be positioned in the first slit C214.

[0069] Therefore, the side wall C21 of the heater holder C20 and the side wall C31 of the extractor C30 can form a second insertion space C24. Furthermore, by reducing the wall thickness between the induction coil C15 (e.g., induction coil 181) and the heater C50, the heating efficiency of the heater C50 can be improved.

[0070]

[0071] The lower part of the stick S is inserted into the second insertion space C24, and the upper part of the stick S may protrude outside the aerosol generator 1. The heater C50 heats the first insertion space C14 and the second insertion space C24. The heater C50 may also heat the stick S inserted into the second insertion space C24.

[0072] The lower section of the heater C50 may be fixed to the lower wall C22 of the pipe C20'. The heater C50 may extend elongated toward the opening of the second insertion space C24. The heater C50 may be formed in a cylindrical shape, with the upper section pointed upwards. In a different example, the heater C50 may have a circumferential shape and be coupled to the side wall C21 of the heater holder C20. However, this is illustrative, and the shape of the heater C50 is not limited to those described above or illustrated, as long as it is coupled to the heater holder C20 and heats the stick S inserted into the second insertion space C24. The heater holder C20 may be formed by insert injection molding onto the heater C50.

[0073] The through-hole C35 is formed by opening the lower wall C32 of the extractor C30. The through-hole C35 may also be open vertically. When the extractor C30 is inserted into the heater holder C20, the heater C50 protrudes through the through-hole C35 into the second insertion space C24. When the stick S is inserted into the second insertion space C24, the heater C50 may be inserted below the stick S.

[0074] The induction coil C15 surrounds the first insertion space C14. The induction coil C15 may be wound around the periphery of the side wall C111 of the body pipe C11. The induction coil C15 may generate heat in the heater C50. In a different example, the heater C50 may be directly electrically connected to a power source via terminals formed on the heater holder C20, and power may be supplied to generate heat.

[0075] Therefore, heater C50 can be easily replaced. The size of the insertion spaces C14 and C24 and the heater C50 placed in insertion spaces C14 and C24 are extremely small, making replacement difficult. However, the user can easily replace heater C50 by separating heater holder C20 from aerosol generator 1 and placing a new heater holder C20 in aerosol generator 1.

[0076] Furthermore, the stick S can be easily separated from the heater C50. The user can easily separate the stick S from the heater C50 by separating the extractor C30 and the heater holder C20 from each other. The stick S, which is inserted inside the extractor C30, can be easily separated from the extractor C30 by separating it from the heater C50. The stick S can also be separated even when the extractor C30 and the heater holder C20 are not separated from each other.

[0077] Furthermore, foreign matter generated from the stick S can be extracted via the extractor C30 without being left around the heater C50 or in the heater holder C20. This makes cleaning the aerosol generator 1 around the heater C50 easier and improves ease of management. In addition, factors that reduce the performance of the heater C50 are reduced, improving the durability of the heater C50 and increasing the replacement cycle of the heater C50. Furthermore, factors that alter the taste of the stick S can be reduced.

[0078] The heater holder C20 may be positioned between the body C10 and the extractor C30. The side wall C111 of the body pipe C11 may surround the side wall C21 of the heater holder C20 and the side wall C31 of the extractor C30. The bottom wall C112 of the body pipe C11 may face the bottom wall C22 of the heater holder C20. The bottom wall C22 of the heater holder C20 may face the bottom wall C32 of the extractor C30.

[0079] The lower wall C32 of the extractor C30 may be separated upward from the lower wall C22 of the heater holder C20. Air flows between the extractor C30 and the heater holder C20, passes through the through hole C35, and is then supplied to the stick S inserted into the second insertion space C24.

[0080] The upper wall C12 of body C10 may extend horizontally outward from the upper section of body pipe C11. The outer lateral wall C13 of body C10 may extend downward from the outer end of the upper wall C12 of body C10. The induction coil C15 is positioned between body pipe C11 and the outer wall C13 of body C10.

[0081] The upper case C40 may be detachably coupled to the body C10. The upper case C40 may be coupled to the upper side of the body C10. The upper case C40 can cover the periphery of the first insertion space C14 and the upper periphery of the body C10. The upper case C40 includes an insertion opening C44 (e.g., insertion opening 44). The stick S may be inserted into the insertion opening C44. The upper case C40 includes a cap C45 (e.g., cap 45) that opens and closes the insertion opening C44. The cap C45 slides laterally to open and close the insertion opening C44. The heater holder C20 may be positioned between the body C10 and the upper case C40.

[0082] The extractor C30 may be coupled to the upper case C40. The upper part of the extractor C30 may be coupled to the upper case C40, and the lower part of the extractor C30 may protrude from the lower side of the upper case C40. The extractor C30 may be coupled to a position corresponding to the insertion port C44. The insertion port C44 may be located above the second insertion space C24. The insertion port C44 can connect the second insertion space C24 to the outside of the aerosol generator 1.

[0083] Once the upper case C40 is coupled to the body C10, the upper case C40 forms the upper exterior of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0084] Therefore, the user can more easily separate the extractor C30 from the body C10. The user can separate the extractor C30 from the body C10 by taking the exterior of the upper case C40 and separating the upper case C40, without the inconvenience of gripping the extractor C30 which is inserted into the second insertion space C24.

[0085] The heater holder C20 includes an extension C23. The extension C23 may be formed on the upper part of the heater holder C20. The extension C23 may extend outward horizontally from the upper part of the pipe C20'. The extension C23 may be named as the heater holder extension.

[0086] The heater holder C20 includes a heater holder wing C26. The heater holder wing C26 may extend downward from both ends of the extension C23.

[0087] The extension C23 has a shape corresponding to the upper wall C12 of the body C10. The heater holder wing C26 has a shape corresponding to the outer wall C13 of the body C10. When the pipe C20' is inserted into the first insertion space C14, the extension C23 may be supported or rested on the upper wall C12 of the body C10, and the heater holder wing C26 may face or be in contact with the outer wall C13 of the body C10.

[0088] The upper wall C12 of the body C10 supports the extension C23, and the extension C23 supports the pipe C20'. The pipe C20' may hang from the extension C23 and be separated upward from the bottom C112 of the body pipe C11 to form an air gap. The side wall C21 of the pipe C20' and the side wall C31 of the extractor C30 may be separated inward from the side wall C111 of the body pipe C11 to form an air gap.

[0089] The extension C23 has a shape that corresponds to the lower surface of the upper case C40. When the upper case C40 is coupled to the body C10 and the extractor C30 is inserted into the inside of the pipe C20', the extension C23 may come into contact with the lower surface of the upper case C40.

[0090] The upper case C40, extension C23, and body C10 are each provided with coupling members. Each coupling member is provided within the upper case C40, extension C23, and body C10 so as to be adjacent to each other when the upper case C40, extension C23, and body C10 are coupled to each other. The heater holder C20 may be detachably coupled to the upper case C40 and / or extractor C30 by each coupling member. For example, each coupling member may include at least one of a projection and a corresponding groove. However, each coupling member is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient as long as the heater holder C20 can be detachably coupled to the upper case C40 and / or extractor C30 by each coupling member.

[0091] Therefore, the user can selectively connect the heater holder C20 to either the body C10 or the extractor C30, with the heater holder C20 separated from the upper case C40 and / or the extractor C30 from the body C10. Furthermore, the upper case C40 and / or the extractor C30 can be easily and stably connected to the body C10.

[0092] The side wall C21 of pipe C20' and the side wall C31 of extractor C30 may be separated inward from the side wall C111 of body pipe C11 to form an air gap. The heater C50 may be surrounded by extractor C30 and pipe C20'.

[0093] This reduces the amount of heat generated from heater C50 that is transferred to body pipe C11 via pipe C20' and extractor C30, thereby reducing overheating during development of aerosol generator 1.

[0094] The upper case C40 may be separated from the body C10. The heater holder C20 may be detachably coupled to the upper case C40. The heater holder C20 may be detachably coupled to the upper case C40 by means of magnetic attraction, screw coupling, snap-fit ​​coupling, etc.

[0095] If the upper case C40 is separated from the body C10, the heater holder C20 may be separated from the body C10 together with the upper case C40 while still connected to the upper case C40. The heater holder C20 is separated from the upper case C40 while the upper case C40, to which the heater holder C20 is connected, is separated from the body C10.

[0096] As a different example, the heater holder C20 may be detachably coupled to the extractor C30. When the extractor C30 is separated from the body, the heater holder C20 may be separated from the body C10 together with the extractor C30 while still coupled to the extractor C30. When the extractor C30, to which the heater holder C20 is coupled, is separated from the body C10, the heater holder C20 may be separated from the extractor C30.

[0097] The heater holder C20, which is coupled to the upper case C40, may protrude downward from the upper case C40. Therefore, the heater holder C20 can be easily separated from the upper case C40 while still being stably coupled to it. Furthermore, the heater C50 can be conveniently replaced.

[0098] The heater holder C20 may be detachably coupled to the body C10. With the heater holder C20 coupled to the body C10, the upper case C40 and / or extractor C30 may be separated from the body C10 and heater holder C20. With the upper case C40 and / or extractor C30 separated from the body C10 and heater holder C20, the heater holder C20 may be separated from the body C10. The heater holder C20 may be detachably coupled to the body C10 by means of magnetic attraction, screw coupling, snap-fit ​​coupling, etc.

[0099] The extension C23 connected to the body C10 may be exposed upward from the body C10. The heater holder wing C26 connected to the body C10 may be exposed laterally from the body C10. Therefore, the user can easily grasp the heater holder C20.

[0100] Therefore, the heater holder C20 can be easily separated from the body C10 while still being stably attached to the body C10. Furthermore, the user can conveniently replace the heater C50.

[0101] Furthermore, the user can easily separate the stick S from the heater C50. The user can easily separate the stick S from the heater C50 by separating the extractor C30 and the heater holder C20 from each other. The stick S, inserted inside the extractor C30, can be easily separated from the extractor C30 by separating it from the heater C50. Referring to Figure 8, the guide portion C25 may be formed on the upper inner surface of the pipe C20'. The guide portion C25 may be positioned between the pipe C20' and the extension portion C23. The guide portion C25 may extend so as to be inclined downwards.

[0102] Therefore, the guide section C25 contacts the lower part of the extractor C30, guiding the extractor C30 so that it can be easily inserted into the heater holder C20.

[0103] The lower section of the heater C50 may be inserted into and fixed to a mount (lower wall C22). The heater C50 includes a heater rod C51. The heater rod C51 may extend vertically. The heater rod C51 may have a cylindrical shape. The heater rod C51 may have a hollow C52 that opens to the lower side. The hollow C52 may extend vertically. The hollow C52 inside the heater rod C51 may be formed in a cylindrical shape. The upper section of the heater rod C51 may be formed pointed upwards.

[0104] The heater rod C51 may be made of a resistant metal.

[0105] The heater C50 includes a support C53. The support C53 may be positioned below the heater rod C51. The support C53 may be fixed to the heater rod C51. The support C53 may support the lower part of the heater rod C51. The support C53 may fill the lower part of the hollow C52. The sides of the support C53 may be supported by a mount (bottom wall C22). The support C53 has high heat resistance. The support C53 is not thermally deformed by the heat generated by the heater rod C51.

[0106] The lower section of the heater rod C51 may be inserted into the support C53. The support C53 forms a fitting groove C531 that opens on its upper side. The fitting groove C531 extends circumferentially and may have a ring shape. The lower section of the heater rod C51 can be inserted into and clamped in the fitting groove C531.

[0107] The heater rod C51 may be coupled to the support C53. The projection C511 may protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface of the lower section of the heater rod C51. Multiple projections C511 may be spaced apart and arranged along the outer circumferential surface of the lower section of the heater rod C51. The projection groove may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the fitting groove C531. The projection C511 may be inserted into the projection groove.

[0108] A flange C532 is formed on the side surface of the support C53. The flange C532 may extend outward from the side surface of the support C53 along the periphery. The flange C532 may be inserted into the mount (lower wall C22). The mount (lower wall C22) may be integrally coupled to the flange C532 by insert injection of the heater holder C20 into the heater C50.

[0109] The inner circumferential surface of the mount (lower wall C22) may have a shape corresponding to the outer circumferential surface of the flange C532. The inner circumferential surface of the mount (lower wall C22) and the outer circumferential surface of the flange C532 engage with each other in the circumferential direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the heater C50 from separating from the heater holder C20 during the process of separating or inserting the stick S into the heater C50.

[0110]

[0111] Although not shown, an aerosol generator 1 according to other embodiments of the present disclosure may not include a heater holder C20. The heater C50 may be fixed to the body C10. The heater C50 may be fixed to the lower wall C112 of the body pipe C11 and may protrude long upward into the first insertion space C14. The upper part of the heater C50 may protrude through the through hole C35 into the second insertion space C24. A hollow may be formed inside the heater C50. An electrically conductive track and / or a temperature sensor (e.g., sensor 13) may be mounted in the hollow of the heater C50. The electrically conductive track is supplied with current from the power supply 11 and generates heat, and the heater C50 may be heated by the heat generated in the electrically conductive track.

[0112] As a different example, the heater C50 may be fixed to the extractor C30. The heater C50 may be fixed to the lower wall C32 of the extractor C30 and protrude long upward in the second insertion space C24. The extractor C30 may be removably inserted into the first insertion space C14. When the extractor C30 is separated from the body C10, the heater C50 is separated from the body C10 together with the extractor C30.

[0113]

[0114] Figure 9 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus 900 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0115] The aerosol generator 900 includes a power supply 910, a control unit 920, a sensor 930, an output unit 940, an input unit 950, a communication unit 960, a memory 970, and at least one heater 980, 924. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generator 900 is not limited to that shown in Figure 9. That is, a person with ordinary skill in the art relating to this embodiment will understand that, depending on the design of the aerosol generator 900, some of the configurations shown in Figure 9 may be omitted or new configurations may be added.

[0116] The sensor 930 can detect the state of the aerosol generator 900 or the state of the area around the aerosol generator 900 and transmit the detected information to the control unit 920. Based on the detected information, the control unit 920 can control the aerosol generator 900 so that various functions are performed, such as controlling the operation of the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980, restricting smoking, determining whether or not the stick S and / or cartridge 19 is inserted, and displaying notifications.

[0117] Sensor 930 may include at least one of the following: temperature sensor 931, puff sensor 932, insertion detection sensor 933, reuse detection sensor 934, cartridge detection sensor 935, cap detection sensor 936, and motion detection sensor 937.

[0118] The temperature sensor 931 detects the temperature at which the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 heat. The aerosol generator 900 may include a separate temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980, or the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 themselves may act as the temperature sensor.

[0119] The temperature sensor 931 can output a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980. For example, the temperature sensor 931 may include a resistive element whose resistance changes in response to temperature changes in the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980. This may be implemented using a thermistor or other element that utilizes the property that resistance changes with temperature. Here, the temperature sensor 931 can output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistive element as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980. For example, the temperature sensor 931 may be configured as a sensor that detects the resistance value of the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980. Here, the temperature sensor 931 can output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 as a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980.

[0120] The temperature sensor 931 is positioned around the power supply 910 to monitor its temperature. The temperature sensor 931 may also be positioned adjacent to the power supply 910. For example, the temperature sensor 931 may be attached to one side of the battery of the power supply 910. For example, the temperature sensor 931 may be mounted on one side of a printed circuit board.

[0121] The temperature sensor 931 is located inside the body 10 and can detect the internal temperature of the body 10.

[0122] The puff sensor 932 can detect user puffs based on various physical changes in the airflow path. The puff sensor 932 outputs a signal corresponding to the puff. For example, the puff sensor 932 may be a pressure sensor. The puff sensor 932 can output a signal corresponding to the internal pressure of the aerosol generator. Here, the internal pressure of the aerosol generator 900 corresponds to the pressure of the airflow path through which the gas flows. The puff sensor 932 is positioned in the aerosol generator 900 corresponding to the airflow path through which the gas flows.

[0123] The insertion detection sensor 933 can detect the insertion and / or removal of the stick S. The insertion detection sensor 933 can detect a signal change caused by the insertion and / or removal of the stick S. The insertion detection sensor 933 may be provided around the insertion space. The insertion detection sensor 933 can detect the insertion and / or removal of the stick S in accordance with the change in dielectric constant inside the insertion space. For example, the insertion detection sensor 933 may be an inductive sensor and / or a capacitor sensor.

[0124] An induction sensor includes at least one coil. The coil of the induction sensor may be positioned adjacent to the insertion space. For example, if the magnetic field around a coil through which current flows changes, the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil may change according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. Here, the characteristics of the current flowing through the coil may include the frequency of the alternating current, the current value, the voltage value, the inductance value, the impedance value, etc.

[0125] An inductive sensor can output a signal corresponding to the characteristics of the current flowing through a coil. For example, an inductive sensor may output a signal corresponding to the inductance value of the coil.

[0126] The capacitor sensor may include a conductor. The conductor of the capacitor sensor may be positioned adjacent to the insertion space. The capacitor sensor may output a signal corresponding to the surrounding electromagnetic properties, such as the capacitance around the conductor. For example, if a stick S including a metal wrapper is inserted into the insertion space, the wrapper of the stick S may alter the electromagnetic properties around the conductor.

[0127] The reuse detection sensor 934 can detect whether or not the stick S is being reused. The reuse detection sensor 934 may also be a color sensor. The color sensor detects the color of the stick S. The color sensor can detect the color of a portion of the wrapper surrounding the outside of the stick S. The color sensor detects a value for an optical property corresponding to the color of the object based on the light reflected from the object. For example, the optical property may be the wavelength of light. The color sensor may be implemented in a single configuration with the proximity sensor, or in a separate configuration separate from the proximity sensor.

[0128] At least a portion of the wrappers constituting the stick S may change color due to aerosols. The reuse detection sensor 934 is positioned corresponding to the location where at least a portion of the wrappers that change color due to aerosols are located when the stick S is inserted into the insertion space. For example, before the stick S is used by the user, at least a portion of the wrappers may be a first color. Here, as the aerosols generated by the aerosol generator 900 pass through the stick S, at least a portion of the wrappers may be wetted by the aerosols, thereby changing the color of at least a portion of the wrappers to a second color. On the other hand, at least a portion of the wrappers may remain in the second color after changing from the first color to the second color.

[0129] The cartridge detection sensor 935 can detect the installation and / or removal of the cartridge 19. The cartridge detection sensor 935 may be implemented by an inductance substrate sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, or a Hall sensor (Hall IC) utilizing the Hall effect.

[0130] The cap detection sensor 936 can detect the attachment and / or removal of the cap. When the cap is separated from the body 10, the cartridge 19 and a portion of the body 10 that were covered by the cap are exposed to the outside. The cap detection sensor 936 can be implemented by a contact sensor, a Hall sensor (Hall IC), an optical sensor, or the like.

[0131] The motion detection sensor 937 can detect the movement of the aerosol generator 900. The motion detection sensor 937 can be implemented using at least one of an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor.

[0132] In addition to the sensors 131-137 described above, sensor 930 may further include at least one of the following: a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a position sensor (GPS), and a proximity sensor. The function of the angle sensor can be intuitively inferred by those skilled in the art from its name, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0133] The output unit 940 can output and provide to the user information regarding the status of the aerosol generator 900. The output unit 940 includes, but is not limited to, a display 941, a haptic unit 942, and an acoustic output unit 943. If the display 941 and the touchpad are configured as a touchscreen without a layer structure, the display 941 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0134] The display 941 can visually provide the user with information regarding the aerosol generator 900. For example, information regarding the aerosol generator 900 could include various pieces of information such as the charging / discharging status of the power supply 910 of the aerosol generator 900, the preheating status of the heater 980, the insertion / removal status of the stick S and / or cartridge 19, the attachment / removal status of the cap, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generator 900 is restricted (e.g., detection of an abnormal item), and the display 941 can output this information to the outside. For example, the display 941 may be in an LED light-emitting state. For example, the display 941 may be a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED), etc.

[0135] The haptic unit 942 can convert electrical signals into mechanical or electrical stimuli to provide the user with tactile information about the aerosol generator 900. For example, the haptic unit 942 can generate vibrations corresponding to the completion of initial preheating when initial power is supplied to the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 for a set time. The haptic unit 942 may include a vibration motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulator.

[0136] The acoustic output unit 943 can provide the user with auditory information regarding the aerosol generator 900. For example, the acoustic output unit 943 may convert electrical signals into acoustic signals and output them externally.

[0137] The power supply 910 can supply the power used to operate the aerosol generator 900. The power supply 910 may also supply power to enable the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 to heat up. The power supply 910 can also supply the power necessary for the operation of other components provided in the aerosol generator 900, namely the sensor 930, output unit 940, input unit 950, communication unit 960, and memory 970. The power supply 910 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the power supply 910 may be, but is not limited to, a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery.

[0138] Although not shown in Figure 9, the aerosol generator 900 may further include a power protection circuit. The power protection circuit may be electrically connected to the power supply 910 and may include a switching element.

[0139] The power protection circuit interrupts the circuit to the power supply 910 according to predetermined conditions. For example, the power protection circuit may interrupt the circuit to the power supply 910 if the voltage level of the power supply 910 is equal to or greater than a first voltage corresponding to overcharging. For example, the power protection circuit may interrupt the circuit to the power supply 910 if the voltage level of the power supply 910 is less than a second voltage corresponding to over-discharge.

[0140] The heater 980 is powered by the power supply 910 and can heat the medium or aerosol-generating material inside the stick S. Although not shown in Figure 10, the aerosol generator 900 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC / DC converter) that converts the power from the power supply 910 and supplies it to the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980. Furthermore, if the aerosol generator 900 generates aerosols by induction heating, the aerosol generator 900 may further include a DC / AC converter that converts the DC power supply of the power supply 910 into AC power.

[0141] The control unit 920, sensor 930, output unit 940, input unit 950, communication unit 960, and memory 970 can function by receiving power from the power supply 910. Although not shown in Figure 1, a power conversion circuit, such as an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, may be further included to convert the power from the power supply 910 and supply it to each component. Also, although not shown in Figure 3, a noise filter may be provided between the power supply 910 and the heater 980. The noise filter may be a low-pass filter. The low-pass filter includes at least one inductor and a capacitor. The cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter corresponds to the frequency of the high-frequency switching current applied from the power supply 910 to the heater 980. The low-pass filter prevents the application of high-frequency noise to the sensor 930, such as the insertion detection sensor 933.

[0142] In one embodiment, the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 can be formed from any suitable electrical resistant material. For example, suitable electrical resistant materials may include, but are not limited to, metals or metal alloys, such as titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, and nichrome. The heater 980 may also be implemented as, but is not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate on which an electrically conductive track is arranged, or a ceramic heating element.

[0143] In other embodiments, the heater 980 may be an induction heating type heater, and for example, the heater 980 may include a susceptor that generates heat by a magnetic field applied by a coil and heats the aerosol-generating substance.

[0144] The input unit 950 can receive information input from the user and output information to the user. For example, the input unit 950 may be a touch panel. The touch panel may include at least one touch sensor for detecting touches. For example, the touch sensor may include, but is not limited to, a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, a surface acoustic wave touch sensor, or an infrared touch sensor.

[0145] The display 941 and the touch panel may be implemented on a single panel. For example, the touch panel may be embedded within the display 941 (on-cell type or in-cell type). For example, the touch panel may be added on to the panel of the display 941 (add-on type).

[0146] On the other hand, the input section 950 includes, but is not limited to, buttons, keypads, dome switches, jog wheels, jog switches, etc.

[0147] Memory 970, as hardware for storing various data processed within the aerosol generator 900, can store data processed by the control unit 920 and data to be processed. Memory 970 may 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. Memory 970 may store data such as the operating time of the aerosol generator 900, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data on the user's smoking pattern.

[0148] The communication unit 960 may include at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 960 may include at least one of a short-range communication unit and a wireless communication unit.

[0149] The short-range wireless communication unit includes, but is not limited to, Bluetooth communication units, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication units, Near Field Communication units, WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication units, Zigbee communication units, infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication units, WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication units, UWB (ultra wideband) communication units, Ant+ communication units, and others.

[0150] The wireless communication section includes, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication section, an Internet communication section, and a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN) communication section.

[0151] Although not shown in Figure 9, the aerosol generator 900 may further include a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and may be connected to other external devices via such a connection interface to send and receive information or charge the power supply 910.

[0152] The control unit 920 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator 900. In one embodiment, the control unit 920 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and memory storing a program run on that microprocessor. It will also be understood by those ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs that it may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

[0153] The control unit 920 can control the temperature of the heater 980 by controlling the power supplied to the heater 980 from the power supply 910. The control unit 920 can control the temperature of the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 detected by the temperature sensor 931. The control unit 920 can adjust the power supplied to the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980. For example, the control unit 920 can determine a target temperature for the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 based on a temperature profile stored in the memory 970.

[0154] The aerosol generator 900 may include a power supply circuit (not shown) electrically connected to the power supply 910 between the power supply 910 and the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980. The power supply circuit may be electrically connected to the cartridge heater 924, heater 980, or induction coil 181. The power supply circuit includes at least one switching element. The switching element can be implemented by a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), a field-effect transistor (FET), and the like. The control unit 920 can control the power supply circuit.

[0155] The control unit 920 can control the power supply by controlling the switching of the switching elements of the power supply circuit. The power supply circuit may be an inverter that converts the DC power output from the power supply 910 into AC power. For example, the inverter may consist of a full-bridge circuit or a half-bridge circuit including multiple switching elements.

[0156] The control unit 920 can turn on the switching element so that power is supplied from the power supply 910 to the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980. The control unit 920 can turn off the switching element so that the power supply to the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 is cut off. The control unit 920 can adjust the current supplied from the power supply 910 by adjusting the frequency and / or duty cycle of the current pulse input to the switching element.

[0157] The control unit 920 can control the voltage output from the power supply 910 by controlling the switching of the switching elements of the power supply circuit. The power conversion circuit can convert the voltage output from the power supply 910. For example, the power conversion circuit may include a buck converter that boosts the voltage output from the power supply 910. For example, the power conversion circuit may be implemented via a buck-boost converter, a Zener diode, or the like.

[0158] The control unit 920 can control the on / off operation of the switching elements included in the power conversion circuit to adjust the voltage level output from the power conversion circuit. When the switching elements remain in the on state, the voltage level output from the power conversion circuit corresponds to the voltage level output from the power supply 910. The duty cycle for the on / off operation of the switching elements corresponds to the ratio of the voltage output from the power conversion circuit to the voltage output from the power supply 910. The lower the duty cycle for the on / off operation of the switching elements, the lower the voltage level output from the power conversion circuit may be. The heater 980 is heated based on the voltage output from the power conversion circuit.

[0159] The control unit 920 can control the heater 980 to supply power using at least one of the following methods: pulse width modulation (PWM) and proportional-integral-differential (PID).

[0160] For example, the control unit 920 may use a PWM method to control the supply of current pulses having a predetermined frequency and duty cycle to the heater 980. The control unit 920 can adjust the frequency and duty cycle of the current pulses to control the power supplied to the heater 980.

[0161] For example, the control unit 920 may determine a target temperature for control based on the temperature profile. The control unit 920 can control the power supplied to the heater 980 using a PID method, which is a feedback control method that uses the difference between the heater temperature and the target temperature, the integral of the difference over time, and the derivative of the difference over time.

[0162] The control unit 920 can prevent the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 from overheating. For example, the control unit 920 can control the operation of the power conversion circuit to interrupt the power supply to the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 exceeding a preset limit temperature. For example, the control unit 920 can reduce the amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 by a certain percentage based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 exceeding a preset limit temperature. For example, the control unit 920 can determine that the aerosol-generating material contained in the cartridge 19 has been consumed based on the temperature of the cartridge heater 924 exceeding a limit temperature and cut off the power supply to the cartridge heater 924.

[0163] The control unit 920 can control the charging and discharging of the power supply 910. The control unit 920 can check the temperature of the power supply 910 based on the output signal of the temperature sensor 931.

[0164] When a power line is connected to the battery terminal of the aerosol generator 900, the control unit 920 can check whether the temperature of the power supply 910 is above a first limit temperature, which is the criterion for shutting off the charging of the power supply 910. If the temperature of the power supply 910 is below the first limit temperature, the control unit 920 can control the power supply 910 to be charged based on a preset charging current. If the temperature of the power supply 910 is above the first limit temperature, the control unit 920 can shut off the charging of the power supply 910.

[0165] With the aerosol generator 900 powered on, the control unit 920 can check whether the temperature of the power supply 910 is above the second limiting temperature, which is the criterion for shutting off the discharge of the power supply 910. If the temperature of the power supply 910 is below the second limiting temperature, the control unit 920 can control the use of the power stored in the power supply 910. If the temperature of the power supply 910 is above the second limiting temperature, the control unit 920 interrupts the use of the power stored in the power supply 910.

[0166] The control unit 920 can calculate the remaining capacity of the power supply 910 relative to the power stored in the power supply 910. For example, the control unit 920 may calculate the remaining capacity of the power supply 910 based on the detected voltage and / or current values ​​of the power supply 910.

[0167] The control unit 920 can determine whether or not the stick S is inserted into the insertion space via the insertion detection sensor 933. Based on the output signal of the insertion detection sensor 933, the control unit 920 determines that the stick S has been inserted. If it determines that the stick S has been inserted into the insertion space, the control unit 920 can control the supply of power to the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980. For example, the control unit 920 can supply power to the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 based on a temperature profile stored in the memory 970.

[0168] The control unit 920 can determine whether or not the stick S is removed from the insertion space. For example, the control unit 920 may determine whether or not the stick S is removed from the insertion space via the insertion detection sensor 933. For example, the control unit 920 may determine that the stick S has been removed from the insertion space if the temperature of the heater 980 is above a limit temperature, or if the slope of the temperature change of the heater 980 is above a set slope. If the control unit 920 determines that the stick S has been removed from the insertion space, it may cut off the power supply to the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980.

[0169] The control unit 920 can control the power supply time and / or power supply amount to the heater 980 according to the state of the stick S detected by the sensor 930. Based on the lookup table, the control unit 920 can determine the level range that includes the level of the capacitor sensor signal. Based on the determined level range, the control unit 920 can determine the amount of moisture in the stick S.

[0170] If the stick S is in an over-humidified state, the control unit 920 can control the power supply time to the heater 980 and increase the preheating time of the stick S compared to the normal state.

[0171] The control unit 920 can determine whether the stick S inserted into the insertion space can be reused via the reuse detection sensor 934. For example, the control unit 920 may compare the detected value of the signal from the reuse detection sensor with a first reference range that includes a first color, and if the detected value falls within the first reference range, it may determine that the stick S has not been used. For example, the control unit 920 may compare the detected value of the signal from the reuse detection sensor with a second reference range that includes a second color, and if the detected value falls within the second reference range, it may determine that the stick S has been used. If it is determined that the stick S has been used, the control unit 920 may cut off the power supply to the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980.

[0172] The control unit 920 can determine whether the cartridge 19 can be attached and / or removed via the cartridge detection sensor 935. For example, the control unit 920 may determine whether the cartridge 19 can be attached and / or removed based on the detected value of the signal from the cartridge detection sensor.

[0173] The control unit 920 can determine whether the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge 19 is decreasing. For example, the control unit 920 preheats the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 by applying power, determines whether the temperature of the cartridge heater 924 exceeds a limit temperature during the preheating period, and determines that the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge 19 has been consumed if the temperature of the cartridge heater 924 exceeds the limit temperature. If it determines that the aerosol-generating material in the cartridge 19 has been consumed, the control unit 920 cuts off the power supply to the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980.

[0174] The control unit 920 can determine whether or not the cartridge 19 is usable. For example, based on the data stored in the memory 970, the control unit 920 may determine that the cartridge 19 is usable if the current number of puffs is equal to or greater than the maximum number of puffs set for the cartridge 19. For example, the control unit 920 may determine that the cartridge 19 is unusable if the total time the heater 924 has heated is equal to or greater than a preset maximum time, or if the total amount of power supplied to the heater 924 is equal to or greater than a preset maximum amount of power.

[0175] The control unit 920 can make decisions regarding the user's inhalation via the puff sensor 932. For example, the control unit 920 may determine whether or not a puff has occurred based on the detected signal value of the puff sensor. For example, the control unit 920 may determine the intensity of the puff based on the detected signal value of the puff sensor 932. If the number of puffs reaches a preset maximum number of puffs, or if no puff has been detected for a preset time or longer, the control unit 920 cuts off the power supply to the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980.

[0176] The control unit 920 can determine whether the cap can be attached and / or removed via the cap detection sensor 936. For example, the control unit 920 determines whether the cap can be attached and / or removed based on the detected value of the signal from the cap detection sensor.

[0177] The control unit 920 can control the output unit 940 based on the results detected by the sensor 930. For example, when the number of puffs counted via the puff sensor 932 reaches a preset number, the control unit 920 may notify the user that the aerosol generator 900 will immediately shut down via at least one of the display 941, the haptic unit 942, and the acoustic output unit 943. For example, the control unit 920 may notify the user via the output unit 940 based on the determination that there is no stick S in the insertion space. For example, the control unit 920 may notify the user via the output unit 940 based on the determination that the cartridge 19 and / or cap is not installed. For example, the control unit 920 may transmit information regarding the temperature of the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980 to the user via the output unit 940.

[0178] The control unit 920 can store and update a history of events in the memory 970 based on the occurrence of a predetermined event. Events may include operations performed by the aerosol generator 900, such as detection of stick S insertion, heating of stick S, puff detection, puff completion, detection of overheating of cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980, detection of overvoltage application to cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980, completion of stick S heating, turning the aerosol generator 900 on / off, charging of power supply 910, detection of overcharge of power supply 910, and completion of charging of power supply 910. The history of events may include the date and time the event occurred, log data corresponding to the event, etc. For example, if a predetermined event is the detection of stick S insertion, the log data corresponding to the event may include data such as the detection value of the insertion detection sensor 933. For example, if a predetermined event is the detection of overheating of the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980, the log data corresponding to the event may include data on the temperature of the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980, the voltage applied to the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980, and the current flowing through the cartridge heater 924 and / or heater 980.

[0179] The control unit 920 can be controlled to form a communication link with an external device, such as a user's mobile terminal. Upon receiving authentication data from the external device via the communication link, the control unit 920 removes any restrictions on the use of at least one function of the aerosol generator 900. Here, the authentication data may include data indicating the completion of user authentication for the user corresponding to the external device. The user may perform user authentication via the external device. The external device may determine whether the user data is valid based on the user's date of birth, a unique number identifying the user, etc., and may receive data from an external server regarding the right to use the aerosol generator 900. Based on the data regarding the right to use, the external device may send data to the aerosol generator 900 indicating the completion of user authentication. Once user authentication is complete, the control unit 920 may remove any restrictions on the use of at least one function of the aerosol generator 900. For example, once user authentication is complete, the control unit 920 may remove any restrictions on the use of the heating function that supplies power to the heater 980.

[0180] The control unit 920 can transmit data regarding the status of the aerosol generator 900 to the external device via a communication link formed with the external device. Based on the received status data, the external device can output the remaining capacity of the power supply 910 of the aerosol generator 900, its operating status, etc., via the external device's display.

[0181] An external device can send a location search request to the aerosol generator 900 based on an input disclosing the location search of the aerosol generator 900. When the control unit 920 receives a location search request from the external device, it controls at least one of the output devices to perform an operation corresponding to the location search based on the received location search request. For example, the haptic unit 942 may generate vibrations in response to the location search request. For example, the display 941 may output an object corresponding to the location search and the completion of the search in response to the location search request.

[0182] The control unit 920 can control the aerosol generator 900 to perform a firmware update upon receiving firmware data from an external device. The external device checks the current version of the firmware of the aerosol generator 900 and determines whether a new firmware version exists. If the external device receives an input requesting a firmware download, it can receive the new firmware version data and transmit the new firmware version data to the aerosol generator 900. Upon receiving the new firmware version data, the control unit 920 can control the aerosol generator 900 to perform a firmware update.

[0183] The control unit 920 transmits data for the detection values ​​of at least one sensor 930 to an external server (not shown) via the communication unit 960, and can receive and store a learning model generated by learning the detection values ​​from the server via machine learning, such as deep learning. The control unit 920 uses the learning model received from the server to perform operations such as determining the user's inhalation pattern and generating a temperature profile. The control unit 920 stores the detection value data of at least one sensor 930 and data for learning an artificial neural network (ANN) in the memory 970. For example, the memory 970 may store a database for each component provided in the aerosol generator 900, weights forming the ANN structure, and biases for learning the artificial neural network (ANN). The control unit 920 can learn the data for the detection values ​​of at least one sensor 930, the user's inhalation pattern, the temperature profile, etc., stored in the memory 970, and generate at least one learning model used for determining the user's inhalation pattern and generating a temperature profile.

[0184] An aerosol generator can generate an alternating magnetic field by applying a signal to the heater coil. The generated alternating magnetic field causes eddy currents to flow in the susceptor, and induction heating development can occur, where the temperature of the susceptor rises due to the heat generated by the eddy currents and the resistance of the susceptor. The aerosol generator may also generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol product through the heat of the susceptor. The aerosol generator can heat the aerosol product for optimal smoking by controlling the signal applied to the heater coil so that the temperature of the susceptor corresponds to a preset temperature profile. If a reference susceptor is coupled to the aerosol generator, the aerosol generator may apply a reference signal to the heater coil so that the reference susceptor follows the temperature profile. If a susceptor with different electrical characteristics from the reference susceptor is coupled to the aerosol generator, the aerosol generator may determine the signal applied to the heater coil by varying the frequency, magnitude, duty cycle, etc., of the reference signal based on control characteristics determined in accordance with the electrical characteristics of the susceptor. Here, the control characteristics may be parameters that correct the reference signal so that the susceptor follows the temperature profile for a susceptor with different electrical characteristics from the reference susceptor.

[0185] In an aerosol generator, the susceptor is a component that directly contacts the aerosol product and transfers heat. As the number of uses increases, foreign matter accumulates, making cleaning troublesome. Therefore, it is designed to be replaceable. When a susceptor is replaced in an aerosol generator, the control characteristics of the replaced susceptor must be determined, and the signal applied to the heater coil must be controlled accordingly. Consequently, in order for an aerosol generator coupled with a replaceable susceptor to effectively perform the aerosol generation method, a method for determining the change of susceptor is required.

[0186]

[0187] Figure 10 is a flowchart of a method for determining whether a susceptor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a modified susceptor.

[0188] The following operations 1010 to 1050 are performed by an aerosol generator (e.g., aerosol generator 1 in Figures 1 to 3 or aerosol generator 900 in Figure 9). The aerosol generator may include a heater (e.g., heater 18 in Figures 1 to 3, heater A33 in Figure 5, heater C50 in Figures 6 to 8, or heaters 980, 924 in Figure 9) and a control unit (e.g., control unit 12 in Figures 1 to 3, or control unit A102 in Figure 5, or control unit 920 in Figure 9). For example, the heater may include a coil for induction heating (e.g., induction coil 181 in Figures 2 to 3, induction coil A13 in Figure 5, or induction coil C15 in Figures 6 and 7).

[0189] In operation 1010, the control unit of the aerosol generator applies a first signal to the heater coil so that an alternating magnetic field having a first frequency is generated. The first signal may have a preset current, voltage, and duty cycle as a first test signal.

[0190] According to one embodiment, when an aerosol product is inserted into the aerosol generator, the aerosol generator controls the signal applied to the heater coil based on a first temperature profile and performs operation 1010 when it is determined that the current time corresponds to the first time point of the first temperature profile. The first temperature profile may be a temperature profile that controls the temperature of the susceptor in order to heat the aerosol product to an optimal temperature during the smoking process. A first signal is applied to the heater coil at the first time point of the first temperature profile in order to detect a change in the susceptor during the heating process of the aerosol product. The method for determining whether or not the susceptor has changed while the aerosol generator is controlled based on the first temperature profile will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 13-14.

[0191] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generator includes a DC / AC inverter and an amplifier for generating a first signal. For example, the amplifier may include a Class D amplifier or a Class E amplifier.

[0192] According to one embodiment, the first frequency may be a frequency greater than the range of the natural frequency (or matching frequency) of the susceptor placed in the aerosol generator. For example, multiple susceptors may have different natural frequencies, but these different natural frequencies are within a certain range. The natural frequency of a susceptor may be the frequency of the signal that induces the largest eddy current in the susceptor. For example, if the range of natural frequencies is 230 kHz to 250 kHz, the first frequency may be 270 kHz.

[0193] According to one embodiment, the operation of applying the first signal to the coil is performed for a short time (e.g., a few milliseconds) so that the temperature of the susceptor does not increase due to eddy currents induced in the susceptor by the first signal.

[0194] According to one embodiment, the voltage of the first signal may be set to a preset voltage or lower so that the temperature of the susceptor does not increase due to eddy currents induced in the susceptor by the first signal. Below, with reference to Figure 15, the voltage of the first signal set to a preset voltage or lower will be described in detail.

[0195] According to one embodiment, the susceptor is not electrically connected to the aerosol generator. Although no electricity flows from the aerosol generator to the susceptor, the aerosol generator and the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil of the aerosol generator cause electromagnetic induction development in the susceptor, causing eddy currents to flow in the susceptor.

[0196] According to one embodiment, the susceptor may be placed inside the aerosol product when the aerosol product is inserted into the aerosol generator. For example, the susceptor may be a tubular heating element, a plate heating element, a needle heating element, or a rod heating element.

[0197] According to one embodiment, the susceptor may be included in the aerosol product inserted into the aerosol generator, as shown in the susceptor SS in Figure 3. For example, the susceptor may be included in the filter wrapping paper of the aerosol product. For example, the susceptor may be included in the tobacco rod of the aerosol product.

[0198] In operation 1020, the control unit of the aerosol generator determines a first value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor indicated by the first signal. For example, the electrical characteristics may be at least one of the current, voltage, or power of the first output signal indicated at the output terminals of the heater coil. The operation of determining the first value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor includes the operation of determining the first value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor based on at least one of the current, voltage, or power of the first output signal indicated at the output terminals of the heater coil. The alternating magnetic field generated in the heater coil generates eddy currents in the susceptor, so that a portion of the electrical energy of the first signal is transmitted to the susceptor, and the current, voltage, or power of the first signal is different from the current, voltage, or power of the first output signal.

[0199] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generator may further include a detection circuit for determining a first value of the electrical characteristics of a susceptor, indicated by a first signal at the output terminal of the heater coil. The detection circuit is not electrically connected to the susceptor.

[0200] In operation 1030, the control unit of the aerosol generator applies a second signal to the heater coil so that an alternating magnetic field having a second frequency is generated. The second signal has a preset current, voltage, and duty cycle as a second test signal.

[0201] According to one embodiment, when an aerosol product is inserted into the aerosol generator, the aerosol generator controls the signal applied to the heater coil based on a first temperature profile, and performs operation 1030 if it is determined that the current time corresponds to the first time point in the first temperature profile. Operation 1030 may be performed immediately after operation 1010 is performed, or after a preset delay.

[0202] According to one embodiment, the second frequency is a frequency greater than the range of the natural frequency of the susceptor placed in the aerosol generator. For example, if the range of the natural frequency is 230 kHz to 250 kHz, the second frequency may be 280 kHz.

[0203] According to one embodiment, the operation of applying the second signal to the coil may be performed for a short time (e.g., a few milliseconds) so that the temperature of the susceptor does not increase due to eddy currents induced in the susceptor by the second signal.

[0204] According to one embodiment, the voltage of the second signal may be less than or equal to a preset voltage so that the temperature of the susceptor does not increase due to eddy currents induced in the susceptor by the second signal.

[0205] In operation 1040, the control unit of the aerosol generator determines a second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor indicated by the second signal. For example, the electrical characteristics may be at least one of the current, voltage, or power of the second output signal indicated at the output terminal of the heater coil. The operation of determining the second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor may include the operation of determining the second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor based on at least one of the current, voltage, or power of the second output signal indicated at the output terminal of the heater coil.

[0206] In operation 1050, the control unit of the aerosol generator determines whether the susceptor is a modified susceptor based on first and second values ​​of the susceptor's electrical characteristics. For example, if at least one of the first and second values ​​differs from the previously measured first and second values ​​for the previous susceptor, the control unit of the aerosol generator determines that the susceptor is a modified susceptor. For example, if the first and second values ​​of the susceptor are the same as the previously measured first and second values ​​for the previous susceptor, the control unit of the aerosol generator determines that the susceptor is an unmodified susceptor. For example, if the difference between the first value of the susceptor and the previous first value of the previous susceptor is less than a preset difference, the first value of the susceptor can be considered to be the same as the previous first value of the previous susceptor.

[0207] According to one embodiment, if it is determined that the susceptor has been modified, the modified susceptor's control characteristics may be obtained based on the first and second values ​​of the susceptor. Based on the modified susceptor's control characteristics, the signal applied to the heater coil may be controlled. A method for controlling the signal applied to the heater coil based on the control characteristics will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 12.

[0208] According to one embodiment, when the susceptor of the aerosol generator is determined to be a modified susceptor, the aerosol generator determines whether the current state is a target state that satisfies a preset condition. For example, the target state may be a state in which no aerosol product is inserted into the aerosol generator. For example, the target state may be a state in which the body temperature of the aerosol generator is within a target temperature range. For example, the target state may be a state in which the user has performed a user calibration operation. If the current state is determined to be a target state, a calibration signal is applied to the heater coil, and the control characteristics of the modified susceptor are obtained based on at least one of the current, voltage, or power of the calibration output signal indicated at the output terminal of the heater coil. For example, the calibration signal may be a power profile signal that controls the power applied to the heater coil in order for the aerosol generator to obtain the control characteristics of the susceptor. The signal applied to the heater coil can be controlled based on the control characteristics of the modified susceptor.

[0209] According to one embodiment, if it is determined that the susceptor will not be changed, the control unit of the aerosol generator can maintain predetermined control characteristics for the susceptor.

[0210]

[0211] Figure 11 shows the trajectory of eddy currents in a susceptor, indicated by the signal frequency according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0212] In one embodiment, the first susceptor and the second susceptor exhibit different electrical characteristics even with respect to the same signal. For example, the first natural frequency 1112 of the first susceptor and the second natural frequency 1114 of the second susceptor are different from each other, so that the first eddy current locus 1102 of the first susceptor and the second eddy current locus 1104 of the second susceptor, as indicated by the frequency of the signal provided, are different from each other. For example, even using the same manufacturing process and the same materials, tolerances that occur during the manufacturing process of the susceptors can cause the first natural frequency 1112 of the first susceptor and the second natural frequency 1114 of the second susceptor to be different from each other. For example, each susceptor may be manufactured to have different electrical characteristics from each other.

[0213] If an aerosol generator (for example, aerosol generator 1 in Figures 1-3, or aerosol generator 900 in Figure 9) performs a frequency sweep across the entire frequency band, it can generate the first eddy current trajectory 1102 of the first susceptor and the second eddy current trajectory 1104 of the second susceptor. If the first eddy current trajectory 1102 of the first susceptor and the second eddy current trajectory 1104 of the second susceptor are not the same, the aerosol generator determines that the first and second susceptors are not the same. However, performing a frequency sweep across the entire frequency band requires a large amount of calculation and processing time.

[0214] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generator may determine the first value c and second value d of the eddy current indicated by the first susceptor using a first signal having a first frequency 1120 and a second signal having a second frequency 1130 in order to reduce the required calculation amount and processing time. The aerosol generator pre-stores the first value a and second value b of the eddy current indicated by the second susceptor using a first signal having a first frequency 1120 and a second signal having a second frequency 1130. For example, the first susceptor may be a replaced susceptor, and the second susceptor may be the susceptor before replacement.

[0215] The aerosol generator determines whether the first values ​​c and d for the first susceptor are the same as the first values ​​a and 2b for the second susceptor. For example, if the first values ​​c and 2d for the first susceptor are the same as the first values ​​a and 2b for the second susceptor, the aerosol generator determines that the first and second susceptors are the same susceptor. For example, if at least one of the first values ​​c and 2d for the first susceptor is not the same as the first values ​​a and 2b for the second susceptor, the aerosol generator determines that the first and second susceptors are not the same susceptor.

[0216] According to one embodiment, the magnitude of the susceptor eddy current, indicated by the signal frequency, may be obtained indirectly by a detection circuit connected to the output terminal of the heater coil. Since at least a portion of the electrical energy of the signal applied to the heater coil is absorbed by the susceptor, generating an eddy current, the detection circuit can indirectly obtain the magnitude of the susceptor eddy current by comparing the current, voltage, or power of the signal applied to the heater coil with the current, voltage, or power of the output signal. When the susceptor eddy current is obtained indirectly via a detection circuit, the susceptor is not electrically connected to other components of the aerosol generator, and therefore the susceptor of the aerosol generator can be easily replaced.

[0217]

[0218] Figure 12 is a flowchart of a method for obtaining the control characteristics of a susceptor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0219] According to one embodiment, the following operations 1210 and 1220 may be performed by an aerosol generator (for example, aerosol generator 1 in Figures 1-3, aerosol generators in Figures 4-8, or aerosol generator 900 in Figure 9). For example, operations 1210 and 1220 may be performed after operation 1050 described above with reference to Figure 10 has been performed. The aerosol generator may include a control unit including at least one processor, and a memory for storing instruction words that can be executed by the control unit.

[0220] In operation 1210, if the susceptor is a modified susceptor, the aerosol generator acquires the control characteristics of the modified susceptor based on the first and second values ​​of the susceptor. If a reference susceptor is coupled to the aerosol generator, the aerosol generator may apply a reference signal to the heater coil so that the reference susceptor follows a temperature profile (e.g., a first temperature profile). For example, the reference susceptor may be a susceptor used to acquire data in a test environment, and the reference signal may be a signal applied to the heater coil so that the temperature of the reference susceptor follows a first temperature profile. Here, the control characteristics of the susceptor may be parameters that correct the reference signal so that a susceptor with different electrical characteristics from the reference susceptor follows the first temperature profile.

[0221] In operation 1220, the signal applied to the heater coil is controlled based on the modified susceptor's control characteristics and temperature profile (e.g., a first temperature profile). By changing the frequency, magnitude, duty cycle, etc., of the reference signal based on the control characteristics determined in accordance with the modified susceptor's electrical characteristics, the modified susceptor can be controlled to follow the temperature profile based on the generated signal.

[0222]

[0223] Figure 13 is a flowchart of a method for determining whether a susceptor has been changed at a target time in a first temperature profile according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 14 shows the first temperature profile and target time according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0224] According to one embodiment, the following operations 1310 and 1320 may be performed by an aerosol generator (for example, aerosol generator 1 in Figures 1-3, aerosol generators in Figures 4-8, or aerosol generator 900 in Figure 9). For example, operations 1310 and 1320 may be performed before operation 1010 described above with reference to Figure 10. The aerosol generator may include a control unit including at least one processor, and a memory for storing instruction words that can be executed by the control unit.

[0225] In operation 1310, the aerosol generator controls the signal applied to the heater coil based on a first temperature profile when an aerosol product is inserted into the aerosol generator. The first temperature profile may be a temperature profile that controls the susceptor temperature to heat the aerosol product to an optimal temperature during the smoking process. For example, the first temperature profile may be temperature profile 1410, which will be described later with reference to Figure 14.

[0226] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generator determines whether the current time corresponds to a target time in the first temperature profile. If the current time corresponds to a target time, the operation 1010 described above is performed with reference to Figure 10. For example, if it is determined that the current time corresponds to a first time in the first temperature profile, a first signal may be applied to the heater coil so as to generate an alternating magnetic field having a first frequency, and a second signal may be applied to the heater coil so as to generate an alternating magnetic field having a second frequency. If the susceptor change determination method is performed at a target time in the first temperature profile, the change in the susceptor can be detected during the heating process of the aerosol product, thereby preventing overheating or inaccurate control of the aerosol generator due to the changed susceptor.

[0227] In operation 1320, the aerosol generator changes the target time point. According to one embodiment, operations 1010 to 1050 described above with reference to Figure 10 may be performed multiple times at multiple time points while the aerosol generator is controlled based on the first temperature profile. For example, at the first time point of the first temperature profile, after the first and second signals are applied to the heater coils, respectively, the aerosol generator may, if it is determined that the current time point corresponds to the second time point of the first temperature profile, apply a third signal to the heater coils to generate an alternating magnetic field having a first frequency, and determine a third value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor indicated by the third signal; and apply a fourth signal to the heater coils to generate an alternating magnetic field having a second frequency, and determine a fourth value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor indicated by the fourth signal. According to one embodiment, the first and third signals may be the same signal, and the second and fourth signals may be the same signal. The aerosol generator can determine whether the susceptor is a modified susceptor based on the third and fourth values.

[0228] According to one embodiment, at each of the multiple time points 1401 to 1405 of the first temperature profile 1410 shown in Figure 14, the operations 1010 to 1050 described above can be performed with reference to Figure 10. For example, the multiple time points 1401 to 1405 include one time point 1401 in the interval in which the susceptor is preheated, one time point 1402 in which the susceptor temperature reaches the target temperature for preheating, one time point 1403 in the interval in which the susceptor temperature maintains the target temperature, one time point 1404 in the interval in which the susceptor temperature maintains the second temperature, and one time point 1405 in the interval in which the susceptor temperature maintains the third temperature. Although the multiple time points 1401 to 1405 have been described as an example of multiple time points to be set as target time points, the intervals and number of times each of the multiple time points selected may vary depending on the embodiment. The aerosol generator can accurately control the susceptor temperature by continuously checking whether the susceptor has changed while generating aerosols based on the first temperature profile 1410.

[0229] According to one embodiment, if it is determined that the susceptor has been changed, the aerosol generator can control the signal applied to the heater coil based on the new control characteristics and temperature profile without interrupting the heating operation of the aerosol product by acquiring the control characteristics of the changed susceptor, as described above with reference to Figure 12.

[0230] According to one embodiment, if it is determined that the susceptor has been changed, the aerosol generator can interrupt the heating of the aerosol product by interrupting the output of the signal applied to the heater coil. The method for interrupting the output of the signal applied to the heater coil will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 16.

[0231] In the embodiments described above with reference to Figures 13 and 14, when an aerosol product is inserted, the operation 1010 to 1050 described above with reference to Figure 10 is performed at the target time of the first temperature profile 1410 for heating the aerosol product to determine whether the susceptor is a modified susceptor. According to an embodiment different from the above, when no aerosol product is inserted, the aerosol generator can control the signal applied to the heater coil based on the second temperature profile in a separate operating mode performed in the target state, and determine whether the susceptor is a modified susceptor by performing the operation 1010 to 1050 described above with reference to Figure 10 at the target time of the second temperature profile. For example, the target state may be a state in which the aerosol generator detects the separation of the susceptor and then detects the attachment of the susceptor. For example, the target state may be a state in which the operation 1010 to 1050 described above with reference to Figure 10 is performed in the aerosol generator and a certain amount of time has elapsed. The second temperature profile may be a temperature profile that controls the temperature of the susceptor in order to determine whether or not the susceptor has been modified without the aerosol product being inserted. For example, the second temperature profile may be a temperature profile in which the susceptor is heated to maintain a target temperature, where the battery of the aerosol generator for heating the susceptor is not consumed and the electrical characteristics of each susceptor are distinguished. For example, the target time may be the time when the temperature of the susceptor is maintained at the target temperature in the second temperature profile.

[0232] According to one embodiment, if, at the target time of the second temperature profile according to the embodiment, the susceptor is determined to be a modified susceptor by performing operations 1010 to 1050 described above with reference to Figure 10, the aerosol generator can continuously acquire the control characteristics of the modified susceptor through a separate operation (e.g., user calibration). Based on the control characteristics of the modified susceptor, the signal applied to the heater coil is controlled. The method for acquiring the control characteristics of the modified susceptor through a separate operation will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 19 to 20.

[0233]

[0234] Figure 15 shows a signal applied to the heater coil based on a first temperature profile according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0235] A signal may be applied to the heater coil as described above with reference to Figure 10 in order to detect a change in the susceptor or to detect the temperature of the susceptor. The higher the voltage of the signal applied to the heater coil, the greater the magnitude of the eddy currents induced in the susceptor, and the eddy currents induced in the susceptor may cause the temperature of the susceptor to rise further. The unintended rise in susceptor temperature caused by the operation to detect a change in the susceptor or the operation to detect the temperature of the susceptor may result in inaccurate control of the susceptor temperature. Therefore, the voltage of the signal applied to the heater coil may be controlled to be below a preset voltage so that the temperature of the susceptor does not rise due to the operation to detect a change in the susceptor or the operation to detect the temperature of the susceptor.

[0236] According to one embodiment, the operation of applying a signal to the coil so as not to increase the temperature of the susceptor by an operation to detect a change in the susceptor or an operation to detect the temperature of the susceptor may be performed in a short time (e.g., a few milliseconds).

[0237] Referring to Figure 15, the signals applied to the heater coil in each unit interval (e.g., first, second, and third intervals) of the first temperature profile are shown. The aerosol generator may perform an operation to detect changes in the susceptor or to detect the temperature of the susceptor in each detection interval of each unit interval of the first temperature profile. For example, the length of each unit interval of the first temperature profile may be 0.1 seconds. Each unit interval includes a heating interval (e.g., first heating interval, second heating interval, and third heating interval) and a detection interval. In the heating intervals, the signals applied to the heater coil are controlled so that the temperature of the susceptor follows the temperature of the first temperature profile. For example, in the first interval where the susceptor temperature must rise, a signal with a first voltage 1503 may be applied to the coil; in the second interval where the susceptor temperature must be maintained, a signal with a second voltage 1502 may be applied to the coil; and in the third interval where the susceptor temperature must fall, a signal with a third voltage 1501 may be applied. During the detection interval, a signal having a second voltage 1502 that is below a preset voltage may be applied for a short period of time.

[0238] In operations to detect susceptor replacement or susceptor temperature, a signal with a voltage below a preset voltage is applied to the heater coil for a short period of time. This allows for continuous monitoring of whether the susceptor temperature follows the temperature profile, preventing additional temperature increases in the susceptor due to the detection operation and enabling precise control of the susceptor temperature.

[0239]

[0240] Figure 16 is a flowchart of an aerosol generation method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0241] According to one embodiment, the following operation 1610 is performed by an aerosol generator (for example, aerosol generator 1 in Figures 1-3, aerosol generators in Figures 4-8, or aerosol generator 900 in Figure 9). For example, operation 1610 may be performed after operation 1050 described above with reference to Figure 10. The aerosol generator may include a control unit including at least one processor and a memory for storing instruction words that can be executed by the control unit.

[0242] In operation 1610, if the susceptor is a modified susceptor, the aerosol generator interrupts the output of the signal applied to the heater coil. If a modification of the susceptor is detected during the user's smoking process, the aerosol generator may interrupt the output of the signal applied to the heater coil to prevent inaccurate temperature control before acquiring the control characteristics of the modified susceptor through a separate operation. The separate operation for acquiring the control characteristics of the modified susceptor may be named as user calibration below.

[0243] According to one embodiment, if the aerosol generator determines that a susceptor is a modified susceptor, it may communicate an error notification to the user and output a message requesting the removal of the aerosol product. After the aerosol product has been removed, the aerosol generator may perform additional operations (e.g., user calibration) to acquire the control characteristics of the modified susceptor.

[0244] According to one embodiment, after operation 1610 is performed, the aerosol generator determines whether the current state is a target state that satisfies a preset condition. For example, the target state may be at least one of the following: a state in which no aerosol product is inserted into the aerosol generator, a state in which the body temperature of the aerosol generator is within the target temperature range, or a state in which the user has performed a user calibration operation. For example, the target temperature range may be a temperature range corresponding to room temperature. The target temperature range may be set differently depending on the environment in which the aerosol generator is generally used. For example, the target temperature range may be set differently depending on the region (e.g., country) and time of year (e.g., season) in which the aerosol generator is used.

[0245] When the current state is the target state, the aerosol generator can acquire the modified susceptor control characteristics through a separate operation (e.g., user calibration). Based on the modified susceptor control characteristics, the signal applied to the heater coil can be controlled. The following describes in detail how to acquire the modified susceptor control characteristics through a separate operation, with reference to Figures 19-20.

[0246]

[0247] Figure 17 is a flowchart of an aerosol generation method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 18 shows the power consumed by the heater coil and the threshold power according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0248] According to one embodiment, the following operations 1710 and 1720 may be performed by an aerosol generator (for example, aerosol generator 1 in Figures 1-3, aerosol generators in Figures 4-8, or aerosol generator 900 in Figure 9). For example, operations 1710 and 1720 may be performed independently and in parallel with operation 1310 described above with reference to Figure 13. The aerosol generator may include a control unit comprising at least one processor and a memory for storing instruction words that can be executed by the control unit.

[0249] In operation 1710, the aerosol generator acquires the power consumed by the heater coil. Since the power consumed by the heater coil includes the power that is transmitted to the susceptor to generate induction heating, the aerosol generator can indirectly monitor the intensity of the induction heating generated in the susceptor by the power consumed by the heater coil.

[0250] In operation 1720, the aerosol generator interrupts the output of the signal applied to the heater coil if the power consumed by the heater coil exceeds a threshold power. If the power consumed by the heater coil is abnormally high, it is determined that the susceptor is overheating. If it is determined that the susceptor is overheating, the aerosol generator can protect itself by interrupting the operation to heat the susceptor.

[0251] According to one embodiment, if the power consumed by the heater coil exceeds the upper threshold power 1820 or falls below the lower threshold power 1810, the aerosol generator determines that the operation of the aerosol generator is abnormal and interrupts the output of the signal applied to the heater coil. For example, the upper threshold power 1820 may be determined by multiplying the power consumed by the heater coil 1800 by a first multiple (e.g., 120%) when a reference susceptor is coupled to the aerosol generator and the temperature of the reference susceptor follows a first temperature profile, and the lower threshold power 1810 may be determined by multiplying the power consumed by the heater coil 1800 by a second multiple (e.g., 80%) when a reference susceptor is coupled to the aerosol generator and the temperature of the reference susceptor follows a first temperature profile.

[0252] According to one embodiment, operations 1710 and 1720 are performed when a change in the susceptor is detected during the operation of the aerosol generator heating the aerosol product, and the signal applied to the heater coil is controlled based on the new control characteristics. Errors may occur in the process of the aerosol generator detecting the change in the susceptor and acquiring the changed susceptor control characteristics, which may result in inaccurate control of the susceptor temperature. Therefore, it is possible to monitor the power consumed by the heater coil and prevent development in which the susceptor temperature is inaccurately controlled.

[0253]

[0254] Figure 19 is a flowchart of a method for acquiring the control characteristics of a susceptor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 20 shows the temperature change of the susceptor when a calibration signal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is applied.

[0255] According to one embodiment, the following operations 1910 to 1940 may be performed by an aerosol generator (for example, aerosol generator 1 in Figures 1 to 3, aerosol generators in Figures 4 to 8, or aerosol generator 900 in Figure 9). For example, operations 1910 to 1940 may be performed after the operation 1050 described above has been performed with reference to Figure 10. The aerosol generator may include a control unit including at least one processor and a memory for storing instruction words that can be executed by the control unit.

[0256] In operation 1910, if the susceptor of the aerosol generator is determined to be a changed susceptor, the aerosol generator determines whether the current state of the aerosol generator is a target state that satisfies a preset condition. For example, the target state may be a state in which no aerosol product is inserted into the aerosol generator. For example, the target state may be a state in which the body temperature of the aerosol generator is within the target temperature range. For example, the target state may be a state in which the user has performed a user calibration operation. For example, the target state may be a state in which, as described with reference to Figure 16, a change in the susceptor is detected during the heating operation of the aerosol product, interrupting the heating operation of the aerosol product, and the user has removed the aerosol product from the aerosol generator upon notification from the aerosol generator.

[0257] In operation 1920, if the current state is the target state, the aerosol generator applies a calibration signal to the heater coil. The calibration signal may be a power profile signal that controls the power applied to the heater coil in order for the aerosol generator to acquire the susceptor's control characteristics. For example, once the calibration signal for acquiring the susceptor's control characteristics is applied to the heater coil, the aerosol generator's susceptor may be controlled to heat up to the peak temperature and maintain a first temperature 2010 below the peak temperature, as shown in the temperature change trajectory 2000 in Figure 20. For example, the first temperature 2010 may be a temperature in the range of 310°C to 370°C. Preferably, the first temperature 2010 may be 335°C or 355°C.

[0258] Even if the natural frequencies of the susceptors are different from each other, if the natural frequencies fall within a preset frequency range, each susceptor convergence temperature determined by the calibration signal corresponds to the first temperature 2010. However, even if each susceptor convergence temperature corresponds to the first temperature 2010, the magnitudes of the calibration output signals indicated at the output terminals of the heater coils are different from each other. The control characteristics of the modified susceptor may be determined based on the magnitude of the calibration output signal.

[0259] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generator includes a temperature sensor capable of acquiring the body temperature of the aerosol generator. If the body temperature of the aerosol generator is not within a target temperature range, the aerosol generator does not apply a calibration signal to the heater coil to acquire the control characteristics of the susceptor. For example, the target temperature range may be 20-25°C. For example, if the body temperature of the aerosol generator rises or falls excessively depending on the external environment, the aerosol generator may not apply a calibration signal to the heater coil and instead transmit an error notification to the user. According to the above embodiment, if the body temperature of the aerosol generator rises or falls excessively, the control characteristics of the susceptor are acquired inaccurately. Therefore, after the body temperature recovers to the normal range, the operation of the aerosol generator can be controlled to acquire the modified control characteristics of the susceptor.

[0260] In operation 1930, the aerosol generator acquires modified susceptor control characteristics based on at least one of the current, voltage, or power of the calibration output signal indicated at the output terminal of the heater coil. For example, in the susceptor temperature change trajectory 2000 due to the calibration signal, modified susceptor control characteristics based on at least one of the current, voltage, or power of the calibration output signal may be acquired after point T in which the susceptor temperature is held at a first temperature 2010.

[0261] The aerosol generator may control the signal applied to the heater coil based on the modified susceptor's control characteristics. The modified susceptor may be controlled to follow a preset temperature profile by varying the frequency, magnitude, duty cycle, etc., of the reference signal based on the modified susceptor's control characteristics. Therefore, the aerosol generator can accurately heat the aerosol product subsequently inserted based on the acquired susceptor's control characteristics.

[0262]

[0263] The methods according to the embodiments are embodied in the form of program instructions that are implemented via various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The recording medium includes program instructions, data files, data structures, etc., individually or in combination. The recording medium and program instructions may be specifically designed and configured for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be known and usable by those skilled in the art who have technology in the field of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tapes, optical recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floppy disks, and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROMs, RAMs, and flash memory. Examples of program instructions include not only machine code such as that generated by a compiler, but also high-level language code that is executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The hardware adaptive supersampling device described above may be configured to operate as one or more software models to perform the operations shown in the present invention, and vice versa.

[0264] The software may include computer programs, code, instructions, or any combination thereof, and may configure or instruct a processing adaptive supersampling device as desired, independently or collectively. The software and / or data may be permanently embodied in any type of machine, component, physical adaptive supersampling device, virtual adaptive supersampling device, computer storage medium, or adaptive supersampling device, or transmitted signal waves, in order to be interpreted by the processing adaptive supersampling device or to provide instructions or data to the processing adaptive supersampling device. The software may be distributed on a networked computer system and stored or executed in a distributed manner. The software and data may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0265] As described above, although embodiments have been illustrated with limited drawings, a person with ordinary skill in the art can apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above description. For example, the described technique may be performed in a different order than described, and / or the described system, structure, apparatus, circuit, and other components may be combined or assembled in a different manner than described, or replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents, and still achieve the desired results.

[0266] Therefore, other embodiments, other embodiments, and claims equivalent to those described below also fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for determining susceptor changes performed by an aerosol generating device, The operation involves applying a first signal to the heater coil so that an alternating magnetic field having a first frequency is generated, An operation to determine a first value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor indicated by the first signal, The operation involves applying a second signal to the coil of the heater so that an alternating magnetic field having a second frequency is generated, An operation to determine a second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor indicated by the second signal, An operation to determine whether the susceptor is a modified susceptor based on the first and second values, A method for determining susceptor changes, including the method described above.

2. The operation for determining the first value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor is as follows: The operation includes determining the first value based on at least one of the current, voltage, or power of the first output signal indicated at the output terminal of the coil of the heater, The susceptor modification determination method according to claim 1, wherein the operation for determining the second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor includes the operation for determining the second value based on at least one of the current, voltage, or power of the second output signal indicated at the output terminal of the coil of the heater.

3. If the susceptor is determined to be a modified susceptor, the operation further includes obtaining the control characteristics of the modified susceptor based on the first and second values, The susceptor change determination method according to claim 1, wherein the signal applied to the coil of the heater is controlled based on the control characteristics.

4. When an aerosol product is inserted into the aerosol generating apparatus, the operation further includes controlling the signal applied to the coil of the heater based on a first temperature profile. If the current time is determined to correspond to the first time point of the first temperature profile, The first signal is applied to the coil of the heater so that an alternating magnetic field having the first frequency is generated. The susceptor change determination method according to claim 1, wherein the second signal is applied to the coil of the heater such that an alternating magnetic field having the second frequency is generated.

5. If the current time is determined to correspond to the second time point of the first temperature profile, An operation to apply a third signal to the coil of the heater so that an alternating magnetic field having the first frequency is generated, An operation to determine the third value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor indicated by the third signal, An operation to apply a fourth signal to the coil of the heater so that an alternating magnetic field having the second frequency is generated, An operation to determine the fourth value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor indicated by the fourth signal, An operation to determine whether the susceptor is a modified susceptor based on the third and fourth values, The susceptor change determination method according to claim 4, further comprising:

6. The susceptor change determination method according to claim 4, wherein the voltage of the first signal and the voltage of the second signal are each less than or equal to a preset voltage.

7. The susceptor modification determination method according to claim 4, further comprising the operation of interrupting the output of the signal applied to the coil of the heater based on the first temperature profile when the susceptor is determined to be a modified susceptor.

8. If the susceptor is determined to be a modified susceptor, the operation to acquire the control characteristics of the modified susceptor based on the first value and the second value, Based on the control characteristics and the first temperature profile, the operation controls the signal applied to the coil of the heater, The susceptor change determination method according to claim 4, further comprising:

9. An operation to acquire the power consumed by the coil of the heater, The susceptor change determination method according to claim 4, further comprising the operation of interrupting the output of the signal applied to the coil of the heater when the power consumed exceeds a threshold power.

10. If the susceptor is determined to be a modified susceptor, the operation to determine whether the current state of the aerosol generator is a target state that satisfies a preset condition is performed, If the current state is the target state, the operation of applying a calibration signal to the coil of the heater, An operation to acquire the control characteristics of the modified susceptor based on at least one of the current, voltage, or power of the calibration output signal indicated at the output terminal of the coil of the heater, It further includes, The susceptor change determination method according to claim 1, wherein the signal applied to the coil of the heater is controlled based on the control characteristics.

11. A computer-readable recording medium that stores a program for performing the method described in claim 1.

12. Aerosol generating device, A coil that generates an alternating magnetic field, A control unit for controlling the aerosol generating device, Includes, The control unit, An operation to apply a first signal to the coil so that an alternating magnetic field having a first frequency is generated, An operation to determine a first value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor indicated by the first signal, An operation to apply a second signal to the coil so that an alternating magnetic field having a second frequency is generated, An operation to determine a second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor indicated by the second signal, An operation to determine whether the susceptor is a modified susceptor based on the value of the first value and the second value, An aerosol generating device that performs this function.

13. The system further includes an electrical sensor that acquires at least one of current, voltage, or power at the output terminal of the coil, The operation for determining the first value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor includes the operation for determining the first value based on at least one of the current, voltage, or power of the first output signal indicated at the output terminal of the coil of the heater, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the operation for determining the second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor includes the operation for determining the second value based on at least one of the current, voltage, or power of the second output signal indicated at the output terminal of the coil of the heater.

14. The control unit, When an aerosol product is inserted into the aerosol generating apparatus, the operation to control the signal applied to the coil of the heater based on the first temperature profile is further performed. If the current time is determined to correspond to the first time point of the first temperature profile, The first signal is applied to the coil of the heater so that an alternating magnetic field having the first frequency is generated. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the second signal is applied to the coil of the heater so as to generate an alternating magnetic field having the second frequency.

15. The control unit, If the susceptor is determined to be a modified susceptor, the operation to determine whether the current state of the aerosol generator is a target state that satisfies a preset condition is performed, If the current state is the target state, the operation of applying a calibration signal to the coil of the heater, An operation to acquire the control characteristics of the modified susceptor based on at least one of the current, voltage, or power of the calibration output signal indicated at the output terminal of the coil of the heater, An operation to control the signal applied to the coil of the heater based on the control characteristics and the temperature profile, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising the following steps.

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