Aerosol generating device and method for controlling heating time of heater

Abstract

An aerosol generating device in one embodiment includes a heater that heats an aerosol generating substrate, a puff sensor that measures the size of a user's puff, and a control unit that determines the amount of vaporization of the aerosol generating substrate based on a value measured from the puff sensor, and controls the heating time of the heater based on a puff sensing value that indicates the size of the user's puff.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device and a method thereof for controlling the heating time of a heater. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternatives to the typical cigarette, for example, a method for generating an aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating substrate in an aerosol-generating article without burning the aerosol-generating article, which has led to active research into heated aerosol-generating articles and heated aerosol-generating devices.

[0003] In the aerosol generating device, a heater is used to heat the aerosol-generating substrate, but the heating time of the heater must be set differently depending on the degree to which the aerosol-generating substrate (i.e., the aerosol-generating substance) is to be vaporized. Therefore, a technique is required for controlling the heating time of the heater based on the possible vaporization amount of the aerosol-generating substrate. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The aerosol generating device can control the duration of the heater so that the heater only operates for a specific pre-set period of time for each aerosol product.

[0005] However, if the heater heats the aerosol-forming substrate only for a preset time, the user may not be able to continue smoking after the time has elapsed, even if there is a sufficient amount of aerosol-forming substrate remaining.

[0006] Various embodiments provide an aerosol generating device and a method thereof for controlling the heating time of a heater as a solution for solving the above-mentioned problems. The technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned technical problem, and other technical problems may be inferred from the following embodiments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Various embodiments provide an aerosol generating device capable of controlling the heating time of a heater based on the remaining amount of aerosol generating substance.

[0008] As a technical means for achieving the aforementioned technical problem, one aspect of the present disclosure provides an aerosol generating device that includes a heater for heating an aerosol generating substrate, a puff sensor for measuring the size of a user's puff, and a control unit that determines the amount of evaporation of the aerosol generating substrate based on a puff sensing value indicating the size of the user's puff, and controls the heating time of the heater based on the determined amount of evaporation.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for controlling an aerosol generating device, the method including the steps of heating an aerosol generating substrate, measuring the size of a user's puff using a puff sensor, determining an amount of evaporation of the aerosol generating substrate based on a puff sensing value indicating the size of the user's puff, and controlling the heating time of a heater based on the determined amount of evaporation. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The present disclosure can provide an aerosol generating device and a method thereof that control the heating time of a heater.

[0011] Specifically, the aerosol generating device according to the present disclosure can determine the amount of vaporization (i.e., the amount consumed) and remaining amount of the aerosol generating substrate based on values ​​measured from the puff sensor, and can control the heating time of the heater based on the determined amount of vaporization and remaining amount.

[0012] Thereby, the heater can continue to heat the aerosol-generating substrate even after the preset time for smoking one aerosol-generating article has elapsed, so that the user can continue smoking, which can increase the convenience of the user and prevent waste of the aerosol-generating article.

[0013] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and various other effects are included in the present specification. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an aerosol production product inserted into the aerosol generating device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an aerosol production product inserted into the aerosol generating device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an aerosol production product inserted into the aerosol generating device. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol product. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operation of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the temperature of a heater measured by a puff sensor according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] 4 is a diagram illustrating a puff sensing value output by a puff sensor according to an embodiment; FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram for explaining the amount of vaporization of an aerosol-generating substrate according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for an aerosol generating device to control a heating time of a heater based on an amount of vaporization according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The terms used in this embodiment are currently widely used general terms as much as possible, taking into consideration the functions in the present invention, but they may vary depending on the intention to engage in the field, precedents, or the emergence of new technology. In addition, in certain cases, the applicant may arbitrarily select terms, and in such cases, the meanings of the terms will be described in detail in the description of the relevant invention. Therefore, the terms used in this invention must be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of the present invention, rather than simply by the names of the terms.

[0016] Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, it does not mean excluding other components, but further includes other components, unless otherwise specified to the contrary. In addition, terms such as "... unit" and "... module" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and they are implemented by hardware or software, or by a combination of hardware and software.

[0017] Furthermore, terms including ordinal numbers such as "first" or "second" used in this specification are intended to distinguish one component from other components, and are not intended to limit the components.

[0018] The term "aerosol product" may refer to a product designed to allow a person to inhale the aerosol product. The aerosol product may also include an aerosol generating substance (i.e., an aerosol generating substrate) that generates an aerosol without combustion. For example, at least one aerosol product may generate an aerosol when loaded into an aerosol generating device and heated by the aerosol generating device. The shape, size, material, and structure of the aerosol product may vary depending on the embodiment. Examples of the aerosol product may include, but are not limited to, a cigarette and a cartridge.

[0019] As used herein, phrases such as "at least one of" preceding a list of elements modify the entire list of elements and not the individual elements of the list. For example, phrases such as "at least one of a, b, and c" should be understood to include a alone, b alone, c alone, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b and c.

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the preferred embodiments set forth herein.

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0022] 1 to 3 are diagrams illustrating examples in which an aerosol product is inserted into an aerosol generating device.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a battery 110, a control unit 120, and a heater .

[0024] 2 and 3, the aerosol generating device 100 further includes a vaporizer 140. In addition, an aerosol product 200 may be inserted into the inner space of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0025] Components related to this embodiment are illustrated in the aerosol generating device 100 shown in Figures 1 to 3. Therefore, a person having ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment can understand that the aerosol generating device 100 further includes other general components in addition to the components shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0026] Also, although the aerosol generating device 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 as including the heater 130, the heater 130 may be omitted if necessary.

[0027] In Fig. 1, the battery 110, the control unit 120, and the heater 130 are illustrated as being arranged in a row. In Fig. 2, the battery 110, the control unit 120, the vaporizer 140, and the heater 130 are illustrated as being arranged in a row. In Fig. 3, the vaporizer 140 and the heater 130 are illustrated as being arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to that shown in Figs. 1 to 3. That is, the arrangement of the battery 110, the control unit 120, the heater 130, and the vaporizer 140 may be changed depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0028] When the aerosol production article 200 is inserted into the aerosol generation device 100, the aerosol generation device 100 can activate the heater 130 and / or the vaporizer 140 to generate an aerosol from the aerosol production article 200 and / or the vaporizer 140. The aerosol generated by the heater 130 and / or the vaporizer 140 passes through the aerosol production article 200 and is delivered to a user.

[0029] If necessary, the aerosol generating device 100 can cause the heater 130 to heat even when the aerosol production item 200 is not inserted in the aerosol generating device 100 .

[0030] The battery 110 supplies power used for operating the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the battery 110 can supply power to heat the heater 130 or the vaporizer 140, and can supply power necessary for the control unit 120 to operate. The battery 110 can also supply power necessary for the display, sensor, motor, and the like provided in the aerosol generating device 100 to operate.

[0031] The control unit 120 generally controls the operation of the aerosol generation device 100. Specifically, the control unit 120 controls the operation of not only the battery 110, the heater 130, and the vaporizer 140, but also other components included in the aerosol generation device 100. The control unit 120 can also check the state of each component of the aerosol generation device 100 and determine whether the aerosol generation device 100 is in an operable state.

[0032] The control unit 120 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may also be embodied in other forms of hardware.

[0033] The heater 130 is also heated by power supplied from the battery 110. For example, if the aerosol production article 200 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, the heater 130 may be located outside the aerosol production article 200. Thus, the heated heater 130 can increase the temperature of the aerosol-generating substrate within the aerosol production article 200.

[0034] The heater 130 may be an electrically resistive heater. For example, the heater 130 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 130 may be heated by passing an electric current through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater 130 is not limited to the above example, and may be any heater capable of heating to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be preset in the aerosol generating device 100, or may be set by a user.

[0035] For example, the heater 130 may include a tubular heating element, a plate heating element, a needle heating element, or a rod heating element, and may heat the interior or exterior of the aerosol product article 200 depending on the form of the heating element.

[0036] As another example, the heater 130 may be an induction heater. Specifically, the heater 130 includes an electrically conductive coil for heating the aerosol product 200 by induction heating, and the aerosol product 200 may include a susceptor heated by the induction heater. The susceptor is tubular or cylindrical and is arranged to surround the storage space into which the aerosol product 200 (e.g., a cigarette) is inserted. When the aerosol product 200 is inserted into the storage space of the aerosol generating device 100, the susceptor may surround the aerosol product 200. Therefore, the temperature of the aerosol-generating substrate in the aerosol product 200 may increase due to heat transferred from the external susceptor. The induction coil may generate a variable magnetic field by receiving power from the battery 110. The variable magnetic field generated by the induction coil may be applied to the susceptor, thereby heating the susceptor. The power supplied to the induction coil is also regulated by the controller 120 so that the temperature of the susceptor is maintained within an appropriate range.

[0037] A plurality of heaters 130 may be provided in the aerosol generating device 100. In this case, the plurality of heaters 130 are provided so as to be inserted inside the aerosol product 200 and also outside the aerosol product 200. Some of the plurality of heaters 130 are provided so as to be inserted inside the aerosol product 200, and the rest are provided so as to be inserted outside the aerosol product 200. The shape of the heater 130 is not limited to the shapes shown in Figs. 1 to 3, and various shapes may be produced.

[0038] The vaporizer 140 can heat the liquid composition and generate an aerosol, which passes through the aerosol product 200 and is also delivered to a user. That is, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 140 can travel along an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device 100, which is also configured to allow the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 140 to pass through the aerosol product 200 and be delivered to a user.

[0039] For example, the vaporizer 140 may include, but is not limited to, a liquid reservoir, a liquid delivery means, and a heating element, and the liquid reservoir, the liquid delivery means, and the heating element may also be included in the aerosol generating device 100 as separate modules.

[0040] The liquid reservoir can store a liquid composition, for example a liquid containing tobacco-containing material including volatile tobacco aroma components, or a liquid containing non-tobacco material. The liquid reservoir can be made to be detachable / attachable to / from the vaporizer 140, or can be made integral with the vaporizer 140.

[0041] For example, the liquid composition may include water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, fragrance, flavoring agent, or vitamin mixture. The fragrance may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit fragrance components, etc. The flavoring agent may include components that can provide a variety of flavors or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixture may include, but is not limited to, at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E. The liquid composition may also include an aerosol forming agent, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0042] The liquid transfer means can transfer the liquid composition in the liquid reservoir to the heating element, for example, but not limited to, a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic.

[0043] The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition transferred by the liquid transfer means. For example, the heating element can be, but is not limited to, a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, etc. The heating element can also be made of a conductive filament such as a nichrome wire, and can be arranged in a structure wound around the liquid transfer means. The heating element can also be heated by supplying electric current, and can transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol can be generated.

[0044] For example, the vaporizer 140 may also be called, but is not limited to, a cartomizer or an atomizer.

[0045] Meanwhile, the aerosol generation device 100 further includes a general-purpose configuration in addition to the battery 110, the control unit 120, the heater 130, and the vaporizer 140. For example, the aerosol generation device 100 also includes a display capable of outputting visual information, and / or a motor for outputting tactile information. The aerosol generation device 100 also includes at least one sensor (e.g., a puff sensor, a temperature sensor, an aerosol product insertion detection sensor, etc.). The aerosol generation device 100 is also manufactured to have a structure in which external air flows in and internal gas flows out even when the aerosol product 200 is inserted.

[0046] 1 to 3, the aerosol generating device 100 can be combined with a separate cradle to form a system. For example, the cradle can be used to charge the battery 110 of the aerosol generating device 100. Alternatively, the heater 130 can be heated while the cradle and the aerosol generating device 100 are combined.

[0047] The aerosol-producing article 200 may be similar to a typical combustible cigarette. For example, the aerosol-producing article 200 may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol-generating substrate and a second portion including a filter or the like. Alternatively, the second portion of the aerosol-producing article 200 may also include an aerosol-generating substrate. For example, an aerosol-generating substrate in the form of granules or capsules may also be inserted into the second portion.

[0048] The entire first part is inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, and the second part is exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a part of the first part may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 100, and the entire first part and a part of the second part may be inserted. A user can inhale aerosol while holding the second part to his / her mouth. At that time, the aerosol is generated by external air passing through the first part, and the generated aerosol passes through the second part and is delivered to the user's mouth.

[0049] As an example, the outside air is also introduced through at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generation device 100. For example, the opening and closing of the air passage formed in the aerosol generation device 100 and / or the size of the air passage can be adjusted by the user. As a result, the amount of atomization, smoking sensation, etc. can be adjusted by the user. As another example, the outside air is also introduced into the aerosol product 200 through at least one hole formed on the surface of the aerosol product 200.

[0050] An example of an aerosol production article 200 will now be described with reference to FIG.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an aerosol product.

[0052] 4, the aerosol product 200 includes a tobacco rod 210 and a filter rod 220. The first portion already described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 includes the tobacco rod 210, and the second portion also includes the filter rod 220.

[0053] 4, the filter rod 220 is illustrated as a single segment, but is not limited thereto. That is, the filter rod 220 may be composed of multiple segments. For example, the filter rod 220 may include a first segment that cools the aerosol and a second segment that filters a predetermined component contained in the aerosol. In addition, the filter rod 220 may further include at least one segment that performs another function, if necessary.

[0054] The aerosol product 200 is also wrapped by at least one wrapper 240. The wrapper 240 may have at least one hole through which the outside air can flow in and the inside gas can flow out. As an example, the aerosol product 200 is also wrapped by one wrapper 240. As another example, the aerosol product 200 is also stacked by two or more wrappers 240. For example, the tobacco rod 210 may be wrapped by a first wrapper 241, and the filter rod 220 may be wrapped by wrappers 242, 243, and 244. The entire aerosol product 200 is then further wrapped by a single wrapper 245. When the filter rod 220 is composed of multiple segments, each segment is also wrapped by the wrappers 242, 243, and 244.

[0055] The tobacco rod 210 includes an aerosol-forming substrate, such as, but not limited to, glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. The tobacco rod 210 may also include other additives, such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids. A flavoring liquid, such as menthol or a humectant, may also be added to the tobacco rod 210 by spraying it onto the tobacco rod 210.

[0056] The tobacco rod 210 can be made in various ways. For example, the tobacco rod 210 can be made of a sheet or a strand. The tobacco rod 210 can also be made of cut tobacco, which is a tobacco sheet cut into small pieces. The tobacco rod 210 can also be surrounded by a thermally conductive material. For example, the thermally conductive material can be a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but is not limited thereto. As an example, the thermally conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 210 can evenly distribute the heat transferred to the tobacco rod 210 and improve the thermal conductivity applied to the tobacco rod, thereby improving the taste of the tobacco. The thermally conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 210 can also function as a susceptor heated by an induction heater. In this case, although not shown in the drawings, the tobacco rod 210 can also include a further susceptor in addition to the thermally conductive material surrounding the outside.

[0057] The filter rod 220 is also a cellulose acetate filter. The shape of the filter rod 220 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 220 is a cylindrical rod, or a tube-type rod having a hollow inside. The filter rod 220 is also a recessed rod. When the filter rod 220 is composed of multiple segments, at least one of the multiple segments is also manufactured to have a different shape.

[0058] The filter rod 220 is also made to produce a flavor. For example, a flavoring liquid can be sprayed onto the filter rod 220, and a separate fiber coated with the flavoring liquid is also inserted into the filter rod 220.

[0059] The filter rod 220 may also include at least one capsule 230. Here, the capsule 230 may generate flavor or aerosol. For example, the capsule 230 may be a structure in which a liquid containing a flavoring is covered with a coating. The capsule 230 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0060] If the filter rod 220 includes a segment for cooling the aerosol, the cooling segment may be made of a polymeric material or a biodegradable polymeric material. For example, the cooling segment may be made of pure polylactic acid, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the cooling segment may be made of a cellulose acetate filter with multiple holes. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the above examples, and may be any material that can perform the function of cooling the aerosol.

[0061] Although not shown in Fig. 4, the aerosol product 200 according to one embodiment further includes a front-end filter. The front-end filter is also located on one side of the tobacco rod 210 opposite the filter rod 220. The front-end filter can prevent the tobacco rod 210 from falling out and can prevent liquefied aerosol from flowing into the aerosol generating device 100 (Figs. 1 to 3) from the tobacco rod 210 during smoking.

[0062] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0063] 5, the aerosol generating device 500 also includes a heater 510, a puff sensor 520, and a control unit 530. The aerosol generating device 500, the heater 510, and the control unit 530 in Fig. 5 correspond to the aerosol generating device 100, the heater 130, and the control unit 120 in Figs. 1 to 3, respectively, and therefore overlapping contents will be omitted.

[0064] The heater 510 can heat an aerosol production article inserted into the aerosol generating device 500, and can heat an aerosol-generating substrate within the aerosol production article so that an aerosol is generated from the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0065] The puff sensor 520 can measure the size of the user's puff. The puff size refers to the intensity or strength of the puff on the aerosol product, and also corresponds to the amount of aerosol inhaled by the user through the puff. The puff sensor 520 can measure the user's puff size based on a change in the temperature of the heater, or based on a change in the current flowing through the heater. However, the method is not necessarily limited thereto. According to an embodiment, the puff sensor 520 can measure the user's puff size based on a change in the flow rate of the airflow, a change in the power supplied to the heater, or the like.

[0066] The control unit 530 can control the heating time (i.e., the operation time) of the heater 510. A method for the control unit 530 to control the heating time of the heater 510 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0067] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operation of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0068] In step 610, the aerosol generating device can determine the amount of vaporization of the aerosol-generating substrate based on a value measured from the puff sensor. If the puff sensor measures the user's puff size based on a change in heater temperature, the measured value may mean the heater temperature measured by the puff sensor, or may also mean a value obtained by converting (e.g., filtering) the heater temperature measured by the puff sensor. The amount of vaporization may mean the amount of the aerosol-generating substrate in the aerosol product that is heated and vaporized. In this case, the value measured and output by the puff sensor is also called a "puff sensing value."

[0069] In the puff generating section, the heater temperature also changes depending on the user's puff. A larger change in heater temperature may indicate a larger amount of vaporization of the aerosol-generating substrate. For example, if the temperature change is larger in the second puff generating section than in the first puff generating section, the aerosol generating device may determine that a larger amount of vaporization of the aerosol-generating substrate is observed in the second puff generating section than in the first puff generating section.

[0070] In step 620, the aerosol generating device may control the heating time of the heater based on the determined amount of vaporization. For example, the aerosol generating device may extend the heating time of the heater when it is determined that the amount of vaporization of the aerosol-generating substrate is low. As another example, the aerosol generating device may not extend the heating time of the heater when it is determined that the amount of vaporization of the aerosol-generating substrate is high. In this way, the aerosol generating device may make the most of the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate. This may prevent the aerosol product from being wasted, and may increase the satisfaction of the user.

[0071] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a heater temperature measured by a puff sensor according to an embodiment.

[0072] 7, graph A shows the heater temperature measured by the puff sensor according to the heating time of the heater. In FIG. 7, the horizontal axis represents the heating time of the heater, and the unit is 0.1 seconds. In FIG. 7, the vertical axis may represent the heater temperature (°C) measured by the puff sensor.

[0073] The puff sensor may measure the temperature of the heater. The magnitude of the puff may change the temperature of the heater. For example, the magnitude of the puff may be proportional to the amount that the heater temperature drops as measured by the puff sensor.

[0074] 8 is a diagram illustrating a puff sensing value output by a puff sensor according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, graph B may represent a puff sensing value according to a heating time of a heater. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis represents the heating time of the heater, and the unit is 0.1 seconds. In FIG. 8, the vertical axis may represent the amplitude of the puff sensing value.

[0075] The puff sensor of the aerosol generating device can measure the temperature of the heater and digitally filter the measured temperature to obtain a puff sensing value. By using the digital filtering, the heater temperature measured from the puff sensor can be flattened.

[0076] In one embodiment, the puff sensor may perform digital filtering using a band-pass digital filter. For example, the puff sensor may output the heater temperature using a band-pass digital filter in the range of 0.2 Hz to 2 Hz. As another example, the puff sensor may output the measured heater temperature using a band-pass digital filter in the range of 0.2 Hz to 0.8 Hz. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above example. The aerosol generating device may determine the amount of vaporization of the aerosol-generating substrate based on the puff sensing value. In the puff generation section, the larger the change in the puff sensing value is, the larger the size of the puff is, and the larger the amount of vaporization of the aerosol-generating substrate may be. For example, referring to FIG. 8, the change in the puff sensing value is larger in the section from 40 seconds to 42 seconds than in the section from 66 seconds to 68 seconds, so that the amount of vaporization of the aerosol-generating substrate is even greater in the section from 40 seconds to 42 seconds than in the section from 66 seconds to 68 seconds.

[0077] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the amount of vaporization of an aerosol-generating substrate according to one embodiment.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 9, graph A shows the heater temperature measured by the puff sensor according to the heating time of the heater. Graph B shows the puff sensing value according to the heating time of the heater. In FIG. 9, the horizontal axis represents the time the heater is heated, and the unit is 0.1 seconds. The left vertical axis may represent the heater temperature (°C) measured by the puff sensor. The right vertical axis may represent the magnitude of the puff sensing value. The horizontal arrow (a) may represent the puff generation section, and the vertical arrow (b) may represent the difference between the maximum puff sensing value for each puff generation section and the reference critical value.

[0079] The aerosol generating device may determine a time period during which the puff sensing value is maintained above a reference critical value as a puff occurrence period. The reference critical value is a preset value for determining whether a puff has occurred. For example, referring to FIG. 9, since the puff sensing value is maintained above the reference critical value in the period from 8.0 seconds to 8.5 seconds, the period (i.e., the time period) may be determined as a puff occurrence period. Also, the period from 41.5 to 42.5 seconds may be determined as a puff occurrence period. Meanwhile, since the puff sensing value is less than the reference critical value in the period from 50.0 seconds to 51.0 seconds, the period is not determined as a puff occurrence period.

[0080] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device may measure a difference value obtained by subtracting a reference critical value from a maximum puff sensing value in a puff generation section. For example, in a section from 8.0 seconds to 8.5 seconds, the maximum puff sensing value is 0.28 and the reference critical value is 0.17. In this case, the difference value obtained by subtracting the reference critical value from the maximum puff sensing value is 0.11.

[0081] The difference value also depends on the amount of vaporization of the aerosol-forming substrate; the larger the difference value, the greater the amount of vaporization of the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0082] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device can determine the amount of vaporization of the aerosol-generating substrate based on the difference value. For example, the difference value in the section from 8.0 seconds to 8.5 seconds is smaller than the difference value in the section from 23.0 seconds to 23.5 seconds. In this case, it can be determined that the amount of vaporization of the aerosol-generating substrate in the section from 23.0 seconds to 23.5 seconds is greater than the amount of vaporization of the aerosol-generating substrate in the section from 8.0 seconds to 8.5 seconds. As another example, the difference value in the section from 41.5 seconds to 42.5 seconds during which the heater is heated is greater than the difference value in the section from 23.0 seconds to 23.5 seconds. Therefore, it can be determined that the amount of vaporization of the aerosol-generating substrate in the section from 41.5 seconds to 42.5 seconds is greater than the amount of vaporization of the aerosol-generating substrate in the section from 23.0 seconds to 23.5 seconds.

[0083] The aerosol generating device may accumulate the difference value for each puff generation period. Referring to Fig. 9, the aerosol generating device may determine three puff generation periods from 0.1 seconds to 35 seconds. If the difference values ​​of the three puff generation periods are 0.11, 0.31, and 0.3, respectively, the aerosol generating device may calculate that the accumulated sum of the difference values ​​is 0.72.

[0084] The aerosol generating device can determine the amount of vaporization (i.e., consumption) of the aerosol-generating substrate based on the total vaporization amount of the aerosol-generating substrate and the cumulative sum of the difference values. The total vaporization amount can mean the total amount of the aerosol-generating substrate contained in one aerosol product that is vaporized by heating. The total vaporization amount can be represented by the magnitude of a digitally filtered signal. For example, the total vaporization amount can be set by averaging the cumulative sum of many aerosol products when a preset number of puffs are inhaled.

[0085] The aerosol generating device can determine the vaporized amount and remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate based on the total vaporized amount and the cumulative value of the difference values. Specifically, the aerosol generating device can calculate the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate by subtracting the cumulative sum from the total vaporized amount of the aerosol-generating substrate. For example, if the total vaporized amount is 3.0 and the cumulative sum of the difference values ​​at a specific time is 0.72, the aerosol generating device can determine that the vaporized amount is 0.72 and the remaining amount is 2.28.

[0086] The aerosol generating device may increase the preset total number of puffs when the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate is equal to or greater than a preset reference remaining amount. The reference remaining amount may correspond to the amount of the aerosol-generating substrate required for the user to perform one or more puffs. The preset total number of puffs may refer to the total number of puffs provided by the aerosol-generating substrate contained in one aerosol product.

[0087] The increase in the total number of puffs also depends on the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate. When the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate is large, the number of available puffs can be increased by a large amount. When the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate is small, the total number of puffs can be increased by a small amount. For example, in an aerosol product with a preset number of puffs of 14, assume that the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate is 0.1. In this case, when the preset reference amount is 0.07, the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate is greater than the reference remaining amount. Therefore, the aerosol generating device can increase the preset total number of puffs from 14 to 15. In the above example, when the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate is 0.2, the aerosol generating device can increase the preset total number of puffs from 14 to 16.

[0088] When the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate is less than the preset reference amount, the aerosol generating device can maintain the preset total number of puffs. Thus, in the above example, when the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate is 0.05, the aerosol generating device can maintain the preset total number of puffs at 14.

[0089] The aerosol generating device may extend the heating time of the heater when the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substrate is equal to or greater than a preset reference amount. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device may extend the heating time of the heater to correspond to an increased total number of puffs.

[0090] The user may then further inhale the aerosol generated by the remaining aerosol-forming substrate.

[0091] Fig. 10 is a flow chart for explaining a method for controlling a heating time of a heater based on a vaporization amount by an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. The method of Fig. 10 can be performed by the aerosol generating device. For example, the method of Fig. 10 can be performed by a control unit included in the aerosol generating device, such as the control unit 120 of Figs. 1 to 3 and the control unit 530 of Fig. 5.

[0092] In step 1010, the aerosol generating device may determine whether there is a time period during which the puff sensing value is maintained above a reference critical value.

[0093] If there is a time period during which the puff sensing value is maintained above the reference critical value, the aerosol generating device may determine the time period as a puff generation period in operation 1020. If not, the aerosol generating device may return to the start operation.

[0094] In step 1030, the aerosol generating device may calculate a difference value for each puff generation interval and sum the difference values.

[0095] In step 1040, the aerosol generating device may count the number of puff generation intervals. To this end, the aerosol generating device may further include a counter that counts the number of puff generation intervals. For example, the counter may increment a count value by 1 every time a puff generation interval is detected.

[0096] In step 1050, the aerosol generating device may determine whether the number of remaining puffs reaches a preset reference number greater than 0. The number of remaining puffs may be obtained by subtracting the number of counted puff generation periods from the preset total number of puffs. For example, if the preset total number of puffs is 14, the number of counted puff generation periods is 11, and the preset reference number is 3, the aerosol generating device may determine that the number of remaining puffs has reached the preset reference number.

[0097] The preset reference number may indicate a time point for checking the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate and controlling the preset total number of puffs. When the remaining number of puffs reaches the preset reference number, the aerosol generating device may determine the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate so that the preset total number of puffs is increased before the heater stops heating. Thus, the user may continue puffing by utilizing the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate according to the increased preset number of puffs.

[0098] In step 1060, if the number of remaining puffs reaches the preset reference number, the aerosol-generating device can determine whether the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate is equal to or greater than the preset reference amount, which is the total vaporized amount of the aerosol-generating substrate minus the cumulative sum of the difference values.

[0099] If the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate is equal to or greater than the preset reference amount, the aerosol generating device may increase the preset total number of puffs and / or the heater heating time in step 1070. Otherwise, in step 1080, the aerosol generating device may maintain the preset total number of puffs and the heater heating time.

[0100] The preset total number of puffs and the heating time of the heater are controlled based on whether or not an additional puff is provided based on the remaining amount of aerosol generating substrate, thereby preventing waste of aerosol product and increasing user convenience.

[0101] An embodiment may also be embodied in the form of a recording medium that includes computer executable commands, such as program modules executed by the computer. Computer readable media is any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, including both volatile and non-volatile media, separate and non-separate media. Computer readable media also includes both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and non-volatile, separate and non-separate media embodied in any method or technology for storing information, such as computer readable commands, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically includes computer readable commands, data structures, other data in a modulated data signal, such as a program module, or other transmission mechanism, and includes any information delivery media.

[0102] The above description of the embodiments is merely illustrative, and a person skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the invention must be determined by the claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to the contents described in the claims must be interpreted as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. a heater for heating the aerosol-generating substrate; a puff sensor for measuring the size of a user's puff; a control unit that determines an amount of vaporization of the aerosol-generating substrate based on a value measured by the puff sensor, and controls a heating time of the heater based on a puff sensing value indicating the size of the user's puff and the determined amount of vaporization of the aerosol-generating substrate, The control unit is A time period during which the puff sensing value is maintained above a reference critical value is determined as a puff occurrence period; An aerosol generating device that calculates a difference value by subtracting the reference critical value from the maximum puff sensing value in the puff generation section, calculates a cumulative sum of the difference values ​​for multiple puff generation sections, and determines the amount of evaporation of the aerosol-generating substrate based on the previously set total amount of evaporation of the aerosol-generating substrate and the cumulative sum of the difference values ​​in the puff generation section.

2. The puff sensor includes: Measure the temperature of the heater; The aerosol generating device of claim 1 , wherein the heater temperature is digitally filtered to generate the puff sensing value.

3. The control unit is subtracting the cumulative sum from the total amount of vaporized aerosol-forming substrate to calculate the amount of the aerosol-forming substrate remaining; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate is equal to or greater than a preset reference amount, a preset number of puffs of the aerosol-generating substrate is increased.

4. The control unit is subtracting the cumulative sum from the total amount of vaporized aerosol-forming substrate to calculate the amount of the aerosol-forming substrate remaining; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substrate is less than a preset reference remaining amount, a preset total number of puffs of the aerosol-generating substrate is maintained.

5. The control unit is subtracting the cumulative sum from the total amount of vaporized aerosol-forming substrate to calculate the amount of the aerosol-forming substrate remaining; The aerosol generating device according to claim 1 , wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substrate is equal to or greater than a preset amount, the heating time of the heater is extended.

6. a counter for counting the number of puff occurrence periods; The control unit subtracts the number of puff generation sections from a preset total number of puffs, and when the acquired remaining number of puffs reaches a preset reference number, controls at least one of the heating time of the heater and the preset total number of puffs based on the determined amount of vaporization.

7. 1. A method for controlling an aerosol generating device, comprising: heating the aerosol-generating substrate; measuring the size of a user's puff using a puff sensor; determining a time period during which a value measured by the puff sensor is maintained above a reference critical value as a puff occurrence period; calculating a difference value by subtracting the reference critical value from a maximum value measured in the puff generation section, calculating a cumulative sum of the difference values ​​over a plurality of puff generation sections, and determining the vaporization amount of the aerosol-generating substrate based on a preset total vaporization amount of the aerosol-generating substrate and the cumulative sum of the difference values; and controlling a heating time of the heater based on the determined amount of vaporization of the aerosol-generating substrate.

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